Rowana
Hive Mind
Handler Roivao Rider G'tor Rider Merridan Rider T'ke Rider N'rik Handler Porita Rider Farryl Rider Kyr'n[/color
Posts: 1,550
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Post by Rowana on May 5, 2009 16:38:52 GMT -5
Merridan smiled tiredly at R'wign's praise. It was good to here she had done well with Jabari. She had worried that she might have actually made his injury worse. Her fingers were covered in small pinpricks now from the work. Mer looked at M'ta critically. It was a good thing he was so small, or the two of them probably couldn't have managed it, injured as they were. She nodded. "I got them," she confirmed, meaning the legs.
Mer set Jabari down gently on M'ta's stomach, trusting that he had the strength to hang on with his claws. Moving to the boy's legs, she leaned down and automatically tried to lift without thinking. Her left arm screamed in protest and Mer bit her lip against the sudden pain. That had been a stupid idea. Just because it didn't hurt when she left it alone, didn't mean the injury had gone away. This was going to be harder than she thought.
Shaking water from her hair, she considered options. An idea came to her. With her good arm, she crossed M'ta's legs so that his feet were on top of each other. Reaching down, she lifted the bottom foot with her right arm, while she used her left to hold the other foot in place. Even a small person like M'ta was hard to carry this way. Mer jerked her head at R'wign. "Let's get him up, then." She didn't think she could hold him for long.
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Post by glamourie on May 6, 2009 1:09:54 GMT -5
Tr’esn’s thank you received little more than a mute nod from R’wign. He was focusing, instead, on wrapping his arms under M’ta’s as best he could without jarring the other boy’s injuries… or his own. Mer was hurt too, but as far as he could see, only Tr’esn wasn’t and he was smaller - weaker - than either of them. The very movement pulled on his chest and he bit back the urge to gag. The metallic taste of blood lingered on his tongue. Breathing was becoming difficult, the more he fussed; he’d be glad to get with another healer and have something done about his chest. Something. Anything. Coughing up blood, however slight, was never a good sign and the fact that breathing hurt wasn’t a good thing. And it did hurt. Not just sting; actually managing to breathe was a conscious effort, especially since he was forcing himself to do it out his nose and not his mouth (due to Tr’esn being so near; he didn’t want to worry the greenrider). The healer side of his mind was already trying to diagnose what was wrong with him… but he wasn’t his patient. M’ta was. And seeing to it that M’ta, Kalerary and Jabari survived was more important than identifying exactly what was paining him.
“You okay?” he asked softly of Mer as he wiped his mouth on the back of his hand. His skin went away with tinges of red that he didn’t notice. His arms wound around M’ta’s upper body, grasping him the absolute best that he could. It was difficult and lifting him made R’wign have to bite back tears. Only a mental reminder of where he was kept him from gasping out in pain. “Once we get him onto Checkoth’s back, that should be it… we can get Ka’rys or someone to help us get him off at Aslath’s weyr, something; it’ll be easier once we land. Then we’ll get you treatment too. Wherever Rys is, Savitri’s probably in tow; I think they’re perpetually attached at the hip.” Just in case, though, R’wign gave a mental jab to his fire lizards to make sure -- sending all of them between to find the gold rider and her pet bronze rider. He didn’t want to ask Mer to lift M’ta again.
I’ll ask him, Checkoth reassured Oquith as he crooned encouragingly to Tr’esn; he did not mind the nickname in the least. Everyone called him Check because he was Check; it didn’t much matter to him what he was called. To R’wign he relayed the question, helpful as ever as he kept his body crouched as low as possible (to try and make mounting easier on the injured people; he was worried about R’wignHis and how hard breathing was becoming). R’wignmine, once you have Behruth’s in place, you must check the hatchling and make sure that Oquith’s is holding her correctly. He is unsure and wants to be on the safe side.
