Looking for a Loner

Writers: AL, Heather
Date Posted: 24th December 2015

Characters: Endarin, Serys
Description: Endarin goes to the Weyr for a drink.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 3, day 18 of Turn 8

Evening had come, dinner had been done and now people simply lounged
around, taking the opportunity to relax with an ale and a friend. Every
once in a while, though, a loner would come through. Serys was one such
person, occupying a single seat without company. If she had her way,
though, that wouldn't last long. After a few moments, she spied a man
whose face was unfamiliar to her. For a few moments, she watched him,
noting a rather severe expression. Other than that, he wasn't bad looking
at all, well built, definitely in good shape. His knots were not visible
from her current position, but she suspected, from the erect way he held
himself and spoke to the person serving drinks, that he was a man of
authority.

Eventually, Serys finished her study and rose. With a flick of her hand,
she tossed her blonde hair behind her shoulder. Bright blue eyes settled
once more upon the form of the lithe gentleman and she strolled over to
him. The seat next to him was empty and she slid into it, then indicated
to the server she wanted to order. "Glass of wine, please." She settled
more fully into the seat, then flashed a smile to the man beside her. "Hi."

Endarin held a short glass of amber liquid between the tips of his fingers.
He could have taken his drink at the Hall but it was nice to be away from
the people he worked with for a little while.

"Hi." He said in response to the blonde thing that had sashayed into the
seat beside of him.

When the wine was brought, Serys accepted it then allowed herself a sip
before she attempted to continue the conversation. "I don't think I've
seen you here before. Are you new to the Weyr?"

"Not exactly, I work at the Dolphin Hall." If she couldn't read his
shoulder knots then Endarin wasn't going to waste his time telling her his
rank, not that being the Hallmaster necessarily mattered at the moment. He
ran his blue eyes over her. "I take it that you are not new to the Weyr."
She had the air about her of a woman that knew her way around men.

Now that she was closer, she could see the knots and let her gaze flick to
them, then back. "Ah, so you're the new Hallmaster. Welcome. No, I'm
not." Serys didn't have her own knots on her, but that was fine with her.
"Been here for a while. Have you been able to find your way around our
maze all right?"

So she could read shoulder knots after all. Endarin brought his glass to
his lips for a sip. "Yes, I had the good fortunate to be given a tour by
Goldrider Meledei." People at the Weyr liked to comment on how confusing
and labyrinth-like their precious Weyr was, but Endarin didn't find it to
be all that complicated, but then, maybe his memory was better than most.
It only took Endarin seeing something one time to remember it.

"Ah, I see. Well, I'm glad you had a proper introduction to our home. Did
you come from another Weyr originally?" If he was a dolphineer, probably
not, but Serys used that as a way of continuing the conversation.

"I am from Topaz Seahold, actually. Dolphin Cove is the first Weyr I've had
the pleasure of being so close to." Endarin glanced sideways at her, noting
the gleaming expanse of tanned legs that flowed out of her short attire.
"And what about you? Are you from this area?"

"No, I was originally born at Riverbluff, but came here after the Thayan
peak earthquake." Serys noted the quick look he took at her and shifted so
that she could offer a better look. "I've never been to Topaz. What is it
like?"

Endarin turned his body a bit so he could look at the woman as they talked.
"Nothing to brag about, really. The land and sea is beautiful there though,
like it is here." He realized belatedly that he didn't know the woman's
name, nor had he introduced himself. "I'm Endarin, by the way, and you are?"

"Serys. A pleasure." With that, she extended the hand that didn't
currently cradle the cup of wine and smiled. "Well I'm glad you like it
here. I have to admit, I much prefer it to River Bluff. It sounds like
you're settling in well. Do you feel like you're hitting a routine at the
Hall?"

Serys seemed a fitting name for the woman, Endarin decided, even as he
considered her question. "Yes, I think so. It's hard because I'm bringing a
few changes to the Hall. Change always disrupts the flow of things for a
while." But he didn't want to talk about work, that was why he had come to
the Weyr for a drink. "Tell me about River Bluff, how is it different from
Dolphin Cove?" Since Dolphin Cove was the only Weyr he'd ever seen, Endarin
could not imagine how one Weyr could differ from another.

"The weather is a big difference. Here it's warm all the time. And
there's just something about the people here. They're friendlier in my
opinion. I love that I can go swimming all year round." That had probably
been the biggest perk of transferring Weyrs and Serys had never regretted
the decision. "Physically, most Weyrs are similar, but they have their own
character. Dolphin Cove is more airy, I think."

"I could never imagine moving somewhere that I could not swim every day."
Endarin said in agreement. "Do you ever come and swim at the Hall?"

"I'll be honest, I have, but don't very often." Serys finished her glass
and set it on the counter. "The dolphins are fun, though I can't
understand them for the life of me. I always have to ask a dolphineer."

The hint of a smile made the corners of Endarin's mouth lift. He wasn't
sure if it was the drink he'd consumed, or the realization that Serys was
extremely attractive, but the conversation wasn't as annoying as Endarin
had thought it would be. "It takes some getting use to, but I bet I could
teach you."

"Really? That sounds rather fascinating, learning to speak with them."
Serys leaned over, eyes half closing with her smile. "But how to repay
you? Hm. I wonder if the ice queen gave you a proper welcome. Probably
not, but I can certainly remedy that."

Endarin's head tilted the tiniest fraction, not following Serys's comment.
"The ice queen?"

"Meledei. It's a nickname for her. I tell you what, why don't you let me
give you another tour. I bet there are some places she didn't show you."
Serys' eyebrows arched upward and she looked expectantly at him. "It
would also give us a chance to get better acquainted."

He didn't know why but the woman's insult about the goldrider annoyed him.
As Endarin saw it, Meledei had been perfectly welcoming on each occasion
that he had seen her. She hadn't outright spread her legs for him like this
woman was clearly wanting to do, but then Endarin was holdbred, and so
Meledei acting in a manner befitting her rank didn't seem odd in the least
to the Hallmaster.

Endarin turned back toward the bar and his drink. "No thanks, I just came
for a drink."

"You sure? I could make it _well_ worth your while." Serys' lips spread a
little further into a smile.

He motioned for the bartender to refill his glass. "I'm positive."

"Well, I'm sure you'll be able to find me if you change your mind." Serys'
eyes darted over the hallmaster's frame, then she shrugged and rose to try
her luck with someone else, leaving him to his brooding.

Last updated on the December 29th 2015

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