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Post by glamourie on Nov 27, 2009 16:22:32 GMT -5
His head hurt so badly.
One hand came up, very slowly, to rest the pads of his fingers against his forehead. His fingers gave a slight twitch as a rush of pain flared through his face. Bruised. Broken. Bleeding. Bandages. The entire left side of his face was bandaged and – his hair was gone. Ka’rys twitched slightly, not opening his eyes, and brushed his hand over his forehead and back to find… stitches. Numerous stitches. He'd cracked open his skull? When had he done that? His eyes twitched beneath the eyelids and his hand dropped back down right next to him. His entire body was tense. His head wasn’t the only thing throbbing, either. His ribs were cracked in several places, he could feel that, and breathing was difficult; he had to do so through his mouth. Did that mean his torso was entirely bruised up? Did he have any broken limbs? Hard to tell… pretty much everything hurt, but the pain in his head made him fuzzy. Which meant he was probably high on fellis. How much he hated pain reduction medication: it always made him unable to function. How many times did he need to throw fits at the healers until they finally remembered: no fellis for him. None! None!
His eyes opened; his vision was blurry. The stone cavern ceiling of the infirmary came into view, spinning back and forth – left to right and back again. His eyelids fluttered and then fell closed again and he went still, groaning low in his throat. How had he gotten to the infirmary…? He didn’t remember moving at all. How strange.
Rysmine? Are you awake…?
Why did Ciceroth sound so upset? Ka’rys opened one eye again and rolled his head to the side in the general direction of Ciceroth. The worry that flooded over him was almost enough to drown in; he could tell that his bronze was panicking. He tried, mentally, to comfort Ciceroth; it wasn’t like him to panic. The silent inquiry as to what was wrong earned him no responses. Ciceroth did not elaborate, simply relishing in the fact that he was there and awake. How long was he unconscious? Hours, or so Ciceroth replied, but could dragon judgment be trusted? He didn’t know, so Ka’rys closed his eyes and groaned. The last thing he remembered was talking to Kalerary and her laughing at the expressions he was making. Not exactly the most helpful thing to recall. He supposed he must have gotten into a fight of some kind. Yes, he felt like he got into one…
Chirping? Chirping. His head throbbing, Ka’rys opened his eyes as a weight settled on his chest and Ophelie leaned down to rub her head on his jaw. Instinctively, the bronzerider swatted the firelizard off his face and he recoiled away from her before hissing.
“Don’t land on me!”
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Nov 27, 2009 18:04:05 GMT -5
Worm hissed, her constant stream of chatter shifting into something that involved eating the bronzerider's messy face. Preferably his nose. Or his lip, yes, that would be better. Hurt more. Why was he swatting at Ophelie? And why was Hers holding onto her? That was not fair. She wriggled around to bite the man's hand, growling as she gnawed. S'rei mostly ignored her. "Maybe it would be better to stay with us for a little..." the bronzerider commented to the firelizard. It was mostly to mollify Worm, though, who stopped gnawing at his hand long enough to watch her mate. He didn't really think Ophelie would want to leave Hers. Rys looked like he'd been...sat on by his dragon, actually. And gone crunch.
Sprawled by the door, his chair leaned back on the back legs and a foot planted against the wall, the bronzerider was worried that if the attack on Ka'rys wasn't related to the poisoning that someone might come to finish it. Admit that he was worried about Ka'rys's safety and standing guard? Never. But he'd come as soon as he learned of it - which was pretty soon, given Worm and Salenth.
"Looks like someone got you from behind," he commented to Ka'rys. "I don't suppose you actually saw whoever hit you? That would be helpful. The water was poisoned with fellis at the same time...whoever attacked you was probably behind it. Lost a fair number and we're still not sure about the extent of the damage." Maybe it was early to be talking about that to Ka'rys, but S'rei preferred it that way when he was injured. Concentrating on problems and their solutions instead of the pain.
Of course, Ka'rys had been given a good deal of fellis. Whether he was able to follow S'rei at all was questionable. They weren't friends, though, and there was little else to talk to the bronzerider about aside from their respective families. Ciceroth was very upset. S'rei didn't find this odd, but apparently Salenth did, because he kept on impressing it upon his mindmate.
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Post by glamourie on Nov 27, 2009 19:30:42 GMT -5
Ophelie chattered quietly and looked up at S’rei. She looked from Hers to the other bronzerider and back again, but did not fly to him immediately. Namely because, the second S’rei spoke, an overwhelming hostility escaped Hers that she couldn’t explain. She flew over to the table next to Hers and looked at Ka’rys before squeaking to herself. He was so upset. She flashed an image of the way he’d looked after the attack – covered in blood – to S’rei and Worm both before fluting softly. So upset, so upset…
“S’rei.”
The level of dislike in his voice was almost unnatural. Ka’rys turned his head slowly and he scrambled at the sheet – no knives. His heartbeat fluttered. He did not feel safe so close to S’rei without weapons to defend himself. S’rei, who had defaulted back to Benden and caused them to be attacked. He could just remember Leradi complaining about her fighting wing getting jumped – half of them were killed when Benden actually knew what they were doing. They knew what Fort’s tactics were and they knew because of S’rei. They’d taken him in and he’d betrayed them all and – and Ka’rys really, really did not like that he didn’t have any knives. The mental reassurance was coming from… from multiple sources; the only one he recognized and was comfortable with was Ciceroth. Ciceroth kept insisting that S’rei wasn’t his enemy. Ka’rys was strongly considering disowning his dragon. Of course S’rei was his enemy, and just what was he doing there? Had he been captured? His heartbeat thudded. He was still alive – and so was Ciceroth. How had he not been killed? He felt horrible. If he’d survived then S’rei would surely have been killed.
His stomach plummeted. He stared straight at S’rei, accusing, and sat up. He edged away from the other bronzerider, his look very obviously unpleasant.
