RCW: Rush Of The Evening (1/2)

Posted on Wed Oct 30th, 2024 @ 8:09pm by Bronze Rider I'han & Sr Journeyman Halia & Brown Rider S'lei & Green Rider Tanly

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M2 D2

Halia rushed around the weyr trying to do more things than she should have logically been doing as she was trying to leave for the night. She was trying to re-string her guitar, take her moon tea, do her hair and find something to wear that would be okay for the temperature of the dining cavern. “S’lei if you are coming along we need to leave now.” She declared making a face at the bitter smell of the tea. She knew they had discussed children but Halia knew she was not ready yet after the last turn, they still needed time to reset and appreciate what they had.

S'lei was just adjusting the belt around his waist when Halia called back to him. He hid a smile behind his hand as he listened to her voice. She was definitely anxious. “Coming,” he smiled, stepping out of their room. “Love, what are you doing?”

Halia whirled around at him asking what she was doing and frowned. “I am trying to drink this, fix my hair and fix the strings.” She stated as if it was not obvious when she looked like she was a mess and stood there half-dressed too. “I fully blame you.” She added putting the cup down.

“Me? Do I want to know what I did this time?” This wasn't the first time she had blamed him for something. He reached over to gently take the guitar out of her hands. “You can't restring this and do your hair at the same time. Now tell me how to help.”

“Being all seductive and keeping me hostage in bed.” The woman declared as she reluctantly handed over the guitar to the man with a smile despite her anxiety about being late. “Just cut them off for me so I can restring it properly once in the dining cavern.” She declared going back into the bedroom to grab some clothes so she would not be there in a chest band and skirt.

“Ah, sorry?” He asked, clearly not sorry. He did make sure to be extra careful with her guitar. “Think I can handle that,” he assured her as he carefully started to cut the strings.

“Of course you are sorry.” The woman smiled at his non-apologetic tone as she gathered a long sleeveless tunic to wear before piling her damp hair up on her head in an attempt to tame it. Ten minutes later she was back out there pulling on her boots.

S'lei grinned. He couldn’t help it. She was hard to resist. “You look lovely,” he said when she came back out. “As usual. And I took extra special care of your guitar,” he promised.

Halia smiled as he complimented her. She loved just how easy he did that like it was second nature for him to be nice to others. “You always do.” She reassured taking the guitar from him in one hand before offering her other hand to him. “I don’t think I had anything else left to do.” She said looking around.

He didn't know how but he was glad he had met Halia. She was different from anyone he had known before. “I have to. I know how much it means to you.” He easily slid his hand into hers. “You look lovely and you have your guitar. That sounds like everything.”

Halia smiled and indicated the door tugging him towards it. Redeirith would have been quicker but she knew the dragon was tired. The woman said nothing as they ran through the weyr’s back corridors until they got to the dining cavern and she saw that everyone was still setting up. She leant up kissing him hard. “3 songs and then we get to dance.” She promised.

S'lei didn't argue as she tugged him toward the dining cavern. Redeirith opened one eye and watched them disappear from sight. The brown was in no hurry to move. “Shards,” he whispered as she kissed him. “Three songs,” he agreed.

“Maybe four? Maybe five?” She called over her shoulder as Josiah leaned down to pull her up onto the stage as she attempted to climb. It was not easy being small in a weyr that was for sure.

“Three!” S'lei called after her with a chuckle. He would be patient with whenever she was able to take a break. But then he might not let her go again.

She grinned at the rider before she settled into her routine of re-stringing the guitar. Within a few moments she was playing in and her soft voice echoed across the cavern. I’han smirked as he slid up the man.

“If your sister sees that stupid grin on your face she will never let you live it down.” He pointed out.

The brown rider looked over at I'han. “What grin?” He asked innocently. Although I'han was right. Tanly would torment him.

“That one. The one that says you are all loved up and happy and have spent the afternoon happily losing the queen flight.” The bronze rider laughed just a little at his inability to shake the look but he was relieved to see it on the man’s face. I’han felt like it was the biggest sign that things were getting back to normal.

The brown rider laughed a bit. “Yeah can't deny that one,” he grinned. And he wasn’t even going to try. He was happy with Halia.

“Lucky sod. Me and Tanly were on sweeps.” He sighed before grinning and shaking his head. It was not like he wanted to participate but Kanoth did want to prove himself sometimes. I’han gulped as Halia started to sing Red Star Passes. “I like when she sings this one on a day like this. Feels me with pride and hope instead of days when we lose people.” He said quietly closing his voice to let the tone wash over him. The song was like a battlecry on a day when things had gone right instead of the mournful lament for people lost.

