Dancing and Plans

Writers: Avery, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 29th July 2016

Characters: Corran, Nohria
Description: River Bluff's hatching feast takes an unexpected turn.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 6, day 21 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: K'ran

The Hatching was the most intense event Nohria had ever attended in
her entire life. Not even the biggest, finest Gather could compare.
She'd needed to lean on Corran on the way to the dining area set up
outside, and once there, she had asked for some wine as a restorative.
One serving had become three, and it had taken conscious effort to
slow down. To implement what she had planned, Nohria needed to be
tipsy enough to appear drunker than she truly was, but not so
plastered she couldn't take care of herself. Too much was at stake.

Corran enjoyed sitting outside eating the food. The Weyr's Dining
Cavern was surely impressive. But as cold as it had been at Amber
Hills recently, the outdoor warmth was appreciated. And the food had
been truly outstanding. The best-tasting meal he'd ever had. The wine
was exquisite too.

The Weyr had truly set up its best for this event. He liked to think
it was in honor of his brother's first time as Weyrleader - it was a
change for River Bluff and surely it was being honored. of course, he
knew K'ran would have protested.

The Harpers were playing something lively and people were out on the
wooden dancing platform. He looked over to Nohria. "Would you like to
dance? Or would you rather walk down to the beach?"

"Let's dance first," Nohria said, getting up from her chair. A not
entirely feigned wobble made her stumble slightly, but she recovered
and gave Corran her brightest smile, holding out her hand.

"I'm looking forward to it." He took her hand and led her out to the
dance floor. The tune changed to something else that was still easily
dance-able.

**Good. I want to prove I'm good at the fast ones, first.** And
whether they danced to slower ones...he would leave it up to her.

Nohria had been taught some basic dances by her mother; she had
insisted ladies should know how to dance. But it had been some time
since Nohria had danced, and she was out of practice. She did not let
that stop her, instead focusing on moving through the steps in a
highly attractive manner, trying to tantalize her date.

It worked. Corran had started off hyper-aware of his surroundings as a
guard should be, noting the movement of the other dancers and ensuring
that nothing seemed threatening. But after the first dance, he stopped
worrying about the environment, and concentrated more on the woman he
was with.

The third dance was slower, more intimate. Given how she'd seemed
nervous about the invite, Corran didn't want to push her. "Shall we?"
he asked. he'd be happy to leave the floor if she said no

"Mmm-hmm," Nohria purred, and made sure to press as close as possible
and still be capable of dancing. It had always wound Ardihan up to
feel her chest pressed against his; with any luck, it would have the
same effect on Corran.

The slow dance was everything he'd hoped for. Corran placed one hand
around her waist as the dance called for. It was slow and intimate and
it put him in mind of other things. Given the Weyr's celebrations, he
wondered how intentional it was.

It ended all too soon. "I need another drink," he admitted to her. A
drink to cool himself - dancing in the heat was taxing - and to
distract himself from his thoughts.

"Would you mind getting me another chilled wine?" Nohria asked, just
to see what he would do.

"Not at all. Do you mind waiting here by these lanterns so I can find
you again?"

"No, I don't. Thank you." Nohria gave him another bright smile and saw
him off, and as soon as she believed no one was really paying
attention, she subtly loosened the laces of her gown. It was crucial
to the next part of her plan.

Corran headed back towards where the refreshments were served. There
was a bit of a line for the cool drinks, because of the heat even
after the sun had set. By the time he'd gotten two glasses it seemed
at least 10 minutes had passed. "Here you go. I got one of the red and
the white," he offered

The drudge didn't mind red wines. They were harsher than whites, but
her first three drinks had been white wines, so it was time for a
change. She took the red. "Thank you." She had a swig, making an
appreciative noise after she swallowed. "Will the beach be empty at
this point?" Her pulse picked up again, a leery anticipation making
her fingers tremble.

Corran sipped at his own, appreciating the nose of it, before
answering. "I don't know if it's ever completely empty, but I think
it'll be as close as it gets." It was after the sun had set, and he
assumed many weyrfolk retreated back to their own homes. Other people
were probably getting rides back.

Nohria knocked back the rest of her wine and placed the glass on the
tray of a passing server. "Let's go, then. I've never actually seen a
beach."

"I wish I could have brought you here earlier. They're quite a sight,"
he said. "Sand everywhere, the water warm...What about the Sea of
Azov? You've never been by there?"

She shook her head. "No." That had been the territory of other
Holdless. The current leader of her bandits had worked out an
agreement of sorts with them: Stay out of our way, we'll stay out of
yours. Considering what had happened when a scouting party came across
that area, it was for the best. "Which way do we go?"

He looked around the Weyr, squinted up at the sky, then pointed. "That
way. I hear running water. It's either the sea or the river," he said.

Corran felt his boots shift strangely as the ground began to
transition into sand; this pair had been crafted for the fields of
Amber Hills and he felt the sensation strange. It was obvious from the
feel of it that he'd pointed them in the right direction.

Last updated on the August 13th 2016

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