“Where am I?” There was ice – yes, vocal ice. Ka’rys was always cold, but the lack of warmth was distinctly different. Those who knew him would probably be alarmed by just how nasty he was. It wasn’t mean, it wasn’t vicious, it was just not friendly. Not remotely. “And where are my knives?” He didn’t ask how he got hurt. He didn’t need to ask how he got hurt. It was obvious: if S’rei was there, he must’ve been jumped by Benden fighters. No matter how much Ciceroth insisted he was misunderstanding, he didn’t need clarification. His eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, despite being bruised so badly. “I’d like them back now, please.” He knew very well if he was captured (why was he alive?) that he wouldn’t get them, but – it didn’t make any sense. Nothing made any sense. Ciceroth kept insisting he was fine – that he wasn’t in danger. Ciceroth was confused.
Salenth. Ciceroth, out on the ledge of the infirmary, was curled tightly into a ball. Salenth, something is very wrong. When he went black, I couldn’t feel him for awhile and – after he started waking – he was like this. He thinks that Pyreath’s is still with us, Salenth – and that his oldest hatchling is the only. He thinks that we are still at the Place from before here… and he won’t listen to me when I say that Yours isn’t an enemy. The bronze was very obviously upset, as evidenced by his flicking tail, whirling eyes and soft croon. He hurts, and he’s – Ciceroth didn’t finish, namely because right at that moment –
Ka’rys swung himself off the edge of the cot onto very wobbly legs and gripped the end of the table next to it, putting the mattress between himself and S’rei. His head spun and he put his hand on the end of the night stand. He was wearing little more than bandages and a bed dress, and he felt naked without his knifes. And hair. But mostly the lack of knives bothered him.
“You said the water got poisoned…?”
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Nov 27, 2009 20:28:15 GMT -5
S'rei blinked away the after image of the bloodied ex-Fortian. That made the bandaged figure look...downright pretty. Someone had done a good job. Not a great job, mind you, because Ka'rys was still alive, but they'd beaten him pretty thoroughly. His name, though, drew out a mild frown. He didn't know what it was exactly that he heard in just the one word, but it was wrong and the chair slid down onto all four legs, S'rei frowning at Ka'rys.
Worm chose that moment, in his distraction, to dash down his arm, down his leg and over the floor, winding up the table leg and practically tackling Ophelie. Was the firelizard all right? She knew Ophelie's was just hurting, so she wouldn't bite him, she promised, but Ophelie was all right, wasn't she? Crooning, the salamandyr proceeded to cling.
He'd never heard the accent so blatant. Ka'rys didn't try to hide it - or, at least, he'd always assumed he hadn't - but the syllables practically screamed Fort now. S'rei became guarded almost instantly. "You're in the infirmary, and clearly strung out on fellis," he stated quietly. Clearly. "I'm sure I can locate your knives for you...but I don't think it would be a good idea to give them back until you're not..." High. S'rei pinched the bridge of his nose. His head came up, staring at Ka'rys more closely at Ciceroth's words.
Just...perfect. That put them back how many turns? At least eight. Kalerary was getting older quickly. He did not want to be dealing with this now. Or ever, really. Hopefull Ka'rys's memory would come back soon. S'rei didn't make a move to come closer to the other bronzerider. "Yeah. Selenitas river...they poisoned it with fellis. Probably Fort, possibly Benden though I don't see why. Maybe High Reaches." His tone itself conveyed how much he believed they might stage a successful poisoning. Though a lot of that had to do with Ka'rys's state, if S'rei were honest. Anyone could poison an unguarded river.
It was perhaps silly, but he was hoping just talking about things normally would spark some recollection. Better than coming out with 'hey, you apparently lost almost a decade worth of memory' anyway. (It could just be temporary, right?)
"Rys." Come on, don't do this to me now. "The last thing you need right now is to trip, fall, and bang your head again. Please sit down."
Salenth shifted uneasily. He liked Ciceroth, and he knew what it was like - one of the few things he membered very clearly from his past - to have a mindmate who couldn't remember. He also remembered that it didn't get better for a long time. Something S'rei didn't like him reminding him of. But Salenth didn't feel comfortable attempting to comfort the other bronze in the slightest. He remained on his own ledge, nervous. What if Ciceroth's...attacked? Now it wasn't a problem. Later, though? He pushed that thought aside. Mine is hoping acting normal will help him remember. Don't worry. We're trying...I'm sure he'll be okay.
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Post by glamourie on Nov 28, 2009 2:25:47 GMT -5
“Clearly,” Ka’rys mocked with a definite edge of irritation. He wasn’t even trying to disguise his dislike – but much of it stemmed from the fear he felt. It was disguised well. Not a single hint of irritation made its way to the bronzerider’s face. In fact, he was an almost blank slate. Suspicion, yes, because suspicion was expected – but he wasn’t going to show S’rei that he was terrified… and confused. Weakness like that could be used against him and the last thing he wanted was for S’rei to have ammunition when he was already hurt… and unarmed. And Ciceroth was not doing any good. He kept insisting that S’rei was no danger, but S’rei had betrayed them all. It wasn’t personal, not exactly: Ka’rys and S’rei weren’t friend. He just hated him for the simple reason that he’d cost a lot of good people their lives. That was reason enough to hate someone for Ka’rys. Especially when a lot of those people were people he knew – some even from the weyrling class he’d graduated with. They were hardly people he considered friends, but finding out they were betrayed by someone that Fort didn’t have to take in – didn’t have to let live – was embittering. And he didn’t trust S’rei. He seemed like he was being nice enough but paranoia screamed run. Ka’rys wanted very badly to do just that. The problem was, he was hurt. Too hurt to run away.
Edging away until his back was against the very far wall of the small room, Ka’rys placed the flats of his palms behind him and watched like a caged wild animal. He didn’t move closer, nor did he give any indication of staying still if S’rei came closer, either.
