RCW: After The Cavern

Posted on Thu Dec 25th, 2025 @ 12:51pm by Sr Journeyman Halia & Brown Rider S'lei

Mission: 3531 AL
Timeline: M3 D19

Halia slowly made her way back to the weyr. She had done enough in the Harper’s office to feel happy with what she had caught up enough from missing that she was happy to head back to the weyr. She stepped in and found S’lei bent over doing something with his dragon straps. “Hey.” She greeted knowing she could have come back a candlemark or so ago but she needed a little more time to think about what Tanly had said. The Green Rider had been fair in what she had said as it was her opinion but it had hurt her and she had not wanted to let him know how much his sister had hurt her.

S'lei had been shocked by Tanly's reaction. he had never seen his sister act that way before and than Halia had disappeared before he had been able to talk to her. He had returned to an empty weyr and had decided a good check of Redeirith's straps was in order. He looked up at his mate’s voice. “Hey beautiful.”

The woman stopped and leaned against the entrance to Redeirith's Weyr and where the brown was curled up on the couch. “Hello yourself,” she said brightly. “Will they survive?” She wondered watching him with the familiar tools checking the thickness and strain.

The brown crooned softly before yawning and closing his eyes again. S'lei nodded as he set the straps down. “They seem to be wearing well, so still strong and ready for a bit more use,” he answered. He'd have to see about some new straps soon though.

Halia smiled at the brown’s response to her presence. He did not often acknowledge her but it was lovely when he did. “Hello to you too, Redeirith.” She smiled a little as she stepped a little closer. She did not often go in there giving the dragon space. “Well make sure you go to the tanner brown rider for when that changes. And we both know it changes overnight with between.” She reminded him.

Redeirith yawned again but happily settled back into his spot. S'lei shook his head at his brown. “Of course. I will speak with the tanners tomorrow,” he promised. She was right. The straps could change quickly. “How are you?”

“Good. I think I caught up and planned for the next couple of days.” She assured him keeping it all factual when she really did not want to discuss what had happened in the cavern. “Going to try and have an early night.” She admitted indicating the bedroom.

S'lei looked up at his mate. That hadn't really been what he meant. “Hal?” He asked gently. “I'm sorry about tonight. that shouldn't have happened.”

The woman had turned to leave but paused taking a deep breath to center herself before she turned. “I know. But she is hurting too and I cannot change how I feel as much and she cannot change how she feels.” She finally said.

The brown rider blew out a soft breath. This was never going to be a good topic it seemed like. He could see both sides and he didn't know how to make things better. “I am still sorry it was such a mess.”

“Do not apologise. You did not make the mess.” The woman commented, wrapping her arms around her stomach as she stood there looking at him. She knew he wanted her to follow her heart but she had no idea what it was yet.

A slight smile touched his lips. “Well I kinda did,” he pointed out with a chuckle. She was in the position she was because of him. He did feel bad though. He so wanted to be happy but still didn't know where she stood on the baby.

“The past. Your past does not define you even if it has come back to bite us on our collective ass.” She said, sounding like she has been practicing this moment. “I must have missed a dose of moon tea or something.” She said with a shrug.

He pushed to his feet and went over to her. “And it is going to stay in the past,” he said softly, wrapping his arms around her. “I just want us to be okay and whatever happens we can handle it,” S'lei smiled.

“I know. I am not her. I am not like Luna and I never will be. I am not a rider so I will never get caught up that kind of drama but…” The woman looked up at him surprised as he wrapped his arms around her. “…We are okay.” She whispered squeezing his forearms

He had been wherryheaded to get caught up with Luna. He had felt bad for her and it had bit him bad. “and I am so glad you are not like her,” he whispered. “Because I love you.” S'lei nodded slightly. “Good. I don't want to lose you.”

“You will not lose me.” She promised him not planning to leave or go anywhere if she could help it. She did not want to change their lives or the feelings they felt for each other. “I want to take things a day at a time if that is okay with you?“ she wondered stepping back from him to pull up her cardigan wrapping herself in it.

He nodded. He had hoped not. S'lei thought about her words and slowly nodded. “if that is what you want to do then yes we will take things a day at a time,” he agreed.

“It is what I need to wrap my head around the pregnancy. I never thought I would get pregnant as I keep such a close track and we spoke about it all when I was confronted in the cavern by your former mate's sister.” She winced. “I am not blaming you. I feel like I am constantly throwing that in your face but this isn’t about you, it’s about me not wanting to ruin our lives. I can’t have that power.” She said looking up at him wishing there was another way to explain it. She did not want the control of their future like that.

S'lei considered her words. that was what Luna had done so he couldn't blame her for thinking that way. He knew Halia would never do that to him. “I think I understand,” he said slowly. “And i get it. One day at a time.”

“Good. Now I am going to go to bed.” She said firmly wanting to get some rest as she had a busy day tomorrow with harper lessons and a late set in the cavern after late afternoon fall. That kind of set always dragged on and was emotional after deaths or injury.

S'lei gently tugged her into his arms and kissed her. “Okay. I'll be in shortly. Just gotta finish Red's straps.” He hoped they would get a chance to talk more when they were both feeling more like themselves.

Halia looked up at him dumbfounded at the kiss before she smiled up at him with a nod. His kiss had been gentle but so full of love that she had responded before she had reminded herself that she needed to go to bed before she fell asleep stood up . “Take your time. I’ll leave the glows over.” She assured not wanting him to be unwelcomed to bed by not being able to see.

“What?” He asked with a soft smile. He loved her and he would make things right with time. He nodded a bit. “Thank you. Sleep well,” he said softly. He knew she needed to rest and that she would be busy the next day.

“Nothing. But kissing me like that is most likely why I am pregnant now,” she replied with her own smile as she walked away. They just needed time and space to figure things out.