Comfort in Unlikely Places [Indivara]

V’ler sat in his usual spot atop Veeth with his writing equipment all set up in their usual places as Veeth settled into his usual place at the Sands. It was all very routine now thanks to how regularly Krypth clutched and now he had Okalinath and possibly even Aradissicath to add to the amount of time he spent recording Hatchings.

Everything seemed fairly typical for a Hatching with eggs shaking, dragonets Impressing, Candidates showing a wide range of emotions but there were a few curve balls as well. Aradissicath’s apparent hatred for everyone around her was amusing and V’ler only held his breath for a moment when it seemed like the clumsy gold might harm someone but even that passed with minimal damage. The poor green hatchling that had a tangled wing was heart wrenching and V’ler hoped there was someone with enough skill to help her. T’lian knew everything when it came to human injuries but this would be out of his span of knowledge. Hopefully someone still remembered the skills from turns gone by to help the adorable girl.

The worst part of the Hatching was, of course, the silent golden egg. Indivara storming up to it didn’t really surprise V’ler. He knew her personality well enough by now to expect her impatience to make her do something on impulse; besides, a gold dragon had more or less done the same thing, so why couldn’t Indivara? He hadn’t expected anything that followed. The egg breaking, the collective gasp of everyone in attendance at the sight and smell, and finally, the reactions by the girls but especially by Indivara. The scream was so, well, girly. It was everything Indivara wasn’t and it made green eyes nearly pop out of V’ler’s head as he watched frozen atop Veeth. Only when Indivara started to scramble away did the bluerider snap out of his own shock and slide down his now keening dragon to run for the girl he called friend.

He gently pulled back her long hair as she did what was the natural reaction to such a thing, all the while doing his best not to be part of a chain reaction and join Indivara in bending over. The hug for comfort was just one more surprise for the afternoon after everything running so smoothly and predictably but V’ler held her close and in silence all while hoping she hadn’t gotten anything on his shoes or now his shirt.

It wasn’t okay, so why would he tell her it was? One of the precious gold dragons hadn’t made it and the sight was less than pleasant. Worst of all, Indivara had been the cause of releasing it upon the crowd. She was the first to see and smell the death as well. V’ler felt traumatized by it all from where he sat safely off to the side but he could imagine what it was like for the girl he realized he was now rubbing the back of in small and soft circles. He wasn’t the best at comforting but apparently the event had brought out an attempt in him all the same.

“There’s nothing more for us to do here. Come on.” V’ler figured if he was already helping Indivara, he might as well fully commit to it and make sure she was cleaned up and feeling a bit more emotionally stable. Maybe Veeth could help in some way as well. Knowing that Indivara had moved into the Weyrfolk Hall, V’ler decided his hut would be the better option. It would be much quieter and no one would be sticking their nose in to either check on Indivara or scold her. He also had a small wash basin if any quick freshening up was in order. It seemed perfect and V’ler slowly started to lead Indivara off the Sands. They could hop a ride on Veeth if it was desired but something within told the bluerider that the walk might be desired more but he certainly wasn’t a leading expert on women or what they wanted.

Indivara did not enjoy the process of throwing up, something almost all of her friends were well aware after her suffering the events of her pregnancy with Varlea, wherein the little monster had caused Indivara to suffer ‘morning’ sickness for (with little exaggeration on Indivara’s part) the entirety of her pregnancy. To be reduced to such a reaction then, for reasons perhaps as traumatic as Indivara recalled her pregnancy being, the girl shuddered against Valerian and pressed her face against his chest with an uncharacteristic whimper of distress, trying to banish the image from behind her eyelids.

It wasn’t working, and it was distressing Indivara, who was starting to become angry as a result, her fists balling against V’ler’s chest and taking handfuls of his shirt with the motion, when he spoke lowly and Indivara slowly extracted her face to peer up at him with horrified blue eyes. Was she cursed? Why was it, every time she stepped upon the Hatching Sands, something traumatic happened to her? Indivara’s lip trembled but she nodded noiselessly as the bluerider began steering her away from where they were standing, Indivara doing her best not to trip over his feet as she refused to let go or walk with dignity. She should have, and she should have been angry at V’ler treating her like a broken doll, but she was too busy trembling as the image played before her eyes again and again. Would she ever forget that image?

She probably would have objected, if she had realised where they were going, before they got there. Unaware, and seeing nothing but the terrible vision burned into her brain, Indivara didn’t realise where V’ler had taken her, until the door was being shut behind them and she stared vaguely at the sparsely decorated room for several moments before blinking and giving her head a little shake, confused expression finally settling on V’ler. She wanted to attack him, to accuse him, to blame him – for Indivara had never been good at acknowledging her own short comings or taking the blame for things, regardless of if they were her fault or not.

Instead, the trembling bottom lip returned, and Indivara burst into tears, crying quietly where she, her arms around herself.

It wasn’t the first time and V’ler was sure it wouldn’t be the last time that he questioned himself over the decision to rush to Indivara’s side and then bring her home so she could have somewhere quiet to recover from the shock. Tears though? He definitely hadn’t signed up for crying. He had no idea how to handle a crying girl. Jada had times in their childhood where she cried but she always seemed to pretend she hadn’t been when she saw him and V’ler was fine in letting her shake off the tears and act like nothing wrong. He never knew what exactly had been wrong in those times anyway so it wasn’t like he could help. Shards, he knew what was wrong now and still didn’t know how to help. This, he realized, was why he didn’t play the hero like R’nd and others liked to jump at the chance to do.

You write about love and tender moments though, Veeth’s lilting voice was as soft as ever though now it was tinged with fear and anxiety as he peered in through a window to check on Indivara. That’s different, Veeth. He really didn’t know anything about love and relationships outside of what he learned from books, other songs, and watching disgustingly sweet couples interact. He could mimic things and writing meant he had time to fine tune the thoughts in his head until it came out as romantic and enchanting as he wanted. It’s the same. You wouldn’t write like that if it wasn’t already a part of you. Do what you already did.

Do what he already did? V’ler shrugged and assumed Veeth meant what he had done on the Sands but acted with less urgency. “Vara?” Why make things even more awkward by using her actual name instead of the nickname he had given her turns before and stuck with? Unsure if he should ask permission this time or state what he was about to do, V’ler opted to go with the same route as before and simply wrapped his arms around the petite girl and held her close, hoping that was all he had to do. He was still trying to figure out what exactly was making her cry so he didn’t want to comment haphazardly on the issue before truly knowing it.

Veeth was practically dancing outside as he struggled with the urge to speak to Indivara. He knew she wouldn’t mind but it’d be rude to barge in on her thoughts while she was so upset even though all he wanted to do was to comfort her as well. “Veeth is here for you as well,” V’ler finally chimed in, tone outwardly soft but inwardly he was slowly growing annoyed with the emotions bouncing through the bond with Veeth. He loved his dragon but dealing with his own emotions that were mostly in line with confusion was enough for the bluerider; he didn’t need the added concern on top of it.

Indivara didn’t bother trying to be strong, or brave, or to shove V’ler off her; instead, she pressed against him, her fists filling with his shirt as she buried her face in his chest. The image of the dragonet was so perfectly playing behind her eyelids. She could still feel the sand under her feet, and the stench in her nostrils and the sounds. Her quiet crying turned into hysterical sobbing as she clung to the bluerider. She wasn’t the type to ever take so much credit as to believe she had killed the little dragonet; but she had let the disaster loose on the Weyr, and all over her own feet. It was a vision that was in no hurry to leave her alone.

The cool touch of air fresh from between dropped over the pair as Queenie and Sucker both appeared from the black void, eyes bright and swirling with distress as they fluttered around V’ler’s head, squabbling between themselves about who would be landing where. Their bickering came to an abrupt halt when Indivara hiccupped softly, the two firelizards silencing themselves as Queenie landed lightly on V’ler’s head, while Sucker touched down just as delicately on Indivara’s right shoulder, crooning softly in concern.

Indivara hiccupped again, wiping her face carefully without lifting it. She could only imagine how hideous she looked; splotchy from crying with the pale streaks of her scars twisted over her face. Indivara sniffled softly, brushing fingers over her cheek before stepping back lightly. While she didn’t force her way out of V’ler’s arms, her motions made it clear she didn’t expect him to keep up the pretence of wanting her near him. She didn’t apologise for anything; she wasn’t that type of person, even if an apology was called for, getting her to spit out the words was impossible – she was more likely to Impress the bronze she was so convinced was waiting for her than spill the word ‘sorry’ so easily.

Turning on her heel abruptly, Indivara marched into V’ler’s kitchen without a word and dug up some water to rinse her mouth out and wash her face, Sucker chittering quietly to her as she did so. Drying her face on what looked like a clean handtowel, Indivara claimed another glass of water – this one for drinking – and as a side thought, poured one for V’ler before making her way back to where she’d left him. Her head hurt, and her nose was stuffy and her eyes were itchy, all from crying, but the pretended nothing was wrong as she handed the glass to V’ler without a word.

V’ler tensed when the firelizards appeared, unsure who they belonged to or what they were about to do until he actually looked up at them and relaxed. His own two were hunkered down on his desk, observing everything quietly but they were nervous and unsure about what to do. When Queenie and Sucker appeared, they chittered in greeting though Vex looked ready to fight them both because of the commotion they were causing and the way Queenie claimed V’ler’s head. V’ler shot the feisty blue a look and shook his head slowly and that was enough to quiet him down again but his eyes never left the scene.

When Indivara made a move to get free, V’ler let his arms drop away and only chased after her with his gaze. He had brought her to his hut for peace, privacy, and to clean up. She could have all of that in his kitchen for as long as she needed as he wasn’t going to intrude on that time. At least, not unless she took far longer than seemed reasonable. As he left her to it, V’ler scanned his small and sparse hut. Everything was orderly, as it always was and not out of a habit of being a clean freak but due more to not owning enough to make a mess, though he was still lacking in furniture. Considering the options were his desk chair and a couch he finally had commissioned to entertain his just as sparse collection of friends, V’ler wondered what exactly he was supposed to do to help Indivara find some comfort and a way to forget what she had seen, even for a little while.

The drink was accepted when Indivara quietly made her return and for once V’ler didn’t make a snarky quip about something. He saw her appearance, how exhausted she looked from the tell-tale signs of crying but given what had caused the tears, there was no room for even his heartless observations. Instead, he took her free hand in his, working on their silent companionship they had settled into and led her over to the couch. He sat with her for a minute, sipping his water and contemplating how to help the girl. Singing. It always makes you happy. Make she will like some music as well? It was definitely something to consider.

First, however, V’ler had another idea. He only held up a finger to indicate he’d be back in a minute as the glass was set on the floor before he slipped off to his bedroom. When he returned, one of his shirts was in hand and his swimming shorts just in case Indivara wanted a little extra coverage though the shorts were probably too big for her. “You can change into these if you want. I’ll be back out in a few minutes. I’m going to change as well.” He started to leave but stopped and tossed out a question, “and decide if you want up-tempo, mid-tempo, or a ballad.” He waved vaguely to his guitar tucked safely on a stand near his desk and went back into his bedroom.

Indivara followed meekly when V’ler lead her to the couch and settled himself on it, Indivara curling up without a word, kicking her boots off without a comment so they toppled onto the floor and she could bring her feet up onto the couch without too many quips. Her pants were still muddy, dirty, and gross… and Indivara’s face blanched at the idea of just what gross things might be on them and she stood up abruptly, spilling her glass of water on herself in the process. Already distressed and upset, it took more will power than Indivara would ever be prepared to admit, to keep from crying again in that moment.

She was saved from over thinking that, when V’ler suddenly stood up as well, and Indivara stared at him with huge blue eyes as he placed his glass down and vanished into his bedroom. Trembling hands set her own glass of water on the floor, managing not to slop it over the sides only because she was already wearing most of it. She straightened up and lifted her gaze to find the bluerider coming back, with fresh clothing in hand. Indivara’s face flooded with relief and thankfulness, the girl barely waiting to be handed the clothing before she was desperately stomping out of her pants, hopping on one leg when they caught on her ankle and then kicking them across V’ler’s living area so they piled ungracefully against the wall by the door.

She didn’t notice he’d returned to his room, but she wouldn’t have cared either way as the top was tugged off desperately and flung across the room to join her pants. The girl was, for the moment, uncaring about her scarring as she jerked the fresh shirt V’ler had given her on over her head and shoved her arms through the appropriate holes, not at all surprised by the way she was left swimming in the material. The shorts were held up, and at their full width as she eyed the front lacing for a moment before shooting a droll look towards V’ler’s bedroom door. Indivara was sure, in all her glorious exaggeration, that they would not have fit her, even at her biggest point during her pregnancy. Not that it mattered, Indivara felt secure enough in the shirt that fell well past her butt and would provide suitable cover once she’d curled back up on the couch – which was where she resumed sitting.

V’ler’s instructions to figure out what type of music she wanted to hear had been completely lost in the desperate desire for clean clothing, and Indivara waited quietly for the bluerider to return, no such thoughts given as she enticed Queenie to land on her knees. The shirt had been tented over her entire self so her arms stuck out the sides, and her toes peeked out at the edge of the couch was a particularly engaging sight, with the gold lizard perched delicately on Indivara’s knee while the girl gently pet the gold’s head in lazy strokes, eyes glassy as she stared at nothing, silent.

V’ler took his time changing and then waited another minute just to make sure Indivara had enough time to strip and cover up again. He had easily picked up on the way she liked to stay covered during the aftermath of their flight together and suspected it was due to self-esteem issues from scarring. He had been there when she was attacked and knew how viciously Hoth’s claws had caught her. He was many things and typically courteous wasn’t one of them but given what they had all bared witness to not too long ago, V’ler felt even he could keep being sensitive to someone else’s feelings and needs a while longer.

He was relieved to see Indivara had indeed changed when he came back into the main room but frowned at his shirt being turned into a stretched out tent. His clothing wasn’t that much larger than she needed! Momentarily disgusted, V’ler almost tossed a comment at her about her obvious views that he must be gaining weight if she was assisting in making larger clothing for him but while bickering would be something normal between them, he wasn’t feeling like his whole attention would be put into it. After all, he had seen and smelled the contents of the egg as well and it was still sitting uneasily in his mind, though not as much as it clearly was for Indivara. The girl had been the reason it was unleashed on the Weyr and had a front row view of everything. He certainly wasn’t about to compare their ordeals but he understood.

When no opinion came on what type of music she wanted, V’ler gave a little sigh and went over to his desk. Quill and Vex were both given pats to the head for rewards for being so good and loyal. He could feel their love and concern for him and it was touching. His guitar was picked up after that and V’ler lazily strummed a few chords, testing the tuning and giving his fingers a quick warm up. It was also something soothing to him and fingering the guitar helped relax him. Like Veeth said, music soothed his soul and made everything better. A song or two was as much for Indivara as it was for him.

He stood off to the side, softly playing the guitar for a few minutes, humming lightly at times, while he thought about what to play for Indivara. In the end, he settled on playing a new song he hadn’t unveiled to anyone yet and figured he’d play what he wanted since Indivara very likely wouldn’t want to hear anything at all or would make her usual quips regardless of what style he went with. Moving back to the couch, V’ler reclaimed his seat, glanced at Indivara and Queenie, took a moment to seek out where Sucker had gotten off to, and then began his serenade.

Indivara had long been lost in her own little world, her mind a thousand miles away as she tried to keep her mind off all the things that had occurred not so long ago. Her motions of brushing her fingers over Queenie’s head had been reduced to a mindless process, and she clearly wasn’t paying attention to the way the little gold was glaring at her irritably when Indivara didn’t alter her own attentions to cater with the way Queenie had settled herself in in a much more royal manner. Sucker, for his part, was amused by the gold as he curled around Indivara’s neck, all but unnoticed.

The girl jumped slightly on the spot when the music finally registered, though it only did so well after the bluerider had settled himself on the couch beside her, and Indivara turned confused eyes upon the young man, her eyebrows furrowed. The expression only intensified as Indivara eyed V’ler sceptically as he began singing what Indivara immediately decided was the most sickening dose of sugary love she had ever heard in her life. The line about ‘you’re too beautiful’ had the girl cough out a sarcastic snort, and she rolled her eyes heavenward.

“You’re joking, right?” Indivara asked, the question entirely rhetorical and she again rolled her eyes at the look she got from the bluerider. Huffing, Indivara sunk back into the couch, and stared frankly at V’ler, wondering exactly how high on whatever drug it was he took, the man had been when he wrote the song he was currently singing. “How do you even come up with shit like that?” Despite her word usage, Indivara’s question was entirely honest as she frowned at V’ler with a completely bewildered expression, shifting in her seat to gawk at him somewhat. The girl was incapable of comprehending that anyone could actually mean the crap he’d been singing, let alone someone like V’ler actually come up with it!

Indivara’s comments were to be expected just as the look he levelled on her in return was. He didn’t stop singing until the end of the song since he was well-trained and knew how to not let hecklers get to him. Her question at the end, however, was given a proper pause of reflection as V’ler lightly strummed a few notes and thought about what to tell her and how much. He was always proud of his songs despite not releasing most of them to the public and while he had been asked in the past about inspiration, V’ler had typically left the curious without answers and for them to form theories. It was more interesting that way. This time was different though. He was trying to help Indivara forget the horrors of the day, even if only for a little while and if she was busy dissecting his skills and mocking him, then she wasn’t busy losing herself in the looped memory of the moment she knocked on an egg.

“I read a lot during transcribing lessons and chores,” he shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. He had picked up a lot from the history notes he read and copied down, including some of the great love stories of back in the day but it wasn’t all that inspired him. “I also watch certain couples around Katila that are hopelessly pathetic in their love and then I come up with lines that make most girls swoon.” B’jin and R’nd were his number one pair to observe but it was easy to do so given how oblivious they were in their love and flaunted it out in the open every time they were within view of each other. V’ler may have teased them regularly about the age gap and anything else he could think of at the time but he secretly hoped they never parted ways since they were his muses and left him encouraged that the ‘shit’ he came up with could actually happen and last.

“Besides, love songs in any form of tempo are much safer than other songs I wrote and sang.” V’ler grimaced slightly as he looked down at his trusted guitar, still thankful to I’shan for grabbing it when he stole him away turns ago. It was a piece of his old life and something that gave him comfort back in the early days of adjusting to his new life and it was in much better than nearly all of what was offered up as an instrument in Katila. He would have wept for days if he was stuck using one of those before going off to make his own.

Glancing up from the guitar, V’ler found and held Indivara’s gaze for a moment as he considered yet again what to tell her. T’lian knew a bit of his past and E’si knew from experience as a Harper as well what could happen but for the most part, V’ler kept the details about himself quiet. “Some patrons in the Holds didn’t always appreciate my lyrical take on sensitive subjects like their politics or some of the older songs like the ones about dragons protecting us or returning and I would leave a little more black and blue than I arrived.” Those nights were never fun but at least they were kind enough – or dumb enough not to think of it – to leave his hands alone. He was only ever roughed up enough to be taught a lesson but it never actually took given how many other nights in other locations he had such encores.

Indivara paused for several moments, clearly considering what it was that V’ler had just told her as he seemed lost in silence for a moment, the girl’s eyes less than believing as she wriggled slightly, her legs reappearing from under the shirt. She folded them under herself, and leaned forward. One hand holding most of her weight against the back of the couch, Indivara made a show of pressing the back of her other hand to the bluerider’s forehead and pursing her lips thoughtfully. Reclaiming her hand, Indivara settled down again, albeit somewhat closer than she had been previously. “That’s stupid,” she said, frowning with irritation. “No one is that delusional.” The idea that people might actually believe the things V’ler had just sung about, let alone feel them, or live them, was not something Indivara was capable of comprehending.

Indivara’s non-riding father had died when she was very young, while her mother – a greenrider – and then invested in her dragon’s flights and mothing, things Indivara herself had grown up to view as completely normal and the way things were meant to be. As a result, she had no idea how to comprehend conventional love, or that people could actually be capable of living or believing in the things that were sung about in ballads that the harpers gave voice to. Since Indivara could not understand it, that immediately told the girl that it was both stupid, and untrue. V’ler was making up stories to side track and amuse her, but they certainly weren’t truths.

The girl probably would have continued her education of V’ler and how ridiculous he was being and that she wasn’t stupid, but the bluerider had already moved on, and the things he then spoke of were just as shocking to Indivara, if not more so, and the girl gawked at her companion. “Whoah,” Indivara demanded, holding up the hand she had previously made a show of taking V’ler’s temperature with. “What?!” Righteous outrage was something Indivara was no stranger to, and the sudden anger that boiled up in the girl shone through blue eyes that darkened in fury. “Who do they think is going to fight Thread when it returns?!” The girl glared at V’ler like it was all his fault, though it was just as clear that her fury was not actually aimed at the bluerider.

A flat stare was leveled on Indivara. Was the girl thinking at all? V’ler supposed since she had been born and raised in the South that her knowledge of anything in the North was minimal and likely skewered as well. Who knew what the Searchriders saw and how they interpreted it as they brought word back with stolen people and supplies? “Vara… the dragons vanished when I was still a kid. No one in the North knows they’re still alive.” There was sadness in his voice as V’ler spoke the horrible truth. It had been devastating to his young mind that dragons died off and he would never get to see one or ride one. A lot of his time studying at Harper Hall had involved reading about dragons and their records. He had even found a copy of B’jin’s Impression though hearing the story from the man himself was far more satisfying to his curious nature.

“They’ve turned to other means of protection and many Lords don’t even believe Thread is an issue. Some are glad they don’t have to deal with dragonriders anymore either. It’s why I was beat when I sang their praises,” V’ler winced at the memories again and for once questioned himself on speaking. Maybe he should have simply answered the question about love songs and not expanded on anything. Maybe it was better that such a passionate and fiery woman didn’t know how the North viewed things. He didn’t like having remorse and hated how he was about to try and distract Indivara from the conversation that was likely to set her into a further rage. Which, he admitted, was better than her reliving the Hatching over and over but V’ler wasn’t sure he was in the mood to deal with being the verbal punching bag for things he didn’t do or believe either.

“Another love song?” V’ler smirked as he played a few notes. Indivara could be angry over the type of songs he played for her; that was easier to deal with. He didn’t mind dissecting songs and explaining inspiration though he already knew the view wasn’t shared by Indivara.

Indivara glared indignantly, latching onto chunks of V’ler’s comments, her nostrils flaring with outrage as she puffed out an angry breath. “So?” She demanded, throwing out one hand in a broad gesture, managing not to hit the bluerider in the process by some miracle. She leaned forward with a heated glare. “At night, the sun doesn’t exist. That doesn’t mean it isn’t going to come back in the morning.” Her chin set in a stubborn jut and she dared V’ler to argue with her, or laugh at her choice of an argument.

“They all deserved to be scored by Thread!” She huffed, crossing her arms indignantly over her chest and slumping back against the couch with an angry sneer. Who cared if no one knew whether Thread would ever return? Was it not better to be safe than sorry? Wasn’t that the whole reason they had all stayed in the South so long, anyway? Better safe than sorry! Better dragons that were strong and healthy and alive than to go running back to Weyrs that might still have been infected with whatever it was that had caused the illness in the first place! Stupid Northerners would be lucky if anyone decided their useless hides were worth protecting when Thread came back!

“No,” she snorted, finally answering V’ler’s question about if she wanted another love song sung, and her foot flicked out to kick him in the shin with a disgruntled look. Really! Love songs? What was she, a holder girl? Indivara snorted again and rolled her eyes, but a smile was tugging at the corner of her lips. Settling back into the crook of the couch between armrest and backrest, Indivara kicked her feet up over V’ler’s lap alongside the guitar and stared at him. “Sing something I can sing too.” Her smirk was devious; Indivara did not have a particularly pleasant singing voice, a fact she was clearly proud of in that moment.

Indivara reacted as predicted with venting her anger and then falling easily into being distracted by such a distasteful idea. V’ler barely held back a smirk at the request as his gaze shifted from feet making themselves at home on his lap to the girl’s smirk. “That’s not exactly motivating me to change genres, Vara,” he replied as if he was going to torture her with more soppy feelings tossed to music but fingers started playing a more lively tune he’d be shocked if Indivara didn’t know. Having a good time and enjoying life; that was all some songs needed to be.

Since it seemed like it was music time and not serious business time anymore, Quill and eventually Vex joined everyone on the couch. Quill claimed a spot on the back of the couch near V’ler’s head while Vex sat down between the two humans and dared Indivara or Sucker to say something about it. It was his hut and he would sit where he wanted! An affectionate head butt to V’ler’s thigh was quickly given before Vex turned his attention back on the others, a solid glare returning.

As the song came to an end, V’ler gave them no rest and moved right into another song he assumed Indivara would know. Her singing wasn’t exactly enjoyable, even when he tried to tune her out, but she seemed to be enjoying herself to some degree and that was the main thing right then. His own suffering could be dealt with later when he made the girl do something nice for him. Bleeding ears on a Harper was a serious matter and V’ler felt he definitely earned something for the out of tune sing along. With the end of the second song came a rest as V’ler reached down for his water and took a couple of swallows. Nothing was said about the singing, song choices, or moods. Indivara could pick the topic if she wanted to talk and start singing if she wanted musical accompaniment.

“You’re an idiot,” But there was gentle laughter in the words, and Indivara rolled her eyes as she leaned back into the arm rest, folding her hands over her tummy and staring up at the ceiling. When he started into a song she knew, though, Indivara’s features twisted into mischievous and smug expression as she peered down her nose at V’ler on the other end of the not-very-big couch, especially since she was managing to stretch from one end to just about the other!

The girl did her best not to be completely horrendous with her singing, but every time she noticed V’ler flinch, Indivara’s lips would twitch and she’d go out of her way to hit a particularly sour note, particularly if the chance came to angle more at screeching a high than actually obtaining it. Watching the bluerider’s face when she did would fill the next several words with laughter, before she was given the chance again to abuse his precious ears. Could one be a Harper, if one were deaf? Or like dragonriding, would someone with that disability be considered defunct in that lifestyle?

The lack of breathing space between the two songs only caused more amusement in Indivara, her mood clearly taking to light-hearted and enjoyable rather than taking offence in her usual method. The second song may have been traumatised somewhat more than the first song, but Indivara’s smug expression and dancing blue eyes belied the fact that she was doing it just to bait V’ler, and that her mind was clearly quite some distance from the horror of the hatching sands.

When that song finished, Indivara followed V’ler’s lead by leaning over the side of the couch to find her glass of drink – accidentally kicking the bluerider in the guts with her heel; naturally no apology for this was forthcoming, though she arched her eyebrow at him just slightly, as if asking what he were going to do about it. After taking a drink of her own water, Indivara set it carefully back on the ground, and settled into the couch she had clearly claimed as her domain, and poked V’ler in the chest with her toes.

“Tell me a story.”

Since he was Harper trained and stubborn on some things in general, V’ler only flinched during particularly sour notes Indivara invented during the songs but didn’t miss a note of his own vocally or on the guitar. He caught on easily, especially in the second song that she was doing it on purpose to cause a rise so V’ler did his best not to react. Still, a flinch or a quirk of the brow at the squeal that was released was given in return. It was probably a good thing since it kept Indivara in a good mood and not ready to pounce him for ignoring her attempts or encourage her to break his eardrums as she tried harder.

The kick to his chest wasn’t commented on since it hadn’t really hurt and thankfully hadn’t tickled him either. He wasn’t exactly ticklish but there was a horrible reflex associated to the attack that did bring about a quick laugh and a means to stop the assault. V’ler only smirked at the look he received that clearly challenged him to say something about it and then went back to plucking softly at the guitar, lazily playing the chorus he had been working on recently.

At the request for a story, V’ler’s attention went back to Indivara and he eyed the girl for a moment. What was he going to tell her? He knew many thanks to his time spent transcribing old scrolls, teaching kids, being near young ladies in Holds, and even the ones he had lived. What would Indivara be interested in though? “I’ll leave the romantic wishful longing stories for another day since you’ve been so nice. I’m sure Rhaedalyn can tell you better ones anyway. I haven’t quite perfected by dreamy sighs yet.” Everyone knew the gold weyrling always had her head in the clouds and V’ler knew that while the girls weren’t the closest of friends, they sometimes collided and got along for that time. Rhaedalyn was more than welcome to her love stories and sharing them.

The guitar was carefully set down on the floor beside the couch, leaning against the wall. He didn’t need that for story time. “Instead, this is the story about a son of a farmer that had greater aspirations.” His life story wasn’t one he told willingly to people either. It wasn’t so much a desire to not let people know his humble beginnings farming but simply because he didn’t like too much being known about him and left out in the open for anyone to use. He glossed over the minor bits, focusing a bit more on the exciting moments such as being allowed to enter Harper Hall. To keep the story fresh to Indivara, V’ler tossed in the parts about feeling tortured by his Masters making him learn all areas and included some of the adventures he had been dragged along on with Jada and her brother that he had befriended easily and early on.

Given their previous conversation, V’ler made sure he noted his constant interest in dragons and the heartbreak he had over never getting to ride one. Even his Kidnapping at the hands of I’shan was mentioned though V’ler could only fill in the little bit that he knew. He had been playing under the tree outside the Hall, fell asleep, and woke up at Candidate Isle with Allendris there as well. “Oddly enough, Larrikith was the first dragon to be properly interacted with. And from that point on, you more or less know how the life went for the little farmer boy.”

Despite interruptions in various forms that came from Indivara and firelizards, V’ler felt that everything went rather well. He still much preferred singing about love stories than telling his own life story but at least it had variety in it.

Indivara gave a snort of amusement at the prospect of V’ler giving life to dreamy sighs, the girl’s expression both mocking and highly entertained. It would certainly be entertaining, that was for sure! He was a boring piece of work when he wanted to be, but Indivara was quite sure that there had to be someone in the Weyr for whom V’ler kept pent up, wishful sighs. Her features twisted, a devious little smirk lifting the corners of her lips and brightening her eyes. “Of course not,” she said, sweet as sugar.

The story was listened to attentively, with Indivara managing not to actively interrupt, though of course she punctuated his words when required with snorts, both of amusement and disbelief, coupled with the suitably appropriate looks. “I’m not sure how much of that I buy,” Indivara laughed, when V’ler was done, shifting in her spot to curl her feet up under herself. Folding her arms across her knees, Indivara leaned forward and raised her eyebrows.

“Although I like this farmer thing, Val.” She smirked. “Always knew you were a snot nosed brat,” her voice was teasing, eyes sparkling as Indivara continued to smirk, “too big for your britches.” She knew that was bound to get a response! “Larrikith?” Indivara’s nose scrunched up. “That dragon is the spawn of Thread. Grith is much nicer.”

Indivara was right; her comment did earn a reaction but it came first in one eyebrow lifting and then a slow crooked grin appearing. “I have been told that before – in more ways than one, as you yourself can attest to.” V’ler wasn’t one to brag about conquests, his skills, or his size but Indivara had simply left herself open to such a reply that he had to go for it. He waited long enough to see what her reaction to such a statement would be before jumping to the other portion of his story that seemed to stick out the most to the girl.

“I agree Larrikith is a bit much at times. She tried drowning me during our first meeting.” A small shrug was given, as if it wasn’t anything to worry about. At the time it was definitely something to worry about though. V’ler wasn’t sure if she was playing or truly meant to hold him under water until he passed out. After that, he always kept an eye on the green when they were both near water but he did fully trust Larrikith. Considering the flights she had taken him on that left him close to vomiting and afraid of falling but was always buckled in properly and her laughter filling his head, he really had no choice but to trust her in the end. She was playful and a bit mean at times but a good dragon in the end.

After the bickering had passed, V’ler regarded Indivara for a moment. It had been a long day for them both thanks to the hatching and returning here immediately after. The sun had set some time ago and while he had some fruit in the kitchen and could easily find more food in the Dining Hall, V’ler suspected Indivara wasn’t up for anything more than the drink he had brought her earlier. He had to admit, he wasn’t overly hungry either when images of the egg came back to him. It was also considered early for him as well but with the day’s events, V’ler was willing to make exceptions on bed time routines this once.

“Will you be wanting the couch to call your own or a portion of the bed?” He considered Indivara some sort of friend but he wasn’t about to give up the entire bed to her either. She was tiny enough that even if their collection of firelizards joined them, they would all still have enough space. “I’m going to go for a bath soon as well if you wanted to come. Veeth can bring us there and back.” It was unspoken but the offer was hidden in his words. He’d make sure Indivara was left alone while not leaving her alone. No one would approach her about what had happened even if that meant smuggling her to and from the bathhouse in the dark and continuing to be a companion to keep her mind off of the event.

Indivara laughed, not bothering to rise to the bait as she shook her head in amusement. She should have foreseen the words she had spoken being taken in such a manner. The girl put it down to the long day that she had not, and that she found his response more amusing than annoying. That, in itself, truly told her how much she had been shaken and she had no doubt that V’ler was quite capable of picking up on as much himself. She blinked owlishly when the bluerider changed the topic of conversation.

Her eyebrows arched almost mockingly as she stared up at V’ler. “I thought getting the bed to myself was one of the few benefits I retained for being female.” Her voice was drier than the desert sand, and she watched V’ler without a hint of further investment, but her blue eyes were sharp and held his gaze. Indivara had long been aware of the restrictions that came with her being female, but she was also aware of some of the few benefits. Unfortunately, she was also quite aware that being Weyrbred, many considered her immune to such benefits; she was curious to see where V’ler stood on such things, though she expected she knew: he simply did not care, one way or the other.

Her lip twitched, and an eyebrow arched on its own at the invitation to bath, but Indivara nodded slowly, even as she schooled her expression carefully. A deep breath was taken, and then released between almost-pursed lips, just enough space to not cause a whistling sound. She battled back the memories and grimaced, nodding once more; a bath would be beyond a good idea. Indivara was not sure she would ever be clean from the horrid touch of the contents of that egg, but a hot bath would certainly be a good place to start.

“Okay.” She stated simply, and held her hand out so he could pull her to her feet, and lead the way to the blue dragon.