HR K’rei vs Cards

Posted on Sun Dec 21st, 2025 @ 11:43pm by Bronze Rider I'han & Green Rider Neilla & Bronze Rider K'vin & Blue Rider K'rei

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: High Reaches
Timeline: M3 D20

K’rei peeked into the weyr that K'ron had been using while at High Reaches. He wanted to see if the riders needed any more help but he also didn't want to chance upsetting that green rider. She was a spitfire he didn't want to anger.

“You are back again.” Neilla said, looking up from where she was sitting as if waiting for him. I’han smiled, the group had decided to bunk together for the night to be safer. Lana had told them nothing else was going to happen but I’han was not taking any chances.

“Do you think he brought wine?” The bronze rider wondered.

K'rei frowned a bit. Well it didn't seem like he was going to get any better of a reception this time. “I did as a peace offering to keep from being attacked,” he said, holding up the skin.

“Neilla doesn’t attack. She’s all hiss like a feline.” I’han assured and indicated the game of cards he was playing.

“He doesn’t know that.” Neilla said rolling her eyes.

The blue rider raised a brow. “You sure about that? She seemed pretty ready to attack not that long ago,” he pointed out, cautiously stepping inside.

“I don’t have a weapon.” Neilla assured getting up slowly heading to where there was a pile of mugs.

“Feline.” I’han promised with a smile. He had known the woman long enough to know she was just worrying about K’ron and cautious of the northern Weyr.

K'rei nodded, hoping the bronze rider was right. K'vin smiled a bit from his seat. Neilla could be intimidating. The blue rider carried the wine over to them. “I'll hold you to it.”

“I was nice when you took me to the cavern earlier,” Neilla pointed out, rolling her eyes as she handed over the mugs. She had only got into a verbal fray when a male rider had saw her being new as an opportunity but she had taught the young man a valuable lesson.

“True enough,’ K'rei agreed. “But you were ready to tear me to pieces when I first stopped to check on you.” He couldn't really blame her though. Not when their bronze rider had just been nearly killed.

“But I did not. I do have some self control … for a feline,” Neilla said looking at I’han daring him to comment on her throwing it back out from her her.

K'rei chuckled a bit. “That is true. I am still standing,” he agreed as K'vin rolled his eyes.

I’han held up the cards. “Want to play seeing you came to hang out?” He offered the blue rider as Neill stood and went into the bedroom with muttered I’m going to clean up.

K'rei glanced over as Neilla disappeared. “Sure,” he finally answered. “As long as you guys don't mind.” K'vin shrugged a shoulder. It didn't bother him any.

“She’ll calm down. Her bark is way worse than her bite. K’ron is her sister's mate.” I’han explained kindly as he shifted over on the couch into the spot Neilla had been sitting in. “I do not mind at all. K’vin is good too.” He smiled at the other rider reassuringly.

The blue rider cringed. “No wonder she isn't happy. That shouldn't have happened.” K'rei still couldn’t believe it had happened. “Have you heard anything about the bronze rider?” He asked, sitting down.

“She is practically ready to pounce but you are the victim by association. You and her would get along at another time.” I’han was sure of it, the man was easy going and kind. “Kanoth ha: been in touch often with Zarminath… Our Weyrleaders dragon and K’ron is alive.”

“I would have rather met her and all of you on better terms than this.” He knew his Weyrleader was angered by what happened. He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank Faranth for that.”

“Maybe another time. The Weyrwoman… our Weyrwoman said you grew up at Dolphin Cove?” I’han said, glancing at K’vin to check that he was still awake. He did not think he had ever spoken properly to the man before the last 12 candlemarks.

K'rei nodded. “I did. Spent Turns with the dolphins. Mantith loves the dolphins now.”

K'vin smiled a bit. The other bronze rider was happy to just listen. He didn't have much to say at the moment.

“Bit of a change.” I’han wondered as he poured wine into four mugs knowing Neilla would return eventually once she was clean and feeling more like herself.

“Yeah quite a bit,” K'rei agreed. “I mean I love Mantith to pieces but I always figured I would be a dolphineer.” He shrugged a shoulder as K'vin sipped on his wine. “It was definitely a change.”

“Aye I was too young when I impressed. Never imagined my life would be dragons ever but would not change Kanoth.” I’han assured as the bronze was his world. “What about you K’vin? You grew up in the north.”

K'rei smiled. They had all had a shock in Impressing.

K'vin shrugged a shoulder. “Grew up a weyrbrat so always thought I would be a rider. Just never thought a bronze rider.”

“You didn’t huh?” I’han was surprised at that. He could not see K’vin as a brown rider. “His mate is a junior Queen rider.” The bronze rider added for context to the blue rider.

He shook his head. “My father was a bronze rider and not a good one. I didn't want to be that,” he said, smiling at the thought of Jena.

“Really?” K'rei asked.

“Like you, your sister and brother would have ever turned out like that fool.” Neilla commented as she came out in a towel having forgotten her spared clothes. I’han glanced up and then looked away. It was not the first time he had seen Neilla in that state or less. She never interested him.

K'vin shrugged. “It was a concern.”

K’rei's face reddened when he caught sight of Neilla in a towel. He quickly looked down, not wanting to stare. Shards she was pretty. “So you're father I take it was a bad guy?” He managed to squeak out.

K'vin nodded. “You could say that.”

“My woman never had that concern about you.” I’han said smiling as he caught sight of the blue rider. He did not comment but in another life Neilla would have eaten the man alive.

