Blurry (Open)

[Rei]

It was cold, wet, and shard it she hurt. What was going on? Raylin curled into a tighter ball and wiggled against the warmth at her back. A soft croon caused her to pull her eyes open and she blinked. A muted green wall seemed to be blocking her vision. Ebolath? Oh mine love you are awake. Yes what… You ran. I followed you. You tripped. It was dark and I couldn’t very well get us safely home in the storm. I landed and covered you as best I could. I am afraid it is still very wet outside. It is still raining and just sunrise. The green weyrling sighed and closed her eyes. The soft tap, tap of water on Ebolath was far from comforting. In fact it made her feel worse. Her green had stayed out in the pouring rain all night for her. Could there be a more selfish person in the world right now? She highly doubted it. “Oh love. I’m so sorry. You should have never. I shouldn’t have.”

Shush Raymine. What is done is done. Nothing can change it now. Are you ok? Raylin blinked and tried to sort out where her pain was coming from. Part was soreness from sleeping on the ground, part was from T’rid, and her arm was caked with dry blood. Lifting it from the slightly muddy ground she winced. “I uh…must have hurt myself when I fell.” Do you need to go to the infirmary? Raylin bit her lip. “I’d rather not. Ebolath…I don‘t want to stay here. I want to go. Let‘s leave. Anywhere. Please? I don‘t want to stay in this weyr anymore.” She fell silent as a low rumble began in Ebolath’s throat. Ebolath?

The green moved suddenly, planting all four feet around hers and flaring her wings. Lowering her head the dragon growled threateningly, her eyes whirling in muted red shades. The object of her threat was the rustling underbrush ahead. The wet weather was confusing the scents and she would take no chances. It could very well be a feline drawn by the scent of blood. We will speak of this later mine. Something approaches.

[Rowana]

Dawn was breaking, though it was hard to tell through the pouring rain. Roivao and Roisk were all ready soaked and Tiida huddled unhappily under Roi's jacket. The wherling handler didn't really mind the rain anymore. It matched his mood of late and meant that he didn't have to pretend to be happy when he wasn't. He was rarely completely happy anymore. Even the brightest of days held a touch of sadness for him, even with Roisk to take away some of the pain.

The pair were on their way back to the Weyr, having just finished checking the traps. They hadn't had any luck. The animals seemed to be avoided the weather as much as most humans. Roi was tired and hungry and he knew Roisk was too. He could feel the wher's eagerness to return before the sun rose higher, even if the clouds would keep the light from his eyes. Suddenly, Roisk stiffened and Roi stopped dead.

What was it? Roisk growled. It was hard to smell in the rain, but the tang of blood was clear even through the muck, mixed with the musky scent of dragon. Someone was there. And they were injured. Roi lowered down to a crouch. There shouldn't be anyone lurking in the jungle at this time of day. It was possible it was a enemy. A spy sent to see how Selenitas was recovering. Roi pulled his hunting knife free from his belt. They would have to go see. If it was an enemy, they would have to raise the alarm and possibly deal with them on their own. Roi nodded and Roisk pushed through the underbrush towards the smell.

Both wher and handler stopped dead. Whatever Roi had been expected, it was not this. There was a girl, bleeding from one arm, and a green dragon, barely distinguishable from the foliage. Was Benden employing children for spying now? Or was this a Fort trick? But it was neither. Roisk relaxed and confirmed this was a Selenitas dragon, though not one he knew by name. Roi blinked. From Selenitas? What could she be doing out here? Had something happened while he was gone. Roi felt a surge of panic. Another attack?!

Realizing he was still holding his knife and probably looked rather intimidating, Roi put it away hurriedly. What should he say? He wasn't that great at talking to people yet. "Um...miss?" he stammered out softly. Tiida solved any further communication, but adding her own words. WetPretty. she spat. The girl was keeping them outside! WhyCome? PlentyWet. The salamandyr's tone displayed her complete disdain for the weather and the girl.

