Gather-day shopping

Writers: Paula
Date Posted: 1st July 2015

Characters: Eilomar, Marcina
Description: It's the Gather day in Emerald Falls Hold.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 7
Notes: Notes: Gather-control post from slightly different point of view.

The day of the Turn's End had dawned cloudy and then it started to rain.
The weather didn't much dampen the festive mood of the Emerald Falls Hold's
Turnover Gather. After yesterday's Threadfall, people were in mood of
celebrating. Nothing like the Thread to remind you why it was so important
to enjoy your life.

Eilomar and Merlish had arrived from the Harper Hall just in time to hear
Lord Corowal's Speech and then the Hold Harper's announcements. Weddings,
births, deaths, last Turn's major events, the usual. After the official
opening was over, Eilomar's sister Maerly snatched Merlish for some "ladies
only shopping", her words. So the master harper found himself all alone.
He also had some shopping to do, an anniversary gift for Merlish, so he
headed to the market stalls too. First he bought a wine from the Vintner's
stall. He was looking around and feeling bit lost. There was so many
different things for sale, too much choice. How could he ever figure out
what to buy for his wife?

"Grand-uncle Eilomar!" a feminine voice called him out of his thoughts.
There was quite a few people around Emerald Falls Hold who called him that,
thank's to his sister's fertility.

"Yes?" Eilomar turned to look. He found himself face to face with lovely
young woman. She had pulled a hood up to protect her mahogany curls from
the rain. She was also obviously pregnant.

"Excuse me, which one of my sister's granddaughters you are?" Eilomar
asked, being not able to place her right away.

"I'm Marcina, Lycina's daughter," she replied with a smile.

"Ah, yes," Eilomar cleared his throat. At least he knew who Lycina was and
Marcina was name he remembered hearing recently. "The one who's wedding we
missed because the date was switched?"

"Yes, that one. We had to advance the wedding because of this one," she
confirmed with a pretty blush and stroked the bulge of her belly.

"Well, congratulations anyway. I think we sent a gift," Eilomar said,
hoping fervently Merlish had sent a gift. He did had vague memory Merlish
mentioning something about it.

"Yes, it was lovely set of silverware, thank you very much," Marcina
answered.

"I'm glad you liked it. When are you due, if I may ask?"

"During month 2," Marcina replied.

"Congratulations," Eilomar said absently. Then he got what he thought as a
brilliant idea. "You're woman, could you help me? Merlish and I have a
wedding anniversary and I have to buy her a gift. You could help me choose
one?" he sounded hopeful.

"I would love to help you," Marcina replied with delighted expression,
remembering that he was quite wealthy, being master harper. Perhaps she
could convince her grand-uncle to buy something for her too. "Shall we
peruse the wares then?"

"Lovely, I appreciate it. You are a lifesaver, darling," Eilomar replied
and offered her his arm.

Together they started to circulate among the stalls. Halls, local crafters
and traders, all had put out their best wares for sale. There were food and
drink - stalls too. Somehow Eilomar ended up buying more than the
anniversary gift. In the end, he had Turnover Gifts for other family too,
to his daughters, his sister and something nice to Marcina and her baby to
be. After all, she was being nice and helpful for her grand-uncle, and good
company too. They ended their shopping spree to the food stalls-area. A
large oiled cloth had been sprung up over the area with benches and tables
for eating. It protected them from the rain. Marcina's pregnant-state
ensured a sitting place for them.

"Uh, this heat and rain is really tiring for me," Marcina complained and
sipped the chilled juice her grand-uncle had so generously paid for her.

"Yes, it's hot today and the weather is really oppressive,," Eilomar agreed
and wiped sweat from his round face before taking a bite from his meatroll.
"I appreciate your help today," he thanked her.

"It's nothing, I've enjoyed this time with you," Marcina said and she
didn't even had to lie that much. The fat old fool was generous and easy to
charm. Maintaining good relationship with grand-uncle Eilomar was
apparently worth the effort. Very worth, she thought with secret smile and
fingered the brand new silver bracelet around her wrist. Yes, she was going
to stay in touch with grand-uncle.

"So, what are your plans for the rest of Gather?" Eilomar asked.

"Find my husband, go to watch the runner races with him, attend the Lord
Corowal's dinner at the evening," Marcina replied.

"Oh, yes, my choir performs there, and after that there's the Ball at the
Hall. You're not attending it?" Eilomar asked.

Marcina shook her head, "I need my rest, I just can't stay up that late,"
she patted her belly. She was starting to feel the pregnancy taking it's
toll on her body.

"And tomorrow?" Eilomar asked, "You and your husband could join Merlish and
I for a dinner," he invited.

"Oh, that would be just lovely, if it doesn't make us miss the Lord's and
Lady's Turn's Beginning Ball," Marcina replied. "I shall suggest it to my
husband," she gifted him with a warm smile.

"Good, good. Ah, there's Merlish and Maerly," Eilomar said and spotted some
familiar faces from the crowd. He stood up to wave them.

More family was coming to join the two of them. That was what the Turn Over
Gather was really about: catching up with those of you family who lived
farther away.

Last updated on the July 8th 2015

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Gather-day shopping