A Meeting with Fresh Meat

Kadia leaned back in her chair at one of the round tables by the door, almond-brown eyes trained on the doorway. She was looking for a particular bluerider to enter, a female bluerider at that. They weren't so hidebound in these days that this J'ain was frowned upon, but females didn't Impress to blue so often that it didn't immediately make the woman interesting. Kadia knew all about her from discreet inquiries around the Weyr.

Two things were most notable, aside from the color she rode: J'ain believed she should have been born a man, and she had been living at Lemos Hold on permanent duty at the fire-heights when Sunset Weyr's mysterious total blackout occurred. This interview would have two parts: for one, delving for any answers that the woman might have concerning the Turn-long incident, and for two, offering her the position of Candidate Master's Assistant.

J'ain came through the door finally, about two minutes late, and Kadia waved her over. Are you going to chew her out?[/color] Rusith asked Hers idly.

No, it's only a few minutes. And it's nice to sit in the warm. J'ain offered a bow, surprising the goldrider considerably. (She hadn't earned anyone's respect yet, but here it was, being shown again. She wondered to herself just how large J'ain's blue was- and if he'd have a chance at her Rusith in a Mating Flight.)

Not a chance, Rusith growled immediately, though a spike of interest exposed the words for a lie. He is very strong for being so small.[/color]

Kadia rose quickly, returning the solemn smile with one of her own as she scolded Rusith for sharing such scandalous thoughts now. They were only just meeting, for Faranth's sake! "Have a seat, bluerider," Kadia said. They were near the door- which meant slower service- but at least it was quieter. "How is Yours this fine morning?"

Settled now, J'ain blinked dark brown eyes as though her mind was miles away. "Fine," she said, in a voice as quiet and deep as a dragon's snore. "Needs another oiling. And yours?"

It was courtesy to ask, but there was an undertone of curiosity also. Ah, but nearly anyone in the Weyr knew that Rusith was here to tend eggs not of her own line. This bluerider didn't immediately come across as someone with loose lips, but caution was warranted regardless. One could never tell at a glance who would or wouldn't hold confidences. "Rusith is doing her best to convince the eggs that they will have an adequate number of candidates to choose from when they hatch. Personally, I don't think the fetuses are old enough to have the slightest inkling what she is saying."

Apparently the mental image agreed with the leather-garbed bluerider. Once J'ain stifled her chuckling, she leaned forward to put her elbows on the table, meeting the somewhat-older woman's eyes directly, but without challenge. "May I ask what we are here meeting about?"

A kitchen worker came by (as though to save Kadia from the necessity of an immediate response), diffidently offering some hot meat. The bluerider enthusiastically took a couple slices from the tray, while Kadia shook her head. Early breakfast never did suit her. She folded her arms on the table, and shrugged with one shoulder. "I have to answer a question with a question, actually. How do you feel about candidates?"

J'ain raised an eyebrow. "They keep the dragons that choose them from going between, so I imagine I feel the same as everyone else toward them. Individual candidates might get different responses, though." Her bewilderment was obvious, and Kadia couldn't help a catty smirk.

"We need another Candidate Master's Assistant, and you fit the bill," she said briefly. "You're old enough to have life experience with a mindmate, and not so young that you'd be too lenient..." Kadia was tactful enough not to add that the severe-looking Threadscore on the bluerider's arm should be enough to show candidates what they risked by accepting a mindmate- it was good to give the dragons plenty of choice, but the Weyr's standards must be upheld. The weak-willed were poor choices.

J'ain certainly didn't catch onto the quick glance at her arm. She was too busy trying not to choke on a mouthful of roast wherry, her mouth covered to keep bits from flying into the goldrider's face. She nodded vehemently, eyes watering.

"I suppose I'll take that for a 'yes' then? Good." Kadia permitted herself a smile.

Now you leap, Rusith prompted with a hint of ferocity.

J'ain is not a wherry to be hunted! But, she needed to ask. "Congratulations. The second order of business is, nobody here seems willing to talk about the big blackout, and I want it talked about. I don't like the way the rumors have flown. I know I've only been here for a few days, but shard it, somebody needs to hash through the possibilities!"

The bluerider nodded, eyes still glistening with delight at her new position (and the ache from trying to swallow a bite of half-chewed wherry). "I don't know much," she admitted slowly. "Only that the Lord Holder actually sent me in an attempt to fly over the Weyr, and I couldn't send Ansith between to it. Every time we tried to go over, it was like he hit a galeforce wind just beyond where we might've seen what was happening. You know the type of crosswind that seems like a wall, and just shoves you along?" She waited for the goldrider's terse nod before continuing. "We tried maybe nine times. A few others from the Hold as well, the dragons on watch rotation and the couriers from crafthalls and stuff."

A green firelizard swooped down onto the table, crooning what could have been an apology and holding her leg outstretched. There was a message tube attached to it, which Kadia read immediately and growled with real upset. "Blueri- excuse me, candidate master's assistant J'ain, you must pardon me. We will have to finish our discussion later; an emergency has come about at the Miner Crafthall that I must tend to." The green flit, of course, disappeared as soon as the message's recipient did.

Further explanation would have to wait for later as well, it seemed, for the goldrider hurried off with her slight limp and a great deal of obvious vexation. J'ain herself was left to wonder what was going on at this time of day, before Rukbat even poked his head above the horizon? If we are meant to know, we will soon enough, her blue said calmly.