How Lucky We Are

[Taxx]

Aleni had spent most of the night with Vitra, talking with her and listening to the tales her younger sister had to tell about everything she'd been through in her time in the past. It was kind of weird, knowing that even though it hadn't even been a day since Vitra had come, and gone, and come back again, it had been nearly two Turns since Vitra had last seen her. Time-skipping: it was a strange concept, and she couldn't imagine how it had even been thought up. Or remembered- A'zael had said that someone else had done it first, and they'd followed her example.

She'd had to sleep, though, and after a few hours she'd left Vitra and her blue to head back to the barracks, where Riyo met her. And the morning routine was typical- feeding, bathing and oiling, all before she could get a chance to get her own breakfast. The Dining Hall was less crowded than it would be normally, had she come in an hour earlier, but there was still plenty of food left and it was quieter, more peaceful. Which was how she liked it.

Settling at one table with a plate of food and Skylight draped across her shoulders, Aleni kept an eye on the entrance for Mizao, to wave her over. She ate and fed Skylight as she waited, nodding to a few others who waved at her.
Zen Alyx

[Alyx]

Joia and White Tellamuth

It was so weird to be back in the present; or would that be back in the future? Joia tried not to think too hard on it, pretty sure it would just result in another splitting headache. She’s spent much of the evening with N’ova and Tak’ril, along with several of the returning Weyrlings. It had been too late to get them set into personal weyrs, so much, if not all, had been in the Weyrling and Candidate barracks for the evening. For herself, Joia had happily curled up in the blankets and pillows provide at Tellamuth’s side.

The morning had seen most of her classmates together for morning baths and oiling; with Tellamuth’s small size, Joia quickly finished and offered her help to N’ova with Alduntulath’s much larger frame before returning to her things. A quick wash up herself and some clean clothing, she tugged her damp hair back out of her face and looked at herself in the looking glass one more time. Had she changed so much? I think so, but only for the better. Joia couldn’t help but smile, giving the dragon a look. She was luckier than most of her classmates – her dragon could still fit in the Weyrling Barracks, for the most part.

‘You are biased.’ The White’s warm chuckle filled her mind. Yes, I am. That doesn’t mean I am wrong though. Joia glanced back at her reflection; she supposed he was right. Not Broken. Joia gave a snort of laughter. ‘I know.’ Good. So what now? Joia turned flopping to sit on the bed. “Breakfast I suppose. You hungry?” Yes. You? Joia frowned. “A little, but…” People? Joia nodded. How about this? You go get something in the Dining Hall, I’ll go kill one of the small, stupid herdbeasts that don’t have the brains to run away, and if it becomes too much, you can come to find me and eat outside.

Joia would rather have just gotten her food and gone right out into the Bowl to meet up with the White, but she also understood. They needed to get used to being here again; all the sounds, the people. “Okay, I guess.” Both rose together, Joia tossing her arms around the White’s neck for a moment before she let him go and headed for the Dining Hall. Tellamuth stayed in the back of her mind even as he took flight and claimed his kill, a rock for Joia to hold onto as she headed into the more active parts of the Weyr like a lost babe.

There were very few of her Returner classmates in the Dining room when she entered, and she couldn’t blame them. So many people! She noticed a few and felt a little less strange that their faces seemed to mirror her own thoughts. It would take a lot to get used to so many other people around them again. Joia collected a plate, slipping into line with the rest to collect her breakfast.

So much choice too! Maybe not to those that didn’t go back, but for those that had just spent nearly two turns on rations without possible trading? It was mind-blowing. Joia felt Tellamuth’s interest peeked and smiled. ‘I’ll remember. Nothing too much too soon.’ They had been warned before coming back it would take some time to get back up to speed. Still, it was all so tempting…..

Joia assembled a plateful collection of meats and tubers, a few bits of fresh fruit and bread, along with a bit of milder cheese. She avoided the heavier fried buns and other sweeter treats, in spite of the sugary lure – her stomach wasn’t really ready for her to pile all that in on it. Hoping her eyes weren’t bigger than her stomach, she turned away from the line with her tray, scanning for familiar faces. N’ova, Muze, or Tak’ril would do?

