Tempered Victory [Open for the Brave]

[Alyx]

Melana and Gold Sularenth
Month 11, Day 27, Turn 2761, Early Evening (after Claiming The Crown )

Fate is a fickle bitch who dotes on irony. It was a quote Melana thought of in years, hadn’t heard in longer. And yet, today, it seemed to be in the forefront of her thoughts, the world shifting under her feet more in the last 12 candlemarks than she’d ever thought realistically possible. Everything felt like it was spinning out of control, chaos and joy and loss and fear and… everything, all in a maelstrom of activity and emotion.

Sularenth growled, low in her throat, and snaked her head to the right; Melana sidestepped into the motion, the Gold’s barred teeth coming up just short in front of her chest. “No.” Normally, the word would have been an attempted command, but it was softer than Mel normally used with the temperamental beast of a Gold. ‘Let them work.’ I don’t want them touching me. Melana crossed her arms, making sure to shift her feet to balance and be ready to move if she had to to block the dragon’s attempt to bite the healers again.

‘You don’t have a choice, Sula. Unless you plan to be ground-bound for the rest of your life, which would make you are rather poor Weyrqueen wouldn’t it?’ Sularenth tilted her head, focusing a red-hued, faceted eye down on her rider. Mine. ‘Yes, I know, we’ve been over that several times this morning, remember? Come on now, I know your memory is a bit better than that Sularenth.’ Melana unfolded her arms and pressed the fingers of her left hand against her pulsing temple. She was getting a headache.

Mine. ‘Again, yes.’ The possessive hiss in the Gold’s words translated to an actual hiss from the slightly parted jaws, and someplace behind her, Melana heard someone gasp. She resisted the urge to turn and snap, rolling her eyes softly instead. Her back was to them, they’d never see anyway. Sularenth chuckled, and the Gold seemed to relax. Mine. Melana huffed. ‘Can you please behave and let them patch you up? I know you don’t like people, but please, work with me?’

Melana knew Sula would have preferred on her sister’s rider to be the one working on her, but Zenelle had refused to leave. No matter how much Melana had tried to order the greenrider away, the woman wouldn’t budge; even under the threat that Melana wasn’t sure she could keep Sula from eating the woman. Either the dragonhealer had a deathwish, didn’t believe Sula was that nasty (which Mel highly doubted, everyone knew the sharding Gold was about three eggs shy of a baker’s dozen) or she really, really felt the need to do her job.

Or, maybe, she thought higher of Melana’s control over the Gold than Mel did? Whatever it was, it was what it was, and they were making do. As it was, Melana was thankful that this was what was taking up her afternoon, rather than trying to rein in the chaotic aftermath of the Queens’ risings. That task felt to B'rax, her new Weyrleader.

Her Weyrleader. Not the Weyrleader. It had still only partly sunk in honestly. She only knew bits and pieces so far – she’d been told that Gold Zalmaranth had Betweened during the flight, a result of the injuries when the pair had clashed. Only afterward did she learn that Karredy hadn’t survived her dragon’s death. It hadn’t surprised Melana; to say Karredy had a weak constitution would have been putting it gently. Still, she hadn’t wanted the woman dead, just out of the way and not so annoying.

B’rax had said A'zael had dealt with the immediate issues while they had been… occupied with the flight. She didn’t like the man, but if nothing else, A’zael had been there to keep Mavros from imploding on itself. She’d talk to him later if she could. Maybe even thank him, but she doubted he’d want to hear it from her.

Sularenth growled again, shifting her head, and Melana shifted her weight, turning in place, and planting her butt on the very tip of the Gold’s nose. The dragon snorted, the warm breath washing over her rear and the backs of her legs. You smell like sex. ‘Well, I haven’t had time to bath because you keep trying to eat the dragonhealers.’ Sula snorted again but didn’t move to dislodge her rider. Melana tossed a look at the greenrider.

“And idea how much longer, Zenelle? She’s starting to find me much less endearing by the moment.”

