Has Anyone Seen Abrei's Dignity?

Writers: Devin, Bree
Date Posted: 31st August 2006

Characters: Abrei, K'mai
Description: Abrei wakes up with a headache and a distinct lack of dignity.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 13, day 14 of Turn 3

Abrei

K'mai

The headache wasn't the first thing Abrei noticed. It was certainly not the
most pleasant feeling she'd ever had, but she'd been expecting it. What she
hadn't been expecting was the pleasant feeling of a warm body in the bed
with her.

The headache was what finally drove the pleasant feeling away, leaving in
its wake a feeling she'd never felt before. It was a peculiar mix of
apprehension and dread coupled with a healthy dose of shame. And it came
from the simple fact that she had _no idea_ who was pressing so warmly
against her back.

She wasn't even sure _where_ she was, and was far too afraid to open her
eyes and find out. And not just because of the aching feeling in her head...

"Good morning, Abrei," K'mai said quietly, mindful of the headache he was
sure she had.

It took her a few moments to place the voice, but it was certainly a relief
that she _could_. "K'mai?"

"Yep," the bluerider answered. "Now before you panic, or worse, start
hitting me, you passed out on the couch. I carried you in here because the
bed is more comfortable than the couch. Nothing happened. Unfortunately."

"Where's here?" she mumbled, sneaking a hand up to rub at her head. She had
vague memories of M'galec... shards, she was only glad she hadn't woken up
next to _him_. "How did I _get_ here?"

"You really _did_ drink a lot," K'mai commented. "You showed up at my weyr
last night, saying something about M'galec not finding you a bluerider, so
you went to get one yourself."

"Oh." She felt the blood rushing to her face, and was suddenly glad she
couldn't remember the night before. Something told her it hadn't been one of
her finer moments. "Well, thank you for finding me a place to sleep."

"No problem." K'mai smiled at her. "But you did pick a very inconvenient
moment to pass out on me."

Abrei opened her eyes and squinted up at K'mai, the feeling of dread back.
"I did?"

He chuckled. "You don't even remember, so you probably won't believe what I
tell you."

Her face suddenly looked defensive. "I thought you said nothing happened."

"Well, I meant we didn't have sex," he explained. "There was some very nice
kissing before you passed out, though."

Abrei groaned and buried her face in the pillow. "I showed up in your weyr,
started kissing you, and then passed out?" What a mature, dignified way to
deal with grief she'd chosen this time.

"Yes," K'mai said. "I was flattered that you came to me, but considering
you don't remember it, I'm not sure what to think." His tone was lightly
teasing.

"I think it should be something we don't talk about," Abrei replied
grumpily, her voice muffled by the pillow. "Especially not this morning. I
don't feel very good."

"Should I get you some water?" He offered.

"Yes, please?" came Abrei's pathetic sounding reply. One hand snuck up to
rub at the side of her temple as she groaned again. "Maybe a lot of it..."

"Alright." K'mai got up and left the room, returning a moment later with a
pitcher of water and a glass. "However you ended up here, it is a treat to see
you in my bed."

He was rewarded with a glare that was somewhat foiled by the slightly queasy
look on her face. It took Abrei two tries to push herself up and swing her legs
over the side of the bed. "Shards, how much did I _drink_?"

"That I wouldn't know. You showed up drunk, and I took the bottle you had away
from you." He handed her the glass.

She took the glass and cradled it between both hands. "Thank you, K'mai."

"Sure." He set the pitcher down on the nightstand and sat next to her.
"Anything else I could get for you?"

She took a sip from the glass and made a face. "My dignity?"

"What's it look like? I'll go find it," he teased.

"I don't know," she replied, trying to sound grumpy. It was hard to be mad at
K'mai, even with a terrible hangover. "I haven't seen it in a while."

"Hmmm. Maybe I'll ask around," K'mai cupped his hands around his mouth, "'Has
anyone seen Abrei's dignity? She'd really like to have it back'."

Abrei winced and held one hand up to her head. "I don't think that's helping my
headache." Not that much would until she got herself back to her weyr and her
stash of tea. "I'm just going to do without my dignity, I suppose."

"Dignity is overrated." He shrugged. "Do you want to rest here for a while, or
should I walk you to your weyr?"

She considered insisting she could walk herself back, but she'd already given
up on preserving her dignity. Besides, it would be even worse if she fell over
on her way to her weyr. "I think I should go back to my weyr."

"Okay." K'mai stood and held his arm out to her. "If you start to feel sick on
the way, please try to aim away from me."

"Only if you never tell anyone this happened," Abrei grumbled as she staggered
to her feet and let him lead her toward the door. And if he _did_ tell
anyone... well, she'd get drunk again just to throw up on his feet.

"Deal," he said with a light chuckle.

Last updated on the September 2nd 2006

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Has Anyone Seen Abrei's Dignity?