Follow-Up [Az/Talera]

[Zen]

The morning after A Hero's Welcome

A'zael :: Bronze Fath

Yesterday was probably the most exhausting day of his life, but he still thought having Srunae back and his arms that night was why he’d slept so well. A’zael hadn’t even gone a night without her, but she’d been without him, and somehow he felt that, in a strange way. He’d missed nearly two turns with her over the span of a day. He hadn’t let go of her all night, and he’d been reluctant to let her go come the morning too, but they would both have things to see to today. After the stress and uncertainty of the waiting yesterday, the return of the timing group had meant celebration for the rest of the night, but Srunae and Melana would have to see that records of the event were seen to now that they were back, and start getting back into a normal routine. They would both be giving a detailed report to the Weyr’s leadership a little later in the day as well, so she’d have to prepare for that. He laid in bed only a short while after she left before he forced himself up and dressed for the day.

Thinking about the Weyr’s leadership, he couldn’t help but think about Karredy’s outburst yesterday, and Talera’s tact in handling it far better than he could have. He hadn’t really had a chance to thank the woman, and he was immensely grateful for her intervention, or what was already a shitty situation likely would have turned worse. Aerroth’s rider had been a great ally in recent months, and as he thought about it more he wondered if that wasn’t how it was supposed to feel, working with a Weyrwoman.

Fath? Is Talera in her weyr?

Sleepily, the bronze took a moment before replying, Yes, mine.

A’zael chuckled, Go back to sleep. He made his way to Talera’s weyr through the cavern halls instead, pausing to knock at her door, “Talera? It’s A’zael. Can I come in?”

Hiko

[Hiko]

Talera groaned as she rolled out of bed. Her body ached with the soreness that only fatigue could bring, and instinct more than actual thought brought her to the pitcher of klah she’d kept warming by the night’s fire. Pouring a mug of stale caffeine, she mused over the successes of the day before.

The dining hall had been buzzing at the arrival of so many returning riders, and it had taken some effort from their esteemed Headwoman to keep the staff in line and at the hearths, rather than with the new riders. Talera, too unable to not assist in some way, had tasked herself to aid the crechemothers in keeping the children occupied. It had been a familiar job, and one she was good at, though it had kept her from the bulk of the festivities.

Honestly, a good thing, as it had kept her away from Karredy for the rest of the evening, and had given her an outlet for the resentment of needing to coddle the child Weyrwoman. She sipped at the old klah, sitting down to peruse the night’s deficit. They would have to replenish the ale and wine before month’s end, but that was an easy enough task, if one went through the right channels.

Fath has asked of your location. I informed him you were in your weyr. I believe his rider is planning to make an appearance.
Oh? What could A’zael want? Talera set her cup down and slipped out of her nightclothes; it wouldn’t do to answer the door in a shift.
I do not know. Fath sounded tired.
Aren’t we all? She pulled on a pair of fresh trousers, tucked her tunic in, and rain her fingers through her hair in order to form a quick plait. I’d have preferred to bathe before company, but I suppose this will do. Go on and hunt, love. I’ll entertain in your absence.

It wasn’t long before the knock resounded at her entry. Talera opened the door and gestured for A’zael to come in.
“Good morning, Weyrleader. There’s klah, if you’ve need. I certainly did.” She chuckled. “What can I do for you? Not new troubles, I hope?”

Zen

[Zen]

A'zael

He didn’t have to wait long before Talera was inviting him inside, and he stifled the instinctive, displeased noise that tried to sound in the back of his throat as she addressed him by title rather than name. He knew it was meant to be respectful, but he didn’t like being defined by what he was rather than who he was. He let it go, however. It was getting old, correcting people all the time. Hopefully next Zalmaranth rose he just wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore because some other man would be stuck with the title.

“Good morning,” he returned the greeting as he stepped inside, and at the offer of klah realized he’d had yet to find himself some to start the morning. He laughed lightly, “Klah would be good. I think the high of yesterday’s success is still affecting me, but who knows for how much longer.” Faranth knows he’d been running on klah these past few turns. He’d never much cared for it one way or another before becoming Weyrleader, but it had become a rather integral part of his day since.

