Staggering Night

Posted on Mon Sep 21st, 2026 @ 7:00pm by Blue Rider S'ven & Jr Journeyman Nerlyn & Bronze Rider K'ron & Blue Rider R’kig

Mission: 3531 AL

S’ven was drinking and drinking hard to the point he would be happy to just pass out in the dining cavern and be kicked out by one of the women of the lower caverns but it seemed it was not going to happen as he just kept getting fuzzier brained. Kelsa had gone to bed after fall whilst the man stayed up to process it all, 2 deaths and several injuries but he felt seeing that the fall had been harder than expected that they got off lucky. He glanced up as someone sat in front of him.

The Fall was bad as were just things in general. He didn't feel like he was getting any better and as soon as he was by himself things turned worse. Hence why R'kig now found himself in the Dining Cavern so he didn't have to be alone. He caught sight of his fellow blue rider and made his way over there, dropping into the chair. “Hey.”

S’ven looked up at R’kig sat down in front of him and offered a nod. “Hello.” He finally muttered trying to work out why the other blue rider was sitting there. They were wing mates but they very rarely spoke as they had impressed at different times and ran in different circles.

R'kig took a drink of his own ale. “Hope you don't mind the company,” he said. He hoped not at least since he didn't want to be by himself. He knew how that sounded but it was true.

S’ven did not mind but he was not exactly the best company right then and there. “I am not the best company.” He stated but indicated that the man could stay if he wanted.

R'kig shook his head. “Neither am I so no worries. Just didn’t want to be alone tonight,” he admitted. Today had been a bad day. He had been in weyrling training with one of the ones who had died.

S’ven knew that feeling well. It was not something he was experiencing that night but he supposed for a little bit he could be that for the younger blue rider. “What are you going to do when they kick us out?” He wondered not knowing how long that was going to be as the cavern was still packed.

The dark haired rider considered S'ven's question. “I don't know,” he admitted. “I'm taking this one moment at a time.” He could probably find Neilla but he didn't want to have to rely on her. Or even K'ron and Nerlyn. It was so confusing.

“Always have a plan and a person is my advice. One moment at a time only works for so long ” He said finally before he rolled his eyes at himself. He finally became self aware enough to see himself in the younger blue rider.

R'kig blew out a breath. He had thought he had a plan and a person up until recently. “Yeah guess that's true,” he agreed, taking another swig of ale.

“I did warn you I was not the best company.” S’ven reminded with a sigh as he put his mug down sitting back in the chair. “I am going to find your brother or Nerlyn.” He decided staggering to his feet to at least attempt a look around.

“I know but any company was better than none,” he pointed out. R'kig didn't argue. If S'ven thought he could find them so be it.

S’ven patted his shoulder and disappeared into the crowds. It could not be hard to find a dolphineer and bronze rider in the crowds. He returned several moments later with a concerned looking Nerlyn who had her arms around S’ven to make sure he did not fall over. She put a hand on R’kig’s shoulder and squeezed.

R'kig watched him disappear. He was surprised though when S'ven returned with Nerlyn. He hadn't realized they were there. “Thanks S'ven,” he said quietly, looking up at Nerlyn's squeeze.

“I’m going to bed.” S’ven declared making Nerlyn shake her head and put him in a chair as she was barely able to hold him up. She normally had more energy but after sea watch for thread and only just getting back she was tired. She had only came to the cavern to let K’ron know she was back but S’ven had found her before that.

“No, you are sitting there until I can find someone responsible to walk you back. What is it with blue riders?” Why did it feel like her dad was the only blue rider who was not struggling right then and there?

R'kig managed a smile for Nerlyn. “can I get you anything, Nerlyn?” He offered. He was still sober, just not ready for a quiet weyr yet. He looked over at S'ven. “should we get Kelsa?”

