Completed [Gilia Medical Center] What Doesn't Kill You (Rinya)

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Fall, Day 16, 513 AV

Jorin's vision wavered back into focus. His left arm felt like someone had tried to rip it out of its socket, and his ribs felt like they'd all been shattered into a million pieces. He felt bruised all over and his mouth had the coppery taste of blood in it, but he was still alive and the clean, sterile walls meant he was in Gilia. Well good, at least he didn't have to crawl here on his own. Or perhaps he did and didn't remember, which would be kind of sad.

He was dressed in the usual hospital clothes. Rough wool, which itched all over and did not help Jorin relax at all. The Akalak doctor gave him a stern look. Standing next to the Akalak doctor was Sohryn.

"That was a pathetic display yesterday, Jorin," Sohryn admonished. "You did not get a single hit in. What happened?"

Yesterday. So he'd spent the night in recuperation. Made sense, Jorin supposed. He tried to shrug, but his right arm protested with a sharp, penetrating pain that made him gasp. Instead, he gave Sohryn an apologetic look.

"I don't know," he answered honestly. Well, partially honest. He had an idea, but had no way to be sure it was true. In some sense, that was the same ... right?

Sohryn just grunted. "You lose focus like that in real combat, and there won't be an instructor to stop the battle. I don't care what your personal problems are, you come into the Sasaran you leave that at the door, do I make myself clear?"

Jorin sighed. "Yes, sir," he replied. Sohryn nodded.

"Good," Sohryn intoned, as he exited the room. The Akalak doctor glanced at Jorin and gave him a stern glare.

"Well, I've got good news and I've got bad news," the man announced. Jorin groaned. He was quite sure the bad news probably canceled the good news, too.

"The good news is that you did not receive any life-threating or even permanently dibilitating injuries during your spar," the doctor said. Jorin raised an eyebrow. Well that was pretty good news.

"The bad news is, you suffered a dislocated shoulder, two broken ribs, a perforated lung, minor lacerations and bruising, and a black eye. I'd say recovery time should be about three weeks. Oh, and I want you here for observation for at least two of them."

Jorin's mouth dropped open. The doc had to be kidding. There was literally no way he was staying in a room like this for two weeks. No! No way! He'd chew his way out if he had to!

Plus, the Amphitheater needed him, he couldn't just abandon his responsiblities for that. As though reading his mind, the doctor announced, "I'd already informed the Amphitheater as to your condition. Fortunately, they do have an understudy to take your place in the upcoming production, but do try not to miss too many performances, yes? I cannot give you a doctor's notice forever."

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Fall, Day 16, 513 AV

Jorin seethed. That was his spot they were giving away! Oh come on! It was just a stupid shoulder and a couple of ribs, it's not like he died or anything! It was the Sararan, accidents happened! Before he could protest, the doctor leaned in and threatened, "I could always make your stay three weeks, Jorin."

Jorin leaned back, defeated. The doctor gave a curt nod and strode for the door. As he reached for the knob, he turned back and nonchalantly added, "Oh yes, I do believe you also have a visitor. She claims to be your romantic partner."

Jorin's heart went to his throat when he heard that, but then paused. First, he hadn't felt Rinya's arrival, although her blocking the bond might mean he wouldn't even if she had. But more importantly, Rinya would've never introduced herself as his "romantic partner". That just wasn't her. He felt slightly sad at that ... he truly would not mind if she did. But the way their relationship had soured ... Jorin looked up at the doctor curiously, cocking his head to the side.

"... I don't have a romantic partner," he explained. The doctor shrugged.

"Should I send her away then?" he asked. Jorin sighed and shook his head.

"No, send her in," he relented. The doctor nodded, and left. A few chimes later, the door opened, and Farline Darfi bounded in.

"Oh, Jori, what happened?" she cried. Then she paused, her face going red and her eyes dropped.

"I-I'm sorry," she apologized quietly. "For pretending to be your partner I just ... they wouldn't let me in otherwise, I didn't know what else to say ..."

Farline's lower lip quivered and her eyes watered. "Please don't send me away ..."

"Of course you can stay Farline," Jorin sighed. She looked up and smiled.

"Thank you," she breathed. Her eyes fell on the table near Jorin's bed, where his affects had been tossed haphazardly. Despite her many hidden faults, messiness had never been one for Farline, and she walked over, quietly neating the pile, putting like with like and organizing it into careful little piles.

Her eyebrow raised at one item of particular note; a strange blue feather that was darker at the core and got lighter as it went out. It looked like a ... gull's feather? She held it up in curiosity.

