A Rare Gift

Writers: Eimi, Bree
Date Posted: 5th August 2005

Characters: Jio, Miryene
Description: Jio brings Miryene a rare gift.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 7, day 13 of Turn 3

Jio walked towards the cot, a small pot craddled against his body to protect it from the cold. He was pretty sure Jhonnel was in the Hall at the moment, and he _really_ wanted to see Miryene alone. Genltly, so as not to disrupt the pot at all, he knocked on the door.

It took her a few moments to open the door, but not long enough for her to have been in bed where she was supposed to be. Miryene gave him a shy smile and opened the door enough to let him inside. "Come in out of the cold, Jio... it's not very nice out today."

"Thank you." He shook a bit of the snow off before stepping up into the cot. "Is Jhonnel here?"

"No... no, he probably won't be home until quite late." He almost never was. Koyla had started keeping the children with her later, just because she was worried that Miryene couldn't take care of them and still get the rest she needed.

"Ah," Jio felt a mix of relief and disappointment. He could talk to her alone like he wanted, but for appreances sake it could not be long. "I will be brief then. I have something I want to give, and I hope that you don't find it too presumptuous of me."

"Do you mind if we sit?" Miryene asked, glancing towards the seat she'd abandoned by the fireplace. "I'm trying not to disobey the healer's request."

"Of course not." Jio followed her over towards the fire. He set the pot down on his chair and removed his heavy coat. The man would not need it next to such a fine blaze.

She settled into the seat and curled up in her blanket, eyeing the pot curiously. "What did you bring?"

Jio scatched as his beard a bit nervously as he too looked at the pot, unsure how to proceed. It was a bit of a rare offering, and he was not sure what Miryene's sense of propriety would make of it. Finally he decided just give it to her first. "Go ahead and open it."

Miryene pulled the pot to her and lifted the lid off gently. Then she gasped. "Jio! Is this for me?"

"Yes, it is." He took the seat the pot had been in moments before and stared into her face, trying to guess what she was thinking in that moment. Was she pleased? Was she put off? Would she refuse it? His heart fluttered a but in his chest.

Staring at the egg nestled inside the pot, Miryene wasn't sure what to say. "But Jio, this is precious! Shouldn't you give it to someone else?"

So she _did_ like it! He couldn't help but grin, "No, it's for you!" Jio suddenly felt that he was looking a bit _too_ happy about her reaction. She was an honorable married woman, after all. "I want you to have it. My brown is the sire, so Master Fielton gave me two eggs."

It was almost too much--for the first time Miryene was aware of the fact that Jio was alone in her cot with her. Considering the smear she already had on her reputation, it was probably all too easy to misunderstand the gentle friendship she shared with Jio. Now he was giving her something that was worth so much... "Are you sure, Jio? It's... it's a very valuable gift for a foster mother."

"But," he quickly reassured her, "I was thinking that it would be wise, considering your medical condition at the moment. Well, a baby is not a condition of course," Jio corrected, "but since you are on bedrest, if... well if for some reason you need immediate assistance, a flit could summon help for you." He dared to meet her eyes as he said, "I worry about you here all alone everyday."

Miryene smiled at him and carefully replaced the lid. Then she handed the pot to him. "You should put it by the fire, I suppose... oh, I don't even know what to do with it! You'll have to make sure I don't do something wrong..."

Jio released his breath. He had not even been aware that he had been holding it! So she would take the egg! Smiling broadly as he took the pot from her he said, "Well, now it's just an egg, so apart from putting it out in the cold or letting it drop against the ground, there really isn't anyway to go wrong."

"Thank you, Jio..." Miryene watched him put the pot on the hearth, her smile growing. "It is so very thoughtful of you..." "Not at all, Miryene." He quickly reassured her. "It was an extra, and I am glad I can give it to someone who can really use it." She reached out to rest a hand on one of his. "Even so, it's a valuable gift. I'll treasure it."

Jio looked down at her hand resting on his, and let his eyes slowly raise to meet hers. He wanted to tell her that he had always meant that egg for her. He wanted to tell her that he would have given it to her even if she had not be pregnant and alone. He wanted to tell her that he wanted to give it to her because she was the most wonderful woman he had ever met. But he did not say a word. He hoped that his eyes, as they gazed longingly into hers, would not betray the truth to her.

After a moment Miryene looked away, not understanding the depth of his feelings, but knowing that there was something there that shouldn't be. "Thank you, Jio."

"It was the least I could do for my friend." He emphasised the last word a bit, as much to convince her as himself. "I can come back tomorrow and check the egg for you if you like."

Miryene nodded, glancing back at him. "That would be nice, Jio... I honestly don't know what to do with it!"

"Well, then, I should leave you know before people start to talk." He gave her an apologetic smile as he stood to go. "But I promise to come back tomorrow."

"I'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow, then," Miryene replied, moving to stand as well. I'll walk you to the door."

Last updated on the August 16th 2005

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A Rare Gift