KH:: Scrubbing up well

Posted on Mon May 5th, 2025 @ 4:03pm by Apprentice Nerlyn & Bronze Rider K'ron

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Kymos Hold
Timeline: M2 D2

Nerlyn could not believe that she was wearing a gown as nice looking at herself in the mirror of the antechamber as she waited for K’ron to catch up. Neilla had wrapped her hair up ornately, and she could not believe the difference from her usual braid or it being wild around her hair. She had not brought anything in turns other than the basics that anyone needed, but with her marks, she had gone out of her way to get a new gather dress.

K'ron finished tying the belt around his waist and securing the fancier dress knife he had purchased for times like these. He then made his way out to find his mate, stopping when he saw her. “Shards, you look amazing,” he commented, having not seen her in anything fancy in a long time.

Nerlyn turned and blushed at his comment. She thought back to the last night she had worn anything like this and it had to have been the first and only hatching celebration she had tried to attend when F’cone had tried it on with her and that dance. “Not so bad yourself.” She assured him back.

He smiled and walked closer to her. “Thank you, but i’m pretty sure no one is going to be paying attention to me,” he answered, holding a hand toward her. She looked lovely and he couldn’t believe he had her in his life sometimes.

“And that will be through pure shock at seeing me dressed in something other than dolphineer uniform or something plain.” She teased taking his hand easily. “I am here for you and the other riders.” She said firmly trying to make the point that this was a ball to celebrate the dragon riders.

K'ron shook his head, a smile still on his face. “Well I will be staring at you,” he assured her. shards he loved her. “and thank you for coming.” he knew things like this were still hard for her.

“Anytime. This doesn’t hurt my heart.” She promised. “Stare all you want but do not forget you are the rider and all those other things that go along with being a wingleader.” She reminded still blushing at his gaze. She was not sure who that said more about him for seeing her like that for the first time in ages or her for not doing it more often.

“I am glad,” he answered. He didn't want her to do anything that upset her. K'ron pulled a face before smiling again. “I shall try not to forget that,” he promised. He knew the riders had an important part to play that day.

“This is all for you my love.” Nerlyn was under no illusions as she stared at the main door that she had most likely have one dance before he was swept up in the diplomacy of the evening. “Ready to go in?” She wondered.

He walked beside her as they headed for the gather. “I think so,” he grinned. K'ron didn't necessarily like playing diplomat but he could when the need arose and today was one of those days.

Nerlyn smiled and gasped as she pushed over the door to be greeted by the lights and noise that had been blocked by the door. “Wow.” She whispered not having since a ball like it before.

K'ron blinked in shock as Nerlyn opened the door. That was not what he had expected at all. “The Lord Holder went all out,” he commented, looking around at the lights and soft music playing.

The woman nodded, squeezing his hand tighter, weaving her fingers through his as they moved into the room. Nerlyn could not stop looking around taking in all the flowers and glows everywhere. “It’s so beautiful.” She whispered to herself.

K'ron walked close to her. He had not expected this at all. “It is,” he agreed, walking towards a table to grab some sparkling juice for Nerlyn and wine for himself.

Nerlyn followed a little dazed as she tried to take everything in. It was stunning and she really did not know which way to look as she let go of his hand to let him grab the glasses. “Thank you.” She thanked him taking the glass from his hand. She laughed at the fuzzy feeling in her mouth not having expected it.

He laughed a bit. “Sorry, I should have warned you,” he smiled, loving hearing her laugh. They had had so many ups and downs that anytime he could get a laugh was precious to him.

“It is lovely though.” Nerlyn shook her head as she looked around and took another sip smiling at the bubbles. It was lovely and sweet, not something they had often at the Weyr.

He sipped on his wine as he watched the others start to filter in. “It is a very gorgeous evening. Would you care to dance after we finish our drinks?” He asked.

Nerlyn turned and looked up at him. “Yes but only if you are comfortable with the music,” She knew he had taken lessons from who knows who turns back to impress her after F’cone had caused an issue.

K'ron nodded. “I'll be okay,” he assured her. It had taken a while but he had finally started to learn how to dance. It still wasn't his best trait but he was passable.

The woman smiled still before she shook her head coming back from her thoughts of just how handsome he looked and how lucky she was to be there with him. “I am so lucky.” She breathed to herself.

