A Notch or Two

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 24th August 2017

Characters: Merlish, Eilomar
Description: Merlish sees progress!
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 13, day 20 of Turn 8

"Good morning, husband," Merlish smiled as she poured a fresh mug of klah. "Did you sleep well?"

"Good morning, Merlish. Yes, I did?" Eilomar replied. "Ah, the smell of fresh klah," he tood a deep breath in.

Merlish turned to look at him. Something wasn't right... "My dear, is that the shirt I laid out for you this morning to wear?"

"Yes, it is. Something wrong with it?" Eilomar was getting used to just pull on the clothes she had prepared for him. When situation warranted (like some official occasion), he dressed with care and style, even flamboyantly. Rest of the time he didn't care what he wore as long as he looked decent and the clothes were clean.

"I'm not sure," she said with a slight frown. Why was it hanging on him like that? Was there a seam torn out or something? Walking a little closer, an idea started to take shape. "Husband, I think you might have lost some weight! Turn to the side for me."

"I have?" He obediently turned the way she wanted. "Well, I did have to pull in the belt for notch or two."

"A notch or two? My dear, that's fantastic!" Merlish cried out excitedly, throwing her arms around his neck to give him a quick squeeze. "Oh! I feel it! You are definitely losing weight around your middle!"

"Wasn't that the point of those exercises?" Eilomar asked, quite pleased with her reaction.

"Yes, of course, but... I'm just so proud of you!" She turned her head to give him a firm kiss on the check, ecstatic to see some progress at last!

"Well, it's about time all that hard work starts to pay off," Eilomar rumbled with his deep bass.

"Oh, husband!" Merlish said, leaning back to look at him again. "We need to get you new clothes for Turns End! You can't have your clothes hanging from you."

"You're right about that. It won't do to master Harper appear in shabby clothes," Eilomar agreed.

"Of course not! My husband will look handsome as he stands in front of all those crowds, and sings with the most beautiful voice on Pern." The last part, at least, she had no doubt of.

"You're right as usual. Perhaps I should visit the Weavers," Eilomar said.

"Perhaps we can go together?" Her husband did have a pretty good sense of style, so she knew she didn't have to go, but she was feeling optimistic that she, too, might need a new dress.

"Yes," Eilomar agreed. "Do you have a dress for the Turn's End?" he really didn't pay much attention to things like that.

"I do. You spoil me," she said with a soft smile. Merlish never lacked for anything with her attentive husband. "But it might be nice if my dress complimented your new outfit, don't you think?"

"Like those matching outfits for the last Turn End's masquerade?" Eilomar asked with fond smile for that oocasion.

"Matching or complimentary," she said, trying not to let on that she actually hadn't been as fond of that color as he had been. Merlish had agreed to it because it had made him so happy, but had felt a little self-conscious all night. "Maybe we can try a different color this Turn. What would you like?" **Please, not mustard...**

"What is the fashion colour of this Turn?" The tailors would know. "Although I always look good on harper-blue."

"Oh yes, that you do. And burgundy, too." Not to mention it brought out the auburn in her hair, which she liked.

"Well, let's go to find out what those weavers have," Eilomar said. He wasn't so sure about burgundy but hey, if she liked it, he would wear mustard-colour.

"You will look like a new man," Merlish smiled up at him. Well, newer, at least. There was still a long way to go for both of them, but this was certainly a start!

"So, shall we make a appointment with the Weavers then, perhaps after my morning classes?" Eilomar asked.

"Yes! And maybe we can donate the clothes that no longer fit to the refugees at the Hold." There was always the possibility that _one_ of them was the Harper's former size.

"You're so full of good ides this morning, dear," Eilomar replied.

She beamed up at him, amused rather than offended by his rather patronizing compliment. Merlish knew her husband didn't actually know how it sounded, so she could forgive him like she would a child. "Thank you, my dear. Now we better get breakfast before your late for your classes."

"Of course. Must set a good example for the apprentices," Eilomar replied and pulled himself a chair.

Last updated on the September 2nd 2017

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A Notch or Two