Do Me A Favour|Yes, another Arctic Monkey's song

[elainsie]

It had been three weesk since Accalia had had her pregnancy confirmed and K’dran had found out, somewhat reluctantly, that he was to be a father. Having been grounded from her wing rider duties as result had left her with ample free time upon her hands. Unfortunately she had been so tired and ill the last few days that it had been all she could do to get out of bed and as of yet she had not informed any of her friends or family about her pregnancy; not that it was hard to imagine their reactions.

However, today had started off much better than the few days. For once the nausea that plagued her morning, noon and night, had faded after just ten minutes of waking up, and her appetite had returned with a vengeance. Accalia was as ravenous as a newly Hatched dragonet and was preparing on visiting the Kitchens to get something to eat when Rownith spoke to her. Rynilith and His have just arrived.

Really? Well send K’rtin up! Accalia’s face broke out into a smile, evidently excited about the arrival of the Roan pair. K’rtin was her closest friend, and had been since they had met on the first day of Candidate classes

As K’rtin appeared in her doorway Accalia ran over to the man and threw her arms around him. “It’s so good to see you!”

K’rtin’s own face broke out in a smile at the sight of the Jade rider and he returned the hug. “You want to be careful hurtling over to me like that Lia, you know how clumsy you are, you’re lucky you didn’t trip.”

“Well in the case that I did, I had you to catch me.” She reached out to punch the man, but he took a step back and her hand met thin air.

Holding her at arms length, his eyes took in the dark shadows under her eyes and the rather pale look to her face. “Are you ok Lia? You look like you’ve been sick. I had come here with the intention of berating you for having blown me off this last week, but if you’re ill please accept my apology.”

“Well I was going to seek you out once I had had breakfast, but you beat me too it, as always. And you’re right, I have been ill, but there’s an explanation behind it. I’m pregnant K’rtin.” She felt his arms loosen their hold on her and watched the dark look that clouded his face. Accalia’s stomach lurched. This was not the reaction she had expected, oh not at all. “What’s wrong K’rtin, aren’t you happy for me?”

“Who is the father?” He asked, ignoring her questions for the time being, his voice low and dangerous.

Accalia did not like the tone of his voice or the look he wore but replied nonetheless. “Well, K’dran of course. You know I have never been with a man outside a flight, and I am sure you heard your fill of that particular flight. You were the one to help me get over it after all. But it’s ok K’rtin, it really is. We have come to an agreement of sorts, and he will be a part of the baby’s life, he said so himself.” This was only partly true; it had been Dharth really who had said as much, but she needed to placate K’rtin. His response at the news greatly disturbed her, and Accalia felt close to tears. She wanted his congratulations, his support, needed it. For how could she cope without her closest friend to confide in, to help her along the way? She bit her lip as she looked into the furious face of K’rtin.

K’rtin bit back his initial response, anger and jealousy clouding his mind. That sharding bastard! Has he not done enough to hurt her? His fists curled up against his side, wanting to lash out at the fardling blackrider. K’rtin remembered only too well Accalia’s infatuation with K’dran, he had been the one person she had confided in about it, and had tried to warn her. He had been there to comfort her when she had fled from the flight in desperate need of a shoulder to cry on and arms to embrace her. And now he had to go and make a promise to her he no doubt had no intentions on keeping. What was he hoping to achieve this time? Did he want to completely crush her until she was nothing but a shell of the wonderful woman she truly was? And why could Accalia not see K’dran was playing her, had she really been truthful in admitting she was over K’dran? The whole fiasco infuriated him and he was ready to run off and pummel K’dran, when he realized Accalia had taken hold of his hand and was looking up at him with those dark eyes of hers.
“Please K’rtin, tell me what’s wrong?”

The roan rider pulled away from Accalia and strode around the room, Accalia’s eyes never leaving him. “Can’t you see what he’s doing to you Lia? The man’s a cruel, heartless bastard. He says one thing to you now, but how can you be sure his word is good?” Instead of letting her respond he answered for her. “You can’t. Look what happened after the flight, it’s not really the actions of a man who wants to spend the rest of his life by your side, raising your kid, is it now? And what of their scheming? How can you be so sure this is not just another ploy? Again, you can’t. Please Lia, I am begging of you, don’t trust K’dran or that sadistic black of his. You’re too good for K’dran, much too good. You deserve someone so much better than that.” Like me, he thought, but prudently held back from adding this.