“I want my knives back now,” he said, no traces of whining but a definite edge in his voice that said without words his disapproval. The explanation that S’rei offered made him narrow his eyes, cold brown orbs flashing with anger and accusation. “Why in the world would we bother with your pathetic excuse for a Weyr?” Didn’t S’rei know that Fort was above that? … why was he talking about High Reaches as if it was inhabited? What was he talking about, period? “Does that mean you’re Weyrleader at Selenitas then?” There was the distaste his other words were lacking – and the disapproval. S’rei in charge of anything spelled doom. Though, that was condescending on his part: he didn’t even know S’rei on a personal level, he just didn’t trust him and was… pretty sure that he wanted to run now. “Why am I still alive? You do know that I like you about as much as anyone else from Fort? Maybe less. Some of the people that were killed were in my weyrling class, and one of them was also the mother of my child. She survived.”
It was truly a testament to being ‘young’ and afraid that Ka’rys was speaking at all: he’d never addressed his feelings for S’rei before, and probably never would again. He’d blame the fellis if anyone called him on it, provided he survived. He was being careful to keep his back to the wall just in case. No one was going to be coming at him from behind, thank you very much.
Wait, why was he – “You are not my friend,” Ka’rys whispered, venom dripping from those few words. “And you are not someone who has a right to call me by any nicknames. There’s only two individuals allowed to call me Rys. One is my weyrmate, the other my sister. You definitely don’t qualify. We haven’t even spoken before – why are you suddenly acting like we’re friends? Last time I saw you, you were strapping up for drills. We should have killed you.” He was not sitting down. Or moving from his nice, safe wall. It was better there than closer to S’rei. He didn’t want to be anywhere near him. Why was he at Selenitas? How had he gotten there? “How did I come to be at Selenitas?”
He’s scared. Attempts at comfort or reassurance were, at that moment, lost on Ciceroth; he was upset, yes, but his words were more meant as processing instructions, as worried reminders. His was dangerous and… he’d forgotten how not to be. He’s scared and he really doesn’t trust Yours. He should keep his distance. Being confused, he thinks Yours did something horrible. I don’t remember this, so it must not be that important but he sure thinks it is, and he’s really upset about it. But he’s more upset about not knowing how he got hurt. The little cousin knows, but he’s so upset with her that she won’t tell.
Ophelie was very upset… more because she didn’t understand why her beloved Ka’rys forgot her. Didn’t he feel that she loved him? Cuddling against Worm, the green gave an encouraging chirp after the bronzerider and wiggled anxiously. So upset, he was…
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Nov 28, 2009 3:15:52 GMT -5
S'rei stared at him. There was no other way to describe it. He wasn't sure how to respond, really, and was rather hoping that if he stared long enough all the questions would stop and Ka'rys would be...Ka'rys again. This was distressing. Runoff from Worm, no doubt, but still. His jaw worked slightly, but he didn't move. Ka'rys looked like he'd be in the wall in a second. Strange that having the man visibly scared of him (no amount of lack of expression could hide how closely he was pressed against the opposite wall) offended S'rei. People weren't scared of him. Not anymore. He'd almost forgotten what it was like. Too much like Benden, and that was bound to put the Weyrleader in a bad mood.
(As if having his Weyr attacked again, with the number of dead still being calculated and his second not only in the infirmary but also missing several turns of his life wasn't enough to put S'rei in a foul temper.)
He leaned over his knees, resting his chin on his hands. "You're finished now?" Rhetorical. "No to the knives." Why should be more than obvious. People died in war. You couldn't tell how things would have been...if you'd made other choices. You simply couldn't. Trying was like beating your head against a wall. "Fort's much different than you remember it." His abruptness was likely the only true tell that he was agitated...and Ka'rys - this Ka'rys - didn't know him well enough to be able to easily discern that. "I've been at Selenitas for over five turns now...this is my second time as Weyrleader."
He glanced at Ophelie and Worm. "You're distressing your firelizard. Probably because you refuse to acknowledge her, even though she's in your head. Her name is Ophelie. She and my Worm are mated, which is the main reason I care at all that you're distressing her. Worm isn't happy." That wasn't entirely true. S'rei found Ophelie to be one of the few tolerable firelizards, and even welcomed her presence. "I'm calling you Rys because I've called you that for a couple of turns, and you've never thrown a fit. You can decide what that means about whether we're friends or not. I've never been able to tell with you."
He was being brutally direct. He knew it. Part of it, however...was what Ka'rys had said. "We should have killed you.” S'rei had always - always - assumed that Fort thought he was theirs. Why would they have bothered with a Benden bronzerider otherwise? Selenitas, Benden, it didn't matter. The war had already begun and he was already fighting on the other side. Being sixteen shouldn't have changed anything. Having no memory shouldn't have changed anything. If they'd known...then there was nothing at all to justify his betrayal. Nothing. Not that he felt it was justified anyway, but the thought of...it was sickening.
"Yes, you probably should have killed me," he stated flatly. Truthfully. It likely would have been Ka'rys, too...interrogator. Or was he still too young then? S'rei's head hurt. Thinking of time after his time jump was always a chore. "I would assume D'loro or Kamerai sent you. Just as I would assume you stayed because there's no place for you in R'anatar's Fort, because you have a new weyrmate, because your daughter Kale is here and because you have two little girls. You haven't told me, though, so maybe you should ask Ciceroth. If he remembers."
S'rei leaned back again. "It's 3013, Ka'rys. D'loro. Kamerai. C'leon. All three are dead. J'lorin leads Benden now...and R'anatar has Fort under his thumb. You were here when I got here in 3009, after my weyrmate was killed at Benden. Thread came before that...in 3006. Nothing's the same anymore. Your weyrmate is Savitri. A gold rider. Her Hepaticath adores your Ciceroth. That makes you my junior weyrleader, which is why I'm sitting here, now. Because I don't take kindly to people sneaking around and bashing the skull in of one of my wingleaders. That wall isn't going to disappear, you're in no shape to walk out of this infirmary, and if I really wanted to do anything to you there's nothing stopping me. So sit. Down."