Or she could just head right out to Tellamuth – after all, there wasn’t any better company in Joia’s mind than her dragon.

(plenty of time for Mizao to catch her. Zen Taxx )

[Zen]

Mizao

Yesterday had been strange, worrying, exciting… and the whirlwind of emotions had taken its toll, making the day exhausting overall. When she had found out that Joia had gone on a dangerous mission back in time that she might never return from guilt had flooded Mizao at the thought that they hadn’t talked at all since her Impression to Wendiloth. What if they never talked again? She had considered Joia her friend, even if they hadn’t spent any time together in months, and that fact made her feel like a really terrible friend at that. She had spent most of the rest of the day feeling guilty, worrying that Joia would never come back and they’d be left with this strange distance between them forever and she’d never know… if Joia still considered her a friend or not, if she was upset with her for not staying in touch better, if they could fix things and go back to being friends again.

But then the group had returned as the sun set and news spread that no one had been lost on the return trip, though a green and her passengers had been lost on the trip back. For a little while Mizao had worried that Joia had been one of those passengers, and felt a bit guilty all over again when she felt relief to find out the lost had only been strangers to her. It was still a loss. Instead, her friend’s name was being passed around the Weyr rather fast, for she had returned riding a white dragon. She imagined it all would be pretty overwhelming, and with Joia’s new dragon being the mythically rare white dragon, she thought that plenty of people would already be trying to crowd her to see her new lifemate, so she had decided to wait until the next day to welcome Joia back, despite it being difficult to wait.

The day had started like any other, and Mizao had looked through the barracks for Joia, since the timing it group was staying in the barracks until their weyrs could be sorted today, but the whiterider was already gone. Instead she went about her normal routine, determined to find Joia for breakfast after she’d fed, bathed, and oiled Wendiloth. The morning work done, the brownrider headed for the dining cavern, spotting Aleni as she entered and giving the goldrider a wave, before she noticed Joia, who seemed to be considering her options. With a nervous smile, she headed over to the girl, “Joia… h-hello.” An awkward pause drew out as she tried to figure out just what to say, “I… I’m so happy you Impressed. I can’t wait to meet your new dragon. I… I’m sorry. For not… for not staying in touch with you, after the Hatching. I hope… I hope you don’t hate me for it.” She glanced toward Aleni briefly, “Would you… like to eat with us? Aleni and I? I’d love to hear about your time… er, back in time?” She laughed softly, nervously, “And, of course, about your dragon. Is, um, is it a male or a female? I’m sorry I don’t really know how white dragons work….” Well that had come out great. She was babbling. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry if this is too much. I just… I feel so awful about everything… I was so worried I’d never get to talk to you again and I’m just… I’m really happy you’re back.”

Taxx Alyx

[Taxx]

Aleni had spotted Joia as the whiterider had entered the hall, but though she trailed the other girl with her eyes, she didn't try to beckon the other over. She wasn't sure how it would be taken, and she didn't want to make Joia feel like she had to when she might not want to... and it had become such a habit to not to try to include her that Aleni kept to it. After a moment, she dropped her gaze back to her plate and cut another bite of meat for herself and Skylight; when she glanced up next, it was to spot Mizao standing with Joia near the entrance.

The brownrider noticed her looking and waved; though briefly unsure, Aleni decided to go for it. If Mizao could, she ought to try too. Maybe Joia would be more willing to be friendly now that she had Impressed? Rising from her seat, she approached the two, offering a smile for the young rider... though she was technically above Aleni and Mizao, she thought. She made in time to hear the invitation to eat with her and Mizao, and she nodded to show her willingness to the course of action.

"I'd love to hear all about him too- and your Impression. And I'd be honored to meet him. Vitra told me that he was the one who helped everyone get back safe, wasn't he?" She took a step back, gesturing to the plate, but she didn't move any further, leaving the choice to accept or deny the invitation to Joia. She hoped for an agreement; she'd been close to Joia before Riyo's Impression, and having that again would be nice.

