Bad Timing [open, healer please]

[Ruby]

Mellith, the Candidatemaster's green, was known for being a chatty dragon, so many in the Weyr were probably used to her mindvoice. However, this was no ordinary projection. Mellith's voice slowly faded in from silence, more of a feeling of pain and panic than of actual words, although what Mellith was broadcasting could roughly be translated as OuchouchouchOUCHOUCHHELP! This feeling/voice gradually got stronger, until anyone who felt like listening could hear it- healers and those at the Touching included. Moments later, a vision appeared to the sensitive, of Kemma half-submerged in the river, clearly unconcious.

Minutes later, Mellith landed awkwardly outside the Infirmary, a crumpled, unconcious and soaking wet Kemma in one of her foreclaws. Blue-black Midnight swooped around her head, still broadcasting what was going on, although he'd toned down his radius so as not to bother the whole Weyr. Stupid, stupid, poor His had flown with bad straps and fallen! Mellith, too, was attempting to block her panic, aiming it only at the Infirmary, but it was probably only working so well.

Kemma was placed gently on the ground by her Bonded, leavinga wet patch on the ground below her. Mellith, still frantic, began to pace, bugeling for attention from whatever healer was on duty. Midnight betweened into the Infirmary, attempting to summon a Healer as well. The Candidatemaster's head was a bloody mess, as was her left shoulder, and one of her legs was bent at an uncomfortable angle. Mellith's straps were hanging in tatters, although they did not look like they had broken from wear. That, however would have to be dealt with after Kemma was taken care of- Mellith would let no one near her or Hers until a healer arrived.

[reqqy]

Of course she didn't hear her, nor did she see the image. It was one of the strangest things about Kalierre, particularly if you knew that she used to have the ability to hear and speak to all dragons at one point. The dragonhealer could not communicate with any dragon but Phremath ever since the massacre. Of course, the green heard Mellith quite clearly. She came bounding across the bank and leapt, keeping in the air longer than she ever had, but still falling short of the opposite bank. Phremath snaked through the water at top speed. Mine! Mellith's! She is hurt...and badly, it looks. She's Blizzard's. Tell Salenth that they're here. Kalierre was already through the door, coming to a halt, her eyes narrowing at the grisly sight. Scratch that. Tell Salenth that he and His should come to the infirmary as soon as they get a chance.

Phremath relayed the message in swift order, then turned to Mellith. Please. Mine is here. She will take care of Yours, and we have called Salenth. Please, calm down. Mine wants to know what happened. Can you tell me that for her? Tell me, though. She cannot hear you. If you tell me, we can help her faster. Yes? Kalierre cocked her head to one side, nodding slightly to her green in approval before falling to the ground. She bit her lip lightly. Just from a cursory glance...a broken leg, unconscious - possible concussion, and the shoulder was either shattered or had massive abrasions. She hoped it was the latter. That wasn't even considering internal damage.

The dragonhealer began speaking in quiet, measured tones, so Mellith would know what she was doing and the green would hopefully calm some. There were enough issues here without a frantic dragon added to the mix. "I need to look her over before we move her...probably get Salenth's to do that. She hit her head awfully hard." Kalierre began to clear the blood away as best she could, gently feeling around the scalp with her fingers. "At the back of the head. A sizable gash, and it's swelling. But that's good, actually, that there's a gash there, because that means the blood won't be collecting. Could be worse. Breathing is shallow...pulse steady, though. Okay, no immediate danger, Mellith. Yours should be all right so long as she has time to rest and heal."

Not precisely true. Kalierre still didn't have an idea of any potential internal damage, but she'd need to unclothe the woman for that, and she wasn't going to do that out here when Kemma was stable. Her fingers moved down to the candidatemaster's shoulder. "We've got fractured bone here. This...will take time to heal, but she didn't break her collarbone. That's good. Okay, I'm going to immobilize the leg and slow the bleeding from the head wound, and then move her into the infirmary. Phremath will show you where you can stay once she's moved." She set about setting the leg, thankful that the break was so clean. Splints, bandaging. There. Immobilized. Now, where was -

Ah, the shape of a large bronze in the near distance, rising over the waterfall. They were coming.

