An Old Gift For a New Start

Writers: Ainsley, AL
Date Posted: 3rd February 2009

Characters: Barli, Eliste
Description: Barli brings Eliste a belated wedding gift.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 1, day 3 of Turn 5
Notes: Riverboat Sungazer

Barli approached Fog and Eliste's quarters at a brisk walk. Having seen Eliste at breakfast less than a half-mark ago, she was relatively certain the other woman would be there. She knocked lightly on the door, mindful that little Follen might be asleep.

"Come in." The soft voice chimed through the door. When Barli entered, she was greeted with a smile, though Eliste stayed in the rocking chair, Follen at her breast. She had taken the quilt she had made for the child and had draped it over her, effectively affording her some modesty. "Hello Barli.."

"Hey Eliste. How's the little one doing?" she asked with a broad smile.

"He's doing quite well." Eliste gently patted the nursing bundle who seemed quite content to ignore her as he suckled. "Eating as much as a bovine, I think."

"A good hearty lad," Barli laughed in approval. Lifting the bundle she carried under her arm she ventured to explain why she'd come, "I have a belated wedding gift for you. Had it stored with a friend at Emerald Falls. It was made by our grandmum," Barli continued referring to Barr and Jesten's mother. She unwrapped the quilt for the younger woman to see. "Given your own talent, I thought you would appreciate it. The pattern is paddlewheels. I really thought it was one of her best efforts and that is saying something."

"Oh!" Eliste carefully leaned forward to get a better look at the quilt. Purple and green danced together, abstract flowers against a bed of grass. It was large enough to fit on the bed and help keep them warm in the winter months. During the warmer climate, it would serve as simply a nice decoration. "Oh Barli, it's lovely! Are you sure you want to give it away?"

"I'm certain that I want _you_ to have it. Sure all the rooms have quilts we've made," Barli motioned to the bed and wall, "But this is to be yours, made by Fog's grandmum. You are riverboat folk now and family. This quilt speaks of love and tradition. It's fitting you should have it." What Barli did not tell the younger woman was that the beautiful piece had been given to her before she was to marry Cianan. She had not been able to bring herself to get it out when she married Wiamer and had stored it away all these turns. Giving it to Fog and Eliste felt right.

"Barli...thank you." Eliste's throat tightened at the other woman's thoughtfulness. She reached out with her free hand and drew the quilt close to her. "I'll cherish it."

"I'm glad that you like it. You've made my cousin plenty happy, you and that little one. We're pleased to have you as part of the family," she replied with all sincerity. Then deciding she didn't want to get misty eyed she moved to another topic. "I've started piecing a new quilt. Sunbow has inspired me so I started in on a Flit's Dance."

"How is it going?" Eliste asked as she fingered the quilt. The fabric was quite soft from use, but was still holding together beautifully without any signs of wear beyond the hand. "What colours?"

"Greens, yellows, and some shades of brown. I'm not sure the colors are strictly to my liking yet, so I might make a change. I've just barely begun, but it seems to be coming together nicely."

"It's not uncommon for quilts to evolve from one thing to another." Faranth knew Eliste had changed her mind on many occasion, especially after seeing a certain fabric that simply called to her and she would have to change her entire colour pallet around it.

Barli chuckled. "People are sometimes like that too. Least I find that I am."

"Especially creative people." Eliste commented with a soft laugh of her own. Her mother had been the same way, as had, she found, others involved in crafts or art in some sort or fashion. "And I suppose we count as creative."

"I would say so, yes." Speaking of evolving from one thing to another, made Barli think of the changes in Eliste since she had come aboard. Yes, creative people did what was required to survive. "So how are you finding riverboat life?"

"I love it." The statement was nothing less than the truth. Of course, Eliste would have been happy anywhere Fog was, but the river seemed to have called to her, as if she should have been there all along. She had adjusted quickly, seamlessly into the life.

"That's good to hear. You seem to have taken right to it. My late husband, now, he didn't adjust so well."

"He didn't?" Eliste gave Barli a curious look. She honestly didn't know that much about the woman, or the circumstances surrounding her husband. "He had trouble?"

Barli nodded. "He did. I think perhaps he felt closed in and didn't like family living on top of one another and in each other's business. He was a journeyman technician and I had thought he would adjust well enough but not everyone is cut out for our way of life. He was actually at port looking for a position when he was killed."

"I...I'm sorry." Eliste hadn't realised that and was sorry she had asked. If she had known it would lead to such a sad subject, she would have avoided talking about it.

"Well, that was turns ago now! I have my Jezz and though she doesn't look much like him, when I see her, I remember him with love. Seems not long ago that she was as tiny as Follen there," the older woman stated as she smiled at the quilt covered bundle in Eliste's arms.

Eliste smiled down at her son. She certainly hoped he wouldn't look like his father. At the moment she saw nothing of Helvar in him, which was a good thing. Even if he did, however, she would love him dearly - he had no choice over who had fathered him. "They grow so quickly..."

"Don't they though. Jezz will be ready to marry before I know it," Barli replied quietly, thinking that she wished she could have another baby. That would require a man of course and that is where things got complicated.

"I can't help but think about that already, though I know I have plenty of time." Eliste pondered as she stroked the blanket that covered her son. "I wonder what sort of man he'll turn into and what sort of woman will catch his heart."

"He'll be a good man like his father, and he'll try to find a woman that can live up to his mother," Barli replied with confidence. "I do know what you mean, though. One does tend to daydream about the future our little ones will have."

"I'm in no hurry for him to grow up, though." Follen latched himself and Eliste began to shift him to the other side. "If I could extend this stage to go longer, I would."

"They are so sweet when they're tiny and look to you for everything. I miss that," she said with a sigh remembering sweet moments of cuddling her little girl close. Barli drew herself out of her reverie with a visible shake, "Well, I suppose I should leave you to care for Follen and get on with my day's work."

"I'll be out and about in a bit. I've got some quilting to be done, but I'll probably go out on the deck to work on it." It was so nice to be able to work outside, especially when it was warm. Eliste was glad that it wasn't cold - she wouldn't dare bring Follen out so much if it was, not til he was older.

"We'll see you in a bit, then."

Last updated on the February 8th 2009

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An Old Gift For a New Start