The Perks of Being Grounded
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 6th March 2024
Characters: H'run
Description: H'run discovers a benefit to being grounded
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 9, day 13 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: W'ser
**How does your wing feel, my love?** H'run ran his hands over W'ser's careful stitches. Calcifeth's poor wing was swollen and hot to the touch, but didn't look infected. W'ser had done good work stitching up the Threadscore.
The blue dragon flexed his injured wing. }:I hurt,:{ he said plaintively. He slumped against the dragonhealer's floor and sighed, his eyes whirling with distress. }:I do not like being injured.:{
**I know.** His rider pressed his forehead against his dragon's hide, wishing he could do more to help his lifemate. **W'ser said that you'd be able to come back to our weyr today, if you feel up for it.**
Calcifeth sighed, sending little dust devils across the room on his breath. }:I am too weak. I will lay in the sun here and the dragonhealers will put numbweed on my wing and oil my hide. Another dragon can hunt for me. I would like a baby ovine.:{
H'run hid a smile. Calcifeth would be fine, he thought. His dragon usually hid away if he was seriously hurt, but if he was moaning for the dragonhealers' attention and having another dragon fetch him dinner, he was on the mend. He'd already demanded two baths. **If you are sure, my love. I do miss you at our weyr.**
}:I know you do, but I am too weak to fly.:{ Calcifeth sighed again. }:Tell someone to oil me. My hide itches.:{
H'run scratched his beloved dragon's eye ridges one last time before wandering off to find an apprentice to tend to Calcifeth's demands. It was only midmorning and now that the immediate danger had passed, the bluerider was enjoying being grounded. He shaded his eyes and looked up to where his Wing was in the middle of drills, and smiled.
Perhaps he'd spend the day reading by the Indoor Weyrlake. Or playing his gitar-- it wouldn't be long until he'd attracted an audience, and there was nothing H'run liked more than an audience. Or perhaps he'd wander over to see the Headwoman and request access to the stores of spare clothing. One never knew what one might find.
Or perhaps he'd take a bath. The idea of a nice long soak while everyone else was off drilling was hugely appealing, so after he'd sent an apprentice to tend to his dragon H'run headed back to his weyr for his toiletry basket.
As he'd suspected, the bathing cavern was full of steam and nearly empty of bathers at this time of the morning. H'run set his basket to one side and slipped into the hot water with a contented sigh.
He sat there until every muscle in his body had turned liquid and his toes were wrinkled. When he opened his eyes again it was to find a woman staring at him from across the pool. She had brown hair piled atop her head, freckled skin, and the muscular shoulders of a dragonrider. She smiled. "Sorry. Guess I got caught."
"No, no. Look to your heart's content." H'run waved an airy hand and reached for his basket. "I know just how fascinating I am."
She laughed. "Are you H'run?"
The bluerider sank back into the water with a smile. "However did you know?"
"I work with the dragonhealers sometimes, now that my Gishabeth is grounded. She can fly, but isn't in fighting shape these days." The woman shrugged. "Thread got her pretty badly in the second turn of the Pass."
"My condolences," H'run said. "Although I am very glad to hear she can fly. And I do apologise, you have me at a disadvantage. You know me, but I don't know you."
She smiled, revealing a pair of sweet dimples. "I'm Ripa. Nice to meet you."
H'run batted his eyelashes at her. "Do you come here often, Ripa?"
"I do bathe, you know." The water offering tantalising glimpses of her body as she moved across the pool to join him. "Looks like you have quite the soap collection."
"It's a weakness, I admit it." H'run paused as if he'd just now been struck with an idea. "If you'd like to try some, I could wash your back for you...?"
"Mmm. I'd like that." Ripa turned her back toward him and looked coyly over her shoulder. "Perhaps you could pick one for me? I like citrus scents, or something with a nice oil for my skin...?"
"I'm sure I have something." H'run smiled as he went through his basket of bathing goodies. This morning was definitely looking up, and H'run decided that he was going to enjoy being grounded.
Last updated on the March 9th 2024