Saeo Please? (Tags Saeo)

[Rei]

Raylin paced the length of her weyr, Ebolath lounging on the couch tail flicking back and forth to her bonded’s pacing. Left, right, left ,right. Finally the sound of beating wings could be heard and Ebolath crooned happily as her clutch brother landed. Cherilith! Hello clutch brother mine! The green heaved herself off her couch and bounced out to the ledge to nuzzle Cherilith. Mine is much, much better today! How is yours?

Raylin followed after her bouncy mindmate. She had lost weight due to her illness but she was sure once she was up and about it wouldn’t matter much anymore. The wyerling’s sickness had been a mild respiratory infection and it had cleared up rather quickly. Today she got her stitches out. The blue weyrling had come for that, but Raylin intended to speak to her about other matters as well.

“Morning Saeo. How’s the infirmary work going. You look tired do you want to sit for awhile?” Raylin kept her voice as pleasant as possible but Ebolath wasn’t fooled. Mine is nervous to see yours. She still blames herself for the barracks. Mine is silly. T’rid disagrees with her but she is stubborn. She refuses to listen to reason.

Shooting a warning glare at her dragon Raylin showed Saeo inside. “You really should start getting some rest you look horrible. Don’t they have enough volunteers?” Running her hands through her slightly tangled hair Raylin pulled a chair over and motioned for Saeo to sit. “How are Baby and Freckle?” The slight wince that accompanied the question would more than likely go unnoticed. Freckle’s name always brought up memories of Vega.

Her little blue and the green mandyr had carried on a hate/hate relationship. When they were living as roommates in the barracks, the fights had been numerous and loud. Especially after Baby entered the picture. Vega had not been found of mandyrs as a rule, although, he had made an exception for Stupid. Likely because of Ebolath.

Ebolath flopped down on the ledge and stretched her wings. Sun with me clutchbrothermine. She crooned affectionately. I do not see you as often as I used to. Feel free to stretch out. I do not mind. There is plenty of room. Nuzzling him along the neck again she settled down on the warm rock with a sigh.

[nightingale]

Cherilith landed properly, if not gracefully upon the weyrledge. The wind was strong today and it made delicate steering difficult for him, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t manage it in a pinch. Good afternoon Ebolath. He greeted kindly, kneeling to simultaneously accept her show of affection and allow his rider to dismount. I am glad to hear that you are both doing well. Mine is tired, but she seems to be feeling better than she was the last time we visited. Saeo still wasn’t the cheerful girl most would have recognized her as a month ago, but there was a faint smile playing across her features as she gingerly lowered herself onto the weyrledge. After a long day spent working herself to the bone, watching people suffer and swallowing pain pills for her injured leg, a little chat with her best friend seemed quite appealing –even if it was only to check up on her bronchitis and take out a few stitches.

When the girl did turn to offer Raylin what she hoped was a proper smile, her expression quickly softened into suspicious curiosity. Even disregarding the way her clothes hung off of her already small frame, there was something about the greenrider that felt out of place. Ebolath was quick to confirm and explain her uncertainties. She countered Raylin’s warning glare with a grateful nod of her head before following the other girl inside. Mine is the same way, and so is Peppeth’s Farryl. Cherilith crooned sadly, grey touching his eyes as he watched the girls move into the weyr. I think they all must feel that they are somewhat responsible for what happened…or what didn’t happen. This has been very hard for them.

Saeo remained silent, a wry smile painted on her small mouth as she set her medical bag on the chair provided to her and unbuttoned the top. “I know, Cloar’s already told me that I look like death. We haven’t got close to enough volunteers, but that’s to be expected when half of the candidates are unconscious.” When she came asking after the salamandyrs the young healer grinned a little more broadly and lifted a hand to silence her. “Raylin, you’re doing it again –that thing where you ramble on and on about nothing because you have something important to say but you’re too nervous to just spit it out? What’s on your mind?” Out on the weyrledge, Cherilith sighed deeply and stretched himself out next to Ebolath. He was slightly less comfortable than he could have been due to his riding straps, but the warm sun was quick to convince him otherwise.

