Flashback: A Summer Night

[Xinnai]

Salina could feel that the night was waning old and they had much to do tomorrow. She had her regular duties as well as candidate chores and she wouldn't say they were running her ragged, but it was close. She thought of all the things she had to do the next day, mind wandering. It was better than thinking about the business she and Ez had been talking about though. She shifted uncomfortably, glancing down.

"Yes, I know," she whispered, drawing back as he did, glad that the topic seemed to be coming to a close, though the night seemed to be doing so as well. She winced, both at the thought of Ezi's prompting and at the idea of tomorrow. She offered him a half-smile halfheartedly. "Oh, yes, chores. Of course. Well, I guess we had best got on then, with so much waiting for us on the morrow." She took a quick swallow of klah before standing, taking his hand.

Her eyes melted to pure mercury and she nodded. "I know, Ez. And I will too." She reached out to hug him, shocked at just exactly how different in height they were. She felt very small compared to him. "And don't worry about me, dear, I'll be fine. Promise." She pulled back, eyes bright again as she reached out to touch his nose. "It's you I'm worried about. I'll just be distracted every day until the Hatching, agonizing over whether or not me Ezi will have to suffer an old greenrider weyrmate or a limp for the rest of his life." She winked, wanting to end their evening on a happy, even silly, note.

[neopanther]

He smiled, gently wrapping his arms over her shoulders - she was really short in comparison to him. She seemed lathargic, and he doubted it was because she was tired, probably because he'd just underlined a few facts she knew, but was scared of admitting. "mmm" He agreed, his expression soft, "I'll try not to worry, but you know I'm always here for you."

He laughed, starting as a snicker, and working up to a regular laugh, shaking his head side to side, red hair floating about him as she did so, "You... you're apauling... but thanks... thanks for the centiment. Even if it is a turn on to you." He laughed, squeezing her hand, he winked, pulled from their hug, and began to lead off away from the kitchens, off towards the candidate barracks.

[Xinnai]

Salina beamed up at him. Shards, he really was tall, wasn't he? He had to have her by a good...almost a foot, really. She felt impossibly happy that she made him laugh like this. Then her brow folded down in confusion. "What? Turn-on?" She followed after him to the barracks, horribly confused. And then she started laughing. Well, fine, whatever. It didn't matter anyways.

She found herself growing sleepier the closer they approached the barracks. It was late then. She hadn't even noticed, but now her old aches and pains were coming into appearance. She sighed, yawning widely as she followed Ez towards their rooms-and ultimately beds.

[neopanther]

He leant down, hugged her tight again, pressed a kiss to her forehead, whispering gently in her ear, "I'm always just here." He said hugging her again, he pulled back, winked, took a couple of backwards stepps, haliting as he felt himself close to the door, "Sleep well Sassie, I daresay I'll see you tomorrow, no doubt." He stood there smiling aimlessly. Their conversations had been deep. Not unpleasantly so, and odd considering how he had only really met her that night, and neither rof them were the slightest piece intoxicated - it was forbidden for candidates anyway, wo what did that matter? It may not stop it happening , but it was still forbidden.

His mind wandered as his hand turned the handle of the door behind him, the hinges creaking made him wince a little, stepping through the door backwards he offered a further rsmile and a wink, "G'night." He turned, closing the door behind him. Leaving himself invirtual darkness, a number of beds and a sea of thoughts.

[Xinnai]

Salina smiled, hugging Ezieki tightly, feeling that crawl of pleasure as he kissed at her head, whispering he'd always be there. She squeezed him tighter, leaning up on tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek. "I'm always here too," she murmured for him alone. She pulled back as he did and laughed, waving at him in goodbye. "Night, cutie, I think we just might." She watched him to make sure he entered his room. She slipped quietly into the girls' barracks, mind whirling.

She did feel as if she and Ez had known each other for all their lives, rather than this one night only. She sighed, closing the door softly, making her way through the room of sleeping girls by memory to her own little cot. She didn't bother to undress, just snuggled down beneath furs and sighed. Well, this had been a very different sort of day, hadn't it?