Smudges and Discussions

Posted on Sun Oct 5th, 2025 @ 1:24pm by Green Rider Neilla & Jr Journeyman Nerlyn & Bronze Rider K'ron

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: RCW
Timeline: M3 d18

Nerlyn sat on the couch sketching a picture from memory whilst Raen sat next to her watching intrigued as they waited for K’ron. Nerlyn had a smudge on her cheek from wiping charcoal but she wanted to finish the picture before K’ron left for High Reaches. Raen laughed as he realised it was a drawing of him and he tried to make the same face as on the drawing to help.

K'ron was feeling a bit better after the conversation with the Weyrleaders. He hadn't wanted to leave anyhow and then that news had been a real eye opener. He was glad Lana seemed to understand what he wasn't doing very good at getting across.

“Hello?” He called as he stepped back into the weyr, Koda perched one his shoulder for once.

Raen jumped up and rushed over distracted away from making faces and helping Nerlyn whilst she carried on. “We can go to the dining cavern now.” He declared as Nerlyn looked up and offered a whispered hello. “Mama has been drawing.”

K'ron smiled as his son appeared. “Hey Raen,” he answered. “Ah I'm sorry I took so long.” He looked behind Raen to where Nerlyn still sat. “She has, has she? Have you been helping her?””

“I tried to make the same face as what mama was drawing so I think I did.” The boy said thoughtfully as he looked at Nerlyn still drawing with the smudges on her face. Tula had always said if she had not impressed she would have been a travelling artist but she had impressed and used that skill for maps as a rider and now as a Dolphineer.

K'ron laughed. “I'm sure that was a big help,” he smiled, walking over to Nerlyn. “Are you trying to use yourself as a drawing board too?” He asked, reaching out to brush one of the smudges off.

“The problem with charcoal before you set it.” Nerlyn sighed covering the drawing by placing it upside down with the rest of her supply. She covered her hand with her jumper and rubbed at her cheek leaving a red mark.

“Ah, I see. Thought you just wanted to be a part of the drawing,” he smiled, but wondered just what the drawing was if she was covering it up. “You two about ready for dinner?”

“I am obviously not as I need to clean up. Go on ahead. I want to finish packing a little.” She admitted not quite reaching his gaze.

“I am. My tummy is as empty as a hatching dragonet.” The boy declared.

“Like you have seen a hatching.” Nerlyn said looking at the boy smiling a little more.

“Ooh that is really hungry,” K'ron laughed, smiling at his mate. Shards, he was going to have to find a time to speak with her before he left in the morning. “Alright, we'll find a table,” he answered, pushing back to his feet. He really didn't want to leave her.

“Come on Daddy. Mummy won’t be long.” Raen declared, grabbing up his hand and tugging him out of the weyr with a wave to his mummy. He was too hungry to notice the issues between his parents.

K'ron glanced back at his mate before letting his son pull him along. “okay okay,” he laughed. “I'm coming.”

Raen did not stop tugging until he was in the bowl and practically in the cavern. He stopped as he saw a group of riders coming out and respectfully stopped to let them pass before he carried on.

The bronze rider shook his head. Raen was certainly in a hurry. It was cute but he was still worried about Nerlyn. K'ron nodded at the other riders before getting tugged along again. “Alright, now what do you want to eat?”

“Stew please.” The boy said brightly as he spotted Neilla sitting by herself. “Can we sit with Neilla?” He wondered hopping on one leg eager to join her.

“Stew it is,” K'ron agreed. He followed Raen’s gaze and saw the green rider sitting by herself. “I don't see why not. She looks a bit lonely.”

The boy happily ran off and climbed into the seat next to Neilla and threw his arms around her making her jump and then chuckle as she realised who it was. “Hello trouble. Where are your parents?” She wondered until she followed where he pointed to K’ron. She offered a wave and glanced around for Nerlyn and frowned when she did not see her but turned her attention to the little boy.

K'ron waved back before moving to grab two bowls of stew. He didn't want to get Nerlyn one yet and have it get cold. The bronze rider then walked over to the table. “Hope you don't mind some company,” he said, sitting down.

“Not at all. Bronze rider on parent duty.” She teased a little as the boy eagerly grabbed up a bread roll and dunked it into the stew knowing it would be too hot otherwise.

“Mummy will be joining us after packing.” Raen assured.

