Logs:Advance Acceptance
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| RL Date: 10 November, 2009 |
| Who: Delifa, Madilla |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Vignette |
| What: Madilla makes her request for Gabrion. Delifa has exciting news. |
| Where: Delifa's Quarters, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 6, Month 3, Turn 21 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: G'brion/Mentions |
| Madilla dwelled over Gabrion for much of the rest of her afternoon, as she carefully checked her reconstituted herbs, then drained them, put them on her board, and began to chop. She felt for him; she didn't know - couldn't know - everything that had soured the hall for him, but she regretted it. If this could work, if it could make things right! It would be a fine thing, a good thing, the kind of thing she could feel proud of helping with. When her shift ended, she took herself straight to the baths, quickly cleaning herself of the day, then winding her hair - thick and curly - into a tidy knot at the nape of her neck. She put on clean clothes, and ate her dinner with care, care to remain pristine for her visit to Delifa. Delifa was not yet back at work full time; they'd made her promise it wouldn't be considered until the spring, when little Delvana would be older, when there was less chance of Delifa setting back her full recovery with a stray illness. That made Madilla's weekly visits all the more important, a chance to catch up on everything, a chance for Delifa to help with any pressing issues or study questions; mostly, though, a chance to spend time with each other. She found Delifa nursing her daughter, as she stepped into the small suite of rooms the Journeyman called her own. The smile she gave Madilla was beatific; Madilla had to swallow the lump in her throat, the tug at her heart: they were beautiful together, mother and daughter, and she envied them. As Delvana finished her meal, Delifa offered her to Madilla, and so, they began their evening with the apprentice cuddling the baby (six months old now! How had that happened?) as Delifa made the tea. It was only once they'd updated each other on the latest news, and Delifa had explained some of the intricacies of physiotherapy in relation to broken legs, that Madilla came forward with her request. "Gabrion would like to be a healer again," she began. "I don't think I really realised that until today. We were talking to Bronzerider C'mryn about search and rescue, and the possibility of healers joining them-- that's another thing I need to talk to you about -- but the thing is... why couldn't Gabrion study here? Like I do." She looked down at Delvana in her arms, rocking the baby gently as she waited for Delifa's response, not quite willing to face the facial reaction from her teacher. Delifa sounded thoughtful; "He actually said he'd like to try again, or you just assumed as much?" "I commented on it, that I couldn't see why he couldn't try again, and he shut down a bit, but then said... yes, maybe we could try. I said I'd asked you to ask them. Will you?" This time, she did raise her eyes, imploring the older healer with them. Delifa turned her gaze away. "You say he's been helpful in the infirmary. I wish... if I was /there/ more, I'd know him better." "It's nearly spring," Madilla reminded. "You'll be back soon. And yes, he has been. He's-- I really think he could be a good healer. Maybe the Hall just didn't work for him. What's to say he wouldn't do better here?" "I'll write to the hall," said Delifa, finally, slowly. "I can't promise that it will do any good... you understand, that, of course? They may not want to readmit an apprentice who, if I remember correctly, left of his own volition. It doesn't show dedication." Madilla nodded. "Of course I understand. And Gabrion knows that, too... I don't think he really expects anything to come of it, but it can't hurt to try, can it? But he won't go back to the Hall. He'd have to stay here." Delifa looked at her apprentice, the way Madilla held Delvana so closely, and how earnestly she spoke about Gabrion, and doing this for him. Such a different girl she was, now, to the one she'd first taught at the Hall. So much more confidence, but the compassion? That had never changed. She'll make Journeyman before she's twenty, unless someone out there is utterly blind. "I'll write," she repeated, forcing herself not to get too distracted. "We'll see. Your recommendation, and mine-- it can't hurt." "My recommendation?" Madilla sounded surprised. "What kind of help would that be? One Senior Apprentice." "You're the one who brought the matter to me. You've also spent more time with him than I have, certainly, and probably most of the others, too. Why shouldn't your recommendation carry some clout? You're not unknown at the Hall, Madilla." Madilla flushed. "If you say so..." "Actually." Delifa rose, crossing the room to her desk, where, after a moment or two of shuffling, she came out with a letter. "I had to tell you this tonight, anyway. You've been accepted in advance for the advanced training course this summer. Eight weeks, straight after exams." Were Madilla a different girl, she might have dropped Delvana right then and there. Instead, she simply froze, eyes raising towards her mentor as Delifa returned, offer the letter in silence. "You-- I have?" "You have. And believe it or not... I didn't even nominate you as such." Madilla was silent. Pink cheeked, and overwhelmed. She shook her head. "I don't understand why..." "Why not? Come on-- it's probably time we put Delvana down. Will you?" Her head spinning, Madilla nodded, rising from her seat to follow Delifa into the other room. The advanced training course! Eight weeks at the Hall... she was less comfortable about that, but the training course! And advance acceptance, too. Perhaps it wasn't unrealistic to believe she'd have her knot by her twentieth turnday, then. That wasn't so far away. Advance acceptance! |
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