Turn's End Fun (1/3)

Writers: Francesca
Date Posted: 30th November 2024

Characters: Kamalia, Arrilon
Description: Kamalia takes Arrilon to the Dolphin Hall Turn's End performance.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Chalzie

"You tricked me!" Arrilon yelled above the wind, moments after they
popped out of /between/ above a very familiar coastline. He had not
been back to the Dolphin Cove Weyr area since transferring more than a
Turn prior.

"I can't hear you!" Kamalia yelled in reply, lying. She asked Alaudath
to land along the beach, about a ten-minute walk from the Dolphin
Hall. As soon as they landed, she slid down and began removing layers.
Even though the sun was low on the horizon, it was still hot out.
After a moment, she looked up at her glowering brother, who had not
moved.

"Oh, don't be a baby," she said, her tone light.

"I'm not being a baby," he said sharply. "I don't know why you thought
I'd want to come here, but I don't. I'm performing in a few
candlemarks and need to get back to the Harper Hall."

She tried to turn on the charm that worked when they were younger and
she would convince him to sneak desserts from the kitchens. "Ari, I'm
just trying to help you get clearer about what you're looking for in a
wife. When you visited last restday, you said you were interested in
someone who was also a crafter. I thought it would be helpful for you
to remember what it was like being with a crafter. There's a dolphin
show, so it will be packed. I'm sure we won't run into Chalzie."

"Kam, this is a terrible idea. We haven't spoken since I left. I have
no reason to be here." However, if he could be sure Chalzie would not
see him, he would be very curious to see how she was doing.

"The show should be starting soon. Why don't we watch the show, then
go straight back to the Harper Hall? I've never seen a dolphin show
before, but some friends have been before and say it's amazing."

Arrilon gave a dramatic sigh and Kamalia smiled, knowing she had
convinced him. He removed his jacket and slid down. "If I see Chalzie,
I'm turning around and coming right back to Alaudath," he said.

"Of course," she agreed easily. Then, taking his arm, they made their
way to the dolphin show.

Twenty minutes later, and Arrilon was mesmerized. There was no danger
of running into Chalzie in the audience because there she was in the
show. He could not take his eyes off her as she dove over a dolphin,
was lifted in the air, and participated in some demonstrations.

Her hair was shorter than it had been the last time she had seen him,
but he was too far away to see if there were other small changes. He
was disconcerted by how much seeing her made his stomach tight and
triggered a wave of longing. It had been over a Turn. He thought he
had gotten over her. The fact that he obviously had not, but their
circumstances remained unchanged, was forcing him to go through the
heartbreak again. And yet, he was still glad to see that she seemed to
be doing so well and to remember that their Crafts were a priority for
both of them.

Kamalia silently watched her brother and saw love, yearning, and
sorrow cross his face at various moments during the performance. She
hoped dragging him there was a good idea. While he remained
captivated, she spoke with a young woman next to her who was a Hall
resident and learned an interesting tidbit about Chalzie's life.

As soon as the performance was done, Arrilon dragged Kamalia back in
the direction of her green and she didn't protest, knowing he would
not want to stay any longer. Once they were no longer surrounded by
others, she stopped and reached out to touch his arm. "Are you ok?"

Arrilon stopped as well and took a moment to answer. "Yes, I think so.
It was strange to see her, but it doesn't change anything. I'm at the
Harper Hall and she's here." He shrugged, then resumed their walk.

Kamalia kept pace with him and they walked in silence for a few
moments. "Well, I was chatting with someone standing next to me and
learned that she just walked the tables today."

"That's... great!" A smile crossed his face. "I'm glad. I know she was
working hard for it." He wished he could congratulate her, but
imagined that conversation would be awkward and painful.

Alaudath landed gracefully a few paces from the path that went from
Hall to Weyr. "Let's take you back to the Hall," Kamalia said,
slipping on her jacket. I'm looking forward to your performance."

Last updated on the December 4th 2024

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Turn's End Fun (1/3)