[Alyx]

Joia of White Tellamuth

‘Yep, definitely too many people in here.’ Tellamuth’s chuckle filtered into her mind, and she could almost feel him peering through her eyes like she sometimes did to his. The room is smaller then I assumed it would be for how many people live in the Weyr. ‘Well, I think a lot of people probably eat on the run or in their weyrs?’ I do suppose that would make sense. Are you grabbing a seat? ‘Do I have to?’ the thought was almost a whine, and she sighed to herself. You said you would try at least. ‘I know, it’s just-’

The voice cut her off, her mind instantly screaming to a stop. Her head came around, eyes a little wider then she guessed they should have been when she found Mizao standing beside her. Had she been so focused on her own thoughts she’d totally missed someone walking right up on her? Her mild panic must have bled along the lines because Tellamuth’s attention was instantly centered on her, his own meal forgotten. Joia? ‘I’m okay, I’m okay… just... she spooked me.’ Who spooked you? ‘Mizao.’ there was a soft pause. Are you okay? ‘I think so.’

She hadn’t expected the wounds to have magically healed, but Joia was pleased that she didn’t feel the need to instantly flee Mizao’s presence. It still stung, but not as it had – she’d had over two turns to come to terms with what had happened. She managed a smile as the girl stammered on a bit, taking comfort in the fact that the Brownrider seemed as unsure and uncomfortable in the encounter as she was.

With Aleni? Oh, that one stung a little more. Joia glanced over to follow Mizao’s gaze, biting her lower lip a little. Go. ‘But...’ Go. I am here if you need it, you know that. At least try? Joia hated when Tellamuth pushed her to do things she knew she should but didn’t want to. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry if this is too much. I just… I feel so awful about everything… I was so worried I’d never get to talk to you again and I’m just… I’m really happy you’re back.” Joia looked back at Mizao and smiled softly.

“I’m sorry too. I just didn’t know how to talk to you all after… what happened. I was embarrassed and upset, I didn’t think about how you all might be feeling. I was only focused on my own anger.” And the voices, but Joia didn’t say that. “I was more focused on trying to get sent home than talking to anyone, honestly, so I’m at fault too for not staying in touch, I guess.” Did she want to sit with them? Not really, but…

“Okay, for a little bit at least. It’s almost too crowded in here for me honestly.” Joia shifted a step in the direction of Aleni but waited for Mizao to come too. “Eighteen months with less than a wing of people, then coming back to all this has been a lot to take in. I normally just go outside and hide with Tellamuth.” She shrugged. “And that’s his name; Tellamuth. I’d guess I’d say he’s a boy? I don’t think he’s either really, but if you hear him, he’s very much a male.”

What is that supposed to mean? Joia couldn’t hide the humor from the White as the talked. ‘Nothing bad, I promise.’ Motion out of the corner of her eye, but Joia didn’t jump. She almost did, but she knew in the pit of her gut who it was. Aleni’s voice only confirmed in, and Joia felt her throat tighten up a little. Memories flashed through her mind and she reached for Tellamuth’s comforting aura. I am here. She could hear the growing edge of concern in the dragon’s mind voice; that alone reminded her she needed to calm herself.

She actually had forgotten Vitra and Aleni were related honestly until the young bluerider’s name passed Aleni’s lips. Mention of Tellamuth leading them all forward made Joia blush slightly, but she was very proud of the White’s skils. “Yea, he was. He was able to put us right back here the time Srunae wanted. It’s hard to explain, and I don’t really totally understand how he does it.” She looked to where Aleni had been sitting, then back to the Goldrider; it was strange to stand here, when Joia had literally done her best to avoid the pair of them for so, so long.

Go. Talk with them. I am not going anywhere. Tellamuth pushed at her again, gently. ‘Promise?’ He chuckled. Promise. Joia gave a soft nod, glancing at each of the girls for a moment. “Okay. I can stay and talk, for a little bit at least.” She stepped toward Aleni’s table. “Like I told Mizao, it’s way more crowded them I’m used to right now is all. It’s taking a bit to get used to a full Weyr again.” She managed a smile at Aleni. “I’m sure Vitra told you plenty about how weird it was back there.”

Zen Taxx