A Surprise

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 10th July 2007

Characters: Birigundi, Nialyn
Description: Birigundi walks in on something he shouldn't have.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 4, day 11 of Turn 4

Birigundi

Lyndi squirmed impatiently in Nialyn's arms, pudgy face crinkling in frustration when her mama only tightened her hold. "Now, now, lovey,"
Nialyn crooned, "be still, okay? Just for a little while, I promise. This nice man needs to get a good look at your face." Her expression was apologetic when she glanced up at the harper. "I'm sorry. Usually she's not so fussy."

"That's all right," the harper smiled as he continued his rough sketch. "I'm accustomed to working with children. Could you turn her just a little more towards me please?"

Smoothing a finger down her daughter's cheek, Nialyn obliged. "Ssssh... Come on, Lyndi love. Smile for me! That's my girl." She could feel how tense the baby was in her arms, and knew that even though she had her distracted, it wouldn't last for long. Shards, of all days for Lyndi to be impatient almost to the point of crankiness!

Shifting, she straightened her back against the chair, trying to find a more comfortable position. She didn't know how long she'd been sitting here with Lyndi in her lap under the professional scrutiny of the harper, but she did know it had been long enough for her leg to fall asleep--and twice in different spots. She hoped he'd finish the initial sketch and take his leave before Biri popped up--if he would pop up. He did tend to come around this time in the afternoon. Nialyn's eyes flickered to the stick of graphite the harper held, watching as his wrist moved in a swift, fluid motion. She wanted this portrait of Lyndi to be a surprise.

"So who is this for again?" the artist asked. He liked to chat with people while he worked. It helped them all relax a bit more.

"Lyndi's papa," she smiled. "It's going to be a surprise."

The journeyman used the tip of his finger to do a bit of shading. "Your weyrmate?"

A frown shadowed her face as she looked down at her daughter. "Kind of." It shamed her, and embarrassed her, that she could only bring herself to tell a half-truth. Holdbred inhibitions that had influenced her thoughts and actions since she'd been a young girl were hard to let go of, and it was because of this that Nialyn still had trouble reconciling the fact that she was having a child with a man she was not legally married to. True, it wasn't considered wedlock in the Weyr, but still....

His harper trained ears picked up on the uncertain tone in her voice. Obviously a sore spot. "What's the occasion?" he asked, changing the subject slightly.

Her smile became more genuine as she shrugged a shoulder. "No occasion. I just thought it would be nice to give him something like this. He loves her so much."

"He sounds like a good father then," the harper smiled. "Are you sure you don't want to be in the sketch as well? Really it wouldn't take too much time..."

"Oh no. No... Just her." It would be too presumptuous to add herself in there as well. Much too presumptuous.

"All right. Let me know if you change your mind. Really, it would be no trouble." He decided to drop it, not wanting to make her uncomfortable by pushing her. "Lyndi... That's a pretty name."

Nialyn grinned. "Thank you. It's does seem to suit her. I just hope she won't grow out of it, if you know what I mean." Shards...to think of her baby girl as an adult already... It was rather intimidating!

"Naw," he assured her. "She's a cutie. She'll always fit her name."

"I certainly hope so!" Then she wrinkled her nose. "Of course, she's much cuter when she doesn't need a nappy change..." Sighing tolerantly, she gathered Lyndi close against her chest. "I'm sorry, but would you excuse us for just a moment?"

"Of course," the journeyman smiled as he continued to shade. He was startled out of his thoughts, however, when the door opened behind him. Rising to his feet he turned to face the newcomer.

Birigundi stood in the doorway, looking around the room warily. Yes, this was Nia's room all right. But finding another man sitting in her living area... That was a first. And Birigundi wasn't really sure he liked it. "Is... Nia here?"

"Yes, she's in the back room with Lyndi... er, the baby."

The candidates eyes narrowed slightly. Just where did this guy learn his baby's first name? That certainly didn't sound like a stranger... "I see. And you are...?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Journeyman Tedsel. I'm here to work on a commission for Nialyn. I'm an artist. You must be the baby's father?"

