Deciding on Expectations

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 5th November 2005

Characters: U'val, Gaiya
Description: U'val gives Gaiya a little advice on Ar'lis.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 8, day 27 of Turn 3

"I thought I recognized that beautiful blue hide," Gaiya said as she slipped her arm through U'val's.

U'val snorted as Lyolth preened at the compliment, twining his neck around to present his head to Gaiya in obvious invitation. "Oh, don't get him started!"

"Lyolth is one of the handsomest blues in the Weyr, and there is no use pretending he's not," she said with a wink to his rider. Reaching out her hand she began scratching all the usual spots she knew Lyolth like to be scratched in.

"Lyolth would like to know when you'll be moving into our weyr so you can scratch him _every_ day," U'val replied dryly as the blue hummed in pleasure. "I wouldn't want to put a kink in your lovelife, U'val," Gaiya laughed.
"Sorry, lovely Lyolth, but I have my own creature to scratch and pet everyday when I go home. Besides, if I moved in then I might have to scratch and pet your rider too..."

"I'd demand it," U'val agreed, reaching over to rub a fond hand over his dragon's neck. "He can't be getting all the attention from the pretty young things, after all." "Well, speaking of pretty young things..." Gaiya's smile faded a bit.
"I think half the Weyr heard by now that Abrei and her bronzerider had a pretty bad fight. Some people think they might be over."

U'val snorted. "Do you remember what happened the _last_ time they had a pretty bad fight? They had sex. On my dining room table, I later learned." "All right, we're eating my _my_ weyr from now on." Her nose wrinkled as she thought of all the times she had eaten on that table... "But U'val, they say this time its different."

"I've decided to never believe gossip about Abrei," U'val replied easily, sounding unconcerned. "Do you _hear_ some of the stuff they say about her?" "All the time," she conceded. "But they don't tell me the things I want to know. She talks to you U'val. She wouldn't tell _me_ what she's feeling. I just want to know if she's all right." "I'm sure she's fine." U'val didn't bother to tell Gaiya that Abrei's idea of 'talking to him' consisted of getting tipsy and expressing disgust for R'han's ego and appreciation for the rest of him in the sort of detail that made it hard to sleep at night. Gaiya smiled a bit as she looked into the blue's whirling eye. "I sure hope so. It took her a long time to find someone to be happy with." "Mmmmm. Speaking of being happy..." U'val quirked an eyebrow at Gaiya.
"Abrei's not the _only_ one people have been gossiping about..." "I should hope not. Life would be boring if she was the only one worthy of gossip," Gaiya said with a smile, a hint of red starting to creep into her cheeks.

U'val slid an arm around her shoulders, his grin growing. "Is it true, Gaiya? Has Ar'lis finally fallen under your spell just like the rest of us?"

Gaiya grinned despite the burning in her cheeks. "I suppose you could say that."

"Lucky Ar'lis," U'val said mildly. "Oh, now, don't do that, U'val," the young woman said as he turned out from under his arm to face him. She wrapped her fingers into the sides if his tunic gently. "You know that if you have something to say I will hear it."

U'val raised an eyebrow at her. "You've had a crush on Ar'lis since I've known you, Gaiya. Not to say he's not a nice lad, but are you sure you know what you're getting into?" A small smile turned up the corner of her lips. She stood up on tiptoe and kissed the old bluerider on the cheek. "I knew I could trust you get to the guts of it." She released his tunic and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head against his chest. "No, U'val, I'm not sure."

U'val kissed the top of her head, and smoothed a hand down her back.
"That's all I really wanted to hear. Just go into it with both eyes open, darling." "Shards, U'val, what am I doing?" she asked as she closed her eyes, grateful for his familiar warmth. "Tell me if you think he's not the right choice. Please, just tell me what you think."

"The right choice for what, Gaiya? That's the question." "For a _lover_, U'val. Not just a fling but a lover..." He knew her well enough to know how different those two categories were in her mind.
"Don't get me wrong, the sex is wonderful. But do you think I want to make him my lover _because_ I've always wanted him?"

"Maybe..." U'val pulled back and tilted her chin up so he could look at her. "But there's nothing wrong with that, as long as both of you know what your expectations are." "That's just it, I don't _know_ what I expect."

He gave her a serious look. "That's the part you need to figure out, Gaiya. For both of your sakes." She nodded and squeezed him tighter. "I want to U'val. I really want to."

"Well, you always know where to find me if you want to talk about it..."
U'val smiled. "I know a few things about the heart, I think."

Last updated on the November 5th 2005

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Deciding on Expectations