Accalia hated the doubt that crept into her mind as she listened to K’rtin’s words. A week ago she had felt so sure that K’dran was committed to doing the right thing, that she could trust his words; trust that he would come round to the idea of having a child to care for. But now all her misgivings were starting to return. “I just want my child to have a father,” her lip wobbled dangerously, and fat tears started to roll down her cheeks. What was it with the hormones that coursed through her that made her cry so easily? She shook her head, and watched as the droplets fell on the wooden floor staining it darkly.

K’rtin’s heart lurched as he saw how miserable she looked, how her bright smile on his entrance had faded. He crossed over to her and lifted her chin up with his right hand, using his thumb to wipe away the tears. Caressing her face gently, his clear gray eyes met her own dark eyes. “K’dran will never be the father you want for your child, Lia, no matter how much you may wish it to be so. But I could be. You know I would never hurt you, how much I care for you which is more than can be said for K’dran. Please, let me help you raise your child, and forget about K’dran. I would love your child like my own son or daughter, you know I would, just give me the chance.” He pleaded with her, his tone cajoling.

“I don’t know K’rtin; it’s more complicated then that….” Accalia felt so confused. She knew what a good man K’rtin was, did not doubt his word, and yet did not K’dran deserve to be a part of this? It was as Dharth had said; he had helped create this child so it was his business.

“In what way? Are you worried what K’dran may do to you if you deny him this chance to hurt you for whatever misguided reason he has decided upon? In that case we will transfer. “K’rtin did not particularly want to stick around anyway, especially with K’dran being his Wingleader should Accalia agree to his request. “You have no obligations to the man whatsoever Lia; he has made it abundantly clear he does not give a shard what happens to you. But I am not going to press the issue upon you. You know what I want of you, and I’ll give you time to think it over.” But before he left he brought his face up to Accalia’s own, his lips hungrily seeking her own out. Accalia was so dumbfounded she did not even think of pulling away, instead meeting his lips with her own quite willingly. Finally he broke off the kiss, placing a much more chaste one on her forehead. “Think about Lia,” he repeated again before turning around and leaving her weyr.

OOC:I realise the time is jumping a bit, but for all intents and purposes the Flight was early Winter, so only being 2 months on they still are in Winter and it fits the season/timeline ok...I hope

[Desert]

What in Faranth's name was that fool of a roanrider doing in Accalia's weyr? Dharth stifled a growl and lifted his head, his eyes narrowing to red-stained slits as he listened to their conversation. The nerve of that man!

"What's got your hide in a knot this time?" K'dran asked in a wry drawl. He lifted himself on his elbows and peered at the irritated black in amused condescention.

K'rtin of roan Rylinith seems to think that he would do a better job than you at caring for a child,[/b][/color] Dharth growled, his tail flickering angrily.

"He's probably right," K'dran pointed out sarcastically.

Still, he has no right to question your involvement. And --[/b][/color] Dharth's indignant tirade paused when K'rtin leaned in to kiss Accalia. A roar of rage bubbled up from the black's chest as he lurched to his feet. It is not K'dran you should worry about, fool, it is me![/b][/color] the big black growled into K'rtin's mind. Run away like the coward you are, if you value your precious dragon's hide![/b][/color]

K'dran rolled off his bed and jogged to the edge of his narrow porch, watching with wide, incredulous eyes as Dharth lurched into the sky and flew toward the offending roanrider. "Shards!" he swore, almost losing his balance and falling to the ground in his haste to follow. "I was afraid this would happen. Shardit!" Usually he wouldn't care if Dharth got irritated at someone, but it was a bit more significant if the big black took it into his head to kill one of his wingmembers. And Dharth was definitely angry enough to kill -- you didn't try to interfere with anything Dharth considered his unless you had a deathwish. That was an unforigvable sin in the black's book.

K'dran pelted through the thin tree cover until he got to Accalia's weyr, though of course he was a bit late. Dharth had already descended on Rylinith, and the roan sported a few new scars on his flanks -- rather horrific burn-scars. "All right, Dharth, you made your point!" he bawled as the big black prepared to chase the injured roan.