Nerlyn shook her head. “No. I am okay. He came here to avoid taking his mood back to her.” Nerlyn sat down next to S‘ven who leaned forward and neatly face planted the table of Nerlyn hadn’t leaned out and grabbed his arm shifting him to pass out on her shoulder. She shook her head. “This used to be me. What did you need anyway? S’ven mumbled something about you needing help?” She smiled sadly.

R'kig nodded. That made sense. He hadn't thought about it. He cringed when S'ven passed out. The younger blue rider sighed. “I'm okay. I just wasn't ready to go back to an empty weyr,” he answered quietly. “That's when the dreams come.”

Nerlyn nodded as it made sense to her that it might be why he hadn’t wanted to go to bed yet. “Is speaking to Nikolai helping?” She wondered stroking S’ven’s hair softly as he shifted a little.

He blew out a breath as it seemed like Nerlyn completely understood what he was facing. “It is. It's just slow going.” He glanced over at S'ven. “Is he okay?”

“It is not a slow process.” She said softly knowing that sometimes progress with a mind healer was as simple as getting out of bed. “Some days are harder than others but truly keep listening and following his advice and you will get better.” She promised, glancing to the man passed out on her shoulder. “Passed out but he’ll be fine. Any idea what’s going on with him?” She wondered seeing K’ron walking towards them.

R'kig nodded. It was slow and he did see what Nerlyn was saying. “It is,” he agreed. “Some mornings I don't want to get out of bed.” There were times he just didn’t want to do anything. He slowly shook his head. “I don't know. He didn't really say anything.”

Nerlyn sighed. “It does get better. You’ve got Rizerth, your brother, your sister and you’ve got your nephew.” She reminded as glanced at R’kig indicating K’ron coming towards them with S’ven passed out on her shoulder.

Nerlyn was right. He did have a lot even if at times he forgot it. R'kig nodded and got to his feet to retrieve his brother. He soon returned with K'ron in tow.

“What happened?” K'ron asked, seeing his very passed out wing third.

“He has drunk too much to cope tonight.” Nerlyn said quietly as she glanced at S’ven. Even passed out he looked unsettled and full of emotions.

The bronze rider sighed softly. “You'd think we would learn after awhile,” he commented, having done the same thing himself before. R'kig felt bad for his fellow blue rider. der.

“Have you done this recently?” Nerlyn raised an eyebrow as she shifted S’ven so he was not on her shoulder but lying on the table. “Heavy rider.” She sighed rolling her shoulder.

K'ron shrugged a shoulder. “Yeah,” he admitted. He wasn't proud of it but he had. He was pretty sure they all had at one time or another.

R'kig nodded. “Not a good place to be,” he agreed.

Nerlyn shook her head. “I… I had not realised.” She murmured softly. “And no, not a good place to be.” She agreed, rolling her eyes as music started up.

“It's okay. It's not something I was proud of,” K'ron answered.

R'kig looked up at his family. “Should we get S'ven to bed before he wakes up with an awful crick in his neck?” He had feeling the poor man was going to be sore anyhow.

Nerlyn just shook her head at K’ron but nodded at the blue rider. “I’ll do it.” Nerlyn sighed as she spoke to S’ven and he blinked open his eyes. He smiled sleepily but agreed with whatever was being said to him and staggered to his feet.

“I'll help,” R'kig offered. There was no way that Nerlyn was going to be able to get S'ven to his weyr on his own. Not when the blue rider was barely standing as it was.

Nerlyn accepted the help happily when S’ven nearly knocked her to the floor. “Thank you.” She winced as she grabbed the drunk blue rider’s arm.

R'kig quickly took the added weight to keep Nerlyn from being squished. “Easy,” he told S'ven. “Let's get you to bed.”

“Sure.” S’ven staggered a moment as he looked at K'ron. He looked like he was going to say something but he shook his head. Nerlyn tugged on his arm and indicated that they were leaving.

R'kig quickly braced himself to keep S'ven standing. K'ron just shook his head. They all had the next day off since they just had Fall so S’ven would get a chance to sleep it off.