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Post by Administrator on Nov 4, 2007 12:49:29 GMT -5
Shmee did not want to be here. She did not like healers. Well, it wasn't the healers as people she hated. It was the infirmary itself, with all of its nasty little instruments lined up neatly in their desks, the nauseating smell of soap and chemicals, the eerie quiet... Shmee felt her stomach do a flop as she entered the infirmary. Oh no, this was not what she wanted to be doing right now. Aslath had bullied her into coming to see a healer about her illness, as she had been ill on a regular basis for the past couple of weeks. However, she regretted it the moment she stepped in. Feeling a thin layer of sweat form on her pale brow, she pushed down the wave of nausea that threatened to overwhelm her.
"Kalierre?" she asked hesitantly, coming up to a table and leaning against it for support. Since she was in the infirmary, she would be here on her own conditions. She didn't trust men healers, for she had heard horror stories as a girl about men doing more examinations on women than necessary. She didn't necessarily know Kalierre well, but S'rei liked her enough that made Shmee decide to try her. Hoping the healer wasn't at a weyrling lesson, Shmee sat down anxiously. Her stomach was churning even harder, and Shmee closed her eyes, taking slow deep breaths to hold down her lunch.
It would be embarrassing to vomit in the infirmary itself. Then everyone would know that something was wrong, and that was not the sort of attention Shmee wanted right now. It was hard enough to hide it from S'rei. She had pretended to have gotten over it, but dashing off to throw up at various points of the day was hard to come up with excuses for. He probably suspected that she wasn't yet better, but if he ever brought the topic up, she would change it. She sighed. The infirmary wasn't the only place that made her sick. It was the smell of the dining hall, a nauseating mix of so many different odors that made her stomach rumble in discomfort. Her meals were plain and bland now, unable to stomach anything strong.
Reaching out mentally for Aslath, the growing queen responded lovingly. It is all right,[/color] Aslath responded lovingly. I am sure it is just a bug. We will be fine.[/color] Accepting this comfort, Shmee swallowed against the bile that was rising in her throat. She hoped it wasn't serious. If Benden had poisoned her... She shifted uncomfortably at the idea. She couldn't be poisoned... she would be dead by now, wouldn't she? And the poison couldn't have been in her system for this long without washing out... It had been a couple of weeks since she felt like this, and S'rei had managed to get better from his poisoning within a day.
Reassured by this, she decided it was merely the flu. A long bout of it, but she could deal. All she needed was some tea or something from the healers, then she could be on her way. She smiled slightly at this, but another wave of nausea gripped her. Grimacing, she rested her head in her hands, shaking with the effort to keep this stupid sickness inside her mouth. Yes, some kind of stomach-relaxing tea would do her a lot of good right about now...[/size]
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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 4, 2007 22:06:10 GMT -5
The dragonhealer had her hands full at the moment. Quite literally. One of the weyrbrats had managed to fall from a tree, breaking his leg in the process. The tacit understanding of those who worked the infirmary was that Kalierre was invariably the best healer to send when a child was in pain. "There, now. Be brave." She gritted her teeth as she finished tying off the splint. The worst part, after all, was over. Setting the leg had been a nightmare. Bending over, she gazed directly into the child's wide, teary eyes. "All over. You'll go with Misha now, okay?" At his solemn nod, Misha took the boy in her arms, already armed with what needed to be done once she returned to her quarters with her fosterling.
Kali washed the blood from her hands thoughtfully. Phremath was spending more and more time with Z'hin and Jessereth, mostly because she liked the brownpair, but also due to the constraints on the dragonhealer's time. Much as she wished to spend every waking moment with her beloved, the time with that dragonless had shaken her; there were some things a hatchling shouldn't be exposed to. It hadn't seemed to effect Phremath all that much. Seemed to being the operative phrase. Kalierre caught her dragon's mind taking a dark turn here and there, the green always masking it as soon as hers responded to the thoughts. It made the healer wonder what Phremath was hiding from her - and marvel at how the hatchling was already getting so good at masking her thoughts and emotions from her rider.
Another journeyman broke in on her thoughts. What? The Weyrwoman was in the infirmary...and asking for her? Kalierre simply stared at him for a long time, finally nodding as she dried her hands on her tunic. What could Shmee possibly want? Irrationally, she wondered if the woman had found out just how much history she and S'rei shared. Then she mentally kicked herself. Why would he tell Shmee that? There was no reason for it, especially when nothing had come of the two of them. It most likely had something to do with the sickness he'd told her about. The Weyrwoman probably had no idea how worried her weyrmate of two months was about her. S'rei was quite open about some things, but he had a habit of closing off negative emotions from the outside world.
Kalierre, of course, had her own opinions on just what this sickness was, but she didn't want to think of that just now. Not that she had a choice. The athletic blonde entered into the room, her kindly eyes searching Shmee with a gentleness that missed nothing. None of the bitterness that she'd first felt remained in her gaze, none of the hurt. The Weyrwoman would never know of that; they hadn't had cause to see much of each other at all until, apparently, now. Not that it didn't still lurk somewhere at the healer's core. Oh, it did. Kali simply could set it aside now, and did so.
Walking over to the sitting woman, she knelt before her, gazing into the blues with a directness that belied her apparent softness. "You're still getting nauseous, aren't you?" How long had it been now? Far too long for a virus. A bacterial infection might serve as the cause, or a thinning of the blood, though both seemed unlikely. Poison, too, was a possibility. Again, not likely. Most wouldn't bother with something that slow-acting. Kali suspected something far simpler - and far more common. She was not, however, the sort to get directly to the point, at least not in delicate matters. "You'll be wanting something to calm your stomach, yes?"
The dragonhealer waited for Shmee's answer, just to make sure she wasn't presuming anything.
