The worst is the waiting (Open)

[Rei]

It was the evening after the chaotic situation at the feeding grounds when Erilena finally woke. To be honest she had awoken numerous times off and on before but it had always been half wakeful senseless murmuring before she fell back into a deep sleep that was partially drug induced. Her left arm had been fractured and sported quite nice wounds from the feline’s teeth. The wound to the back of her leg as well as the claw wounds on her left hip had required stitching. The claw wounds on her right shoulder had been shallower in nature and all and all the real threat to her had come in the form of blood loss and possible infection. However it was the past the point now where worry was really needed over the loss of blood. The threat of infection still remained. However more than likely the greenrider would recover with only a nice set of scars to remind her of her mistake. Not that she would need the physical reminder with the mental ones still very present.

As her mind fought off the last of the drowsy effects of sleep a comforting presence was felt first and foremost. Feyrianth? Lenamine? Shifting slightly in her bed Erilena winced. Didn’t quite feel right. Where was she? The infirmary. You got hurt. Do you remember? Slowly the memories started to trickle back. The felines, the smell and sight of blood, whers, and dimly the sounds of fighting. Yeah a little. I think. Up until I passed out? Maybe? Is everyone alright? The green shifted in place on the ledge, leaning more heavily on the dozing Trilaranth. There where others badly hurt. Whers mostly. You had the worst injuries among the humans present I think. Falling silent the green wrapped her bonded’s mind in a warm loving presence.

A large part of Feyrianth wanted to ask her bonded further questions, and answer the mental ones the woman was coming up with. However the dragon realized that it was best to let her bonded alone for now. Save her the stress. So she settled for staying a warm loving presence to fall back on should her rider need it. Sharing the pain as they where through the bond, the green could tell that although her bonded was uncomfortable it was tolerable. Later she could ask the healers for pain medication, should it be necessary. The green did not like the way the fellis had made her bonded’s mind feel. It was to hazy and unclear.

Briefly Erilena let her gaze travel through the darkened room that was only faintly lit with glows. Blinking the greenrider slightly frowned when she realized she couldn’t make much out. Struggling to sit up she gasped slightly, her uninjured arm coming to lightly brush against the splinted one. Broken. Obviously. The moving of her leg told the weyrling she had stitches there. The catch of the blanket against the stitches on her hip told Erilena she had wounds there to. Still the extent of her injuries escaped her for the moment. Slowly and carefully the rider’s mind worked backwards, reliving as much as she dared about the nature of the injuries. Trembling slightly from the backtrack the greenrider quickly pushed the thoughts away. Didn’t want to think of them currently.

Slight movement out of the corner of her eye caused her to jump slightly, Erilena’s heart beating rapidly in response. “Someone there?” Her words where soft and her voice hoarse. Probably from a number of things. It was unlikely she was even heard really. Only then did the sensation of how dry her throat was come across. Water would be nice.

[tarra]

"Just me," the voice was cool and stringent, and just a tad dry in expression, "Don't jump, you'll hurt yourself."

Ar'ren shifted his seat into full view as he spoke, the chair making a light scraping sound kept soft by the brownrider's movements to avoid disturbing the girl with more noise than needed. It would have been nice to say he had been waiting for a while now, an hour perhaps or two. But truth was that he had only just arrived, had time to mull over Erilena's drugged sleep for maybe a minute, then pull up a chair at one side to take a seat. At which point the girl had began to stir, eyelids flickering whilst she took in the room and eventually startling as she realised she was not alone.

Hazel-brown eyes regarded her steadily now as the brownrider tilted his head, causing a few bangs to scatter over his forehead. Having fulfilled his chores and training for the day, he had dropped by in his few spare minutes to see the girl he had helped rescue just the night before. Considering the abject danger posed by the Southern felines, she seemed to fared fairly well - stitches and bandages at the leg and hip, a cast on one of her arms. A heavy toll, but not as heavy as it might have been. Ar'ren had hunted his share of felines with Ysaloth in the turn since coming South, and knew well by now the dangers posed by the giant cats. The green weyrling was fortunate to be alive. He nodded as he spoke in clear, concise tones.

"Ar'ren, brown Ysaloth, by the way," an introduction, made brief to prevent her having to think too much, "Flew you to the infirmary that night."

He turned again to examine her wounds as he paused, long experience guiding him to allow a wounded and drowsy person time to think on his words, "Came to see how you are."

