Hello loves! While I haven't been writing, I have been working on updating some issues that have been hanging around on the layout! The Character change box is now at the bottom of the page, beside the up/down arrows! Green and Gold dragon flight dates have been shifted to the bottom of the page, where the (useless!) discord widget was located. Where the dragon flights were in the header, is now replaced by a Monthly Event box! This will be updated at the start of each month, with a fun mini-event you can take part in, if you want to! Thistle!
19.Mar.12, 08:11 PM
The Harper clung to Indivara’s hand, laughing tearfully at the young woman’s grunt of affirmation. “yes,” she agreed with the girl, “You’ll get the best Bronze ever. You just watch.” Jada winced as Indi chose to take that moment to vomit, and Jada tried to stop the bile rising in her belly by telling A’din, “I’ve made my decision.” It hadn’t been an easy decision, and it was one she was too selfish to make again, probably. At the moment, this was the best course for her “There are plenty of other Candidates out there, but Indivara needs a friend. I know that you are her mother; I just know how I’d feel in Indi’s place.” Jada’s heart clenched. “There will be more chanced for me, A’din.” In truth, Jada thought, it was not the selflessness that some people might say it was. It was cowardice, and the Harper waited to eb called on it. It wasn’t concern for Indi that was the deciding factor, it was fear for her own well-being, fear that the dragonets would scent her wounds and come for her like feral felines. No dragonet would want a coward, anyways. Jada couldn’t even claim to blame them; she wouldn’t want one either.
But it helped her that she truly did care for Indivara. The spunky child was only one of the many people she could love, even in a platonic manner, during her half-turn stay at Katila Weyr. She’d discovered new friends, rediscovered old, encountered so many personalities to challenge her and help her to grow. For Jada, though she constantly missed her family and her Craft, coming to Katila had improved her, freeing her from her bonds almost as much as it had chained her to a new way of life. The old had been turgid with expectation, with living up to the legacy of her parents and the talent of Litir. Here in Katila no one cared if her brother had been a musical prodigy, no one cared if her mother was a wonderful storyteller, or if her father had been one of the most wonderful tenor voices on Pern before his death. Here in Katila, even the other Harpers barely knew her, and no one would be ableto look at her and say “Ahh, you are Master Szelem’s daughter…” It was funny: until she had been believed dead by everyone in her life, she hadn’t actually come to life. (The irony was not lost on her at all. And the Rider who had Stolen her was still a lunkhead.)
She ached to do something as she watched Indivara and Farlint shuddering with pain. Talian and the Healers had that well in hand, however, so she clung to Indivara’s hand, leaving the work to the Healer’s. The broken leg was back in place, and that was good. It would be nice if he would also have another chance to Stand. His screams, a fierce comparison to Indivara’s rigid silence, had turmed her blood to ice as she had been forced to listen. No, not forced; but there had been nowhere else that she could go, She could still hear the sounds of his leg crunching in her ear, and Jada looked back over at the handsome Master still bent over him, finishing up something with the bindings. Her stomach twisted as she tried to imagine- ugh. Bile rose, and it wasn’t really as through she’d had a particularly strong the last sevenday or so anyway. Nerves, most like, as she’d looked forward to this day, tried to remember all the stories, and pay careful attention to everything they warned her about. Her stomach gave a fierce twist and she heaved, getting the attention of a Healer.
Honestly, she was surprised she’d lasted this long already. The bucket that she had been using to store the bloodied wash rag for her arms in was shoved under her nose by a hand, and… well, that bucket would need to be emptied even if she hadn’t upchucked bile into it. And that rag was not likely to be used again. Looking into the bucket after she had vomited, the Harper realized just how blatantly obvious it was that Jada had eaten almost nothing that day. They are Healers, she thought inanely, focusing on something else, They have plenty more rags. They can just drop this one Between. And Healers needed to, or did, know what was best for their patients. Clean rags were best for their patients.
Even the Healers rumored to be suicidal seemed to be quicker thinkers than her. Mother would be ashamed of her, and Litir would laugh. Jada wiped her mouth absently on the clean piece of cloth she was passed, rinsing her mouth and spitting back into the wooden container, amber eyes on Talian as he worked. She had never seen the man this close. It was true that he was very handsome, and she’d already thought he had a very nice voice. He’d shown quick judgment in looking between the three wounded here in triage and making his decision, and while Indivara was profusel bleeding, Far’s leg was… quite disgusting, actually. The bone was all- oh shards, she was going to- Euck. A hand stroked through her dark hair, shushing, and Jada was surprised to see A’din. Was the one doing so.
“How far along are you?” snapped an irritated healer, and Jada blinked.