[Rei]

Ebolath snarled as the man and wher entered her space, flaring her wings wide and showing white teeth. She stayed tense as she saw the knife in the man’s hand. A low growl escaped her throat and she lowered herself into a crouch. Raylin’s eyes widened but she didn’t utter a noise, merely watched. Wiggling she managed to get out from under Ebolath, although the dragon moved to block her from the man. The weyrling rider blinked and merely put a hand on Ebolath as she struggled to form her face into a expressionless mask. Whoever he was, he was armed and that made him dangerous.

When the knife was put away Raylin relaxed a bit but Ebolath was far from relaxed. She continued to watch the three some with distrust. The growl remained and the green offered not a word. The green rider stepped slightly forward as the man spoke. “I’m ok. I just tripped. You startled Ebolath.” The green mandyr caused Raylin to flinch. Where all greens of that species annoying and mean? "I'm afraid I don't understand what she means."

[Rowana]

Roivao relaxed a fraction. She had tripped. That still didn't explain why she was out here, but if there had been another attack she probably would have been more upset. He looked up at Ebolath when she spoke. His eyes filled with pain, sorrow and longing all at once. Iloth had always been so protective when he was in trouble. So unlike his normal sweet self. Just like this lovely green protecting her girl. Iloth had loved greens like her. They had chased many together, though they had rarely won.

Roi had to tear his gaze away. He hadn't been this close to a dragon in so long. He had thought he could handle it, but he had been wrong. The memories always came, unbidden to his mind. Maybe he should leave, he wasn't in a fit state of mind to be much help. But Roisk would not leave while he still perceived the young one to be in danger, and as much as it hurt him, Roi agreed. Roi focused on looking just at Raylin. People he could deal with, if he had to, but the dragon he could not.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled apologetically. He glanced down at Tiida and shushed her. Tiida displayed her small frill in annoyance, but crawled further into the coat and away from the rain. PlentyWet she complained from inside. Roi turned back to Raylin, unsure of how to begin. At least Tiida had put some words in her mouth. "She wants to know why you're here," he translated. Frankly so did he. There were a lot of unanswered questions and they weren't getting any dryer.

Roisk stood tall and flared his wings at Ebolath, eyes flashing a warning. Even though he was large for his size, the green dragon was still much bigger, but Roisk would not back down. He would not hesitate to attack her if she tried to harm his bonded. He rarely communicated with dragons, but he was firm in his emotions to Ebolath. They were not enemies. Didn't she know they were trying to help? Hers needed to be warm and safe. Couldn't she see how much it pained His to be near her? And yet they stayed for her sake. The least she could do was be a little more trusting.

[Rei]

Raylin watched the tense standoff with a almost glazed look in her eye. Ebolath stopped snarling, but she stayed tense her wings spread and gaze unwaveringly fixed on the newcomers. Turning towards Roisk she rumbled. It wasn’t a friendly sound but nor was it threatening. I can take care of minelove. If yours is pained to be near me he should not be. Do you think me unqualified to protect my own? You insult me ground walker. Pushing herself forward she shook a wing free of water and draped it over hers to serve as an umbrella of sorts. If you are not enemies you may stay, but she is mine. I will not allow her to be harmed in any way. Ebolath’s voice was calm and unwavering. You cannot possibly ask me to trust you with mine when I know nothing about you or yours. The green lowered her head on a level with Roisk’s. Normally mild mannered, the green was taking no chances anymore. She would not strike. They professed themselves to not be enemies but nor would she just hand hers over to them. They where unknowns after all, and for all their reassurances, neither hers nor the green knew them personally. And so Ebolath wavered towards distrust.

Raylin raised a hand to lay it on Ebolath’s eye ridges the contact keeping her grounded. Things where blurry, hazy, and generally just weird. It was hard to wrap her mind around anything right now. Probably because she was suffering from mild exposure. Cold, wet, and injured, both physically and emotionally. Nothing made sense. Was it supposed to? Roi’s voice caused her to blink. Why was she here? Shivering she leaned against her dragon’s head for support. “I was running from something and I ended up here. That’s all she needs to know.” The weyrling rider was not about to go into any prolonged explanation. Not with him. Not with anyone. Ebolath crooned in reassurance and fixed the wher with a look. Mine might need a healer soon. How far are we away from the temporary infirmary. I was not exactly sure of our location in the dark, and now that it is light, this part of the river is unfamiliar to me. The green spoke to the bronze wher, forgoing speaking directly to the man. He obviously didn’t want to hear her voice if she was somehow hurting him. That fact confused the green a bit. For how could she be hurting him when she hadn’t touched him? Still she kept that thought private.

