Uncorking a Shook-up Bottle

Writers: Eimi, Heather
Date Posted: 31st July 2018

Characters: R'sedel, Zh'no
Description: R'sedel and Zh'no are both looking for a quiet meal.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 4, day 15 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentions: K'sedel

Zh'no had sighed inwardly as he noticed that all the quiet corners of
the Dinning Cavern were overflowing with riders chatting and
socializing. He knew he should have grabbed something from the
kitchen and headed back to his rooms! But he was starving after that
long sweepride and his room was so far away. Luckily there seemed to
be a quiet oasis towards the eastern wall. He would have at least a
couple seats in every direction to himself.

Except, a greenrider cut across the Dining Cavern, heading for the
exact same area as Zh'no. For once, R'sedel was looking for a bit of
quiet. It had been a long day. Earlier he had transported back a
Candidate who had failed to Impress and wished to return home. That
normally wasn't such a task, but the place she'd returned to had been
completely appalled at the girl's return. In their eyes she was
already "ruint," as they had so eloquently spat, so why return to the
Hold now? R'sedel had offered to take her back to the Weyr, but she
had insisted that she wanted to stay. He hadn't understood it, but it
had been her choice so he'd left her there and returned to
Dragonsfall.

Normally, R'sedel would have zeroed in on Zh'no, or any other
reasonably attractive male, immediately, but tonight his eyes were
looking at one thing and one thing only-- an empty seat.

It turned out Zh'no and the greenrider had zeroed in on the same spot.
The bluerider stopped short as he was just about to set his tray down
to see someone doing the exact same. "Oh excuse me. I didn't see..."

R'sedel jumped back as if he'd been scalded when he caught sight of
someone in his peripherals. "My apologies, I -" the apology fell short
as his brain caught up and registered that it was Zh'no. "Oh, Zh'no,
um, go ahead. I'll just squeeze in another place."

When Zh'no realized who his unintentional companion was, inwardly he
groaned. The greenrider had a knack for showing up 'by coincidence'
to flirt relentlessly with him. But something in his demeanor told
him that today that would not be the case. Perhaps it was a new trick
to lull him into false security. Or perhaps he was misreading the
situation. And yet something inside made him uncomfortable to make it
obvious that he was wary of the man. "No, no," he said, setting his
tray down a few spaces down. It put distance between them without
being rude. "Please have that spot."

R'sedel still wanted to retreat, but could think of no polite way to
do so, and ended up putting his tray down and taking the spot. "Thank
you," he murmured as he sat and tucked into his meal.

Zh'no took his seat, but watched the greenrider out of the corner of
his eye for a moment before picking up his fork. It was obvious
something was... different... It might be polite to ask. But then
again, it might just be exactly what the man was going for. **This is
why I don't like being around people!** the bluerider thought with an
inward sigh. They were just hard to read. And so he said nothing as
he stuck a finger root and brought it to his mouth.

"Busy in here tonight," R'sedel said to break the awkward silence,
gesturing to the busy Dining Cavern with the fork in his hand.

"It is," Zh'no nodded as he reached for his glass. Politeness
dictated that he should say something in return, though he was a
little nervous he might be uncorking well shook bottle. "Pretty late
for that, I would think."

"Well they're definitely not all here for this tenderloin," R'sedel
poked a little at the tough, chewy piece of meat.

The bluerider looked at R'sedel's plate, unimpressed. "Yes, I asked
for the beans myself."

R'sedel's eyes flicked over to Zh'no's plate, "Ah yes, a better choice
it seems. Perhaps with some sauce," the greenrider took the small cup
of dark sauce and smothered it on the tough piece of meat.

Zh'no tried no to show his disgust too much at the sight. "You must
be really hungry to eat that."

"I really am," R'sedel said, making a face as he chewed down a bite of
the sauce covered tenderloin. He took a gulp of his klah to chase it
down, "At least the klah is strong enough tonight to completely singe
off any remaining tastebuds."

"Appetizing," the bluerider said as he sipped at his citrus water. "I
hope this isn't your reward after a long day."

R'sedel held up a finger, "Ah, no. I'm going to skedaddle after this
and go visit my sister Kesree. She lives at Dreams End, the only other
greenrider in the family besides myself. That's my reward after this
long day." His large family of siblings and half-siblings, courtesy
of his father K'sedel, offered many boys, but R'sedel was the only one
that rode a green dragon. It had been a sore sport for him in his much
younger days, and a badge of pride now.

"Ah." That was kind of sweet, Zh'no decided, that the greenrider
seemed to have such a close relationship with his sister. He had not
seen his own sister since he was six turns old, but had occasionally wondered
if they would have remained friends as adults had their parents not
died when they were so young.

"Speaking of..." the greenrider turned to glance at the time, "I'd
better get going." R'sedel pushed to his feet, tray in hand, "Enjoy
the rest of your meal."

Well, that was short and painless, Zh'no thought. The greenrider
hadn't even tried to get into his pants once this time. "Thank you.
Enjoy your visit."

Last updated on the August 21st 2018

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Uncorking a Shook-up Bottle