I don't bite

Writers: AL, Suzee
Date Posted: 28th July 2014

Characters: Meledei, R'enh
Description: Reminiscing about a relationship repaired
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 8, day 3 of Turn 7

R'enh

~*~
He was coming in and she was going out, but rather than avoid each
other as they had done for a long time, Meledei flashed a smile and
offered a wave before hurrying out. In the aftermath of losing two
dear friends, she was glad that she'd managed to patch things up with
R'enh. At one point, she'd begun to despair, wonder if she was just
going to lose everyone who meant something to her, but then they'd
managed to patch things up. Even more surprising, he'd been the one
to initiate.

***flashback****

It was too pretty a day to stay outside. The lake was full of dragons
and their riders as was the beach and the trail had a small but
constant stream of people walking to and from the beach. Meledei was
one of those, though she could have urged Elleth to take her down.
The gold had decided to sun by the lake, and Meledei had missed her
run that morning so decided a brisk walk would be at least what she
could do to make up for it. The sunlight shimmered happily in the
distance as she traversed down the hill, passing several others who
had taken on a more leisurely pace.

"Hey," he said as he trotted up behind her and then slowed his pace to
match hers. He opted for the minimal greeting just to gauge her mood.
R'enh had always liked Meledei and yet she seemed to be going through
rather a rough patch at the moment. He knew he was part of the problem
and really would rather make sure that they were back on speaking
terms. He'd had enough time to work through his own feelings and move
on.

His arrival hadn't been expected and tension immediately sprang into
her form. Silence answered him a moment before Meledei finally
ventured to say something in return - if only the very same word he
had used. "Hey."

"I don't bite," he chided her gently when he saw her stiffen.

He didn't? Meledei did bite her own lip. The first words she wanted
to say wouldn't necessarily be_good_ and there was already bad blood
between them. With a wary gaze, she eyed the bronzerider as he kept
up with her. What was she supposed to say? He'd over reacted, she'd
apologised and then he'd completely ignored that apology. Did he
really just expect things to go back the way they were?

He took in her wary expression and smiling shook his head. "Sorry I
don't get through these things quickly, or maybe as quickly as other
people. My da used to accuse me of being a tea pot. I brood." He
shrugged and looked at her a bit embarrassed. "I'm sorry Mel. Can we
move past it? I miss you."

He was sorry. It was an apology, and perhaps that's what she'd been
waiting for. It was still awkward, at least for the moment, but he'd
made the attempt and by doing so he'd managed to bring a small smile
to her face. "I'm sorry too. And I've missed you too."

A little tension eased out of the bronze rider. "Okay if I walk with
you for a bit?"

"I suppose so." Meledei had to admit she was a little hesitant. It
wasn't that she didn't like R'enh, but she was afraid he might blow up
at her again, which she did not want. "I'm just headed to the beach
for a bit."

"I like the beach too," he smiled. But he knew this conversation
wasn't about charm and that wasn't his intent at all. He and Meledei
had been friends and they'd run off the rails. They were both at fault
and he knew it. It might take some work to get back to that easy place
they'd been in before but she was worth it. "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing all right. Nothing's really changed, just same old same
old." Meledei paused, then did as those who were having a friendly
conversation were supposed to do - turned the focus on him in return.
"What about you? How are you doing?"

"Doing well," he smiled. "Zorenh is having a hard time deciding
whether he wants to craft or Stand. I feel like we go over the same
stuff almost every night he's with me. I just can't make the choice
for him, you know?"

"Well, no, you can't and shouldn't." Meledei shook her head, hair
flicking across the back of her neck with the motion. "He'll only
resent you later if you do!" But she could understand that indecision
in some ways. There were so many options for people at the Weyr,
especially for women when compared to Holds. "If he crafts, what
craft would he like to learn?"

R'enh just shook his head, "He doesn't know that either. But it looks
like he's leaning toward technician. Probably all those workers around
the Weyr, you know?"

"Have you told him he can Craft _and_ Stand? Plenty of us have done
that." It wasn't all that different, she'd just had to go to
candidate classes and work around those since they took priority.

"Aye, and once he narrows down his craft maybe I will remind him
again. But I find if I give him too many options he can't decide
anything. Thats probably just part of being twelve, right?"

"Yeah. And it's a lot to decide so young." Especially with so many
possibilities, especially if one wasn't sure what one would really
enjoy even turns later. Meledei had always known, but she had been in
the minority. She was in the minority in many ways, it seemed. "I'm
sure he'll figure it out sooner rather than later."

"I'm sure you're right," he smiled. "I'm probably over thinking the
whole thing. But look at you! You turned out just fine." He grinned at
her and just like that it felt to him like their friendship was back
on it's old footing. He knew there would be more hurdles but she was
worth it.

Last updated on the July 28th 2014

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I don't bite