But Soft [Raylin]

[nightingale]

Just knock on the door Ke’rin-mine. It was a simple enough request, and had he been standing in front of any other door he probably would have obliged it without a second thought. As it was this was not just any door, and the boy had been standing in front of it for the better part of ten minutes trying to muster his courage together. The small blue flower he twirled thoughtlessly between his thumb and forefinger was rapidly wilting as he hesitated. There were just so many ways that this whole thing could backfire, and his body had not yet healed enough to take a solid hit should one come flying his way. There was nothing he hated more in the world then having Raylin mad at him, but for whatever bizarre reason his mere presence seemed to set her off.

Lamb warbled from her place on his shoulder, sending him waves of questioning and concern. Oh, she did not like to see Hers so upset. Hers was worried about green Raylin, yes? He gave her his affirmation, and reached up to stroke her chest gently. Raylin hadn’t been to their last three weyrling lessons, and he was beginning to think there was something seriously wrong with her. He knew that she had been sick lately, but what he could gather from the healers when they came to check up on him twice a day was that she ought to have been well enough to leave her quarters a while back. Maybe it wasn’t his place to be meddling in her affairs–maybe he was worrying himself sick over nothing- but it was getting harder and harder for him to convince himself to mind his own business.

He knocked.

“Raylin?” Projecting his voice was still difficult, but so long as he didn’t have to call for her across a noisy room he could manage. If she does not answer, I will ask Ebolath to let you in. I can see her from here. The bronze was sitting at the very bottom of the canyon, peering up at where a faint glimmer of green was visible on Ebolath and Peppeth’s weyrledge. Both greens were quite distinct, so there was no doubt in his mind that it was Ebolath he had spotted. If she dosen’t answer, she dosen’t want to be bothered. Or perhaps she s simply being stubborn. Remember that you are a bronzerider Ke’rin-mine. Do not let her intimidate you.
But he was intimidated.
Very much so.

[Rei]

The knock at her door caused Raylin to jump from her position in her bed. The voice calling her name caused her to groan. “Shard it.” She mumbled into her pillow before rolling out of the furs and smoothing her tousled night gown. Wrapping a fur about herself she shook her sleep tousled hair and then gave up. It didn’t matter anyway. Crossing the stone floor she opened the door and stared in slight shock at Ke’rin. Shards not who she expected. Farryl or Saeo by the soft quality of the voice, which in her defense had been muffled by the door. The last person she had expected was her bronze riding classmate.

Swallowing against the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat Raylin spoke. “Ke’rin?” Ok that was lame. Of course he was Ke'rin. “Do you need something?” She stepped aside in case he wanted to enter and clutched the furs tightly against her chest. Awkward.

Don’t worry Raymine I am here and he will not touch you if you do not wish him to. Ebolath had picked up on her bonded’s nervousness and she eyed Ke’rin and crooned in welcome. Pleasant the green was, but hers was not used to having males visit her. In fact she had never had one come to her quarters before. If he touched her when she was unwiling he would have more than her bonded's anger to deal with. Hello Ke’rin. Is Jaymith doing well? I have not seen him in awhile. Ebolath’s voice was pleasant the only thing indicating her wariness the slight twitch of her tail.

Raylin’s mind was in overdrive. Had Saeo sent the bronze rider? If she did, she would get an earful later. her friend could be infuriatingly pushy. Who’s business, but her own, was it as to who she associated with? If Saeo wanted to throw herself at random classmates that was her business. Raylin intended to keep to herself. As the girl waited for the bronze rider to enter she sent Ebolath a soothing reassurance. Don't worry love. I can handle myself.

[nightingale]

Kei felt his heart shudder as the sound of a doorknob reached his ears. He smiled weakly at Raylin as she appeared in the doorway. “Um…hey.” Very charming Ke’rin-mine. Jaymith sigh was almost audible as he prodded His to offer up the pale blue flower he was unintentionally maiming. The boy did so, somewhat awkwardly. “There’s a candidate who’s been wandering around handing out flowers.” He explained with a small shrug. “I thought…that…maybe you might like one.” It was a terran harebell, pale and star-shaped, and it was pretty despite the fact that I had begun to wilt. He made no move to step inside. It was rude to enter someone’s chambers uninvited, and he was being extra careful not to offend her in any way.