Mine doesn't know what to do. He's sorry if he's just upsetting Yours...but he's hoping something will jog his memory.
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Post by glamourie on Nov 28, 2009 20:39:50 GMT -5
He was going to throw up. Ka’rys winced, resisting the urge to vomit by breathing deeply through his nose – and he hoped that S’rei managed to not notice how anxious he was. He edged away to the corner of the room and slid down the wall slowly, until he was curled into a tight little ball. His eyes never left S’rei, the same accusing edge visible in his gaze. Moving around made him… cold and tingly, as though something was very seriously wrong with him. The Fortian narrowed his gaze more, tightened up and resisted the urge to shiver.
He didn’t believe S’rei. Fort, different? It was the same way his whole life. S’rei was Weyrleader? Twice? And Fort hadn’t destroyed Selenitas? What did he mean – why did he look different – ohh, vision swirling. Ka’rys winced and closed his eyes for a brief moment before flicking his gaze over S’rei. He looked older. Much older. He was at Selenitas for turns. He had a firelizard. He’d never impressed a firelizard… and S’rei was calling him Rys for turns? The nausea was nearly enough to end him, and Ka’rys didn’t speak – he dare not open his mouth. It gave S’rei perfect silence to speak and continue his explanation… not that he got much response. No, by the time S’rei was speaking, Ka’rys had blanked out completely to disguise the blatant terror he was feeling and he was mentally latching onto Ciceroth. The bronze reassured Ka’rys over and over again that he was in no danger, that Salenth’s meant him no harm – and that was the only reason he didn’t launch into an attack on the Weyrleader. Miracle of miracles: he trusted his dragon if not the man speaking to him.
“I haven’t known you for years,” Ka’rys said softly, his voice very quiet. “I wouldn’t put up with you for years. You nearly got my weyrmate killed and you never even cared. People who didn’t have to trust you did and you repaid us with treachery. I don’t think I could ever forgive you that.” He was trying to process S’rei’s words – his explanation – but… It was like trying to wrap his mind around dragons not existing or something. He sighed. “Slow down. Please slow down.” It was confusing enough as it was… “One thing at a time. Who is R’anatar, and how would he control Fort now and not J’lorin? Why would my sister be dead? Who would manage to get into Fort to kill her and D’loro? The guards wouldn’t let anyone in…”
Savitri. Goldrider. His weyrmate? He hated goldriders. He would not be weyrmates with one. Only Kamerai was bearable. The rest were vapid and irritating. Kalerary was there? Leradi was dead. Only explanation.
Ka’rys inhaled sharply and rubbed his temple. He wanted to see his daughter. He also wanted to be away from S’rei. He didn’t say that, namely because he couldn’t figure out what he gained from being snotty. He was confused, upset – and Ciceroth trusted S’rei. Every instinct in his body was screaming not to, it was demanding he attack and eliminate the traitor. S’rei said they were friends of turns. It was fresh to him but not to S’rei. That in itself made him want to swear. Must be nice to have turns to deal with his own cowardice. Going back to Benden of all places. Why would anyone willingly go to Benden? They were horrible. Horrible.
He bit his lip and eyed S’rei more seriously. “I’m sitting. Be glad.”
There was no way that Yours could avoid upsetting him, I’m afraid. He’s very frightened right now. A loud keen sounded from somewhere behind him and Ciceroth hissed softly. Who was that…?
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Nov 28, 2009 21:20:24 GMT -5
S'rei watched Ka'rys, not bothering to conceal the worry. It was doubtful the other man could see him clearly enough to notice. He wouldn't be having so much trouble if the bronzerider could - he didn't look bad for his age, but he definitely did look just shy of forty. His jaw worked slightly. S'rei never had made excuses for himself, and he wasn't about to start now.
He didn't respond for awhile. Didn't say anything to Ka'rys's questioning. He drew Salenth's presence around him as much as he could, forced himself to stop panicking. It wasn't as bad as it could be. Whoever poisoned the river hadn't followed up on the chaos as they should have - at least, not to his knowledge. Idith. It was stated quietly. We had hoped...he hadn't ingested too much. S'rei cursed softly. The kid too?
Dragons do not need to remember, Mine. You did not remember for a long time. It was different here, now. It was. But the bronze's words still helped calm him some. Okay. One step at a time. Ka'rys wasn't remembering, and it wasn't his fault he saw S'rei...as someone to be feared and mistrusted. S'rei had done that to himself. Getting offended wasn't doing anyone any good. Okay.
"It's tangled. Just...bear with me. I'm sure you're aware of the Selenitas line?" Everyone was. He didn't pause long enough for Ka'rys to answer. "R'anatar was favored by the girl everyone expected to Impress gold. When she didn't...when Shmee Impressed Aslath instead...I've been told he left and went to Fort. This was 3006. I still don't know why they'd accept - or invite - another Selenitas bronzerider after me. It's never made much sense. He went up the ranks there very fast, though. Morsrath attempted to catch Aslath during her maiden Flight. Salenth did, though, not Morsrath.
"It was while I was Weyrleader that Elaira and Tollith came to us, asking for candidates and weyrlings so she could start a new weyr with her lover. She's where we heard it from. That Morsrath had attempted to Fly Grenostith - after failing at Selenitas - and when Jrenth caught her instead, Elaira claimed C'leon killed D'loro and Kamerai. R'anatar was Weyrsecond at the time of D'loro's death, and became active Weyrleader. Since then, transfers from Selenitas confirm their death, and it is blamed on C'leon at Fort. I personally don't see how that's possible. I'd bet R'anatar staged it...but...it doesn't really matter now. He controls Fort now. He had enough of a backing that J'lorin left with his wing not that long ago...and took over Benden. He now continues the fight against Fort and R'anatar.
