In the Way

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

Characters: Larken, M'tone
Description: Larken runs into M'tone, and tries to deal with the conflicting feelings seeing him brings about
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 2, day 1 of Turn 4

The last time Larken had been outside alone, that beautiful afternoon had turned into a disaster. She wasn't used to the burning, ugly emotion called jealousy--and she knew she didn't _want_ to get used to it. That would certainly be a bad sign, and a huge step in the wrong direction.

As it was, she couldn't get that image of M'tone with that other woman out of her mind. Her deceitful imagination conjured all kinds of other illicit images of the brownrider and greenrider and what they might have been doing behind Encourth during that warm, sunny afternoon. Shaking her head, she rounded the bend.

Larken was ashamed of herself. She had made her choice. Why couldn't she just sharding move on? Ojisan--and his love for her--should be enough. It should! She crossed her arms protectively over her chest as she side-stepped a fallen log. She didn't need M'tone--didn't need his friendship, his passion, his encouragement to take on life with a laugh...

Shards.

Frustrated, she kicked at a small rock, not caring if she scuffed her shoe, and watched it bounce and roll all the way across the path, finally stopping when it hit the point of a man's boot. Shells. Now she was going to look like a mismannered child. Flushing, she raised her face to him, an apologetic, rueful smile plastered on her face. "I'm sorry. I didn't see...." She stopped talking.

"Rather rough on that stone, weren't you?" M'tone asked as he bent down to pick it up.

Shells. Of all times to come face to face with him... "It was in the way."

He rolled the stone in his hand. "And now I'm in your way. You're not going to kick me are you?"

She felt as if she'd been slapped. "I don't think I deserved that."

"What, have you lost sense of humor already, Larken?" Stagnating in that prissy, protocol controlled world of hers? "I was kidding."

She shook her head, not really believing him. "That was a cruel joke." It struck far too close to home.

"You were the one who kicked a stone at me," he pointed out. "Let's not resort to this."

Nervously she fingered the end of her braid. "I didn't _mean_ to hit you with it..."

"I know, that's why I was trying to make a joke. I was just..." **Just drop it,** he told himself as he tossed the stone aside. "Beautiful day for a walk though, isn't it?"

"It is." She offered him a small smile. "Is that why you're out here?"
Inwardly, she winced at how that came out. **Obviously that's why, dolt.** Shards.

"Yeah, I just came out for some fresh air. It can get stuffy inside the Weyr sometimes and the beach can get too crowded this time of day. The exercise clears my head..." He was rambling. Shard it!

"Mine too." They both stared at each other as an awkward silence developed, and Larken would have given anything to make the strained feeling between them disappear. Of course, what had she been expecting, though? Especially after that afternoon in the dining cavern? That had been a mistake. She shouldn't have encouraged him...

The silence stretched on. It was silly and uncomfortable. M'tone finally couldn't take it any more. "So... How are you, Larken?"

"I'm well." Her smile was forced--as were the words. "And you?"

"Oh, you know," he said with a slight shrug. "I'm always just me."

Shells. "And Encourth?"

"Still brown and still a huge flirt." M'tone's face softened a bit as he thought of his lifemate. That relationship, at least, was stable and always would be. "And how is Ojisan?"

At least this answer wouldn't be a lie. "He's doing well," she replied quietly. Even though it would have been a terrible social lapse, Larken wished he wouldn't have asked about her husband. Memories--all different, all entwined together--rose to the surface of her thoughts. She couldn't help but remember that evening when she and M'tone and rested in his bed together, talking quietly about the months to come...about Ojisan. M'tone had been so convinced they could keep on seeing each other after Turn's End...and his vehemence had almost convinced her. Almost...

It would have been easier to forgive a graceless social lapse than to forgive the memories M'tone had stirred up.

"Good to hear," he nodded. And it was sincere. Though he envied Ojisan, he certainly felt no animosity towards the man. He was good to Larken and cared for her, that much was obvious. No, he didn't wish bad on the man. He just wished he hadn't gotten there first... "Well... Enjoy the sunshine."

"You too." Managing to keep her chin up and look composed, Larken shifted out of his way--and the sudden, unexpected urge to brush her fingers against his as he passed by shocked her. She curled her hands together, not trusting herself. She couldn't touch him. Not ever again. **I can't play with fire.**

Last updated on the February 17th 2007

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In the Way