Leading the Blind (E'rro/Open)

[Rowana]

N'rik was worried. It wasn't a normal feeling for him and he hated it. He'd worried before, when Path got hurt and now with her so far away, but this was different. He had finally, after turns of waiting, Impressed a dragon of his very own. It was nothing like he'd ever imagined. Ophiuchusth was perfect, as far as the boy was concerned. He couldn't wait until they would be flying all over Pern together.

It was this that had him worried. His dragon still looked awfully thin, even after days of stuffing him full of all the meat he could eat. The claw wounds for the Hatching looked like they were healing, but N'rik didn't know the first thing about dragon injuries to be sure. Worst of all, Ophiuchusth had begun to complain of not being able to see well. Complain wasn't the right word, since the blue hardly ever complained, but N'rik had still noticed. What if his dragon had some kind of terrible infection? He had to do all he could to make it better.

Which was why they were here at the Infirmary. N'rik in his messy clothes, idly scratching at his own injuries under his shirt. They were healing well, but the scabs itched like crazy. Alph was on his shoulder, watching everything with a calm and pleasant expression on his face. Ophiuchusth trailed in behind, nearly falling on his face before N'rik caught him.

Still learning how to walk, the blue announced apologetically, but with a chuckled that said he was trying to make a joke. He didn't at all mind that his eye sight seemed to be poorer than his siblings. He could see fine in the dark and N'rik was with him now, so all was well. N'rik, for once, was too occupied to be amused. "They'll fix you, I promised," he said firmly.

"Hey! Anyone here?" N'rik called impatiently. He probably should have been more polite, especially since Meira used to work here and she'd only died a few weeks ago. Tack was not one of N'rik's strong points and he didn't care. I am fine this way, Ophiuchusth tried to say. I know I am not the best. N'rik hugged him at that. "Don't be silly, Ophi. You are the best. Just wait and see!"

[Sebz]

Honestly Ke'von didn't think that he really needed to go to the healer. The wounds he had sustained during that hatching may still twinge from time to time, but they were healing up nicely. True, the shoulder wound, the most serious of the gashes, still caused him some pain when he tried anything to extraneous, but he had known from the get go that that would be the one that took the longest to completely heal.

Ontehth on the other hand, knew that Ke'von was just being stupid. His rider seemed to do that from time to time, avoid something that was good for him. Ke'vonmine, I know you don't like the healers. But you know what else? Wounds can get infected if they are not properly treated, and since your are most certainly not a healing authority, I suggest that we go see one. Don't worry, I'll be there so you won't get scared.

Ontehth could be very persuasive when he wanted to be, and so eventually after pestering his rider, he was able to convince Ke'von to visit the infirmary. Though not for those particular wounds. The idiot had been out exploring with him and had found some berries. Ontehth had warned Ke'von not to eat them, but like usual, his excellent advise was ignored.

So Ke'von ended up having to arrive, completely embarrassed and mollified, at the healer with a numb, swollen tongue, accompanied by the gleeful Told ya so! Told ya so! Told ya so! that Ontenth was spouting as he practically pranced after his rider.

The brown was very aware of the boys prideful nature, his's wouldn't want anybody to know that he needed help being cared for. But Ontehth was not amused with Ke'vons anit-social behavior since the hatching, he had kept to himself and his dragon. The brown needed the company of someone other than Ke'von!

Perhaps thats why the brown was immensely pleased to see one of his clutch mates along with his rider looking for the healer. His's would be forced to socialize now.

Ke'von gave a warning glance at the brown, aware that the egotistical dragon would be quick to correct N'rik;s last statement. Ontehth was the best, a known fact to Ontehth, and the brown would be quick to point it out to anyone who questioned this statement. "Hello N'rwik, Ith-" Ke'von faltered for a second on the blue's name, but Ontehth was quick to supply it, "-Ophiuchusth heawing alwright?" Though Ke'von tried, he just could not make his swollen tongue produce the right sounds when he tried to speak.

