Who's the Prey?

Writers: Suzee, Emma
Date Posted: 11th August 2012

Characters: Hanni, K'ale
Description: Its a date!
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 9, day 10 of Turn 6

K'ale

K'ale paced up and down in front of the Tavern entrance, snow
crunching under his boots. He knew she'd said today but truthfully he
wasn't sure she was actually going to show up. Besides that he'd
gotten here just a little earlier than they'd discussed. He figured if
there were any chance at all she would be... pliable. Then he wouldn't
leave the room to chance and had made arrangements with the Tavern
keeper.

He blew out another steamy breath in the cold. A light snow was
falling but that was nothing new this time of year and he was dressed
for it in any case. That didn't prevent him from stomping and blowing
on his hands as he waited.

He'd waited outside for her, she though as she approached the entrance. it
was cute, and in a way reminded her of the Harper Tales of her childhood
where the brave, and oh-so-good looking holder boy waited for the girl he
loved.

"You waited for me," she said, a smile on her face.

"You came," he replied with another smile. Ok, maybe she wasn't just
playing him like one of his friends had suggest. "I'm glad," he said
reaching for the door.

"Thank you," she said with a smile as she entered the tavern. Not all men at
the Weyr would hold the door for a lady, maybe this one had something of a
gentleman in him.

He just smiled as he followed her into the Tavern. Then he put a hand
on the small of her back and pointed to where their table was located
in a nice quiet corner. "Over there."

"Nice choice," she said, quiet enough to talk, yet something that would
allow them to see things going on. "Do you know if they have any music
tonight? We could dance."

"They usually do on restday," he said. "But not 'til after the dinner
hour. Are you hungry?"

"That depends what is on offer," she hoped the look she gave him would hint
that there could be more than food on the menu, if he wanted.

That gave him a little zing and his eyes widened with his smile. He
was no where near as polished as his da when it came to the ladies but
he'd been thinking about things to say so he wasn't caught like a
wherry in the torchlight this time. He reached for her hand and cupped
his around it. "Whatever you'd like is yours tonight," he smiled. Then
he waved for a server hoping that had come off as smoothly as he'd
intended.

She squeezed his hand gently, then listened as the server told them the days
specials. "I'll have the special please."

"I will too," he said to the server. "And a bottle of wine to go with."

"And a pitcher of water as well," Hanni said. "Some of us don't want to get
silly."

"Aww," he said with a smile. "Is that what happens if you drink?" His
thumb rubbed her hand.

"Maybe you'll find out," she teased. "But for some things, I like a little
control."

"I'd like to find out," he replied. Then he picked up her hand. "I'd
like to find out exactly how you intend use that control."

She leaned forward, whispering in his ear, then sitting back to see his
reaction. "You'd feel like you won a gold flight," she said after a moment.

A slow flush crept up his cheeks and it seemed suddenly rather hot and
stuffy in the room. All his practice ease deserted him as the impact
of her words caused unexpected reactions. He couldn't trust himself to
speak right away without his voice cracking. So, he cleared his throat
once, then twice. "Ok!" He said enthusiastically. If there was a way
to gracefully pull her out of the room and up the stairs he would have
tried it. Instead he strove for calm as the server returned with their
food.

"You'll need your strength," she said. "That will give you some stamina, and
believe me, you'll need it."

Who would have thought the brownrider would prove to be this much fun, and
that easily flustered. Hanni knew she'd be able to cure him of that in short
order, just so long as he proved himself worthy this evening.

"Right," he said and attempted to refocus his attention to the food.
"Strength," he murmured under his breath. Then he poured himself half
a glass of wine and offered some to the lovely woman at his side.

"Thank you," she said taking a sip. "This is lovely."

Ohh! That was a good sign. "Of course," he said. He didn't quite know
what to do with his hands. He did know he wanted to grab her and take
her to the room. The way she acted was very very 'stimulating' to say
the least. "You are lovely Hanni," he said, meaning it with every
fiber of his being. He was nothing if not sincere. K'ale was a
brownrider after all.

"I bet you say that to all the girls," she gave him a look, waiting for his
answer.

"No! I..." his confusion was visible on his face. He'd truly been
thinking only of her in that moment and didn't know how to respond. "I
really mean it."

"You've convinced me," she said. "Maybe we should pass on dessert and just
go upstairs."

"Um, sure." He stood almost knocking the chair over in the process but
he grabbed the back to keep it upright. He grinned rather sheepishly
and murmured "sorry." Then he held the back of her chair while she
rose and placed his marks on the table before grabbing the wine and
glasses.

Hanni followed, this would be an interesting evening after all.

Last updated on the September 1st 2012

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Who's the Prey?