Who

Do'rn, Ginger,Ulrika

What

Ulrika has had distressing news. Two people and three dragons try to help.

When

It is midmorning of the first day of the ninth month of the sixteenth turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Weyrling Barracks, Southern Weyr

OOC Date 02 Apr 2019 23:00

 

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Weyrling Barracks

Natural entropy lies restrained by sheer force of will within the chaotic spiral of Southern's weyrling-barracks. The large entry hollows out into an immense common area at the front of the barracks, where sustenance can be procured for both sides of the lifebond: tables are typically set out with at least the trimmings for sandwiches, and often carcasses lie in the hollowed pit for fresh weyrlings to carve chunks of meat for their new lifemates. Beyond, the couches are set within a U-shape around a long pool, spring-fed, large enough to bathe growing dragons.
Heavy tapestries line the stone walls towards the rear of the barracks, while space is at a premium towards the front: shelves and pegs hold leathers and tools, books and useful trinkets of the dragonriding trade. The narrow-point of the U branches into two hallways: one for the candidate barracks, and one for the weyrlingmaster's office.


It's likely been something of a boon to the assistant weyrlingmasters that not all of the dragons and riders are having difficulties. Some pairs are always easier than others and, thus far, Theidith and Ulrika have been as solid and steady a pair as anyone could hope for. No surprise, really, considering their mutually level-headed natures. Theidith, for her part, rarely reaches out for anything more than to offer encouragement, ask the occasional question, or otherwise just exist as a patient, calming influence wherever she can. So it might well come as a shock when the tendrils and vines of her deep jungle of a mind come out in a desperate rush, grasping and seeking for the nearest dragon they can find. That dragon, fortunately or otherwise, is Shokravanth, and her words come tinged with the sour-sweetness of nectar turned, « Champion! Mine is not well! Please, send aid! » There's a distinct image of the barracks and Ulrika's cot - freshly made, but with the woman seated on the edge of it - before it's all swallowed up with sticky foliage that folds unpleasantly on itself. Nothing looks wrong? And, yet, everything feels wrong in the young gold's mind. She paces nearby, agitated, with her wings twitching and tail snapping behind her, restless and unable to make sense of whatever it is.

Shokravanth's response echoes in the vastness of space, illuminated by an even spangling of stars. « Be calm! You cannot help yours if you are not calm. Mine will come to you. » Ginger is talking to two of the young blueriders about an exercise they're doing, selecting sammples of hide that are fit for strap-making from others that are not. She leaves them with the whole lot spread out on a table, and makes her way between the beds and couches until she reaches Ulrika's cot. She looks at the older woman for a moment. "Ulrika? Shokravanth says Theidith's worried about you. Is something the matter?"

« She is not usually this distressed, » Theidith replies, with clouds building on the horizon of her mind. Still, the presence of the older dragon, that reassurance and those glinting stars, does provide something of a distraction for her. Ulrika's face is in her hands but, when Ginger approaches, she straightens after a rough, dry-scrubbing of her face. Though her expression is neutral, there's a definite redness and puffiness around her eyes that suggests otherwise. "Theidith," is tilted as an admonition to the gold, who slows in her pacing, but whuffs right back with a chastising sound. "I told her not to. It's not so bad as she seems to make it." But after a hard press of draconic nose to her side, she hisses out a swear and adds, through gritted teeth, "Just some bad news from back home, that's all. Nothing to be done about it, Ma'am. I'm sorry she troubled you and yours over it." And if she moves quickly enough, maybe she can look away to get another quick pass of a hand over her face to clean things up again. She's not crying, nope. Not her.

"Bad news from home?" Ginger plops herself on the bed alongside Ulrika. "Well, that's pretty rotten, though, and it always feels worse if you can't just go and fix whatever it is. You're also giving a good example of how our emotions rub off onto them, incidentally, but don't worry about that for the moment; Shokravanth will get her calmed down soon enough and stop her setting the rest off." Which is always a danger, as everybody is undoubtedly all too aware by now. Shokravanth invites Theidith into his calming space, a balance of infinite darkness and the comforting rose-pinks and browns of a clouded spiral nebula. « See, she is not unwell. She just has sad thoughts. They will pass. Be peaceful. » Ginger pauses, head tilted, looking at the goldrider's face and the signs of hastily expunged tears. "Want to tell me about it?"

Kazuth has been doing his best to calm Theidith, but once Ginger's entered he steps back. The mists that surround the mountain of his mindscape is warm, and carries the soothing smells of jasmine, and lemonbalm. It doesn't take long before Do'rn's making an appearance, but he'll stop at the table and call Kazuth to him, "Everything all right?" is asked as he gets himself a mug of klah. Nope. Not intruding.

