Indiscretion (2/4): One More Dance...

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 24th February 2006

Characters: Almonteo, Jathali
Description: Almonteo tries to resist the temptations of a friendly lady harper at his concert.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 10, day 1 of Turn 0

Almonteo

He really should find someone with a flit. It was Turn Over, after all. But then again, after their less-than loving parting, he wasn't entirely sure Carmora wanted to hear from him so soon. Shards, what had happened to them, Almonteo wondered as he frustratingly blew warm air into his pipe and used his hands to heat the metal a bit. It used to be that when he left, even for just the _day_, she would hold him so tight and cover him in kisses and whisper lovingly in his ear until the last possible moment, before they reluctantly released each other. When he came, Almonteo could expect an enthusiastic welcome that soothed away his worries of the day. Ever since they moved back to the Hall so he could pursue his Master's studies, she just seemed different. It felt as if she had pulled away from him for some reason. He had thought things would be easier for them at the Hall with lots of people their own age with similar interests, no more journeying... Things sure weren't working out the way he had hoped. And now, here he was on Turn Over, playing in the biggest performance of his life and all he could think about was how unenthusiastic Carmora had been about the whole thing. She didn't even wish him luck before they parted. She just handed him the bag and turned back to the baby.

"Almonteo, it's time!" Lorcellen said as he pulled his old friend towards the raised platform.

They took the stage, ready for their first set of the evening. The ensemble would be playing all new dance music for the celebrants, and it was all music _he_ had written. The crowd's response to it all would determine a lot about his future - if they hated it, his prospects looked dim. If they loved it, he would be _that_ much closer to his masters knots. And if they were indifferent to it... well, that would be even worse. He brought his pipe to his lips and with a dip of his head they began to play.

The listeners swayed at first with polite apprehension. After all it was a new song and the dancers couldn't anticipate the rhythm and tempo just yet.
But soon they took to the square, moving their feet to the lively tune like it was an old friend. Almonteo cast a glance over in the direction of his stern Master as his fingers continued in a frenzied blur across his instrument. Even the old man's foot was tapping to the beat as he nodded at the response with approval. The journeyman felt ten times lighter as the song finished and he grinned at the raucous cheers from the crowd as they called for more. Song after song went in much the same way until the last song, which was a little slower to give the dancers a bit of a rest. As Almonteo played he noticed that there was a woman, a harper by her knots, looking up at him from the side of the stage. She was not dancing, though she was swaying daintily in her beautiful Turn Over harper blue dress. Her lips curved into a smile as their eyes met, and he gave her a polite bob of his head in acknowledgement.

When the song had finally reached its conclusion, Almonteo and his fellow instrumentalists quit the stage to allow another group to set up for their turn. As he slipped his pipe back into its case a shadow passed over him, and he could hear the swish of fabric. He looked up to see the same woman as before standing over him.

"I heard someone say that you wrote some of those songs," she said in voice just loud enough to be heard over the beginning of the next song.

"Yes," he nodded, politely standing up. "It's part of my Master's project.
Did you enjoy it?"

She smiled, her eyes lighting up in delight. "It was amazing. Please tell me you'll be staying for long enough for me to hear some of them again?" "Why thank you," Almonteo smiled, his chest puffing up a bit under the praise. It was nice to know that someone, especially a fellow harper, had appreciated his work. "We'll be playing another set next candlemark, actually."

"Well, then..." she held out a hand to him, her smile widening. "I'm Jathali, and I'd be honored if you'd dance with me before your next set." "Almonteo. It's a pleasure." He took her hand and gave her a polite bow.
"I'd love to dance with you just as soon as I stow my instrument."

"Of course!" Jathali took a step back, smoothing her skirts down. "And I'll stand here and make sure none of the other women steal you away from me!
They will try, you know. A handsome man _and_ a talented harper... it's always been a devastating combination." "Are you saying you think me so easily wooed?" he grinned as he crouched back down to finish dismantling his instrument. "I pride myself on being hard to get." Shards, was he flirting? Naw, it was just polite conversation.

"And I pride myself on my dancing," she replied, winking at him. "I hope you dance as well as you play, harper! If you can keep up with me, I'll woo you anyway you like." His hands stilled for just the barest of moments. No, she did not mean what it sounded like. She was a _harper_ after all. She would know better. "I dance even better than I write..." Better make sure... "At least, that's what my wife would say."

Jathali just grinned. "Well since your wife isn't here, I'll be the judge of that." "Well," Almonteo chuckled as he snapped his case closed, "you'll soon find out how I made my wife fall in love with me."