[Rei]

Raylin paused and sighed before sitting down in the chair opposite Saeo. “Nothing is on my mind. I’m fine. Just depressed.” Vague much? Tapping her fingers lightly on the tabletop she let her hair fall over her face to conceal it. “I am just upset. Everyone is. It isn’t really a big deal. I just hate knowing that I caused so much pain for people.” Biting her bottom lip she fell silent.

Ebolath flicked her tail tip and rumbled. I wish they would all cheer up. It is upsetting. Why must they all dwell on things they cannot change? She looked at Cherilith and nosed his flight straps. Is yours planning on not staying long? If she is staying for awhile you could ask her to remove your straps. The green turned her head towards the weyr entrance but stayed silent. If Cherilith wanted them removed he would ask.

Mainly to change the subject Raylin raised her head and looked out towards the weyrledge. “How is C’oar by the way? I haven’t been down to the infirmary for awhile.” You’ve been to busy avoiding everyone. Ebolath intoned privately. I have my reasons Ebolath. Not very good ones. I am not arguing about this again. Please stop love. The dragon fell silent but gave a mental sigh.

To break the silence Raylin continued. “For that matter how is Ke’rin? I heard Jaymith will be grounded for awhile. I bet it’s hard for some of them to just sit in those cots day in and day out. Which brings the question Is T’rid driving you all nuts yet? I can’t imagine him not complaining.” She ran her hands through her hair again, making a mental note to have Ebolath ask Corinth how his was doing.

[nightingale]

“Fine but depressed…well that’s a paradox that has no right to exist.” Saeo mused, producing a jar of redwort solution and a small cotton bundle from her bag. She set them down neatly on the tabletop. “Raylin, there isn’t a person in this Weyr who doesn’t feel responsible for what happened. Turn sideways so I can get at your back please. Deep breaths…” She lifted the girl’s shirt up around her shoulders, pressing her ear flat against her back and listening for any signs of lingering infection. After a moment or two she determined that while it was clearing up, a stubborn rattling deep in the girl’s chest meant that it wasn’t quite gone yet. “Sorry love.” She offered apologetically, tugging Raylin’s shirt back into place. “Have you been taking your medicine? I would have thought it would have cleared up by now…but as I was saying, there’s no point in feeling guilty. You and I and everyone else did everything they could. Take your shirt off for me please…there’s no need to blush. I promise I’m not looking at anything.”

Once the garment had been removed, Saeo set about unwrapping the gauze underneath. The bandages were more of a barrier against friction than anything else. The wide slash across Raylin’s ribcage was almost entirely healed, and she noted with a discrete tilt of her head that what was left of her finger was freshly bandaged and seemed to be doing well. She squared her jaw, swallowing a pulse of hatred directed toward the man who had done it to her. He was dead, she reminded herself firmly. What more satisfaction was she capable of getting? “C’oar is doing alright. He’s going mad from boredom of course, but I can handle complaints so long as he’s well enough to talk. He sends his regards by the way.”

The cotton bundle proved to contain a tiny pair of precision scissors and an equally tiny pair of tweezers. The tools were removed and after a short struggle with the redwort jar’s lid, the cotton cloth was doused in the pale pink solution. Saeo wiped her hands delicately, warned other girl that it was going to sting and then began dabbing it around the first of her stitches. “Kei is doing alright now that we’ve got him stitched up. There was less internal damage than we thought, but he’s got a mild infection so we won’t be letting him past Aslath’s weyrledge any time soon. Jaymith is just a little scorched. S’lain has him grounded until his wings are fully healed, but other than that the silly brute is still himself. Ke’rin has been asking after you by the way –shall I tell him to mind is own business?”

She smiled playfully, turning to submerge both of the metal implements in the redwort solution. “T’rid is doing well…or at least as well as can be expected. If he has been complaining then I haven’t noticed. We have him drugged pretty heavily so that his arm doesn’t bother him. Both he and Ke’rin are very lucky you know. I could swear that Benden was picking off bronzeriders on purpose...” Her smile, which had been fading slowly from it’s birth, now vanished completely. “Ki’ner of bronze Aberath died this morning. I don’t know how many more we’ll lose before things start to get better…do you want me to put numbweed on these before I take the thread out? I had to use tanning thread because I was in a hurry, so I imagine that it’ll be tricky to work with.”

