KH: Near Bar Fight

Posted on Thu Mar 20th, 2025 @ 9:52pm by Apprentice Nerlyn & Bronze Rider K'ron & Blue Rider R’kig

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Kymos Hold
Timeline: M2 D29

R'kig didn't stop running until he could no longer see or hear Emalee and Jemmada. The blue rider collapsed against a wall, completely shaking. How had this happened and why? He just wanted to be happy again.

Nerlyn was wandering by herself just needing a moment without people watching her for reactions or worry when she spotted R’kig running. She followed as quickly as she could but it took her a good five minutes to catch up. What had happened to the man to leave him so shook up?

“Safe to approach?” She wondered stepping into the shadow of the tavern wall and leant against it with him. She was wearing a dress that was light and floaty but she was missing her wherhide rider clothing. It made people move out of her way sometimes.

He looked up at the familiar voice. “Yeah long as you don't expect good company,” he answered softly. R'kig was sure he looked like a mess but everything had just caught him by surprise.

“Did not say I was good company myself. I am here without my child or mate.” She hinted softly knowing she most likely had half a candlemark before the whole of Pern knew she was a missing person and to keep an eye out. “You want to go first and explain the running and ending up here?” Nerlyn wondered quietly.

The blue rider managed a weak smile for her words. Leave it to Nerlyn. “Literally got knocked over by a pickpocket,” he answered slowly. “Discovered she's Cassine's sister.” His voice cracked on her name.

Nerlyn raised an eyebrow and turned to look at him. Well, that was unexpected and a lot to unpack if she was honest. She was not sure that half a candlemark would cut it. “Oh wow. Okay. You win. I just got annoyed at being watched like a dragonet and stormed off. Lots to unpack there you better tell Tyreth and K’ron that you have me.” She said rolling her eyes wishing it was so simple for her still. This was the first gather she had attended with no being a rider and it was hard to adjust to her new position in Pern society now. “We need an ale or 2.”

R'kig nodded slightly. “You think?” he asked. He still didn't have his head wrapped around. “Oh I see why you got annoyed. Yes an ale or two sounds perfect.” ***Riz?**

):Alright on it,:( the blue answered as he passed the message onto the bronze.

R'kig chuckled a little. “Riz said he told Tyreth.”

“Good that might stop my mate from sending out a search party for a little bit.” She just needed a few moments to think and process more changes she had not expected “Oh shard it. I can’t drink.” The woman realised touching her stomach with a big sigh. She would not change anything but she did have a moment of frustration. “Okay change of plan. Ale for you and juice for me.” She looped her arm through his and tugged him inside the tavern. She looked out of place in her clothing but she did not care as she ordered the drink and found them a spot out of the way.

“yeah you should be safe for a bit,” he smiled, knowing his brother would still come looking. “Oh shards I hadn't even thought about that. We don't…” before he could argue though she was tugging him into the tavern. “Thanks,” he said as she handed him the ale. He did need this.

“So talk.” She offered as she sat in the small alcove as a miner glanced over at them both. Nerlyn glared at him for staring before he turned back to his own conversation. “How? Why?”

R'kig spun the mug around in his hands as he thought about what to say. “I don't really understand it. As i said she ran right into me, knocking us both over. The side of her face was badly bruised which is how I found out she was not a good pickpocket.”

He blew out a breath. “She asked if I knew Emalee and so we found her.” R'kig shook his head. “Emalee said who she was.”

Nerlyn had not always been the most attentive friend at points to R’kig but as she sat there she could see the little weyrling he had been and how far from that person he was now. “And which part upset you?” Nerlyn wondered gently, not able to pin down which part had gotten to him. The pick pocketing, the bruise, Emalee or the revelation of who she actually was.

He considered his answer as he took a sip of ale. “I think a combination. it seems like just when I think I'm starting to get back on my feet Cassine gets thrown in my face again,” he said quietly.

Nerlyn nodded. “I do not think …Jemmada was it? Yes… I do not think that she meant to throw her sister in her face and you cannot blame Emalee for being her sister either.” It was unfortunate that Cassine had several sisters but it would be like blaming Nerlyn for Neilla or Cathlyn’s actions.

“I don't blame either of them,” R'kig answered slowly. “It was more a shock. And I think seeing that bruise on Jemm's face just sent me over the edge a little.”

“You call her Jemm now?” The woman teased a little. R’kig had always had a soft spot for women in trouble. “You are such a softie R’kig.” She laughed as the miner who had been watching when they come in looked over.

“I am not such a softie for you, pretty.” He attempted to flirt. Nerlyn looked him up and down and shook her head.

“I am sure you aren’t.” Nerlyn commented before looking at R’kig.

R'kig colored a bit, not having realized he did that. “Guess so,” he smiled a bit. He couldn't argue. He could be a softie. The blue rider narrowed his eyes at the miner. “we weren't talking to you,” he warned.

“I was not talking to you, blue rider.” The man said, rising from his chair as Nerlyn did, instantly reactive to someone hostile to her friend. She did not like the way he said blue rider at all, it reminded her of the way men used to mock R’en when they went to holds that were less open.

R'kig growled as he got to his feet. “We only came in for a drink. Not trouble,” he tried, keeping an eye on Nerlyn too. He wasn't going to see her get hurt.

“I wanted to talk to the lady.”

