Excuse Me?

Writers: April, Bree
Date Posted: 3rd February 2006

Characters: Tiya, B'drin
Description: Tiya goes looking for a late night snack and meets Bayadrin.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 9, day 3 of Turn 3

"Excuse me?" It was late enough that most of the people Tiya usually spoke to in the kitchen had long since gone to bed. She'd ventured into the kitchens hoping to find some leftovers, but had almost turned around and left again at the sight of the large man just inside the kitchen door. He was more than a little intimidating, and it was only the hungry rumble from her stomach that kept her from fleeing back to her room. Bayadrin turned at the soft voice. He smiled gently and spoke with a soft voice, "What can I get for you?" He began placing things on a plate. He knew the signs of someone in need of a snack in the later candlemarks.

"Just something to snack on," Tiya replied quietly, edging into the kitchen. "And maybe something warm to drink? I'm... I'm having problems sleeping."

"Here, I make this for those that can't sleep. It is a mix of herbs I have found that help soothe a person. I keep it warm and waiting." He smiled warmly as he handed her a steaming cup.

Tiya sniffed it curiously, letting the mug warm her hands for a moment. "It smells nice..."

"That is the herb. I find them soothing. So, what has your mind so busy that you are unable to sleep? If you don't mind my asking."

She glanced up at him, trying to judge if he was just being polite or if he really didn't know. It would be a relief... after the fuss the Weyrhealer had raised with her disappearance, it sometimes seemed as if _everyone_ in the Weyr knew what had happened to her. "It's been a difficult turn," she finally replied, looking back down at her mug. That was putting it mildly.

"Anything you'd like to talk out? Sometimes it helps." he smiled as he motioned toward some chairs. "I've got time."

He was still uncomfortably intimidating, but Tiya followed him to the chairs. "I don't think you really want to know... it's not a very nice story."

Bayadrin was aware of her unease. He knew his size was frightening at times. He smiled gently, "You don't have to tell me if you wish not to. I will not force you." just then a rather large bronze flit landed in his lap and spread out across his legs. "Pan, you are quite the noisy beast." He smiled and chuckled softly.

Tiya gave him an awkward smile. "He's yours?"

"Yes. He was a gift. I got him just before I came here. His name is Pan.
Want to pet him?" He asked as he positioned the flit to accommodate.

Reaching out, Tiya gave the bronze firelizard a cautious scratch under his chin. "Hello, Pan."

Pan was in bliss. If he had been a feline he would have been purring.
Instead he was doing the firelizards equivalent. Bayadrin smiled. "He really likes that. You've just made a truly good friend."

For the first time, Tiya thought she understood why people liked having the pets. It was nice to have a creature who seemed to be perfectly content with just a little attention. "It's nice. Maybe I should get a pet."

"Pets seem to be what most people need. They seem to know just when you need them most. Even felines and canines seem to. It's strange. I look at him and no matter how I feel, I have to smile at his unconditional love."
Bayadrin's face shown as he talked of Pan. His eyes were soft and gentle.
In that moment he looked as if nothing in the world had ever saddened him, for all his size and strength, he looked vulnerable.

Tiya watched him for a moment, for once thinking of something other than her own misery. "Are you okay?"

"Oh, yes. I was just thinking of all the times I had wished for just a friend. I got Pan just before I came here." He smiled at her. " I had a hard time getting over losing my mother and dealing with a father that wanted a son like him. Instead, he got me, a cook. I could have used Pan then. But I have him now. That's all that matters."

"Oh..." Unsure what to say, Tiya took another sip of her tea. "Well, thank you for getting me something to drink."

Bayadrin sighed softly. He wasn't doing very well in the making friends department here. He had a few but; well it would have to do. "Not a problem. Rest well dear lady. Sleep well." He smiled softly as he watched her go.

Last updated on the February 3rd 2006

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Excuse Me?