At A Loss

Writers: Bree, Dana
Date Posted: 4th November 2005

Characters: Ar'lis, Abrei, Lenala
Description: Ar'lis brings Abrei to check on Lenala, much to both women's discomfort.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 9, day 3 of Turn 3

Abrei

Lenala

When Ar'lis and Abrei arrived at Lenala's weyr, the goldrider was bundled up in her oldest, fluffiest robe and a blanket on top of it, and curled up on the couch with her head pillowed on one arm. Her eyes were closed, so she remained oblivious to the fact that Ar'lis had brought a healer with him. "I waited for you."

Hoping that Abrei would hang back for just a minute, he slowly went over to her and knelt down so he could see her face. "I'm glad you did, Lenala," he replied softly, gently brushing his fingers over her arm, the barest of touches. "But before we...talk about anything, I brought a healer here."

Lenala stiffened immediately, her eyes opening more slowly. "I don't need a healer, Ar'lis. I'm fine, I promise I'm fine. Just tell them to go..."

"No, sweetheart." His voice kept his tone firmly gentle. "You do need one."

She was too tired to argue, so she slumped back onto the couch and nodded.
"Just... stay nearby, please?"

Ar'lis nodded, and then glanced over his shoulder at Abrei.

Abrei was feeling more than a little uncomfortable, but she moved across the weyr and set her bag down on the couch next to the goldrider. She shoved her personal feelings aside and adopted that same low, soothing voice she'd used on Ar'lis. "Lenala, let me just take a quick look at you. I might have something that can help you."

Ar'lis shifted so that he could be on Lenala's other side and not be in the Weyrhealer's way. He kept his eyes trained on the goldrider, noting the way she moved slowly. So slowly.

Lenala unwound herself from the blanket and swung her feet onto the floor with a wince she couldn't quite hide. The look she gave Ar'lis over her shoulder, however, was less friendly than it had been a moment ago. Of course he'd had to go get _Abrei_, the one healer who made her feel like an idiot just by looking at her.

But there was none of the usual annoyed condescension in Abrei's eyes as she looked down at Lenala. "I'll need you to take off your robe. Ar'lis can step into the ot--"

"No!" If there was one thing Lenala couldn't take right now, it was being left alone in a room with Abrei, and she didn't care _how_ obvious it was.

Abrei nodded without comment and waited as Lenala let the robe slide down to reveal her slight undergarments and a body covered with scratches and bruises.

Ar'lis felt his chest tighten at the sight. The colors hadn't seemed that...that _vibrant_ earlier. Shards...what did he _do_ to her? His eyes wandered over the discolored bruises on her neck and shoulders, knowing that his teeth had given her those. Then he took in the gouges on her back and sides, for he couldn't call those damned red lines scratches. Those sharding were _not_ scratches... He felt his jaw tighten as he forced himself to keep his eyes on her, forced himself to not look away.

It was certainly not a pleasant sight, but Abrei was almost relieved that it wasn't worse, considering the emotional state Ar'lis was in. There was little she could do for bruises, but she took care of the scratches and let Lenala pull her robe back on.

"Ar'lis, I need you to go out into the hallway and find a drudge," Abrei said when she was finished in a voice that did not allow for argument. She met Lenala's eyes and the goldrider stayed silent. "You two will probably want to eat, but I need you to have hot water brought. I'm going to leave you a mix for a tea that I need _both_ of you to drink. All right?"

Ar'lis looked at Abrei and nodded, then rose and glanced at Lenala before leaving the room.

Lenala shifted nervously, glancing down at her lap. "I'm sorry he brought you here. I didn't really need a healer."

"No," Abrei agreed. "For those scratches, you probably didn't. But I think you still need a healer, Lenala. Just one who deals with something other than the body. I'm going to request that you see one of our mind healers."

When Lenala said nothing, Abrei took it for agreement and rose to her feet.
"I'll set a time for you to see someone."

"The drudge is getting some now," Ar'lis said as soon as he entered the room again. His eyes went to Lenala first, and then he looked at Abrei. A brief, uncomfortable silence passed before he asked quietly, "Do I need to get anything else?"

Abrei shook her head and swung the strap of her bag over her head, letting it settle on her hip. "I left a packet of tea on the couch, there. I suggest you both spend some time soaking and relax for the rest of the day. If you experience any muscle stiffness, come by the infirmary and we'll make sure none of those bruises are more than superficial."

He nodded, glancing at Lenala out of the corner of his eye. "Thanks, Abrei," he said quietly.

Feeling more relieved than she had any right to, Abrei fled Lenala's weyr, leaving the tired looking goldrider curled on the couch, still avoiding Ar'lis' eyes.

For the first time in Turns, the bronzerider was at a loss on what to do.
What could he say to her? Slowly he made his way over to Lenala and eased himself down on the couch, but not close enough to crowd her. Ar'lis wasn't sure if she would welcome his touch. But how could he blame her?

He couldn't.

Last updated on the November 4th 2005

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At A Loss