"What's this?" she asked. Jorin looked over.

"That ... was a gift from Rinya," he explained. "My first gift from her, actually."

Farline felt something settle in her gut. And he kept this gift? All this time? Why? Throwing on an adoring look, she giggled and asked, "Can I keep it awhile? It would look just perfect on one of my dresses."

Jorin hesitated. It was not his feather to give, it was Rinya's. And even though she'd given it to him, letting Farline take it seemed ... wrong, somehow. But Farline looked at him with this pleading look, and Jorin relented. After all, she was always so neat and careful, he was sure she'd not lose something, especially not something he considered important.

"Oh, all right," he said. "But I'm expecting it back, OK?" Farline giggled and nodded, tucking the feather into a small compartment of her purse.

"So what did happen to you?" she wanted to know. Jorin sighed. It was going to be a long story.

[/indent][/style]

[Rinya]

Day 16, Season Fall, 513 AV

Rinya knew this wasn’t going to be easy. The medical center was well known for security, and judging by the last time Rinya was in here, bondmates were not exactly high on the list of visitors. Actually, if she thought about it… they probably did not rank at all. And if Jorin ended up with a nurse Akalak like she did, the minute she showed up in his room without permission meant getting dragged out by her tail feathers. Standing outside the center though, Rinya tried to figure out how to sneak into Jorin’s room.

Above all things, she didn’t even know where he was, but most of the room had windows. And for Rinya that was an advantage she would take any day. Even if she had to change in an empty room and roam the halls covered in only a sheet. And dearly hope she didn’t run into anyone that took care of her while she was here. However, there was one person Rinya knew she could depend on. And Rinya deeply wished she didn’t have to call on a favor from him, but in the end she was truly deseperate.

But Rinya figured she had been asking quite a bit from the Akalak. And the gods knew she was going to pay dearly for this. But on the bright side, Rinya did not have to injury her pride too much. He simply grinned and waltzed into the damn center like he owned it. Leaving Rinya to shift awkwardly from foot to foot outside until his return. The Akalak circled the building until he came to a stop and pointed a specific closed window.

”He’s in that one. I take it you want me to take your clothing?” Rinya did her best to not groan, sliding behind a bush to strip down and shift. She would have a long wait, but at least he was being civil… he promised to be civil. Beating her wings quickly, Rinya lit herself into the nearest tree and stared at the window, willing it to open now rather than later.

The Akalak gathered up her clothing a disappeared inside once again. And Rinya could do little but wait.

Pushing the door open to Jorin’s room, the young blue Akalak threw on an instant grin. Rinya wasn’t kidding when she said Jorin must’ve gotten himself hurt. By the looks of it, someone just used him as a dummy and wacked the petch out of him. But he had promised Rinya he would be as well behaved as possible. His gaze shifted from the bruised and battered Jorin to the… beautiful woman in the room with him? Funny… he could have sworn that Jorin was all wound up on Rinya like she was him. Perhaps he was getting rusty at his game then.

”Good morning sunshine! How are you doing?” Rhys beamed brightly, winking at the woman as he shuffled across the room and threw the window open. Turning to face Jorin, Rhys threw Rinya’s dress at him. ”Thought I would bring you a present since pets aren’t allowed to visit.” There was a careful stress in Rhys’ voice. The statement was not meant to entirely offend Jorin, more of a warning. Rinya was not supposed to be here. Rhys wasn’t even entirely sure what would happen if Rinya was caught sneaking into Jorin’s room.

”Hello beautiful. No one mentioned anything about you being here.” Rhys leaned forward a little, looking Farline up and down. By the looks of the fading bruise on her cheek, Rinya really did deck her one. ”Heh… that’s my girl.” Rhys muttered lowly before he was interrupted by a loud whistle. Rinya had finally landed in the window sill and apparently flirting was not part of the deal. Dang it.

Flashing Jorin another big grin, and another wink at Farline he strode to the door, but not before throwing it open and pointing at the osprey firmly seated in the window.

”Don’t forget sweetheart, you owe me.” And Rhys was gone, out the door in a flash.

Thanks for reminding me you petching…

Rinya merely let out several loud whistles before settling into the window sill a little more comfortably. And then began to her nervously preen her feathers. She didn’t want to focus on Jorin or Farline at the moment. She still couldn’t believe that Jorin had gotten hurt and she had been so caught up in trying to figure things out that she hadn’t known.

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Fall, Day 16, 513 AV

Jorin's door opened and ... seriously? Rhys? What the petch was that man doing here? Jorin almost growled at him when he spoke up.