Nodding mutely in understanding, R’wign glanced at Mer to make sure she was ready and then hoisted M’ta upwards. The teenager was small, yes, but -- not light. Muscular. All muscle. It actually hurt to live him and R’wign inhaled sharply through his mouth despite himself. Nevertheless, he scurried backwards to Checkoth’s back and pushed M’ta onto him, then gestured for Mer to take his hand. “I need you to get up and hold onto him, try to keep him steady. Then I’m going to check Kale to make sure Tr’esn’s holding her right - Check asked - and we’ll get going,” he explained before dissolving into another coughing fit hidden behind his hand. Once he was able to breathe again, he dropped his hands to his sides, palms facing away to hide the blood on them; it wasn’t a lot, but enough to definitely be worrisome. His palms rubbed on his pants and he frowned apologetically, holding out the one hand that wasn’t coughed on. “Sorry -- you can take my hand. This one - the germless one. Check’s gotten really balanced, so it shouldn’t be so hard…”
He’ll check, ‘qui. Checkoth turned his head to look, and then spoke to Tr’esn. R’wignmine thinks you have been very brave. He is worried about you because you seem so very upset. You don’t need to be anymore, Oquith’s; Ciceroth says that the bad ones are gone and that we are safe, and Ciceroth wouldn’t lie…
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
Posts: 2,439
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Post by Avu on May 6, 2009 16:30:15 GMT -5
Kalerary had proved that unconscious bodies had an annoying habit of flopping according to gravity, and though Tr’esn really didn’t want to hold the girl too tightly – for fear of hurting her, or even frightening her if she woke up – it soon became absolutely necessary, for in the inhaling and exhaling of the dragon’s sides, Kalerary’s weight slid to one side – very insistently, and Tr’esn ended up wrapping both arms loosely around the girl’s stomach and squirming forward to wedge both of them more securely in the natural “seat” formed by Oquith’s neck ridges, letting her full weight fall back against his chest, rather more heavily than he might have liked. It wasn’t restrictive, but it did mean his hands weren’t free, and he wasn’t sure how far he could shift Kalerary before it became bad for her. Oquith…he trusted Oquith. She’d take care of them.
Watching as Mer and R’wign lifted M’ta up, at his feet and torso respectively, Tr’esn couldn’t help the sudden pang of regret and anxiety. He wasn’t hurt – shouldn’t he have helped with M’ta? Kalerary didn’t weigh much: She wasn’t a large child. But M’ta wasn’t slender, even if he was short (taller than Tr’esn was, but still), and R’wign was – and Mer – they were hurt. But they were…honestly, probably still stronger than Tr’esn; the greenrider was too thin to ever be exceptionally strong, even if he was quicker on his feet than had he been bulkier. He was only half-listening to R’wign’s instructions to Mer, consciously focusing on trying to rub the blood smeared across his palm off, onto his pants. It didn’t make much of a difference – he’d probably just get more blood on his hands soon enough – but it was still a source of nervousness for him, the blood.
Mine, Tr’esnMine, are you supposed to hold a hatchling like that? Oquith interrupted his vague thoughts, none of which had taken the form of solid words. I think it’s safe…it’s how she’d usually mount, isn’t it? It /feels/ like it… The small green was murmuring by the end, talking mostly to herself as she, still sprawled on the ground as flat as she could, turned her head slowly to peer at her two passengers, flexing her wings thoughtfully. Slightly sore, but Kalerary’s extra weight was nothing; indeed, Tr’esn and Kalerary together probably still weighed less than was average for a dragonrider. She could cope. If the other dragons could, Oquith could; she was more muscled than the average green, too. Refolding her wings across her back, the green crooned in audible concern as R’wignCheck’s pulled ‘ruth’s onto Checkoth’s back, squirming forward awkwardly as if to catch them should they fall.
