A Different route

Writers: Avery, Dana
Date Posted: 23rd September 2006

Characters: Traelyn, L'pin
Description: After her rather awkward visit with N'vanik at Dragonsfall, Traelyn turns to a rather unlikely source to chase away the sudden loneliness.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 14 of Turn 3

Letting out a soft sigh, Traelyn stared at L'pin's closed door, her eyes following the patterns of grain in the wood without really seeing them. Shards...what was she doing here? And what would he do when he saw her standing there, looking as desperate for company as she felt? Shard it... What would he _think_? What would he say?

**Damn it, Trae. After just a few friendly conversations, you think he'll want to take you to bed? You've got an ego as inflated as a sharding
bronzerider's...**

But she'd seen the way he would glance at her, and it made her wonder if maybe he wouldn't be averse to spending a night with her--to shake the lonliness that he'd hinted at--that they certainly both felt.

Steeling herself, Traelyn raised her hand and knocked softly on his door.

L'pin had been reading a diary of someone who had walked the Barrier Ranges 110 Turns ago by the light of an old, flame-lit lantern- a particular affectation he'd always had- when he heard the knock. He set down his glass of wine and quickly stood and headed for the door. "We-Traelyn!" he said in some surprise as he opened the door, guessing she didn't want formality, given the time. "Come on in." he said warmly. "This is a pleasant surprise. Would you like a drink? I was just having wine. Oh, and I can brighten the room, too." he added. The light of one flame was fine for reading if he was close, but for guests?

She gave him a hesitant smile as she stepped into the room, glancing curiously at the latern. "I hope I'm not disrupting you... I know it's late."

"Not at all." he countered. "Reading and drinking...it's a nightly habit, but it's nice to have routine."

"What are you reading?"

"There was a man who, over a hundred Turns ago, walked over the Barrier
Ranges- just him and his runner, who carried his packs. He did it despite not having his right foot, and he wrote a journal. It's interesting historical reading." L'pin laughed slightly. "I know it must sound boring, but it's just so...the fact that people did things like that interests me. People can be so resourceful."

"It doesn't sound boring at all," she told him as she sat down on the edge of the sofa. "He was brave to take on such a feat--and alone!" Traelyn shook her head. "And especially in his condition..."

L'pin nodded, pleased someone else saw the interest. "And there are so many tales like that in history. It really makes you think. We dragonriders fly over the land, but imagine walking over that kind of terrain?" He smiled slightly and looked at her. "Everyone can be brave and outstanding in their own way, I believe- you just have to find where you belong."

**On Nyith's neck in the sky, flamethrower in hand...** Because that was really what it all came down to, wasn't it? "It's an insightful philosophy, L'pin," she murmured.

"I'm an armchair philosopher, I guess you could call me- if this wasn't a Pass I'd probably be writing theories and studying people. But it's not, and there's not much I can do for that." He wondered if he'd ever live to see the end of the Pass, and knew that if he did he'd be very old. Less chances then Traelyn would have. "I guess I try to catch up on drinking and reading when I can, but..." He didn't finish the sentence. It wasn't enough. "People get by how they have to."

**Yes, they do.** But her thoughts had taken a different route. She reached out then and gently rested her fingers on his hand.

He wondered what she meant as her fingers touched his hand, and then decided it didn't really matter, did it. "Are you sure I can't get you anything?" he asked quietly. "Don't want to have anything without making you comfortable." He might wind up needing a drink...he wasn't sure.

Glancing up at him, she shook her head. "I'm fine," she whispered.

L'pin was intrigued by this. She seemed more vulnerable than he'd seen her before. "Are you sure nothing's bothering you?"

"Bothering me? No."

He reached out and then, daringly, moved his other hand to cover hers.
"Good," he said quietly. "Sadness wouldn't look as pretty on you."

The movement brought him closer...their arms were touching. Her fingers tightened slowly around his and she bent her head to rest it against his shoulder, hoping to Faranth she hadn't misread him--and that he understood what it was she was asking for.

L'pin did understand, or at least, it was beginning to dawn. He reached up with the covering hand to gently stroke her hair and then her face. Then he leaned down, bringing his face closer to hers, inviting her to move as she would.

Her hesitation was very brief before she brought her lips to his, lightly at first...seeking. One hand slid up his chest, resting against the loosened laces of his tunic, her fingers cool against the warm skin that peeked through the little openings. The feeling sent a slight thrill through her, and she deepened the kiss.

L'pin moaned slightly as the kiss was deepened. It had been so long...well, Chaneth had won a few flights since arriving here, but flight lust was neither slow nor gentle, didn't slowly inflame...and that's what the feel of Traelyn's hand and mouth were doing to him. His body was reacting very strongly to her, and he found himself moving to pull her closer, kiss her deeper...anything to prolong the feelings.

Recognizing his desperate need in herself--and relieved for it--she slid her hands under the hem of his shirt so she could touch bare skin, fingers tracing the line of his stomach, his chest, his spine... Sliding her lips from his, she began kissing her way down his neck, one lean leg slipping over both of his. Perhaps she should have felt wretched for using him as an escape like this, but shards and shells...she needed this.

He needed it too, and while he was surprised to find it with her, he was gratified. She was beautiful, she was the kind of person he never could have attained, and yet here she was, with him. He couldn't think very rationally as he moved his hands over her chest, tugging at her clothing, wanting it undone. Whatever he had done to deserve this, he was grateful.

Last updated on the September 26th 2006

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A Different route