A Closer Relationship

Writers: Bree, Estelle, Nici
Date Posted: 4th August 2005

Characters: Alalir, Enriline, Fielton, Badia, Lindria, Alajeran, Jeralir
Description: Fielton and Badia are invited to a dinner with the Lord Holder and his family
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 7, day 10 of Turn 3

Fielton

After due consideration, Fielton had packed four unique and highly expensive bottles of wine carefully to bring with them to Amethyst Cliff. With the box tucked carefully under one arm and Badia tucked just as carefully on the other, he arrived for dinner with the Lord Holder and his family, feeling all was right with the world.

A young man from the Steward's staff had been given the job of waiting in the rather chilly entrance hall for the visitors, where he took their cloaks, hats and scarves and directed them to the formal sitting room, which was heated by a blazing fire for the benefit of the Lord Holder's family.

Lady Enriline had made many of the arrangements for the dinner with the Hallmaster and his new wife, and she had not only made sure that all of her family were in their best clothes, but had managed to keep them almost immaculate by banning them from going anywhere near canines or babies once they were dressed. It hadn't been easy, but it was worth it to see the pleasure on the faces of the guests as they were shown into the sitting room and Lord Alalir rose to greet them.

"Hallmaster Fielton, Lady Badia....welcome to our home." He turned to his family. "Your Lady already had made acquaintance with Lady Enriline and Lindria with her visits to us. Have you met my sons, Lady Badia?"

She hadn't, not in a more casual setting and so the first few minutes were taken up with that. She found Alajeran rather handsome, yet shy--and it was obvious that he turned to Lindria in social situations. Lord Jeralir on the other hand....he had a way of looking at you that made you rather...uncomfortable. But then his eyes moved away and he leaned over to say something to his own wife and the moment was gone, perhaps only imagined.

The table settings had been arranged so that Fielton sat closest to Alalir and Lady Enriline, then Badia, and then, thankfully, Lindria and Alajeran, with Jeralir seated farther down the table with his own wife. This way, she and Lindria could talk and she did _not_ have to deal with Jeralir's gaze, imagined or otherwise!

"My daughter and your wife seem to have become close friends already, Hallmaster," Enriline said as the first course was served. The two young women were giggling over something that had made Alajeran blush, and she hoped it wasn't anything too scandalous! "Her visit to the Hold was such a pleasure - I hope there will be many more?"

Fielton smiled with real pleasure at the Lady Holder. "I would like nothing more! I'm afraid there aren't enough ladies at the Hall for Badia to socialize with... certainly none as delightful as your daughter!"

Enriline smiled politely, hoping that Lindria would not prove to disappoint the Hallmaster by setting a..._modern_ example for his young wife. "Of course, it is so much the better if both of you can attend, as with this evening. Lord Alalir has told me how much he favours strong ties between Crafthall and Hold."

"As do I. I hope with things settled here, we can enjoy a closer relationship." That was diplomatic enough to please even his wife, Fielton imagined. He'd never been much good at phrasing things any other way but bluntly, but he'd been in a good enough mood since his wedding to at least make the attempt from time to time.

"The crafthalls are our lifeblood," Alalir said. "Crafts in general--for without them, Pern would surely fall into a dark age." He held aloft the glass of fine wine Fielton had brought. "And I have to say, my territory was gifted with the _best_ of those crafts. As to your wife, please let her come whenever she so desires. It was a delight to sit with her last time."

Badia fairly beamed and took a sip of her own wine, carefully so it did not go to her head--she was small and her experience with drinking limited. "You are too kind, Lord Alalir..."

"I'm glad you got to enjoy her company," Fielton said, smiling at his wife. Her cheeks had turned a delightful shade of pink that he found highly endearing. "I must say she's certainly made my life more pleasant, haven't you my dear?"

Well, at least in the bed chamber she had! "Fielton, please..." Her blush deepened a bit, and she was glad she'd learned the art at an early age. "It is easy when married to someone so kind..." Lady Lindria probably thought she'd lost her mind with the meek and gentle act but it couldn't be helped; it would hardly do to act _too_ boldly_ around Fielton...at least just yet.

Fielton looked amazingly smug as he beamed at his wife. "Well, I'm certainly glad we've all found ladies that suit us so well."

Alalir laughed. The man was more besotted than Alajeran was with Lindria. "Now, that's certainly something to toast." He raised his glass, taking Enriline's hand in his own. All right, he'd admit he was more than a bit besotted himself.

Jeralir raised his glass. "Hear, hear..." He was the only one who sounded less than enthusiastic and it was clear from Calanna's raised colour and his bored expression that neither was as besotted as the rest regarding their 'choice' in spouse--at least not tonight.

Alalir sighed inwardly and looked at Fielton again. "Tell me, will any of the upcoming wines be named for you as they were for the previous Master of the Hall? One or two of those you gave us to sample at the party for my Lady wife definitely deserved it." Time for a subject change...

Fielton wasn't perceptive enough to have noticed the tension, but he never minded changing the subject to himself. "Certainly. More of the lighter wines will be ready in the spring, though some will need a little more time."

"Well, I'm sure they'll all be supurb...and I can't wait to try them out." He'd have to ask Fielton if he'd mind planning to display some for the first Gather of the spring. Still, it was an issue that could wait--this was supposed to be a casual gathering after all!

Estelle (estelle@triadweyrs.org)
Enriline, Lady Holder, ACH
Lindria, hold resident, ACH

Bree - bree@triadweyrs.org
Fielton, Hallmaster, ACH-VH

Nici (nici@triadweyrs.org)
Alalir, Lord Holder, ACH
Alajeran, hold resident, ACH
Jeralir, hold resident, ACH
Badia, hall resident, ACH-VH

Last updated on the August 16th 2005

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A Closer Relationship