If I had known what was about to happen... The statement hung heavy and unfinished as Holleth considered just what he would actually have done, if he had known. He preferred that His remained whole and unharmed, of course, but knew full well how little consideration she had for her own wellbeing when weighed against that of others, and how it was one of many qualities of hers that he adored. If it would have made her happier, if that was even the word for it...ah, but perhaps if he'd known, he could have kept the boy from harm. There were so many things about the Hatching that could have gone differently, should have gone differently, and he and His found that similarly irritating.
It was long over by now, and though much of the indignation remained, those feelings were somewhat smoothed over by the fact that, while most of the Westerners had been sent away, no one had been so merciless as to toss the badly-injured candidate out straightaway. He'd have a reprieve until he was well enough, at least, whenever that was.
Talis felt a ridiculous flitter of irritation, because not only had he gone and gotten himself mauled, he hadn't Impressed, which was quite a silly thing to be irritated by, and led to still more annoyance. She couldn't say when or why Lauthisen had moved from Hatching acquaintance to acceptable company to company she actually liked, but it was rather inconvenient. And, again, silly, given everything. But here she was, fleeing the Feast for the infirmary, not that she would have been keen on lingering at the celebration regardless. She had little use for parties in the first place, and with roughly five dozen other weyrlings about, plus everyone else, plus the tension, plus Fela, she was all too happy to be away.
But it was still the simmering irritation that came through in her voice as she set the plate unceremoniously and with a touch more force than necessary on a sidetable: not enough to break it, of course, or spill anything, but it made a good solid noise. If he hadn't been quite awake, well. "The way Fianth went on, I half thought they'd have your a** on a dragon by now."
At her side, Holleth was quiet, his eyes holding a still blue.
Tsunake
only...just a tiny bit late. orz