And if the fool has not learned his lesson he will find there is more where that came from,[/b][/color] Dharth remarked with a savage growl. Make sure that he has not done anything to her, K'dran.[/b][/color]

The blackrider obediently entered Accalia's weyr, but not for the reason Dharth ordered him to -- it was to get out of easy reaching distance of the irate black. He slithered through the door furtively, glancing at Accalia with an apologetic expression.

ooc; that could easily have been much better. -sigh- oh well. at least i got a reasonable length out of it.[/size][/color][/font]

[elainsie]

Accalia sat down on the edge of her bed, her whole body shaking, and cradled her head in her hands. Why had K'rtin had to say all those things, she had been happy right up until the moment he had opened his mouth, was it a personal gripe with K'dran that had caused it? Or because he was actually concerned for her? And then there were the lingering doubts in her own mind, it was as if K'rtin had known about them, when airing his views, which only served to increase her confusion over who was in the right, and who the wrong.

And what was he asking of her? Was it really an ultimatum, because it had certainly sounded like one. Either she chose to let her friend help raise her child and cut off all ties from its real father, or she would lost K'rtin altogether. Put that way it was hard not to think leaving with K'rtin was the better option, for although K'rtin had said it rather inelegantly, for she knew she was probably last on the list of things K'dran was concerned about.

She bit her lip as she tried to figure it all out, but in doing so that reminded her of K'rtin's parting kiss. And what had that been all about? Never in all of their shared history had K'rtin given any inkling that he felt for her something more than the purely platonic. Had it just been a way to win her over, or had she been obtuse in not realising he harboured deeper feelings for her. And why now, why not Turns ago, when I was uninvolved with anything but Rownith. She thought desparingly to herself. But the worst of it was, if she was being honest with herself, that Accalia had not pulled away. Am I really that starved of affection that I caved in so readily? The thought concerned her. For if she chose the path she was currently headed upon things would only get worse in that regard, especially if K'rtin cut the ties of frienship between them because she displeased him with her decision.

The sound of footsteps was what alerted her first to K'dran's approach and she lifted her head from her hands. No doubt Dharth had heard the enitre conversation between herself and K'rtin, was it really any surprise with how he had been acting towards her lately, however she had blocked out the sounds outside her weyr, feeling sick at the thought of what the Black was doing to the Roan pair. If Accalia had thought she had had any chance she would have run outside to prevent whatever retribution Dharth was meting out, but unfortunately the reality was there was very little she could do or say.

It's ok, Mine. Rynilith is hurt, but it's nothing too serious. The Jade told Accalia as she huddled as far away from Dharth as possible in the foilage outside Accalia's weyr, wincing at the pain inflicted upon the Roan.

He has not injured you, has he? She asked alarmed that Rownith was in the midst of it. To which Rownith replied he had not, and she was not as silly as some might think in that at the first sign of the black she had hidden away.

Accalia's eyes met K'dran's rather unusual light ones as the man entered, but she was at a complete loss for words. She felt as if she should apologise, and yet for what? It had been K'rtin, not her, that had dealt the slight. Nonetheless she still felt guilty, perhaps as a result of the doubts circling through her mind or perhaps because even now she had not completely disregarded K'rtin's offer.

[Desert]

Since Accalia hadn't had as strong a reaction as K'dran had initially anticipated -- he didn't know her relationship to the roanrider, so he didn't know how she would feel about Dharth flaming his dragon -- he decided that it was safe to check to see what Dharth was doing. He wouldn't put it past the big black to start destroying the nearest object. Instead, when K'dran glanced out of the weyr, Dharth was standing quite still. The big black's tail was lashing violently and his eyes had their dangerously watery-blue color, but that seemed to be it. Dharth had his temper under control.

"Maybe you should go take out your anger on your food," K'dran suggested. "You were just nagging me that you were hungry, weren't you?"

One red-flecked eye regarded K'dran steadily for a few moments. That seems best,[/b][/color] he replied after a moment. The huge black took to the air again and glided away, in the direction of the feeding pens. Once he was well out of sight, K'dran heaved a sigh of relief.

