Lured Away

Writers: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 27th April 2009

Characters: D'ren, Reysla
Description: D'ren is lured away from the dragonpoker party.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 6 of Turn 5

"Well hello there." The girl approached the dragonrider from behind, her voice the first indication that she gave of her presence. Reysla graced with a smile just before taking a sip of her drink, then adding, "How are you, D'ren?"

He turned to her and blinked. "Oh ... Reysla, right?"

"That's me." Well, he remembered her name. That was a start. "So how are you?"

"I'm okay." He shrugged. The enjoyment of the evening was starting to wane.

"Only okay?" Reysla sounded sympathetic. She drew a bit closer and tilted her head to regard him. "Would you care for a drink? I'll get you one if you like."

"I was just getting one, actually." He reached for the mug he'd set on the table.

"You don't seem to be enjoying yourself very much." Reysla noted and managed to keep her amusement out of her voice. "Is something wrong?"

"Do you want the long explanation or the short one?" D'ren took a flask and half-filled his mug.

"I've got time." Reysla encouraged as she motioned to a set of chairs off to the side. "Shall we sit?"

He glanced over to the large table where his friends were playing dragonpoker. None of them were paying him any attention. "Sure."

Reysla led the way, her hips swaying with every step. She turned and sat down once she reached the seats and patted the chair next to her. "So, what's the long explanation?"

D'ren sat down with a sigh. "My friend died in Fall, and I was supposed to be looking out for him. I know there probably wasn't anything I could have done, but I still feel like it was my fault. And ever since then, Dysali -- all my friends ... I know they mean well. They've been trying to cheer me up, but most of the time I don't _want_ to be cheered up. And I feel like, if I'm not happy, then I'm failing them, as a friend, as a lover ..." He took a drink.

Reysla lowered her glass, eyes widening at D'ren's story. "Oh...I'm so sorry to hear that D'ren. I had no idea." She leaned forward to cover his empty hand with her own. "You're not failing." Of course something like that wasn't easily mended, Reysla knew that well enough. "Things just take time. If they're true friends, they'll realise this."

He looked over at the table. "I should probably get back to them."

"Do you want to get back to them?" Reysla lowered her voice, her fingers curling around D'ren's hand.

He pulled his hand away. "It's not their fault."

"It's not yours either." Reysla countered. She leaned forward and tilted her head, as if studying him. "You don't look like you want to be here."

"No ... I had good time, for a while. But I think I've reached my limit for socializing."

"We could go somewhere else." Reysla suggested, her gaze dancing away to look at the crowd. "Somewhere with fewer people."

He remembered, sharply, the feel of her body against his. How simple things had been with her. "Maybe ..."

"It will be quieter." Reysla pressed gently, letting her fingertips brush against his knee. "More private."

He glanced over at Dysali. It would hurt her, but he was tired of worrying about what other people thought. He wanted to be selfish. D'ren took her hand. "Let's go."

Reysla's lips curled up into a smile as she set down her drink. "Lead the way."

He glanced over at the table one last time before leaving the weyr.

Last updated on the April 27th 2009

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Lured Away