Preparing for Dinner
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyrhold
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Elsewhere on Pern
NPC Weyr (NPC)
River Bluff Weyr
Seacraft Hall
Writers: Heather, Avery
Date Posted: 5th July 2017
Characters: Xeladrie, Ranni
Description: Ranni helps Xeladrie get ready before an important dinner.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 12, day 19 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin, Sophque
Everything seemed to take longer for Xeladrie to do, given the
advanced stages of her pregnancy. They were supposed to be hosting the
lord and lady of Echo Ridge this afternoon. They had some dispute with
the Weyr, and she wanted to look especially presentable for them. Even
if she was dreading listening to them prattle on.
As she waited for Ranni to arrive, she turned the hairclip over in her
hands, admiring it once more. The silver hairpiece with tiny turquoise
beads had been commissioned from the Smith Hall by her father. It had
been Elarie's, as the eldest daughter. After her death, Xeladrie had
stolen it and kept it in her closet, but never dared to wear it at
home where her father could see. She hadn't worn it here, either, in
case her husband recognized it. But it was one of her favorites and it
had been Turns since he'd known her sister, so the risk seemed worth
it.
Ranni was toting a basket of hair oils and lotions that she had
shopped around for in the market to use on Xeladrie's hair. She rarely
had excuse to be in the market so she kept her head down, paid with
the money her Lady had given her, and quickly retreated to the family
quarters.
"I've got the stuff." Ranni said unceremoniously as she walked in.
The Lady set the clip down on the dresser and smiled at Ranni. "How is
it outside?" she asked. It had been so rainy lately.
"Steamy. It rained earlier but the sun has come out." Ranni began setting the things from the basket out on Xeladrie's table.
"I see," the Lady said. "I miss walking outside but the Healer keeps telling me more bedrest. I hate it."
"So don't do it? Isn't that a perk of being Lady? That you can do what you want?" Ranni picked up a brush from the table and began gently removing tangles from Xeladrie's hair.
"well, they say if I don't do that, it'll hurt the baby. And my job's to protect and make the babies," Xeladrie said. "Once I have this one, though, I'm teling my husband I need some time to just enjoy myself."
"Some of the women do things to themselves so that they don't have children." Ranni said, she had seen a lot of things done by the women she worked with in the keep. Some of the memories made her want to shudder, and other memories made her sad, to think of the women who had felt no way out... She laid the brush aside for a moment and began partitioning Xeladrie's hair.
"I've heard it mentioned that it's possible at the Weyr. I suppose we do trade with the Weyr enough that something could be brought back. If it could be done discreetly, so my Lord doesn't know..." Xeladrie closed her eyes and thought for a moment, contemplating the idea of a childfree life for a bit.
Ranni had a method of preventing childbearing, and that was threatening any man who came near her with the bootknife she kept stashed. That probably wasn't an option for a Lady though. "I could ask around," she offered.
"If you did...you wouldn't tell anyone it was for me?" Xeladrie asked, turning her head a bit to look at Ranni.
"Of course not. It would be your private business," Ranni said.
"I'm just afraid of my Lord's opinion if he found out, since he believes in a woman's place as producing children. As do so many."
"Yeah, well, a lot of people think eating livers is good for you too. Doesn't make 'em any more flavorful." Ranni said as she began braiding the bottom half of Xeladrie's hair.
"Eugh," Xeladrie said with a shudder. "I don't care if they told me it'd stop me from having children, I'm not sure I'd want to eat it, ever."
Ranni carefully combed her nimble fingers through Xeladrie's hair, braiding and then clipping hair every so often before taking down another partition of hair and braiding it. Ranni reached around the Lady and took a bottle of perfume, carefully dabbing a bit underneath the braids that she had already woven. "What do you like to eat?"
She contemplated the question while Ranni worked. "Fish, especially packtail. Or spiderclaws. Rivergrains, yams. I don't really like wherry."
"Yams," Ranni agreed, "especially with that sweet topping on them." It was one of the few things she'd enjoyed growing up. They didn't often get to partake in the really good fish, but she had tasted a few that she liked.
"The ones at Turnover are really good."
Turnover. Ranni shuddered thinking about it. The kitchens had to put out so many dishes during Turnover that she usually spent days down there helping scrub out pots.
"Have you thought of names for this baby?" She asked.
"If it's a girl, Xelabry sounded nice. Elavin could work for a boy, I guess Elavi for a girl too."
Ranni put the last hair pin into place. "Okay, finished." She waited nervously for Xeladrie's approval of her work.
Xeladrie used the mirror to inspect it. "I really like it!" she said in surprise and delight.
A rare smile crossed Ranni's face. She had pleased Xeladrie! "I will go now and see if Sophque has your dressed finished."
"I appreciate it. Between the two of you we'll give Echo Ridge a good show."
Ranni wondered if the people from Echo Ridge were bringing any of their drudges. That was always a good way to find out news and share gossip and possibly learn things to help her Lady.
"Is there anything I can get for you besides the dress?"
Xeladrie indicated the silver hairclasp. "Ask if she has any accessories to match?"
"Of course." Ranni promised. "I will be back soon, milady." The drudge said before slipping out the door.
As Xeladrie waited, she wondered what could be so blasted important that Echo Ridge needed to show up. They'd been angry and sent several letters before coming out here to see Bryvin. Clearly they were furious about something. She wondered what they hoped to gain, and if it was anything she could influence in some way...
Last updated on the September 1st 2017