His smile widened as he felt Ebolath’s touching his mind, and prodded Jaymith to pass on a greeting. Mine says 'It’s nice to see you again Ebolath. Jaymith is doing just fine. If you like, you can fly down and have a little chat with him. He’s on the canyon floor waiting for me.'...I feel quite silly speaking for him though. Mine has come to pay yours a visit. Would you care to join me by the river? Lamb warbled a soft greeting and leapt from her bonded’s shoulder, winging through the still weyr to land atop Ebolath’s forehead. Oh, how lovely it was to see green Ebolath again! Was she well? Was green Raylin well? Hers was quite worried about them, and so they had come for a visit.

“How are you feeling?” Kei asked conversationally, deciding that it was probably best to start with small talk. She looked thin, but he chose not to voice that observation. Chances were that she would take it either an insult or a compliment –girls were strange like that- and either way she would be taking it incorrectly. “We’ve missed you at class.” He continued, desperate to keep an awkward silence from descending. “Think you’ll be joining us any time soon?” Jaymith was much more willing to get to the point, and turned his attentions toward the girl's green. Is Yours sick Ebolath? He asked curiously, twitching his salved and dressed wings irritably. They itched him something fierce, and knowing that he could do nothing about it was even worse than the itching itself.

[Rei]

Raylin raised an eyebrow at his murmured explanation and gingerly took the small blue flower. Ok…surely Ke’rin hadn’t come all the way to her weyr just to give her a wilted flower. “Um thanks.” She murmured politely twirling the flower between the fingers of her uninjured hand. Perhaps if she put it in water it would perk up. If not oh well, she’d just toss it off the weyrledge later.

Ebolath watched the exchange between the two riders with only slight interest. Yawning she showed her bright teeth and then snapped her jaw shut as Jaymith bespoke her. Yours is silly. Why does he not just speak to me directly as I did him? I can hear him from the ledge. Raymine and I do not have a very large weyr. Jaymith’s offer was considered for a moment. Hers had said she would be fine, and if she needed her it really was a quick flight. Mine may I go see Jaymith? He is down by the river. I will not go if you need me.

Raylin looked back at Ebolath and shook her head. “It’s ok love you can go. I don’t mind.” The weyrling spoke aloud for Ke’rin’s benefit. The green crooned and opened her wings just as Lamb settled on her head. Oh hello little Lamb. I have not seen you for quite some time. I am very well. Mine has the depression but other than that she is doing ok as well. Yours was worried? That is nice of him. And really it was nice of the bronze rider to be worried. You should come with me little sister. You see, ever since mine lost brother Vega, flitters have made her a bit sad. It is not your fault, but perhaps you should stay out of her sight. Ebolath strode to the edge of the weyrledge and opened her wings in preparation for flight. Jaymith I am coming. I will be there as soon as little Lamb decides what she will do.

Raylin was intently watching her dragon until Ke’rin’s voice made her jump and clutch the fur a bit tighter. “Oh I’m well. My stitches are out and I’m no longer sick.” The weyrling motioned towards the chair near her desk before continuing. “I haven’t really felt like going to class to tell you the truth.” The green weyrling gave no explanation as to why. If Ke’rin wanted to ask he could do so, but their was a chance she wouldn’t give him a reason anyway.

Raylin walked over to her bed, (which was across form the chair she had pointed out to Ke’rin), and sat on the edge pulling the fur more tightly around her. “How are you? I knew you had been hurt. You healing up well?” Her voice was light and pleasant although it lacked any real feeling. In truth Raylin just wanted Ke’rin’s curiosity sated so he could leave her be. It wasn’t that she didn’t like the boy. She did, as a friend, it was just so taxing to have company and pretend everything was ok when it most certainly was not.