Ke'von here is being quite the asshat, Ontehth informed his blue clutch sibbling, flicking his wing in his rider's direction. He really should listen to me, he knows I'm right. I'm always right, Ontenth said smuggly, shuffling himself into a sitting position, his tail tucked around his feet.

[Tashe]

If there was ever a time to hate, or love, the infirmary that time was now. Perhaps he would have started to hate the cavernous room if he hadn't completely reorganized the infirmary rotation. E'rro had replaced all of Meira's shifts with Nephele, his subconscious was trying to fill the gaps that had been left by the Goldrider's passing. She'd been his student... his equal... and most importantly his friend. If the Brownrider had been any sort of superstitious, he would have claimed a curse. First Ka'rys, then Meira... even that farnath annoying Elysia had gone missing. Not that he'd miss that dratted woman too much, but she was still part of his wing and there fore he cared at least minutely that she'd gone and gotten herself captured. Either way, things were turning for the worse.

Whistling, he held up a leather braced arm and neatly collected the Razorclaw who came to rest on his arm. "Hello Thross. Good boy." He offered a tidbit of dried meat from his pocket to the large, white male. E'rro was in the midst of feeding Thross another piece when one of the new Weyrlings walked into the room and called out, seeking 'anyone'. He perked an eyebrow. It was well lit in the main infirmary... how the boy had missed him was beyond him. The Weyrhealer ceded the fact he was wearing black and was off to one side, but if the kid couldn't locate him then the boy needed to work on his spotting skills. Moments later, yet another of the Weyrlings walked in, though this one seemed a bit meeker than the other. Is it the new Weyrlings? Ismaroth uncurling slowly, almost sinisterly as he moved his head into the light from the Dragon area. E'rro had not needed to light any glows in the Dragon's Ward for no one but Ismaroth occupied it. The Brown got a confirmation.

Turning, with Thross still on his arm, E'rro strode quietly along the edge of the infirmary. The Councilman walked straight up to the Weyrlings before stopping and sliding a small note into the leather thong on the Razerclaw's foot. "To S'rei, Thross. Message, please." He watched as the large predatory bird shifted, narrowed its eyes at the other two humans and lept off, buzzing right over Ontehth's head before disappearing down the halls. E'rro, his eyes now on the boys, looked between all for of them standing in front of him. "Is there something I can do for you?" He'd treated these ones before, their injuries were not new to him. And he knew Nabrik... or N'rik as it was, from before Burimyu. Not well, but he recognized the face.

Ismaroth snaked his head farther out from the Dragon's ward to look at the little Dragons. It had been a while since he'd seen babies and hadn't realized how much he had missed the sight until now. Brushing their minds, he said Younglings. How very nice it is to see you. Are you doing well? How are your siblings?

[Ember]

Nephele was busy working in the store room - a typical apprentice duty that she suspected was to help her memorize where everything was and what their properties were - when N'rik and Ke'von arrived with their young dragons. She'd been glad when the blue pair had gone to see E'rro after her on-site treatment at the Hatching. Mostly for Ophiu...what was his name again anyways? Ophiuchusth, Nuoth offered in faint amusement. It really hadn't been that long ago that N'rik had told Hers himself. For Ophiuchusth's sake, then.

It was Sweetheart who alerted Nephele to the presence of the new weyrlings in the infirmary from her perch in a place she could watch for people. Little spying firelizards were oh so helpful. The green flashed a few images at the greenrider and she blinked in surprise. "They're back again? And Ke'von finally came..." She muttered to herself. She replaced something in its rightful place before striding out to the main area. Ah, E'rro was already on it. She wished Sweetheart had mentioned that before she'd gone out. Oh well. Putting on a friendly face she approached the little group while her green fluttered over and all but crawled into her hair while the bronze on her shoulder steadied himself.

