Room Service(Menith, L'nuo(?))

[E]

Menith did not understand what the woman said about the future being today and today being the future – or something like that. Today was not tomorrow and tomorrow had certainly not come yet, nor was it going to for several more hours. Just as he was about to reply, he felt her mind begin to slip. She wasn’t fully unconscious yet, but the brown could tell when humans were pushing themselves too far and this one had. Letting out a soft hum, he closed his own eyes and coaxed her mind to ease, sending her the feeling of his own peace even as he reached out to see how long his rider would be…

Menith woke to the presence of his rider and lifted his head to see the sun was setting along the horizon. Looking at his arm he was pleased with himself to find the woman still asleep. From the peace in her mind, he knew she would be asleep for some time longer. It was then L’nuo walked out onto the ledge.

Reaching up to scratch his brown’s eye ridge, he stood watching the sun set in contentment. This was as the world should be, him and Menith with no worries heavy on their minds, no ghosts of the past haunting them. Turning to speak with Menith, his words were suddenly forgotten at the sight of the Headwoman asleep on his brown’s arm.

Was I not worth warning that we had company!?! How long has she been here? …. Is she asleep? he asked silently, his temper with his dragon flaring only to vanish instantly a second later.

She is sound asleep L’nuo. She is worn out when she returned your shirt. I invited her to sun with me.

Invited her to … Menith you… you spoke with her? L’nuo suddenly felt as if he had just been slapped by his own dragon. Eyes narrowing even as the familure pang gripped his chest, he replied How could you Menith? She is not Ashni.

The brown, as dominate and as confident as he always was coward beneath his riders gaze and pain. Reaching out to sooth his rider’s mind, he found himself forcefully pushed out even as L’nuo stepped forward to gingerly pick up the woman.

She was lighter than L’nuo had imagined and warmed by the sun and the brown. Carefully stepping over the brown’s tail, he walked slowly back into his Weyr so he would not jar her awake. Laying the brunette into his bed, he stood for a moment watching her breath. Feeling his dragon’s gaze upon his back, he turned and let out a soft sigh. I’m not mad at you, Menith. Just be honest with me, how long have you been speaking with her?

Today is the first and it wasn’t more than a candlemark before she was asleep.

Turning back to the woman thoughtfully, he moved her hair out of her face before moving to her feet. Undoing the laces of her shoes with careful, deft hands, he pulled her shoes gently off before setting them at side of the bed and tucking the laces into them neatly. Picking up the folded fur at the foot of his bed, he unfolded it and gently drapped it over her body. Dimming the glow basket, he moved to a chair in the corner and sat down, undoing his own boots and leaning back thoughtfully.

I am sorry. She is not Ashni, you are right.
You are not in the wrong Menith. I can’t control who you chose to talk to.
No, but I should be protecting you, not harming you.
What tempted you to talk to her? Of all the women I bring to my Weyr, what made you talk to her, the one who helped herself in?
She was confused. No other women you have brought to your Weyr has come confused, they all knew what they wanted.
All but Ashni.
All but Ashni.

[Rowen]

On the bed Rekka shifted her eyebrows lowering in a unhappy frown that didn't quite reach her lips completely, but her unhappiness was plain on her face. She shifted curling around herself as if cold, or protecting herself. She turned on her side as she did this a small whimper slipped passed her lips her hands curled into fists tightly on the fur covers. A few moments later a tear slid out of the corner of her eye to trail down across her face until it hit the bed.

Her next breath was ragged and it became clear that the peaceful dream had turned into something less pleasant, she was crying in her sleep. Her lips parted slightly her breathing becoming slightly faster slowly speeding up as if she were walking faster and faster until she was running. Her body became tense tightening protectively around itself.

[E]

Watching her face slowly change from its content, peaceful look to one of unhappiness, L’nuo sat forward in his chair. While her shifting did not move him immediately, her whimper did and he stood up slowly. Walking to the edge of the bed, he sat down carefully so he wouldn’t jar her awake. A few moments longer of watching her breath quicken and he knew she was dreaming.

Reaching a warm hand up, he gently wiped the first tear away before placing that warm, but firm hand on her shoulder. “Shhhhhh.” He whispered gently, letting that hand run down her back before lifting it to her hair, moving it once again from her face. Putting his hand again on her back, he spoke again. “It’s just a dream Rekka, it’s just a dream.”

