Somebody to love (Tags:Tsuki)

The Hatching had been more than any of them could have expected. For one thing, there had been two Gold Eggs and two Bronzes. He didn’t know what that meant for the future but maybe dragons made up for their losses before they even knew anyone would be lost. Thinking about Ista tended to make Sh’nar rather irritated. Belisse, who claimed to love him, left without really considering them as a couple. Most people would simply be heartbroken but Sh’nar was feeling a bit used. She had taken what she wanted from him and he had gotten nothing out of it. Nothing at all. His position hadn’t changed, Cymrioth hadn’t won her flight and now that she was close to flying again, she moved to another Weyr.

Yeah the topic upset him. He didn’t have time to deal with other emotions like loneliness. He hadn’t slept alone in a long time and the past couple of nights had made that very clear to him as he hadn’t been sleeping well at all. Still he had to pretend that nothing fazed him in front of the others. S’jiro, L’mar and Z’rim wouldn’t understand and certainly thought he of all of them should be able to separate emotion from duty.

So he had gone to the Feast, thinking to congratulate the new Goldriders. Of course he knew Emerene but the other girl was completely new. Either of them might be impressionable and maybe be someone he could manipulate in the future. Belisse had had too many friends concerned about how he treated her mostly because she allowed her friends to make decisions for her. He could find a way to make this all work out for him in the long run. For now though, simple congratulations would be enough.

He had every intention of making himself known to the young women, when he saw Tsuki. Sh’nar had been aware of the young woman’s increased shyness around him since their flight lust incident. He still did try to be friendly though because he cared about the girl and she was practically family to him, the way S’jiro was like a brother to him. He smiled, “Hello.” There wasn’t much he could say to her without sounding hollow, “Did you enjoy the Hatching?”

Tsuki had been looking forward to the hatching. Hatchings were naturally the most exciting events that the Weyr looked forward to, thus they drew plenty of crowd. Every so often, she hoped that her own parents might decide to come to such a gather just in honor of their ties to Fort Weyr; it had been a long time since she'd seen them. But, they rarely did make their way all the way here.

Regardless, Tsuki enjoyed the chance to dress to impress. She played the part of Holders daughter well, though she usually got looks from those not from the weyr, given that she tended to keep the scars on her face veiled. Though, that was something she was used to, and she was well aware that her dresses generally stole all the unwanted attention, so that at least it wasn't just blatant staring. At least she could say she'd given them something else to look at. Tsuki however, tended to underestimate her own natural beauty, having become so reluctant to move past the emotional aspect of those physical scars she bore, that she relied heavily on her clothes to make her pretty. Even if perhaps that wasn't always necessary.

Whatever shortcomings she felt that she possessed at that moment however, were set securely on the back-burner for tonight. She had been so excited to hear that Sh'nar and Belisse might be breaking things off between them because of the Goldrider's move to Ista that she had gotten up and danced around the private of her room in celebration. Her infatuation over the Bronzerider had been something she'd had to hide in the recent past, knowing that he had his eye on other prizes, but now, with Belisse gone, maybe she'd have her chance. And that said, that night, at the hatching feast, she fully planned on approaching him about it.

Tsuki had been respectful of his previous relationship and not tried to interfere in the past. She'd been proper and done as any good Hold girl should do, putting aside her own feelings where they would have only done her dishonor. But now, Tsuki was done waiting. She didn't have to be 'good' any longer. She could say what she wanted to say, and not have to hide her feelings around him. She just hoped that he could at least return some of her feelings, but some part of her still feared that their time together that night of the flight, when they'd slept together, it was all dragon-lust driven on his part, and in reality he felt no such attraction to her. But, Tsuki had set all such fears aside for tonight. She was determined to make her feelings known to him; and she would do so without regret.


When the Bronzerider approached her, Tsuki was already smiling, having been expecting him to show up sooner or later. Every Bronzerider no doubt, would want to get a look at the new junior Golds and congratulate them. She couldn't blame him. Tsuki just hoped he would think of her first, before thinking about starting up some relationship with another Rider -even if he had to join in on their mating flights in the future. She had prepared herself for that eventuality, because she knew how driven by ambition Sh'nar was, and if she expected his affection, she knew she couldn't hold him back from other things he wanted. He was just that kind of man. And for the chance to be with him, she could accept that.