"You must be a _very_ good dancer then." Jathali caught his hand and pulled him in the direction of the dance floor. "I can't wait to see how good." He laughed as he whirled her onto the dance floor. Jathali's dancing was impressive. She could keep up with him perfectly, turn for turn and twirl for twirl. By the end of the music they both came to a stop laughing and fighting to catch their breath. "You are an amazing dancer, Jathali,"
Almonteo smiled.

"They had some fabulous wine over there." Jathali nodded at a table in the corner. "Shall we see what vintages the vintners have to offer?" "After you," he said, putting a hand on the small of her back and leading her off the dance floor. After that dance he was still trying to breath normally, and wine sounded very good. He grabbed them each a glass. "I hear the Weyr gets the best wines."

"When we get it from the Vintner Hall we certainly do," she replied, taking a sip of her wine. "Of course, sometimes some of the more adventurous riders try to make their own. That can turn out rather interesting." "I can imagine." He looked at her knots again. She was not a rider, just a harper. Perhaps she was fleeing the craft ban? Or maybe she had been born at the Weyrhold... "May I ask what your specialty is?"

"My passion is singing." She winked at him. "And dance. And when there's no performing to be done, I teach apprentices how to sing." "Hmmmm," Almonteo hummed appreciatively as he swished the wine around in his mouth. Some of the best he had ever tried in his life! "And will I have the pleasure of hearing you perform today?"

"I sang earlier," she admitted. "But I might be willing to sing again if you'll play something for me to sing to." "Well, I'm slated to play _dance_ music today, but..." he smiled. "I know a few of the harpers. Maybe I can sneak something in for you. I would love to hear you sing."

Jathali laughed and gestured for the apprentice with the wine flask to refill Almonteo's glass. "I was thinking about later..." "Well, of course not now," Almonteo chuckled as he drank down his glass quickly. "I _love_ this song. Will you dance with me?"

After finishing her own glass of wine, Jathali set it aside and slipped an arm around Almonteo's waist. "As if you even need to ask." Wine was a pleasant tingle in her head--that had hardly been her first glass--and his body felt nice against hers. They danced the next song, and two more after that, laughing as they both tried to one-up the other with their skills. Finally Almonteo had to leave her to play again. He was reluctant to leave, he was having so much fun.
It had seemed like so long since he had just let go like that. As he took the stage, he noticed Jathali standing near the stage smiling up at him, and he couldn't help grinning back. Despite his excitement at playing his own music, when their set had finished, his eyes looked automatically for her.
Maybe he could steal her for one more dance before the night was over. An arm slipped around his waist from behind, and another arm came from the other side with a full glass of wine. "The best to be found in the Weyr, as a reward for such wonderful music." "Thanks," he said quietly with a smile as he took the glass. Almonteo could feel the heat rising to his face, though he wasn't sure if it was from the praise or her arm so neatly wrapped around him. He looked down into her smiling eyes as he took a drink.

"So are we going to dance again?" she asked, plucking the cup from his fingers to take a sip of it before handing it back. Her cheeks were flushed from excitement and no few glasses of wine, and her eyes sparkled as she smiled up at him.

He couldn't help but notice the glint in her eye, and he could feel his body starting to react to it. But dancing was safe enough, he reassured himself.
"But of course!" Curling his fingers around hers, he lead her back out onto the dance floor, promising himself that this was the final dance.

She took every opportunity to brush against him, pleased that the dance was one that allowed for _lots_ of accidental touching. Almonteo couldn't say if it was the wine, the excitement of the evening, the fact that it had been a while since he had felt so wanted, but he knew not every touch was an accident, and he found himself brushing her back. As the dance ended they both stood staring into each others eyes, breathing heavily, thinking their own thoughts. His wife was forefront in his own.
**Shards, why couldn't it be Carmora here tonight.** Finally Almonteo cleared his throat as his eyes lowered to the floor and he reluctantly released her. "Uh... I have to leave in the morning. I really should check in with my master and then... call it a night..."

Jathali let her fingers brush against his, the barest touch. "I could walk you back to the weyr they gave you," she offered quietly. He could feel her touch in the deepest parts of himself. Summoning his strength he whispered, "I think I can find it on my own."

After a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching them _too_
closely, Jathali stood on her tiptoes and brushed her lips lightly against his. "I hope to see you again, Almonteo. Soon."

"Thank you for the lovely evening, Jathali. I hope so too." But it was a lie. He hoped he never saw that woman again. Then maybe he could forget all the wonderful feelings and thoughts her gentle kiss had given him. With a small smile and one last lingering look, he turned and walked back behind the stage.

Last updated on the February 24th 2006

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Indiscretion (2/4): One More Dance...