Esther was dawdling over her dinner. She told herself it was just because she had nowhere else to be. That was true, but it wasn't the whole truth. She didn't have anywhere but her own weyr to be, but she had an egg--currently next to her on the table in a pot of warmed sand--that would hatch any day now to keep an eye on. She had straps to be maintaining, since she and Krugith would be returning to duty soon. The floor needed mopping.
You could admit why you're waiting around. At least to yourself. And me, the green suggested. She had enjoyed her own meal and returned to her ledge where the stone still retained some of the sun's warmth.
I'm not waiting for anyone.
Anyone?
Anything, Esther corrected, stabbing her fork into a piece of meat as if to prove that she wasn't waiting at all. She was just eating slowly. Hoping was stupid anyway. She should have learned that a long time ago. She had learned that a long time ago, it was just that some things seemed to tend to make her forget it.
The worst part was that she could feel that Krugith knew she wasn't being completely honest. Her dragon's amusement was a low bass rumble in the back of her head. She took another stubborn bite of her dinner. Not waiting. Not dawdling. Just in the dining hall later than usual, that was all.