(OOC: Open to anyone that wishes to come to see Melana. I know she doesn't have many friends, but I did promise the thread to be open)

[kevna]

Riasu – Candidate

It had been difficult to extricate herself from V’than-a gold rising had definitely been beneficial for them both. It had been needed as well. Especially after…. So much grief-she had needed a distraction. It hadn’t lasted long enough, it couldn’t have. The mourning howl of dragons still echoed in her memory, and the grieving voices that filled her head were still fresh, and while the burning hunger for completion had distracted her-when it had finally started to dissipate, so had her ability to avoid the voices. V’than had tried though, she could give him that-he really had-but with the grief stricken voices was the knowledge that there were injured dragons. She had been firm in her exit, though a few kisses of promise she had left behind. She would come back. V’than and his big brown had the ability to help her focus on refuting the voices. Riasu would want the break.

She walked the halls with her bucket and healing kit, her stride firm and long to get her to where she wished to go. She hadn’t seen much of Melana since her arrival, but she had good reason to intrude upon the new Weyrwoman’s domain-seeing as her specialty in healing was for dragons. She knew Zenelle would have everything under control. The woman had a competency that some couldn’t reach when it came to dragon healing-but she remembered Sularenth’s voice, the… temper the gold had. If anything, she could provide a distraction for the greenrider to do her job, even if she itched to help. She would do what she could to help-even if that meant distracting instead of assisting in the healing process.

The possessive exclamations from the gold she had been able to hear as she got closer to the Weyrwoman’s weyr and they didn’t sound particularly friendly. Not that an injured gold had any expectation to be friendly, still, Riasu couldn’t help but be even more sure she had made the right decision in coming to assist Zenelle. She approached the door, and raised her hand-but stopped when she heard Sularenth’s comment about Melana’s scent, snorting out a soft laugh and shaking her head. The dragon definitely had spunk. She knocked, waiting for the sound of welcoming before opening the door.

She moved within, and nodded to Melana and Zenelle, then offered a bow to the gold. “I’m sorry to intrude. I couldn’t help but check to see if I could be of use.” She raised her bucket pointedly, noting how quickly Zenelle was working, and her concentration. She barely returned her nod, though she did look minorly relieved to see her. “Both tragedy and triumph this day, I must offer you both my condolences and congratulations. It’s a bitter-sweet day.” Then remembering it had been some time since she had met Melana and knowing that not all had her memory of names, “I’m Riasu, dragon candidate and Zenelle’s avid student. You came to welcome my brother and I when we first arrived.”

[Alyx]

Melana and Gold Sularenth

Melana managed not to mutter a curse as the knock rang against the door behind her. “Enter.” Her voice was sharp and clear; she was very pleased she managed not to sound as tired and frustrated as she felt. She felt the Gold’s shift almost instantly and tensed to step between them for a split second as the girl became Sula's sole center of attention as she stepped into the weyr.

Melana risked a look at the newcomer as she spoke, noting the somber tones, and gave a single, sharp nod. Yes, it wasn’t exactly the way she wanted her tenure as Senior to start out. It would be a long time, even with Karredy’s uselessness to blame, for that shadow to drift from the moment. “I wish it had played out better. And without all the bloodshed.” Melana gave a sigh, then gave the girl an edge of a smile. “But thank you; for both. Karredy wasn’t my friend and was barely my teacher, but all the same, I’m sure she will be missed by those closest to her.”

Sularenth gave a snort, which Melana pointedly ignored as the woman continued to speak, and finally remember remembered why she looked so familiar as she gave a quick nod at the girl’s introduction. Of course, Lo’qui’s sister. “Yes, I remember. A pleasure to see you again, Riasu. I hope you’ve been settling in well?” For a moment, Melana’s mind fled back to the flight; Sularenth’s choice, and if Gamath had been just a moment slower, or Jarath a little quicker, her brother would be the one talking with the Weyr at this very moment.

Sularenth rumbled, her head shifting as she felt her rider’s attention wandering, to snake around her. Melana took a half step to plant a knee against the side of the dragon’s nose. “Stop it.” The words were a hiss at the dragon, whose attention instantly sharpened onto her. I could bite you. ‘But you won’t.’ How do you know? ‘Because deep down, you love me, you bitter beast. And you know I’m letting them do this because you need it. If I could do it myself I would, but I can’t.’

Perhaps. Fine, yes, I love you, but you smell horrible. Get off my nose. Melena smirked and the exasperated tone in the Dragon's mindvoice, shifting to push her weight against the Gold’s nose for just a moment. ‘I smell like this because of you.’ At least you could have bathed. ‘I will once the healers are done, and you aren’t trying to eat them.’ Fine. They finish, you bathe, and I will hunt. I’m hungry. Convinced for the moment at least Sularenth wasn’t going to try to eat her tenders, Mel stepped back a pace or two and watched Riasu move to aid Zenelle and the others. “Thank you, all of you. I’m sure you have places you’d much rather be than dealing with this sour creature, but I appreciate the risk you are taking.”

