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Marialla*

Mari had a lot of time alone to think about what she should do. She was
bored. She'd decided that she'd been that way for a very long time. Maybe
that's why she poored herself into this not too successful relationship
with Jason. She was beginning to realize that they made better friends
than lover. She'd known for along time that Jason wasn't the type to be
tied down to any situation. She didn't want to ruin their friendship and
she was beginning to feel as if that's what was happening.

She began to walk around the warren. Watching people working. Wishing she
had something to do to keep busy. The paper work that Jayleigh allowed
her to do only kept her busy for a very minimal time during the day.
Sitting in the dining hall wasn't helping her pass the time. She looked
with envy at the people working there. Remembering the fun she had with
Realee while they prepared food for the riders.

She stopped by and watched the wings practice. The wingleaders all
involved with the trial, didn't stop the practices from taking place.
Each wing practicing at a different time so the others could watch the
trial. This brought deep discussions between the members of the different
wings, in the evenings after the trial had ended.

The trial was painful for her to watch. At times memories flooded back
from Alexxis' trial, at others memories of Tair'n's love for his son took
over. Mari knew that he could never do that. No matter what the
circumstances, she knew.

She walked to the med center. Things were quiet there. It wasn't a bad
thing, but Mari was looking for something to do. She was hoping that
somewhere in the warren her help would be needed and at the moment, she
felt that the need wasn't their.

*Reggie? What are you doing?*

A sleepy response came from her queen. <Snuggling with Star. Something
you should be doing with his rider.>

*No, dear. You don't understand.* was the response she sent.

<You are right, everything else I have learned about and understand more,
but human relationships, the more I learn about them, the less I
understand them.>

*Sometimes I'd agree with you, my Queen.*

The afternoon passed as Mari walked through the warren, looking for
something to do. She saw the trial let out. She saw Jayleigh head to her
office. This was the opportunity to talk with the Warrenlady. She persued
her to the door of her office.

"Jayleigh? Can I speak with you for a moment?" she said as she reached
her.

"Of course, Mari." said Jayleigh. "What can I do for you."

"Jayleigh, I'm bored. I need something to keep me busy. The paperwork you
give me to do, lasts me all of and hour each morning. I've tried pushing
myself into a very unsuccessful relationship, and I think I've done it
out of boredom. I think I may have ended one that could be successful for
the same reason. I really need something to do. I'm really not one to sit
idly by with nothing to do. Please tell me you'll give me more
responsibility."

This poored out of her. Being kept inside for way too long. She hoped
that Jayleigh could see that this would be something that could help her
grow.

Jayleigh looked at her Jr. Queenrider for a moment in deep thought. "What
does Aislyn say about you doing more?"

"She thinks as long as I don't pour myself into my work, taking no time
for myself that if won't be a bad thing." she replied.

"I could use the help, with the trial." Jayleigh could think of many more
reasons that she would like to have more help from Mari, but wanted to
make sure that if she allowed Mari to help, that she would be emotionally
ready for it. " But let me talk with Aislyn first. I want to hear what
she thinks about it. It's not that I don't believe what you told me she
said, but I think she may have more to say on the subject."

Mari left Jayleigh's office not sure how their meeting went. Hoping that
she would soon be given more responsibility. She headed to her apartment.
Laying on the grassy area in front of her ground level home was Reggie
curled up with Starfire. She wondered if Jason was inside. She doubted
it, but she knew that she did need to talk with her friend.

(Tag Barb, Cozette, and Michael)

************************

Respectfully,

Marialla and Regenta

 

NRPG: Just a little bit to express how Mari is feeling.