"And he forced our hand by coming here and asking for an alliance. Technically...we support Benden now. Which is why it's highly likely that Fort attacked here."
He was hoping that the explanation wasn't confusing. Hard to know what Ka'rys should or shouldn't know. He wasn't even sure how far back the other man's memory started.
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Post by glamourie on Nov 29, 2009 12:26:44 GMT -5
Ka’rys curled into a small ball in the corner, fastening his hands around his ankles. His gaze remained snared on S’rei as he bit back the urge to shake again. Another wave of nausea passed over him and his eyes fluttered slightly, though he didn’t speak or indicate acknowledgement of it outwardly. No weakness shown outwardly. The distraction helped though – it kept him from completely losing himself to how ill he felt. He listened to S’rei’s words, unspeaking, head cocked to the side. The widening of his eyes showed his understanding and once the older bronzerider was finished speaking, his head bobbed in a nod. He didn’t uncurl, but his gaze turned toward Ophelie who fluted reassuringly to him, and his head dropped again. He didn’t recognize her at all. His eyes closed and he processed… everything. Everything. He felt like throwing up, yes, he felt horrible. S’rei was saying he’d lost Turns… over night? Over the course of a few hours? Ciceroth was concurring with that – he’d lost turns. His mind reeled and he ticked off the key points listed by S’rei in his mind:
Kamerai and D’loro were dead. J’lorin was Weyrleader of Benden. A man named R’anatar was Weyrleader of Fort. S’rei was Weyrleader of Selenitas and his Weyrwoman was someone named Shmee. There was another goldrider named Savitri – his weyrmate.
“Elaira is a vapid, simpering, pacifistic fool,” Ka’rys said with no hint of remorse. “She couldn’t hope to hold a candle to Kamerai, that’s probably why she left.” He rubbed his nose and sighed softly. “You’re saying I’m… thirty one? And that Kalerary is almost ten? This Shmee and Aslath are the Senior Goldpair, you’re Senior Weyrleader and I’m… weyrmated to a goldrider? I’ve only met one goldrider who wasn’t self-absorbed and obnoxious – did I lose my mind at some point? J’lorin is Weyrleader of Benden… this R’anatar is Weyrleader of Fort… and they’re attacking us because of J’lorin? And Selenitas is allied with J’lorin?” His head spun and Ka’rys brought one hand up to rub his temple – perhaps the first obvious proof of his discomfort. “And by ‘we’re’ I mean – I’m supposed to be too?” His head hurt so bad. Then again… his hand went down his face and he winced. Bruises. Broken bones. Stitches in the back of his head. Ouch.
Dark brown eyes settled on the blankets and Ka’rys swallowed thickly. “Okay. Okay. If I’m caught up – then who are all the wingleaders?” He could hear a great deal of keening and screeching – dragons going between. Presumably from the poisoning that S’rei mentioned. The thought made his stomach turn over. Poisoning water sources was discussed as a possibility for attack on Benden. He didn’t say that. “You need to filter the water out as fast as you can and get water brought in from somewhere clear. You know that though I’m sure. But you should be doing that now – instead of hovering over me.” He wasn’t just trying to get rid of S’rei or anything. Ka’rys wouldn’t do that. Of course not.
“I’d like to speak to Kalerary.” It was only natural he’d ask after her. He didn’t know this supposed weyrmate he had, but Kalerary he remembered and she was the only person supposedly at Selenitas that he knew. Kalerary was safe. “Can you get her please?” He wasn’t even well enough to stand. Intellectually he knew that asking Kale to come in when he was so sick was a mistake. What if it upset her to see him hurt? He knew it was a risk, but he was scared – he was scared and she was comforting. He needed to see her alive and well before he could hope to be of any use to anyone.
Idith. There was a distinct note of sadness in Ciceroth’s ‘voice.’ He fidgeted and mentally brushed Ka’rys. Aslath is gone. Millieth is the Senior Queen. She is from Benden. Be nice. You don’t need to see your hatchling right now, mine. You will be upset. Do you want me to call SavitriCath’s? The reluctant answer made Ciceroth sigh in exasperation. Then he spoke to Salenth again. He’s cold, his head hurts and so does his stomach. Maybe I should call for a Healer?
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Nov 29, 2009 21:06:07 GMT -5
Lots of questions all at once. S'rei did his best to answer them, wondering if he even remembered to address them all. Not that he could blame Ka'rys at all. There was nothing quite like losing almost ten turns of your life. Or sixteen. "Most of that is correct, yes." He wasn't precisely sure about Ka'rys's age, but since he had Kalerary's right that should be correct. Either way, it wasn't like it was going to change much if it was or wasn't, right? "Shmee was poisoned though...almost three turns ago now. It's Millieth and Kaegan who are the senior goldpair." He was almost surprised at how even that had come out. Strange how he didn't really...feel...anything anymore, when it came to Shmee.
A brow rose at Ka'rys. Needed to filter out the water, did he? "The water's fine now. This is residual." As if so much death could be termed that way. "Those that didn't drink enough for it to hit them fast." He worried at his lip mildly, pushing his fingers together. That was the easiest point to address, after all. He wasn't sure, really, what to do about the rest. Less personal first, he supposed. "I lead one, you lead one...and that's it. R'aro just lost Idith." The lack of feeling behind his former weyrmate's death was more than present in the tight anger behind the voice when referring to the youngest of Selenitas's wingleaders. He chuckled wryly. Almost bitterly. "Hope-inspiring, isn't it? Bronzeriders have a notoriously short lifespan here. I'll have something worked out by the time you're out of here, I'm sure."
Yeah. Something. Because they had a wealth of available men to take R'aro's place.
