Disconnected

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 21st November 2008

Characters: U'kaiah, Traelyn
Description: Things between the two don't go as expected
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 12, day 5 of Turn 4

The goldrider might have thought that U'kaiah hadn't noticed her being at
the Hatching, but she was wrong. He had seen her. During lulls in the
action his eyes had wandered over to the section of Stands she had sat in
and could pick her out right away - the beautiful white-blonde hair, the
way her chin was raised with the pride of her position, the smile she
would flash at the man sitting next to her. U'kaiah would look at her,
but quickly look away. It was almost cowardly in the way he avoided
facing the situation - Trae was there and she was on N'vanik's arm, and
that was the way it would be from now on. And while she would smile at
other men, U'kaiah knew there in their last meeting, there had been no
smile in her eyes for him; only anger and resentment.

This was supposed to be the proudest moment of his life. He couldn't
think on that now.

And shards, he was proud as he left the Stands, Teseada on his arm. Three
bronzes - _three_! He had been hoping there would be at least one and
then there were three. Considering that before the last Clutch their Weyr
hadn't had Eggs on the Sand for a turn, three bronzes would only benefit
them as they tried to restock their Wings. Yes, as he and the goldrider
entered the cavern to the cheers and smiles of the crowd, as he walked
down the line shaking hands, greeting guests and old friends, he had felt
an emense sense of pride and accomplishment.

Looking down the line ahead, his glance was caught by a pair of dark grey
eyes staring back at him. She was waiting for him. There was a spark of
hope in that gesture. They needed to talk, to hold each other close and
erase the memory of their disasterous last meeting. He needed to hear
that she was proud of him, that she was happy for him, that she had missed
him. For a split second he had almost abandoned the line of well-wishers
for her, but just as he was about to take a step in her direction a hand
reached out and grabbed his, shaking it happily. It snapped him back into
the moment.

He had to talk to Trae, he needed to be with her... But first he had a
duty to Dragonsfall. U'kaiah had to represent his home and his people,
his dragon and his offspring.

When the bronzerider glanced back at Trae apologetically, his eyes were
met with a raised pale brow of disapproval and disappointment. Her eyes
were cold, her jaw fixed. Without even having said a word to each other,
U'kaiah could feel a chill already in the air between them. This time he
turned away purposefully. Why couldn't she at least _pretend_ to be happy
for him for just one day, for one sharding _moment_ even? The smile he
gave to the proud new parents of one of his weyrlings was much more forced
this time. He tried to push the image of those eyes from his mind, but
with every hand shaken, every charming exchange made, he knew he was one
step closer to facing her and her disapproving cold stare. If she
couldn't be here to wish him well, then he wished she hadn't even come.

This was supposed to be the happiest moment of his life. Why today of all
days?

There was no escaping it. She was just standing there, waiting, almost
demanding that he acknowledge her. When finally he stood before her he
tried to meet her gaze but it was too painful. Leaning down he kissed her
cheek softly and whispered a quick "Thank you for coming, Trae," though he
wasn't sure if he was fooling anyone with those words. Shards how he
wished they could have been genuine, and they would have been had she even
made an attempt at masking the regret and disappointment in those eyes.
Couldn't she have tried for him on today of all days?

His tone, so distant and seemingly uncaring partnered with that mocking
kiss left her breathless with hurt and fury. If _this_ was how it was
going to be tonight, why had he even wanted her to come? She had come
hoping that they could try to erase what happened last time they'd been
alone together. She had come to try again with him. "You should be very
proud, U'kaiah," she managed to reply. He didn't deserve to know that she
was proud of him. Not after such a hurtful greeting.

Could she have said those words with any less feeling behind them, U'kaiah
wondered as he took her hand. The hollowness of her platitude stung even
as he curled his fingers around hers. At least they were being civil, he
thought as he looked down at her hand. Shards how he wanted to bring it
up to his cheek, to feel her soft caress and smooth away the knot of
bitterness growing in the pit of his stomach. "You look beautiful
tonight," he murmured softly, determined to keep up appearances for
everyone's sake.

He wasn't even looking at her. Shards, if she'd been wearing rags he'd
probably tell her the same thing. It was basic small talk, a compliment
because manners demanded it. That was all it was. She could feel the
blood begin to drain from her face, and she silently willed herself to
keep strong. She couldn't give in to her temper now--not with so many
people around. "Thank you," she whispered, not trusting herself to raise
her voice any louder.

U'kaiah had made her angry again without even trying. It was almost as if
she were purposefully trying to ruin this for him as just another form of
punishment for failing her expectations. Deep down he knew it was silly
to think that. Nothing he had ever done had deserved such retaliation
from her, and yet he had heard rumors... No, he would not think on that
now. She was here, and no matter what her intentions were, all eyes were
on him tonight. He had to at least pretend that everything was going
well. U'kaiah would not bring shame down on his Weyr by causing a scene.
"I have more people I need to greet. Can I meet up with you later?"

"Of course." And then they could get everything out into the open. It
was all she could do not to pull her hand from his, however, she did slide
it out--gently--but there wasn't a lingering caress like there would have
been. "Come find me when you're ready."

The bronzerider could feel his jaw tighten slightly as she pulled away
from him. There was something very ominous in the way she had said those
words, he thought as he hand dropped limply to his side. She was not
going to let this go, even for a day. This was supposed to be his
night... "I will try not to be long."

She didn't miss the way his jaw tightened. Well, shards, what did he want
from her? She just wasn't going to stand there at let him hold her hand
after the way he'd treated her. And he _still_ wasn't looking at her.
"Take as much time as you need."

He hesitated a slight moment, debating within himself. U'kaiah hated
leaving her side feeling so distant from her. It was unnatural for him to
just walk away from her feeling so utterly disconnected, and yet he had
the feeling any attempt to touch her at this point was unwelcome. Her
pulling away had made that painfully clear. Finally, he just nodded his
understanding and turned to rejoin the crowd of well-wishers.

Last updated on the November 23rd 2008

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Disconnected