“It smells like blood and vomit, and you’re assuming she’s pregnant because she is a reactive vomiter?” snapped another Healer, and the two started bickering over Indivara’s body, doing what they could to stop the bleeding. Over at Farlint, his leg was being sewn on or bandage, or somtething, and she thought she heard another pop of bone, heard a low curse as a fragment of bone was pulled from the wound. Strange, how a bump from a creature like that little bronze could cause so much damage. Really, just strange how something that small could have been so dangerous. All until Impression, when the beast had faded into submission. Huh. Jada rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair. Thank Faranth the Healers had thought of them.
Talian finally found his way to Indivara, lifting her close. Amber eyes closed, watching one of Indi's hands fall, hissing through her teeth. She had almost started to relax, watching him bandage the girl's wounds, when there came an ear-piercing creel from behind her. It seemed to startle almost everyone within eyesight (except for the incredibly focused Healer,) and Jada’s was not the only head on the platform to whip around to watch a gangly, awkward Hatchling galloping in their direction, sending Sand flying everywhere. The dragonet had to be insane. Crazy. Defunt. Surely Nirinath would stop it before it- Ouch! Jada winced in sympathy as the dragonet thudded roughly into the platform, white eyes spinning. Only here in the light did she- and everyone else- see the metallic shimmer to the hide. Was it Indivara’s bronze, come to claim her at last? No… that was a golden hide, and Jada’s breath caught. And the mind voice, when it blasted through their ears, was too gentle and crisp to be masculine.
You’re Hurt! The voice shrieked, and Jada winced, as did several others. Why are you hut? Get away! Only I can heal her! Hot on the dragonet’s heels, Kerrin came pelting across the Sands, and almost shoved his way over her in his eagerness to climb up. Following his example, the dragonet shoved one leg up, and dragged itself onto the platform by sheer determination. Jada, like so many others, turned to stare stupidly at Indivara. The girl would hate this development. In fact, Jada was concerned that- yep! It looked like Indi had blacked out from shock. And Kerrin was yelling, and probably getting in talian's way. She knew the boy, but this racket wasn’t going to help anyone, least of all Indivara! “Kerrin,” said Jada, voice shaking, “Yelling won’t change anything.” She couldn't bring herself to tell him he might, in fact be doing more harm than good. And if the healers weren't going to stop him, who was she to? She reached out to touch him, but R’nd beat her to his side, putting a familiar hand on the younger man.
Jada drew back her shaking hand, turning to give the white-eyed dragonet another look. If they didn’t wake up Indivara soon, who knew what would happen? The dragonet was shaking her head side to side, tail waving in agitation, advancing on them across the platform rather like a very angry bull. And people were certainly getting out of her way. “R’nd.” She said urgently. “Kerrin.” They all needed to get out of her way. She doubted the Healer was in any kind of danger, he was trying to help, after all. It never once crossed the Harper’s mind that the Gold might be there for someone other than Indivara, much less that the dragonet could be there for her. After all, as Jada had pointed out there were lots of other, valid options.
I told you to get away! came the voice again, and the gold charged. There was a single shriek from someone- Jada would later deny vehemently that is was her- and a healer tensed; Next thing Jada knew she was falling off the edge of the platform and onto the Sands, fairly slender form being crushed underneath a dragonet. Fabulous. She was going to die. Ferocious teeth were going to rip her beautiful face off, and she’d never be able to admit to Valerian just who she’d been writing that love letter to when she was ten. She was going to DIE, and- the beast’s maw descended for her, and Jada wailed. Goodbye, Cruel World!!
A nose poked her face, snuffling, velvety and warm. A little damp. Kind of smelly, truth be told. And it was gentle. Jada cracked open one amber eye to see the white eyes whirling inches away from her own. Did they hurt you? Silly Healers, thinking they know what is better for you than I do. I tried to warn you. Did they hurt you? The gold’s eyes were losing the white film as she buried her nose in Jada’s armpit, and Jada reached up- to shove the gold dragonet off of her. Rainbow gleamed at her as the dragonet said sagely, You should not exert yourself. You are bleeding. That is a very bad thing. Is all human blood red? That doesn’t look healthy. Let me help you up, and your Krypth shall help you get better. The dragonet nosed down her arm to the bandage and opened her mouth, gently tugging on the bandage without waiting on Jada to speak.
Hey. Wait. “Krypth!” she protested, and squeaked as a heavy foot landed in her stomach. “Get off me!” she told the Gold, and was genuinely surprised at the fact that the bossy little Queen blinked down at her with those rainbow eyes, waiting. “I’ve already seen someone. They put these bandages on me to help keep away infection, and put a salve on to help with the pain. If we disturb them now, it could hurt me. Let’s wait until later.” How on Pern had she suddenly found herself bartering with a dragonet?