She was frightened when she came.
Of what, Menith? She is the headwoman of the whole Weyr, there is nobody she should need to fear…
Of you. This brought up L’nuo, sitting straight his own muscles tensing.

[Rowen]

Rekka didn't waste much time, her body seemed to sense the warmth L'nuo's gave off and moved closer to him. She didn't quite touch him as if her mind had registered what it's body was doing, and was unsure of itself. She was shaking, from tension or crying none could tell. A scream slipped passed her lips and she sat upright a hand lifting to her head even as her knees lifted and she set her head on them. Her hand lifted to her head pressing down on it, even as she began crying in earnest, but now it seemed she was conscious.

She'd had the dream again. It started out always the same, and always it ended the same. Even though years were between now and then. Her memory haunted her dreams, and the tears she could not shed that day were shed again and again at intervals whenever the dream decided to appear again. She was bed, so it was alright if she cry. It was worse if she didn't cry after the dream, it sometimes made her sick. Even though her mind told her there was something she should remember she couldn't think past the pain of that day.

[E]

L’nuo lifted his hand away hurridly as she let out that soft scream. Watching her sit up suddenly and begin crying, L’nuo forgot instantly what his dragon had said and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders. Deftly, and with strangely practiced movements, he one-handily wrapped the blanket around her and scooped her up into his strong arms.

Standing, he Shhhh’d her again, holding her tight even as he moved to his dresser. Opening the drawer he pulled out a light, soft square of cloth before moving to the large chair he had been sitting in a moment before. Sitting down, he kept a firm hold on her shoulders trying to keep her leaned against him. He knew if she could feel warmth and a heartbeat she would eventually calm down, he had done this same procedure so many times with Ashni….

Closing his own eyes against the memories, he held her a little tighter as he lowered his lips to the top of her head. “Shhhhhh, it’s okay. It was just a dream, it’s okay. Shhhh... Everything’s going to be okay.” Menith too, reached out to touch the both of them. He felt his rider wanting to push the woman and the memories away, but his rider would never push away someone with tears in their eyes. And the woman was in pain too. Sending out his own form of calming warmth, he let out a soft, continuous purr.

[Rowen]

Shock rippled through her, strong enough for a moment to cause her to become aware of her surroundings. Looking up she saw L'nuo but quickly her surprise vanished as pain filled her eyes and she held tightly to L'nuo as she cried out the last bit of her pain from the memory. She slowly began to refocus on the world around her. L'nuo's heartbeat, his warmth was soothing after such pain. She didn't move but let herself slowly relax wishing she could save the peace and get rid of the pain.

The memory would stay with her for the rest of the day until she could forget it again when next she slept, which might not be any time soon. With pain still lingering in the deepest part of her she looked up at L'nuo, didn't speak didn't try to since she doubted she could. She didn't release her grip on him as she held onto him, but looked at him as if waiting to see what he would do now. She'd just cried in his arms, sun bathed with Menith, and slept in his bed it seemed since she was wrapped in his covers.

[E]

Feeling her relax in his arms, he opened his eyes and looked down at her to find her looking up at him. His gaze moved from one of her deep brown eyes to the other, as if searching to find what had just caused her such pain and grief. He had his own share, and he did not care to see another cry as hard as she had just been. Not minding the hold she had on him, and with her relaxed he slowly allowed himself to relax, leaning more heavily into the back of the chair. His embrace on her did not let up, however.

Letting out a heavy sigh, he finally lifted the hand holding the square of soft cloth. Moving the other hand, he gently lifted her chin and dabbed away the tears that stained her soft cheeks. Giving her a sad, small smile he said, “There. That’s better isn’t it?” Offering her the cloth, he watched her a moment, concern clear in his eyes. “Are you going to be okay?”

[Rowen]

Rekka shook her head not taking the cloth but keeping her hold tight on L'nuo as she gave a sniffle and nodded. Her voice wavered but became stronger as she spoke. "I'll be fine, it hasn't killed me yet, and it's had years to do so." She shifted her head until she was looking at his neck rather than his face. She should be leaving, the though occurred to her but no desire to leave filled her. Content where she was she closed her eyes and let out a soft breath.

