An Easy Friend

Writers: Chelle, Jelena
Date Posted: 26th July 2014

Characters: E'rae, Naevyn
Description: E'rae and Naevyn have another go at conversation.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 20 of Turn 7

"Hello E'rae," Naevyn sat down next to her wingmate with a polite nod.
Their last conversation that had been more than a polite exchange of
wing-matters hadn't exactly gone well, but she was determined to try again.
She'd seen such grief in the man and now she was grieving herself, she
could only feel for him more. "How are you doing today?"

He looked up from his food and was surprised to see this particular
greenrider in front of him. "Same as usual. You?"

"A bit crappier than usual," Naevyn shrugged, uncharacteristically blunt.
"With Z'an's death... I don't know, I probably took it harder than I
should."

"When you know someone well, it does get a little harder." E'rae had seen a
lot more death than she had. In Threadfall he expected it. That was easier.
It was an honorable death.

"Time makes it less painful, though. Plus there's always the small
realization that it could have been you."

"Yeah, I'm waiting for that old Master Healer Time's medicine to start
working," Naevyn nodded. "How's he been doing for you?"

He looked down at his food again, thinking, as he twirled it around. "I've
made a few friends. I don't think...I don't think I can ever go back there
though. And I don't think I would ever be able to see her again." He was
being completely honest and his eyes showed the inner misery that was still
lurking.

Naevyn shrugged slightly. "Do you have to?" She didn't know just who it was
he was talking about, but she figured it was someone back at River Bluff.

"I suppose not, unless she comes here for a Hatching or something. Or if I
wanted to go visit K'mai." There was a sound of longing in his tone then.
He did miss his friend more than anything else. Their relationship had been
turns in the making.

"Well, it will be uncomfortable and possibly heart-breaking if you do run
into her, but you managed to get away a first time, I guess the second will
only be easier." Naevyn reached out to gently touch his shoulder, before
she pulled back with a slightly teasing smile. "Also, I'm hurt I wasn't the
first among those friends you made, I offered and everything!" She even
added a wink to her light tone. Z'an would be proud, surely.

"Ah well I wasn't exactly looking to be friendly with women just yet you
know. I need to figure out...myself first. I'm working on it." Her reaction
did surprise him, though, after they had left things last time. He would
never understand females, especially young ones. "I didn't really get away
the first time. I just left. And then I saw her again and she walked away
from me. So yes...she was the one that ended things."

"Now that's mean. I can be just as much a friend as any guy," Naevyn said,
though she was still smiling kindly. "Maybe you need to decide to end it
for yourself, then?"

"I have no other choice. So...I'm trying to be ready to move on-whatever
that means. The mindhealer seems to think it comes with a lot of guilt,
insecurity, and whatever else he said." He shook his head, admitting to his
own failings for once. "You know...maybe...maybe I can be friendly. But...I
should probably take it easy." He looked back at her, hopeful, feeling like
he was in uncharted waters.

"I can be an easy-going friend," Naevyn smiled kindly, feeling quite proud
of herself for further stretching her own boundaries. "Used to be a total
wall-flower in fact, so I know my easy."

"Hmm well then Naevyn thank you for being my easy friend." He put his hand
out for a shake.

"You're more than welcome," Naevyn took his hand gladly and gave it a
gentle shake. "You know, I was going to visit the tanners for some new
leathers. Do you happen to need anything?"

"No thank you." With nothing but time, E'rae had already done many of the
chores like that. He appreciated the gesture though.

"Alright," Naevyn nodded. Getting up, she gathered her dishes on a tray.
"Catch you later then!"

Last updated on the July 28th 2014

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An Easy Friend