It was a natural thing for the former Wingsecond, and a practice that he increasingly found he missed. Back in Fort there had been any number of Wing members to care for, riders to look after, men and women who relied on you to guard their interests as much as you relied on them to guard your back in battle. Ar'ren would never quite admit how much he missed that camaraderie, that sense of belonging and mutual dependence. Things were breaking down in Fort, had been breaking down for turns now, but he'd always been able to inspire loyalty in his riders. They trusted him, and in that trust he had found a sense of worth that made everything worth it - the mindless killings, the crazy orders, even the arrogant and uncaring metallic riders.

It was gone now however, and in its absence he found himself floundering, directionless and at times feeling like he was sinking. Drowning really, in a sea of hostility and uncertain, with uneasy Selenitas riders and former Benden foes all striking a queasy truce in this oddball Weyr. Coming to see Erilena, however, was natural; and however he might try to rationalize it, just the act of being here helped ease something of the ache that had grown in him since he crash-landed in a burnt-out Selenitas forest a turn before.

[Rei]

Erilena’s heat rate picked up a tad as a male voice addressed her. An unfamiliar one. Immediately she went on the defensive, stiffening almost instinctively which…hurt. Wincing she swallowed against the lump that suddenly formed in her throat. It was uncomfortable to say the least, being alone in a room with some unknown male who seemed to be intent on examining her. In the back of her mind she could feel Feyrianth’s anxiety as well, the green pulling back her lips in a silent snarl even as she sprawled on her ledge. A violent entity her four winged dragon was not. However she was protective. Extremely so and it showed in the way her body tensed. Hers was uncomfortable with the strange male and that in turn bothered Feyrianth. Hers should be resting. Almost automatically the weyrling reached out to her green, trying to soothe her with half hearted reassurances. Half hearted because Erilena herself was a bit frightened and still a little out of it. She had just woken up after all.

When Ar’ren spoke again the greenrider blinked and remained silent. Ar’ren brown Ysaloth. The name was vaguely familiar but in her slightly muddled state she couldn’t fit face to name. Which was perhaps fortunate considering where the man came from. Fort. Feyrianth had been just a tiny thing when he and his wing had trapped them to die of smoke inhalation in the hatching grounds. Yes fortunate indeed that the greenrider didn’t recognize him. Shifting and keeping her blanket tight against her Erilena shivered and, ever the polite one, attempted a smile. “Erilena of Feyrianth but I suppose you already knew that? I suppose I should offer you thanks for helping me out.” Really most of the night was a blur and she did slightly remember someone voice in her head that had not been Fey’s, it had been to deep and male. Probably this rider’s dragon. Yes thanking in was the right thing to do.

Casting her eyes about the room momentarily (and wishing some apprentice or another would show up so she wouldn’t have to be alone with this Ar’ren) Erilena gave a nervous half laugh. “I wish I could tell you how I was but I’m not exactly so sure myself right now. Things are still a little, um…slow in coming.” However she was still thirsty. Not that she’d admit it right now, or move to try and find some water. Moving hurt. Snorting violently on her ledge Feyrianth rumbled and moved away from Trilaranth to perch on the ledge of the ledge tail flicking in nervous apprehension.

Shall I call someone to the room? I do not like that you are so nervous. You should be resting. I am fine Fey. Stop fussing. It’s okay really. Relax. We’re stressing each other out. It’s really not big deal. He’s just checking on me. Besides in the infirmary someone was always within screaming distance if she needed help. Even at night. That’s not a comforting thought. The green returned softly worried eyes still trained on the infirmary ledge.

[tarra]

She was still nervous, that he could see by her ever-so-slight stiffening and the way she swallowed at his voice. Ar'ren could hardly blame her for being so. Whether she had recognised him as a Fortian (and thus a dangerous man) was besides the point - the fact was she was wounded and alone with a stranger she probably did not recall. And the brownrider had, unfortunately, dealt with enough wounded people to know the unnerving realities of such a situation. Subconsciously he leaned back in his chair, pushing it just an inch or so back to give her more space.

“Erilena of Feyrianth but I suppose you already knew that? I suppose I should offer you thanks for helping me out.”

He cocked his head at her again, hazel eyes mild and voice still cool (but subtly softer, gentler), "Maybe, but you don't need to now. When you're better and can remember, perhaps."

