Dirt Digging

Writers: AL, Chelle
Date Posted: 12th February 2015

Characters: Qorri, Relea
Description: The two of them dig some roots together.
Location: Green Valley Hold
Date: month 11, day 6 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Coran

Relea

Most days it was beautiful and sunny. Weather like this prompted Qorri
to do her work outside as much as she could. Having gotten a respectable
kitchen garden together, she was out in the plants, picking vegetables they
would either cook or store for later. The smells were wonderful and her sun
hat
kept the worst of the rays off her.

Relea enjoyed going outside and when the weather was fine, she would
make an effort to do so. With Coran's concern in the wake of his
brother's kidnapping, she was careful not to go far from the Hold. It
was a little disappointing, but there were plenty of nice things to see
near the hold. The sight of a form that had become familiar since her
placement there drew Relea's attention and she lifted a hand to wave
before moving closer to the Headwoman.

Wiping the sweat from her brow, Qorri was glad for the distraction. "Well
hello." Her basket was half full so she had quite a few already managed.
"It's a very nice day. Trying to get all the marrow up before it's too
late." She pointed to the big gourds on the ground.

Relea's eyes followed the headwoman's fingers and she nodded. Although
she made a few motions with her hands, she quickly remembered that she
needed to write, not sign. Spending most of her time with Coran had
spoiled her. "Would you like help?" she queried through her chalk.

"That would be lovely." She pulled one of the marrow up and cut it from the
vine. Offering Relea another belt knife from her belt, she nodded to make
sure
the younger woman understood how to dig the gourds up and cut them off.

Uncertain at first, Relea watched Qorri closely before she attempted to
cut one herself. She managed the free the gourd and then reached out
for a second one. While Relea enjoyed the fruits of gardens and enjoyed
spending time in them, she'd never really taken the opportunity to work
in one.

Watching her and seeing that she had the right of it, Qorri continued to
work companionably with Relea. The work went a lot quicker with four hands
instead of two. Qorri could have left the job to a drudge but she'd rather
do it
herself. It gave her time to think and be quiet. Although, she actually
started
humming a few bars to an old teaching ballad out of habit. Seeing a small
trundlebug, Qorri pointed it out to Relea with a smile.

The humming fell upon deaf ears, quite literally. When Qorri moved,
however, the motion did not go unnoticed. Relea's gaze shifted and fell
across the insect the headwoman had indicated. She returned the smile
and nodded. For a moment, the bug was a victim of her scrutiny, then
she tugged the last bit of fruit of the vine to hand it to Qorri. Once
her hands were free, she took up the board and wrote upon it. "What are
you going to do with these?"

"Some will be cooked, others we'll store. Marrows are good vegetables.
They can be used for stew or casserole or even for bread." It was a staple
Qorri always made sure to grow. With the plague not-so-long-ago, she liked
having things that were versatile and hardy.

Relea nodded slowly. Of course, she already knew the various usages of
the plant, but she was curious if Qorri did something different or had a
specific idea for them. "I should probably get back." She wrote once
she had clapped the dirt from her hands. "Coran will wonder where I am."

"I'll see you at evening meal then. Thank you Relea. Anytime you want to
come and garden with me, you're welcome." Quiet companionship was blessing.

Last updated on the March 6th 2015

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Dirt Digging