A Dinner Dat--ahem, Appointment

[Memorie]

Tujal sauntered into the Weyrhall and took a seat at the Great Table. Although she was technically still a weyrling, Amenth's flight was so imminent that it was hardly worth it to waste her time at the Weyrling Table. She had started to sit at Ruet's left side at formal meals, leaving the right side open for K'leren, her mate. So far, Lyrai hadn't said anything to her, and Ruet hadn't seemed to notice. And those were the two people in the entire world she could trust to put her in her place if she needed it.

A drudge walked to her and asked if he could bring her anything to drink. "Just klah, please," she told him, smiling.

"Aye, Milady," he said, retreating into the kitchens.

Tujal looked around and waited for her guest to arrive. He ought to have finished drills by now, and was probably cleaning up for dinner. G'del would be there soon.

"Here you go, Milady," the drudge said upon his return. Tujal always remembered how hard good help was to find, and show her immense gratitude towards the man.

"Thank you very much, Sir," she replied. The drudge smiled and went back to the kitchens after Tujal asked him to please return when her friend arrived.

[brimstone81]

G'del was getting ready for dinner when Solarith yawned and noted, Remember that you have to meet Tujal tonight. Yes, I know, henceforth why I am making sure I am clean shaven. G'del said, using a blade to clean up the stubble on his jawline and chin. He wanted to look his best. He wanted everything to go wonderfully smooth tonight. He was actually a little bit giddy. I thought you said that you were only thinking about friendship when you think about Tujal. Just hush you. We are only friends. At the moment. But that's not really what you want, is it, RiderMine? Solarith teased merclessly. The bronze relaxed on his ledge, almost sleepy from his drills today. He was in shape, so he wasn't that tuckered out. Plus for some odd reason G'del had shortened drilled by an hour. . .

G'del finished shaving, made sure he bathed and smelled nice- Just for a friend, right? I said hush you. I'm going to have dinner with a friend, yes. Solarith rumbled pleasantly, Well have fun and don't wake me up unless it's really important. "Will do, dearest." G'del said sarcastically outloud and walked out the door . He wore one of his nicest tunics, his gather belt, slacks that weren't ripped or torn, and of course, boots. His hair was brushed, he was clean shaven, and he was hungry. Perfect. He strode in with a relaxed air, while inside he was a little nervous.

He found Tujal immediatly, but who could ignore the Ruathan beauty? He came up and sat across from her, and smiled friendly-like, "Hello, milady Tujal. I trust you had a fine day?"

[Memorie]

A scrape on the floor sounded in front of her, and Tujal left her daydreams to find G'del seated in front of her. "Good day, Wingleader G'del. It's been a good day, for sure," she said, smiling. "How did drills go? I hadn't expected you so early." And beyond that, she had noticed members of Beta Wing walking past the Weyrhall door for a while now.

She looked closer at the man seated in front of her. He was cleanly as possible. He'd obviously gone through some lengths to ready himself for their dinner. Tujal nodded almost imperceptibly. She herself had forgone pants to wear a pretty red dress, cut in a semi-informal manner, and her favorite necklace. The young woman generally eschewed such foibles, but this seemed a special enough occasion to warrant the jewelry.

The drudge came back. "Milord, may I bring you food and drink? Milady?" he added, glancing at Tujal.

[brimstone81]

"I am glad to hear that. And yes, drill went well." He wouldn't tell hear about a particular pain in the arse who couldn't whining about the sun in his eyes or his weyrmate and whatever else the man was talking about. No, he would censor that part of it. He answered here, not wanting to sound too blatently interested, but still interested, "I didn't want to be late for dinner, so I took the necessary precautions"

He mostly didn't want her to laugh at him for shaving an hour off of drills so that he could make sure he was ready. Not that he used an entire hour to get ready. He did actually relax for twenty minutes to be fair. Then a drudge spoke, "Uh, to drink, well klah would be good. And to eat, I'd like any meat you have roasting in the kitchen. Just not fish tonight. Tujal?"

[Memorie]

"It would appear that it was good that you did. And I bet your wing appreciated it as well," she added, grinning slyly. It was no secret of how hard G'del worked his wing. The drudge returned. "Oh, just some fruit and bread, I think," she replied. Tujal hadn't been very fond of meat ever since the Accident when Amenth was a scant six months old.

