Clash and Kittens

Writers: Mirren, Paula
Date Posted: 10th November 2015

Characters: Olwinna, Zaeryn
Description: Zaeryn's design clashes, so Olwinna says.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 14 of Turn 8

"Can you please look at this for me?" Zaeryn sat down in the chair beside Olwinna and passed a necklace across the table to her. "There's something not right." Anyone else might elaborate, but Zaeryn was a woman of few words at the best of times.

"Let's see," Olwinna said and picked up the jewelry. She ran the chain across her fingers and inspected the pendant. Beautiful carved ornament circled around flower made of gemstones. Zaeryn had used different kind of gemstones. "Ah, yes, it's the colours. You've used different kind of gemstones and they don't quite match. Actually their colours kind of clash." Olwinna didn't sound apologetic, Zaeryn had asked her opinion after all.

"Oh." Zaeryn scratched her head. "I thought they looked pretty together." Clash was such a subjective thing and understanding how others saw things wasn't her strong suit by any means. "But I suppose they don't work…"

"The colours are pretty, on their own, but together like this," Olwinna shook her head, "Just doesn't work. Stick to one kind of gemstone only and you get the effect you're looking for."

"I suppose so." Zaeryn sighed. "I just thought I'd try something new. You really don't think it works?"

"Well, maybe with different colours," Olwinna said with speculative tone.

"Maybe." Zaeryn sighed. "I suppose I could just make it in blue stones and leave out the orange and green."

"Or use blue and green. Orange really only matches reds or yellows," Olwinna adviced and handed back the jewelry.

"All right." Zaeryn looked down at the piece. "Thanks. Do you like the design?"

"Yes, it's lovely," Olwinna answered.

"Really?" Sincerity was also something Zaeryn found hard to judge.

"Yes, trust me. I would never lie to you," Olwinna assured her.

Zaeryn smiled shyly. "I believe you. Sometimes I think people say they like my work when they really don't."

"Why would they do that? Oh, yes, out of politeness, if they don't want to hurt your feelings," Olwinna replied her own question. "But sometimes, probably most of the time, they do mean what they say."

"I know some people do, because they buy my things. They wouldn't if they didn't like them, or think their loved ones would like them." But sometimes Zaeryn thought her tools were easier than people to deal with.

"Exactly," Olwinna smiled encouragingly. She found Zaeryn endlessly interesting person, her mind just didn't work like other people's minds.

"_I_ like them," Zaeryn added. "Even this, clash or no clash." She fingered the piece. "I wish I could keep it."

"Why don't you keep it then, as a show piece? You need examples of your merchandise," Olwinna suggested. "And you can made others based on that design. You can even let the customers pick the gem colours themself. Different people like different things and everyone loves a jewelry they can customize themselves to be unique."

Zaeryn thought for a moment. "I suppose I could." The materials were expensive, but if people liked it enough to want their own then it would pay for itself. "When can I make something for you?"

"When I can afford to pay for it," Olwinna replied. She didn't generally wear much jewelry, they got in a way while healing people. She reserved them to feasts.

"Maybe something simple," Zaeryn said. "It might not cost too much. I just want to make something nice." It wasn't easy for her to take no for an answer.

"Hhhmm, maybe," Olwinna said thoughfully and then she was struck with an idea. "Why don't you do something for my daughter? She's ten and loves jewelry and dressing up prettily. It could be something simple, and not nessessarily gold or silver. Polished bronze would be suitable."

"Well - does she break things?" Zaeryn asked. She didn't realise how insensitive the question might be.

"No, she's outgrown that phase," Olwinna was more amused than anything by the question. She knew Zaeryn after all.

"Oh. Well then, I suppose I could then. What does she like?"

"Cute critters, dragons, that kind of things," Olwinna replied.

"Everyone loves dragons. Does she like felines?" Zaeryn asked. "I like felines."

"Yes, she likes felines too," Olwinna replied. "I'm a firelizard person myself."

Zaeryn smiled. "They're cute too." She wouldn't want one on her shoulder, but they were nice to look at.

"Yes, up until the moment they chew your socks, steal your hair clip or eat your food," Olwinna grinned with the voice of experience.

Zaeryn laughed softly. "I wouldn't like my things to go missing." She didn't like it when they were out of place.

"No, you wouldn't. So don't take a pet. Not everyone is pet-person," Olwinna smiled.

"That's true. Some people really don't like animals, except to eat them," Zaeryn remarked. "But a kitten might be nice."

"Kittens also cause distruptions and require care and attention," Olwinna warned. "But they are cute and adorable."

"I suppose I wouldn't be so good at looking after a kitten," Zaeryn conceded. "But I wouldn't mind trying."

"Perhaps you could ask some kitten owner if you can try take care of one. A trial-period of sorts, with the option of giving the kitten back if it doesn't work out," Olwinna said.

"I might get attached to it," Zaeryn said. Letting go of things she liked was a shortcoming she was aware of. It was easier not to get attached in the first place.

"Well, I think that's the whole point of being pet-owner," Olwinna said with dry tone. It was good thing that Zaeryn wasn't very good at interpreting tones of voices.

"So I should get a kitten?" Not that she'd get around to it anyway.

"Up to you. This is a thing you need to decide yourself," Olwinna replied. She was not going to get blamed of making her to do something she later regretted.

Zaeryn shrugged and looked down again at the piece of jewellery which had started the conversation. "Are you sure they clash?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Olwinna said with endless patience.

"All right then." Zaeryn sighed.

Last updated on the November 15th 2015

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Clash and Kittens