"Okay. Now he'll torture a few herdbeasts to death, and not any of us." He looked at Accalia again. "Are you all right? You're not to mad that Dharth took a chunk out of that roan, are you? Sorry you had to see that -- Dharth gets these weird fixations on things." The blackrider shook his head.

ooc; meeeep with the shortness. >_<[/size][/color][/font]

[elainsie]

Accalia rose an eyebrow at K'dran's apology her face becoming rather guarded, was that real concern she heard in the blackrider's voice? Accalia was rather doubtful and then silently cursed K'rtin for making her read into the situation more than she wanted to. She did not want to be looking for signs that implied K'dran was honest, she wanted to be able to trust him implicitly "I don't really want to think about what he did to Rynilith. After all it's my fault, Rynilith had done nothing in which to hurt anyone and yet he will now bear the scars for it." Accalia pushed the mental image away, wishing Dharth had never taken it into his head that she should need his special brand of protection.

Standing and grabbing a jacket, she slung it over over her shoulders, not bothering with the arms, "If it's all over otuside, and I won't have to witness any of it, I want to go get something to eat." Better that she left her weyr for the time being and gave herself some breathing space. "You are welcome to join me, though if you were interrupted in doing something, feel free to return to whatever it was. I'll be fine in a bit." This was not entirely true, but Accalia was not going to ask for the man's company if he wished to be elsewhere. Accalia desparately wanted someone to talk to about anything to get her mind off it, there would be enough time later to make a formal decision., but she was not going to reveal the need.

OOC:*sigh* very short....I will have to think of something to spice it up a bit

[Desert]

K'dran shook his head. "It's not your fault, believe me. Dharth is just touchy and possessive." He sighed wearily. "And all the kerfuffle is over, Dharth is safely on the other side of the Weyr scaring the snot out of the weyrfolk." The blackrider couldn't suppress the mirthless half-chuckle that came out more as a sarcastic snort. "I think he's gotten the worst of the violence out of his system by now." Actually, Rylinith got off lightly; it was only relatively minor burns that were inflicted on his rump.

He stood aside to let Accalia exit the weyr. "Actually, I was doing something pretty close to nothing when all the excitement started." He paused to rub his lean abdomen thoughtfully. "But food sounds like a good idea, I'm kinda hungry myself." So K'dran escorted the jaderider toward the low building in the weyrhold that served as the kitchens and casual mess hall. It was mostly empty at this time of day; preparations for dinner were under way, so the smells swirling around the room were mouthwatering.

Juno swooped into the building after them with a cute creel, settling onto K'dran's shoulder. The little flit wisely made a habit of keeping out of Dharth's way when he was in one of his moods, but since the big black was a safe distance away, she could beg attention from her human in safety. K'dran reached up absently to stroke the spring's dark green head, eliciting a happy hum.

ooc; eeeh -facedesk-

[elainsie]

The presence of Juno prevented Accalia from taking a proper look at the few riders and weyrfolk who were milling about at the time, however K'rtin, who after having made sure his dragon had taken no serious damage, had found himself a corner in the Hall and a tankard of ale in which to mull over, had not been as unobservant. It seemed he had hardly left her side before K'dran and his black had interfered, Rynilith nursing his wounds from the safety of his weyrcouch. How had they found out so quickly, the man wondered darkly. Had Accalia actually told them? The thought left him reeling, the jealousy at seeing the pair enter together eating at him. With one large mouthful the man finished the remainder of his drink, setting it down hard against the hardwood table, and pushgin back his chair with a loud scraping sound. He was not going to let the insult slide. And neither was he going to allow K'dran get away with the insidous hold he seemed to have on Accalia. For such a smart woman she was so blinded where the blackrider was concerned, for if he could see what how spineless K'dran was, surely it was as obvious to everyone else.

"She's a very pretty thing," Accalia remaked of the Spring fire lizard. "Have you had her for very long? What does Dharth think of her?" The Spring was so tiny in comparison to the vast size of Dharth, of such different temparement, that it brought a smile to her face to think of the interactions between two, if Dharth actually permitted her presence at all. Accalia led K'dran over to the serves of food and passed the man a plate before taking one for herself. At the sight and smell of the food her stomach started to rumble, and by the time she had finished piling the plate she had surprised even herself with how much was on it. "Yes I will be eating it all, and I'll probably have seconds," Accalia told K'dran before the man could make a remark about it. "It seems like such a long time since I have been truly hungry."

And then she walked over to a vacant table, making sure to collect a set of cutlery on the way over. It was as she had raised the first forkful to her mouth that the shadow of K'rtin fell upon her. Startled, she dropped the laden fork, causing a mess of the table in doing so, her eyes darting to K'dran next to her. "It's not what it looks like K'rtin. If you sit down we can talk this over and I am sure some soltuion can be reached." Accalia did not really know how such could be achieved but it sounded like the right thing to say. "Please?" she asked of her friend, uneasy with the unusal expression he wore. This was not the K'rtin she knew at all, and frankly the man terrfied her.