Cherilith groaned sleepily, shifting so that his straps lay more comfortably about his neck and shoulders. I do not want to bother Saeomine when she is working. Besides that, we still have many other visits to make today. I will wear my straps until we are finished. He nuzzled the little green’s chest gently, sending her a soothing wave of emotion meant to encourage her to lay back down with him. Mine has insisted that once Raylin had been unstitched that we make sure Oquith’s Tr’esn is coping well now that Aberath’s Ki’ner is…well…they jumped Between this morning. They were roommates at one time, and so she is concerned that he will be very upset about it. I understand her concern. I would be quite upset if you and yours were to jump Between Ebolath.

[Rei]

Raylin listened to Saeo’s comments with a distracted expression. The comment about her lungs not being clear drew a exasperated sigh from the girl. “Of course I have been taking my medicine. I have been cooped up in this weyr for over a week now.” He tone was frustrated but her current mood did nothing to prevent the flush of color that came to her cheeks as Saeo asked her to remove her shirt totally.

Saeo’s comment about not blushing caused Raylin to snort. “You know I can’t help it.” She mumbled and then fell silent as the blue rider started to examine her stitched chest. Her friends information caused the green rider to tense up and shut her eyes against the tears that threatened to fall. Every single one of them had been injured because of stupidity and lack of fighting experience. One of them had been injured trying to protect her because she was to weak to protect herself. She had failed them all. She had failed Saeo.

Saeo’s question about the numbweed had Raylin shaking her head forcefully. “No no pain killers please. I am sick of them.” Part of her shaky statement was truth, and part was just a attempt to punish herself anyway she could. The weyrling hoped it did hurt. Nothing was going to make the guilt go away but perhaps a bit of pain would help soothe her guilt, at least for a little while.

Ebolath obediently flopped down beside Cherilith and stretched her wings out to soak up the warmth. A concerned croon was directed at Cherilith and she nuzzled him gently. Oh that is horrible! I am sorry that they went between. You do not have to worry Cherilith. Mine and I will not go between. Mine is much better than she was.

The green laid her head beside the blue’s larger one. I just wish she would eat more. She does not have much of an appetite anymore. How is yours? She seems to have lost weight as well. I think we need to find a way to cheer ours up. Seeing Corinth’s always cheered her up but now she refuses to go see him. She is afraid of what he will say I think. I do not understand. Giving a sigh Ebolath squirmed her body against the warm rock ledge.

[nightingale]

Saeo frowned, fishing her tools out of the solution and letting them drip dry. “It’s your call Raylin.” She sighed, too tired to argue her case any farther. If the girl looked to be in too much discomfort once the stitches started coming out, she would give her the chance to rethink her views on painkillers. Tucking her hair behind her ears in a distracted motion, she set to work.

I know that yours is well. Cherilith hummed gently. I was only saying that if it were to happen we would both be very, very upset about it. His wings twitched ever so slightly in the cool wind, and he allowed his inner lids to drift shut. Mine has been eating, but not as much as she usually does. She tells me it is because she is busy…but yours is not busy Ebolath. Why is she not eating enough? He left that question hanging in the summer air, and moved on to her suggestion that they find a way to cheer the girls up. I do not know how to cheer mine up. We have been to see almost everyone, but it seems that she comes away even more unhappy with every person we visit.

He sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead against the little green’s shoulder. I have been trying to find candidate Pepsi for her. She has not seen him since before the attack and is very worried, but I do not know where he is. Mine thinks he may have returned to the jungle while we were all distracted by the Benden riders…I do so wish that I could make her happy. Perhaps seeing Tr’esn will help. She thinks he is adorable. Would you like me to tell you if it works? If it does, perhaps we could bring Yours to see him.

[Rei]

Raylin flinched from the cold as the steel instrument touched her skin. Biting her bottom lip, she closed her eyes and willed herself to stay still as the blue rider worked. A few of the stitches pulled uncomfortably, but all in all, the weyrling had felt worse pain. Keeping her breathing slow and steady she willed her mind to blank.

Ebolath crooned low to Cherlilith and half rolled to her side. I do not exactly know what is wrong with mine. She just does not have a good appetite. I know it is not because she has been sick. I think it is because she is so sad. It isn’t just that she is sad either she is…well… The green tilted her head as she tried to come up with words. Blank..I do not know how else to explain it. It is worrisome. She has taken to shoving me out and I do not like it.

