Helping Hands

Writers: Shawna, Suzee
Date Posted: 25th February 2025

Characters: Cirina, Ciara
Description: Cirina stops in to check on her mother
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 8 of Turn 12

Ciara

Mentioned:

Cirina had wanted to be underfoot as soon as she’d heard about her
mother’s injury, but the healers had shooed her away during the actual
treatment, and when the pair had been resting. Eventually, though, a
certain little brown firelizard who’d been lurking in the corner had
noticed Ciara stirring and disappeared with a happy chirp. In an
entirely uncharacteristic move, Cirina entered quietly a short while
later, checking to make sure her mother was awake before launching
into her more typical chatter. “I have soup, and snacks, and tea. How
are you feeling?”

She did, in fact, have an overfilled tray in her arms. There was a
smile on her face, but it didn’t entirely reach her eyes, which looked
a little red and watery.

The pain in her leg and from Ellianith kept her going in and out of
sleep. She'd seen people coming in and out, drudges and even the
werewoman had come for a visit though she hadn't been much company.
The healers had kept feeding her tiny doses of fellis and her brain was
all fuzzy. But this time a smile lit her face as she recognized her
daughter. "Cirina," she said in a surprisingly raspy voice and tried
to sit up. "Uhhhh," she groaned and she felt the pain in her thigh.

"Oh, no no no!" Cirina sloshed a little soup as she rushed to set the
tray down and rushed over to help Ciara sit up, quickly rearranging
the pillows to support her in a seated position, "The healers said I
couldn't disturb you, I will be in so so much trouble if you hurt
yourself. More. Hurt yourself more." She spent a good minute fussing
with the pillows and the blanket, and even her mother's hair, as if
getting the hair out of her face was a proper substitute for a
crushing hug. "Do you want soup or tea? I said it was for you and they
made a special tray in the kitchens."

She cleared her throat and her voice came out more normal when she
thanked her daughter. "Oh that is lovely," she smiled. "Tea please."
Ciara breathed slowly as the wave of pain ebbed. "There's no fellis
in it is there?" She didn't really want to be woozy all over again.

"No. Do you need some? The healers might have left your next dose,"
Cirina looked around the room as she handed the cup of tea over. "If
they didn't, I could run and tell them. Or send Digger with a note."

"No," she answered with a tired sort of smile. "It makes me sleepy and
I want to see you." She looked around the room. "Did you clean
sweetie?"

"Oh... yes. They wouldn't let me in the Infirmary while they patched
you two up, so I came here instead. I figured there'd be people coming
in and out and you... you..." Her voice shook and she took a deep
breath to steady it, "Well you're a little laid up, so I cleaned up.
You know how I like to keep busy."

Ciara reached out and squeezed Cirina's arm. "Thank you so much. Have
you had a chance to check on the little ones? I'm sure Raedla needs to
see me though I'll bet Keseran hasn't noticed."

"I haven't," Cirina admitted, "I wanted to see you first. I could
bring them by tomorrow if you're up for it? I'm sure they'd love that.
Maybe one at a time so I can make sure they don't crawl all over you."
Taking a sharp breath as an idea occurred to her, she said, "Do you
want me to stay here for a few days? I'm sure I can get R'lor to let
me stay here instead of the barracks so I can help out."

Ciara sighed and laid her head back on the pillow propped up behind
her but with a soft smile on her lips. "I love you darling. You've
turned out far smarter than I was at your age." A tear slid down her
cheek as emotion overwhelmed her , "Please ask the Weyrling Master if
you can stay for a few days."

"Oh, I don't think that's true. You've seen my grades." Almost
frantically, Cirina looked around until she found a handkerchief
(definitely put in the wrong drawer) and brought it back to offer her
mother. "I will. Is there anything else I can do for you right now? Is
Ellianith feeling alright? Does she need anything? If I had my own
dragon I could have her bring her a snack but I don't but maybe I
could ask one of my friends but," she realized she was still babbling
nervously and just trailed off.

"There's book smart and there's weyr smart," she smiled. "You'll do
darling," she said softly. "Elli is fine right now. She could use a
scritch of her eye ridges though."

Nodding, Cirina said, "I'll go check on her and give her a little
attention. Then I'll go tell the Weyrlingmaster you need some help for
a few days. You get some rest, and I'll be back soon. If you need
anything, I'll leave Digger behind." Gratefully, she retreated to the
ledge to give the green some comforting eye scritches.

Last updated on the March 5th 2025

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