Wed Apr 17, 2024 5:30 pm
- Link
Even when she'd cut her hand, part of her hadn't really been expecting him to step into the bond. And certainly not with the slowness he was exhibiting now. But as soon as he pressed his face into her hand and solidified the bond, she could tell why.
There was a weariness to him, bone deep, both physical and emotional. She could feel the phantom aches in his joints. Faranth. Was that what it was like getting old? It was so strange, bonding to this brown, bonding to someone older than she was. She'd known Onisk all of Onisk's life, but she had no idea what had happened to this brown before Fort Weyr's handlers and a few candidates had freed him from the plants. Strange, but right in its own way. She wrapped her arms around the scarred brown, giving him a hug. She felt him stiffen slightly, but he didn't push her away, and through their bond it felt more like surprise than anything else. "You've got us, now," she told him firmly.
She was not going to cry, she told herself firmly, even as her eyes watered slightly.
Onisk crept closer and gave him a sniff. Am Onisk, she greeted, giving him a shy, gentle headbutt on the side he could see her out of. He couldn't easily sniff her back with Ronnie's arms around his neck, but he looked at her, which was about as much acknowledgement as he seemed capable of, or perhaps willing to give in that moment.
"Right," Ronnie said, releasing the wher and getting back to her feet. "I need to bandage myself up. Then of course, there's the matter of getting you food. I suppose it's not quite so important as for a hatchling, but we should still line that belly of yours. Then we'll track someone down to get that horrid collar off you. Though there's a chance that might have to wait until the morning. Which reminds me, we'll also need to get you a set of goggles so you can comfortably go out in the daytime if need be." She bustled into her room, quickly tying a bandage around her hand as she thought aloud. "Hmmm...a bath might also be in order for you, my dear man. We'll get you nice, shiny, and clean-looking, make you look properly presentable." As with everything else, he had very little reaction to that, but Ronnie knew he understood her, and he didn't seem overly adverse to the idea.
She left her weyr, one hand on each of her bonds. The brown was more than a little touch-starved, but not quite willing to lean into her touch, yet. He was still...unsure. Still feeling everything about this out. That was fine. As long as he didn't outright object, she'd initiate the touching. "We'll need to speak to my squad leader, of course. Do let me know if there's ever anything you don't think you can do, we wouldn't want to push you too hard and injure yourself." His exhaustion worried her a bit. "Perhaps we'll ask to be put on limited duties, just until you get used to how things work here, my dear man." She winced. "I should also probably write to that candidate you bit, give her a heads up you're at the Weyr now so that she doesn't stumble across you without warning." She turned to Onisk. "Anything else you can think of for our newest family member, my darling?"
Onisk cocked her head, thinking a moment. Name, she finally said.
"Oh! Oh of course, how silly of me, of course our dear older gentleman here needs a name." She gave it thought. She didn't hear the brown in her head, no clear voice the way she did Onisk. She didn't know if that was because he was simply older, if the bond was weaker, or he just had no desire to speak, but she could still feel his presence. And as she considered the options, she could feel the one he seemed to like best, even if he himself didn't speak. "Osk?" she asked aloud, just to be certain, and the brown rumbled in what struck her as a particularly approving way.
Is good, Onisk agreed.
"Then Osk you shall be," Ronnie agreed, patting his hide where she was resting her hand on him. "Right. Food. Collar. Bath." She was not getting her glass of wine in the baths tonight, but that was alright. She had a new family member to settle in, after all, one who would likely need a tender - if firm - hand. Luckily, she felt up to the task. She wouldn't have offered to let him bond to her if she didn't think she could handle him. She hadn't realized how ancient he would be, of course, or that he wouldn't speak to her. But these were not deal breakers for her. Ronnie could be patient with him. And despite not talking, she was certain he'd let her know if he ever felt like she was ignoring his needs. They could be good for each other, she felt. And if nothing else, they could give him companionship, which he clearly craved. And if nothing else, Onisk and Ronica could give him that.