The Trouble with Cause and Effect

Writers: Estelle, Heather
Date Posted: 29th July 2019

Characters: L'keri, Orvena
Description: L'keri confronts Orvena about what she told Benna
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 11, day 1 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Benna, Ariadne

L'keri

L'keri strode into the dining cavern in a foul mood and ordered a beer.
He was still furious with himself for the way he'd treated Benna
earlier. Her words replayed themselves in his head, up until the moment
when he'd realised she knew exactly who he was and there was no hope for
him, any more.

It was still early, and he had time for several more pints before the
cavern began to fill up, with riders returning from duties or tending to
their life mates and children running about in excitement after being
released from class. When he saw the reason for their argument arriving
with a group of her wingmates, he didn't stop to think whether he was
being at all wise. He drained his mug, slammed it down on the table and
crossed to intercept her.

"Orvena," he said through gritted teeth. "I want a word with you."

Orvena nodded at her wingmates to continue without her. Cocking an
eyebrow, she raked her eyes over L'keri's appearance. It was obvious
he'd been drinking. **Same ole L'keri,** she thought. "I'm listening."

"That's funny. I heard you'd been talking, lately, not listening.
Talking about me." He folded his arms, hostility evident in every line
of his body. "Filling my friends' ears with nasty tales. Is this
starting to sound familiar?"

"No, it's not. Why don't you spit out what it is you're trying to
suggest?" Orvena drawled.

"All right then. Benna." He growled the name through clenched teeth,
conscious of the effects of the drink on his temper and not caring.
"Recognise that name? You've been talking to her about me. Telling her
what a despicable wretch I am, no doubt. Telling her about Ariadne."

"Ha," Orvena barked. "I didn't have to tell her about you, or how
despicable you are, your actions have been speaking for yourself." The
greenrider sniffed, lifting her chin. "I did tell her about Ariadne.
It's not exactly secret information."

"It was six Turns ago!" L'keri threw up his hands in exasperation. "Am I
supposed to have that following me around for the rest of my life? I've
paid for what I did, believe me."

"Have you? Then why aren't you treating Benna better?"

"I've been trying to do what's best for her. You don't know, you have no
idea how hard I've tried to..." He cut himself off and scowled. "And how
I treat her is none of your business, anyway."

The greenrider rolled her eyes. "When you argue in front of the entire
Dining Cavern it becomes _everyone's_ business, L'keri."

"Everyone's business? Everyone who's a sour, small-minded gossip,
maybe," L'keri retorted. His speech began to slur, a little, as the
effect of the last drink took hold. "Y'know what I think, Orvena? I
think you jus' don't want me to be happy. You never liked me, and you
want to make sure my life is miserable and empty for the rest of my
days. Well. Congratulations." He raised both hands in a mocking gesture
of surrender. "You got what you wanted."

Orvena snorted with a roll of her eyes. "No, _you_ got what your actions
warranted. Cause and effect, L'keri. Now if you'll excuse me, I came to
have dinner with my Wing." The greenrider brushed past him.

"Go on then," L'keri called after her, raising his voice. "Go an' spread
some more nasty gossip with your little gang of tattle-tales. Tell 'em
all about me, why don't you? How I get kicked out of every Wing I've
been in and my kids hate me and a - apparently if I don't stop drinking
the healers think I'm gonna..." His voice trailed off as he realised
that not only was the greenrider ignoring him, but the group of
Candidates at the nearest table were staring.

"What're you lookin' at?" he snapped and stalked off towards the
kitchens. Suddenly, he couldn't bear the dining cavern any longer. He'd
get a jug of wine and go back to his weyr with Rhalith. What else was
there that could take away the bitter edge of shame and self-pity he
felt, when he realised that Orvena was absolutely right.

She wasn't to blame. He had brought all of this on himself, six Turns ago.

Last updated on the September 3rd 2019

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The Trouble with Cause and Effect