"Good morning sunshine! How are you doing?" he sang out cheerfully. Farline looked as confused as Jorin felt, and she shrugged and replied, "Umm, fine, thank you?"

"Thought I would bring you a present since pets aren’t allowed to visit," the Akalak mentioned as he tossed what looked to be Rinya's dress onto Jorin's bed and strode over to the window, throwing it open. In flew Rinya. Jorin would, of course, recognize her anywhere. Even if ospreys were not solitary hunters and he saw her in a crowd of other osprey's, he was certain he could still pick her out. Just seeing her again, and feeling her, Jorin felt lighter. The pain seemed less intense. Rinya was back. Everything would be all right. He barely noticed when Rhys noted Farline's presence.

"Hello beautiful. No one mentioned anything about you being here," he said. Farline cocked her head slightly.

"Should they have?" She asked innocently. Jorin was barely paying attention. He almost missed Rhys telling Rinya she owed him one ... what the petch? ... before he left the room, leaving just Rinya and Farline there.

Rinya was on the windowsill, preening her feathers and she looked as nervous as Jorin could tell she was feeling. At last the bond was back. Jorin could feel happiness swell inside. He was just so glad to have Rinya back that before he could stop himself he called out to her.

"Rinya, I'm so glad you came," he said as she continued to preen. "I'm sorry if I-"

" -wait, Rinya?!" Farline's incredulous voice rang out. She stared at the osprey for a few moments. One could almost hear the gears grinding in her head. It didn't take long for her to put the pieces together.

"She's a Kelvic. You never said she was a Kelvic." Farline concluded, her words almost accusing.

"It never really came up," Jorin replied, apologetically. He would have shrugged but that would be murder on his poor shoulder. Farline's eyes narrowed at the bird at the sill.

"Well. If she wanted to see you, she's seen you. But I don't think it's wise to have animals here in a hospital room. You still need to recover and you don't need the distraction."

Farline walked over to the sill, making shooing motions with her hands, clearly intending to drive Rinya off the sill and back out the window.

[Rinya]

Day 16, Season Fall, 513 AV

Despite all the thinking Rinya had done over the course of several days, she couldn’t help but keep her distance. While Jorin had never once been mad at her there was always the chance that Rinya had thoroughly petched up and now he might actually be cross with her. Not that she would blame him. Her actor looked absolutely terrible. From what little she could see he was covered in bruises… much like she had been during her stay. But judging by the pain rippling off the bond, he was certainly hurt far worse than just bruises.

Before she had even gotten to the medical center, she had felt a flux of emotions coming from him other than pain. Aggitation with a mix of anger—Rinya had no idea why, but if nothing else she would tread carefully until she could discern just how happy—or unhappy he was to see her. She wouldn’t entirely be surprised he didn’t want to see her. After all she had been blocking the bond for almost a week. He had every right to turn her away now.

But like most days, Jorin always had a tendency to surprise her. Instead of feeling any sort of negative emotions at her sudden entrance—even with the help of Rhys—Jorin was happy. Quite happy actually… even a little relieved. She couldn’t have stopped herself from looking up at him from her nervous habit of preening under pressure if she had wanted to, not when he spoke to her like that. Rinya could have easily forgotten everything but him if it wasn’t for one small problem.

" -wait, Rinya?!"

That bloody voice ripped her out of her bond induced haze and Rinya finally cocked her head to eye the current bane of her existence. Farline was here… how could she forget that little piece of information. Rinya was glad she was in her hawk form actually… she could have only imagine what might fly out of her mouth if she had come in through the door as a human. Jorin was practically on lock down… how the petch did this woman get in?

The mention of Rinya being a Kelvic would have caused her to snort if she had the ability to do so. She couldn’t tell if Jorin picked up on the tone of Farline’s voice, but Rinya certainly did. Farline didn’t approve of Jorin’s lack of telling apparently. As if it was really any of her business anyways. And Jorin just gave her the kinder version of that answer… that it really hadn’t come up.

Wait… did that mean? Rinya let out a low long whistle in an attempt to hide her flustered emotions. Of course Jorin would have spent time with her. For a split second, Rinya considered leaving them alone. But she hadn’t cut off the bond for several days to accept her feelings and run away now.

"Well. If she wanted to see you, she's seen you. But I don't think it's wise to have animals here in a hospital room. You still need to recover and you don't need the distraction."

