Taking Time (Part 2/2)

Writers: Avery, Eimi
Date Posted: 28th June 2017

Characters: Kiomo, Zelah
Description: Xeladrie meets Kiomo, Bryvin's new assistant.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 13, day 1 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin, Fymer
Notes: Part 2 of 2

Zelah

She walked back into the sitting room and settled back into the chair
she'd been resting in before. Glimmer settled into her lap and she
idly stroked the firelizard.

"I appreciate you willing to take some time," she said. "I imagine
you'll be very busy as my husband's assistant."

"You caught me at the perfect moment. I am between assignments," he
said, gracefully folding himself into the chair across from her. "I
have been hoping to meet you, of course. As your husband's assistant,
I hope you know I am also at _your_ service."

That had potential, Xeladrie thought - but what did he mean by it? She
wondered. "I'm glad to meet you as well. If you're going to be spending
quite some time working with my husband, I suppose we'll see each
other a lot."

"I certainly hope so." Fymer was right. The Lady was rather easy on
the eyes, even in her state. "May I ask how your pregnancy is going
so far? Or would that be too forward of me?"

It was rather forward, when they'd just met, but it was also something
she was frequently asked, so she didn't mind it. "The babe is growing
well and ready to leave soon, so they say. I'm hopeful that Brylex
will have a brother to play with soon."

"Forgive me, ma'am, what I meant was how is the pregnancy going for
_you_? I know it can be a very stressful and uncomfortable time for
many women. But perhaps I've really over stepped it now," he said
with soft, apologetic smile.

Her smile cooled a little. She longed to say the truth, but this _was_
her husband's aide and if she said she hated it, she was sure word
would get back. "I find the latter stages most uncomfortable and would
like them to be over. Though I don't look forward to labor again."

He nodded his understanding. "Again, ma'am, forgive me if I seem to
pry. You see, I have many brothers, but very few sisters. I am very
protective of the ones I have and hate to see them, or any woman for
that matter, uncomfortable. If there is anything I can do, please
don't hesitate to ask."

"I have several brothers, I understand," she assured him with a polite
smile. "Are all your sisters nearby to your home Hold?"

He shook his head with a sad expression. "No, none of them. They
were all married off to Lord Holder's sons at other Holds. And my
original home is far from here, so I'm very far away from all of my
family."

"Do you ever get to see them? They must be lonely, so far from home.
At least Turquoise Bay and Sunstone are neighbors."

"No, they're even far from here. Well past Vista Point Weyr." He
shrugged a shoulder with perfect acceptance. "It was my choice to
leave. I don't regret that, but at the same time there was a price to
be paid. I'm sure you understand that. You left your home to make a
new life, too."

"It's what's expected of the Blood, that we marry and travel around.
Sometimes I just wish I'd been lucky enough to stay and have a man
marry me so I could remain at home, instead of my father having an
eldest son to inherit." She made a face - she didn't like her older
brothers at all.

Kiomo found the face she made interesting. Was it because of the
brother? Because she didn't want to leave her home? Or her thoughts
on Bryvin? "It's the same for younger sons," he said with soft
sympathy. "My older brother inherited. There was really no way I
could stay in the Hold. I could have been given a Minor Holding under
him, but I would always be his younger brother. I could have married
some daughter of a son-less Holder, but I'd always be the outsider.
I'd much prefer to do what Morin did. Make a place of my own. That's
why I'm here, really."

"I can see why you wouldn't want to have a minor holding under him.
Your father, like mine, didn't want to choose on merit, I gather?"

Kiomo shrugged a shoulder. "Who is to say he didn't choose the better
son. Being the oldest, my brother had far more experience than I did.
And my father had so many sons to choose from! We all have our
strengths and weaknesses. My brother has proven himself a fine Lord
Holder." Besides, how could Kiomo be angry? He had gotten his
revenge. His brother's wife and been more his age when she was
brought to the Hold in the months leading up to their wedding, and had
grown to enjoy each other's company... Of course, that was not
information Xelandrie needed to know about him. "No, I needed my
freedom. I am happy with the life I choose rather then one that was
chosen for me."

"It's an admirable philosphy," Xeladrie said, giving Kiomo a smile. If
women only had the same options...

"And you, Lady? What would you like to tell me about yourself?"
Kiomo was very curious just how much she would reveal to him after he
opened up so much to her.

"Well, I've told you I've always lived on the coast, that I love the
sea..." She idly scritched Glimmer's headknobs while thinking.

"My husband was kind enough to give me a small space for potting. I
like to make bowls, cups, and the like, and then paint them."

Kiomo's expression turned thoughtful. "Potting? That's an unusual
and... if you forgive me, messy... hobby for a Lady. How did that
come about?"

"It's messy, but it's so satisfying to look at a finished piece and
say, "I made that"," Xeladrie answered. "My third brother is a
ceramics maker and he used to let me play with the clay, then he
realized I was actually good. My father let me continue with it as an
alternative to embroidery or sewing, neither of which I'm good at."

She was passable at sewing tasks, as would be expected. But her pots
and plates were good, and they could be kept to augment the
households's needs, given away to friends or relatives, or even sold
cheaply to passing traders or ships.

"It's fun to give a hand-made set of housewares to fosters here when
they leave," she added.

"It's wonderful that Lord Bryvin let's you continue doing so. A lot
of Lord Holders would not want their Ladies doing something so...
common, if you will forgive the expression. Sunstone is definitely
more progressive than I expected!" He gave her a warm smile, letting
her know that he approved of her choice.

"Yes, I am very pleased he gave me a small studio." It was the
birthingday gift she hadn't expected and had adored. It gave her a
private place to be and she did enjoy the end result.

"If you'd like a pot or a cup I could make you one," she offered with a smile.

"A cup would be lovely, thank you. But," he leaned forward and said
with a merry twinkle in his eye, "no painted flowers on it, please."

"I can promise that," she said. She could see bold geometrics rather
than something soft like flowers. Something striking. Like his
features.

"Well, I won't keep you from your work too long. But it was good to make your acquaintance, Kiomo," she said.

"Thank you, madam," he replied, giving her a respectful bow. Finally, he had a face to go with all the rumors he had heard. "The pleasure was all mine."

Last updated on the July 4th 2017

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Taking Time (Part 2/2)