He hesitated again. Well, he knew the girl was going to be much older now, so that was one thing that wouldn't be too shocking...a laughable thought really. "She resembles you greatly," he commented, then. For some sort of starting point, even if Ka'rys had never really been the sort who cared for frills or cushioning as far as conversation was concerned. "Her face." He brushed his fingertips lightly over one side of his, almost subconsciously. "During one of the northern raids, it was cut up. There's scarring. But she's just fine. If she's heard anything...I'm sure she's worried about you. You really shouldn't greet her like that, though."
On the floor, huddled there. Children didn't generally respond well to adults who were quite clearly acting terrified. Although...now he wasn't so sure if it was fear so much as an inability to move from the spot. If Ka'rys needed help, he could ask for it. S'rei didn't want to frighten - such an odd thought when applied to Rys - him again.
That would probably be a good idea. A pause. Mine is not comfortable leaving Yours. He doesn't think it's likely, but if Yours was attacked for a reason that doesn't have to do with fellis in the river, someone might come back to try again. There aren't many who could hope to protect Yours from someone who managed to hurt him like that. It's okay if he stays? It really was only a nicety. S'rei didn't intend on leaving either way, but Salenth still asked.
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Post by glamourie on Dec 1, 2009 17:46:23 GMT -5
… did bronzeriders have a long lifespan anywhere? Thirty-one turns was pretty good in Ka’rys’s opinion. He didn’t say that. He couldn’t remember most of those turns, which was alarming and he wasn’t… stupid. He could see the bruises down his side, feel the scrapes and cracked ribs, and he didn’t think he was doing too well. S’rei looked like he was though. Part of him wondered if he looked anywhere near as old as S’rei did – although, he supposed the other bronzerider must have been significantly older than him. He’d always looked young for his age, though. Ka’rys was bad at judging age because he looked sixteen – or he had at twenty. It was particularly frustrating as a child, though he supposed at thirty-one it would be convenient… he didn’t remember enough to know. His eyes dropped and he tilted his head to the side. One hand – remarkably, unbruised – went down to trace circles on the floor.
“Well… we seem to be doing okay… present state to the contrary. Thirty-one isn’t exactly young…”
There was no infliction in his voice. Which really was telling since Ka’rys tended to clamp down the most when he was uncomfortable. He didn’t know what to…say. He was in his thirties. Thirties. Age didn’t matter to him all that much but the idea of not remembering the past… eight? Turns of his life was frightening. And the longer that he thought about it, the more disoriented he was becoming. At least his corner was safe – safe. He’d have felt better with his knives. Second best was putting himself in a position where he could see everyone before they could see him and no one could come from behind him. Paranoia, thy name was Ka’rys.
Kale. Kalerary. Scarred. Raid? Attack. Ka’rys rubbed his hands together in front of himself (partially because he was cold) and his eyes narrowed. The idea of someone attacking Kale didn’t sit well with him and part of him wanted to throw himself across the cot, grab S’rei by his collar and demand to know who’d harmed one hair on his child’s head. He couldn’t move, perhaps fortunately. It wasn’t S’rei, and from the way the man worded it, he could deduce that it was because of him. The thought didn’t sit well on his conscience, and Ka’rys let some of the anger pass onto his face. Trying to hide it was stupid. S’rei wasn’t an unintelligent man; he had to know that the idea of Kalerary being hurt was enough to induce anger in Ka’rys and not showing it just made it obvious he was hiding something. Which he was: he was hiding the fact that he wanted to stab someone in the face for his daughter being hurt and he hadn’t even seen her. It had to be bad if S’rei was warning him though. He wanted to… stab S’rei in the foot. Yes. Because he really didn’t like S’rei. And it would make him feel better for about thirty seconds, at least until he remembered how badly hurt he was.
He didn’t speak. Not about Kalerary. It was too hard to think about her, so Ka’rys did the next best thing and went back to the topic that was, ironically, more comfortable –
“I don’t think I can be a wingleader for you.” He didn’t trust S’rei, for one, but the more dominant fact was that he simply didn’t want any kind of responsibility. Did S’rei not know who he was – who he really was? His specialty wasn’t commanding others and organizing them , it was breaking people and making them spill their guts to him, whether they liked it or not. Did he really want to release someone like that on his precious southerners, everything else ignored? Ka’rys doubted it. “Or Weyrsecond, or whatever I was – goldrider weyrmate or not. Probably not the best time – I’m sorry about your wingleader – but…” He shrugged slightly.
I’ll call Checkoth’s. Yours doesn’t like SavitriCath’s much and I don’t think he should see her right now anyway, Ciceroth said and his head swiveled toward Salenth. Are you asking my permission or Rysmine’s, Salenth? I am in no position to tell anyone what to do. And I already told you what Rysmine thinks. Some might have taken that response as insulting – it wasn’t. It was amusement. When he got attacked – it was from behind. I don’t think they knew who he was, or he wouldn’t be alive now. I was hunting and he was outside doing his evening run. By the time I got back, they were gone – but they were young. The last thought he had was that it was children. Does that help Yours?
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Dec 3, 2009 22:41:33 GMT -5
S'rei regarded Ka'rys mildly. Thirty-one. It wasn't old either. He still had a good few turns until he was staring forty in the face, after all. Of course, it probably seemed ancient to a man whose last memory was from his early twenties. The older bronzerider made no comment, as Ka'rys's words didn't seem to require a response. If nothing else, the Weyrleader wasn't given to talking just to hear himself talk.
He stood from his position by the door, striding for the cot at a pace that was neither fast nor slow, then settled on the edge of it - still leaving it between him and Ka'rys. This was not before he yanked the furs off of it, however, and tossed them at the other rider. If the man was dead set on being paranoid - and yes, he probably had reason to be - he might as well be warm while he was at it. S'rei didn't need him getting sick. Injured was problematic enough...injured and lacking turns' worth of memory.
