[PRP] Grudges (J'deen/Rekoriath + Niobet/Aedeth)

[Tsunake]

To say J'deen was furious would be an understatement. HIS Rekoriath was suffering now due to some sharding fool's lack of attention, and the offender had the audacity to claim that they were in their airspace? The small man audibly ground his teeth at the mere thought. Sensing his rider's rage, Rekoriath moved his head ever so slightly, exhaling a warm, if exhausted breath against his rider.

The healer informed him that the bronze suffered from bad burns against his right side, and naturally they'd need to monitor him carefully for signs of phosphorous poisoning. He clenched his fists briefly before forcing himself to relax with a rough exhalation, pressing a palm to Rekoriath's nose. "You hurtin'?" He muttered aloud, knowing the bronze was feeling sore and uncomfortable even with the numbweed slathered on his side.

I will be fine. It was a testament to his exhaustion that he did not elaborate further or even speak of the offending party with scorn. He simply wanted to rest.

J'deen said nothing, rubbing at the bronze's snout even as he frowned to himself. He needed to bathe himself and to eat... but leaving Rekoriath right now was simply inconceivable.  

[Samuel Carlin]

All things considered, Threadfall could have been worse. It had been worse. No one would or could forget the unexpcted return of the Enemy, the damage that had been done to lives and bodies nd property. There was always that horror to compare with the last, or the next, 'Fall. Still, injuries needed to be accounted for as well.

It wasn't usually Niobet's job. No, more to the point, it wasn't usually Aedeth's job to do the soothing. The temperamental queen had very little bedside manner at all. She was better in action than in nursemaiding and it didn't take long for that truth to be known.

Still, where Niobet went, her dragon was close behind, and once the skies were clear, Niobet headed for the infirmary and the spaces cleared for the dragons in need. Tight-lipped, she moved with purpose, taking in the burns and newly-torn wings and the riders pressed against their dragon's sides.

She stopped for a moment, hands on her hips as she considered which direction she should go. Spotting J'deen and Rekoriath among those scattered about the space for treatment answered the question. She set off toward them, moving with purpose. Even with all the smells in the air, the scent of numbweed was strong, and that was a good sign. Better that than being beyond the relief the weed would bring.

"How is he?" she asked without otherwise announcing herself. "How are you?"

Tsunake

 

[Tsunake]

J'deen snapped his head up at once upon being addressed, and, seeing the familiar woman and her knots, stood up at once. "Junior Weyrwoman," He acknowledged, inclining his head slightly. Though their dragons had a history, he would never show anything but the utmost respect for those above him in the Weyr. As for Rekoriath's status, he grimaced., but spoke bluntly. "He's... The burns are deeper than the healer would like. He's tired, but I'm hoping he'll feel hungry tomorrow."

Where he was concerned, well. J'deen allowed his shoulders to lift in a faint shrug. "He protected me. Made sure he took the damage and I didn't." And, judging from the bitterness of his tone, he'd have gladly suffered flame and worse if it meant his dragon was spared.

He is tired and he is hungry. Rekoriath spoke to both the queen and her rider, not caring which of them chose to use the information. He worries, but he should not. A small wave of warmth and greeting was wordlessly given to Aedeth however, despite his pathetic state.

J'deen paused to frown at his dragon, aware that something had taken place, but not sure exactly what.

Samuel Carlin

 

[Samuel Carlin]

Aedeth was responsible for the pair being at High Reaches. Aedeth had appreciated the fact the he understood and respected the rules of hierarchy that drove her from almost the moment she'd encountered the bronze. That he remembered it, and still respected it, even with an injury lifted him another notch in her estimagion. She filled Niobet's mind with not so suble approval. The rider, herself, did not roll her eyes or smirk in the slightest, though her mouth did tighten for the moment. She had learned, though, not to reject titles or respect. They had weight for her weyr mates. She could -- did -- honor that.

And the man. The man had earned his preferences. Still, she insisted, "Sit," to J'deen. "You did hard work. Take the rest you've earned. Sit with him, it's fine." At another dragon's voice in her mind, her gaze went just a little unfocused for a moment, then cleared again as she tilted her head. "He did what he was meant to do," she said then, more gently. "And even a deep burn will heal in time, Sit with him," she said again, "and he can rest too. Now." A little smile. "What am I having brought for you to eat?"

Would you rather he was somewhere else? Sending him away will not make him easy, Aedeth answered Renkoriath. And your worry will not ease the pain.

Tsunake

 

[Tsunake]

He could have refused the offer, because he certainly didn't feel as though he'd earned anything. Even though the other pair was clearly in the wrong, he couldn't help but rethink the moment over and over again. Surely there should have been something he could have done--a moment of inattention, perhaps? But one did not refuse a command, particularly when it was one he already longed to obey. So J'deen sat.

A shuddering breath slipped from him, unbidden, and he again reached out for his beast with a hand. Yes, Rekoriath would heal. J'deen refused to entertain any other possible outcome. "I'd be grateful for anything." He muttered, already knowing he was far too tired to appreciate anything other than 'edible'.

The bronze dragon sighed slowly, but would not argue against sensible information. No. As long as he does not neglect himself, I will welcome his presence. And now that Niobet was here, Rekoriath believed things would quickly improve.

Samuel Carlin

 

[Samuel Carlin]

That was a concession, Niobet knew, and she took it gratefully. Focusing on anything other than the dragon at his side had to be next to impossible, but it had to be done. Though she and Aedeth had never been through an unjury this sevre, she still clearly understood how the bond worked, what it required and the attention it demanded. She knew, too, that a rider could lose themselves in concern and worry, and that wouldn't happen here. Not while she could do someting. So when he sat, she gave him an approving nod. And when he actually asked for something, as vague as it was, it felt like relief.

