A Winning Day

Writers: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 23rd July 2012

Characters: Z'ku, Meledei
Description: The two riders enjoy a Gather.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 9, day 7 of Turn 6

Z'ku

"What would you like to do first, my lady?" Z'ku smiled and offered
his arm. The Gather was spread out before them: food stalls, goods for
sale, runner races, an entertainment stage.

"I want to see the runner races." Meledei motioned in their direction.
They could already hear the call for the races to begin in a few
minutes. Bets were being placed and there was the tension of excitement
that permeated the area. "Is that all right?"

"Of course." He shouldn't have sulked so long. Just being around her
lifted his spirits. The noise grew louder as they neared the stands.
Z'ku looked for a good spot to see the races from.

"There are a couple of places." Meledei motioned toward a bench. It
wasn't in the very front, but it would still give them a good view. She
tugged at her bronzerider escort's arm. "Come on, before someone else
gets them!"

They made it in time to claim the spots. The runners were being led to
the starting line, all of them fine animals. "Any guesses on who might
win?"

"Hm." Meledei leaned over to get a good look at those who stood,
waiting. Several creatures tossed their heads and snorted as they
pawed at the ground. One had a calmer sense about him, though in the
way he stood, the tension in his muscles, it was obvious he was eager
to begin. "That one. On the end." The calm before the storm.

Z'ku looked over at the runner and nodded. "I'll trust the
beastcrafter's expertise." He wasn't going to bet, though. This was
just for fun. He didn't like betting money, it was a foolish waste of
marks.

The last call was made, the runners eased into places even with each
other. Then, with a shout, the race began. The runners surged forward,
and one of the more wild ones took the lead. Meledei's pick trailed
behind as things began, but she didn't look worried. "Just watch." She
murmured.

Z'ku nodded, although she probably couldn't see it with her eyes on
the race. It was quite exciting, the animals racing, jockeys urging
them on, the crowd shouting all around them. One of the front runners
fell back, all his energy burned out halfway through the race. The
runner Meledei had picked moved up a bit more, and a bit more.

"Right....about...here." Meledei wasn't quite right, but close. The
runner began to push forward just a few beats after Meledei said he
might and she grinned as he passed the third and then the second. He
was on the tail of the runner in first place and still going strong.
"The jockey was wise."

Cheers rose up as the runners crossed the finish line, the one Meledei
had chosen in the lead. "He knew to hold him back, and that he could
sprint fast enough at the end." Z'ku nodded, admiring the jockey's
skill. "You have an eye for winners, I almost wished I'd made a bet."

Meledei laughed. "That's because I'm a beastcrafter. Or former
beastcrafter. You get to notice these things."

Meledei settled down for the next race. The next runner she chose came
in second, but the third came in first. Of course, it was more
difficult to choose when the time came for the last race and the
finalists were all the first place winners from the previous races.
She kept quiet about that but eventually, the second first place winner
one the final race. When it was over, there was applause and Meledei
stood then slipped her arm through Z'ku's. "Okay your turn to choose
where we go next."

Patting his stomach with his free hand, he said, "The food stalls."

Meledei laughed. She should have known - men did like their food.
"Sounds good to me. You lead the way."

Z'ku headed for a stall selling roast wherry. "It's nice to get out of
the Weyr once in a while, especially in such good company."

"I like traveling. I like to see new places and meet new people."
Meledei requested one wherry on a stick and held out money to pay for
it.

"Let me get that." Z'ku held out his own marks. "Make that two," he
told the vendor.

Meledie pocketed her marks in the pouch that matched her dress. "Such a
gentleman." She grinned and accepted one of the sticks when the vendor
passed them over. "Only one for you?"

He grinned. "I plan to visit other stalls." Why not take advantage of
the variety?

"There are quite a few of them. We should probably keep moving."
Meledei took a bite of her wherry then tugged on his arm.

Z'ku swallowed a piece of tasty meat before asking, "How about a
bubbly once we finish these?"

"I'm always up for bubblies!" Meledei didn't know anyone who didn't
like bubblies - and if she met someone, they would have to be sick.
After all, they were one of her favourite things. "Better be careful
we don't get them all over us though!"

"We can try our best, but there's no guarantee with bubblies." Z'ku
laughed. "What a sight we'd be with filling all over our faces."

"Well how about we bet. I bet I can eat a whole bubbly without getting
it on my dress." Meledei was really good at eating bubblies. She had
practise. Of course, who didn't?

Z'ku arched an eyebrow. "What do I get if you lose?"

"More bubblies?" Meledei suggested with a grin. Of course, that was
something she would ask for!

"How about ... a kiss?" he dared to ask.

Meledei hesitated a bit. She knew Z'ku's feelings and while she cared
for him, she just...well, she just didn't share those feelings. Didn't
know if she would - with him or anyone else. She wasn't sure.
Sometimes she felt like she'd moved on well enough - another times she
felt the sting of F'gol's betrayal far too keenly. "All right." She
agreed after a moment. "On the cheek." She smiled, hoping that he
wouldn't take it the wrong way.

He nodded, a little too vigorously. "Of course, I meant to specify
that. I don't want to push you or anything, just a friendly wager." He
certainly didn't want to drive Meledei away.

"All right." A glint danced in Meledei's eyes. "But I think I know
who's going to win. Yes, she certainly was confident.

So Z'ku bought two bubblies and handed one to her. "What do you want
if you win?"

"A bubbly every day for a sevenday." Meledei accepted the one that
Z'ku handed her and very carefully began to eat. She did _not_ want to
stain her gather dress!

"Deal!" Z'ku bit in to his own bubbly.

The next race began and at the same time, their own little competition
had started. Meledei carefully nibbled at the pastry, trying her
hardest not to let it drip upon her. She was doing pretty good - until
the second to last bite. One drop, one tiny speck, just enough to be
noticeable managed to dance its way onto the collar of her dress. "Oh
shardit." The exclamation was stated with a laugh. "I guess I lose!"
She added as Z'ku finished his. She decied to take those last couple
of bites and down them before she dabbed at the spot. "Ah
well...payment as promised!" And with that she gave him a kiss upon
his cheek.

The spot where she'd kissed him tingled. "Thank you. Now, what should
we do next, my lady?" He offered his arm again.

"They have some games down the path a bit. Shall we try our luck?"
Meledei slipped her arm through Z'ku's and allowed him to lead her
away. "Who knows, we might win a prize."

Last updated on the July 24th 2012

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A Winning Day