Moving on as a new person(open)

[summerrain]

76/01/18, early evening, just after sunset

A lone figure stood in the sand, staring out over the water. She sighed and lowered her head. Two months since N'kio and Metanath had betweened for good. She'd seen relieved looks on the faces of the people she'd passed on her way to the Bowl to meet Picoith, and then the two had flown to the beach. It was normally peaceful at the shore, where the earth met the water. Tera raised her gaze to the horizon again, then recited one of the old teaching ballads she'd heard from the Harper of Cliffside.

"Cold as death, death-bearing,
Stay and die, unguided.
Brave and braving, linger.
This way was twice decided"

She closed her eyes as the wind blew her short hair back from her face. She'd even seen the event first-hand, and the fact that something could happen at any moment, that death was a very real possibility. And, despite the mutterings that she'd retreated to the solace of self-isolation because of N'kio's death, they were wrong. Yes, she had to deal with his death, but it was more of the fact that she hadn't thought the people closest to her could die. She sighed quietly, but the darkness that had been plaguing her heart was finally dissipating, and Picosith felt incredibly happy at that fact. Tera's mouth opened again, and the next verse she recited felt like the transition her heart had just taken, the path she'd had to travel on her own. And she'd come through the tunnel as a better woman. For one cannot be called a child after witnessing death first-hand.

" The blackest night must end in dawn,
The sun dispel the dreamer's fear:
When shall my soul's bleak, hopeless pain
Find solace in its darkening Weyr?"

The girl turned to the dragoness that sat behind her. "I'm done moping," she said with a small smile. "N'kio wouldn't want me to be sad."

I've been saying that for months, Picosith replied with a laugh. But I am glad that you have returned to normal, Mine.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

The beach wasn’t as popular as it used to be. Of course, evening had never been the time for sunbathing and swimming, so it was hard to be completely certain. Still, if someone had asked T’kar, he probably would have been willing to wager on the beach having more than just one person — himself — walking along it. Well, one person and four swooping flitts. It would seem, judging from the chittering going on, that Wamarna was failing her fishing lessons — at least, according to the vocally critical Star.

T’kar paused, drawing up to watch the flitts sporting in the water. He knew he ought to call them back, the smoke wasn’t good for them, but… they looked so happy, swooping around. He couldn’t deny them their fun.

After a couple minutes, T’kar sighed and whistled for the flitts to follow him. Of course, that meant that within moments he had Shadow for a backpack and Star and Wamarna for shoulder decoration, but they’d been doing it for Turns, and his adjustment to their weight was essentially subconscious. Walking around a dune, he found himself staring at Picosith.

Tera is with her.

That, well, given how Tera had been feeling lately…

“Tera, Picosith, you alright?” T’kar asked, walking over to them. Boot chirped a greeting, swooping forward of T’kar slightly, clearly attempting to solicit attention.

[summerrain]

Tera smiled and looked out to the water where Rain was splashing around in the waves. Then the Blue suddenly raced off toward something the girl couldn't see. She turned and saw T'kar and his number of flits. She nodded at his question, her little Sunlace chirping at Boot in response to his greeting.

"N'kio was the Searchrider of Cliffside, and I considered him a friend, but..." She let out a breath and turned once again to the water, a small smile crossing her face. "But there is only so long I can allow myself to mourn over him. Picosith can easily take care of herself, it's been almost four Turns now since I Impressed to her. But these two need my help." Rain swooped over and settled on Tera's other shoulder, the Sunlace having taken up a position on the right. "It's not all about me, not the way it was when I was a child. Before I Impressed, it was just me, mom, and dad, and dad was usually out on trade ships. Normally it was just me and mom." She looked a bit sad about that. "And when I got here, my aunt didn't actually have to do much for me because the Weyr itself took care of most of it."

Why was she telling him this? Well, he was her Wingleader after all. He deserved to know.

"I guess, after knowing that everyone thought I wasn't ready just because of my age... I guess N'kio's death was just the last straw. I needed some time to myself to figure things out." She turned to him with a smile.

Tera's Sunlace chirped at her sister, but stayed put on Tera's shoulder. The girl laughed and ran a finger over Layla's hide. "Well, it's definitely because of Layla and Rain that I was able to come out of that mess as good as I have," she admitted.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Boot flew over to greet the Sunlance from a more sociable distance. Shadow and, more slowly, Wamarna followed him. Star, of course, stayed put on T’kar’s shoulder.

T’kar listened attentively. It was a skill developed long ago, when he wasn’t much older than the young woman standing in front of him. It wasn’t always an easy skill to use, but he did have it. The only real motion he made was a slight nod when she paused; an indication that he was listening. It was good that Tera was telling him this; the young rider had a tendency to keep things to herself, which was excellent, except that Tera took it too far sometimes.

T’kar echoed her smile with one of his own. She seemed, more mature, somehow. Certainly she seemed to have come to terms with N’kio’s death.

“Sometimes that’s what it takes; knowing that someone or something else depends on you. It gives you more strength to draw on. At least, it always does for me.”

His smile broadened slightly. “It is good to see you doing better,” he added, “it is never easy loosing someone you care about.”

T’kar, there are things you need to do.

T’kar repressed a sigh. “And now, since Ancalanath’s reminding me of it, I suppose I should be heading back. Goodnight Tera.”

With that, T’kar turned and walked back to the Weyr. Boot remained behind a few moments, then disappeared between, neatly appearing over T’kar’s head.