S'lei laughed. “Why do I have a feeling that won't matter? I seem to recall seeing three little ones running around,” he teased. He was happy for his sister. Tanly deserved it after everything their father had put her through. S'lei turned as his mate started to sing, a smile of pride on his face. “I agree. I love listening to her.”

“Me too. Kinda like having a Harper in the family.” I’han smirked as he carried on listening to Halia singing the familiar words with his eyes closed still. Emotions were high on days like this but it was the good kind of emotions. It was beautiful and powerful and I’han opened his eyes and watched S’lei watching Halia until the guitar strings faded away and the dancers stopped.

S'lei grinned. He loved listening to Halia and he always got caught up in her voice no matter what song she sang. Not to mention watching how she made everyone feel always made him smile.

“There is that grin again.” The bronze rider laughed and slapped him on the back as he spotted Tanly coming towards them. “And there is your sister.”

S'lei quickly sobered. “Shards,” he whispered, knowing Tanly would torment him.

“Why do you both look like you’ve done something bad?”Tanly asked curiously. “I'han? S'lei?”

I’han looked around innocently as the next song started up. “Oh, I haven’t yet. Give me at least a candlemark and we’re out in public Tan.” I’han answered with a wink trying to at least help the other rider get out of some of the torment. He liked to enable his mate sometimes but S’lei did deserve some happiness and to gloat in it despite his teasing.

Tanly raised a brow at her mate. “Oh dear. I can only imagine,” she laughed. She had no doubt I'han would try to embarrass her somehow. It was always fun and kept her laughing.

She then saw the crooked grin on her brother's face. “Uh oh. You look like the feline that got the cream.”

S'lei shrugged. “Maybe.”

I’han could not help but grin at the expression on S’lei’s face. He was trying so hard but failing so badly to avoid it all. “Seems like we missed a queen's flight, my love,” I’han said with a smirk as he tugged Tanly to him, kissing the look on her away before spinning her around so she was facing the stage.

Tanly opened her mouth to respond but I'han kissed her and spun her around before she could respond. Her eyes widened as she realized what he had said and saw Halia. “Ah got it,” she smiled.

The bronze rider pulled her back wrapping his arms around her shoulders. “They look happy. I think it’s over.” I’hab whispered in her ear as he enjoyed the closeness of the moment as an upbeat song started.

She nodded. She was happy for them. Things had been messed up for a while so it was good to see it getting back to normal. “It's about time,” she whispered.

“Some things take some time to heal. She was pretty hurt and if it had been me I would have felt the same way.” I’han offered kissing her cheek. “But your mission of setting him up with the most emotionally stable woman you could find I think is a success, maybe time to stop gloating and pick on your other brother too.” He teased.

Tanly grinned triumphantly. It hadn't been easy but they seemed happy. “Hmm, maybe I should. Just make sure he hasn't messed up with Jena.” She would have to smack K'vin if he had messed that up.

“Might want to leave it for a couple of days. He is most certainly tender from losing her flight.” I’han laughed though he did see them both over the other side of the cavern and they looked quite happy despite the mating flight being mid-morning.

“Ooh probably a good idea,” she agreed. Poor K'vin. At least it still looked like they were talking. Tanly just snuggled against I'han's chest. “I'll be good for a bit.”

It was a flight and Kanoth had confirmed the winner as being Tyreth so there was no reason for anyone to be bitter. I’han felt at peace for the moment knowing that he was feeling better from his imperfections. He could not believe how silly he had been around it but it was easy to see how quickly patients succumbed. It had been humbling, to say the least. “You can tease me though.” He whispered in her ear, grinning.

“Oh I can can I?” She whispered, kissing his chin. “Think I like the sound of that.” Just being able to finally relax and be happy was all that she had wanted. They had all been through so much.

I’han sighed happily, his mind in a similar place to his mate’s. “Mmmhmm I encourage you.” He grinned nuzzling her face before he glanced at S’lei who was paying them no attention. “Everyone looks happy and distressed finally.”

She giggled a bit at his nuzzling. “They do. I am so happy.”

S'lei barely even noticed his sister and her mate. He couldn't bring himself to take his eyes off Halia.

Halia could feel the gaze on her but only glanced when he could to make sure she did not lose track of her timing or words but her smiles were just for him. I’han just felt happy. “Come on,” I’han instructed thinking S’lei would not care if they were there or not. He grabbed her out onto the dance floor, not carrying that they were still in flight gear from sweeps. If the Weyr was in a good mood he was going to savour in and encourage others. It was good for morale and as a good wingsecond it was his responsibility.

“What?” Tanly started before S'lei tugged her onto the dance floor. A smile lit up her face as she moved into his arms. She loved dancing with him and today everyone seemed so happy.

S'lei glanced over as his sister was pulled onto the dance floor with her mate. He couldn't wait to get Halia in his arms.