[7.2.2707] Sleepless Nights (Arktos)

[sorra]

Kiyoni tossed and turned in her bed. Elliwodth flinched in reaction to her rider's dreams. The young search rider suddenly bolted to a sitting position with a frightened cry. She couldn't remember where she was or what was happening.

Kiyoni? What is wrong? Elliwodth asked worriedly as Rivi chittered.

She didn't answer her green as the dream replayed itself in her mind. She should be over her fears now. It was in the past and everyone was alright with what had happened. Why couldn't she be?

[Kit]

Arktos stood by the weyr lake, watching Belior rise. The water's surface was so still that you could see the moon's craters reflected in it, and everything was lit with an eerie but beautiful silvery glow. Arkysk wanted to swim, of course, but the Candidate Master was loathe to spoil the water's perfect mirror. This late, the weyr was practically silent but for an occasional draconic croon or warble.

Suddenly, Arkysk spun his head around, nostrils flaring. Mine, I heard someone scream. I think we should go check. The black was notoriously suspicious, and as with all whers, his hearing was acute.

"Well, where did you here it?" He doubted they'd be able to find the source of noise, but if it would make him feel better.... Besides, they needed the exercise, at least the wher did. Arktos tried to keep himself fit, Arkysk preferred to sleep all the time.

Up in the upper weyrs. I thought it might be Eliwodth's. Akrtos frowned unsure whether the wher was serious or was trying to con him into a nighttime stroll.

"Well why don't you ask Eliwodth if she heard anything, if she is awake.," he said. Maybe if Kiyoni was having trouble sleeping he would go and visit, he thought, smiling happily to himself.

Eliwodth, I heard a scream from somewhere near you. Did you hear something?

[sorra]

Kiyoni buried her face in her arms and cried. Her shoulders shook as she tried to forget her dream. Rivi glided into the room and gently nuzzled his Pet's leg. The search rider shook her head. "Go away, Rivi," she whispered hoarsely.

Elliwodth looked toward Arkysk's voice. The green could just make out their shapes by the lake. She was glad to hear the black wher's voice. It was Kiyoni. She seems scared, but will not tell me anything, she answered Arkysk. She didn't know if Arktos would be able to help, but she was willing to try anything.

[Kit]

Eliwodth says it was Hers that screamed. She is scared, and will not talk to Eliwodth. the wher reported, worry and slight confusion coloring his voice. But Arktos didn't have to be told twice, he'd already started running towards the weyr, and Arkysk had to hurry to keep up.

Of course, they couldn't keep running all the way up the stairs to the upper weyrs, and by the time they got to Kiyoni's level, it was more of a sedate jog, with much panting. In the back of his mind, Arktos resolved to start jogging. He wasn't sure if she would answer a knock, so he simply opened the door a crack and peered through. Seeing her sitting up in bed, he pushed into the room and went to sit beside her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "Are you all right, love? Eliwodth said you cried out, Arkysk heard."

Arkysk had followed his bonded inside and was now prowling around the weyr, making sure there was no danger. Finding nothing he went out to the ledge where Eliwodth was. There is nothing scary in the weyr. I don't know why Yours would scream. he said to the green, clearly confused.

[sorra]

Elliwodth crooned softly, trying to cheer her rider up. She snorted softly and was glad to see Arktos and Arkysk when they appeared. She didn't understand what was going on, but she knew Arktos could fix things.

Kiyoni didn't even know that Elliwodth was talking to Arkysk. She was still caught up in her dream. She didn't even hear her door open until Arktos was seated next to her. Kiyoni raised a tear streaked face to her lover. "It was so real," she whispered, burying her face in Arktos' shoulder as Rivi moved out of the way.

Elliwodth looked over when Arkysk came out on the ledge. I do not know why she screamed either. I hope Yours can make her feel better though. She was confused and worried about her rider.

[Kit]

Arktos pulled her close to him, stroking her hair. "It was just a dream. I'm here now. You are safe with me," he murmured, running a hand down her back to calm her. He knew all about bad dreams. Sometimes he still woke up crying, but it was less and less often now. "Do you want to tel me about it?" Kiyoni had never told him about the dreams that kept her up at night.

Out on the ledge, Arkysk laid down next to Eiwodth, sensing her distress. Mine will make her better I know it. He can fix anything.

[sorra]

She continued to cry softly, her shoulders trembling. She hadn't had nightmares in quite sometime. She had thought maybe they were getting better. She managed to settle a bit at his gentle words. Kiyoni slowly lifted her pale face from his shoulder and looked up at him. "I'm sorry," she whispered. The young search rider hesitated briefly. "I saw my brother," she whispered hoarsely. "He left me just like my parents abandoned me. Then I saw you." She started to tremble a bit. "We were talking and then you started to fade away. I begged you to stay, but you said you couldn't." Kiyoni started crying again.

Elliwodth laid her head down on her forelegs. I hope so. I don't like her being upset.

[Kit]

"Don't apologize. I want to be here for you," he said, wiping away the tears from her face with a gentle thumb and brushing away the hair that had begun to stick to her cheeks. He listened her relate her dream quietly, understanding from experience that kind of fear. "Listen," he said sternly. "I will not leave you. Candidate Master has got to be the safest job in the world. And I have been exposed to Cloudlung without harm more than anybody in the weyr. You'll see, you won't be able to get rid of me. It is I that should worry about you, you will fight Thread, and I will not." He squeezed her tightly, both to reassure her and himself.

