KH: Dancing Through The Sickness

Posted on Sat Apr 26th, 2025 @ 8:25pm by Sr Journeyman Halia & Brown Rider S'lei

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Kymos Hold
Timeline: M2 D29

S'lei walked beside Halia as they headed back toward the Gather group. “Well, that was quite interesting,” he smiles, looking over at his mate. “You did a really nice thing for Bensen and Rena. They looked so happy.”

The brown rider definitely hadn't expected to be in the middle of a wedding ceremony. and especially one that seemed to have happened quickly. It had been beautiful, though.

Halia smiled a little and clutched his hand in her own as they finally made it to the ball after Halia had made the Hold Harper out of the marriage record in the holds records. “I do not just teach children now S’lei.” She teased. “They did look happy. Confused but happy.” She said looking at him and smirking.

He smiled over at her as he kept his hand snug in hers. “I know. That was just a total shock.” The brown rider laughed a bit. “They did. I think there is going to be a lot of talking yet tonight for them,” S'lei pointed out.

“Without a doubt.” Halia was sure that there would be many conversations between the pair. “You are such a child of the weyr, sometimes my love.” She commented with a laugh as she pushed open a side door and tugged him inside the grand hall. “Wow.” She whispered not having expected it to look so amazing inside. She had been invited by the Weyrleaders after all her work on the teaching songs to explain Dragon Hold to the future but she was still in awe of where she was from where she had come from.

He raised a brow. “And what is that supposed to mean?” He asked curiously. He looked around with a smile. “They went all out.” It was beautiful, and he could only imagine the time it had taken.

“Weddings like that happen often.” Halia pointed out softly. “Kymos always do but more so they needed to prove to Pern that the troubles were over. Marcano will want to prove to Pern that he has a handle on Kymos after Sophida and him being proclaimed Lord Holder.” She whispered to him so only he could hear her asses the situation.

S'lei considered her words. “Very perceptive, love.” He hadn't considered that but after thinking about it, it certainly made sense.

“Harper.” She reminded, caressing his cheek. “But I love my rider.” She declared, knowing she was being blunt. She was trying to be softer again. “Can we dance?” She wondered, staring up at him as the Harpers started to play a slightly mournful song.

“Very true,” he agreed, smiling down at her. They had had a lot of fixing to do over the Turns but things were finally getting back to normal. “Of course we can,” he answered. He actually enjoyed dancing.

“I love this song.” She said, resisting the urge to sing to it. Halia smiled back as he led her to where other people were dancing. She could see both his brother and sister in the crowd looking as happy as she felt. It was a slow song, but it was so apt for this being a special part of the celebration for Dragon Riders.

“It is a great song,” he agreed as he turned to face her once they had reached an empty spot. “May I have this dance?” He asked with a bow.

“Always. I do not have trinkets or anything, but I always have dances and songs for my mate.” The woman curtsied with a nod before allowing him to lead her through the familiar steps of the song.

“And those are perfect,” he assured her. He didn't need trinkets. All he needed was her. He smiled as he led her through the steps to the song and dance. It was a perfect evening.

The steps were easy at first, but after several dances, she was soon breathless from the continued movement. She was fit and health,y but she was nowhere near dragon rider fitness.

S'lei soon spun her in a circle to where a chair was waiting. “How bout a breather and I'll find us something to drink,” he offered.

The harper laughed a little as he sat her down in the chair with one spin. “You and your stamina.” She said, smiling up at him. She was hot and a little breathless, but she was happy. “Juice, please.” She said uncharacteristically.

The brown rider grinned. “Would you expect anything else?” He teased. “Be right back.” S’'lei spun on his heel and went in search of some juice for both of them.

Halia smiled as she watched him leave and shook her head. She would never get over how lucky she was to have a rider in her life. “Hail the dragons and their riders,” She sang to herself and shook her head. How was it possible to feel like that about someone whom you were going to walk out on 2 turns ago?

S'lei got a couple of mugs of juice and headed back to Halia. There were still times he couldn't believe she had stayed. “Here you go, beautiful,” he smiled, handing one mug to Hali..

The woman smiled up at him with a whispered thank you, taking a couple of sips before she sighed happily at the way it cooled her down. “Not so bad yourself, rider.” She answered back and patted the seat next to her. “See anything interesting whilst you were gone?” She wondered, having not been looking but there were so many people there.

S'lei collapsed into the chair, crossing his feet at the ankle. “Why, thank you.” He shook his head. “There was a lot to look at. Saw a few familiar faces,” he grinned. Of course,e he knew the riders but some better than others.

“It's just amazing. I'd forgotten how a hold could make things so much more grandeur than the usual events,” she whispered watching the glows flickering across the ceiling. “Anyone unexpected?” She said, shaking herself back from the grand setting.

“I have to agree.” S'lei sipped on his juice as he watched people still dancing. “Not really. Tan actually had I'han out on the dance floor,” he chuckled. “And K'vin and Jenna are off by themselves. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.”

Halia nodded. Everyone enjoying themselves was what a gather was all about, it was about connection to the wider society and for them about the rest of Pern and what the riders fought thread to protect. ”And are we enjoying ourselves?” She wondered teasing.

S'lei chuckled. “Well, I had hoped we were enjoying ourselves,” he answered cheerily, looking over at her. It had been a perfect day in so many ways.

“Oh, I have had an amazing day.” The Harper assured, putting her juice onto the floor and leaning over, touching his thigh. “I have very much enjoyed every second of today, despite being ill after lunch. Obviously, I eat too many sweet rolls.” She said, rolling her eyes. Sweet things were not something she ate often, so it was no surprise, really, but it was still annoying.

“Oh, sweetheart, why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well?” He asked gently. He hadn't realized she had been feeling sick. “Yes, sweet rolls will do that. Done it a few times myself.”

“Because you were having fun and I ate too much.” She laughed, rolling her eyes. It was not a big deal in her opinion, but she knew he worried about her, which was okay but she did not need the worry when she knew it was something daft.

“Alright, but you know you could have told me,” he smiled. He did worry about her. Although overeating definitely wasn't fun. “Feeling better now?”

“Oh, I am very aware of that. I just also know my body, and it was a silly reason to be sick, and I feel very fine now.” She assured hi,m quickly leaning over to get her glass of juice. It was delicious and smooth, settling any remaining issues she might encounter.

S'lei nodded. He knew she would speak up if she had really needed to. “No more sweets for you tonight,” he teased her. he didn't want her feeling sick again.

“Telling me.” She laughed. It had been a horrid sensation that she did not enjoy at all, leaving a metallic taste in her mouth that she was only just shifting in the last candlemark or so. “More dancing or would you like to take a walk in that garden?” She wondered, rising to prove that she was ready to do something.

He raised a brow. Apparently, she was feeling better. He didn't have any reason to doubt her. “Let's go for a walk,” he answered. The garden did look lovely, and a quiet walk would be nice.

“Big romantic.” She teased lightly as she took his hand and started to weave through the dancers and crowds till they were outside in the cooler air. She could hear music in the distance from several different locations, which was nice, but nothing felt overwhelming anymore.

“Sometimes,” he laughed. He was trying. He had a lot of making up to do after the mess he had put her through. He gladly let her take his hand as she led the way through the crowd. The garden was much nicer.