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i_read_whatSo last time, Moreta and Alessan continued to enjoy the Gather, in a very rom-com fashion. It was cute!
We rejoin Moreta at the Gather. Apparently Ruathan Gathers are like the epitome of awesome Gathers. Unsurprisingly. The Masterharper is circulating, and Ms. McCaffrey tells us, yet again, that Alessan doesn't like him.
I'm a bit curious about that, actually. Robinton, of course, was beloved by all the Lord Holders and Weyrleaders that matter. Tirone appears to be a different sort of guy. But we haven't really seen enough to understand why.
(I mean, it's McCaffrey, so the likelihood that our hero is wrong about someone is pretty slim. Though I suppose it's not impossible.)
Anyway, Moreta is living up to her promise, by pulling Oklina over to the head table. She and Alessan already have a couple vibe going on:
“There’s room enough, isn’t there?” Moreta asked, giving Alessan a significant glare. “She was so good about waiting for me.”
“Room enough, of course,” Alessan replied graciously, motioning to the table’s other occupants to adjust.
He knows better than to fight with the misses.
He doesn't completely approve of the dress though, but Moreta says that it suits her very well as it's much better for dancing. She banters that next time she'll bring two dresses: one to see races, and one to be seen in. Alessan is placated (though really, I think he was the one inadvertently insulting HER taste.)
Anyway, he asks her to dance. (She asks Oklina to guard her place, thus continuing to insure that she won't get pressed into service.)
There's a really neat bit here about Weyr culture:
She loved to dance and, though the Weyr had musicians and songs in the evening from time to time, dancing was generally reserved for Hatching festivities. Occasionally the blue and green riders indulged in wild acrobatics, usually when they were well into the wine after a bad Fall or the death of a dragon and rider, but Moreta dreaded those dances. Leri and L’mal had felt that such excesses purged the riders, but Moreta preferred to absent herself, taking flight on Orlith to be far from the maddening drum beat and the posturing dance.
But the Gather’s music soon exorcised those memories, and she was breathless by the time Alessan whirled her back to the table, both of them heartily applauding the harpers’ music, the sweet, uncomplicated, merry, familiar tunes.
This is something that I don't think the books have really touched upon: the ever present role that the expectation of death plays in the Weyrs. In Dragonflight, they were just coming off of a 400 year Interval. The only deaths we know of are accidental, like Lytol's dragon, or natural causes, like Jora. Maybe the occasional altercation in a bar or something. Dragonquest takes place a few years into Threadfall, but it's still pretty early. And while White Dragon is a decade or two in, it doesn't really showcase much from the Weyr point of view. (And let's be honest, Jaxom wasn't particularly sensitive enough to wonder.)
The place where it's actually relevant is with the Oldtimers, who are men and women who left at the END of their pass, to come forward and start all over again, giving up any chance to see calm in their lifetimes. It's a shame, because it might have given them a bit more by way of nuance or humanity.
Better late then never though, and I appreciate the perspective.
So Alessan has to go dance with other people, but asks Moreta to save him another dance. Oklina and Moreta have some girl talk which nicely establishes the kindness of Alessan and Moreta. Alessan taught his sister to dance and tries to dance with her at least once. And when Oklina admits it's probably too busy for him to dance with her here, Moreta decides to find her a nice partner.
Moreta herself gets asked to dance by a dude named B'lerion, from High Reaches. He actually gets a fairly detailed description: ("He was handsome and tall with a fine strong body, sparkling dark eyes, a mobile expression, a ready laugh. He always had a quick remark and a fund of light gossip.") More interestingly, Moreta is "certain" that B'lerion is the father of her third child.
Okay, now THIS is interesting!
One thing that is very prevalent in Dragonflight and Dragonquest is the Madonna-Whore set up. Lessa and Brekke vs. Jora and Kylara. The former two being both virginal and monogamous, while the latter are depraved sluts.
Moreta is probably going to end up partnered with Alessan, at least for part of the story, but she's clearly not virginal. She's also clearly not monogamous. She's certain B'lerion's the father of her third kid, which implies that there are other possibilities. And Moreta, rightly, isn't judged for this at all.
And of course, the fact that Moreta has had at least three children is another indicator of her age. Which again, makes me really happy.
But it's not all happiness, as Moreta thinks about the Weyr:
Though B’lerion was not the same caliber wingleader as Sh’gall, Moreta had hoped that Nabeth would have flown her queen during that crucial mating flight. But then, the strongest, cleverest dragon flew the queen: That was the only way to improve the breed. Twice Sh’gall’s Kadith had been strongest and fastest. Or so Moreta kept telling herself.
I hate this fucking set up. And I hate that McCaffrey created this set up where the idea of having a dragon comes with so much baggage that I can't even fantasize about Impressing an egg myself. There's no room for an ace person in a Weyr.
(Though more evidence for an age difference in Moreta's favor: B'lerion teases her about monopolizing the young Lord Holder.)
B'lerion brings up the whole Kadith vs. Nabeth thing. He's apparently half in earnest. I think it's a pretty fucking insensitive thing to ask. And sadly, I feel like this bit rather destroyed my headcanon that the Weyrwomen do have some influence over the choice, since Moreta would clearly have preferred B'lerion. (Though she does point out that he doesn't like responsibility.)
There's also a point where Moreta dances out of an embrace so as to avoid anyone misconstruing B'lerion's attention. She feels like she owes Sh'gall support until the Fall ends. Ugh. B'lerion does however go and flirt with a breathless Oklina.
I'm not sure I approve actually. He seems like a jerk. And too old for her. I might be delighted by the idea that Moreta is older than Alessan, but Alessan is an adult. Oklina's a young girl. Fuck. Really young:
Schooling her own expression, Moreta watched Oklina’s, saw her blushing confusion at B’lerion’s compliments. She could see the pulse of excitement beating in the girl’s slender neck, her quickened breathing. Oklina could not have been more than sixteen Turns. Hold-bred, she’d be married off very soon to some holder or craftmaster to the east or the south, far from Ruatha, strengthening Bloodlines. By the time the Pass ended, Oklina would have children and this Gather day would have been long forgotten. Or, perhaps, better remembered for B’lerion’s attentions. She smiled when the harpers struck up a slow and stately dance and B’lerion lead the delighted girl onto the square.
Poor little girl.
Meanwhile, Moreta catches sight of Alessan "sedately guiding" a young girl. She thinks, from Lady Oma's expression, the girl is a candidate for marriage, but Moreta thinks the girl is too innocent to attract Alessan, who now basically has his choice from anywhere on the continent.
Anyway, Moreta spots a Fort Weyr rider (S'peren) who had been at Ista. Apparently the Gather ended early, and there's report of sickness in Igen, Keroon and Telgar. And it's people, not runners. S'peren does bring some greetings from a childhood acquaintance.
Moreta spots Alessan dancing with another girl, and realizes that he's doing his duty by these marriageable women. She's sympathetic, thinking about how the bronze riders "besieged her" before Orlith rose to mate.
...so there IS subconscious influence? I suppose even if so, that doesn't make this a great situation. Moreta clearly dislikes Sh'gall, even if she might have felt like she had to favor him for the good of the Weyr. Ugh.
There's also a point where Moreta accidently drinks Tillek wine instead of rich Benden wine. Yuck! (Heh.)
Tirone isn't leading the perfomances, instead the young "Masterharper of Ruatha" is singing. I wonder how the Harper Hall ranks work this era. Actually no. No more fucking Harpers. Anyway, Moreta sings along to one of the choruses with other people around her. (Harmony, she doesn't have a high enough voice for the soprano line.)
Orlith enjoys the singing, but she and Moreta have a really strange cryptic exchange when it comes to the next song:
Our tastes generally coincide, Moreta said.
Not always.
What do you mean by that?
