Shelter from the Storm

Writers: Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 31st May 2012

Characters: D'ale, Yanley, Puwul
Description: Two people seek each other out on the eve of a blizzard.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 7, day 27 of Turn 6

D'ale

Yanley

It had been some time since D'ale had just gone to the Tavern to play
for the locals. It was winter and cold but that was no reason to stay
away. Besides there was a dark haired Lady that visited now and then
that he had been interested in getting to know better. For some reason
dark haired ladies were his preference.

Tonight he came in and the tavern keeper seemed pleased to see him. He
sat down and waited for a few minutes while the man tended to his
other guests.

Yanley didn't plan to go tavern that night, but then she got image of
a brown dragon from her flits. She absolutely had to go outside to
check him. She already knew Toreranth well enough to recognize him. So
she did head for the Tavern.

After the cold evening air, the Tavern's warmer air was welcoming. She
had not dressed properly, having only jacket thrown over her clothes
and no hat or gloves.

D'ale stood as soon as he saw her come through the door. He knew how
cold it was out there for he'd just come through it moments before.
"My goodness Lady Yanley," he said with concern. "Aren't you cold?"

He knew he was being overly familiar with a member of the Hold's blood
but he couldn't help it in his concern. He put an arm around her and
rubbed his hand up and down to try and help warm her up.

"Hi D'ale. I didn't actually plan to come all the way here," she
replied with a smile. She didn't mind his touch at all.

His amber-brown eyes held concern still. "You should be wearing at
least a hat." He who knew the bitter cold of /between/ was at least
properly dressed for the weather outside. "Tavern Keeper" he called.
"A hot drink for the Lady." He didn't even notice the eyes that
turned to watch the pair.

"Yes, sir," Puwul replied and set to heat redwine with spices for her.

"I didn't take it with me," Yanley said remorsefully and nodded at the
Tavern master.

D'ale pulled out a chair to seat her then took the one next to her. As
he sat his hand slid down her arm to her cold little hand. He leaned
forward and covered it with his other warm one. "What brings you out
on such a cold evening?"

"You did. or more likely Toreranth," she nodded towards her flits.
"They recognize him."

He smiled in the general direction of the flits. "Do they now?" Then
his gaze turned back to the lovely woman. "I should probably admit
then, that I came here looking for you."

"Well, that pleases me," Yanley replied with low purring voice.

That kind of response he recognized but was surprised and pleased to
find it here. "My Lady," he said warmly. "I am at your service." He
would have loved to make a more ardent response but this was a Hold
not the Weyr and he _did_ know the difference. He didn't want to
remove his hand from hers but the server showed up with her drink.
"Ah, here we are," he said as the glass was placed in front of her.
"Would you like anything to eat?"

"I've already eaten, but I could take something light to keep you a
company," Yanley replied with normal conversation voice.

He smiled up at Puwul, "Something light for the Lady. I'll have
whatever you suggest." He'd learned in his Turns of coming here that
the Tavern Master knew the best items in his kitchen on any given
evening. "A nice bottle of wine to go with if you would."

"Yes, sir," Puwul replied. He was nothing but discreet. If Lady Yanley
wanted to date dragonrider, who was he to say anything.

He didn't take his eyes from Yanley's lovely face. Individually, her
features were not that remarkable but together they formed a very
special whole. Of course he wouldn't be male if he hadn't noticed her
hourglass figure. "Are you warm enough," he asked.

"Mmm, yes," she nodded. She was certainly getting very warm, a hot
even. It was internal.

D'ale smiled softly. "I'm worried about you getting home safe Lady
Yanley. It's getting pretty bad out there and Torerath says there's a
blizzard coming." Privately he wished he could whisk her somewhere
away from prying eyes and wagging tongues. The reactions he was seeing
told him that in another setting she might be willing.

"Blizzard, oh dear. If it gets too bad, I just had to rent a room from
Puwul," Yanley said, her brown eyes too big and too innocent to be
creditable.

To say that he was dumbfounded would be putting too strongly. But he
couldn't possibly miss her meaning. "I would be happy to do that for
you Milady," he said and brought her hand to this lips never letting
his eyes leave her face. If she were the least bit hesitant he would
not press her.

Yanley smiled and her heart fluttered nervously. She was feeling
brazen. She was also feeling lonely. Benani's motherly bliss was hard
on her. Perhaps D'ale could help to ease the loneliness.

"Master Puwul," D'ale said with a lowered voice when the Tavernkeeper
approached. His eyes scanned the room for the few people still there
to make sure they were not overheard. "The blizzard is too close to
get the Lady safely back to the hold and she has not the gear with her
to make the trip. I'm afraid she will need a room for the night. If
you would be good enough to prepare a room and bring some writing
materials so she can send a note to her sister?"

D'ale smiled reassuringly at Yanley and pressed her fingers as he
indicated the flits.

"Yes, sir, coming up, " Puwul replied with a tactful bow.

Yanley was suddenly feeling bit nervous.

D'ale watched Yanley carefully. He knew this woman had been protected
all her life from the ways of the Weyr and while he would happily
comply with her wishes should she desire a closer acquaintance, he was
gentleman enough not to push her in a direction she did not herself
choose.

"Are you alright," he asked softly.

"Will you still respect me tomorrow morning?" she asked softly. She was
commited now, she was going to take the leap to the deep water. Besides, she
would have not rushed to a blizzard wearing inadequate clothing for just any
man. She liked him, a lot, more that was proper. She just didn't dare to
thing the other L-word yet.

His smile was gentle. "Lady Yanley," he said softly. "You will always
be a Lady in my eyes." She was feminine and sweet and without the
affectations or social climbing of a jaded woman of the Weyr. Her
recent life experiences, or what he'd heard of them, had been highly
unfair and had angered him more than he could account for. If he could
some how bring her a little joy he felt honored to have been chosen.
"You are _very_ desirable and lovely beyond words."

D'ale knew, if she was truly as sweet as she appeared he was in danger
of losing his heart.

"Thank you. I don't do this lightly," Yanley said and then she kissed him.

Last updated on the June 10th 2012

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Shelter from the Storm