An Introduction

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 31st May 2008

Characters: Nialyn, K'lar
Description: Nialyn becomes acquainted with a silent admirer
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 10, day 1 of Turn 4

It was almost a little game he played with himself as he discretely watched her over his mug of beer. Every night for at least the last month he would come down to the dinning hall for a mug of klah or ale, sometimes chat with someone, sometimes sit alone, but always his eyes were looking for her - the pretty fair-haired drudge with sad eyes. Once or twice she had looked over in his direction, but he quickly looked away, afraid that she would catch him looking at her. And yet he couldn't take his eyes off of her. There was something so sweet and honest about her face. She seemed almost out of place in a Weyr full of so many confident, forward women.

It's not that K'lar didn't appreciate those women, or think that women ought not to possess those qualities, but this girl had a look of fragility and innocence that pulled at him deep down. He wanted to know where she came from, why she was here, what her name was, what her voice sounded like. But at the same time he wondered if knowing those things would actually shatter his illusion of her, or make him fall in love with her. And that was why he had contented himself with this nightly little game of watching her from a safe distance.

But tonight there was more than just sadness in her eyes. She seemed angry, upset. Her eyes kept glancing up at someone, but just who he couldn't tell. The room was still too full of people. He wondered what was wrong, why she seemed so agitated, why she wiped the tables with such ferocity. When he noticed her discretely wipe at a tear with the back of her hand and then another, it was too much. He just had to say something.
It tore at him to just watch her cry. Nervously he stood up and walked over in her direction and gently held out a handkerchief to her. "Here. You can use this."

Startled out of her dark thoughts, Nialyn stared at the offered handkerchief for a moment before it hit her that a man was indeed talking to her. Mortified that he'd seen her tears, and anxiously wondering if anyone else had too, she flushed a dull red and glanced quickly up into his face as she took it from him. "Thank you," she murmured. She didn't know what else to say, and, embarrassed, dropped her eyes, gently pressing the cloth to her cheek.

Now that the first words were spoken, he was at a loss as to what to say next. He had not exactly thought this through. "Is there... anything I can do?" Shards, he felt like an awkward fool.

If Nialyn had been at a Hold or Hall, his solicitousness wouldn't have surprised her. But seeing as how this was a Weyr, and that every man here had an ulterior motive when talking to a woman, she couldn't help but be a little suspicious. Once again she glanced up at him, expression sharp, but she didn't see anything except honest concern in his face--and that confused her.

Her silence was unnerving. Was this a mistake? "Or not... I didn't mean to bother you. I just noticed you seemed so sad and... Well, of course, you're right, its none of my business. I'm sorry. I can go now. Maybe you'd just rather be alone. Yeah, I can go." He turned, mentally kicking himself for ever leaving the shelter of his mug.

"No, no. Wait." Before she knew it, her hand was on his arm and she bit her lip for being so bold with a complete stranger. When he turned back to her, she gave him a small smile, hand sliding away. "I'm--I'm sorry. I just.... I wasn't expecting, well, this." She held up the handkerchief. It's not often guys are nice to us drudges without wanting something in return." Again, she found herself flushing and wondering if he would take offense. And he obviously wasn't a _guy_. He was older....a man.

"Oh, well, I don't expect anything, really." Hoped for, but not expected.
"I wasn't Weyrbred, you see..."

She blinked. "Me neither."

"I didn't think so." He hoped she wouldn't wonder just how he could have made such a guess on so few words exchanged between them. "My name is K'lar."

A non-Weyrbred dragonrider? Shells. She offered him a hesitant smile. "I'm Nialyn."

"Nialyn. That's a pretty name." And here he had just told her he wasn't trying to pick up the drudges and the first words out sounded like he was after just that! "Well, I... I don't want to keep you from your work or anything."

"Oh." She glanced around the cavern. "Um....I could get you something. If you want." She tilted her head to the side, expression brighter than it had been moments before. "Then that way, I'll still be working." After all, it was the least she could do for a perfect stranger who showed her kindness. And besides, talking to him was proving to be just the distraction she needed from her angry thoughts brought on by Birigundi's little show with another slut of a greenrider.

"Oh. Um..." He decided not to mention he had left a half-full mug of ale on the table. "Some klah and a couple sweetrolls might be nice."