I don't like it when Mine gets upset either, Arkysk agreed as he peered out over the weyr. He had rarely been this high before, he didn't do a lot of flying, and what flying he did was fairly low to the ground. It was an interesting vantage point for the wher.

[sorra]

Kiyoni managed a shaky smile. "And I want you here," she whispered. She closed her eyes at his gentle touch, glad for his presence. She was still shook up over her dream, but it was helping having him so close. Kiyoni snuggled against his chest, needing the comfort he was offering. "I've just lost so many in my life that I fear losing you too. I came so close to that already." She shuttered slightly when she thought about how she had nearly driven him away after Elliwodth's flight just two sevendays ago. She looked up at with a watery smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I'll always come back to you," she whispered. "I love you."

I think she is feeling better. She doesn't seem quite as upset. Yours was very good to her. Elliwodth looked over at Arkysk. She had taken a liking to have the black wher around. He was actually fun to talk to. Do you like what you see? she asked as he watched the Weyr below.

[Kit]

"I'll be here as long as you'll have me," he said, kissing her cheek and smiling. He was glad to see her recovering, he had been worried for her. He knew she often had trouble sleeping, and wished he could help her somehow. And the he had an idea, an idea which surprised him with it its audaciousness, but the more he turned it over in his mind, the more he liked it. "I love you Kiyoni, and I always want to be here for you. So, I was thinking....maybe you should come live me," he said somewhat hesitantly. "You, know there's a ledge for Eliwodth and everything. It was meant for someone with a dragon," he said, babbling slightly to cover his nervousness.

It is very high! Everything looks small. But I can see so much more from here. he said excitedly. I wish I had great wings like yours to fly high and carry Mine. He fluttered his small wings in comparison.

[sorra]

She gave him a wobbly smile. "I'm always going to want you, so you better get used to being around," she told him softly. Kiyoni didn't ever want him to leave. Arktos meant so much to her and she felt safe and loved when she was with him. She hadn't felt that way since her brother had died. She had been lonely, but she hadn't wanted to admit it. The search rider looked up at him, her blue eyes showing surprise. "I love you too," she whispered, not believing what she was hearing. "But are you sure? I would love to live with you," she said, watching him. She couldn't believe what he was asking her.

Elliwodth gently nudged Arkysk. They are small from up here, she agreed. And it is fun to fly high, but you can see better in the dark then I can. She didn't want the wher to feel bad.

[Kit]

"Of course I'm sure. I get awfully lonely down there," he said, squeezing her tightly. "There's plenty of room, And our own bath," he said with a sly chuckle. A warm happy feeling spread through his chest and he smiled with unconcealed bliss before kissing her soundly on the lips. "We don't have to go now though, if you're tired. I just thought, if you were near, I could always comfort you, when you have dreams."

Arkysk nosed Eliwodth back with a croon. Yes, Mine says I can see the...warmness... of things? And I can smell really good too! I am a good protector of Mine. But I will help you protect Yours too. She makes Mine happy.

[sorra]

Kiyoni's blue eyes actually lit up a bit when he said he was sure. She snuggled closer to his chest. She giggled when he mentioned their own bathing pool, remembering their first time together. "I'm awake now," she whispered. "And I'd love having you to comfort me. I feel safe when you're near." She closed her eyes as he kissed her, slowly wrapping her arms around his neck.

Elliwodth crooned softly. You are a good protector, the green agreed. She bobbed her elegant head. I would like that. Mine is happier when Yours is close by.

[Kit]

"I will keep you safe," he promised, both to her and himself. He would fight the whole world and go to the ends of the earth. Never again would he lose one that he loved.

"Well, then, lets go," he said with a wide grin, picking her up and carrying her out to the ledge. "Eliwodth can take us down into the Bowl, and then Arkysk can show her where the ledge is. We'll have to open it up from the inside, but I think you'll like it." Actually, the view was rather amazing, and the only reason it wasn't open all the time was that Arktos tended to keep the sleeping room dim so that he could easily sleep at whatever time of day he could find the time. But he'd been sleeping during the day so long it hardly mattered now, and this small sacrifice was more than worth it for Kiyoni. And he wouldn't even mind riding Eliwodth. Perhaps that was another way that Kiyoni would help heal him.

Arkysk stood, tail wagging, as he saw his bonded emerge from the weyr with Eliwodth's.

They are going to come live with us now. That's all right with you, isn't it? Arktos asked the black.

I like Eliwodth and Hers. They can come live with us. We are going now? Can I fly down to the ground?

Yes, you may. Once we get down, you'll have to show Eliwodth your ledge. Arktos replied with an indulgent grin.

Eliwodth, you are going to come live with us. And I will fly down! And then, I will show you my ledge, and we will share it. It is going to be great! The wher practically wiggled with excitement.

[sorra]

Kiyoni laid her head against his chest and just listened to his heart beat. "Thank you, Arktos," she whispered. She had never felt so safe in quite a while.

The green rider managed not to squeal when he picked her up. She nodded slightly. "Alright. Elli won't mind the short flight." With the way her mind was still slightly befuddled she hadn't even thought about the idea that Arktos was going to be back on a dragon. She just wanted to be with Arktos and feel his strong arms around her.

Elliwodth looked over as they came out on the ledge. Really? I like that idea. Do you have a nice view too? she asked of Arkysk, not at all against moving. She looked at Kiyoni. Would you like me to carry you down?

Yes please, love. And Arktos too.

The green nodded and lowered herself on the ledge to make it easier for her riders.