Though her smile was faintly seen behind the gossamer fabric of the thin veil that draped across the bridge of her nose, concealing the scar on her cheek, the expression clearly lit up her large, innocent, doe-like eyes. Even long, bambi lashes fluttered with excitement as she finished closing the distance between them, when she caught sight of him. It was just like the flutter of her heart. "Oh, Sh'nar! I'm glad to see you're looking well. I was afraid that after the news of Belisse's permanent transfer to Ista, you'd be too upset to want to join us for the celebration."

Realizing that her thoughts had been so bent on revealing her own depth of feeling for him that she'd nearly cut right to the chase, the girl ducked her head a bit bashfully. She hadn't intended on being intrusive into the matter, but figured she hadn't said anything wrong, nor too forward yet.

In any case, she backtracked to answer his question, grinning again. "The hatching was wonderful. That young girl impressing from the stands was unexpected, wasn't it? I'm sure she was as surprised as the rest of us."

Seeing her happier than she had been in some time, he pondered her sudden change in mood and the timing but to be honest, he might not have been paying close enough attention before to know if there really was that much of a difference. He did on occasion feel guilty for what had happened during Jeneveth's flight. She'd been so innocent and trusting, just as she seemed to be now. Even if the words spilling out of her mouth could be taken in a light that might have been rude, he knew that she always meant things in the kindest of ways.

And really, it couldn't hurt to indulge her and talk. She was always good to him from when she first arrived. Tsuki was a good person in general which might be part of the reason she shouldn't be interested in someone like himself. Something most of him agreed with most of the time. Still it was nice to have someone around who was concerned about his well-being. Cymrioth was of course, always there.

"Yes, well... I wouldn't miss a celebration like this." He didn't say Belisse's sudden departure bothered him. "I guess some things just aren't meant to be, you know?" He should probably have gone to talk to the Goldrider's first because now that he was talking to Tsuki, he felt a lot better about things and he would hate to abandon the conversation if they needed congratulating. Of course he could do that and see if Tsuki wanted an escort at the same time.

"There were a few surprises. Two Golds, a Stands Impression and a girl Impressing a blue...." All in all it was another clutch that no one could complain about. He was almost jealous of Taroth and D'nier because they got that glory of having fathered such a clutch. He wasn't so keen on the Weyrwoman but her daughter was pleasant.

"I hope it wouldn't be uncomfortable for you, considering my recent break up..."Holding out his arm, "But would you like an escort for the evening?" He did his best to hide his interest in her most of the time, but he did have an interest in her. If she had Impressed a Gold dragon, it would be so easy for him. Without that to fall back on he struggled with his attraction and affection for her and his desire for more power, "It doesn't seem right that someone so beautiful and kind should be without one."

S'jiro would kill him, if he heard him. Luckily his friend was out of ear shot, pretending to be happy.

More than a little pleased when Sh'nar offered her his arm, Tsuki was surprised that she hesitated to loop her own through it. Though, the entire shy deliberation may have been ingrained into her -she'd grown up with the expectations that it wasn't a girl's place to be too-eager for that kind of contact with a man, even if he was a good friend. She had to stop and wonder if Sh'nar could see the rosy flush on her cheeks, too. He'd commented on her beauty, but she didn't feel as kind as he thought her to be. She had long envied a man who had been in a relationship with another woman and even that must be some sort of sin. And now that Sh'nar had broken up with Belisse, she was shamelessly pursuing him. It must be terribly obvious to Sh'nar, her intent.

"I would love to join you this evening. And yes, there were plenty of surprises; but all good ones!" Thank Faranth.

Tsuki took Sh'nar's arm in the next moment, beginning to smile up at him. It must have been equally as obvious, her pleasure at being asked to join him, because her eyes twinkled merrily.

"Are you hungry, or did you want to congratulate everyone, first?" Everyone being the Goldriders, primarily. Tsuki figured though, that she should perhaps find Veyani to congratulate her as well. Though Veyani and her brother were no longer seeing one another, she and Veyani didn't have to completely ignore one another as friends. At least... she assumed that Veyani wouldn't just want to cut all ties between them because of a dumb decision her brother made. Still, there was no telling -at least until she went to congratulate her.

He was for a moment unsure if she was going to take his arm. Catching the slight flush of her cheeks, he smiled. Sh'nar could convince himself he was being chivalrous. Of course, it would appear that way to anyone watching, he was escorting his best friend's sister so that she wouldn't be alone. No one needed to know that he was the one who didn't want to be alone this evening and that she was in fact doing him a favor.

"Should we get the congratulations out of the way first?" He suggested, because then they could do what they pleased and leave when they wanted. He had no particular or individual interest in the Golds right now but he needed to congratulate them as well as the Weyrleaders.

