Making Small Talk

Writers: Devin, Bree
Date Posted: 9th April 2007

Characters: Shalai, R'masu
Description: On her first trip to the beach, Shalai meets Kannoth, and by extension R'masu.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 3, day 2 of Turn 4

Shalai settled herself cross-legged in the sand and spread her skirts out about her, enjoying the rare feeling of the sun on her face. She'd thought about bringing something to sketch with when she finally ventured outside, but instead had decided to try to simply enjoy the outdoors. Maybe she'd even have a chance to follow Th'ron's advice and meet some of the residents of the Weyr.

There were plenty of people on the beach with her, since the day was certainly nice, but she wasn't sure how she should go about meeting any of them. She hardly wanted to walk up and introduce herself.
**What if no one wants to talk to me?**

}:I will talk to you,:{ a voice said. }:And my rider will, too.:{ The voice made her start, her eyes flying to the left and right out of habit. It wasn't like the normal lull of background noise that she was slowly getting used to. This was a voice speaking directly to her, just like the Weyrwoman and the healer's dragons had. Her hands tightened in the fabric of her skirt as she fought down nervousness, telling herself that the voice was real. **Who are you?** she asked hesitantly, looking around. There were plenty of dragons, some resting on the bluffs, some enjoying the water. She had no idea which one was talking to her.

}:I am Kannoth. I will come closer.:{ A brown dragon uncurled himself a few lengths down the beach and began walking toward her. A man clutching a sheaf of hides trotted after him.

Shalai watched the dragon move closer, feeling wary at the sight of the man behind him. Perhaps this rider wouldn't like that she'd presumed to speak to his dragon. She still didn't know what was considered rude. **If your rider is busy, he doesn't need to speak to me.**

}:He won't mind.:{ Kannoth stopped a few feet away. His rider kept walking and stood in front of Shalai.

"Hello, my name is R'masu," he said, smiling. "You must be Shalai."
The brownrider offered his hand.

"I am." She took his hand carefully, still feeling nervous. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you or Kannoth. I didn't mean to."

"Not at all! I admit I was a little curious to meet the young woman who hears dragons."

"Oh." Shalai had to struggle to keep from blushing at the thought of everyone knowing who she was. It made her feel wildly self-conscious. "It's nice to meet you, R'masu."

"It's nice to meet you as well, Shalai. Are you enjoying the weather?" R'masu asked.

}:It is a nice day for sunning,:{ Kannoth told them both. The brown curled up, resting his head on his forearms, but his whirling eyes stayed focused on the two humans.

"It's very nice. It's the first time I've really gotten to spend time outside." Feeling a little awkward, she gestured to the sand next to her. "Do you want to sit down?"

"Sure." Crossing his legs, he sat down next to her and laid the hides in his lap. "How are you settling in?"

"All right, I think..." A movement out of the corner of her eye jerked Shalai's attention away from R'masu. Yanthi sneered at her from a few paces away, his eyes mocking. Her hands curled in her skirt again as she looked away quickly. **You're not there, you're _not there_...**

}:Who is not there?:{ Kannoth asked.

R'masu decided not to comment on her odd behavior. She was probably hearing other dragons. "So, do you have any hobbies?"

Shalai blinked and glanced at the dragon, not even hearing R'masu's question. **I... was confused.** And needed to be careful with her thoughts, if they were so easy for dragons to pick up. If Tsaera found out she was still so sick, she might send her back to the healers.

}:Ok,:{ the brown replied with a mental shrug.

R'masu waited, and when she still didn't reply, he said gently, "Shalai?"

Her eyes jerked back to him, her cheeks flushing. "I'm sorry... what did you say?"

He smiled. "I'm sure the draconic conversations are distracting. I asked if you had any hobbies."

"Oh. Yes, I suppose. I like to draw..." She made an effort to relax her hands and smoothed her wrinkled skirt out. "I've never really had any training, but I do enjoy it."

"Oh, that's wonderful! I'm a journeyman harper," he pointed to his knots. "I've been trained, but I never could get past the basics. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to see your drawings sometime."

Feeling slightly bolder, Shalai asked the question she hadn't had the courage to ask anyone else yet. "Do you think there might be someone who could help me learn more? I know I'm probably too old, but it would be nice."

"Oh, sure! I can ask a few of my acquaintances and I'm sure they or someone they know would be willing to spend a candlemark here and there to teach you," he said.

"Thank you so much." Even the thought of having real lessons made her entire face light up. She looked beautiful when she smiled, R'masu thought. She must have caught many a man's eye when she was younger. "You're very welcome."

It had been so long since she'd tried to make small talk that it took her a moment to realize what the polite thing to say was. "Do you have any hobbies?"

R'masu considered. "I suppose fighting Thread has made it a hobby. I'm a composer."

"You write songs? It's been a long time since I had the chance to listen to new music..." She trailed off, suddenly uncomfortable. He seemed to know who she was, but did everyone also know where she'd been? The thought was humiliating. "Do the harpers sing often?"

"Well, they sing at Gathers, and Hatchings, and occasionally someone will sing at the evening meal. The Vintner Hall opened a tavern recently, and there are regular performances there," he answered. "I could sing a few of my own for you, if you'd like." Although he didn't often perform for an audience of one, Shalai seemed like she would simply enjoy the music without making a fuss over it. "I would like that." She smiled again, but the smile disappeared quickly as Yanthi appeared again just to her right, his face mocking. "Oh, yes, you _would_ like that, wouldn't you?" Yanthi taunted, turning his eyes on R'masu. "You always were a brazen woman, throwing yourself at any man who would give you attention."

**Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!** Shalai scrambled to her feet, trying not to look at the place Yanthi stood. "I'm sorry, I--I have to go."

R'masu frowned, concerned. "All right. Speak to Kannoth any time if you'd like to get together." Harper trained as he was, he knew there was more to her being sent to the mindhealer hall than just hearing dragons. Whatever it was, he hoped she would be able to heal. **And better than I'm healing,** he thought.

Last updated on the April 11th 2007

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Making Small Talk