A Sunset Walk

Writers: Emma, Heather
Date Posted: 3rd July 2014

Characters: Judassa, I'lan
Description: The pair go for a walk on the beach
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 24 of Turn 7

Judassa had successfully settled into her small room in the lower
caverns of the Weyr and even found the Midwife she worked with to be
rather tolerable. So far her rape story had held up and she had been
fortunate to enjoy I'lan's company around the Weyr as he acted as an
escort. Today they were walking down the beach, the sun just beginning
to dip behind the watery horizon.

"How were drills today?" She asked conversationally as they walked.

"Good," he said. "There's a new formation that I think Naath and I have
finally got right."

If there was one foil in her plan it was the fact that I'lan was such
a _nice guy_. It was a blessing and a curse really. He was nice enough
to have helped Judassa when she needed it, and still continue to spend
time with her, but then, he was so nice that Judassa didn't know if
the young bronzerider would ever make the first move, and she needed
to get him bound to her before her pregnancy began to show too much.

Her eyes scanned out over the water, and she gasped, "Look, dolphins!"
Her hand automatically flew to his arm as she watched the sleek grey
bodies rocketing from the water. Coming from a small minor hold,
Judassa had heard of dolphins but never had the chance to actually see
them before.

"They are amazing," he said, agreeing with her. He noticed her hand on his
arm, and somehow, he realised he liked it there. "Maybe, maybe we can go
down to the Hall soon, there's usually someone around who's got a partner
who might let you look up close."

A genuine smile blossomed on Judassa's face as she turned her brown
eyes up to I'lan, "Really? They wouldn't mind?" She tried to imagine
what it must be like to be able to work with dolphins every day and be
near the water. To Judassa it was an unattainable dream.

"Yes, really," he replied. "Sometimes, if you're lucky, you might even be
able to swim with them." He looked at her, for a moment. "Can you swim? I
could teach you if you can't?"

"I have never tried," she replied truthfully, and then looked down at
her skirt, "and these, I would imagine, are not very helpful in
swimming."

"Well..." he began. She had to have noticed that some people didn't see the
need for clothing when swimming, he remembered his first few sevendays at
the Weyr and how much time it had taken to truly to get used to the idea.
"The headwoman might have some swimming clothes you could get from the
stores, and we could go to the lake where it is calmer. All you'd have to do
is trust me to teach you, and trust yourself that you can do it."

"I can do anything," she said, one eyebrow raised daringly, the
corners of her mouth twitching upward, "with a good teacher, of
course." Truthfully Judassa would have had no qualms about swimming
nude, but if she were going to play the innocent holder girl then she
supposed a trip to the Headwoman for a swimsuit would be in order.

"I'm sure you can," and a swimming lesson would give him chance to see that
figure of hers up close. Given her situation when he met her he didn't want
to push things.

Judassa slid her hand down I'lan's arm and casually linked her hand
with his as they continued walking, "Where is Bubbly? I figured he
would be down here for sure."

"I think he found himself a lady friend," said I'lan, even as his fingers
linked with hers. "I'll go chase him down later on."

That made her smile. They had never been allowed pets at home. "The animals
are for work," her father would say. She found it hard not to get attached
to Bubbly, even though he had tripped her the first time they met.

"I don't know if I have said it, but I am very glad it was you who found me
that day, I'lan." And she found that she actually meant it... A little.

"I'm just glad I was there in time, and that nothing really bad happened."

Yes, he had come at just the right time, Judassa thought. If he had
arrived a moment sooner it might have been to the sight of her own
sister closing the door in her face. She still couldn't believe that
Jeyme would believe that old bronzerider over her own _sister_. Still, she
glanced sideways at the young bronzerider's handsome profile, things
were working out just fine for her.

Last updated on the July 15th 2014

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A Sunset Walk