She could feel the slow, calm consideration. If you feel any pain, then we shall find someone who may actually be competent at once. The comeback was swift, and the Harper breathed out in relief. Lifting her paw, Krypth waited until Jada stood before twining around her legs once and then bouncing away. I am hungry. she informed everyone in the vicinity.
“I’m so happy for you.” Jada said dryly, and cast one last long, lingering look at Indivara. The Healer had her pulled to his chest, and he was staring at her and the Gold, eyes wide. What was the expression in them?
".... Congratulations," talian said, then yelled out for someone to come and collect himself and Indivara. Jada lunged forward, gripping the edge of the platform.
“Keep me updated on how she is.” she begged R'nd. She knew that most likely the bluerider would be the one to take the pair to Healer Hall. He was right here. He knew Indivara needed help, and that- “Please, I need to know as soon as you hear anything. R'nd?”
But it helped her that she truly did care for Indivara. The spunky child was only one of the many people she could love, even in a platonic manner, during her half-turn stay at Katila Weyr. She’d discovered new friends, rediscovered old, encountered so many personalities to challenge her and help her to grow. For Jada, though she constantly missed her family and her Craft, coming to Katila had improved her, freeing her from her bonds almost as much as it had chained her to a new way of life. The old had been turgid with expectation, with living up to the legacy of her parents and the talent of Litir. Here in Katila no one cared if her brother had been a musical prodigy, no one cared if her mother was a wonderful storyteller, or if her father had been one of the most wonderful tenor voices on Pern before his death. Here in Katila, even the other Harpers barely knew her, and no one would be ableto look at her and say “Ahh, you are Master Szelem’s daughter…” It was funny: until she had been believed dead by everyone in her life, she hadn’t actually come to life. (The irony was not lost on her at all. And the Rider who had Stolen her was still a lunkhead.)
She ached to do something as she watched Indivara and Farlint shuddering with pain. Talian and the Healers had that well in hand, however, so she clung to Indivara’s hand, leaving the work to the Healer’s. The broken leg was back in place, and that was good. It would be nice if he would also have another chance to Stand. His screams, a fierce comparison to Indivara’s rigid silence, had turmed her blood to ice as she had been forced to listen. No, not forced; but there had been nowhere else that she could go, She could still hear the sounds of his leg crunching in her ear, and Jada looked back over at the handsome Master still bent over him, finishing up something with the bindings. Her stomach twisted as she tried to imagine- ugh. Bile rose, and it wasn’t really as through she’d had a particularly strong the last sevenday or so anyway. Nerves, most like, as she’d looked forward to this day, tried to remember all the stories, and pay careful attention to everything they warned her about. Her stomach gave a fierce twist and she heaved, getting the attention of a Healer.
Honestly, she was surprised she’d lasted this long already. The bucket that she had been using to store the bloodied wash rag for her arms in was shoved under her nose by a hand, and… well, that bucket would need to be emptied even if she hadn’t upchucked bile into it. And that rag was not likely to be used again. Looking into the bucket after she had vomited, the Harper realized just how blatantly obvious it was that Jada had eaten almost nothing that day. They are Healers, she thought inanely, focusing on something else, They have plenty more rags. They can just drop this one Between. And Healers needed to, or did, know what was best for their patients. Clean rags were best for their patients.
Even the Healers rumored to be suicidal seemed to be quicker thinkers than her. Mother would be ashamed of her, and Litir would laugh. Jada wiped her mouth absently on the clean piece of cloth she was passed, rinsing her mouth and spitting back into the wooden container, amber eyes on Talian as he worked. She had never seen the man this close. It was true that he was very handsome, and she’d already thought he had a very nice voice. He’d shown quick judgment in looking between the three wounded here in triage and making his decision, and while Indivara was profusel bleeding, Far’s leg was… quite disgusting, actually. The bone was all- oh shards, she was going to- Euck. A hand stroked through her dark hair, shushing, and Jada was surprised to see A’din. Was the one doing so.
“How far along are you?” snapped an irritated healer, and Jada blinked.
“It smells like blood and vomit, and you’re assuming she’s pregnant because she is a reactive vomiter?” snapped another Healer, and the two started bickering over Indivara’s body, doing what they could to stop the bleeding. Over at Farlint, his leg was being sewn on or bandage, or somtething, and she thought she heard another pop of bone, heard a low curse as a fragment of bone was pulled from the wound. Strange, how a bump from a creature like that little bronze could cause so much damage. Really, just strange how something that small could have been so dangerous. All until Impression, when the beast had faded into submission. Huh. Jada rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair. Thank Faranth the Healers had thought of them.
