Ever Try Skiing?

Writers: Devin, Yvonne
Date Posted: 11th August 2017

Characters: K'mai, Harki
Description: K'mai and Harki meet, or at least meet formally for the first time.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 13, day 6 of Turn 8

K'mai

K'mai took a deep breath as he glanced around the dining cavern. He
really needed to shake off this gloomy mood. He spotted a few River
Bluff people but he didn't feel like talking to them now. Then he saw
a greenrider he was sure he'd met before, but he was pretty sure she
was local.

Setting his tray down across from her, he said, "You look familiar."

"So do you." The greenrider in question eyed him up. His knots said
'bluerider' and his face said 'good looking', so Harki was paying
attention. "You're from River Bluff, aren't you? My condolences."

K'mai winced. "Ah, yes. Thanks. I think I might have danced with you
at a Hatching."

Harki arched her eyebrows. "Really? What did you think of my dancing,
then? And be careful how you answer, or you might want a different
dinner mate."

Well, that was blunt. But it was a nice change from all the pity he'd
been getting. K'mai took a sip of his klah and eyed her over the rim
of his mug. "If I insult your dancing, are you going to spank me?"

"Not sure. Is that something you like?" Her reply seemed more curious
than flirtatious.

"A little, from time to time." He said it as if they were discussing
food preferences, though his mouth curved up in a hint of a smile.

"Good to know." Harki paused, searching for something to say. "So... I
hope the Headwoman's got you settled into a decent weyr."

K'mai nodded. "Pretty good. A little smaller than my last one, but I
don't mind."

"Hopefully she got you some good rugs and blankets or furs, too.
You're a little warm-blooded for this locale." Harki nodded to K'mai's
clothing, which was considerably heavier than her own.

K'mai made a face. "Yeah, I hear this is _warm_ for Dragonsfall."

"Sad but true." The greenrider leaned forward and lowered her voice to
a conspiratorial whisper. "You know, it got so cold last winter that
the smoke from the chimneys froze in columns. We had to get the
drudges outside to break it off before we all were smoked out."

His expression scrunched up in dismay. "Are you trying to say I made a
bad decision coming here?"

Harki laughed, pleased at his reaction. "Not at all! The cold makes
you sharp. You'll get used to it soon enough!"

"Are you a Dragonsfall native?"

"Born and Impressed," she said proudly.

"That's why you're so smug about the weather. You can have a good
laugh when I freeze to death this winter." K'mai sipped his hot klah
as if he could chase the coming cold away.

"Naw. There's ways to keep warm." Harki batted her eyelashes at him.
"Ever try... skiing?"

He let out a surprised laugh. "Good one. And it might surprise you to
know that yes, I have. I've escaped to snowy places many times for
fun, I just don't fancy _living_ in one."

The greenrider shrugged a shoulder. "You could always transfer again.
You wouldn't be the first-- although the skiing isn't _nearly_ as good
at the other Weyrs. Or the equipment," she added. Places like Dolphin
Cove had no idea how to build a proper ski.

"I came here to stay with my daughter's ma. She ended up at
Dragonsfall and I know with a dragon I could visit no matter what
but..." K'mai shrugged. "In the end I guess here is as good as
anywhere."

"Aww, good for you!" Harki reached across the table to give the
bluerider a companionable smack on the arm. Not many dragonmen made
the effort to be a father. She didn't even know who hers was. "How
old's your daughter?"

Her enthusiasm brightened his mood. "She'll be a Turn old pretty soon.
I'm not sure she's mine, you know how things go. I shared a flight
with her mother and we're very good friends so I was happy to claim
little Sabia."

"That's nice. I'm sure that she'll appreciate you being around." Harki
paused. "Until she's older and discovers boys."

"You make me sound like a holder." He smiled to show he was teasing.

"You'd be surprised how that changes," Harki said dryly. "Anyway. I
should head off, I'm meeting a friend for a drink soon. Welcome to
Dragonsfall Weyr. I hope you enjoy it here. And if you ever need
someone to go skiing with, let me know." She winked. "Let's find out
if a warm weather dragonrider can keep up."

"Ooh, I love a challenge. I'll definitely take you up on that." Cold
and snow wasn't _all_ bad.

"Good." The greenrider swung her legs over the bench and stood. "See
you later... you know, I never actually caught your name?"

"I've forgotten my manners." He stood and offered his arm. "K'mai, of
blue Sebeth."

She clasped his forearm in greeting. "Harki of green Cerillith." Then
she winked. "Good thing I'm not into manners."

He laughed. "Oh, they have their uses, but generally I prefer things
to be more casual."

"As do I." The greenrider smiled again, then left K'mai to his dinner.

Last updated on the August 24th 2017

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Ever Try Skiing?