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Post by Administrator on Nov 4, 2007 22:51:12 GMT -5
Still? What did the woman mean by still? Did S'rei tell her that she had been ill? Looking up a little, Shmee searched the woman's eyes, as if trying to see if the answer lay in them. However, she was met only with a healer's generic kindness. Sighing, she replied, "Yes." Raising her head, she ran a hand through her hair feeling a bit of sweat mingling in her short, tangled hair. She had kept her hair at the short length, feeling it easier to take care of. And S'rei liked it more that way, didn't he? No matter- Shmee certainly liked it more that way. Leaning back into her chair gingerly, she nodded slowly at Kalierre's second question.
"That would be amazing. I haven't been able to stomach much for a while," she told Kalierre with a sigh. However, she carefully avoided the question for a diagnosis. She did not want to risk an examination. All she wanted was something to settle her down so she could get back to normal...
Phremath, please ask yours to figure out what is wrong with Mine. She will not ask,[/color] Aslath told the little green, gently asking so as not to excite her too much. Understanding what her dragon was doing, Shmee paled, standing up slowly.
"Erm, on second thought, can you just send something to my quarters instead? Just make sure S'rei doesn't see it," she told Kalierre nervously. "I don't want him to worry," she added hastily, not wanting to sound as though she were keeping her illness a secret from him without a reason. Shmee honestly had no idea if S'rei knew that she was still sick, but she fervently hoped he didn't. She had gone to such lengths to hide it. She needed to be strong for the Weyr.
Massaging her still-churning stomach idly, she stood up slowly. "Erm, I think I'm just going to go and lie down a bit," she told Kalierre, eager to get out of the infirmary before any message got relayed. "I'll be better in a few days. I'm positive. Just... wanting something to make me more comfortable in the meantime." Giving a nervous laugh, she stopped abruptly, feeling a metallic taste rise in her mouth. Groaning slightly, she covered her mouth with the back of her hand, desperately trying to hold her food down as sweat formed on her forehead. Instinctively hunching over, she whimpered nasally a moment, feeling unable to hold it in, knowing that if she were to open her mouth, everything would spill out. Shard it, she hated infirmary stench...[/size]
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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 5, 2007 1:11:23 GMT -5
Shmee seemed a bit nonplussed that Kalierre was already aware of her condition, though the dragonhealer couldn't fathom why, seeing as how she was S'rei's longest friendship aside from Salenth; Lauranna hadn't been there for too great a period in the middle for the bronzerider to feel as comfortable with her. The Weyrwoman was receptive to Kali's offer. That also told her just what she needed to know. Shmee was indeed here for the same ailment S'rei had mentioned awhile back, meaning it was both long-lasting and he had described the symptoms correctly.
A brow rose into her hairline as the Weyrwoman seemed to grow upset. Now she wanted Kali's remedy delivered to her room? Apparently she didn't know much about the dragonhealer, if she thought she could get a pick-me-up without Kalierre even attempting to find the source of the problem first. The weyrling was not one to simply treat the symptoms. That was the mark of a bad healer. "If he's talked to me, Shmee," the dragonhealer returned gently, "don't you think he's already worried?"
Hurrying over to Shmee's side, the woman bent near her, rubbing the Weyrwoman's back lightly as her unusual patient fought against her nausea. Only after it seemed to pass did Kali slip an arm around the other woman's waist, leading her outside and into the open air where she'd likely feel better. The dragonhealer tried not to think about S'rei's hands, where they'd touched and how, as she paused beneath the trees. "Is that a little better?"
Aslath talked to me, Mine, Phremath trilled in excitement. Kalierre felt a smile tug at her lips despite herself. She did, did she? What did she say? There was a long pause, followed by a flash of embarrassment, such that the healer wasn't at all surprised by her bonded's answer. She told me to ask you to do...something. I can't remember. Phremath sounded so depressed. She'd failed in the first task given her by the golden queen of Selenitas! Will she be mad? Don't worry so, sweetheart. I'm sure she'll understand. Turning her mind to the gold - Kalierre was known for this, after all, and as of yet the dragons had been fairly receptive to the liberties she took - the woman stated, as respectfully as she could, I apologize, but Phremath was so happy you spoke to her, she doesn't remember exactly what you said. I hope you don't mind my examining Yours?
Not that, in the end, Kali really cared whether Aslath wanted her to treat Shmee or not; the dragonhealer had every intention of performing her duty. As the Weyrwoman surely had had enough time to recover by this point, Kali asked quietly, "May I ask you a personal question, Weyrwoman Shmee?" She paused for just a brief moment before continuing. "Have your cycles been coming regularly?" Some part of her wished the girl at her side would say yes. It would leave so many unanswered questions, and likely make Kali's work so much harder, if it was answered that way, but at least she wouldn't have to accept something she'd been avoiding in her mind since Aslath's Rising.
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Post by Administrator on Nov 5, 2007 6:39:36 GMT -5
Shmee didn't fight as Kalierre lead her out. She was too baffled by the healer's words to notice. S'rei was already worried? He wasn't supposed to notice! Wracked with guilt, she didn't reply as she inhaled the fresh, clean air. Already a change was noticeable. Her stomach began to settle a little, and the tropical breeze dried the sweat on her features. Staggering over to a tree, she leaned against it, taking long, deep breaths to try and regain enough comfort to be able to speak. Aslath met her mind lovingly, helping as much as she could to make her rider feel any better at all. "He's worried?" she finally managed to gasp out. "When did he tell you?"
She didn't want him worried! Why did she have to be such a sharding idiot? Shmee felt absolutely horrible. S'rei must be thinking dreadful things about her, for keeping a secret like this from him! Feeling her eyes water with emotion, she wiped at them hastily. Shard-blasted... She knew there were no reason for tears right then. It was so stupid. She would apologize to S'rei later, and then everything would be better. Yes, this was all easily repairable.
