A Petal in the Wind (3)

Writers: Heather, Suzee
Date Posted: 31st January 2020

Characters: R'nar, Cyradis
Description: A little hope in the sea of doubt
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 9 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: D'hol, Ranni

Cyradis

"Mom?" R'nar whispered as he looked up to see her familiar silhouette
in the doorway. When she had shown up down in the infirmary her
presence had been the calming force that he needed to keep from
spiraling into complete panic.

Light from the outside streamed past her and clearly illuminated her
son's face. It was ravaged with stress and grief and her heart went
out to him.

"R'nar, " she said softly. "How are you doing sonshine?"

R'nar leaned over, bracing his elbows on his knees, head in his hands.
"Not good."

"I'm sorry sweetheart," she said in her lisping contralto and took a
step into the room. "But I have someone here who wants to meet you."

His head snapped up, his eyes flying to the small, wrapped bundle in
her arms. "The baby?" he whispered, afraid to hope.

"Your son," she smiled and took the next few steps and the the little
bundle began to wail and move in her arms. She smiled at him. "He's
going to be fine."

"He is? It's a boy?" R'nar felt a sense of awe wash over him as the
baby was passed into his arms. He was small but he looked perfect,
R'nar thought. "Ranni was so sure she was having a girl."

"Oh most definitely," Cyradis chuckled. "He already squirted me." She
grinned at her son. "Just like his father."

He couldn't believe it, nor had he expected the immediate,
overwhelming feelings of love and protectiveness that he felt towards
his son. "He's perfect," R'nar murmured.

She put a hand out to caress her son's hair. "He looks a lot like
you," she said. "He has a dark little curl right on the back of his
head." She smiled gently then tried to catch his gaze. "How's Ranni?"
She knew the girl hadn't died or Panitath would have still been
keeping her little green under control.

R'nar turned and looked at Ranni, who looked as pale as the white
sheet tucked around her body. "She has lost a lot of blood but she's
holding on for now. The journeywoman said we would just have to wait
and see. How is Sukiith?"

"Bearing up surprisingly well," she answered. "Panitath says she's not
crying or shaking so that is a good sign. They're cuddled up together
so she's getting reassurance until we know more."

"You know," she asked walking over to the young woman on the bed.
"I've never seen anyone fight friendship and happiness so hard." she
said and smoothed some stray hairs from Ranni's face. "I do wish she
could see how much we really care."

"She is the prickliest, most stubborn, manipulative woman I've ever
met." R'nar said with a little sigh. "Which is why I can't figure
out... why I love her so much."

"So the same thing the D'hol used to say about me then?"

A little grin tugged at R'nar's lips. "Yes and probably something you
said about him."

"Exactly," she agreed.Then she shook her head. "I know you've heard
this before," she sat down next to him and leaned against his shoulder
to look down into the eyes of her grandson. "The heart wants what the
heart wants. I've been bitten by that one before. Fighting against it
gave me the sharpest pain of my life," she said softly and kissed his
temple like she had done when he was little. Then she smiled and
hugged his shoulders.

"Smell his head," she chuckled. "It's the very best smell."

R'nar bent, touching his nose to the silky, dark curls on the baby's
head. The smell was indescribable and somehow managed to stir all of
the fatherly affections and instincts inside him. He sighed. "What if
she doesn't wake up?"

"We have to believe she will," Cyradis said simply. "Panitath says
Sukiith is sleeping right now and not distressed other than hers isn't
awake to talk to her. I've always found that to be a good sign." She
took one more good look at her grandson then stood. "I'll let you have
some bonding time," she smiled into the black depths of her son's eyes
that were so much like her own. "Why don't you have Iorath monitor
Sukith's too and keep you updated on her state. It's a good practice."

"I will. And Mom? Thanks for being here. I couldn't have done it
without you." R'nar adjusted the baby in his arms, who had fallen
asleep once again.

She had started toward the door but turned and winked at him. "Always
sonshine," she said.

Last updated on the February 2nd 2020

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

A Petal in the Wind (3)