Can't Bring Old Baggage To A New Place

Writers: Halyonix
Date Posted: 17th August 2022

Characters: Y'rim
Description: Y’rim reflects on his new start
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 4, day 13 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentor approved by Miriah

}: Be sure to oil it extra, please, :{ Quiroanth said as she extended her wing. Y'rim smiled softly as he did so, his dark eyes wandering the striations of dark green contrasting against the pale green of the webbing. On this wing, the webbing and wingclaws had a different texture and coloration, thick scar tissue silvering the skin over the bones and the pale membrane between. He knew that Quiroanth had already adjusted for the slight change in wing weight but to see her beautiful hide marred so still brought a tinge of…sadness? Maybe that was it.

}: Yoli, :{ she said softly, picking up on his mood. }: It’s healed! Why does it bother you still? :{

Y’rim sighed and looked over into Quiroanth’s multi-faceted eyes, whirling a blue that mirrored the colors of the sea. “Because it happened,” he said, and then he shook his head. “Oh, you know me,” he added quickly, his tone trying to shake off his mood. “Always thinking about the past. Like I can change any of it.”

}: But didn’t we move here to get _away_ from the past? Start over? :{

“We did, we did. Oh, I’m sorry, Quir, I’m sorry. I’m just in a mood today.” And with that, he threw his arms around her neck in a tight hug. The scent of oil and dragon filled his nostrils, reminding him that as long as he had her, everything was going to be alright. Quiroanth let out a soft rumble as the hug continued, further calming him.

When he finally stepped away and went back to oiling her wing, he said, “I suppose I’m just nervous, that’s all. You know how T’shel did a number on me, always making me second-guess myself. And here we are, in this new place, with a new start, and you’re healed, and I’m…”

}: Healing, :{ Quiroanth finished for him. If a dragon’s eyes could be filled with knowledgeable mirth, her eyes twinkled just so. }: You’re healing. It was…oh, I can’t remember how many Turns with Magrith. A long time. Threadscars heal faster than that. You can’t expect to heal from what happened as quick as I did. :{

“Look at you, wise green,” Y’rim teased but it had no rancor to it. She was right. Six Turns with his former weyrmate was plenty of time to develop bad habits and and T’shel had been good at fostering those for certain! Quiroanth’s wing healing in a month was not the same timeline to base his own healing upon.

}: Besides, :{ his dragon said. Her gaze lifted to the docks where a ship was coming in. }: This place has a great many new things to explore and people to get to know. :{

Y’rim laughed. “And that makes me nervous!” he exclaimed with a teasing grin. “Hello, introvert? Meeting people? Oh, what a terrible idea!” he joked.

Quiroanth shuffled the other wing -- the one not being oiled -- as a snarky comment to that. }: Oh, you’ll do fine. People like you. You’re cute and all. :{

“Don’t you start trying to hook me up already,” Y’rim replied. “You’ve still got time before your next flight and I am in no hurry.” But there was a grin on his face and a twinkle in her eyes that said neither of them were going to mind her next mating flight.

They fell into a companionable silence, both gazes turning towards the bay with the ships, until finally, Y’rim admitted, “It is pretty here. You’re right about the novelty of a new place to explore. And maybe, once we really get settled into our new Wing, we’ll make some friends like we had back at River Bluff.”

}: Better friends, :{ Quiroanth said pointedly. }: No more Magriths. :{

“Or T’shels.”

}: Deal. :{ With that finalized, Quiroanth flipped her oiled wing flat against her back and arched her neck. }: We sweep today? :{ Y’rim nodded. }: Good. Then I am going to get a little bit of sun in before we go and you are going to get in some food before we go because if I have to hear about how hungry you are an hour into-- :{

“Oooo, watch that sass, Quir,” Y’rim said with a laugh. “You’re lucky I love you.” He gave her an affectionate slap on the flank as he walked away, noting that she waited precisely three strides before taking off so that she didn’t get sand all over him with her wings.

He slid his hands into his pockets. Without her at his side, especially in a new place like this, he tended to assume a shy posture, making himself smaller. Luckily, she didn’t see him doing this, else she would have given him sass about that as well. He paused at the entrance to the Dining Hall, giving the docking ship one more look. It was indeed a new place to explore, with new sights and people, and while most of that made him nervous, there was a part of him that looked forward to starting a new life here with Quiroanth.

Was that what it was like to heal? To begin to feel like maybe the next day wouldn’t hurt so much as the day before? Probably.

His stomach rumbled. Y’rim sighed and chuckled to himself. “Not even an hour in,” he muttered. And then he went inside.

Last updated on the October 30th 2022

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Can't Bring Old Baggage To A New Place