Alesia was not a fan of the obnoxiously astringent air of the infirmary. In fact, she couldn't stand it. It was so.. clean? That's what would be associated with the word, but in the massive amounts that usually lingered in the air to drown out any scent of decay or sickness borderlined a nauseating level. Nevertheless, she'd brave the trip, nodding and offering the typical pleasantries as she found the healer who had stitched her up. She wasn't the Master Weyrhealer, but a capable woman nonetheless, and seemed quite positive about her outlook.

"Oh, it should heal just fine. It bled quite a bit, oh-ho it did, but it slashed surprisingly little muscle tissue. Still, it's very good we got her in when we did. It's important to get these wounds clean as soon as possible. Infection is one of those things that we don't want happening here."

So, she'd be fine. That would be good to know, but that didn't change the fact that she didn't Impress. Alesia had to talk to her quickly before she decided to take off with her family, and away from the Weyr. No, the Werywoman wouldn't let prime candidate material slip from her grasp that easily. "Cailyn?" She called out the name before peering around the curtain that seperated her from the other bunks. Her leg was still in the free air, and it was neatly stitched and cleaned; a far cry from the gaping wound that had bled so freely on the sands. This didn't disgust her though, since the charred, horrid wounds that thread left behind was far more gruesome. Tactfully, she looked away from the wound, offering a quirked smile. She didn't necessarily have the calm, soothing expression of a healer, but she could at least attempt to be pleasant. "How are you feeeling? They treating you well?" Her attempt to throw a bit of lightheartedness in there made her mentally kick herself, but she went along with it, stepping into the curtained off area and taking a seat by the cot. "I'd like to speak with you."

The few hours had been a whirlwind of anxiety, fear, and crushing disappointment for Cailyn. She lay now in the infirmary, emotionally drained and still pale from the loss of blood. She hadn't spoken much after the healers took her away from the sands. The healer in charge of stitching her leg had been very kind, and thanks to the numbweed, the procedure was near painless, but Cailyn still felt no relief. She supposed dimly that she was still very much in shock, but even that thought was remote and very nearly emotionless. She felt a distant throbbing in her leg, but staunchly ignored it, staring resolutely off into space, willing herself not to break down and cry.

Focused on separating herself from reality, Cailyn didn't hear the conversation between Alesia and the healer, so it was a sudden shock to see the Weyrwoman herself peer around the curtain and take a seat next to her cot. "Oh, I'm feeling much better Weyrwoman, thank you." She lied, flushing and barely containing a flare of panic. The Weyrwoman wanted to talk to her? Is she going to personally kick me out of the Weyr?! Cailyn thought with horror. She waited silently with slightly widened eyes and bated breath.

The girl's state was thinly veiled. Her tone sounded hollow and frightened, eyes dilated and staring up at her with a hitch in her breath that she wouldn't let go. The Weyrwoman couldn't help but be confused. Was she truly that daunting of a person? Of course, she wouldn't know what truly plagued the girl's mind, and hesitantly spoke.

"I'm glad to hear that. I hope that this has not frightened you off the sands for good. These things happen, though we have done everything we can to make them much less frequent... I'm hoping to keep any potential queen egg prospects within the Weyr. Surely, the next hatching should hold one." Her tone rose as she passionately spoke of what she hoped would come. There was no reason Iolath would fail to produce a queen egg within the next one or two clutches.

"I don't mean to frighten you with this either, but it takes a person with good potential to be Searched by a dragon that isn't even able to search! It's not just the brown either.... Yes, I think you should stay." Alesia was intent on keeping her tone from becoming pleading, instead staying stubbornly on her convictions. Even if the girl felt tied to the Weyr by guilt, she'd not regret a thing once a dragon bound to her mind!

Cailyn's mouth dropped open in shock, and she regarded the Weyrwoman with a sudden clear, intent gaze to see whether she was joking. Blinking, she realized she was gaping, and shut her mouth with a click of teeth. She was quiet for a minute as she let Alesia's words sink in. Potential queenrider... next hatching... and what, browns weren't able to search?? Her brows knit together in puzzlement at that one. She clearly remembered B'litz and Onerith coming to Hurricane Hold, not to search, granted, but still she had been taken to the Weyr. How could she be Searched by a dragon that was supposedly unable to search? She shook her head and let that thought go. She'd ponder it some other day. Returning her attention to the queenrider next to her, she managed to voice the fears that had been plauging her since she had been taken from the hatching grounds.

