To Have A Friend
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: 6th August 2008
Characters: Nikanna, Marida
Description: Nikanna and Marida meet for the first time.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 11, day 9 of Turn 4
Marida clutched her bag to her chest as if to ward away any who might come close to try and hurt her. It was so strange behing in such a large place on her own. Previously she would go with her mother, but now she was the woman of the cot with no daughters to accompany her. Perhaps that would change in time, but for the moment, it was still an odd sensation.
"Fruit." A voice next to her spoke the word simply. Then again. "Fruit." The woman speaking pointed to first one and then to another, emphasizing her words for the babe in her arms. "Red. Orange." Marida couldn't help but turn her attention to the voice and a smile came unbidden to her lips at the child. "She's cute." Her gaze met the other woman's, then went back to the little girl in her arms. "H...how old is she?"
"Just over a turn," Nikanna replied. "She's not ready to say all of those words but I name everything for her anyhow." "She'll learn eventually." What would children of hers and Tanas' look like? She hoped as pretty as that child. She certainly hoped any children she bore would look better than she did. "What's her name?"
"Ryannae," the other woman told her. Then, remembering herself, "And I'm Nikanna." Nikanna was awarded with a small, shy smile. "I'm Marida. Well met..." Nikanna...the name sounded familiar to her somehow, though Marida couldn't think why.
"Well met," Nikanna told her before she was distracted by her daughter. "No, dear. We don't need those greens." She gently moved further from the displays, separating the little girl from temptation.
"Is she your only?" Marida wondered how many children she and Tanas would have. Any? A dozen? Hopefully not a dozen! That seemed extreme.
"So far only one." The other woman laughed lightly. "And for now, one is enough." "Well, she's lovely." Marida complimented again, her smile growing as she gazed upon the child. Children were, perhaps, one nice thing about marriage. She didn't think she'd mind having children. "Maybe soon..."
"Have you been trying for long?" Nikanna asked the question hesitantly, unsure whether the other woman was even attached to anyone.
"Oh, no!" Marida flushed at that thought. "I mean...I haven't been married for very long. Just over a month..." Two months on the twenty first. In some ways, it seemed like it hadn't been that long - in others, it had seemed longer.
Nikanna shifted Ryannae in her arms to hide her smile. "But you're not _not_ trying?" The young woman's face screwed up in confusion. "I don't think I know how _not_ to try." Except to deny her husband, which was what Marida's mother had taught her she shouldn't do.
"There are herbs you can take if you're not ready for a child," the other woman told her. "But as long as you and your husband are enjoying each other's company there's still a chance, even with the herbs." "Herbs? To keep you from having a baby?" Marida had no idea. Her mother had never mentioned such a thing, nor had anyone else. Not that such things were ever really discussed. In fact, her mother had only talked to her a few times regarding sex, and the longest conversations had been just before she had married Tanas. And only then had her mother gone into more, and rather embarrassing, detail. "I didn't know." Enjoying each other's company? Well...she didn't hate Tanas. She thought she could like him. She did enjoy the times they had played those games. She hoped maybe they could learn to like one another.
Nikanna nodded. "The healers will supply them to you, but probably not yet. You're pretty much expected to produce at least one baby before they'll consider it." "Oh, I see." Well, it would still help keep from having baby after baby after baby, right? "Well, I must get going, but...it was nice talking to you. Perhaps we could meet...again some time?" Oh to have a friend!
"Of course." The other woman grinned warmly. "I'd like that." It was a bit lonely while her husband was working, with only Ryannae to speak to. Conversation with someone closer to her age would definitely be welcome.
Last updated on the August 7th 2008