Just Bad Timing (Rachel PRP)

[Alyx]

Rachel and Blue Aslith
Month 12, Day 17, Turn 2761, Mid Morning, Overcast Skies, Strong Winds, Threadfall

The Fall has been smooth, as Threadfalls went. Decent winds, but the Wings flew well. Rachel was tired, but that hadn’t kept her out of the skies - even though, as Aslith had pointed out, if she’d asked A'zael, he probably would have let her sit this one out. But Rachel was nothing if not stubborn.

‘How are you holding up?’ Well enough. The Blue’s smooth voice rolled over her thoughts. You? ‘The chill helps. I’ll be happy when we are done. A hot mug of Klah and a nap is sounding very appealing right now.’ Aslith laughed, turning his head to belch a blast of orange-red flames over a tangle of falling Thread. I could duck into Between for you if you’d like another chill to wake you up more? Rachel shuddered. ‘No thanks, I’m good.’ As you wish. The Blue wheeled around, drifting back into his position in the Wings’ formation.

‘Injuries?’ Aslith’s attention shifted away for a moment, then snapped back lightly. Nothing critical. Small hits, nothing to keep anyone grounded. Zardilath’s seems to be having a mild panic attack, but other than that- Rachel fought the urge to roll her eyes. ‘C’mor needs to relax. Boy would panic if his own shadow showed up next to him on a sunny day.’ Aslith’s laughter rolled over her thoughts again, the Blue turning his head to catch the firestone as she tossed it toward his jaws. He is very jumpy, for a Bluerider. Rachel smiled behind her scarf and goggles.

‘We are going to need more stone.’ I will let Tsulocanth know. ‘Thank you.’ Rachel could almost feel the grinding stone against her own teeth as Aslith rolled the rocks in his mouth. A swallow and the Blue banked around, bleching a burst of flames at the silvery strands that dropped past them. ‘Watch the wind.’ I am. Aslith was calm, cool under the pressure of fighting Thread in a way Rachel never understood. Other riders always talked about how passionate and angry their Dragons were in the Falls; yet her Blue was calm, tactical, almost methodical about his fighting.

Well, I have to counter you. ‘Hey now!’ Rachel smirked, leaning forward to slap a gloved hand against the Blue’s neck. ‘That’s not nice.’ What isn’t? I’m saying you are a very passionate person. I mean, I could name a number of riders that would agree, given flights, and - ‘Oh Shut up, you Letcher! I wouldn’t be in those beds if you would stay out of mating flights!’ Prude. Rachel shifted softly, kicking her heel roughly against the Blue’s shoulder. ‘Ruffian!’ Aslith’s laugh filled her mind as he burned another cluster of wiggling Thread to grey-white ash.

Tsulocanth and Haella are here. Rachel turned to look over, watching the vivid Green shape dodge through the shadow of G’rett’s massive Bronze to meet them. Stoney stone delivery! The almost too loud voice forced into Rachel’s mind; she was glad for the goggles so that the Green couldn’t see her wince away from the contact. Thank you, Tsulocanth. Our pleasure to help! Aslith shifted around, dipping a wing to position them to catch the bag as Haella lobbed it toward them from the back of her Green. Rachel twisted her hand over the bag, letting it drop for a moment before curling her fingers around the knot of it. Gloved fingers closed, fingertips digging into the burlap fabric as she yanked it out of its fall -

It was a move Rachel had done countless times, and one she’d never had an issue with. She’d done it blinded by ash, in rain, in wind, in fog - Shards, even once in snow. It was nothing that she hadn’t done since the day she had graduated and the Blue pair had been counted as full-fledged riders. She’d never had a problem. There was a first time for everything.

The bag jerked in her hand and Rachel felt something give. White-hot pain shot up her arm, her fingers spawning and releasing the bag. The burlap tumbled past them as her voice ripped out over her lips, her vision whiting out. Aslith bellowed, not knowing what happened, and darted the pair into the cold black of Between. The pain continued, pulsing with Rachel’s heart as the Blue pair reappeared a moment later. Rachel? Rachel!? Aslith’s voice panicked in her mind, shaking her back to focus. What happened?? The Green’s voice was there and Rachel moaned softly. Her head hurt. ‘Land.’ Aslith instantly dropped from formation, shifting under the shield of G’rett and Mastromideth. ‘Wait… Az..’

