Better Acquaintance

Writers: Emma, Suzee
Date Posted: 25th February 2012

Characters: Cyradis, K'deren
Description: The gold and brown riders get a little better acquainted.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 6, day 11 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Qorri, Meledei, R'enh, R'sedel, K'reyel

Cyradis

K'deren

The timing of Elleth's hatching being so early in the day made the
rest of it into one long chain of parties. Finally the sun had set and
she'd taken her daughter back to her foster mother for the evening.
Kielya had settled nicely into her new foster family and was happy
enough to see her home and new siblings. Cyradis chatted a few moments
with the woman before returning to the celebrations.

The Harpers had switched so the music was picking up and the dance
floor swarmed with couples of all sorts. She went toward the tables
and began to mingle again. She was quite impressed with the
headwoman's organization. Everything seemed to run very smoothly.

K'deren had promised his sister a dance, and that was what the brownrider
was doing. As he whirled around the floor, laughing as they went by the
tables laden with food. "You've learned a few things over the turns," he
teased.

"So have you," Akessa told him. "And one thing I do know is that you should
have some fun, you deserve it after all you and my nieces and nephews have
been through."

"Maybe," he said.

"Tell you what, I'll go round them up and get them to eat, and you go find
someone to have that fun with," she said as the music came to an end.
"Shoo!" she said waving her hands at him. "Have fun!"

It sometimes amazed Cyradis how her eyes searched the crowd expecting
to see a familiar face and, not finding any, continued the search.
Most of her life had been spent in one place where she knew everyone
and all their relationships past and present. So while she maintained
a pleasant facade she still felt very out of place and unsure of
herself here at Dolphin Cove.

Out of the throng of dancers she finally _did_ spot a familiar face.
She felt a small pout of disappointment form though when she saw his
smile for the woman in his arms and hers for him. She snorted at her
own reaction and shook her head. They'd barely even met! Of _course_
he already had a life here. He was a nice man.

Leaving the dance floor, K'deren decided that the time had come to take his
sister's advice. Spotting the newest goldrider at the side of the floor, he
walked over in her direction. "May I join you?"

Her dark eyes followed him but looked away when he came in her
direction. She looked back up at him with a smile when he approached
her. "Of course," she said warmly. "Looks like you were having a nice
time out there."

"Well as my little sister has finally learned how to dance, " he said.

For some reason she felt an immediate sense of relief "Oh, your
sister? Does she live here at the Weyr?"

"She does, Akessa's a Journeywoman Weaver," explained K'deren. "And you see
the Harper playing the flute over there?" K'deren pointed to the raised
stage area where the musicians were working through a selection of old and
new dance tunes. "That's my brother Meredel."

She looked where he was pointing to see another man who looked very
similar to K'deren. She smiled looking back and forth. "I can see the
resemblance. Even though he looks quite a bit younger than you."

She shook a few hands as people greeted her. That was just one of the
things that came with goldrider knots and she'd long ago given up
trying to hide in a corner to have a private conversation in public.
"Sorry," she said after one particularly long interruption. "It's good
to have your family close. How many brothers and sisters do you have?"

"Lots," he began. "There's K'reyel and R'sedel at River Bluff, and I don't
know how my father keeps them in line, and my baby sister Radela. Kesree is
a greenrider at Dream's End. Here there's just Meredel and Akessa."

"That _is_ lots," she agreed with a grin. "Especially with the kids as
well. Keilya is enjoying them as fosters. I hope she's not annoying
your little one too much. I know how big sisters can be sometimes."

"Deralie hasn't said anything to me, Trievan just sits there and moans about
'girls' like its a dirty word."

"Good," she said about Deralie then shook her head. "Most boys do that
at his age. Mine certainly did though you wouldn't know it now."

"He'll change his mind in another half dozen turns or so, but I'm glad to
hear that Keilya has settled here. I'm sure given a few months, she'll learn
to love the beach."

"I'm sure he will. I plan on taking Keilya to meet some dolphins next
rest day. Any other sights around here she might like?"

"There is a pretty little cove about ten minutes flight straight to the
east. You cold go /between/ but it's so beautiful from the air it would be a
shame," K'deren said. "There are a few trees that give some shade, and a
creek running down to the sea."

"You'll have to show me sometime," she smiled.

"I'm sure Donneth and I could manage that, it's a good place for children to
run around. I'm teaching Deralie to swim there."

"I'd like that and my girls can enjoy the beautiful southern weather."
Getting to know the area around the Weyr when she was so buried in the
work of catching up would be easier if she had a guide. She didn't
have any spare time for exploring like they'd done when they were
weyrlings and before the responsibilities of a goldrider were heaped
on her.

"So we'll find a rest day and organise it."

"Sounds a plan," she said watching the dancers moved to a lively
Harper tune. Meledei whirled by in the arms of her bronzerider. She
smiled and nodded to the pair. Then she looked at the tall brownrider.
"Care to join them?"

"Why not?" K'deren held out his arm, "After you."

She smiled and walked to the edge of the dancing area before turning
into his arms ready to follow his lead. It was a long time since she'd
been able to relax and just dance without watching everything else
that was going on around her. It felt good.

As the music began, K'deren took the goldrider into his arms. It was a
lively tune and one that required concentration, but fun to dance to none
the less, and Cyradis seemed to know all the steps, even as he led her
through them.

The floor was crowded and the pace fast which didn't make many
opportunities for conversation. But she had fun and by the time they
were done she was laughing and breathless. "I think I need a drink."

"Me too," he replied. "I haven't danced like that in ages."

She smiled up at him as she fanned herself. "We'll let's go see what
we can find then." She led the way toward the refreshment tables and a
glass of punch.

Last updated on the February 25th 2012

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