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 Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:15 pm
For his part, C’ren had been doing his very best to make a nuisance of himself. It wasn’t entirely deliberate. It was just that, when he was nervous, he had the nasty habit of trying to order everyone around. The Healers, of course, ignored him, which failed to make him feel any better. But they couldn’t exactly throw him out. They had tried, but it failed. Spectacularly. As it turned out, he could be very determined. And he wanted to be there when Kallista woke up.
Which probably didn’t exactly improve anyone’s view of their relationship…
At Kallista’s words, he momentarily looked relieved. But that look disappeared fairly quickly and a sort of anger took over the normally dispassionate rider’s features. By now, he had mostly figured out what happened and he was not amused.
“Out of curiosity, Kallista, were you dropped on your head at all as a child? Because that’s the only feasible reason I could come up with for your behavior. Who goes swimming without an idea of how to swim? What in the world possessed you to pull such an idiotic stunt? I’ve dealt with some morons in my time, but that was something special!” Honestly, he had meant to say something more along the lines of, ‘no problem, I’m glad you’re ok, and can I have my shirt back now, please?’. But the other things came out first.
Outside, waiting with Astar, Ceylith could hear C’ren’s words. At least, she knew what he was saying… and she was also not amused. C’ren! You can’t say something like that to her! She was probably just embarrassed… she tried to calm her rider down, but it didn’t work very well. When C’ren got into one of his moods, it took the world to stop him.
“Personally, I’d think almost dying is a good deal more embarrassing than just explaining to your dragon----your lifemate----that you can’t swim!” Honestly, if you couldn’t tell your dragon something, there was just something wrong. They were your other half, or so C’ren felt. There could be no secrets.
Or relatively few secrets. He didn’t really wait for an answer; he was simply too angry, he felt, to stay around other people for now. Now that Kallista was alright, he could leave her with the Healers and let them do their jobs.
Ceylith sighed, more than a little disappointed in her rider’s behavior. Honestly, this was why he couldn’t have close friends… for the first time in a long time, she spoke to someone other than her rider and dragons. She spoke to Kallista, her smooth and soft voice insinuating itself in the girl’s mind. Please excuse C’ren. Mine is very… emotional when those he cares about put themselves in danger. He doesn’t mean anything by it. He was just scared.
Not to mention, it was getting dangerously close to Ceylith’s Flight. C’ren always took that poorly. But that was private; she knew that he hated it when she said things like that.
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Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:53 pm
Kallista blinked as C'ren proceeded to scold her. She had been expecting it from the Weyrling Master or even the Weyrleader. But not from the green rider in front of her. It was honestly unexpected. Looking out the window, she saw how low the sun was on the horizon and pondered how long she had been unconscious. Shaking her head, she muddled her way threw the yelling to try to pick up on what C'ren was really saying.
"I can swim... I think I can. I could swim before..." Her throat tightened as she fought back a sob. Her eyes watered; Kallista knew she had to finally tell someone the truth that had been handicapping her for so long. "I could swim before the flood that swept my mother and myself downstream. She didn't make it."
There. It was out in the open. Her festering wound finally cut to bled out and heal.
"I didn't mean for it to happen. I didn't realize how far away from the shore we had gotten. Astar wanted cleaning so bad." Kallista whispered. She visibly reacted when Ceylith touched her mind. The voice seemed alien, invading her space, while Astarteth's seemed so much more right. It's okay, Ceylith. I guess it was a stupid thing to do.
Astarteth hissed outside next to Ceylith. Her eyes tinged with red at having her rider upset. She was too young to attempt touching another rider's mind. Instead, she grouched at Ceylith. You tell him to leave her alone! She didn't mean it! Tell your rider to be nice or I will bite him!
Coming from a weyrling, it sounded like a silly threat. But her teeth were sharp enough to tear through an animal carcass with no problems.
