Aerten News

[Chantal]

Corena paced around the conference table, Lizabeth resting on the nearest ledge. She was nervous, though she probably would be for waiting around like this. She hadn't even told anyone what her intentions were, Lizabeth knew, but she had restrained her from calling Alaskath or Yueth. At first she wanted to just leave a note and then go back to that cavern she had went to during the last fall. Corena frowned, her face pale, her entire presence somber and she looked like she was about to break. It had only been a few days since she had inscribed her weyrmate's name into the memorial cavern. What she was about to do however, Corena had given a lot of thought in as she lied in that cavern, her world turning upside down since that fall.

She was going to request that someone else take her spot as wingsecond in Ambiance, and if Blood wing ever reformed then the wingleader spot there too. She was not confident in herself anymore, three falls she had left the wing leaderless. What kind of leader is that, one that would leave a wing to fight on their own? Ambiance and Blood were low level wings, but Corena could not get through it anymore. She could when D'nal was still with her, he was able to push her back up and help her endure the responsiblity. He was not here anymore, and Corena did not have the strength or willpower to lead a wing, no matter how much thread a wing usually got. She just could not do it anymore, and she did not want to risk anyone's life based on her ill judged calls.

If she did not do this now, then there was a high possibility Yueth would still be on the sands and she would have to lead Ambiance, with newly graduated riders, with a clouded mind. No, this would be best, she could still aid Ambiance without being a burden or a danger to the other riders and their dragons. Maybe she should just leave a note and leave Aerten for a bit. She could request to be transferred back to Crescent, though the weyr has probably changed in the turn that she had been away from it. Corena had become slightly attached to Aerten however, she was not sure if she'd be able to go through with the transfer. Would it really matter in the end? Aerten's numbers were increasing and the loss of one crimson would not hurt the weyr, right?

I am here for you Corena, whatever you decide to do. We can live weyrless for all I care, as long as it makes you happy. Lizabeth sadly replied, all the death around the two of them taking its toll on the crimson. Her hide was dull, both rider and dragon looked underweight, the only positive sign was that Lizabeth's hide was not cracking or itching. Other than that, the pair looked worse off than when they were badly scored for the first time. Lizabeth knew this, she knew that she needed to eat, but with how Corena was feeling, she couldn't possibly bring herself to be so selfish and indulge on food while her rider suffered as she was right now.

I know Lizabeth. It is hard to find anything to be happy for at this moment. The cavern does sound nice, maybe we can go there for a few sevendays and get away from everything... Corena trailed off as she sighed and leaned against a wall, maybe she should have Lizabeth inform one of the weyrleader's dragons that she was waiting in the conference room, that did sound a bit too forward to Corena for her liking. She would just go ahead and write a note, if they wanted to speak to her, then Lizabeth would let her know. Corena found a piece of blank hide and a stylus and began to think of how to write this out.

[Caliphone]

Z'lex had wandered from his weyr to stretch his legs and let his hand uncramp. He'd been practicing his writing for hours and he had made a little progress, but it wasn't much. Nevertheless, he needed to move on to other things. And be for her did that, he needed to recuperate.

As it was, he wandered by the conference room and spotted someone inside. He blinked confusedly and slipped inside. He stared for a moment at Corena, surprised to see her and not really sure what to make of it.

What was she writing? Shards, but she looked horrible. He shook his head; now was not the time for that. "Corena? Did you need something?"

[Chantal]

Normally Corena would have jumped for being taken by surprise, but she merely looked up from her note and weakly smiled. Looks like the note she had just written was a waste of hide, just like she was to Aerten; a waste. She looked back down at the note, reading her words as memories, nearly fresh memories, flooded her mind. Memories of better times at Aerten, where the weyr was picking itself back up and everyone was happy for the most part. Where she was falling helplessly in love with the now dead bluerider. A few tears dropped from her cheeks, as she had not noticed them forming and she hastily wiped them away. "S-sorry about that, do-don't know where they came from." she quietly apologized, shakily letting out a breath she had been holding in.

Of course she knew where they were coming from, she still was not over the loss of her lover, but she was not going to burden Z'lex with her problems. "Sir...I'd like to step down as Blood's wingleader, if the wing is to ever reform, and as wingsecond in Ambiance." she managed to let out, not exactly making eye contact with the weyrleader, she couldn't bring herself to. She knew her facial expressions would give her away immediately and she did not, again, want to burden him with what was wrong with her personally. "Belwyn and Ormorith took over, from what Lizabeth told me, last fall. I'd like to recommend them for the position." she added, trying to appear strong.

Truthfully, she wanted Lizabeth to just end this suffering for her, take her between and never return from this ruthless world and its struggles. The crimson was adamant about her staying here however, and no matter what request, Lizabeth would not linger in the abyss for any amount of time, other than what was necessary. "I...I am not able to watch over the wing anymore and feel that I would only burden Katelin and Yueth, once they return to fighting thread. Which is why I am stepping down from the position." she added, feeling that a possible explanation might be needed.

Lizabeth did not touch Corena's mind, but briefly brushed against Z'lex's mind. She has already tried to suicide once by skewing her coordinates, I caught it luckily, but she keeps requesting me to take her between forever. I don't know if I can deny her forever, she's just...waisting away. She thinks she's a burden to Aerten for how many times we've been injured. she informed Z'lex, feeling that he should know part of the turmoil going on inside of Corena. She felt rather helpless, as even she could not comfort her rider very much. Corena kept saying that she at least still had her mate; that she wouldn't have to worry about loosing him, as Tigth would never be alive to catch her and have D'nal protect Corena from the men that would gather when she rose.

