Following Rules... (For Now)

Writers: Bree
Date Posted: 24th November 2005

Characters: Dantial, O'dan
Description: Dantial tells O'dan that he's going to be moved from the infirmary... if he agrees to a few restrictions.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 2 of Turn 3

"Well?" O'dan gave his brother an impatient look, not liking the slightly bemused smile. Dantial could hide his feelings better than anyone O'dan had ever met, but he usually only had that particular smile when he was about to say something that was going to annoy his elder brother.

Dantial didn't disappoint. "The answer is no, O'dan. You may not move back into your weyr on the assumption that you'll... how did you put it again?"

O'dan gave him a less than amused look. "Holler real loud if I need help?"

His brother's lips twitched again. "Yes, that was it. No one thinks that it would be responsible to leave you in your weyr by yourself when you still can't do much more than sit up on your own."

"You are such a pain," O'dan replied sullenly. "I feel just fine."

"Mmmm..." Dantial shook his head and sat down in the chair next to his brother's bed. "I won't deny, O'dan... you're doing a lot better than I would have expected. But you're not able to take care of yourself yet."

"Fine. I'll stay here..." O'dan trailed off with a scowl. "Why are you shaking your head at me?"

Dantial's tiny smile turned into a grin. "You never did let me finish, you know. Think of how much trouble we could have escaped if you'd ever let me finish a sentence when we were growing up." O'dan gave Dantial a dangerous look. "Fine. Finish your sentence."

"You may not move back into your weyr on your own," Dantial said, still grinning. "Luckily for you, you have a Senior Journeyman Healer for a brother, and he has agreed to stay with you and keep an eye on you until you _are_ ready to take care of yourself."

For once, O'dan found himself speechless. "You're willing to--"

Dantial waved a hand before O'dan could finish. "You've been living in the Weyr too long, O'dan. This is what family does. They take care of each other. You're my brother, so I'll take care of you." It meant more than O'dan had thought possible to hear his brother say it so simply. Over twenty turns stood between them since they'd parted ways, and yet Dantial seemed oblivious to the passage of time. It was like they were children again, and Dantial was stepping up to try and get him out of the latest mess he'd gotten himself into.

It seemed off in a way... O'dan had been the elder brother, but Dantial had been the one who was good at solving problems and taking care of them both. Since he'd never been much for displays of emotion, O'dan hoped Dantial could read the gratefulness in his eyes as he reached out to slap his brother's shoulder. "You should be someone's father, Dantial. But I suppose taking care of me will be task enough for the next few months."

"That thought had occurred to me," Dantial replied dryly, standing again.
"And believe me, O'dan. There are going to be some ground rules. Starting with what sort of activities you're allowed to get up to. Don't think that being in your own weyr is going to change _that_ rule."

Since that was exactly what O'dan had been thinking, he scowled. "Come on, Dantial..."

Dantial lifted his eyebrow in a perfectly innocent fashion. "Well, if you don't like my rules, you can always stay here..."

"Fine," O'dan said quickly--quickly enough that Dantial grinned again. "I'll follow your rules." For now...

Last updated on the November 24th 2005

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Following Rules... (For Now)