The drudge smiled, nodded, turned and left. Really, the help around the Weyr tended to be so efficient. Tujal turned back to G'del. "You look..and smell...very nice this evening. What's the occasion?" she couldn't help but ask, smiling.

[brimstone81]

G'del wasn't expecting the question and had no time to control his facial expressions. So, for the first time in a long while, G'del flushed. She had noticed, and that was the point of it, but even so he wasn't expecting to be asked why. He spoke eloquently with the merest hint of a smile, "Why, my fair lady, does not enjoying a meal with a good friend who also happens to be goldrider qualify enough? I do not think that you would like me straight after a hard days work. Sweaty work all that is. I just wanted to look the part of a bronzerider for once." He laughed lightly, knowing that some days he must look pretty rugged when he wasn't motivated to clean up too much. "You should be happy to know that you were my motivation tonight."

I believe you said she was a living Ruathan muse. I thought you were going to sleep. I was. At one time. But I'm not too tired at the moment.

[Memorie]

Tujal was happy enough to accept G'del's reason, but Solarith's words were the flaky crust on the bubbly pie. Her eyebrows flew up into her hairline and a bemused smirk landed on her lips. "Oh? Ruathan muse?" She laughed and sipped her very sweet klah. "Well, G'del, you do know how to win a lady's heart." Tujal flashed him a skeptical look. "But flattery won't get you anywhere, I'm afraid." She shook her head and gave tsk tsk. "Your explanation was enough for me, but it would appear Solarith has gone the one step further, as always."

If she was being honest, she was highly flattered. What woman doesn't like to hear that she is the inspiration for a grody, grungey man to clean himself up? But she had to play it off, make it seem funny. And she didn't want to embarass G'del.

[brimstone81]

Solarith!!
G'del did not expect Solarith to talk to Tujal about such things, but the bronze, since learning she was welcome to his comments, seemed to try to talk to her everytime he got the chance. The bronzerider bowed his head slightly, and then grinned, "Those might have been my words, true enough, but a man might try. It seems that once again my dragon has beaten me to the punchline."

He never would have said it. I thought it was too cute to keep to myself. Solarith rumbled happily, speaking to both riders.

G'del smiled slightly and then laughed, "I am almost rather sorry you were not given to flattery. I should have rather hoped to write you poetry and then have Solarith read it to you." He was teasing a little bit, because no matter what he did or said, Solarith was bound to repeat it to Tujal now. Now Solarith had some one new to talk to, some one who might appreciate his clever remarks. Pity that I have never learned to read your wherry scratch.

[Memorie]

Tujal laughed aloud. "I was thinking that was rather poetic. Who knew that the oh-so-tough Wingleader G'del had a tender side?" She winked at him. "You better watch out. If I were you, I wouldn't want that a a part of my reputation." Actually, though, it wasn't so bad. Sensitive men were hard to come by. "But if you did write me poetry, there is no doubt that it would be beautiful.

Yes, she had seen the flush caused in his face. Interesting.

Surely you aren't actually considering this man? Amenth asked, slightly perturbed. Tujal didn't answer, and Amenth left it alone.

"Indeed, Solarith, I'm glad you chose to share that tidbit with me." The drudge came, bearing plates of meat, fruits of all varieties, and breads of varying sweetness. This was why Tujal was always kind to servers; servers had the unique ability to ruin a meal. "Thank you, Sir. This looks wonderful."

[brimstone81]

G'del laughed, "Aye, my reputation. It's pretty solid and cold as it is right now. I think I can afford a pleasant slip up here and there. No one would notice a few poems. Not that I would totally mind a blemish on my record. I am, afterall, human." He shrugged with mock arrogance, though there might have been a tad of truth in his belief, however mostly it was a jest, "It would probably be the best poetry ever known to Pern, no doubt, and the harpers would have no choice but to turn it into songs. That is of course, if you released them into the harper hall."

Then the food came. G'del never usually ate with such a variety. He had his meat, but there was bread and fruit of every kind. The drudges really knew how to treat a goldrider. The bronzerider took a portion of meat and cut into it. It was cooked perfectly. G'del smiled softly, "Wonderful? This is a feast. You must be a favorite. No doubt about that. Wow. I think the only thing more amazing than the food would be the company. If you don't mind me complimenting."