Story time and Unaccepted Apologies

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 1st July 2013

Characters: D'hol, Cyradis, Kielya
Description: A wall between the two gets a little thicker
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 2 of Turn 7

D'hol

Cyradis

Kielya

"And then we rose to the air to fight. Yumath was at the head of the
wing and we were leading it." D'hol spoke softly, gesturing with one
hand to mime lifting into the air. "We saw it in the distance and
watched the Thread Fall. The dragons roared their challenge and Yumath
started demanding firestone..." Yumath lifted his head, opening his
great maw towards the children that had clambered onto his limbs and
tail.

It was almost a comical sight. Weyrbrats of different ages had made
themselves comfortable on the bronze, but kept their eyes locked on
D'hol as he spoke. Surprisingly, the man had a animated expression, a
warmth on his face that was rarely seen as he perched on Yumath's
forelimb.

Cyradis knew the voice before she rounded the corner and stopped for a
moment to school her face into a pleasant expression for the sake of
the children. But then she rounded the corner and saw the children
sitting all over the big bronze and her smile turned genuine.

She didn't interrupt the Wingleader but her eyes sought out her
daughter who was staring at the rider in rapt attention. A hand closed
around her heart as a form of panic threatened. She kicked herself for
never having told D'hol but she'd thought she'd never see him again
and in all the turns since Kielya's birth she hadn't even heard of him
until he'd shown up at Dolphin Cove. She tried to keep the smile as
little heads turned toward her. She motioned for them to continue
listening to the bronzerider's story.

If D'hol was anything, he was observant; his gaze followed the
children's gaze and the warmth promptly died in his eyes. His back
stiffened slightly, but he continued the story as his attention turned
back to the children. He continued his story of his first ThreadFall,
coolly ignoring Cyradis's presence. A smaller child, perhaps four or
five turns, ambled up to the Wingleader and with confidence born of
youth, climbed right up into his lap and sat, staring up at him with
wide eyes. D'hol paused, ruffled the little boy's hair and then
continued on with Yumath accenting the words with ducks of his head or
rumbles of counterpoint. They had a rapt audience and when D'hol
finished, there was a sense of held breath. The small child in his lap
abruptly pointed to the visible scar on his face. "Izzat where that
comes from?"

D'hol blinked and shook his head and spoke slowly. "No. That was from
me not being very careful and watchful during a Fall. I learned my
lesson, just like you all learn your own."

Shadow wafted down from the rafters to perch on Cyradis shoulder. He
made a soft comforting noise in his chest as his head rubbed under her
chin. He'd been close and attentive recently. Ever since she'd been so
upset by D'hol the little flit was never far away. She reached up a
hand to scritch a small eyeridge and run her fingers over his soft
brown hide.

Kielya's head popped up from father back in the group. "Did it hurt?"

Turning his head to look at the child, he nodded. "Yes. It did. But I
didn't let it stop me. I finished the Fall. Sometimes, even if you're
hurt, you have to keep going." He turned to look at Cyradis his eyes
meeting hers for a brief moment. The final words had a hidden
undertone to them.

Cyradis had the grace to break eye contact first. Guilt was a powerful
and embarrassing emotion and she felt it keenly at times like this
when he showed his softer side. She nodded at the floor before she
raised her eyes to his again in silent apology. Unfortunate
circumstance and poor decisions were no excuse for what she had done
and they both knew it.

D'hol looked away, not giving any hint that he had seen her silent
reply. Instead, he turned his attention back to the children, some of
whom had decided that Yumath's tail made an excellent slide. Yumath
bore the play with surprising patience, but D'hol set down the child
on his lap and rose. "Okay, you lot, it's time for you to go back in.
I've taken enough time from your studies." There was a collective
groan of complaint that was hushed as D'hol's brow rose. "Perhaps
later I'll have another story for you." He moved to start assisting
children off of Yumath, his back firmly to Cyradis.

**Apology _not_ accepted** Well she couldn't really blame him. Yet her
own epiphany released something in her that had been pent up for too
many Turns.

Cyradis held her hand out for Kielya who ran to her side with a smile.
"Wasn't that a great story mummy?" She said in her lispy voice.

"Yes, it was a good story. Wingleader D'hol is a very brave rider,"
she looked at his back and then turned away, Kielya in tow. For her to
completely be free of the burden on her conscience she would have to
tell him everything... but now was not the time.

He had heard her and he went still, his jaw twitching. Absently
setting down another child, he took a slow breath and turned slightly
to watch her with her child by her side. His hand curled into a fist
against Yumath's side. A soft voice emerged in his mind. }: You hurt.
Every time she is near, you hurt and you are angry. :{ Yumath shifted
his weight as the children disbanded and wandered away. }:Always. :{

D'hol turned away from the sight, and relaxed his hand to lay flat on
Yumath's side. **She always has. It's unimportant. I've learned to
live with it.**

Last updated on the July 3rd 2013

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Story time and Unaccepted Apologies