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 12:21 am
Most people would have shut up after hearing about the tragedy Kallista had gone through. Most people would have had the decency to leave her alone. But not C’ren. Her explanation, to him, smacked of more stupidity. “So… let me get this right… you know exactly what can happen in that situation… but you did it anyway. Why?” How could someone be so… damned stupid?
“It’s not just your life any more, Kallista. It’s Astar’s life too. Do you know what happens to a dragon if his or her rider dies? They die too. You were gambling with Astar’s life.” It was brutal, but it was very important to pound this into her mind now. Many riders were perfectly cavalier with their own lives; it came with the territory. They understood that death was their constant companion and were willing to risk it for the safety of others.
But they were usually considerably more protective of their other halves. The angry Greenrider paced the room a few more times, fully aware that someone outside had probably heard him yelling. But this was important to him and Ceylith. This was one of their Candidates. “I am sorry about your mother, I truly am. But…” he paused there, seeing Kallista’s reaction to something. But what?
He assumed it was a reaction from bad memories or something. Returning to the doorway, he yelled, “We need a Healer in here!”
Because, you know. A girl who was well on her way to recovering was far more important than some silly little firestone accident.
Ceylith, of course, couldn’t hear Kallista’s thoughts. After her apology, she had skittered right out of there, as was proper. Actually, she felt a little ashamed of herself since she hadn’t asked Astar’s permission before simply talking to the girl, but it was somewhat understandable under the circumstances. She nuzzled Astar briefly now, trying to comfort the little dragon.
Oh, sweetheart… I’m sorry about C’ren, my dear. He’s… difficult. Ha! That was putting it mildly. He’s only yelling at her because she scared him. I don’t think he knows any other way to react to this sort of thing. The older dragon paused for a moment, eyes briefly going blue as she thought about things. Or tried to think. She vaguely recalled a few stories from C’ren, but only briefly. Like mist before the morning, they were there in a second and gone in a flash.
He’s just silly and scared. Not to mention, I’ll be having my Flight soon. He’s always on edge about that.
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:53 am
The call for a Healer was answered; a dry more reasonably dressed Raena entered the room. She wore her typical green tunic with tan leathers and in her arms were two pieces of clothing gathered from the Weyr's clothing stock. A white shift and a plan green warm weather dress, the point was for it not to be fancy or even to be of the taste of the rider, all it was meant to do was allow her to wear something else until she got back to her own weyr and could change. "I am here, now quit your fussing, C'ren, it disrupts the Healings of the others. Once she leaves, it is no longer my business." Really, she approved of a little reality check, but now was the time for healing and warmth.
Moving passed the shirtless bronze rider, she refused to think that she had waited to come in because of the view; she again refused to look too long. He looked far too good without a shirt. When she was alone and Kallista was completely out of danger, this could be possibly the new most amusing story for her.
Putting the clothing at the foot of Kallista's bed, she moved to the head of the bed smiling slightly. Putting out her hand, she touched it Kallista's forehead and tested for heat. "Well, you've been cleared by the Healer in charge and it seems you haven't developed a fever. No going between for at least two days more, and if you so much as develop a light cough come back here." Her last words were firm, an order she was instructed to give.
Backing up she turned again to C'ren, "She needs to change before she can leave, and I am sure you want your shirt back. Lets leave and let her to it, she has to be able to change on her own." While she never heard the rumors about C'ren and Kallista being a couple, part of a love triangle she was supposed to be a part of no less, she never disregarded possible relationships. While a bit of a romantic, the rules were you had to be well enough to care for your self before you can leave.
Following a silent summons, Spearkeek appeared and settled on her arm, "Watch her Keek, call me if there is trouble." It was easy to say, but to convey it to the little blue was a bit harder. He got the message to stay, so he settled on the window and knocked over the little cup that hid treats, her training method. His instincts to the wrong should be enough to alert her.
Now that that was seen to, she turned and headed to the door, stopping right in front of C'ren with her arms crossed below her bust. This was her world, here she felt safe enough to stand up to and push around anyone she needed to in order to do the best for those needing healing.
