Lead Me Not Into Temptation

Writers: JR, Anaria
Date Posted: 4th August 2011

Characters: J'klin, Roana
Description: J'klin and Roana visit the Tavern
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 3, day 6 of Turn 6
Notes: (1 of 3)

J'klin took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he and Roana
circled above the Tavern. He could do this. Just because there was
alcohol down there didn't mean that he had to drink. He was going to
have a nice meal, and dance like an idiot, and show Roana a good time.
That was it. He could do that.

}:It will be fine, I am here with you, and so is Roana,:{ Nimyth
interrupted, sending waves of love towards his rider. The brown dragon
circled to land, and J'klin took one last deep breath. He knew that it
wouldn't be easy, and that the desire to over-imbibe would be with him
for a while. But he knew that he was in control.

When they reached the ground, Roana took one look at his tense
expression and sighed. "J'klin, are you sure about this? We don't have
to go here, if it's going to be difficult for you. I'd be just as
happy getting dinner and taking it out to the beach or something." She
stepped toward him, the long skirt she'd worn for the occasion
swinging around her ankles, to look up into his face.

J'klin smiled down at her. "No, it's fine. This place has the most
delicious herdbeast stew you'll ever eat anywhere. And they make their
own fresh bread and crusty bread as well. It's always going to be
hard, but I can't keep running away from things. Once I have a bit of
success under my belt, I'll get more confident," he said, kissing her
gently.

"Okay," she fought back her sigh and blew out a deep breath instead.
She didn't want him tempting fate just because of her. The kiss
brought a quiet smile to her face and Roana reached to twine her
fingers with his as they entered the tavern. The loud burst of noise
when they entered the main room was shocking, a blend of music, voices
and the clamor of a busy eatery. Leaning in close so as not to yell,
Roana said, "It smells fantastic in here. If the food lives up to
that, I think I'm going to like this place."

"Oh, I can guarantee you that you're going to like this place. They
have these cheesy garlic rolls that they give you with the stew that
will blow your mind," J'klin responded. A server showed them to a
table, and deposited a hide with a list of the menu items.

"Can I get you two drinks?" She asked politely.

"Redfruit juice, please," J'klin responded quickly.

"The same," Roana answered, "Just bring a pitcher over, if you don't
mind, that way we don't keep you running back and forth all evening."
She knew from experience at other places that the young woman would be
kept busy by many of the other patrons. Her attention turned back to
J'klin when the girl nodded and hurried off. "Well, if you're getting
the stew, I'll pick something else, so I can taste more than just the
one thing. You won't mind me sneaking a bite or two of yours, I'm
sure."

"Oh, I would mind tremendously. I don't know what kind of illness I
might contract from you," J'klin said, relaxing a bit. They have
spiderclaws steamed in garlic butter that are pretty tasty, I'd
recommend you trying those if you'd like something a bit different."

She was peering down at the menu, only half listening to him or she'd
have bristled at the 'what kind of illness' comment. "I think I'm
going to try this grilled fish. It's deep sea variety I've heard about
but never had personally."

"Oooh, that sounds tasty," J'klin said, after reading how it was
prepared on his own menu. The server returned, and they both placed
their orders. "You know, this isn't as hard as I expected it to be. It
doesn't bother me at all that I can't have a drink."

He was also in a good mood, with company he knew very well would
object if he even tried to have one. J'klin wasn't stupid, but he
could occasionally be blind. Rather than say that though, Roana
reached out and patted his hand, "I'm glad for that. I know it likely
won't always be so easy, but I hope it is."

J'klin reached up and squeezed Roana's hand. "I know it won't. It's
easy when I'm in a good mood, and when I'm in good company. I can't
always rely on having such good circumstances. So how are things going
with your new wing?"

"Well enough, I think," Roana answered. "I'm exhausted much of the
time, but I feel like I'm part of the team. After so many turns in the
Queen's Wing, I think Phiralith and I both forgot how much harder it
is in the upper levels." She wouldn't mention the close call she'd had
that first Fall, or the terror she'd felt. Thankfully it had only been
that first time and was manageable now.

"Yeah, I'm glad to see you and Phiralith someplace that you can
actually be utilizing your full potential," J'klin said. "Even if I do
worry like crazy about you, but I know it's better all around if
you're someplace that makes you happy and where you feel challenged."

Roana's expression dropped for a moment, "I don't necessarily know
that I'm happy there. I _do_ feel challenged though, which is more
important." And even more so, she felt needed and appreciated, which
she hadn't, in Queen's Wing.

"Well, that's extremely important as well," J'klin said. "You're far
more likely to get injured if you're bored up there, it can make you a
bit more complacent. Have you made any friends in your wing yet?"

She shook her head. "Acquaintances mostly, although there's a couple
that I think could become friends, given time. What about you? Now
that you're not drinking, and I'm not taking most of your time, are
you making more friends?"

"I've hung out with a few of the guys from my wing," J'klin said.
"I've also been spending time just getting comfortable being by
myself. Swimming with Nimyth, reading books, that sort of thing. I
need to learn how to handle myself when there aren't other people
around to keep me distracted."

Last updated on the October 8th 2011

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Lead Me Not Into Temptation