It had been better with someone there, she admitted to herself, but Rekka knew she shouldn't count on L'nuo being there. Or anyone being there for that matter, she would wake up in her own room another day by herself and it would be the same as it always had been, it wasn't likely he would be there to hold her next time, or ever again for that matter. Yet even with that thought she still had no desire to go out and be alone, he was holding the worst of the memories at bay by simply being, and that was as good and excuse as any. Rekka would stay until she felt it was time to go, or they told her to leave.

[E]

The brownrider let his eyebrows raise questioningly at her statement, but he did not put voice to the question of what exactly had been bothering her. Instead, he shifted and moved to wrap an arm gently around her again, the other hand moving to set the rejected cloth aside. Setting that hand down on the blanket that wrapped around her as well, he let out another sigh, this one a tired but content one. Sure he had women in his arms often enough, but there was something different in this. This was protective.

Several long moments passed by in comfortable silence before L’nuo finally shifted again beneath her. Finally standing, he turned and placed her softly in the chair he just vacated. “Give me just a moment, little Rekka. I’ve a wet shirt now.” Turning his back to her, he opened a drawer and pulled out a thin tank top. With practiced ease, he pulled the original over his head and dropped it to the floor before pulling the next one on.

Moving to the nearby shelf, he pulled down to mugs and a skin. Turning back to her, he kicked a foot stool to the front of the chair and sat down, offering both mugs to her. “Hold these for me.” Before she had a chance to argue he popped the cork off the skin and poured the clear liquid into both of them, a crooked smile on his face. “I am sorry I have nothing stronger, but I have found that when I am alone in my room water is all I need. Quickal and wine tend to just bring the memories and dreams back stronger. Water refreshes you and awakens you. Klah would be good too, but I’ve none and no kettle to warm the water.”

A blush rose on his cheeks with the explanation, a sight you didn’t see often as he recapped the skin and set it aside. Taking one of the mugs back from her, he sipped at the water, regarding her.

[Rowen]

Rekka smiled slightly at his explanation. "It's alright, it's all I have in my own room." She wasn't watching him as she spoke but looked up as she took a sip of her water and saw his blush, the look on her face changed from calm to complete surprise. It took a moment but she gulped down the water finally. She lowered her gaze back to the mug, but didn't sip it until she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm sorry. I brought your shirt back but it seems I've made another one dirty."

Her gaze lifted but only to land on Menith. She frowned slightly but it wasn't out of sadness or pain. "Sorry Menith, I did not mean to fall asleep on you I was just so tired, and the sun felt so good. I didn't even mean to stay so long, I had things to do, it was only supposed to take a few moments. I was supposed to be gone before L'nuo got here.. I knew I had at least a few minutes, but..." Rekka seemed to realize what she was saying and stopped talking her gaze lowering to the mug she was holding in both hands.

Sipping at the water Rekka felt her own cheeks tingle telling her that a blush was likely visible, but the color the tears would have brought to her face might be hiding it, Rekka couldn't tell without check herself. Rekka cleared her throat and spoke in a whisper her fingers tightening on the mug. "Never mind.." She took another sip feeling the water soothing her abused throat.

[E]

L’nuo listened carefully as she turned to look at Menith and apologize to the dragon. Listening to her words only reminded him of what Menith had admitted to earlier and it made him frown. Was she truly scared of him? She just admitted to his dragon, right in front of him, that she had wanted to avoid him. It was rare for a women to go to such pains to avoid him. Openly hate him, sure. Not care either way, sure. Openly seek him, yeah. But to avoid him at all costs?

L’nuo didn’t know what bothered him more, the fact that she went to such pains to avoid him; or the fact that she didn’t mind spending the day sunning with HIS dragon. It was a mess of confusion and he had to fight to keep it from openly showing.

Hearing her ‘never mind’, he finally reached over and took the cup away from her. Giving her a long look, he brought first question on his mind to voice. “Rekka… I’m not mad that you have come. I’m not mad that you have spent time with Menith.” Sighing, he set down both mugs and gave her his undivided attention. “Just tell me why you are afraid of me, Rekka.”

[Rowen]

Rekka watched him take away her mug watching it be moved away from her then turned her attention on L'nuo as he said her name. Her lips parted in surprise when L'nuo finished and she turned back to Menith. "You told him!?" There was no accusation in her voice only shock. She finally glanced toward L'nuo she turned away to look at the wall. She wasn't afraid of L'nuo specifically, not in the way he meant. From the way he had phrased it he meant she was afraid of him in general, if she was she wouldn't still be here...

