The Guest of Honour

Writers: Estelle, Nici
Date Posted: 1st August 2005

Characters: R'yal, Terissa, N'klos
Description: R'yal and Terissa decide to host a "welcome back" party for N'klos, assuming that he is unlikely to attend...
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 12 of Turn 3

"You'll _never_ guess who I just saw walking across the Weyrbowl!" R'yal announced, dumping his tray of food on the table opposite Terissa with the air of one who had news of the utmost importance. "Never!"

"Hmm...well, I know it wasn't O'dan..." Terissa thought for a bit. "That bluerider you've been chasing...what's his name..B'login?"

The greenrider shook his head smugly. "Nope! Shall I give you a clue?"

"Yes!" The other greenrider laughed. "And don't make it too hard. K'nure always does that to me!"

"Well," R'yal said, "he's a real morning person..." Up until now, he'd been so thrilled with his juicy piece of gossip that he'd not considered the consequences to himself and his social life, and he uttered a theatrical groan as he remembered that _he_ was still in Hurricane Wing.

"Shards..." The groan gave more away than the clue. "Not N'klos?!"

"Yes - and he's back for good! Iliraith asked around and it turns out he's going to lead Hurricane - T'moran somehow persuaded him to return." R'yal shook his head. "I thought they didn't like each other, but who knows with bronzeriders?"

"Wow...." Terissa took a bite of the redfruit on her plate. "No more late night parties for _you_!"

R'yal stuck out his tongue at her. "Don't be mean! I never asked to be stuck with a Wingleader who likes company to watch the sun rise. And you know you'll miss my parties."

"Well, of course I will..." Of course, with so many of their wingmates and friends and lovers hurt or..worse, parties were scarce. But if anyone could bring out the best partiers, it was R'yal. "Hmmm...."

He raised an eyebrow - that sounded ominous. "What?"

She leaned forward conspiratorially. "Well, do you ever wonder if N'klos would make you all get up so early if he ever knew how _good_ your parties really were?!"

"Hah - can you _imagine_ N'klos at a party?" R'yal tried very hard, but he just _couldn't_. "He'd never come. To accept a party invitation, you at least have to have some concept of enjoying yourself. Although..." He slowly began to grin. "That doesn't mean it wouldn't be a good excuse for a party. He won't turn up, and the rest of us can have fun!"

Terissa giggled. "It seems rather rude of us, but we _really_, we need a party and this is as good excuse as any to have one."

"Absolutely - since there won't be many parties for me in the near future," R'yal said sadly. "Well, no point moping - let's head for the kitchens and coax some nice bottles of wine out of the staff!"

***

"Wonderful party, R'yal!" A bluerider lifted his glass to the party's host as he swayed across the room to ask the question _everyone_ had been asking all evening. "But where's the guest of honour?"

"I don't know. I'm most offended that he hasn't shown up!" R'yal replied with an overly tragic air. "I suppose my humble little gathering wasn't important enough to attract such an exalted personage." There'd been a good turn-out, though. Most of Hurricane Wing were packed into the small greenrider's weyr, plus assorted weyrmates, friends, lovers and people who'd simply heard that R'yal was having a party and arrived bearing alcohol. "I can't understand it. I even invited Terissa and she's famous for being desirable to bronzeriders."

Terissa giggled and batted her eyelashes at R'yal. "You're as green as your dragon about that, aren't you, my friend...."

"It was my _birthday_," R'yal said sulkily.

"Oh hush..." Her voice lowered to a whisper. "Besides, we didn't really expect him and _look_ at the all the people we've got!"

"Yes - I must admit I'm surprised!" He shook his head in mock disbelief. "N'klos must be more popular than I'd thought. Either that or all these people are here to gawp at the spectacle of a bronzerider having fun...I hope they're not disappointed."

There was a pounding knock on the door and Terissa and R'yal both tried to race to the door. More wine! R'yal beat her, but that was only because he stepped on her toe, and it was a glaring Terissa and smug looking R'yal who were at the threshold to greet the arrival, who looked down at both of them, face completely devoid of emotion.

"I heard there was a party going on in my name and decided to show up simply because I'd _also_ heard that I was expected _not_ to show up..." N'klos shoved a skein of wine in R'yal's hand and walked past Terissa. "Terissa...enjoying the fact that you're no longer subjected to my drilling schedule I see..."

"Uhhhh...." Well, what was she supposed to do, agree with him or lie and say she _missed_ getting up at a foolishly early hour every day?

R'yal belatedly recovered his composure and jumped onto a low table, raising the wineskin in N'klos' direction. With all the tall riders in the room, he needed a little help to see over all the heads.

"Everyone, quiet please! It seems that the guest of honour has _finally_ arrived," he announced, nothing in his voice giving away the fact that he and everyone else here had fully expected the bronzerider to stay away. Here was living proof that his parties were the best in the Weyr - even the crankiest bronzeriders could be persuaded to attend! "As we all know, N'klos has been away trying his luck at Vista Point, but obviously he missed his loyal Wing so much that he's come back to us. So, someone get that man a full wineglass and let's celebrate his return in style!"

With a most suggestive wink in the direction of the straight-faced bronzerider, he leapt down from the table amidst applause and cheering. N'klos had chosen a good time to arrive - half of the wingriders were too drunk already to remember that they were cheering a man famous for his strict early-morning drill schedule and lack of tolerance for fooling about.

Terissa shook her head, still amazed that N'klos had shown up and the rather drunken lot of riders began to clap and cheer at R'yal's pronouncement. Leaning over, she whispered in the smug greenrider's ear. "I still don't think you can beat _my_ bronzerider bragging rights but this is a close second..." Well, N'klos was here, why not make him regret it. Holding her mug aloft, Terissa whistled loudly and called out, "Speech, speech!"

"Speech!" R'yal joined in as he poured the contents of N'klos' wineskin into the large number of empty glasses that were held out in his direction. "Speech!"

N'klos glared at them all. Despite that, they quieted as Terissa and R'yal, ignoring the glare, called them all to silence.

"Go on, Wingleader," R'yal said encouragingly, handing the bronzerider a glass. He'd certainly never had any trouble making lengthy speeches when they'd performed badly in drills!

"Fine..." N'klos looked at the mug he'd been handed as if it might bite him. "Thanks for the party, try not to get on your dragons after the party so you don't fall and break your necks, and let's hope none of you fools is in my Wing tomorrow morning." That said, he downed his mug in one swig.

That earned him a rowdy cheer from the guests, who were perfectly content with a speech that was short and enabled them to get back to their drinking as quickly as possible.

"Tomorrow _morning_?" R'yal asked mournfully as the noise died down - or at least, as much as it ever did at one of his parties.

Terissa laughed and slapped him on the back. "Oh, cheer up...some pains are worth the agony. Or at least that's what they say..."

"I suppose so," R'yal said doubtfully as he watched their new Wingleader refilling his glass while two giggling young women tried to engage him in conversation. It was certainly a pleasure to have a Wingleader who was so...desirable, but he wasn't sure that dragging himself out of bed in the dark before dawn was worth any amount of good looks!

Last updated on the August 20th 2005

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