*Day 37*
*~*Xanthia*~*

The tension in the room was high as Xanthia stood in the doorway of the 
queenrider apartment that Th'rin and Merissa shared. She did her best to 
maintain what little poise she possessed, nervously rubbing her hands on 
her expectant belly. It was awkward, and there had not been much said at 
all in the past day or two between them other than professional 
formalities. Xanthia still had no idea what place she and her soon to be 
born baby would have in Th'rin's life. But that wasn't the purpose of her 
visit, it was in her role as healer that she was calling on the couple.

"I... uh... I just thought you'd like to know. Tarv is awake," she told the 
warrenlady and head healer, nervously diverting her gaze from theirs. She 
still didn't quite understand the dynamics of the relationship between the 
three, but being as Tarv'renon no longer had any living relatives, Th'rin 
and Merissa were the closest to being considered next of kin. "He's been 
asking for the two of you."

"So he's going to be okay?" Merissa asked.

"Physically yes... But he seems a bit... upset... about how he got wounded. 
Talking strangeness about the wraiths 'ganging up' on him, as if a planned 
attack... Have you ever heard of such a thing?!?" Xanthia exclaimed.

She sighed and continued, "Anyhow, Latnem is talking with him now. He... 
Latnem... thought I should come tell you."

"Is there anything else?" Merissa asked after an awkward silence.

Xanthia shook her head, "Not really... I mainly came over to let you know 
that Tarv's awake... Upset but asking for you both... You can go see him if 
you like. Other than that, Corra called off sick so only Latnem's down 
there helping me. Her head and stomach.... seems to be going around, 
whatever it is. Which, speaking of, I'll have to get back to the med 
center... Bye!" With that she turned and strode toward the black and red 
who was waiting on her.

"Xanthia!" Th'rin called out, catching up with her as she mounted Maxima.

"Yes?" Xanthia asked.

"Are you going to be all right, taking a full shift without Corra's help?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Xanthia blinked in confusion.

"Well, you just got back, and it'll take a while to get back in the swing 
of things... and..."

"And???" Xanthia queried.

"And I don't want you... you and the baby... overdoing it." Th'rin 
confessed. "Just... be careful. Call me if you need anything."

"I will," Xanthia smiled sweetly. And with that she gave Maxima the order 
to take her back to the med center.

***

*~*Latnem*~*

Latnem didn't want to admit it, but he was relieved in more ways than one 
when Xanthia arrived back from her trip to Th'rin and Merissa's. The fact 
was, as concerned as he was about Xanthia, he was not comfortable dealing 
with the wounded from the previous day's foray with the wraiths. He'd seen 
a lot, but the sight of the burns just made the mind healer,cringe. Yes, 
he'd been trained, to a lesser degree, to deal with physical healing; but 
his forte was the mind and that was all he really had exposure to at 
Tinobal. Coming to the warren was more of a culture shock than he'd 
anticipated. But, he would adapt; of that he was determined.

"How did it go?" he asked the petite redhead.

"Not bad. Why do you ask?" Xanthia was perplexed.

He shook his head dismissively, "Nothing... It's what I do, ask questions." 
He winked at her with a smile and a flash of dimples.

"Oh,"  Xanthia nodded. "So... were there any problems while I was gone? 
Tarv'renon okay?"

Latnem was relieved to see that she was so easily accepting of his lame 
explanation. "Tarv's calmed down some, with the help of some mild 
sedatives." He didn't like to resort to drugs, but sometimes there was 
little else to do, usually as a temporary solution to calm an hysterical 
patient to the point that the time spent with the mind healer would work. 
And, there were some people who really did benefit from long term use of 
certain other medications. It was something he was wanting to explore with 
Xanthia down the road, once the baby had been born and weaned.

"Other than that," Latnem shrugged, "Not much to tell."

"Have you had anything to eat? Why don't take a break, if you haven't, and 
get some food at the dining hall."

"Thank you, I think I shall," the mind healer replied. It was a positive 
sign that Xanthia thought to express concern over his well-being this way. 
She'd sure come along learning some of the more commonly accepted social 
rules, though he knew it still wasn't easy for her and likely never would 
be. "Is there anything I can bring you from there?"

"Hm...." Xanthia smiled pensively, "Something... something chocolate!"

Latnem chuckled aloud, "I'll see what I can do."

***

"Mind if I sit here?" Latnem asked the young man seated with several youths.

"Join us if you wish" Har'son replied with a friendly grin. "Don't think 
I've seen you around here before?"

Latnem set down his tray and held out his hand in greeting. "Name's Latnem, 
Latnem Troppus. I just arrived a couple days ago with Xanthia."

"Ah!" Har'son raised an eyebrow and shook the proffered hand. "I'm Har'son, 
rider Fourd and head searcher... These are the latest batch of searchlings. 
I wasn't aware Xanthia was back?"

Latnem took a seat, "I assure you, our relationship is purely professional."

"So, you're also a healer?" Har'son asked

"Sort of..." Latnem replied, taking a bite of his repast.

"Hm?"

"I'm... a mind healer. Xanthia's my patient."

<<TAG Darren!>>

***

The meal was finished and Latnem still was surprised at how good the warren 
food was, and how friendly the people were. He went to the desert table a 
second time and came back disappointed.

"Darn! No chocolate!"

"Chocolate lover?" one of the girls, a searchling, asked.

"It's not for me... It's for Xanthia. She asked me to bring her something 
chocolate... Cravings, you know."

"Maybe they have something in the kitchen?" Har'son asked.

"I really don't want to put anyone out."

"Warren kitchens are used to special requests. There's one of the girls who 
works in the kitchen," he gestured to a well developed blonde teenaged girl 
wiping down tables that had recently been vacated, "You can ask her."

"Miss!" Latnem called out shyly. "Miss?"

The girl stopped what she was doing and moved toward the table where the 
mind healer and the searcher were sitting. "Can I help you, sir?"

"No need to call me sir. I'm Latnem."

The girl blushed prettily, "My name is Zara. How can I help you, Latnem?"

"I need something chocolate... for a friend of mine. But there's nothing 
chocolate out on the tables. Do you perhaps have something in kitchen that 
would be suitable?"

<<TAG Tami!>>

*****

NRPG: Hope this gets me caught up. Tags to Tami and Darren!

Morgan
morgan-the-elfwench@home.com
morgan_the_dragonwench@yahoo.com
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I feel deeply. I care deeply. I desire deeply. I will always tell the 
truth. That is who I am. I expect nothing less of you.



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