RCW: Night to themselves

Posted on Thu Aug 14th, 2025 @ 9:05pm by Gold Rider Lana & Bronze Rider A'ren

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M3 D10

Lana closed her eyes as she finally set the records aside and sighed. She really needed to convince A’ren to let her go north to look in the northern records, they had barely anything other than the basics at River Cove. She wanted to know more than what was in their area as she felt the ruins and timing it were something more. She rubbed her eyes and winced at the pain she felt as she caught the scar above her left eye. She sighed and took off her glasses which helped the heavy feeling on her face. She looked around and frowned realising she had been there for candlemakes since she had shooed A’ren out and even the food that Tula had brought her was freezing cold.

A'ren had enjoyed the afternoon with I'han. It had been nice just to relax and not think about anything. Although now he needed to headed for the records room as it appeared Lana wasn't back yet. Which really didn't surprise him. He knew she would get lost in the hides. As he stepped inside he looked around for his mate, seeing hides spread out everywhere.

Lana looked up as someone appeared inside the open doorway and she smiled seeing it was the Weyrleader that she had shooed out candlemarks ago. “Hello Weyrleader.” She said standing up to stretch out her arms over her head. “What did you get up to when I kicked you out?” Lana could not handle his hoovering any longer. She was keeping out of trouble and avoiding people until she was a little better healed in her vainness but she did not want him there when he could have been doing other things.

He turned at her voice, smiling. “Had a drink with an old friend,” he answered. “Looks like you’ve been busy. Did you find anything?” A'ren knew she was trying to stay out of everyone's way for a bit and at least in the records room she would stay out of trouble.

“Good.” Lana winced at the way her back clicked loudly and shook it off with a sigh. “Not overly mentions of how the ruins were used back when we came to the planet but nothing since then. I might go to Smith Hall after fall day after tomorrow and speak to them if D’eng was involved as K’ron mentioned when I asked if they were ready to explore then they might have been looking for things there too.” She shrugged thinking it might be useless but it was all she had right then and there.

He could see the disappointment in her eyes. Somehow he knew he was going to have to agree to her going north. “Hmm that might be a good idea,” he agreed. “It's definitely worth a try.”

“Only option right now but let’s leave it there,” She sighed walking over to him in the doorway. “It feels like it has taken over my life the last month.” She knew it was what they were looking into for the future but it felt like it was dredging up so much for anyone who had been in the Weyr for awhile.

A'ren nodded. “Then we'll shelf it for a bit. How about we get some dinner and have a quiet evening for a change?” They didn't get a chance to do that much either.

The woman smiled up at him and nodded softly at the suggestion. It would be so nice to just have a night with them. “I would like that. Can we have dinner here?” She questioned not wanting to go to the dining cavern yet. She was not prepared yet still being bruised.

“Of course,” he answered. “I'll go get us something real quick.” A'ren knew Lana still wasn't ready to face everyone yet, but at least she was ready to settle down and enjoy a meal.

“Take your time.” She called as she started towards their Weyr.

}: You cannot hide forever :{ Kalaith commented as she watched her rider slip past her with only a small caress.

*** I know but I need to hide for just a little longer. ***

}: You are beautiful. The Weyrleader still thinks so. :{ Kalaith added with a snort. Lana said nothing as she went into the weyr moving folded clean clothes from the table to allow them to eat in comfort.

A'ren made his way down to the dining Cavern. After collecting what seemed like a good meal to him he headed back for their weyr. Hopefully Lana was doing okay.

“Think I got everything,” he said, walking into the weyr with a tray and mugs for klah or juice.

“You make carrying a heavy tray look easy Weyrleader.” She teased him a little as she moved the final book from the dining table that had not been used much in the last couple of sevendays. It showed just how much they had eating with the Weyr and the last few days Lana had been eating in the records room or office.

“I try,” he laughed, setting the tray on the table. He flipped the two mugs right side up and held up her options. “Juice or klah?” He asked. At least they might be able to have a quiet meal.

