RCW: Apologises and Dizziness

Posted on Wed Feb 4th, 2026 @ 10:31pm by Jr Journeyman Nerlyn & Bronze Rider A'ren

Mission: 3531 AL
Timeline: M4 D1

Nerlyn was nervous about approaching A'ren despite knowing the man would have already forgiven her. But she needed to apologise for her own actions and talk about it all with him so that she could forgive herself for the bruise she was sure she had given his chest. She had been back several days and had seen the Weyrleader at meal times when she had been there but she had not attempted to catch his gaze despite she was sure he was watching her. Slowly raising her hand she knocked on the door and opened it when instructed to do so. “Good evening Weyrleader.” She greeted formally.

Hides. A'ren felt like he was constantly buried in hides. The knock on his door was a good excuse to put them on hold for the time being. Although when Nerlyn walked he hadn't expected that at all. Lana had teased him mercilessly about the bruise but he didn't regret what he had done. “Nerlyn?” He asked. “Is everything okay? Nothing happened with K'ron?”

Nerlyn closed the door behind her and turned to face him. “No. He is fine. Everything is fine. I am back. I came back a few days ago Weyrleader. I just…” Nerlyn took a deep breath as she indicated the chair asking if she could sit down.

A'ren nodded, motioning her to have a seat. at least the bronze rider was alright. And Nerlyn looked okay. “Thought I'd seen you around.” He was surprised by her hesitation. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.. well…” she frowned a little at her hesitation. “I am okay. I just needed to come here and apologise for my actions when K’ron came back to the Weyr.” Nerlyn had always been feisty but she had never been violent like that towards A’ren of all people.

“It was to be expected,” he answered. He hadn't held that against her. She had just seen all the blood on her mate. He would have reacted the same way. “No harm done,” he assured her.

“Even so I should not have done that to you of all people.” She said, looking ashamed of herself. “I did a lot of things I was ashamed of in the last month.” She admitted thinking of all the people she had hurt in that time by just being her.

“It's okay,” he assured her. “I forgive you and I'm sure anyone else does too,” he said. He knew she had been going through a hard time after K'ron had been injured and he definitely couldn't blame her for that.

“Most likely but I do have a lot of grovelling to do.” She did not want to beg for forgiveness from anyone but she knew she had to mean some bridges especially with R’kig. “I should have come back when K’ron came back but I have been struggling with my place in the Weyr since becoming a journeywoman.” She admitted with a frustrated sigh as she revealed what was bothering her.

A'ren let Nerlyn talk as it seemed she had more on her mind than just the apology. “You're always welcome here,” he assured her. “But I can see why you are concerned. Is Master Jameas still okay with you going back and forth?”

“I know that. I was born here but I just… he is more than happy as most dolphineers do as it’s a 15 minute walk at most. Even he finds himself here some nights.” She said wickedly knowing that Jameas had visited Tula on more than one occasion. “So no he has no issue I can feel disconnected from my place here because I don’t have a place other than K’ron’s mate.”

The Weyrleader laughed a bit. Yeah he had heard about Tula and Jameas. He was happy for them. Ah, so that was it. she thought now that she wasn't a rider she shouldn't be here. “Ner, have you looked around the Weyr lately? We have many riders who have crafter mates and they make the Weyr a while. You are one of those crafters.”

“But none of them used to be a rider or a weyrbrat.” She said sadly. “I used to belong We… A’ren. I used to be part of the community here and now I am on the edge. How did you do it when you weren’t Weyrleader other than obvious?”

“besides making Wherrybrained choices?” He asked with a smile. He had certainly made his share of those. “After I got over my pity party I remembered that these riders were my friends and family.”

“We promised to never speak about me finding you naked.” Nerlyn teased feeling that little bit of feisty that was Nerlyn the rider who flirted relentlessly but was the woman to drag you out of trouble whether you were willing or not. “I can just feel the pity people feel for me. I get it I am unusual in staying here but this is Raen’s home and K’ron belongs here.” She sighed, scrubbing her hands over her face.

A'ren laughed a bit. “That we did. And I am definitely glad you were the one who found me.” That had been a real mess. One he still wasn't completely sure how he had gotten into. “Unfortunately I think there are always going to be ones that show pity, but we are getting new riders almost daily and they don't know anything of your past. You can be who you want to be.” A'ren felt bad. He did wish he could say the three could make a home close to the Weyr or stay at the craft hall, but he really needed his wing leader at the Weyr.

Nerlyn nodded. She knew he was going to say that and she knew that it was something she was going to have to accept and move forward with it all. “I think I have always been who I want to be Weyrleader. But I am struggling to work out who I am, I guess right now.” She shrugged not sure she was explaining herself properly.

He considered those words for a moment before slowly nodding. “I can understand that,” he said gently. He had never been exactly where Nerlyn was but trying to find yourself was never easy. “Unfortunately I think only time fixes that.”

Nerlyn blinked a few times before nodding. “Yes you are right Weyrleader. Thank you for listening to me and sorry again about the bruise and forcing you to throw me over your shoulder.” She said rising quicker than normal which made dizziness hit her.

“I would have reacted the same way if it had been Lana,” he assured her. He was on his feet in an instant when he saw the slight sway. “Easy,” he said, steadying her. “No overdoing it.”

“I’m okay.” The woman commented as she gripped the man’s arm hard trying to breath past the dizziness but it did no good. “I am still getting used to being a little larger than I’ve been in Turns.” she joked trying to not seem to worried.

A'ren frowned a little as he felt her grip his arm. “You sure that's it?” He asked gently, remembering Lana going through that realization too. He didn't want to see Nerlyn accidentally hurt herself.

“Not my first pregnancy.” She said blinking a few times as it finally lifted. “I am good Weyrleader.” The woman looked up at him calmly and smiled. “It’s just been a busy month.” She assured quietly and last 2 sevendays had been stressful.

He still wasn't sure but if Nerlyn thought she was okay it wasn't his place to question it. “Alright but if you start feeling worse you get yourself to a Healer.”

“I will. I am okay.” She assured standing up properly, taking several steps back to prove that she did not falter. “Thank you for listening to me A'ren.” She admitted blushing again before she threw a salute his way. “Weyrleader.”

He nodded. She at least seemed steadier. “Anytime. You know my door is always open.” A'ren shook his head with a smile. “Get going and take care of that son and mate of yours.”

Nerlyn nodded, she did know that. She had always gotten on better with the Weyrleader than Weyrwoman so simply nodded and didn’t start to mention that for that type of thing it was Lana. “I shall try.” She assured him quickly making an exit. She really needed a lie down.