Another soft laugh escaped him at her inquiry as to his visit, “No, no new trouble that I’m aware of.” Well. There was T’vil’s scene, and the concern of what he would take back to Benden. He had no idea just how well respected the bronzerider might be in his home Weyr, how much weight his words would carry, just what he would say. But a bronzerider would hold sway over much of the holder populace. If he wanted, he could spread anything he wanted around Benden’s protectorate and make their Searching in the area that much more difficult. That was, if H’dor was going to let them continue Searching now that their twin golds had clutched. He had said they would revisit the deal after.

He rubbed a hand over his face, “Well, possibly. But that’s not why I came. You’ve been an incredible help to me, to the Weyr, in the last several months. Not that you weren’t before, but… you’ve been taking on more, things you shouldn’t need to. Particularly yesterday, with Karredy…,” he grimaced at the remembrance. From his talk with the Weyrwoman after her recklessness during Fall, he had gathered that something was off with her, but to forget something that important and get caught up in the Weyr’s panic like that, in front of everyone, making it seem as though he’d acted on his own…. “I just wanted to thank you personally, for everything. Yesterday would have gone far worse without your intervention. I just… I don’t know how to deal with her anymore.” Had he ever, really?

Hiko

[Hiko]

“So, no new troubles, but you look troubled all the same,” Talera replied, steeping her fingers over the mug in front of her. “I’d heard of T’vil’s arrival - and departure. I hope we’re not expecting any further tantrums from Benden? I would like to think that that wasn’t a reflection on their Weyr, but-”
She caught herself mid-remark. A’zael did not come to her door for scathing commentary. But why had he come? Certainly, he could have kept his morning busy enough with Srunae’s return. Instead, he was mulling over concerns with her.

His next words clarified matters. Talera cleared her throat in a reactive irritation. Karredy again. First the Fall, then the panic, now the aftermath. When would Talera stop being required to clean up after the messes of an addle-brained child? Or, would the Weyr forever suffer for the chaos the girl brought with her?

She took a long draft from her mug and set it aside. Her mind was made up; it was time to speak it.
“It is my responsibility to be where she cannot, and to do what she will not, A’zael. If that means being the right hand that you need, then that is my goal. Any other queen rider would do the same, in my shoes.” She paused, eyeing him carefully. If he were to agree to what she said next, they might keep the friendship of Igen, and better, might see a turn for Mavros.
“Well, perhaps not every gold rider. We both know that Karredy is unfit. Her outbursts yesterday only confirmed it further. Shells, even that green sister of hers came to me about it. It’s not just her peers that are seeing the cracks, any more. When wingriders comment, blood or no, something needs to change. A frail Weyrwoman means a frail Weyr,” Talera repeated Hallon’s words and swallowed bile.

She knew was she was implying, but did he?

Zen

[Zen]

A'zael

A’zael only made a sound of agreement at Talera’s mention of T’vil, and Benden in general. That incident wasn’t what he had come to talk about. If she knew of it already then there was nothing much else to discuss. If and until they heard word from Benden about it, there was nothing to be done. Though he sincerely hoped it wouldn’t strain their new relationship with the northern Weyr. He was certain he could get Piara on his side about it, but H’dor was another matter. The man was difficult to read and was clearly far more concerned with his own Weyr’s well being than anything else, not that A’zael thought that a bad thing. Piara would likely give away everything Benden had to anyone coming to beg in need if she didn’t have a Weyrleader holding her back from it. He enjoyed the woman’s company but it was very clear she often allowed her emotions to run away with her, and that she was too soft-hearted for her own good.

