A Gift Not To Be Squandered

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 12th June 2006

Characters: Kiomo, Gleniel
Description: Kiomo and Gleniel make restday plans
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 12, day 9 of Turn 3

"Gleniel," the cooks voice carried across the kitchen. "Holder Kiomo's working late again tonight. Do you think you could spoon up some stew into a bowl and run it and a pot of klah over to his office before you leave for the night?"

"Oh, sure!" the young woman called back, trying not to look _too_ pleased that she'd been asked to do it. Turning back to her task, she scrubbed harder at the counter, trying to get up one more tough klah-stain. Shards! Why wouldn't it come off? Grumbling, she managed to make it fade a little more. Good enough. Throwing the dishrag into the washing basket, Gleniel turned and headed for the hearth, a slow smile curving her lips.

~*~

"Kiomo? I have your dinner...."

"Fantastic," he grinned putting his book aside. "The two most beautiful things on Pern, you and _food_! I'm starving. Have you eaten?"

She nodded, setting the tray down. "With the rest of the girls a couple candlemarks ago." Gleniel smiled at him. "How are you tonight?"

"Good. I'm just reading a book, actually." He winked at her conspiritorially. "I had to think of an excuse, and work sounded like a good one. I guess I just wanted to see you."

Blushing, she leaned down to give him a peck on the cheek. "That's sweet..."

"You have time to sit with me a while, right?" he asked, his eyes pleading.

"I do, actually. I cleaned up for the night down there. I have the rest of the evening off, thank Faranth."

"Wonderful," he smiled. Indicating she should bring the chair in front of her closer he said, "Won't don't you come over here and keep me company while I eat?"

"I hope the bread is still warm," she murmured as she moved closer.

"It's perfect, thank you," he smiled as he broke a piece off the small soft loaf. "Did you make it?"

She nodded, smiling again. "Sometimes I make the bread down there."

"Well, that's probably why it tastes so sharding delicious." He reached over, took her hand and brought it to his lips for a gentle kiss. "Thank you."

Her heart gave a hard bump as his lips whispered over her knuckles. "You're welcome."

"So how was your day?" he asked, turning back to his meal.

"It went well. And yours? Were you cooped up here in your office all day?"

"Not _all_ day, thankfully. Just... most of it," he chuckled. "I can't wait for the restday."

"Mmm...yeah. Restdays are gifts never to be squandered."

He looked at her thoughtfully a moment. "What do you do on restdays, Gleniel?"

"Catch up on my rest. Go out to the runners...not to ride, unfortunately.
Not me. But sometimes I'll help brush them down. Sometimes, if they need me, I'll go to the kitchens and help...." She shrugged a shoulder, smiling slef-conciously. "Not much of a restday compared to some. But it's relaxing."

"Well... What do you say you and I steal up into the hills for picnic?"
he asked conspiritorially.

Her green eyes widened in delighted surprise. "Really?"

"Sure," he grinned. "If you go out to the stables anyway, that would be perfect. I'll wait for you out back and we can meet there and head off into the woods for a picnic without starting any rumors or whispers about."

Her heart gave another hard, little bump. Would there be a _reason_ for those rumors and whispers to start? Blushing, she asked, "Do you think so? No one will see?"

"No, I don't think so," he smiled. "I just don't want your reputation to suffer for it. You know when people see a man and a woman sneaking off to be alone they often assume they are planning to do... well, illicit things, and not just spend a day in each other's company."

"Oh, of--of course," she stammered, feeling foolish and young. Shards and shells... "Yes, people do tend to jump to certain conclusions about others, don't they?"

"Yes, they do. I just don't want to see you hurt," Kiomo took her hand once more and pulled her closer so he could kiss her softly. "So is it a plan then?"

Gleniel looked up at him longingly. "Yes," she whispered. How could she deny those dark, dark eyes? How could any woman?

"Perfect. I'll get the lunch and the blanket. You just bring yourself.
We'll make a day of it."

"I'm looking forward to it, Kiomo." Shards--if only the sevenday would pass by quicker now!

Last updated on the June 13th 2006

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A Gift Not To Be Squandered