Learning About You

Writers: Avery, Miriah
Date Posted: 25th July 2016

Characters: D'hol, Kapera
Description: Kapera spends some time talking to D'hol.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 6, day 12 of Turn 8

D'hol

Kapera

D'hol watched as Yumath patiently, even eagerly, danced attendance on
the egg heavy gold. His lip curled in good humor. No one would ever
accuse his bronze of neglecting the gold that carried his young; all
she had to do was look the slightest bit uncomfortable and Yumath was
immediately hovering, ready to provide her with anything she wished.

He heard footsteps next to him and looked over to see Kapera. "He's
got her spoiled already."

"He is one of the most solicitous bronzes. It's a nice change of pace,
honestly," she said, giving him a polite nod. "I've seen Weyrleaders
whose dragons were less courteous."

"Always has been." D'hol replied easily and rubbed his chin. "Mind
you, Quinneth isn't pleased that he's not at the weyr in the evenings,
but when the eggs are hatched, he'll go back to her." He watched as
Yumath brought Riyanth a large, flopping fish. "I'm afraid you'll have
to get used to him hanging about."

She shot him a look at that. "I hope I'm not disrupting anything
between you and Jeyme."

"You're not." D'hol assured her calmly. "Jeyme's been very supportive,
actually." His eyes grew surprisingly warm at the mention of his
weyrmate, even crinkling a little at the corners. It wasn't an
expression many people saw on him. "Yumath has caught golds before and
we always try to make sure that both gold and rider are supported
completely."

Kapera noted the slight change and gave an answering smile. "I think
I'd rather work with an experienced sire than someone who's new to it
all. Dolphin Cove has some fine young bronzes, but..." She preferred
the idea of an older bronze who would give more eggs.

He turned to look at her and then his lips lifted a bit, humor
glimmering in his eyes. "Experienced is a good alternative to saying
we're old. Thank you for that."

At that, she did find herself with a laugh, the sound pealing out. "I
wouldn't dare insult you."

"Besides, some bronzes get to Yumath's age without ever catching a
gold. Can you imagine how awkward they might be, grown men capering
about with delight at their win? The teenagers might almost be
better."

He returned her laugh with a rueful chuckle. "It wouldn't be the first
time I've been called old." He turned from watch the pair of dragons
to turn to face Kapera fully. "Probably much the same as I acted the
first time Yumath caught. Proud and full of myself for sevendays. If I
recall, I made quite the spectacle of myself."

"I have a very hard time imagining you with merriment like that," she
confessed.

His brows rose and his lip corner curled up even more. "When you're
just a turn out of being a weyrling and your bronze catches an
experienced gold, it does go to your head. I was a teenager and
thought I'd just had the best victory possible. Then again, I didn't
have to worry about Thread then, either."

"Just a turn out? Yumath must be _very_ tricky indeed. With a pedigree
like that, this clutch should be impeccable." Assuming her own slip
hadn't caused a problem...

"Well, his very first clutch wasn't too impressive, to be honest. It
deflated my sails quite a bit. But then again, queens weren't laying
the clutches they are now. I think it had one bronze and one brown.
But every one since has been more sizable, and he's sired four
northern golds." There was some bit of pride in his voice at that,
though not as overwhelming as it may have been in a younger man. "I'd
be surprised if this clutch was small."

D'hol paused and considered Kapera for a moment. "I do have to ask,
though, if you need it, is what you would like me to assist you with.
I want this to be as stress free for you and Riyanth as possible."

"Yes, the pre-Fall clutches were much smaller. It was a mixed blessing
to see hers ramp up. And four golds is an outstanding number." There
was genuine admiration in her tone.

His inquiry was very polite, and she was struck again by the
courteousness. She found herself wondered what remaining a Weyrwoman
with him as her Weyrleader would have been like.

"Once she lays the eggs, she's a nightmare," she said honestly,
lowering her voice as though it would prevent Riyanth from knowing.
"She'll go /between/ to excrete and she'll allow bathing, but during
those times she'll insist on Yumath guarding the eggs and doting
attention on her. She'll probably rather him feed her than catch her
own food."

He nodded as he listened, passing along the information to Yumath, who
promptly assured him that he would take care of the queen's every
desire. "Yumath won't have a problem with any of that." He nodded to
the bronze. "He's already trying to feed her." He gave a short
chuckle, then continued. "But that's Riyanth, Kapera. Do you need me
to help you with anything? "

She took a moment to think about it. What did she need? D'hol wasn't
as stern and forbidding as she'd expected him to be, and this had gone
entirely diferently than she'd expected. In another time, she might
have asked him to entertain her with his services just to see how much
unbending he would do in private...

But she was at Dolphin Cove. D'hol was weyrmated. To Jeyme, who she
rather liked. And she and J'nus were - she didn't know, and her mind
shied away from considering that prickly issue. All she knew was that
she didn't want to damage any of the relationships either of them had
by making an offer that would be a bad idea and cause only confusion
and chaos at home.

But with sex off the table, she didn't really know what she could ask
him for. What did she need while Riyanth was grounded? What could she
ask him for that would be safe? The truth was, she couldn't think of
an answer - and in many ways, that was what concerned her most of all.

"Nothing I can think of," she said honestly. "Perhaps company once I'm
trapped in the temporary weyr. As long as it's not a bother to your
weyrmate. You could both drop in for cards or snacks."

His brows raised. That wasn't the answer he was expecting, but he
nodded. "It wouldn't be a bother. Jeyme may like that and she does
seem fond of you. We'd be happy to do that, or I would if Jeyme does
not wish to."

"Thank you. A month where I'm practically forbidden from leaving is
the worst," she confessed.

"Well then, I'll be sure to keep you company when you'd like me to."
D'hol inclined his head, but kept his eyes on her, studying her face.

"I'll have someone let you know." She nodded back to him. "It was good
having a chance to speak with you."

"Anytime." His smile was brief, but it was there. "If you need
anything, let me know."

Last updated on the August 16th 2016

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