[G] [P] 734.08.05 | Nightmares

R’nya had ever been an early riser, and following the events that had left the majority of the Weyr under a quagmire of mud and muck, that morning was no different. The bronzerider, disinclined to take up temporary residency that was better left to those that needed it, instead spent his nights curled up comfortably against Xyreith’s side, hidden under the bronze dragon’s great wing. It was so similar to the past, when the only constant in the young man’s life had been his dragon, and death. Nightmares plagued him, but R’nya did well enough keeping such things to himself, and his days were occupied with helping each of his girls cope, and to pull themselves back together after all that had befallen them.

He didn’t breathe down their necks; with Xyreith in almost constant contact with each of the gold dragons, the man was quickly alerted whenever one of the young gold’s emotions spiked, even if the girl in question didn’t reach out to call the bronze’s attention to her plight: many of them didn’t. Nightmares were common, and the pair had quickly learned not to get too anxious when a dragon’s fear spiked in response to the terrors of the night – Xyreith had his own problems with R’nya’s own haunted memories, and wished not to dump those of the girls’ atop the poor man. R’nya was relentless, however, and he could tell well enough when Xyreith was keeping something from him.

Xyreith sighed softly to himself, not bothering to contest as R’nya slipped from his side and out from under his wing, the man sliding down to land lightly on bare feet without a word. Most of his clothing (for R’nya’s hut had not been affected by the landslide) had been donated to those that were working to build Aradissicath a Hatching Sands, before moving on to other aspects of the temporary Weyr. R’nya had not owned many pairs of boots to start with, but he was not disinclined to go barefoot so that others could protect their toes whilst building. It was of the utmost importance that Aradissicath have somewhere safe and secure and warm to lay her clutch, and he was beyond thankful that she hadn’t reached that stage before the world became a muddy mess.

The grass was wet with early morning dew, but he expected that would dry swiftly. The bronzerider padded both quickly and quietly from where he and Xyreith were spending their nights – a nicely central location where Xyreith could avidly watch the building of Aradissicath’s Hatching Sands, while letting R’nya trot between goldriders without too much hassle – towards where he knew Mizeath and Ameris spent their time. He gave the young gold a slight nod of greeting before slipping by her, right hand reaching out gently to smooth over Ameris’ back before his arm wrapped lightly around the girl’s shoulders.

“Easy, my dear.” Ameris often reacted instinctively when touched, and R’nya expected no less at all, when topped with nightmares and distress. At least the girl was standing straight enough not to elbow him in the crotch. He gave her enough time to recognise him, before pulling her gently to his chest and settling his chin atop her head as he hugged her lightly, one hand moving in soothing motions over her back while the other played lightly over her nightmare-ruffled hair. “Shh,” how could he ever make everything better again for his poor, wonderful girls?