A Different Kind of Dance
Shai
OOC from Shai: Tricia, I'm sorry but I need to move on. If you want
to do a flashback post, or continue in our thread later on, please let
me know. :) ))
Should he need it, Olethym offered to discuss things with Val'en at
anytime; after all, every rider knows where to find the healers.
Unfortunately, this particular healer had obligations at dinner, so
grabbed his sketchbook and offered the brownrider a respectful nod of
the head before turning in.
On his way, the healer stopped by his room to drop off the
sketchbook. The halls were empty as he walked back toward the Dining
Cavern, that is, except for one rider whom he recognized. This was
someone he had seen in greater detail in darker halls than this and
whom he would rather have not had to share -any- hall with. He also
knew that the tithing requests were due to be delivered. Because he
was one of Nerys' most trusted riders, it made sense to him that he
would be the one sent, or at least know who was.
Narrowing his pale eyes in determination, he strode forward, not off
to the side as to avoid the stricken greenrider, but to intercept his
path. There was definitely something bothering this man the healer
realized, but he also knew that there probably would be no better
chance to discuss the trip. To W'vryn he called as he approached,
"Greenrider. You're going to the Hold soon, aren't you?"
Even as he made it into the empty hallway his blood pressure was still
pulsing through his temple and neck his breathing ragged as hormones
raged through him. He wanted to lock himself away in his weyr for the
next 3 days until his Green choose her moment to rise. He could never
perdict the exact day and lately her risings had becoming erradict
much like his mood. The Master Dragon healer had assured him that this
was normal and that as she settled into a new maturity she would
regulate again; however, until then W'vryn would have to suffer the
consequences. Hunching his shoulder forward W'vryn's eyes remained
fixed on the ground as he walked. He was exhausted and didn't want to
make any eye contact that would force him to respond to any cheerful
passerbyer. However, his methods were failed as a voice called out to
him.
"It's none of your business," W'vryn immediately barked his head
lifting with a dangerous snap to fixate upon the person that dared to
bother him at this very moment. "None of anyone's business its mine,"
he muttered again under his breath his skin instantly paling as his
eyes shook slightly with he attempted to regain control.
Keeping Varena in mind, Olethym frowned. What he wanted was connected
directly to her. But if this rider was going to be evasive, he could
work with that too. "I need a short list of herbs from down south.
They grow near the Hold, and can be obtained from the healers there.
If you know who's going, can I leave the list with you?" Dare he
even mention they were for the girl? On one hand, she was formerly
his fellow rider; on the other hand, she had impressed to an
untraditional green...
W'vryn paused his eyes searching the man's face briefly to make sure
he was hearing properly. At first it sounded like he wanted him to go
pick herbs. However, the second made it sound like that he would need
to shake down a healer. The third was inquiring after taking a list.
Confusion lit W'vryn's face as he thought about what this might
entail. Sure he or Ve'jas would have someone to shake down, but that
was more effort than he really intended for. "Maybe," W'vryn replied
trying to straighten himself, the pale color returning to his face.
"Do you have it with you? What is it for?" Could he gain from any of
this? Possibilities crossed his mind as he crossed his arms across his
chest, resisting reaching out for the other man, as he began breathing
in his scent. Lavender mixed with the scent of spice that could only
come from a man, he had to bite at his lower lip lightly.
"No I don't have it with me. Unless you have something to write on,
we'd have to go back to my office in the infirmary." Or my room...
Perhaps it would not be difficult to find such a thing out, but in
case he did not know already, he was not about to tell this man.
Unwanted visitors with Isolationist brands on their foreheads
appearing in the middle of the night did not sound like fun.
"Listen, it's obvious you're in a hurry to be somewhere. That or
you're sick." The healer eyed the greenrider sharply for a few
heartbeats then smirked. "Why don't you just tell me who's going and
I'll flag them down."
"Ve'jas and myself," W'vryn said as he ignored his comment about his
coloring. Non-riders just didn't understand, and he wasn't in the mood
to explain it all to him "Is that all you want? We're leaving at dawn"
the Green rider hissed.
Olethym resisted the urge to reply snidely, why would he want anything
else to do with him? "Yes, that's all," he said instead, with more
patience than he felt the man deserved. At least he had answered the
question, and a little more. "I can treat you if you need it," he
said with a critical eye, "otherwise I'll go find this Ve'jas. Thank
you for the information."
Olethym's comment had hit dead air as Amroth had taken to preening
Hyshkath's brown hide. W'vryn could almost feel the soft hide against
his lips, as he continued to stand there a vacant look upon his
face. His chest heaved heavily as he attempted to bring himself back
to the present. He was having a hard time controlling himself, and he
could only assume it was his lack of sleep. Or was it a lack of
company? At this point he didn't care anymore. Leaning in quickly he
caught the other man across the lips excited and relieved at the
sensation. He hadn't acted on emotion in a number of years now.
Watching a blank stare pass over the rider's face, the healer could
only guess why. Either he was responding to the idea of treatment for
an illness, or he was speaking with his dragon. What was going on?
This bizarre behavior... was his dragon due to rise? If so, what was
Nerys thinking, sending such a compromised rider tomorrow? Certainly
she had to realize...certainly she knew better. Apparently not, he
realized; the confusing jumble of questions came to a sudden halt as
W'vryn leaned close and kissed him.
This turn of events was a shock, but not enough to immobilize the
healer. The knowledge of what was really happening gave him enough
initiative to shift the rider's unbalanced weight with his back
against the wall. W'vryn was pinned with an arm across his chest and
their noses almost touching. He could move if he wanted, Olethym just
needed to get his attention. "You're dragon's about to rise isn't
she?"
"Mmn?" He asked in a questioning voice his eyes blearily as he found
himself cornered by the healer. The warmth of his body and his scent
enough for W'vryn not making an attempt at moving. He was rather
comfortable while his mind drifted in its warm fuzzy haze. "I'm sure
she'll rise tomorrow," he said absently finding himself staring back
into the healer's eyes. He had never taken the time to stare at them
until now, such a pretty shade of blue. It had become his favorite
color as of late.
"Doesn't that bother you? Don't you think you should postpone the
trip until after she rises?" This new-found complacency was a big
warning sign that the healer took note of. The greenrider seemed
happy to oblige his questions, but his mind was somewhere Between.
He was also suggestible, something Olethym had never considered
before. Something he could perhaps use to his advantage in the
future.
"They will be more inclined to assist us with what we require as long
as Amroth doesn't decimate their herd like she would like to," W'vyrn
said as he attempted to move closer to Olethym. "And who am I to argue
with our Weyrwoman? No one argues with the Weyrwoman," his voice had
dropped an octave as his eyes began to drift toward Olethym's mouth
again. "Not a wise idea if you want to live a non evasive life." He
could feel Amroth's contentment rising in him as she had curled
herself tighter about the brown. She so enjoyed the attention she got
when she was close to rising. On the other hand W'vryn fought hard to
keep her to herself when not in heat. "You could have a non evasive
life if you wished."
Olethym smirked bitterly, forcing down the urge to lash out at the
greenrider. It was so very tempting with him here in such a
compromising situation. "And what if she's wrong?" His voice was
just above a toneless whisper. "As a healer, my obligation is to my
patients, -not- the Weyrwoman." His thoughts while sour murmured
with the possibilities of freedom. What if he could convince W'vryn
to help him make her see the truth?
"Wrong?" W'vryn's eyes opened slightly wider the haze lifting
slightly, but he found something else to stare at upon Olethym's face.
"Maybe....but you haven't had to burn a diseased hold have you?" W'vryn
asked inquiringly. "Though, healers shouldn't have to...That's why we
are born.." he gave himself a shake as he allowed his free hand to
slip toward Olethym's waist. "Let's not worry about this, nothing
will change it right now."
Olethym clenched his teeth. The Hold... what a horrible duty to have
carried out. But yes, as a healer it would have been his duty to
help. Maybe he would not have been required to, but he would have
felt obliged to. He had no idea what to say. Did W'vryn really feel
it his lot in life to carry out everyone's dirty work? A stiff grin
painted itself across his face as the greenrider wrapped a hand around
his waist. "Where's your weyr?" he asked impulsively, hoping to get
him locked in there so the healer could flee. There was no telling
what would set this man's dragon to flight.
"Up," he motioned toward the stairwell a ways down the hallway. "Third
floor," he said as he lightly tugged Olethym along with him. "We'll
have to walk Amroth is busy with a brown tonight," W'vryn's face
scowled slightly at that thought, but he quickly shrugged it off. To
ecstatic that the healer was willing to even consider bedding him.
Groaning inwardly, Olethym was hopeful that the walking distance might
help W'vryn snap out of it, at least enough to know that all of this
was so very wrong. Come to think of it, he had no idea if things
might just get progressively worse...especially if his dragon was with
a male. "All right, let's go," he said, taking the greenrider by the
elbow.
"Hmmn, I never took you as the type," W'vryn said as they climbed the
first flight of stairs. Each consecutive flight seemed to drag on and
on. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"Type?""It took the healer a moment to realize what he was talking
about. W'vryn was serious, wasn't he! "Er, yeah." Like I'm going to
strike up a casual conversation with you and your cronies while you're
trying to beat me back to the First Egg. "
***
By the time they had reached W'vryn's weyr the Green Rider's eyes had
fully glazed over. Releasing his hold on Olethym's waist to open the
door, W'vryn slipped inside opening the first glow basket he came
too. His weyr was always in perfect organization, he could find
anything without having to use his eyes. Something that when he was
tired made navigating his weyr far easier. "Coming?" he inquired as
the healer seemed all too hesitant to enter.
Finally free of the greenrider's grasp, Olethym was definitely hanging
back. When W'vryn disappeared inside his weyr, the healer had stepped
back and off to the side a pace or two. Thinking of an excuse that
would get through to the rider without resulting in an angry mob the
next day (or one irate rider tonight) was proving difficult. "Your
duty is to your dragon and making sure she doesn't rise. You should
know the answer is no. I was only helping you back to your weyr."
A pained look crossed W'vryn's face at the healer's admission. No one
seemed to understand how hard it was to control themselves and their
own dragons. Why, why did they keep subjecting him to himself alone
frequently? Feeling his eyes sting slightly W'vryn was torn between
anger and despair. Stifling an outburst, the green riders hands
clutched at his sides. He didn't want to set her off now. "Shut the
door," he growled.
Olethym inclined his head and complied, face twisting into a sardonic
smirk as he turned away and walked back down the hall. As if he was
going to forgive him anytime soon. So he had not gotten that list
off, there was still one possibility in Ve'jas. And if he could not
find the rider, at least he knew where W'vryn lived. He could slip
that list under his door at any time between now and daylight. He
retraced his steps back down the stairs and followed the hall on
toward the dining cavern.
Shai
applause rang out from the darkness before Olethym. Dressed so darkly
as to nearly disappear into the shadows, a few long-striding steps
into the glowbasket's glare and the rider with his lute finally came
into full view.
"Beg pardon?" Once lost in thought, Olethym came to an abrupt stop as
his way became barred by yet another rider he recognized as one of
Nerys' "favorites." Could this night be any more misfortunate? Or...
could this be turned to his advantage? Dare he even bother?
"Oh, please. The way you and W'vryn were dallying in the hallway how
could I not overhear?" Ve'jas smirked and leaned against a wall, arms
crossing over his chest. Only through practice was he able not to
knock the lute strapped to his back against the stone wall.
Olethym was not amused by the rider's smile and teasing remarks. "His
dragon's about to rise. He didn't look like he would make it back."