K'ron had turned to watch the crowd, not realizing Nerlyn was staring at him. He turned back around, setting his glass down. “Shall we dance?” He grinned.

“With you? Always” The woman nodded, putting her glass down with a final quick gulp. This was the type of event where she wished she could drink but she knew it was not safe and she had not been a big drinker since losing Leaneth worrying about the effects it would have.

He held his hand toward her. “I'll try not to step on your toes,” he promised with a grin. He hadn't actually stepped on toes since he first took lessons.

“Just lead and I’ll follow.” She assured taking his hand, soon finding herself in the middle of a crowd of people dancing to familiar steps as the harpers played.

He chuckled a bit, giving her a hand a squeeze before turning to face her. K'ron rested one hand on her waist while he started to lead her into the steps.

Nerlyn had to admit dancing was something she enjoyed a lot but enjoying it was K’ron was one of her favourite things. He looked relaxed and like he was enjoying it even as the beat of the song increased. She laughed as she was pulled back to him for the final time. “Was not so bad right?” She wondered.

Dancing wasn't his favorite activity but having Nerlyn in his arms certainly helped make it better. The lessons had also been worth the embarrassment. “No and I didn't step on your toes,” he smiled.

“You never have other than some very drunk attempts at dancing.” She teased him, laughing a little more as she thought about those nights. They seemed so long ago now, a completely different lifetime.

K'ron groaned a bit at those memories before laughing. “Yeah those were very bad attempts,” he agreed. He should know better than to drink that much. It never ended well for him.

“Some of my fondest memories are those times.” Nerlyn said, looking up at him still as he held her close after the dance. The world could have stopped and she would not have cared in that moment.

He shook his head with a chuckle. “Ugh! I felt so miserable the next day though. Glad you enjoyed them,” K'ron laughed, not moving away from her

“I did. Some of my fondest memories are us just having drunk fun like that.” She laughed, still shaking her head. “Certainly a different person then.” She said shaking her head.

K'ron smiled a bit. “Oh we certainly had fun. Can't argue there.” He had enjoyed them even if he paid for it the next day. “Sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago.”

“I think I prefer sober nights though.” She admitted with a small smile as she saw several riders around them double take as they took her in. She quickly looked back to K’ron. “Another dance or do you need to mingle?” She wondered trying to see any other Weyr leadership.

He had to agree there. Sober nights were better. “Lets dance another and I will mingle after that.” he was in no hurry to have to mingle just yet.

Nerlyn nodded and let him lead her into another dance which was a lot faster than the previous one. It made Nerlyn dizzy and breathless but she was still smiling as she worked her way through the crowds to find a drink.

He was laughing by the they were done and out of breath. He couldn't stop smiling though as he followed Nerlyn off the dance floor. “That was fun,” he grinned.

The woman grinned back as she clutched the table breathing through the dizziness for a moment as a drudge passed over 2 glasses of the sparkling juice. “Thank you.” Nerlyn said quickly as she took a sip. “All that dancing has made me breathless and dizzy.” She said taking another sip and a deeper breathing thinking back she should not have tied the dress quite so tight.

K'ron quickly sobered. “You okay?” He asked when she mentioned she was dizzy. He hadn't thought about the fact she was pregnant and all that dancing might not have been good for her.

“I am fine. Most likely I tied my dress too tight and I’ve been pretty dizzy this pregnancy.” She said putting her free hand on his arm to reassure him. “I want to dance more later.” She assured him quietly. The dizziness would settle with some juice and not moving for a moment.

He nodded. “Okay but you tell me if you need anything,” he smiled, kissing her hair. “And you can count on it. Once I mingle some,” he answered. K'ron didn't want to mingle but he knew as a wingleader he had to.

She smiled at his affection. It was such a simple gesture but meant the world. “Mingle and make friends. I will be around if you need me.” She was sure that she would be able to find someone to talk to whilst he was doing his thing.

K'ron kissed her gently. “See you soon. Send Koda if you need anything.” He knew Peridot was still learning. He waved before slipping off into the crowd.

Nerlyn smiled at the gentleness and shook her head as he walked away. She took a deep breath to herself as she looked around and took in the people around her. It was great to see people that she usually saw in riders leathers or very plain clothing dressed up.