Neither the Weyrwoman or Weyrleader seemed all that attentive tonight though. Having done his duty to them and then the Goldriders, he waited while Tsuki congratulated Veyani. Since she had known the farm girl rather well, Sh'nar wouldn't keep her from seeing her friend.

It was a quick visit though and when they were both free again, he made certain Tsuki felt attended to like a lady should be. "Are you hungry now or would you prefer to dance?" He cocked his head to the side slightly, "You get to make the rest of the decisions tonight." After all, he had been pushy enough in the past for both of them.

He personally didn't eat a ton at these feasts anyway because the crowds made him less hungry. He didn't know how anyone could eat a lot when it was like this. Weren't they hot? Cymrioth would complain that his rider was just irritated by the togetherness of the people around him. Partly true, perhaps. However, looking down at Tsuki, he was glad to know she was free to be around him for the event. He needed friends like here more than she knew.

After going around to offer their congratulations, Tsuki looked out over the dance floor, and then across the room at the tables to see if her brother was anywhere to be seen. Spotting him with his fiance, L'mar and Z'rim, she figured that at some point they should stop by to spend a few minutes with their usual circle of friends, but for whatever reason, she wanted to spend the night with Sh'nar. Alone, just the two of them. And having waited for this long, it couldn't be too much to ask, could it? Surely their friends wouldn't blame them. 

Just as Sh'nar suggested both the food and dancing sounded inviting, but if they did indulge, she didn't want to risk losing a chance at some point to go somewhere where they could talk in private. Things that she didn't think she could say here.

Smiling up at the Bronzerider, she gave a gentle tug on his arm, encouraged by the thought of a quick bite of food before they hit the dance floor. The smell of savoury roast and vegetables had her salivating. 

"A quick bite first, and then a couple of dances?" Since he'd offered to let her pick the order of events after their social obligations were out of the way, the question was more rhetorical. She figured that he'd be agreeable to just about anything. 


As long as Sh'nar was at her side, Tsuki went right away to pick up a plate that she and Sh'nar could share. Unless of course, he was very hungry and wanted his own. Either way, she was scooping up vegetables and picking off some of the roast wherry with a serving fork, topping everything off with the juice and a couple of rolls so that they could enjoy the tastes of celebratory delicacies.  Of course a glass of wine wasn't long in coming either, and soon she had them sitting at a table right next to where dancers were already gathering, her body angled at the edge of her seat as though she might spring toward the dance floor at any moment. She was obviously limning with anticipation.

"Mmm! Oh, the cooks outdo themselves every time. It's so delicious. I'd sit here and stuff myself all night, trying everything that's been prepared, but that will only lead to a tummy ache later."  Her eyes flitted between her date and the dancers beginning to twirl about in unison.

"The two of us haven't danced in a long time. Are you sure you're up for it?" The girl's eyes sparkled with a challenge as an always beatific smile poised her rouged lips for another coy remark should he reply with a tease of his own. Tsuki was all too happy to be spending the night together with him, even if they didn't get their time alone. Just being the one to hang on his arm all night was enough to buoy her heart.

Sh'nar was only too happy to allow her to choose what they did. He didn't think he had seen her smile this much, ever. How could he not indulge her? He inclined his head, "Sounds perfect." Sh'nar could eat first. Maybe not as much as he might if he weren't dancing. He didn't want to be over-full and then difficult to dance with because of it. He was watching her pick through the available food for what she wanted. She was making sure there was enough for both of them. For whatever reason it surprised him. However Sh'nar was not adverse to sharing.

Eating did nothing to assuage the hunger of wanting something he should not. Sh'nar knew he could probably be with most of the women in the room if he desired. It was part of what made him so sure of himself. He was just a little arrogant. And it wasn't like he couldn't have Tsuki either. The way she was casting glances at him and smiling, he knew she would happily be his. It set his mind running, mostly because he was thinking of a way in which it would be less problematic for his friendship with S'jiro.

For now, it might be best if he didn't mention his thoughts. He could be calculating at times. Tsuki knew him though, she would know that about him. Or at least she should. It could partially be why he didn't take advantage of her before. Other than that Flight situation which he still did feel badly about. Funny though that Cymrioth never did get a chance to redeem himself there.

Belisse obviously did not care for him as much as she professed to. And he wasn't sure if he loved her either. He wasn't sure he was capable of loving other people. Just Cymrioth. Another reason he shouldn't take advantage of this situation. Even if he wanted to.

Watching her watching the dancers, he knew she wasn't going to be eating for very long. "Oh?" He paused, "I think you'll find my dancing improved." Sh'nar finished his glass of wine, setting it back down. Standing he offered her his arm again, "Would you like to see?"

