Just a Cup of Klah...
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 27th September 2005
Characters: Daigoro, Cinale
Description: Daigoro and Cinale keep each other company on a sleepless night
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 7, day 24 of Turn 3
Notes: Follows "The Right Thing"
He knew it was late, but he just couldn't sleep. Daigoro had thought of knocking on Cinale's door. He had an overwhelming urge to see her at that moment. But he thought better of it. There had been enough sneaking around of male personel into rooms they did not belong in, and look at the stir that had caused, no matter how honorable or innocent the intentions had been. The Hallsecond walked into the kitchen quietly, hoping to find a quiet corner and a cup of klah, but found it occupied by the very woman he had wanted to see.
She looked up, surprised. "You're up late, hon."
"As are you," he said, trying not to grin at her. These were not happy times, after all. "How is Miryene this evening. Did the talk with Fielton and I upset her any?"
Stifling a sigh as she thought about what had passed earlier this evening between Miryene and Jio, she pointed to the chair beside her. "Why don't you sit there." She stood. "I can get you a cup of klah...and then I can tell you what _did_ upset her today..."
Her tone was tired and was tinged with a bit of irritation. Daigoro put both hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her back down. "Why don't _I_ get myself some klah, and you sit here and tell me what upset _you_
today."
She rubbed at her brow and gave him a small, half-smile. "Am I really so transparent?"
"No, girl," he said, his hands still resting on her shoulders. "I guess I am just learning to read you a bit more." Daigoro gently kneaded her tight shoulders, rather pleased with himself that he had caught on rightly to her mood.
She closed her eyes, allowing herself to just relax. "That feels good, Daigoro..." she rolled her shoulders a little, guiding his fingers to where she was more tense.
"Then I won't stop yet," he said, a smug feeling raising in his chest. The Hallsecond felt a tad guilty taking a small bit of pleasure from her pain, but he was finding that touching Cinale had a calming effect on him as well - calming and yet not... "So what is bothering you?"
"I had a nice, long chat with Jio today," she began, her eyes flickering open. Her tone was perhaps a tad bit drier than she would've liked...but she found that she didn't really care. Not when she was with Daigoro. She could be more honest about things while in his company.
"Did you?" He noticed her cool tone. Now she was confusing him. Just when he thought he had her figured out. She said it as if there was something he should know about Jio, and yet she had been defending him before... "And what did you two chat about?"
"He and Miryene exchanged some...harsh words earlier. Even one of my cups was shattered in the fray..." She sighed, leaning more into his hands. "He's a good lad, hon...but he just doesn't know how to balance his anger for what was done to her, and his worry that he still feels _for_ her." She shook her head, absently fingering the end of her braid. "And so I tried to talk a little bit of sense into him, but I ended up listening to him and what he had to say instead."
"Hmmm." The journeyman had cleared himself of any wrong doing in the affair, but Jio sure could not seem to get completely on Daigoro's good side. If he was upsetting Cinale, no matter how unintentionally, he still could not like the him. And yet, she still found it in her to defend him. Either Daigoro was still not seeing a clear picture of Jio, or Cinale was just a wonderful person. He rather supposed it was the latter. "And what did the boy have to say?"
"Many things. Most of the ranting was just his frustration talking. And so I let him rave." She paused, rolling her left shoulder. "Mmmm...a little lower, there, hon..."
"All right." He obediently moved his hand a bit and winced as he found a rather large knot. "And what could Jio find to rant and rave about? It's none of his business, after all."
"He cares for her, and because of that, he's making it his business..." She didn't really want to tell Daigoro all of what the younger man had said. Most of his outbursts had been rash, but some had held true confusion too. And as his friend, she couldn't break his confidence.
Daigoro shook his head in pity. "She's a married woman, no matter who she is married to. He has no business caring for her so much."
"But he does, Daigoro," her voice had gone softer. "No one can force him _not_ to care."
"I know, beauty, but if he knew he cared for her he should have severed the tie right there. Nothing honorable can come from continuing a relationship with a married woman, even a friendship, when you know you are in love with them. Not that I have had any experience in that regard, mind you."
Cinale looked up at him, then nodded. "I agree with you about that. And he should have. But he didn't..." she sighed again, one hand moving to lightly touch his arm.
"And you still think him a good and honorable man?" It was an honest question, with no hint of condescention or disbelief.
Her blue eyes met his brown. "Yes."
His hands stopped their kneading as he gazed down into her eyes. "Then you are a wonderful woman," he said simply as one hand reached up to touch her cheek lightly.
Whatever response she had died on her lips when she felt his fingers against her skin. A soft blush rose in her cheeks as she searched his eyes, and she gave him a small smile.
Daigoro suddenly felt very self-conscious. He mentally kicked himself for being so bold. The Hallsecond turned to hide his embarrasment. "I'll get that klah now. Did you want some too?"
Cinale cleared her throat softly and crossed one leg over the other. "Please..." Shifting, she recrossed her other leg, watching him.
He brought out two mugs and checked all the klah pots until he found one still slightly warm. "Here you are." He handed her the mug and took the empty seat beside her. Raising his mug he said, "To you, dear woman, for seeing the worst in us all, and still thinking the best of us."
"Who else is going to give you the benefit of the doubt if I don't?" she asked lightly, grinning a little. Then her expression turned thoughtful as she looked at him over the rim of her mug. "So...why are you awake so late, hon? Is anything bothering you?"
He smiled at her as he set his mug down. "No, I just wanted a cup of klah." **And your company...**
Last updated on the September 27th 2005