"Aye, well. It's my fault, in truth. I shouldn't have twisted my brother's arm to get it," Ulrika admits. Her jaw twitches and tightens some when she listens and she sucks in a breath, letting it out slowly as if that might calm something inside of her. Whether it works or not is debatable. Theidith's skies remain clouded, but Shokravanth's celestial spheres, that warm nebula, and the darkness is all clearly reflected in the slick green of a jungle canopy. « She hurts. » But the point of pain isn't physical; it's reflected in the young dragon's own hearts, that indescribable ache that nothing can really reach. « And she worries. I have not felt her worry before. » But the sour-sweetness is easing, distress replaced with slow regrowth of fresh flowers. Kazuth's presence only seems to reinforce the need for her to be calm - to him, there is an apologetic misting of cleansing rain. Ulrika huffs out a breath, a mental check on her lifemate yielding good results before she looks to Ginger, with a sidelong look to Do'rn. "Not really," is the truth - and a succinct answer to both Do'rn and Ginger. Efficiency! Grudgingly: "But I ought to talk about it. My mother was pregnant before we transferred here. She gave birth a seven ago? Two?" Ur'ki wasn't helpful there. "But there were complications and they're not sure as she's going to come out of it."

Ginger winces at that story; she's had parental scares herself. "Ouch. Sorry to hear that. No wonder you're upset. My Ma keeps popping them out and I'm worried sick every time even though she's always been fine in the end." She hesitates for a moment. "So do you have a little brother or sister? Or…. not?" She glances up at D'orn. "Do'rn, if you want to be really helpful, you could get us a couple more mugs of that klah, please." The universal palliative - klah. "And Ur'ki's your brother? When did you find out about this - and where do your family live?"

A nod is given even as Do'rn is reaching for a second, and then a third mug. Into these is poured some reasonably fresh klah that is then brought over to Ginger and Ulrika, "You know, I've always got an ear you can bend if you need to, right?" because he really is a patient listener. Kazuth pads over, and sits next to Theidith his mindscape clearing from dense fog to a light mist that. Small musical sounds can be heard softly, as the young bronze is content to just sit there and provide what comfort for his clutchmate that he can. Do'rn, meanwhile, has returned to the table and picked up the tray with the sweetner, and cream, "I find it's best to let others add their own according to their taste," this is set on a near by table.

There's a bit of a laugh for that, though it's more raw around the edges than Ulrika would like. She presses a palm to her face to try to keep the tears at bay but that silent trickle has started and there's no fighting it now. "Aye, well. My mother's the same. Risky business for most, but she rides green at Ista Weyr and she should know better. Before the Pass, I reckoned they turned a blind eye to it, but now-" She sniffs and Theidith finally settles, resting her head across her rider's lap, which earns her a good rubbing across the eyeridges and muzzle. Her tail reaches, though, and attempts to coil around Kazuth's foreleg if she can, if only to absorb a further measure of the young bronze's comforting presence. Ulrika continues, "This time, it's two brothers - but she bled a lot," which underscores the complications part of things. "Makes three brothers before me and three after. Ur'ki- aye, older than me by a turn. Rides for Leopard here. He didn't want to tell me and I should've respected that, but- I forced it out of him just the other day." There's a bleary look to Do'rn, too, if sidelong, and there's a cracked, half-smile offered, "Aye, I know, Do'rn. But, I reckoned I could keep it under control. I usually can." She'll take the klah, but doesn't add anything or drink from it; the mug is just held in a hand for now, her other resting on Theidith's head. "Thank you."

"Thanks," Ginger echoes, turning a grateful look on Do'rn, and takes a mug too, though she piles sweetener into hers, contrary to her usual practice. When she speaks, it's gently. "Twins, then - and both still living. Were they early? Twins often are. But even so, you wouldn't have gone on believing she hadn't given birth for ever - you know how many months make ten. So you were always going to find out. This isn't your fault, or Ur'ki's. Don't blame yourself." She glances round the barracks and continues in a slightly more bracing tone, without being harsh. "And look: does it /look/ as if you've reduced the place to uproar? Everything's under control. So you've nothing to be sorry for except for frightening Theidith. That, you'll want to work on a bit."

Do'rn nods to both Ginger, and Ulrika when thanks is given. Kazuth moves closer to make it easier for Theidith to wrap her tail around his leg. « I am here, sister, » said simply, and quietly. Kazuth seems to understand that right now his normally enthusiastic, and boisterous tones are not needed at the moment. Do'rn watches his lifemate before he offers, "I could make sandwiches?" because after a hot beverage when one's friend is distressed, one should offer food.

"So far as I know, aye; alive and well," Ulrika replies, straightening some. "And I reckoned it would be around the hatching, given how the Healers were about it, but Ur'ki-" she releases a stiff, sharp exhalation through her noise, agitation briefly flaring. "So I don't know when. I don't know the particulars at all. Just as she's under the care of Healers now - and has been since." And she wouldn't be surprised if Ur'ki was lying to her about the uglier details, either; that much shows plainly in the hard lines of her face. "Yes, Ma'am," is definitely contrite. "I'll work harder at that. It's troublesome with her, as she tends to take things harder than I think she ought." Theidith disagrees, of course, but turns her attention to Kazuth, her tail tightening around his foreleg. « I thank you, brother. I am sorry if I worried you. » The jungle is there, no longer trembling but still faint and wilted. "Aye, no thank you, Do'rn. My stomach's a knot and putting food in it will do no good." There's a tilt of her head to Ginger, then, and a mild, querying, "How many brothers and sisters do you have?" This is expanded to Do'rn with, "And you? Do you have any?"

