Inopportune Moments Bring Opportunity

Writers: Avery, Heather
Date Posted: 29th June 2014

Characters: Chaysea, L'pin
Description: The Headwoman chats with the bluerider at a slightly inopportune time
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 9 of Turn 7
Notes: That title is my fault, heh 8) ~Heather

Chaysea hummed softy to herself, clipboard in hand as she bustled down
the corridor, her black skirts swaying around her ankles. The sight of
a familiar bluerider made her smile, "L'pin! How are you?"

Chaneth was reassuring himself after his loss in the green flight by
sidling up to another green on the rim. But the frustration he felt
was still echoing through L'pin's body on the ground, and most of his
concentration was taken up by trying to walk through the halls without
embarrassing himself. So it took a few paces past her before he
recognized Chaysea. "Afternoon," he managed after a moment.

L'pin had been so polite and friendly every time they had talked that
Chaysea was taken back by his clipped reply. Maybe she had assumed
they were on more familiar terms than they were.

"Is everything allright?"

He jerked his head once. "Green flight. My blue lost," he added. He
twisted his fingers in the hem of his shirt. "Makes the riders a
little antsy." He could be polite. He could make conversation. He was
old enough to not make mistakes like a first-time chaser kid.

"Really?" Chaysea blinked curiously up at L'pin. So far he had been
one of the best sources of information for the holdbred Headwoman,
even so far as teaching her how to swim, "Why?"

Oh shells. It was one thing to have the wherries and the trundlebugs
conversation with a holdbred candidate - with a grown woman... He
gestured for her to follow him, and stepped out of the way of the main
corridor, so that he wasn't just explaining it to every passerby. "I
don't know what you've heard about flights yet, but it is true that
the riders mirror the dragons' feelings and actions," he settled on as
a diplomatic explanation.

Chaysea tucked a wisp of hair from out of her green eyes, "But you did
not win so....?" She understand that apparently people hopped into bed
together when one dragon caught another dragon, but she didn't
understand the women that crowded the flight rooms hoping to snag one
of the "losers". Wasn't that a bit desperate? Chaysea would probably
have never asked another male rider these questions, but L'pin had
been so trustworthy and understanding of her hallbred upbringing that
she felt safe with him.

He swallowed again. "Losing riders often go off with willing people
after a flight, to relieve the ache." He lifted a hand, fingers
spread, but didn't touch her. "But no one has the right to force you,"
he added quickly.

"Why didn't you then... Er... Find someone to relieve the ache?" She
asked, hoping she wasn't overstepping her bounds, but curious to know.

It was the kind of personal question he wasn't expecting, so his
answer was raw and honest. "No one appealed," he said, smoothing his
hand down the side of his trousers rather than reach out to touch her
face, like he suddenly wanted to do. "Some of the younger dragon
riders may act like they're dying, but it's not a fatal affliction,"
he said, trying to lighten it a bit.

Chaysea's eyes flicked to the hand he rubbed down his thigh and then
back to his eyes. Her cheeks flushed a bit, "I am sorry, you would
probably rather be anywhere than talking to me about this."

"It's fine. I'm sorry if I was rude before. I try not to be one of the kids."

"No, you weren't rude." Chaysea assured him, although she was busy
dwelling on what L'pin had said earlier, how that he hadn't ended up
with anyone because he hadn't found any of the men or women there
"appealing". **What does he find appealing then?**

He noticed how soft her hair looked and wanted to touch it. "I do try
to be a consummate gentleman," he said, a broad grin making him look
younger and less careworn.

Chaysea returned the grin, noting how different it made L'pin appear,
"You succeed, sir, very much." She sighed and clutched her clipboard a
little tighter to her chest, "Well, I guess I will let you go then, I
just wanted to say hey." She took a step back as if to leave, but then
gathered her courage and peered back up at him, "And maybe we could
have dinner some time?"

"I'd really like that," he told her, the smile continuing to linger.
"I'll make sure to look you up."

"You had better." She called over her shoulder as she left.

~*~

Last updated on the July 1st 2014

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Inopportune Moments Bring Opportunity