Jolting forward slightly at the green’s motion, Tr’esn’s grasp tightened instinctively around Kalerary as the dead weight of the girl shifted, the greenrider uncomfortably throwing his weight sideways to counter it and pull Kalerary into a relatively upright position again – and then twitched. Very visibly. R’wign’s coughing made his stomach drop very efficiently; no amount of freefalling could have achieved such an instantaneous reaction, and he swallowed in a conscious effort to fight down the rising panic. R’wign was a Healer and – what if he was really, severely hurt? And Tr’esn hadn’t noticed, and he ought to have noticed…what if he died because Tr’esn had let him overstrain himself? Honestly, Tr’esn didn’t know how much stress R’wign could take before he – fainted, or something, but – still. Tr’esn would blame himself, because he always did; it was an automatic reaction, the guilt.
Check says His will look, Oquith commented, wings draping on the ground. She was calm by now. R’wignCheck’s was clearly to be trusted; he was the best. Mer, too. Oquith had decided she very much liked Mer, and she crooned softly at the girl, nudging the Candidate’s arm lightly with her muzzle, though she didn’t bespeak the girl. So brave, so brave, they all were. They should get medals for it – and indeed, Oquith would make sure that R’wignCheck’s and the Candidate girl got pretty, pretty shinies to make up for all of the pains. On her back, Tr’esn’s smile for Checkoth was more genuine than before, no longer half from hysteria and weak. R’wign thought he was brave? He didn’t think so, but…it made him feel better than the self-incrimination had, to be sure.
“I’m not scared anymore,” he answered quietly, head cocking to one side. “Thanks…” Tr’esn bit his lip for a second, and then added, even more quietly, “Thanks for keeping ‘qui safe, too…before…”
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Rowana
Hive Mind
Handler Roivao Rider G'tor Rider Merridan Rider T'ke Rider N'rik Handler Porita Rider Farryl Rider Kyr'n[/color
Posts: 1,550
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Post by Rowana on May 7, 2009 11:39:34 GMT -5
Mer glanced at R'wign and frowned. Was she ok? He should really ask himself that question. It was becoming increasingly clear that the one who really needed a healer was the healer himself. Did they all have to be so stubborn? "Fine," she grunted. Then they heaved M'ta's limp form up and onto Checkoth's back. Mer couldn't help but breath a relieved sigh when the lifting was over. She sincerely hoped R'wign was right and neither of them would have to do that again.
Mer's frowned only deepened at R'wign's hand. Last time she checked, coughing up blood was a very bad sign. The weyrling had better not fall over dead on them now, or she would never forgive him. "You ok?" she asked suspiciously through narrowed eyes. Even as she waited for an answer, she took the offered hand and clambered on to the brown's back behind M'ta. On another day, she probably wouldn't have needed the help, but today she was glad of it.
As she settled herself to hold M'ta steady as they flew, Mer felt something nudged her arm. She turned to find Tr'esn's green crooning at her. Mer smiled softly. It was nice to know she had made an impression on someone else's dragon. Maybe there was hope for being chosen herself one day. But such thoughts were far from mind tonight. Mer thought about patting Oquith's nose, like a runner, but she wasn't sure if that was proper. At any rate, her hands were occupied keeping M'ta from falling. "Thanks," she said at last, feeling she ought to say something to acknowledge the green.
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Post by glamourie on May 8, 2009 3:39:04 GMT -5
“I’ll be fine,” R’wign said to Mer very seriously. He would… he hoped. No, he wasn’t sure, but he wasn’t about to admit that to anyone - least of all someone who was hurt herself. There was too much at stake to fuss over his coughing. Yes, he knew he was injured, and he was intelligent enough to deduce that once it was safe, he’d need to rest. But not before. M’ta and Kalerary needed to be moved inside, as did Mer and Jabari. Once they were out of harm’s way… then he’d rest as much as he could. He promised himself that, mentally, and offered the girl as reassuring a smile as he could. “I’ve just got some tightness in my chest. I took a Benden rider to the abdomen, so it’s sore. I’ll get someone to look me over once we’re out of the rain and you, Kale and M’ta have been looked over.” He was much more interested in making sure that the others were fine. R’wign wasn’t self-sacrificing; he just didn’t like thinking of his own injuries, and he didn’t believe it was serious enough to merit immediate concern. Not yet, at least. If he left it alone it would get worse, but… he wasn’t foolish enough to do that. Really. “Just hang onto him, and I’ll be right back. Gonna check on Kale and Tr’esn.”
