Drums in the Night

Writers: Halyonix, Yvonne
Date Posted: 18th September 2024

Characters: V'dryn, Ketlyn
Description: Baby dragons make celebrating Turn's End difficult, but Ketlyn and V'dryn make the best of it.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 1, day 1 of Turn 12

When: TE t11
What: Baby dragons make celebrating Turn's End difficult, but Ketlyn and V'dryn make the best of it.
Mentioned: L'rin, A'lin

Turn's End was in full swing, the moon glowed over the weyrlake, and drums made Ketlyn ache to dance. It was so tempting, being around all that wine and other young people, but then Varinth started feeling overwhelmed by the music and laughter as her impressions of the night bled over into her dragon's consciousness. She'd retreated to the weyrlings' wallow to settle her little green dragon but once Varinth was asleep again, the cool night air called her name.

As much as she wanted to, going back to the main party would be too much of a temptation. Instead Ketlyn wandered down toward the water's edge as drum beats plucked at her skin with wild, delightful rhythms. It was a bit quieter there, the music easier to ignore. She wandered down the beach peering into firelit faces until she saw a familiar one.

She paused, gnawing her lip for a moment as she debated whether or not she'd be welcome in his circle. But then V'dryn looked up and Ketlyn was caught, so she called out, "Mind if I join you?" It would be rude not to say anything after their eyes met.

V'dryn made a sweeping gesture of his hand towards a free area. "By all means, please," he said. It was odd not to be with Zhomoth, who had decided that a full belly meant another time to sleep, despite the partying. And V'dryn had considered seeking out the brothers L'rin and A'lin as he would have in the past but the dynamic between him and L'rin had changed a bit. V'dryn suspected that L'rin was coming to a realization about a great many things and needed space so V'dryn gave it. Besides, the time alone wasn't unwelcome. It was rare to have it with their current weyrling schedule. "Escaping the festivities for a bit as well?" he asked Ketlyn.

She nodded as she sat on a stump next to him. "It's hard with Varinth so young. I feel like I'm missing out, but it's so overwhelming for her."

V'dryn nodded. "Zhomoth said that the music was just a little too loud for him tonight. And after I stuffed his belly full, he decided that a comfortable bed was a far better idea than a party. I suspect he'll enjoy being social when he's a bit older. The world is quite overwhelming when they're young."

"I wish she'd stay young," Ketlyn said quietly. No flying, no Thread, her family far away at their cothold. The older that Varinth got, the more her fears loomed. The weyrling picked up a stick to poke the fire and sent a stream of sparks into the night sky. "Although I'll be happy when Varinth can hunt for herself."

"I look forward to that and when we're able to fly together," V'dryn replied. "All of Pern to explore, at their wingtips. The freedom to go anywhere. It's..." He paused, trying to find the words, even though his face was already lit up with them. "Promising. A hope, a dream you didn't know you had. Is it not?" He turned to Ketlyn to see her reaction.

Ketlyn shrugged. "Sure is."

There was something in her tone, along with that shrug, that didn't sound convincing. "You...disagree?" he asked gently.

"What if--" Ketlyn stopped herself before she said anything too incriminating to V'dryn. Her problems were her own. "I do want to fly with Varinth," she admitted after a moment, and then blurted, "Sometimes I have nightmares about Thread."

The blue weyrling reached over and gently laid his klah-colored hand on hers. His dark eyes were full of understanding but his smile was encouraging, empathetic. "I think that if you did not fear Thread, then that would be a bigger issue," he said. He pulled away his hand after giving hers a squeeze. "I'm afraid of it too. Even though Zhomoth is full of courage and determination, it...it does still scare me. I've never considered myself a hero or brave. And Pern sees dragonriders as both." He looked at the flickering fire. "It seems we will have to learn how to be those things."

She rubbed her hand where he'd touched her, the ghost of his fingers still warm against hers. Even her small confession made her feel raw, and she wasn't brave, so she changed the subject. "Do you like to dance?"

His eyes brightened. "I do! I admit I'm not always so good at it. I've never attempted the tossing dance styles before and have no intention of trying that now. But I do believe I have some rhythm. And you?"

"I love dancing." Ketlyn stood up, stretched, then held out her hand. "Want to dance with me?"

V'dryn paused, as if humorously considering the pros and cons of the invitation, but then stood and took her hand. No harm in a little dance, especially if the music was lively, right? "Now, I'll beg your forgiveness now if I accidentally step on your foot," he said with his usual grin as he took the lead.

"Only if you'll beg my forgiveness if I accidentally step on yours!" Varinth was still asleep, so Ketlyn gave into temptation and let V'dryn drag her back toward the main party and its music. What was one night, after all, when soon enough each night could be her last?

Last updated on the September 22nd 2024

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Drums in the Night