Gifts and a Kindred Spirit (1/2)

Writers: Avery, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 28th May 2017

Characters: Nohria, Serra
Description: Serra runs into Nohria and they have a frank discussion of womens' rights.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 1 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Zelanka, Corran and Warden, Benani.

Thanks to the recent string of heavy rain and thunderstorms, Serra and
her husband had been in the family cot for three days in a row They'd
had food and projects to work on so they weren't entirely bored, but
by the time that the rain let up she had finished her last project, a
llamas-wool shawl. She needed to get a few more supplies before she
started another project.

With tomorrow a Threadfall day (which meant more confinement inside),
it meant this was the only day she could safely head over to the main
Hold. Fortunately, it was only overcast and not raining. So Serra
threw on a light shawl to cover her shoulders and head in case the
rain came back, tucked the items she was bringing to the Hold in her
carry-bag, and then walked the long path down to the Hold.

When she got there, she headed for the storerooms, planning out what
she'd need in her mind. And then she'd find Zelanka and give her the
items she'd made to send to the Weyr in tithe or give to the Hold
stores, whatever the Headwoman would prefer…

Her plans derailed when she spotted a figure she recognized. "Nohria!"
she called.

The younger woman was carefully examining some leather in her hands,
rubbing a thumb across the surface. Judging by her smile, the texture
was pleasing. She looked up on hearing her name, and gave Serra a warm
smile. "Good day, Serra," she greeted. "What brings you by today?"

"I have some items I made to give to the Headwoman, and I need more
thread to keep sewing," she said.

"Looks like we're both feeling crafty," Nohria kidded. "I need some
supplies too. It's time to start adding reinforced areas to the
shoulders of my clothes, since my egg is due to hatch any time now."

"I'm hoping to make everyone in my family something for Turnover, and
I figured if I don't start now, it won't get done," Serra said. "Are
you looking forward to meeting your new friend?"

"So much. I've already thought of names I like," Nohria gushed.
"Auvbree if it's a green, and Malin if it's a boy. One of the kitchen
workers even promised me some scrap meat when the hatching starts."

"Those are nice names, and good on them for promising the help," she
said. "I hope it hatches soon. Corran loves Warden very much, I know."

"I know. That's one reason why I care about him so much." That such a
tough man could be so kind to his pet was a good thing.

Serra was pleased that Nohria liked her son. "Have you ever had a pet
before?"

Nohria folded the leather, shaking her head. "No, never. I didn't have
a means to until now. I'm really looking forward to it. Would you
happen to know where the strong thread and thicker needles are in
here?"

"I befriended one particular canine in my husband's old trading
caravan. Many Turns ago, before the boys. I always wanted another one,
but they're work animals, not cot pets," Serra said, fondness and
regret both in her tone.

Nohria's question brought her back to the present and Serra headed
over to the right bins. "Strong thread should be here, and thicker
needles would be...Hmm."

She hunted through the bin. They should all be graded by size and
strength. Here were the finer embroidery needles she needed, and she
picked some up to take. That meant that by the other end should be the
thicker ones for denser materials, but they weren't there. "Someone
did a bad job organizing," she said.

"Zelanka won't be pleased," Nohria commented while trying not to think
about Lady Benani's guard dog. She was still thankful she hadn't run
afoul of the large, protective animal. "Maybe the bigger ones are
close by." She tucked the leather under her arm to pick up another
basket.

"If I find them, I'm tempted to re-organize this all myself, before
she can find out." Were people getting sloppy around here?

In the next bin over, where the knitting and crocheting needles were,
she found the large needles. "Here they are, though I don't know why."

"Oh, perfect." Nohria selected three before looking over the thread.
That was less of an issue; most of her clothing was some shade of
brown, with the exception of her best gown, so her choices were
simpler. "Thank you, Serra."

"Not an issue, my dear," Serra said with a smile. "Let me know if you
see any purple threads in there, will you? I have an idea for
something to embroider and need some purples for it."

Purples? That was interesting. It was a hard color to come by, and
thus wasn't often used. Curious as to what Serra was planning, Nohria
nodded assent and dug through the appropriate basket. She came up not
only with the brown thread she needed, but also a shade of blue that
was remarkably close to her Gather gown, and three different kinds of
purple thread. "Here. Will any of these colors work?"

Serra came over and inspecvted them. "This one," she said, picking one
in a deeper purple shade. "It's very close to the Amethyst Cliff
colors," she explained.

Nohria examined the thread more thoroughly. "It really is," she quietly
agreed.

"My husband had a grey scarf with the Amethyst Cliff device on it, but
it has holes now. I thought I'd make him another for Turnover."

Last updated on the June 1st 2017

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Gifts and a Kindred Spirit (1/2)