Free At Last

Writers: Cali, Estelle
Date Posted: 16th July 2005

Characters: Halli, J'klin
Description: Halli and J'klin celebrate Halli's release from the Infirmary, and she becomes curious about his interest in Arilanna
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 6, day 25 of Turn 3

"J'klin!" Halli waved at the brownrider from her table near the door of the Dining Cavern. She guessed he'd just come from a sweepride, since he was wrapped up warm and there were still a few flakes of snow clinging to his riding jacket. "Look at me - I'm finally out of the Infirmary!"

"Well, it's about time!" he cheered as he removed his gloves and sat down across from her. "I thought you would milk that stay for as long as you could." he added with a wink.

"Not a chance. I couldn't stand another moment of that place!" Halli shuddered. "I'm still not back in the Wings, though. I have to build up my strength - but at least I can _walk_ again. Want some klah?"

"Just what I came in for." he said with a grin as he reached for the pitcher and mug at the end of the table. He poured himself a cup and relished in the taste as it warmed his insides as he drank.

"Ahh, better already." he said setting the mug on the table, but keeping his hands on it to warm them. "So how long before you get to go back with the Wing?"

"I don't know. They said it would be sevendays - perhaps a month." She wrinkled her nose. "I'm not even supposed to fly with Jaquiath until they say - and I have to visit the Infirmary regularly and do exercises to build up my strength. But at least I can sleep in my own weyr at nights!"

Shucking his jacket off, J'klin wrinkled his nose back at her, but for different reasons. The mention of the Infirmary made him think of Arilanna, and he asked trying to be casual, "So, in the infirmary...does Arilanna work with you?"

"Oh, yes - she visited me a lot, to cheer me up." Halli tipped her head to one side and looked at him in bemusement. "Why? Would you like me to arrange a meeting?" She began to grin. "A date, perhaps?"

"No," he replied hastily, "I just... she's a competent healer, that's all. I just wanted to make sure you got the best of treatment." He didn't know why he brought her up, he shouldn't care what she does or how she's doing anymore, she wasn't apart of his life anymore and he had better start thinking that way.

"Oh." Halli looked disappointed. "Are you _sure_?"

"Hey, I can get my own dates." he said, trying to keep the mood light. "I am quite the catch don't you think?"

"Well..." She put her head on one side and surveyed him thoughtfully - or at least made a pretence of it. "You're not bad...considering how _old_ you are!"

"Hey now!" he cried, "if you weren't still recuperating I'd _show_ you just how _old_ I am!"

"Maybe when I'm better I'll remind you of that," Halli replied mischievously. She was starting to think it was a shame she couldn't remember a single moment of being rescued from the jungle by the brownrider! All the same - perhaps she should ask Arilanna what there was between the two of them. She didn't want to tread on anybody's toes, not when the two people involved were friends of hers.

"Well maybe it will give you a bit of an incentive to do your exercises." he said, with a grin on his face, although inside he was anything but smiling. In fact, the thought of doing anything romantic, even a fun casual night, made him slightly queasy.

"I'll think of you as I do them," Halli said innocently. "I'd better go now - Jaquiath needs me. And remember - if you change your mind about Arilanna, you can always let me know!"

"You'd better go and take care of that green then, Nimyth would never forgive me if I made you neglect her. He's taken quite a fancy to her since I got to rescue you." he said playfully, adding a wink on the end.

"Better not tell her that - she'll grow even more vain than she is already," Halli replied with a rueful grin. "I'll see you around!"

Last updated on the September 15th 2005

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Free At Last