[PRP] Visitations (Shar x R'iz)

[Hattaki]

Yulaniath was not joking at all about going fast either, Bossuth's stubby legs would never have been able to keep up with his sleek green sister if they'd simply been running rather than bouncing, but at least his back legs were strong and he kept a sort of pace with her zig-zagged bounces until they got to the hallway and he wound up in a heap for a moment. Once again! Shaking himself a little so that he could get his bearings back, the small bronze returned her encouragement with a bugle and renewed energy.

You're really fast Yulaniath! Keep going, keep going! Bossuth wanted to chase after his sister the entire length of the hallway or futher, what was further? He couldn't really remember what was out there, not that he'd seen much of it from the moment he hatched until when he and Radish were ushered into the Healers as fast as possible for their wounds and all the blood and ichor lost. What was out there? Just that question and the curiosity to see what all of his clutch siblings and cousins had been seeing and experiencing for the past weeks had his bounces come faster and faster now that he could go just straight. If he got to the outside faster then it meant that he could see everything and R'iz would be very happy, he could feel it almost glowing from his rider as they got closer.

Truly that was part of what had the redhead glowing a bit, happiness coming off of it, but it was also the thought of being able to eat again that had him sighing even with his mouth closed. While he couldn't remember eating any of the slime that he'd been given in the form of drinks, R'iz couldn't imagine that they tasted as good as a roast or some vegetables and he looked forward to that just as strongly as the day that he could finally be out of the Healers for once and all. Well... hopefully for once and all, the future held uncertain possibilities after all. Hearing about the Feast made him chuckle a little bit, Bossuth had commented about the smell of some food and of loud music the next time he'd been awake and he'd had to attempt and describe what a feast was to the little bronze. It hadn't gone well.

Rolling his eye at Shar's expression, that grin that told him exactly what he'd thought was true, she could remember that time just as well as he could. A shiver ran up his spine as they got outside but he did his best not to show that it was cold with only the light clothing he was wearing, he was from Telgar after all, it had been a lot colder there and he'd never had a jacket in all the time he'd been there. But then he hadn't been pints low on blood either and emaciated the way he was from months of barely eating and sleeping. He had to admit that it was nice to catch up on sleep. You needed it so badly that it's all you've done. You'll get to sleep more once we get to your own bed and out of the Healers I bet! Bossuth chirped in his head as he bounced after his little sister and R'iz couldn't hide his grin. His small bronze caught everything in his heart and past, at least he hadn't sat and tried to pick it apart at his expense yet, but he helped when the redhead had moments where he felt like he was breaking apart and wanted to see Nimueh and Mharlith again. Soon enough... soon.

Don't worry Shar! Bossuth spoke up again for the woman to hear instead of just his stubborn rider. His face doesn't always match what he's feeling, you have to poke it out of him. He'd spoken it only to her but he meant it, she just had to poke at R'iz to get out his emotions and understand him, because the little infant dragon knew that he was good from his head to his heart even if he was sad. With that last little part spoken he focused on Yulan again and tried to keep from tripping over his own wings or feet.

Time frames had been one of the things that the Healers had talked to him about that R'iz could remember at least and he held up three fingers on his free hand with a dejected look on his face so she'd know he didn't mean days. Apparently losing that much blood had actually been one of the culprits, but because all he could do was drink his meals it was playing a role in how slowly he'd be recovering, solid foods apparently had more nutrition to them than mush. Not that he understood why at all. Once more of his blood built back up he wouldn't feel as weak though, that much they'd told him when he'd been feeding Bossuth one evening. He couldn't wait, as was evidenced by how excited he still was to escape from there even if it was actually really chilly out in the hallway, he wanted to see the sunlight again. Wanted to actually get out of there for good, so he squeezed his arm around Shar's shoulders in silent thanks that he couldn't give her verbally in that moment.

SilverLutz

Laaaaaaate~ *Sweats loudly*

 

[SilverLutz]

The hallway was long and wide, giving both dragons plenty of room to bounce. Yulan knew where she was going - there was a wide doorway around the corner that opened up into the courtyard within the walls of the building - but her legs were starting to burn from all of the hopping. She was only a small green, after all, and although she felt she could go forever, she hadn't exercised her legs this intensely...ever.

