Reluctant Request|I'm really doing poorly with nam

[elainsie]

Accalia was at her wits ends as she juggled Kaliara in her arms, trying to soothe the fractious baby. How her sister Adria managed to sleep through the racket Accalia had no idea, but she thanked Faranath that at least someone was getting a good nights sleep.

The younger of the twins had been crying non-stop for so long now Accalia had lost track of time. She had tried feeding the baby, but that had not worked. She had changed Kaliara, even though she had been changed only a mere hour before. Accalia had tried rocking the child to sleep, by the egg she had even tried singing to the child but had given that notion up quickly when the baby drowned out her own voice.

What made it worse was that Accalia was so tired, it was the third time this week that this had occurred, she could hardly think straight, and she paced her weyr as much to keep herself from dropping off to sleep as to try and soothe the colicky baby she held.

The jade rider had not told K'dran of what was happening, assuming that the Kaliara was just over tired, or it was a once off thing. When he visited she assured him everything was fine. There was no need to alarm the blackrider, and Faranth knew he was busy enough without her foisting her own foolish worries upon him. After all if she could not calm the child down, what exactly could she expect the baby's father to do?

She considered getting Rownith to contact him, but dismissed the thought yet again. Every ten minutes or so she entertained the notion, and yet Accalia was determined to do this on her own, her stubborness forcing her to persist on in the vain hope Kaliara may tire of screaming. After all they were not a proper family as such, it was not as if they lived together and K'dran was forced to put up with the babies when they woke at night, and if Accalia could save him some small measure of trouble then she would.

Rownith however had other ideas. The baby's caterwauling interrupted her sleep, and the jade dragon did not think it fair that Accalia should have to deal with the burden all alone. Sending an image to the flit Juno, the Jade placed her head on forepaws hoping her smaller cousin had the sense to pass the message on.

[Desert]

Juno chirped in surprise as she felt Rownith's touch on her mind. She cocked her head to one side and pondered the image the jade gave her, before she recalled what K'dran had asked of her. The spring then launched into the air from her sunning spot in the higher limbs of the tree that held K'dran's weyr and blinked between to pass on the summons to the blackrider.

She reappeared above the lake and swooped down to land on his shoulder. K'dran winced as Juno's claws clamped down on his bare shoulder -- he'd shed his tunic to keep it dry while he bathed Dharth. Juno relayed Rownith's image to him and creeled urgently. She had sensed the jade's mild distress as the state of her rider and added that flavor to the picture she gave K'dran.

So the whelps are sick, supposedly that is inevitable,[/b][/color] Dharth drawled lazily. The big black curved his head around to fix his rider with a stern eye. You are not done here, K'dran.[/b][/color]

K'dran glared back. "She wouldn't have sent for me unless she really needs my help," he retorted. "And you are perfectly capable of washing yourself. There's not much grime on you, all you really need is a soak. So get over it, all right?" The blackrider began wading out of the lake as he spoke.

Dharth's eyes flashed red, and he swiped one broad paw at K'dran's back. Get back here![/b][/color] the black hissed venomously, outraged at K'dran's defiance.

Although Dharth's claws left shallow lacerations on his back, K'dran ignored them. "Go tell them I'm on my way," he commanded Juno. The spring chirped and blinked out, glad to be away from Dharth.

What do you think you are doing?[/b][/color] Dharth demanded coldly.

"I am going to help Accalia. Don't act so surprised, Dharth -- weren't you the one forcing me to get involved at the beginning of all this? Don't get all pissed because I did something you didn't predict." K'dran continued onto the beach and stooped to grab his tunic.

A dark shadow fell over the rider, and before he could duck out of the way Dharth's massive head descended and knocked him down with a negligent flick. My previous actions nonwithstanding, I will not tolerate you neglecting your duty just so you can dance to the whims of a half-finished human pup.[/b][/color] The big black's eyes were solid ice-blue and barely moving -- a bad sign.

