Charming

Writers: Bree, Clancey, Estelle
Date Posted: 22nd July 2005

Characters: Lenala, J'darin, T'moran
Description: Lenala brings supplies to Dolphin Cove Weyr and is given a very warm welcome by J'darin and T'moran
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 6 of Turn 3

Lenala

J'darin

Lenala was willing to admit to herself that she had highly ulterior motives for bringing the last load of supplies to Dolphin Cove personally. Dolphin Cove's Weyrleader had treated her with such flattering courtesy--and what was more, she hadn't even had to put on her usual flirtatious act to get it.

Maybe it was the fact that Tsaera had been unfailingly encouraging even when she made mistakes, but Lenala had found herself thinking that maybe she might actually be able to do the job she'd just gone through the motions of caring about for so many turns. And if she could do that, maybe she could be secure enough in her _own_ place that she didn't need to worry about charming every man she met.

She'd started her conversation with T'moran just pretending to be the type of woman she thought he'd like, but somewhere in the middle she'd started just _talking_ to him without planning every word and gesture out in advance. It hadn't even been a conscious choice... and the fact that he didn't seem to dislike her for it was even more flattering.

When Vilarth landed in the Weyrbowl at Dolphin Cove, Lenala slid to the ground before removing her helmet and jacket and running anxious fingers through her hair. **Tell whoever you need to tell that I'm here... and make sure Haldarth's rider knows as well. I'm going to the infirmary to find someone to help me with these supplies.**

}: Vilarth and her rider have come back. Vilarth says they will need help with supplies. I will keep her company. :{

J'darin looked up from a stack of hides and found himself smiling. While he had his hands full with one Weyrwoman, he had certainly enjoyed the company of Lenala when she was here last, and so he decided that was a good reason for a break, and headed out to the Weyrbowl, meeting her halfway to the Infirmary. His own brand of charm demanded he be nice and welcoming to her.

A courteous bow of respect to her. "My lovely goldrider. Back to visit us again, are you?"

Lenala smiled at him. "J'darin, it's nice to see you again. Though this isn't a pleasure visit... I've come with supplies for your healers."

His smile faded somewhat, though he remained courteous. "Ahh, yes. That is very kind of your Weyr to help us out in that fashion. Do you know the way to the Infirmary? I enjoyed being your guide the last time." He extended his arm to her, ever polite.

She took his arm and let him escort her. "I've been lucky in my guides. You and T'moran have kept me from getting lost. Now all I need is enough people to carry the supplies inside... our Weyrhealer was quite insistent that I bring more supplies than you even asked for."

Nodding to this, he led her gently and quickly to the Infirmary. "Aye, T'moran is a very good rider. You got on well, then?" The carver's eyes twinkled. "Almost as well as you got on with me, no doubt, charming goldrider that you are."

"I found him delightful," Lenala replied with a smile. "Dolphin Cove seems to have stolen the continent's finest bronzeriders. Now, let's see if we can find some strong young journeymen who'd like to carry supplies."

J'darin nodded, though he was shocked to hear T'moran categorized as 'delightful'. Finest bronzerider, no doubt, but delightful? That was almost as hard to believe as someone calling _him_ delightful! Staring for a moment at Lenala, he finally nodded. "I should leave you to it, though I will first find you some willing laborers." He said warmly, leading her confidently inside, looking for said help.

Lenala watched him with an amused expression as he gathered up enough of the healers to accompany them back out to where Vilarth waited. **Did you tell Haldarth that I'd arrived?** Lenala asked as she waited.

}: Of course, :{ Vilarth replied, her tone somewhat affronted. }: You told me to. :{

**Then I suppose T'moran is busy... I shouldn't be surprised, but it would have been nice to see him.**

T'moran was, at that moment, hurrying down from his weyr with his hair still damp from the quickest bath he'd ever taken in his life. Vilarth's arrival had occurred at the worst moment - when he'd just finished bathing and oiling Haldarth after a drill, and reeked of sweat, burned firestone and oil.

His hasty bath and frantic hunt for clothing that was both smart and clean had left him with little time to wonder whether he should actually be here. It wasn't as if he didn't have other matters to attend to, and no doubt Lenala could deal with the Infirmary by herself.

}: Vilarth told me specifically that she was here, :{ Haldarth reminded him.

** I suppose it would be courteous to greet the lady goldrider and thank her for the supplies, ** T'moran replied, fooling neither himself nor his dragon. Haldarth's amusement only made him feel more embarrassed as he approached the golden dragon, and his embarrassment only grew when he realised that she was surrounded by journeyman healers, unloading sacks and bundles of herbs that had been attached to the dragon's side.

"Lady Lenala." He caught her eye and bowed his head in greeting. "You are doubly welcome at Dolphin Cove, for your presence and for the supplies you bring."

Lenala held out her hand to him, taking great care to _not_ give him her usual vapid smile. It was harder then she'd thought it would be, which was mildly disturbing. "I'm only glad we had so much to spare. Master Abrei says you need only ask if you need anything else."

"You must pass on my thanks to her. I owe her a great debt for saving so many of my wingriders." T'moran shook her hand - he was tempted to raise it to his lips, but the formal gesture would likely get him laughed at by the healers, if not the queenrider herself. "Can I offer you a cool drink while you wait for the journeymen to unload the supplies? I'm sure you'd prefer to wait somewhere that's out of the sun."

"That would be very welcome," Lenala replied, accepting the arm he offered without giving any indication that she noticed the raised eyebrows and looks from some of the healers.

T'moran did his best to ignore the healers, too, as they turned walked away, but he couldn't miss the bronzerider who just at that moment came around from the other side of the waiting gold dragon, carrying an armful of healers' supplies. His heart sank.

"J'darin - I see you're helping Lady Lenala also."

J'darin had, indeed, been helping unload supplies, the box was set carefully down and he came a few steps closer, his eyebrow raising at Lenala's hand on T'moran's arm. "Indeed, I was. I so enjoyed our last visit, that I was eager for another one." He paused to share that charming smile with Lenala, his head inkling to her. "In fact, I planned on offering her some refreshment, though it seems you two were off to do something, together." His smile was cool, as he spoke. He had no real wish to come in between T'moran and Lenala if he liked her, but she was a very pleasant change from the other goldrider in his life, though he loved Kalina to distraction.

Lenala wasn't sure exactly what to do, though her hand tightened slightly on T'moran's arm. She had no intention of letting the Weyrleader get away from her, no matter _how_ charming J'darin could be. "T'moran was just taking me to find something cool to drink."

J'darin nodded, but his gaze narrowed between the two. "I would not wish to intrude on that for certain, but perhaps I will see you before you go, goldrider."

Lenala nodded at him with a friendly smile. "Of course, J'darin. Thank you for all of your assistance."

T'moran too nodded politely before escorting the goldrider in the direction of the kitchens. Surely there was no reason why J'darin couldn't have joined them for drinks - but secretly he was rather glad the younger and more charming bronzerider would not be present!

Last updated on the September 6th 2005

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