The Right Song

Writers: Devin, Yvonne
Date Posted: 17th January 2021

Characters: K'mai, H'run
Description: H'run has K'mai over for a visit and they have a difference of opinion
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 8, day 6 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: L'keri

K'mai

H'run

It was the night before a rest day and H'run had his favourite bluerider coming over, and he couldn't be happier about it. His weyr
was tidied and the mirror in the corner polished, and a full-bodied red wine stood breathing on a tray with a couple of glasses and plate
of cheeses and dried fruit. H'run had even remembered a second bottle of wine, which was currently stashed under his bed so that he could
whisk it out dramatically later.

He'd bathed and taken the time to smooth lotion on his skin and brush a lightly scented oil in his hair. He wore a green tunic that flattered his skin tone and he could say 'this old thing?' when complemented. Now all he had to do was set the scene. He lay on his bed, his bare feet stretched out in front of him and as he sat upright, propped up by far too many pillows as he plucked at his gitar.

K'mai was freshly scrubbed as well and came to knock on the bluerider's door.

"Come in!" H'run looked up as K'mai entered. "I'm so glad you could join me this evening. How are you?"

"Doing very well. Even better now that I'm here. You look wonderful," K'mai said as he took in H'run's appearance. K'mai knew a presentation when he saw one, and he felt just the tiniest prick of guilt that he hadn't taken a bit more time with his own grooming. A nicer tunic, maybe. But oh well, they were both here to have a good time and K'mai would certainly hold his end up in that regard.

H'run smiled, flattered by the compliment even though he'd engineered it. "Oh, this old thing? Thank you. I simply wanted to be comfortable tonight. Did you want wine?"

"I'd love some, thank you."

H'run set his gitar aside to pour K'mai a glass. He settled back into his spot with his own glass, enjoying the taste of wine on his lips as he picked up his gitar again. "So, my friend. What is new with you?"

K'mai took a sip and thought for a moment. "Hmmm, well. I visited some old friends the other day and I forgot just how good they are at dragonpoker. I'm lucky I didn't lose my trousers."

"Lucky for you, but perhaps not as lucky for them," H'run said with a chuckle. "Dragonpoker can be such fun when you're winning-- I suppose that's why there's so many songs about it." He played a few chords, then stilled the strings of his gitar with the flat of his hand. "I've been working on a new song."

K'mai's eyes lit with interest. "Oh? Would you like to share?"

"I thought you'd never ask." H'run ran his fingers over his gitar strings, then plucked out a simple, catchy melody, using the heel of his hand against the body of the instrument to set a beat. He played it through once before stopping to see what K'mai thought.

"Oh, I like it. You're good at this." Not every Harper was skilled in composition.

H'run preened a bit. Of _course_ he was good at it. "I'm still working on lyrics. L'keri-- you know L'keri. He told me the most _absurd_ story a while back, so I've been seeing what I could do with that. I'm thinking of making it a drinking song, just because."

"L'keri does have a lot of absurd stories, but..." K'mai made a face. "Maybe not a drinking song?"

"But the irony is too delicious." H'run's smile grew a little sharper. "I'm sure that you've heard about his little bet?"

"H'run, no. L'keri is a friend and he's having a hard time. Teasing is fine but there's a difference between teasing and just being... hurtful." K'mai could imagine how L'keri would react to someone writing a _drinking_ song about him of all things.

"Oh come on. You don't seriously believe that if he's sober for a year, some beautiful healer will bed him?!"

"No, but I do think he'll be healthier and maybe happier for it." L'keri hid it well but K'mai could see how much he was struggling. The brownrider wasn't the first friend he'd had with a drinking problem.

H'run pursed his lips, annoyed that K'mai wouldn't play his game. But then he sighed; the evening was still salvageable even if K'mai wanted to be a spoilsport about his new song. "Fine," he said, playing a few chords of a different song, something he'd written turns ago back at Dream's End Weyr. "How about something a little different, then?"

K'mai's shoulders relaxed, more than happy to change the subject. He hated arguments. "That sounds wonderful."

"No lyrics to this one, I'm afraid, but it is one of mine. Normally at this point I'd ask you to dance but seeing as my hands are occupied..." H'run smiled as launched into the jig he'd written.

K'mai tapped his foot along and soon enough forgot all about their small quarrel. "I'm the tiniest bit jealous of your talent. I would love to be able to entertain people with music. I can carry a tune decently enough but that's the extent of my ability."

"Really?" H'run perked up with interest. "Would you sing something with me?"

"As long as you keep in mind I'm no harper," K'mai said with a smile.

There was something intimate about singing with someone, and H'run always enjoyed the experience. No doubt he'd enjoy it more with a
handsome man like K'mai. "I'm sure that you have a beautiful voice. I'll even let you choose what you'd like to sing."

K'mai's brow wrinkled as he thought. "How about 'Under the Same Moons'? Do you know that one?" It was a pretty duet and the vocals weren't too difficult.

H'run's response was to pluck the opening chords. "Under the same moons..."

Last updated on the February 19th 2021

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The Right Song