Distraction

Writers: Bree, Yvonne
Date Posted: 20th February 2006

Characters: Kenza, J'nus
Description: Kenza borrows a book from J'nus... or that's the original reason why she knocked on his weyr door...
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 10, day 12 of Turn 3

Kenza was leaning against the doorframe when J'nus opened his door, her robe tucked tightly around her and her hair already braided for bed. She gave him a tired smile. "I know it's late, but I was hoping you'd let me borrow another one of your books."

The bronzerider opened the door wide enough for her to enter and ushered her inside. "You brought the last one back?"

She held it up. "Of course. I thought it would last me longer, but I haven't been sleeping all that well. If I'm going to be awake, I might as well have something to occupy myself with."

"Oh? Something on your mind?" He led the way through a maze of tables whose surfaces were filled with half-finished models, wood carvings, and piles of hides and books. The bookshelves were just as cluttered with odds and ends, as well as the occasional stone he'd come across and decided was pretty enough - or a unique enough specimen - to keep. The clutter made his weyr look half as large as it actually was. Kenza shrugged and paused to examine one of the wood carvings on the table.
"The usual, I suppose."

"Worried about the Wing?" J'nus stopped in front of a bookcase to peer at the titles haphazardly stacked on its shelves.

"Always," Kenza replied, rubbing at the side of her face. "Though now I'm worried about U'kaiah as well." She had _known_ U'kaiah was under stress, but she hadn't done anything about it.

"U'kaiah will manage to take care of himself, I'm sure," J'nus said dryly. A lapse in judgment... he'd had a few of those when he was younger, and he'd survived them. "He just needs some time to sort things out for himself."

"I suppose." Kenza sighed and moved over to join him at the bookshelf. "I don't want anything too deep. I spend all day thinking."

J'nus smiled. "An over-rated activity. Which means that Theranguar's theories on flight are out."

Kenza groaned. "Please. Tell me you have something nice and shallow on that shelf somewhere. Though I suppose reading Theranguar's theories of flight might help with my troubles sleeping... I just hate to think of the sort of dreams I'd have."

"Dreams of flying, I'd hope." The bronzerider reached out to pluck a slim volume bound in blue leather from the top shelf. "How about poetry? It's light as anything, I promise."

"Poetry?" Kenza hoped she didn't sound as doubtful as she looked. "I've always preferred my poetry out loud and set to music, but I suppose it might work."

"You look skeptical. No poetry, then." J'nus replaced the book. "What _do_
you want to read, then?"

Kenza sighed and shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe it's hopeless. There's nothing I can do to stop worrying until I know what's going to happen with the Wing. I wish sometimes I hadn't grown up so responsible."

"You didn't grow up responsible, my dear - you _became_ responsible. There's a difference." J'nus plucked another book from the case and handed it to her. "How about a novel?"

"Probably a good distraction." She glanced up at him with a half smile.
"Unless you'd be willing to let me stay and distract you."

"Kenza - are you hitting on me?" The bronzerider was grinning as he held up the book between them. "And here I thought you were interested in my library. Shame on me."

She made a face at him. "I _was_ interested in your library until you pulled out the poetry." She took the book from his hand and set it aside before stepping up to him and sliding her arms around his waist. "As for whether or not I'm hitting on you... well, if you're not sure, then I'm doing a terrible job."

He ran his thumb along the soft skin on her jaw line, then back along the edge of her bottom lip. "You'll have to forgive me. It's been a few turns since I've 'played the game'."

"I don't play games anymore," Kenza replied softly, enjoying the gentle touch. She let her hands slide slowly up his back as she leaned into him.
"Can I stay here tonight, J'nus?"

"If you'd like." He found he didn't mind at all.

Last updated on the February 21st 2006

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Distraction