The End of the Evening, The Beginning of the Night

Writers: Avery, Yvonne
Date Posted: 27th February 2015

Characters: Kapera, J'nus
Description: Kapera and J'nus find each other again as the Hatching Feast winds down
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 18 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: P'ton, R'taran, N'vanik,

Kapera

He'd lost her almost as soon as they'd left the Hatching Cavern. Kapera was the star of the night just as much as Riyanth had been on the Sands. She was swept up in a mob of people anxious to congratulate her, and J'nus let her go -- she deserved the adulation, after worrying for so long whether or not Riyanth would rise at all after her injuries, and then fretting over a repeat of the terrible incident that had occurred at Dragonsfall long ago, when a dragonet had died on the Sands for want of a lifemate.

Instead thirty four new, healthy dragonets had partners, and he called that a success. Now that the celebrations were winding down, the bronzerider sought her out again. Kapera was chatting with another woman he didn't know and didn't mind interrupting. He touched her elbow, then planted a kiss on her cheek to say hello. "Having a good night?"

The crafter's wife smiled at J'nus and moved away. Kapera turned and rested her head against his shoulder. "It's been very busy, for sure."

She looked tired. The bronzerider put his arm around her waist and gave her a hug. "How are you doing?"

"There's so many of them to congratulate. And all the dignitaries. It's very busy - though not as busy as being a Senior." Her tone held thankfulness, rather than resentment.

"I do feel lucky that I can avoid most of them." Thankfully most of the visitors were there to see Kapera anyway. Goldriders stayed the same. Bronzeriders came and went like the tide. The thought made him a little sad; they'd shared that flight, this Hatching... but next time Riyanth rose, if history was any indication, it wouldn't be Kopth she chose.

"Have you at least talked to some of the weyrlings? I'm glad P'ton got a bronze," she said. "We need people with good heads on their shoulders, even if they're not older."

"I've talked to R'taran - P'ton's older brother. But not P'ton, or any of the boys with bronzes. They were so busy today." This was all new to him, but Kapera made a good point; he'd arrange to meet the new weyrlings within the week. All he'd been concentrating on was supporting Kapera up until the eggs cracked, and he hadn't given much thought to what came after.

"Are you planning on being involved with them? I hope to at least get to see some of their milestones." She'd talk to the weyrlingstaff about that.

"I hadn't thought of it, but I suppose I ought to, shouldn't I?" It was a strange thought. "If you talk to the Weyrlingmaster, see if he'll let me come too."

"I'm sure they will. Why wouldn't they let us be involved?" She drifted them towards the drink table, hoping to get something cool to soothe a throat parched from talking. It did look like the travelers were going to be taken home, and the weyrfolk could stay up and celebrate but she didn't have to be on display for them. "And what are your plans for the rest of the night?"

"Oh... I hadn't made any," he said blandly.

"Mine involve taking the best bronzerider around back to my weyr," she said.

"Really? I think N'vanik was headed that way," J'nus said, trying not to smile as he pointed toward the cavern entrance.

"Guess I'll have to hurry up, then," she said. But her hand snaked out to find his.

His fingers twined with hers. "Or you could stay and have a little something to drink, first. Wine? Juice? Water?"

"Wine," she decided, not thinking about the chance of a muzzy head in the morning. "And water for you?"

J'nus hesitated. Kopth was asleep and couldn't voice his disapproval, and this was _his_ Hatching. His and Kapera's. It was time to celebrate. "If you're having wine, I will too," he said.

"A glass each, then retiring - sounds lovely to me." In the rush of celebrating with the whole Weyr and guests, she felt as though she'd accidentally slighted J'nus.

They reached the drinks table, and a drudge pressed a glass of cool white wine into both their hands, made even sweeter by a chip of rare ice. J'nus gently knocked his glass against Kapera's. "Congratulations again on a successful night."

She smiled at the toast as she sipped the wine, enjoying the cool drink after the exertions. "We deserved this. Are you up for one more dance, or is it time for bed?"

They'd only danced once at the Hatching, but J'nus wasn't sure if that was the sort of dance she was referring to. "Whatever the Lady Goldrider desires," he said, taking the safe road.

"I'd like one more dance before the harpers pack up," she said with a smile. "Too bad I was too busy greeting people for us to be showy."

The bronzerider shrugged, seemingly indifferent although he was rather pleased that she'd remembered their toss dance at the last Hatching so fondly. "Next Hatching, maybe. Do you think we have time to finish our wine before the harpers finish up?" It was such a rare indulgence for him, it seemed a shame to abandon the glass so early.

"Oh, I think so," Kapera said. Without the Harper Hall here anymore, many of the musicians were riders. Her eyes unfocused slightly as she asked Riyanth to make sure they'd have a dance queued up.

Recognizing the look, J'nus chuckled. "I forget that I'm talking to Riyanth's rider. Tonight, anything you want is yours."

"I might as well take advantage of it while I still can, hmm?"

It was like having the power of being Weyrwoman all over again - at least for the night. She quickly sipped at her wine to cover the complicated surge of emotion and feeling of guilt at wanting the night to be special.

J'nus arched an eyebrow, sensing that something was slightly off but not knowing what. "Well, until the next time Riyanth rises."

"But that'll be some time from now, so tonight's the night to embrace it all." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

He smiled. "Then I'd better hurry up with my wine."

Last updated on the March 6th 2015

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The End of the Evening, The Beginning of the Night