Planning Ahead
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: Miriah, Yvonne
Date Posted: 7th October 2014
Characters: Taril, Humari
Description: Taril and Humari spend the evening together chatting about flits and the new Lady Holder
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 9, day 1 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin, Xeladrie, Yriadha, Yarmel
"Have you heard anything about Bryvin's bride-to-be?" Taril peered over his cards at Humari as he asked the question. They'd taken to playing a game or two of cribbage or chess after dinner, partially to pass the time but also partially because it was one of the few things they could talk about together. If he was going to be married for the rest of his life, Taril preferred to make it amicable. That, and Humari smiled when she won.
Humari looked up from over her cards and arched both her brows just a little. "No, just rumors really. Torinya says that mother is getting her quarters ready and that mother and Bryvin are working very well together. Even better than she did with Morin." Humari looked back at her cards, her concentration focused on the game.
Taril could well imagine why. Bryvin had... needs, and Yriadha was attractive enough-- for a manipulative wherry. And Bryvin hadn't been down to the docks for quite some time. "That's good. Lord Xelfin's daughter won't want to arrive to a strange Hold that has no place for her. I imagine that it will be hard for her." He set down a three. "Fifteen for two."
"I suppose that most daughters of the Blood are well prepared for marriages." She had been, despite her unwillingness to marry. She idly wondered if the new Lady Holder would be beautiful and what she looked like... She blinked, forcing herself away from those thoughts as a slight blush tinged her cheeks. She returned her attention to study her cards with even more determination. It would do no good to wonder if the Lady Holder was lovely to look at. She was about to lay down a card when a little green flit suddenly hopped on the table, scattering the cards and knocking over the pegboard with gleeful abandon.
"Sissa! No!"
Taril sighed. "Well, I suppose that's it for the night. I was winning anyway," he said morosely as he looked at the mess. "You'll have to start training her."
Scooping up the little green and scolding her, Humari hurriedly began to pick up the cards, but paused at his claim. "You were not. We were tied." One brow arched, but she turned back to the now sulking little flit in her hand. "I know. I really don't know where to start. I've never had a pet before."
"Treats and a firm will," he told her. "They're mildly telepathic, so you think whatever you want them to do at them, and bend them to your will. It takes a lot of time and patience, much like breaking a runner or training a canine." He shrugged, then turned his hand over to expose a five and a Weyrwoman. "And after this hand, I would have been in the lead."
"I'll try." She didn't know exactly how much will would be needed. She'd not been good at that lately. But she was patient, at least. She frowned as she placed Sissa on her shoulder. "You would not have been in the lead." She flipped her own cards over to show two Weyrleaders and eight. She looked up at him and then slowly smiled with a flash of teeth. "What kind of treats?"
He snorted. Even with whatever was in the crib hand, he'd still have won. "I used dried fish for Dodger, or jerky but that's more expensive. I also spent a lot of my spare time working with him, setting him tasks until he understood, that sort of thing." He'd also been on bedrest after they'd sawed off his leg, so it wasn't as if he'd had anything else to do.
Humari nodded, listening as she idly stroked Sissa's head. "I can get plenty of dried fish." She mused. "And it wouldn't hurt to train her to send messages. Maybe to Torinya now that she's had her baby." She didn't really spend time with anyone else.
"Start by getting her to fetch you things from around the room. That's how I started with Dodger." Hearing his name, the brown flit chirped from his perch on top of one of the cabinets.
"I can do that." She nodded and little Sissa squirmed out of Humari's grip to go and wing her way over to Dodger. She crooned at the brown and promptly moved to curl up beside him. Humari sighed. "This is going to take a lot of work."
"Anything worthwhile does. Speaking of which..." Taril turned a sharp gaze on his wife. "I want you to befriend Lady Xeladrie when she arrives."
Her brow furrowed for a moment, surprised by the expression in his gaze. Her brows then shot up high. "You do?" She blinked rapidly, trying to figure out why he would want such a thing. "But...don't you want me to stay away from women?"
He frowned. "You're a married woman." And if she strayed, she'd face the consequences. But at least she wouldn't get pregnant. "Having Lady Xeladrie as a companion is important, Humari. Her connections to Turquoise Bay can smooth the way for more trade and better deals for us-- and more marks in my pocket. If she sees you as a confidante, then we'll also have an in into the Lord Holder's household. I want her to turn to you when she needs someone. Because the most likely alternative is your mother."
"Its just that mother and Yarmel never trusted me after...." She flushed and nodded as she cleared her throat and then went still at the implication. "My mother is no fit companion for a young lady. " She shuddered at the thought. "I will do as you ask."
"Thank you." Taril bent to pick up some of the pegs that Sissa had knocked over. "Care for another game, or shall I go and do some reading?"
She nodded slowly. "No, I think I will clean up and go to bed." She bent to pick up the rest of the scattered cards, mind already working over what he'd asked of her.
Last updated on the October 19th 2014