Talera’s soft noise of irritation as he turned the conversation to Karredy was somewhat gratifying, because there were not many he could share such sentiments with. Her initial explanation was true enough, he supposed, but that didn’t mean her efforts shouldn’t be acknowledged. The fact remained that she shouldn’t have to do these things. But when she continued, he was mildly surprised at the blunt way she put things. He shifted, slightly uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was going. He agreed with Talera, of course. Especially after this latest… episode. Karredy was clearly unwell and had no business taking on the role of Senior Weyrwoman. But what was he supposed to do about it? The position was for life, or at least until her gold stopped rising. And the fact that others were really starting to see it as well… well, who hadn’t seen it yesterday? Her recklessness in Threadfall could be explained away, somewhat, but her outburst in front of the Weyr?

He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, studying the woman for a moment, “Just what would you have me do, Talera? I can’t say I disagree with you, but what action can I take?” He really had no idea. He’d never heard of a Weyrwoman being forcibly removed from her position and he wasn’t sure he was in the best place to try such a thing. He felt rather helpless about it all. Karredy needed the responsibility of her position lifted from her just as much as the Weyr needed someone who could properly shoulder them, but he wasn’t aware of any precedent for removing a Weyrwoman, “Do you think she could be convinced to step down?” He’d never heard of such a young Weyrwoman doing that, either, but that was at least an option, right?

Hiko 500 woo~

[Hiko]

“I would have you see her demoted!” Talera replied bitterly. “Hallon sees it, our gold riders see it, shells, half of the Weyr sees it, and the other half is too proud to say they notice. She is unwell, A’zael. How many more conflicts must come up before she endangers the Weyr to a point from which we cannot return?”

Talera let out a sharp breath, her emotions having gotten the better of her. It would do no good to be angry at A’zael; he’d done remarkably well, considering his Weyrwoman. And his plan with Srunae had worked.
Yes, there were the other two queens to consider. The twins were more than capable, and their riders had managed well enough on their own in the past, or they wouldn’t have returned.

A light glittered in her eyes as she slapped her hand on the table in inspiration.
“Let your remaining weyrwomen deal with her,” she offered. “If we go to her - not you - your hands would be clean. Let us convince her to step down. With three producing queens and another gold weyrling, she has no reason to stay in the position if her mental state requires more attention than she can give it as she currently is. We could open leadership up with the next mating flight. Keep her installed until then, or appoint one of her Seconds to act in her stead until the next gold flight.”

Or we could replace her, Aerroth said aloud for both riders to hear as she returned to her ledge, maw bloody from her recent meal. We have already taken the wing. I am not reckless. Talera is not incompetent.
“Manners, heart,” Talera waved absently at the gold’s remarks, her gaze on the Weyrleader. “I wouldn’t impose. But obviously, A’zael, you have your options. Keeping Karredy in power will only ruin us. You have three viable weyrwomen to succeed her, if we can convince her to step down. And I think it should be a matter between queen riders. If you go to her, there are too many eyes and ears on you. If Srunae were to become our next Weyrwoman, and you were the one to dethrone our current Weyrwoman, it would only add fuel to the fire.”

Zen

[Zen]

A'zael

A’zael was not quite prepared for the heated response Talera gave him. For a moment he felt defensive. If it were that simple didn’t she think he’d have done it by now? He’d just said he agreed with her. It wasn’t as though he hadn’t noticed that something was very wrong with the Weyrwoman. It wasn’t like he didn’t worry increasingly about the welfare of the Weyr while she held the position of Senior. In their isolation it mattered less, but steps were being taken to return them to the global community and their Weyrwoman would not be able to just hide in her weyr for much longer if they were to make any progress and rejoin the rest of the world.

Talera had mentioned Hallon and he thought of his own encounter with Benden’s weyrleaders. Piara had asked about Karredy as well, when they would meet her. He would never claim to be an expert on politics and certainly knew he had made his own mistakes thus far, but he knew for certain that in her current state, Karredy had the potential to be a complete and utter political disaster. She had about caused one when he’d announced the timing it plan, for Faranth’s sake. Talera’s concern was valid, it wasn’t as though he didn’t share it. How long until her unpredictability cost the Weyr something they could never get back?