Duty before chat. "They don't understand human emotions the way we do - and they're not stable enough to cope," Ginger explains. "Not even if they seem like they are, at this age. So it's safest to assume she's going to react like a two-turn-old for now if you have strong emotions, and try and keep the lid on, or keep them bleeding from you to her. Those exercises we've been doing about feeling what are your feelings and what are hers will help." She gives a rueful grin. "As for my family, how long have you got? Ma and Pa had three girls and a boy after me, and Pa had three or possibly four at Igen, that I know of. Then after Ma got together with her current chap, she's had two more." She shrugs. "Weyr families. You know how it is. How about you, Do'rn? And I really wouldn't say no to that sandwich, thanks, if you don't mind." This doesn't seem the moment for giving orders.

"Middle of five," Do'rn answers, "Three older sisters, and a younger brother with his twin sister," there's a look of sympathy for his friend, "My mother was touch an go after the twins, but she pulled through. I'm sure yours will too," he's going to sound positive even if he doesn't feel positive. Kazuth blinks up at Do'rn, and it's not such a far look up now, « The mother of mine is a healer, maybe she is helping to care for the mother of yours? » subtle cherry blossoms begins to comingle, and replace the jasmine and lemon balm. Do'rn doesn't mind at all, and he efficiently puts the sandwich together and brings it to Ginger. As for Kazuth's suggestion to Theidith, "I doubt it, Kaz, my folks are closer to Ista Hold than Ista Weyr."

There's a slow nod for that, with Ulrika slowly getting things back under control more fully. She takes a swig of the klah, grimaces faintly, and sets the mug down on the ground beside her for now. "Aye, I'll try to be more mindful of that," she replies to Ginger. And she will; rest assured of that. But the family talk, that's a little easier on her and the conversational tone eases her, even if the woman's back straightens some. A low whistle for that number is given, along with a slight shake of her head. "Aye, well. We need plenty for dragons, I guess. That's how my mom looked at it." Do'rn's family arrangement, too, is worthy of a whistle, though that's a bit more somber for the mention of the twins on his end. "Aye, well, she's older than most, so- I hope you're right. She's sturdy. She should come out just fine." Theidith rumbles softly as things slowly settle back into place for her, too. « It would be a fine thing if it were so, » she replies, though Do'rn's explanation does make that series of flowers wilt a bit - but they brighten soon after, « It is good that yours has a healer for a mother. The world could always use more that are willing to help. »

Ginger takes the sandwich from Do'rn. "Thanks." She takes a long pull at her klah, then turns back to Ulrika. "So, what's going to help you? Seems to me you could do with knowing the latest. Have you written home? You've got lizards - there's someone who could write back? Or your brother or someone could take it to Ista." Shokravanth extends a benevolent starscape over the two younger dragons. « See, that is much better. Our riders can feel bad sometimes; we have to learn what helps them then. »

Do'rn finds a chair and pulls it close to sit on. At this point he's going to just listen. There's no major issues back home for him, but it's good to listen and learn. Kazuth swivels his head to look towards the entrance of the barracks, « How do we help ours when they are hurting-not-hurting? » he genuinely wants to know.

To which there's a shake of her head and a slight hardening of Ulrika's jaw before she settles again. "Better that I don't know until after she can handle it," she replies, "because I'm still having trouble keeping things in check on my end. Maybe when I get a better handle on things, aye. But, for now, it's- just easier to not know for certain. Ur'ki keeps me updated, but-" she frowns. "I can't recall as the last time I actually wrote a letter. Mostly it's been relaying through him and Ingvarth." Which sets those wheels into motion in her head, resolving into: "Permission to go do that now, while I've a moment?" Theidith finally moves away from Ulrika after a final rub against the woman's middle, then she turns to Kazuth to nuzzle at him, too, grateful for his presence. He'll be released as she marches over to her couch to settle into the rushes. Shokravanth's touch is welcomed, stars finally finding a proper place in freshly cleared mental skies. « Thank you, » is radiated outward, with an offering of feathers and fresh blooms to both. « Mine is feeling better now - and I, too, am grateful. You are both heroes in my eyes. » And while she'll rest and listen, she is suddenly quite tired and lapses into the silence that comes before sleep.

« We keep calm and don't get scared. And we don't make each other scared, » Shokravanth explains. « Dragons must be brave, even when things are frightening. And then we let them know that we love them. » He's spelling it out as to ones very young, under a sky of bright stars. « See now, we are finished here. » Ginger is giving Ulrika an appraising look. "It might be that there are things you'd want to have said…. Yes, do go and do that. Come to me if you need help getting it there, right?" She gets up from the cot and takes her sandwich and drink with her.

Kazuth is likewise tired, and climbs into his couch. This leaves Do'rn free to get some chores done.

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