A Secret Admirer?

Writers: Kaysea
Date Posted: 25th July 2007

Characters: Fog, Neke
Description: Neke tells Fog he may have a secret admirer
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 8 of Turn 4

Working at the forge all afternoon, the sweat was running down his body from the tip of his head, down his back and chest, all the way to the waistband of his trous. But finally, he had the pot fixed for Vaheri.

Occasionally he had glanced up to see the provisions being loaded onboard, and a wide, satisfied smile had split his face when he realised that for tonight roast herdbeast was on the menu, and Vaheri would be needing this pot before long. He twisted the handle back and forth in his hands, checking for any sign of weakness, and was pleased when none showed itself. Vaheri would be pleased; hopefully meaning there'd be extra rations for him tonight.

He walked across to the waters edge and hunkered down, his hands extending to the water that flowed in front of him, he splashed himself and felt his body start against the coldness of the water.

"You'd do better to jump in and get it all over and done with." a voice called from above; shielding his eyes he glanced up and saw Neke hanging over the guard rail of the veranda.

"That's as maybe, but do you have any idea how cold it is?" he called back.

She laughed and disappeared from the veranda. He shook his head and continued his hap-hazard bathing from the riverbank.

"Can't be that cold." Neke's voice came from close by, a short time later.

"You wanna find out?" he growled, and his hand shot out and grabbed her by the ankle.

"You wouldn't dare!" his sister laughed, and attempted to shake his hand from her leg.

"You don't wanna test me." he laughed at her, releasing her leg.

"It's just as well you did that." she said very quietly. "Otherwise you may lose your admirer if she thought you would do that to a woman."

"What are you talking about?" he wasn't really paying attention, realising he really would need to become totally submerged if he was to clean himself properly and not be offensive to all within sniffing distance.

Still hunkered down, he undid the lacing of his boots and then stood, kicking his boots off, one after the other, before reaching down and tugging at the stockings that were wet with sweat. His eyes met his sisters for a moment, "You're joking, no one is interested in me. Haven't been for many a turn." His tone was dismissive.

"Fine, have it your own way - " she grinned at him, "but I know, what I know."

His hands unfastened his belt, and then he undid the buttons of his trous and allowed them to drop and pool at his feet. "Yeah, right." he gave an amused humph, stepped put of his trous and jumped into the river. His breath caught in his throat at the coldness, his heart missed a beat, and for just an instant he replayed the day of his accident in his head - that first plunge into icy water did it to him every time.

"Do me a favour?" he called, once he surfaced.

"What?" Neke asked, bending to pick up his dirty, smelly and wet clothing from the riverbank.

"Oh! You're taking them anyway. Thanks - but could you also, bring me some clean ones down, please?"

"I'll be back in a few minutes. And Fog?" she stopped and considered him for a moment. He stopped rubbing his arms and looked up to meet her eyes again. "I wasn't joking." she said quickly before turning and walking back up to the gangplank.

For a moment he stopped to consider her words, before surreptitiously taking in the outer appearance of the paddleboat. There was no one watching him as far as he could see, but that wasn't to say no one had been, he supposed. Whatever, he shrugged, there was no one there now so why bother worrying. "Damn!" he muttered to himself, "I forgot to ask her to bring some soapsand." he sighed and turned to deeper water and began swimming in long, even strokes.

* * *

Up on deck, the woman appeared at the balcony again, and watched as the man cleaved through the water, so strong and virile - her breath caught in her throat and she felt her pulse quicken as her body flooded with a warmth she was becoming increasingly familiar with, whenever she looked at this man.

She had spent a pleasant afternoon watching him from high up on the deck, as he worked the forge and mended that little pan. He had worked so intently he hadn't been aware of being watched - at least, she didn't think so.

Her eyes hadn't left him as he reached the other bank and turned, and she walked hastily back to the chair she had spent a small part of the day sitting on. She didn't want him to know she had been watching; would feel such a fool if anyone else realised the way she felt.

She had spent so many marks on travelling up and back on the paddleboat, to say nothing of the marks she had spent on accommodation at the Seaport for those three days - three days when she had sat at the window and watched the port area for any signs of the man.Fog, his name was Fog, she must use his name, even if only to herself. It was a strange name, she couldn't imagine anyone wanting to call their child after the weather.

Lifting slightly from her chair, she glanced over the guard rail again, but he hadn't reappeared in the middle of the river. She sighed heavily, and stood. She may appear less conspicuous if she paraded around the veranda as a whole? He would be back on board before nightfall; the chances of passing close by him would be higher once they had cast off, but they weren't due to leave until morning, she sighed heavily and began her first circuit of the deck.

* * *

"Here're your clothes." Neke called out, and dropped his clean laundry on the bank. "I brought you some soapsand as well, I don't want to be able to smell you once you're back on board, and if your clothes were anything to go by - you stink." she laughed, and tossed the small linen of soapsand out to him. "Dinner will be ready in less than a candlemark." she warned, waggling her finger.

"Thanks." he called back as she turned to return to the boat. "Neke!" he yelled, and waited for her to stop. "We'll talk - later, yeah?" She nodded assent before turning and walking off.

He wasn't sure, but he thought he had seen someone high up on the upper deck watching him and if Neke was right and he did have an admirer - best he find out who.

Last updated on the July 29th 2007

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A Secret Admirer?