A Lot To Learn

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 14th December 2006

Characters: Iyoen, Abrei
Description: Abrei introduces herself to Iyoen and promises to read up on herbs to prepare for her new duties.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 1, day 8 of Turn 4

Abrei

"Hello?" Abrei poked her head around the end of one row of plants, feeling slightly awed by how many seedlings there were in the nursery.
She'd had no idea how many of the herbs she used were grown at River Bluff. "Master Iyoen?"

"Yeah?" A head of wavy brown hair peeked up from behind a row of rosemary seedlings. "Is that Master Abrei?"

"Yes." Abrei stepped around a table. "Jynrek said you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, I did," Iyoen nodded as he stood to his full height and wiping his hands on the seat of his pants. "I thought that since we will be working together, we should meet and talk about what we're doing here."

"Ahhh." Abrei had been trying to forget about that. "Well, I probably need to do some studying first. I don't know how much useful I'll be to you messing around with the plants..."

"I can teach you about plants," Iyoen assured her. "What I need is you to teach me about herbs. I have a basic understanding of what they are used for, but I need your more intimate experience with them to help me understand why I'm doing what I'm doing."

"I'll be learning some of it myself," Abrei admitted, running her fingers lightly over the leaves on one plant. "I know all of the general information, of course. But I've never studied herbs exclusively. I've sent for several extensive books on the subject from my cousin, though.
Herbs are his specialty."

"Well, I'll be happy to pass everything I know on to you as well." His knowledge was rather extensive. "But I just need to make sure, you don't have a problem with canines, do you?"

Abrei froze. "What do you mean?" she asked warily.

"Well, my canine, Sprout, she sleeps under the table while I'm working.
She's very sweet and gentle, she won't bother you a bit," he assured her quickly.

"Oh. Well, she's not going to... try to play with me or anything, is she?" Abrei had never gotten along well with animals of any sort, but canines always seemed to want more affection than she was willing to give.

"No no," Iyoen chuckled as he unconsciously reached a hand down to scratch the golden head peeking out from under the table. "She's starting to get a little old to play, though she does have her moments.
Mostly she just lays under a table or out in the sun and sleeps. When I go, she goes. At most, I would think she might wander by and ask for a quick pet."

That didn't sound _too_ bad, so Abrei gave a noncommittal shrug. "I suppose it won't bother me, then. I just am not very good with pets."

"Don't worry, everyone ends up loving Sprout. My flit, Anhiri on the other hand..." The farmer sighed with an indulgent smile. "He makes trouble from time to time, but if you ignore him he'll soon get tired of it."

"Ignore the firelizard, pet the canine..." Abrei wondered how many more pets she was going to have to remember rules for. She still wasn't completely sure that she wasn't being punished for something. "Anything else I need to know?"

Iyoen scratched his head thoughtfully. "You're not afraid to get your hands dirty, are you?"

Abrei stared at him for a moment, not sure he was serious. "I'm a surgeon," she said finally when it became obvious he wasn't going to laugh. "I spent most of my time with my hands covered in the sort of things that make people throw up. I imagine I'll be fine with a little dirt."

"All right then," he shrugged. "The rest I guess you'll learn as you go. How good are you at identifying plants on sight?"

She considered it for a moment. "I don't know. I don't usually see them while they're still growing. I was not fond of harvesting expeditions."

"Well, we can work on that as well. Ok, most important question..." He walked over to a small basin and began washing the dirt off his hands.
"Do you prefer wine or beer?"

"I prefer wine," she admitted. Then sighed. "But I'm not allowed to drink for the foreseeable future. Not until the healers decide otherwise."

He could live with that. "All right, what about juice? What's your favorite kind of juice?"

Abrei shrugged. "I'm not picky. I drink a lot of water, now."

"Well, then, let's go grab a couple mugs of nice cold water. What do you say?"

"And talk?" she asked uncertainly. She had always hated having to make small talk with people she didn't know well.

Iyoen picked up a watering can from under the table and did a few quick passes over the seedlings in front of him. "I'm not trying to hit on you, Master Abrei. We'll talk about your role in my operation, what I can do to help you adjust, what information you need me to prepare. That sort of thing. And if you feel like telling me more about yourself, that would be fine too."

"Oh. Well, that's fine, then." At least he would be able to get her something to read, then. After all, she couldn't spend _all_ of her time finding strange men to sleep with.

Last updated on the December 18th 2006

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A Lot To Learn