>>Great, what am I doing?<< Saith was asleep, and offered no help, not that the growing bronze would say anything truly helpful. >>Thanks.<< He shook his head and stood up, giving one last glance at the panicky insect.
>>Later, buddy.<< And he padded off down the corridor. An hour till classes, what was he doing up so early?
Kira was awake. She'd had such a hectic day the day before that she'd retired as soon as she could decently be excused after the evening meal, and now she was awake early too. Too early for breakfast even. Well, she couldn't stay in bed - perhaps she'd have an early swim. She looked at Cyvarel, still snuggled up in the other bed. She wouldn't wake her, she'd probably be back before she woke.
She sneaked out of bed and into some swimming gear, and threw on a light dress. Grabbing a towel, she slipped out the door.
As she left the candidate quarters, the sun was just rising. Judging by the colour of the sunrise and the wisy mist still hanging over the lake, it was going to be another lovely day! She walked across the bowl and as she soon as she could see the water, ran towards the weyrlake, tossing off her dress as she prepared to dive in.
K'dan had just managed to find his way out of the Weyr, and out in the Weyr Bowl. Spring, how could you tell in Southern? It was always nice. He raked a hand through his light brown hair, trying to get some semblence of neatness.
And that someone running past had snagged his attention quite thoroughly. "Hey!" He hollered and ran after her, fairly certain that was Kira, and *he* had some talking to get done with her. "Ki--" And that was drowned in one of those pre-adolescent squeaks that seemed to be plaguing him lately.
Kira looked around as she heard a strange cry, and skidded to a stop. "K'dan!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around herself in awkwardness. She made as if to move towards him, then scuffed her toes in the dirt self-consciously, avoiding his eyes. "I'm sorry for yelling at you." She continued to look downwards and past him.
He probably wouldn't want to talk to her now despite the apology, she thought, waiting for his reply, which seemed like an eternity coming. She hazarded a look at him, but his expression was not welcoming. He looked angry, but there was a hint of something else. Hurry up, she pleaded silently, get it over and done with, and I'll get out of your way.
She looked sideways at him through her hair.
He rarely talked to people in situations like this, and it took him some time to formulate a response. >>Does she think I'm mad? Oh great... I seem to confuse a lot of people. Hey, make a mental note: I could make a living out of that.<<
"Don't worry about it." He shrugged, and looked up, away from her. She didn't look exactly comfortable.... "I mean, yeah, I tend to say stupid stuff, guess I did, whatever, eh. Still friends?"
"OK," she sounded hesitant. "I'd like that. But you should know that I got wound up 'cause of what you didn't say, not what you said. I don't like secrets much, especially when it comes to putting one over on your friends." She knew she was pushing it. She paused. "You probably had your reasons. And I suppose you don't know me."
Oh, no, now she was going to cry. "Do you want to come for a swim?" she asked, trying to sound normal.
Perhaps once she dived in she'd feel better, fresher, and if she didn't, the water would hide any tears. Oh, why did she have to turn into a sook in front of this boy who possessed most of her waking thoughts?
What *had* he been about to say then? He couldn't even remember. He stared at her for some time, and it was almost ridiculous, the quiet that passed between them, with nothing but the soft Southern breeze. He remembered there was a reason he avoided people. They were so... unpredictable.
"Uhm..." >>Okay, she changed the subject. Just let it drop? ...Will it just make her angrier?<< Another question, more pressing. >>And why do I *care* so much?<<
"Sure." Weakly. "Sounds good." He looked away, up at the sky again, unsure if he should say anything else. He remembered at one point, his cynicism toward people that acted like this, the way he often witnessed such, and outright laughed. Now *he* was in the position. And it felt downright weird.
Relieved, Kira turned and ran to the lake, diving in before K'dan could see the threatened tears. She surfaced, water sluicing off her curves, back in control. She splashed K'dan playfully as he broke the surface, laughing at his astonished expression.
