I Look Forward to It

Writers: Avery, Emma
Date Posted: 13th February 2014

Characters: K'dee, Riveenata
Description: Riven helps K'dee with some exercises and they plan some stargazing.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 5, day 11 of Turn 7

The young bronzerider limped into the infirmary, leaning heavily on his
crutches. Movement hadn't got any easier, he felt so off balance, and it
hurt, even though he no longer had a foot, it itched like crazy.

Riveenata waved to catch the young man's attention. "Here, use this cot,"
she said, patting one of the closer ones. "Do you need some help?"

"I think I'm going to be okay," he said slowly. "They tell me I have to get
used to doing things by myself."

She nodded sympathetically. "How's Vatonth doing?"

"I think he's going to be fine, today at least, I rounded up a group of
candidates to give him a good scrubbing, and he was enjoying the fuss."

"Excellent. I can wash him one day if you'd like as well. I was a candidate
long enough that I remember how it goes," she said with a wink. "Just give
me a moment to get the paperwork."

She came back with his records and a jar of cream and flipped through them.
"The bad news is, you're in for some rehab today, and it will hurt. The good
news is, I have a nice-smelling muscle balm for when it's done."

He grimaced, "All you healers tell me that, maybe we should just get it over
with."

"I promise it's all for your own good. First we're going to start with the
range of motion exercises. Have you been doing them on your own?"

"Vatonth won't let me forget," K'dee managed a grin. "He has exercises for
his wing, so we try to do them together."

"That's great of him. Must make it easier. Oh, before we start, there's no
swelling or discoloration or anything unusual I need to check first?"

"Nothing that I've noticed," K'dee shifted his position on the cot slightly.
"Just that it itches, where my toes should be."

It was a common occurrence with this type of injury, but she didn't know if
saying that would make him feel better about it. Instead she settled in
front of him and gestured at his leg. "Hold these for twenty seconds.
Ready?"

"Yes," he said, gritting his teeth. "Start counting."

She counted aloud to twenty. "Done. It looked good. Need a break, or ready
for the next one?"

"Next one," the sooner it was over for the day, and he could work on his
mobility.

"Now the extension..." She counted out for him again. "Have you been able
to swim, take some of the weight off the good leg?"

"Some, Vatonth comes in the water with me."

"That's good. The water will take some of the stress off the leg and
practicing kicking in the water will help rebuild endurance. Remember not
to neglect exercises for that one since it's bearing all the weight."

"I just feel so off balance with it."

She nodded. "With time, you'll adapt to it, and there are aids you can use."

"So they say."

She took a moment to assess him, thinking he seemed a little down and
wondering what she could say to be encouraging. "Ready for the last set?"

"As I'm ever going to be." K'dee shifted slightly, hoping that moving
slightly would make the exercises easier.

She counted out for him. "We can give it a break for now. How's the other
leg feeling, any soreness? I can provide warm compresses and a soothing
balm for those muscles."

"A little," K'dee reached out to point to his calf. "There in particular."

"Give me a moment and we'll get that handled." She stood up and gathered the
supplies. When she returned, she wrapped the part he'd indicated with the
warm compress. "Did you Craft before you Impressed?"

"Starsmith," he said. "Managed to walk the tables too."

"That's impressive." She grinned, proud of him for it. "Does it mean I
can ask you about the constellations sometime?"

"Sure," with that he managed a smile. "There's bound to be a clear night in
the next sevenday or so."

"Let me know when there is and I'd love to spend it with you." Faranth
knew she could use some free time with a nice man.

"I'll do that."

"I look forward to it." She handed him the balm she'd brought over.
"Use this on any uninjured muscles whenever they're sore, feel free to
come back if you need help with it. I'm around for you any time."

"Thanks," he said, tucking the balm into a pocket. "I may see you soon, it
depends on the skies."

"I hope they're clear, then." She smiled at him.

"They will be soon." The smile was returned, maybe life was about to improve
a little.

"Is it feeling better?" Riven asked, gesturing at the compress. She
hoped she'd been able to make a difference for him.

"Yes, yes it does." he gave her a smile that was grateful at first, then
became genuine as it met his eyes.

"Excellent. I think we've handled everything scheduled for today. And
please, remember to let me know when the conditions are nice," she added.

"I will," he said. "You know I think there's a conjunction of the moons
coming up soon, Belior and Timor will get so close together it'll look like
there's only one moon."

"I didn't know they could do that," she exclaimed. "You'll have to tell me
how that works."

"Or maybe I could just show you?" K'dee had surprised himself with the
offer, but it was well meant, he had loved being able to explain his craft
before he impressed. And it had landed him a few ladies in his bed before
now, not that he was thinking of his healer in that way, yet.

"That would be fascinating." This was exactly the kind of thing she needed
right now.

"I'm sure it will be, it's different every time."

"My sister's a Baker. I'll get us something nice as a snack," she offered.

"Well it's a date then."

She grinned broadly and pecked him on the cheek. "See you there."

"I'll look forward to it." And he meant it, something was beginning to occur
to him, that there may indeed be a good life for him still.

Last updated on the February 23rd 2014

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

I Look Forward to It