No Lack Of Company

Writers: AL, Kaysea, Vix
Date Posted: 26th June 2008

Characters: Fog, Eliste, Jardon, Nico
Description: Fog, Jardon, and Nico all come to visit Eliste.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 10, day 10 of Turn 4

It felt fantastic to get up and be able to walk around. The healer had given her leave to move about more, without the wheeled chair, though he had cautioned her not to go far or to over due it. She had waited until the early evening. Winter had been shaken off and Spring had moved in on its heels. It was warm during the day, but the evenings still held a bit of a nip, and so Eliste had taken a shawl and wrapped it around her arms, its fringe teasing her hips. She had gone to the garden that was not far from where she had been placed. A bench was there and she sat upon it, enjoying the cool breeze and admiring the multitude of flowers, some with just buds, a few blossoming in various sizes, shapes, and colours.

Someone had told Eliste that the Sungazer would be docking that afternoon. Her thoughts had been upon Jardon and then turned to Fog and Nico. Would they come visit her? Would Nico want to? It would be awkward, but she had grown fond of the man and hoped that he would. It wouldn't be a pleasant reunion at first, but if they could work past that...she did like him. She had been unnerved by him at first, but he was always kind and gentle to her. He still...well, he still unnerved her a bit, and it was Fog's words that had made her realise why. She hoped they could both move past that. She didn't want to lose any friendships she had made - they had become far too valuable to her.

"The flowers bring out such solemn thoughts?" Jardon smiled at the woman as he approached her.

The familiar voice brought a smile to Eliste and she turned it upon the owner of the voice. "Hello Jardon. How are you?"

"Quite well, though tired." He chuckled lightly. "Days when the Sungazer arrives are always hectic for us since we all turn out to help unload. No matter how much we lift in our usual days, there's much more on these days. And you – how are you?" "I am well, thank you." Eliste's gaze turned towards the river, though she could not see the boat from where she stood. "The Sungazer is here?"

"Aye, tis here." Fog said stepping into view. "And I with it." His lopsided grin split his face as his eyes met hers. "Tis good to see you looking so well." He nodded in Jardon's direction. "Didn't take you long to get back up here." he joked.

Eliste flushed, though she seemed pleased at the arrival of a familiar face. "Hello Fog. I was hoping you would visit." She paused for a moment, looking to Jardon and realising that she didn't think she'd ever seen them around together. "Do you know Jardon?" She asked softly, indicating the man who was standing next to her. She supposed that he would, at least in passing, since Jardon was Vaheri's grandson, but she wasn't sure.

"Distant cousins." Fog nodded, "and of course, when he can be persuaded, he helps unload and load the Sungazer - but at times," he shook his head for emphasis, "it's hard work." He grinned and winked at Jardon, before reaching out to shake his hand. "It went quickly today, and now I can see why you wanted to finish so fast."

"I always want to finish unloading as quickly as possible," Jardon said as shaking Fog's hand. "The longer I stay on that boat, the longer the list of jobs that need done right away. I need to make a getaway when I can or I'll be set to work until I drop. I think you save many of those tasks for when you can dole them out to those on shore." "Would we do anything like that?" Fog asked, then put on his most charming face, "Would _I_" he pointed to himself, "do something like that?" he found it hard to keep the smile from his face and laughter from his voice.

Eliste remained silent, but a small smile haunted her lips. She was enjoying the banter between the cousins. Whenever Helvar had friends over, their banter was less than pleasant to her ears. This..this was much nicer.

"You most certainly would," Jardon told his cousin. "And have done so to me on more than one occasion. I'm not sure why I bother to turn out to help you at all." "Because you enjoy our company." Fog grinned. "So - how did you two meet?" he asked, looking from one to the other. He was relieved she had made a friend here at the waypoint, especially one he knew would treat her well - one who was 'family'.

"Vaheri." Eliste turned her smile to Jardon. "He came with her one day when she was bringing me some fabric scraps so I could make some more quilts."

"And charged me to bring more fabric as she needed it, of course." Jardon shrugged. "However, I've enjoyed Ellina's company and she seldom asked me to bring her more, so I've visited on other occasions as well." "Actually, that reminds me." The young woman smiled a little, eyes glinting with amusement. "I actually could use some more fabric, Jardon."

He groaned at the thought of moving anything more, even a bag of fabric. "Right away or can it wait until tomorrow?" "It's good to have friends who live close by." Fog nodded, "So you haven't been lonely without the company aboard the Sungazer."

"Oh no, it can wait until tomorrow." Eliste stated with a soft flush upon her cheeks. Then she turned her smile to Fog. "Yes, Jardon has been a good friend to me. It's been lovely having him around."

"Well it relieves me to see you've settled in well. You took a while to feel comfortable aboard the Sungazer, and I was worried it would be the same here."

"I was..." Eliste paused and looked down. It had taken a while because she had been so shaken up. Since then, she had calmed down, even though she still had her fears. "Yes, it's gotten easier I guess, especially after making friends on the boat."

"Is there a party going on, that I missed?" Nico walked up to the small group, hiding his disappointment at not being the only one here.

Jardon forced a smile – yet another person here when he had been looking forward to seeing the woman again by himself? "Did they forget to give you the message at your last stop?" "Apparently so..." Nico answered, drily. "I didn't expect to see so many here, Ellina?" he said, using the name she had created for herself. Aware that some still didn't know who she really was. "You don't seem to be lacking for company." he smiled to soften the words, aware they sounded a little petulant, and being unable to stop himself.

Eliste couldn't stop the blush that crept over her cheeks. "I feel fortunate to have so many friends." She said softly.

"No one can exist without friends." Fog said, glancing at his cousin with curiosity. "It didn't take you long to finish up, either, Nico."

Jardon nodded in agreement. "You're usually nowhere near this fast to leave the boat." "I had a special reason today." he said, smiling at Eliste. "Well, I didn't expect to find others here, when I arrived." he slipped his hand into his pocket and held the small box tightly.

"Was there not much cargo?" Eliste asked, honestly innocent of any other thoughts as to why they got away so quickly. She then turned a curious look to Nico. "A special reason?"

"It doesn't matter now, I'll come back later." he said with a shrug, not wanting to give her his gift in front of the others.

Jardon was tempted to let that go, but forced a smile. "I was hoping to take Ellina for a walk – she doesn't get out as much as she likes. But since you two aren't in port that often, I suppose I can cede that task to you." He glanced toward Eliste. "If you don't mind?" hoping that she would prefer his company.

"Actually..." Eliste smiled gently to Jardon, then to Fog and Nico. "I hope you don't mind, but I'm feeling rather tired."

"Oh.... Well, we can leave you if your feeling unwell." Fog tried hard to hide his disappointment, as he glanced across at Nico. "I have a few errands to run..."

"As do I," Jardon agreed.

"I'm not unwell." Eliste assured softly. "I just tire easily." She gave each of the men a gentle smile. "I hope I will see you all later?"

"Hopefully not all at once, again." Fog nodded.

"You'll see me soon," Jardon told her. "After all, you need more fabric."

Last updated on the June 28th 2008

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No Lack Of Company