How dare she! She was not some… dirty animal to be pushed out of the room like an annoyance. She had worked hard to just get here—even owed Rhys of all people a favor—and she thought she could just shoo her out the window? Leaning forward a little, Rinya snapped her beak at Farline’s hands, but she was careful—she didn’t actually bite her. But the threat was well made. Touch and she’d pay for it.

Spreading her wings, Rinya pushed off from the sill—and maybe accidentally smacked Farline with a wing as she did so. Certainly not on purpose… she just didn’t have the room to avoid her… that was all. Stalling her wings, Rinya perched on the edge of Jorin’s bed. She wasn’t going to leave that easily—Farline may want to play games, but now wasn’t the time. Cocking her head to the side a little, Rinya went about ignoring Farline and observed Jorin’s wounds from the new angle. She still couldn’t really see anything. Which didn’t do much to settle her stomach.

Rinya made a split second decision… not that this was going to be easy. There wasn’t much room on the bed. But she couldn’t speak to Jorin in this form. Not like she wanted. So Rinya hopped along the edge of the sheet until she made it to the top. A little awkwardly, she pulled the top of the sheet up and ducked her head underneath—and then the rest of her body followed. Carefully, so her shift wouldn’t press up against Jorin, Rinya turned human. And promptly held the sheet shyly to her body. Not that Jorin wasn’t getting used to her naked form… he had seen it quite often as of late, but she didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable.

”Jorin…” It came out more of a whisper than she had intended. Rinya couldn’t help but wince. But she stared at him directly, sight never wavering. After everything she had put him through he was still happy to see her, and she wasn’t going to let him think otherwise. Intent on ignoring Farline at least for the moment, Rinya hesitantly reached for his hand. It looked to be one of the least injured parts of him. Even then she was extremely delicate.

”What’s the damage?” To anyone else, she might have sounded miffed at him being injured, but really she just didn’t have her words again. She was getting better at them, but this time… it was emotions. She was so very worried and like usual she didn’t know how to express it. ”Jorin what happened?”

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Fall, Day 16, 513 AV

Farline's hand drew back as though scalded when Rinya suddenly snapped her beak. Her back turned to Jorin, he didn't see Farilne's expression at that moment, nor did he see the angry gleam in her eye.

Not that it would have mattered, because a moment later Rinya had flown over to Jorin's bed, one of her wings catching Farline in the head on her way there. Farline gave a startled cry, glaring at Rinya in indignation. With a supreme effort, Farline smoothed out the lines on her face. She could not show too much negativity, not with Jorin there. That wasn't how this game was played.

But despite her best efforts, Farline could not keep from gaping when Rinya dove into Jorin's covers, and transformed, sidling up gently next to him completely nude. Farline knew vaguely about Kelvics, and understood the basic precept that their transformations did not include clothes, but this Rinya was not playing by the rules! Farline frankly could not believe she would resort to such ... low-brow tactics. Farline had to call upon all her acting skills not to have an angry frown upon her face but her dark eyes were swirling masses of emotion.

Jorin, however, wasn't noticing what Farline was up to. He blinked in surprise when Rinya transformed under his sheets, and while he was very glad to be able to speak to her, to feel her presence next to him, her state of undress and close proximity to him made thinking difficult. Nevertheless, he concentrated for her sake, feeling the worry rolling off Rinya like ocean waves.

"Jorin..." she breathed, and Jorin's heart soared. How he missed hearing her voice. He noticed that she winced when she said this. Possibly from seeing the condition he was in. Jorin sighed inwardly. If only he could blame someone else for it, but the truth was his condition was entirely his fault.

When Rinya reached for his hand, Jorin smiled at her gently, grasping her hand in his and tracing the back of her palm with his thumb. Despite his shoulder still protesting any motion on his part, Jorin ignored it. Rinya was far more important that some stupid shoulder. Besides, it was just dislocated, it wasn't broken.

"What’s the damage?" Rinya asked. Farline snorted from behind her, an uncharacteristically unladylike act that, had either of them noticed, might have raised an eyebrow. But Rinya seemed to be ignoring the other woman and Jorin had all but forgotten anything else in Mizahar even existed. Even though her words and tone sounded miffed, Jorin knew what she meant. He could still feel her worry across the bond.

"Jorin what happened?" Rinya wanted to know. Jorin sighed. Well, he might as well get it over with, since he'd have to tell her eventually.

"Stupidity happened, Rinya, on my part," Jorin explained with a wry smile.

"I was down at the Sasaran, practicing the quarterstaff, like most days," he continued. "There's this rule at the arms school: If you bump into anyone while practicing you have to fight them. It's supposed to mimic a battlefield, you see? So I bumped into this big red Akalak and we squared off."

