It Hasn't Been The Same Since That Night

Writers: Aaron, Halyonix, Sia
Date Posted: 30th December 2024

Characters: K'far, Vaile, Aleriand, Ormyn
Description: Vaile takes K'far to Printer Hall but it doesn't turn out as she planned
Location: Printer Hall
Date: month 2, day 14 of Turn 12
Notes: Musical inspiration from Avril Lavigne's I'm A Mess

Aleriand

Vaile wasn't sure why it felt awkward but it did. At least, within her. Had she really hoped that Torth would win Liranth's flight that much and hadn't realized it? That seemed so unlike her. She was usually so certain of herself. Was this her independent, stubborn streak interfering with her heart?

}: You're overthinking it, :{ Liranth remarked with a suffering sigh. }: Just go talk to him. Go out. Something. :{

Vaile shot Liranth an equally suffering look, given that it was partially her fault for rising in the first place. **Ask Torth what they are doing today,** she asked.

}:We have no plans for the day,:{ said Torth. Unless he counted 'reading a book' as a plan, which Torth was not prepared to do. }:We would love to see you, if you are not busy.:{

**Who are you talking to?**

}:Liranth, of course.:{

**Ah. Carry on.**

Message relayed, Vaile considered her options. Did she want to talk about what happened or just leave it be? Liranth made a grunting sound, kicking her out of her thoughts again. "Fine! Fine, I'll find us something to do. To not overthink it, like you say I am," Vaile snapped.

Then, inspiration struck her.

**He likes books. Ask Torth if they've ever been to Printer Hall.**

**Hm. We should have thought to check it out while we were at Emerald Falls for their Gather,** K'far mused.

}:I rather think your attention was otherwise occupied.:{

**Tell them we would love to go there with them.**

The destination settled, Liranth landed on Torth's ledge a few minutes later. Vaile hadn't strapped her helmet on so her hair was a windblown mess. She gave K'far a small, awkward, but brave smile until Liranth mentally kicked her to stop being weird about it again. "Liranth says I'm overthinking everything and we need to get out of the Weyr," she blurted out in a fit of exasperation. She closed her eyes, composed herself, and then added, "Sorry. We've been on each other's nerves ever since...since the flight."

K'far stepped closer, worry on his face.

"Are you all right?" He was, of course, disappointed that Torth had lost Liranth's flight, but when it came down to it, he also hated the idea of anything forcing Vaile into his bed. If they ended up there, he wanted it to be because that was where she wanted to be.

Vaile let out a sharp bark of wry laughter. "K'far, I haven't been all right since M'vel died," she admitted. He knew most of the details about her broken heart anyway so she didn't go back into them but she did focus on what was bothering her now. "You and Torth have been...there for us. In so many ways. And I'd..." She shook her head. Sighed. It was just a flight. What did it matter who won? Liranth would be in the air again in a few months anyway, repeating the whole process. Was Vaile going to drag herself through the mud every time?

"Let's get out of the Weyr for the day," she said to K'far. "I need to not think."

K'far was not quite so sure a library was the best place to avoid thinking, but maybe it counted on account of it meant preventing one's mind from wandering.

"Of course. We can all get away together. Because we're still here for you. And you've been here for us."

She nodded at Torth. "Get on your dragon," she said, a bit of command in her tone but a watery smile on her face to soften it. Once he was strapped in, Liranth turned to take off, teasingly flicking her tail at Torth just to irritate Vaile further. **Pest,** Vaile muttered as she envisioned their destination.

They reappeared just west of the main Emerald Falls Hold, making a wide circle of the area before choosing a spot to land near the newly reopened Printer Hall. "When you said you liked books," Vaile said as she dismounted. "I'm rather surprised that this isn't one of your favorite places."

"If I had more time to read, it might be," said K'far. "If I went looking for more _all_ the time when I've already got a 'to read' stack, I'd have my own library before too long-- and mostly unread at that." He laughed. "But it's more... special to come here with you."

That word 'special' gave her a moment's pause. Before Liranth could grumble at her for overthinking, Vaile hooked her arm around K'far's as they walked. "I think I'll wait until the children are a bit older before bringing them here," she said. "Can you imagine Miravaile in a place like this?"

"Oh, there's so much to see here, you know!" K'far chuckled. "They must have a kids' section. I think it would be fun to bring them, if they did. She could pick out something for us to read to them for a little bit." He smiled at the thought, already thinking about doing little voices for them.

"Let's wait until they're a bit older," Vaile said with a grin. "They're still adorable to you. They haven't shown you how chaotic they really can be."

They stopped at the entrance of the Hall, deciding how to proceed. It was, after all, a Craft Hall, which meant work was going on, but presently, someone spotted them. Wiping ink-stained hands on his apron, he said, "Hello there! I'm Ormyn, one of the journeymen. What can I do for you?"

Vaile tilted her head towards K'far. "He loves books. We thought we could see the printing presses? If that's not impeding too much."

"Not at all! Well, mostly. Follow me and don't touch anything unless I say so. We wouldn't want your fingers to get caught in something they aren't supposed to be in."

"It's always best to ask permission before you go sticking your fingers places," K'far whispered. Vaile was caught between giggling and being surprised that he had made such a statement.

Ormyn led them towards a room that held a few pieces of odd machinery with large wheels, rollers, and flat surfaces for paper to rest. It looked like people were using pedals of some sort to move the gears while feeding it paper. "These are the presses!" Ormyn declared with a proud smile.

"Whoa... That's so awesome," K'far marveled. He was not sure what he expected it to look like, but his imagination had not been up to the task of coming up with this.

"They can print about five to six hundred pages an hour if we aren't slacking or fixing a jam somewhere," Ormyn explained. "It's a bit of a workout at first because--- oh." Ormyn snapped up straight, his gaze shifting to someone else entering the room.

"Hm?" When the explanation paused, K'far turned to see what had interrupted the man.

"Oh, don't stop on my account." Aleriand said, though his tone was grumblier than someone who was pleasantly surprised. He looked around at the rest of the publishing house, at the other folks working, and then back at the dragonriders and journeymen. "Was there a tour scheduled today, Ormyn?"

Ormyn swallowed nervously. "N-No, Master Aleriand. These riders arrived and I...I offered to show them around."

"Oh good, I'm glad I can report that we're missing our deadlines because our dragonriders want a tour whenever they please." He glanced at their knots and only looked grumpier. Not even 'their' riders, but Dragonsfall's. "Wrap it up." He added, before moving off to inspect another journeyman's work.

"I apologize." K'far winced. "I didn't realize I was keeping you from something important. I appreciate your generosity."

"Yes, thank you," Vaile added quickly, apologetically. What a stick in the mud that Master was!

Ormyn winced and bowed. "It's okay," he said once Aleriand was out of earshot. "I never mind getting to do a tour. But I should get back to work before Master Aleriand gets a reason to say something more. Feel free to watch for a bit and then browse our bookstore." Ormyn gave another bow and headed off.

"Well, that was unexpected," Vaile muttered to K'far. "And awkward."

"Next time, I'll be sure to ask whether I'm imposing." K'far chuckled. "No harm, no foul, I suppose. As long as I buy a book or two, eh?"

That brought a knowing smile from Vaile. "I might offer my services to the Hallmaster too. But we can definitely start with books." She wrapped her hand around K'far's elbow, then slid it down to tug on his hand. "Come on."

Last updated on the January 6th 2025

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It Hasn't Been The Same Since That Night