Family Reunion

Writers: Devin
Date Posted: 2nd March 2009

Characters: N'vanik, Cosani, Cossida
Description: Cosani's reunion with her mother doesn't go very well.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 14 of Turn 5

N'vanik

Cosani

}:Do you mind if yours comes up to our weyr?:{

**Why up there?** Cosani asked after Shalith relayed the information.

}:Loseth says his rider says better up here than in the barracks.:{

Cosani sighed. Meeting outside was out of the question. It had been raining most of the day, with periods of thunder and lightning. And she certainly didn't want this meeting in the barracks, where everyone could see. **Fine. But it's going to take me forever to get up there.**

}:Loseth and his will take you,:{ Shalith said after a moment.

Not long after, Cosani was being strapped onto Loseth's neck, her stomach fluttering with nervousness. In other circumstances, she might have enjoyed the dragon ride, but she was worried about the meeting. Would her mother yell at her for running away? Or worse, would she cry?

N'vanik made sure she was secure, and then they were up. Loseth's wings were steady despite the storm, and it didn't take them long to reach the Weyrleader's ledge. Cosani was dripping wet as N'vanik helped her off the bronze. "I'll get you a towel," he offered. They stepped into the weyr, and there was her mother. She looked ... older. "I'll just grab that towel," N'vanik said. Then he was gone, ducking into the bathing room.

Cosani was alone with her mother.

They stood facing each other, both unsure. "So, you have a dragon now," Cossida said.

"Her name is Shalith." She felt strength and love flow across their bond. Cosani had never known that much love existed in the world, and certainly not for her. Yet, there it was.

Cossida crossed the distance between them, but stopped just short of touching her daughter. "I was so worried." Tears filled her eyes.

Cosani bit her lip, willing herself not to cry. Then her mother pulled her into a hug and she couldn't help it. Warm tears spilled down her cheeks.

"I'm so glad you're safe. I'm so happy for you." Her mother stroked her hair and held her tight.

Shalith picked up on her confused emotions, and her concerned voice filled Cosani's head. }:What is wrong?:{

**It's ok, Shalith. I'm ok.** It took her another moment, but she got her tears under control. She pulled away from her mother. "I'm fine, Ma." She wiped her face with the back of her hand. She felt guilt now at crying, at giving in. She summoned up her anger. It came slow at first, then it built, growing as she spoke. "I left the Hold by myself. I found out where my father was, by myself. I got all the way to Dragonsfall _by myself_! And I Impressed _by myself_!" Now her fists were clenched at her sides. "You _never_ helped me!"

"Cosani, I tried--"

"Why didn't you take me away?! We could've gone _anywhere_! You stayed and you let Grandda treat me like dirt, and you would've let him trade me away to some stranger like I was a herdbeast!"

"Cosani!" N'vanik's sharp voice echoed in the weyr. Cosani's head whipped toward him. "You're upsetting Shalith. Calm down!" He could hear Loseth trying to soothe the green.

For a moment, she got even angrier, but he was right. She had more than herself to think about now, and she didn't want to hurt Shalith. She never wanted to hurt her. **I'm sorry. It's ok. Calm down, love.**

"I'm sorry," Cossida echoed her words. "I didn't know what to do. I thought if I ran, someone would just take us back, or we would end up somewhere worse. I did the best I could."

As Cosani fought her anger, N'vanik came over and handed her a towel. "Here. Dry off." Cosani rubbed the towel over her wet hair. "I'm pissed at her, too," he said. "I missed fourteen turns of your life because she didn't feel like telling me you existed. But we can't fix that. What's important is that you're here, and you have Shalith. You don't have to forgive your ma, but for Shalith's sake if nothing else, try not to be too mad at her."

"I'll do it for Shalith," Cosani said in a soft but still angry voice.

N'vanik turned to Cossida, although his words were still directed at their daughter. "I think you running away put enough worry and guilt on her." Their eyes met, and a bit of understanding passed between them. N'vanik looked back at Cosani. "You think you can handle talking a little more, or do you want to go back to the barracks?"

She was still angry, and hurt, and the only thing she wanted now was to be with Shalith. "I want to go back to the barracks."

Last updated on the March 13th 2009

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Family Reunion