Laelia had been glancing repeatedly at the girl with white hair throughout her entire chore shift. She wasn't staring because she thought the girl was strange - on the contrary, Laelia was concerned about her. Only a few days ago, she'd broken down in some crying fit while they happened to be studying at the same time, and Laelia had held her and crooned softly to her until the tears were dry and she could stand again. Her name was - Isilje, right. The younger girl might have been here even longer than Laelia and her three turns as a Candidate, and perhaps she had the same amount of patience.

        It wasn't unusual for Laelia to come to the aid of a fellow Candidate, but rarely did she ever want to speak to them afterwards. They'd see each other in the Weyr, exchange a solemn nod, and go about their ways. Nobody had ever thanked Laelia outside the moment, and it wasn't that she was searching for thanks. But comforting Isilje while she crumbled the other day, it had just reminded her of what she wished things had been like with Sorcha. Sorcha, who had seemed so weak when they were both at home. Well, Laelia's sister had taken to the Weyr as if she had been secretly born here, and was now amongst the ranks of dragonriders, never looking back. But poor Isilje had reminded Laelia of why she'd come here in the first place - to protect someone from the harshness of the Weyr, from the pain of being a Candidate. Sometimes Laelia had wished there was still someone to do that for her, but that was besides the point. She'd never been that weak of heart.

        Finishing up her final task, Laelia took a deep breath, wringing her hands. She could just leave and go into free time. Or, she could talk to her. The Candidate strode across the room, approaching Isilje, offering a weak smile. "Isilje, right? Laelia. I was just wondering how... how you were doing. If you're feeling any better than you did the other day." A bold move. But who knew - maybe she'd make a new friend out of this.


-_Wish of Tevarae_-
Had a second wind of inspiration before bed! c: