A Chance to Cool Down
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: Bree, Estelle
Date Posted: 12th September 2005
Characters: Abrei, L'keri
Description: Abrei ends up venting to L'keri, who does his best to reassure her that R'han won't stay angry at her forever.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 7, day 13 of Turn 3
L'keri opened the door to a highly unusual sight. Abrei stood on the other side of the door, a tangle of clothing clutched against her chest and a highly agitated look on her face. She took one look at L'keri and did something even more unusual--something no one had seen her do in fifteen turns or more. She started crying.
He reacted instinctively, putting an arm around her shoulder and leading her inside, closing the door behind her. Women more often than not used him as a shoulder to cry on - he was good at listening and making people feel better about themselves - but he'd never imagined Abrei would seek him out for that reason. She seemed so...strong.
"Come and sit down...it's all right." He knew better than to ask questions just yet - she'd tell him in her own time.
She followed him numbly, settling on to the couch with the bundle of laundry still held against her. "I'm sorry... I don't know why I'm here..."
"It doesn't matter. Here, let me take that." He gently took the clothes from her and put them down on a chair before sitting beside her, while silently checking with Rhalith to be sure nothing had happened to R'han. Though he would have heard at once had the bronzerider died, he had the horrible thought that he might have fallen ill of some deadly disease.
}: Yarbreth says his rider is well...but angry. :{
** Angry? ** L'keri almost sighed in relief and managed to hide it just in time. ** Only a quarrel, then. **
"You don't have to explain," he reassured Abrei. "If you want, we can talk of something else...or just sit."
Abrei just looked tired. "I don't know how to talk about things like this."
"Well, usually you would tell me what's happened and I would dispense wisdom and sage advice." L'keri said solemnly. "Only we might have to settle for just the first part, since wisdom isn't my strong suit."
"I think everyone is wiser than I am when it comes to romance," Abrei replied sourly. "As for what happened... I made R'han so angry he tossed me and my laundry into the hallway. I'm good at that."
The brownrider's eyes widened slightly. That was quite a feat - R'han was not known for tossing attractive women out of his weyr. Quite the opposite, in fact.
"You're both...strong-willed people," he said, trying to be as tactful as he could. "All couples quarrel from time to time. It'll mend, Abrei - I promise." He smiled. "No man alive would be able to keep away from you for long."
Abrei scowled at him, wiping at her cheeks with her sleeve. "I'm sure I could change your mind about _that_ in no time at all, L'keri."
"Let's not test that theory. Being thrown out of a weyr once in one day is enough for any woman." L'keri held up his hands in surrender. "What was the argument about?"
"I don't know... I think I called him stupid." Abrei hesitated and then sighed. "Well, I know I called him stupid."
"Oh..." L'keri was sensible enough not to say 'is that all?' out loud.
"Well, you were proved right, Abrei. Anyone who'd send you away has to be stupid."
Abrei rolled her eyes, but finally showed a hint of a smile. "I'd like to see you tell _him_ that."
"Do you dare me?" The brownrider winked. "Actually, that's not such a bad idea. Would you like me to talk to him?" He only hoped he was brave enough to go through with his offer - if he annoyed R'han, he sensed he'd get thrown out of the bronzerider's weyr a lot less gently than she'd been.
Abrei obviously had the same thought. "I think maybe it would be better if you didn't. If he gets much more annoyed he's likely to start tossing people out through the door."
"As long as he doesn't toss me off his weyr ledge, I think I'll survive." He met her gaze. "I'm serious, though. If I don't talk to him, then maybe you should. He's probably - no, he's certainly regretting it and feeling twice as miserable as you are just now."
"I'll talk to him," Abrei replied with a weary sigh. "I will. I know I will.
I just need a place to think for a while... I suppose I came here out of habit."
"You can stay as long as you like," L'keri offered immediately. "Perhaps it's wise to give him a chance to cool down. I've got drills in a while, but Ariadne will be back from her shift soon."
Abrei hesitated for a moment and then shook her head. "I've got to go and see U'val in any case... I might as well do it now. It'll give me something to do to keep my mind off things."
"Are you sure?" When she nodded, L'keri reluctantly agreed. "All right, but if you change your mind about me talking to R'han, you can always ask - I'll be back here this evening after drills."
Abrei shook her head and rose. "I'll talk to him myself... but there _is_
something you can do for me, if you're willing..." She gave him pathetic look. "Help me get my clothing to U'val's weyr? I've probably left a trail of it on my way here..."
"Certainly, Weyrhealer." He winked at her. "I'm an expert at moving clothing."
Last updated on the September 12th 2005