My legs huuuuuuurt, she whined but continued bouncing, although her pace was slowing and her bounces were less high. She pressed on as long as she could until one landing made her kneels buckle and she sprawled out onto the floor, panting softly, legs wobbly under her as she tried to push herself back up. It was to no avail, though, and she admitted defeat by flopping down on the floor.

You win, Bossuth! You're much stronger than I am, she said, peering over her shoulder at her brother who, although slower, was still just as bouncy as he had been back in the healer's wing. It was the natural order of things, of course, bronzes would always be bigger and stronger than greens, and she didn't feel badly for it. Instead she felt proud that her brother could continue on. Maybe next time she'd have to play differently so she could last a little longer.

Despite his best efforts to hide the shiver, Shar felt her friend shudder just a bit thanks to the arm that was wrapped firmly around his waist. Yup, this trip couldn't be long, but at least he'd get a little bit of fresh air and see the sky without glass between him and it. They wobbled along, R'iz on legs that were powered by half as much blood as they should have been, Shar limping on her wounded leg. What a sight they must make, she thought to herself as she leaned against her friend for support with each painful step, then taking R'iz's weight on her good leg as they shifted. It was a mutual back and forth just as their friendship had been since day one, one giving while the other received, then trading places. Shar had never fallen into sync with another person so quickly and she cherished the ease with which they worked with and around one another.

The cheerful, exuberant voice echoed in her head once more and Shar braced herself for a potential onslaught of emotions, but thankfully none came. It was just words this time and Bossuth's assurance made her snort with amusement. Poke it out of him, huh? Poking right now didn't seem the thing to do, and to be honest Shar wasn't sure she wanted to poke R'iz's true emotions out at all. They were both guarded on that subject and Shar appreciated that it wasn't something she had to worry about when around R'iz. They were both on the same playing field...sort of. R'iz had mentioned that he had been seeing a mind healer for the trauma he had gone through with his siblings and Shar had even seen a bit of that on the anniversary of his brother's death and the return of Thread. She had done the best she could to comfort her friend but she knew it was severely lacking in what the man actually needed, and she felt it was best left to those with the proper training.

"Three weeks?!" she said, stunned at the answer. "That's inhumane. You better get your sleep while classes are in session and at night, because I'll be stopping by with notes and as long as there's no healers around, I'll take you for walks. Three weeks..." She muttered to herself quietly as they followed their dragons down the hall, moving much slower but with determination.

"I wonder if Bossuth'll even fit in the ward properly in three weeks. He's so big already." Indeed, the bronze had grown substantially in the week R'iz had been in the ward, while Yulan had maybe grown an inch or two. Nothing noticeable at any rate.

Hattaki

 

[Hattaki]

Tilting his head a little bit from side to side, a chirp left Bossuth as his sister, his strong and amazing little sister, admitted her legs were hurting and suddenly became a heap on floor of the stone hallway before him. Well that wasn't going to work at all, not for his sister, she couldn't admit defeat this soon! As he bounced closer he switched to his lumbering almost limp of a walk and slowed enough that he could slide his head and neck beneath her entire body, wasting no time and waiting for no retort before standing back straight so she would sort of roll and slide onto his broader back. Both wings mantled so that she wouldn't fall off in either direction and instantly started to trot, awkwardly, again.

Bouncing most likely would knock her completely off of his back and possibly hurt when wings or bones connected with stone. I don't win just yet, we can both win together or not at all! Even his voice was glowing as if with laughter and joy when he said it, though his words weren't broadcast to any but Yulaniath. Even though he was going slower their two bonded humans were incredibly slow so it would be quite some time before they could even catch up to them, though Bossuth was sending waves of encouragement to R'iz who seemed to be getting just a bit worn out the further they went.

It made sense of course, but the little bronze could only worry and would do everything in his tiny power to carry the redhead back if he needed to, since Shar was limping just as hard as R'iz was getting worn out. At least in his eyes.

To his credit, R'iz was leaning most of his weight against Shar only when she was in return, though he wanted to simply lay back down there was an even deeper desire to see the sky and the sunlight, see flying dragons and show Bossuth how it would be some day. One day the two of them, four of them with Shar and Yulan right beside them as friends should be, would be up there in the sky, flying through the sunlight. Just in response to those thoughts his dragon seemed to perk up a little and the edges of R'iz's eyes crinkled in response to it, watching him carry his smaller sister as if she weighed completely nothing despite how he hadn't been exercising as he should have either and was just a bit worn out too. At least he had all that baby energy that would burn much longer than either of the wounded humans following behind.