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:40 am
Kallista visibly cringed as C'ren railed more and more into her. Maybe this scolding would get her out of another one later. Either way, she was thoroughly chastised. Watching C'ren move back and forth, she stayed silent until he mentioned something about Astar's life. Then her dormant anger, at herself and the situation she was in, rose up.
"I know it is Astar's life. It has been Astar's life from the day we Impressed until the day that I finally leave Pern because of old age," she hoped anyways. "I would not do anything on purpose to endanger her life. It was an HONEST mistake. One I won't let happen again."
She fell back at this just as Raena came into the room. This was the girl, Astarteth let her know, that she owed her life and would have to repay. The girl was a Healer but still... Saving someone from drowning didn't see part of the Healer code. Trying not to flinch as the girl touched her forehead, she listened carefully to the instructions.
"Good thing I am not at that stage yet. I am sure Astarteth will tell on me if I disobey orders." Kallista tried to make a joke of it but it was a poor one.
I heard what the healer girl said. I shall sit on you if you do not listen. Or...Or I will tell Ceylith to sit on you! Astarteth was proud of herself for thinking up that one. You will get better.
Gathering the clothes in her arms, Kallista was not yet comfortable with her nudity around others. Runners had a main bath at her father's station but she always used the more private family room. After all, there were men who would take advantage of a teenage girl. "Um... I would like to change now. Please."
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:05 pm
C’ren eyed Kallista distrustfully, as if expecting her to yell ‘psych’ and then go jump in another pool of water in the next five minutes. Because, you never know! She could totally have a thing for teasing Death and risking Astar’s life. But it was pretty clear that the mention of the little Green Weyrling had gotten through to her; she wouldn’t do anything this spectacularly stupid for at least two days. After that, C’ren would go back to watching her like a hawk. A really creepy hawk. A shirtless one. By now, he had mostly forgotten the whole shirtless thing in favor of fussing over Kallista, but Raena had the good grace to remind him of his distinctly sans shirt state. With a few teenage girls.
…Nice one, C’ren. Nice. He turned to follow Raena out the door, but then the Healer suddenly stopped, effectively blocking the way. He glowered at her for a moment, hoping the mere force of his glare would vaporize her. This failed to work.
Instead, he opted for a more socially acceptable method of getting people out of his way and simply gently moved her to one side so he could get out the door. Clearly, he was not intimidated by her ‘crossing her arms under her breasts’ trick. Bah. Fine… let her keep the damn shirt. He had others. He was not about to wait here another minute without a shirt. It just made him feel naked. Not just ‘nude’, but ‘naked’. There was a distinct difference there.
Half-naked, the man continued down the hall, determined to get either to his weyr or possibly the kitchens. Whichever one came first, really.
Ceylith sensed his seething annoyance at just about everything and sighed. It would be a long night, she knew, of trying to get C’ren to actually sleep instead of pacing around being all angry at generally everything.
I have to leave now, Astar. I have to go take care of Mine before he does something spectacularly stupid like get into the wine stores again. With that, she went off to cut C’ren off, hopefully before he managed to get a drink out of someone else. Some people just couldn’t hold their alcohol…
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:02 pm
Seems she had managed to get in C'ren's way, or he had gotten into hers, she wasn't quite sure. Either way, she closed the door to Kallista's room so she could change. Turning she crinkled her brow when he walked off. Didn't he want his shirt back?
Walking after him, about half way she stopped and called out, "Don't you at least want a shirt until you can get your own back?" The man looked better then a man really should but there had to be a reason why he didn't take off his shirt and hesitated when she called for it. There was a spare shirt next to Kallista's room; she was going to offer that to him if he didn't just stalk off.
Keek for his part stayed on his ledge and observed Kallista. By now he had forgotten exactly why he was there but having just eaten; it was alright to sit around and wait to be called.