The miner looked at R’kig and made a disgusted face before Nerlyn moved in front of him R’kig. “Then talk to me but I talk back,” She said simply.

“I do not think anyone came for trouble now did they.” One of the miners friends said already seeing where this was going to go.

“Little girls should not talk back. What is a…”

“Little girls?” Nerlyn laughed in the way she got when she was at her worst. “You have no idea who I am so do not refer to me as a little girl and dismiss me.”

R'kig didn't like the man’s attitude. He liked it even less when Nerlyn stepped in front of him.

“I would recommend stepping away from the woman and rider,” another voice warned lowly as K'ron stepped into the tavern.

“He is a wingleader.” The miner's friend whispered to the miner as he stared down at Nerlyn.

“I would listen to him. He does not like when his wife is called a little girl. She gets a little angry and starts and wins bar fights.” Nerlyn winced as she heard her mate and glanced back at R’kig. “That was less than half a candlemark.” She hissed as she glanced down at the glass bottle she had picked up automatically.

R'kig shrugged a shoulder. He didn't have control over his brother. Although he did have good timing.

K'ron lifted a dark brow. “And he really doesn't want her to get into a fight and embarrass someone,” he grinned. He knew Nerlyn could take care of herself but still.

The miner looked between the pair and rolled his eyes. The pretty woman was not worth getting into a fight with a bronze rider. “Riders.” The miner tutted and went back to his table.

“Miners,” Nerlyn said before she backed down finally letting go of the bottle and letting some of the tension out of her body before she turned to K’ron. “Hello Bronze Rider.” She greeted wondering how he had tracked her down quite so quickly.

“Can't leave you guys along for a minute,” K'ron chuckled as Koda flit in and landed on Nerlyn’s shoulder. The little brown cheeped happily.

R'kig smiled a bit glad K'ron had shown up. He hadn't wanted Nerlyn to get hurt and those miners certainly didn't like blue riders.

“Ah someone was following me. Sneaky. I said I wanted space but you followed.” Nerlyn kissed Koda’s face gently gently she leaned up to kiss K’ron. “I had it under control.” She assured pulling out a seat for K’ron as she sat back down where she was.

Koda cheeped again, rubbing his head against Nerlyn. “I'm sure you did,” K'ron chuckled. he knew Nerlyn could take care of herself.

R'kig smiled as he slid back into his own seat. He picked up his mug to sip on the ale was still in there.

“So why did you follow?” Nerlyn wondered sitting back as the tavern owner came over with another ale for K’ron.

“Thank you for stepping in wing leader,” the man said looking at Nerlyn narrowing his eyes as he remembered her from when she used to come in there. “I remember you from last time you were here, green rider. I am glad there was no trouble this time.” He said pointedly. Nerlyn gulped but said nothing as she turned to R’kig.

“Why don’t you catch K’ron up,” Nerlyn said gently as she swirled her juice.

“Because I'm me and I always follow,” K'ron answered simply before nodding to the man. “you're welcome.” K’ron looked at Nerlyn, before R’kig spoke up.

“I got knocked over by a pickpocket.”

“you did what?” K’ron blinked.

Nerlyn smiled a little as she shook her head refusing to lose herself today in the middle of the tavern after nearly having a bar fight. “Not as bad as it sounds,” Nerlyn assured K’ron, indicating to R’kig that he should continue and tell the whole story.

R'kig hid a slight smile at his brother’s reaction. He knew he shouldn't have stopped there but it gave him a chance to smile before continuing. “Her name is Jemmada. She is from Dragon Hold and is now trying to make it on her own. She is…” he took a breath. “Emalee and Cassine's sister.”

K'ron blinked and looked at Nerlyn. “Oh.”

“Oh indeed,” Nerlyn said lightly as she sipped her juice and sighed a little. She brushed her long blonde hair over her shoulder. She was unsure what eles to say K’ron needed to process it a little.

R'kig sipped on his ale as K'ron tapped his fingers on the table. The poor bronze rider hadn't expected to be thrown into anything like this.

The blue rider pressed his lips together as he waited. “I reacted the same way.”

Nerlyn smiled at the pair of them and shook her head. “Well, I have nothing to add. You are unlikely to see her again so it is just a blip.” Nerlyn said gently with a shrug. “Painful blip but she left you and I think you are almost as amazing as Kiron so it is her loss.”

R'kig laughed. “Thanks Nerlyn,” he smiled as K'ron chuckled. It never bothered the bronze rider when Nerlyn called him by his full name.

“I think you need to go out and find someone. Male… female and just have some fun,” Nerlyn stated swirling her drink a little as she looked at K’ron and offered a sad smile to him. She wished she had more advice for him.

The blue rider nodded slightly. “Maybe,” he agreed. He would see how the day went. Either way he owed Raen some game time.

K'ron sighed softly. This was a real mess.

Nerlyn shrugged a little. “Enjoy your drinks. Talk men stuff. I’ll catch you both up in a bit. I still need that walk by myself.” She admitted getting up. “with… Koda.” She added as the fire lizard chirped and dug his claws in just enough to her bare shoulders to remind her the brown would not be moving.

“Thanks Nerlyn,” R'kig said. “You really helped.” He had needed someone to talk to.

“Always.” She said ruffling his hair before squeezing K’ron’s shoulders as she passed with a sneaky kiss to his cheek.