She rewarded him with another hesitant smile. "I'll be right back with those."

He watched her leave, a soft smile creeping across his face. She was exactly how he had thought she would be - sweet, thoughtful, tender. He liked her even more now. **Faranth, I'm in trouble,** K'lar thought as he sat down at the table and took a deep breath. **Nialyn...**

It took her a while to jostle her way to the kitchens and back to the table without spilling anything, but she made it fairly quickly and mess-free. A part of her had been wondering if he'd still be sitting there when she got back--and he was. **K'lar,** she repeated to herself, her expression softening. "Here we go...." Carefully she set the platter of sweetrolls down, and then his mug of klah. "The klah's fresh. They just brewed a new batch and I was the first to get to it," she grinned.

"Ah, well, maybe that's the real reason why the riders go after the drudges. The special services." K'lar gave her a smile to tell her he was just teasing as he wrapped his fingers around the mug. "Oh, wow." He pulled them back quickly. "That's really hot."

"I told you," she chuckled. "Blow on it."

"Well, blowing on it works for the top, but not so well for the sides." Shards, she had a beautiful smile. It made him grin like a weyrling. "Maybe I should try the handle instead. I suppose that's what it's there for."

"Probably," she agreed sagely, blue eyes glinting.

He pulled a piece off one of the sweetrolls and stuffed it in his mouth. "So... What do you do when you're not here getting klah and sweetrolls for all us scheming dragonriders?"

Her expression became a bit more guarded at the question, but her smile was genuine. "Well, I have a daughter, Lyndi. I'm usually with her if I'm not here." Nialyn hated to be alone.

"Oh, I see." His smile became a little more forced. A daughter? So that would mean... "And your weyrmate?"

She looked down, fingers tightening around the handkerchief in her apron pocket. "I don't have one," she replied quietly.

He could tell this was somehow the source of the pain in her eyes. Had he been a rider killed in a Fall? Or was that why she was wary of dragonriders? One had tempted her and then left her with the child alone?
"So... who was the father?" K'lar hoped that wouldn't come out as an accusation.

The question was awfully pointed, but she couldn't take offense. After all, he was only keeping the conversation going. Weyrfolk were blunt about these kinds of things--and she had nothing to feel ashamed of. Nothing at all. "He and I....we don't...." She let out a breath. "We don't see each other anymore." Quickly she cleared her throat to hide the sudden tremble in it. Had he heard?

"Ah, I see." So he was alive, but he had broken her heart. That was so painfully beautiful. And thank Faranth she wasn't attached to him! "I'm sorry."

Her smile was a bit wry as she shrugged a smooth shoulder. "It's not your fault."

"Well, I'm sure it's not your fault either." He took a long drink from his klah and tried not to wince as it burned his throat. "Well," the brownrider said trying not to let the pain register in his voice. "I'd better not keep you from your work. I'm sure you're anxious to see you daughter."

Nialyn felt a small pang of disappointment, but she firmly pushed that emotion down. Looking down at the table, she gestured to his plate. "Don't you want your last sweetroll?"

"Oh, that's not mine," he said as he pushed the plate towards her. "That one is for you."

"For me?" Her smile was warm as she looked at him. Shards, she hadn't smiled so much in just one candlemark in so very long.... She loved the feeling. "Thank you, K'lar."

"Do you think perhaps sometime after you're finished working we can share a cup of klah and maybe a couple bubbly pies?" He hoped his voice sounded more casual than hopeful.

She hesitated, Birigundi's face flashing through her mind. Shards, what was she thinking? After what he'd done to her, what he'd accused her of, he didn't deserve her loyalty. And he was obviously having no trouble moving on from her, as he had so blatantly proved tonight. Irritated, she shoved the image of him down deep and met the dragonrider's eyes. What K'lar was offering was innocent enough, and to be honest with herself, she could use an evening out. "I'd like that."

K'lar tried to keep his features neutral. He didn't want to look too eager. "Tomorrow?"

Nialyn couldn't help the blush that colored her cheeks. Was she really that interesting to him? "Sure. I think Lyndi's fostermother will be able to keep her longer."

Shards but that blush was endearing. "Perfect. Then I will see you tomorrow, Nialyn."

Last updated on the June 1st 2008

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

An Introduction