[Rowana]

Roisk calmed considerably. Ebolath was speaking to him now, and clearly she meant no harm to his bonded. Even if shew was still upset, he was not offended. He had little experience with dragons and he was still young. If he had bothered her, he blamed himself. She had every right to be protective of her own. He rumbled politely to her. He had meant no offense. She was obviously completely capable of protecting Hers without his help. He and His were of the Weyr, as she and hers were.

Running from something? What could that have been? Roi kept his focus on Raylin, ignoring Ebolath as best he could. At least the dragon had calmed down a little. They were both clearly upset, but about what he couldn't fathom. It didn't look like she wanted to talk either and Roi was really the right person to in courage her. He took a deep breath. "I'm Roivao," he offered quietly. Names would at least make life easier. "This is Roisk and Tiida."

Roisk answered Ebolath's question as best he could. The infirmary was not far. He sent an image of the jungle path that would reach the Selenitas and thus Aslath's weyr. It was less than an hour for him to run, faster still for her to fly. He was sorry he could not give her an image of it from the air. Roisk and his would come with them if she wished, but he meant no disrespect to her abilities. If Ebolath meant to fly Hers back, that might be best.

[Rei]

Ebolath rumbled thoughtfully. It is nice of you to apologize. I do not see many whers. I sleep at night when you are awake. I did not know you also lived at the weyr. Mine indeed needs protection. She has not cared about much for months, and today I am afraid her fragile state of caring for anything is completely gone. She would rather hide from things. It is easier for her. She has done it her entire life. I must protect her mostly from herself, although that is getting harder and harder each day. I will not give up because she is mine and I do not want to fail her. Perhaps one day she will understand, but she tones me out now. It is sad. I do not think she will realize what she has lost until it is to late and then I will be all that remains. Rubbing her head against the girl’s frozen form she crooned. Even now she ignores me. I think perhaps it is easier to pretend she does not need to understand. I think you know what I am talking about. There is a empty space in yours. He is a dragonless. The green raised her head and crooned to Roisk. I know you understand better than I do. Yours is broken in a different way but both ours are sick.

Raylin shivered as Roivao spoke but she nodded before replying, her voice low and slightly shaky. “I am Raylin and the green is my Ebolath.” She shifted closer to Ebolath then more for warmth than reassurance although the green made sure she got both. Twisting her head around to look at Roivao she stayed silent, contemplating for a second, before turning back to the man’s wher. Mine indeed needs the infirmary. I doubt she will want to ride me as she hurts. You may accompany us if you are sure yours will not be saddened to much by my presence. I will not speak to him. It would only hurt him more. You and yours may lead and we will follow. Crooning softly she nudged Raylin. Minelove? We should go now.

[Rowana]

Roisk crooned thoughtfully and looked at Raylin with new concern. She was empty and cold, but not from the rain. Ebolath was right. She was sick and broken. Like Roivao, and yet not like him. At least she still had Ebolath. There was no hole there. Not yet. Roisk wished he could speak like a dragon could. He could only relay what he felt. He was grateful for Ebolath's consideration not to speak to his bonded. He did not feel Roi was ready yet. He still felt the pain of Iloth's death too closely. Roisk knew did not know what he and His could do to help, but he would do all he could. At the very least, they would see that Raylin made it back to the Weyr safely.

Roisk nudged Roivao. They needed to go to the infirmary. The girl and her dragon were lost. They would lead. Roi nodded, content to let his wher take the lead. "This way, Raylin," he turned, waving at her to follow. Roisk continued to fill his mind, relaying what he had learned from Ebolath. Roivao frowned. It was hard to interpret what the wher meant, but it did not sound good. How could Raylin be like him? She had her dragon, and she must have friends waiting for her back at the weyr. The thought of someone so young being hurt that deeply pained him. Roisk wanted him to help, but more than that, he didn't want Raylin to live like he had. That hadn't been life.

