A lonely dinner [Open]

[.:Nox:.]

75.09.10 Early Evening

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Alerae smiled at the drudge who passed her by and snagged a roll off of the tray she carried. She settled down into her chair a little more, looking around at the crowd. It was still early in the evening, so not that many were at supper yet. She sighed softly, resting her chin on her hand as she looked back down at her food. She was kind of bored, actually. The Weyr here was quite lovely, but when you didn't have anyone to explore it with, it became rather dull. She moved her food around her plate, not actually eating anything, as she lacked appetite. She missed Ranellen more than anything. Well, maybe not missing him specifically, but missing the feeling she had when she was with him. It might have been an arranged affair, but she truely did like the young holder. She envied her sister in that she was able to marry him when Alerae could not.

She raised her eyes up again to look around, but not really seeing the room. The girl's thoughts wandered on their happy trails, as she finally started eating the food that sat in front of her. Reaching over, she grabbed her cup and took a few sips of juice, her gaze resting on those who were entering the dining hall for supper that night. One or two of them might have something interesting to say. She smiled, and waved to draw attention to herself, then gestured to the empty places at her table.

[Shoki]

Kyuuki ran her hands over the cup of Halk. The warmth that ran into her fingers did her well, though the dining hall was by no means cold. She half listened to the conversation, who was getting better and who were about to have children. Eira was good at her job, and Kyuuki found herself getting lulled into a comforting daze from the conversation. That is until her own thoughts pulled at her, and her doubts. Her gray eyes observed her food but she didn’t raise a pale hand for it, not for a while. Her eyes did flick back up to the other rider when she spoke of some of the patients she herself was more fond of, smiling faintly. She was in some sort of mood today, but it was hard to say what it meant. Lantern, who was dozing on the pale woman’s shoulder chirped once, just loud enough until Kyuuki flicked her gaze up, somewhat snapping out of it. When she did, she looked around, tried to really see what was going on around her. Dim images were all too common now; she had to take more care. But she did spot something. She could use something, someone new to focus on. Assuring herself that the table she saw someone sitting at was not one known to her, she turned back to Eira, feathery voice merely normal, for her anyway.

“Say Eira. Can we, um, change locations? I, uh, think it is warmer over there.” A made up excuse. Kyuuki wasn’t really cold, at least not more than usual. Her days in the south were long past. She rose, as smooth as she could manage and picked up her food and drink. Lantern didn’t so much as move, staying quiet and out of the way. Kyuuki wanted him to be out of the way when they were around Eira. So he did so. The pale rider stopped and looked back at Eira, standing up straight. Like a tall ghost. “Um, but you can stay here if you like.” She looked apologetic, before sliding out and heading toward the table with the girl at it.

“Hello, may I, um, sit here?” The elderly woman smiled faintly, and the Flame firelizard chirped exactly once in greeting.

[.:Nox:.]

Alerae sighed as the people she waved at didn't see her. Sad, as she was looking forward to their company. She hadn't been at the Weyr all that long, so she didn't know many beyond the candidates and the overseers. Well, it looked like it would be a quiet dinner, then off to bed, as she had no chores for the rest of the night. She slowed down on eating, savoring the roast and tubers. Her cloud firelizard appeared and circled her head once before settling on the table. "At least I have you for company Kaita" she said softly, feeding the little one a scrap from her plate.

She looked up quickly as someone spoke to her. " Hmm? oh, please, make yourself comfortable. I'm not expecting anyone to join me." she replied, giving the elder a friendly smile. " I don't believe we've met. I'm Alerae, previously from Fort." she said, nodding in greeting. Kaita climbed up to Alerae's shoulder as she heard the chirp from the other firelizard. She curled her tail protectively around Alerae's neck and churruped back at the Flame. " And this bother is Kaita." Alerae added with a smal laugh.

[Shoki]

Kyuuki sat down carefully, looking pleased. Her new acquaintance, Alerae was her name, also had a flitter, which cheered her quite a bit. Lantern looked pleased as well, always a fan when there was another friendly firelizard around.

“My name is Kyuuki, its very nice to meet you.” She paused and added quietly, “Um, I’m sorry I can’t introduce you to Vallesh right now, she’s my Lifewing partner. But this is Lantern.” She reached up to give the Flame a pat, who looked very pleased and crooned softly. He was always calm, but age had certainly made him even tempered.

“So, how are you, um, liking it here so far? I know it’s a far cry from most other places. Very cold after all.” Kyuuki’s hands naturally went to her mug again, willing the warm liquid inside to impart some of its heat to her fingers. Of course eventually she would have to drink it.

[Kaya]

Without Kyuuki to talk to, Eira burned through the rest of her food in short order. The girl and the elder LifeWing Rider both had firelizards, and she just didn't...care for the creatures. But now she was the one sitting more or less alone, and in all honesty she'd rather have company. Besides their conversation was likely the 'who are you, where are you from, what's going on?' type, one of her favorites for their commonness and neutrality. So she left her plate and picked up her drink, walked to refill the mug with burning hot halk (the way it was supposed to be taken), and walked slowly and evenly over to the table where Kyuuki and the new girl sat talking.

She arrived just in time to hear the white haired woman speak of the weather. The end of their warmer times was just coming to a close, and if the new girl thought it was cold now, she would know true coldness in a few months. Trying to ignore the firelizards and focus on the hot cup in her hands Eira started to sit down and said in agreement, "Very cold." She rested the mug on the table with her hands wrapped around it in like manner to Kyuuki. "I'm Eira, of Wivish."