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:29 pm
Kallista watched as both C'ren and Raena left the rooms. Her tears that she had managed to keep at bay the whole time came spilling down her cheeks. Normally hazel eyes were bright green just as bright as Astarteth. She pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. How much foolish could she had been? It wasn't her life anymore. C'ren had so kindly drilled that into her head... Not that every other person in the Weyr that she had come into contact with hadn't said the same thing in one way or another.
Finally alone but never really alone, the teenager sobbed. Green rider though she may be, she was still a child tapering on the brink of truly being an adult. Oh Astar! I am sorry... Sorry that I almost...that we almost...
Even in her thoughts, she couldn't complete the thought. After her mother's death, Kallista never allowed herself to grief. A rock of sorrow and unfinished guilt at her survival pushed itself forward. Tears flowed thick down her cheeks and dampened C'ren's shirt. Realizing what she was wearing, Kallista ripped it off and threw it at the floor.
That man!
Beloved! Please don't be sad! We are together. You and I will always be. The green crooned softly to herself. She was tired of waiting for her rider. Outside the Healer's Quarters was so dull and alone. Come outside so we can go back and be together.
Sniffling, Kallista stretched her legs back out and reached for the clothes at the end of the bed. She would have to get dressed and sooner or later face others outside the rule. Pulling on the spare pants and shirt, Kallista knew she probably looked a sight. Reaching for the pitcher of klah, she poured herself a cup and wrinkled her nose. She could smell the fellis. Taking a huge swallow, she coughed but kept it down. I am dressed now. Wait for me.
Carefully, she got out of bed and listened, waiting to hear if Raena and C'ren were still outside the room.
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Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 6:01 pm
Giving up on the male green rider, she sighed and turned back. She had better things to do besides chase after a grumpy green rider. Though she was purely female and had to watch him leave, the man looked great without a shirt on, much like a cold stone with a gold finish. Hearing her name called, Raena turned and rushed back.
The drowning victim was one of many people needing a Healer's attention. What that means in apprentice language is there were a lot of little tasks the journeymen and masters want someone else to do, all for learning of course. A half smile sat upon her face and she went to work, jumping at the first bed to speak to the patient while the Healer in charge of him went to get something.
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Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:14 pm
TWO DAYS LATER...
Kallista stood at the edge of the lake staring out. Had it really been just a couple days before she almost lost her life and risked Astateth's as well? Shaking her head, her arms were wrapped tight around her body as she willed herself not to run screaming from the scene of her near death. After receiving a scolding from nearly every dragon rider she had come across and much sympathies from weyrfolk, things were slowly getting back to normal. She had returned to lessons and taken over full care of her green.
You are all better. And we are strong. Astarteth came up butted Kallista from behind. The green was in particularly good color from a cleaning and oiling. She no longer minded the soapsand and warm baths that her rider gave her. It will all work itself out.
Rubbing Astar's head knobs affectionately, Kallista merely smiled at her love. She had a managed to procure some cuttings of herbs that would be useful to the healer who had rescued her and if she could hunt down C'ren, well...
Frowning, Kallista remembered his actions. She was sure he was just scared for her and his abrasive nature just worked itself into a fit. But still... Blinking back tears, she tried not to think about her mother's death. It didn't hurt as much now so maybe something good had come from all the events. "I think it's time we go deliver our gifts. To the healer first, love. And yes, we are strong. And you are the strongest and bravest of all greens."
Of course I am. Astarteth said smugly. Let's go.
It was a quick stop to the barracks for the cuttings. The plants were young and in bloom, creating many a lovely fragrant smell. Kallista held onto them carefully as she walked to the healer's area. Astarteth walked properly next to her rider, tail and head both held up high.
"Um, hello? I am looking for healer Raena?"
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Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 12:00 pm
A healer looked up from her work when Kallista came in, blinking a moment at the request, she turned and yelled for Raena knowing the girl was about.