The slap to the table snapped him from his defensiveness fortunately before he had a chance to voice it, Talera offering a plan, one that released him from the responsibility, and the consequences, of trying to remove Karredy himself. Regardless of his desire to avoid causing more political drama in the Weyr, it certainly did seem to make more sense for the other goldriders to handle the matter than it did for him to try to get Karredy to step down. Aerroth’s sudden input had his gaze flicking to the returning gold in surprise. He rubbed one hand over his face as Talera continued, considering.

At the mention of Srunae, he couldn’t quite decide if the idea of her as Senior was more fantasy or nightmare - why would he wish the stress on her? - but he pushed the thought away. It was a good point. If he had anything, definitively, to do with Karredy’s removal and Srunae ended up replacing her, it would only open up more rumors, more reasons for people to be upset with him, simply because of his relationship with her. It was one thing for people to be angry with him over things he had actually done and quite another for them to fabricate their own ideas to be mad about. He let out a long breath and looked back to Talera, “I agree it should be a matter between goldriders. If you convince her to step down, I think it would be best you take her place during the interim, until the next gold rises to determine the next Senior. There are things in motion that need a competent Weyrwoman in place in order to succeed….” He thought of his plans with Divano and the Southern Holds, “I cannot keep making excuses for Karredy’s absence at every turn.” He needed a partner who could help rather than hinder.

Hiko

[Hiko]

Do you see? Do you see? Aerroth's joyous tone filled Talera's thoughts, the golden dragon speaking once more for her alone. We have it! We will lead this Weyr into a new era, you and I!
Only until the next queen rises, heart.
Are you so content to remain merely a shadow, playing in the background? We can lead, Talera!
And we will. And if you happen to rise first, then we will continue to do so. But I am not so arrogant as to believe this is my right, nor should you. For now, the Weyr needs us. We will do what we must.
Well, I - Hmph. Very well. The gold's mood subdued, Talera returned her attention to the matter at hand.

"I hope you know, it is not my intention to usurp. If you ask me to take the mantle, then I will. If Aerroth is not the next to rise, I will not be heartbroken. Any one of our weyrwomen are capable, and I will stand behind every one, rumors or no, so long as they put this Weyr first." She drummed her fingers against the grain of the hardwood tabletop.
"When would you have me meet with the others? I could potentially have their consensus toward this by evening, and we could speak with Karredy as early as tomorrow. But I know emotions are still running high, and if you think it is better to wait until some of the chaos of yesterday has quelled, then I'll hold off to a later day."

Zen

[Zen]

A'zael

“No, I… I don’t think you’re the type to play games in order to attain power for yourself,” A’zael replied at Talera’s assurance that she did not mean to usurp. Not that he knew her personally all that well, but she did seem to genuinely have what was best for the Weyr in mind, from what he had seen. Which would make her a fine Weyrwoman. “If it were up to me, I think I would choose you as Karredy’s permanent replacement, if I’m being honest. But… weyrleadership is always determined by a mating flight. It is unconventional, removing Karredy, even if it is what is best. Tradition will help… smooth the transition of power, I think.”

He scratched at the back of his head for a moment, a bit sheepish as he had been doing some thinking out loud. He didn’t much care about upholding traditions, but weyrleaders and weyrwomen had been chosen via mating flight results since Faranth broke shell. No one could claim bias based on when a gold rose. He wasn’t even certain when the twins would rise again at this point. Who knows how traveling back in time may have affected their rising schedule? Golds don’t rise as much during an Interval, and they had gone back to one. Would being there for nearly 2 turns be enough to affect them? How long would they need to be back in current time, in the middle of a Pass, before they went back to normal, if it HAD affected them? They were both wild cards at this point, which was… scary.

He cleared his throat a bit, returning the present topic and trying not to think about that unknown any more for the time being. “You’re free to meet with them whenever it works best for all of you. Perhaps not today. Srunae and Melana have reports to make of their time… back in time, but I trust your judgment. Even if you meet, nothing has to be done immediately… though I’d just as well have it finished sooner rather than later.” He rubbed a hand over his face again, realizing he was starting to talk in circles. With a light laugh, he looked back over at Talera, “Perhaps we should go back to my saying I trust your judgment and leave it at that. Do what you think is best.”

Hiko