The harpers sing, Orlith replied, evading, and Moreta knew that she’d get no direct answer.
Is this about Alessan? Sh'gall and Kadith?
More dancing. At some point, there are some well wishes directed toward the elderly Weyrwoman Leri, and her dragon, which Moreta passes on through Orlith. She manages to dodge Lord Tolocamp, choosing not to endure a lecture. Who the fuck gets to lecture a Weyrwoman anyway? Fuck off, dude.
She finds a nice quiet spot, where Alessan joins her. Interestingly, Orlith is the one to alert Moreta, and that surprises Moreta, because Orlith usually doesn't remember people's names. Alessan, being the rom-com hero he is, is bringing food and drink.
They banter, cutely. Alessan's done with his lordly dancing duties, so now he can hang out with the woman he actually likes. Oh, I like this bit:
By the way, speaking of talking, is that bronze rider who’s been monopolizing Oklina a kind and honorable man?”
“B’lerion is kind, and very good company. Is Oklina aware of dragonriders’ propensities?”
“As every proper hold girl is.” Alessan’s tone was dry, acknowledging dragonrider whims and foibles.
“B’lerion is kind and I have known him many Turns,” Moreta went on by way of reassurance. Oklina’s adoration of her brother was not misplaced if he troubled himself to speak to a Weyrwoman about a bronze rider who was paying marked attention to his sister.
It's an interesting note about Weyr vs. Hold culture, of course. It's not actually clear if virginity is as important culturally on Pern as it is in some Earth cultures. I mean, I made a point of talking about Lessa and Brekke's virginity, because McCaffrey made a point of telling us they have no sexual experience. I don't recall anything about it being a social requirement though.
(And certainly, no one cared about poor Corana's marriage prospects being potentially ruined.)
Oh, then things get interesting:
They ate in companionable silence, for Alessan was as hungry as Moreta. Suddenly the harpers struck up another tune, one of the sprightlier dances, more of a patterned run, requiring the lighter partner to be lifted, twirled, and caught. She recognized the challenge gleaming in Alessan’s eyes; only the young and fit usually attempted the toss dance’s acrobatics. She laughed low in her throat. She was no timid adolescent, uncertain of herself, and no decorous hold woman, vitality and body drained by constant childbearing; she was the fighting-fit rider of a queen dragon and she could outdance any man—holder, crafter, rider. In addition, Orlith was encouraging her.
I'm interested in the dance, but the cultural notes are interesting too. We have seen it argued that Weyr life is preferable for many girls over Hold life, without much explanation why. I suppose this is part of it. Moreta has had three children, but it could be worse.
Of course, Moreta and Alessan rock the dance, and are the last folk standing. And interestingly, the old acquaintance that was mentioned earlier (Talpan) is brought to Moreta's mind for the third time, as the next dance is to a music she'd not danced to since she left Keroon.
Three times is definitely not a coincidence.
Anyway, Alessan sees Moreta back to Orlith, and even has the audacity to talk to Orlith directly. Orlith doesn't mind though. So maybe she doesn't mind Alessan after all. I wonder what the cryptic exchange meant.
Moreta and Orlith fly home and the chapter ends.
We rejoin Moreta at the Gather. Apparently Ruathan Gathers are like the epitome of awesome Gathers. Unsurprisingly. The Masterharper is circulating, and Ms. McCaffrey tells us, yet again, that Alessan doesn't like him.
I'm a bit curious about that, actually. Robinton, of course, was beloved by all the Lord Holders and Weyrleaders that matter. Tirone appears to be a different sort of guy. But we haven't really seen enough to understand why.
(I mean, it's McCaffrey, so the likelihood that our hero is wrong about someone is pretty slim. Though I suppose it's not impossible.)
Anyway, Moreta is living up to her promise, by pulling Oklina over to the head table. She and Alessan already have a couple vibe going on:
“There’s room enough, isn’t there?” Moreta asked, giving Alessan a significant glare. “She was so good about waiting for me.”
