You deserve to be a Father PT 1

Writers: Ames, Suzee
Date Posted: 5th April 2013

Characters: D'ale, Kenza
Description: D'ale and Kenza talk and D'ale tells her his news
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 13, day 12 of Turn 6
Notes: Pt 1 of 2; Mentioned: Yanley

D'ale

D'ale stomped outside the entrance to the Inn as a light snow fell .
He didn't quite know quite what was keeping Kenza but he'd already
checked inside for her and for Yanley. Neither of them were there.
He'd been a little hesitant at first when she'd suggested this place
because he knew the possibility existed that Yanley might show up.

He blew on his hands then stuck them under his arms while he muttered.

Solith popped into the sky a moment later. In a matter of moments,
Kenza was sliding down from her back and marching towards D'ale.

"Well, hello there stranger," she joked, giving him a gentle nudge in
the shoulder with her hand. "It's _freezing_ out here. Why ever are
you waiting in the snow?" Kenza's eyes were light as she teased him.

"Just being polite," his eyes flared as he pushed the door open. "But
you're late!"

"Touchie," she snorted as she entered that Tavern. "I am sorry about
that. One of the riders stopped me with a question and it took far
longer than I expected. I'm here now. Let's have a drink." Pointing
towards a booth near the back corner, Kenza raised a brow. She'd
prefer a bit of privacy rather than being out in the open.

He nodded and followed her into the back. He couldn't avoid the look
from the tavern keeper. This wasn't the woman he normally met here and
the man knew it. But he also knew this one was a rider.

"Mulled wine," he said when the server followed them to their seats.
He stripped off his flying jacket and put it next to him on the bench.
"Some cheese and crackers too please."

"Give me a nice dark, brown beer," Kenza ordered, preferring the
stronger taste. Settling into her own seat she looked D'ale up and
down.

"So, spill it," Kenza probed. "You're different and I want to know
what's up. I _know_ something has changed. Let's have the details."
Not one to beat around the bush, Kenza got right to the point.

It was harder than he'd thought and he wanted to phrase his words
carefully. He had deep feelings for Kenza and always had. They had a
history together and more than that.

"I've been seeing someone," he said. "A hold woman."

"I _knew_ it!" Kenza declared slapping her hand on her thigh. "I
_knew_ it had to be a woman." She was smiling at D'ale. There were
never hard feelings between them when one or the other found someone
new. They had learned long in the past that their own relationship was
a unique one. They would always be there for each other. Sometimes as
friends, sometimes as lovers, and at times it had been something more.
She paused for a moment and let the rest of his words sink in.

"A hold woman?" She cocked her head slightly. There were always some
risks getting involved with the holders. "Is it serious?" Kenza wanted
him to say yes, but at the same time a part of her wanted him to say
no as well. She would always have a deep love for this man, but she'd
learned long ago that they were not destined to mate together like so
many others.

"Can you keep it down?" His eyes darted around the room to see if
anyone was watching them. "She's not married and she's near our age,"
he said in a soft voice. Then it struck him now very much Kenza and
Yanley resembled one another. What was it about dark haired women that
drew him. Kenza was not only one of his best friends but also the
mother of his son.

"I haven't told anyone else," he said. Pain for what couldn't be with
Yanley filled him though Torerath flooded him with love and acceptance
in response.

She couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her. A knowing grin filling
her face. "So...not married, eh?" Kenza winked, enjoying the chance to
tease her friend. "So spill it, I want more details. How long has this
been going on? Is she just some lonely old spinster you showed a good
time?" She knew from the way he was acting that it was clearly more
than that, but she couldn't resist the chance to goad him a bit.

He sat back and didn't say anything for a few minutes when the server
came back with their food and drinks. Then he picked up a piece of
cheese. He'd come here intending to spill his guts to Kenza but now he
didn't know if part of it was really Yanley's story to tell. He shook
his head.

"Well, I'm not certain its all my story to tell," he kept his voice
low. "At first it was just flirting... but she's different." His eyes
gleamed at Kenza. "And she was very hurt when her husband divorced her
just because she hadn't gotten pregnant in 20 turns of marriage."

"The sharding fool," Kenza growled under her breath. She _hated_ the
way men of the Holds felt they could treat women as though they were
next to nothing. "Some men need to learn the value of women." With her
little rant over, she turned her eyes to D'ale once more. "I was
worried she was some virgin spinster you were just enjoying for a
spell, but I know you D'ale, I can see it in your eyes. You care
_very_ deeply for this woman." She reached across the table and took
his hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'm _glad_ you've found someone to
care about."

Last updated on the April 11th 2013

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You deserve to be a Father PT 1