Renewing Acquaintances

Writers: AL, Eimi
Date Posted: 30th July 2008

Characters: U'kaiah, Irlani
Description: U'kaiah reacquaints himself with Irlani
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 11, day 6 of Turn 4

The bronzerider smiled as he approached the dark haired woman sitting
alone on the blanket, looking out over the heated Weyrlake. "And just
how did you escape your gaggle of children, Irlani?" he asked to get
her attention.

Irlani lifted her gaze away from the weyrlake and let it settle upon the rider who had approached her. He looked familiar, but his handsome features did not bring a name to mind. "J'gen has the day
off today." She explained, eyebrows raising. It was a father-daughter day for them. "You seem to know me,
but I'm afraid I don't know who you are, though your face is
familiar."

Well, a Wingleader's face should be familiar, at least. Though that
was not how they had met. "I fly in Cyan Wing. I knew K'lin."

"Ah, I see." There was a tinge of sadness that crept over the smile
Irlani held. "I think I remember you now. Forgive me. How are you?"

"I'm doing well. I'm Wingleader now." Hopefully that would spur some
memory of his name, since providing at this point seemed rather
awkward.

"Congratulations U'kaiah." Irlani bowed her head in a respectful, if a
bit formal, manner. "I'm sorry, I haven't really kept up with the
politics of the weyr beyond Weyrleader and Weyrwoman since K'lin's
death."

He rewarded her with a smile. "That's all right. You remembered my
name, and that's a start."

"Well, I did after a moment or two." Irlani laughed softly. "I'm
sorry, I'm not the quickest at remembering, and it has been a while."

"True," he nodded before a smile crossed his face. "But I remembered
you."

"Yes, yes you did." Irlani gave the dragonrider a rueful smile. "I'm
surprised though, I don't see why I would particularly stand out in
your memory."

"I made it a point never to forget a beautiful woman's name." And her
dark hair, dark eyes, dark skin and flashing smile certainly made her
name rather easy to recall.

"You flatter me, U'kaiah." Irlani couldn't help but laugh softly,
"Though I must say, I'm grateful for the compliment. I would respond
in kind that you're not so bad looking yourself, except that you might
think it holds no truthfulness, but it simply a proper response to
yours."

"Well, now I would believe it if you promised me it was the truth."

Irlani chuckled softly. "I think you know the answer to that."

"What a perfect non-answer," the bronzerider pouted. "Are you trying
to save my feelings?"

"Maybe." Irlani grinned, her eyes twinkling mischeviously. "Should I
have to?"

"I have a fragile ego," the bronze confided with a wink.

"I'm sorry, I don't believe a word of that." Irlani shook her
head. "Not a word."

"And now you call me a liar?" he asked, clutching his chest in fained
shock. "Beautiful and cruel. The story of my life."

"Alas, I suppose I should feel bad." Irlani leaned back, still
grinning. "But somehow, I don't."

"What have I done to deserve such treatment?" U'kaiah asked, giving her
his best wounded puppy eyes. "I really do think you should make amends
for being so unkind."

"Is that so?" Irlani's eyebrows arched delicately upward. The man was
certainly amusing. "And how would you suggest I do that?"

"Well, I would have suggested giving my back a scrub, but I would be
half afraid you'd stick a knife in it," he said, giving her a side long,
wary look. "I would settle for a glass of wine, perhaps."

"I'm afraid I'm fresh out of wine." Irlani spread her hands, as if to
show him that she was not hiding any. "Sorry about that."

The bronzerider's smile only grew wider. "Oh, but you're in luck. I
happen to have some wine in my weyr."

"In your weyr, hm?" Irlani shook her head. "You are incorrigible. I
don't know if it's safe to go to your weyr."

"Safe?" he asked innocently. "My dear lady, I think I have more to fear
from you."

"Really? Why is that?"

He leaned a little closer. "You were the one who was callously cruel to
me, remember?" he reminded her softly.

"Ah, so I'm being cruel for speaking the truth?" Irlani clicked her
tounge and wagged her finger at the dragonrider. "You just can't handle
the truth."

He shrugged a shoulder. "Well, I expect the wine will give me the
courage to face it, then."

"I don't think you need the wine, U'kaiah." Irlani stood up and clapped
her hands together as if to rid them of nonexistant dust. "But if you
would care for company, truthfully, I wouldn't mind as long as it's
nothing more than talking."

U'kaiah rose to his feet and brushed the sand from his backside. "Does
a little harmless flirting count as talking?"

"I think I can handle a little harmless flirting." Irlani leaned over
and picked up the blanket and began shaking it out.

He grinned as he caught the bottom of the blanket to help shake it out.
"Then I will hold you the 'only talking' rule. Though, I have to warn
you, some women actually find me charming."

"Really?" Irlani's lips twitched no matter how hard she tried to hide
her amusement. "Well then, I guess we'll just have to wait and see
about that."

U'kaiah leaned in conspiritorially as he brought the bottom edges of the
blank he was holding up to meet hers. "Let's just hope that you can
handle the truth."

Last updated on the July 30th 2008

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