Roi stopped and looked back at Raylin. Really looked at her this time. His sad, brown eyes meeting hers. She may not want to talk, but she couldn't keep things bottled up forever. It would only get worse. "Roisk says you're hiding yourself. Running away from your problems." His voice was low and solemn. He didn't talk much these days, but he couldn't let this go. Roisk wouldn't let him, and he knew he would regret it if he did. "Care to talk about it?" Maybe she would open up more to him than someone she knew. It wasn't like they were ever likely to see each other much. And Roi wasn't the type to blab secrets.

[Rei]

Ebolath strode forward slowly so hers wouldn’t have a problem keeping up. Crooning encouragement she hesitantly followed the bronze pair keeping a bit of distance between them. Raylin in turn followed slowly keeping a hand on her dragon at all times. As Roivao spoke however she stopped and Ebolath stopped beside her, nervously milling in place as her bonded thought. When the weyrling spoke her voice was cold and guarded. “Your Wher doesn’t know me. I am afraid he is mistaken. I am perfectly fine. You should not worry about me. I should not concern you in the least.”

Ebolath dipped her head to watch the wherhandler and her bonded. Rumbling quietly she touched Roisk’s mind. I am afraid now would not be a correct time to speak to her. She is injured and unhappy. I am afraid she might bolt or outright refuse help if yours keeps hounding her. I know he is only trying to help but many people have tried to help her. Those most close to her, and they all have failed including myself. I am afraid yours will just provoke her temper. Nuzzling hers gently she strode forward. Come minelove we will keep going yes? Soon we will get you dry and warm and you may try and sleep.

Raylin stepped forward as Ebolath spoke and replaced her hand on the dragon’s hide. What was this man’s problem. He didn’t know her. No one really knew her. Except maybe Ebolath. Perhaps it was safer, less painful to keep it that way. Yes. It would be. Ebolath was all she really needed to care for. The young green brushed against her bonded’s mind with a caress and did not comment further on the subject. Hers was not in her right mind and it would be a waste to comment. She just hoped the wherhandler understood this as well, for she had no desire to try and diffuse another confrontation. It was obvious she was bad at such things anyway.

[Rowana]

Roivao frowned, his expression crestfallen. "I'm sorry," he murmured. His tone conveyed he was sorry about far more than his words. He turned away from Raylin and started walking again. One thing was clear. They couldn't stand out in the rain all day. Roisk went ahead of him, clearing the way with his bulk. He sent his sympathy to Ebolath. He was sorry he could not help to fix Hers. He spent much of his time keeping His from becoming sad and lonely. Once Hers was safe and home, perhaps he could try to help more. His was sad for her and he wanted to help.

Roi looked up at the sky as he walked letting the rain fall on his face. What could he say? He couldn't not care about her. It didn't matter that they had never met before. He did care. And he wanted to help. He had spent two turns of his life not caring. Thinking that if he just didn't care about anyone, that he wouldn't get hurt anymore. It didn't work that way. That wasn't life, it was living death. Roisk had taught him that. He could only hope in time Ebolath could help Raylin see it too.

[Rei]

Ebolath crooned low to Roisk. It is ok. You needn’t worry. It is my job to fix mine not yours. She has had a rough night. I am afraid she will not be inclined to speak to anyone until she has slept and eaten. Even then it was doubtful hers would open up but Ebolath refrained form mentioning it. Instead she picked up her paced keeping her wing half unfurled to protect her bonded from the rain. Perhaps he can visit later when mine is feeling up to speaking. I would not mind if he wanted to speak to her but do not feel the need to make him. He is by no means required to do so. Ebolath fell silent then, as the infirmary was coming into view.

Raylin shrugged as Roivao said he was sorry. For what was he sorry for? He didn’t do anything. Nothing at all. Wher handlers where odd. Then again the only one she had met was Meira and even then she didn’t really know the girl. The green rider had just spoken to her occasionally in passing and in trips to the infirmary. As the infirmary came into view Raylin paused and sent a question to Ebolath. The green lowered her head and nuzzled her bonded. We can tell them you tripped. We will find one of the volunteers. They will be more than capable of patching up your scrape. You will not have to see any of the ranking healers. The girl nodded and turned to the bronze pair. “Thank you.”