“Juice. I do not think I need anything to keep me awake.” Lana murmured sitting down as she started to move things around on the plate giving him an extra meat roll knowing she would not be able to eat it.

“Good point,” A'ren smiled, pouring juice for both of them. They really didn't need to be up all night. Once he had the drinks poured he sat at the table across from Lana.

“This is nice.” Lana said after several minutes of silence where they just ate. Lana was a lot slower than normal as her face hurt a little but she knew that eating would help her body repair. It was a nice silence that Lana appreciated now instead of the constantly volley of passion and noise that she thought she wanted.

A'ren swallowed his bite of meat roll before answering. “It is nice. We don't get to do this very often.” It wasn't that he didn't like being Weyrleader and working with the wings. There were just times he enjoyed just having a moment with Lana.

“Obviously by the state of our table filled with books and maps.” She grinned a little at him as she took a sip of the slightly sour juice. It was refreshing and exactly what she needed after being stuck in the records room.

He chuckled a bit. “Only a few books and maps,” he smiled. They had been busy there was no doubt there. But he wasn't going to think of that now.

“Could be worse. Could have been hides and reports.” They had both been leaving stuff in offices a little more, only bringing urgent stuff that needed organising that day back with them. “Who did you catch up with earlier?” She wondered thinking she had not asked who his old friend had been in the end with them deciding on dinner and spending time together

“That is quite true.” Hides and reports were something you never wanted on your personal table. A'ren looked up from his meal. “Oh sorry I thought I said. I met up with I'han.”

“Nope but that was nice. Is he okay?” Lana wondered genuinely. She was still not in a good space with the man all the time but the air had been cleared enough that she wanted to work on eventually fixing their friendship. “How much did you both drink?” She asked thinking on the last time the 2 had been left to their own mischief.

“He's fine. He was tormenting Nikolai,” A'ren chuckled. It was actually entertaining to watch the two together. Sometimes he wondered how they had worked together for so ny Turns. “We shared a skin between the of us,” he answered.

“So you rescued Nikolai. How kind of you.” Lana laughed leaning back in her chair as she watched him. “I have been trying to be kinder to him.” She admitted knowing they had not really spoken about it properly.

“Can't have our healers upset,” he grinned. A'ren nodded. “He mentioned you guys were back on speaking terms. I didn't realize you guys were having such issues.” It had certainly come as a shock to him.

“I was being a wherryhead to him. I was treating him like I was to you last turn.” She said sadly, swirling the content of her drink around in her mug. She was not proud of it at all but she was trying to build some bridges. “I should have spoken to him sooner instead of letting it fester, especially when he saved my life that night when Dragon Hold tried to kill me.”

A'ren knew that feeling quite well. He had been the recipient of Lana’s attitude, but thankfully, they were working it out. Now, what I'han said made sense. “I think he's forgiven you,” he smiled.

“Well, it took me listening to him and thinking with my healer brain," she mumbled, taking a sip of the juice. What he had said was true, she would have thought the same if the roles were reverse. Dragon Hold had waited until Kalaith was on the sands and not around to attack.

“Sometimes we just react before we take the time to think.” A'ren had done that a few times in his own life. He picked up a meat roll to enjoy. “And sometimes we just need time to think before we're willing to listen.”

“And sometimes you need 4 turns to let a few scars heal,” Lana said rubbing absently at the fading scar on her wrist. She had reacted from a place of hurt and embarrassment in all honesty from someone at the time she had counted as her biggest supporter. “It was all on me. Just like me and you. I am not too old that I cannot learn.”

“We all learn at different paces,” he teased. He knew she had been through a lot during that time. “Hey, it's okay. All is forgiven.”

“I am a slow learner. I keep repeating the mistake.” She sighed thinking of F’cone relieved that for now, she had worked that chaos out of her system. Lana looked up and saw him smiling at her. “I don’t forgive myself A’ren. Not quite.” She admitted with a shrug as she picked up a meat roll and ate a few mouthfuls.

There wasn't much A'ren could say to that. It did confuse him when she made the same mistakes but he couldn't change that and he loved her anywhere. “All we can do is move forward.”

