Reaching Out

Writers: Kaysea, Vix
Date Posted: 19th July 2007

Characters: Hartam, Tayette
Description: Hartam stumbles upon Tayette when he leaves the Tavern the night of the green flight.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 4, day 12 of Turn 4
Notes: Follows "Tavern and the Green"

**I never want to face an evening like that again.** Hartam stumbled along the path outside The Tavern, taking deep breaths and trying to control the jumble of sensations that still washed over him.

Earlier all had been as normal, with him playing his gitar and singing for a large crowd, his two apprentices playing accompaniment for him. The music had been upbeat. The crowd - a mix of those from the Hold and those who had arrived a-dragonback - was responsive, shouting out requests and singing along with their favorites.

Then all had changed. A green had risen to mate, her rider not having read the signs that her rising was imminent. The dragonriders may have been accustomed to the lust that emanated from the female dragon and the males that chased her in hopes of being the one to complete the mating flight, the lust that translated into human lust for those in the vicinity.

Hartam had played, trying to soothe the crowd, trying to calm the heat of those affected. But there had been no help for some - dragonriders whose dragons were involved in the flight and Hold residents caught up in the dragonlust. Many would be embarrassed in the morning, when they remembered what had happened, what they had done.

He had played for as long as he could, but had finally given up and left the room. His own emotions, his own yearning, were overpowering. He had escaped to the outdoors, hoping that some fresh air would calm him - or at least keep him from doing something that he would regret.

"Hartam? Is that you?" Tayette asked, as she walked towards the shadowy figure that showed a familiar limping gait. "I was...what's wrong?" His urgency was obvious as he walked away from the Tavern.

She had finished her chores and had been permitted to leave the dining hall early this evening; everyone having rushed through the Hall tonight at the sight of so many dragons overhead. The idea of seeing Hartam being uppermost in her mind, had given her feet wings; and after hurriedly changing she had made her way across to the Tavern.

**No. Not her.** But his body told him that she was exactly who he wanted to see. He forced a smile for her. "Tayette. . . it really isn't a good time. There was. . . there was trouble at the Tavern and you really shouldn't be near here."

"Trouble? Should I go get help?" she asked, her brows knitting in a small frown of concern. "I can go get....someone?" she turned to race back across the open courtyard.

"No!" He grabbed her arm to stop her, but dropped it as if burned. So close. . . she was so close, and so desirable to him. "It. . . Tayette, you shouldn't be out, shouldn't be around anyone here. What happened. . ." He took a deep breath, though he could feel sweat breaking out on his brow. "A dragonrider. . . a stupid dragonrider brought his dragon here when he shouldn't have. People. . . they are out of control." He did not add that he himself was barely under control and did not know how much longer he could remain so.

"Hartam!?" his hand briefly stilled her, and she was surprised when he released her again so soon. His words were ominous, and cause for concern, when she saw the pained expression on his face. But then, it was too late, for her as well as she felt those old, familiar stirrings she had thought long passed from her body, rising again. "I ... I should ... go ... " she sighed, feeling a flush creeping through her body. But instead of following her instincts, what she knew she should do; she stayed, reaching out for the Harper.

"Yes. . . you should go. . ." He nodded, agreeing with her, wanting her to go, wanting her to stay, and suddenly finding his arms around her, his mouth on hers. "I . . . we should . . ." he murmured the words against her lips before capturing them again.

Part of Tayette was stunned by Hartam's actions, but another, deeper part of her...was lost to them. His kisses, insistent and base were echoed from some long forgotten part of her. She clung to him, her lips melded to his, hungry, and seeking - needing something more . . .

"Somewhere. . ." He glanced around, wanting her, but knowing that she deserved better than to be taken here. He glanced toward the Tavern, but there he shared rooms with his apprentices. The Hall. . . a room was assigned him there, a room that he rarely used but that was his should he need it. He guided her toward that building, his eyes now on her again, wanting her.

She could see the indecision in his eyes before it changed to determination, as he began to lead her back towards the Hall. She allowed herself to be led, her hand clinging to his, the sensation in the pit of her stomach drawing energy from her heightened senses. For so long she had denied the attraction she felt for the Harper, but now she admitted it to herself, if not to him - yet.

Not saying a word - he had no words to say, only need, a deep need - he led her through the corridors, glad that they met no one on their travels. A part of him wondered if others had been caught in that same need, fired by the dragons above the Hall and Hold, fired by that desire that those at the Weyrs had learned to ignore or control.