She began casting about the room, her unease so apparent that Ar'ren stood and shifted around his chair away from her, hesitant. Perhaps visiting now had not been such a good idea; the last thing he wanted was to frighten her into trying to move, and she certainly seemed to be going in that direction. He had come, had seen her, and could technically go now without any regrets. There would always be time for visiting later. Her nervous laugh gave him pause however.

“I wish I could tell you how I was but I’m not exactly so sure myself right now. Things are still a little, um…slow in coming.”

He laughed himself, a short harsh bark softened only by his wish to be quiet around a wounded girl, "You don't have to engage me - I understand how it must feel being wounded. Not like I've never been there myself."

He looked back at her as he spoke, and a thought occurred to him even as he concluded his sentence. On the cliffs overlooking the Infirmary ledge, Ysaloth raised his head from where he had lain dowsing on the stone, heeding his rider's prompt. A courteous beast by nature, he had taken stance on the clifftops to avoid clogging the Infirmary ledge with his bulk. He now turned his head in the direction of the weyrs, his thoughts seeking out the young four-winged green who had so quaintly threatened him just the night before.

Feyrianth, the mindvoice was calm, gentle, Mine asks me to assure you we mean your Erilena no harm. He merely wishes to see how she has been since we pulled her out last night.

Back in the infirmary room, Ar'ren lingered at the chair's side, on the verge of taking his leave. Before he went, however, he could at least do something, if only to demonstrate his goodwill (and lack of wish to hurt the girl). He glanced back at Erilena.

"Is there...anything I could do for you?"

[Rei]

Erilena blinked as Ar'ren shifted his chair, her body tensing almost without her noticing. It surely would have gone unnoticed if not for the twinges of discomfort it sent through her. Bruised and battered, moving even slightly was uncomfortable. It was not a pleasant sensation, but part of her wanted to refuse to show any discomfort around this man. Because to do so would be a revelation of just how vulnerable she was currently. Not that the greenrider needed a reminder of her own vulnerability currently. Wide eyes still examined Ar’ren with question even as he spoke.

Didn’t need to thank him yet? Maybe when she was better and could remember? Remember what? How could she possibly thank him beyond the words she had offered? Was he expecting something? If so what? That thought gave Erilena pause for a moment. The woman couldn’t help feeling open and vulnerable right now and the fact that she didn’t know him at all bothered her more than a little. It was nice of him to check on her yes. But his tone made her reluctant to open up even a little. The man was cold almost deadpan and even if his voice had softened a bit there was a harshness about him that made her want nothing more than to escape.

Escape was impossible right now however and so she had to settle for being tense and wary. When Ar’ren moved to stand it was all Erilena could do not to bolt off the bed in response. The desire was quickly quelled by the more rational part of her brain, even if her heartbeat sped and her breath caught for a moment before she regained her senses. It took the greenrider a moment to notice that instead of moving toward her the brownrider had moved away. Blinking she mulled over this fact just as his laugh sounded. The noise caused her to jump again, the woman not quite expecting it. Blinking at him Erilena only silently nodded at the words he offered not knowing just quite what she could or should say to him in response. If he didn’t want her to engage him why had be come in the first place. It was a little to much for her to wrap her tired mind about currently.

Upon the ledge Feyrianth shifted yet again nervously milling about as her whirling eyes shifted from the infirmary ledge and then back to Trilaranth. Ysaloth’s voice in her head was not expected but to her credit she didn’t startle. Instead the four winged dragon merely mulled over the male’s words, her four wings extending and then retracting as she tilted her head and softly sighed. I understand. It is kind of him to check on her. The words where simple and polite as she extended her mind to wrap her bonded in a soothing feeling.

She is feeling better than she was obviously but she is still in a bit of pain and confused. You may tell yours that I understand and appreciate his concern. The brown thus replied to, Feyrianth withdrew. Even had hers not been in pain Erilena would likely still feel uneasy around Ar’ren. Not so much because he was male but because of his mannerisms. He came off as very stiff and his accent pegged him as northern. This in itself was enough to cause unease even if currently Erilena didn’t understand where the unease was coming from. Still Feyrianth sought to soothe her bonded as best as she was able from her current position. It was a a shame she could not cuddle hers properly. Mental reassurances where a poor substitute for physical ones. Hers had always preferred physical touch to words.

