06.Oct.13, 12:18 AM
When S'kef took a step forward and leaned closer to her, Arddra stiffened completely, her heart racing in her chest. For a moment she couldn't look away from his eyes, expecting him to yell at her or speak in some harsh manner. Everything about his posture weighed down on her the seriousness of what he was about to say. Every instinct in Arddra told her to stand and listen to everything and not speak till he was done.
Her mind went spinning as S'kef reminded her who was in charge during those punishments. She only knew of the rumors and the public lashing but that was enough to warn her against out right disobedience. But since S'kef was made Weyrleader, she didn't remember hearing about any such punishments. There was always the chance it was kept ultra quiet and only witnessed by a few people. Yet she didn't recall any incidents lately.
When he clearly stated in a croon he wasn't D'ren did cause Arddra to once again remind herself how things were different since the change of leadership. Yet D'ren had stopped the kidnapping but he didn't let any of them go home. He did insist all weyrborn women had to have children before standing for a dragon. Then he tapped her shoulder and she froze once more but then surprisingly she relaxed. Something in his tone or expression or maybe it was just the gentleness of the touch caused Arddra to realized he wasn't intending to harm her. Exhaling slowly she nodded.
"You are right, Weyrleader, you are definitely not D'ren or his predecessors. Since you were made Weyrleader things have been calmer. I...I wish there was something I could do to help you in finding a way to return North but I don't have anything to offer. I am just a candidate and still haven't Impressed."
"I know many people who were kidnapped like I was are happy here, but some would be just as glad to go north. Others just want the chance to become dragonriders, but in the long run I don't think they care if the Impress here in the South or up North, as long as they become dragonriders." An idea suddenly entered Arddra's mind and she paused to run it through before speaking it impulsively. Deciding it couldn't hurt she looked back up at S'ekf.
"I think many people just don't know how different you are from past leadership, maybe you should have a special Gather Day. All non essential chores suspended and a day or rest and celebration. A chance for weyrfolk and others to get to know you, see you in a casual setting with dance and music to ease tensions." Arddra didn't know if such an event would even be possible or if it would be simpler to just couple it with the next hatching feast. But she felt it would be better to make it a special day, outside of the usual celebrations. "You could address those gathered with a short speech about who you are, things that people may not see just watching your from a distance. Nothing insensitive or personal of course, but more, what you can do for Katila as a whole, how approachable you can be and the like."
Her mind went spinning as S'kef reminded her who was in charge during those punishments. She only knew of the rumors and the public lashing but that was enough to warn her against out right disobedience. But since S'kef was made Weyrleader, she didn't remember hearing about any such punishments. There was always the chance it was kept ultra quiet and only witnessed by a few people. Yet she didn't recall any incidents lately.
When he clearly stated in a croon he wasn't D'ren did cause Arddra to once again remind herself how things were different since the change of leadership. Yet D'ren had stopped the kidnapping but he didn't let any of them go home. He did insist all weyrborn women had to have children before standing for a dragon. Then he tapped her shoulder and she froze once more but then surprisingly she relaxed. Something in his tone or expression or maybe it was just the gentleness of the touch caused Arddra to realized he wasn't intending to harm her. Exhaling slowly she nodded.
"You are right, Weyrleader, you are definitely not D'ren or his predecessors. Since you were made Weyrleader things have been calmer. I...I wish there was something I could do to help you in finding a way to return North but I don't have anything to offer. I am just a candidate and still haven't Impressed."
"I know many people who were kidnapped like I was are happy here, but some would be just as glad to go north. Others just want the chance to become dragonriders, but in the long run I don't think they care if the Impress here in the South or up North, as long as they become dragonriders." An idea suddenly entered Arddra's mind and she paused to run it through before speaking it impulsively. Deciding it couldn't hurt she looked back up at S'ekf.
"I think many people just don't know how different you are from past leadership, maybe you should have a special Gather Day. All non essential chores suspended and a day or rest and celebration. A chance for weyrfolk and others to get to know you, see you in a casual setting with dance and music to ease tensions." Arddra didn't know if such an event would even be possible or if it would be simpler to just couple it with the next hatching feast. But she felt it would be better to make it a special day, outside of the usual celebrations. "You could address those gathered with a short speech about who you are, things that people may not see just watching your from a distance. Nothing insensitive or personal of course, but more, what you can do for Katila as a whole, how approachable you can be and the like."