"Yes, that'd be me." Birigundi's wariness turned more towards curiosity as he moved over to inspect the drawing more closely. The harper reluctantly stepped to the side to allow him an unimpeded view. "It's simple, but good," Birigundi finally said, a warm smile spreading across his face. Look at his beautiful little girl... "What's it for?"

"Oh, I don't think I'm at liberty to say," the journeyman replied with an emotionless expression.

That was a transparent statement if he every heard one! "It's a gift? For me?"

"It was meant to be a surprise," he said with an apologetic smile.

"Really?" Birigundi's smile was pleased and touched as he looked back down at the drawing. Nia was commissioning a portrait of Lyndi for _him_?
It was probably the most thoughtful thing anyone had ever done for him. "Shards..." he whispered, wondering what he had done to deserve it. "But, why is it just Lyndi? Why not Nia too?"

"She only wanted Lyndi in the portrait," Tedsel shrugged. "I offered, but she said just the baby."

Birigundi looked down at the portrait thoughtfully. "But this _is_ for me, right?" The harper nodded. "Then, please put Nia in the portrait too. I'll pay the extra. But don't tell her. She'd get self-conscious about it. It's just... not complete without her."

The harper grinned. "I think you're right. There'd be no extra charge."

"Thank you," Birigundi nodded his gratitude. He flipped the book closed and handed the drawing back to the harper. "She's coming."

As soon as Nialyn came into the room again and saw Biri standing close to the harper--close enough to see the portrait of Lyndi--she stopped in mid-stride, surprise upon seeing him swiftly followed by mortification. Oh shards and shells! He knew! Bright color of self-conscious embarrassment stained her cheeks as she gathered her wits and edged closer. "Hi, Biri. I--ah, what are you doing here so early?" Or had it gotten later and she just lost track of the candlemarks?

"T'mahl decided I really didn't need to sit through the 'sexuality in the Weyr' lecture again," Birigundi shrugged with a knowing smile. "He let me run messages instead. I was... rather surprised to find a man in your room though..."

Her laugh was a little nervous as she shifted Lyndi to her other shoulder.
"It's all perfectly innocent."

"You just seem... rather nervous." Birigundi couldn't help but smile inwardly at the way she seemed to be squirming. "I mean... should I...
leave you two alone? I could take Lyndi for a while, if you like..."

She looked at him, then at the harper, her expression rather confused. But he must have seen the portrait! ....Right? Oh, but if he hadn't seen it yet... Hope filled her. "Ah--that's all right, Biri. I...um..." She glanced helplessly at Tedsel.

Shards. The harper was an artist for a reason! He wasn't cut out for such theatrics! His face was much too honest. "No, I was just leaving...
My weyrmate is probably looking for me. A'def can get so jealous sometimes... So Nialyn, if you like I can... teach you more lullabies another time..." He gave Birigundi a contrite smile and blushed slightly as he noticed how hard the candidate was trying to keep from laughing.

"Oh. That would be just fine, Tedsel. Thank you," she smiled, relieved.
It actually was a great cover story! Lullabies! She never would have thought of that... She slanted a look at Birigundi. But would it fly with him? She hoped so.

"Why Nia, I didn't know you sang!" Birigundi said, giving her a broad grin. "Will you sing one of your lullabies for me?"

"Oh no. No, no. How about this: instead of pestering me, why don't you come over here and kiss your daughter hello," she gestured with her free hand, hoping to distract him.

He didn't put up much of a fight as he reached for his little girl and placed loud kisses on both chubby cheeks. Tedsel thought the whole scene might make for a sweet painting one day, and he locked the image in his mind to retrieve at a later date. "Well, I had best be going. Thank you Nialyn, and it was nice to meet you, sir." He gave Nia a quick wink before closing the door on the happy family.

Last updated on the July 11th 2007

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A Surprise