Useless [Oneshot/open]

[Shoki]

Early Morning

Kyuuki stood stock still. The other Lifewing rider was still talking, but Kyuuki clearly wasn’t listening. It… it couldn’t be true. But, it was all too true and she had to admit the other rider was right. But it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. It hurt a lot.

“We’ll still look forward to calling you and Vallesh in when we need help on something big, but for now, I’m sorry.”

“I understand.” The light as a whisper voice escaped the woman and she felt like a wrong move would make her crumble. A forced smile slipped onto Kyuuki’s face and she said. “Okay. I’ll see you around.”

“See you.”

Kyuuki walked back to her room in silence. Lantern trailed her, likewise quiet. She had suspected this would happen someday. Her eyes had always been bad, but finally it seemed that they had done her in. What was she going to do now? It wasn’t like they could be fixed, Lifewing’s were not all powerful. Her work had kept her busy, now she couldn’t even do that. She wasn’t good at knitting, she was clumsy at the best of times, and she couldn’t even read to herself. The words were a complete blur.

She arrived home, Vallesh waiting there for her. The large head waited for her, and Kyuuki gave it a pat before sitting down. It hurt. She felt useless. She had to think. What could she do now? She didn’t know. She held Lantern for a while, looking endlessly depressed. Then a sharp “HONK” almost deafened her. Vallesh stared right at Kyuuki, not even going to pretend it wasn’t her. It was silent for a moment before Kyuuki laughed, just laughed. After a while she settled and looked up at her bird with a smile.

“Thanks Vallesh.” The great bird nodded, settling down. So, now she just had to think about what she could do to keep herself busy. She didn’t know where to start.

[Kaya]

With work in the kitchens under control, Libby had been sent out to deliver hot drinks to a small meeting in taking place in the Conclave room. Her tray delivered Libby was stalling her return since there wasn't much else for the staff to assign her and her fingers still ached from peeling vegetables to be used at lunch. They were ahead - or at least they weren't behind. She afforded herself a slow walk back the long way though the tunnels instead of facing the bitter cold out in the Bowl. She could almost claim to still be cold from her venture out there. Not so cold today, the cooks had said. Weather looks to be improving, the winds letting up today they said.

Libby sighed. Anchor nudged her face with his as he rode on her left shoulder through the halls. They both relaxed only to flinch when a loud HONK crashed out into the hallway.

The two of them were bold enough to investigate. Libby knocked loudly on the door the deafening call had come from. "Are you alright?" she hollered. "Do you need help?" Anchor squawked to add to their alert.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Could go see Kyuuki, Azeriuth suggested.

T’ruk paused. It had been several days since they’d visited last. He kept meaning to head over there, only to encounter still more things to do, along with the inevitable delays. It almost made him miss being a drudge, then — since no one expected manners — he could just have headed over to visit her any time of day or night. Of course, there was the minor fact that he would never have been allowed to talk to any such exalted person, back at Icy Caverns.

That’s a great idea, T’ruk answered. Racing over to his closet, he pulled on his warmest coat. No, they wouldn’t have to go all the way outside, but it would have been impossible to heat everywhere.

Absentmindedly rubbing Sinok’s head, T’ruk walked over to where Azeriuth was waiting. It didn’t take him long to get the straps on, and then he was up on Azeriuth’s back — along with Sinok and two firelizards. Guyaky, the third firelizard, had claimed the inside of T’ruk’s jacket.

It wasn’t a long trip. Indeed, they could have walked just as easily, but walking came with the inherent risk of being stopped and asked to do something. Having made plans for their free time, they were not about to waste it.

Soon enough, Azeriuth was settling on the ledge. T’ruk slid off the dragon’s shoulder as soon as it was possible.

“Hey Vallesh.” T’ruk placed a hand on the Lifewing’s feathered side, a way of letting her know he was present, then slipped into the room, followed by Azeriuth’s head.

“Hey Kyuuki, what’cha doin?” he spoke much louder than was his wont, having learned that such was required for Kyuuki to hear him clearly.

[Shoki]

Kyuuki’s head went to face the door. That voice… yes, she remembered it. She wasn’t sure what to do at the question. Did she open up the door, merely call back? It had to be that girl, Libby. Their last parting had been quite odd indeed. A flicker of distress flashed over her face, as unwanted memories presented themselves. She opened her mouth when Vallesh moved her head to face a figure entering and an all too familiar voice was heard. Kyuuki beamed. The Lifewing looked all too pleased at the arrival of the Silverlight and his rider.

“T’ruk, I’m glad to see you.” She was a bit at a loss how to juggle this new influx of people asking if she was okay, or what she was up too. Her face betrayed a little bit of confusion as she looked to the door and back to T’ruk. Lantern pushed his head into her hand, trying to encourage her to not remained stunned for too long. “Um, I think there is someone at the door. I should, uh, get it.” Geez, she was a mess. She’d never had many friends, outside of Vallesh and Lantern. So she’d always have a hard time socially. Probably too late to do anything about it now. Then again, she didn’t have anything else to work on. Her expression grew infinitely more depressed as she got up and went to the door. She opened it quietly and looked in the direction of Libby. A gray firelizard was at her side.

