The Night Before

Writers: Chelle, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 27th December 2015

Characters: Nokala, Eionen
Description: Nokala runs into a fellow Harper, and she wishes it was with a wagon.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 22 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: A'kua, Saibra.

Eionen stared at his wine goblet and tried to remember which refill number
he had hit. Normally he didn't over-indulge, but tonight, he was nervous as
all get out and slightly irritated by some of the questioning looks and
whispers passed behind hands he noticed. But an overload of emotion was no
excuse for getting drunk off his arse; he had learned that over thirty
turns ago. So why couldn't he convince himself to stop?

"You know....that's never a proper solution to anything." Nokala had walked
into the room, noticed the whispers, and had put two and two together. She
had heard some of the rumors herself. And there was a marked resemblance.
She had also seen the knots and of course knowing A'kua's history like she
did, she half wondered. As it was, she was never afraid to speak to a
fellow harper. So the tall musician had made her way over to see what she
could find out. Faranth knew the boy didn't need any more setbacks.

"I know, but that does not diminish its allure," Eionen said, looking up.
Ah, what a lovely lady. It wasn't often he found women taller than he. It
was a novelty. So were her knots. How had she gotten around the craftban?

"And what brings you here, journeyman? You're definitely not a regular here
at Dragonsfall. I know..because if you were I'd have your name." He was
some turns older than her and as such she spoke deferentially even with the
slightly cajoling tone to put him at ease. He was safe with her, with a
colleague. After all, he was the same rank she was despite his turns.
Probably a wanderer then with no further ambition. One had to have ambition
for Mastery usually or a friend in a high place. "I'm Nokala, one of the
Weyr's harpers."

Ah, if she was Weyrbred, that would explain the ban evasion. Very nice.
He'd never really understood that decision anyway; it had happened before
he was born. Eionen raised his goblet to her. "Eionen of the Harper Hall.
I'm here because luck and the blessings of the Ancients brought me around,
for what those are worth," he said, getting a little more flowery thanks to
the alcohol. "How do you ply your trade in this fine place? Do you teach? I
used to have that kind of job."

"Oh aye I do teach. Regular lessons and some apprentices. And of course I
perform when I'm asked." Hatchings and turnover events usually meant a
rotation or two. "Luck is it? So you're not supposed to post here? Moving
on?"

"I don't post anywhere. I wander and entertain." Eionen knocked back the
rest of the wine in the goblet. "I might move on. I might not. It's not up
to me this time. My fate is in my son's hands."

"Oh your son? That's grand. What's his story? And why would he want you to
stay all of a sudden after so many turns?" The man wasn't young after all.
Then again Nokala had a certain idea but she was waiting. If this was the
same one..

Eionen motioned to a drudge carrying a wine pitcher, and got another
refill. "I don't know the entirety of his story. We only just met today. I
didn't even know I had any children. He may tell me to shove off, but I
hope he won't, even though that's irrational. I was hoping past hope we
could be a family." He smiled drunkenly, but proudly. "His name is Aluka.
He Impressed bronze here."

"You met him? And how did that go?" **Oh Faranth please don't let this
idiot set my boy back a decade** "A bronzerider, how impressive." **No
thanks to you**

The older Harper's face fell at the question. "I upset him. He ran away.
But then he said he would see me tomorrow. I hope I can explain, and give
him news, and make things up to him. It's all I've thought about for
sevendays."

"Can I maybe interject if you don't mind? No hurt feelings or anything
meant but...have you noticed how many times you said the word I in that
sentence? Maybe you think a moment about how he might be feeling and why
before you proceed. Why did you upset him?" She thought she knew why but
she'd give Eionen a chance to come up with the answer first.

Eionen actually sniffled. "Because he hates me," he said, and had another
slug of wine. "Can't blame him, truthfully. His old girlfriend told me why.
I still have to make it right."

"That's fine, but you should let it be on his terms. If he hated you, he
wouldn't have said he'd meet you again tomorrow right? I'm only saying let
*him* make the first move. He can set the pace. Find out what he needs from
you. Then go from there. You know, I know your son." She let that slip
casually, not really intimating that she was that invested in this matter
just yet. "It's his choice if he wants a relationship. If he doesn't,
you'll have to live with that."

"I know. The Weyrwoman said she wants me gone if he says I have to leave."
Eionen gestured expansively with the mug as he spoke, slopping out some of
the wine. "Oh, blast it," he sighed on seeing the resulting small puddles
on the table.

Sighing, Nokala wiped her face with her hand. Sad that A'kua had come from
this. Then again he had to get his musical talent from somewhere so perhaps
she could at least respect that. "Could you imagine if someone you had
learned to hate for your entire life just showed up all of a sudden and
acted as if there was nothing wrong? What would you do? Honestly, I applaud
him if he's giving you a chance. You'd best not screw it up."

"I know, but I still have to try," Eionen said, blotting up the wine with a
cloth napkin. "If there's a chance, even half a chance, I'm taking it." He
gave her a slightly soppy smile. "You're a kind woman to listen to me
blabber so. Thank you."

"Ah well you're welcome. I'm just saying take it slow. Let him come to you.
And keep him firmly in mind. Not your needs, your wants, your feelings.
Remember what he's feeling." She got up and downed a mug of ale and brushed
off her tunic. Time to find a certain bronze weyrling.

Eionen toasted her with his mug, careful not to spill anything this time.
Hopefully when he was sober in the morning, he would remember her wise
words.

Last updated on the December 29th 2015

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The Night Before