Larede · · · maximize for best effect · · ·
stats :: candidate :: jr.weyrling :: sr.weyrling :: adult :: Beach Shards Weyr :: Quinalt Weyr :: Aprilrain

The first thing she was aware of was that her bed and quarters seemed strangely empty. Sitting up, she realized that the pillow on the other side of her bed was wrinkled, as well as the sheets. With the gradual clearing of sleep from her mind, Larede remembered why, and smiled in remembrance. Yes, she had definetly outdone Kaparell for once.

Pulling on a sleeping robe, Larede left in search of I'soas. He was sprawled on the bed in the guest room, and Larede paused for a moment, considering whether or not to wake him. She settled for pulling a cover over his tanned, bare shoulders. The brownrider shifted in his sleep but didn't wake up. She got halfway to the door before she was aware of his eyes on her back. She turned to see him grinning at her, propped up on one elbow. "Awake, are we?" she asked, walking back towards him.

"Yes, we are," I'soas replied, grasping her arm and gently pulling her down onto the bed beside him. "And a bit lonely."

"You could have stayed," she replied, raising an eyebrow questioningly, her expression plainly stating that that would have been preferable to waking up alone.

"I didn't know how your parents would have taken to it," I'soas replied with an indifferent shrug. "Some holders..." he stopped and caught himself, finishing with another little shrug.

"My mother would have jumped for joy and my father would have been one jump behind her," Larede told him. "They'll be ecstatic that I've managed to win the favor of a dragonrider. And if I were you I'd haul it out of here before she finds out and has us espoused."

I'soas grinned sympathetically. "That type huh? Sorry to hear it. I don't have any plans to leave until after the morning meal at the earliest. Would you be interested in coming along?"

Larede smiled but shook her head. "Wish I could, but I'll be working in the fields after the morning meal. Perhaps some time that's not so busy.

"Perhaps," I'soas repeated. He looked down at himself, seeming to realize for the first time that he was in his under-trousers. "I suppose I ought to dress before we go to eat, huh?"

"I'd prefer that you didn't," Larede replied with a chuckle, "but decency dictates that you must."

I'soas made short work of dressing and the two were soon on their way to the kitchen, hands entwined. Before they reached their destination, they untwined their hands and entered, looking properly exhausted. The rest of Larede's family was already seated and sipping quietly at mugs of klah.

"Sleep well?" Roima asked, eyes flicking from Larede to I'soas and glinting as she instantly recognized what had happened. Larede hoped dearly that she'd have the sense to keep her mouth shut.

"Like a log," I'soas replied, collapsing into a chair. Larede pulled the chair next to his out slid into it.

"I wish I'd slept that well," Redea complained, taking another sip at her klah. "What about you, Larede?" Sleep like a log as well?"

Larede ignored Roima's cough that sounded suspiciously like "with". "Not that soundly, but well enough."

"I imagine," Roima remarked, and Larede shot her a reproachful look.

Redea just grinned. "Stop being so secretive Rede," she teased. "The only two people in this hold who don't know how you two actually slept are the children."

Larede heard I'soas let out a sigh of releif beside her and Larede realized that she too had been very tense. "Well?" Larede asked, waiting for her mother's verdict on her latest romantic interest.

"He's a dragonrider, he's handsome, and he is gracious enough to accept my cooking," Redea added with a grin. "I like him."

The rest of the meal was much more relaxed, except for the occasional comment from Roima. When the meal was over, I'soas announced that he'd better be getting back to the weyr. When he finally left, Larede accompanied him to his dragon, who was waiting patiently in one of the fields.

"I'll come back and see you soon," he promised, giving Larede a quick hug before climbing up onto his dragon. Maeleroth winged his way into the air a little ways before going between. Larede turned and walked back towards the hold.


a sevenday or so later...