News At Last
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Leigh M-F., Chelle
Date Posted: 5th March 2016
Characters: A'kua, Nokala
Description: Nokala has found something.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 5, day 13 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Z'then, ONPC Eionen.
The word had come at lunch; A'kua abandoned his food to run straight to Nokala, leaning in the doorway to catch his breath. "I'm here! I'm here- what've you heard?" he gasped when he got some oxygen back in his system.
"Breathe weyrling breathe!" She smiled and pointed to a seat and a waterskin lying on top of the open desk. Nokala carefully shuffled her notes and waited for him to calm down before she let slip her news.
"There's a familiar order," A'kua muttered, but dutifully had a few mouthfuls of water and sat down, his breathing smoothing out soon enough. "What's the word?"
"Okay so there were several reports that came back of a girl of that age and those sort of details. I narrowed it down based on a few things you told me about your father and what happened. I've got a few possibilities. I'd like to look and make sure before we go forward." She didn't want to get his hopes up completely, but it felt like she was close to figuring it out.
"He's not my father," A'kua said automatically, but the rest of the news made him perk up. "Even possibilities is fine," he said. "When do you think you'll know for sure?"
"Well I have to find a rider willing to take me to these places outside of my regular duties. I'll then have to track down the girls, talk to them, and then figure it out. So...a few sevendays?" She would try to get things done as quick as possible, but Nokala did have responsibilities she had to complete too.
A'kua's guts plummeted as his disappointment rose. He had hoped he would have answers a little sooner. "Oh." He looked at his lap for a moment. At least this gave him more time to figure out what being a good brother meant. Z'then had given him some great advice on the subject, but he was still trying to make it apply to himself. "Well, please let me know if you get confirmation about Firelloa's parentage," he said.
"Certainly. In the meantime, I don't want you to set yourself up for disappointment. She may not want to come to the Weyr, you know. Even if it is her." Nokala watched him, knowing it needed to be said.
"I know," A'kua said quietly. "But she should know she has a brother who wants her to be okay. I mean, she should, right? I've never had a sibling before; I don't know how this works. I just want her to be happy."
"And that's good. Think about this, though. Right now, to her you are a stranger. You are someone she never knew existed who doesn't know her and her habits. So even though we tell her you are her brother by blood, that still may not make a difference to her. She may or may not want to get to know you. A'kua, she may not even know that Eionen is her father. So this all might topple her world upside down." He had experienced some of that, though different, so Nokala hoped he understood.
The weyrling was silent as he digested that. "Then.... was it wrong to look for her?" he asked hesitantly.
"All of these are consequences of your choice that you have to think about before we move forward. You may be right, though. She may be glad to know she has a brother who cares enough about her to find her and introduce himself. I just want you to consider everything so when something does happen, it's not a surprise." Whatever else she was, Nokala was still his teacher. She was trying to guide him through all of this, keep him from getting even more hurt, though it might happen anyhow.
A'kua sagged forward, elbows on his knees and head in his hands. He wordlessly held that position for several long minutes before he straightened. "Please keep looking and make the confirmation," he said, voice a tangle of emotion. "If we have to go through her parents or guardians first, that's fine. But I can't stop worrying. I have to know she's safe and well, or if she needs help somehow."
"Fair enough." Nokala sat back and began thinking of a few people she could ask for a ride or three.
"Thank you," A'kua said, grateful for her help and for the fact she hadn't remarked on how much he was acting like Eionen. Besides, he really was worried. The world could be a hurtful place when one was thirteen, a bastard, and potentially very alone.
Last updated on the April 4th 2016