A small amount of guilt entered into him when he thought of how Shar must have been hurting, but he didn't put expression to feelings and shut down Bossuth's questions and suggestion of possibly mentioning it to the woman, for she wouldn't have taken that well. No, his best friend was solid through and through and nothing would ever get her down or stop her from something she'd put her mind to, that he'd learned the very first day he'd met her when her arms had been loaded down with so many cleaning supplies that some had been even taller than her.

Instead he simply gave her as pained an expression as he could about the length of time his recovery, or technically just base recovery as it would take even more time to get back to full order, would take. Don't worry, he sleeps most of the day away as it is, but I'll make certain that he sleeps when he should so he's awake for your lessons. Bossuth responded to Shar's statement, stopping up ahead where he was and looking back with a serious look on his young face despite his swirling blue and green eyes that seemed to glow with his joy. Radish won't have to worry about me ever fitting near him though, where he goes I go.

A rumble seemed to shake R'iz's chest a bit and caused him to nearly miss a step from pain, but it was clearly laughter at how serious Bossuth had tried to be in that moment, either in denial or unaware of how large he would one day grow to be. When the time came he would have to have Shar and Yulan try to measure themselves beside him and explain to him the difference, he was already carrying the little green as it was after all!

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Little lungs heaved and legs burned as Yulaniath lay on the cool stone floor, her eyes closed as she recovered a bit. She'd have a lot of work to do if she ever wanted to be strong enough to fight Thread, but now that she and Shar were in classes she was well on her way to doing just that. A blunt nose nudged her enough to make her open her eyes, and a moment later the little green was lifted off the ground and onto the broad back of her dear brother.

Wrapping her forearms around his neck - not too tightly though! - Yulan gave a thankful chirp and nuzzled her own nose against Bossuth's shoulder in thanks. She did grip just a bit more as he began to walk again, his lumbering gait a little hard to find rhythm in, his hips knocking her backside back and forth. It was a fun challenge to hang on, though!

We can both win, then! she said delightedly. Losing was no fun, but if they could both be winners she'd choose that option any day of the week. Together they paused to look back towards their riders who were hobbling along in their own right and she gave Shar a pressing, gentle question of how she was doing.

Shar was getting tired, but she could keep going a bit longer. R'iz, on the other hand, was struggling and she couldn't blame him. Usually when you worked out you could open your mouth to suck in deep lungfuls of air to help combat your tired muscles, but the young rider's mouth was bandaged shut. He couldn't have opened it if he tried. They were still a ways away from the doorway that led into the courtyard, but up ahead was a large window that might do the trick of getting him some fresh, cold air and some sun on his skin.

The comment from Bossuth had R'iz quietly laughing, but Shar flat-out belly laughed. A bronze? Never leaving R'iz's side? They'd have to make some rather grand hallways and classrooms for that!

"A noble thought, Bossuth," she said with a grin, the two of them slowly catch up to the dragons. "Perhaps in spirit. But you'll be a big beast some day if how much you've grown already is anything to go by. The architects don't make structures like this big enough for dragons of your eventual size." Of course, after classes were through R'iz could go wherever he wanted, or wherever he didn't want. If that meant never setting foot in a building where Bossuth couldn't go, he could do that.

"Not to worry," she added, pausing as the two reached their dragons, reaching down to give the bronze's smooth head an affectionate pat. "Riz is tough. And if you're not physically by him to tell him to go to bed, I'll tie him down and make him."

Yulan gave an amused chirp as she gazed fondly up at her bonded's friend. He was stubborn and strong, just like Hers, and she knew that similar mindsets like that could often clash and create enemies rather than allies. But it seemed the pair had started on the right foot and that any sort of tough love would be taken for what it was rather than one or the other forcing them to do something they didn't want to do.

How much further Mine? she asked Shar who glanced down the hallway again. There was a large bay window that was open at the moment and the little green turned to look in the direction Shar indicated. A soft coo of agreement followed and she nudged Bossuth's shoulder to get him to turn around.

Both of Ours are getting tired and they still have to walk back. Let's make that window our goal so they can return without collapsing along the way.

