First Dates are Sweet

Writers: Devin, Miriah
Date Posted: 30th March 2013

Characters: J'kri, Paetri
Description: Jykri and Paetri go on their first date
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 13, day 16 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: S'vin, Daret

Paetri stood nervously by the lake shore, her hands smoothing
down her skirts in repetitive nervous gestures. She looked down;
it was her prettiest dress, the material was soft and she hoped
Jykri liked it as much as she did. He had asked her on a picnic,
but since they admitted that they liked each other, she didn't really
know how to act...he wasn't like anyone she had been
introduced to at home. Jykri had been her friend first. So what
did she do now? Taking a deep breath, she drew on her reserves
of calm and waited.

Jykri arrived with a basket in one hand and a blanket tucked under his
other arm. "Hi." He noticed the dress and smiled. He had sisters, so
he knew what to say. "You look beautiful." He felt a bit guilty, since
all he could say for his clothes were that they were clean.

There was an immediate blush as Paetri ducked her head. "No, but thank
you. It's the dress." She reached to take the basket from him, and
took another deep breath. "Where would you like to sit?"

"Not too close to the water. Some of the dragons like to splash." He
walked a short distance to find a good spot and unrolled the blanket.

Brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear, Paetri watched until
he had spread out the blanket before seating herself on the blanket.
Because of her nerves,she immediately fell back to what she had been
taught, moving with
careful grace and sitting with absolute decorum. Lifting the basket,
she began to spread out the food carefully, her brow knitted in
concentration.

She looked so serious. "Is something wrong?" Jykri sat cross-legged,
propping his chin in one hand.

Paetri paused and looked over at Jykri before tucking a strand of hair
behind her ear. "Well, I'm a little nervous." She licked her lip. "I mean..
am I doing something wrong?"

"You look like you're thinking really hard. And don't be nervous, it's
just me." He smiled, although he felt a tiny bit nervous himself. They
were friends, and he didn't want to do anything to ruin that.

She blushed, caught, and then laughed softly. "I know...I just...
I was always told to act a certain way when someone was interested,
but it just doesn't feel right now." She chewed on her bottom lip.
He was right. It was just him and she should have to try to impress him,
should she? "I guess I just need to relax and not worry about whether or
not you think I'm graceful, don't I?" She gave a wry smile.

"Graceful?" he asked with a laugh. "You're not planning to dance for
me, are you?"

With that Paetri giggled and shook her head, visibly relaxing on the
blanket. "Thank you for that..." Her eyes warmed. "I was being completely
silly."

"Remember, you're not trying to snag a husband anymore." He nudged her
playfully. "This is the Weyr, you get to be yourself." His sister
Kisaline had been right. He was happy here.

Paetri leaned slightly against him and nodded. "I know..." She turned to
him and took his hand lightly. "I'm still getting used to that." Her smile
was brighter and she echoed his thoughts." I"m happy here."

He leaned down to plant a quick kiss on her cheek. He couldn't help
it, she was just too cute. "Me too."

At the kiss, she blushed brightly and looked up at him. "I didn't think I
would be, you know."

"Why not?"

Taking a chance, Paetri was bold enough to lean against his shoulder lightly.
"I was afraid, Jykri. Afraid I would be a burden here too." She closed
her eyes, but her smile wasn't pained, it was relieved. "But I haven't been.
And I have friends now. Good friends."

Jykri wrapped an arm around her waist. "I'm glad it's better than you expected."

"It is." His warmth made her comfortable and despite the unfamiliar
feeling of being held, she relaxed, laid her head against his shoulder
and her hand lightly over his. There was a deep sigh from her and
a warm smile lit her face.

They stayed that way for a few minutes. It was nice, but his stomach
grumbled. "I think we should eat," he said with a laugh.

Laughing lightly, Paetri sat up and without pause began to cut the
blocks of cheese and meats with careful fingers. Handing him the
slices on thick chunks of bread, she took her own smaller pieces and
nibbled, but kept her eyes on him, a curious expression in the brown
orbs.

For a few moments he munched obliviously, then he noticed her looking
and asked, "What?"

Tearing her bread into little pieces before she nibbled on it, she
gave a light giggle. "I'm just looking."

"You mean admiring." He turned slightly and made a dramatic pose,
holding back a laugh.

There was a soft peal of laughter as Paetri's eyes crinkled. "You are
a silly man, did you know that?" Leaning quickly, she brushed her
lips over his cheek. "But I like it."

The gentle kiss lit him up inside and he wanted more. Jykri pulled her
close and pressed his lips to hers.

There was a soft gasp before Paetri's eyes fluttered closed as she
experienced her first kiss. It felt gentle and sweet and she gave
a winsome sigh against his mouth as she laid a light hand on
Jykri's shoulder, keeping him close.

Encouraged, he kept it soft and slow. When Jykri pulled back he looked
at her, waiting to see her reaction.

Eyes slowly fluttered opened as Jyrki pulled away and instead of
perhaps an expected blush, Paetri's eyes were soft and warm as
she smiled at Jykri. It had been nice. More than nice.

"I was worried that might have been too fast for you." He took her
hand, twining his fingers with hers.

"No." Her fingers slid against his as she shook her head. "I trust you."

That made him feel warm all over. "Just let me know if you're not
comfortable with something. I'm used to ... well, Daret and S'vin." He
laughed.

"I will." She leaned against him again, then giggled. "Well, I'm a
girl, so there's bound to be a difference, you know."

He laughed again. "I know _that_!"

Continuing to giggle, she laid her head on his shoulder, finding him
comfortable. "Can we stay like this for a while?"

"Sure." He looked out at the lake, the dragons and riders splashing
around. That would be him soon, he hoped. Him and Paetri

Last updated on the April 1st 2013

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First Dates are Sweet