K'ron laughed. “I am but I love every minute,” he grinned. He couldn't imagine life without Raen. “Yeah Ner had smudges all over her from drawing so she wanted to get cleaned up before she joined us.”

“Packing for where?” Neilla asked intrigued as she took a sip of her juice. “Sounds like Nerlyn though. She was always smudge covered from charcoal which reminds me of a birthing day present for her now.” Neilla said thoughtfully as she filed that away for next month.

“The dolphin hall. I have to go to High Reaches with Lana and Nerlyn doesn't want to stay at the Weyr when I'm not here,” he sighed. He still didn't like it as it confused Raen but if it made Nerlyn happy then he wouldn't argue.

“Is that what she was trying to ask me about earlier? She was suggesting we have a sleepover or girls days as she knows I have a rest day and shore duty. Sorry.” Neilla rolled her eyes. She had not understood her sister's approach to asking if they could have a couple of sister days when it had not been something she had suggested before. “I am sorry. But dolphin hall sleepovers sound fun while daddy is going on an adventure with the Weyrwoman.” Raen shrugged a little indifferent to it. He would be sleeping somewhere he was not used to.

“Probably,” K'ron answered. Nerlyn wasn't always great at coming right out with what she wanted. He was glad she would be with Neilla. “You have to keep the girls in line,” he teased his son.

Ream chuckled. “Mama does says a Raen has to be in charge where she and her sisters are concerned.” The boy picked up his spoon hoping it was cooler he could not wait much longer b

“I’ll try and come to Dolphins Hall if that was what your mother wanted.” But she suspected that was what had made the woman seek to stay at the craft hall when she had been a little bit disinterested. “You and Nerlyn can show me around.” Neilla assured, raising an eyebrow at K’ron. She had never known Nerlyn to stay anywhere but the Weyr in her 33 turns.

Nerlyn would say that. K'ron wasn't at all surprised. He looked over at Neilla and shook his head. “I told her she could stay at the weyr, but you know your sister.” When she got something in her mind it was hard to change it. He did really wish she would stay at the Weyr though.

“I do.” The younger woman frowned a little as she spotted Nerlyn coming in. She glanced around until she spotted them and joined the queue for food. “We shall see if we can change her mind.” Neilla said watching the woman for any signs of what was going on with her properly but she did not look in this direction.

K'ron nodded. Mayne Neilla could talk some sense into Nerlyn. He had tried but it hadn't gone well and he didn't want to leave the next day on a bad foot. He hated leaving in the first place, but he couldn't say no.

Nerlyn finally appeared and slid onto the bench next to K’ron and offered half smiles. “Good evening Neilla.” She greeted everyone.

“Hi mama.” Raen said looking at her smiling as he noticed her cheeks were red from the stubbing.

“Raen was telling me you are off to Dolphin Hall from a few days.” Neilla jumped right in before Nerlyn had even had time to take a mouthful of her stew.

“Yes.” Was all she commented on as she looked at the woman.

“Why?” Neilla wondered.

“Because I’m a crafter.” She said simply.

“Yes, but you are also a rider.” Neill said sharply not taking her eyes of Nerlyn daring her to argue there and then in front of the riders Who were watching with sympathy and surprise.

“Dragonless rider.” Nerlyn finally choked out

“But a rider nonetheless. You belong here with us.” Z’ran piped up from further down the table before he was nudged and quietened. He could not help but interfere when he could not help but hear what was being said.

K'ron smiled at Nerlyn. She had gotten the smudges off but she looked a little pale. He sighed softly. This was not good. His eyes widened though as Neilla jumped right in.

“Neilla,” he whispered. Oh shards.

“No… She needs to hear it. She needs to hear that she is still one of us,” Neilla shot back to the man as Nerlyn just looked at her food, the rider Nerlyn would have dived across the table or shouted for all to hear but the eyes on her and the voices agreeing with Neilla. Raen stayed quiet and just kept eating, he knew better when something like this happened to speak up. “You might not want to confront it but I have no issues in keeping her alive and here.”

“You are right.” Nerlyn finally said as Neilla leant across the table and touched her hand. “I just… I cannot right now do it for several days. I do not trust myself so we will be safer at the craft hall.” She whispered.

K'ron looked at Nerlyn. He didn't like how Nerlyn answered at all. He did understand what Neilla was saying but he wasn't sure if this was the proper time. “Ner, do you want me to stay?”