‘If you are hungry, I could as B’rax to have Gamath bring you something?’ She knew it was a risk to play on the Gold’s temper, but true to form, Sularenth rose to the bait, the threatening hiss slipping out of the dragon as the red-tinted eyes focused on Mel. I do not want the Bronze anywhere near me. I will hunt for myself. Mel tried not to smile. ‘Well, he did catch you, which means technically for the moment, he is your mate.’ He did not catch me, he stole me. I did not choose him, I chose Jarath.

Sula lifted her head deliberately slow, turning it to eye her rider, and rumbled a warning. Melena lifted her hands up, palms open, and chuckled at the clear posturing. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry, I’ll quick poking the particular sore spot in your ego.” That would be wise. Without moving, Melena looked toward the dragonhealers; she didn't want to rush them, but at the same time, she did want them to hurry just a bit.

Although Melana had met several of Lo'qui's offspring, she realized how very little she knew about his sister. Well, she did have the time; neither of them were going very far for the moment. “So did you do dragon healing before you came to Mavros, Riasu? Or is it something you started here?”

(kevna for small talk)

[kevna]

Riasu – Candidate

Melana's response started off normal. “I didn’t know her either, but I’m sure she will.” She agreed, trying not to look surprised by Melana’s almost callous words towards Karredy. She had heard plenty of rumors of the woman’s sanity, but to hear the new Weyrwoman basically call the last Weyrwoman negligent and not a friend was… Surprising. Even if only because most sought not to speak ill of the dead. She tried not to judge the woman-having another gold rise at the same time was a deadly mistake, and Karredy’s inability to control her dragon had put Melana’s bonded at great risk. Many would have ill feelings towards someone who put a loved one in such a position.

Riasu nodded at Melana’s polite question, answering simply, “Yes, very well indeed.” She had settled in well enough, and V’than had truly helped her with that. There was ever the possibility that she return to Ierne Island Weyr… Her relationship with her brother had been her only tie to keep her here, but with that strained, she had seriously considered returning home. V’than had given her pause in returning, but the possibility… it was still there.

When Melana turned her attention to her testy gold, the candidate took that for the assent to get to work, and started walking toward the gold, listening as the gold began threatening again. She looked to Zenelle, who gave her instructions and waved her to a spot she hadn’t gotten to yet on the gold that was in need of attention. She got to work, trying to ignore the personal seeming half-conversation she was hearing.

Melana’s grateful words weren’t any sort of interruption, though they were strange. Risk? She had never heard of a dragon intentionally harming a human, even an injured dragon, and was surprised that Melana was concerned. Threats were common enough-dragons could get just as grumpy and irritated as a human-but to actually harm? Surely, or maybe especially, a gold would never harm a human, especially one caring for them! What did that say of the Senior Gold at Mavros if her rider was truly concerned that the dragon would lose control?... No, she didn’t think dragons would fall so low. Melana probably referred to the risk associated with dragons wincing and trying to move away due to the pain, sometimes knocking the healers over. There was a slight risk for extensive harm in such circumstances, dragons were much larger than their bonded counterparts, and a bump could send a healer sprawling, which was why gold dragons were normally in charge of keeping the seriously injured dragons still and from jumping between. Sularenth was the senior most gold now-and while she was queen, it would be near impossible for another gold to keep her still if the pain was enough.

Riasu waited till Zenelle had said something motherly and kind, as she was wont to do when riders gave their thanks and concerns, before adding on a confident, if slightly challenging, “Sularenth seems far too capable to be much of a risk to us.” She smiled, wondering what the sharp worded Sularenth would say to that, but kept her eyes on the hide she was working with, gently helping with the cleaning and salve application on the areas the Zenelle hadn’t reached yet, allowing Zenelle to start applying bandages over where she had already cleaned and salved hide.

Sularenth started talking again to her rider, and Riasu couldn’t help but listen in to the half-sided conversation. So the gold didn’t like a certain bronze… Oh, she felt like she had been stolen? It was probably good she was working, because when Sularenth mentioned Jarath, it took her a moment to register… Sularenth had chosen Jarath? Jarath?? How… intriguing. Only practice allowed her to hide her surprise. She itched her nose with her arm, allowing herself a quick glance to Melana who was responding to her bonded. Was something more serious going on with her brother and the Weyrwoman? Or did the gold just have a thing for playdragon bronzes? Riasu tried to imagine her brother settling down and couldn’t.