"So I'm not being kicked out? And also..." She hesitated again, almost unwilling to ask the next question. "Were there.. were there any dragonets that hatched and didn't find a partner?" She bit the inside of her cheek, fervently praying that a hatchling had not been forced between because she had not been there to Impress.

Alesia's face suddenly turned red, then maroon, then an interesting shade of purple. What was next, plaid? Her straight face twitched, lips curled.. Oh shardit. The Weyrwoman couldn't help herself as she spluttered out her laughter, her hand clasping at her mouth as if to discipline herself. It took a moment for the woman to compose herself enough to speak. "Oh, you poor dear, you didn't think... You silly girl! The Weyr never turns away anyone as long as there is room. Haven't you heard the Harpers sing of people finding safety within the Weyr? Women, not liking their hidebound life and wishing not to be the wife or mistress of some Lord escaping to the Lower Caverns of the Weyr? Cailyn.. oh forgive me for laughing, but you would have to do something rather dire for us to just.. tell you to leave!"

Breathing in a few more breaths, she was able to stifle her giggles. "Please don't mistake this for laughing at you.. but poor girl, I feel so terrible that we had not assured everyone that they are always welcome in the Weyr, candidate or no. Then again, this is your first time being in a Weyr. Cailyn, I really do implore for your forgiveness, I lost control of myself."

There was a pause before she answered the next question, if only so she could remember said inquiry. "No dear, every one found their rider. Only sick dragonets go between. A dragon always picks the best match, and the love between dragon and rider is always all powerful. Even if there are clashes in personality, rider and dragon grows together, and neither -ever- regret. If there had been no one in the sands, the dragonets would very well find someone in the stands! Happens more often than you think."

She stopped, as if to evaluate the girl for the first time. She seemed meek because of the goings on, but for her to keep herself so composed... yes, Alesia decided she liked this one very much. "All dragons can Search. Some have a knack for it while others don't. Usually it's blues, but browns and greens, and even the rare bronze can sense potential. I'd even think a queen can sense it if it's strong enough. But Onerith, that's the one that searched you.. he's not a Searchdragon at all. Failed terribly at it, but he sensed something in you. I don't want to promise you a gold. There have been powerful, intelligent women on greens and blues, ones with great potential, and they did well... but you -do- have what it takes to Impress. The right dragon just has to find you."

Cailyn flushed as Alesia began to sputter with laughter. As if she didn't make enough of a fool of herself in front of the Weyrleader, she had to go and be ignorant in front of the Weyrwoman, too! She listened closely, intent on remembering every word that was said, and thought for a moment before answering. "No offense is taken, Weyrwoman. I just feel rather silly for asking such a question. Perhaps I should have paid more attention to our Harper." She smiled ruefully as she recalled her whispered conversations with Vesper during the Harper's lessons.

She wasn't quite sure how to respond to the news that all the hatchlings had Impressed. One one hand, she was truly happy to know that no dragonet had searched for her in vain, but on the other hand, it was a bitter dose of reality to think that she may very well have been left alone on the Sands after it was all over. She settled instead on a non-committal, if somewhat bittersweet smile.

However, as the Weyrwoman moved on to the subject of searching, Cailyn's smile broadened. "I'm honored that you think I'd make a good dragonrider, Weyrwoman. Onerith was the first dragon I had ever seen, and he was very kind... As was his rider!" She hastened to say. "I'm sure I acted like a ninny when I was searched, but they were very understanding. But after what you've told me, I have little problem believing that I'll Impress. Even if it takes a while." She grimaced at that and shifted slightly on her cot, cautiously adjusting her leg while trying not to look at the wound that would certainly leave a scar. "I thank you for your kindness and patience, Weyrwoman. It means a lot that you would bother to visit me." She finished sincerely.

A smile spread across the Weyrwoman's features. She was glad that what she had said had given the girl heart, and was immensely pleased that she wished to stay. Even as they sat there though, Alesia knew she would need to leave soon to tend to other things.

"Well, I'm sure you have time. I Impressed in my 21st turn after all, so age isn't something you should worry about." She stood, smoothing out her tunic compulsively. She'd have to change before she went to the hatching feast. "Well, my presence is required elsewhere, I'm afraid. Go easy on that leg, and do as the healers tell you." Her tone took on that of a mild warning tone, waggling a finger for emphasis. "We don't want you turning lame, though I doubt that's going to be the case. The healer said you'd heal beautifully."

She had been about to exit when she paused. "Oh, the Weyrleader is bringing your parents to speak with you. He'll be sure to brief them on your condition before they speak with you."

You're late. People are looking for you. Iolath interjected.

"Well, I need to go, take care, Cailyn." And with a small nod and a smile, she left the curtained room.


(Bah, I know.. just getting her out of here so L'gan can come in with the parents. Feel free to do that or just assume it happens.. or whatever you want to do really =P ))

As Alesia left, Cailyn sunk back against her pillow and stared at the gouge in her leg. The numbweed had done a surprisingly good job at masking the pain, but she knew there wasn't much to be done about the scarring. That wasn't what worried her, though. She bit her lip, wondering how her leg would function after it healed. Would she be as limber as before? She thought back to her days on the sea, marveling at how easy it had been to correct her balance on a tossing boat. Would it be as simple now? She made a mental note to ask the Healer the next time she checked in. Although her days on a boat were all but over, there was still the matter of dragonriding to contend with. It surely took at least some leg strength to steady oneself during flight.

Her musing was interrupted yet again as a familiar voice boomed from the entrance. "I let you out of my sight for a minute and there you go injuring yourself!" Her father strode quickly around the curtain and embraced Cailyn heartily. She smiled with delight, surprised Pascal had arrived so quickly. Before she had a chance to ask, Vesper bounded to her side like an eager puppy, his eyes wide and his face fairly shining with excitement. "The Weyrleader himself came to get us! We rode his bronze to get here!" He blurted. Cailyn gaped openly. "You rode Behemath?" L'gan suddenly poked his head around the curtain and grinned. "Alesia and I figured you'd want your family with you. I only intended on bringing your father, but this one here insisted on going along." He nodded fondly in Vesper's direction. "I'm too nice for my own good, really I am. But the healer informs me it's far too crowded, so if you don't mind, I've got a Feast to get to!" Bowing slightly, L'gan retreated, intent on following his growling stomach toward the waiting food.

Cailyn blinked for a moment, still surprised by the sudden appearance of her two favorite people. She turned to Vesper, then frowned. She followed his gaze to where he was staring with open disgust at her leg. "That's gross." He said bluntly, his nose wrinkled. Cailyn defensively pulled the blanket over her leg, frowning back. "Well it's not like I asked for it to happen." She retorted. The two stared at each other for a long moment before Pascal cleared his throat. "Come now boy, you've gotten nearly as bad before when that rope caught your leg." He clapped Vesper heartily on the back. Cailyn felt her insides churn as she saw the fond glance that the two men exchanged. She knew her family had taken Vesper in after she was Searched, but in the excitement of being in the Weyr, she had failed to consider the strong bond that would have been undoubtedly formed in her absence. She now acutely felt the stinging ache that was loneliness and jealousy.

She shifted slightly, bringing the attention of her father and Vesper back to her. The visit proceeded rather uncomfortably, in her opinion, as her father asked questions and Vesper stood in the background uncharacteristically quiet. After an hour had dragged by, Pascal stood up and smiled overly broadly. "Well, we've got to head back to the Hold. You're in our thoughts, dear, and your mother and brothers send their love." Cailyn nodded and feigned a yawn. "Sure. I'm exhausted anyways. Keep in touch." And with that she turned away, laying her head back down on the pillow. Vesper stood, hesitating uncertainly before ruffling Cailyn's hair and following Pascal out.

As Cailyn listened to the retreating footsteps of her father and friend, she allowed herself to shed the first few bitter tears of the day. So much had changed. Joking with Vesper was all but impossible now, for some incomprehensible reason. Had she ruined a lifetime of relationships by leaving for Kharasi? She took a deep breath, clenching her fists reflexively. No more tears. She told herself firmly. You chose your path. And you'll sharding follow it through. She lay there for an hour more before exhaustion finally took over and lulled her into a restless sleep filled with dreams of attacking dragons ridden by Vesper.