Just a scratch [Dec Chores/ Avu]

[Avu]

Hard to describe the sinking feeling in her stomach. One more canine, or many…? Trilaranth might be able to take care of one or two, but more than that was doubtful, if all of them were the size as the first. Nevertheless, Meira managed to keep from panic, stumbling slightly over the uneven ground underfoot as she turned back in the direction of the Feeding Pens, reaching for Jingth’s mind nervously. Don’t worry, love, it’s just – it’s okay. Should be okay. She hoped it would be okay. Canines weren’t stupid, after all, surely they knew dragons were predators, were dangerous, even one as young and as small as Trilaranth? Had they already taken down the injured herdbeast…? It seemed likely; didn’t make sense to come after them if they had an injured creature that would be so much easier to kill.

MyLove. There is no reason to be afraid. The gold’s smooth, comforting words washed over her mind, before she turned on a wingtip above the forest, her shadow falling irregularly, erratically, along the ground below where the leaves let it through. It’s not far. Closer than any clearing. she responded to Trilaranth, privately, because she didn’t want Hers to know she was fretting terribly – even her ‘voice’ didn’t show it as she circled overhead. Her eyes whirled, anxious; perhaps she could try to scare them off – but the sudden jolt of – what? A mix of surprise and adrenaline and fear? – disoriented her. No pain though. No physical pain.

The sight of the canine mid-leap was a terrifying one. Meira instinctively recoiled, felt Jingth’s mind press against hers, urgent; her breath caught in shock as R’ven interjected, almost stumbling. One palm scraped against the bark of a tree, fortunately smooth enough that it didn’t bite into her palm, and the goldrider inhaled, trying to slow her heart from beating at the rate it was currently going: Far too fast. They were hurt. Were they? Trilaranth was – if only a little – R’ven – “Are you okay? Is Tril?” The words were soft. The shortening of the brown dragon’s name was unintentional; it was just shorter and easier to say. She was barely managing to keep herself from running, as instinct demanded – run so the hurt couldn’t catch up – but breaking into a run would almost certainly be a death sentence.

My /pet/ was /hurt/? The irritation that colored Jingth’s voice was the only emotion in the queen’s voice as she swooped lower. The words were private as she rumbled, furious. Skimming against the topmost trees, the gold rumbled again, louder. She would have actively screeched had Meira asked her not to – such a sound would undoubtedly be loud enough to carry and attract even more attention. Positive, it could be, but it could also be negative. Also on the negative side: She’d probably deafen Hers and Trilaranth’s. You’re not far, MyLove, Jingth added, encouraging. So frustrating, seeing the flashes of fur that marked canines out – too nervous to actively attack, waiting – and not be able to get at them. There are not many, she added to Trilaranth, I do not think they will attack…

She swooped lower, above a canine, and wormed her head downwards, daringly, to snap at him, claws latching onto a branch to push herself back into the air. It snapped, dropped, landing next to the canine, who yelped audibly in surprise. Yours may be interested in using a branch as a weapon? Her wings flared, Jingth corkscrewing upwards again.

[rii]

"We'll worry about it later."

Seizing Meira's hand in his calloused one, R'ven quickened their pace toward the tree line. The trek was quick, but not spurring enough to be counted as a run. Fleeing so blatantly might make the canines become more brave in their attacks. His leg hurt, as was to be expected, but the adrenaline kept him from being consciously aware of any damage. He could walk fine enough so it was safe to assume no true harm had been done.

The crash of branch and yelp had Trilaranth snarling. The sound of the pursuers were starting to dim; either from Jingth's hovering presence or the fact they could see the treeline that would bring them back out onto Weyr grounds. Wild animals did well to keep away from where the dragons could easily pick them off.

I don't think that will be necessary. They seem to be dropping back, can you see anything? The brown followed the two humans out into the open, casting a long look behind him to ensure that nothing was going to follow them out. Faranth, he was tired and hungry. His muzzled whipped around, completely unconcerned about the whole dilemma, and sniffed the air hopefully for the remains of Jingth's kill.

"Meira. I am.. so sorry," R'ven spoke while continuing to lead her away from the trees. At least he had pulled back on his long strides so he wasn't forcing her to keep up. After a good distance he released her hand, eyes pivoting up to the sky and expecting Jingth to land at any moment to wisk the weyrling away. He came to a stop, turning to face the girl. "Are you alright? I didn't mean to put you in danger – that stupid beast – I just – well, it's all pointless to think now. They must have been prowling near to be there that quick – do you think we should report that to someone? I've been out for walks by myself plenty of times and never ran into a thing."

Quieting, R'ven rubbed a hand uneasily through his short hair. Babbling, he normally didn't do that. He exhaled it all in one deep go and reversed back to repeat the only thing that had mattered out of his entire prattle. "Are you alright?"

[Avu]

She couldn’t walk that fast. That moment, however, would probably not be an appropriate time to point such a shortcoming out, and Meira concentrated on not stumbling, her pace something between a jog and speed-walking. Part of her was very grateful that R’ven had her by the hand. Jingth’s mind was pressed against hers, comforting, reassuring, but the physical touch kept her from actually tripping, too. She was in too much of a hurry to watch where she was putting her feet, after all, and despite herself, Meira kept glancing backwards anxiously, half-expecting the canines to be on them at every moment. No, it probably wasn’t a good idea to look behind one when one was in the middle of a jungle (albeit a jungle rapidly thinning as they approached the Feeding Pens), but it was instinct.

