[Igen] Getting Settled

[Ruhane Chiisai]

C'ran of Green Tefelath (1)

The trip had been grueling. 15 dragons, 15 riders, at least one particularly ill, and what supplies could be carried... Everyone had been tired, and everyone scared. Even from the holders and craftshalls, contact was limited, to minimize the jeopardy they'd be in.

But now was the time to get past all that. C'ran had been helping wherever he could manage, from tidying up the weyrs to carrying water to the gardens and cleaning the kitchens.

Today, he stretched in his heavy coat and riding leathers, settled in the common room in the weyr and missing the comfortable tropics that were just a little chilly. Igen had more wind, but still far less snow than other areas of the north. He'd... Have to get used to it, he supposed.  

[Thaliawen]

Scared and tired, Leiya had only brought necessities. It had broken her heart to leave her home, but she knew it would have been worse if she lost C’ran. Their dragons might tease them—but Leiya knew they had something.

Contact was limited with just about everyone to avoid putting themselves at further risk. She hated to think they could be losing each other, and their dragons. It wouldn’t happen.

It couldn’t.

She hoped she’d left the worry at home. But no. It’d followed her. “How’s the lady taking it?” She asked, settling by C’ran. “Gavi doesn’t seem to mind.”  

[Ruhane Chiisai]

C'ran of Green Tefelath (2)

Thaliawen

C'ran looked up at his lady and smiled, sitting up to invite her closer. "No worse than usual. She's spent some time spitting shards while I oiled her, then gone to sun herself. The air's dryer here, it's taking more oil." He wrapped one arm around her shoulders and held her hand in his own. "How are you taking it? I know you had your reservations."  

[Thaliawen]

She... wasn’t sure how to describe how she was taking it. Leiya swallowed. “It’ll take some getting used to, at the very least,” she said, after a moment. “C’ran, do you really think this is a wise decision?” She asked.

They had wanted a family, hadn’t they?  

[Ruhane Chiisai]

C'ran of Green Tefelath (3)

Thaliawen

C'ran smiled, lifting her chin so he could see her eyes better. "I'll be here to help, and Gavianth and Tefelath. You know that." He smiled and kissed her forehead. "And once we're sure everything's going to be fine... We can make other plans."  

[TawnyAngel]

1

S'var and Nemanath

"We will be fortunate if any of us live to make other plans."

S'var's voice was grave as he entered the common room but his smile for the young couple was kind, kind and sad. What had possessed two so young to walk into a near guaranteed death sentence he still couldn't understand, but M'rio had needed allies and couldn't afford to refuse anyone simply because they had many turns ahead of them.

"The tunnelsnake problem in the stores is dealt with for now, but I'm sure they will be back," he continued, doubting either of them would wish to dwell on his words. Shaking his head slightly he crossed to the kettle of water that hung over the fire and set about making up a cup of tea from his personal supply. "There seems to be no end of them, I think there were a lot living in the sands until we arrived." A contingent of fifteen dragons was enough to drive away even the most stubborn of snakes.  

[Ruhane Chiisai]

C'ran of Green Tefelath (4)

C'ran looked up at S'var, and the latter could see his words reflected in his eyes. He felt it was more important to promote the optimitstic outlook for those who were scared, but... As it may, he supposed. "We will do our best, either way." He pressed his forehead to Leiya's in an attempt at comforting her. "Then we should make plans now, so that we are covered in the end." He looked up at the other. "Well done, S'var. Perhaps we could find someone with a wher or flit flock that hunts tunnelsnakes to mind the storerooms."  

[Thaliawen]

4

S’var spoke Leiya’s fears. She swallowed and nodded in agreement. She leaned against C’ran.

“I’m glad the tunnelsnakes have been taken care of, at least temporarily,” she offered. It was something positive in a dark time. Would they survive to live out their plans? Would they be happy again?  

[Ruhane Chiisai]

C'ran of Green Tefelath (5)

Thaliawen

C'ran cradled her gently, stroking her hair. He knew she was worried, and he was eager to be her rock. Things would work out as best they could possibly, and he'd be there to help them along. He hoped, anyways. The idea he wouldn't weighed on his own mind, but he didn't want to think about it. Nor the idea that she wouldn't. They were too depressing.

Finally, he rubbed her shoulder. "Come on and have a spin with me." He offered, nodding towards the open part of the room.  

[Thaliawen]

5

Leiya’s face spoke volumes. She didn’t seem to think it was the right time for a spin. But she stood and nodded. “Alright,” she agreed.  

[Ruhane Chiisai]

C'ran of Green Tefelath (6)

C'ran could read, but he disagreed. Anytime they wanted was the right time. And with that, he cradled her hand gently and walked over with her to the empty area to pull her into a gentle hug, determined to give her a slowdance to distract from all the concerns he could see scrolling in her eyes.  

[Thaliawen]

6

While C’ran’s behavior didn’t erase every fear from her mind, he was a comfort. She gave him a small smile when he drew her close. “We don’t have a harper with music,” she said. “What do we dance to?”  

[Ruhane Chiisai]

C'ran of green Tefelath (7)

"Mm, we don't need a harper, Leiya. I've heard you hum in your room, or while you're oiling your Gavianth. We can sway to your tunes." His own voice was not one he'd ever thought pleasant. He knew a few lullabies, but nothing ever came out gentle enough for his own ears to appreciate. "If you do not so much mind."  

[Thaliawen]

7

Oh? He’d heard her?

She gave him a shy smile, then. “I can’t sing anything like a harper could,” she murmured. She swayed with him, beginning to hum. It was soft, a recognizable tune.  

[TawnyAngel]

S'var 2

"Of course," S'var nodded, "that is all anyone can ever do." Perhaps making plans that might well never come to pass gave them comfort, he wasn't about to deny them that.

As the young couple began to dance together S'var sat down and watched quietly as he waited for his tea to steep. The scene was simple, sweet, but heartbreaking for its context and he wished for the thousandth time that they hadn't needed to bring riders who were so terribly young.

Cor'var had been about their age. He hadn't even been able to see his son one last time, nor Va'li. Just a letter each time and....