One Hand

Writers: Devin, Clancey, Eimi
Date Posted: 9th April 2009

Characters: Dysali, D'ren, D'cal
Description: D'ren manages a bit of socializing with Dysali and his friends.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 6 of Turn 5

Nervously, Dysali finished brushing through her hair and arranging her clothes. She'd chosen blue because it had once been D'ren's favorite color to see on her, but it had been months, probably, since her bronzerider love had noticed what she was wearing. She didn't expect this to be any different, but she wanted it to be as close to normal and easy for D'ren to come to the party as possible. He was due any moment and then they were off to a dragonpoker party at Z'gib's weyr. He had the biggest common area and his green was always willing to have company.

D'cal and B'vin were also supposed to show up, and she hoped they would...

"Wags! Be good!" She cautioned him as she stepped out to the ledge to await D'ren, leaning against Lillyth's side trying to hide the nervousness.

Menanth made a graceful landing and D'ren slid off his neck. He had to admit it _did_ feel good to get out of his weyr for something that wasn't wing duties or meals. "Hi. Ready to go?"

"Yes!" Her excitement made her eyes twinkle. She was trying hard to ignore her stomach's obvious distress. She reached for his hand without thinking, heading toward Lillyth. Faced with a choice of lots of corridor, or a quick flight on her dragon, with D'ren sitting behind her, that was her choice. "I'm so glad you came, D'ren."

Lillyth gave them a lift to Z'gib's, and the flight., short though it was, seemed tense but she welcomed his closeness, even forced.

There was not much noise coming from Z'gib's weyr, though there was a green dragon just lifting off right before them, and people in view. "He said it was going to be a small party, but lively." She grinned, tugging free the carisak she'd put on Lillyth filled with a skin of wine, her contribution to the party. _Their_ contribution as she told Z'gib when they walked in.

Z'gib grinned, clapping D'ren on the back with a welcome. "Its about time, D'ren! We're just getting ready." He waved toward his common area, where about 5 other riders were sitting, lounging, or drinking. There was food, and a little more noise... and friends.

Dysali glanced back at D'ren, trying to read his eyes. Please work, please work, she was thinking in her mind. Smile, my love.. one smile? She didn't speak, but smiled at him.

His lips curved a little. "I'm starving. Let's get some food."

Well that was better than nothing. She nodded and they joined the others near the food. She fixed him a plate of his favorites, and then sat down next to him with her own plate.

Z'gib joined them with his ready grin, smiling at D'ren. "How you been, D'ren? Glad Dysali finally drug you out!"

"I'm ... okay." D'ren forced a smile. It wasn't quite as much of an effort as he thought it would be.

Z'gib - ever the friendly host - went on, "Let me pour you a drink, man. You look like you need it."

Dysali smiled thankfully at her fellow greenrider and waved at him. "Me too, hmm? A big one." She settled closer to D'ren, but looked back to the ledge. She had hoped D'cal and B'vin would come too, giving even more of his closest friends a chance to 'cheer him up'. Whether he wanted it or not!

The first hand was already being dealt, and Dysali hoped it would be a long, fun night. Her luck appeared in, as it was a good hand to start.

"Let's have some fun love.." She grinned at him and took the drink Z'gib appeared with just then. She raised her glass to his and took a long sip. They hadn't gotten drunk in months. AT least, not together.

Dysali looked toward the entrance as another dragon made a landing, or so she heard. She saw D'cal and grinned at him, waving him on over. B'vin did not appear to be with him, so maybe the greenrider was not coming. He had been rather scarce, of late, she thought, and glanced curiously at D'ren.

"Hey, D'cal! Get in here. No B'vin hmm?"

"Seems no," the bluerider muttered. D'cal looked between the pair. They seemed to be getting along, which both made the bluerider happy for his friend, and also a little bit jealous. It seemed none of his relationships with greenriders worked so smoothly. Not even his friendships. He felt a momentary pang of loneliness that he quickly surpressed. It was better not to think on it. "So, who brought the deck this time? I'm not so sure Z'gib didn't stack it against me the last game we had."

"I think I might just watch," D'ren said, sipping at his drink. "I'm not very good at cards."

"Z'gib will get a drink for you, D'cal, won't you Z'gib? And while he's up, we'll make sure Z'gib has the worst hand of all of us!" She stuck her tongue out at the male greenrider, then nudged D'ren. "You are too good at cards!" was her staunch defense of him, without thought. "Come on, D'ren. We need to beat Z'gib for the way he cleaned up at the last party!"

"Yeah, it's no fun if you just watch," D'cal said with a nod of thanks to Z'gib.

"_One_ hand," D'ren said, joining them at the table.

Dysali watched him uncertainly, but busied herself drinking more from her mug as Z'gib dealt the hand and they settled to play.

Last updated on the April 27th 2009

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One Hand