Resilience

Writers: Aaron, Halyonix
Date Posted: 2nd September 2024

Characters: K'far, Vaile
Description: K'far comes to visit Vaile in the Infirmary post-Threadfall
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 5 of Turn 12

Notes:
~~~~~~~~~~~

Even though she knew that Liranth was going to be okay, that the muscles in her wing would heal just fine with rest and care, Vaile couldn't help but remain glued to her side, a feeling of overwhelming helplessness consuming her.

I'lon and Napeth were gone. She kept seeing that moment -- the flames engulfing him, the screams of dragons and riders, the stretched-out seconds as they all waited for Napeth, hoping against all reality, to reappear.

Vaile felt so very brittle, as though the tiniest thing was going to cause her to break into a million pieces. She knew she and Liranth had made the right call, diving for that tangle, but she kept going over if there had been anything different she could have done, anything to change what happened.

}: There's nothing we can do, Vaile, :{ Liranth said, her tone exhausted. Her rider's emotions were keeping her awake. }: Let the Weyrleader handle Vorquinth's mistake. Torth and his rider are coming. :{

Vaile's head shot up. **Did you call them?** She didn't want to see anyone right now!

}: No, they said they'd come as soon as they were able. :{

K'far had lost people before. It was nothing new for a dragonrider, especially for the last eleven Turns. But there was something... oddly keen about losing I'lon. Theirs felt like a friendship that would have grown. Could have grown. But now it never would. Losing that possibility, that... whatever it was... It felt bad.

And then when he had heard that Liranth had been hurt as well? Well. He could certainly not have born the loss of _that_ possibility, whatever potential future that could be with Vaile, on top of I'lon...

But his concern was much stronger for Vaile than for himself. She had already lost so much, and she had _seen_ what happened to I'lon. She would surely need someone to help support her... Perhaps she would not want it to be him, but at the very least, he wanted to help find someone she did want.

"Vaile?" he called. "It's me, K'far. May I come in?"

There was a watery "yes" to his query. She drew back the small curtain separating the patient spaces so that K'far could see her, one arm wrapped around her middle, hugging herself, while her eyes shone with restrained tears.

When K'far saw her, all he could do was offer her a hug. He stepped closer and held his arms open with a worried expression adorning his face. She looked like she wouldn't accept the offer at first but then she stepped forward into his arms. That was all it took for the floodgates to open.

Between sobs and broken words, she recounted what had happened: Vorquinth had moved out of position during the crossover, leaving a Thread patch behind. As Liranth and Napeth went for it, Vorquinth reappeared, but at the wrong angle, and his fire hit I'lon instead. "I thought...I thought...maybe...maybe he could have s-s-survived. The h-healers..." Her shoulders shook as she sobbed.

K'far stood silently, listened, and held Vaile for a while.

"I'm so sorry," he said softly. There was not much else to say. He could not tell her it would be all right. It obviously was not. And she knew it. She said nothing for a while, just allowing him to hold her as she cried.

Eventually, she composed enough of herself to explain why Liranth was in the infirmary. "She can't fly. She hurt her wing, trying to avoid Vorquinth. The dragonhealers say she'll be grounded for a sevenday at least, maybe more." In that, at least, they had been lucky. Vorquinth could have easily collided with Liranth. "Oh, blast N'thal! I can't believe his irresponsibility! To misjudge it so completely, to...to...kill I'lon like that!" she yelled.

K'far knew N'thal was surely already drowning in his own regret over what had happened. K'far certainly would be if he were in his boots.

}:If you were in his boots,:{ said Torth, }:Napeth would still be alive, and Liranth would be unharmed.:{

There was truly nothing he could say.

"I'm glad you're not hurt. And that Liranth will be all right. Torth would like to visit her, if she wouldn't mind."

Wiping away tears, Vaile nodded. "She'd...we'd like that. I am going to be an absolute monster, being cooped up in here. It's been so long since we've been grounded." She punctuated her statement with a watery chuckle and then let out a long breath. "It never gets easier," she said softly, meaning death.

"No, it doesn't..." K'far wiped away a few tears of his own before they had a chance to fall.

Torth flew down to Liranth and carefully snuggled in as close as could be comfortable.

"You know if there's anything I can do, you only have to let me know."

Vaile nodded. "Thank you, K'far. I...really do appreciate it. You. You both." She looked like she was about to say more but she stopped. Exhaled again. Aloud, she said, "Liranth dear, if Torth keeps you company for a bit, will you be fine if K'far and I get something to eat?"

}: Of course, :{ Liranth said from where she was leaning against Torth on her uninjured side.

With another watery smile, Vaile asked K'far, "How does food sound?"

"It sounds good." K'far gently squeezed her hand. Food and a nap were the best medicine for most ills. "We can get something easy to carry and eat someplace quiet... if you like. Or wherever is best for you."

She closed her eyes while nodding. "Let's...let's start with food. There's...there's a lot to be done today, still. A bath, fresh clothes, I have to see the kids, and I'm sure I'll be a mess again later." She reached to grab K'far's hand and squeezed it. And held on. Exhaled. "Tomorrow will be better," she told herself softly.

"One little step at a time," said K'far. "Each day better than the last." Until someone else died horrifically right in front of you, anyway. Or you died, yourself. "I'll help as much as you need, but feel free to tell me when you're ready for me to bugger off."

As much as she realized it, she was not going to admit just yet that spending time with K'far had been good for her in a lot of ways. "You're fine," Vaile said. She let go of his hand. "Let's...go find some food." The day's events would find them soon enough and she knew she needed to take advantage of the distraction and calm his company would bring while she could.

Last updated on the September 5th 2024

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Resilience