The mental soothing from her dragon helped enough that Erilena was no longer on the verge of slight panic. Her unease however did not completely recede. Watching Ar’ren as he shifted the greenrider blinked at his question. Silently she debated his offer. To accept or not accept? If anything she was leaning towards not mentioning anything that might indebt her to the man anymore but she also really wanted a drink. Finally the desire for some sort of relief from some part of her discomfort won out. “Water would be nice?” Her words where soft, hesitant, and almost unsure in nature even as her gaze flicked momentarily to the doorway and the hallway beyond that.

[tarra]

Ysaloth listened kindly as Feyrianth responded, his head inclined towards her direction as if she were right beside him and they were having a conversation. One advantage of mindspeech - distance did not matter. Rumbling softly through his frame, he bespoke the green one more time.

It is good to hear she is better. Turning back to his rider, he relayed the message, Feyrianth appreciates your concern, but she notes her rider is still in pain and confused.

Of course, Ar'ren would have nodded if he thought he could do so without startling Erilena into a fit. The poor girl was slightly cooler, but she still looked uncertain of him. Perhaps it had been the way he carried himself (not that he could help looking the soldier and fighter he was), perhaps it was his choice of words (though he hadn't meant anything by them). Either way, it was clear he had worn out his welcome, and he did not wish to stay longer than needed. Her request gave him pause, and he nodded with all the curt decisiveness of a subordinate acknowledging a superior.

"As you wish," with a slightly inclined head he made his way back out into the hallway, questing for the Infirmary's pantry (or its equivalent). It relatively easy to find seeing as he had been here before, and whilst mulling over the water as it poured from flask to cup his mind worked. He was pretty sure he hadn't seen a bell or any instrument by which one might call another person in that room. So it was that, returning to Erilena's bedside, he carried not only the half-full mug and the flask, but also a small wooden spoon tucked into the belt. The flask he left on the table and the cup he offered to her, sitting into the chair once more and leaning forward to hold out the cup towards her right hand.

"Here, see if you can hold it steady," his eyes flicked over the bandages of her right shoulder before coming back to her face with a wry smile as he pulled out the wooden spoon at his belt, "And this - if you need to call someone again, knock it against that edge. Should get attention."

He settled back, leaving the spoon at the table edge and within easy reach of the girl. A quick glance around, more to hide the unease that her nervousness was beginning to inspire in him than to really check things. He wished he could simply tell her he wouldn't hurt her, but that was only likely to make things worse. He inclined his head at her, the sight almost comical against his stick-like frame as he spoke, "Anything...else?"

[Rei]

Erilena blinked as Ar’ren accepted her request with a simple ‘as you wish’. It was almost awkward to hear those words from someone. Especially someone like him. Cold the rider seemed, unbending, very…she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. As she waited the greenrider closed her eyes and leaned back on her pillow allowing herself to relax a little. She hurt. More so now that she was tense. The woman wasn’t stupid she knew her nervousness and tensing wasn’t helping. But it would be so much easier to manage the man’s company if she wasn’t hurt, scared, and wishing she had someone she knew here to make things less awkward.

The sound of footsteps caused her to open her eyes and lean slightly forward, blanket still tightly clutched to her chest. The shift she was dressed in was thin and that to bothered her. Erilena was cold. Could use another blanket. That thought made her shiver even as Ar’ren reappeared with what she assumed was water. This time having had sufficient time to process that the man wasn’t here to hurt her in anyway the greenrider offered him a nervous smile that didn’t touch her eyes. But it was something at least. The weyrling was grateful. It was just currently she was beyond nervous. As the brownrider extended the cup to her she reached over to take it, a shudder running through her body as it protested the movement. Wincing she firmed her hold on the offered mug and nodded. “Yes. I have it. Thank you.”

The offer of the spoon and his explanation had her nodding even as she brought the cup to her lips and took a mouthful of the liquid. Much better. It was hard for Erilena to pace herself. She wanted to just gulp the whole thing down but she knew that wasn’t smart. Just enough to wet her mouth and take the edge off her thirst. Then the weyrling offered the mug back to Ar’ren her hand still trembling but a little more steady now.

As the brownrider relived her of the mug she blinked back at him her light hazel eyes appraising him warily still. “I think I’m okay for now. The pain is manageable. Thank you for the water.” Awkwardly she shifted not daring to meet his gaze for the moment. Part of her wondered whether or not someone would be in to check on her soon. She hoped so. For a moment she closed her eyes and concentrated on blocking out some of the pain radiating from her arm. Maybe fellis wouldn’t be such a bad idea.