The Opening Gambit

Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 17th July 2014

Characters: Alina, Ervine
Description: Alina is joined by a friendly stranger at breakfast
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 22 of Turn 7
Notes: Notes: The Game 3

Alina

"Hello. Mind if I join you?"

Alina looked up from her breakfast tray, startled out of her thoughts. The young man standing across the table from her looked familiar but she couldn't quite place him. Blond hair, cheeky grin... was he a new candidate? She couldn't quite make out his knots from where she sat. "Please," she said after a moment, gesturing for him to sit.

"Thanks." He grinned and slid into the bench opposite, plunking his tray down across from hers. His plate was piled high with bread and cheese, and a mug of klah that was almost overfilled. He held out his hand. "I'm Ervine."

"Alina," she said, extending her hand. As soon as he touched her, she recognized him. He was the young man from the bathing pools a few days earlier, the one who'd stared. She felt herself flush bright red as he brushed his lips against the backs of her fingers.

"Charmed. I've seen you around, and I wanted to introduce myself before it got awkward," Ervine said.

"Oh." Alina looked down at her tray and discretely wiped the hand he'd kissed on her skirts. **What does he want? Why can't he leave me alone!?** Her plate was still half full... if she ate quickly she could leave. "It's a pleasure to meet you too."

"So, Alina. Where are you from?" Ervine asked.

"Nadol Cothold," she said after a moment. **As if you care.** She picked up a piece of cheese and set it down on her plate again.

"Haven't heard of it," Ervine said glibly, apparently unaware of her discomfort. He broke a piece of bread in two and began to slather it with butter from a tray on the table. "When were you Searched?"

"For the last Hatching." Resolutely Alina picked up the cheese again and popped it into her mouth. If she didn't eat something she'd be faint with hunger by the midday meal, and she wouldn't allow Ervine the pleasure of making her uncomfortable enough to lose her appetite entirely. He'd already driven her out of the bathing pools by being lecherous.

"Well, lucky for me you didn't Impress! Maybe this time." Ervine winked at her, and Alina looked away. "You'd make a good greenrider, I'd bet."

Her back stiffened. A good greenrider, her?! What was he trying to imply? "You just met me," she said tartly. "You have nothing to base that on."

Ervine grinned and shrugged. When he smiled, a dimple appeared on either cheek. "Just a good imagination, I guess. And it's good manners to say that to candidates. I took the classes for a while, just for kicks. Well, mostly to avoid working."

"And now you work?" Alina asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"Lower caverns." He tapped at his shoulder, where his knots identified him as one of the inventory clerks. "For four turns now. There's much less running."

"I see." She turned back to her plate, doing her best to polish off the rest in the least amount of time possible.

"So do you like it here?" Ervine asked.

Alina desperately wished for Elana. Elana always knew what to say, and could get rid of anybody. She wasn't as good at it -- too soft, as Elana would say. And Ervine had to go. Having him sit across from her made her feel too vulnerable, knowing that he'd seen her naked. And not just seen her. _Seen_ her. "Not really," she said after a moment.

Ervine raised his eyebrows in surprise. "That's unusual. Most cotholders love it here. The freedom, the beach, the dragons, the ability to do whatever you want... it's the total opposite of living under the bootheel of a hold."

"If we all liked the same thing, Pern would be in a lot of trouble," she said, quoting her mother.

"I suppose. So what do you like, Alina?" Ervine asked.

That was too personal a question, so she shrugged. "Lots of things."

"Such as?"

Instead of answering she stood and picked up her tray. "Like I said - lots of things. But I have to go. Goodbye, Ervine," she said, and turned to leave.

"Wait! You can't leave me in suspense like this!" Ervine protested. "Come on-- just one thing."

Alina sighed and turned back, not wishing to make a scene this early in the morning. "Sweet pasteries, the little cakes with cream inside. I like those."

Ervine grinned, and the dimples reappeared. "Me too. I guess we have something in common. Maybe we can raid the kitchens together sometime, make a picnic and sit on the beach to continue this conversation?"

**I'd rather cut my fingers off,** Alina thought. Instead she smiled, said nothing, and walked away. She could feel his gaze on her back until she left the dining cavern, and it made her feel as if the fabric was too thin, and that everyone could see her the way he had in the bathing pools. It was a terrible way to start the day.

Last updated on the July 28th 2014

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The Opening Gambit