Rumors on the Dancefloor
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Heather, Yvonne
Date Posted: 6th September 2025
Characters: N'kayden, Ketlyn
Description: Ketlyn over hears some strange things about N'kayden.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 8, day 21 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: K'lin, D'narion, N'kevyn, Aydhara
Music and laughter echoed across the cove as the Hatching Feast lingered into the night. Ketlyn stood near the banquet tables with a goblet of beer dangling from her fingers, watching the dancers. Her feet ached. The moons were high overhead so it was probably late, although she was too restless to sleep and regretted leaving Kemmin to his own devices after the Hatching. He'd only been at the Weyr for five days and more than half of that time had been spent hiding. She'd been tired of his company but now that she wanted him he was nowhere to be found.
Two of the women from the Lower Caverns approached and Ketlyn stood aside to let them refill their glasses with cool water from jugs on the table. "Think you'll find someone to snuggle up with tonight?" one asked the other.
Her friend tapped her chin as she surveyed the crowd. "Mmm... I'm still disappointed that Donnarion and Kedolin Impressed. Is that N'kayden?" She nodded at the crowd, her dark eyes narrowing. Ketlyn followed her gaze to catch a glimpse of the young brownrider between the swirling dancers.
"He's so dreamy," sighed the first, waving her hand in front of her face as if to cool herself. "I heard that he's _really_ good in bed."
Ketlyn nearly snorted beer through her nose and pretended she wasn't suddenly listening very hard.
The first woman nudged her friend with her elbow. "Lynavia won't shut up about him. I think she's just proud of herself."
"Lynavia knows what she's doing when it comes to new dragonmen, so I'd believe it. Think he's as adventurous as his parents? I hear that his father--"
"Sssh-- he's coming over!" The two women dissolved into giggles as N'kayden made his way through the dancers in their direction. A soon as he was close enough she put a hand on his arm. "You're looking fine tonight, brownrider!"
"As are you, Ellimeri," N'kayden said with a flash of white teeth as he smiled at her. He could see that it surprised the girl, him knowing her name, but names were something N'kayden was good at. It was all the other trouble with socialization that sometimes tripped him up. "Dance later?" he asked her, more as a way to extricate himself from her than anything.
"Looking forward to it!" she said with a laugh as he passed.
Ketlyn watched N'kayden approach with an arched brow. "Looks like you have an admirer," she murmured when he was close enough to hear.
"Ugh," was all he said in response, although he was still smiling. "I was headed over here to tell you how good it is to see you outside the infirmary, but she locked eyes with me, and then I was trapped."
The greenrider touched her face self-consciously. "Thanks. I was ready to jump in to save you, but you did just fine. Who is she, anyway?"
"No clue," N'kayden snagged a finger food off the table and popped it into his mouth. There was silence for a beat as he chewed and then the harpers transitioned into a slower melody, and the mood at the feast shifted as couples swarmed the dance floor. "Would you like to dance?" he asked Ketlyn.
Dancing was one of her favourite things. "Sure!"
The brownrider took one of her hands and led her out through the crowd of gathered dances. Smoothly, he pulled her to him and stepped seamlessly into the dance. Dancing was something he could do. He was better at dancing than talking, that was certain.
Ketlyn's initial reticence was soon lost in the joy of the music. She felt as light as Varinth in the wind as N'kayden led her through the dance and was thrilled at the extra turns and swoops that he threw into the regular steps. He might be terrible in the furs, but she was pleasantly surprised how good he was on his feet. The song ended and she stepped from his embrace to applaud for the Harpers taking their bow. "I didn't know you could dance like that!"
"My mom made me dance my sister around enough when no one else wanted to, so I've had plenty of practice." There was a teasing glint to N'kayden's brown eyes. He was sure Aydhara would say worse if she were around.
"Ha! Makes sense. Aydhara would throw a fit if you stepped on her toes--" A crash and a wave of good-natured laughter rippled from the crowd nearby. Ketlyn turned toward the sound and visibly winced as she spotted a tall, dark-skinned young man being hauled to his feet from where he'd apparently fallen off a table. He looked drunk enough that he couldn't stand without leaning heavily on the woman beside him. "Sweet Faranth, save me. I'll catch up with you later, N'kayden. Thanks so much for the dance! Dance with me again at the next party?"
"Oh, of course. Yes, I was thinking -" but Ketlyn was gone, toward the commotion on the other side of the Dining Cavern. N'kayden watched her go with a little sigh. Turning on his heel, he went in search of that girl - Ellimeri - from earlier.
Last updated on the October 3rd 2025