If I Don't Win

Writers: Devin, Chelle
Date Posted: 12th October 2012

Characters: Rhosyn, N'vanik
Description: Rhosyn comes all the way from River Bluff to visit N'vanik while he's in the infirmary.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 18 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: R'enh, Talryne

N'vanik

All of this timezone business was really starting to get on her nerves.
Why did all of her boys have to be on the other side of the stupid continent?
Grumbling as she hopped off the weyrling who had brought her, Rhosyn
made sure to adjust herself quickly. It had been morning her time so it
was afternoon here. Satisfied, she went into the infirmary, intending for
this to be a quick trip. "Weyrleader please," she told the healer. For a
moment he stopped, realizing this was the wrong Weyrwoman. Then he
gathered himself and nodded, leading her to N'vanik's cot.

"Rhosyn." He shifted carefully to sit straighter. "Come to see me when
I'm all banged up?" His head wasn't bandaged, despite how much it
hurt, but his shoulder was being held in place by a sling.

"Had to confirm the rumors you were still alive," she said wryly before smiling.
"And banged is better than broken. Silly Weyrleader-trying to save everyone."
Her eyes held a flicker of concern, though, hiding behind her sarcasm. Sitting
down in the empty chair, she checked to make sure he had been provided with
water and food.

He saw her glance. "Don't worry, I've got plenty of people checking on me."

"Oh?" Of course, there would be others. She was going to have to see R'enh too,
to get his version of events, though she was pretty sure she had it
right. Laying
her hand on his arm, she was quiet for a bit as her lower lip thinned. "I'm glad
you're okay." **I knew it could happen-to him, to me, to R'enh, to Sh'del-but I
still don't like seeing him in this bed. It's better for him to be
here than gone though**

"Me too." Her visit meant a lot, coming all the way from River Bluff
just to check on him. "We lost a pair, after I was hurt."

"Mmm....sad to see them go, but it happens often during a Pass. It doesn't
make it easier, but it's better to lose one pair, than two or three or four..."
She frowned, thinking of all the injured she was nursing back to health in her
own wing.

"Or dozens. The Weyr's just recovered from that disaster a few turns
back. Thank Faranth I haven't screwed things up that badly." But could
someone else have done a better job?

"We all make mistakes-we're only human. I'm just glad you're fine and everything
worked itself out. Your Weyr needs you now, though R'enh can probably
handle things
for as long as it takes you to get back on your feet. I'm sure you
have a willing nurse,
as well." She would never have offered since they both knew she didn't
have the time.
Besides, that was Talryne's area, not hers. Rhosyn would probably have
accidentally
killed him.

"I know R'enh can handle it. I wouldn't be surprised if he won the
next Flight." Especially if it was soon. N'vanik's current state might
affect his dragon's chances.

"He's thought about it. Course I've thought about it, to be honest, but we
both know that. What happens-happens. The dragons decide. For Loseth
to be chosen so many times, though, he's got to be doing something right.
Of course Orlaith is partial to Mnoranth from before but you were gone then."
Her eyes held a sort of dreamy look as she reminisced. To be young again...

"He's won twice. And I wonder if this is a sign a third time isn't in
the cards. I'm no good at getting Weyrwomen to stay, after all." And
laying in an infirmary cot didn't lend itself to positive thoughts.

"She's still here, isn't she? And besides, from what I've learned of her....
She wants it-N'vanik. She wants to be Weyrwoman more than she cares
about who her Weyrleader is. She's not like me-just wanting to be able to
do what she wants, she really wants to have her own Weyr, to make it different,
to take care of it..." Marveling at what she'd gleaned of Cyradis from
conversations
with others and the woman herself briefly, Rhosyn half smiled. "She'll stay."

"Hope you're right."

"How often am I wrong?" Her brow rose, daring him to challenge her.

"First time for everything," he said with a smile.

"Pppffft," came her annoyed reply as she reached a hand out to play with his
hair. "I suppose there isn't much I can do and you seem to be okay.
Are you tired?
Is Loseth okay?"

"Loseth is fine. Got us all back safe on the ground." After a flare of
pride for his dragon, N'vanik's mind turned back to the Flight. "Hey,
if I don't win, and if I keep on losing ... well, I'll think about River Bluff."

She was dead quiet as she wondered if she had really heard what she thought
she had. Afraid to be hopeful, Rhosyn watched him, thinking. "Oh? Keep
on losing...
that means turns down the road then." She knew he didn't want to give up. He was
trying, though. "But we'll see. Might be a moot point anyway."

"Yeah. Too bad we can't have it all." What he really wanted was Rhosyn
to be Weyrwoman and Dolphin Cove. Despite the struggles, this place
felt like home.

"That's why not everyone impresses golds and bronzes. We never get what we
want despite stories to the contrary. Well, I think I see a healer
giving me the eye
and since this isn't my Weyr, I think I might listen. Get some rest
and get better."
She fiddled with his blankets for a moment. It was clear she wasn't worried-the
injury was minor after all.

"Thanks for coming to see me. I'll visit when I'm cleared to travel."
He wanted her to stay, but he _did_ need rest.

"No worries." The thought that she hadn't told him that Cyradis had
come to tell her
that he was hurt crossed her mind. "Just so you know, I found out
about your being hurt
from your Weyrwoman. She came and woke me up." Her eyes widened for a moment,
hoping he understood why she was telling him.

He frowned. "She went all the way to River Bluff?"

"You didn't hear me say that she woke me up, did you? I was in my nightshirt for
Faranth's sake." In truth, Rhosyn didn't mind, but she did watch the
gears turning in N'vanik's head.

"Nice of her to go to all that trouble." It had to be for Rhosyn's
sake more than his. The two goldriders were on friendly terms already.
They had to be, for Rhosyn to stick up for her and keep urging N'vanik
to give her a chance.

"I thought so, but it does mean that she's already figured out that I
give a shell about what happens to you. That means she's smart, though
I'd figured that out already anyway. I really will go now, this time. Maybe
go bug R'enh." She got up and bent down to kiss his cheek, putting her hands
on his shoulders for a moment before straightening.

Using his good arm, he took her hand and squeezed it. "Thanks for coming."

"You're welcome. And next time don't go knocking your head again, mk?"
With a smile, the small woman headed out of the infirmary, intent on visiting
another man before she left.

Last updated on the November 17th 2012

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If I Don't Win