All the Gossip, All the Time

Writers: Estelle, Yvonne
Date Posted: 11th May 2024

Characters: H'run, Ashela
Description: Ashela seeks fashion advice from H'run for a special purpose
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 12, day 13 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Zathris (not by name)

H'run

Ashela

"My Lord! How delightful to see you again."

Ashela posed with one hand on her hip in front of the long mirror in her
weyr, trying out different expressions. Gracious, coy, adoring...

"Oh, what lovely music! Of course, I'd be honoured to dance with you..."

She reached out as if to accept a partner's hand, pouted at her
reflection. After a moment's thought, she picked up another dress from
the bed, this one sleek and silvery-grey, and held it up in front of
her. It was elegant and would complement her lifemate's beautiful hide,
but was it striking enough? Should she wear the red gown instead?

**Dearest, tell Calcifeth I need his rider.** She frowned, then laid the
silver gown back down. **Now.**

It didn't take long for H'run to wander through her door, his hair still
wet from the bath. "Darling, you called?"

"I need your opinion." Ashela turned from the mirror, in her
undergarments and a sheer light-blue robe belted loosely at the waist,
the hem floating around her ankles as she moved. In each outstretched
arm she held a gown - scarlet and silver - and proceeded to hold each in
front of her in turn. "Which should I wear to the Opal Cove Gather next
sevenday? I can't decide."

The bluerider looked thoughtfully at both gowns, then at the goldrider.
"You know they are both stunning. Try them on for me though, and tell me
how you want to be seen. I'll tell you which sends your message better."

"Oh, thank you, darling, you're a lifesaver." Ashela set the silver-grey
dress aside, shrugged out of her robe and began to wriggle her way into
the red. "I'm going to be mixing with very select company, so I don't
want to be too...Weyr, you know?" Dragonsfall might not be as infamous
for its scanty attire as the more tropical Weyrs, but its fashion
choices could still raise eyebrows in the holds. "But I don't want to go
unnoticed, either." She sighed, a dreamy expression crossing her face.
"Not by certain people."

He knew that look: someone had caught Ashela's eye. "Mmm. I understand.
Well... you did wear the scarlet gown at your last Hatching. Would
'certain people' have been in attendance then?"

"Oh, yes. Perhaps I shouldn't wear it again?" Ashela adjusted the straps
of the dress on her shoulders and shook out the skirts, then posed in
front of the mirror. "You know what Hatchings are like, though - hordes
of visitors, everyone wanting to congratulate you, and you hardly get a
moment with anyone." And she'd had her eye on a different Lord on that
occasion. "I'm hoping there'll be more time at the Gather, for
conversation, and perhaps a dance or two."

"That dress does flare beautifully when you dance. Although you might
want to add something to cover your shoulders... but not too much."
H'run tapped his lip, then got up to start going through Ashela's
closet... mostly to see if he could find something, but also because he
envied the racks of fabric and wanted to indulge himself in their lovely
textures. "Tell me about him. Does he have any particular likes, or
things that catch his eye?"

Ashela frowned, then caught herself and smoothed her brow. Her meeting
with the Lord Holder of Amber Hills had been brief and they'd only
discussed business. She'd not noticed much beyond his looks... "He's a
Holder, but he's very refined and intelligent, and an ally of the Weyr."
What had he been wearing? Ah, yes, the practice clothes. "He's tall,
strong and fit, and enjoys sparring with the guards. I don't think he'd
like anything too frivolous or fussy. Oh, and he appreciates good wine."

"Hmm. The red dress then, for the wine and because the pretty silver
one, while lovely, does show dirt more easily. With a fur shrug in a
dark brown... or a leather jacket that makes it look as if you might
spring up to fight Thread at a moment's notice." Seduction was all about
the story, after all.

"Oh, I like that idea!" She stopped admiring her reflection for a moment
and fetched her riding jacket from its peg, slipping it on over the red
gown. The effect was rather novel, and the leather contrasted nicely
with the striking crimson fabric - but it was designed to be worn over
several layers into the worst of Dragonsfall's winters, and might be too
heavy and shapeless for a Gather. "Hmm. Perhaps I should have one
tailored, with less lining. And some neat little ankle-boots, rather
than slippers..."

H'run waved a hand. "I have a jacket you can borrow for the night. I'll
bring it over. And absolutely you should wear little boots. You look
gorgeous, and you'll be an exotic flower amidst all those ordinary
Holder women in those drab old Holder gowns."

"That's _so_ sweet of you." Ashela twirled, enjoying the way the skirts
of the red gown flared. H'run was right - it was by far the better
choice, and she'd look even more striking with a man's jacket. "I'll
have to tell you all about how I get on at the Gather, since you've been
so generous." She returned to the mirror and laced her fingers through
her hair, experimenting with styles. Up - or loose?

H'run wrinkled his nose. "You should tell me how you got on at the
Gather even without the jacket. You _know_ I want to hear all the
gossip, all the time." And if it was particularly good, maybe he could
use a bit of it in the novel he was starting to draft...

She turned away from the mirror, her lips curving into a sly smile.
"True, but I may reward you with a few extra details. In strictest
confidence, of course."

"Naturally." He batted his eyelashes at her.

Ashela glanced at his reflection in the mirror. Perhaps she should be
more cautious, but H'run was the only one in the Weyr who'd appreciate
her conquest - and if no-one else knew, what would be the point?

Hair up, she decided, with one perfectly arranged loose curl. "All
right, Bluerider All-the-gossip, it's a deal. Until then..." She smiled.
"Tell me something scandalous."

A wicked look crossed his handsome face. "Oh my darling, let me tell
_you_ what I heard in the Dining Cavern this evening..."

Last updated on the May 13th 2024

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All the Gossip, All the Time