Jorin sighed. He wasn't looking forward to reliving this next part.

"I ... wasn't really all there, Rinya. Too distracted ... anyway you can pretty much see what the end-result was," Jorin squeezed Rinya's hand a bit to reassure her it wasn't her fault.

"Though I'll be honest, I'm not sure I'd have necessarily done that much better even if I had been paying attention," Jorin joked. Throughout this, Farline stood in stony silence, not moving a muscle. From outward appearances she seemed calm, but inside she was seething. As Jorin described his injuries, and how he was mainly really only hurt on his left side, Farline was barely listening, instead thinking in her mind about what she could use as ammunition against Rinya in this situation.

Jorin, however, was not aware of this. Instead, he temporarily released Rinya's hand to stroke her cheek.

"Rinya," Jorin whispered, and waited for her to look him in the eyes before continuing. "I just have one request." Jorin smiled. "Please don't ever cut me off like that again." Then without warning he leaned in, ignoring his protesting shoulder, and kissed Rinya on the lips. It had been so long since he'd done that. Ten days ago, he thought, not since the Grotto incident. It felt like it'd been a thousand years.

As the electricity arced through his body from the contact of their lips Jorin closed his eyes and just enjoyed the moment. Unfortunately, it was shattered when a rather sharp "Ahem!" rang through the small room.

Farline had crossed her arms over her bosom, her eyes boring holes into Rinya. "Rinya, dear, don't you think it would be prudent to allow Jorin to have his rest?" she suggested. She wanted badly to berate the woman for slipping in - naked, no less! - with Jorin, but she calculated that would not go over well with Jorin in earshot. She'd have to have a little talk with Rinya later about the rules of this game.

"Besides," she continued lightly, "I'm sure you're just exacerbating his condition with what you're doing." If Rinya had been looking at Farline's face and general posture, she'd see nothing change, but if she'd been looking at Farline's eyes, she'd see a dangerous, sharp look. Don't push me, Farline's eyes were screaming.

[Rinya]

Day 16, Season Fall, 513 AV

"I was down at the Sasaran, practicing the quarterstaff, like most days," he continued. "There's this rule at the arms school: If you bump into anyone while practicing you have to fight them. It's supposed to mimic a battlefield, you see? So I bumped into this big red Akalak and we squared off."

Rinya blinked dumbfound. She had no idea that Jorin had been practicing at the Sasaran. That explained why as time went on, he was looking stronger. She had thought maybe all the work at the Amphitheater had just started to strengthen his body. She vaguely wondered if she should be slightly upset—after all they had been bonded close to a season now and he hadn’t mentioned it.

She really couldn’t find it in her to be mad however. And it suddenly made sense what he had said when she had been injured herself. That “he should have been there”. Rinya at the time couldn’t imagine how his presence would have helped, but like most things when it came to Jorin, Rinya was pleasantly surprised. Not that she ever considered him weak. But he had such a gentle—and obviously forgiving—nature she couldn’t imagine him picking up any sort of weapon.

"I ... wasn't really all there, Rinya. Too distracted ... anyway you can pretty much see what the end-result was,"

Frowning a little, Rinya tilted her head. Distracted? While she had spent her few days completely distracted, Rinya hadn’t thought that maybe Jorin would end up the same way too. He was squeezing her hand as if trying to comfort her, but Rinya was not entirely sure if she should be. In hind sight the whole idea of ignoring the bond was a bad idea period.

Rinya stared down at his hand, tracing small circles into her hand as he described his injuries. It took an insurmountable of control not to whimper over his lung and ribs. She had just been bruised and scarred. If the Akalak had hit him any harder, he would be dying—or worse dead. She wasn’t enjoying their switch in positions... she would have preferred it was her lying in that bed—again—than him. And knowing Jorin, he would never agree to that thought. So it was better left unsaid.

"Rinya,”

He whispered her name, stroked her cheek, and there was nothing that she could have done to stop herself from looking up at him. There was a draw to his voice, his usual tenderness when he had something important to say to her.

"I just have one request." He smiled and Rinya simply nodded. It didn’t even matter what he wanted honestly. Because in her experience Jorin never asked anything of her she couldn’t give. "Please don't ever cut me off like that again."

It was a simple request, like she already figured. But the weight held behind it was deep. She had unintentionally hurt him by cutting him off, and because of it she hadn’t even realized he had been hurt. Swallowing thickly, Rinya started to answer him but she never got the chance. Ignoring his injuries he just ducked in and kissed her.

