RCW: Awkward Waiting

Posted on Fri Dec 20th, 2024 @ 9:35pm by Lenya & Brown Rider T'mil

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M2 D 15

Lenya was excited she was getting a night without being a mum thanks to Terliyn and Talomin offering to give her and K’yar a night to themselves in exchange for all the nights that Lenya had watched Lea and had never wanted to exchange with before. The pair in her opinion had practically jumped for joy when she had shyly asked about the possibility. It had been a great plan until K’yar had gotten a later drill schedule which meant he would not be joining her in the cavern until after food which meant she was sat by herself enjoying the harpers for the first time in what felt forever.

T'mil had plans to meet Cathlyn later but for the moment they had to go separate directions. When he stepped into the Dining Cavern he caught sight of someone whom he hadn't had a chance to talk to recently.

“Good evening, young miss. Is this seat taken?”

Lenya looked up and smiled at the brown rider stood there and indicated the bench opposite her. “Never where you are concerned,” she assured, happy to see him. T’mil was someone’s friendship she had always counted on much like V’lik and Analees’. “I am happy to see you T’mil.” She admitted leaning across to squeeze his hand.

He took the open seat and smiled at his friend. “It's good to see you. I feel like it's been ages.” He should have made more time to see her. “How are you doing?”

“It has. This is not somewhere I got in the evenings. I prefer my weyr and reading after spending the day here.” She commented with a small laugh. “I am feeling okay. I feel healthy. What about yourself?” She wondered pulling her hand back to wrap around her mug.

“Hmm hadn't considered that,” he admitted. Made sense that she wouldn't want to be there. “Oh good. I'm doing good. Cathlyn and I are happy. dragons are good,” he answered.

“Good.” She laughed at his phrasing before shaking her head at least he and Cathlyn were happy. The green rider was so quiet compared to her siblings but she seemed to be beautiful inside and out. “Are you sure? You sound a little… off?” Maybe it was the time since they had last spoken properly but something just felt off with him.

T'mil nodded. “Sure. All good. Why do you ask?” Had he acted odd or something?

“You said good a lot for one sentence.” She teased him a little and leaned over grabbing a clean mug indicating the skin she had acquired. it was not a good wine but it was sparkly which was something she had never tasted before.

He laughed a bit. “Okay so watch how many times I say good.” He hadn't even realized he had said it that many times. “Thanks,” he said, taking the offered mug and wine skin.

Ledeya laughed herself as she poured him a mug and gave it over to him. “Anytime.” She assured gently. “You were my first proper friend so I am always here for you but I am relieved that you are happy.” She really was happy for him as she worried sometimes that he took things to heart especially after firehead went through the Weyr.

“And you’ll always be my friend. Thanks for that offer.” It was nice to have a good friend. Although he tried not to think about the firehead. That had nearly destroyed him.

Lenya smiled and looked at him smiling at the way the bubbles in the wine tickled her. “So what have you been up to?” She was trying to make conversation when it suddenly felt awkward to speak to him. They had used to be so close but then everything had happened with Kiyna and she had stayed with Leisa and Emalee for a little bit.

“Pretty normal things,” he admitted. “Thankfully things have been pretty quiet around here lately. Cath and I have gotten to slip away a few times to enjoy the beach and let the dragons play. How bout you? How's Kiyna doing?” He couldn't figure out why things seemed awkward now.

“The coastline is so lovely here. I did not appreciate it until moving to the Weyr. Me and K’yar got to go to the waterfalls.” Lenya said happily thinking of that day that had started their road to recovery again. It had been a lovely day to focus on them and try and work out whether they can be saved or whether they needed to go their separate ways once and for all. “She is doing well. This is the only home she has ever known properly other than a couple of months at Far Site so she is happy and secure.”

“The waterfalls are gorgeous. It's a nice place to spend the day.” He was glad to hear that she was doing well and that she and K'yar were sorting things out. “I've seen Kiyna bouncing around. She definitely seems happy.”

“Missing her cousin but K’yar’s family make up for it where they can.” Kiyna was certainly happy with her life which was great to see as was Lenya now. She was slowly getting used to the fact she could do anything with her life but at the moment resting and reflecting seemed more important than anything else.

The brown rider nodded. “I'm sure. At least there are few other young ones around her age here and you know I can always take you two to visit if K'yar isn't able to,” T’mil offered.

“There are and that is a sweet offer. This is why you are the sweetest man I know.” He was sweeter than K’yar at points which made her surprised that this felt so awkward. “Why does this feel awkward?” She finally ventured working on what she and the mindhealer had been discussion recently that she needed to state what she had in her head before it festered.

T'mil smiled. He tried to be kind and think of others. His sister had beat that into him when they were little. He shook his head. “I honestly don't know.” It didn't make much sense.

“Have I done something to create it? I know I have not been around much I just could not face people in all honesty.” She admitted sadly pouring some more of the wine that made her nose tickle. It was sweeter than anything she had tried before.

He shrugged his shoulders. “You have had a lot going on,” T'mil said gently. “It's not surprising that you wanted to be by yourself for a bit.” he was pretty sure he would have felt the same. She had been through more then any one person should have to endure.

“I did but I need to make time for you and my other friends now.” She had been thinking about it for a while that she had let her friendship stagnate whilst she worked through what had happened to her.

“We all understood,” T'mil promised her. “No one was upset. I am glad you are wanting to be out and about again though.” that was a good sign in his opinion.

“But this feels awkward but it’s me. I do not know how to speak properly to people, which is odd because when I was at Far Site I had a job as a barmaid.” She chuckled thinking on that time in her life and how Leisa had enjoyed having her around to show just how much he had changed and how he was a good man now.

He chuckled a little. “It's okay. You'll get there,” he assured her. He figured she just needed some time to get her feet under her again.

Lenya smiled at his reassurance before sighing a little. “I am trying. By the first egg I am trying. This is mine and K’yar’s first night Kiyna free.” She admitted.

“Really?” T'mil asked. “And just where is K'yar?” He knew they both loved the little girl but sometimes you needed some time together.

“F’cone changed the drill schedule to a late drill. So I am sat here waiting till he runs in all hot, sweating and worried so yes really.” she said with a laugh as he looked as shocked as she suspect K’yar would be when he got back and found her note.

“Ah gotta love the drill change,” he chuckled. He had been in a few of those. “Well i am sure he will like the surprise. Let's you guys enjoy some time together.”

Lenya hoped he liked the surprise or at least appreciated the sentiment of it all if he had, had a bad drill. She was trying to show him much like the picnic that she wanted him in her life. She smiled as she spotted Cathlyn. “But I think Cathlyn is looking for you.” She said indicating the woman queuing up for food who glanced over and offered a wave to Lenya noticing her with T’mil.

T'mil looked over his shoulder, a smile lighting up his face. “We weren't sure if we were going to be able to meet up today or not,” he admitted. “And I'm sure K'yar will be here soon.”

Lenya smiled at the way his face lit up seeing the woman. “Go on lover boy. Do not leave her waiting long.” She teased sounding for a moment like the woman he first met.

He looked over at his friend. “You sure?” He didn't want to just leave her alone while she waited for K'yar.

“Completely T’mil. Go and see your mate and enjoy your time together.” She said quietly. “I am enjoying just watching the people. I am sure my brown rider won’t be long.” She assured him. She was sure that K’yar would be panicking at the note any moment now as she saw F’cone come in.

He nodded. “Alright. We'll have to talk more later,” he grinned, squeezing her hand. He then jumped to his feet and hurried toward his mate, waving.