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Writers: Chelle, Mirren
Date Posted: 18th November 2015

Characters: E'rae, Jaffra
Description: E'rae makes plans for his daughter's new wardrobe.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 3, day 5 of Turn 8

His boots made a tapping noise as he walked down the corridor. He was hoping this could be done without too much fuss.
Otherwise, he'd have to make other arrangements but he didn't think it would be hard. E'rae had the instructions written down
already. The bluerider walked up to the place where they had told him he could find help and then he stuck his head inside.
He didn't see the woman.

Jaffra emerged from the storage cavern where the fabric was kept, holding a large and heavy bolt of fabric. Struggling slightly,
she carried it over to her work table and tried lowering it carefully.

Seeing her, he made a slight noise then walked inside. Looking around for a moment, he kept the instructions in his hand.
"Do you perhaps have a bit of time?"

"A bit of time for what?" Jaffra asked. She didn't speak in riddles and didn't like when others did. She preferred when they got
right down to the point.

"My daughter needs a few things. I tried to get what I could from stores but since this is tropical, that wasn't much help. So
I was hoping to see how much it would be for some clothing for her." E'rae waited to see if the woman was receptive to some
work before he went further with the problem. After all, if she wasn't taking notes it wasn't a good sign.

"I would need to measure her for the right fit," Jaffra replied. There was no need for notes at this point. Giving her age would
only give a rough indication of size.

"Her fostermother already did that. I have the measurements and the list of garments. I just was hoping for an estimate of cost
before I ordered them. After all, I may not be able to do it all at once if it's going to be too much." He had time. And once he knew
how much he could pull a few more transport trips to try and make up the difference.

"I prefer to measure for myself," Jaffra replied. "Otherwise if the garments don't fit, people complain, although they are the ones
in error." She'd learnt that the hard way many turns ago. The only way to be precise was to do it yourself.

"Fine. I can understand that. Before I agree to waste your time by bringing her for measurements, could you at least estimate cost
based on the measures I have?" He was trying his best to stay civil. She was a crafter with rank after all. Still, to admit that he was
only a bluerider and thus couldn't provide for his daughter as some others might be able to was not conducive to E'rae's pride. The
Weyr could give him some things-but it wasn't suitable for this purpose.

"It may not be precise," Jaffra warned. "If she's grown significantly or I need different fabrics, it may be more. It might also be less."

"Precise isn't what I'm looking for. I just need an idea to go by. She'll need these things in a certain amount of time so I have to know
how much the cost to see what I have to earn and how long I have to earn it." He wouldn't go further into the explanation. Instead, he
offered the hide with the measurements noted, as well as the specific items of clothing. Werenn needed a cloak, two heavy skirts, three
heavy blouses, two sweaters, and stockings.

Jaffra looked over the list, then got a piece of hide on which to do calculations. She didn't comment about the need for so many cold
weather items. It wasn't her job to pass judgment on that. She passed the hide to the bluerider, the total written neatly at the bottom.

He glanced at it and began to do silent calculations in his head. "I could have that by the end of two months. Could you begin work now
and I could pay upon receipt then? Of course I'll bring her here if you want to take measure."

"That's standard practice, yes. Payment is due on completion of all goods, pending each garment being tried on, of course. Any alterations
due to an incorrect fit will be undertaken immediately and without charge. Any alterations due to a change of mind will cost extra." She should
write this down and show the client, to save her having to say it so often.

"Allright when would be a good time to bring her here?" She could pick out the fabric colors herself that way. It might help her become more
amenable to the entire trip. E'rae saw it as necessary, but it was hard explaining that to an adolescent girl.

"Tomorrow afternoon?" Jaffra suggested. "Or the afternoon after that? I have fittings in the mornings for the next two days."

"Tomorrow will be fine. She'll come herself." Werenn was grown in the eyes of the Weyr. As long as her fostermother knew where she was
she was free to wander after her chores were done.

Jaffra nodded. "Fine then. Thank you." She turned back to her work.

Last updated on the November 24th 2015

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