Post by missing on Jan 19, 2011 8:13:43 GMT -6
((pov: Midnael's father. I like linking songs to my stories, I think it helps convey the mood better.))
Oh no, it's not me
I just forgot to tell you
Didn't mean, it seems obscene
We just lost track along the way
Neal sat at the table of the commons room that had once been shared by himself and his son. He had come home to utter quiet. The captain of the ship had told him about volunteering the boy to travel with the tithe train and, at first, Neal had been angry about it.
"Think about it," the captain had said, "You want to boy from the hold as much as everyone else does. He's a decently good deckhand and a hard worker for sure, but he's just too much like HER Neal," the man had grown up with Midiri same as Neal had and hired Midnael out of respect for the mother, "I paid him more than well enough, and maybe he'll even stay on with the group who took the tithe train, this is the best thing for the boy Neal you have to see that. If he needs us to come get him he can always send message by that firelizard of his."
I'm coming to terms
I'm starting to learn
This ain't all it's cracked up to be
'Cause I'm using you, you're using me
It's never as easy as we believe
Neal wasn't so sure the boy would, but he had to agree that this was probably better for his son than being stuck in a hold that did not want him. He sighed, rubbing at his temples before running a hand through dark brown hair streaked with the silver of turns and strife.
Midiri had not been the only one lost to that particular illness, many in the hold had lost someone precious to them. But Midiri... she had been the light that brought them through the toughest of times. She had always had a smile for anyone who needed it, and a song for hearts to heavy to lift themselves. He had always wondered what made him so lucky to gain such special attention from the woman, but he had cherished every moment with her.
'Cause this hurts, I can't leave
I understand, but can you
I'm just scared, you're lonely
Everyone knows you're better than me
With Midnael gone it was almost as if she had left him again. As painful as it was to see the boy sometimes, he was all he had left of her. And then of course... the boy was his son... his dark eyes always a constant reminder of that. How many times had he seen those eyes turn to him filled with love and pain? Yes... the boy was better off without him. He certainly hadn't been any sort of father to him.
There was a -pop- and Neal looked sharply up as his son's green devil of a firelizard screeched angrily at him, a rolled up letter clutched in her claws. He reached for it, but she hissed at him, dropping it on the table instead before disappearing with another -pop-.
I'm coming to terms
I'm starting to learn
This ain't all it's cracked up to be
'Cause I'm using you, you're using me
It's never as easy as we believe
He unrolled the letter, reading over it quickly. He blinked in surprise, and then re-read it more slowly this time.
Dear Father,
When we reached High Reaches Weyr there was a Searchrider in attendance and, though a series of events, I have been Searched. I am living at Western Weyr now awaiting hatching which is said to be due soon. I am writing to let you know that I am fine and plan on staying on here even if I do not impress. I have been told that this is common for those who do not impress. I don't think you will want to, but if you wish it you are able to attend the hatching with the other families. If you are unable I would appreciate it if you could send anything I left with the next ship going to Western. Thank you.
Midnael
Is this what you need?
Am I what you need?
Neal set the letter down on the table with shaking hands. His son was safe. Not only safe but he was to be a Dragonrider! He had no doubt that his son would impress. He was, after all, his mother's son. For the first time since Midiri's death Neal felt confident of his son's future. But what was he going to do now? Would he go? Did Midnael even really want him to? Did he himself want to go?
With all of the turns of his age under his belt, Neal had no idea where to go from here...
I'm coming to terms
I'm starting to learn
This ain't all it's cracked up to be
'Cause I'm using you, you're using me
It's never as easy as we believe
Oh no, it's not me
I just forgot to tell you
Didn't mean, it seems obscene
We just lost track along the way
Neal sat at the table of the commons room that had once been shared by himself and his son. He had come home to utter quiet. The captain of the ship had told him about volunteering the boy to travel with the tithe train and, at first, Neal had been angry about it.
"Think about it," the captain had said, "You want to boy from the hold as much as everyone else does. He's a decently good deckhand and a hard worker for sure, but he's just too much like HER Neal," the man had grown up with Midiri same as Neal had and hired Midnael out of respect for the mother, "I paid him more than well enough, and maybe he'll even stay on with the group who took the tithe train, this is the best thing for the boy Neal you have to see that. If he needs us to come get him he can always send message by that firelizard of his."
I'm coming to terms
I'm starting to learn
This ain't all it's cracked up to be
'Cause I'm using you, you're using me
It's never as easy as we believe
Neal wasn't so sure the boy would, but he had to agree that this was probably better for his son than being stuck in a hold that did not want him. He sighed, rubbing at his temples before running a hand through dark brown hair streaked with the silver of turns and strife.
Midiri had not been the only one lost to that particular illness, many in the hold had lost someone precious to them. But Midiri... she had been the light that brought them through the toughest of times. She had always had a smile for anyone who needed it, and a song for hearts to heavy to lift themselves. He had always wondered what made him so lucky to gain such special attention from the woman, but he had cherished every moment with her.
'Cause this hurts, I can't leave
I understand, but can you
I'm just scared, you're lonely
Everyone knows you're better than me
With Midnael gone it was almost as if she had left him again. As painful as it was to see the boy sometimes, he was all he had left of her. And then of course... the boy was his son... his dark eyes always a constant reminder of that. How many times had he seen those eyes turn to him filled with love and pain? Yes... the boy was better off without him. He certainly hadn't been any sort of father to him.
There was a -pop- and Neal looked sharply up as his son's green devil of a firelizard screeched angrily at him, a rolled up letter clutched in her claws. He reached for it, but she hissed at him, dropping it on the table instead before disappearing with another -pop-.
I'm coming to terms
I'm starting to learn
This ain't all it's cracked up to be
'Cause I'm using you, you're using me
It's never as easy as we believe
He unrolled the letter, reading over it quickly. He blinked in surprise, and then re-read it more slowly this time.
Dear Father,
When we reached High Reaches Weyr there was a Searchrider in attendance and, though a series of events, I have been Searched. I am living at Western Weyr now awaiting hatching which is said to be due soon. I am writing to let you know that I am fine and plan on staying on here even if I do not impress. I have been told that this is common for those who do not impress. I don't think you will want to, but if you wish it you are able to attend the hatching with the other families. If you are unable I would appreciate it if you could send anything I left with the next ship going to Western. Thank you.
Midnael
Is this what you need?
Am I what you need?
Neal set the letter down on the table with shaking hands. His son was safe. Not only safe but he was to be a Dragonrider! He had no doubt that his son would impress. He was, after all, his mother's son. For the first time since Midiri's death Neal felt confident of his son's future. But what was he going to do now? Would he go? Did Midnael even really want him to? Did he himself want to go?
With all of the turns of his age under his belt, Neal had no idea where to go from here...
I'm coming to terms
I'm starting to learn
This ain't all it's cracked up to be
'Cause I'm using you, you're using me
It's never as easy as we believe