Spice It Up

Writers: Aaron, Halyonix
Date Posted: 2nd November 2024

Characters: K'far, Vaile
Description: K'far and Vaile venture out to the cookoff at Emerald Falls
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 11

}: But you had fun the last time! Why would we not go? :{ Liranth asked as she watched her rider comb through her wet hair. The dragon was utterly confused but also trying to remember the fading details of their last outing with Torth and his rider. All she could latch on to was the feeling of relief and enjoyment that Vaile had felt towards the end of the outing.

**It's...complicated,** Vaile answered.

To that, Liranth snorted. }: You're making it complicated. It's an outing between friends. So go. :{

Vaile sat on the edge of her bed. Let out a soft sigh. It was true, she had enjoyed the outing to Citrus Bay with K'far. Today was the start of Turn's End, with many locations hosting celebrations. Yes, she could stay at Dragonsfall with her children, which did not seem like a bad idea, but they wanted to go to the creche party with their friends and Vaile...

Vaile thought it might be a _little_ fun to go out with other adults. Particularly with one other adult.

She put down the brush. **Will you ask Torth if K'far would like to go to the cookoff at Emerald Falls?** she asked quietly, wondering if she was about to regret asking.

}:K'far would love to go with you!:{ Torth answered. He had not heard about it yet himself, but he was not about to pass up a cookoff, wherever it was.

}: Then it's decided! Meet in a candlemark! :{ Liranth happily declared. Vaile sighed again as she set down her brush. She seemed to be deep in decision about something while Liranth watched her. }: You had fun last time, :{ the dragon said softly after a long moment. }: Let's go have fun today. :{

Acquiesing, Vaile let out a huff of laughter. "Fine. But what do I wear to this one?" she asked.

}: Oh, that's easy! :{

Nearly a candlemark later, Liranth was landing on Torth's ledge, her eyes whirling the same summer sky hue as the dress that her rider was wearing. It had a square neckline that laced down the torso but split into pieces that fell over a white underdress. The outfit was simple, practical, but still beautiful, and Vaile felt plenty self-conscious in it, wondering if she was about to send the wrong message. }: You liked the way you looked in the mirror just a moment ago! You're wearing it for you, not him. :{ But was Liranth right on that? Vaile decided not to think on it anymore.

Torth greeted Lirant with a nuzzle as he emerged from within, K'far in tow. He wore a snazzy outfit himself with a dark azure vest that complemented Torth's hide. It was a similar hue to Vaile's dress, though a much darker shade. Evening on the same day, perhaps.

When he saw Vaile, K'far's face broke into a broad grin. Skies, but she was beautiful.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey," she answered. Something about that blue...made Vaile wonder if K'far had always been handsome and she had just...just hadn't looked.

She immediately squashed that feeling. No. She was not going down that road, not now, not yet, maybe not ever again. She was still too torn up, still healing. It would be an absolute betrayal of M'vel's memory to even entertain the idea.

Properly in control again, Vaile said, "That color looks good on you. Did Liranth explain to Torth enough about what's happening at Emerald Falls?"

"Aw, thanks. You look amazing yourself! I heard cookout, and that was enough for me!" K'far chuckled.

Vaile smiled back. "Shall we?" she suggested. She watched as Liranth nuzzled Torth before spreading her wings to take flight. Vaile tried very hard not to read into it all. She needed to focus on having fun.

"Yes, let's." K'far saw the nuzzle. He certainly felt Torth's happiness at the touch and noticed when he returned the gesture.

The two dragons circled over Emerald Falls, gauging where to land. }: Lots of people here. Do you smell that? :{ Liranth said to Torth.

}:Smells like meat!:{ Torth licked his lips. }:Is that what we came for?:{

}: I hope so. It smells good. Maybe our riders will let us try some, :{ the green said. She landed in a field away from the Hold and sniffed the air again as Vaile dismounted.

"It smells delicious, even from here," Vaile remarked to K'far as he joined her. "I'm not sure what meat is being cooked off, or even how that works, but hopefully they have it for sale."

"Let's find someone to ask..." K'far led the way toward the rows of canopies where folks were stewing whatever meat it was.

"Hm? Oh, this is all Lord Corofel's idea," said the holder stirring one of the pots. "Everyone got mostly the same ingredients â€" ground mutton mostly, and we're having a bit of a contest to see who can whip up the best stew. He's been very excited to call it muttonslop, but I'm not sure just how appetizing that sounds..."

"How much for a bowl?" asked K'far.

"Since Corofel provided the ingredients, it's free. Once the judging is concluded, anyway."

"Judging?" Vaile queried. "It's a competition? Who gets to judge?"

The young woman pointed toward a makeshift pavilion.

"A few of the Holders who're here agreed to do it. They're over there with the little Lord now takin' their sweet time deciding. My da's there, too, waiting to hear the results."

The tent erupted in cheers.

"I guess that'll be that, then. Might as well dole you out a couple o' bowls then, seeing as they probably won't need any extra for the judges now."

"What do you think?" K'far asked Vaile. "Should we wait to see who won or get in now before the line forms?"

Her growling stomach won out. "Let's get in line now. Surely they've all got quality to them." She stood close to K'far's shoulder, watching the cook ladle out two bowls. "It smells delicious," she remarked. "Maybe there's a vintner booth too. We could split a skin."

"That sounds great." K'far took a deep sniff. It certainly smelled spicy.

"Well, have a taste before you go; tell me what you think," said the cook.

Arching an eyebrow at K'far, Vaile lifted the spoon near her mouth, blew on it, and then ate. "Mmm. Mm!" she hummed. "It has a kick to it!"

"Whoo! It sure does," said K'far. He might need a glass of milk instead of a skin of wine. Maybe a hunk of cheese. There had to be some of that nearby. "Delicious, though. Well done." The cook's chest puffed out a bit.

"How does wandering and eating sound?" Vaile asked in between another bite. "I could still find a gift or two for Turn's End."

"Sounds perfect." K'far wondered whether he might find something Miravaile and Moraile would like... He would have to keep an eye out.

"What are you looking for?"

Her brow furrowed. "I...well, to be honest, I haven't gotten you a gift. I wasn't sure if you celebrated Turn's End like that or not. You know how some people aren't much for gifts," she explained.

K'far smiled.

"It sounds like a perfect chance to get to know each other a little better. We'll poke around until we find you find something you like, and then I'll buy it for you. And if you like, you could do the same for me. How does that sound?"

She smiled as she took another bite. "An excellent suggestion, K'far." She bumped against his shoulder playfully. Bowls in hand, the two began meandering around the stalls. Vaile paused at a jewelcrafter's booth to look at the wares. "Mira's at the age where anything shiny will hold her attention," she mentioned to K'far as she stopped to look at some gem chip bracelets that would do well with a young girl. "Mora, though. Just about anything goes into his mouth lately. I was thinking of getting him something plush." She let her fingers trail along the bracelets, pausing at a green pendant made for a woman, before going back to the bracelets. "I bet she would like a few of these," she remarked.

"What about you?" K'far asked. "Like that one there?" He pointed with the pinky on his hand holding his spoon to the green pendant.

Vaile let out a small huff of laughter. "A keen dragon's eye you have there," she said. "It would match Liranth. That's why it caught my eye." She was _not_ going to tell him that she liked it for herself. Vaile was not to type of person to prompt for gifts.

"Can I buy it for you?" asked K'far. He could have just... bought it, but he did not want to make her uncomfortable if she was not ready for that kind of gift from him.

She went quiet and still for a moment, internally deciding. Finally, at Liranth's prompting that she was overthinking the whole thing, she said, "Sure. But only if I can buy something for you."

"How could I refuse?" K'far smiled and purchased the pendant, and setting aside his now empty bowl and spoon, he held it up, offering to fasten it for her. She swept up her hair obliging, feeling odd flutters in her belly.

K'far happily clasped the pendant chain around Vaile's neck and then gently let it rest against her chest. He stepped around and gazed at her.

"It looks good on you!"

She fingered the pendant gently and then smiled at him. "Thank you. And now you'll have to let me get something for you!"

"I will, I will!" K'far chuckled, and his smile lingered on. He really did not need a gift, but the idea of Vaile wanting to give him one made him happy. Even if it was just reciprocation.

They wandered around some more until Vaile spotted one of the printers' booths. She made an excited sound and tugged K'far towards it. "I know you like books! Pick one out!"

K'far smiled. It was nice to feel seen. He was not sure how much time he had for another book, but lack of time had not always stopped him from buying more. That was what his shelf was for.

He glanced around for a snazzy title and eventually settled on, 'Underwhere' by Dantoam. Perhaps it was not snazzy, but he was nevertheless curious what it meant. On the cover was an illustration of a bizarre animal he was sure did not really exist, which was the only thing that led him to believe it was (probably) not a smutty pun.

"How about this one?"

Vaile took the book. "'Underwhere'?" she queried, confused. She thumbed through a few pages, trying to get a grasp on its topic. "I can't decide if this is meant to be funny or sexy," she eventually said.

K'far laughed.

"The picture on the cover made me think it was going to be something fanciful and easy to read, like a kid's story," he said. "But I'll take funny."

She moved towards the booth owner to buy it. "You'll definitely have to let me know how it is. How many books a Turn do you go through?"

"It usually takes me a while," said K'far. "Between you know, this, that, and the other, I'm usually falling asleep when I get to bed, so I only get a few pages in a night if that. But I'll let you know how it is." He grinned. "Thank you."

"Thank _you_," she countered, handing him the book and then looping her elbow around his. "This has been...these outings have been great. Overdue and sorely needed." She gave him a small but genuine smile.

K'far returned the smile with every bit as much sincerity.

"I'm happy you feel that way. I've enjoyed every minute with you."

Her grin deepened. "Let's see what else we can find."

Last updated on the November 4th 2024

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Spice It Up