Fath! Rachel is hurt, we are dropping out. ‘Thank you.’ There was a flood of warm love, tinted with concern and edged with panic as Aslith ducked them again into the chilled nothingness of Between. Rachel leaned over, cupping her left arm against her chest; she could feel her pulse in the arm, her fingers tingling like she’d laid them funny in her sleep. A moment later, blue sky with the Weyr below them. Already, dragons dotted the plateau - wounded from the Fall. Aslith dropped a wing time, angling to land. It was only then Rachel noticed the Green form shadowing them; Haella and her Green had returned with them.

Healer! Aslith’s voice broadcast over the group as they landed. Rachel gritted her teeth, the touchdown jarring her arm, sending new flashes of light dancing behind her eyes. I am sorry. ‘Not your fault.’ Two figures were running toward them. Rachel pushed upright with her right arm, then not thinking dropped her left to yank the straps that held her in place. Mistake. New, fresh pain danced like a knife up through the arm and down her back, the cursed cry lost in a gasp of pain.

“Bluerider?” Rachel didn’t know the healer, but she didn’t care at this point. “Buckles… now.” The woman didn’t wait, crawling up Aslith’s folded leg to pull at the straps. Rachel weaved, cold and heat warring along her nerves as the woman worked to free her from Aslith’s straps. A second joined, and then Haella on their heels, the redheaded Greenie scrambled up to help Rachel sit upright as they worked. “I think… I think I’m going to be sick…”

The woman working on her wounded side leaned out of the way just in time to avoid the mess as Rachel leaned over and promptly vomited all over the grass, her boot, and down Aslith’s side. Vaguely, she felt Haella pulling her hair back out of the way. Rachel? ‘Sorry. We’ll… get you cleaned up as soon as they get me down.’ We will not. I will ask Haella’s help, she is right here. Or G’rett. Or someone. You are going with the healers. Rachel didn’t have the energy to argue. The Straps finally out of the way, she let the three healers guide her off the Blue. Her boots touched the grass; the last foot or so had to be a drop, and with the jar, the pain shot up her arm again. She stepped away, then watched the grass come rushing up at her as the world went dark.

(Hours Later)

“Grounded?! It's not that bad!” Rachel was seated cross-legged on a bed in the infirmary, glaring at the Healer. The Weyrhealer simply frowned back at her, arms crossed against her chest. “Yes, Grounded. Rachel, you broke the wrist. It needs time to heal.” Rachel huffed. “Then brace it or something. I can’t be grounded. I have tasks to do, duties, and watches. There's Thread and Searching and I can’t… I can’t just sit here.” She spit the last bit out, like sitting was some sort of negative, evil thing she’d never considered.

“And those duties can be handled by other riders for a while. We have other searchriders, and I’ve already informed the Weyrleader you won’t be flying Thread for at least the next few months.” Rachel went white. “Months?” Master Nadeera nodded. “At least four, possibly longer. Honestly, I’d like six to make sure it's healed properly, but I’ll take what I can get with you.”

“No. No that’s not possible. I have to ride Search. If one of the Queens rises..” Nadeera cut her off with a soft, firm tone. “Bluerider, you won’t even be able to move those fingers if you don’t do what I tell you. You are going to need that plaster cast on for at least six seven-days, possibly longer.” Rachel whined, high and unhappy in the back of her throat. Nadeera continued, eyes softening. “You won’t even be able to tie yourself in, much less throw firestone. I’m sorry. It just… has to be like this for a bit.”

Rachel looked away, tears edging at her lashes. Ash it all! After a moment, she gave a jerky nod but didn’t look up. She could hear Nadeera sigh. “I’ll let you rest. Just sit for a bit, maybe get some sleep? You’ve been through quite a lot today. The Weyrleader said he’d be down to check on you once he’s done with the Wingleaders.” Rachel nodded again softly, letting the other woman wake away. Looking down, she turned the casted arm from side to side gently, moving her fingers just an inch as they stuck out the end. They’d given her something for the pain; it made her feel light in the head - Aslith was there, a strong wall to lean against as the world collapsed around her.

(Zen would you please move Rachel to the Grounded/Injured List for the next half a dozen months? ;) Thanks!!)