Dancing and Planning

Writers: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 25th February 2012

Characters: Z'ku, Meledei
Description: Z'ku asks Meledei for a dance at the Hatching
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 6, day 11 of Turn 6

Z'ku

If he didn't go for it now, he might lose his courage. Z'ku stepped up
to Meledei and gave her a bow. "May I have this dance, goldrider?"

Meledei turned and to her delight the bronzerider with whom she had
been a weyrling invited her onto the floor. "Of course." She agreed
without hesitation and passed off her glass to a passing drudge with a
tray. Green and purple adorned her, the two colours constrasting
nicely. The earrings dangled as she moved and her necklace sparkled in
the slight. Meledei plucked her dress up with one hand and slid her
other into Z'ku's. "I would be delighted."

A smile spread across his face and he led her onto the dance floor.
The dance was a light, gliding number that encouraged movement but was
slow enough for comfortable conversation. "Congratulations, Elleth had
a very fine Hatching. Three bronzes, just like clutch we Impressed
from."

"Yes." To say Meledei was proud was quite an understatement. Elleth
had flown well, and Mnoranth had flown her well. The combination
worked and they had a fine clutch to show for it.

R'enh's dancing lessons added more grace to the goldrider's steps and
the limp could no longer be seen as she allowed herself to be guided
while in Z'ku's embrace. Her green eyes twinkled, darker than the
green that adorned her gown and ornaments. "Though I'm sure she'll be
glad to get back into the air."

"Will you be glad to get back in the air as well?" He told himself to
keep the conversation light. He didn't want to dampen her mood.

"Oh yes. I mean, we're dragonriders. This is what we were born to
do. Of course, I should remember that queens were born to breed as
well." Meledei gave a rueful smile. "But it's really neat to see the
clutch that came from your own dragon hatch."

"I can only imagine." He swept her around as he tried to school his
expression. **It should have been me!** But he knew his chances had
been slim.

"Maybe some day you won't have to imagine." Meledei's voice was soft
and her smile sweet. "Some day." Maybe some day with Elleth. Who
knew? "I haven't seen much of you lately. We're both busy I know.
How have you been?"

"Oh, like you said, busy." He didn't want to admit he'd been avoiding
her. "But now that the Hatching's over, we should try to spend more
time together."

"Yes, we definitely should." Meledei had missed the friends that had
seemed to have drifted away. She should amend that. Had _started_ to
amend it before the hatching but she knew she needed to work harder at
it. "Maybe we can have dinner some time."

"That would be wonderful. And spend a restday together?" he suggested.

"I'd love to. Maybe we can visit somewhere." Now that Elleth's clutch
had hatched, she'd be willing to spend more than a few moments off of
the sands. Things could go back to normal, especially her
visitations. "Maybe visit a Gather. Too bad we missed the one at
Sunstone."

"Well, there are always others. I've got some marks saved up and I'd
like to spend them on something fun." And maybe something nice for
Meledei, just like the Headwoman had suggested.

"Then we'll have to see what's happening where and plan for it." And
after being Weyrbound for a while, Meledei would be glad to visit other
places. "And have a fun day together."

**As soon as possible,** he thought. "I can't wait." He smiled. "Is
your injury bothering you anymore? It doesn't seem to be."

"It twinges, but not enough to affect my movement. It's gotten a lot
stronger lately." R'enh's lessons had helped with _that_ as well. And
Meledei had even been able to run in the last couple of sevendays
without too much effort. "Pretty soon it hopefully won't even do
that. I do hope that you manage _not_ to get scored." Though that was
very unlikely, alas.

"I hope to put it off as long as possible, at least." He was very
careful, but even the most alert riders could still get scored.

"That sounds like a very good plan." Meledei hoped she didn't get
scored again. Once burned, twice shy. She'd been a lot more cautious
and watchful of the other riders, making sure another didn't get out of
formation again. What would be worse was if the Weyrwoman was scored
and they certainly didn't need that. The song came to an end and
Meledei held her position in his embrace a moment before stepping out
of it once the last strains faded. "Thank you for the dance."

"It was my pleasure." He took her hand and kissed it. He wanted more,
but this time he didn't dare ask for it.

"Perhaps we can have one more before the night is over?" Meledei
suggested even as she was being plucked away by another pair of arms to
whisk her around the floor.

"I would love to," he said.

Last updated on the March 4th 2012

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