Ebolath snorted in surprise at Jaymith’s question. No mine is not sick. She was but now she is better. Why do you ask?

[nightingale]

Lamb warbled meekly, her eyes flashing a shade of dull yellow as she tucked her wings against her body in a subconsciously defensive gesture. Green Raylin did not want to see her? It made her sad that she was here? Oh, how awful she felt! She did not want to make anyone sad! She had only wanted to say hello, and oh…oh what a terrible little creature green Raylin must think her! The little creature keened piteously, tucking herself into a small, trembling ball of unhappiness between the Ebolath’s eye ridges.

Mine is having a hard time speaking right now. Jaymith explained, giving his wings another impatient swish as he watched the high ledge. His chest hurts him…oh please do not mind sister Lamb, Ebolath. She has a hard time understanding things. I will tell her to come. He did, and the downcast little green fluttered obediently from Ebolath’s forehead and tilted herself into a dive toward the canyon floor.

While somewhat discouraged by the fact that Raylin seemed unwilling to actually ask him in, Kei moved inside when her gesture bade him. He eased himself into the chair she had pointed out to him, and managed to avoid wincing as his muscles shifted. “Still confined to quarters for all but meals and lessons, but I’m managing.” He offered dryly, smiling and flicking his pale eyes in her direction. “You’re usually so punctual. Is there something bothering you?”

The answer was an obvious yes. Raylin could be prudish, short tempered and even downright mean sometimes, but he had never known her to be antisocial or to neglect her duties as a rider. Knowing that something was wrong didn’t do Ke’rin much good though. He needed to know specifics if he was going to make an attempt at helping her.

The depression? What is that? Jaymith asked curiously, letting out a soft whoosh of breath as Lamb lighted on his forehead and proceeded to wrap her tail about his muzzle. The bronze and his green companion had a rather close bond, and so she rarely made an attempt to close her mind to him. The strange word has caught his attention. It sounds like a sickness to me. Mine was concerned that yours was sick because she does not seem to be acting like herself. We haven’t seen either of you at class for quite some time, and were beginning to think that she had taken a turn for the worst. Not even Cherilith , Frosstyth, Peppeth and theirs could tell us anything, and Peppeth lives right next to you. Does Yours not want to see us?

[Rei]

Ebolath’s eyes whirled in worried yellows at Lamb’s reaction. Oh, little Lamb! What is wrong? It is ok Raymine likes you. She does! She just misses Vega is all. It is not your fault. Please do not be so upset. The green flared her wings and crooned softly to try and calm the little flitter. She tilted her head as Jaymith bespoke her.

Shifting Ebolath arched her neck to follow Lamb’s movements as she left. I was not aware that yours was having a hard time. I am sorry. Perhaps he should not speak to mine if it bothers him. Mine would be upset if she hurt him. The green turned her head toward the weyr entrance. Indeed Raylin would be upset. Hers would not want any of her friends to be hurt because of her. Ever again.

Raylin shifted in place as Ke’rin spoke. “Your sure your ok? I hope this visit didn’t stress you too much. There’s a lot of stairs.” The weyrling gave him a hesitant smile that fell when he brought up the subject of her less than stellar attendance. Flicking her hand in a dismissive gesture she spoke her voice slightly cold. “I’m fine. I just haven’t felt up to talking to the others yet.” The green rider bit her bottom lip and looked away from the bronze weyrling. Let him take that as he wanted. Everyone knew what had happened, who had died, and who was to blame. She just didn’t want to face it and the possible blame that went along with it. Was that cowardly? Perhaps a bit. It was easier to just ignore it all. Still the loose ends would eventually have to straighten themselves out, if she was to move on. Raylin knew that. She just wasn’t ready to face it yet.

