It Was a Near Thing

Writers: Halyonix, Steel
Date Posted: 15th July 2024

Characters: M'til, Vaile
Description: Threadfall is dangerous!
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 12, day 23 of Turn 11

Notes:
~~~~~~~

Patchy Threadfall was, in Vaile's opinion, the worst.

}: I disagree, :{ Liranth said shortly. She was concentrating on diving after a tangle. }: Rainfall Thread is the worst. :{ Vaile grunted her reassessed agreement. But patchy Thread still ranked high on the list. The gaps it left threw off the rhythm of the Wings. She found herself gripping her riding straps tighter than usual.

}: I've got it, don't worry, :{ Liranth assured her with confidence but it was immediately cut with, }: Duck! :{ Vaile did so, her heart clenching, her stomach dropping with the clip of Liranth's wings, waiting for that awful, awful feeling of Thread to eat through her back because she was certain it was _that_ close! Liranth never dove like this!

}: Oh no-- watch out! :{ Quilienth bugled alarm, and had to twist sideways at the last moment, as the Thread he'd been aiming for was suddenly blocked off by a green dragon appearing in front of him.

M'til shouted his own surprise, and had to grip onto the riding straps in front of him with all his might as the world spun around him. They narrowly missed swerving into the path of another dragon, and when Quilienth swerved the other way, above the diving green, a string of Thread dripped over their wingtip.

Quilienth shrieked, and ducked /between/ to destroy it, before popped back out. **Can you still fly?** M'til asked his blue, heart pounding.

}: Yes, I am sure that I can! :{ Quillienth assured.

What was that greenrider thinking?!

}: A bit more care next time! :{ Liranth barked at the brown that had missed his flame, causing the entire sequence of events. Her head swiveled to see where Quillienth was, to make sure that he was alright. }: Are you injured? :{ she asked quickly. Her maw opened to burn away the next patch.

}: I... I am all right. :{ Qulienth responded, bravely, his own head turned to glance back at Liranth. }: I shook it off Between before it could do more than sting. :{ He beat his wings, and began to rise back toward the next tangle, accepting a piece of firestone as he did so. }: Mine says Thread will not defeat us!:{

}: See that it doesn't! :{ Liranth replied in a tone mixed with determination and support. Her wings folded and she was back in the difficult rhythm of the fight.

It was another candlemark before they were done. A few more wing scathings to report, including one on Liranth's left tip, but nothing that would ground anyone it seemed to Vaile. As Liranth angled in for a landing, Vaile said, **To Quilienth, wherever he is.** She intended to inspect the injured dragon herself, to offer help or atone. She wasn't sure which. She was a dragonhealer though, so this was her duty either way, she told herself. She'd make sure there was no lasting damage to the blue that had saved their hide and then help the more injured.

}: We did it! We did it! :{ Quilienth exulted, even as he coasted in for the landing, opting to glide into the Weyr proper, by the lake rather than flap any longer. His wings ached and he was really very tired. Maybe he didn't have to fly up to their weyr yet?

"You did well." M'til praised, and patted Quilienth's side as he disembarked. "Let's just find someone to look at that wingtip, all right? Oh-- look, there's Liranth coming."

"Let me see him," Vaile said as she dismounted, no preamble, just straight to business.

}: She's not being rude, I promise, :{ Liranth said to Quilienth. }: She's just...focused. And worried. That was a close call. You were quick! :{

M'til slid off Quilienth, nodding curtly to Vaile even as she spoke. "Quilienth. Wing." **Give her your wing, Quil... ** he encouraged.

The blue obeyed, stretching out his wing, though he craned his head around to watch Vaile worriedly. }: I am sure it is all right!:{ He asserted to both his rider and Liranth. }: I do not hurt, I promise. And thank you for the lovely compliment, beautiful Liranth:{ he added. }: Mine and I did our best! :{

Vaile's deft fingers traced along the edges of the wing and injury. Nothing that would keep him grounded for long since dragonhide healed quick. "We owe you our thanks...and most likely my life," she eventually said, straightening and facing M'til. "Had Quilienth not been so quick on the flame, I..." She didn't say the rest. It was clear what would have happened and the reality of that possibility shown in her eyes.

"Thank you for tending him so promptly." M'til responded, one hand still resting on his lifemate's shoulder, soothing the blue as best as he could.

Quilienth crooned, and turned his head to regard Fails with whirling blue tinged eyes. }: It is nothing, and does not even hurt that much. :{ the blue asserted bravely, to both his rider and Vaile. }: I am only sorry I was not faster, and could help more.:{

"... It's _okay_, Quilienth. You did so well." M'til assured.

"You did phenomenally," Vaile agreed quickly. She rallied a smile for the blue dragon. She pat him on the eyeridges and nose. "You'll be back up in the air in no time, I promise," she assured him.

}: Next time maybe it will be me that saves your hide, :{ Liranth teased. She arched her neck playfully, trying to ease the situation now that everyone was on the ground and safe.

"Don't you get any heroics in your head, Lir," Vaile said as she pointed a warning finger at her dragon. But Liranth's teasing did its effect. Vaile's smile turned soft, calmer. She looked at M'til. "Thank you, again. Can...I interest you a drink later on? To celebrate another Threadfall through alive?"

}: I am sure we will all do our best to protect one another. :{ Quilienth asserted, loyally, though he ducked his head and shuffled his wings a little. }: I will not be down out of the sky for so long, even if I am tired right now. If I am needed, of course I will fly. :{

**You need to rest, Quilienth**, M'til told his dragon firmly. **Not flap about trying to impress Liranth**

"Ah. I'd.. Like that." M'til responded. "Just have Liranth bespeak Quilienth where you'd like to meet? And I've a bottle I can supply, of course. A lovely Southern red I've been saving."

Vaile held up a hand. "Save it. I...I'll bring something worth the occasion." She didn't want M'til to provide further. She owed him, and owed him far more than just a bottle of wine but it was a start. "Have Quilienth bed down, get some rest yourself. I'll have Liranth contact you when I'm done here." She said it with a ring of command and then realized it. "If...that works for you," she amended softly, petting Quilienth absently.

M'til nodded. "I will." He responded. "He's good to fly up to his ledge then? No overly strained muscles, or... worse?"

}: I am tired, but I can fly there. I can.:{ Quilienth told him, and rose back to his feet.

The bluerider inclined his head. "We'll keep an ear out." He told Vaile. "Thank you again."

She met his eyes. "Thank you," she said with something unreadable in her expression. But it was gone as she stepped back, plastering a thin smile on her face as she let the pair go.

Last updated on the July 21st 2024

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It Was a Near Thing