And – they were out. The sight of the milling beasts had never been such a relief, and Meira slowed down as he released her hand, leaning against the side of the fence. Her head bowed slightly before she looked up at R’ven again, startled by his apology. His apology – why was he apologizing? “It’s not – you don’t need to apologize,” she replied softly, shaking her head to emphasize the words. “I’m fine – I’m okay, um. Report…I don’t know…” On one hand, the knowledge that there were felines and canines, wild both, in the jungles was common, but canines being that close to the Weyr…was dangerous. “I guess. Are you hurt? Trilaranth – ?”

They’ve turned back. They’re leaving. After the herdbeast, I expect. MeiraMyLove said you were hurt? Jingth’s words were calmer now, without the urgent edge that marked out her anxiety; the gold turned in a tight circle and sweeping in to land between the forest and the two humans and dragon; her wings fluttered silently before she coiled around to peer anxiously at her brownpet and Theirs. Do you or Yours need to be taken to the Infirmary? Hers wasn’t hurt; she knew that and it relieved her beyond words, but the idea of her pet being hurt was irritating, too.

Yes, her positioning was deliberate – to hide the length of fence she’d improvised on. If they saw it, they might remember it needed fixing and do something silly. Like stay and fix it. Ridiculous, humans were. Best she didn’t even give them that option; then she would fuss over MeiraHers and fussing was so undignified. She’d much rather fuss later, in private.

[rii]

R'ven chuckled, unable to keep it fully contained, at least it was a warm amusement. He had waved off her apologies, a couple or more times, and now she was doing the same to him. None of that mattered though and R'ven was more relieved that they were out of harm (more for Meira than himself). Tucking his chin, the smith extended his leg slightly to glance at the open gash. It didn't look pretty, by any means, but the blood could have been misleading. He shrugged his shoulders, silently suggesting that it was nothing to worry over. "I'll let someone know, about the canines. A lot of people walk the paths out there. As for Tril –"

Just a scratch. The brown informed both his and Jingth. He licked at the shallow scratch running down the side of his shoulder. A feeble blow from the canine before he had been able to tear out it's throat. Young he may have been, but a predator all the same – killing was not something he needed to be taught. Mine does not want to go to the infirmary. Apparently the healers there are too fussy and he doesn't like to be lectured.

Hm, R'ven didn't know how he was going to explain Trilaranth's scratches to the weyrlingmaster. Hopefully she wouldn't notice, or didn't care to ask. No doubt he'd get an earful. Then there was the matter of the fence. R'ven lifted his gaze from Trilaranth to .. look at Jingth instead. A knowing smile crossed his face as he sought out her whirling eyes.

"How about some klah?" R'ven offered softly, tipping his head back down to Meira. Away, inside where no harm could be found. The smith turned slightly to face the weyr, eyes never leaving the senior weyrling. "Maybe something to eat while laughing over this?"

[Avu]

If he was laughing, then it mustn’t be too terrible. Meira relaxed, bowing her head slightly, anxious. Part of her – the part that had already calmed down – wanted to make sure he was okay, but the other part was still getting over the shock. She exhaled, a weak half-smile crossing her face, more as a response to R’ven’s chuckle than because she actually found anything remotely funny in the situation. His looking at the wound made her tense visibly, nervous as to the verdict; Jingth’s mind brushed over hers, reassuring, confident. It wasn’t as reassuring as the gold intended, though. Meira knew very well that Jingth thought she could fix anything and she couldn’t. His words on the canines drew a slight nod from her before she looked towards Jingth as the gold reported Trilaranth’s words to her.

She couldn’t help blinking before she offered, “I could – I’m a Healer, and I don’t lecture or anything, but I don’t carry anything around on me, so…” A falter, and she shrugged, Jingth adding pleasantly to Trilaranth as she stretched, catlike, MyLove wouldn’t mind helping you and Yours at all. It’s safer to make sure the wounds don’t get infected and if they’re not severe it shouldn’t take long at all. A faint rumble; her eyelids blinked, one at a time. It may turn Yours red, though, she commented, the amusement in her tone undeniable. The best disinfectant dyes red. Yes, Jingth cared about what Hers did in the Infirmary and she did pay attention – for the most part.

His offer to get klah drew a faint hesitation and Meira turned her head to look at Jingth, asking out loud of the gold for R’ven’s benefit, “You won’t be bored if I do go in…?”

I am not done eating, the gold replied, the approval in her tone clear. I’m sure you’re hungry too. Besides, even if Trilaranth leaves I can always go find one of my slaves to keep me company. Her wings fluttered slightly before the gold turned to look towards the herd and she inquired of Trilaranth, Will you be going in with Ours? Her wings flared slightly, head tilting as she turned back to the brownweyrling. She wouldn’t mind if he did go; she understood – he was still too young and walking without company was so tedious, as she’d learned from the times before she could fly, but she’d rather he did stay. Having a pet was nice. Having that pet with you was even nicer.

Meira’s gaze lingered for a moment on Jingth, torn between amusement and dismay at her decision that Trilaranth was a pet, before she looked back to R’ven and nodded. Sooner they went inside, the better. The knowledge that there were canines out there – so close, really – was somewhat unnerving, even with Jingth so close now. “Okay…” a brief flick of a glance towards the sun to judge the time to make sure, more of a habit than out of necessity, given that she’d been expecting chores to take much longer (and be more boring, but still).


[[We can end this thread here if you want, since December chores are over?]]