Lana nodded raising her mug in salute to that declaration. It was typical of him to attempt to keep her moving forward when sometimes she wanted to delve into the past just like the record rooms. “Trying to.” She assured even if she wanted to wallow in the guilt for a little bit as penance for being so difficult.

He toasted his mug to hers. He knew how she worked and what she was thinking but he wasn't about to let her wallow. They couldn't change the past. “I know you are.”

Lana smiled and returned to her meal. She ate most of it before putting her cutlery down stuffed. It was the most she had eat in days which showed just how much better she was feeling. “That was amazing.” She admitted knowing it was nothing special from the dining cavern but it was good to her.

A'ren glanced up at her as he finished his own meal. It was good to see her eating again. She must have felt better. “It was very good. I'll have to let Tula know.”

Lana smiled as he looked up at her taking her in. After seven years nearly together she could tell he was worrying about her. “She will appreciate that.” Lana said starting to tidy up seeing he had gotten the food. “So what do we do now?” She wondered thinking they had not had an evening just them in so long she was sure that she did not know how to do it.

A'ren helped gather up the dishes. he stopped for a second at her question. “Honestly, I don't know,” he laughed. “We get so rare of a chance for this. I'm all for just snuggling on the couch.”

Normally they stayed in the cavern and listened to music after dinner there or missed it entirely by working too late. Lana found herself laughing too. “I like that idea of just snuggling if I’m invited too.” She asked taking the plate from him to put on the tray.

“You are most definitely invited,” A'ren grinned. He honestly couldn't remember the last time they had been able to just relax. Even the few times they had been injured they couldn't relax.

“Could just be between you and the couch.” Lana teased grabbing the empty tray to pop outside the door knowing a drudge would come and grab them later on as usual. “I know you like that couch.”

A'ren rolled his eyes with a laugh. “I have spent many a night on that couch. I would rather have you there too,” he grinned.

“Sorry. No more sleeping on the couch. You are getting old and your poor back.” She teased stepping back a few steps to avoid him grabbing her up to tickle or show her just how old he was.

“Old? Really? After I just got you dinner and everything?” He shook his head but it was easy to see he wasn't angry at all.

“Still the most handsome Weyrleader I know.” She flirted a little as she flopped back onto the couch moving a couple of the random pillows around to get comfortable. “You did get a very nice dinner and everything though A’ren. Thank you.” She added holding out her hand to him.

“Well in that case,” he grinned as he let her tug him onto the couch. “This is certainly better then being alone,” he said, shifting close to her.

“Always better than being alone.” She assured him as he shifted close before she curled up against him just enjoying the silence as they both just relaxed. “Thank you for tonight.” She knew if she had not been injured they would not have had this moment but it was worth it for this connection with him again. “I love you.” She stated softly.

A'ren shifted to put his arm around her. He missed just having times like this, but as the Weyrleaders they had responsibilities to the Weyr. “I love you too,” he whispered, kissing her hair.

It was now or never and she knew the quietness of the evening would be shattered by her question. “Enough to let me go north with I’han, K’ron or Calarya to look at records?” She wondered picking the people he trusted the most in all of Pern to bring her back in one piece.

The Weyrleader closed his eyes for a moment. He had known the question would come up again. He couldn't keep putting it off. A'ren blew out a soft breath. “Alright,” he agreed. “I don't like it but I know it's something you need to do.”

“Why don’t you like it?” She wondered softly trying to work out what the issue would be with her. Did he think another Weyrleader would steal her away?

He honestly didn't have a good reason. “Just a feeling I have,” he answered. “But I'll feel better knowing you have another rider with you.” It was really just wherrybrained on his part.art.

“A’ren?” She questioned unsnuggling just a little to look at him and take in his eyes and the frown lines. “I was thinking High Reaches, S'cir would be happy for the input from a queen rider in handling Laliy as she is just so young for a senior pair.”

“Hmm?” He asked as she shifted away from him. he nodded a bit. “That would make sense. That poor man is probably pulling his hair out. Just be careful.” He trusted Lana, but he couldn't shake the feeling.

