Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (3)

Writers: Emma, Cali, AL
Date Posted: 8th September 2008

Characters: I'lan, Sorsha, Ri'len, Serend, Karai, Balthan, Balisor
Description: I'lan joins Sorsha, her family, and the Willet Grove family for an uncomfortable evening.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 11, day 8 of Turn 4

"Father, you remember I'lan don't you?" Sorsha said excitedly as she saw everyone stand and she walked with I'lan to the fire ring. "He said he'd stay for dinner."

"Ah, yes, yes I do." Staying for dinner? Balisor really wished his daughter had asked him his opinion on that before offering the invitation. Well, there was nothing to do but make the best of it - he wasn't going to be so rude as to retract her offer.

"I appreciate it sir," said the bronzerider politely.

"And these are the friends I was telling you about," Sorsha continued with the introductions, "Holder Serend, his wife Karai, and eldest son Railen from Willet Grove."

Karai gave a polite curtsy as she evaluated the bronzerider. He was as young as Railen she noticed, and hoped there would be no competition. He was a bronzerider though, however his behavior, and needed to be treated with respect as her upbringing demanded.

"A pleasure to meet you all." I'lan dipped his head in a brief bow as he greeted the holders.

"Yes, well," The best thing to do was to get this over with as soon as possible and then have a talk with his daughter. That he would do first thing in the morning. "Let's go get something to eat, shall we?"

"I think I've lost my appetite." Balthan mumbled as he took the only available seat between Railen and Serend. Sorsha had seated the bronzerider at the other head of the table opposite Balisor, where _he_ by rights should have sat.

That wouldn't do. That wouldn't do at all. Balisor frowned but decided not to make mention of it - yet. Yes, a sincere conversation was definitely in order. Balisor motioned for the drudges to begin serving and glanced over at his brother apologetically.

The food tasted perfect to Sorsha. Nothing like slow cooked pit fish on all of Pern. And with great company too, she was having a great night. "And Railen's family raises the best runners. My brothers got two a couple of turns back. " she explained to I'lan as she smiled encouragingly to Railen to continue the story from where he sat on the other side of her. He'd been quiet for most of the dinner and she thought that maybe he just needed a little help getting into the conversation.

The young Holder's son flushed and looked down at his plate, picking at it with a fork. He didn't really know this bronzerider, but had heard whispered conversations that a dragonrider had helped to save Sorsha. Still, he felt uncomfortable, especially in a crowd with which he wasn't familiar.

"It's been turns since I've been near a runner," commented I'lan. "Naath, he tends to scare them. I think they think he thinks they might be dinner." He wasn't totally blind to the looks that had passed around the holders when they had seen his presence, perhaps he should have made his excuses and left.

"Oh, well you can ride one of ours if you want. I'm only a passable rider myself, but Railen knows everything about runners. I bet he could give you a few pointers if you wanted." She looked hopefully from I'lan to Railen and laid her hand on the young holder's arm, "You would, wouldn't you?"

"Uh..." Sorsha was paying so much attention to this bronzerider that it was making Railen rather uncomfortable. He shifted in his chair, then nodded politely.

Karai gave her husband a knowing smile as she watched Sorsha and her son at the other end of the table. She was obviously doting on him, praising him at every opportunity to the dragonrider. She was embarrassed at herself for thinking there might be trouble with the bronzerider. They were obviously just friends brought close by her rescue. It would fade soon enough on it's own, but Karai was sure that the move to Willet Grove would hasten any lingering attachment between the two. If Railen would just open up a bit to the girl...

"Maybe, perhaps some other time,"I'lan said politely. "I'd have to remember how to ride first."

"It's not...hard, really." Railen offered, casting a glance up at the other young man. "It comes back pretty easily."

"I'm sure it does."

Now Sorsha was throwing herself at not only the dragonrider, but also Serend's son! Her time at the Weyr had stripped any dignity she'd had away from her. If she was his daughter, he'd take the lash to her until she never wanted to talk again... the disgrace! Balthan stood up rather fast, lost in his fuming for a moment. To cover, he explained to Balisor, "I'd better get back to the dock, they were mending the main line when I left and I want to double check it before morning."

Balisor's frown told Balthan that he wasn't too pleased with the man's reaction. He was no dunce and knew the man well enough to know the actual reason for his request to depart. "Then we'll see you later." It was better, perhaps, to let him go where he wouldn't suddenly explode before all to see.

As the evening continued, Karai was more and more in favor of Serend's earlier suggestion. At first, she'd been unsure of the idea of a union between their two families, but now, seeing Sorsha and Railen together, she was definitely warming to the idea of a marriage between the two.

Last updated on the September 10th 2008

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Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (3)