Hatchings and Fosterings

Zak tells Jenna what's really worrying him.

Jenna - Wednesday, April 24, 2002, 10:38 AM
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Jenna asks curiously, "What'd you want to talk to me about?"

Zalkin chuckles boyshly and shakes his head. "What'd -you- want to tell me?"

Jenna grins. "Just to say that Reyat was fine with you coming to Tillek with me in the spring. Looks like our trip is on."

Zalkin lightens and cheers loudly, bouncing all around Jenna and makin ga great deal of noise, though he stops suddenly right in front of her. "But maybe you won't be able to take me to Tillek then."

You say "If maybes were dragons, holders would impress. Honestly, Zak, I'm not holding my breath. Besides, if I do, then we can go to Tillek another time, and that I can promise. It'll get you over your fear of heights too. I hadn't forgotten.""

Zalkin's cheeks grow slightly pink, but the boy is beaming and clinging to Jenna, nodding dumbly. "Well, maybe you aren't but -I- am holdin' my breath..."

Jenna smooths his hair, smiling fondly. "Well, maybe with you and Lu pulling for me in the stands... And Merrin too. Still, I hope you didn't wager anything on me?"

Zalkin snorts disdainfully. "Wager what? I've got my marks well hidden. First time I tried, I won -- five sweetrolls and two candies! I wagered Tarya would impress. Since then I tried a few time and just lost. So I stopped." A sigh. "We'll be all cheering for you in the stands!"

Jenna laughs. "You'll make yourself sick if you eat that much sweets at once. So, what'd you want to talk to me about, hm?"

Zalkin idly tugs on his sleeve, shuffling his feet. "Just that. I'll be cheering for you, and I wanted to make sure I tell you again I hope you impress." He pauses a moment, looking at the lake. "Y'know, some still think I'm not happy with Rey and you candidates and such."

Jenna moves to settle on a rock and so she can look at him more seriously. "You know there's no way we'd leave you behind. We both still love you very much. I'm really hoping Rey impresses. He'd make a good rider, I think."

Zalkin nods and sighs. "I'm sure too. But then I'm going to be a problem again. You see, parents sent Rey here 'cos Tarya couldn't take care of me anymore. And I'm still too little to stay there alone if Rey..." He stops, obviously looking for his words. "If Rey happens to lack of time as Tarya."

Jenna ahs softly. "I see why you're worried. Hm. Well, how about we talk to the weyrwoman. If I *do* impress, I'm going to need someone to carry on the short routes down to the hall. Merrin'll be moving on, so... Hm. We have to have a good answer. You're nearly nine, aren't you?"

Zalkin nodnods. "Yes I am. In four month or somethin' like that. I'm not -that- worried. But if Rey Impresses, whatever happens, we've to wait until he gets his weyr. I -can- live with Tarya for a while... Talk with the weyrwoman?"

Jenna nods. "What do you think about this idea... If you had a true foster mum, it won't ever be an issue again. If I don't impress, we make it official, with you as my foster? And if I do, well, who else would you like for a foster mum? -- Assuming you like *me* for that to begin with, I mean," she adds hastily.

Zalkin giggles at first then gapes a moment -- probably when he fully realizes what Jenna just said. "W... Would you?"

Jenna smiles. "Course I would. I love you and Jeny both like you were my own. And I'm not likely to have any of my own anytime soon. I've always kinda thought of you that way - may be one reason I was so pushy, you think?" She gives him a lopsided grin.

Zalkin beams and impulsively embraces Jenna in a sort of sweet fond way. "I'd be glad, really!" He looks about to add somethnig but no sound comes out.

Jenna hugs him tightly, abruptly a bit teary-eyed. "Good! That's settled then." She sniffs a bit and then asks, her voice not quite even, "Now, how about if I do impress. The weyrlingmaster might not be so glad to hear about it. Just in case, who else would you like as a foster mum?"

Zalkin absently rubs at his eyes -- just got some dust in them, nothing else, honest. "Well, really, dunno. Mybe Ember, but then she's candidate as well so... Or maybe Kate?" He's pondering for a while, humming thoughtfully.

Jenna nods. "They'd both be good choices. Ember already looks after Rain, though yeah, she's a candidate too, so same thing. What would you like to do? We can always ask them and see if they'd be interested, or wait until after the hatching to ask. It's up to you. You're old enough to help make the call."

Zalkin shrugs and spreads his arms. "Really, I wonder. I'm not used to that fostering stuff. My parents just asked people to take care of me so far. Now... We could..." Hu oh, hesitating there.

Jenna nods encouragingly, letting him talk.

Zalkin says "I think I'd prefer wait 'til after the Hatching... Just in case..."

Jenna nods. "We'll do that then. And I'll speak to the Weyrwoman about it, how about that?" She grins. "You want to be the one to break it to your brother?"

Zalkin lightens a little and even end up smiling up at his mentor. "Well, okay, you talk with the weyrwoman, and I try to catch Reyat."

Jenna nods. "Sounds like a plan." She smiles. "Now I definately have a lot to look forward to if I'm left on the sands."

Zalkin quickly nods. "Well, that's true. But I'll be there!" he proudly announces.