Had Rinya not spent days trying to figure out what Jorin meant to her, she would have reacted like she normally did. Return the kiss and pull away—in more ways than one. But she had spent days thinking about him—and a self inflicted isolation, which would have never bothered her before she had met him—caused an instant reaction. Her fingers came up, stroking his jaw line before hooking behind his neck to hold him to her. She was gentle, but far more pressing than she had ever been before.

For anyone else the change was probably unnoticeable, but for Rinya—she let herself get caught up. She had missed him, and was worried for him. She loved him, and she let herself really feel it for once. It had always been a rush when she kissed him, but the pleasant nerves that crawled across her skin and caused her to lose her breath all at the same—at least until that petching woman behind her interrupted their moment.

"Rinya, dear, don't you think it would be prudent to allow Jorin to have his rest?"

If Jorin hadn’t been injured, Rinya may have very well hauled off and chased the woman out of the room. But even if Farline didn’t actually mean it, she was right. Jorin needed rest. But if Farline was going to play this “game” here, Rinya wasn’t going to be chased off either. Jorin had not left her side much when she had gotten injured, and she highly doubted he would mind her staying.

”You’re right.” Rinya didn’t bother trying to add any venom to her voice, because the simple fact was true. Besides, Rinya was starting to feel exhausted. Did Jorin feel this way when he had come to see her after days of being left out? ”But it is up to Jorin if he wants me to leave.” And if that kiss said anything, he wasn’t bound to chase her out either.

"Besides," she continued lightly, "I'm sure you're just exacerbating his condition with what you're doing."

Rinya gritted her teeth slightly, but mostly remained calm. She made it sound like she was pouncing all over his wounds! Making a quick move, Rinya carefully but quickly shifted her body up and over Jorin’s body so she could nestle herself up against his right side. She tried to ignore how close to his body she was as she slid over him, and undoubtedly her blush was going to give her away. She ignored her dress for the moment, she could put it on later when Farline was gone—or Jorin asked her to dress. Whichever came first. It might have been a low blow, but it was Farline’s turn to feel like she was intruding. She had ruined the first night that they had finally gotten the chance to spend some alone time together in what seemed like forever.

Keeping her annoyance as restrained as possible, Rinya pressed her nose into Jorin’s shoulder gently and sighed. Even if she wanted to though, she wasn’t going to be able to stay. Rhys had sweet talked his way in—like usual. And if she got caught... well she’d end up staying in a tree on the hospital grounds until he was released.

”I should probably go.” Rinya muttered into his shoulder. It was completely the opposite of what she had just told Farline, but it didn’t really matter. The words were for Jorin, but she undoubtedly knew Farline was cheering inside. She wasn’t sure if he would fight her on this, but with Farline in the room—Rinya didn’t even want to know what strings she pulled to do that—it looked highly inappropriate that they were both with him, especially with her being pressed up against him. He was warm, and she knew she could easily fall asleep if she let herself.

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Fall, Day 16, 513 AV

The kiss had only lasted half a chime. It felt like forever. Jorin almost wished it had been. When Rinya touched his face, it felt like her fingers left trails of fire on his skin. And for that half a chime he didn't feel his shoulder, or his poor ribs, or the pain in his chest from the lung or the many bruises over his back. All he could feel were Rinya's lips, soft and sweet. She'd never kissed him like this before. Something had changed, and Jorin was quite sure he liked it.

But then Farline brought everything crashing back down to reality. Her words were reasonable, of course. Jorin was no healer, but from his days in the Thespians he'd learned some basic medicine. Everyone did, it was required. And one of the first things you learned was that rest was important to recovery. The logical, reasonable, rational part of his brain kept telling him Farline was right.

Rinya even acknowledged it, though she pointed out that it would be Jorin's choice whether she left his side. And then she nestled herself up against his right side. Jorin slid his arm under and around, so that he could cradle her to himself. No. Nobody was taking Rinya away. Not after he just got her back.

"I should probably go," Rinya had murmured into Jorin's shoulder, but Jorin shook his head.

"But I don't want you to ..." he whispered back. Farline, however, had taken on a rather thoughtful expression.

"Rinya, dear, I remember from at the grotto, that Jori had mentioned you two were ... bondmates, was it?" she threw out casually. Jorin glanced at Farline, not comprehending. What was Farline getting at? Farline didn't seem to wait for Rinya's answer, and continued.

"I have to wonder," Farline said archly, "why it took you so very long to get here. I was here yesterday, not a few bells after it happened, even though poor Jori was still unconscious. If you are really such close 'bondmates', shouldn't you, of all people, have been here immediately?"

