Parting is Much Sorrow

Writers: Jelena, Chelle
Date Posted: 15th January 2013

Characters: Asley, Grelni
Description: Asley tells her friend she is leaving.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 1 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Meledei

Sitting there, cross legged, in the middle of the room, she found
herself sorting through a few pieces of hide. It was just what a
printer did when they found loose things sitting around. It wasn't her
room and the pieces weren't hers, but it was something to do until
Grelni returned.

"Asley!" a voice rang through the room all of a sudden as a door swung
open. "What did I tell you about sorting my messes?" A dark haired
young woman strode in with an expression somewhere between annoyance
and amusement.

She stilled her hands for a moment, but it was clear that she wanted
to finish. "I couldn't help it. It was just sitting there..."
Swiveling her body, she remained sitting as her eyes traveled up
and down the other woman's body. A small smile formed.

"Well, shells, finish then," Grelni sighed in mock annoyance as she
flopped down on her small couch, her eyes catching those of her young
lover with anticipation. It was always a nice surprise to find Asley
waiting for her, messing with her stuff or not.

Asley wasn't stupid. Most of the Weyr thought that she spoke to the
older woman about craft matters. She could print things for the
smith like instructions. Even in a Weyr, it wasn't normal for two women
to like each other. Men were tolerated, but women... Finishing her
task, she got up and sat down on the couch, reaching for Grelni's
hair. "Where were you?"

"Was checking over some flame throwers, routine work stuff," Grelni
shrugged. It wasn't often she got to do anything exciting in her
craft. "How about you? How was your day?" she asked as she resettled
on the couch, wrapping her legs around Asley.

"Mmmm after talking with Meledei, I think I am going to focus on ink
production." Of course that brought up other matters that had to be
addressed, though Asley wished they didn't. "It's a messy business but
someone has to do it." She was going to have to move to the Hold. And
it was going to be bad.

"Well, that is good news, isn't it? You getting to focus on a project
of your own?" Grelni tried to sound upbeat, even though she sensed
there was something about it that really bothered Asley.

"I guess. It gets me closer to my knots." She fiddled with the other
woman's hair for awhile, then stopped and just came out with it. "I
don't think I have a choice, though. I'm going to go to the Hold to
finish at the new Hall." Her hands shook and she hid them in her lap.
To her-this was a death sentence but she didn't see another choice.

"What?" Now that really got Grelni's attention and she looked at
her dear friend with big eyes of shock. "Asley, you can't seriously
mean that. I mean.. for how long would you have to be there?"

"Until I get my journeyman knots. Then I can ask to be posted elsewhere.
I can come back." She would be expected to travel then and the Weyr did
need a journeyman printer now that the Hall was being moved. Hopefully
they would still need one when it was time.

Grelni fell silent at that, shaking her head in disbelief. "Do you
think you can.. take it that long?" she finally uttered. She
remembered her own days back at the Hall and felt her stomach
churn at the thought of Asley going through the same fear and insecurity.
Not to mention she would really miss the girl.

"I don't know...I mean...I guess it won't be much different than how things
were for me before. They said it's supposed to be safer now." She knew she'd
have to be very careful. If anyone found out...

"Yes, but..." Grelni paused for a moment, not sure how to phrase what
she wanted to say. Asley hadn't know her 'before'. Finally she settled
on "I'll miss you."

"I know. I'll miss you too. Believe me, I don't want to leave but it's the chance
at knots and a future. I mean, I'll never have anything if I stay
an apprentice." She knew only too well how it felt to be discriminated
against simply because of her sex. And she was going to feel it again.

Grelni sight softly, before she pulled Asley close and kissed the top
of her head. "I know," she sighed. "It's all so unfair. When do you
plan on going?"

"In a month." That would give her time to get her things in order, pack away
what she wanted to take, and travel there. Asley hadn't traveled in a long
time so that was going to be an experience.

"Can we write? As friends, I mean?" Grelni asked hopefully. She
wouldn't ever dream of sending anything sensitive that could get Asley
in trouble, but she would want to know how the girl was doing.

"Sure, that's what we printers are good at." Hugging the woman, she couldn't
help but wonder if this would be the end of everything or if it could
be a beginning to the rest of her life.

Last updated on the February 11th 2013

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Parting is Much Sorrow