Better than the Alternative
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Devin, Bree
Date Posted: 23rd October 2006
Characters: K'mai, Abrei
Description: K'mai shows up to play poker with Abrei and ends up taking her to the infirmary instead.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 13, day 23 of Turn 3
The pain had been building steadily for several days, replacing the queasiness with a different sort of discomfort. The upset stomach she was suffering from now had more to do with the pain that had burst into full blown agony in the past candlemark. She'd emptied the contents of her stomach twice before dragging herself back to her bed, knowing that she'd have to go to the infirmary if it didn't stop soon. She would have gone already if a tiny voice inside her didn't know _exactly_ what was wrong with her. And what would happen if everyone found out... After choking down a foul tasting tea that would--she hoped--soothe her stomach, she curled up on her side and buried her face in her pillow, having completely forgotten that she'd invited K'mai to visit.
The bluerider smiled, shaking his head with disbelief as he reached Abrei's door. She'd actually invited him for poker! He knocked and waited for an answer. After a few seconds, he knocked again, louder. "Abrei?"
Inside, Abrei groaned into her pillow again. She almost decided to ignore him, but another stab of pain brought tears to her eyes. Maybe he could at least get her something to drink... "Come in!"
K'mai entered, and not seeing her in the main room, he went to the sleeping room. He didn't expect to find her curled on her bed. "Abrei?" he asked, concerned. "Is something wrong?"
She lifted her head with effort, one hand wavering as she pointed to a desk on the other side of the room. "Can you bring me that tea?"
"Sure." K'mai retrieved the tea and handed it to her. "Abrei, you don't look so good. I think maybe you should see a healer."
"I _am_ a healer," she replied before choking down half of the cold tea in spite of the terrible taste. She didn't want to see a healer. And she _really_ didn't want to see M'galec.
"And you're very good at healing other people. But I don't think you're very good at healing yourself, Abrei," K'mai said gently. "But I'm tired." She wasn't even sure if she was speaking to him. It took too much effort to set the cup back down on her bedside table, and Abrei slumped back into her pillows with a groan. She was afraid to move again--afraid that the tea was just going to come back up like everything else she'd eaten in the last day.
"I really think you should go see a healer," he repeated.
Abrei didn't answer. Her face had gone pale, and she barely made it to the pot she'd dragged next to her bed in time. She lost what little she'd managed to choke down, the pain in her stomach redoubling as she wiped her mouth and rolled back onto her bed. "Maybe I need to see a healer," she admitted in a hoarse sounding voice. "Yep. And you're going right now." K'mai leaned down and scooped Abrei up gently.
"I think I might throw up on you this time," she replied faintly as she squeezed her eyes shut. The pain in her abdomen was constant enough now that she was starting to feel a little light headed. Fainting might be a gift at this point.
"Good thing I'm not wearing my favorite shirt," he joked lightly as he carried her out of the room. The infirmary was a few long hallways and a flight of stairs away. K'mai walked as fast as he could without jostling Abrei too much.
"Any idea of what's making you sick?"
Abrei made a noise that sounded like a cross between a groan and a laugh. "Life is funny." And once the healers found out... once _Tsaera_ found out... Suffering had seemed like a better choice when faced with the alternative. Her life was never going to be the same again.
Last updated on the October 23rd 2006