Awkward Silence

Writers: AL, Ames
Date Posted: 10th July 2014

Characters: T'nom, Meledei
Description: An awkward encounter between the pair
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 3 of Turn 7

T'nom

He'd done everything in his power to avoid her since the_incident_,
and so far he'd been able to do just that. T'nom was still very angry
with Meledei over the way she'd treated him and questioned his honor.

Meledei had pretty much done the same thing. The breakup hadn't been
pleasant and she'd wanted nothing to do with T'nom. His attempt to
hide and deny by omission had done nothing but speak to the truth of
who he really was. In other words, he was not someone she wanted to
spend the rest of her life with. If Pierka wanted him, she could have
him - Meledei would be all the better for it.

Unfortunately, even in a Weyr as large as Dolphin Cove, it wasn't
always possible to avoid someone you didn't want to be around. She'd
managed to stay out of F'gol's way, but it looked as if she'd not
managed to stay out of T'nom's. His presence in the waiting area of
the dragon infirmary made it that much more unpleasant. A frown
marred her features and she strode over to a seat as far away from him
as possible, then plopped down into her seat.

He looked up when another rider entered and found himself nearly
frozen in place. Meledei. They hadn't spoken at all since the break
up. He watched her closely as she strode as far away from him as
possible. His own face turned downward in a frown. Seeing her brought
back so many memories, good ones and then the last, final, dark
memory. Her insulting his honor. That had hurt him more than he cared
to admit. They had been friends for so long before things seemed to
spiral out of control. The feelings he'd had for her so many Turns
were gone now. There was no longer a desire to_be_ with her the way

it had burned at him before. Not after the way she'd accused him of
lies and deceit. Yet, there in the back of his memory were also many
happier days. It felt almost as if the Meledei in the different
memories were two entirely different people.

Frowning he crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at his
booted feet, hoping Taldeth's physical would be over soon so he could
leave.

They were just getting started with Elleth, so Meledei knew she'd be
stuck there for a while. The squeak of the chair as T'nom shifted
slightly drew her gaze toward him, but those green eyes darted away as
soon as they had caught on to his frame. She was still angry, still
hurt, and he showed no repentance. Obviously he hadn't cared for her
as much as he said he had. Thank Faranth she'd never given in to him!
That would have made it worse.

There were no windows and Meledei idly wished she'd brought something
to read or work to look over. The waiting area for the dragonriders
was covered for their comfort, but the door also had no window, so the
goldrider found herself staring at the patterns in the dark wood.

The tension between them was so thick it could have been cut with a
serving knife. T'nom hated that what had been their friendship was now
nothing but walls and anger, yet he wasn't going to make the first
move._She'd_ called him a liar. Insulted his honor. He hadn't done

anything wrong, but in her eyes he seemed to do everything wrong.
There seemed no way to cross the chasm between them. Folding his arms
over his chest, he slumped down in his seat hoping Taldeth would be
finished soon so they could leave.

Another entered the room, then froze. Eyes darted between the two
dragonriders who did their best to pointedly ignore each other, then
feet swiveled around to carry the visitor right back where he'd come.
He'd wait outside. Meledei glanced at the departing figure, but still
remained silent. She wished the healers would hurry. The last thing
she wanted to do was hang around anywhere near_him_ for any length of

time.

"T'nom?" A man came forward and called out. Seeing the empty room with
just two participants, he slid his gaze to the man.

T'nom rose and moved forward to speak with the dragonhealer. Hopefully
that meant Taldeth was nearly finished with his physical and they
could be on their way.

"Overall Taldeth seems to be in fine health. We noted a small rock
between his talon and foreskin on his right foot, which was easily
removed. Most likely something he picked up just the last day or even
early this morning. Do you have any questions for us before we finish
his physical?"

Meledei kept her gaze firmly fixed away from T'nom, but she did listen
to the report. She might be furious with T'nom, but that didn't mean
she wanted anything bad to happen to him or his dragon, so she had to
admit she was glad it was a good report. Not that she would tell him
that.

"No, no questions," T'nom replied, glad that this awkward waiting time
would soon be over.

"Alright then. We'll just finish up with the last of the hidework and
a good final treat for Taldeth and you can meet him around the side in
a few moments." With that the healer turned and headed back to the
larger dragon sized caverns.

Turning, T'nom let out a sigh of relief that all was well and that he
could finally leave. He glanced towards Meledei, saw her eyes averted
and knew exactly how she was feeling.

Without talking, he made his way to the door, yet he paused.
Regardless of how she'd made him feel and what she'd accused him of,
T"nom knew he was better than this. If nothing they_had_ been friends

and he could at least show her the basic common courtesy.

Glancing back towards her he spoke, "Have a good day, Meledei. I hope
all goes well for Elleth." Then he turned and walked out the door to
meet his dragon once more.

His farewell surprised her and Meledei broke her staring contest with
the wall to gaze after the bronzerider. Her expression softened and
she offered "You too," just before he stepped through the door.
Still, he'd hurt her and didn't care. As those thoughts rose back to
the surface, her face twisted and she gave the floor a chance to
suffer under her scrutiny. She didn't wish him ill, nor his dragon,
but she couldn't pretend that he hadn't hurt her.

Last updated on the July 15th 2014

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Awkward Silence