Aslath was stumped by her rider. Shmee didn't cry at something trivial like that. She knew that S'rei wouldn't be mad at her... or he shouldn't be. Salenth, S'rei is not mad at Mine, right?[/color] the queen asked, Shmee's feelings worrying the gold. However, the next voice to enter her mind did not belong to Salenth. Tilting her head, she tried to remember who this voice was. Fortunately, it wasn't so hard, as the woman mentioned Phremath's excitement. She snorted in amusement. Little ones amused her. Would hers get that excited whenever they heard her voice? she thought eagerly. I do not mind,[/color] Aslath replied, amusement at the green apparent in her mind-voice. I had actually asked her if you could find out what is wrong with Mine.[/color]
As Shmee started to straighten up from where she leaned against the tree, she looked at Kalierre warily. A personal question? She did not like the sound of that... "What do you mean, regular?" she asked suspiciously. No- her cycles hadn't been coming at all, but one of her friends had told her it was just stress. The woman was a well-seasoned bluerider, one who would know of this sort of thing. If it was stress, Shmee would believe it. She agreed wholeheartedly it was just that. It wasn't as though something else would make her miss a couple times. "It has nothing to do with the flu!" she told the woman irritably. This was just the reason she didn't like male healers: they always pried into her affairs like this for no reason.
She is just trying to help, Aslath warned Shmee, sensing her rider was about to try and book it. The queen's reassurance had only calmed down Shmee a little, who watched Kalierre with a cautious expression, not answering the question directly.[/size]
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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 5, 2007 10:21:10 GMT -5
"He told me about...two weeks ago, now," the greenrider stated simply. In all likelihood he was unaware that Shmee was still sick, lest he might have tried to strongarm Kali into making a housecall on the Weyrwoman. The dragonhealer stared at the woman wiping tears from her eyes. Emotional, too, eh? Shmee tended to be emotional anyway, but this was a bit above and beyond that. A thought flashed through Kalierre's head, drawing a small, amused smile to her lips, but she didn't go through with it. That would have been almost cruel. Either the condition Yours has is a fairly common one, or it's something I haven't heard of. Just encourage her to stay here, if you please.
Salenth circled lazily above the Weyr. At Aslath's question, he dipped a wing, letting himself drift closer to where His was right in the middle of the expansion project; they were quickly running out of room for the flood of refugees coming in. S'rei felt that having the Weyrleader in an active role would show both refugees and any who might be reporting back to the other weyrs just how serious Selenitas was about providing a safe haven for the oppressed. If he is, he's been hiding it from me, Salenth replied. Then, to S'rei, You and Shmee are all right, aren't you?
The bronzerider paused in his work, clearing the sweat from his forehead. He looked up at his bonded curiously. She's been more tired than usual, so we haven't been as familiar. I thought it was just because she was sick awhile back, though. Two thoughts passed through his head. First, that she might think he was upset with her, considering how intimate they'd been at the beginning and how that had slacked off recently. But S'rei was pretty sure she wouldn't blame him for being responsive to her needs; she'd been so tired lately. Second, why was she still tired? He'd been pretty busy with the expansion project on top of everything else, but she did seem to flee from him a lot when he was around. Shardit, the woman was still sick, wasn't she? The illness hasn't passed. No question, there. S'rei was certain. I want you to get Kali to look at her, Salenth. Tell me when she knows something.
Changing course, the bronze slipped lower in the sky, headed for the infirmary. He didn't like leaving S'rei as an obvious target, but then, it was broad daylight, too, and not as if the Weyrleader wasn't surrounded by men and dragons who would spirit him away at the first sign of danger. Everyone was a bit on edge. You should probably tell Shmee that he's figured out she must still be sick, Salenth warned Aslath. Then he spotted the two figures outside the infirmary. Interesting. Kalierre must have already gotten to Shmee - or the Weyrwoman was miserable enough to seek out the dragonhealer at the infirmary.
The greenrider attempted to be patient with the younger woman, though it was difficult enough just thinking what she was, without Shmee giving her a battle. "This isn't the flu, Shmee. It's held on for too long. You'd be dead by now." A little direct, but true, nonetheless. Any more than a few days - a week at most - and the flu would kill due to the loss of fluids and heightened temperatures. "Please. Just bear with me. I know what I'm doing. By regular, I mean, have you missed any cycles? More than one?"
Her eyes flicked up to the form of a bronze dragon, hand going to the bridge of her nose as she felt a headache building. Great. If Salenth was here, that must meant that S'rei knew Shmee was here, also. He'd be asking her later.
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Post by Administrator on Nov 5, 2007 13:33:52 GMT -5
Aslath grumbled. She had no idea what Kalierre meant by either something common or something she didn't know about. Well, if it was common, it wouldn't be bad, she supposed. I will not let her leave,[/color] Aslath told the healer after a moment. Another pause. The common thing you talk about. It is not serious, right? the queen demanded anxiously. If it was a common deadly disease, Aslath didn't know what would happen, and that frightened her. Directing her attention back towards Salenth, she listened to his answer, puzzled. How strange. Mine seems to think he is angry with her. She got upset about it,[/color] she replied with a grunt.
However, she did relay the message back to Shmee. S'rei does know that you are sick. And as far as Salenth can tell, he is not angry.[/color]
Shmee paled. You asked him?! Tell him I'm not sick! Looking over at Kalierre more fiercely now, she shifted uncomfortably. "Only missed a couple," she admitted as if it were nothing. However, to defend herself, she added, "Only because of stress. Nothing major. I'm sure it happens to everyone!" She still didn't understand what that had to do with an upset stomach, but she made a mental note never to come back to the infirmary even if it killed her. They had no right to ask such random, personal questions! Waving her hand in dismissal, she caught the flash of bronze out of the corner of her eyes. Salenth! Whirling around to face him, she desperately appealed to Aslath.