Jorin couldn't help it. In all his years of knowing Farline, in all the time he'd ever known her, he'd never felt this way. But he was furious. He could feel the rage, like a white hot poker inside his stomach. So that was what she was saying.

"Farline ..." Jorin ground out, his eyes flashing a warning.

But Farline just stared back at him with an unreadable expression. "Jorin, you obviously have strong feelings for Rinya. Any blind fool could see it. But in doing so you've blinded yourself. If she loves you so much, then why wasn't she here?"

And Farline stared at Rinya, eyes accusing. The unspoken accusation was clear. Rinya hadn't been there. And Farline had.

[Rinya]

Day 16, Season Fall, 513 AV

”Rinya dear, I remember from at the grotto, that Jori had mentioned you two were… bondmates, was it?”

Rinya had embedded herself so deeply into Jorin’s side after he wrapped his arm around her that for a split second perfect moment she forgot that Farline was there at all. And then the petching woman opened her mouth… again. How was it that every word out of Farline’s trap could annoy Rinya so much? The answer was obvious of course, if the stupid woman would just pay attention. But apparently she had something much more devious in mind.

”I have to wonder, why it took you so very long to here. I was here yesterday, not a few bells after it happened, even though poor Jori was still unconscious. If you are really such close ‘bondmates’, should you, of all people, have been here immediately?”

The question stung much more than Rinya was willing to admit. She had been so busy letting herself get caught up in Jorin’s forgiveness… and his kiss, that she had been ignoring that very feeling that would threaten to rise up and crush her in its own way. And it didn’t help that as Farline muttered the words, she could feel Jorin’s rage building. But she couldn’t tell who it was aimed at.

”Farline…”

Maybe it was at both of them he was mad at. First Rinya hit one of his dearest… friends, and now Farline was verbally assaulting her. Whatever game Farline was playing, it seemed awfully childish. And somehow Rinya had gotten dragged into it. For all her resistance at playing this little game, Rinya ended up precisely where Farline wanted her.

”Jorin, you obviously have strong feelings for Rinya. Any blind fool could see it. But in doing so you’ve blinded yourself. If she loves you so much, then why wasn’t she here?”

Rinya was torn really. Crying was Farline’s game… that much was obvious during their first meeting. If nothing else, Rinya considered crying a weakness—something you never used to manipulate someone. But maybe Jorin had blinded himself. He was always so willing to forgive her. Without a thought at all… Rinya banked on that thought every time she flew off the handle unfairly at him.

But how did she explain everything she had thought about? Jorin would try to understand, and at the moment she thought he really shouldn’t. She had been selfish with him—again. She didn’t know how to be any other way. Somewhat distant, never quite in his reach. She never thought about how her blocking the bond would affect him—she had just been so angry. Farline’s words were entirely clear, and Rinya didn’t actually dispute over them. Neither of them actually deserved Jorin.

The thought twisted her insides hard. Unlike before where it had been a pleasant twist—this was more of a deep sorrow. Rinya wasn’t used to failing, but this seemed like a test she was determined to keep failing. Sitting up from under Jorin’s arm, Rinya glanced wildly between Farline and Jorin. That instinct was there again.

Danger… Flee… Run away…

A skittish tick seemed to develop in her fingers, caught between grasping the sheet tightly and letting it go. She had so many choices it wasn’t at all fair. What was worse, she didn’t know enough to realize what would be the right choice—or the wrong one. Did she break the bond and free Jorin of her own game? Did she yell at Farline and focus all her feelings into rage? Did she simply run from everything?

So instead Rinya chose what she deemed was the hardest path.

”I didn’t… I needed to think and I couldn’t with…” Rinya couldn’t think straight—much less look anywhere else but her hands. The burning in the back of her eyes wouldn’t subside either. Her whole heart felt tight… crushed even, making it difficult to breathe. How did she even claim her own feelings when she treated him such? Maybe she had come to the wrong decision… none of it made sense at the moment. The days spent thinking felt so wasted…

”I didn’t think about it—I’m so sorry Jorin.” Her apology came out more of a breathy sob and she immediately let go of the sheet to cover her face with her hands. She wanted to promise him out loud that it would never happen again—but she couldn’t do it. Making promises like that meant she was setting herself up for failure again.

Flee! Just get out!

The feeling grew stronger, and Rinya’s body literally shook with effort to stay put. And maybe just a little from doing her best to repress the sobs as well.

