RCW: Anger and resentment

Posted on Thu Nov 6th, 2025 @ 9:53pm by Gold Rider Jena & Bronze Rider I'han & Bronze Rider K'vin & Brown Rider S'lei & Green Rider Tanly

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M3 D19

Jena grinned as she slid onto the bench between Tanly and K’vin as the pair shifted over to let her hoin the group. I’han had already shift over and poured her a drink passing it to her but now she could properly relax and listen to the Harpers without moving. “Thanks I’han.” She said leaning back against K’vin. “You good?” She checked not having seen him all day until now as she was holding the nightly lower cavern meetings.

Tanly smiled as Jena joined the group. The group was certainly growing fast. She shifted closer to I'han, wanting to be near him.

K'vin smiled at his mate and kissed her hair. “All good here. How bout you? you’ve been busy,” he commented quietly as S'lei appeared a few moments later.

I’han snuggled Tanly close but said nothing as S’lie appeared and joined the group. “Just busy with the Weyrwoman gone at the moment but plenty of training for the future I suppose.” She teased just a little before looking at S’lie. “I think you might need this more than me. You good?” She offered holding out the mug to the brown rider.

Tanly liked having his arms around her as she watched the others. K'vinn nodded. “I'm sure you are. Only a bit longer.” He raised a brow at his brother as S'lei slid into an empty spot.

“Think so,” S'lei answered, accepting the mug from Jena.

Jena glanced to Tanly and then K’vin and indicated to the man. He very much did not look okay but maybe his siblings had different views. “Are you sure?” She asked quietly looking at him carefully. “You look strung out like a Weyrling before first thread.”

Tanly glanced at her mate. She knew the answer but it wasn't her place to say.

S'lei looked up at his friends and siblings. He wasn't sure if Halia would be joining them as she still wasn't feeling well but he had to say something. “Maybe a bit,” he agreed with Jena. “Found out Hal is pregnant.”

I’han visibly relaxed as he had not even hinted to anyone other than Tanly before and then she had been there when it was confirm out of respect for the pair but he grinned now. “Congratulations?” He offered in a tone that placed it like a question. Jena looked around trying to gauge what her reaction should be, she had not been part of this group before the crazy times so there had to be something she was missing.

K'vin smiled a bit as Tanly nearly bounced in her chair. She was so happy for them.

S'lei shrugged a shoulder. “I think so. We are still trying to figure that one out,” he answered softly.

“Oh S’lei.” Jena said wishing she had had words to help or understood the situation better. “I feel like I have missed something.” She realised quietly not wanting to pry but if she was to offer words or help she felt like she needed something.

The brown rider sighed softly. “It was my own wherheadedness from when I was younger. She nearly broke Hal and I up.” it still seemed so stupid to have that happen at all.

“The girl that Lana went mental over? You were… Oh… okay. I am sorry that it is still bothering you now.” Jena looked at K’vin a little surprised as she quieted down seeing the man looked absolutely shattered by the situation.

S'lei slowly nodded. It had been a mess and one he should have seen coming. “We're okay but still working at things.”

K'vin gave his mate a gentle smile. “I'll explain later,” he whispered to her.

Tanly pressed her lips together as she tangled her fingers with I'han's. “I know she was trying to decide if she should be excited or not,” the green rider admitted.

Jena nodded and leaned back against the man wrapping his arm around her stomach. She had no idea what could have caused this tension but she did not like it when everyone at the table was her family in her opinion. I’han nodded. “But there is no shame in either way S’lei.” I’han said softly pouring more wine into his mug and passing Jena one seeing she had sacrificed her mug to the brown rider.

K'vin held Jena close. He knew how she felt about family and children.

S'lei nodded a bit. “I know and I assured her I would support her in her decision,” he agreed softly. “I want her happy, but i don't want her doing something that she mjght regret later because she fears it will change us.”

Jena said nothing more. She was at a loss on how to help as she understood Halia’s thoughts completely. “That is difficult.” I’han decided carefully. He was no help so he glanced at Tanly and K’vin hopeful that one of them had a better idea.

K'vin shrugged. He had never had children and he would be in a different position totally.

Tanly glanced at I'han. The twins had put them at odds for a little bit but it was more because they couldn't raise them. Halia and S'lei could. “I know I wouldn't trade the twins for anything.”

“I would be expected to foster at any other Weyr with more Queen riders.” Jena shrugged. “But I do not believe that Halia is thinking clearly. This will be a shock.” Jena said finally. This was something her and K’vin needed to talk about one day again.

Tanly agreed with Jena as she glanced at S'lei. The poor brown rider still looked a mess. “I am trying not to rush her,” he said softly. “I know it all came as a shock.”

“So she just needs a bit of time. There is no rush right?” Jena said gently. She glanced over and saw Halia looking around and spotted the group in deep conversation. “So that is how I ended up looking like I’d been through threadful today. Who knew running a Weyrling class…. Hey Halia.” The queen rider greeted.

S'lei opened his mouth to agree when Jena spoke his mate’s name. “Hey Hal,” he smiled, jumping to his feet. “Here you can have my seat.” He was trying not to let her see how ragged he looked.

I’han smirked at how quick on her feet the young queen rider was. He had to admit in that moment he realised why she was a queen rider and how she had impressed so young. “We can scoot up a little. I am sure K’vin won’t mind me being closer.” She assured shifting a little.

K'vin just grinned and shifted to let Jena shift closer to him. He certainly didn't mind.