The gold grumbled. Mine doesn't want you near her,[/color] she told him apologetically. She also wants to let S'rei know that she is not sick, but she's lying. Phremath's says that it is either something common or something she does not know about yet.[/color]
Shards, Shmee was going to kill Aslath! "Don't you tell him, Salenth!" she yelled to the bronze, unsure if he heard her or not. The thought that she may have been overreacting did not once cross her mind, too worried that S'rei would either get worried or get mad that she hid this from him. Turning slowly back to Kalierre, she pleaded, "Please, can I just go back? You don't need to send me anything if you don't want to. I shouldn't have come..."
She did not want to face S'rei now... The thought just made her feel queasy. He would shove questions down her throat, and he would be mad at her. She shouldn't keep secrets from him. Still incredibly guilty, mad at Aslath, Salenth, and Kalierre, and still frustration at everything that was happening was wearing her down, and she was tempted to just storm off before anyone could stop her. But then she would be faced with the consequences of that- a confrontation with S'rei concerning that would be even worse than the illness alone.
Mine, you are not going to leave,[/color] Aslath said firmly. Looking about wildly, Shmee's blue eyes searched Kalierre's, silently begging to let her go.[/size]
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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 5, 2007 20:32:24 GMT -5
Kalierre was just a little taken aback at Aslath's question. Oh, she had been rather vague, hadn't she? It's...nothing life-threatening. Give me a little more time. The dragonhealer didn't want to plant anything in Aslath's head before she was more certain. No, it wasn't life-threatening, at least in the vast majority of cases. Life-changing, certainly, and she couldn't exactly claim that the 'illness' was a small thing that didn't need to be worried about, either. Kali. ReiMine wishes to know whatever it is you find. Just. Perfect. I'll tell you what I can, alright?
That had been incredibly short for the dragonhealer. Salenth let it go, however, about to land not far from the two women when Aslath's mind enwrapped his. What? Why? The bronze hovered for a few seconds, unsure, before turning to seek out his egg-laden mate. This didn't make any sense. Why would she want me to lie to Mine? the bronze queried, confused.He's just concerned for her. Salenth twitched at her shout. Shmee, he already knows. What am I not supposed to tell him?
Shmee's response was not unexpected. Nor was it really what Kalierre wanted to hear. Her eyes lingered on the woman for a long moment, even as her mind ran back through all of the symptoms she knew about, attempting to find another explanation. In the end, though, none was forthcoming. How could Shmee be this clueless? Most women would have known after the first month - been sure after the second. Though the Weyrwoman was still pretty young...
In the end, it was hardly Shmee's fault that this had happened. Kalierre drew on her professionalism, a light smile coming to her lips. "I think you might want to know what it is, Weyrwoman." The dragonhealer took the younger woman's hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "This isn't a disease. You're pregnant." There was no gentle way to deliver news such as this. Somehow, Kalierre managed to feel happiness for the mother of what had to be S'rei's child, even as regret welled up inside her. The dragonhealer hugged Shmee gently. She whispered in her ear, "I'll let you tell him."
Then, pulling back, Kali smoothed out her tunic. "Let me get you some tea for your stomach. Stay here, and we'll talk about what you should expect over the next few months." The greenrider turned quickly before the Weyrwoman could stop her, disappearing into the infirmary where she could drop the smile. Kali leaned against the wall for a moment. S'rei...had moved on. She should be happy for him. Should be...Reining in the tears that threatened, the woman stolidly moved off to make that tea, determined to do right by Shmee, if only because she wanted to just slap the girl.
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Post by Administrator on Nov 5, 2007 22:08:36 GMT -5
Aslath crooned, calling up to Salenth from where she lay outside the Hatching Ground. She had taken this up as her new territory since Shmee had started moving into the weyr next to the Sands. She was reassured that Hers didn't have a fatal disease, and now was eager to sun her expanding form. Come with me, Salenth?[/color] she asked sweetly. You can admire the clutch if you would like,[/color] she added, stretching herself out to nominate her egg-heavy stomach for his affections. However, she stopped with a long, draconic sigh. I do not know why she wishes to lie to Yours. She is too panicky to think straight, I suppose,[/color] she told the bronze uncomfortably. She is even getting snappy with me.[/color] This last statement sounded rather depressed, and she placed her massive head between her forelegs, her eyes tinged with an orange worry.
Already knows what? she demanded from Salenth. Getting irritated with her gold's mate, she folded her arms grumpily. S'rei should quit assuming things about her. She was just fine. Just a little bug! So what if it wasn't the flu? It was just something else. He better not bother her about it later, else she would force him out of the weyr. However, her angry thoughts were interrupted immediately by the bombshell Kalierre dropped.
For a long moment, Shmee just stared at the healer, unable to comprehend her statement. The blood drained from her face, and the rest of the blood in her body ran cold. She was too numb to feel Kalierre hug her, struggling to process this concept. Pregnant...?
"You're wrong," she whispered, an image of S'rei's angry face charging into her head with fire. "I'm not pregnant. I... I can't-" she stuttered. She didn't have time to be pregnant! This would be far too inconvenient to happen, and what of S'rei? He would certainly not like the idea of his weyrmate being pregnant. He would hate her... Once again, the overly-emotional tears blurred Shmee's vision. "I can't tell him! I'm not pregnant!" she denied desperately, her low voice rising ever-so-slightly in terror.
You are clutching, too?[/color] Aslath asked excitedly. Mentally prodding Salenth, she began in an excited mind-voice, Salenth, guess what! Mine is-
Before the dragon could finish, she was cut off by Shmee's frightened demand to not tell Salenth. If the bronze found out, S'rei would know only moments later. That couldn't happen! She would be pushed away, she thought as she fell to her knees. They hadn't been weyrmates long enough to be able to handle this. He would think it was her fault, which it was. Why wasn't she more careful!? Her silent tears evolved instantly to a sob at the self-blame. It was her fault. If only she had resisted, things may have been better. S'rei wouldn't want to push her away.
