Hankering

Writers: Heather, Suzee
Date Posted: 20th September 2015

Characters: Cyradis, Chaysea
Description: The Weyrwoman has a need.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 5 of Turn 8

Cyradis

Cyradis had a hankering for pastry. It didn't happen often but when
she did it was almost overwhelming. And more than that it was
specific. She wanted an almond claw. She called for the pastry cook
when she came into the kitchen. "Nonera are there any of my..."

Several sets of eyes turned to regard the Weyrwoman as she entered the
kitchens. Chaysea was standing beside of the head cook making some
inquiries into the dinner they were preparing for the evening. "Back
to work, you've seen the Weyrwoman before." She ordered the workers
before stepping over to Cyradis with a smile. "Weyrwoman. Can I help
you with something?"

"Just a silly craving," she smiled a bit sheepishly at the headwoman.
"Nonera makes those wonderful almond claws but I don't see her here,"
she shrugged.

"Nonera makes wonderful _everything_." Chaysea agreed. "Unfortunately,
she's down with a cough and a slight fever. Maybe we can find you
something else instead?"

Cyradis sighed and squinched her face. She couldn't begrudge Nonera
her sick time but she had a craving. "Okay," she finally smiled. "What
have you got?'

Chaysea crooked her finger, "Follow me." She led the Weyrwoman through
the door beside the kitchens where the finished baked goods were
stored, waiting to be sent out.

"Try this." She opened a basket lid and lifted out a white, powdered
pastry. "I think you'll find it has a surprise inside, so be careful."
Chaysea grinned.

"Really?" Cyradis enjoyed surprises and took the pastry. "What do you
call this?"

"The bakers call it a 'powder puff' I'm not sure if that is its proper
name or not." She smiled as she waited for the Weyrowman to try the
pastry.

"Interesting," Cyradis turned the confection to an appropriate angle
and took a delicate bite. The bread exterior had been fried before it
was powdered and her eyebrows lifted as a fruit flavored something
shot into her mouth. "Oh," she said when she swallowed. "That is
wonderful. What is the filling?"

"It's a berry they harvest in the Emerald Falls area, comes in on the tithing
train." Chaysea revealed with a smile. "It's a bit more on the fruity
side. If you want something more savory-sweet this one has a delicious
mix of cinnamon with a cream cheese filling." She gestured to another
basket of pastries.

"A very nice use of the berry," she nodded. "Do we have enough for
preserves?" She reached for one of the ones the Headwoman had offered
and bit into it. It was good and her face showed it but she preferred
the fruit one and pointed to it as she chewed.

"We don't normally receive enough on the trains to use the berries in
pastries and also make preserves. I can request a larger order of them
next time if you would like." Chaysea offered.

"hmmm," Cyradis mused. "I don't want to do anything that will strain
the relationship with the Hold. If you feel they'd be agreeable we
might ask but if there is the slightest resistance I'd drop it." She
realized that there was still considerable anti-Weyr sentiment brewing
in various holds within their protection area.

"You're right, but the Weyr did rescue that minor holder from Green
Valley. I'm sure if I asked real sweet we could get a little more, and
perhaps leave off something else that we have a surplus of." Chaysea
offered with a little wink. The job of the Headwoman was to acquire
what the Weyr needed, and sometimes it just took a sweet face and a
little flattery.

"Well if you think you can do it, I wouldn't want to stop you,"
Cyradis chuckled. "I like it very much," she winked at the Headwoman.
"We'll have to talk soon about the Hatching feast. Has Meledei shown
any preferences?" They were little more than a week from when the
hatching was due and though they still had surplus supplies from
Turn's End, sometimes the queen riders had their own ideas of what
they'd like to see at their own Hatching feast.

Chaysea shook her head, "I haven't heard anything from Meledei. Should
I check with her before preparations continue?"

"No need," she waved a hand in the air. "I'm sure you have it down and
know what to do. I'm also sure she'd come to you if she had any
special requests." On a different track she started thinking about her
upcoming flight. "It won't be long before Panitath goes up again and I
think we'll plan something extra special for that. You be thinking
about it and we can try out some recipes."

The Headwoman's eyes glowed happily as she smiled at the Weyrwoman,
"Will do, ma'am."

Last updated on the September 27th 2015

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Hankering