Standing up Rekka lowered her gaze to the ground but moved toward L'nuo when she reached him she hesitated. "It's not you I fear.." She was quiet again then reaching out took his wrist and led it to her cheek and looked up at him. "It's this." At the feel of his warm hand against her cheek she bit down nervously on her lip. She was in a more dangerous situation then she had been in the storage rooms. She was in his rooms, and she'd been here quite some times. If anyone noticed she'd have the whispers to contend with again.

"No one has ever touched me the way you do L'nuo. That's what I fear." She looked up into his face wanting him to understand the fear that made her push him away when he touched. Rekka let go of his hand and began to slowly back away her instinct to run nearly making her do so. Yet as unfamiliar as L'nuo's room was she wasn't sure if she would bump into the door or a wall. "I don't have close relationships with anyone, I don't even have friends. When I saw you the first time.."

Rekka paused as she bumped into something, but she wasn't quite sure what it was. She didn't check, but instead kept her attention on L'nuo. She was saying much more than she'd meant to, but she had to tell him at least this. Maybe he would leave her alone then, though Rekka wasn't sure that's what she wanted. "I wanted something I can't have. Ever since that first time I've hidden from you. Years of hiding, I should have known I couldn't hide forever, but I thought I could.." Rekka swallowed then checked to see what she'd bumped into before looking back at L'nuo.

"I was nobody then, and I was never supposed to become head woman. I can't say I even want to be head woman, but none of the others took their responsibilities well. None of the others who haunt my dreams even to this day. I can't say no, but I wish... I could have. You wouldn't have known I was even here."

[E]

L’nuo stood silently, his face a play of emotions as it varied between confusion and understanding then back again. The woman wasn’t scared of him, that was a relief. But she was scared of his touch? Was there a difference between the two? Watching her back away, the brown rider had to fight the strong urge to step forward and follow her. Perhaps she was trying to escape even as she spoke… But was he so terrible as to need escaping from? This was not something he was use to, women did not act this way around him.

Watching her bump into the wall next to his door, he finally took those few steps forward to put his hand on the door’s edge, effectively blocking her escape; at least a moment longer. At the mention of haunted dreams, he remembered how scared she had been; how tense and how sad after she had woken. And if she is afraid of his touch, the dream must have scared her that much more if she submitted to his holding.

“What haunts you, little Rekka? Who is it you see when you dream? Is it a face you once loved, or one that terrifies you?” Thinking of his own nightmares, his face held a solemn and serious look that was so rare to find on the brownriders smiling face.

[Rowen]

Rekka's eyes moved to his hand that was blocking her escape then slowly back to him as he asked her who she saw in her dream. The pain from the memory welled up again but looking up into his face she pushed it away. She felt there was something in his expression, something hardly any saw. She fought the urge to reach out and try soothing away the expression, to make him smile again.

"My past." Rekka was willing to admit that it was her memory that haunted her, but she didn't think it was wise to tell L'nuo exactly who, exactly what they had done to her. He might actually confront them, or maybe he would let her go knowing she was weak. She saw them all again laughing, and feel the pain as they kicked her. See again the beads of the one thing she'd held dear ripped and lost in swirling waters. That's what always woke her, is her scream when she saw it ripped again and again.

The past was the past, and though it haunted her, those people still lived, breathed, and she saw them nearly daily. She felt her lips pressing tightly together as if holding their names inside, protecting them even if they didn't deserve it. They'd not been as old as they were now, and they didn't treat her that way any more. Things were different now, that's what Rekka told herself even as she watched L'nuo's expression.

[E]

“Heh.” The sound that came out of his lips was half hearted at best, sounding almost painful and yet somehow almost angry. Hanging his head, he let out a whisper, not looking at the little woman in front of him. “It’s strange how the past, no matter how long gone can haunt a person…”

Letting out another half-hearted laugh at some irony he found in the comment, he shook his head and turned his back to her, moving back to the removed mugs of water. Picking one up, he sat down heavily on the foot rest, his back turned to her as he hunched over the water as if it were a much stronger drink.

“Your free to go Rekka. I won’t force you to stay here, we each have our own nightmares to contend with. I will not add my touch to your fears.” Lifting the mug to his lips, he paused instead of drinking. “And I will not touch you again unless you ask.” Finishing lifting the mug, L’nuo drank the rest of it down, his back still turned to her.