Sweeping Feelings of Regret

Writers: Shawna, Sia
Date Posted: 15th August 2025

Characters: K'leriac, Zariah
Description: Zariah checks on an old friend with only partially ulterior motives
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 9, day 10 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: M’thos, E’kavas, Jadirah, S'lahr, N'kyri, G'zan

“Knock knock,” Zariah said as she walked into K’leriac’s weyr. He’d had the warning of Relsath telling Obrianth they were on their way over, so it wasn’t as rude as it could have been, especially since, “I have scones. Do you have tea?”

She’d been on a baking kick lately, and E’kavas had forbidden her from bringing over any more baked goods for the children.

Relsath had landed politely on the ledge, but she was eyeing Obrianth appraisingly.

Obrianth rumbled a welcome back and scooted back on the ledge to give the green space.

K'leriac was already up, balancing precariously without his crutches and setting the kettle to boil when Zariah walked in. "I have too much tea. Mostly medicinal, but nothing that enough sweetener won't fix. Any preference?"

“Nothing minty, it won’t go with the scones,” Zariah said, “Otherwise I’m not picky. Are these medicinal from the healers, or well-meaning friends with folk remedies? Don’t trust M’thos, it’s always just whiskey.”

}:Are you bored?:{ Relsath asked Obrianth, }:I’m bored and She doesn’t want to go flying.:{

}: Very bored. :{ Obrianth agreed, }: Race around the bowl? First one to the lake wins. :{

K'leriac made a noise in his throat that could have been a laugh. "M'thos' remedies are _great_. He even brought over a bottle of 'medicinal' whisky for me. The rest is a mix of healers and well-wishers. You know how the healercraft loves making teas."

Relsath nearly bounced, and the agreement was more of a feeling than words as she snapped her tail against the bronze’s shoulder, saying, }: Tag!:{ Before dropping off the edge of the ledge.

“M’thos’s recipes could peel paint,” Zariah disagreed playfully as she set the scones out on plates. “How are you doing? You’re getting around better.”

Obrianth roared and leapt after her, not quite able to get the air as quickly as her and plummeting a terrifying distance before he righted himself, barrelling off line a bronze on a chase.

"I'll live. I mostly have enough balance to get around the weyr without much help." He paused for a moment, then grimaced, "Can you grab the kettle, though? I spilt hot water all over the floor last time."

Zariah smiled, “Of course I can.” She grabbed the steaming kettle to bring it back to the table. “Sorry I haven’t checked in more. Things have been busy. Relsath thought Obrianth looked bored enough to play with her tonight, though. Roquath is a sore loser after a while.”

K'leriac barked a laugh as he dropped into a chair. "Roquath is always a sore loser. Relsath is welcome anytime. Obrianth needs the exercise, and he's not getting much right now."

“He’s a worse winner,” Zariah chuckled. “I’ll remember that. She likes picking on bronzes, and Hannasath is too busy to play a lot of the time. What about you? Do I need to stop by and take you for walkies? … Hoppies? Too bad it’s not still snowing, we could use a sled.”

"Only if you promise to carry me on a litter." K'leriac said with a grumble. "I need to see the new Healer Hall in Amber Hills. The pirate leg is a pain to get on, and it hurts like shit once it is. The crutches aren't much better, though I'll spare you the visual." He did raise a hand to show off the gloves that were supposed to help with the wrist pain and blisters on his palm.

“I'm sorry,” Zariah said, the teasing tone replaced by genuine remorse. “I hope they have some suggestions. They say it's going to be the most advanced new healer hall.” She broke off a piece of scone and chewed on it absentmindedly. “Maybe some thicker gloves? Are those padded or leather? I could get my sewing kit out and do some experimenting.”

"They're just cloth right now. The compression on the wrists is supposed to help the pain while they recover. And I'm supposed to go easy on the crutches." He made a face. He still needed a cane or crutch whether or not he wore the prosthetic, which meant he was mostly confined to his weyr. "I can give you my old riding gloves if you want. I'm willing to try just about anything."

“No promises,” Zariah warned, “but I'm good with gloves. Might at least be able to protect your palms. Have you been getting many visitors at least?”

"Enough." K'leriac said with a shrug. "The kids are going between me and their foster-mother. They've been good with keeping Obrianth bathed and oiled. I'm sure the candidates would be happy to do it, but they're at the age where they want to help and having a dragon's attention is exciting. Jadirah's been by a few times, and S'lahr. G'zan and N'kyri moved dragonpoker night to my weyr. That was nice, even though N'kyri cheats."

“That’s good,” Zariah said. “I don’t know about the candidates- Relsath has been complaining about the way some of them scrub. Half scrub too hard, half not hard enough. I think she secretly misses Raleri,” there was a morose tone to Zariah’s words. She certainly missed her daughter. “You could boot N’kyri out, but then someone else would have to flirt with the kitchen staff to get the good snacks. My sister tells stories about him.”

"I don't have any extra boots, either." K'leriac deadpanned. "The candidates are fine. The searched kids probably need to get told they aren't going to break the dragon. I could yell at them from the shore if I needed to. Or send the kids to supervise. I can wait until the novelty wears off."

“... I didn’t think about it that way,” the greenrider had the grace to look sheepish. “You could get the weyrlingstaff to use it as a teaching lesson. It would be good for them to learn dragon care takes a lot of elbow grease.”

"He can give them all a run for their marks, too." He continued dryly. "Have them chase him around with the soap and brushes. Knock them into the water. Give them the entire weyrling experience."

“He could drown one and it would serve as a warning for Turns to come,” she joked. “Is there anything else I can help with while I’m here? I’m hiding from a too quiet weyr,” she rushed to explain, “it’s not that you’re sad and in need of help.”

"Both things can exist, that's fine." K'leriac said with a dismissive gesture. "I do appreciate the help, whatever the reason behind it. I wouldn't mind if someone helped me tidy a bit. You don't want to see me try to handle a broom."

“Sure. I brought the crumbs with me anyway,” Zariah gestured to the crumbs on her plate, though she’d hardly made much of a mess. Busying herself with tidying up, she bustled around the weyr. “Care for a rant about small problems? I pushed Raleri into leaving, but now I’m sad she’s not around. I never pass her in a hallway or run into her in the dining hall anymore.”

"My kids are going to be apprentice or candidate age soon too, and I'm not looking forward to it." K'leriac grimaced, "I don't want them to leave, but I don't want them Impressing at twelve either. You must get to see her when you do deliveries, at least?"

“Sure, if she slows down enough to wave,” She grabbed the broom and rather aggressively began sweeping. “But I guess the fact that she rushes off with the other apprentices means she’s enjoying it. I got my way, but she seems happy,” the sweeping became a little less aggressive. “Yay. Now, where’s your dustpan?”

Last updated on the August 29th 2025

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Sweeping Feelings of Regret