“Room enough, of course,” Alessan replied graciously, motioning to the table’s other occupants to adjust.
He knows better than to fight with the misses.
He doesn't completely approve of the dress though, but Moreta says that it suits her very well as it's much better for dancing. She banters that next time she'll bring two dresses: one to see races, and one to be seen in. Alessan is placated (though really, I think he was the one inadvertently insulting HER taste.)
Anyway, he asks her to dance. (She asks Oklina to guard her place, thus continuing to insure that she won't get pressed into service.)
There's a really neat bit here about Weyr culture:
She loved to dance and, though the Weyr had musicians and songs in the evening from time to time, dancing was generally reserved for Hatching festivities. Occasionally the blue and green riders indulged in wild acrobatics, usually when they were well into the wine after a bad Fall or the death of a dragon and rider, but Moreta dreaded those dances. Leri and L’mal had felt that such excesses purged the riders, but Moreta preferred to absent herself, taking flight on Orlith to be far from the maddening drum beat and the posturing dance.
But the Gather’s music soon exorcised those memories, and she was breathless by the time Alessan whirled her back to the table, both of them heartily applauding the harpers’ music, the sweet, uncomplicated, merry, familiar tunes.
This is something that I don't think the books have really touched upon: the ever present role that the expectation of death plays in the Weyrs. In Dragonflight, they were just coming off of a 400 year Interval. The only deaths we know of are accidental, like Lytol's dragon, or natural causes, like Jora. Maybe the occasional altercation in a bar or something. Dragonquest takes place a few years into Threadfall, but it's still pretty early. And while White Dragon is a decade or two in, it doesn't really showcase much from the Weyr point of view. (And let's be honest, Jaxom wasn't particularly sensitive enough to wonder.)
The place where it's actually relevant is with the Oldtimers, who are men and women who left at the END of their pass, to come forward and start all over again, giving up any chance to see calm in their lifetimes. It's a shame, because it might have given them a bit more by way of nuance or humanity.
Better late then never though, and I appreciate the perspective.
So Alessan has to go dance with other people, but asks Moreta to save him another dance. Oklina and Moreta have some girl talk which nicely establishes the kindness of Alessan and Moreta. Alessan taught his sister to dance and tries to dance with her at least once. And when Oklina admits it's probably too busy for him to dance with her here, Moreta decides to find her a nice partner.
Moreta herself gets asked to dance by a dude named B'lerion, from High Reaches. He actually gets a fairly detailed description: ("He was handsome and tall with a fine strong body, sparkling dark eyes, a mobile expression, a ready laugh. He always had a quick remark and a fund of light gossip.") More interestingly, Moreta is "certain" that B'lerion is the father of her third child.
Okay, now THIS is interesting!
One thing that is very prevalent in Dragonflight and Dragonquest is the Madonna-Whore set up. Lessa and Brekke vs. Jora and Kylara. The former two being both virginal and monogamous, while the latter are depraved sluts.
Moreta is probably going to end up partnered with Alessan, at least for part of the story, but she's clearly not virginal. She's also clearly not monogamous. She's certain B'lerion's the father of her third kid, which implies that there are other possibilities. And Moreta, rightly, isn't judged for this at all.
And of course, the fact that Moreta has had at least three children is another indicator of her age. Which again, makes me really happy.
But it's not all happiness, as Moreta thinks about the Weyr:
Though B’lerion was not the same caliber wingleader as Sh’gall, Moreta had hoped that Nabeth would have flown her queen during that crucial mating flight. But then, the strongest, cleverest dragon flew the queen: That was the only way to improve the breed. Twice Sh’gall’s Kadith had been strongest and fastest. Or so Moreta kept telling herself.
I hate this fucking set up. And I hate that McCaffrey created this set up where the idea of having a dragon comes with so much baggage that I can't even fantasize about Impressing an egg myself. There's no room for an ace person in a Weyr.
(Though more evidence for an age difference in Moreta's favor: B'lerion teases her about monopolizing the young Lord Holder.)