K'dran grabbed a fistful of sandand threw it into Dharth's multi-faceted eye; it took the black completely by surprise, and gave him a few moments to sprint into the cover of the trees while Dharth pawed the grit out of his eyes. He knew he was going to regret that move later.

Oh yes. I will make you wish you had never been born![/b][/color] Dharth hissed, his mind-voice beyond fury. How dare he actually attack him? It was the first time K'dran had shown outright, active defiance rather than his usual passive resistence. Dharth did not enjoy being taken by surprise, and this new development troubled him deeply. He would have to beat K'dran to within an inch of his life to make sure something like this never happened again.

The blackrider made it to Accalia's weyr in record time. He'd shrugged into his tunic on the way, and the abrorbant black fabric thankfully didn't let the blood from his gashes show through. As he approached the weyr and Kalaria's shrieking reached his ears, he grinned slightly. Juno was perched on the eaves with a particularly displeased posture, clearly unhappy with the infant's racket.

K'dran poked his head around the doorjam. "Sounds like you could use a hand," he remarked wryly.

ooc; it rambled, but it gives the thread some potential.
[/font][/color][/size]

[elainsie]

Accalia had paused by the window, murmuring random nothings to Kaliara to try and placate the child, while having a quick glance at Adria. That child must sleep like her father, Accalia thought wryly, as she shifted the ever increasing weight of Kaliara to the other arm. Her eyes moved from one daughter to the other, the small girl in her arms having tears streaming down from her eyes and her face all scrunched up and red.

"I can't wait for the day when you can speak to me and actually tell me what's wrong. Although I have to admit if I have to put up with this until then I think we are both going to get tired of it very soon," Accalia spoke to her small daughter, moving the baby once again, this time onto her shoulder as if she was going to burp her. The jade rider rubbed the babies back rythmically, the repetitive movement causing her eyes to droop close despite the baby's cries.

It was only the sound of another voice that caused her eyes to snap open, and she glanced down at Kaliara rather stupidly. Accalia shook her head at the foolish notion that had popped into her mind, Of course the baby is not talking to me, I must be even more tired than I thought I was.

Turning away from the window so she faced the door she saw K'dran, her brow creasing in confusion. "I thought you said you wern't coming by until the morning?" Or had she forgotten? Accalia could not be sure, her brain was so clouded from fatigue that it was quite possible the man may have said he was visiting tonight and she had just forgotten.

You didn't forget anything, I sent for him. You need sleep, as do I, and he is just as responsible for their care as you are. Rownith rumbled from her weyrcouch. That it had caused Dharth to become quite disgruntled had pleased the jade. Although she had not been overly perturbed by his distinct lack of interest in her after her flight his short obsession with Accalia and his threats had rankled her.

I didn't send from him on purpose. You know as well as I what Dharth's like. And I was managing just fine on my own, plenty of other mothers do it by themselves. I don't need you going behind my back and getting K'dran to come over here everytime one of them cries. Accalia snapped at her dragon out of weariness, instantly feeling guilty. I am sorry Rownith, I didn't mean to be so hurtful. But neither do I want K'dran thinking I'm incapable of looking after his children.

Don't be so stubborn. No one says you have to do this all on your own. And it's pretty clear from the way he rushed over here and left Dharth in a tizzy that he wants to help. Rownith replied with a snort that set the smaller branches around her to sway.

Accalia groaned inwardly as she heard about Dharth's reaction, giving a quick glance over at K'dran for any signs of injury sustained.

"I am sorry Rownith sent for you, there was really no need for you to come and I apologise."

There was a need! That child won't stop screaming.

And what I choose to do about is my decision, Accalia retorted before continuing to speak to K'dran.

The jade rider sat down on the edge of her bed, ignoring both the protests from her dragon and that of the child she held. "As I was saying, I don't need any help. Rownith must have taken it into her head that because Kaliara started to cry I needed you. I don't, Kali's fine, just a bit restless but I am sure she will calm down soon enough and you hovering will not help matters in the slightest. Feel free to go back to whatever task Rownith pulled you away from, and I'm sorry Dharth is displeased." Accalia knew almost as well as K'dran the type of stunt Dharth could pull when things did not go the way he wanted them to.




OOC: Well that ended up being much longer than I thought it would be.... Poor K'dran. He risked himself with Dharth only to be told he was not needed. =P

[Desert]

K'dran grimaced. "Actually, I'd rather not head back just yet. Dharth is not happy with me at the moment, so I'd prefer to wait for him to relax a bit before I face him again. And while I'm here I might as well see what I can do." He chuckled slightly and stepped into the weyr.

A glance into the crib brought a smile to the blackrider's lips. "Well, at least someone isn't bothered by this," he observed wryly. "It's a good thing, too, or there'd be double the noise."

Juno swooped through the doorway into the room and lit on the rim of the crib. She chirruped perkily and coiled her tail around her paws. K'dran rolled his eyes and looked back up at Accalia. "Anyway, you look like you're about to pass out, so you probably could use some help." He smirked slightly. "Do we even know what her problem is?"

ooc; Musefail. -facedesk-

[elainsie]

Accalia waved an arm in the direction of the crib and Adria, "She's been asleep the whole time. I don't understand how she manages to do so but I'm not about to start complaining. And no, I have no idea what's wrong with Kaliara," Accalia replied exasperatedly, "Do you really think I'd keep her crying if I did know? And if you're going to stay you may as well hold her," the jade rider stood up from the bed, and place the hysterical child into K'dran's arms.

Rubbing a hand across her eyes Accalia returned to her sit on the edge of the bed, tucking her legs up under her chin as she eyed K'dran through bleary eyes. "You didn't do anything to add to Dharth's ire did you? Aside from coming here?" Now that Dharth's strange obsession with her had come to an end, Accalia doubted her weyr was quite the refuge K'dran thought it to be. What if the great black took it in his head to come and mete out punishment regardless? I'm sure three other victims would hardly deter him, she thought wearily.

[Desert]

K'dran cradled the hysterical baby in his arms and winced at the piercing wail she produced. He tried putting a finger to her lips to see if she would suck on it and stop shrieking, but that didn't seem to work for very long.

"Yes, but he's had it coming for a long time," he replied. "It's not that I actually hurt him, but the big brat is all out of sorts that I finally grew some spine." K'dran snorted scathingly. "Dharth is a hypocrite."

It takes one to know one.[/b][/color]

The pure malice in Dharth mind-speech made K'dran chuckle. The big black had cooled off enough not to bother going after him in Accalia's weyr, but K'dran was very aware that it was scant shelter if Dharth was really out for his blood.

Juno jumped from her perch and landed on K'dran's shoulder, peering down at Kaliara curiously. The little spring slithered down her human's arm and curled up wedged between K'dran's chest and the infant's chubby belly, resting her head on Kaliara's shoulder. She began humming soothingly. The low, sweet sound seemed to help on one level, and K'dran sighed with relief as the baby's high wail tapered off.

"Oh thank Faranth," the blackrider breathed.[/size][/color][/font]

[elainsie]

Accalia's eyebrows rose in surprise as the crying converted to mere whimpering an intense wave of relief washing through her. "Thank you Juno," the jade rider spoke to the fire lizard, not caring that the small creature probably had no concept of her gratitude.

"I wonder why that worked when nothing else I tried did," Accalia spoke, her tone a bit miffed. But then again at least something had had the desired effect, it was better than being kept up yet another night with a howling infant in her arms.

"How long do you plan on staying?" she turned her focus back to K'dran. All Accalia really wanted to do was curl up and sleep but as long while the blackrider was present she would continue to fight the fatigue for as long as she possibly could.

[Desert]

K'dran shrugged carefully. "Who knows? At least it worked." He smiled fondly at Juno. "Then again, given she's a spring, I'm not surprised." The little flit, like all of her color, was a natural mother. As she sensed the gratitude and approval radiating from both adult humans, Juno's hum took on a noticeably gratified tone, eliciting a chuckle from K'dran.

