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A Rough Beginning; Standalone
Topic Started: Aug 19 2015, 06:32 PM (124 Views)
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(Fuzzytimed to Autumn 1264)

They had been taken in at the end of summer, after Terema and her handlers were defeated. The Wher Troop of Vaioa had rounded them all up. Rescued them, she supposed. It was still hard to see it that way, but eventually she had come to accept that this was that the Troop wanted.

Becca, having been a strict civilian and completely uninvolved in the attacks, was brought to the Infirmary at Vaioa Weyr along with a good-sized contingent of others. Well, the Wher Troop would have realized their innocence during the raid on headquarters, well over a Turn ago. When they accidentally killed so many of the Holdless who were not involved at all.

She’d turned it over and over in her mind. The blue Handler and her wher had claimed that Vaioa wanted to help them. It was hard to believe, after the way Vaioa’s troops had attacked them. But she didn’t have any other options. And besides that, the woman— Rebmikh or something— had promised that there would be a safe place for her child. In the end, that was the deciding factor.

They were all kept very subdued at first. They were treated, their wounds administered to, and their diets modified. Becca overheard one of the Journeymen talking about food shortages. Vaioa didn’t have much. But what it did have was going to them, same as anyone else. That made Becca feel queer.

And there was something else, too. Despite having been rescued and brought here— and having been reassured that she would be welcome— Becca had the distinct impression that they were being hidden away. They weren’t allowed to leave the Infirmary. Becca wasn’t allowed to leave her bed, for a time. She began to wonder if the really were allowed here at all. Would they just be thrown back out once they were found?

But at least she had her son. They did not try to take him away, though they did briefly treat him for some skin chap and malnutrition. Becca knew she aught to feel safe, but she felt more frightened and alone than she had in turns. Maybe because, as a Holdless, she’d been too preoccupied with surviving to think about how alone she was. But here, she didn’t even know what her future was. The uncertainty made her stomach churn anytime she thought about it.

Finally, one day, a Healer in a smock came to visit her and the other ex-Holdless. She explained to them the extent of the situation: The verdict that had been passed, the exile of the former Holdless. Needless to say, they were all spared this fate. However, as it turned out, the Conclave of Holders didn’t exactly know about their existence. Or rather, didn’t know that Vaioa had taken in the civilian ex-Holdless.

So it had become a smuggling operation. Becca felt ill. Even here, in the relative safety of the Infirmary, she wasn’t really allowed to be here.

But it wasn’t more than another day before she was released. The Healers told her that, with continued care and rest, she would be fully recovered. At least, physically. Becca ignored this; it was easier to not acknowledge the mental damage at all. Everything was too painful at this point, to even think about, let alone unpack it.

That left her with a few options. She thought it over, but in the end, she decided that staying at Vaioa would be best. For her son, if not for her. And hadn’t the Bluehandler promised her that there was a spot for her? Without really knowing where she was going— she’d never been to Vaioa before and was unfamiliar with its layout— she wandered to the Lower Caverns.

It was empty today, except for a couple of workers. One detached herself from the hearth as soon as she saw Becca arrive, and hurried over. Becca licked her lips and braced herself.

“Hello,” the woman said eagerly. She was older than Becca, and showed signs of being well-cared-for, clean skin and hair and a well filled out form, not pinched with hunger like the ex-Holdless had become. “My name is Aniese! You’re Becca, right?”

Becca gaped for a moment, holding her son to her chest, and then recovered. “Y-yes,” she stammered, breathily. Too frightened to speak up. “But how did you know that?”

“My dragon, Rezeirth, was watching you,” Aniese said with a grin.

Becca felt cold and intimidated. So this woman was a rider?

“One of my main duties is helping out in the Lower Caverns,” Aniese continued, as if oblivious to Becca’s uncertainty. “As well as the Infirmary. So one of the Healers told me that you were thinking of staying on. Is that right?”

Becca blinked twice, trying to follow all this. It felt like a chore. She did not understand much of anything about Weyr life, culture. “Yes. I… I think so.”

“Great! Well, here’s the situation. The Conclave of Holders doesn’t know that we took in you and the other, ah, civilian Holdless. Ex-holdless now,” she corrected herself. “That means that we have to keep your background… well, hidden,” she said with an apologetic smile. “You don’t have to go into hiding, but we’ll have to come up with a story for how you got here, in case anybody asks.”

Becca’s head was spinning already. This was more than she could keep straight.

Aniese seemed to sense Becca’s uncertainty and confusion, because she smiled warmly. “But don’t worry about that for now. We have plenty of room for you, and you’ll be safe here. We have a creche where your baby can grow up, and you’ll be close to him.”

Becca hesitated. It sounded alright, she supposed. But she didn’t know if she could do it. “What’s the cost?”

“Cost?” Aniese raised her eyebrows. “Well, we ask you to work in the Lower Caverns, or Infirmary if you prefer. But everything is provided for— food, quarters, anything you could need. You’ll even get a small salary. We don’t ask much of you, Becca. That’s not how Vaioa works.”

Becca took a moment to absorb this and found that it was difficult. FInally, she just managed a small, “Really?”

Aniese smiled again, but it was strange, almost bitter. “Yes. When I first came here… I didn’t believe it either.” Then she returned to the present, and clapped her hands together. “Anyway, if you want the job, it’s yours. Like I said, you’ll be plenty safe here, as will your son. You’ll find that men at Vaioa leave you alone, unless you want their company,” she added in an offhand tone, shrugging.

Becca felt her cheeks redden but ignored the comment. No doubt Aniese thought that she was being kind, but Becca couldn’t even begin to think about the complex relationship she’d had while Holdless. Maybe later, if she began to heal. But not now, when it was still so fresh and painful. Then again, she supposed that was one thing to be grateful for. She wouldn’t have to sneak around to escape the notice of men. If she didn’t have to worry about unwanted attention… She took a shaky breath. “Yeah. Okay. I’ll take it.”

“Great!” Aniese beamed. “I’ll show you to the creche, where your son will live. He’s old enough to be on his own, yes?”

“Yes, well, but he’s still nursing,” Becca replied uncomfortably.

“Well, we have wet nurses, or you can continue to nurse him if you like. There’s no problem with you visiting him regularly, while he is still so young especially. Riders often don’t have time for daily visits, but it shouldn’t be a problem, with your schedule.”

Becca followed Aniese down the corridors to the creche, where she found children of all ages, and a handful of workers too. Her stomach gave a painful squeeze as she handed her son over, and she was embarrassed to feel tears beginning in her eyes.

“There, there,” consoled one of the Workers. “He’ll be right here whenever you want to see him.”

Aniese looked uncomfortable, but gave a regretful sigh. “I’m sorry, Becca. But the Caverns aren’t exactly equipped for raising a family.”

Becca nodded and pushed her fear and sadness away. “I understand.” Really, she told herself, you should be grateful for all they have here for you.

Aniese led her back to the Caverns proper and began bustling around the hearths once more. “Can I get you any klah?” She asked over her shoulder.

“Um, no thanks,” Becca said uncertainly.

“There’s a couple of, um, procedures now,” Aniese said vaguely. “Forms to file and things like that. But I can take care of it for you. We’ll assign you your quarters, and then you can pick your job.”

Becca remained silent, half dumbfounded. Pick her job? She didn’t have the faintest idea what she wanted to do.

“You can help out in the Infirmary if you’d like, or the creche? If you want to be close to your son?” Aniese pressed.

Becca closed her eyes and blurted, unelegantly, “I’d like to work in the kitchen.” Then she resisted the urge to clap her hand over her mouth. Speaking to this rider was okay; she didn’t have to remain silent all the time. Still, she didn’t know where the words had come from. She’d never been much of a cook, that was for certain. But as she thought about it, she realized it was true. She did want to work in the kitchen.

Aniese smiled again. “Great! I’ll get you all set up. Why don’t you go into the kitchens now? You will probably have today off, but you may as well introduce yourself.”

Becca left the rider and headed back into the kitchens, tentatively. They were busy and warm, and full of delicious smells.

Soon enough, a cook noticed her and approached. Becca explained the situation as best she could, keeping it simple; she was new to the Lower Caverns, and was here to work in the kitchens.

After some brief introductions, Becca was put to work simply familiarizing herself with the layout of the kitchens, the hearths, and the location of all of the materials. She found the vegetable cellar, and the passage that led to the storeroom. She was crouching next to a cabinet when it hit her, the forlorn loneliness.

Staring inside the cupboard, which contained stacks of bowls— there must have been dozens— she felt lost and hopeless. What was she even doing? Sure, she was probably safe here, and her baby was too. But she had no future, nowhere to go. What was Vaioa, anyway? Was it home? It sure didn’t feel like it. She buried her face in her knees.

She felt a touch on her shoulder and jumped, looking up quickly. It was Aniese again.

“Hi again,” the rider said quietly. “I wanted to come tell you that we got your quarters set up. Are you doing alright?” When Becca didn’t answer, Aniese gave her an encouraging smile. “Hey. Everything’s going to be alright. I know it’s all overwhelming. But you know, when I first came to Vaioa, it was as a Lower Caverns worker. I worked in this very kitchen myself. Trust me, it will get easier. Eventually, it’ll feel like home.”

Becca swallowed. She didn’t know if she would ever be able to feel at home, anywhere, ever again.

Aniese gave her a gentle squeeze. “Everybody’s friendly, and they’re interested in meeting you, if you give them a chance. You’ll see. And I’ll be around, if you need anything.” Aniese squeezed her shoulders again and then stood and departed.

Becca swallowed. She wasn’t sure how much of it she could take, but Aniese was right. She had to try.

Posted Image
Amber Wingsecond Aniese of Gold Rezeirth :: Marble Wingrider Vyra of Grey Theteth :: Granite Wingrider Karen of Blue Ienirth :: Weyrling Master Mai of Green Laeitath :: Candidate Master Kari of Green Seliath :: Sandstone Wingrider Natalia of Green Priyeth :: Sardonyx Weyrling A'den of Black Ezvanth :: Amber Weyrling Cayliss of Garnet Avraith :: Candidate Mirana :: Candidate Piper :: Journeywoman Healer Ylanna :: Weyrfolk Becca

Hurricane Wingrider Seneca of Blue Roryth

Sandstone Wingrider Dacielle of Copper Vylendrieth :: Granite Wingrider L'del of Grey Xakoeth :: Searchrider & Marble Wingrider M’ril of Blue Notalith :: Shale Wingrider K’dyn of Green Scherezath :: Baby Azora

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