B'lerion brings up the whole Kadith vs. Nabeth thing. He's apparently half in earnest. I think it's a pretty fucking insensitive thing to ask. And sadly, I feel like this bit rather destroyed my headcanon that the Weyrwomen do have some influence over the choice, since Moreta would clearly have preferred B'lerion. (Though she does point out that he doesn't like responsibility.)
There's also a point where Moreta dances out of an embrace so as to avoid anyone misconstruing B'lerion's attention. She feels like she owes Sh'gall support until the Fall ends. Ugh. B'lerion does however go and flirt with a breathless Oklina.
I'm not sure I approve actually. He seems like a jerk. And too old for her. I might be delighted by the idea that Moreta is older than Alessan, but Alessan is an adult. Oklina's a young girl. Fuck. Really young:
Schooling her own expression, Moreta watched Oklina’s, saw her blushing confusion at B’lerion’s compliments. She could see the pulse of excitement beating in the girl’s slender neck, her quickened breathing. Oklina could not have been more than sixteen Turns. Hold-bred, she’d be married off very soon to some holder or craftmaster to the east or the south, far from Ruatha, strengthening Bloodlines. By the time the Pass ended, Oklina would have children and this Gather day would have been long forgotten. Or, perhaps, better remembered for B’lerion’s attentions. She smiled when the harpers struck up a slow and stately dance and B’lerion lead the delighted girl onto the square.
Poor little girl.
Meanwhile, Moreta catches sight of Alessan "sedately guiding" a young girl. She thinks, from Lady Oma's expression, the girl is a candidate for marriage, but Moreta thinks the girl is too innocent to attract Alessan, who now basically has his choice from anywhere on the continent.
Anyway, Moreta spots a Fort Weyr rider (S'peren) who had been at Ista. Apparently the Gather ended early, and there's report of sickness in Igen, Keroon and Telgar. And it's people, not runners. S'peren does bring some greetings from a childhood acquaintance.
Moreta spots Alessan dancing with another girl, and realizes that he's doing his duty by these marriageable women. She's sympathetic, thinking about how the bronze riders "besieged her" before Orlith rose to mate.
...so there IS subconscious influence? I suppose even if so, that doesn't make this a great situation. Moreta clearly dislikes Sh'gall, even if she might have felt like she had to favor him for the good of the Weyr. Ugh.
There's also a point where Moreta accidently drinks Tillek wine instead of rich Benden wine. Yuck! (Heh.)
Tirone isn't leading the perfomances, instead the young "Masterharper of Ruatha" is singing. I wonder how the Harper Hall ranks work this era. Actually no. No more fucking Harpers. Anyway, Moreta sings along to one of the choruses with other people around her. (Harmony, she doesn't have a high enough voice for the soprano line.)
Orlith enjoys the singing, but she and Moreta have a really strange cryptic exchange when it comes to the next song:
Our tastes generally coincide, Moreta said.
Not always.
What do you mean by that?
The harpers sing, Orlith replied, evading, and Moreta knew that she’d get no direct answer.
Is this about Alessan? Sh'gall and Kadith?
More dancing. At some point, there are some well wishes directed toward the elderly Weyrwoman Leri, and her dragon, which Moreta passes on through Orlith. She manages to dodge Lord Tolocamp, choosing not to endure a lecture. Who the fuck gets to lecture a Weyrwoman anyway? Fuck off, dude.
She finds a nice quiet spot, where Alessan joins her. Interestingly, Orlith is the one to alert Moreta, and that surprises Moreta, because Orlith usually doesn't remember people's names. Alessan, being the rom-com hero he is, is bringing food and drink.
They banter, cutely. Alessan's done with his lordly dancing duties, so now he can hang out with the woman he actually likes. Oh, I like this bit:
By the way, speaking of talking, is that bronze rider who’s been monopolizing Oklina a kind and honorable man?”
“B’lerion is kind, and very good company. Is Oklina aware of dragonriders’ propensities?”