At Accalia's question, he looked back up. "Probably until Kali goes to sleep. If that looks like it's not gonna happen, I'll at least give Dharth a chance to cool his temper so I'm in no immediate danger of having my skin flayed from me." He grimaced briefly. "Either way, I'll leave Juno here so she can continue working her charms."

No matter when you leave, K'dran, the result will be the same. If you linger too long I may take matters into my own hands, so do not delay,[/b][/color] Dharth remarked. To all outward appearances K'dran ignored the icy threat; he forewent mentioning it to Accalia, since the jaderider didn't need that much more to worry about.

When it looked like Kaliara was mostly settled down, K'dran gently lowered her into the crib, leaving Juno draped across the baby's upper body and humming her soothing song. He would have smiled, but outside the weyr he heard the deep thrumming sounds of a pair of massive wings. An oval-shape of pale blue appeared in the darkness outside -- the only part of the black visible was his eyes.

K'dran sighed heavily and straightened up, then turned to look at Accalia. "Don't watch," he warned solemnly. "And you should probably get Rownith out of the way, too."

Stop stalling, fool, unless you would prefer I remove you from there personally. I might miss and smash that crib -- it would be easy to do,[/b][/color] Dharth threatened coldly.

The blackrider's pale eyes flashed, and he marched resolutely into the open, not wanting what was about to happen to be anywhere close to either of the twins. Dharth chuckled darkly at the protectiveness his rider displayed; it was almost touching.

ooc; i hope that's enough for you to work with. i'll post the actual attack next.[/size][/color][/font]

[elainsie]

"If that's the only thing that placates her then perhaps I should let into getting a firelizard." Accalia mused, as she lent back on the bed, long legs outstretched in front of her. "Although if you're going to leave Juno here when Kali does get like this I suppose there is really no need. And the last thing I need at the moment is another newborn to look after." Accalia was of the private opinion that two human babies was more than enough. Add to that a firelizard and the jade rider knew she would be in well over her head.

Silence descended upon the weyr as the baby settled down, meaning that the rustle of wings from Dharth outside reached Accalia too. With a leap from the bed, she rushed over to the crib as if her mere presence alone could prevent Dharth attacking her daughters should he have the notion. Her eyes wide with alarm she turned to K'dran. "What's he planning on doing? He won't hurt them will he?" Accalia looked back at the twins, both of them now asleep. Was there time to grab them and get away? Could Rownith fly them somewhere fast enough?

As K'dran spoke Accalia's fear only marginally decreased. While it seemed Dharth had no designs upon her children, she had witnessed at least twice before the type of damage the black could inflict when in a foul mood. She was sure the only reason Dharth held back from killing K'dran outright was because K'dran's death meant his own as well.

Rownith, get away as far as you can from Dharth without him noticing you. I don't want you hurt as well. That K'dran was going to be injured was inevitable, but despite the man's warning she did not move away from the window.

[Desert]

Before he left the weyr, K'dran paused to reply to Accalia. "He's only after me this time. But I wouldn't put it past him to go for them as a way to hurt me -- if it's occurred to me, I know he's thought of it." He sighed heavily. "Please, get away from the window. Dharth is really mad at me, and I have a feeling he'll stop just short of killing me this time." Only once or twice before had he gone that far, but since K'dran had actually made an attack at Dharth, the big black was quite angry enough to punish his rider severely.

Unless you wish me to bring that weyr down on your two whelps, get out here,[/b][/color] Dharth hissed, accompanying his words with a savage growl.

K'dran shot a glare at the twin ice-blue gems hovering in the air, and set out at a sprint away from the weyr, to put as much space between his angry black and his daughters. A low roar rumbled through the clearing as Dharth lunged at him, bringing one paw smashing down on the man's back. K'dran wheezed as the dragon's massive weight bore down on him, before those cruel talons curled into a fist around him. Dharth lunged into the air and glided over to the trees, climbing a dragonlength into the air before dropping K'dran into the limbs of the nearest tree.

