Something In Common

Writers: AL, Cali
Date Posted: 30th October 2009

Characters: B'lamick, Briata
Description: B'lamick takes Briata to the Healer Hall.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern, River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 5, day 14 of Turn 5

Briata

"How do you feel now?" B'lamick asked, turning to look at Briata who was situated behind him on Latarth. They'd just come from /between/ and hovered over the Healer Hall, his old home.

"A lot warmer." She had been /between/ before and she had dressed warmly for that trip, but the cold had still shocked Briata after they had delved into it.

B'lamick chuckled, "I mean your head?"

"Not as stuffed up." Briata realized that probably wasn't a very good description. "I've been practicing, trying to block out the sounds. It's been working, but my head feels like it's stuffed full of fabric."

It didn't sound comfortable at all and he wondered, not for the first time, why she wanted to stay at the Weyr instead of at some far away Hold or Hall. Latarth was circling down towards the Hall courtyard, and knew that the bronze was purposefully staying quiet on this trip for Briata's benefit. "We'll land down there. You'll like my father."

"If he's anything like you, I'm sure I will." Briata blinked into the wind as they drew closer to the Hall. Once they landed, they wouldn't have to talk so loud. "I just hope he doesn't hate me."

When Latarth's feet touched the cleared ground, B'lamick turned to face her, "Why would he hate you?"

"Why does my cousin hate me?" Briata shrugged. It bothered her that Talmina held such hatred for her and yet Briata had done nothing to cause it. "There's no good reason. It seems that one's feelings need not always be rational."

B'lamick hadn't even known she _had_ a cousin, but now wondered if she had another reason to get out of the Weyr for awhile. "Well, I don't know how he _can't_ just love you." He slid down off Latarth's side and held a hand out for Briata.

Briata laughed at his statement. "Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see." She accepted his hand and used the thoughtfully placed forearm as a step. "You did tell him you were bringing me too, right?"

"Well no. But I didn't tell him I was bringing _me_ either." B'lamick didn't visit his home very often, but his father was always happy to see him.

"What about your mother? Do you think she'll be happy to have a stranger waltz in?" Briata really didn't want to be a burden on anyone, though she was grateful to B'lamick for taking her away for a while.

"My mother died of fever when I was ten." B'lamick replied evenly, "So she won't mind my father having the company either."

"Oh..." Briata's face fell. "I'm sorry, B'lamick, I didn't know."

He pointed to a large door at the end of the courtyard that led into the Healer Hall and started walking towards it. "It's okay, it was a long time ago. A lot of people died that turn from fever so we all sort of grieved together."

Briata nodded slowly, then stated, her voice soft, "I was ten as well."

B'lamick caught the change in her tone and stopped walking to look at her. "Did you lose someone too?"

"My mother." Briata clarified, a sad smile flitting over her lips. "I was ten."

"Well look at that," he said gently as he put his arm around her, "We've got something else in common."

"That we do." The girl looked toward the main building of the Hall. There were people milling about, probably because they had received news of the arrival of a dragon - and a bronze at that. "Shall we meet your father?"

"Let's." He agreed with a smile as he let go of her, using his now free arm to wave at an older woman who had appeared in the doorway. He'd recognized the Headwoman from the crowd easily, she'd been a staple at the Hall since he could remember. "Good day Meriply, do you know where my father is today?"

Briata hovered a little behind B'lamick. She wasn't shy so much as she was simply out of her element and let him take the lead. She smiled at those who had come to great them and tried to look friendly.

Meriply gave a kind smile to the girl with B'lamick, that scamp surely could pick the pretty ones. "He's back in the herbal stores last I saw, he's planning on doing another walk around next sevenday and is preparing his supplies."

B'lamick nodded, "And this is Briata, by the way." He hadn't meant to be impolite.

"Well met." Briata stated politely and bobbed in a short curtsey. Her eyes skipped about as she took in all the faces that were milling around. Some had already begun to wander back to where they had come from after they had waved or called greetings to the visitors.

The Headwoman knew the rider ways were different, so she didn't ask why B'lamick was bringing a girl to meet his father. "Come and say goodbye before you leave, you know Teeney will want a hug and Bearinne will want to send you home with some sweets."

"I will." he assured her with a grin before giving a wave and leading Briata inside the Hall.

Last updated on the November 15th 2009

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Something In Common