She flagged down one of the lower caverns staff, a young woman hurrying back in their direction with a currently empty tray. "If you would," she said to the other woman. "A bowl of broth, a thick slice of bread, and a mug of wine." Those were simple things, nothing heavy, nothing that even the most distracted couldn't digest. As the young woman darted off to relay the request, Niobet hitched her trousers up and took a seat, herself.

Aedeth moved closer to Hers and the injured pair, hunkering down into her shoulders as she studied the bronze. Mine will make certain tat he does not. You have done your duty. Now he must do his. As she sat, the gold began a low, rumble, meant to be soothing.

Tsunake

 

[Tsunake]

Niobet was a good woman. A fine, strong example of a goldrider, and had he been drunk, he might have told her as much. As it was, J'deen had never been the most vocal of men, and what could he say that wouldn't sound like pointless flattery? She'd undoubtedly heard it all before, and she hardly needed his approval. His attention then flickered back to Rekoriath, and J'deen allowed himself to forget about everything else. The dragon closed his eyes as J'deen began to rub small, meaningless patterns against his hide, tired from Threadfall and, now that the adrenaline had worn down, from his treated pains.

The man sighed quietly, encouraging the bronze to sleep if he felt like he could. It would do him good to rest. "Thanks." He finally muttered. She didn't have to do anything more than a simple check on him before moving on, but she'd chosen to stay and see him fed.

The eye nearest Aedeth slid open at once as the Queen approached, rumbling quietly at her in turn. Her and her rider's presence were also welcomed, though he felt it unnecessary to say. Aedeth certainly should know.

Samuel Carlin

 

[Samuel Carlin]

"Of course," Niobet answered with a nod and a faint smile. "Better to have company than to have you sit here, scaring off anyone who might come to wish you well with that scowl you had going." She said it lightly, off-handedly, and it was miles away from anything meant as an insult. "Not that I can fault you, but there are times when our reputations do us no favors."

And there were times when they helped, as the young woman was back in no time with the requested tray. Broth, bread and wine, all delivered on a tray she passed to J'deen before racing off again.

Niobet let him eat a few moments, undisturbed, before asking, "What happened up there? Do you know?"

Tsunake

 

[Tsunake]

The bronzerider made a low sound, clearly thinking anyone stupid enough to approach him deserved to be frightened away. There were rare few exceptions, Niobet being one of them. As for reputations... J'deen was perfectly fine with the one he'd gained. Still, he didn't voice his dissent, merely nodding once to acknowledge her words.

His stomach rumbled traitorously when the tray was passed towards him, and J'deen didn't hesitate to help himself. He hadn't realized how hungry he'd been--and could feel Rekoriath's exasperation because of it. Well, he wasn't about to admit to anything. His dragon came first, always.

Niobet asked the only question that could have killed his appetite in that moment, and J'deen sat back with gritted teeth. "Went Between to avoid a clump. Came back out and some dimglow flamed Rekoriath's entire side. Had the audacity to claim we were in their airspace." He could have spat with fury, but settled for taking a large swallow of wine.

The rider was simply lucky that J'deen had to worry over his dragon instead of wringing their stringy neck.

Samuel Carlin

 

[Samuel Carlin]

Niobet was just as happy to have him grumble and eat as do nothing but worry his draon, so she didn't mind a lack of words. Still, the question had needed asking. At least he'd had a few moutfuls of food first.

As he answered, she cast a glance at the sky. No danger of more Thread in this moment, but it would fall again. That was undeniable. "There's formation and then there's keeping your eyes open for emergencies. It must have been madess up there." Which could be said about nearly every Fall, but of course they didn't all result in this sort of injury. "That't not an excuse for anyone," she added quickly, looking to J'deen again. "But I don't imagine there's much of a way to call the flame back or redirect once it's out."

She moved a hand then, almost touching the bronze before she stopped herself. "Do you mind? Does he?"

Mine wishes you to know that she is concerned for your pain as well, Aedeth told Rekoriath.

Tsunake

 

[Tsunake]

J'deen grunted quietly. Madness was a polite word for it. Some Threadfalls were easier than others, but the wind cared little about allowing them to do their jobs properly. In truth, it did feel like Niobet was making excuses for the chromatic and his rider, but he'd never dare to correct her or bridle at the insinuation. "No. And the wind makes it that much worse." It fed into the flame, altering its course on a whim.

He shoveled more broth and bread into his mouth, pausing briefly at her question. "Go ahead." J'deen trusted her with his dragon.

Rekoriath's eyes slid open minutely to take in the Junior Weyrwoman. Tell her I will recover. She need not worry. The bronze rumbled quietly, exhaling a gentle breath against the extended palm. No, he did not need the worry to do what he must, but there was no doubt that he was still pleased to receive it.

Samuel Carlin

 

[Samuel Carlin]

"I suppose that means more training, for all of us," she said with a wry smile. "Salt for the wound. And you'll be speaking with your wingleader?" That was less wry, more genuine. The difference between how she and her dragon would have reacted to such an accident were worlds apart, if no less potentially dangerous.

Niobet smiled a little at the exhaled breath, and rested her hand, very lightly, against Rekoriath's snout for a moment. "Of course you'll recover," she said out loud, once Aedeth had passed the thought along. "It's still a shame. I hear, though," she went on, tone gone teasing, "that some ladies appreciate a scar got valiently."

Aedeth didn't roll her eyes but she did let go an impressive snort.

tsunake