Ebolath tilted her head and peered over the ledge. The depression is a mind sickness. That is what Cherilith’s said. Sometimes it takes awhile to heal. Leaping from the ledge with those final words she glided towards the bronze. As she back winged to land Ebolath crooned. Settling herself a few feet away she flicked her wings once before folding them and letting her tail brush across the ground. It is not that mine doesn’t want to see yours. She doesn’t want to see anyone. Raymine has her reasons and I will not explain them unless she wants me to.

[nightingale]

Do not worry. The young bronze crooned reassuringly, moving to give Ebolath room as she landed next to him. It only hurts him when he has to speak loudly, and he likes talking to yours very much. I think it is good for him to see her. He moved to caress her shoulder with the underside of his jaw, a pleasant rumble purring deep in his throat. I will not ask you to tell me anything about her that you do not think she would want to share. Perhaps you can tell me about yourself, my pretty Ebolath?Have you been doing well?!

Kei gave his head a small, dismissive shake. “No, don’t worry about me. I was going crazy sitting in my room doing nothing anyway.” That was a simple fact. Apart from Jaymith and his pets, the only contact he really had with the outside world these days was through the healers…well, that and Checkoth when he decided to poke his head in from the weyrledge to say hello. It was amazingly satisfying to actually be able to get out and do something. With any luck, he might even be able to get to sleep tonight.

The boy watched Raylin intently, his pale eyes still and reflective. “Well…maybe talking about it might help.” He offered gently. “It helped me after I woke up in the infirmary and realized what a lousy job I did protecting everyone.” He smiled weakly, eyes flickering briefly toward the floor before returning to Raylin. “I’ll be willing to listen if there’s anything you need to talk about. I mean…I know I’m not a healer, but I promise that I won’t judge you.” He hated the fact that he couldn’t offer her anything else. Ke’rin would have liked nothing better than to find out where the greenweyrling's smile was hiding and put it back on her face. Unfortunately, that sort of miracle was beyond his immediate grasp...so he would just have to keep reaching.

[Rei]

Jaymith’s caress made Ebolath croon happily the sound holding a bit of confusion in it, due in part to his words. Oh I am doing well. Did he just call her pretty? The green craned her neck to look at herself. Well her hide was a nice color. Still Ebolath was not used to getting complemented. Usually she was the one giving compliments. Stupid complemented her all the time, but that was different. Stupid complemented all greens.

Flicking her wings Ebolath touched Jaymith’s shoulder hesitantly. Not all dragon’s liked to cuddle and while plenty of her friends did, she was not sure if Jaymith would. Clutchbrother Jaymith how are your burns? I heard from Cherilith that you could not fly. Surely you will heal soon? I hope so, and I hope yours heals fast as well. I am sure mine likes talking to yours. She is just being silly at the moment due to her mind sickness. Please tell him to not take anything she says today to heart.

Raylin’s eyes studied Ke’rin as he spoke and she shuddered slightly. “Oh Ke’rin I am sure you didn’t do a horrible job. As far as I am concerned however, I really am fine. I just have a lot of things going on in my head right now.” Shifting silently on the bed she mused for a second. He said he wouldn’t judge but really everyone did. Whether they admitted it or not. If she told him he would have some comment to make. She guaranteed it. So instead of commenting one herself the green weyrling deftly changed the subject. “I am however a bit worried about Jaymith. Saeo said he took a lot of damage and was grounded. Is he healing well. I should have just had Ebolath bespeak him but I didn’t want to bother him if he was worried about you.”

Raylin half smiled at Ke’rin as she waited for his reaction. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate him coming to see her. She did. It was just, Ke’rin was still an unknown to her. The green weyrling hardly saw him but for lessons, and they hadn’t really had a full conversation since the day Ebolath attacked Jaymith. Raylin had seen the contempt Ke’rin held for her little green that day and she hadn’t ever addressed the issue with him again. Ebolath was her soul mate and she came first. No matter what. If Ke’rin continued to act nervous around her green she would in turn act nervous around him. Ebolath had forgiven Jaymith so why couldn’t Ke’rin forgive Ebolath? Raylin fought to keep these thoughts from showing instead focusing on the weyrledge that Ebolath had vacated a minute before.