“He most likely is. I know you and the Bronze Riders were here when it happened and that girl is younger than me.” She sighed softly as she lay her head on his shoulder. “You do not get like this unless F’cone is involved.” She said gently looking up at him from where she was lying.

A'ren nodded. It was a lot. He put his arm back around Lana. “That's about the feeling I have,” he admitted. It was just something he couldn't explain.

“But Weyrleader I promised you six months ago I would not play those games with you anymore. I would be yours for the lack of better phrasing because I love you. I don’t want anyone else. No one turns my head like you or I want by my side.” She said gently. “And really A’ren someone from the ice and snow. You should know I am a southern girl.” She added lightly turning away to snuggle a little wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

“I know,” he smiled. “I'm sure it is nothing. I trust you completely. It was just a feeling I had. Just ignore it,” he assured. He squeezed her shoulders gently.

“I can’t ignore it.” She sighed glancing over her shoulder up at him. “Prideful bronze rider. I come home to you every night wanting nothing more than to just be with you.” She sighed rolling her eyes as she leaned over to grab her medical book to read whilst they snuggled.

“That is one thing i can't change,” he pointed out. It was just how bronze riders were. “I know. I know. I am trying to behave,” he promised. A'ren felt like a wherry brain. He shouldn't worry.

Lana said nothing other than shook her head and offered him a book she knew he had been reading last sevenday. Maybe they could read for a few minutes to calm down.

}: You should just tell him!:{ Kalaith commented from the safety of her couch.

*** I could tell him but I do not think it would stop his worries right now. *** She commented with a small sigh to herself. He would just see it as her wanting to appease him when it was because she did not want anyone else in her bed which meant no one else flew Kalaith.

A'ren accepted the book with a nod. He really didn't have any reason to worry. It was Lana. Things would be fine.

Zarminath yawned. }: Stop worrying. She wants you. Kalaith has told me.:{

A'ren flushed. He hadn't realized his dragon had been paying attention. Although he was sure Zarminath was right.

Lana sighed after she re-read several lines over and over and took off her glasses turning around to look at him. “I am not bringing you back a snowball if you worry that I am going to run away.” She sighed quietly shaking her head. She was going to have to admit it all to him and just brave him knowing how she felt and how vulnerable it would make her for a little bit. “Zarminath is the only Bronze that will fly Kalaith. You have me so in love with you A’ren that F’cone turned up at my office to discuss things to clear the air and I turned him down and came to find you to get ready for the Gather and you know how close to being late we were.” She stated simply before she turned back to her book as Kalaith bugled her response to that.

A'ren looked up from his book that he hadn't really been reading. “A snowball?” Well, that would be interesting to see. Her next words caught him completely by surprise. He knew he loved her more than anyone but F'cone had always been there between them. Now though it sounded like he wasn't. “Seriously?” He asked in shock. “Oh I remember that quite well,” he smiled.

There was a long moment where she thought he might have not heard her words and then she heard his shocked tones. “Did you not hear Kalaith?” She wondered looking at her book trying to not catch his gaze.

“I did,” he answered her. That's what had surprised him. He moved to rub her arm. “Never should have doubted you.”

“Well then.” Lana commented shifting a little as he moved. “I get why you doubt I have not made your life easy. But I hope this starts earning your trust?” She wondered, finally looking up from her book.

“I still never doubted you.” He had always loved her. That was why he was ready to transfer with Ariana a while ago to keep her happy. Or at least he thought it was keeping her happy. “It is and I do trust you.”

“Good. Now read your book and relax.” She instructed as she heard Kalaith croon making Lana get up to go to her.

“Yes ma'am,” he laughed, looking back down at his book. “Kaliath okay?” He asked as Lana headed out to her gold.

“She just wants me,” Lana assured over her shoulder as the queen’s head nearly hit her as she stepped out into the dragon's weyr. “Oh, Kalaith don’t do that.” She said but the dragon paid her no heed, they both knew it would happen again. Lana wrapped her arms around the snout and kissed her softly. She needed this moment with her dragon after the heaviness of the moment.