"Hello N'rik, Ke'von. And Ophiuchusth and Ontehth, as well." Her greeting said she gave a greeting nod to E'rro. Oh sure, he'd already known she was around and she'd said hi earlier but still. She stayed off to one side unobstrusively as she let the far more experienced Healer deal with them. She should really only work under supervision, despite her solo actions at the Hatching. If E'rro needed her or wanted her to do anything she was merely there to help and learn as she went along. Still, not like cleansing and bandaging was all that hard to do...

[Rowana]

Hello, Alph called politely, alerting the other two to fact they had company. All well? The salamandyr was pleased to see that his human and the new dragon had made friends. It was hard for the brown to get used to the new names, however, and tended to just use the old ones. N'rik turned, then leaned back away from Ke'von with a wary look. He wasn't sure what was wrong with the older one's voice, but if it was catching, he did not want to go through voice trouble again.

"Hey," he replied, nicely enough for him. He did still feel bad about what had happened and Ke'von was fairly nice for an older kid. "I hope so. Getting him checked out again." N'rik shrugged, trying to hide how worried he actually was. "What about you?" Those claw marks had looked fairly nasty a few days ago, though, except for the voice, he looked alright. Ophiuchusth was delighted to see his sibling, being a friendly and companionable dragon. He cocked his head curiously at the Ontehth's statements. Is he? Are you? he sounded doubtful, but polite. He wasn't so sure it was possible for someone to be right all the time, but he didn't have any proof to the contrary.

N'rik hadn't even realized E'rro was around until the man spoke, making him jump. Shards, but it was his job to be sneaky! He recovered quickly though, and managed to blurt out his question. "Ophi says he can't see well. Is he sick? Can you help?" N'rik said in a rush, his expression a cross between worry and impatience. Seeing Nephele come over too and greet them, he offered a wave, but focused mostly on E'rro with sharp eyes. He was much more interested in what the senior Healer had to say.

Nice to meet! Ophiuchusth told Ismaroth brightly. Subconsciously, he was copying Alph's favorite greeting for new friends. He had been picking up the salamandyrs way of speech and lapsing into it from time to time. They are well! And you? N'rikMine thinks my eyes are sick, but I do not mind. I see fine after dark. The young blue mused quietly to himself. It was a little confusing at times, when the world went all funny in the sunlight, but it was dark often enough for him not to be bothered. Besides, he had N'rik and Alph and all his siblings to help him.

[Sebz]

Ke'von didn't miss N'rik's slight adjusment to position himself away from him, but the brown weyrling couldn't really blame him. He wasn't even sure what was wrong with him, and for all he knew, he might be contagious. "I Think I ate thomething that I thoudmt haf," Ke'von slurred in response. Damn, his tongue was starting to itch now!

Ontehth was preening. His blue clutch sibbling had asked him questions. Not one question, but two! That was two oppertunities to show his brother the wealth of knowlage that he had been blessed with. Never mind that Ophiuchusth was doubtful, he would prove his claim. Yes, he is. I warned him that he was not to touch the berries, nevermind how scrumptious they looked- Ontehth liked to show of his vocabulary, And he ignored me. And look what happen, he go all swollen. If he had only listened to me, it wouldn't have happened. And yes I do, Ontehth said, flicking the blue with his tail good naturadly. I knew about the berries didn't I? No one had to tell me about them, I just knew.

E'rro's sudden apearance didn't startle eaither Ke'von or Ontehth, perhaps because they were so caught up in the conversations they were having. Both listened to N'rik's question, with intrest. Ke'von glanced at Ontehth, the brown never complained of eye problems, but he had noticed that the young dragon could see somewhat well in the night, better than others. But Ontehth didn't like manuvering in the dark. Ontehth listened for a different reason. He was smarting that his clutch sibbling could do something better than him. What was the term his human used. Oh yes, Not Cool, that was it. Not cool at all.

When it was Ke'vons turn to speak, he tried to enunciate as much as possible. "I ate thom berrieth and now my tongue hath thwolln," he said, indicating to his tongue desperatly. Ontehth cut in. Ke'von is having an allergic reaction. Also, you should check his cuts, he still complains. Now fix him. Ke'von groaned. Ontehth! Be polite. Apologize now. The brown flicked his tail. Would you Please fix him now? "After Ophthiuchethth, I cen wat,[/color] The weyrlingrider said, absolutly butchering the blue's name."