K'rtin shook his head, and spoke gently to Accalia. "You'll thank me for this later, you really will. And I will forgive you your disloyalty now, because you're no doubt trying to do the noble thing, which I do admire," before turning on K'dran. "I bet you're not as brave now without Dharth hovering behind your ass, are you K'dran?" K'rtin's voice dripped with loathing. He wished Accalia was not here, that she was safely tucked away in her weyr, but perhaps after all it was better that she see this. That she was witness to K'dran's deceit, for he would lay in to the black rider until he admitted the truth.

OOC:What an idiot K'rtin is...

[Desert]

A fond smile curved K'dran's lips at Juno. "Dharth and I found her clutch buried in the sand near the lake a few months ago. He's been surprisingly tolerant of her, though she's been pretty quick to learn when it's safe to be around him and when to keep away," he explained with a chuckle. Juno looked over at the jaderider and creeled cheerfully. She stood with all four paws propped on K'dran's shoulder, her tail coiled around his neck as an anchor, and leaned toward Accalia inquisitively. The little spring extended her head, shamelessly begging for a caress. K'dran chuckled at her antics.

He grinned slightly at the amount of food on Accalia's plate, then glanced at his own well-stocked platter. "I wasn't going to say anything. It's not like I have any room to talk." He held up his own high-piled plate wryly. "Here's to healthy appetites!"

He plunked down next to Accalia and had begun to apply himself to the food, when the roanrider from before loomed over them. A resigned sigh slipped past K'dran's lips, and he sat back from his plate wearily. "Here we go. Look, K'rtin, I'm sorry that Dharth got it into his head to flame Rylinith, but that is completely out of my control, all right? There's no reason to be making a scene here." He hoped Dharth would keep him nose out of the confrontation, but knowing the black's possessiveness over his rider and the mood K'rtin seemed to be in, that didn't seem likely. Oh joy.

[elainsie]

"What a load of wherry dung. He's your dragon, perhaps if you can't control him you don't particularly deserve the rank of rider, let alone Wingleader. How in the name of Faranth you earned that I have no idea." K'rtin scoffed in response, having never understood the delicate play of power in the relationship between a black and his rider. He did not want an exchange of words he wanted his fist ensconced in the man's abdomen, but it just proved his point further that K'dran was as craven as K'rtin thought without Dharth nearby to prtect his hide. Although not an overly tall man, K'dran was easily half a head taller than the roanrider, K'rtin was of a more solid build than the lanky man who sat seated next to Accalia, bunches of muscle rippling beneath the wherhide jacket he now wore.

As it was it took little effort on K'rtin's behalf to lift K'dran from out of the chair by the collar of his shirt and foist the man onto the ground. "You're not fit enough to even lick the soles of Accalia's boots, you pathetic excuse of a rider. Why don't tell us both what you really hope to achieve by pretending you give a shard what happens to her or the child she carries." At this Accalia sunk her bruning face into her hands, completely embarassed by K'rtin's neccesity to prove himself worthier than K'dran and announcement to all and sundry of her pregnancy, wishing she had never suggested getting something to eat, however it was her fault and she would make amends.

In that moment she made a split decision,it was truly the best for all concerned and if Dharth did not realise this she would have to talk her way around his wrath. "K'rtin this is more than enough. Look, if you leave K'dran alone, I will do as you want. You don't need to do this to prove how much you care, I already know. But I don't like this side of you at all. So in accepting your gratious offer I have two conditions. One, you don't do anything to harm K'dran, whether physically or verbally, ever. And two, I never see such ridiculous behaviour from you again. How do you suppose you will set a good example as a father if you are going to behave so childishly?" She pushed back her own chair and walked over to where K'rtin towered over K'dran, giving the balckrider a hand up. In doing so her dark eyes conveyed a world of apology, begging him to understand why she had to do this. As soon as the man was rightened though, she dropped her own hand and stepped next to K'rtin. "Have we a deal?"

The Roanrider nodded. "I am sorry Accalia, I should have trusted you to come around to the right decision. Can you forigve me?" For which the Jade rider nodded her head in response.

