Just A Dance?

Writers: Avery, Paula
Date Posted: 17th May 2017

Characters: Kapera, Corowal
Description: A dance between a goldrider and Lord Holder shifts to something more.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 21 of Turn 8

Kapera

The nice thing about a Hatching feast was that you got to meet a lot
of people, Kapera thought as she finished her second glass of wine.
And the nice thing about being the Weyrwoman's _Second_ was that,
while you had to be as charming as you could be to all the ranking
guests, you didn't have ultimate responsibility; didn't need to worry
that one poorly-chosen word would end diplomatic relations with the
Hold that looked to you. Which made it all the better, because she
could mingle, and laugh, and dance, and flirt, as much as she wanted.

She turned to see where she could get a glass of juice and spotted a
table not too far away that had a large pitcher with a caverns worker
refilling glasses. Over by that table she spotted Lord Corowal of
Emerald Falls. He'd seemed a nice man every time she'd met him, and
was handsome enough. So she put her best charming expression on as she
headed that way.

"Lord Corowal. How are you doing this evening? Enjoying the festivities?"

"Weywoman Kapera," Corowal greeted her with a bow. "I always enjoy
Hatchings. Nothing better than see those little dragonets finding
their lifemates," he replied. One of the best part of being Lord
Holder, he thought, was that he was automatically invited to
Hatchings.

She had to admit to a flush of pleasure at the title, even though she
knew what he meant. "It's a beautiful sight, isn't it? The next new
hope of Pern starting off their lives. There's little else so
wonderful."

"Well, there's the having your own children born, but I don't get to
see that, really. For some reason the men aren't allowed to be
present," Corowal replied.

"From what I've heard about the process, that might be a good thing. I
hear there's screaming and cursing your name," Kapera said lightly.

She'd been minor Blood. If she hadn't run away, she might have married
a man like Corowal, had his children. Not had Riyanth and the freedom
of choice that had allowed her to resolve her own recent crisis.

"How is your Lady wife doing?" she asked.

"Not too well, she's still at the bedrest," Corowal said with some
concern in his voice. "She would have loved it here."

"I'm sorry to hear," Kapera said, glad there was no possibility of it
happening to her. "When she can travel again she is welcome, as you
always are."

"She was annoyed not to be able to come here. I'm sure your concern
comforts her," Corowal replied. "So, are you mood for a dance?" he
invited when he heard the harpers start a new set.

"I'd love to have a dance," she agreed, smiling at him. "It's the best
thing about the parties."

"That and the beautiful ladies," Corowal said. Taking her hand, he
planted a kiss on it before escorting her to the dance floor.

"I'm not sure I'd know about those," Kapera said lightly as she
allowed him to lead her. The kiss on her hand was quite the chivalrous
touch, and she thought she would have liked the manners of a man like
him. "Surely there are beauties among your own Hold?"

"Of course there are," Corowal replied. "But they are restrained by
the Hold morals." Not that ever stopped him.

She raised an eyebrow. "You find Hold morals limiting?"

"Very much so. I like to enjoy my life and they interfere with it,"
Corowal replied with honestly and gave her a boyish grin. "In Hold,
it's very much look, don't touch."

"You sound like a man who should have Impressed a bronze dragon,"
Kapera said, grinning back.

"A childhood dream of mine. Alas, I was born in a wrong era," Corowal
said. The music slowed a bit so he moved closer to her.

Kapera was enjoying the banter, so she swayed closer. "There must
still be perks of being in charge of it all, I'm sure."

"Of course there are," Corowal replied. He leaned closer so he could
whisper to her ear: "I'm sure you know all about those perks."

"I know a little something of influence. Though not the kind a
handsome Lotd like yourself would have."

"It's always a smart strategy to stay at the good side of your Lord
Holder," Corowal was enjoying himself. He let his hand "slip" to where
a modest, demure Hold Lady would either be pushing it away or slap
him. "You haven't seen my best side yet," he added more innuendo to
his voice.

"I'd be happy to see it," she said, making no move to remove his hands
and giving him a smile. "We could go somewhere a little quieter."

"What a perfect idea," Corowal murmured. He so loved this visits to Weyr.

Feeling emboldened by his obvious interest, Kapera led the Lord Holder
off of the dance floor. There were several private areas in the Lower
Caverns, not too far from the main area, that were suitable for
assignations. (She wondered sometimes if those had been set up on
purpose.)

"So tell me, how often do you stay at the Weyr for longer than a brief
visit?"

"Not often enough," Corowal replied. "Although I tend to stay
overnight for the Hatcings. It seems so cruel to pull a rider out of
the feast just to give me a ride home."

"Well then, it seems we might have some time to get to know each
other," she said as she opened a private room and invited him in.

Corowal followed her in, ready to put out his best performance.

Kapera locked the door, then stepped closer to the Lord Holder and
wound her arms around his neck. "Show me what you've got," she purred.

"Happy to," Corowal replied and wrapped his arm around her waist,
pulling her in for a kiss. He prided himself being a skilled lover, he
certainly had a lot of practise.

Last updated on the June 8th 2017

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Just A Dance?