Mine, we clutch together. Be happy for that. He will not push you away,[/color] Aslath said firmly. However, it did nothing to help Shmee, who curled into a ball on the ground and tried to hold back her sobs in vain. Determined, she added, Salenth is the sire of my clutch, and he stays strong with me. There is no reason for S'rei to do otherwise.[/color]
Shard it, did Aslath just not understand?! "It's different with humans," she choked out. "Humans are just... different." Through her tears, Shmee's eyes slowly went to her stomach, looking at it as though it were some sort of growth or ugly mark. There couldn't be anything growing in there...
Salenth, would Yours leave Mine if he found out-[/color] Aslath tried again, her rider's fright making the gold sick with worry. However, once again, Shmee cut her off abruptly. Why couldn't everyone just stop? She wasn't pregnant, couldn't they see? Her stomach wasn't even expanding yet! This was all a lie.[/size]
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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 5, 2007 23:13:58 GMT -5
How he adored his golden mate. Alone of the three that shared space with the bronze, Aslath had never once done anything confusing or ridiculous. And she was heavy with the clutch he'd helped start in her. Actually, though, S'rei had gotten a lot better since that first blowout with Shmee the day Aslath rose, thank Faranth. Phremath's will help her to feel better, Salenth replied, wanting to cheer up his beloved. She sounded so sad. As he landed, the bronze flared his wings just a little more than perhaps was necessary, preening for his Aslath. He nuzzled her belly lightly with his cranium, crooning. I could admire this beautiful clutch you've made all day. And you thought it would be small... he added, amusement lacing his tone.
Her sudden excitement brought Salenth's head up, the bronze regarding his queen happily. She seemed to be in a better mood already. Kali must have found out what was up with Shmee, and apparently it was relatively good news. He didn't understand why she suddenly broke off, however. What is it, Aslath? You can't just break off like that! I'll die from curiosity, the male stated with a rumble, his tail coming to curl around his very pregnant mate's. But now her mood had changed again. Was it the clutch that made these mood swings? Possibly. Though it seemed more likely that it had something to do with Shmee, especially at her next question, which again was left unfinished. He pressed closer to her, careful not to put any pressure on the clutch inside. You're beginning to worry me. What's going on?
***
People were quickly clearing out of the Weyrleader's way. Despite his unusual height, S'rei was not a broad enough man to be particularly forbidding on a normal day, as he almost always had that half-ironic smile tugging at his lips. Not today. There was something very dangerous in the solemn grays. His face was a hard mask, impenetrable, as he stalked through the weyr, not even bothering to grab a boat when he had to cross the many waterways. Murmurs followed him. What possessed the towering redhead?
Something was wrong with Shmee, and it wasn't a passing thing. S'rei had determined to allow Salenth and Kalierre to handle it. At first. But when the bronze still hadn't gotten back to him about what was going on with his weyrmate, he'd discarded his tools and set out for the weyr by the hatching grounds they'd recently moved into. Things could wait until he was sure she was being taken care of. The bronzerider was not going to lose another weyrmate. Even though he knew he was probably overreacting, S'rei couldn't clamp down on the worry. If he could just see and hear what it was for himself, he could get back to the work that still needed to be done.
The Weyrwoman wasn't there. Where, Salenth? The bronze, who was just as worried as his rider by this point, replied, The infirmary. And something's wrong. S'rei's jaw clenched.
***
The dragonhealer had left too early to note Shmee's reaction to her news. When she returned with the tea, however, she caught the look of revulsion the girl directed at her womb, and suddenly a flare of anger leaped up in the healer. What right did this brat have to act that way? While Kalierre had to stand by, acknowledging what she had missed out on with S'rei every time she saw Shmee, the sharding child had the gall to not even realize how fortunate she was. A child was nothing to sneer at, a newborn that represented the hope for Selenitas. Now, even if the bronzerider came to hate her, he would never leave her, damn that man's sense of honor. She'd snared him for life.
"What the hell is going on here?"
Kali's eyes darted toward the sound of the voice. Soft though it was, the deadly anger in the words was enough to cut through Shmee's hysterics and Kalierre's enraged thoughts. S'rei. He was sopping wet, but that only seemed to add to the menace radiating off him as he moved forward. Rarely had the dragonhealer seen him this angry. And, this time, she could tell the brunt of that rage was directed at her. Kalierre took a step back, but the man caught her in an iron grip. "You left her alone, curled up in a ball out here? You'd best have a good reason for this." Her mouth opened to respond, but he shook his head sharply. "Don't bother. Right now...I think I could kill you, Kali."
The dragonhealer breathed a sigh as he released her, moving in two quick strides to the Weyrwoman's side. He gathered her into his arms and held her protectively to his chest, a hand running absently through Shmee's short hair as he glared at Kali. "I don't want you near us again. Understand?" In that moment, she knew he must have seen her expression. A flush of shame crept into the dragonhealer's face. Shame and a touch of indignation. The man couldn't simply storm in upon a scene, having no idea what was going on, and write her off like that. Her anger had been justified! And how was she to know that the Weyrwoman would collapse into a despondent heap upon finding out what should have been joyous news?
S'rei murmured, "Don't worry, Shmee. We'll find someone who will know what to do." He began to walk away. His lips finding her forehead, he added, "You should have told me you were still sick, love. No. I should have realized. I'm sorry." Kalierre was never coming near Shmee again. He'd seen the look in her eyes...
The last voice he'd wanted to hear at the moment called after him. "S'rei! Wait!" Despite himself, he stopped, stiff with the control he had to exert just to keep himself from attacking the dragonhealer. "What do you want, woman?" he finally growled, though he still didn't trust himself to look at her. "Before you stalk off in a huff," Kalierre began, putting as much force behind her words as she could in the hopes that she might get through to him, "perhaps you should ask your weyrmate what it was she was throwing her fit over. And it was a fit. There's nothing whatsoever wrong with her." Now the game was back in Shmee's ballpark. Though the dragonhealer was not going to let the Weyrwoman ruin the friendship - turns old - she had with that rash bronzerider. Shmee had best tell the truth.