“I’m okay.” She spoke softly, but looked anything but. She couldn’t really tell the color of the firelizard at the girl’s side. It couldn’t be a Gray, could it?

It is a Iron firelizard. See? An image floated in Kyuuki’s mind, distant but clear. Oh, so that’s what it was…

Azeriuth, I am really glad you and T’ruk are here today. Can you both stay for a while? It has been…a rough day.

[Kaya]

Silence. Libby waited. And then she heard a voice inside. So they were probably fine. She was about to turn and continue on her long way back to the kitchens when the door opened. Anchor let out a pleased chirrup. Libby searched for an excuse to escape. It was this woman again. The one she had hurt. She had no right to be here-

"Anchor, no!" Libby reached in vain as the Iron hopped off her shoulder towards Kyuuki. Libby watched in slow horror as her firelizard landed himself delicately onto the elder woman. And to her shock he nuzzled her face. Stammering "I"s poured from Libby's mouth. She had no basis to comprehend all of this. And there was no escape now.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

T’ruk grinned, enfolding Kyuuki in a quick hug before letting her answer the door. He’d adopted the LifeWing rider, or maybe she’d adopted him. It didn’t really matter, she was his adoptive grandmother, and that was the end of things.

Certainly we are able to. Indeed, I do not believe very many people could remove Mine from this place. As do I.

T’ruk took a cautious step towards the door. He didn’t recognize the young woman outside it, nor did Atanek or Tungull, far more social than Guyaky, recognize the Iron flitt on her shoulder.

"Anchor, no!" the woman cried suddenly.

T’ruk, stepping closer again, and slightly to one side, saw that the Iron flitt was now perched on Kyuuki, quite as if he’d found someone he remembered well. Something about the scene brought a smile to T’ruk’s face, bringing back memories of how he’d bonded to the LifeWing rider that had helped repair his injuries upon his long-ago arrival.

T’ruk assayed to clear his throat. He had to try a couple times; deliberately calling attention to himself was still not an easy thing.

[Shoki]

Vallesh was relieved, glad for their presence. Her attention moved to the humans as they hugged and she settled in for a moment. However both her and Kyuuki were in for a pleasant surprise, when suddenly the Iron flitter took off and landed on Kyuuki.

Kyuuki looked startled for a moment, but her face melted into a smile. The Iron gave her face a nuzzle and the Lifewing rider had to admit, she was glad she opened the door. The behavior was a bit odd, she almost thought…no, he couldn’t possibly recognize her. This would only count as their second meeting. She gingerly reached out to pet him, giving him a pet under his chin.

“It’s very nice to see you Anchor.” Her feather light voice spoke for the Iron but she turned to look back at T’ruk as he was so very polite about getting attention. In an attempt to include both of the humans present in her view she moved slightly to the side of the door so if she wished she could see Libby and T’ruk if she tried. Lantern joined up with T’ruk’s brood, used to their company, observing the firelizard on his mistress’ shoulder with curiosity. Something was familiar, but he couldn’t place it. However it was a warm familiar feeling so he just watched with a pleased expression.

“Oh, T’ruk, this is Libby. Libby, this is T’ruk of Silverlight Azeriuth.” A brief introduction, but one she felt was required. Always best to be polite.

[Kaya]

Well, could have been worse, Libby reassured herself as Anchor and Kyuuki greeted the other. Strange though, he didn't have a habit of leaping at people. She should have to make sure he never did. There was something in Kyuuki's comment to her firelizard that struck her as slightly unexpected, but she couldn't place it.

Anchor hummed his approval at being pet. Having been acknowledged he took off to familiarize himself with the other firelizards he had noticed.

Libby felt them smiling at her and had kept most of her gaze on her shoes until Kyuuki spoke again. T'ruk? She had no history with the young man, though she'd heard the name in the kitchens. Gossip was something of a specialty of quite a few of their members. She had the privilege of knowing half the Weyr's mind before they knew it themselves. Her keen ears were to thank for that. "Ah, well met, then, T'ruk," Libby accepted the introduction and stepped forward to put out a hand. She had no reason to be bashful around him. She had not hurt him in the past.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Tungull crooned a greeting to Lantern, shifting aside so that the Flame had somewhere to settle. Atanek leaned over and crooned as well, then chirped at the approaching newcomer a couple times. He liked meeting new friends, and this one liked the old human of Lantern. Guyaky, shyer than his compatriots, huddled down against Atanek’s back.

T’ruk caught the freckled woman’s hand with his own, it was a long-practiced gesture, one Harper Gillian had insisted on teaching him. He’d never met her, nor even heard anything about her, but then he’d never been much for eavesdropping.

