Clean Sweep (April Weyrling Chores)

[ladybug]

Even after the attack, chores had to be done. The Weyr couldn't fall to pieces, after all. A'fyr was mopping the floor of the dining hall, making everything nice and tidy. It was in between meals, and everything was quiet. He kept his mind tuned in to Rudolth, in case the injured brown needed anything, but he seemed to be asleep.

Beauty was asleep too, curled up on one of the tables and snoring lightly. She looked almost cute and innocent like that, but A'fyr knew the truth. He chuckled. Beauty had done her part in the attack, though. She wasn't really so bad.

He moved down the hall, humming off-key to himself as he went. He kept his mind on the mopping, allowing it to occupy him and keep his mind off of his troubles.

[Rowana]

Farryl's steps were slower than usual as she entered the Hall. Between caring for Peppeth and helping in the infirmary, she was exhausted. And she still had regular chores to do. At least being so busy and tired meant she had little time to think about what had happened. She knew she couldn't avoid it forever, but for now it was nice just to be busy and feel like she was helping. Hobbs clung to her shoulder, humming in her ear. He had yet to even leave her side no matter what she did. The loss of Tille had made him even more determined to stay with her and keep her happy.

A'fyr was here too, Farryl saw. She managed a weak smile at him. At least he seemed well. It was a relief after seeing so many of her weyrmates on the brink of death. Farryl collected a bucket and a rag and began wiping down tables. "How's Rudolth?" she asked. From what Peppeth had told her, A'fyr's brown had been ones badly burned by the big bronze. She hoped he would heal well and be able to fly again. She knew that being grounded was probably making them both edgy.

[ladybug]

A'fyr jumped a little when he heard footsteps, but then he relaxed once more when he saw it was only Farryl. He smiled at the other weyrling, glad to see her. She looked tired, but she was alive. These days, it was nice to remind himself of the survivors as much as possible. "Rudolth's doing okay. He'll have scars, but he should be able to fly again," he answered, the relief obvious in his voice. He didn't know how he would have dealt with it if Rudolth had to be grounded for the rest of his life.

He mopped a little more, eyes cast to the ground as he debated how to articulate what he wanted to say. Well, he might as well just say it. "Look, I wanted to thank you for, um, basically saving my life," he told her with a half-wry, half-sad little smile. "If you hadn't cut me loose, I might not have made it out of there alive."

He looked up again, and that was when he noticed that Farryl only had one fire-lizard on her shoulder. A'fyr felt a stab of panic. "Where's Tille?" He demanded urgently. Because he had been in the infirmary so much with Rudolth, he hadn't heard about the green flitt's death.

[Rowana]

Farryl gave a small smile. She was glad to hear Rudolth was doing so well. She didn't want to think of what she would have done if Peppeth had been hurt. She ran the cloth along the next table as A'fyr went on with his thanks. "It was nothing," she started to say. She was just glad she had managed to save someone. "You should really thank Tille and..." her throat caught and the smile vanished. It was still hard to think about Tille.

Hobbs trilled sadly and nuzzled her as A'fyr asked after his green sister. Farryl couldn't look at him as she replied. She was fighting not to cry, clutching the rag in her hand. "She's gone, A'fyr," she said finally, after a long pause. She forced her voice to stay steady, but the words came out in a whisper. It was all she could do to keep the tears at bay. Somehow, having someone else mention it, just made it all the more real.

[ladybug]

A'fyr seemed to deflate when he received the news. He had known it as soon as he saw that Hobbs was alone, but he had tried to deny it. Now there was no denying. His shoulders slumped, and he leaned the mop against a table. His body followed, as if he wasn't able to bear the burden of tragedy any longer. Beauty stirred, alerted by her owner's elbow landing inches away. Her head lifted, and she glared at Farryl for no particular reason, just that it seemed natural to glare upon waking.

Mine? What's wrong?[/color] Rudolth's concerned voice entered his mind, still slightly muzzy from sleep. A'fyr shook his head. It's...nothing. Go back to sleep and don't trouble yourself.

A'fyr looked back at Farryl, a blush of shame coloring his cheeks. If Tille hadn't helped fight his attacker, she might not have died. "I'm...sorry." He said uselessly, pushing himself off the table. He took a step towards Farryl and put his arms out to hug her, but then he paused, not sure if she wanted to be hugged. He ended up halfway there, standing awkwardly with his arms out.

[Rowana]

Farryl raised her head. For a long moment, she just looked at A'fyr, her expression unreadable. Then she leaned into his embrace and hugged him back. She bit her lip against the tears. For once, it was good to accept comfort rather than give it. Hobbs crooned sadly at them both and snuggled against her neck. He didn't want either of them to be sad. Tille would have wanted them to be happy.

Farryl pulled away and rubbed her eyes. "It's not your fault," she said softly. "I'm glad you and Rudloth are alright. Tille..." she stopped. It was still hard to talk about. Shaking her head, she went on. "I'm sure she was happy to help you." Tille had always had the kinda of personality that loved everyone. It was why the playful green had fought so strongly. She hadn't wanted any of her friends hurt.