The blackrider's fall was broken periodically by the tree's limbs so that, by the time he hit the ground, he only had a few broken bones and lacerations rather than falling to his death. Dharth dropped on him like a goshawk after a rabbit, orange flame billowing from his jaws onto the dry leaf-litter around where K'dran had landed. The big black's head descended into a gap in the licking fire to lift his rider out, only to toss the man's limp form against a nearby tree.

Let this be a lesson to you, K'dran, about striking me,[/b][/color] Dharth snarled. His teeth closed over K'dran's abdomen, shredding through the muscle on his right side, which had taken the least damage in the fire since that was the side on which he'd fallen. Another gout of flame seared the gaping wound closed and cauterized the severed blood vessels.

Dharth hovered over the unmoving form for another few seconds, just to make sure he was alive and conscious. Satisfied that the point was made, Dharth lifted into the air and flew back to his couch. K'dran stayed slumped against the tree; if he moved at all, his control would crack and he would give voice to the searing agony all over his body. Now especially was no time to give Dharth the satisfaction of getting so much as a whimper of pain out of him.

Juno creeled anxiously from where she was still coiled around Kaliara, but a mind-touch from K'dran kept her where she was. He didn't want the little flit to see her human in this state.[/size][/color][/font]

[elainsie]

Accalia rolled her eyes at K'dran, "I am really not as fragile as you think," but the jade rider stepped away from the window nonetheless. Perhaps it was more his pride than anything that he wished to spare, she could understand that he would not want an audience to such a thorough overpowerment from the black. And in any case Accalia was going to see the wounds one way or another, there was no way she would just leave the man to suffer once Dharth had had enough.

Once the man had left she resumed her pacing, the thought of sleep now far from her mind . Her hand ran absently through her dark hair, as she wondered how many more times they would play out this scene, and if there would ever be an end to it.

It would be so easy if I did not care, if I just left K'dran and Dharth alone to play out their not so childish games. Surely Adria and Kali would be safer off away from the pair of them. The thought had occurred to her more than once, and yet each time she dismissed it. K'dran was a good father, despite everything. But every day he spent with the twins, every time he grew to care about them that little bit more, he put them at risk at Dharth's wrath. Would K'dran understand if she did eventually remover both herself and her children from Dharth's influence? Her leaving probably mattered little to him either way, but what of their daughters? She chewed the though over knowing what ever decision she made would have to most benefit Adria and Kaliara.

With one last glance at the slumbering twins Accalia decided they were safe enough with Juno to watch over them while she attended to K'dran. Although perhaps she may be wiser to get a proper Healer.

Scanning the dark clearing she thought she could just make out a shape collapsed on the ground. With long strides she made her way over, and crouched by K'dran's side. "Are you alive?" She refrained from touching the man, unsure of the extent of the injuries, her eyes adjusting to the dimness. "I should have brought some form of light."

[Desert]

He heard the crunching of footsteps over the leaf-litter, then Accalia's voice near his head. He managed a weak, though unmistakably scornful, snort. "Since Dharth is still alive, I suppose so," he retorted sarcastically. "Though at this point I would be grateful if you could just put me out of my misery." At least it would get the big black away from Adria and Kali.

K'dran hadn't opened his eyes, but he could feel the heat from the small fire that was still burning nearby from where Dharth had seared him. "I don't think you wanna see this, even if you are used to seeing the burns by now." He sighed, but it came out as a muted groan. "I can tell you right now that my right arm is busted up, and several of my ribs on both sides. Everything else hurts at about the same level so I couldn't say what else is wrong." His lips twitched slightly in a grimace. "Anyhow, you'll probably need to call in a Healer, if only to help move me. There's no way I'm gonna be able to move on my own." Anything more than talking would guarantee a scream of pain if he tried to move.

ooc; and Melpomene goes right back to ignoring me once the carnage is over. -sigh-

[elainsie]

Accalia nodded her head and then realised it was unlikely K'dran could see the action. "I will have Rownith send for a Healer or two, but I won't leave you just in case Dharth takes it in his head to come back for seconds. Although I suppose if it did come to that he would hardly spare me a thought." The idea was rather chilling, for if Dharth killed her AND K'dran, who did that leave for Adria and Kaliara? Perhaps she had been rather foolish in coming after all.

