Just Fine.

Writers: Devin, Bree
Date Posted: 4th February 2007

Characters: K'mai, Lenala
Description: K'mai tries to flirt with Lenala, but she doesn't seem as friendly as she used to be.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 2, day 2 of Turn 4

K'mai

Lenala

The crowd was thining as K'mai entered the dining hall. It didn't take him long to notice the Weyrwoman's Second sitting alone and looking none too happy. Other people seemed to be avoiding her. The recent drama seemed to have put them off. Well, _he_ wasn't afraid to go talk to her. K'mai slid into the seat next to her. "Hello, Lenala. You look like you could use some company."

Lenala graced K'mai with a sad shadow of her usual smile. "K'mai. It's nice to see you."

"I know. It's always nice to see me." He leaned closer. "I think you could use some cheering up. I happen to know more than a few ways to accomplish that."

"Do any of them involve pouring me another mug of klah?" she asked hopefully, holding out her empty mug to him. "Not the most exciting pasttime, but I could certainly use it."

K'mai stood and bowed. "I'm happy to provide anything the lady wishes." The bluerider hurried off to find a pitcher.

By the time he'd returned, Lenala had composed herself and managed to give him a more genuine smile of thanks. "You're such a charming gentleman, K'mai. How do the ladies stand it?"

"There usually isn't much standing involved." He grinned as he filled her mug.

She laughed in spite of herself. "You're shameless, you know."

"So I've been told." K'mai sat beside her again. "Now that you have more klah, are there any other needs I should attend to?"

"You could give me a little friendly company," she offered, curling her hands around her mug and bringing it to her lips. "Tell me some gossip."

"About you or someone else?" He hoped she knew he was teasing.

Lenala made a face. "Shards, I can only _imagine_ what they're saying about me. Tell me the most outrageous story."

"I heard yesterday that you got pregnant with M'galec's baby and got rid of it. When he found out he flew into a rage, angry that you didn't let him make the decision for you." K'mai paused. "Hmm. That one makes _him_ look bad. Actually, a lot of them do."

Instead of laughing, the goldrider stiffened slightly. "Are _you_ going to start warning me about how he's no good for me next?"

"No." That seemed to be the general opinion of the Weyr, and K'mai was inclined to agree, but another warning wasn't going to help. "You're perfectly capable of making your own decisions."

She eyes him suspiciously. "I'm not often accused of _that_." In fact, she wasn't sure anyone thought she was capable of making her own decision. M'galec certainly didn't. Neither did Tsaera, most of the time.

He shrugged. "You're a full grown woman and a goldrider. I certainly hope you can make your own decisions."

"I know M'galec isn't perfect, but I like him." Even to her own ears, Lenala sounded unnecessarily defensive, but she couldn't seem to help herself. "I just wish everyone else would leave him alone."

"This conversation has too much M'galec in it. Let's talk about something better-- like you." The bluerider flashed a charming smile. "And me."

Lenala gave in and forced herself to relax the tight set of her shoulders. "Fine... tell me what excitement you've gotten into lately."

"Hmm, well, I convinced a weyrmated couple that there are definate benefits to inviting me over. I helped and adorable little weyrbrat with a scraped knee, and I showed a few new candidates how to get extra food from the kitchens."

"What an exciting and full life you lead," she replied teasingly. "Saving weyrbrats and feeding the hungry... and of course wooing men and women wherever you go."

"I can't imagine a better life." K'mai's smile turned wistful.

Lenala's eyebrow went up. "Is there something else?"

"Just the various pleasantries of a bluerider's life." He was smart enough to keep quiet about bedding Abrei. Aside from risking bodily harm by sharing that information, Abrei was his friend, and he'd always known her to be a private person.

"Sometimes I'm almost jealous." She'd always thought that Impressing a gold dragon would be the ultimate freedom. The reality was somewhat disappointing. "I wish my life was as exciting as yours, K'mai. I haven't rescued a single weyrbrat."

"You should spend more time with me. Perhaps it will rub off."

Lenala grinned at him. "Can you think of something to do that _won't_ involve wooing me? I doubt very much M'galec would be happy if I brought you home to share."

"We could go to my weyr," he said with an arched eyebrow.

There was a time when she would have been tempted. There was a time when she wouldn't have just stopped at being tempted. Since M'galec's angry explosion... well, she wasn't quite ready to upset him again. Especially not when things were going so well. "It's sweet of you to offer, but I'm not available to be wooed at the moment."

"Such a shame." K'mai straightened in his seat. "We could play cards, or wash our dragons--" Sebeth liked that idea. "--or we could share a bottle of wine and talk, just as friends."

"Maybe some other time?" she offered, pushing her tray away. "I've got to get back to my weyr to meet M'galec, but maybe we can play cards or wash dragons sometime."

"Ok." He reached out and took her hand. "If you want to talk, anytime, I'm a good listener."

Lenala smiled and squeezed his hand lightly before standing. "It's a nice offer, but I'm fine, K'mai. I'm fine." And before he could question that statement, she ruffled his hair and moved past him, striding away as fast as she could.

Last updated on the February 9th 2007

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