Back in the Game

Writers: Eimi, Rebecca
Date Posted: 11th September 2006
Series: It takes Time to Love

Characters: U'kaiah, Tavia
Description: U'kaiah decides to look for a little company after the waterball game, and finds Tavia...
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 13, day 7 of Turn 3

Tavia

U'kaiah sat down next to the fire alone, sipping at his mug of ale thoughtfully. He watched seruptitously as a newly formed couple across the way intensified their flirting. A light brush of the fingers, leaning in to whisper consipiritorially, suggestive smiles, finding any excuse to touch each other and lean in a bit more. There was little doubt they would be heading off to one's Weyr or the other that night, or a little further down the beach or inland if they could find a spot not already inhabited. It really didn't matter who won or lost the waterball game. As soon as it finished, the fire lit and the ale and food passed, the _real_ game had begun - finding a new friend, or old one, to celebrate or commiserate with.

The bronzerider knew that so far, he was loosing that particular game as well. So far his companion for the evening seemed to be that mug. Shards, a few months earlier and he would have been the first into enjoy all the feast had to offer, and probably come back for seconds if there were left-overs...

**Shards, U'kaiah,** he chided himself as his eyes lowered to stare into the flames. **What, do you think that if you let go for once and lived a little Jaela will come back from the dead to admonish you for your wanton behavior?** She was gone. He couldn't always live his life as if she were looking over his shoulder. She was no more. **She can't be angry at you now. She will not see what you do. You are allowed to live as you please...**

U'kaiah stood up with renewed determination. He could do this. How hard could it be to be himself again? He spent turns being that U'kaiah and only a month with Jaela. He had to 'get back in the game' as the old saying said. The bronzerider left the safety of the fire to refill his mug and survey the playing field. The broznerider had once earned a reputation for his skill at playing the field. It was time to reclaim it.

Looking out across groups of people and couples he saw a greenrider who had set her sights on P'tak. U'kaiah knew the goalie's weyrmate was the jealous type. Well, he would make sure she wouldn't be left alone for the evening. Sipping at his mug nonchalantly as he walked slowly in their direction, he took note of when another greenrider strode up to the pair to claim his weyrmate for the evening. He took a couple deep breaths to calm himself as he waited for the realization that she could possibly be left standing alone that evening to hit her. **You can do
this...**

"Hello there," he said, putting on his best bronzerider grin. "Aren't you the greenrider who kicked me under the waterline?"

"A least once." she replied with a smile. "You where such a tempting target."

"Oh, I see. So it was to get my attention, was it?" he asked, eyebrows raised in mock surprise.

"It worked didn't it? You reconzed me." She grinned impishly.

"Well, you are quite the schemer. And how is it that _I_ was so lucky?"

"Sawauth's idea really, she noticed your Kalamath and suggested I find a way to get _your_ attention. Figured this was a little more original than just inviting you back to my weyr."

Aw yes, the old 'my dragon made me do it' defense... "Although, I have to say, an invitation like that _would_ certainly get my attention."

"Then shall we?" she smirked.

"Go back to your weyr?" he asked, a grin spreading across his lips. Apparently he still had it! "Without knowing so much as your name? I can't call you 'Sawauth's rider' all night, now can I?"

"You could... or you can call me Tavia."

"Tavia is so much easier," the bronzerider said with an appreciative smile. "Well, Tavia, I think I would love to see your weyr."

The greenrider looked out toward the water only to see her green flirting with a bronze. "I was going to ask her to take us but..."

"Well, she and Kalamath do seem a bit occupied," U'kaiah chuckled as he looked out across the water at the slashing pair. "Why don't we walk down the beach a ways and get to know each other a little better before we go. I'm sure they can't stay there all night."

She smiled, "Like I said,I'm Tavia."

"Well, Tavia," he said, taking her hand and taking a few steps down the beach. "Let's find somewhere a little more private and learn a bit more about each other, hmm?" His smile told her names was just a start...

"You know my name bronzeride, but I don't know yours. Unless you prefer Kalamath's rider."

Well, Lenala used to call him 'stranger'... "U'kaiah. My name is U'kaiah."

"what do you do when not losing water ball, besides the obvious?"

"Practice losing waterball games," the bronzerider chuckled. "And what do you do when not consoling losers?"

"Heal foolish riders and clumsy candidates."

U'kaiah grinned flirtatiously. "You're a Healer then? I like Healers. They know so many wonderful things about the human body..."

Tavia returned his grin with a promising smile. "Someone else who see the benefit."

"What can I say," he shrugged innocently. "I've enjoyed the benefits before..." Even learned a thing or two...

Last updated on the September 17th 2006

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