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Post by Administrator on Nov 6, 2007 6:49:32 GMT -5
Aslath crooned affectionately as Salenth nuzzled her, and she found herself sliding against him as hard as she dared. It is because you sire them that they are big,[/color] Aslath responded, perking up slightly. I think fifty eggs is a good number. What say you?[/color] Sure, this was a bit of exaggeration, but Aslath liked her. Her clutch would be large enough so that fifty wouldnt come as a surprise! However, she grunted. It isn't sick. Mine should be fine. She is just scared, I think, about telling S'rei,[/color] she managed to tell him before Shmee could figure out what she was talking about.
Don't tell him any more! Please! Shmee's frantic plea echoed through their bond. Aslath did not reply, sliding her golden head under Salenth's. He was so warm, and she liked it.
Shmee does not want me to say. She keeps stopping me from telling you,[/color] Aslath told the bronze sadly. It was a shame. It was such great news, too. Really, they would be clutching together! It would be so nice. All she wanted to do was tell her mate of that. Was that so bad?
--
Shmee found everything became silent. Her sobs, her breathing, even the rippling water seemed to tremble with its quiet fear. The woman paled, seeing S'rei suddenly appear. Involuntarily, she felt herself trembling slightly. He was angry already- there was no way she would be able to tell him about this... condition. If he could take anger out on Kalierre, who had done nothing wrong, he would probably be disgusted with her forever. She could almost see him in her mind's eye, packing his things immediately and going off to live Weyrless. Or something.
Why was he yelling at Kalierre? His anger toward her was scaring her. If this anger was directed at her, she would quail in fear under his angry eye. It was horrible he was concentrating every drop of rage he had at Kalierre. She hadn't done anything wrong. Shmee had sought her out. It wasn't as though Kalierre had come along and forced her into pregnancy. No, this was all Shmee.
"It's not her fault," she protested feebly. "She didn't do anything..." No, she thought bitterly. It wasn't Kalierre. This anger should be directed at her. She deserved it. Instead, S'rei came to her, gently lifting her into his arms, and she felt he was wet. What had he been doing, again?
She didn't deserve this kind of devotion towards her. She knew Kalierre and S'rei were friends, and it was because of her that S'rei was angry with the healer. It made her all the more guilty, knowing she should be the subject of S'rei's rage, yet instead, he was treating her with such tenderness and love that the guilty feeling inside her bubbled up uncomfortably.
There was only a feeling of shame and guilt toward Kalierre- until she halted S'rei that one last time. The healer was going to make her tell now!? She turned chalk-white, and her shaking only intensified. He was going to hate her forever, now. She deserved it, yes, but she was frightened. She didn't know what would become of her if she left, with a clutch and now, she thought bitterly, a babe. Another sob wracked her thin body.
"I didn't mean to!" she choked out. "I'm so sorry, it's all my fault!" Tears dropped from the corners of her eyes, and she looked down in shame. There was no turning back now. Preparing herself to be dropped when he heard the news, she braced herself, and sought the loving connection between her and Aslath.
"Pregnant," she said in a horrified whisper, closing her eyes tightly to avoid having to look at S'rei's face.[/size]
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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 6, 2007 10:45:05 GMT -5
Salenth drew back for a moment to eye Aslath's egg-laden belly. He'd seen enough clutchings to have a fair idea of what she carried, but the bronze found her excitement too endearing to make mention of it. Certainly more than the largest of Fath's clutches. And healthy, too. It shouldn't be surprising that the last point would be the one of the most concern to a Benden bronze. If they thought the last clutch at Selenitas was strange...
He had no protests about her desire for closeness. S'rei's business had taken him from the weyr and from his beauty more than he would have liked, and she wasn't always in a cuddling mood anymore. Understandable. The bronze would take what he could get. Confusion gripped him for a moment. Why would she be afraid to tell him that she's not sick? That's good news! I don't understand yours. It wasn't the first time he'd uttered that phrase. Well, ReiMine would want to know that. Aslath says she's not sick, Mine. Not sick?
***
"You don't leave a patient outside the infirmary, alone and hurting, sweetheart. And you certainly don't do that to the Weyrwoman." S'rei didn't mention the look of angry frustration he'd seen written clearly in Kalierre's face, nor the fact that they might have been more than friends once, were circumstances different. Their conversation hadn't gone as well as he'd hoped; the dragonhealer had stoically refused to acknowledge that there was anything wrong. He'd known her too long to believe the lie, though he hadn't called her on it. Why he'd believed that Kali was strong enough to put the ill feelings aside when it came to Shmee, though, he didn't know.
What was this about her not being sick? Obviously she was. At Kali's words, he felt the trembling of his weyrmate increase, the man looking down into her face with a mild frown. This wasn't making much sense. What could she possibly mean it was her fault? What was her fault?
Pregnant. The word hit him hard. Pregnant? Oh, he'd known that might be an eventuality, but somehow it just hadn't crossed his mind, and he certainly wouldn't have expected it so soon. A child. Something inside him broke, and he smiled, the expression just a bit loopy, though he didn't care. Shmee's voice played in his head again. The smile faded. She made it sound like this was horrible news...Was there something wrong with her being pregnant? Could it be that some condition of hers made it unwise for her to bear children? Or was it that she just didn't want to bear his child?
S'rei regarded the younger woman searchingly, even as his arms tightened around the one he loved and now the product of their love - a son or daughter to play with his nephew, to have all his own. He could almost hear Sage's voice in his head at that thought. You always were a hopeless romantic, Rei. Finally, he said, "I must be missing something." The man brushed the hair from her face. "You're not sick, and we're pregnant. What's the bad news?" There was just a touch of humor to his last sentence, though a new fear had come. Maybe...he wasn't the father. That would certainly explain why she was acting this way.
