Friendship

Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 1st December 2008

Characters: Leisenn, Minara
Description: Leisenn receives a letter from her friend, Minara.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 13, day 15 of Turn 4

The Hallmaster of the Dolphin Cove Dolphincraft Hall couldn't help but smile at the congratulatory note that arrived with the handsome (and very well trained) bronze firelizard.

Two month anniversary of becoming Hallmaster, indeed! Trust clever, kind Minara to remember and mark such a thing.

Leisenn sent an apprentice for a snack - a few snacks - suitable for the firelizard and settled down to reply.

"It's been a interesting and challenging two months, I'll admit. Not that I'm saying a word against them, these Northerners, because for the most part they've the same range of people as we're used to. It's the girls! Although when we apprenticed there were girls around. I worked with women, taught the apprentice girls when my work went that way ...

"Oh, but Minara! It's been so long and I'm woefully out of practise with them. They giggle, they cry, they travel around in bunches. And I'd like to say that's just the apprentices but there are journeywomen here too, and it's so very many Turns since I've met up with one of those.

"You would laugh, if you were here. You'd probably giggle, if the truth be told, at how old and faded I sometimes feel around them. It never seemed to matter how I looked (not to me, anyway!) when there were only men in the craft and I was flat out working to keep my place among them.

"Tu has settled in well. Not accepted into the pod, but that would have been unlikely, but he seems to have found friends among the other young males and is ranging far and wide gathering information about the area so that we'll not be strangers here if I ever have to go to sea again.

"I hope things are well with you and thank you for thinking of me on this second (month) anniversary.

"Leisenn, in Dolphin Cove"

~ ~ ~

Minara leaned back in her chair, one hand holding the bit of parchment while the other lazily stroked the eyeridges of the firelizard who had settled down upon her desk and curred softly at her caresses. After a moment, she paused, the creature cocking a colourful eye at her in disappointment.

Minara chuckled at the firelizard but did not resume the scritches as her hands soon became busy forming a reply to her old friend.

"Leisenn,

"Ah, how things differ and seem to only get even more different as we age. Was it so long ago that we were two girls, giggling and crying? Yes, we were working hard, but surely you haven't forgotten the mischief we caused as well. As old as we have become, I still hold in my minds eye the image of a young Leisenn, vibrant and full of life. I think you would find yourself despairing at your younger self were she around still.

"Change has come and will continue to move across Hold and Hall and Weyr. The more the things change, the more they stay the same, I suppose. Or perhaps we are the ones staying the same while everything else changes? I hope that despite the girls whose folly you are surely shaking your head at, you have found some enjoyment in your new station.

"I hope that Tu, as well, can find his place among the strangers that surround you. Perhaps you simply need a bit more time to find your feet and for him to find his flippers.

"Minara"

~ ~ ~

When the bronze arrived back Leisenn was still at her desk though the evening meal was probably being served down in the dining hall. She had a snack on hand to give the rather smug firelizard and time to write another reply to her friend.

"I'm glad you're around to remember 'young Leisenn' because some days I think I just imagined her. Then again, sometimes I look in the mirror and am surprised by the old lady there looking back at me. What a muddle our minds make for us!

"How are things with you? Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren all all right? I keep an eye out when ships dock here but as yet haven't run into any of my crowd. Of course, I probably wouldn't recognise the younger ones.

"There haven't been any disasters since I arrived - not on the scale of the hurricane they had earlier in the Turn. And I'm lucky enough to have the former Hallmaster here, amusing himself by beachcoming for shells, while he finds a new niche in life. It's amazing that oldies like you and I just keep on going when somebody so young is stricken down with heart problems. It makes me realise that we're lucky to be around to laugh at our wrinkles; there are so many who don't get that chance.

"Your friend,

"Leisenn"

~ ~ ~

Minara nodded slowly at the words written upon the letter. Then, after making sure the little bronze had a bit more meat to keep him occupied, she penned another letter to her friend.

"All of the family is doing well. Young Ginaren had a spill and broke his arm, but the healers say it should heal just fine. It could have been worse. Other than that, all is quiet hear. Arania and her husband have asked me to come live with them but I'm not certain. I've been here so long. It shall take a bit more mulling over before I make a decision.

"Yes, it does seem odd how we keep on going while I watch those who are younger than me by many turns have so many more problems. I suppose we should be thankful that we are so lucky! Both of us are still vibrant, despite the wrinkles we have accumulated. I often wonder how I could look so old yet still feel young - at least, younger than my age! Be careful, laughter brings about more wrinkles. I suppose the more wrinkles we have, the more we've laughed in life, eh?"

~ ~ ~

"Well I must have laughed a _lot_" Leisenn wrote in reply, underlining the last word a couple of times. "More than my share, in fact.

"Now I'd better run or I'll miss the last serving of the evening meal and that'll put the kitchen staff to extra trouble getting me fed. Meals are good here. You should think about visiting before you settle down with one of the children.

"L"

The Hallmaster gave the bronze another treat and, as she fastened the note into the holder he wore, she told him he would be getting fat if he didn't watch out.

His chirp might have been agreement or amusement. And then he was gone.

Leisenn smiled to herself as she turned off the lights and left the room. They might be far away from each other in body, but she and Minara were as close as ever in their friendship.

Last updated on the December 3rd 2008

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