Rownith, please alert the Healers we need help. And preferably two of their strongest so they can help move K'dran.

Sitting down on the ground she curled her legs under her and met K'dran's rather strange gaze, "Would it be easier on you if we left?" It had not been what she had intended on saying, not in the slightest, and yet there it was. With a sigh she continued, knowing there was nothing for it now, perhaps it was est if she did give him the option.

"I know I thought I wanted you around to look after them before the girls were born, but it's different now. I don't want you to have to go through this every time you want to see them, and yet while they are nearby I can't see you ignoring the two. And what happens when they are older? They won't understand not to seek you out when Dharth's around, and I am sure he would have no qualms in killing either." Her body trembled at the thought as she bit down hard on her lip.


[/size]

[Desert]

K'dran sighed wearily. "If you took Adria and Kali and left, I wouldn't stop you," he told the jaderider. "I'm sure Dharth would get a kick out of it, too, but as long as you three are safe I'll deal. I really hope it doesn't come to that, but it may well." He paused significantly. "Though even if you do end up leaving Eden, that might not stop him. If Dharth was really out to make me miserable, he'd find an excuse to track you down." It was a concept K'dran really disliked contemplating, but Accalia needed to be warned. "And if you were somewhere else, I might not be able to find out soon enough to warn you through Juno. I'd be fooling myself if I thought he'd let his plans slip before it was too late no matter where you were, but the closer you are, the more warning you'll have." The old saying 'keep thine enemies close' came to mind.

He cracked his eyes open to look up at Accalia. "But I really hope it doesn't come to that. I've become very fond of those two kids." His lips twitched into a tiny smile. "And of you too, Accalia. Maybe not the way you were attracted to me way back before any of this started, but I've come to think of you as a good friend." K'dran swallowed thickly. He usually wasn't a one to tell anyone about his feelings; perhaps it was the fact that he'd just been beaten nearly to death (and the fact that he was in questionable condition still) that had loosened his tongue.

Juno, unable to stay away from her human when he was in pain, appeared overhead. She creeled unhappily and dropped next to his shoulder, pressing her spade-shaped head under his chin. The spring's eyes were a mass of pained reds and worried purples, touched with flecks of a fearful white. The little flit curled up next to K'dran's cheek and laid her neck across his brow, her posture radiating the firm refusal to move from the man's side.

[elainsie]

Accalia considered carefully what K'dran said. He certainly did have a point, the closer they were the easier to warn. But how much use was K'dran's protection should Dharth take it into his head that Accalia and her children were too much of a nuisance? And a warning could only go so far if their avenues of escape were blocked.

With a sigh she massaged her temples at the conundrum, her thoughts only pulled away from the problem at K'dran's next words. And it was those words, and the tone he used, that decided her. Her lips curved up into a small smile at his admittance, her eyebrows rising slightly in surprise as he added her to the list of those concerned. "I hardly expect you to be making declarations of love K'dran, but I wish I had never mentioned how I thought I felt about you before. You're going to continually make reference to it, arn't you?" Her tone contained supressed humour, but quickly became more serious as she continued. "Still I can't justify leaving you to deal with Dharth alone, would not want to explain when the girls are older why they don't know their father. So I guess we continue the way we have been and just hope it all works out."

A light penetrated the darkness around them as the Healers finally arrived and Accalia lifted herself from the ground. "He's over here," she called, stepping back from K'dran to allow the Healers access to him.