Dark eyes came around the corner, very curious as to why her name was being yelled out. As far as she knew, she hadn't done anything wrong anytime recently. Looking to Kallista, she recognized her as the woman whose life she had saved, to be technical, the dragon was also saved but the thought of one dying was too much to even briefly think about. Whipping her hands off on the tan apron that protected her green tunic, Raena approached and smiled slightly, "Hello, are you feeling well? How is your breathing?" Someone comes to the healer's area, especially someone she really did not know and asks for her; first thought was they weren't feeling well.
One can't blame her too much, most people who come here are sick, seldom to the healthy want to be around the smell of numbweed among other things.
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 11:36 am
Humhumhumhumhum… The Healers were far more interesting than Elae had ever thought! Previously, she had mostly thought of them as vague figures who stood around in case someone got hurt. Oh, sure! Some of them had that amazing sort of… like… well, there was something very attractive about a Healer. It was just cute that they would take their time to help someone else. Some people really loved that sort of thing. By peering around corners very, very carefully, Elae rather hoped to find someone like that.
Besides, there was always the chance that she might learn more about the event now known as the Shirtless C’ren Incident. She stopped at the sound of Kallista’s voice, recognizing her as one of C’ren’s little harem girls. Even better, Raena responded! Clapping a hand over her mouth, Elae stayed very still and simply waited to hear more. Hidden behind a wall, there was no way that the girls had seen her. But she could hear them…
Could it be that Raena and Kallista had thrown C’ren out of their group?! That the two girls had discovered something in each other that a man just couldn’t provide?! Oh, how romantic! Elae was barely able to contain her excitement as she strained her ears, eager to hear anything that passed between the two girls.
ooc| Please note: This is not powerplaying. Elae is meant to overhear Kallista and Raena and not get caught at it.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 7:22 pm
Kallista shied away from the older healer who went calling for Raena. She held onto the pot of foxglove tightly, making sure the young and fragrant plant did not get bumped or bruised by careless folk. When the one called Raena approached her, Kallista cleared her throat and tried to speak.
"Um... I got this for you. I was told it was good for making healing salves or something. It's for the other day and all you did for me." She said this in a kind of shy voice. Kallista was not used to thanking anyone for saving her life. The last time... She shook her head, refusing to let the dark thoughts cloud her mind.
Stop being silly and just hand her the plant. She will think it is nice. And then, we can find Ceylith and her rider. After that, a good cleaning. Astarteth said firmly.
"It really, if you hadn't... Thanks. I hope you like the plant." There. Said and done with. Now to wait for the girl to take the flower and then she could leave. Not that the Healer's area made her upset but seeing Raena was definitely trying on her nerves which hadn't completely recovered even if her body had.
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 7:18 pm
Genuinely surprised, it took Raena a little longer than normal to respond. All she had done was what anyone should have done; lend a hand to someone in grave need. Being thanked for second-nature was as a change of pace, though refreshing or not was left to be thought out later.
With a gentle smile, she took the plant and admired it for a few moments. "You are very welcome, and thank you for the foxglove. It is a great reward to see that you are well, you and Astarteh." While not meaning anything by suggesting that the case might not have be such, the lovely dragon was there and she wanted to acknowledge her as well.
Holding the plant close to her, she was careful with the leaves to make sure none of it got harmed before it could be used to heal. A rare gift beyond just the altruistic knowledge she had helped someone else out was not going to be wasted or dismissed.
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Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 3:08 pm
Kallista blushed when Raena spoke about Astarteth and her health. She knew the healer meant well but it was still a sore spot that she almost cost her lovely green her life as well. Leaning forward, Kallista touched Raena's arm slightly. "It means a lot that you were there for us. You and C'ren, no matter how fussy he was afterwards."
Silly girl. You can't even give a gift properly. Tell the healer I say thank you as well. Astarteth prodded mentally.
Still feeling awkward, Kallista moved back and rubbed her sides. "Astar says thank you as well. She knows you did good for both of us. You will have to come and visit us more often, maybe."
There message out.
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