Had he received a bigger fluster he may have teased the healer
further, but all he had to show was a flush on pale freckled skin, as
likely due to anger as anything. Ve'jas raised a brow. "It's
possible. I really annoyed him earlier...sometimes he can get his
riding gear in a twist over the smallest things." The rider's grin
had widened at the thought. W'vryn was really just too easy
sometimes. Straightening, he brushed off the arm he had been leaning
against and watched the healer, shrugged. "I was on my way home. No
way to get past without bothering the two of you, so I waited."
Grudgingly, the healer accepted the explanation. This rider seemed
like the type to watch things from a distance. Not out of cowardice,
but something else... perhaps he was a gossip hound? How
interesting. "Fair enough. Why not just let me pass then?"
"I heard my name... I believe you have a list for me."
"Ve'jas?" Suddenly he had names for some of his tormentors.
The dark rider wore an expectant smile, brows raised, amused.
"Fine. My office then?" Olethym was already starting off in that
direction. Again, there was no way he would be allowing this
brownrider or that crazed greenrider near his own rooms. The
infirmary was... safe.
"Ah, actually... if it's not too much trouble," Ve'jas emphasized the
last carefully, "my weyr is nearby."
Again the healer stopped in his tracks, but did not turn. Names and
locations? How strange indeed. Finally he did face Ve'jas, eyeing
him questioningly.
Ve'jas laughed at the suspicion. Suppose the healer had every reason
to distrust him, which he did. He brushed past Olethym chuckling,
then pointed back at his lute. "If I put this away, they won't make
me play this evening. Simple, no?" He waved a hand without turning,
not waiting, beckoning.
Olethym sighed, baffled by this rider's demeanor. What was with these
people? Roughing people up was just business as usual, no hard
feelings? He would not accept that. But he would follow, if nothing
else than to get that list sent out for his patient.
"Fine, but," he said as they walked the halls, along a very similar
path to the one he had taken with W'vryn, "I don't understand. Why
help me?"
Darkly golden eyes rolled over to regard the healer. "Besides not
wanting to be poisoned next time I visit the infirmary?" Seemingly
ignoring the healer's quirk of a grin at that, he considered what to
say. Dangerous this one was, certainly. Saying the wrong thing...
"Look, I do what I have to do. I'm sure W'vryn told you that too. He
seems to like roughing people up sometimes, but as far as I'm
concerned if it doesn't need to come to blows then it shouldn't. He
can be a nice guy, you know."
Olethym walked in silence. What he said made sense but the question
was whether the rider actually believed it. Perhaps it did not
matter. It was not enough. He had not apologized. He had not given
details behind his reasoning. And bitterly, he thought, he had not
recanted despite his claim. But what could he expect around here?
Those who bullied also ruled things; those others were too afraid to
fight back, for fear of retaliation. Though... Ve'jas did not like to
intimidate. Or so he claimed.
"Here it is. You can wait outside for me to bring something to write
on." It was more of a suggestion than an instruction the way he
looked back at Olethym.
While he would have liked to trust him enough to step inside, he
nodded and waited. How pathetic was that feeling, really? He should
be able to walk right in without a care. But a moment or two passed
before the rider returned as promised, and this time without his
lute. Olethym wrote down the list and handed it back to the
brownrider. It was simple, much simpler than the night's events had
made it out to be.
Ve'jas looked it over, thought he recognized some of the ingredients.
"Now, what is this for?" He glanced over the edge of the hide at the
healer, whose determined glare spoke volumes. Ah... "It's for that
girl, isn't it? The greenrider." Ve'jas grinned.
"Yes." Olethym held his gaze for a moment longer before turning away
to head back down the hall. Suddenly he did not want to know Ve'jas'
views on female greenriders. If he were truly spiteful, he would have
conveniently left the list at home... Perhaps he could talk with
Avarin about it. His connections might get the list sent.
The brownrider rolled the list up into a scroll as the healer started
to leave. He tapped it thoughtfully, and rhythmically, listening to
the hollow sound it made. "Nerys would be smart if she made people
like you her ally. Not an enemy."
Olethym turned a smirk on the rider. "It won't happen. And it's her
loss."
And it would be everyone else's gain.