"There is a grand total of four adult, full riders who fly bronze right now. Four. Aside from us, one is so incredibly docile I can't see him ever leading. If he does anything it'll be seconding...probably with another second. S'kor has potential, but he's southern and he's never even seconded before. I want to cultivate him before I throw him into the fire. Even if that wasn't true I'd still need another person. You may not remember, but you've been doing this for turns and I know you're more than capable. I also prefer northern wingleaders. Bottom line? Without you leading one of our wings, Selenitas will be weaker...even with you remembering nothing. I'm not willing to weaken this Weyr which, whether you like it or not, is yours now, too. Your children are here. Your weyrmate is here. And you're not going to go back north unless you're suicidal, because I seriously doubt you'd be welcome there.
"The sooner you accept that, the easier things will be for you."
Seemed the polite thing to do. Mine didn't really care how you answered, Salenth responded, his own amusement palpable. Yes, I think it does help somewhat. Children, you say? Likely Ciceroth was correct, then. Not that Salenth or S'rei were tactless enough to point that out. Only children wouldn't know Ka'rys on sight. If they'd known who he was...they likely would have been much more thorough. Probably related to poisoning the river, then. At least...if something else was going on, we'd likely see the results by now.
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Post by glamourie on Dec 4, 2009 12:32:49 GMT -5
Most likely. Checkoth’s is coming. Ciceroth wasn’t a fool. He’d been around long enough to know that he and His were not simply people that were overlooked – not at That Place and also not at Selenitas. Just because His couldn’t remember didn’t mean that he was any less important. Anyone with sense who knew who they were dealing with would have killed His. It was just practical. He was very glad they didn’t know who he was… even if RysHis was most assuredly very broken from the attack. It could always be worse. Ciceroth was something of an optimist – ironic, given how cynical his mindmate was. How many have we lost so far? I have not been able to keep track. His mind was otherwise occupied, probably understandably: his mindmate was badly hurt and he needed to fuss over him. The others were not at all important in comparison. Ciceroth was a very typical dragon in that respect. Ka’rys was the only entity that mattered to him above and beyond all else. He… didn’t quite know how to react to His either. He was being so… difficult…
Ka’rys flinched back as S’rei moved, his own movement instinctive. His eyes went over the other bronzerider but he snatched the furs gratefully, tugging them over to him. Immediately he started winding himself in them, the contrast in temperatures instant and decidedly more pleasant than before. Also more pleasant than S’rei’s words, which drew a rather impressive glare from him… or it would’ve been impressive if he didn’t look like he’d been trampled by runners. The look clearly was disapproving and he cocked his head to the side before twitching. However, it was out of courtesy that Ka’rys didn’t speak and interrupt. He waited, patiently, until S’rei was finished speaking – though the look on his face said volumes about exactly what he thought of the other man’s words. He was insane. Completely, utterly insane. What kind of fool put someone who was an amnesiac in charge of others? Desperation or not?
Both hands came up in front of him as though to weigh and Ka’rys spoke, sarcasm dripping from every word. “Docile, amnesiac, docile, amnesiac – hmmm.” His eyes rolled before he said softly, “I don’t know how you can expect me to be a wingleader. I’ve never even seconded. Maybe I did here but I don’t remember it. I’ve barely even flown on Thread wings – I’m assuming that’s what these are, not fighting?” His head shook and he scoffed. “I usually flew on Fighting wings exclusively, when I did at all, and my… responsibilities are- weren’t relating to the wings. I don’t know what to do. You expect me to lead people I don’t know, in something that I don’t know anything about. Do you realize how ludicrous that sounds? Do you expect me to sprout wings and fly away as well? That makes about as much sense as this expectation. I’m appalled that I even have to tell you this. How can Selenitas have so few bronzeriders? Are the golds here incompetent?”
He wasn’t exactly trying to whine, but… Ka’rys took everything seriously. If he was a Wingleader, that meant those people were his – he had to keep them safe. He didn’t even know their names, let alone was capable of trusting them, and S’rei expected him to just… flop into a leadership role? It was madness. He didn’t want to fly with people he trusted at all, let alone as their wingleader, and how would they be able to trust him? Then there was the little fact of being unable to stand properly, but that would go away. The memory problem might too, he supposed; he’d heard of that. He wasn’t sure though and… honestly… Ka’rys was beyond uncomfortable. Terrified was a good word. Not that he’d ever admit that.
“You’re mad.”
Right after he spoke, the door cracked open and R’wign slipped inside. The healer stopped in the doorway, but didn’t speak, dark green eyes darting inquisitively back and forth. Interrupting something?
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Dec 5, 2009 12:54:32 GMT -5
Anger flashed openly across his face - a testament to just how stressed and exhausted he was already, because S'rei had a good deal of control normally - and S'rei's eyes narrowed. He was not given to being challenged. Probably residual from Benden and the Fort training that was his foundation, but questioning people above him in anything less than a respectful manner was something S'rei simply didn't do. He was careful to treat everyone else as respectfully as he could, as well, and tended to be laidback besides. But he did expect some discipline in return. If Ka'rys hadn't looked like he'd been dragged across the weyr tied to the back of a runner and then bounced off the rocks a few times, he likely would have found himself facing an explosion.
As it was, S'rei didn't speak for a good minute to make sure everything was shoved back down to a manageable level. "Most likely, yes. Mad. Especially to be arguing with an amnesiac cowering in a corner who needs sleep and a healer..." His eyes narrowed slightly. "I miss things. I make mistakes. Plenty of them. But I'm not new to this, Ka'rys. Inconvenient or scary as it might be to you...but we'll discuss that later." He smiled wryly. "Before I give in to the urge to throw you across the room for being a snotty brat and not being the Ka'rys I need right now." S'rei wasn't even going to begin to pretend that he wasn't angry. At Ka'rys specifically? Not really, but he needed the backtalk about as much as he needed a knife to the gut right about now.
