New Beginnings (part 3)

Writers: Eimi, Yvonne
Date Posted: 30th October 2006

Characters: K'far, Firsa
Description: K'far takes Firsa to Daremek's wedding in Opal Cove Hold's Beastcraft Hall
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 13, day 7 of Turn 3

"So tell me about K'far," Daremek said. The dance drew them close and Firsa could feel the heat of his body pressing against her skin; she looked away. "Where's he from?"

"Dolphin Cove Weyr." Firsa wondered if her hands were clammy. They ought to be.

Daremek arched an eyebrow. It made him look dangerous and somewhat silly - had he always had that cleft in his chin, or did she only see it now that he'd shaved his beard? "Really? Because he looks as if he could be my cousin." The Journeywoman felt herself flush - shards, she should have asked _anyone_ but K'far to take her to the stupid wedding! It was obvious, now that they were together, how much they looked alike. They were about the same height and had the same colouring. Even the same build... but Firsa found herself acutely aware of their differences, too. The way Daremek held his head, the way K'far walked. K'far's hands, and the way the corners of his eyes crinkled up when he smiled... "Huh," she said. "Hadn't noticed."

"Ah." Daremek nodded as they pressed palms, then stepped away. She didn't like the smug expression on his face: he knew. Or thought he knew. "Nice of him to have brought you. He's a friend?"

"Why else would I have brought him?"

"As a free ride?" Daremek asked. He grinned, exposing a small gap in his front teeth. Firsa used to love that gap, but... it had somehow lost it's charm. She sighed, suddenly sick of his company and the overly decorated tent and his petite, pretty new wife. Yellow and green ribbons and too bright glows blurred together; gems and flashes of polished bronze and silver were blinding. She suddenly wanted to be gone. A flash of yellow caught her eye; Jyoti was dancing with K'far.

The dance brought them closer again; Daremek slipped a hand around her waist. She felt feverish, and avoided looking him in the eye.
Even though his eyes were so lovely and dark...**K'far's are hazel...** "I'm really glad you came, Firsa," he said.

She swallowed. "Me too. Jyoti seems lovely." The lie came easily.

"I didn't think I'd see you again." Daremek looked away, and Firsa stumbled as the dance took them in a small circle. "I wish things were different."

When Daremek had been offered the position at the Beastcraft Hall and an opportunity to obtain his Mastery, he'd asked Firsa to come with him. Implied, it was to become his wife -- what else was there for her to do at the Hall but be a wife? The Hall was unfriendly to female Beastcrafters, and Firsa had no other skills... and she couldn't even have been a proper wife, even if she'd wanted to abandon her life at the Weyr so that Daremek could live his. And so she was silent, and after what seemed like an eternity the dance ended. She and Daremek stood awkwardly, looking at each other, each hoping the other would make the first move.

Finally Firsa cleared her throat, leaned in, and kissed Daremek's cheek. It was smooth - he'd shaved for his new wife.
"Congratulations, Daremek."

He nodded, smiling slightly. "Thank you. Firsa..."

The Journeywoman shook her head, her red hair falling around her face and hiding her expression until she could regain control of her wayward emotions. Things changed. Daremek was in her past. "Don't. I don't think I'll see you again. Good luck." She smiled, then turned her back and left him standing there. Suddenly she was desperate to feel the outside air on her face and she pushed her way through the celebrating crowd until she could slip out a side door. K'far would find her eventually, and until she did... she lifted her face and closed her eyes. The night air was soft and dark, and muted the laughter from inside. The band started up again, and someone dropped a glass. Herdbeasts lowed and murmured quietly to themselves as a breeze played through the fields of hay and alfalfa.

The music ended to raucous cheers. It wasn't long before the door opened and the brownrider slipped outside. He wrapped his long thick arms around her waist as his chest pressed into her back. "Are you ready to go now, Firsa?" he asked softly.

She sighed, smiled, and leaned into his embrace. The night suddenly seemed much less lonely. "Well and truly."

"Torth will be waiting then." He stepped out from behind her, but kept one arm wrapped firmly around her waist. There was nothing he wanted more than to take her away from this place. K'far wondered if she had found closure, or if she had just fanned the flames. He wondered if she'd be going home with him or alone with her thoughts of a man who looked surpringly like him. And he wondered if he did take her home, if when she reached for him that night she would be thinking of him, or a love long lost. He knew for sure Jyoti would be wondering similar thoughts that night. Firsa let herself be led along a darkened path through the fields and away from the bright tent and music. It was rather a relief, actually, and she caught herself smiling in the dark. Three quarters of the way to where Torth dozed in the shadows she stopped, making K'far stop with her. She closed the gap between them and pressed her lips to his, confident for once that the man before her was the one that she _wanted_ to kiss. After a moment, she said, "Take me home, K'far." And she had no regrets.

Last updated on the October 30th 2006

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New Beginnings (part 3)