Games We Play
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: AL, Vix
Date Posted: 14th July 2008
Characters: Marida, Tanas
Description: Marida and Tanas spend a quiet evening at home.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 10, day 10 of Turn 4
Marida sat at the table, waiting. Tanas would be home soon. Dinner was ready and being kept warm and she had put away her things, her two new drawings carefully stored and hidden in her trunk. She dare not leave any trace of her hobby out, for fear he might question her. He might forbid her. She didn't do it as a craft, but her father hadn't liked her doing it at all. Marida shook her head and looked to the door when she heard someone at it.
Tanas steeled himself before entering the cot that he shared with his new wife. He had become accustomed to life with Marida, but somehow it still unnerved him. What did she do all day? Yes, the cot was always clean. Yes, there was always food awaiting him â€" and very good food at that. But still, there she was, waiting, as if all she did all day, every day, was wait for him to return. As if all of her purpose was in him.
He frowned at that thought, remembering his upbringing. That was what he had been taught was a woman’s role, to be a wife and later a mother. He supposed that it was only fitting that she was sitting there, waiting. As he closed the door behind him, he glanced toward the table, forcing a smile for her. “Hello.” Marida returned the smile, though her own was small. She stood as he entered, rubbing her hands upon her apron. "Hello." She echoed, then asked as she had asked on days prior, "How was your day?"
“Not much different from yesterday,” was his reply. He sniffed as he headed for the table. “What’s for dinner?” "Roast Wherry." Marida stated softly and motioned to Tanas to sit while she went to get the food.
***
After the food was eaten, the plates taken up and washed, Marida moved into the bedroom and return a moment later with two boxes, one of medium size and the other a small one. "I got some cards and a chess board." She stated softly. "Would you care...to play?"
He stared at the boxes before raising his eyes to meet hers. “I truly know nothing about this.” "I can teach you." Marida offered softly as she had offered before. She knew they had to come to some sort of common ground and this seemed to be the best way to do it. She set the two boxes upon the table. "You can choose..."
He contemplated the larger box, realizing that it probably contained the chess set. He remembered the other apprentices and how they had moved the carved figures around the board. At the time he had entertained the idea that they were making up moves as they went, seeking to keep him from joining in. But if the moves had been real. . .
He laid a hand on the smaller box. “This one.” Marida took the smaller box off of the larger and pushed the chess set aside. When she opened the smaller box, it revealed a set of cards. She took them out and began to shuffle them. "There are lots of card games but dragonpoker was the favourite among the family."
Tanas nodded solemnly, remembering the other apprentices playing that game. “Alright.” "You know about the suits of the cards?" Marida queried softly. "What they're called, I mean?"
He frowned slightly. “Names of Holds, I think. Northern ones.” "We can rename them." Marida suggested as she continued to shuffle the cards while they talked. "If it makes them easier for you to remember."
“Change them?” His frown deepened. “Shouldn’t we just call them what they’re supposed to be called?” Marida flushed and stopped shuffling. "I was just..." She shook her head, "Never mind." After a moment's hesitation, she began to deal, five cards to each. "There are four different suits and various combinations that can be used to win..." She set the rest of the deck and continued to explain the game.
His continued to frown, concentrating on remembering the names of the cards and what combinations he could choose. However, he had to admit to himself that he was enjoying the game, especially when he found himself holding what could very well be a winning hand. Time passed as they played one hand. . . then another. . . and still another.
“I win,” he declared as he lay his cards on the table, face-up for her to see.
A smile flitted over Marida's face and she placed her cards down. "Indeed you have. You're doing well." She gathered up the cards and stacked them, then began to shuffle them again. "Would you care to play again?" He seemed to be having fun, and Marida found that she was having fun as well. It brought to mind the games she played with her family.
He opened his mouth to accept her offer, but then noticed the clock on the wall. “Oh â€" it’s late.” He shoved the cards together into a pile. “I guess it’ll have to wait until tomorrow night.” "Oh..." Marida hadn't realised how much time had passed. She had actually been having fun and the moments had seemed to pass by so quickly. Maybe there was hope for the two to actually enjoy one another yet. She stood, straightening the pile so that it wasn't so sloppy, then placed the cards back in their box. "Tomorrow night, then. Another game?" Maybe more if they had the time.
Tanas nodded. He had intended to pore over his work, to consider other dye combinations, but this evening had been oddly relaxing. “I need to practice â€" I’m having difficulty remembering which combinations are higher than others.” "Higher than others?" Marida's brow wrinkled in confusion. "I don't understand."
“Well, one pair of cards or two pairs â€" it makes sense that two beats one.” He shook his head. “But whether all the same . . . suit? Or all the numbers in a row? It’s difficult to see how that all fits in.” "Oh, I see, sorry. I thought you meant...never mind." Marida picked up the boxes that still lay upon the table to put away. "We can go over them again tomorrow if you like."
He wondered briefly what she had thought, but chalked it up to women being such strange beings. Instead he nodded again. “Yes. In fact, it would probably help if you’d write them down for me.” "I can do that." Marida nodded. "Maybe tomorrow we can play again, or if you like we can play chess."
“Maybe. . .” He drew the word out doubtfully. “I should probably master one game at a time, shouldn’t I?” "I suppose you're right." Hopefully Penryn would be willing to lend his board out a little longer, or perhaps help her find one. ""Well...I guess we had better get to bed."
“Bed. Yes.” His fingers plucked at the tablecloth, uncertain how he felt about bedtime. There was something about it, something about sleeping with her that seemed just not right â€" but it was what he was supposed to do as a husband.
"I'll go turn down the sheets." Marida cluthed the boxes to her chest as she hurried into the bedroom, leaving Tanas to his own ministrations. She had similar thoughts to him. It was strange, being in bed with someone else...but...expected. Expected...but so very strange.
Last updated on the July 14th 2008