[Desert]

K'dran quirked an eyebrow. "Well, would you particularly relish the chance to trade places with me? You try ordering that big brute around, see where it gets you." He snorted scornfully. To most appearances, K'dran seemed unruffled that there was a hostile rider intent on roughing him up; he was well used to bullies. Besides, Dharth was paying rapt attention to the exchange of words and had moved his sunning spot to just outside the building. If K'dran glanced out the window, he could see the very tip of Dharth's tail twitching pensively.

When K'rtin pulled him to his feet by the collar of his tunic, K'dran rolled his eyes. What did this idiot think he was going to prove with this sort of immaturity? If he thought he could beat a response out of the blackrider he was completely wrong -- K'dran could easily take whatever this roanrider could dish out, and Dharth would soon take the man's head off (or go kill his dragon in retribution). Then, K'rtin dropped him.

He accepted Accalia's hand up. She gave him an apologetic look and he shrugged back -- it didn't bother him. He considered himself above rising to such childish behavior. Though it was probably to K'rtin's benefit if he got over this bout of jealousy, if he wanted to keep himself or his dragon in one piece.

You were very wise to release my rider, K'rtin,[/b][/color] Dharth remarked from outside. His voice was dangerously icy again, and K'dran pulled a grimace. If you threaten him again, I will not let Rylinith off so easily next time. He might not be able to fly.[/b][/color]

K'dran sighed wearily. If you hadn't gotten so bent out of shape in the first place he wouldn't have been so miffed at me, Dharth.

I care not. If he interferes, it is his funeral,[/b][/color] the big black growled privately to his rider.[/size][/color][/font]

[elainsie]

I have no need to threaten him now Accalia is beholden to neither of you. The roan rider shot back, wrapping an arm around the Jade rider's shoulders in a display of possessiveness. Accalia kept her eyes downcast, waiting for Dharth to say something and then feeling rather surprised when her mind remained void of his voice. Did that mean he was not going to interfere with this? It seemed too good to believe after the pains the Black had gone to make sure K'dran was responsible, but neither was Accalia going to push the issue, if everyone could remain relatively unscathed from this debacle then that was for the best. Accalia looked felt somewhat restrained under the K'rtin's arm but passed that off as resentment for his public display and the way he had dragged her into it. I am doing the right thing, I know I am. And K'dran does not seem perturbed in the least. She reassured herself silently, fighting back the hurt that K'dran had so readily given in, attempting to shrug it off. It was just another display of his true character.

Well I suppose after this it is a good thing we are going to transfer out. Although where K'rtin intended on moving to she could not fathom. That was one discussion that would have to wait when they were in a more private area.

"Can we leave now K'rtin?" Accalia asked, noticing that they still had the eyes of everyone upon them and that the sight of Dharth had cause a number of people to group in the doorway of the large room, trying to find out what all the fuss was about. Closing her eyes briefly she thought she could hear the whispers around her, before forcing her eyes open again and onto K'dran. "I suppose this is the last time I will see you before we leave. I am really sorry for your involvement in all of this, and I will send word when the baby is born." Who knew, perhaps by then when far away form Eden, K'rtin would have had enough time to cool off and allow K'dran to visit his child. Although she was doubtful, and again it did not seem K'dran particularly cared. "Bye K'dran."

[Desert]

K'dran stood up, frowning at Accalia. "What are you talking about? You aren't leaving, not after all this," he growled. He began to take a step forward, toward the roanrider, his fists clenching. He vaguely heard Dharth's departure from outside the dining hall, but since the black stayed telepathically silent he ignored his dragon.

That was, until from outside there came the thin, high wail of the dragons' mourning keen. Kyrtin, be a good lad and let Accalia go,[/b][/color] Dharth told the newly dragonless man in a gentle, cajoling tone. He leaped from the man's weyr with a grayish object in his jaws that dripped ichor -- when he dropped it outside the dining hall, it turned out to be Rylinith's head.

Come out here, I do not want Kyrtin having a go at you in there where I cannot get at him,[/b][/color] Dharth ordered his rider. The big black held his head next to a window, peering inside with one watery blue eye that was still streaked with red.

K'dran grabbed Accalia's hand and obediently hurried outside. He'd seen the maddened frenzies some people went into when their dragons were killed, and he wasn't even the slightest bit interested in getting into that again. "Dharth, you'll be the death of me one of these days," he remarked irritably.