“Well met indeed, Libby,” he replied.

Overhead, there was something of a commotion, as Guyaky, apparently startled by the speed of Anchor’s approach, started hissing, only to get slapped atop the head by Atanek.

T’ruk paused, glancing over his shoulder at the firelizards to make sure that they were sorting whatever it was out. They seemed to be, so he turned back to Libby. “How long have you been here?” he asked.

[Shoki]

Kyuuki’s eyes trailed the Iron Firelizard as he went to introduce himself, and she observed Lantern watching the new flitter with interest. The Flame chittered, a greeting to Tungull, and he likewise chittered to Atanek and Guyaky. Then Anchor came up he also greeted the Iron before staring a bit longer. It was after the Aurora ceases hissing, and the humans were talking when he suddenly hopped up and crooned, a long note as his eyes whirled. Kyuuki’s eyes were drawn to it, as Lantern was not usually surprised, although pleasantly in this case. He quickly sped to his mistress, who naturally held her hands out for him to land on. He began a rapid chatter, and Kyuuki guessed what was going on.

“Yes, yes I know Lantern. Shhh.” The firelizard reduced his volume but continued in an excited fashion. “Shh, it’s okay.” The Flame didn’t relax so much as get tired of sitting where he was and flew back to the other flitters, still watching Kyuuki with interest. Kyuuki herself shook her head. Lantern wasn’t usually so forceful unless he wanted something. She hoped he hadn’t got any ideas in his head.

[Kaya]

"Ah, a few months," Libby replied not putting much effort into the words. Her arrival wasn't something she wanted to relive, exactly. Her eyes trailed to the far more chatty firelizards. Their antics provoked a turn on the corner of her mouth, something like a smile. "And that's Anchor, if you didn't catch that already," Libby mentioned, inclining her head towards the many grey hued flitt. "You've been around a while?" Libby stated but inflected the words into a question at the tail of the sentence. "Got any tips?" she asked.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

T’ruk smiled. Granted, it was not a smooth, natural, utterly-relaxed smile, but it was a much better counterfeit than his initial efforts had been. Some of the improvement, of course, was simply due to the distance granted by his nearly two and a half Turn residence at the Weyr, though practice had played its role here too.

“A few Turns,” T’ruk answered easily, sliding by even a mention of where he was from. Desperately, he tried to rally his mind for some sort of advice or tips. He really couldn’t think of anything, other than… well, maybe if he tried adding a little humor.

“Avoid annoying the Weyrl- ah, Bluerider Eraviya.” His tone was, not quite jesting, but still, much better than it might otherwise have been. He knew he wasn’t doing the best job of this, but, well, he couldn’t cut and run. Not in front of Kyuuki. The inspiration of curiosity saved him, or at least, gave him a way to toss the conversation back; infinitely preferable to being stuck holding it.

“Anchor, like on a ship? Did you do any ship-work before coming here?” He shifted slightly, his gaze eager and even somewhat intense. He’d only once been to the great docks and bay where the great northern spiderclaw fishers worked, and he’d gotten hardly any chance to look around, between the snow falling and the fact that he was helping load sleds with the catch.

[Shoki]

Kyuuki smiled warmly. T’ruk had come quite a ways. He had to try to carry on conversation, but he was trying. That was a small miracle if she compared that first day to today. She had to be thankful that this hadn’t come earlier, that she had meet him while she was still working and could get someone that she viewed as the grandchild she had never had. The loss of her work threatened to get to her so she turned while talking back to them, hiding the tearing up she was getting up to.

“I’ll, uh, get you some Halk. It’s very cold today.” Of course it was cold. It always felt cold now. She kept her self plenty warm though. She had always preferred long sleeves, as she burned incredibly easily, but now it was mostly because she had a hard time staying warm. If she was by herself she could always sit next to Vallesh. The Lifewing was good for that. She hurried to get some stuff prepared, and take a moment to steady herself. “You both can, um, sit down if you would like.” Politeness dictated. Even though she wasn’t sure about it.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

“Thank you Kyuuki,” T’ruk answered promptly, settling into his favorite perch. Kyuuki’s was one of the few places he felt completely comfortable sitting. No one was likely to yell at him here. He glanced over at Anchor, musing.

“How did Anchor meet you, Kyuuki?” From his expression, he hadn’t intended to actually ask the question out loud.

((Sorry for the short))

[Kaya]

"Yeah, I cooked on a ship," Libby mentioned as she followed T'ruk to sit while Kyuuki prepared the drinks. She wasn't a regular halk drinker, but it did have the distinct benefit of warming people up. T'ruk should be thankful that they didn't have their drinks yet when he made his comment.

"What?" Libby asked abruptly, looking from T'ruk to Anchor. The Iron sat there looking at them, willing his human to calm again. It was the better way to be, after all. "He doesn't. You're mistaken."