An Awkward Get-Together (Part 1)

Writers: AL, Emma, Vix
Date Posted: 20th January 2009

Characters: Carlan, Nikanna, Marida, Tanas
Description: The two couples have dinner together.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 21 of Turn 4

They arrived at the dining hall evidently ahead of those whom they were
going to meet. Marida stood to the side and waited with Tanas. She glanced
over at her husband, wondering what he was thinking, but hoping he would
have an open mind about the dinner. She hoped that Nikanna's husband would
draw him out and that he could find a friend him as she had done in Nikanna.
Of course, there was no way to tell until after they met and interacted
with each other. The girl did her best not to fidget though it was hard.
She had a tendency to do so when she was so uncertain.

"If we were at home we wouldn't have to wait around," Tanas muttered,
annoyed that she had expected this of him.

"There they are," Nikanna told Carlan, tugging on his arm. "Those two near
the wall." She sighed and looked up at her husband. "They look very
uncomfortable. I hope this idea works out."

"With luck it will," replied her husband as he rose to his feet so that they
could notice him. "I'll be nice."

At first, Marida didn't see him. Or rather, she didn't pay attention to
Carlan since she was looking for Nikanna. When she realised that he was
looking straight at her, however, she took a closer look and noticed Nikanna
sitting next to him. "There they are." Marida motioned, then glanced at
Tanas before making her way over to them.

Her husband took a deep breath and started forward, nudging his hand against
Marida's to clasp it. "Remember – we don't have to stay very long."

"Their expressions are making _me_ nervous," Nikanna remarked quietly to Carlan.

Marida glanced down at her hand encased in Tanas' and then nodded. "All
right, but please be polite. Nikanna's my friend." She returned her focus
to weaving around the tables, coming to a stop at the one Nikanna and Carlan
occupied. She offered a small smile to the other woman. "Hello."

Carlan had heard his wifes's words, but not had time to respond as they
approached. Instead he studied the pair briefly for a moment, before
offering them a smile. "Good evening."

"Hello, Marida. And this must be Tanas." Nikanna smiled warmly at the two.
"This is my husband, Carlan."

Tanas' smile barely touched his face before it was gone. "Good evening." He
glanced toward his wife as if puzzled before dropping her hand and pulling
out a chair for her to sit.

"It's nice that you could join us this evening," Carlan said as he watched
the pair. They seemed awkward, ill at ease, but that could be down to the
setting.

"It's nice to meet you." Marida's smile lasted a little longer than Tanas'.
She was surprised by the gesture of her husband, but obediently sat down
in the chair. "I hope the evening finds you well."

Tanas seated himself next to his wife, silently looking from one person to
another.

"Quite well," Nikanna told her. She smiled warmly and reached a hand to
Marida. "I'm so glad that you could come!" She turned to Tanas. "And the
food here is really good."

The weaver nodded to her comment, though there did not seem to be much
conviction in the action.

"We're glad to be here." Marida's smile warmed a bit, though it was obvious
she was certainly much happier about the situation than Tanas. "I hope you
haven't been waiting long."

"Not long at all," Carlan said. "We just had to drop of our daughter first."

This brought a nervous laugh from Nikanna. "It feels funny to be having
dinner without her. We seldom get time away from her."

Tanas frowned. "She's your daughter. It's your job to be with her, isn't it?"

"And I am," Nikanna told him. "Except for tonight."

Marida flushed a bit as if embarrassed for Nikanna. "Nikanna always has her
with her when she comes over." She explained, as if trying to justify her
friend.

"She's happy and being taken care of. It's as much a treat for her to have
someone else to play with for a time as it is for us to get some time
together," was all Carlan said. And that was all he would have to say on the
subject for the moment.

"And it's a treat for us to be out for the night," Nikanna continued. She
turned her attention to Marida and smiled. "And we're going to enjoy
ourselves, aren't we?"

"Certainly." She hoped Tanas did too. Marida enjoyed Nikanna's company and
she felt like if Tanas just gave him a chance, he might enjoy Carlan's as
well. She glanced between her companions, struggling for words and finally
coming up with the simple, if unimaginative, "So...how was your day?"

This brought a shrug from Nikanna. "Mine was pretty much the same as usual –
looking after Ryannae, cleaning our rooms, joining with the other women of
the Hold to prepare meals. Oh, and I started working on a new dress for
Ryannae."

Marida had to force herself not to look at her husband. He didn't like her
sewing clothes for herself that she was going to wear out in public and she
had a feeling he wouldn't want her to do that for any children they might
have either. "Sounds about like mine, minus the daughter." She stated with
a half smile.

"I take it you were occupied with your craft?" asked Carlan.

Tanas glanced up at the harper. "Uh. . . yes."

Nikanna thought that the man would add something more, but he remained
silent. She forced as a smile at him. "You're a weaver, right?"

He looked at her and then away again. "Yes."

Last updated on the January 24th 2009

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An Awkward Get-Together (Part 1)