More Than Just a Warm Body (1/2)

Writers: Devin, Dana
Date Posted: 7th February 2007

Characters: N'vanik, Traelyn
Description: N'vanik pays a visit to Traelyn, trying to find something that's missing in his life.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 7 of Turn 4

N'vanik

Loseth had confirmed that Trae was okay with him coming by. He didn't want to leave Tal, but she seemed to be doing much better. Surely she would be okay without him for an afternoon. So N'vanik found himself gliding down toward Dolphin Cove Weyr in the warm evening. Was he doing this only for selfish reasons? Maybe he should just turn around and go home.

}:I want to see Nyith again,:{ Loseth insisted.

N'vanik gave a mental sigh. **Fine, fine.** The bronze touched down on the Weyrwoman's ledge and rumbled a greeting at the Queen. **I wish my life was that simple,** N'vanik thought as he dismounted. He walked into the weyr and found her curled on the couch. "Hi, Trae."

Tucking her bare feet up between the cushions, she set her hide aside. Considering how their last encounter over a month ago had ended, she wasn't quite sure how to act towards him. So she kept her tone purposefully vague, her expression a little wary. "Hey."

"I'm sorry." And just like that, the words were out of his mouth. Had he said it so many times to Tal that now he could say it to anyone? But this wasn't anyone, he reminded himself, this was _Trae_. That's why he was here. "I should have come by sooner."

She stared at him, completely taken aback. An apology. He'd just given her an apology. She opened her mouth, then closed it, then raked a hand through her hair. "Just when I think I have you pegged, you go and say something or do something that shocks me speechless," she muttered, but the cautious look she finally slanted his way was a little more open.

"I'm a complicated guy," he said with a half-smile, trying to sound teasing.

She snorted, studying him for a moment. Then she sighed and shifted into a more upright position, and placed a hand on the cushion beside her--an invitation for him to sit.

N'vanik hesitated for a moment and then sat down. "So, uh . . . how have you been?" He didn't know what else to say.

She shrugged a shoulder. "The usual." Shards, this was awkward. Traelyn could remember some of the fights they'd had back at Dragonsfall where they had usually ended up yelling and snarling and then falling into bed to work out the rest of their anger and frustration. Usually by the end of a couple rounds of sex, they were okay again. In a way, she kind of wished for it--rather that than the strained silence and awkward small talk. But things were different now. Perhaps they'd been different for a while. "And you?"

"Things have been . . . different," he admitted. That might be an understatement. "I'm still taking care of Tal. Talryne." N'vanik caught himself using her nickname.

She glanced at him. Since he hadn't come to see her for some time, Traelyn wasn't too surprised. She couldn't even imagine the trauma the girl had experienced, what she must be feeling--or not feeling--every single day. Or maybe she could imagine...and that was the scariest thing.
Her throat tightened at the very thought of losing her queen. To be without Nyith...it would be her death sentence. "How is she?" she asked quietly.

"She's doing better. She smiles sometimes." The hint of a smile crossed his face and then faded as he remembered her saying she didn't know if she could feel good anymore. **But I do make her feel better, and that's something.**

Traelyn shifted, leaning back against the arm of the sofa. Was N'vanik the one who made her smile? "It's a good sign..."

N'vanik turned toward her. "You aren't going to tell me she's doomed?"

"Why would I tell you that?"

He shrugged. "Other people have." Even Kenza, one of the few people, maybe the only one, that he could really talk to.

"Well, I'm not other people, N'vanik."

"Yeah. That's why I'm here." If she was like everyone else, he wouldn't be traveling half a continent away just to see her. And he wouldn't be wondering if she might be able to fill a hole in his life.

She tilted her head, wondering what he meant by that. And she couldn't help but remember the last time he had been here in her weyr, sitting on this very sofa with her. Did he need something from her again? Was that why he was here now? Traelyn reached out then, gently trailing the backs of her fingers against his cheek.

He leaned slightly into her touch. No one else used the backs of their fingers like that. Only Trae. After a moment, he slid closer to her and cupped his hand against her face, searching her dark eyes.

"Why are you here, N'vanik?" she asked softly.

He had to fight against the urge to say something meaningless, something safe. "Because you're more than just a warm body."

She stared up into his eyes, once again completely taken aback. Out of all the things he could have said, this was the one thing she just hadn't been expecting. It was like she was talking to a different man. But as she stroked his hair back from his brow, she knew that it was still the same N'vanik. But...changed. The last month had changed a part of him, and Talryne's dragon's death had triggered it. Leaning up, she kissed him.

N'vanik pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. He was still uncertain, even a little afraid. But it wasn't as strong as the confusion and fear he sometimes felt with Talryne. Trae wasn't as fragile, and things could happen as they would.

Last updated on the February 9th 2007

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

More Than Just a Warm Body (1/2)