The others didn't sleep for all kinds of reasons; hunger, itchiness, worry, need. Aishani didn't sleep because she was too busy telling Iesaryth everything.
There was feeding in the middle of all that, and oiling too, but it went by in a blur. She had to tell her; the story was practically bursting out of her after so, so long all pent up, so long being strong and quiet and brave. She'd hidden so much from her family, from the friends she'd started to make at the Reaches, that having someone to listen - someone who wanted to listen, who was dying to listen - made it all spill out in a torrent. Her mother's death, her father's; her family, men and boys lost in a heartbeat; returned broken, if at all. How it hurt, how she couldn't let anyone see. How she had to do right by them. The ocean's rhythm was constant behind her thoughts, soothing and understanding. Iesaryth knew what she meant, often before she said it, but didn't interrupt - just waited.
When the gold did finally speak, the scent of salt air accompanied her words, fresh and cleansing, « You did the right thing, Shan. You did what you had to do. I've found you - now things will be better. » Again, that misty, warm sense of family and love wrapped around Aishani like a damp blanket, the gentle rock of the ocean meant to calm her.
Even hearing her name from Iesaryth was enough to set her off crying again, and she was certain the Monaco weyrlings - maybe even Riahla and Arysanne - thought she was mad. Mad from Impression or mad even before that, she wasn't sure, but the fact remained that she was the only one lying next to her lifemate, still in tears, eyes swollen and red, while the weyrlingmasters begged her to get some sleep, let Iesaryth sleep at least. They both would need it, especially with stressful travel in the near future.
The idea of traveling, arriving, pleased Iesaryth. The gold imagined High Reaches' snowy peaks, plucked just like that from Aishani's mind, the pair being flown on some sort of fanciful throne by several large, and what she assumed to be handsome, browns and bronzes. Smugly, « All will know we have come to High Reaches. »
That was enough to distract Aishani - perhaps the point. A little disturbed, she asked the gold, How did you come up with that?
Now all airy seafoam and breezy winds, Iesaryth replied, « I just looked around for something appropriate. » Unspoken, left unsaid: in your mind. Also, Aishani was pretty sure she'd never seen a dragon-throne before - that was an Iesaryth creation entirely. Was that normal?
Wryly, she thought, They already know we're coming, don't worry. They'll be watching. But if you're actually hoping for that throne, I'm afraid you might be disappointed. Suddenly exhausted, she glanced up towards Iesaryth, noticing sleep was beginning to claim the dragon as well. That was one benefit to being so closely linked - not even her own worries could keep her awake.
A sleepy whisper of salt-sprayed affection drifted her way as she closed her eyes. « You worry too much, Aishani. »
Tomorrow, you can show me how to worry less.
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