Quickly finishing what she intended to eat and drink, Tsuki didn't suppress the little laughter that tried to escape her just then, when he commented. And when he offered her his arm, she accepted it with renewed exuberance. 

"I guess I'll have to just see for myself then... since you're offering. But rest assured if you get my hopes up and what you say isn't true, stories of your deplorable skill will be circulated all through the weyr." By her tone, it was all a tease, meant to poke fun at him.

Tsuki let herself be whisked away then, onto the dance floor. It was a fast song, the one that was just starting, and the steps could prove difficult to beginners, so it would give him the perfect opportunity to prove her his improved ability. Both of them seemed up to the challenge.

Sh'nar responded, "Doubter. Maybe I should dance with someone who won't have such high expectations and save myself the trouble..." That would be very unlike him though. So he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "but I never back down from a challenge."

The blonde man had been a Harper and as such he was actually a proficient dancer. Mainly because unlike some, he understood how music worked so he could follow a beat. He was faster and lighter on his feet than others might think upon seeing him. Mostly cause he was rather muscular and looked more sturdy than light footed.

Making sure to lead Tsuki and not allowing her to lead the dance, he did not have to work too hard. After all, he knew the steps and knew how to take charge. So he led them through the steps of the dance, making sure Tsuki saw his prowess and knew that she would never be able to say a word against him here.

Now she might hate him for other reasons but it seemed to him she had moved past the Gold Flight incidence. Dancing with her reminded him of the fragmented memories he had of that time with her. He honestly did find himself wondering if she would want to be with him again in that way without dragon lust involved. It was something he couldn't help but consider. She was too close to him for it not to enter his thoughts.

As the dance ended, he found his hand reach up to caress the side of her face. She truly had no idea how beautiful she was. He didn't think she understood how hard it was to simply be her friend. Eventhough he and Belisse had been together for a long time, he didn't think he had ever been as attracted to her as a person. Maybe that was the problem with pursuing Goldriders, he wasn't actually pursuing the person but rather what came with.

Tsuki knew very well that Sh'nar wasn't likely to back down from her challenge, so it was little surprise that he did just as anticipated. She was much more surprised though, at how swiftly the man swept her onto the dance floor, falling into step with other couples as they went through the loosely choreographed motions. It filled her with tingling anticipation to feel the Bronzerider's strong arms fold her body against him, leading her along with him, taking sure initiative to prove that there would be no need to feel disappointed.

For the many years she'd known him as a Bronzerider, it was easy to forget at times, that Sh'nar had once studied music, but dancing with him was not something she often had the opportunity to do, so each time, the experience was new. This time however, was exhilarating. Perhaps it was because Tsuki felt as though Sh'nar could now acknowledge her. He'd finally broken his ties wtih Belisse and for the time being  had no Goldriders to pursue. Tsuki considered that she had her foot in the door in a number of ways with him, but she also recognized that she still only had a short time in which she'd be able to attract his attention before the new golds were old enough to attract he and his Bronze instead.

To impress him, Tsuki made sure to demonstrate her own talents on the dance floor. She'd been taught to dance from a young age, being that she was supposed to have married well once she hit puberty, but now those ripened talents were of little use to her it seemed. At least until tonight. She hadn't considered before that with his Harper background, perhaps Sh'nar too, would find himself impressed with her ability to keep up with the vigorous steps. She herself figured that many people saw her as some sort of semi-functional invalid because of her abject past, or her scarred face, which she kept hidden most of the time, so it must have been an unlikely sight to see her skipping rather skillfully across the dance floor in the Brozeriders arms, able to keep pace. 

Tsuki took the opportunity a couple of times to add a flourish of feminine grace to her own dance moves, making sure that each time Sh'nar spun her out away from him, that she whirled right back into him, pressed close against his warm, hard body.

By the time their dance was over, Tsuki was grinning, feeling completely invigorated and ready for another just like it. She could feel her heart pound in her chest too, but it wasn't just because of any lack of endurance -Tsuki felt energized just being close to Sh'nar for any length of time, but especially for a dance like this.

"Should we do at least one or two more? I'd say I am convinced, but there is such a thing as beginner's luck." 

Tsuki rarely teased, and her doing so now was mostly out of sheer nervousness and anticipation in being with him. Perhaps she wasn't sure what else to say. If she said something serious, it would be hard to keep her from spilling her heart out to him too early in the night, and she wasn't quite ready for confessions. She wanted for them to be alone for that.