Sweet Sixteen

Writers: Anika, Tyr
Date Posted: 22nd February 2015

Characters: Symion, Geirlene
Description: Geirlene thinks about the events of her birthingday
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 11, day 9 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Gautrek

Geirlene awoke early and stayed comfortably cuddled in her bed as she
listened to the rain and considered the previous day. Though cool,
it had been beautifully sunny and Uncle Gautrek had gone out of his
way to make it a special birthingday. He had made arrangements to
take leave of his afternoon responsibilities and the whole family had
gone on a midday picnic.

Uncle Gautrek had prepared some specialty foods and brought some sweet
wine. Her brothers had picked her a bouquet of spring flowers. They
had explored some of the Amber Hills countryside and the boys had
climbed trees and even caught some fish. She'd been utterly astounded
when Uncle Gautrek had presented her with a breathtaking necklace on
which hung a green jade medallion set in gold. It had been his
mother's, her grandmother's, and he insisted that now that she was a
young lady she should have it. All, in all it had been a lovely day.

Her brow furrowed as she remembered another encounter she'd had yesterday.

FLASHBACK

Having waited for the family to return from their outing, Symion
stepped out to greet Geirlene as she went take some laundry off the
line. "Happy Birthingday," he greeted her.

"Oh, Symion, you're always surprising me," she said with a smile for
the apprentice.

"Hopefully that's a good thing." When her only response was another
smile, he continued, making his voice sound forlorn, "Your uncle told
me he doesn't want us to spend time together until after I walk the
tables."

"Time alone," she corrected. "True. He worries for me, but we're
both still young, after all, and I suppose you really must focus on
your studies. Besides, I'm sure you'll walk the tables soon."
Geirlene's tone was bright and pleasant as always. Although she'd
been flattered when the dashing apprentice had suggested the picnic,
she had not been terribly disappointed when her uncle had explained
the situation to her. Truth be told she'd given more thought to
whether or not Gautrek might be inviting a certain journeyman over
share an evening meal again soon.

Her casual acceptance was not what Symion had been hoping for. Did
she not actually want to go on the picnic him? Or was she just playing
the role of a dutiful niece and doing exactly as her uncle said. Yes,
that must be it. He'd seen her blushes after all and he knew himself
to be quite handsome while she was pleasant to look at but to great
beauty. "Well, I for one was quite disappointed, but I do have a gift
for you."

"A gift? Oh, no Symion, you shouldn't have. It wouldn't be appropriate."

"Just a simple gift, between _friends_," he stated bringing out the
colorful bracelet woven from bright threads.

With a smile, she accepted the little piece, having seen them at
gathers and knowing they weren't expensive. "Thank you, it's lovely."

"I would have liked to have given you something more, but I didn't
think your uncle would approve."

"Probably not," she agreed, feeling a little uncomfortable with his
words and unable to read his tone. "I uh, really need to be getting
back. Thank you for the bracelet, it really was very kind of you."

"Of course, Happy Birthingday."

END FLASHBACK

Geirlene didn't know why but her conversation with Symion had left her
unsettled. She felt bad. Perhaps Uncle Gautrek had hurt his feelings
when he had said no to the picnic. His explanation had seemed quite
reasonable to her, but maybe Symion had taken it the wrong way.
Trying to push all that aside, Geirlene sat up and stretched. She
might as well get started on her day. As she looked at the flowers
beside the bed and fingered her grandmother's beautiful necklace, she
smiled. Overall it had been a very nice sixteenth birthingday.

Last updated on the March 3rd 2015

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Sweet Sixteen