Dozens More

Writers: AL, Suzee
Date Posted: 24th September 2011

Characters: Y'gel, Briata, S'fan
Description: Y'gel introduces Briata to another rider, but things don't go as planned.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 3, day 21 of Turn 6

Y'gel

Briata

Briata stood in the bowl, eyes to the sky. It was night and it was
warm. The day had been quite hot and even though the sun had set and
the stars sparkled above, the evening hadn't proven to be all that much
cooler. Briata didn't mind the heat, though. Her hair was pulled back,
braided, then twisted about her head in an ebony crown. Her dress was
simple and made of light material that breathed easily. Her eyes turned
toward the sky, watching the stars though surely she could not truly
see their movements, they were so slow. But watch them she did. Her
arms were crossed over her breast, as if trying to ward off a chill
that wasn't there. She was in a melancholy mood, a mood that struck
her often since the death of her weyrmate and tonight she was having a
particularly difficult time shaking it off.

Y'gel still tried, every time he saw the girl like that. He tried to
pull her out of the mood that seemed to constantly follow her around
like a black cloud. He knew grief. It was an old friend. But her
suffering went deep and he would keep trying to reach her he could do
nothing less for any friend.

"Briata," he called.

The young woman turned with a jerk, so involved in her reverie that she
hadn't noticed Y'gel's approach. She relaxed, however once the
startlement settled into recognition. "Oh, good evening, Y'gel."

"How are you this fine evening?" he asked as he caught up with her. He
figured he knew the answer since she was almost always sad. He thought
he'd ask anyway just to get the conversation rolling.

Briata managed a small smile, but as usual, it did not light up her
face or reach her eyes. "As well as can be expected." Yes, her
standard response to that question. "And you?"

"I'm always fine at the prospect of a drink with a friend." He put an
arm around her. "Would you like to share a bottle of wine?"

"I wouldn't mind a glass or two." Briata conceded, allowing Y'gel to
lead her away from the bowl. She wasn't about to drink a half of a
bottle - that would leave her far too witless.

"Alright" he said steering her into the dining room and toward the
back of the room "S'fan!" he called as he got closer to the back of
the room.

"Well met Y'gel, I have that bottle of wine." He smiled a welcome to
the young woman. "Who's your friend."

Briata stiffened at the sight of another dragonrider. _Another_
dragonrider. What was Y'gel doing? He'd been introducing men to her
right and left, mostly dragonriders. She gave the man a suspicious
sidelong glance, but for the moment, said nothing, simply lowered down
into a seat.

Y'gen grimaced at the stiffening he felt from Briata, that didn't bode
well at all. He grabbed the bottle hoping to loosen her up with some
wine. For Faranth's sake she just needed to have _tiny_ bit of fun. He
poured for all three of them. "This is Briata."

Briata didn't say a word, simply inclined her head and accepted the
wine. Even then she only took a small sip, eyes darting between the
two dragonriders. Why was he doing this? Why did he keep introducing
new men? It was getting ridiculous.

He smiled at the girl. Y'gel had said nothing but good things about
her and he could believe them all. Though from the way she was looking
she didn't really want much male company, at least in _that_ way.

"So, Y'gel tells me you're a weaver?"

"Yes. I am." Briata wasn't doing much to help things. She had
caught on to Y'gel's plan and to be honest, she was irritated. She
didn't know _why_. No, she did know why. It was because she didn't
want to be set up with another man. She didn't want to be thrust into
some stranger's arms in the hopes that he would bed her and she might
forget the man she had lost. She wasn't that kind of a woman. Didn't
he understand that? If, not when, if she ever decided to be with
someone else, it would have to be with someone she came to know as a
friend first, came to grow close to. Not some man he introduced her
to.

S'fan snorted and put the bottle on the table. This was a waste of
time. He rolled his eyes at Y'gel and stood to leave. "I can see when
I"m not wanted. I'll go find some more pleasant company."

"S'fan!" smacked his palms on the table. "What on Pern was that!" He
could tell she was irritated and that made _him_ irritated.

"Please forgive me, S'fan." Briata rose, tossing her napkin on to the
table. "Truly, it is _I_ who should be leaving. It is nothing against
you." Her eyes turned to Y'gel, a flash of irritation and anger
entering into them. "I do not appreciate someone meddling in my
life." She stated, her words curt. Then without another word, Briata
turned, her skirts twirling at the sudden motion and hurried off.

Y'gel flinched eyes wide open watching as she left. "What did _I_ say
wrong?"

S'fan picked up the bottle and poured. "Shardit, theres dozens more
like her. You're a bronzerider and can take your pick."

"No there aren't." Y'gel watched her go. He didn't particularly want
to take his pick. He picked up his drink and downed it in a single
gulp.

Last updated on the October 20th 2011

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