Stretched Too Thin (Final): Who Am I Going to Argue With?

Writers: Nici, Bree
Date Posted: 5th September 2005

Characters: Jaela, Tiraval
Description: Jaela is given a full report on U'kaiah's condition by the healer
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 17 of Turn 3

It was a couple of candlemarks later that Jaela returned to the Infirmary after having received a note delivered by a drudge. She'd gotten _nothing_ done in that time and was anxious to find out how the bronzerider was so she could at least concentrate on something.

Tiraval was waiting for her. "I've got him resting now. He'll be all right as long as we can keep him from complicating matters by being stubborn."

"Oh, he's going to relax all right," Jaela muttered, scraping her hand through her short hair. "Is he really all right?" She'd never been so scared as when U'kaiah had hit the ground.

"He _will_ be," Tiraval said again, directing Jaela back to one of the small offices that journeymen sometimes used. "But he's going to need a lot of rest to get that way."

Jaela nodded. "He looked exhaused when he entered my office. I was...distracted and didn't notice just how much, I'm afraid." She mentally sighed. Silly bronzerider! "I'm sure it's got to be the effect of all the shifts he's been putting in. Has anyone else had to come to the Infirmary or is he just spectacularly far to stubborn and didn't realize it and slow down?"

"We've had a few people who have been stretched thin..." Tiraval closed the door to the office to give them a little privacy. "He's the worst of the lot though... and he's more than just a little overtired."

"It figures. I can see him ignoring the _normal_ signs of exhaustion."
Jaela voice came out more amused than accusitory however. "I'm almost glad D'wrayt decided that he'd stay here where he was most needed with so many of his wings stretched so thin. Otherwise, he'd be in here as well!" She ignored the fact that, when it came to working too hard, she was right up there and would probably have a matching cot next to him!

Tiraval snorted, the look in her eyes amused. "Well, I hope D'wrayt can spare him for a few days, at least, because he'll be flat on his back at least that long. And only time will tell if there was any permenant damage, though I hope not."

"Permanent damage?!" Jaela all but squeaked it and hated herself for it.
What did she care anyway? U'kaiah had no interest in her--if anything, his bevy of bedmates should be the ones worried!

"Exhaustion is bad for the body," Tiraval replied, doing her best to keep her amusement from her face. "Depending on just how bad he's worn himself out, there could be stress on his heart. But as I said, this is all preliminary. We'll need to keep him off his feet to make sure nothing more serious happens."

"Ah...well, then, that's sounds better." Jaela didn't see why 'preliminary' should mean scaring U'kaiah's visitors half to death! "May I see him?"

Tiraval nodded. "For a few moments... I can't stress to you how important it is that he rests. If it doesn't look like he'll be sleeping, I'll be making sure he does."

It was Jaela's turn to try to keep the amusement off her face. "Healer Tiraval, I want to see him, not jump on him and try to ride him like a runnerbeast. Which way?"

The journeywoman laughed, leading Jaela to the left. "You misunderstand me, Weyrwoman. I'm hoping you can help me bully him into staying where he belongs. I have a feeling he's not going to be a very good patient."

"He doesn't have to be good, he just has to do as he's told." She grinned. "Or ordered."

Tiraval returned the grin and pulled a curtain aside far enough for Jaela to go in. "Good. I'm glad I won't be doing the ordering alone."

Jaela slipped past him and went to the bronzerider, glad that he was asleep. His colouring still looked pale and, when she reached out to touch his brow, it felt very cool to the touch, reminding her of Jaryd in the final days. She turned to Tiravel. "Once he's rested, can his little boy come to see him? I'm sure he'd want to see his father and I doubt anyone's told him what's happened. I'll have to try to find his fostermother and let her know at least." Odd that she'd remember a child, but U'kaiah's son had been quite charismatic and fun to talk to.

"Of course," Tiraval replied without hesitating. "I don't want him seeing anyone before tomorrow, but after that he can see people whenever he's awake."

"Good." She'd have his son's fostermother found and let him know. She smiled at the healer. "I'll let D'wrayt know how he's doing and so he can make wing adjustments and whatnot." While she wanted U'kaiah to get better, there were always practicalities to be considered.

Nodding, Tiraval moved toward the curtain. "Would you like me to send an apprentice to let you know when he wakes up?"

"Yes, please..." Jaela gave the healer a pointed looked and waited until she'd slipped out and given them some privacy. Bending over U'kaiah, Jaela hissed gently against his ear. "You'd better get better, bronzerider. Otherwise, who am I going to _argue_ with?!" That said, she hesitated a second before pressing a light kiss to his brow and walking out.

Last updated on the September 6th 2005

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Stretched Too Thin (Final): Who Am I Going to Argue With?