The big black's head hovered close to the ground a few feet away from the two riders. That is as may be, but I did give the man fair warning,[/b][/color] he retorted mildly.

ooc; short, but it works.[/size][/color][/font]

[elainsie]

Accalia allowed herself to be dragged out of the Dining Hall, not paying attention to who had grabbed her hand, utterly confused as to the evnts that had just taken place. Why were the dragons mourning like that, what had happened? She spun around widly until she saw the greusome sight of what had once been Rynilith's head. She bent over double, retching, as the realisation of what had happened overwhelemed her, her body spasming over and over again as she broke free of the hold K'dran had on her hand. This can't be happening, it just can't. I must be having a nightmare, I'll wake up and it will all be over, and everything will be fine. It can't be happening, her mind ran in circles, repeating itseld over and over again, oblivious thathe crowd who had watched the altercation in the hall came out to see what had so upset the dragons. Oh Rownith, what have I done? She collapsed to the ground in a heap, reaching out for the comfort of her dragon, needing to lose herself in the mind of her Jade for otherwise she would drive herself insane with the guilt.

The Jade, who was more of a gray color as a result of Rylinith's death, tried her best to reassure Accalia everything would be alright, but nothing would comfort her distraught rider. It's not your fault, Mine. Don't blame yourself. You have to look after yourself now, getting this worked up is not good for you or your baby. The Jade's eyes were an alarming array of colors, predominately among them a brilliant yellow. Why did you do that Dharth? You're going to end up causing her to kill herself at this rate, not to mention she risks the child. Rownith was furious at the Black, his actions had been completely uncalled for and now Hers was paying the price.

[Desert]

K'dran had been expecting some sort of horrified reaction from Accalia when she realized what Dharth had done, but for some reason he hadn't expected her to start retching. "Sh-shards! Dammit, Dharth, look what you did!" he growled, dropping into a crouch next to the jaderider. "Would you get that thing out of here before more people start puking please?" he shot over his shoulder at the black, before turning back to Accalia. He reached out awkwardly to lightly rub her back. He couldn't think of anything resembling truthful to say in the way of soothing, so he kept his mouth shut.

Dharth rumbled a chuckle. My actions were perfectly called for, Rownith. That fool Kyrtin did not heed my warning, so he brought the punishment down on himself.[/b][/color] He snatched up the roan's head from the ground and leaped into the air, carrying it out of sight; he was humoring K'dran mostly out of amusement.

K'dran kept running his hand repetitively across Accalia's shoulders and heaved a resigned sigh. He wanted to get an apology out, but now didn't seem to be the best time. He knew it would be bad if the jaderider stayed collapsed on the ground, so he slid his arms underneath her and lifted Accalia up. He stood slowly, a faint grimace on his face as he bore the jaderider's weight. She was kinda heavy! Still, he managed to walk with his burden back in the direction of Accalia's weyr.

Oh, how sweet![/b][/color] Dharth jeered.

Shut up, you fardling wherry-brain, it's your fault, he spat back irritably at the black, gritting his teeth. He staggered into the jaderider's weyr and slid her awkwardly onto the bed, then collapsed wearily into a nearby chair, panting.[/size][/color][/font]

[elainsie]

Accalia hardly registered K'dran's presence, the concern the other people around her were displaying, their faces all blurred behind her tears. In her mind accusations were being cast down upon her, their faces hostile, and she just wanted to get away from it all but for some reason her legs would not support her weight as she tried to stand up, her body shaking uncontrollably from the shock, until finally she felt arms wrap around her and pick her off the ground, thankful for whoever had read her mind. Burying into a shoulder, she realised the sobbing she had heard came from herself, and stifled her mouth with her hands.

After K'dran had placed her on the bed she drew the cover over her head, and curled up into a ball, one hand clutched against her stomach, the other curled up into her first against her mouth. Ever since she was a child this had been her way of attempting to deal with grief and loss, as if by having a fur over her head it could provide a shield against whatever small or great hurt plagued her. When her father had died her mother had found her in a similar position on her bed, and it had taken much coaxing before she would come out.

Rynilith did not need to die. And Accalia is Mine! If anyone should have been dealing out punishment it was my right, not yours. Just look what your heavy handed ways have done. Rownith poked her head into Accalia's weyr and nudged the lumpy form on the bed, before swinging her head to face the black rider. Thank you K'dran. [/color]