A Missed Offer

Writers: Avery, Yvonne
Date Posted: 27th January 2014

Characters: Riveenata, F'lin
Description: Riven makes an offer that F'lin doesn't quite catch
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 5, day 17 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentor Approved

Drills were usually uneventful-- but not today. Half way through one
of the blueriders fell out of formation, his blue landing to take him
to the Infirmary. }:I am told that his shoulder aches,:{ Seneth told
F'lin when the bronzerider asked.

**That's too bad,** F'lin said, then forgot about his wingmate until
the day's exercises were over. Sweaty and enjoying the pleasant dull
ache of exercise, the bronzerider strolled into the Infirmary after
drills. It was his Winglead's duty to check on injured riders, but it
didn't hurt to look out for your own... especially if you wanted a
promotion someday. After a quick visit that revealed a diagnosis of
mild muscle strain, F'lin went looking for Riveenata. An apprentice
directed him toward the storerooms, which was where he found her. She
was bent over some sort of concoction, her black hair tucked into a
bun as curly as a seashell. The bronzerider stood leaning against the
doorframe watching until it looked as if an interruption wouldn't be a
disaster. "Hey, Riven."

She looked up at the sound of the familiar voice and blinked when she
recognized him. This wasn't the kind of place she expected to find
F'lin. "You're not hurt, right?" she asked.

"Nope. Sorry to disappoint."

"I'm relieved you're fine," she said immediately. "It's just that
people don't often come down here unless they're hurt."

He uncrossed his arms and entered the workroom, peering over her
shoulder at what she'd been working on. It smelled sharply of herbs.
"Is that the muscle cream you were talking about earlier?"

Ah, he asked about her work. A safer topic. "It is indeed. There's
always strains after a Fall, so I'm making an extra batch."

F'lin wrinkled his nose. "It smells... pungent. But better than what I
usually get."

"It's always going to smell somewhat like medicine," she said with a
laugh. "I wish I could ask the actual Healer Hall for some more
information..."

"Bunch of old men-- what do they know? You'll be much better off
experimenting on your own." F'lin paused to take a whiff of the cream,
then made a face. "Can't you ask one of the other Healers to ask on
your behalf?"

"Oh, I could, but it's really the principle of the thing," she
grumbled. "One day they'll wake up."

"Yeah..." F'lin trailled off, thinking of Topaz Sea Hold, where he'd
grown up. His mother was the daughter of a goldrider and Lady
Weyrholder, and so was treated with much more respect than most of the
women in the Hold. Because of her, his dragonriding aunt and uncle,
and goldriding Master Craftsman grandmother, he'd always been told
that things would change. But the population was recovering and still
the Halls refused to see someone as talented as Riven as anything
other than a mother. "I changed my mind. If you want to give me a
massage and try out that cream, you're welcome to."

She offered him the little jar. "It should hopefully come out smelling
somewhat minty on skin, masking some of the medicinal smell. It's not
going to work on everyone, but it's a start. Now, were would you need
done?"

"All over?" He waggled his eyebrows at her.

That got him an amused snort. "For testing efficacy, let's stick to
places it's actually likely to be needed. You want hands anywhere
else, talk to me when I'm off."

"Backrub then, after drills tomorrow?"

"Absolutely. And I'll meet you in your weyr, more space." Which was
true, though it wasn't her only reason.

"You're on. And if you're lucky, I might even pick up my laundry
before you come over!" F'lin pointed at the Healer as he backed out of
the room. "I'll see you later."

"What a generous offer," she muttered, but she waved cheerfully as he
slipped out.

Last updated on the January 28th 2014

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A Missed Offer