Aftermath

Writers: Heather, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 22nd December 2015

Characters: D'kere, A'kua
Description: Getting the story.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 22 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Genna, F'nix, ONPC Eionen, Jessmyr, Ninaine, Ilyssia, Nokala,
Saibra.

Zeiranth hadn't known his tall partner could curl into such a small ball.
He was tucked between Zeiranth's forelegs, knees against his chest and arms
over his head. The little bronze had covered A'kua with his wings, crooning
softly as the young man shuddered. His thoughts were a completely
incoherent whirl, but Zeiranth wasn't letting up his own comforting stream
of emotions. He still hoped someone came soon, though. A'kua liked D'kere
and highly respected Genna; maybe he could explain everything to them, and
then Zeiranth would have a better idea what was going on and how to help
his partner.

}:I let Chioneth know that we are handling the situation.:{ Kenirath
informed D'kere as the Weyrlingmaster's Second walked in. It was times like
these that D'kere wished J'darin hadn't resigned, or that they had a
Weyrlingmaster.

"A'kua?" he asked.

Zeiranth bobbed his head at D'kere, then poked his nose under his wings to
lip-nibble his partner's hair. }:Father's rider is here. Can you talk to
him? He can make things better,:{ he said encouragingly.

It took a few minutes, but A'kua gradually uncurled and sat up, still
wrapped in Zeiranth's "hug". His eyes were red and dazed, tear tracks on
his flushed face. He looked at D'kere with a blank expression, one hand
coming up to try scrubbing the mess.

"What's going on?" D'kere asked, squatting to be down on the boy's level.

A'kua's throat worked and his lips twitched, but it took some tries to get
words out. "He's here. In the Weyr. My stupid, whorin' sire is _here_. Says
he has news," he said thickly. "I thought- I thought I was okay. Thought
those wounds'd closed. But I saw him, an' he looks like me, an' I'm
bleedin' all over 'gain."

D'kere didn't know much about A'kua's background, but clearly he was upset
by his father's presence. "Is this the first time you've seen him? Or has
it just been a long time?"

"The first," the weyrling croaked. "He seduced my ma an' abandoned her. I
hate him." A sob escaped him. "I wanna _hurt_ him." That desire -to make
people _hurt_- was one he had thought he'd put behind him, no matter what
he'd said to F'nix. "If'n- If'n he comes near me again- if'n he really
wants t' just talk, I- I don' think I can trust myself, D'kere. I'll need
my hands tied behind my back. Or some kinda supervision."

"Aren't you at least curious as to why he is here?" D'kere asked.

A'kua shook his head. "He said he has news from the hold, but I dunno what
he could possibly tell me that I don' already know: That- That the place's
still trash, that everyone's glad to see the bastard t-troublemaker gone-"
He stopped. "He- He mentioned this girl I knew. I'm almost a-afraid t' ask
what she mighta said. But I cared 'bout her once, even though she d-didn'
care 'bout me."

"Perhaps if you calm down you can find out what he really wants. You are a
bronzerider, A'kua, you're going to have to deal with highly stressful and
emotional situations throughout your career so I suggest you use this as a
way to practice some diplomacy. You cannot let your emotions run away with
you anymore, it threatens the safety and health of your dragon." D'kere's
voice was firm but not accusatory.

"What career?" the weyrling asked through a strangled laugh. "I'm never
gonna be a ranker."

}:Maybe if you talk to him, he'll go away forever,:{ Zeiranth suggested.
}:Then you don't have to be sad and angry, and we'll both feel better.:{

A'kua paused. His dragon had a point. "I'm serious when I say that man's
not safe 'round me," he finally stated, accent beginning to fade again as
he tried to get control of himself. "If I do this, I really will need my
hands tied, or supervision. I want Genna there." And Ilyssia, and Ninaine,
and Jessmyr and Nokala, everyone he had come to care for, but they wouldn't
be able to drop everything for this. Genna would suffice if she could be
there; A'kua would behave in her presence.

"Son, being a _dragonrider_ is a career, it doesn't matter if you have rank
or not." D'kere wondered when A'kua would begin to realize that. What good
was a bronzerider who went around blasting people and breaking down into
tears? "If you cannot do this without having your 'hands tied' then there
will be no meeting. I can arrange for Genna to be there."

"Don't call me that," A'kua said, turning his face away. "Please, just- I
can't hear that word right now." He took a few deep breaths. "Tomorrow," he
finally said. "I'll see him tomorrow, evenin' free time, in one of the
classrooms. No rope needed." It was going to take all his self-control, but
if the end result meant his sire would be gone for the rest of his life, he
would do it somehow.

"I'll let the Weyrwoman and Genna know, presently I think your father is in
Saibra's office. Kenirath and I will be on-call if you need anything."
D'kere said as he stood.

A'kua grinned with a particularly dark satisfaction. **I hope she makes him
sorry he ever came here,** he thought. Aloud, all he said was "Thank ya."

Last updated on the December 23rd 2015

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Aftermath