K'vin smiled a bit. His baby sister was certainly one of a kind. He did wish now that he had watched over her better. “Wish I had her optimism,” he admitted.

K'rei listened quietly, trying not to stare at Neilla.

I’han looked up from his mug of wine and grinned. “Tan never thought you or S’lei would turn out like your father.” He said as Neilla looked up confused by the conversation and spotted the men avoiding looking at her. She rolled her eyes and disappeared back into the bedroom.

K'vin nodded. Tanly was special. He was glad she had found I'han. She deserved to be happy. “We're both trying,” he assured the other bronze rider.

K'rei glanced over as Neilla disappeared. Shards he hoped she was dressed this time. It shouldn't have bothered him, but it certainly did.

“Don’t think you’d change suddenly now.” I’han said quietly before he glanced at K'rei. “You good?” He checked in a slightly teasing voice.

“Nope Jena would have my head,” K'vin agreed.

K'rei buried his face in his hands. “Not funny,” he whispered, glancing up at the two bronze riders. Neilla already hated him with everything going on. He didn't need to add fuel to the fire.

Jena will indeed have his head and so much more if the man changed. “Oh it is to me.” I’han laughed leaning over to pour the man more wine.

K'rei looked at I'han between his fingers. “Sure. You just wanna see me get tackled or something,” he groaned.

“You are much bigger than her.” I’han pointed out. “She really is a nice person. She’s just been through mate drama last turn.” I’han shrugged a little. He had thought H’minle had come to High Reaches but that was proving untrue.

K'rei raised a brow. That was supposed to protect him? He knew how feisty green riders could be. “Seriously? Then I'm really in trouble.”

“You are not a bronze rider with a complex. Just act normal. You did not hurt K’ron, and you came here to help us, and our Weyrwoman speaks highly of you.” I’han advised looking at K’vin for help there.

K'rei tried to settle down. “I would never hurt anyone.” He was surprised by those words. Lana had talked highly of him?

“He's right,” K'vin agreed. “Just be yourself.”

“Thanks K’vin.” I’han said, rolling his eyes at his fellow bronze rider and his lack of conversation.

Neilla came out drying her shoulder length hair as she came out and smiled at the group. “The water here is so hot,” she declared.

K'vin just smiled.

K'rei glanced over, relaxing now that she was dressed. “Gotta warm up somehow,” he pointed out.

“Certainly helps muscle aches.” The woman said plopping herself down on the couch by K’rei. “And warming up. Feel warmth for the first time since this morning.” She missed the south and the heat. Shards she was even missing the way the Weyr was busier than it had been in turns.

The blue rider actually chuckled a bit. “Yeah hence why we like hot water,” he answered. It was sometimes the easiest and only way to get warm up when the temperature dropped so quickly.

“Not a fan of the snow but I could enjoy the warm water.” The woman commented before she looked at the cards. “Deal I’han.” She instructed.

“Yes ma’am.” I’han drawled without hesitation and a wink to K’rei.

“It does balance itself out,” K'rei agreed, relaxing just a bit.

K'vin chuckled. It was still interesting to think of anyone being afraid of Neilla.

“Starting to see but I would not give up the south for anything. Sandith and myself are southern through and through. So what shall we play?” She wondered relaxing a little now everyone was smiling.

K'rei nodded. He had never been south so he had no way of comparing. He could understand her reasoning though.

“Strip poker?” K'vin suggested, keeping a straight face. He really just wanted to see everyone's reactions.

“You do know I am great at poker right?” Neilla wondered as I’han shook his head horrified.

“With her? No. I’ve lost too many shirts.” The bronze rider stated clearly.

“Do what?” K'rei asked, clearly horrified.

K'vin started laughing. “Okay okay. Not strip poker.”

“I have seen enough of I’han’s ass but aren’t you a dark runner K’vin. Can see how you can hold a Queen rider's attention now.” Neilla grinned in the older man’s direction. “Do you normally strip poker here?” The woman asked showing just how feisty she could be as teased the blue rider.

K'vin rolled his eyes with a grin. “I have much charms,” he assured her.

K'rei shook his head as he watched the three with wide eyes. “No as it is usually cold here.”

Neilla grinned at K'vin, still seeing him in a totally new light. Sbe had
never really interacted in a social situation with the man but she could see under the brooding bronze rider he would be fun. “… I am starting to think you aren’t riders up here. She challenged him.

K'vin leaned back in his chair. He didn't get a chance to relax often unless he was with Jena.

K'rei raised a brow. “Seriously? You wanna strip down in these temperatures?” He fired back, his eyes dancing now.

“It’s pretty warm in here and you have to strip down at some point as there are plenty of children around here.” The green rider commented, crossing her legs as she took the cards. The children had seemed happy enough running around the lower caverns trying to trap tunnel snakes.

K'rei shook his head. That was true. High Reaches did have a lot of children. “So, you think we should strip than?” He asked curiously.

“No!” I’han argued, laughing a little. “No one is stripping. Unless they are going to bed or bathing.” He said firmly as the person who was meant to be in charge.

K'vin just smirked. He should feel bad but he didn’t. K'rei chuckled, feeling a bit better. “Definitely wouldn't want to do that one a first meeting,” he agreed.

Neilla chuckled a little as she looked at the man and grinned holding the cards out to him. “Pick a game.” She told him.

K'rei considered a good game to play. He finally named one that wouldn't have them stripping down if they lost.