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Fall, Day 16, 513 AV

"I didn’t… I needed to think and I couldn’t with…" Rinya seemed almost out of breath, her eyes shining in a way that betrayed the tears just behind them. Jorin could feel the hard painful twisting feeling, the feeling that she'd done something very wrong to him. Jorin wanted to take her into his arms, just hold her until she felt better. He wanted to assure her that he never blamed her for any of it, that he'd love her no matter what. But he didn't have the chance to say any of it.

"Couldn't with what?" Faline asked. Jorin glared at her, but she just continued. "Oh don't look at me like that, Jori dear," she admonished. "I'm sure even Rinya would agree that you deserve an explanation. But it seems your little bird isn't able to give you one. Perhaps it's because it is one you don't want to hear? Perhaps she couldn't think with you in her heart, because you aren't in her heart?"

"I didn’t think about it—I’m so sorry Jorin." And there it was. Rinya had covered her face with her hands, her quiet sobs the only sound in the room. Jorin could feel the pain in her, and it was like an arrow through his heart. She was sad ... and he couldn't help.

Farline allowed the tiniest smile to touch her lips. Victory. So Rinya was now playing her game as well. Except she wasn't as good at tears as Farline was. Farline was fairly certain that Jorin would be sympathetic to Rinya's tears, of course, but it was a calculated risk. Because now that Rinya had decided to use this tactic, she was on the same playing field as Farline, who had much more experience with this sort of game.

"There, there now, don't cry," Farline soothed, her voice as smooth as silk. This was perfect. Now she was the reasonable one, and Rinya was-

"That's enough, Farline. Stop it." Jorin bit out. Farline stopped walking toward Rinya. She'd intended to pat Rinya on the back, perhaps offer her the dress back so that the other woman could leave Jorin's side finally and she could re-establish what she'd been doing. But this was an unexpected wrinkle. What was Jorin playing at? Farline cocked her head and gave him a questioning look.

"Stop what, Jori dear?" she asked innocently. Jorin closed his eyes and took several deep breaths.

"I'm not going to ask you again, Farline. Stop it. Right now." Jorin was getting dangerously close to exploding. Even in his state, he had to do something. He didn't know why Farline was doing this to Rinya but it had to stop.

"Jori, I really think tha-" she began, but did not get very far.

"Enough, Farline." Jorin's voice was cold as steel.

"But-" she began, but did not get very far.

"ENOUGH!" The shout rang throughout the room, almost vibrating the air as it bounced around the small area. Jorin's shout had made Farline jump, and her large, clear eyes grew wide with surprise. He swore as the strain of shouting seemed to have agitated his lung, still sore from being healed of its puncture wound, and he devolved into hacking and coughing, each heave of his chest sending fresh waves of pain through his body.

What was worse, the shout would have probably alerted the nurses on the floor, which were probably headed to his room right now to see what the problem was. Perfect. When his coughing died down, Jorin looked back up at Farline, whose face registered her shock. She'd miscalculated, badly. She was sure, once she had made Jorin see that Rinya was just like her, they'd be on equal footing and she might even have an advantage. Instead, it looked as though Rinya had somehow pulled very far ahead. For the life of her, Farline couldn't understand how it happened.

Jorin sat up. It was a terrible idea. His shoulder shot arrows of pain throughout his body, and his chest complained mightily of any movement. But he had to. Every sob from Rinya's throat was worse pain than anything his body put him through. Besides, he thought to himself wryly, It's still nothing compared to getting hit by lightning.

With his one good arm he pulled Rinya in close to him, making sure to be gentle so that he didn't jostle his left side too much. He held her close and gave Farline an even look.

"Farline, would you excuse us a moment?" Jorin asked. He'd calmed down some, but the steel was still there. For once, Farline did not try to argue or complain. Without another word, she turned on her heel and strode out of the room, closing the door behind her with just a bit more force than was strictly necessary.

Turning to the sobbing Rinya in his arm, Jorin tried desperately to think what he could do to comfort her. He knew the nurses could be there any moment and when they got there, they'd kick her out.

"Rinya," he tried, as he kissed the top of her head. "Remember that day, when you were attacked by the Glassbeak? What I told you when you where the one in this bed? I said you never needed to apologize to me. Rinya, have you ever known me to say something I didn't mean?"

Jorin sighed. "Shhh, shhh," Jorin comforted, as he patted Rinya on the shoulder with the hand he was using to hold her with. He wasn't sure what to say. He was never sure what to say, not when a woman was crying. It was one of his not-so-secret weaknesses. He didn't know what else to do, so he just held Rinya tighter. Maybe his presence would be enough to help her. Jorin could only hope.