I'll still be here

Writers: Eimi, Emma
Date Posted: 29th December 2005

Characters: Birigundi, Hanni
Description: Birigundi is tempted to ditch Nialyn for a better offer
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 9, day 20 of Turn 3

Birigundi

Birigundi walked down the hall, swinging the bag of tea idly. He almost didn't notice the greenrider grinning at him as she leaned against the corridor wall.

"Care to share that?" she said, pointing at the bag, "It looks different."

"Oh, well, it's not mine," he said with an apologetic shrug. "How are you Hanni?"

"All the better for seeing you," she replied.

"Hmm, I seem to have that effect on you," Birigundi smiled as he leaned back against the wall beside her.

"Always," she said smiling at her occasional lover. "And even more if we have plans for later, I'm free and I'm sure you could make yourself available."

"Actually, I can't today. I have a promise to keep," he said shaking the bag of herbal tea.

"Promises can be broken," she said teasingly.

"Not this one, I'm afraid. Well, it at least _shouldn't_ be broken."

"You could make arrangements, meet me in my weyr later...."

Birigundi fiddled with the strings to the small draw bag. "I'm not sure I should make any promises tonight, Hanni. Nialyn and I have a few things we need to talk about."

"Nialyn?"

"Yes, she's... A girl I know..." Shards, he didn't quite know what to call her. "We're going to have a baby."

"Say what?" said Hanni in surprise. "She's expecting?"

He watched her face closely, trying to judge her reaction, but he couldn't tell. "Yes. In the first month I believe."

Birigundi was usually so careful, mind you she took all the precautions she could. The tea daily, and a little trip /between/ now and then never hurt either. "She's keeping it?"

"Yes. It was her decision." He could see the questions in her eyes.
Perhaps it was a bit strange for some greenriders - _especially_
greenriders - to think that they would chose to have the baby. "She's not a rider. And she wasn't Weyr born. It was her choice."

"I see," she said. "So does that mean, that you won't see me again?"

"What? No no no," he reassured her quickly. "No, it really doesn't effect me much... Well, it will effect me of course just... It's not like I'm going to be Weyrmated or anything."

"Good, because I'd miss you." Hanni took a step closer, reaching out to run a finger down his chest, "I'd miss this."

"Ah, well," he said with a grin, "I'd miss this too. What else would you miss?"

She leant over and whispered something in his ear, having the satisfaction of watching his expression as she did so.

"Shards," Birigundi groaned. Why did he have to ask?! "I promised Nialyn. Seriously, I wish I could change plans but..." And oh was it tempting.

"Tomorrow maybe? I'll still be here," she suggested.

"Uh huh," he nodded, clutching the bag of tea a little tighter, reminding himself that he really _couldn't_ change his plans. It seems the baby was already changing things a bit...

"I'll look forward to it," she said, smiling at him.

He smiled back, feeling the first hints of the weight responsibility he had agreed to. "I'd better take Nialyn her tea."

"And I'll be thinking of you."

Birigundi tried to stifle his groan as he pushed himself off the wall and started back in the direction he was originally headed. He knew this was just a taste of things to come.

Last updated on the December 30th 2005

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I'll still be here