Footloose and Fancy Free

Writers: Chelle, Len
Date Posted: 23rd October 2014

Characters: J'nne, Jaylene, Rhosyn
Description: Antagonists Jaylene and Rhosyn are stuck sitting together during the Feast
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 9, day 5 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin, Xeladrie, K'sedel

Jaylene

When he caught sight of his Weyrwoman, Jayonne slid down in his seat. Beside
him Jaylene dug her elbow into his ribs. "Sit up," she hissed.

"But it's bloody Rhosyn," he muttered back.

Jaylene glanced over to where the woman was making her way towards them. Or
more specifically, towards the lone empty seat right next to Jaylene.
Despite herself, Jaylene could feel her back stiffen as she realized the
woman was going to sit right beside her for the entire wedding feast.
"Blasted!" she muttered under her breath. She still hadn't forgiven the
Weyrwoman from head hunting her little brother for one of her clutches.

After giving her regards to the new Lord and Lady Holder with her
Weyrleader, the Weyrwoman had quickly looked around the tables to find
somewhere to hunker. Of course she would dance later and had promised Bryvin
she'd put him through his paces. For now, though, Rhosyn was hungry as
usual. Not thinking anything of it, she plopped down next to Jaylene, not
wanting the uncomfortable silences when she sat with holders who didn't know
her propensity for making food disappear. They usually assumed she was
pregnant and this soon after a Flight, she didn't need that or the snickers
about her manners. "Hope the food's good," she remarked to the harper and
greenrider, waiting to be served.

"If the wedding was anything to go by, it should be top notch." Jaylene
sighed and looked around at all the decorations. The Hold certainly hadn't
held back on the celebration today. Beside her Jayonne fidgeted like a
twelve turn old, so she gave him a little dig in the ribs.

**That's something to be thankful for anyway.** Looking around, Rhosyn made
a mental list of which of her Weyrfolk were there. Of course the event
hadn't been open invitation, she didn't think-holders being what they were.
"Jayonne are you going to play or what?" A plate was set before her and she
gave a contented noise before picking up a fork and starting.

"I am." Jayonne nodded, his face flushing.

"We're going to perform that piece the Weyr's Master wrote, for two
violins," Jaylene offered. "He said he had wanted the two best players the
Weyr had to perform it." She shrugged her shoulders before taking a sip of
the wine. There was no use in false modesty, after all.

"Oh very good. I am looking forward to the dancing. What with being huge as
a boat and all, I wasn't able to for so long." Indeed, Rhosyn was eating for
the strength later. Once she started, she'd likely not stop for a long
while. "Do you dance, Jayonne?" A hazel eye skittered over to him in
speculation.

"I do indeed." Jayonne glanced over Jaylene's head to the Weyrwoman.

"I do as well, if you want to freak out the Holders," Jaylene piped in, her
expression sweet.

"Would you care to take me for a turn then? I'm sure I'll have to dance with
K'sedel and the Lord Holder, but after that..." And a harper could keep
rhythm and time after all. Besides, why not? He was safe-she didn't have to
worry about him jockeying for anything. "No Jaylene, we can't freak out the
holders. Remember, some of our food comes from them. And I for one am not
going to survive on tubers."

Jaylene snorted, well imagining in her head the reaction.

"Sure, I'm up for a dance or two." If that was all she had in mind, then
Jayonne was okay with it.

~*~

After having gone a few rounds on the floor, Rhosyn remembered a promise
made earlier. Turning her head, she found the harper and decided to take him
up on his offer. He was young, after all, and would be able to turn her
faster than some of the others. Besides, it was good to have a nice new
partner every now and again. "I'd like that dance now."

"Okay." Jayonne nodded to his sister and gave her his violin. They had
already performed their duty to the Hold, but there had been requests for
them to come back for another turn at playing. He turned his attention to
his Weyrwoman and smiled.

Used to looking up at men for most of her life, Rhosyn didn't bother about
doing it now. Giving him her hand, she let him lead, curious to see if his
musical talent carried over into the physical art of dancing. There were
some harpers who were better at it than others. For the Weyrwoman it had
always been a natural talent. Her eyes sought his and held them, curious
about just what went on behind those dark depths. Maybe it was worth finding
out.

Jayonne hadn't been raised with an older sister and two gay brothers
and_not_know how to dance. Perhaps bolder than he should have, the young man
lead Rhosyn into a fast jig, swirling her around right on the beat.

Luckily for him she was more than a match for fast music and quick feet. Her
small size made her swift and easy to balance and Rhosyn liked the lifts and
turns, feeling the tug of her partner's hands on her, directing her by
touch. Dance was a give and take. "Mm well done, harper. Let's see if you
can keep up." She smiled, her feet moving quickly into the jumping footwork.
Then came a sound that had been unheard of for a long time.

Rhosyn laughed.

Last updated on the October 27th 2014

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Footloose and Fancy Free