A New Position

Writers: Suzee, Yvonne
Date Posted: 12th April 2019

Characters: Jayzine, Elana, Panna
Description: Headwoman Jayzine assigns Elana work
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 10, day 19 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentions: the Lord Holder's family (not by name)

Jayzine

Great Aunt Panna grumbled all morning about having to bring Elana to visit the Headwoman, and she'd walked far too slowly down the corridors for Elana's tastes. They arrived at the Headwoman's door and Panna turned to her ward. "Remember, the Headwoman is still rather new, all things considered. And from a Weyr. I don't have any advice for you since I don't know her." She looked Elana up and down, then reached up to smooth a strand of her great-niece's hair back into place. "First impressions matter."

**No kidding.** Elana refrained from rolling her eyes, and instead murmuring a demure, "yes Aunt," as Panna knocked on the door.

Jayzine was well aware of the societal 'pecking order' inherent at the Hold as painful experience had taught her after she had no longer been the Hallmaster's Wife at Vintner Hall. Therefore, she'd brought out one of her working dresses for times when she met with Holders. It was not fancy, yet the fabric and cut were obviously very fine. This pointed to reserve and breeding in the way Holders understood it.

"Come in," she called and waited to see who came through the door this time. She'd had all sorts of visitors once the rumors about her origins had surfaced. She'd tried, unsuccessfully, to draw on her origins at Vintner Hall, yet they persisted in judging her for her latest experience at the Weyr.

"Headwoman Jayzine." Panna stepped inside and nodded her head in greeting, Elana trailing at her heels. "It's a pleasure to see you again. I hope that this is an acceptable time for a meeting?"

Jayzine gave both women a pleasant nod and indicated that they should sit. "Of course, " she said though she felt she could have used the time a bit more productively. She turned over the records she'd been reviewing and sat herself. "How can I help you ladies?"

"I'm sure that you remember that my niece has come to foster. This is Elana." Panna nodded at the girl, who stepped forward and slipped into a slightly clumsy curtsy. Elana held Panna's chair for her, although it was clear that the older woman didn't need the help. "She's from Nadol Cothold."

"How do you do," Elana murmured.

Panna nodded approvingly. "She'll need work to do."

Jayzine nodded. "Welcome Elana," she said. First impressions being what they were, she wasn't extremely impressed but kept her expression neutral. "What type of work are you good at Elana?"

"Anything that needs doing," Elana said confidently. "I'm happy to be of service, Headwoman."

Jayzine nodded and looked down at her desk for a moment. There were so many things that needed doing around here, especially now that their much loved Lady Holder was no longer with them. "How is your needle work," she asked.

Elana hesitated. Sewing was something she was actually decent at, and it was so much easier than scrubbing floors or working in a dairy. It was just kind of boring when it was for other people. "Good," she said after a moment. "I can sew a straight, neat seam and do alterations easily enough, but embroidery isn't... my strongest talent. But I can knit and darn, and I'm fairly knowledgeable when it comes to fabrics." The last bit was a bit of a fib, but how hard could it really be?

"Well," Jayzine started. "Do you have any experience with children?"

The girl hesitated again. "Some. But I'm not as good with them as some others are." Children were sticky, noisy and tiresome, in her opinion.

"Well," Jayzine said slowly. "There is lots of mending involved for the Lord Holder's children. He also has his granddaughter here being raised as a member of the blood. His eldest son is a dragonrider and his daughter is fostered here. If you feel you could pitch in there, it would be welcomed."

Elana blinked. Mending for the Lord Holder's children!? Being around children was suddenly not such a disagreeable task if they were of the Blood. Why, anyone might stop by to see them -- cousins, nephews, uncles... "I'd be honoured to help the Lord Holder's family," Elana said quickly.

Jayzine could almost see the calculation yet that made her more attractive for the spot than she'd initially thought. The Lord's children were smart and another smart adult around them would be a good idea. Her own daughter Jielta could have handled the position easily but she wanted to be a baker so... "Well then, we should find room for you near the children's rooms." She looked back at the older woman. "Will you need to accompany us or...?"

"Oh, no." Panna smiled, looking rather satisfied overall. "I think I'll head out to the garden and sun my old bones for a while. Elana can fetch her own things and I know you are a more than adequate chaperone for my niece, Headwoman. I'm sure whatever room you have in mind is just fine."

"Thank you Panna," Jayzine smiled slightly. "If you'll follow me," she said to Elana and sailed out of the room.

Elana scrambled to follow. This was a better opportunity than Elana expected. She'd barely shaken the dust from Nadol Cothold off her boots and already she'd get to integrate herself with the Lord Holder's family. Emerald Falls Hold was proving to be just as good as she'd imagined.

Last updated on the May 3rd 2019

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A New Position