Chapter 12: Chapter Ten
The rain left both Raba and MeiAnne soaked as they stood there, glad to be on the ground with little harm. MeiAnne noticed her back and neck felt tense, but her heart rate was still racing. Molis and Loola both hummed as they stayed by the pair.
"Let's get you something to warm up." All MeiAnne could muster was a nod to Raba's offer.
He walked with her, waving Loola to lead Molis off to the stables, keeping one arm wrapped firmly around MeiAnne's shoulders. They made the long walk back to the main complex of the base. However, instead of heading to the mess hall or MeiAnne's barrack, Raba led her to the officers quarters.
Raba's room was further in than when Yulan led her through this building. She could only guess because of his higher rank. His door was labeled as well with gold lettering showing "General Raba". It was moments like this MeiAnne was reminded that Raba was in fact a person of importance, more than just a friend she had made.
His room was more fashioned than her own. Plenty of windows for natural light along the back wall, although all they showed right now was the storm going on outside. A large bed, neatly made, and covered with comfortable blankets like the one he had lent her before. He had a closet and a dressing area, with a comfortable couch and table. The table was covered in maps, papers, and orders from the Admiral it seemed.
Raba quickly cleared the table and gently moved MeiAnne to sit on his couch. Instinctively she sat up, body tense, on his couch.
"Relax. I'm still your friend. You don't have to treat me like an officer right now. Not after-" He trailed off.
Raba busied himself preparing a pot in the small kitchenette area MeiAnne had missed when she scanned the room earlier. As it started to warm Raba sat himself next to MeiAnne, although this time there was enough distance between them that MeiAnne felt comfortable enough to relax some. She didn't sit all the way into the soft couch, but she was no longer tense. She was all too aware of the fact that she was sitting in Raba's personal room. What would others think was happening if they saw her? Would she be accused of sleeping with her commanding officer?
As MeiAnne fought from blushing at the thought of being with her friend Raba leaned in slightly. MeiAnne's eyes were wide as she held his gaze.
"Do you want a jacket?" Why was she shocked? Did she expect him to say something different? She wrote it off as the crazy day and how Yulan talked to her when she was last in the officers quarters.
"Please.'' She was still coming down from the adrenaline of falling, but she knew soon she would come to feel how cold being soaked was. She removed her soaked jacket and accepted the one Raba handed her from his closet.
Soon the pot was ready and Raba served them both a steaming cup of tea. MeiAnne was grateful to feel the warmth spread out from her center when she took a few sips. She knew her feet had been on the ground for some time now, but it finally felt like she was truly grounded.
"Thank you." She softly thanked Raba. His smile was warm as he looked over to her and nodded, taking another sip of his own tea.
"You should put on something warmer too." MeiAnne urged. She didn't like that he was only taking care of her, and ignoring what he should do to care for himself.
"I can wait. And I would be more comfortable not changing in your presence.'' Once again MeiAnne found herself blushing. She completely forgot that she was alone with Raba in his room.
Her worries returned again as she sat with him. "Will people," She paused trying to think of the right words. "Will people accuse us of anything? Since I'm here. With you." It was frustrating that she felt like the words she knew she could speak were not working for her. She blamed being cold.
"I won't let them. Anyway worse rumors have spread and been forgotten."
She pondered. What could be worse than a rumor of a rookie sleeping her way up? That is how people become targets by their peers, even if it isn't true.
Raba and MeiAnne finished their tea in silence. When her cup was empty and her body warm, she was more aware of her clothes still damp and clinging to her. It also occurred to her that she hadn't checked on Molis yet.
"Thank you again. It means so much to me that you would take care of me like this." She stood, offering Raba his jacket back.
Raba must have been cold from not changing, MeiAnne thought, as his cheeks and nose seemed to be flushed more than usual.
"Of course, you mean a lot."
With that MeiAnne left Raba's now damp jacket with him, picking up her own and saying her goodbyes. It was a long walk back through the rain to her room to grab a change of clothes. She packed them in a small bag so they would stay dry as she walked to Molis.
Instead of in her stable she found Molis standing out in the rain still next to Loola. Both of them were watching her intently as she approached. They lowered their heads, huffing and humming reminding MeiAnne of comforting words. She gave them both a kiss on the snout in thanks before leading Molis back to her own stable.
They both were glad to be safe and out of the rain. Molis laid down on her bedding, still in her harness and saddle as MeiAnne allowed the heater to work for them. MeiAnne disconnected Molis from her saddle and hung it up on the wall before changing into dry clothes herself.
Both MeiAnne and Molis looked each other over looking for any injuries. MeiAnne noted that Molis had some bruising on her forelegs and along the lines of the saddle some of her scales had been ripped or were missing entirely.
She set to removing the ripped ones, so they would be replaced sooner. She also took the time to rub oils and ointments over her partner. As she did Molis used her neck to pull MeiAnne to her side. Molis embraced MeiAnne with neck, wing, and foreleg. She doesn't remember falling asleep like that, but the morning sun soon shined into the stable waking the pair up.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone