Turn's End Fun (3/3)

Writers: Francesca
Date Posted: 1st December 2024

Characters: Arrilon, Lindora
Description: Arrilon and Lindora have an awkward conversation.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Kamalia, Chalzie

Arrilon fumed as he watched Kamalia walk confidently away, after
having dragged him to the Dolphin Hall to see Chalzie from a distance
and then set him up with Lindora. Was she trying to make his personal
life as complicated as possible? She would be getting a strongly
worded letter from him as soon as he managed to extricate himself from
this awkward situation.

Not wanting to take his anger out on Lindora, who had done nothing
wrong, he turned back to her and gave a small smile. "Sorry about
that. My sister is... well, I think she forgets we don't all live in
the Weyr, or have a dragon who can take us wherever we want to go."

Lindora was not quite sure what was going on, but perfectly happy to
take advantage of time with Arrilon. "I liked her. She was nice. And
she was so happy to see you perform."

Arrilon sighed. "She'll always be my slightly annoying little sister."
Then, looking at the plate of pastries in his hand, he said," Well, we
might as well eat these." They found a place to sit. "So, do you make
things like this?"

"Yes, I have. Although," she lowered her voice and leaned in, "these
aren't all that special."

Arrilon took another look at them. They looked perfectly good to him.
"Really? What do you mean?"

"Well," she pointed to a pastry with a lattice pattern. "This is ok,
but it would look better if there were some additional small
decorations. Or, I like to sprinkle some sugar on the top to add some
crunch and sparkle. They also chose pretty basic flavors without an
attempt at more interesting flavor combinations." She stopped,
realizing she was talking a lot. "That was critical. Sorry. I'm sure
it tastes fine though."

"Oh, that was really interesting." Seeing her critique the pastries
was similar to conversations he had with harpers about a piece of
music. "I've never thought of food like that. I just eat it. Here,
take one."

She took a small cream-filled pastry and he took a fruit tart. They
ate in slightly awkward silence, with Arrilon wondering how to wrap up
the conversation and Lindora not wanting to be too forward but unsure
of when she would next be able to speak to Arrilon.

"Is it... lonely being here without family?" she finally asked.

"No, I'm busy here with my studies. And, it took some time, but I've
made some friends. I've lived in two Weyrs and, while I had friends
there too, I never fully felt at home. Everything at the Weyr is
ultimately about the dragons and their riders. And that, of course,
makes sense. But, it's a relief being with other harpers. I don't know
if I'll ever get used to it, but it's nice." He did not want to get
into the fact that living at the Weyr gave him a constant reminder
that he had aged out of Candidacy; that he had not been enough for a
dragonet. Here at the Hall, that did not matter. He could almost
forget it had happened.

"Do you think you'll stay at the Hall long-term?" Lindora took a small
bite of pastry.

He ignored the thoughts of the Dolphin Hall that immediately came to
mind. Nothing had changed, even if he still had feelings for Chalzie.
"I'm not sure. I am preparing to start some teaching circuits. I can't
imagine leaving the Hall long-term until I hopefully make Senior
Journeyman. And, even then, I'm not sure I'll want to leave. I like it
here. Do you want to stay here?"

Lindora had never really thought of living somewhere else. She had
never been able to choose where she lived. "I'm not sure. It's
perfectly fine here, but I don't think I'd mind leaving."

She took a breath, then decided it was now or never. "Honestly, having
a young daughter and living with my father is not the life I'd hoped.
I wouldn't give her up for anything, but it's hard. I want to be able
to build a life for myself away from my father. And I want a good life
for Zinora; someone who could be like a father for her." She was too
nervous to look him in the eyes but hoped he understood what she was
saying.

Was this really happening to him? Maybe this was a nightmare he was
about to wake up from. Or, maybe Kamalia had organized a prank and
would show up, laughing. But no, this was real. Lindora's voice was
earnest and he did not know what to say.

He had to say something though. "Look, Lindora, you're really nice. I
just..." What could he say that did not crush her? Then, it came to
him. It was not quite the truth, but she did not need to know that.
"There was someone I was with before coming here. And, well... it's
complicated. But, she's still on my mind, and I saw her earlier today.
And, I can't really think about anyone else right now; even someone as
great as you." As the words left his mouth, he realized they actually
were the truth. He would need to think about it more later, when he
had a moment to reflect. "I'm sorry."

Lindora's heart had sunk almost immediately, his tone showing he was
trying to let her down gently. And then hearing there was another
woman made her feel stupid for wasting any time on him. She had gotten
her hopes up for nothing. "I see."

What else could he say? Arrilon wished he could /between/ back to his
room. "Here, take the rest of the pastries. Your daughter can have
them for breakfast. And, I'm sure you'll find someone who can love you
and your daughter." He stood. "It was nice talking to you Lindora," he
lied. "See you around." And, with that, he headed back to the Hall,
trying not to walk too quickly. Well, it was done.

Lindora bit back an angry retort. Instead, still not meeting his eyes,
she took the pastries and said, "You too." She waited a bit, not
wanting to run into him again. As she waited, she ate another of the
pastries and began planning her next move. Maybe it was time to leave
the Hall.

Last updated on the December 4th 2024

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Turn's End Fun (3/3)