The last statement held enough dark humor in it to make it obvious that S'rei knew it was perhaps a silly thing to be irritated about...but that didn't change the fact that he was. He didn't feel like he could rely on that many people. For that matter, his faith in Ka'rys - the other Ka'rys - was really just a matter of relativity. More intelligent and more experienced than the other men who might have been in his place. While he was intelligent, he wasn't really experienced. Just more experienced. Experienced was J'lorin. Experienced was R'anatar. Experienced was pretty much any other wingleader from the two northern weyrs (he didn't deign to recognize High Reaches most of the time). Compared to that Ka'rys simply wasn't.
No, he didn't have many people at all he could rely on, and losing Ka'rys to a broken skull now was not just inconvenient; it was dangerous. He was angry, almost beyond reason, at the attack on his Weyr, and the helplessness. It didn't make it any easier to have a pregnant weyrmate to cater to. Too much all at once, and he wasn't in any mood to deal with lip. Particularly Ka'rys's version. Ka'rys was abrasive on the best of days when it came to disagreements. Apparently he'd be even more abrasive now. Joy. Of course, he could always hope that it was the fear talking, he supposed. Another lovely thought.
S'rei glanced over at R'wign and nodded, before moving back toward his chair. Too many, Salenth replied quietly, to Ciceroth. He didn't do terribly well with numbers. He probably could have listed them all off to answer Ciceroth's question...but His would likely get beyond twitchy. We're going to have trouble filling the wings,
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Post by glamourie on Dec 8, 2009 10:24:53 GMT -5
Ka’rys blankly stared at S’rei. Perhaps he should have reacted. Perhaps he should have given some kind of indication of his feelings in response to the words. Perhaps. He didn’t, though. Mainly because part of him – the dominant part of his mind – was amused by the Weyrleader’s blatant anger. Like his comments were without foundation. He didn’t feel the need to defend himself or argue; doing so would be implying that he cared. He really didn’t and it was less arrogance and more honest-to-goodness dismissal of S’rei. If the Weyrleader’s response was to get angry at him for pointing out fact, that was his problem – not Ka’rys’s. Ka’rys certainly couldn’t have cared less. What it came down to for him was that there were a few different factors to be considered and in his case, one of the most major was that he had no experience. Even idiots had more. He learned fast, yes, he wasn’t going to deny that, and if Ciceroth remembered (he did) he could probably pick things up quickly, but not enough to lead a wing, in his opinion. He was not about to not voice that. S’rei was being very presumptuous about his feelings… and in that moment, it had no real effect except to make Ka’rys just shut off.
Apparently disagreeing with S’rei on things made him a snotty brat. Good. It wasn’t like he liked S’rei anyway.
“I apologize if I’m not what you need.” He carefully kept his voice even, in order to disguise the amusement he felt at S’rei’s expense. He had trouble imagining himself being anything that the other man needed. Maybe that was conceited? He didn’t really like S’rei and he couldn’t wrap his mind around ever getting along with the bronzerider. Most of Ka’rys was too tired to argue adamantly though. Well, that and he saw it as a gigantic waste of his time. S’rei obviously had a firm idea stuck in his head, and Ka’rys didn’t see any value in arguing with him. He just didn’t.
Glancing from S’rei to Ka’rys and back again, R’wign lifted one hand and rubbed his nose. He wisely didn’t comment, instead slipping into the room and around the cot before crouching next to Ka’rys. “You really shouldn’t be on the floor. You’re going to jar your injuries worse, or possibly contract an infection, and you really can’t afford that in your current state. Give me your arms and I’ll help you up?”
Perhaps it was the words; or maybe it was coming closer. Whatever it was, the way that Ka’rys turned toward R’wign was enough to indicate his surprise. His irritation with S’rei melted away to an absolutely baffled look and he tugged away from R’wign to openly stare at him. S’rei he recognized easily, even if he was older – and logic dictated that if S’rei was older, so was everyone else, but – “Rawign?” It was definitely a very quiet word, almost disbelieving. “You… last time I saw you… you were barely nine and half-starved, dehydrated and sick…” He was appalled by the very drastic change. While it was Turns since he saw Rawign, going from a child to a grown man was… was staggering. He felt old in that instant and he skittered backwards, out of reach, half in horror.
R’wign blinked. His eye turned toward S’rei for a moment before he said to Ka’rys pleasantly, “Last time I saw you, you were covered in baby vomit and complaining about how hard it is to get out of brown. You need to get back in bed. Stop scurrying away from me or I’ll ask the Weyrleader for help. And it’s R’wign now. Ciceroth asked Checkoth to tell me you were awake. You have a fractured skull, so if you really want to be stupid...” He seized his opportunity to grab Ka’rys’s shoulders and carefully pull the bronzerider to his feet. Ka’rys was busy openly staring at him and didn’t resist as he guided him back onto the bed, then pushed the furs over him. “You’re lucky to be alive. I find you out of bed again, I’m strapping you down. You should be resting – and I think it’s time for more painkillers, too…” He released Ka’rys and stepped away from the bed before spinning and heading out instantly. He’d check Ka’rys over for jarred injuries after the fellis took effect. He was less likely to get stabbed that way.
As R’wign left, Ka’rys watched him before pointing at the door where the healer went. “What color does he ride…?”
The older weyrlings will graduate soon. Perhaps that will help. We could ask Illumiath to send more, if Yours is not averse. Ciceroth flicked his tail. The color was starting to return to his hide – which wasn’t terribly noticeable aside from having lost a lot of the glimmer in his worry. Ciceroth was a very pale shade to start with; arctic grace. … He shouldn’t provoke Rysmine. I understand that he is upset, and I do not fault him, but he is honestly going to make it worse at this rate. I do not know if he cares, but once Rysmine dismisses someone, he never bothers to respect them again. He waited, a heartbeat, before adding. He’ll be harder to get along with if he doesn’t respect Yours. Before, he did not like him much, but he respected him. Right now… well. I do not know if either of you care. He was trying to help, though. Acting as a translator for Ka’rys tended to yield better results, since Ka’rys didn’t usually speak his mind. Usually.
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