Cherilith’s head rub was soothing to Ebolath and she leaned into the contact. Yes I do not know how to help mine either. The sadness in her tone was glaringly apparent. Mention of Pepsi caused her to examine the blue beside her curiously. I don’t remember him. Perhaps I have never seen him. I do hope you find him if it will cheer yours up.

Ebolath flopped her neck over her clutch brother's and snuggled closer. Tr’esn…I met him once…I think. The situation with Dinner, when Ebolath had first met Tr’esn, was a very hazy memory at best. If he does help yours please do let me know. I have no idea what to do anymore. I think mine may stay this way forever. Yours is the first person she has talked to since they isolated Raymine for her illness. She sees healers but she refuses to hold conversations with them. It is like her light is gone.

Ebolath snuggled herself into Cherilith. She found his presence very soothing and cuddling always helped her feel better.

[nightingale]

“Are you sure you don’t want anything? It isn’t any trouble you know.” Saeo offered a second time after she had gotten a few stitches removed, not looking up from her work. They had been put in quickly and carelessly, and so she wanted to do an exceptionally good job removing them. Unfortunately, her efforts would do nothing for the scarring –and there would be scarring, thanks to the less than stunning field surgery she had completed. Just how badly it would scar wasn’t clear yet, but there really wasn’t anything she could do to minimize it’s appearance until the wound had healed completely.

The green weyrling’s words were troubling. Cherilith’s eyes narrowed, their ridges angling upward in a very human expression of concern. Oh, that sounds simply awful Ebolath! Are you absolutely certain she is not sick? He did not wait for her to respond –having one’s mind attached to a healer was quite useful when it came to diagnosing illnesses on the fly. Gently requesting Saeo’s attention, he reiterated what the green had told him of Raylin's poor appetite and blankness. Her reply came after a short moment, and the young blue keened in a low register. My Saeo says that she is sick. T’ke has it too –something called depression. She will do what she can, and she advises you not to allow yourself to be blocked out. It is very hard to heal because it is a mind sickness, but it helps to have your friends near you.

“I think that you’re well enough to go for a little walk, love.” Saeo offered in the brightest tone she could manage, shoving an unwilling smile onto her face. "What say you and I go on a little adventure to the first level weyrs? I’m sure that T’rid and the others would be happy to see you, and I could certainly use some help with my rounds.” She chose not to mention the fact that she was officially off duty for the rest of the day, and that making rounds was really only a one person job. Her aim was to get Raylin out for some fresh air and socialization, not teach her to fill out status sheets.

[Rei]

“Yes Saeo I’m sure.” Raylin’s voice came out flatter than she intended it to but she didn’t worry about that for long. Mostly because Saeo’s stitch removal was proving to be more uncomfortable than she would have originally thought. Still the weyrling refused to complain the only outward representation of her discomfort was a twitch she wouldn’t always repress.

Ebolath listened carefully to Cherilith and a small whistle escaped her. A mind sick? Is there no medicine for it? The green’s eyes shot through with yellow. I try to keep her spirits up but she is intent on ignoring everything and I do not want to hurt her by forcing something on her. I do not want mine to be sad and hurt anymore. I only wish for her to be happy again. Like she used to be. Does yours have the depression to? I think she might if you say she has been sad. The green almost squirmed on the ledge as she sought comfort from Cherilith.

Raylin shook her head at Saeo’s suggestion. “No thanks. I’m a bit tired actually. After you finish I think I’ll just go to bed.” The green weyrling allowed a bit of the fatigue, she had been prone to feeling, to creep into her voice. Maybe it would give more weight to her poor excuse. Avoiding people wasn’t easy when you where forced to see them. Raylin was defiantly not ready to face her classmates, or really anyone for that matter. Saeo was hard enough and she was a friend. She couldn’t even bring herself to try to apologize to the girl. The reason was simple, Raylin wasn’t sure she could handle Saeo’s reaction to her apology.

Ebolath nuzzled along Cherilith’s neck and gave a sigh. I will try to stop her from blocking me, but it is hard. She is good at it and she gets angry when I badger her. I hate it when she gets angry with me. Does your ever get mad at you? Ebolath’s “voice” had quieted to a soft murmur.