A Gather Trip

Writers: AL, Suzee
Date Posted: 15th October 2011

Characters: R'enh, Meledei
Description: R'ehn goes to a gather - buys some pretty stones from miner for jewelry making
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 4, day 7 of Turn 6

R'enh

"I should get some new boots." Meledei mused as they
paused at a Tanner's stall. A warm breeze ruffled the hair of the
goldrider who had accompanied R'ehn to a Northern Gather at his
invitation. It was nice to get out of the Weyr, especially to some
place outside of the South. "I was thinking of some grey ones. Brown
seems to dominate and I like a nice soft grey."

R'enh smiled indulgently. "Well then we should take a look by all
means." His hand went to the small of her back and he steered her
closer. "Is that what you're looking for," he asked pointing to a pair
that seemed to be about her size on a high shelf.

"A little too dark. Something a little lighter." Meledei pondered and
shifted, then motioned to another pair as the leather worker finished
with another customer then ambled over to the new arrivals. "Like that
grey. Those look too big for me though."

"Can I help you m'lady? m'lord?" said the leather worker rather
politely to the pair of high ranking riders.

R'enh smiled at the man. "Lady Meledei needs a new pair of boots and
likes those grey ones," he said pointing. "Perhaps some measurements?"

"Certainly sir," he said waiving them into the shaded coolness of his
open sided tent.

R'enh's hand hadn't left her back so he stepped around the table
toward the seat prepared to hand Meledei into the chair.

Meledei allowed R'enh to guide her, then lowered herself into the chair
that the leatherworker provided. The man opened his mouth to speak, but
Meledei leaned forward to unlace her boots before a word had a chance to
escape. She pulled them off, then offered one foot.

The man took the young woman's measurements, then nodded. "I believe I
have a pair that will fit you. Just a moment." He stood and
disappeared into the back of his stall.

R'enh's eyes traveled over the shelves and spotted a pair of green
shoes that almost matched her eyes. The were obviously intended for a
lady with the embroidery and fine tooling in the leather. The delicate
heels would make for very nice dancing shoes. "Look at these," he said
as he pulled them off the shelf.

Meledei examined the shoes as he held them out. "Those are pretty!"
She stated as she reached out to take them in hand and turn them over.
"Oh if only I had a dress to go with these!"

"Well, we're at a gather... I'm betting we can remedy that too." He
had his own plans to go by the miners tent to see what stones they
might have. She deserved some jewelry and he had something special in
mind if he could find the right stones.

"I don't think I've ever spent this many marks on myself." Meledei
chuckled. She began to try on the shoe, but then the vendor returned
and so she waited. The boots he brought were indeed a proper size and
felt a little stiff, as new leather is want to do, but not
uncomfortable.

The green shoes were also an excellent fit and Meledei admired the way
they looked upon her feet. "They actually look dainty, my feet do."
She commented with soft laughter. And so the green shoes were
purchased as well. "Now I _have_ to find a dress to wear with these!"

He held out his arm for her to take like a proper lady and led her
from the shoemaker's tent toward the weavers. He'd once escorted
Rhosyn on a trip like this though he was sure Meledei's tastes were
significantly different from the Riverbluff Weyrwoman's. He patted her
hand when they got there. He saw many fine fabrics but knew his
opinion would be nothing compared to hers. He supposed she'd have
something spectacular made up by one of the Weyr's weavers.

"This will probably bore you." Meledei fingered a bolt of green. It
wasn't quite the right shade, but it was lovely. Still, if she wanted
something to go with her shoes, she'd best choose something
different and more suitable. "If you want to wander around a bit,
I'll understand."

"Alright," he nodded. "I'll be back in a few minutes. Here let me take
these." He picked up her packages and took them with him so she
wouldn't have to carry them around with her. He made his way quickly
through the press of the crowd and finally found the place he was
looking for. The miners had a nice display set up of both cut and
uncut stones. He found a large peridot with a unique teardrop shape
that was beautifully cut. There were several other nicely cut stones
but not in the quantity he had wanted. Though there was a large tray
full of rough cut and chips. He pulled the large stone and a double
handful of the rough peridot and another double handful of amethyst.
The miner smiled and asked if it was for a lady and Renh just wiggled
his eyebrows.

The miner chuckled. "I think I have something you might like." When he
came back he was holding a pair of drop earrings with tiny peridot
beads and larger amethyst stones dangling beneath.

"Perfect!" he said. "I'll take them."

When R'enh found Meledei at the same stall a few minutes later, she was
just exchanging partial payment for the dress she had ordered. She
smiled and waved to the bronzerider, then closed the distance between
them. "That pretty much wiped me out of most of my marks. This is
probably going to be one of the fanciest dresses I'll have ever owned!"

He nodded and smiled knowing exactly what she meant. He was a bit
thinner in the wallet too, "well remember to give it a nice flowing
skirt so you'll look lovely dancing."

"Oh don't worry, he already sketched out a design and it will be
perfect for dancing. I just finished picking out the fabric and paying
for it." Meledei limped closer and reached for her packages. "Want to
look at some more?"

"I think I have everything I need," he smiled down. He found he liked
the young gold rider and if he'd had a sister he though she would have
been much the same as Meledei. "Would you like to get something to
eat? I think I saw the food vendors over that way." He pointed down
the avenue.

"Food would definitely be good. Here's hoping I have enough left!"
Meledei chuckled and was sure she did, but she _had_ spent quite a bit
more than she thought she would. Ah well, she could use another nice
dress - and this would be a good one to wear at the hatching feast.

"Don't worry," he said. "I've got plenty."

Last updated on the December 16th 2011

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A Gather Trip