Logs:What Kind Of A Boy Does That?
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| RL Date: 16 May, 2009 |
| Who: Delifa, Madilla |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Vignette |
| What: Delifa completely misses the 'adorable' of Madilla and Whitchek's relationship, and drives straight into the 'weird and wrong'. Madilla is not convinced by this. |
| Where: Delifa's Quarters, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 5, Month 10, Turn 19 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Milani/Mentions, Satiet/Mentions, W'chek/Mentions |
| Tea and talk was a weekly tradition for Delifa and Madilla, one they'd begun not long after their mutual arrival at the weyr, and which had continued, through thick and thin, in the two turns since. Sometimes, Delifa helped her apprentice revise over her study, or they talked individual cases; other times, the atmosphere was lighter, and they spoke of their families, other things. Delifa had always felt something for the younger healer; she thought of her like the daughter she'd never had, loved her as much as any mother. They'd had to miss the previous sevenday, due to an incident in the infirmary that had kept them both busy until far too late. But on the evening of the 5th day of month 10, Delifa welcomed her apprentice in with a pot of tea on the hearth, and cookies on the table. They sat, cozy, on the old couches, and spoke first of work, of the candidate physicals, an older man who couldn't shake his cough, the old auntie who had passed away in her sleep two days previously. And then, as she reached across to offer the plate of cookies once more, Delifa asked, quietly, but not without obvious amusement, "And you, Madilla? Still eating your meals with that boy of yours?" Madilla flushed pink, the way Delifa had known she would; it was nice to see, to be honest. Madilla had been so quiet, until recently, so withdrawn. Between Satiet, and then that business with Milani which had obviously caused her grief no matter what she claimed, it had been a difficult turn. This... this was good to see. She thought. "A lot of the time. But not always, if we don't catch each other. It's... nice." "'Nice'. He's a candidate now, you told me." "Mm. He doesn't want to Impress, though; he's doing it because it's his duty. He's very dutiful. He asked, though..." Delifa sat up in her chair, frowning. "Asked?" "I think he was worried I wouldn't want to spend time with him, if he Impressed. He wanted to know if I'd consider a weyrmating, one day. It was only hypothetically, of course. If I would be willing to be with a rider. But... I think. The way he talks." She flushed darker, pleased and excited all that once. "You think what? Has he asked you to marry him, Madilla? Is that what you mean? You have an understanding?" It was Madilla's turn to frown, and, to her Journeyman's impatience, she considered her answer through another mouthful of her tea. "He hasn't asked, as such," she said, finally. "But we do, I think. Of course, it will be turns before I'm a Journeyman, and can actually... but yes." And she beamed with pride. "He said he wouldn't have me any other way. That I'm exactly what he needs." Delifa sat back, shaking her head. "How long have you known this boy, Madilla? How can you be sure that it's a... I know you would have married the man your family chose for you, if you'd still been at home, but you don't have to accept him, just because he's decided..." Surprised, Madilla blinked at the older healer. "But I want to. I want... he's respectful, and he's gentle, and he'll be good to me. He wanted to buy me a present, but I couldn't think of anything I wanted." "But if he's never asked you, Madilla. Surely. How does he know that you're willing? Has he just assumed? What kind of a boy does that?" "Of course he knows. I wouldn't walk with him, or have meals with him. I said I would go to the hatching with him. He did ask about that. And going walking. Things like that." Delifa had to bite back the response that first came to her: she wanted to shake her apprentice, force some sense into her. It wasn't... sensible, and what was Madilla, if not sensible? In the three and a half turns she'd known the girl, she'd mellowed considerably, and this... it was as though the last three and a half turns had been undone, and Madilla was back where she'd started, doing what she was told without thinking, because this boy, being male, clearly knew better. She didn't like it. "Be careful, Madilla. Perhaps it's a good thing, you'll have to have such a long engagement. So you can both make sure this is going to be right for you." "I wish..." Madilla shook her head. "I wish it wasn't so far away. I think we'd both be happier, if it weren't." "Madilla. Your craft?" "Has to come first. I know. Until I'm ready to take my Journeyman exams. Of course. I just..." Delifa shook her head. She fretted. They chatted for another half an hour or so, and then she walked the young apprentice to the door, wished her good night. As Madilla disappeared down the corridor, Delifa leaned against the doorframe, watching her. It concerned her. There was no denying that. Maybe it would be right for them. Maybe she was worried about nothing. But it worried her nonetheless. I just hope it would worry her real mother, too. And that... that, she was less sure of. |
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