An Elegant Occasion (Ashela's Party 1/3)

Writers: Devin, Estelle, Suzee, Yvonne
Date Posted: 18th February 2022

Characters: Ashela, R'enh, H'run, K'mai
Description: The guests begin to arrive for Ashela's exclusive party
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 8, day 20 of Turn 10

Ashela

R'enh

H'run

K'mai

Ashela lifted a wine glass from the table and carefully inspected it for
the faintest sign of smudges or dust. Satisfied that it was pristine,
she turned and surveyed the weyr. Although her guest list was highly
select and exclusive, she had still placed her favorite ornaments well
out of reach of clumsy limbs, and moved a sturdy chest to block the door
to her bedchamber. One could not be too careful.

The faint rustle of wings and scrape of claws on the ledge outside drew
her attention, as did Aglayath's greeting. Smiling, she set down the
glass and hurried out to meet the first arrival.

"Hello," R'enh smiled as he slid down to Mnoranth's lifted leg.
"Thought I'd get here a little early to help out. Need anything?" He
put his arm around her waist and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "You
look really nice," he said, sweeping her form with his eyes.

Ashela all but glowed with delight. "Oh, how charming of you to say so!
You don't look half bad yourself, Wingleader." This was very promising
indeed. Bronzeriders weren't always so attentive after the eggs had
Hatched, and for a moment she half regretted inviting anyone else.
Linking her arm with his, she led him into the weyr. "It's so kind of
you to grace my little gathering. Let's see, I think everything is
ready. But perhaps you could pour out the wine?"

Before they could get very far, the door to Ashela's Weyr was flung
open and H'run stepped in. He was dressed in a bright blue blouse with
billowing sleeves gathered at his slim wrists, and a pair of very
tight navy leather pants. Blue stones winked at his ears and he'd
lined his eyes with khol. A gitar with a strap beaded to match his
outfit was slung over one shoulder, and he carried a pair of wine
bottles in one hand that were straight from the Vintner's Hall.
Silvery rings winked from his fingers and his feet were bare. "Hello,
darlings!" he carolled as he stepped over the threshold. "I have
arrived!"

"Hi H'run," R'enh grinned as he picked up the nearest bottle and began
pouring it into the cups. "You going to play for us tonight?"

"Perhaps. It depends solely upon the whim of our elegant hostess." The
bluerider took Ashela's hand and bowed low over it. "You are radiant as
the sun, my dear."

"You're so kind. I thought I'd make an effort for my little gathering,
since I have such delightful guests." Still holding his hand, Ashela
twirled, letting the light shimmer off the rose-gold fabric of her
skirts. The gown did set off the pearls R'enh had brought her for a
Hatching gift beautifully. She might almost forgive H'run for arriving
early, just when she'd had him to herself for a moment. "I shall
certainly expect you to play, but I might allow you a glass of wine first."

K'mai entered in a much quieter fashion. For one thing, he didn't even
want to try to top H'run, and for another, he was wary of Ashela.
She'd nearly caused a tragedy because of her greed, and he wasn't sure
he wanted to be around that kind of person. K'mai wouldn't even have
come but H'run had asked, so here he was. "Weyrwoman Ashela, you look
lovely."

R'enh smiled and nodded at K'mai. "Thirsty," he asked as he continued to
pour.

"Oh dear, my head is spinning from all the compliments," Ashela replied
in mock reproach, though she was hard-pressed to keep her lips from
curving into a sly smile. "I should invite guests to my weyr more
often." She nodded graciously as another pair - a bronzerider and his
weyrmate - arrived, but had no intention of leaving her present company.
"It's a pleasure to meet you at last, Bluerider K'mai. I've heard so
much about you from my dear friend H'run."

"You came!" H'run slipped around the others and took K'mai by the
elbow. "I'm so glad you did."

"Of course." K'mai gave him a quick kiss. "How could I resist such an
interesting invitation?"

The other bluerider fairly glowed. "I see that you've already made
Ashela's acquaintance. She and I go back a fair ways, don't we darling?"

R'enh smiled at the pair and handed them each a glass of wine. Then he
picked up another filled glass to hand to Ashela. "Here you go," he
smiled. "Let's get this party started!"

The goldrider lightly clinked her glass with his and turned a
mischievous gaze on H'run. "We do indeed. I know some of his most
embarrassing secrets."

"Well now I'm curious." K'mai smiled.

H'run raised an eyebrow and blew Ashela a kiss. "It's true. She does.
But I know hers as well."

"And that's why you'll never hear any of them from me," Ashela said
swiftly, bestowing a dazzling smile on K'mai. H'run certainly had good
taste, she thought. Too bad he was a bluerider... "I will simply have to
leave the incident with the apprentice, the feather duster and the bowl
of cream up to your fertile imaginations. But enough reminiscing! I
ought to greet some more of my guests." The weyr was beginning to fill
up, with a select group of bronzeriders, senior crafters and weyr staff.
She looked to R'enh. "Will you escort me, Wingleader?"

"Of course my dear lady," he said gallantly and offered his arm.
"Secrets hmmm," he mused in her direction. "Anything interesting?"

"I could never let on any of my dear friend H'run's secrets," Ashela
replied, looking up at him through her lashes. That would be far too
risky. "But perhaps, if you're very persuasive, I might reveal some of
mine..."

"None of that is true," H'run murmured to K'mai. "Well, maybe _some_
of it is true, however the darling woman _does_ like a good story..."
He turned, his expression soft and very vulnerable. "I am _so_ glad
that you came."

"Worried you might be bored without me?" K'mai nudged H'run playfully.

"No, I... just thought you'd rather not be here," H'run looked away
and forced a smile. "Because of me."

"You're the reason I came, H'run."

For a moment H'run looked very vulnerable, hope kindling in his eyes
before being extinguished with a bright, false smile. "Ah. Well. I
shall do my best not to disappoint."

R'enh's eyes widened playfully at Ashela and he twisted his head in a
silent parody of the riders behind them flirting. Then he chuckled.
"They just can't help themselves," he whispered.

"Aren't they the sweetest?" Ashela caught a glimpse of H'run's
expression, and filed that away in her mind for later consideration.
"And they make such a beautiful pair. I hate to disturb them, but..."
She raised her voice. "Isn't it time for a little music?"

**Thank the Egg,** H'run decided to be extra sweet to Ashela for
giving him a way to escape that moment before he did or said something
he'd regret. He batted his eyelashes at K'mai. "Please do excuse me,
but duty calls. Let me tune my gitar, dearest, and let me know what
you'd like to hear!" he said to Ashela as he reached for his
instrument.

"Your adoring public awaits," K'mai said with a chuckle.

Last updated on the July 15th 2022

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An Elegant Occasion (Ashela's Party 1/3)