Shooting a grateful look to Oquith (he recognized what she was trying to do… and did appreciate it), the brown weyrlingrider scurried around to the green’s side. His head tilted back as he looked up through the rain at the way that Tr’esn and Kalerary were sitting. “Try to hold her by her waist if you can. I think her ribs might be cracked, and it’ll be painful if you hold her by her stomach.” Truthfully, R’wign wasn’t sure there was any way to prevent pain. He was glad she was unconscious, because the little girl looked as if she’d been beaten half-to-death. The very sight of her made him disgusted with Benden beyond words, and a surge of relief also flooded him; if he hadn’t run away when he was younger, he probably would have ended up a Benden candidate. Nightmares by the dozen, that thought. “You’re doing fine, you know -- just fine. She’ll be grateful when she wakes up.”
Crooning up toward Mer, Checkoth shifted himself slightly - to make himself more balanced for M’ta, more than anything else. Then the brown swiveled his head around to look at Tr’esn again and a whirl of amusement shifted through multifaceted eyes. Qui does not need my protection, he said with utmost faith in the green; it was projected to Tr’esn and Oquith both. You and Oquith are both very brave and very strong. I am glad that R’wignmine and I have you two. Truthfully, Checkoth was convinced R’wignHis was the strongest person ever -- but then, in his eyes, R’wignHis could do absolutely nothing wrong. He was sure that his bonded was the most amazing person on Pern. R’wign was grateful for Tr’esn, though, and he had a lot of faith in the boy. That was enough for Checkoth. R’wignHis felt like they would all be all right… so Check was very happy with Oquith, Tr’esn, and the girl on his back because of it. They made His feel safe and that was good.
Oblivious to his dragon’s conversation with Tr’esn, R’wign leaned forward to pat Oquith’s side. “You’ll be fine. When we get to Aslath’s weyr, you can start setting up cots and things like that, for people to rest. I’m not sure who all is going to be there, but I’m glad you will be.” He nodded seriously, and then stepped away and back toward Checkoth. The brown leaned down as much as he could, and R’wign flashed him a grateful smile before swinging himself up onto his dragon. The movement sent another wave of nausea through him but no coughing; just a lot of pain that he found almost unbearable. He did visibly cringe, but once he got himself situation, he held onto M’ta to keep him level, and turned back to Mer. “Hold on. If you’re not used to flying, this could be kind of… uncomfortable.” It was the only warning her offered before Checkoth beat his wings and then pushed himself up into the air as evenly as he could. He really had been practicing.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
Posts: 2,439
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Post by Avu on May 8, 2009 15:12:25 GMT -5
Now Mer was on Checkoth, and the greenrider blinked through the steady rain that clung to his eyelashes, biting his lip nervously as he twitched his head sideways to make his hair get out of his eyes, watching R’wign specifically as he shifted slightly on Oquith’s back, only half aware of what the green was doing at the moment. He trusted her enough not to feel the need to keep an eye on her at all times; she understood the fragile nature of their mission – and when lives hung in jeopardy, Oquith wouldn’t try to fuss around or play. The green was focused on R’wign and Mer at the moment, her wing coming up and around, close to and almost parallel to the ground, hovering anxiously; the girl’s soft thanks drew a gentle croon from the green as her tongue came out, touching Mer’s arm in a soft brush that was not the slobbery kiss of a canine but rather an almost dry touch, resembling a feline in that manner.
As soon as R’wign finished speaking to Mer and came around towards her, though, the green’s head instantly came away, her neck half-curving around the brownrider – almost protectively, a nervous hum rising in her throat. He was hurt, wasn’t he? He looked hurt. And there was blood and blood meant hurt. Oquith sank as close to the ground as she could to make it easier for R’wign to see Hers and the Ciceroth’s hatchling, wings drooping close to the ground again. One of Tr’esn’s hands ran down the far side of Oquith’s neck, the green’s damp hide sliding like velvet under his palm as he nodded, his other arm shifting lower and to the side, awkwardly letting Kalerary’s weight fall even more against his chest – to keep her as straight up as possible was a good thing, right? – and holding her obediently around the waist with both arms. He’d have to trust Oquith to take off and land gently enough not to jar him loose. Nodding at R’wign, the greenrider managed a slight smile as he tightened his arms around Kalerary, heels automatically trying to find purchase against Oquith’s hide to make staying on easier.