Finally, he shoved open the door to the room that had been allotted to him, drawing her over the threshold and closing the door securely. Only then did he look at her, truly seeing her, wanting her, not just for the desire of the dragons but for who she was. "Tayette. . ." He drew her into his arms.

Her hands reached for him, her arms slipping around his shoulders, drawing them closer, "Hartam." she spoke his name said quietly, but with more emotion than she had dared to show to anyone in the past fifteen or so turns. Her lips met his, softly at first, but becoming more demanding as she clung to him.

His need for her was almost overwhelming, but he possessed a moment's control - just enough for one question. "Tay? Are you sure?"

"More than I have been about anything in turns Hartam." her lips searched for his again, and she kissed him deeply.

That was all the permission that he needed and he allowed his desire to guide him.

~*~*~

The harper moved carefully, expecting to feel the stiffness that accompanied unaccustomed use of muscles and joints, and was surprised to find that his body felt fine - tired, but fine. The tired he understood, having expended a good deal of energy, but he was surprised that his body had responded so well to so much exertion. It had been a while, a long while, since he had been with a woman and never with the type of fervor that the dragon-mating had evoked.

He moved to his side, facing the woman next to him and fixing his gaze on her face. "Tay? Are you . . . are you alright?"

A slow, slightly self-conscious smile slid across her lips as her eyes met those of the Harper. "I'm...fine Hartam. I...it's been a while... but yes, I feel...good." she reached up with one hand and cupped his face, her thumb smoothing down his cheek. "You were...." she drew his face down to hers and kissed him softly "...wonderful." She felt a deep flush creep up over her face, but there was no other way to describe what she had just experienced with Hartam.

He chuckled, relief washing through him. "I . . . I was hoping that you'd have no regrets. I certainly haven't."

"No..no regrets." He was so different from Karvea, but she had known that the first time she had met him, out there in the woods. But it was only now she realised just how different he was. Karvea wouldn't have bothered asking how she felt, dragon lust or none, he wouldn't have cared. He had never truly cared about her, even when they were first handfasted, but it had taken her until today, until this morning that she had realised just how little he had cared. "Well, if I am truthful.." she said quietly, her eyes briefly meeting his again.

The smile disappeared from his face, his insecurity and concern returning. "You regret that we. . . were together?"

"No.." she tried hard to keep the smile from her lips, but lost the fight, "just that it took a green's flight for it to happen." It was as if a door had burst open and she was finally free again, free to be herself. She wasn't sure if Hartam was ready for this new Tayette to appear - she wasn't sure if _she_ was ready either.

"It wasn't that I didn't want it to happen otherwise - at least, I don't think so." His hand found hers, twining his fingers through hers as he spoke, and pulling both hands to where he could focus on them. "I hadn't thought about it, hadn't allowed myself to think about it. From the day we met, I enjoyed spending time with you and wanted to see you again, but I wouldn't think about it, couldn't think about it, and about what that meant. I still don't know what it means." Now he raised his eyes to regard her face, memorizing her features in case this was the last opportunity he had to see her from this close. "I don't know how I feel about you or where those feelings will lead, but I'd like to explore them further - if it's alright with you?"

She dropped her gaze, and fixed her eyes on his hands clasping hers, "I feel the same Hartam. Despite my words, I would never have just tumbled into a cot with you. If the green hadn't risen here tonight, I would have been just as happy to continue on as we had been, but now..." she gave a small shrug, "Taking it slow, and exploring this new beginning, it's what I would like to do as well." she looked back into his eyes, and smiled softly.

He nodded, shifting his body slightly to mold it closer to hers, finding that he liked the fit as they relaxed next to each other. "So. . . we don't know where we're headed but we seem to be off to a good start. And as we're figuring it out . . . I don't want to give anyone reason to gossip, so we should be discrete. But could you . . . would you stay the night?"

"I will, but I must be gone before first light." she cautioned, snuggling closer to him.

"Of course." His arm draped around her, reminding him of what he had missed during the Turns alone and allowing him the hope that time to come would be different.

She snuggled down against him, her head resting against his chest and listened to the steady and reassuring beat of his heart. "This is nice.." she murmured quietly into the darkened room. Turns had past since she had felt this secure, turns and many experiences, most she would prefer to forget. Hopefully now, she would be able to create new memories, happier ones than before. Yes - much happier. She sighed deeply, closing her eyes and just laying there, listening to his heart beat.

Last updated on the July 22nd 2007

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Reaching Out