[Ruby]

Mellith calmed visibly at Phremath's voice, although she was still shifting from foot to foot, uncomfortable at the mental silence from Hers. But it was good that Phremath was calm, it would make it better in the end. But Mellith had not needed to meet Phremath or Phremath's before, and did not understand what Phremath was asking for. Yours cannot hear me? But she can hear you, can she not? Why not me? Mellith rolled that one around in her head for a moment, even trying to contact Kalierre, before realizing that Hers was damaged and needed her help. We were flying, down by the river, skimming near the stones at the base of the waterfall. I must have dipped too low and sliced my straps or maybe they were damaged, but Mine checked just two days ago and they were just fine then, they are not old straps! Easily distracted, Mellith was. It took her a moment to connect the story she'd just told to the question originally asked, but then she went on. Mine did not fall far, but it was high up and she hit the water in a very bad position, right near the bank. Her foot hit a rock, then her shoulder, but her head only hit last, and I know she will be alright when she comes back to us. Her head is not wrong, not that I can tell anyway.

She had done well, and Kalierre was caring for Hers now. Hers would be just fine, the healer said. That was good... Mellith just wished Hers would return to her, in her mind. She fluttered her wings in agitation, but froze halfway through- there it was. Like waking up from sleeping, hers was returning to her. It would be alright.

Kemma was, indeed, returning to conciousness, although that might have been a bad idea. Once Kalierre slowed the bleeding from her head, though, Kemma started showing more obvious signs of life, shifting slightly and making little sounds of pain, although she didn't open her eyes. This made Mellith almost roar in worry, because she wanted hers just to be alright, and not in pain. Salenth's appearance over the horizon wasn't even noted- Mellith wanted Kemma, not some Bronze.

[reqqy]

KaliMine...broke...once. A fever-hotness. She could hear all of us without trying, then she broke, and now she only hears me. Phremath wasn't sure if that was clear, but she felt it not nearly as important as what had happened to Mellith, as Hers was quite clearly healthy right now, and Mellith's was not. Fortunately, the other green got back on topic before she had to say anything; Phremath was not naturally forceful like Hers was. Mine, Mellith says the straps broke when they were flying. Hers did not hit her head first. She landed on her feet along the bank of the river and then slipped. She didn't slip, lovely. She broke her leg when she landed on it. But go on.The green paused for a moment. Her mind is quiet, but not wrong, Mellith says. This is good. I'm still worried about a concussion, but at least she didn't scramble her brains. Tell Mellith thank you. That helps a lot. We will need your help a little more, to tell us of pains. Any and all pains. Mine wants to make sure her insides do not hurt. Can you do that?

The great bronze's shadow passed overhead, his dark, gleaming hide bright in the daylight. He coiled earthward, settling a respectful distance from greens and the wounded. Mellith. A soft croon left his throat in greeting, more to keep her calm than anything else. Salenth knew the anxiety of separation better than most. On a more practical level, you couldn't easily converse with a hysterical dragon. Mine has come to help the healer. S'rei had already dismounted, pulling off gloves and helmet, his strides carrying him to the downed wingrider swiftly. He nodded as Kalierre whispered something to him, then knelt beside Kemma as the dragonhealer disappeared back into the infirmary. A too-thin hand grasped the woman's, and he spoke softly. "There are better ways to teach the young ones to check their straps, greenrider."

He offered her a mirthless smile, a squeeze accompanying the gentle tone. "Kali will be back in a moment, and then the pain will ease. Mellith brought you when you fell. She's upset still. You must be strong for her, no?" Kemma likely knew all this, but S'rei spoke it anyway, working to keep the situation calm. Kalierre returned a moment later, handing S'rei a flask of fellis - already measured out - before she began applying numbweed to shoulder and leg. The wingleader eased Kemma's torso up against his chest. "Drink."

You say the straps were not old? Riders should check their straps every time before they fly, but...that is odd. Do you still have them? The straps? Salenth questioned Mellith.