RCW:: Apologises For Nothing (2/2)

Posted on Thu Jan 9th, 2025 @ 2:04pm by Sr Journeyman Thalia & Blue Rider V'lik

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M2 D28

Thalia knew they both should have gone to bed candlemarks ago but walking with the blue rider just talking or enjoying the silence was too nice not to savour. Normally a rider or crafter just tried to sweet-talk her into bed before they even got to know her yet this man had gone out of his way to track her down to apologise for something he had not needed to. “Well, we have walked a long way.” She laughed seeing the Dolphin Craft Hall in the distance again meaning they had done a loop.

V'lik had been enjoying the company. He hadn’t even realized how long they had been walking until Thalia spoke up. “Oh,” he said in surprise. “We have walked a long way.”

“We have.” She smiled, squeezing his hand as she stopped and just looked around. “It is nice to be able to do this without worry.” She admitted thinking of the nights she had blocked her room door with a chest to stop Dragon Hold coming after her if they wanted another healer.

The blue rider nodded. “It feels like ages since we could all enjoy a peaceful night like this.” he knew everyone had been living in fear there for a while and he hadn't really been close to anyone just in case something happened like with Riana.

“It has. I hated the beginning of the last turn. I used to lock my door and block it out of fear of being taken as a woman and healer or used to find a big strong rider.” She teased laughing a little to cover the darkness that came from her first statement. It had been a dark time. “I was at that gather.” She admitted gently.

“Last Turn was horrible,” he agreed. things had certainly been turned upside down. He cringed a bit. “Yeah, that was bad. I'm glad they never got to you.” V'lik knew what they would have done to such a sweet person as Thalia. “You were?”

“Yeah. I tried to save several people but it all happened so quickly. One second I was showing children how to make basic herbal infusions and the next the Lord Holder of Far Site’s son came in collapsing talking about the rampage.” She shivered at the memory despite the warm night wrapping her arms around herself.

V'lik couldn't believe it. That had been a time no one would forget. “You weren't hurt were you?” He knew quite a few had been in that fiasco.

“A few scraps and bruises but nothing like I was trying to triage.” She loved her speciality in emergency healing but sometimes no matter what she did could not stop death. “Were you there?” She wondered knowing that there had been a few Riders including the Weyrleaders.

That made him feel a bit better. At least she hadn't been injured. The blue rider shook his head. “I wasn't. I got caught up in other things and couldn't make it there in time.” that had been an awful day.

“For the best.” She assured stepping up to him. “No one could have made it there in time to change anything that happened and the lives taken.” She said sadly knowing it was the worst part of healership is that you accepted that sometimes.

V'lik shook his head a bit. “I still don't understand why it happened at all. Why would anyone want to do that to another person?” That was one of the many things he didn't understand about Dragon Hold.

“Because they thought they could break us. Plain and simple.” The woman stated. Dragon Hold were not a mystery to her, they were the people that left little children in the mines or stole healers from their beds. “But it is over. It is just us having to deal with it all now.” She said taking both his hands in hers.

That sounded true enough. Dragon Hold was evil, plain and simple. And he was glad it was gone. “At least we get the chance to deal with it,” he answered.

“Got the chance to do lots of things now.” The woman said looking away as she let out a big yawn. “Like right now I need the chance to go to bed or you are going to be using those muscles to carry me to bed.”

She had a point there. They all didn't have to worry now. He laughed and swooped her up in his arms. “Now that I can do,” he grinned at her.

The woman was stunned into silence for a moment as she wrapped her arms around his neck, stabilizing herself as he changed her from standing to sitting in his arms. “Blue rider!” She laughed. ”You cannot carry me back so put me down.”

V'lik laughed. “And why not?” He asked cheerily. He would gladly carry her back to her room if that was what she wanted.

“Because it’s too far.” She laughed, turning his face to look at her before pressing her lips against his in a soft first kiss. “Put me down V’lik please.” She whispered pulling away hoping his reaction was good.

“Says who?” He laughed, before stopping in surprise. He hadn't been kissed by anyone since Riana. A soft smile touched his lips. “Okay but only because you said please,” he whispered, gently setting her back on her feet.

“Ah so I just needed to use my manners. I will know for the future.” She laughed nervously but at least he was smiling if he also looked just a little surprised.

“Manners can help,” he chuckled, smiling down at her. “Shall we?” He asked, offering his arm to walk her to her room.

Thalia took his arm and squeezed him a little as they started back toward the Weyr along the sea path. It was quiet but words did not need to be said as they walked. “This was a lovely evening V’lik.” She said as they stepped into the bowl. She was really happy that he had come to find her.

He was quite content to just walk beside her. It had been a long time since he had felt so at peace. V’lik smiled. “It was a very pleasant evening and I hope we can do it again soon.”

The harper could not help but smile at the smile on his face. She did not think she had ever seen him smile quite so much. “Well, we have tomorrow. Hopefully, it can be even nicer in the sunshine.” She commented letting go of his arm.