Hello Ismaroth, Ontehth said, ducking his head in greeting. The brown did like conversing with other dragons, they were a nice change from Ke'von. Not that he didn't love his rider, but he always talked to Ke'von. The young brown had never actually met Ismaroth before, but he had certainly heard of him. I am doing well, and my clutch sibblings... Ontehth broke away, glancing at his clutch sibbling, eyes starting to whirl in distress. Was Ophiuchusth alright? He didn't like to think that one of his... friends was hurt. Ophiuchusth had indeed become considered a friend to Ontehth. Ke'von liked N'rik well enough, and Ontehth, trying to encourage his rider to be social, decided that the best way to foster that 'like' of N'rik was to befriend the blue dragon.

During this conversation, Ke'von was smiled and nodded at Nephele, keeping his trap shut. He wasn't going to embaress himself anymore by trying to talk with his tongue in it's current state, anything he said just came out sounding stupid.

[Tashe]

Nephele joined them and received a small crooked smile, before his attentions were back on the younger males before him. N'rik was the first one to speak up, but his words nearly blended together in the rush in which he spoke. "I can certainly try." Ismaroth intruded on his thoughts and filled him in on what Ophiuchusth had told him. E'rro, bemused by the diagnosis that had formed in his head, turned to Ke'von as he spoke. The slur of words was quite evident in his speech, it was a typical side effect of swelling of the tongue. The Brownrider frowned. Were candidates getting more idiotic as the generations progressed? Ontehth popped into his mind with about as much manner as an angry Weyrleader throwing a chair, E'rro's eye twitched slightly at the invasion. As a Dragonhealer he'd grown used to Dragons speaking directly to him under stressful circumstances, but in the end, it still felt wrong. "No, you will not wait. I will see you first. And you, little Brown, would due to learn manners before an older Dragon decides to not take a liking to your tone." He left it at that and turned to his next thought.

"Neph, I have a lesson for you. Come here and examine Ophiuchusth's eyes, standard tests please. Out loud tell me what you discover and determine." He knew what the likely cause of the Blue's trouble was, but, he wanted to see if his Wingrider and Junior Apprentice thought of the condition. "N'rik, will you and Yours go to this table and Ke'von, you and yours to this one." He motioned to the two nearest parallel tables. E'rro didn't want to separate the two Weyrling pairs, and this gave him a chance to observe Nephele work as he tended to his own patient. Once Ke'von was settled, he paced over and raised an eyebrow at the young man. "You ate berries from the forest without knowing what they were? You do not look like a child. Open your mouth please. Are you having trouble breathing? You can just shake your head yes or no." Gently turning the Weyrling's head from side to side, E'rro removed a thin stick of wood from his pocket and compressed Ke'von's tongue slightly as he looked into the boy's mouth. "Hmm... Pains in the chest? Numbness anywhere? Dizziness?" It didn't look like poisoning, but he couldn't be sure until he knew what the berries looked like. Removing the wood from Brownling's mouth, Erro asked, "Can you have Ontehth describe the berries to Ismaroth?"


I am well littleone, but I grow tired of being in the confines of the Weyr. I look forward to training later tonight. He rumbled quietly. I do not think Yours has much to worry about, Mine will make sure there is nothing wrong with your eyes. Even now he believes he knows the reason, if it was serious he would not stop to teach Nuoth's. Moving his head, he gazed across the room at Ontehth. He didn't bother addressing each one individually, seeing as they spoke of nothing secret, and allowed the Weyrling Brown to hear what he had said to Ophi. It is nice that you are doing good as well little Ontehth. Burimyu needs you and your siblings to be healthy and in good spirits. Do not worry about your sibling, I know Jingth's children grow up to be strong. Now, those berries, what did they look like?