“As every proper hold girl is.” Alessan’s tone was dry, acknowledging dragonrider whims and foibles.
“B’lerion is kind and I have known him many Turns,” Moreta went on by way of reassurance. Oklina’s adoration of her brother was not misplaced if he troubled himself to speak to a Weyrwoman about a bronze rider who was paying marked attention to his sister.
It's an interesting note about Weyr vs. Hold culture, of course. It's not actually clear if virginity is as important culturally on Pern as it is in some Earth cultures. I mean, I made a point of talking about Lessa and Brekke's virginity, because McCaffrey made a point of telling us they have no sexual experience. I don't recall anything about it being a social requirement though.
(And certainly, no one cared about poor Corana's marriage prospects being potentially ruined.)
Oh, then things get interesting:
They ate in companionable silence, for Alessan was as hungry as Moreta. Suddenly the harpers struck up another tune, one of the sprightlier dances, more of a patterned run, requiring the lighter partner to be lifted, twirled, and caught. She recognized the challenge gleaming in Alessan’s eyes; only the young and fit usually attempted the toss dance’s acrobatics. She laughed low in her throat. She was no timid adolescent, uncertain of herself, and no decorous hold woman, vitality and body drained by constant childbearing; she was the fighting-fit rider of a queen dragon and she could outdance any man—holder, crafter, rider. In addition, Orlith was encouraging her.
I'm interested in the dance, but the cultural notes are interesting too. We have seen it argued that Weyr life is preferable for many girls over Hold life, without much explanation why. I suppose this is part of it. Moreta has had three children, but it could be worse.
Of course, Moreta and Alessan rock the dance, and are the last folk standing. And interestingly, the old acquaintance that was mentioned earlier (Talpan) is brought to Moreta's mind for the third time, as the next dance is to a music she'd not danced to since she left Keroon.
Three times is definitely not a coincidence.
Anyway, Alessan sees Moreta back to Orlith, and even has the audacity to talk to Orlith directly. Orlith doesn't mind though. So maybe she doesn't mind Alessan after all. I wonder what the cryptic exchange meant.
Moreta and Orlith fly home and the chapter ends.
Let's do this!
Date: 2022-02-19 12:49 am (UTC)He doesn't completely approve of the dress though, but Moreta says that it suits her very well as it's much better for dancing. She banters that next time she'll bring two dresses: one to see races, and one to be seen in. Alessan is placated (though really, I think he was the one inadvertently insulting HER taste.)
Pan: Me too.
One thing that is very prevalent in Dragonflight and Dragonquest is the Madonna-Whore set up. Lessa and Brekke vs. Jora and Kylara. The former two being both virginal and monogamous, while the latter are depraved sluts.
Moreta is probably going to end up partnered with Alessan, at least for part of the story, but she's clearly not virginal. She's also clearly not monogamous. She's certain B'lerion's the father of her third kid, which implies that there are other possibilities. And Moreta, rightly, isn't judged for this at all.
And of course, the fact that Moreta has had at least three children is another indicator of her age. Which again, makes me really happy.
Finn: It's nice to subvert the clichés.
“As every proper hold girl is.” Alessan’s tone was dry, acknowledging dragonrider whims and foibles.
Finn: Something tells me he doesn't really like it.
Oklina could not have been more than sixteen Turns. Hold-bred, she’d be married off very soon to some holder or craftmaster to the east or the south, far from Ruatha, strengthening Bloodlines.
Finn: That's quite deparved.
They ate in companionable silence, for Alessan was as hungry as Moreta. Suddenly the harpers struck up another tune, one of the sprightlier dances, more of a patterned run, requiring the lighter partner to be lifted, twirled, and caught. She recognized the challenge gleaming in Alessan’s eyes; only the young and fit usually attempted the toss dance’s acrobatics.
Pan: I will admit, the tension exists.
Re: Let's do this!
Date: 2022-02-20 05:14 am (UTC)