S'lei helped Halia sit down and made sure she was comfortable before taking a seat again. “Glad you could join us. Do you need anything?” He offered.

Jena shook her head at the silent man as she practically moved into his lap. She could not help but notice the grin. “That grin.” She said caressing his lips with her thumb before turning to look at Halia and S’lei.

“No. I am okay.” She pulled the jug of juice towards herself and poured a mug. “What’s going on?”

K'vin chuckled and kissed her fingertips. He might be quiet but he showed her in other ways how he felt.

S'lei nodded, not sure how to answer. “We were talking about what Jena has been doing while Lana is gone,” Tanly answered quickly.

“Oh yeah. I have forgotten the Weyrwoman was gone last couple of days.” Halia had been in her own bubble of sickness.

“I have been busy. I like being a junior queens rider, I have discovered.” Jena was a senior queens rider thanks to being there without any others despite her jokes.

K'vin shook his head. “Knew you could handle it,” he said softly. He hadn't doubted his mate for a moment

Tanly smiled at Halia. “How have you been? I know you get busy too,” she pointed out. She was trying to help S'lei who still seemed tongue tied.

Halia looked around at the group and rolled her eyes. They were all trying to act like they did not know but they were such a close group but it was hard to not see their body language. “You all know right?” She whispered and watched as several people nodded. “So yes I have been busy but mostly trying to not throw up and create some lessons for some clutching and hatching.” She chuckled a little seeing Jena smile a little more and blush. It would not be long until Zalyith was too egg heavy to do much.

“Sorry love,” S'lei apologized. “I shouldn't have said anything without you being here.”

“It gets better, I promise,” Tanly assured her friend. She wasn't about to say how sick she had been. Then getting kidnapped afterwards. At least Halia wouldn't have to worry about that.

“They are your family.” Halia assured him, glancing at him, seeing how pale he looked. She gently took his hand in hers. “I know it does. I am not so blind to see it all around me. I just… I don’t know if i have it in me to do it right now.”

“Still should have waited for you,” the brown rider said, looking up as she took his hand. He was so confused about this whole thing and didn't know what to say anymore.

Tanly nodded. She wanted to argue as the woman should feel privileged. The green rider would give anything to be able to carry a little one to term again. But one look at I'han had her shutting her mouth.

I’han could almost hear Tanly's thoughts and wrapped an arm around her. She could not comment on this safely without upsetting someone and Halia did not deserve that when it was not her fault she was not a rider. “It’s okay.” Halia assured. She was not unhappy about it.

Tanly bit her lip hard. She knew if she even tried to say anything right now it would not be good. Instead she just gripped I'han's arm.

“How are you feeling, Hal?” S'lei asked quietly, not realizing his sister was trying to be nice.

“I am okay. Whatever Nikolai has given me is helping. You were right that it would do that.” Halia said to Tanly leaning over with her free hand. “Thank you.” She said quietly before she pulled her hand back seeing the woman’s face.

The green rider just nodded. She was glad Halia was feeling better and it had worked as well as she had hoped.

S'lei frowned at his sister. Now what was her problem? “Glad you're feeling better. I was getting a bit worried.”

Halia nodded. “I think I am going to go and catch up on some work I have missed today.” Halia admitted downing the orange juice standing up. “Not quite enough room today. Definitely a rider's night.”

“Halia…” I’han started but the harper interrupted.

“It’s okay. I won’t be long.” She assured bending to kiss S’lei’s cheek.

Tanly silently groaned. Oh she had messed that one up. Not intentionally but she had still done it.

S'lei's eyes widened before he glared at his sister. He got to his feet to follow his mate. “I'm coming with you.”

“No you aren’t. I am going to my office. I do not need you hovering whilst I try to work on things I have missed today. Stay here or go to bed.” She leaned up and caressed his cheek. She wanted him to relax and staying there with his family would help or they would annoy him enough to send him to bed. “I love you.” She said firmly.

The brown rider was hesitant. “But…” he started before she caressed his cheek. He blew out a frustrated breath. “Alright,” he finally agreed. He didn't like it but he would listen for the time being. “I love you too.”

Jena watched the woman leave before she shifted off K’vin’s lap and followed her without comment or allowing anyone to stop her. I’han looked at him mate and just rolled his eyes at her and pour led her some wine.

S'lei slowly made his way back over to the table and slid back into an empty spot. K'vin moved his arm, letting Jena up. He knew even if he said anything she wouldn't listen. She was on a mission.

Tanly glared at her mate. He never did truly understand her feelings on this matter. she had been looking forward to the evening but now figured it was better to take her leave. She untangled herself her from I'han's arm and started to get up to go back to their weyr.

“I should go,” she whispered. “I'm sorry.”

“No, you are going to stay and talk it out with your siblings. And I am going to get ready for my night watch.” I’han said, pressing a kiss to her forehead as he stood up.

The green rider groaned. There would be no escaping then. Even though she wasn't going to be good company. “I don't like you sometimes,” she grumbled.

“I know.” I’han assured pressing another kiss to her forehead. “But I do it for your own good.” He reminded her with a smirk. “Good night K’vin. Good luck S’lei. You know where I am.” The man squeezed his shoulders as he passed. He knew what it was like and would support his brother in law the best he could.

Tanly glared at her mate. That might be true but it didn't mean she liked it.

“Night,” K'vin said.

S'lei nodded. “thanks I'han,” he answered. This was still feeling like a mess. He didn't know what he was going to say to Halia or why Tanly was acting so crazy.