[Caliphone]

Concern showed on Z'lex's face as he watched her and listened to what she had to say. He crossed the room to her slowly and a bit awkwardly, wanting to comfort her with any idea of how to do it.

In a way, this was troublesome. He had been more or less pleased with Corena and he thought she had potential. But if she was suicidal, he couldn't rely on her a leader whether he wanted to or not. "Belwyn was a last resort." He found himself saying. "There wasn't any other choice. Not really. But, I suppose she's capable...if barely." He put a hand on Corena's shoulder, trying to catch her gaze.

"I think you should talk to Ashtar. I'll tell him to expect you. For now, you're relieved of your position because I think it's in your best interests at the moment. However, I don't want to lose you completely, Corena. You're not a waste or a burden or anything else."

He slid his arm around her and guided her toward the ledge. "Come on." Al, tell Ormorith I'd like to see Belwyn please. The bronze complied, and soon enough Ormorith landed on the ledge, warbling to her crimson sister.

Hello Lizabeth. I hope you don't mind me saying so, but you look awful. Belwyn slid to the ground and glided over, simply dressed in slacks and a tunic with her hair braids wound round her head.

"Weyrleader, Wingsecond." Z'lex winced doubly as Belwyn nodded a polite greeting to both of them. He hoped this had been a good idea.

"Belwyn, Corena has stepped down for now. She quite upset. Would you mind taking her for some klah or something?"

Belwyn smiled blithely and shook her head. "Not at all, Weyrleader." He winced again. Belwyn took the other crimsonrider's hand and drew her away down the stairs. "Come, Corena. I've just the thing to make you feel better."

Z'lex watched them go for a moment and then turned to Lizabeth. "Thank you, Lizabeth. Keep me informed. I don't want to lose her either."

[Chantal]

Corena froze under the touch on her shoulder, flinching slightly as she turned her head further away. She knew she looked horrible, pathetic, whatever they wanted to think of her. She knew it, but she did not care anymore. "They are more capable than I am sir." she replied, feeling Lizabeth trying to help her though she was not letting Lizabeth's support flow through her, as she had been doing for sometime now. Corena shook her head lightly, "Please...do not, he does not need to be bothered. Especially with my petty problems." Corena did not want help, she had a feeling what would happen and she did not want to spill out her feelings to a healer that she barely knew.

"Belwyn, Katelin, Ormorith, and Yueth are better assests to Aerten than I sir. I am...I am not cut out for leading. Even Lizabeth can offer Aerten aid, it is better that they are here than I." she once again froze under the contact and briefly resisted being guided to the ledge, but she was not strong and had no will to fight back so she followed along. The sight of her crimson saddened her, but no matter how many times she tried to take Lizabeth to the grounds, she refused to eat. Because you are not, I will not let you suffer alone Corena, as you are not alone.

Lizabeth flashed Ormorith a dragon's grin grimly, Hello Ormorith. I am aware. We've probably looked better when we were scored a few times. Corena heard Lizabeth's portion of the conversation and flinched from that and the title that no longer belonged to her. She didn't want to be taken anywhere, "Liz-Lizabeth needs to be fed, I-I should not trouble you." Corena tried to get out of it, fearing that she might have to explain in details about why she was upset and from explaining it, possibly breaking down once again. She tried to walk over to Lizabeth, but Belwyn pulled her down the stairs and Corena found herself following along once more.

The crimson turned her head and looked over at Z'lex, nodding, making sure Corena could not hear her. If by some miracle, someone can make her eat, then at least she will not fall ill. I will let know how she is doing, Tigth's and his rider's deaths have upset her greatly. She lost a little one during the sevenweek after last fall too, she blames herself for their deaths, and of the loss of her little one. Lizabeth felt that someone should know this, and if anyone could at least provide help to Corena, it was the weyrleader. The crimson hoped she was doing the right thing.

[Caliphone]

Z'lex nodded grimly. "I'll contact Ashtar about her, even if she's unwilling. If he can put up with Katelin's attitude, hopefully he can help Corena, despite her resistance." He paused a moment and then added, "Do try to take care yourself too, Lizabeth." He bowed politely to both crimsons and then left to find Ashtar.

Ormorith turned to Lizabeth. I'm sorry if I sounded harsh. I empathize with you. Come, if Belwyn can convince yours to eat, I'd like for you to join me in a hunt. With that, she leapt from the ledge, winging almost lazily toward the herdbeast enclosure.

Belwyn smiled at her charge as she pulled the shorter woman along. "It's no trouble at all, Corena. I always enjoy helping a friend. And don't worry about Lizabeth. Ormorith will look out for her in your absence.

"Now, I don't know what's distressing you, but I've two lovely ears if you'd like to make use of them. You don't have to of course, I'm perfectly happy prattling along if you don't feel like talking.

"But I must say you're in luck because I've just finished making a batch of muffins. They're my mother's recipe. And, I don't pride myself on my cooking really, but my muffins always seem to come out well." They'd finally reached the kitchen, which was surprisingly empty, and Belwyn coaxed Corena into a chair. "The klah, I didn't make. I don't know who did, but its a good batch." She poured some into a cup and handed to Corena. Then, she moved to where the muffins still sat in their pan and she began to move them to a cooling rack, giving Corena a chance to speak if she wished.