Your Friendship

Writers: Jane, Kaysea
Date Posted: 14th October 2007

Characters: Causton, Rikka
Description: Rikka runs into the new Vintner Hallmaster.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 6, day 13 of Turn 4

Rikka wasn't doing anything when she ran into the new Vintner Hall Hallmaster. Not, apparently, even looking where she was going.

"Ooomph." She staggered a bit back from the corner of the corridor she had incautiously been striding along. "Are you all right?" she asked, peering at the man she had walked right into.

"I'm fine - err - Journeywoman?" his eyes fastening swiftly to her knots, a look of confusion on his face for a brief moment, as his hands reached out to steady her.

"Rikka. Thank you. I didn't do you any damage, did I? I was probably walking too fast. There's talk that I do," she said, amused as ever by the comments.

"Oh I see, you walk _and_ talk fast." he replied, trying to take in what she was saying, his mind being distracted by the sight of her knots.
"You're based here, at Amber Hills?" he asked, not able to get over his surprise at seeing a female crafter in these surrounds.

"Yes. For a while now." She peered at his knots. "Are you just visiting?" she asked doubtfully, eyeing the complex Hallmaster knots and vintner badge.

"Er, no, not visiting. I'm Causton, the new Hallmaster." he smiled down at her, "And you're _posted_ here - not just on assignment?" he still couldn't get passed the fact a woman was crafting here. Was there hope for Geni after all, he wondered?

"Sadly, I am," Rikka said, her sometimes incautious tongue getting the words out before she considered how tactless they were. The Vintner Hall had the same policy about women crafters as most of the Southern Halls. "Not that this isn't a lovely place ..."

"But I take it, not as welcoming as other Halls and Holds about the place?" he knew from Geni's experiences that this was true. "But surely they appreciate the work you carry out?" Then again, he also knew from experience, that this wasn't always the case.

"Yes." She hadn't considered just that aspect before. "I think they do."

"Are there many female crafters here at the Hold? I haven't seen any since I arrived - except for you."

"Just me as far as I know. Technicians. Always needed," she said in explanation. "I don't think there are any in your Hall."

"No, no there's none in the Vintner Hall - not that I have anything against female crafters," *I married one*, "but orders from on high preclude women from the Hall. At least on this side of Pern."

"You don't? Oh, yes they do, for most Halls. Not technicians and not dolphineers, though," Rikka said. "And perhaps not for harpers? I heard something about that ..."

"I'm not sure, I think there may be a few around, but they're not very well accepted, either."

"No." Rikka sighed. "I don't suppose you're going to make any changes at your _new_ Hall?" she asked, more teasing than serious since he had already acknowledged that orders from those more senior than him prevented any change.

"Unfortunately no...but-" was he being incautious, he wondered. Should he arrange for support for Geni before she even arrived?

"But?" Rikka prompted hopefully.

"Soon there will be someone here who may be in need of your friendship,"
he replied, a little incautiously, since he barely knew the girl he was talking to.

"Oh? That sounds interesting. Can you tell me more?"

"My wife - she won't be arriving for a month or more, but when she does
- she may need your friendship."

Rikka's smile widened. "The new Hallmaster's wife might need my friendship? I'm flattered." This was a change from her uncomfortable interview with the Lord Holder's son about her friendship with Benider.
"Of course, I'd be honoured to meet with your wife, when she gets here."

"I'd better explain, though." Causton cautioned. "Do you have time to walk with me?" he asked, waving the way forward, for them both.

"A little bit," Rikka said cautiously. "I'm between jobs."

"Good, and Rikka, thank you." he nodded, still worried about being incautious, but more worried about the reception his wife would receive once her secret was found out, and he had no illusions that eventually she _would_ be found out.

Last updated on the October 14th 2007

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