Caring

Writers: Devin, Eimi
Date Posted: 6th March 2006

Characters: Gaiya, K'mai
Description: Gaiya and K'mai open up to each other
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 11, day 2 of Turn 3

K'mai

"So how's my favorite foster mother?" K'mai asked as he sat down across from Gaiya. She looked up from her plate, almost startled that someone had been speaking to her. "Sorry, I was somewhere /between/ there," she smiled. "What did you ask, K'mai?"

"I asked how you were," he said with a gentle smile.

"Oh, fine! Just fine," she smiled back. "And you? I haven't seen you for while. Have you been well?"

"I've been great. Plenty of things to keep me busy, lots of attractive new young candidates to look at." He winked. "I'm sure," Gaiya chuckled knowingly. K'mai had always been one for the ladies... and the men...

"Anything new and exciting going on?" He asked.

"No," she shrugged, using her piece of roll to sop up a bit of broth from her cream soup. "No, my life has become... pretty boring."

"Well, that's a shame." K'mai rested his chin in his hands. "Is there anything I could do to spice it up?"

Gaiya gave a rather unlady-like snort. "I'm sure you'd be happy to try."

"Of course I would!" He grinned. "Yeah, well you're not the only one, buddy," she said with a teasing stern gaze. It son turned into a more serious expression. "K'mai, when you and I were together... Well, I know you had other lovers, right? Did you care about them at all? Or was it just... without feelings at all?"

K'mai laid his arms on the table and his smile faded. "I care about everyone I sleep with. Some I care for more than others, but I always care."

She nodded. It wouldn't be like him not to care. "Did you care about them more than you cared about me?"

He shook his head. "No. You meant a lot to me Gaiya. You still do." He felt bad about the hurt he'd caused her. They had been young, and misunderstanding had strained and finally broken their relationship. "So, you thought that as long as you cared about me more than you cared about them, that sleeping with them wasn't a bad thing at all?" Her question wasn't accusing or hurt or angry. More searching.

"Well, yeah," he said quietly. "I loved you more than anyone else. Even though I cared for other people, I didn't mind if they came and went in my life. I wanted to be with you for a long time, maybe the rest of my life."

"Shards, K'mai," Gaiya whispered, dropping her eyes to the table. She wasn't looking for a confession just answers. "I'm sorry. But maybe it's for the best. I've learned that maybe caring about me isn't such a good thing anyway."

"Why would you say that?" he asked, concerned.

"I think I just end up hurting the men who care about me," she whispered, her eyes suddenly stinging a bit.

"Don't think like that, Gaiya," K'mai said gently. "But I hurt you, and then I hurt L'cian. And if Ar'lis knew about L'cian, it would hurt him too." A small tear rolled down her cheek. "I never meant to hurt anyone."

"Of course you didn't," he reached across the table to take her hand.
"Do you want to talk about it?"

Gaiya shook her head. "Not here."

"We could go somewhere else. Maybe your weyr or mine?" It wasn't the usual circumstance in which he usually gave that suggestion.

She considered it a moment before replying. After all, K'mai had at one time been her love. Still, she was sure Ar'lis didn't know that. But she didn't want to add to her list of men she has been seen sneaking off with, no matter how innocent the intentions. But she had to talk to someone... "Ar'lis might come back to my mine. We'd better go to yours."

K'mai nodded. "Okay." He stood and led her from the table. Even if he could do no more than listen to her troubles, he wanted to help.

Last updated on the March 6th 2006

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Caring