Hattaki

 

[Hattaki]

Though he did his best to make it so that poor Yulaniath didn't bounce around as much as she could have, Bossuth knew full well that his walk was almost unforgivably terrible and there was really no way for her to be completely comfortable on his back. His sister seemed to be doing okay though, her claws wrapped around him and a nuzzle at his shoulder told him as much as her excited words did and it made him smile as he stilled once more so he could glance back at their riders, much less serious this time. Of course he wanted to say something about how hard Shar was laughing at his statement, but on some level he actually knew, on some level he wasn't stupid enough to assume that forever he would be beside him. Even if not forever though, even if it was only for a short time while he was a baby and he could.

That would make him happy.

Still he gave a happy chirp at her affirmation that R'iz was tough, for he knew full well that he was and was incredibly proud of his redheaded chosen for that reason, his head tilting into her pat even if it was brief. A day will come, but for the time being at least. You and Yulan are made of things just as tough if not tougher. For those words, projected out to absolutely all of them in the little group, his Radish reached out a hand and placed it full in the little bronze's face, earning himself a laugh. Absolutely Shar was strong and so was Yulaniath, they were partners after all and she was R'iz's best friend, there was no way that they'd be anything but. It was to his amusement that his dragon would even have to say it out loud since they knew it so well.

People should be told when they're strong, just like you need to hear it from time to time. Bossuth retorted, wiggling his head back and forth against the weak hand for a moment before turning and making his way over to the window that his beloved sister had pointed out. Daylight and fresh air would still do them both good and maybe they can even sit in that window until they're ready to move again! Since I think it'll be quite some time before they do again...

In no way discounting that they weren't strong, Bossuth instead was worried what movement would be like after coming so far. Or at least it seemed far to him having been only on the hatching sands and then carried to the Healers wards, he hadn't seen much else beyond that and he couldn't fully comprehend how vast the world could be. That was yet another 'someday' for him, something he saw when R'iz was dreaming that showed him of places far beyond the Weyr.

That the one was no place he wished to visit was beside that point.

No, we'll see some better places once we can fly outside the Weyr on rest days. R'iz insisted as he and Shar made it over to the window, leaning against the frame so that Shar could hopefully lean against him. There are some really nice places on Pern and we can take Shar and your sister there to see them as well, if you want.

Yes! A wiggle ran from Bossuth's nose to the kink in his long tail, excitement exuding from him in waves.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Shar watched Bossuth bounce around with Yulaniath on his back and it was a struggle not to snicker at the sight. Her little dragon was hanging on for dear life it seemed while trying not to dig her sharp claws into her brother's neck. But she didn't complain and clearly was pleased with her position if the swirling green and blue eyes had anything to say about it.

They finally made it to the window and the two new riders were able to relax, leaning against the frame of the window rather than each other to give one another a break as well as to catch their own breath. Shar shifted to hop up on the sill, the window deep enough thanks to it being wide open despite the chilly air. It let her leg rest, but she kept herself close to R'iz in case he needed more support than a stone wall.

The excitement rolling off her brother made Yulan give a little yeep before she jumped from her perch to join Shar on the window sill, the pair looking out at the bowl beyond.

It's so busy and wonderful out there, Bossuth. You'll love it, she promised, leaning down to press her nose fondly to Bossuth's forehead. She couldn't wait for the day that they could all walk among the other dragons and their riders proudly, ready to fly up to protect the Weyr and Pern itself from Threadfall.

The quartet did remain at the window for a good chunk of time as the two riders caught their breath, but once R'iz began to shiver in the thin hospital gown Shar declared their little field trip was over and got back on the ground to help her friend back towards the wing, their dragons leading the way once more. It had been a short outing but Shar was glad she was finally able to see R'iz up and about, even if it was a shadow of the young man she knew so well. Still, he had that fire in his eye and now with a bronze dragon at his side, Shar knew R'iz would be just fine. He'd do anything for the little creature just as she'd do anything for the even smaller creature that she had the honor to call her own.

Hobbling down the hallway together, Shar took just a moment to burn the memory of the past hour or so into her mind forever. It wasn't often she found herself wishing to hold on to a memory, especially one like this that was full of pain and physical weakness, but she was so content and happy that it was impossible not to want to remember.

Hattaki

FIN!