Defense Mechanism

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 10th February 2007

Characters: J'lai, Honalyse
Description: J'lai says his 'fond' farewell to Honalyse after she Impresses at the Hatching.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 1, day 13 of Turn 4

Honlyse's eyes were bright as the song ended and she twirled off the dancefloor. She stopped when she noticed the man standing at the wine table. Shards. She had better get this over with. Honalyse had been half looking for and half avoiding J'lai for the first candlemark, trying to formulate in her mind what she would say to him. It was obvious that they could only be friends while she was a Weyrling. He wasn't going to like that, she knew. She'd miss him too. Taking a deep breath she walked towards him.

"So I suppose you saw I Impressed, huh," she said quietly, her hands folded in front of her.

J'lai was focused on watching a particularly attractive looking greenrider spin by, and barely spared a glance for Honalyse. "So you did. Congratulations."

He was upset. He just didn't want Honalyse to see how upset he was. "So I guess this means I'm kind of off limits for a while..."

"No 'kind-of' about it, girl." J'lai slanted a look at Honalyse, wondering how long she planned on pestering him for. "You'd best have enough sense to keep your hands to yourself while you're a junior weyrling, or the Weyrlingmaster will have your hide."

"Oh no. No no," she quickly assured him, touched that he would want to protect her from making a mistake like that. "I promise, I wouldn't do _anything_ to hurt Tibith. But... it won't last forever. After a couple months, then we can be together again."

J'lai snorted. "I'll manage, somehow." "You will," she reassured him, placing her hand in his. "I'm sure you won't be lonely. But... don't forget me, ok?" she asked with a teasing smile.

"That would be impossible, my girl." Mostly because he'd never had a woman in his bed who _talked_ so sharding much. Sometimes he thought he'd never shut her up.

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his middle in a quick hug. "I won't forget either. But, you know, we can still see each other sometimes. Even if we can't... see everything."

His eyes followed the attractive greenrider as she danced by again, this time in the arms of a bluerider. "Uh-huh. But you'll be busy, you know.
Weyrling training takes a lot of you. It's okay if you can't find time." "For you? I'll make time," she assured him, squeezing him just a little for emphasis. "I'd... better go..."

"So soon?" J'lai drawled, his voice fairly dripping sarcasm. Sometimes he wondered if Honalyse was even smart enough to _be_ a rider. She never seemed to get even the most blatant of hints. Then again, there were plenty of greenriders who didn't seem smart enough to figure out which end of their dragon breathed fire. She wouldn't be the first.

Honalyse could hear the sarcasm alright, but she assumed it was just a defense mechanism. Goodbyes were never easy. "I'll see you in a few months."

"Mmmm. Goodbye." He gave her an absentminded kiss on the forehead and a distracted smile. "Take care."

"You too..." her voice just barely betrayed the lump in her throat as she turned away.

Last updated on the February 17th 2007

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Defense Mechanism