Kalierre stepped forward, then, placing the tea - which had, miraculously, remained mostly unspilled - into the Weyrwoman's small hands with a certain finality. "It's for the morningsickness," she told the couple. Her eyes moved up to meet S'rei's, his hand having closed briefly on her wrist, and she read in that gaze the apology to which she merely nodded. They could talk of this later. Though, truly, she considered it already done. What more could be said?
"I'll show her how to make it, if you like." It was S'rei's turn to nod. Then it was settled; the bronzerider was no longer angry at Kali. She considered saying more, but there was a quietness about the pair that made her feel they needed time to themselves, and so Kalierre turned and disappeared into the infirmary. She'd come by later. When S'rei wasn't there. Just seeing them together made the dragonhealer's stomach churn.
The Weyrleader regarded Shmee soberly, still waiting for the bombshell he half-expected, though he sincerely wished it was not forthcoming. In his mind, her being pregnant did not justify the reaction he was witnessing in the woman in his arms.
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Post by Administrator on Nov 6, 2007 21:28:28 GMT -5
Aslath crooned happily, feeling almost unable to express her affection for Salenth with her nuzzles and closeness. Plentiful and healthy,[/color] she agreed. Twining her tail tightly with his, she added lovingly, Be with me as I clutch?[/color] Seemingly obsessed with Salenth's involvement with their hatchlings, she could hardly contain herself.
Hearing her rider's confession, she added mischievously, However, I only will let you if Yours stays with Mine as -she- clutches![/color] Happy to have that short-lived secret out in the open, she nuzzled Salenth with a glow to her features that made her look like the happiest creature on Pern. She had a mate and was clutching, Hers had the same luck, and even the scars she had received from Morsrath were fading. All was ending well!
However, she sensed Shmee's worry. She is frightened that S'rei will be angry with her because she clutches. She doesn't want him to leave her,[/color] she told Salenth with mild discomfort. He will not do such a thing, right? He does not mind a little hatchling?[/color]
If this had happened in Aslath's place, if Salenth had left her the instant the Flight was over and his seed was planted, Aslath, personally, would make sure he was destroyed. If S'rei did that to Hers, she would have to find a way to give him that favor. But he wouldn't, would he? After all, he had said he loved Shmee...
Not wanting to think of this any more, Aslath changed topics. So![/color] she announced with forced cheer. I am estimating at least seven bronzes from our clutch. I couldn't imagine we would make anything less![/color]
--
Shmee looked up, startled through her tears. Was he smiling? Well, not anymore. But before... Why? Sniffing, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "You... You're not mad?" she asked in disbelief. She had been so positive he would throw her aside that she hadn't even considered the possibility that he would not mind this. Not only that, but from the way he said ...and we're pregnant made her imagine that he was actually welcoming the opportunity. Weak with relief, she clung to him, resting her head weakly against his chest. He wasn't mad at her! He didn't mind that she was pregnant! "I... I was worried you wouldn't like it," she admitted in a small voice. "I didn't think you'd like the idea that I... did something so major when we've only been weyrmates for two months." The word 'pregnant' couldn't make it out of her mouth. It was as if saying it was acknowledging it was real.
But why couldn't it be? Kalierre has made the diagnosis quick enough as if it were natural. Taking the tea from the woman's hands, she nodded in thanks. She would definitely need to know how to make this stuff if her nausea was a normal thing. Her stomach still felt mildly queasy, but being in the fresh air had done it good. Shmee took a sip, resisting a flinch at the bitter taste. She wasn't much of a tea drinker, but if it calmed her stomach, it would be worth it. Snuggling into S'rei's arms, she dared herself to think of what would come out of this.
The timing was inconvenient, that much was true. But, like most people did, she could foster the babe out once it was weaned. She would stay in its life, naturally, but it would be better for it not to have two parents that would be too busy to care for it all the time. But... what if S'rei wanted to keep it with them? If so, she would happily oblige. She would like having another little S'rei toddling around. Absently, she put one hand to her stomach, no longer in repulsion, but in curiosity. Would she get big right away? Would people think of her any differently if they knew? Worried that people would view her as too immature for a babe, she looked up at S'rei anxiously. "What's everyone going to think?" she asked him, taking another sip of the bitter tea.
Plagued by more questions, she started asking them quicker, each question bringing a hundred more. "What are we going to do? What's going to happen? Should I keep carrying it? Should we keep it? Shardit, S'rei, I don't know anything about babes!" Feeling as though the questions would never end, Aslath soothed her bonded, amazed how one human could get so worried about clutching. Wasn't it supposed to be a beautiful occasion?
Shmee, restrained by Aslath, ceased in her questions, but one last thing bothered her. Softly, she asked, "You won't leave me, will you?"[/size]
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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 7, 2007 10:09:28 GMT -5
Salenth stretched, almost cat-like, under the revitalizing touch of the sun and Aslath's devotion. He was not unaffectionate. It just wasn't a natural thing for him, all the nuzzling, and while he'd quickly come to like their time together and the closeness they shared, the bronze sometimes felt guilty that he couldn't seem to return the gold's adoration with the naturalness that she lavished it upon him. You thought you'd leave my sight? he teased gently. They hadn't been able to keep him away at Benden, despite their best efforts, and then he'd only been interested in the clutch. No, Aslath's mate would certainly be on the hatching grounds when she clutched.
Shmee was clutching, too? Salenth, who was older than Aslath, found that as more of a concern than the gold - and, apparently, his rider. Humans were not like dragons. Salenth and Aslath seemed to have a closer bond than most, but the fact of the matter was that the vast majority of dragons realized that the same male was unlikely to catch the same female every time she rose. It was a matter of instinct, this clutching. People didn't usually like clutching with more than one mate. It caused problems. And His and Aslath's hadn't been together very long at all. S'rei was strictly monogamous - had always been - such that he expected this to last until one or the other of them died, no matter who happened to be Weyrleader. It was, actually, a bit naive to believe that. Salenth shifted uncomfortably, but let himself settle into Aslath's excitement. He didn't want to add to any ill mood that she might be getting from Shmee.
He will not leave her, beloved, Salenth replied with certainty. It would take an awful lot to get S'rei to leave her - a whole lot more than the prospect of a hatchling. Then he chuckled. Seven? That would be quite a clutch.
***
The Weyrleader was still a bit confused. Mad? Why would he be mad? Oh, he'd certainly be angry if she didn't tell him about being pregnant and he found out after she did something rash to abort the child, but she'd just learned of it herself apparently. His smile was rather wry. "As you obviously didn't mean for it to happen, love, I would hardly say it like that." Maybe he was being silly, but it stung a little that she wasn't as happy as he was. Perhaps this was too early. Still, it had happened, and he wasn't going to hear of her doing anything but going through with the pregnancy, even if that increased the weight on his own shoulders tenfold. It was probably his childhood talking, there; his mother had taken all four of her pregnancies to term, and had been one of the few who didn't foster out her bairns.
Marvelling a bit at how light this woman was, especially considering she had another life in her, S'rei closed his eyes as she nestled deeper against his chest. The minx. He couldn't even be mildly annoyed at her when she turned that childlike trust his way. Ironic, really, that subconsciously she could be so trusting, while consciously she questioned everything, as if he were going to simply walk away and never look back. She'd demanded it of him, once, and had he done it then? It just didn't make sense to him that she still feared that.
Then the floodgates opened. One question after another, until he couldn't keep all of them straight, yet alone begin to answer them all. "Hey, hey..." he tried to interrupt. But she just continued. Then, almost in a sigh, she dropped the last one on him. And he laughed. Shardit, he probably shouldn't have reacted that way, but it just amused him. How could Shmee be so self-assured one moment, and then like this the next? As the mirth died down, he shook his head. "Hun, it's a wonder you haven't made yourself sick, worrying so much. I don't plan on leaving you. Ever. Someone half sane will have to raise all those children you'll make for me," he added with a wink.
Then, quieter, "Let them think whatever they want, love. It's true that it happened fast. But that's okay, at least for me. Laurie can help with the pregnancy. Or that greenrider Lura. I'm sure you'll find most people will just be happy for us."
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Post by Administrator on Nov 7, 2007 22:34:49 GMT -5
Aslath crooned. I do not want to be out of your sight,[/color] she replied lovingly, appreciative of how protective Salenth seemed. He had emphasized that it was she he didn't want out of his sight, so she was reassured that he wasn't interested in just the eggs she carried. Shmee says she loves S'rei. Can dragons love, too?[/color] she asked tenderly. She didn't know how deep the word 'love' was, but if Shmee's feelings for S'rei were like this-- which they were-- then they must apply to this situation.
She closed her golden lids half-way, relieved that Hers was calm once again. Shmee actually could be starting to become interested at the idea of clutching herself. Perhaps all she needed was S'rei's reassurance. Humans. Why did they need to get so worked up over glorious things like this? Salenth's calm words were a comfort, and she allowed herself to bathe in the gentle reassurance that S'rei wouldn't leave Shmee.
There could still be more bronzes,[/color] Aslath replied sleepily, adjusting her position so that her stomach was in a more comfortable spot. This was one of the annoying things about getting big: it was near impossible to lie down comfortably. All will be strong and healthy. They are of your stock, of course,[/color] she added knowingly, a hint of smugness in her tone. All dragons born of their Flight would be the best creatures on the face of Pern.
--
He was laughing? Shmee didn't know whether to be annoyed, relieved, or angry. A look of sheer confusion and mild worry spread across her features starting from the eyebrow, where a crease folded them neatly in two. It wasn't supposed to be a funny question, yet here he was, laughing. "What...?" she started to ask, but shut her mouth as he finally began to speak. Though S'rei's words didn't exactly explain what he found funny, she was reassured. Her breathing slowed, and she closed her eyes. Stupid man, yet she loved him. Slipping her arms around him, she clung to him weakly, relieved. He wasn't going to leave her.
At his next words, she finally found a smile curving at her lips. All those children? He... He wouldn't mind them at all? "Of course," she replied in a murmur. Maybe this pregnant thing wasn't too terrible after all. S'rei liked it. Maybe... "Can we sit down right now?" she asked softly. She had every intention to stay in his arms, of course, but she figured he would get tired if he held her for too long. Or they could lie down on the beach or something... Whatever would happen, she just didn't want to move too much.
This babe would be an actual person, she thought in amazement. One that would be able to talk, and maybe even ride its own dragon. And she and S'rei had made it together... She blinked at his next words. Lauranna? She remembered her as S'rei's sister. The one she thought made S'rei want to leave her those months ago. But it was all right now, she knew with satisfaction. "Lauranna can help?" she asked in a murmur. She couldn't say she knew the woman well, even if she was her weyrmate's sister, but she knew Lura was too venomous to approach. And with Lauranna being S'rei's sister, they could strengthen their kinly ties that way.
Downing the rest of her tea as quickly as she could, Shmee was surprised to find her stomach already beginning to settle. Morning sickness... Her head still had difficulty wrapping around the thought. "Will people take me seriously?" she asked, slightly worried again. "I can easily think of some people who would want me to get rid of it... So many people don't think I'm old enough to handle it, still," she told him nervously. "What if they yell at me?" Such trivial matters to someone like a Weyrwoman, but Shmee was genuinely concerned. Perhaps it was the feelings of pregnancy distorting her thoughts, but whatever the cause, Shmee had a feeling that if anyone were to scold her for being pregnant, she would probably burst into tears and lock herself in the weyr until the babe was out.
Her hand slowly creeped down to her stomach, seeking out the area where her womb should be. Right now, she thought curiously, it was teeming with life. She had something growing in there. Sliding one of S'rei's fingers as close to it as it would go, she found herself smiling weakly despite herself. "Yours," she told him in a soft voice, allowing herself for the first time to be happy about this unexpected turn of events.[/size]
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