Don't Worry, Be Happy

Writers: Leigh M-F., Mirren
Date Posted: 30th September 2015

Characters: Elona, A'kua
Description: Everything will be okay.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 2, day 2 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Ilyssia, Yanley.

Aluka stepped out of the classroom with a sigh, hugging his supplies to his
chest. Since he wasn't expecting any of his classmates to be around -they
were all supposed to be heading to the next chore load- he jumped at the
sight of Elona hanging around. "Oh! Ancients, what're you still doin'
here?" he asked without any real rancor.

"Just making sure you're all right," Elona replied. "And so you know where
to go next." He might get in trouble if he turned up too late.

"Uh, no. I don't remember where we're supposed to be next," Aluka admitted,
shifting his weight. "I suppose I'm all right. I wasn't in trouble or
anythin'." He wasn't entirely all right, though, if he was honest.

"You weren't? Well that's good. Isn't it?" Her brow furrowed slightly.

"It is, but...." Aluka paused, debating with himself. "Where are we
supposed to go now?"

"Mucking out the dragon infirmary." She grimaced. That might account for
her having opted to wait for him, at least in part.

"Right. Let's walk." The tall redhead struck out in the appropriate
direction and waited until they had covered some ground, looking down as
they moved. "I wasn't in trouble, but I was worried," he finally admitted.
"That question I asked was out of random curiosity, but I guess I meant it.
How can anyone get used to having a dragon in their head at all times? Yet
dragonriders do it all the time. That constant love and support and
acceptance- it's everything I've wanted since I was little, and I found it
with my weyrmate, but sometimes…. Sometimes I have to remind myself that
the friends I've made and the woman I love are being sincere; that I can
trust them with my life; that they're not a threat to me. Sometimes I
realize I'm being paranoid again for no real reason. I've gotten better in
two Turns, but I still catch myself acting suspicious and feeling this way.
I don't know how I'll handle it from a dragon."

Elona listened and nodded. "Sometimes it's hard to fit in and understand
that you're really wanted somewhere." She knew how that felt.

Aluka smiled sadly, understanding where she was coming from. "Maybe I
should talk to a healer about this before the eggs hatch."

"You really think it's that bad?" she asked. She gave him a worried frown.

"Aye. No. Jays, I don't have a fardlin' clue." Her fellow Candidate pinched
the bridge of his nose, eyes squeezing shut. "My weyrmate says I don't have
anythin' to worry about, but I'm still feelin' doubts. What would you do in
my position?"

"I've been asking around," she admitted. "Talking to people about what it's
like to have a dragon and be a parent and what I'll do if I don't impress.
It's a bit different for you though, more personal. I mean, you have to
make sure the listener won't blab."

Elona had hit on one of the reasons for Aluka's paranoia: His problems were
_his_; there were few he trusted them with. But that line of thought
unexpectedly made him smile. He knew someone who would hear him out and not
tell anyone unless he asked her to: Lady Yanley. She wasn't a healer, but
she was motherly in a way he was comfortable with, and she gave solid
advice. Maybe she would be able to help. "Thank you, Elona," the dark-eyed
redhead said sincerely, giving her a warm smile.

Elona wasn't sure what for, but she smiled anyway. "You're welcome. I'm
happy to listen too if you want. Some day." They weren't there yet, of
course, but hopefully he considered her a friend.

"Thanks," Aluka repeated in a tone that showed he was touched by the offer.
Elona barely knew him, and yet she was offering her support. And judging by
her body language, there was a good chance she didn't have any ulterior
motives. (He mentally slapped himself for that ungracious thought. See, he
was being doing it again.) "Maybe someday. Right now, we have one fardlin'
unpleasant chore ahead."

"Oh goody." She smirked.

Last updated on the October 1st 2015

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Don't Worry, Be Happy