An Awkward Get-Together (Part 2)

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

Marida shifted in discomfort. It wasn't going well at all. "Tanas'
specialty is in dyes." She cast an encouraging smile upon her husband,
hoping he would open up more.

The conversation was stalling, thought the Harper. "Well as you can see from
my knots I'm a harper. I teach mainly," explained Carlan. "The older
children here at the hold. Maybe one day a child or two of yours will be in
my classes."

Tanas glanced at Carlan, startled, and then to Marida. "We aren't expecting
any children, not yet. Are we?"

The girl's face turned crimson and she quickly lowered her gaze to the
table. "I ah...don't think so."

Nikanna frowned at Tanas. "And if she were pregnant? That wouldn't be a bad
thing, would it be?"

It was the weaver's turn to blush. "Uh, no, of course not. I just. . . I
wasn't really expecting children yet."

"Children come along naturally," commented Carlan with a look for his wife.
"Our daughter has certainly brightened up our lives, hasn't she?"

"She has," Nikanna agreed. "And eventually," she emphasized this word,
"we'll have more."

"I suppose we will too," Tanas conceded, though he still sounded a bit doubtful.

"Eventually." Marida echoed Nikanna before bowing her head to hide her
flush. "We should eat." She stated after a moment when she realised no one
had really touched any food.

"That sounds like a good plan," Nikanna responded. She was starting to
wonder just how good of an idea it had been for the two couples to get together.

Carlan smiled at her as he began to eat his food. He too was thinking that
this wasn't proving to be quite the success his wife had hoped, but it was
nice for them to get out for a little. "At least they don't need me to play
tonight," he said after a moment.

Yes, Marida was glad for that, too. It wouldn't have made things even
_more_ awkward had Tanas been left with her and Nikanna. She managed a
smile at her friend and hoped that, perhaps, after they were all fed and
relaxed with some wine then maybe, just maybe, things would get better.

Tanas chewed his mouthful of food and swallowed before replying. "That must
be inconvenient – to have to play after dinner. Makes for a long work day,
doesn't it?"

"I usually get a break in the afternoon," explained Carlan. "Once the
classes for the children are over, and I've marked their assignments, I have
some time then to spend with my family."

The weaver nodded to this. "But still – do they make you play for long in
the evenings? Does your wife stay here until that's all done?"

Nikanna shook her head. "Usually Ryannae is too tired and cranky to stay for
more than a song or two – if that. I take her back to our quarters and get
her ready for bed. Sometimes he makes it back in time to tuck her into to
bed, sometimes not."

"It seems awfully irregular," Tanas remarked. He preferred his own schedule,
leaving at the same time each morning, returning at the same time each evening.

"But I do get to see my beautiful daughter when she is awake and at her
best," Carlan said with a smile. "And time to see Nikanna too."

Would Tanas ever be that pleased to see her? Or their children? Marida
dared to cast a glance at her husband but she didn't let it linger. She had
a hard time imagining him feeling that way about her at all.

"We get to see each other each evening," Tanas replied defensively. He
glanced to his wife for support. "Don't we?"

"Yes we do." Marida agreed readily. "We spend time together. We play
games." Though they didn't talk much, really.

"Games?" Nikanna smiled slightly, trying to hide her amusement. "What kind
of games?"

"Poker," Tanas announced. "And I'm learning how to play chess."

"He's doing well." Marida still won most of the games, but she wouldn't be
surprised if the tables would turn in the not too distant future.

"I never really played any games before getting married," Tanas admitted.

"Oh." Nikanna looked at him in surprise. "That's sad."

"It wasn't really important at my family's holding," he told her.

So what did they do to spend time together? Marida wanted to ask but
thought that it was a question in private - if at all. "Maybe we could all
get together and play something some time." She suggested, hoping that
Tanas would be agreeable.

"Cards maybe?" suggested Carlan. His heart wasn't in it, but he knew Nikanna
liked Marida.

"Maybe." Tanas' voice expressed his doubts. "But not until I've had more
practice."

"Having them over would give you more practise." Marida stated softly. She
wished Tanas wouldn't find an excuse. He seemed so reluctant.

"That's true," agreed Nikanna. "And I'm not really very good at cards or chess."

"You've probably played a lot, haven't you?" Tanas asked of Carlan.

"It passed the time on my travels, and as an apprentice at the Hall."

"We could teach you." Marida suggested, looking to Nikanna. "It's more fun
with more people."

"Absolutely," her friend agreed. "And we'd really enjoy an evening of cards
with another couple, wouldn't we, dear?" She forced a smile for her husband.

"Of course we could," replied Carlan.

Nikanna flashed him a grateful smile, knowing that this couple was probably
not his first choice for such an evening.

"Maybe in a sevenday or two?" Marida offered, hoping that Tanas would be
amenable. She looked over at him, her expression half questioning, half
begging.

Tanas shrugged. "Sure." He turned his attention to his plate, confident that
by then he could find a way out of that commitment.

Last updated on the January 24th 2009

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An Awkward Get-Together (Part 2)