It's You, At Last Pt 1

Writers: Chelle, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 13th March 2016

Characters: Nokala, A'kua, Firelloa, Bellarria
Description: This meeting goes much better than expected.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 6, day 7 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Jessmyr, Ninaine, Ilyssia; Pt 1 of 3

A'kua was feeling an overwhelming amount of emotions and physical sensations: Anxiety, excitement, nausea, jitteriness, and hunger. The last part was both contributing to and part of the nausea. A'kua had been so wound up, he hadn't been able to handle the thought of eating anything at breakfast, so he had two mugs of klah instead, which in turn contributed to the jitteriness. Zeiranth was trying to be soothing while outside, but it wasn't as effective as hoped.

Today, A'kua was going to meet Firelloa and her mother. Everything was in place, so hopefully, this would go smoothly. Hopefully. Ancients, he wished Lys or Jess or Ninaine could be there to help calm him down, but their own obligations prevented such. Thankfully, he wouldn't be blundering into this with just Zei. Nokala was able to join them, which the redhead was profoundly grateful for.

The harper had secured a ride for them to the Weyr. Nokala had been waiting in the Bowl. She had met them before so they recognized her, but they were still hesitant around a female harper. Taking things slowly, Nokala welcomed them to the Weyr and then spoke with them for a bit before heading over to the agreed upon place. **Please let this go easy** she said over and over again in her head. Leaving them outside the room, she walked in first, looking for A'kua.

The tall redhead immediately approached her. "Are they here? Is this it?" he asked, eyes wide.

"They are here. Now calm down and take a deep breath. Did you practice your questions? Because she's very hesitant and the less, the better." She used a soft voice, trying not to dampen his enthusiasm but to temper it.

A'kua shook his head. "I'm so nervous I forgot 'em," he confessed. "I just-"

Someone knocked. "Is everything all right in there?" a woman's voice asked. "Firelloa is getting fussy."

"Moootheeeerrr!" a little girl's voice complained. "I'm thirteen now, I don't _fuss_!"

A'kua swallowed hard. "That sounds like somethin' I'd say," he said shakily.

"Allright well, calm down. I'll go and get them." Nokala shook her head and smiled and walked back to the door. When she came back inside, she was leading two people, one much smaller than the other. "Ladies, this is A'kua, rider of bronze Zeiranth." She'd let the women introduce themselves after they took his measure.

The woman was about five-three, with brown hair, gray eyes, and fair skin. She was holding the hand of a girl whose appearance made A'kua's breath catch. She had freckles, dark red-brown hair, and deep brown eyes. She looked so much like Eionen it almost hurt.

The woman examined A'kua up and down before turning her eyes to Nokala. "He has Eionen's stamp all over him, just like my daughter," she said.

The girl pulled free of her mother's hand and stepped toward A'kua, staring up at him, and he found himself going to one knee so they were of similar heights. "You're A'kua?" the girl asked. "You're my brother?"

Speechless, A'kua could only nod, completely overwhelmed by emotion. This was Firelloa, his little sister. She looked strong, as if she had never missed a meal.

Firelloa stared at him in turn, and suddenly smiled. Her canine teeth looked fanglike. It was adorable. She threw her arms about his shoulders, pressing close. "I've always wanted a brother," she said sincerely.

A'kua froze, uncertain how to react, but his arms came up and around the girl's small body, and he closed his eyes as tears stung them. **Ancients, I beg you: Please, please, _please_ let me be a good brother. Please don't let me muck this up.**

Last updated on the April 4th 2016

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It's You, At Last Pt 1