The Usual Hiding Places (2/2)

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 24th November 2017

Characters: Kaiafel, Aileyan, J'nev, Ravyan
Description: Ravyan goes missing.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 5 of Turn 9
Notes: Part 2 of 2
Mentions: U'kaiah

As she rounded the corner of the stair landing, in her haste she ran straight into J'nev. "Whoa, watch where..." he said, grabbing her arms to steady them both but quickly recognizing the greenrider who had been all but ignoring him as of late. "Aileyan. Well, this is a surprise."

"J'nev. I'm so sorry, I was looking for Ravyan," she replied.

The bronzerider didn't get the urgency of the matter, and so he asked, "Look, have you been avoiding me for some reason?"

"How about out of embarrassment of getting caught by my son's fosterbrother? Look, I don't have time to chat, I must find Ravyan," Aileyan fidgeted. She was so worried that she forget her shyness and reticence.

"How is that _my_ fault?" he asked, pressing the issue. "We weren't do anything wrong. We were just enjoying each other's company. This is a Weyr, there's no shame in that."

"Well, tell that to my head," Aileyan said in a rush.

"That's just the problem. You think way to much," J'nev said, putting his hands on his hips. "Do you really think the kid even cared what we were doing? He didn't even look old enough to know what that thing in his pants is _for_ yet."

"So, I'm a bloody prude, you don't have to hang around me," AIleyan snarled. "Now, excuse me, I have a missing son to find."

"No, that's not what I was saying, Aileyan. I'm saying that it isn't fair you are punishing me for having a good time. You punish me enough for the things I _do_ do, I would rather not be punished for the things you imagine I do, too, thank you very much." Suddenly the whole of her words sank in. "What about your son?"

"He's missing, no one's seen him after harper classes," Aileyan replied, ignoring his rant.

J'nev frowned slightly. That didn't sound good. "Well, where do you think he is?"

"Well, I'm going to check if he went to hatching cavern to sneak peek at the eggs," Aileyan replied. "Other potential places are dragoninfirmary or the weyrlake."

"Alright," he said as he reached out to take her hand and turned back the way had come. "We'll check the Hatching grounds first." Now that she was finally talking to him, he was not about to let her run away.

Aileyan just nodded and picked up her pace. She was glad of the company and two pair of eyes saw more than one.

"I hear the kids look at the eggs from a spot further down the corridor," he said as he lead her past the door of the cavern. "Have you ever been to the spot?"

"I don't think so," Aileyan replied. "I was a good girl, besides, I wasn't candidate for long before Impressing."

"Alright, well, I think its..." he stopped in front of a door leaning to the cavern but at a point that the gold could not easily see. "I think this might be it. Come on." J'nev peeked his head through the door and saw that if they stayed close to the stone wall, the queen would not be able to see them, but he pressed one hand to his lips as he gently pulled her in with him.

Aileyan had to admit, when she followed J'nev that this was kind of exciting.

Ravyan was pressed his body tightly against the stone wall, standing on his toes. He was bit too short to get a good look thru the crack. He did not notice when the other boy who had shown him this place slinked off. The other boy had heard the approaching adults.

J'nev pulled Aileyan close to his side and whispered as he pointed, "Is that your boy?"

"Yes," Aileyan said with a low hiss.

J'nev looked at her out of the corner of his eye. Shards, she was a scary little thing when she was mad! "Psst! Hey, kid!" he called softly to Ravyan, waving his hand to try to draw his attention.

Aileyan snatched Ravyan's arm. "What the shells are you doing here, Ravyan? You were supposed to meet Kaiafel after the classes, not go off on your own!"

"Mom!" Ravyan let out a scared squall.

Aileyan dragged him out to a safe distance from the Hatching Cavern before proceeding her scoldings.

J'nev stood back and watched the proceedings with deep sympathy for the boy. He had been on the receiving end of more than one Aileyan tongue lashing. He was just glad this time it wasn't him in trouble!

Eventually, Aileyan ran out of steam. Ravyan was all remorseful and contrite. "Let's get you back to your fostermother," Aileyan sighed. She looked at J'nev. "Thanks for your help, J'nev."

"I'll walk with you." Ravyan walk ahead of the pair, which J'nev was glad of. It gave him a chance to look at Aileyan, frustrated and still a little steaming. It was nice seeing that little spark of fire in her. When he was sure her son was out of ear shot, he leaned down to say close to her ear, "You're even more hot when you're angry."

"So they say," Aileyan replied. He wasn't the first one to say that. Although last one had been U'kaiah.

"If your son is going to his foster mothers, are you... free?"

"Yes," Aileyan replied. She had no more drills today. She did need a bath though.

It was really hard to tell if that was an invitation or not. This greenrider never made things easy! "So, does that mean I can come over?"

"Do you happen to have a private bathing pool?" Aileya asked. She was really going to need a long soak.

"No," he admitted, seeing his chances fading. He was still not so experienced a bronzerider that he had been offered that privilege yet.

"Too bad, bathing pools are quite a fun," Aileyan sighed.

Shards, why didn't have one yet! Then he remembered a place he and some of his Clutchmates had gone to just before their graduation from Weyrlinghood. "I do know of a natural hotspring! Up in the mountains in River Bluff territory. That could be fun, too..."

"Yes, it could be," Aileyan's eyes glittered.

"Then, shall we go together?" he asked, feeling a glimmer of hope.

It was probably a bad idea, but Aileyan didn't want to spend another evening alone, going thru what ifs. "Let's," she said. "After I got him safely back to his fostermother's care." Could you blame her? After today's scare.

Last updated on the November 27th 2017

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The Usual Hiding Places (2/2)