[G] [O] 741.10.23 | A New Home

"I'll help you get it fixed," she said softly. "I know Tizalth will try to help and, well, I'm better suited to helping. So, we'll fix it together."

She was quiet for a while.

"I'm alright, T'pel. I've a hard head." She brushed her fingers against his hair as gently as she could. "Mm, I suppose he is a fool but then we all are at times. The best we can do is move on and hope we have a chance for something real somewhere else. Like Benden, where some brownrider stopped me from drowning."

The last was a soft tease.

"But really, T'pel, I'm glad I met you."

“Thanks,” He smiled, flushing pink at her touch. “Me too.”

They sat comfortably for a while, and he explained what he’d used in his special klah blend, offering to make some up for her in return for the promised help with the rail for his weyr steps. Once satisfied that she seemed to be alright and no lasting harm from her fall would come, he escorted her out and down the steps, insisting that Tizalth was welcome to stay and sleep as long as she wanted, Kyrionth didn’t mind. She was also still recovering from the ordeal, too, and she needn’t be disturbed if it wasn’t necessary.

Wrapped in a blanket as Kestra had been, he hadn’t thought much about her clothing until Taydarell zipped by, skidding to a stop and staring wide-eyed at his older brother and the green rider in his tunic before rushing off with a manic giggle.

A blush crept up his neck that colored his ears and cheeks, and he ducked his chin to disappear into his dark curls. “Sorry. I’m sorry, I…” He grimaced, knowing his brother would spread the implications like wildfire. “I’ll get your clothes back as soon as they’re dry.” He offered her a wan smile, hoping she’d still think kindly of him, despite the rumors his little brother was now no doubt trying to spread.

"Oh no, you don't have to be sorry," she said muffling laughter with a hand. She dropped it to duck her head next to his. "Let his little mind wonder."

And then she kissed him on his cheek merrily.

"We're alright, you and I. I guess you're just going to have to get used to me in your life, T'pel of Kyrionth, because it'll take hours for them to dry."