Just as Checkoth spoke, Tr’esn managed to wedge one foot in a hold that was far from stable, but better than nothing, along Oquith’s shoulder, and the smile that Checkoth received was a shaky, pleased, entirely genuine one. Brave and strong – Oquith, perhaps. Not him. What little he’d done, Tr’esn had nearly gagged in fear while doing. But he’d done it…“Thanks, Check,” he murmured quietly. His head tilted slightly to one side as he added, “You and R’wign have been great, too…” No matter what Checkoth said, Tr’esn wouldn’t have left Oquith alone. She was a dragon, true, and probably capable of keeping herself safe, but it wasn’t good enough for him; he’d have to stay with her. And – Moth. Was Moth okay? He’d have to check on her and…and feed her. How ordinary – what an everyday duty, feeding the feline…his shoulders sagged slightly, wearily, at the thought of helping at the Infirmary, afraid of being sick still, but he smiled at R’wign nonetheless. At least he’d be doing something – he’d feel immeasurably less worthless if he was doing something.
Watching as Checkoth gained his third passenger and then leapt into the air, Tr’esn nervously wrapped his arms tighter around Kalerary’s waist, trying to let the girl settle more securely against himself; it would hurt if she kept slipping during the flight. Oquith rose to her feet, as fluidly as she could manage, but she crooned audibly to Behruth, waiting for the other brown to leap into flight first before the green followed, taking two steps forward as her wings unfurled and she jumped into the wind and rain. Fortunately, it was not windy, though the rain was blinding, or the small green would have been all too easily snatched off course. Wings, a kaleidoscope of greens, strained upwards as Oquith struggled to keep the flight steady – it wasn’t easy, for the dipping and rising of her wings meant the same motions throughout her entire body – but she tried, and she followed Checkoth and Behruth through the air, her first set of lids closing to prevent rain from blurring in her gaze as Tr’esn’s shoulders, the greenrider shivering slightly in the cold as he closed his eyes, numbly holding onto Kalerary, doing his best to keep her from slipping.
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Rowana
Hive Mind
Handler Roivao Rider G'tor Rider Merridan Rider T'ke Rider N'rik Handler Porita Rider Farryl Rider Kyr'n[/color
Posts: 1,550
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Post by Rowana on May 10, 2009 19:16:28 GMT -5
Merridan made a face at R'wign's back when he went to help Tr'esn with Kale. She didn't think he needed to worry about her so much. Kale and M'ta yes, but she would be just fine. And he'd lost an eye, for Faranth's sake. If that wasn't a serious injury, she didn't know what was. Still, she trusted he would be looked after once they reached the triage. The other healers were sure to see to that, and it was impossible for him to treat himself.
Mer smiled at Oquith again. Her tongue was surprisingly dry and comforting. It somehow helped her to relax and feel that everything would turn out alright. Checkoth was nice too and so patient for putting up with her on his back. She watched Tr'esn get Kale settled and then R'wign was back and mounting his brown. She nodded at his warning and had just enough time to tighten her grip before Checkoth took off.
Mer's breath caught and her stomach lurched as they left the ground below. For a single moment, she was absorbed in the sudden thrill of flying for the first time. Then there was no time for excitement. As steady as Checkoth was, Mer had to concentrate on making sure M'ta and Jabari didn't fall, not to mention herself. A task made all the more complicated when she could only really use one arm. At least she could keep herself on with her knees, hopefully she wasn't squeezing too hard. Jabari seemed to be able to hold on well enough, so Mer focused on holding M'ta. With luck, the trip would be short and without incident.
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