Packing For A Trip

Writers: Ames, Heather
Date Posted: 12th March 2014

Characters: Faldrimme, Barenziah
Description: Barenizah helps Faldrimme pack for a trip to Hidden Meadows hold with her father
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 5, day 10 of Turn 7

Faldrimme

Barenziah

Things were going by in a whirlwind for Barenizah. One day she was
plodding along sewing doilies sand sipping tea and the next she was
being asked to attend Faldrimme on a trip to Hidden Meadows as a
prospect lady-in-waiting for her. Barenziah wasn't going to argue. She
considered the trip to be something of an adventure in the making. She
knew that her father's friendship with Royan had been the determining
factor in being chosen as an attendant for Faldrimme.

"Well, do you have your wardrobe all picked out?" Barenziah asked, one
fiery red eyebrow arched as she brought a cup of tea to her lips. She
knew Faldrimme because of their fathers' friendship but she had never
gotten very close to the other girl due to their age differences. In
Barenziah's lap rested the newly hatched gold firelizard that her
father had procured for her as a "farewell" gift into this new
position.

"I think so," Faldrimme replied. She smiled at the slightly older
woman who had been hired to come along with her. Faldrimme had
insisted she didn't need a lady-in-waiting, but after her return from
the Weyr, her father had put his foot down. Since she had chosen _not_
to stay at the Weyr and continue crafting, he now wanted to find her a
match. And with that came much traveling, parties, balls, and he felt
more confident knowing she would have a companion with her on her
journey and when she finally _did_ find a match for her future.

This trip was mostly about business. Royan had been summoned to Hidden
Meadows to help with their large animal herd while the holder was
dying. He had worked with one of the sons many Turns ago, and felt he
couldn't refuse his help. He'd offered to take Faldrimme with him,
knowing first, that she would be able to assist him in small ways with
the animals, and second, that the holder had many eligible sons who
might make a good match for his daughter.

"I've got my riding and working clothes," she said with a grin, eager
to have the chance to help her father with his tasks, "and as he
requested, I've packed a few dresses and things to meet the family and
for special occasions.

"What did you decide to name her again?" Faldrimme asked. She looked
down to the beautiful golden firelizard that sat in Barenizah's lap.
"I'm sure Mischief will enjoy having her company. He gets a bit lonely
at times now that Arippa and Mystery are so far away."

"Chiffon." Barenziah answered, her lips crooked into a happy smirk as
she ran her fingers along the sleeping queen. Her father was a Master
Beastcrafter and a little more able to get his hands onto things such
as firelizard eggs. A gold, however, had been more than Barenziah had
hoped for when Bathemue had first mentioned that he was giving her
one. Despite all of his griping about her not getting married he
seemed to be a bit sad that she would be leaving him soon.

The redhead flicked a lock of gleaming, fiery tresses over her
shoulder, "I am certainly looking forward to seeing all of these
"eligible bachelors." I hope they live up to all of the rumors that
are going around about them."

"That's a great name," Faldrimme replied as she finished putting her
last gown in the bag. Turning, she sat down on the bed with a sigh.

"To be honest, I'm more excited about working with the animals, rather
than worrying about the eligible bachelors, though I think father has
different ideas. He's been pushing me more and more to find a good
match since I returned from the Weyr." Faldrimme shrugged. It wasn't
that she didn't _want_ to find a match, but she knew that with that
would come stipulations and changes. Most likely she'd be forced to
give up even the small pleasures she got with the animals once she was
married to some man.

Barenziah's lips curled up with amusement at Faldrimme's answer, "I
understand exactly what you mean, but then, I'm an old maid." Although
only twenty-eight Barenziah was considered by proper society to be far
outside the age range of marriage. The redhead looked forward to
traveling and seeing a new place. She only wished they were going
there on better circumstances rather than a dying father. A good party
or gather would have been much more fun.

Faldrimme flopped down on the seat beside Barenziah with s sigh.

"Don't say that," the young girl chided, "There is _always_ a chance
you could find someone still." She didn't understand it really.
Barenziah was a good looking woman. A bit tall perhaps, and maybe the
pure fire in her hair turned some people off, but she should have been
able to easily find herself a man. Then again, maybe she had her
reasons.

Looking at her new lady-in-waiting, Faldrimme gave her a sidelong
glance and then whispered, "Truthfully, I've been worried about what
happens when father finds me a husband. I _truly_ want to craft, and I
nearly gave up my family and heritage to do it. In the end though, I
just couldn't adjust to the lifestyle of the Weyr. Now, I worry that
whatever future I have may not be as bright. If father accepts a man's
proposal for me then I lose any chance of getting to even _pretend_ to
still be a beastcraft. I'd almost rather be an old maid myself and
live my _own_ life." It was nice to have someone to confide in again.
She missed having Arippa around for that. Now that Barenziah was with
her she _almost_ felt like she had when her sister was around again.

"Do you really think your father would make you marry someone if you
were completely adverse to it?" Barenziah asked curiously. She did not
know Royan well, and although he seemed like a traditional holder by
nature, he still seemed like a man that loved his children and wanted
to do what was best for them. "When it came down to it my father could
not force me in the end. Not that it wasn't his right to do so, he
just didn't. I think my mother had a hand in that as well." She
confided with a smirk.

Faldrimme chuckled about at Barenziah's last comment before replying.
"No, I don't think father would force me, but he does want me to find
someone. He knows that while I love beastcrafter, I love the idea of
having children and a family just as much. I just wish it would have
been easier to have both and stay here closer to home."

Barenziah understood the younger woman's concern, "If you do end up
marrying someone who doesn't want you around the animals as much I can
always cause distractions you know." She blinked, her blue eyes
gleaming, "I'm pretty good at that."

Faldrimme laughed, "Now _that_ sounds like a great idea and the
beginning of a great friendship between us."

"Yes it does." Barenziah smiled.

Last updated on the April 13th 2014

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Packing For A Trip