She didn’t miss a beat when the weyrwoman turned to her, asking her question, Riasu’s hands steadily continuing her work as she answered, “Dragon healing has been my craft since I was old enough to assist, I’ve always loved being around dragons. My mother hoped to avoid me becoming a candidate and kept me hard at work in the infirmary every chance she had. Becoming a candidate was more recent, though moving to Mavros was mostly just so I could be close to my brother, it has helped lessen the… fear my mother experiences when I stand on the sand.” That wasn’t entirely true, her mother’s fear probably hadn’t lessened at all, but Riasu experiencing that fear and fighting her mother every time it came to an egg hatching had lessened.

“Did you have a craft before you impressed to Sularenth?” She asked, curious who Melana was, and what type of person she was now.

[Alyx]

Melana and Gold Sularenth

“Sularenth seems far too capable to be much of a risk to us.” Sularenth answered Riasu’s words with a low, warm rumble. Melana ducked her chin, trying not to chuckle. ‘She doesn’t know you.’ She does not have to know me. I enjoy her flattery. ‘Vain beast.’ Sularenth shifted, seeming more patient and careful with her motions now that someone seemed to think so highly over her. It was a nice reprieve, for the moment – it wouldn’t last, mind you, but it was a breather Melana would take it.

Perhaps she should remember that kind of versus thinking in the future, especially if she could use it to keep the hot-tempered Gold in hand. I can hear you. ‘I know, love.’ Sula shifted her head, bumping her nose a little harder against Melana’s legs. ‘Hey now.’ Think quieter when you are plotting. Melana laughed, dropping a hand to pat the dragon’s nose. ‘Rest, dear one. Let them work.’ Hoping that Sula would remain on her ‘good’ behavior, she focused on Riasu.

This was the second time Sularenth had commented on liking the girl. Normally, that could mean anything, but Sula didn’t actually LIKE many people, and even fewer non-riders. Riasu’s words flowed nicely, and Melana nodded to her. “Surnae was learning Dragonhealing when we were in weyrlinghood together; I could never get the hang of it, but she excels at it. I’m sure her dragon’s gentler nature helps with it as well, Sularenth is a bit blunter then Danovelith. Not the best bedside manner. And I didn’t have the patience for another set of classes.”

Which was the truth, in all honesty? Weyrlinghood had been about learning what she needed to do and getting as far away from K’ton as she could. Perhaps now, with her new standing as Senior, she should revisit the option? Dragonhealing could be an excellent way to help her new Weyr and start building confidence in her ability to lead them. Hm, she would as Surnae about it later.

Melana shook her head quickly in response to the young woman’s question, her lips tilting into a slight frown. “Sadly, I did not, unless you want to count kitchen work and errand running. My blood parents have no real care for me, so I was raised in the creche in High Reaches with dozens of others. Most of us simply assumed we would be Standing for Candidacy and never were pushed to look for another calling.” She gave a rough shrug. “Not exactly the best future planning. The stars were in my favor, thankfully; Sularenth saved me from a life as an uneducated cur.”

The gold rumbled, a roll of dragon-like laughter that echoed around the healers and her rider. You would have never been a cur. Uneducated or otherwise. Melana took a step back, running her fingers along the dragon’s eye ridge, hiding the surprise on her face as the dragon spoke to the room rather than just her. “Only because of you, love. Otherwise, I’d be in the kitchens, chasing tunnelsnakes and felines out of the larders.” But you do that anyway. That would be how you got Tao. Melana rolled her eyes, huffing at the fight she couldn’t win.

Melana moved away from the dragon’s head, watching to get a closer look at the work they were doing on her Gold. Melana had been doing her best to stop the already slowing ichor when Zenelle had arrived, and Melana had been more than willing to step back and let the woman take over. Dried ichor still dotted the Goldrider’s hands, a contrast to the fresher stands on the dragonhealers’ digits. Melana couldn’t help the frown. “Thank you again for coming to help with her. Weyr has lost too much already with this.”

(I am so sorry it took so kevna it's not you, it's me! Okay, it's not me, it's my hubby not having anything to do other than get in my personal writing space!)