Shared shade

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 24th August 2017

Characters: Zelanka, Capwick
Description: Zelanka shares a bit of shade with Hallsecond Capwick.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 13, day 12 of Turn 8

Busy was the word of the day, Zelanka had been running around whole day. After breaking up and mediating an argument between two drudges, she decided to take a break and step outside. Seriously, grown women, couldn't they just get along and talk it thru like sensible beings?

Sighing, she walked a bit towards the vintner hall and decided to just enjoy the sunshine for a moment.

Cap had been in a meeting that morning at the Hold and had decided to take a little break under the shade of a tall tree when he saw the Headwoman out of her usual element. "Well, who let you loose on the world?"

"Hello, Hallsecond. I let myself out," Zelanka replied with a smile.

"Don't they know how dangerous it is to give you the keys?" He scooted over a little as a silent invitation for her to join him. "Maybe I should do the Hold a favor and keep an eye on you."

"Too late, I have all the keys already," Zelanka chuckled and walked over. Well, nearly all, there were few locks that only the Lord Holder had key for.

"Women are always just one step ahead," he said with a woeful shake of his head. "Won't you sit down?"

"Thank you," Zelanka smoothed her skirts and sat down on the bench. "How is your family?"

"Oh, you know, it's Turns End, so it's all new dresses and hair styles..." The Hallsecond rolled his eyes dramatically. "Thank Faranth's shiny hide and the egg it came out from Norwick is still in walking distance. At least _one_ of my son's is around to give his poor old Pa a bit of relief."

"Oh, yes, it's the best part of the Turn's End. You get new dress," Zelanka's dimple showed themselves.

"That might be the best part for _you_, but who pays for your pretty new dresses and baubles?" He pointed a finger back to his chest. "Where's _my_ pretty new dress?"

She looked him up and down, arched an eyebrow and said: "I can't really imagine you in dress. You would have to shave your legs."

"It's good you can't imagine it since you'll never see it. I'd be too afraid you'd try to get a peek up my skirt," he said with a saucy grin.

Zelanka laughed. "Now, would I do that?"

"Well, why on Pern _wouldn't_ you?" he asked with mock indignation.

"Well, perhaps because I'm respectable, married woman," Zelanka replied.

"Hmm. Perhaps," he snorted, looking at her sideways. "I think your afraid of my wife. And let me tell you from experience, you should be."

"Who, me?" Zelanka made her eyes larger. She actually liked his wife, having met her often enough.

"No, I mean everyone in general. Shards _I'm_ afraid of my wife. That's why no one peeks under my skirts. If my wife found out, there would be nothing there to see." Besides, as much Cap enjoyed witty banter and a little harmless flirtation, he was a happily married man.

"You're safe from me," Zelanka assured with amused smile.

"If I didn't believe that, I would not have shared my shade with you, but thank you," he said with a nod of his head. Changing topic, he asked, "So what brings you out here? Turn End planning finished?"

"Hardly, it won't be finished until day before, if even that. No, had to get away from arguing drudges for awhile. I suppose we are all under lot of stress and tempers snap," she replied with far more serious tone.

"Why Zela, are you losing your cool?" he asked with gentle amusement and complete understanding

"I never loose my cool. But even I need a break now and then," she said, straightening her back. Then she relaxed and gave him another smile.

"That we all do." After all, wasn't that just what he was doing, too? Escaping for a few precious moments to just breathe. "The Hold is very lucky to have you, you know. There is no one more capable, and more patient in my acquaintance."

"Thank you, I've been doing this for a quite long time now," she replied.

"Trust me, I've known some old and crusty Headwoman's in my day," he said with a laugh. "You will never be one of them. By the way, will you be coming to the Gather?"

"Of course I will and then I critize it and tell you how much better I would have done it," she replied with dead pan-face.

Cap threw his head back and laughed. "As long as you don't criticize my dancing."

"Have you seen my husband dance? You're safe," Zelanka replied.

"May I expect a dance then?"

"It's a deal," Zelanka promised.

Last updated on the August 24th 2017

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Shared shade