Talian finally found his way to Indivara, lifting her close. Amber eyes closed, watching one of Indi's hands fall, hissing through her teeth. She had almost started to relax, watching him bandage the girl's wounds, when there came an ear-piercing creel from behind her. It seemed to startle almost everyone within eyesight (except for the incredibly focused Healer,) and Jada’s was not the only head on the platform to whip around to watch a gangly, awkward Hatchling galloping in their direction, sending Sand flying everywhere. The dragonet had to be insane. Crazy. Defunt. Surely Nirinath would stop it before it- Ouch! Jada winced in sympathy as the dragonet thudded roughly into the platform, white eyes spinning. Only here in the light did she- and everyone else- see the metallic shimmer to the hide. Was it Indivara’s bronze, come to claim her at last? No… that was a golden hide, and Jada’s breath caught. And the mind voice, when it blasted through their ears, was too gentle and crisp to be masculine.
You’re Hurt! The voice shrieked, and Jada winced, as did several others. Why are you hut? Get away! Only I can heal her! Hot on the dragonet’s heels, Kerrin came pelting across the Sands, and almost shoved his way over her in his eagerness to climb up. Following his example, the dragonet shoved one leg up, and dragged itself onto the platform by sheer determination. Jada, like so many others, turned to stare stupidly at Indivara. The girl would hate this development. In fact, Jada was concerned that- yep! It looked like Indi had blacked out from shock. And Kerrin was yelling, and probably getting in talian's way. She knew the boy, but this racket wasn’t going to help anyone, least of all Indivara! “Kerrin,” said Jada, voice shaking, “Yelling won’t change anything.” She couldn't bring herself to tell him he might, in fact be doing more harm than good. And if the healers weren't going to stop him, who was she to? She reached out to touch him, but R’nd beat her to his side, putting a familiar hand on the younger man.
Jada drew back her shaking hand, turning to give the white-eyed dragonet another look. If they didn’t wake up Indivara soon, who knew what would happen? The dragonet was shaking her head side to side, tail waving in agitation, advancing on them across the platform rather like a very angry bull. And people were certainly getting out of her way. “R’nd.” She said urgently. “Kerrin.” They all needed to get out of her way. She doubted the Healer was in any kind of danger, he was trying to help, after all. It never once crossed the Harper’s mind that the Gold might be there for someone other than Indivara, much less that the dragonet could be there for her. After all, as Jada had pointed out there were lots of other, valid options.
I told you to get away! came the voice again, and the gold charged. There was a single shriek from someone- Jada would later deny vehemently that is was her- and a healer tensed; Next thing Jada knew she was falling off the edge of the platform and onto the Sands, fairly slender form being crushed underneath a dragonet. Fabulous. She was going to die. Ferocious teeth were going to rip her beautiful face off, and she’d never be able to admit to Valerian just who she’d been writing that love letter to when she was ten. She was going to DIE, and- the beast’s maw descended for her, and Jada wailed. Goodbye, Cruel World!!
A nose poked her face, snuffling, velvety and warm. A little damp. Kind of smelly, truth be told. And it was gentle. Jada cracked open one amber eye to see the white eyes whirling inches away from her own. Did they hurt you? Silly Healers, thinking they know what is better for you than I do. I tried to warn you. Did they hurt you? The gold’s eyes were losing the white film as she buried her nose in Jada’s armpit, and Jada reached up- to shove the gold dragonet off of her. Rainbow gleamed at her as the dragonet said sagely, You should not exert yourself. You are bleeding. That is a very bad thing. Is all human blood red? That doesn’t look healthy. Let me help you up, and your Krypth shall help you get better. The dragonet nosed down her arm to the bandage and opened her mouth, gently tugging on the bandage without waiting on Jada to speak.
Hey. Wait. “Krypth!” she protested, and squeaked as a heavy foot landed in her stomach. “Get off me!” she told the Gold, and was genuinely surprised at the fact that the bossy little Queen blinked down at her with those rainbow eyes, waiting. “I’ve already seen someone. They put these bandages on me to help keep away infection, and put a salve on to help with the pain. If we disturb them now, it could hurt me. Let’s wait until later.” How on Pern had she suddenly found herself bartering with a dragonet?
She could feel the slow, calm consideration. If you feel any pain, then we shall find someone who may actually be competent at once. The comeback was swift, and the Harper breathed out in relief. Lifting her paw, Krypth waited until Jada stood before twining around her legs once and then bouncing away. I am hungry. she informed everyone in the vicinity.
“I’m so happy for you.” Jada said dryly, and cast one last long, lingering look at Indivara. The Healer had her pulled to his chest, and he was staring at her and the Gold, eyes wide. What was the expression in them?
".... Congratulations," talian said, then yelled out for someone to come and collect himself and Indivara. Jada lunged forward, gripping the edge of the platform.
“Keep me updated on how she is.” she begged R'nd. She knew that most likely the bluerider would be the one to take the pair to Healer Hall. He was right here. He knew Indivara needed help, and that- “Please, I need to know as soon as you hear anything. R'nd?”
