Alaena arrived back at the Weyr just as the rest of the Candidates were getting up and out of bed, but decided she needed nothing from the Barracks and headed towards the Living Caverns, Raela squawking protests at the jostling of her unsteady body.
Alaena arrived in the Living Caverns, which was still fairly empty, for which she was grateful, and she quickly went and found a drudge, asking for a bowl of scraps. "A large one, if you can find it. I've got a very hungry hatchling and I don't want to underfeed her."
The drudge nodded, and toddled offer in search of the meat, even as Alaena went to gain her breakfast. An orange and several slices of toast found their way to her plate, as well as a bowl of steaming porridge. Such was needed in the chill winter mornings of Ryslen Weyr, and had been since she had been here. But, she didn't mind the cold. In fact she loved it.
As she sat down at a nearby table the drudge returned, bearing a large bowl of scraps. Alaena looked up and smiled gratefully. "Thank you," she said as she relieved the drudge of his burden, setting it on the table. Raela was quick to hop up and begin feeding, and Alryuhn followed, though less messy than she. But Raela had the excuse of being a starving hatchling, although in the end she was trying to imitate him.
Alaena slid her spoon into her porridge, which had been seasoned with just a hint of sweetening, and a touch of milk to cool it. She stirred the contents of her bowl for a time before taking a bite, careful not to burn herself.
She swallowed, following her mouthful with some klah, enjoying the cinnamon-like taste. She closed her eyes, relaxing. This day was turning out to be fairly nice, except...
Her nightmares. They were still coming to her. Waking her early and leaving her sleepless. Yet somehow, though the month and a half she had been here, she had survived. She had yet to get in trouble, and had often caught other Candidate pulling pranks when they should have been in bed. She didn't always tell on them, but usually she did. She almost enjoyed keeping them on their toes.
Having smug thoughts, Alaena? Alryuhn interjected his thought into her train of them.
"Hm? No, just thinking over all that has happened these past few weeks," she replied. Her blue eyes rolled towards the ceiling as she leaned back in her chair, letting her porridge cool a bit more as she thought. "It's strange, really. I've only been here for six sevendays and I already feel a part of this place. I'm still having nightmares, yes, but I don't feel quite as alone as I used to. At least I've made some friends."
Alryuhn swallowed a mouthful of chewed meat. "Yes, like that boy... what was his name?"
"Deramin?" Alaena offered helpfully. "Yeah. He's really nice. Good thing he's from home, huh?"
Alryuhn nodded, eyeing her briefly. "Indeed..." He shook himself inwardly. They weren't meant for each other, despite all their ties. Not in the way he wanted. He turned to watch Raela. She was his type. A Dragonet, like himself...
"Something wrong, Alryuhn?" Alaena asked in a worried voice.
"Oh, no. Nothing Alaena. I'm just thinking, that's all."
"About what?" the Elf queried further.
Alryuhn offered her his most mischevious grin. "About how you'll be late for chores if you don't hurry up and eat."
"Oh, eek!" Hurriedly the seventeen-year-old began to quickly eat her porridge, which was now cool enough to do so, and then washed it all down with half her klah. She eyed the orange, and decided to stick it away for later, shoving it in her jacket's pocket before draining the rest of her cup and standing. "Alright, let's go!" she exclaimed cheerfully, and eyed the sleeping Raela. "I guess I'd better see about putting her in a sling... I can't leave her on my bed. She might get hurt."
Alryuhn nodded. "Try conjuring one?" he offered. "It'll be easier and faster than hunting down one from someone else."
Alaena nodded, and focused her mind, concentrating on the image of the object she desired. A sling, suitable for holding a hatchling Dragonet. She focused on the image for a bit longer before--with a few complex gestures--she conjured it.
She looked it over before nodding, satisfied. She put it on, and slide Raela into it, laying her on her back. The white yawned sleepily before settling in and Alaena smiled. "Alright, I'm ready, let's go!"
Alryuhn nodded, and flew to her shoulder, wrapping his tail around her neck, a loving caress before settling into place, even as Alaena ran out the door.
* * *
You are listening to Yasunori Mitsuda, Chrono Cross -- Reminiscence ~Feelings Not Erased~ (3:07)