“You can’t.” The woman commented in a low voice as she stirred the stew and Neilla pulled her hand back with a squeeze to her hand. “Just leave it.” She advised looking around giving a few people a look that made them turn back to their foods. Only Z’ran just stared back pointedly, he did not wither under her gaze and smirked a little as he indicated she should go back to her meal.

The bronze rider frowned. He was really just ready to go hide under a rock somewhere. This shouldn't have been such a huge problem but it certainly was. And he wasn't so sure about leaving Nerlyn now. She was acting strange again.

“Why don’t I come and have a sleepover with you guys? That’s what you were asking earlier in your roundabout way wasn’t it?” Neilla said not quite finished poking yet despite the look on the bronze rider's face.

“It doesn’t matter.” Nerlyn whispered.

“Mama let’s have a sleepover with Neilla.” Raen encouraged making Nerlyn look up at him. Nerlyn felt like she was being bullied into something but sighed.

“Not tomorrow but the night after if I can swap my night shift.” She whispered finally.

That made K'ron feel a bit better. He still would rather stay with them. “Now don't you guys have too much fun without me,” he smiled, trying to lighten the mood a bit. He could tell Nerlyn wasn't in a good place.

Nerlyn nodded and at least started to eat her food. Neilla looked at K’ron and smirked, challenging him to yell at her or anything now. “Neilla come to Dolphin Hall with Sandith?” Raen asked.

“Maybe. Sandith would like to play with the Dolphins but depends on their duties.” Neilla assured.

Now it made sense why Raen always seemed to know the dragons’ names. He glared at Neilla, knowing he couldn't yell at her. Didn't mean he was real happy with her, but he was glad to see Nerlyn eating. “sounds like you guys are going to have fun,” he told his son.

Neilla just stared back before she looked to Nerlyn ignoring them all as she eat. “Mmmhmm.” The boy said mid-eating. He always enjoyed stew especially when it had tubbers in. “And when you get home we can still go swimming and picnic, right like you promised?” He checked quietly.

K'ron smiled at his son. “Of course we will. I'll need warming up after being up in the cold,” he answered, glad to see Raen enjoying his meal so much. He glanced at Nerlyn. “Ner?” He asked gently.

Nerlyn looked up surprised at the gentle voice tugging at her thoughts for an answer to a question she knew she had heard. Yes, the trip after K’ron got back.

“Hmm yes. We can go to one of the islands. I am sure Tyreth would love to fly there straight.” She answered quietly back putting her spoon down for a moment to grab some juice.

“I don't doubt that. It will be a nice get away,” K'ron said, trying to keep Nerlyn talking. Was she really okay? That was what worried him. He didn't like leaving her like this. He just might have to send Koda back.

“Mmmhmm.” The woman replied drinking her juice.

“So what is your shift pattern, Ner?” Neilla asked, seeing the worried look from the man even as the dolphineer looked alert.

“Oh… um… evening bell watch tomorrow and the day after night watch.” Neilla nodded now understanding why it would be easier at the craft hall. She wanted to offer to have Raen but she did not want to step all over her so quickly after calling her out.

“We’ll see if you can get that night watch shifted and we can hangout,” Neilla prompted, making Nerlyn nod and return to her meal. “I’m at a loose end so you would do me a favour to be honest. Less drinking.”

K'ron was grateful that at least Neilla would be around to keep an eye on Nerlyn. He just wished she would stay and let Neilla help her with Raen. “Hmm a girls night? That should be interesting,” he smiled, trying to stay up beat.

“I might not be able to change shift.” Nerlyn reminded slightly firmer than she had before. She put her braid over her shoulder with a sigh.

“Then I can come and keep watch with you or keep Raen company in the morning so you can have some sleep if not for yourself for the baby.” Neilla said just as firmly back.

Oh great. The sisters were at it again. If he could he would just take Raen with him but that wasn't a possibility either. “Either way. You two will get to spend some time together. That will be nice.”

Raen giggled at his dad. He found it amusing more than anything else that everyone was talking like he was not there. “Mama It will be nice.” Raen assured.

Neilla smiled that Raen was trying to help a bit. “Yes.” Nerlyn nodded and grew silent again to finish her food. It looked like she had no choice really as everyone was joining in.