Sleepless in Dragonsfall

Writers: AL, Vix
Date Posted: 28th July 2008

Characters: Drina, Irlani
Description: Drina and Irlani have a late talk over klah.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 11, day 5 of Turn 4

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"Ah, Drina," Irlani slipped up to the table at which Drina sat, her
hands curled around a nice, warm cup of klah. "Couldn't sleep either?"
She slowly slipped into a seat opposite of the other foster mother
and set her cup before her, though she kept her hands around it. Her
gaze darted about. There weren't very many people around that time of
night, just a couple of other dragonriders and a couple of drudges.

"I could sleep just fine," Drina told her. "It's the two of them who
couldn't." She nodded toward a nearby area of the kitchen that was
padded and enclosed to secure young ones during the times when the
women were busy cooking. Within it two children lay curled together,
sound asleep.

"It looks like they're sleeping soundly now." Amusement tinged
Irlani's voice and she lifted her mug to her lips to take a long sip.
"How long are you going to wait before you move them?"

"I'll give them a while. I'll wake Drisha and let her walk back to our
quarters, but I want to be certain that Kellaw is truly asleep before I
attempt to move him."

"Ah yes, I can understand that." Irlani nodded and set her mug down
once more. "So how do the days fare for you as of late? I haven't
really spoken to you in a while."

"My days are fine – as long as I find sleep at night. And truthfully, I
seldom have sleepless nights now that Kellaw's growing older." Drina
rolled her head to ease the achiness she could feel in her neck. "And
you? Are you and the little one adjusting?"

"Yes, quite well actually." Irlani had honestly thought Gyta would be
a tought nut to crack, but she and the child had clicked in a manner
that had surprised, and yes, pleased, her.

"Will you be taking on any other fosters?"

"Probably not." Irlani stated after a moment of silence. "Gyta's gone
through such a hard time and I think she really benefits from the
attention." Her hands turned her mug around and around as she
considered the possibility.

"I can understand that," Drina agreed. "I've started thinking about
taking on another. But then I have a night like this and decide that it
might not be time yet."

"They are hard work." Irlani stated as her gaze moved back to where
Drina's were sleeping. "But I love them even so."

Drina nodded. "I'll not argue that. But I don't think it's fair to take
on more than I can care for properly."

"Of course not." Irlani shook her head and looked back to her friend.
"It wouldn't be fair to you, and especially wouldn't be fair to them.
I'd never suggest that."

"I'd like to have another of my own some day," the younger woman mused
before remembering to whom she was speaking. "Oh. . . I'm sorry. I
mean, maybe. . . never mind."

"It's okay, Drina." Irlani leaned forward and patted her friend upon
the hand. "You can talk about it. I'll just make fun of you when you
have a big belly."

"When that happens I'll need something to make me laugh." Drina shook
her head. "I enjoyed being pregnant with Drisha, but much of that time
was also draining. I can't imagine going through it again with a small
one – or two – in tow."

"I had twins once." Irlani smiled, remembering. "Then their father
transferred and took them with them. The mother wound up giving up her
craft to just take care of her family." Which was, Irlani thought, a
good thing.

Drina shook her head thoughtfully. "I'd prefer not to deal with that.
One at a time is enough – and sometimes more than enough."

"It depends on the child." Irlani mused and sighed softly.
"Gyta...she's really not hard. She's a much easier child than a lot of
the ones I've fostered. She just so...delicate."

"But then she'd not do well with the likes of mine," Drina told her.
"Drisha is far too rough and tends not to think before she acts. And
unfortunately, Kellaw is following in her ways."

"I don't mean delicate so much in a physical sense." Irlani shook her
head and took another sip of her drink. "I mean emotionally. She's
been through quite a bit for someone so young."

"More so than all of us have learning to live with Thread?"

"That's something we've all been through. Not everyone has seen what
she's seen." Irlani paused, then shook her head. "I don't think it's
my story to tell, so I shan't, but...she doesn't speak. Not because
she can't, but because of what happened. Learning to live with
Thread, that's something we're all doing, so she's not alone in that,
but this..."

Drina nodded thoughtfully. "The healers haven't offered any
recommendations?"

"I honestly don't know. I've only had her in my care for a little
while." Irlani wondered if J'gen had thought to take her to the
healers. Surely he had, but he hadn't said anything to her about it.
"I'll ask J'gen. He probably has taken her, but it would be good to
know what they've said. Mostly, though, I think it's just going to
take time." Irlani finished off her drink. "I should get to bed. As
should you, my friend."

"It is that time," Drina agreed, rising from the bench. "And far too
soon it will be time to be up and about for the new day."

"Very true. I would suggest napping when they nap tomorrow." Irlani
pushed back her chair and rose as well. "Have a good night Drina. Do
try to get some sleep."

"I will – and you try, too." Drina made her way to the enclosure,
intent on waking her daughter without waking her younger fosterson.

Last updated on the July 28th 2008

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Sleepless in Dragonsfall