Old Friends

Writers: Rochelle
Date Posted: 31st May 2008

Characters: Tatitem
Description: Tatitem relaxes a litte with an old friend.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 10, day 5 of Turn 4

Tatitem knocked firmly on the door to the small weyr in the staff quarters, adjusting the basket on her arm and glaring pointedly at the drudge staring at her instead of refreshing the hallway glows. Hurriedly the drudge turned back to his task, attempting to look extra industrious as if by doing so he could make her forget the moment's slip when the door opened.

Tatitem smiled warmly at the woman on the other side of the door, and was greeted with a similar smile. "Hello Viri."

"Tati! Come on in." The senior journeywoman vinter hustled her in, closing the door behind them and reaching for the basket Tati was holding. "How are you doing?" Tatitem slid the basket off her arm without a word before moving over to sit on the sofa. She'd known Viri for decades, ever since they and another girl from the hall kitchens had escaped to Dragonsfall shortly after the plague. Responsibilities and family often kept there infrequent visits short, but they were greatly appreciated by both.

"Same as ever." Viri said absently, lifting the cloth covering the food in the basket to peek at its contents. "Actually, that candidate you sent me is really good at cleaning barrels." She grinned. "Or at least he's stopped complaining about women in the crafts. I think I'll keep him on barrels for another sevenday though. It's hard to get a good cleaner. Did you just walk out of the dining hall with all the best pies and no one stopped you?"

Tati chuckled. "One of the few advantages of being in charge is that almost no one is willing to snitch directly out of your arms. They might get caught -you remember Slishan."

Viri laughed, setting the basket down on the worn end table. "Is he still mucking out the beast pens?"

"You know, I'm not sure." Tati admitted thoughtfully. "I know he didn't Impress, and I haven't seen hide nor hair of him since. I'll have to ask Appare." "Not right now you aren't.' Viri said firmly, crossing over to the sleek wood cabinet against the far wall. It the only item in the weyr that didn't look shabby and the drink cabinet was Viri's pride and joy. "Right now we are going to sit down with your wonderful food and..." She pulled open the doors, quickly running an eye over the carefully labeled flasks, wine skins, and bottle. "...a 1202 Marble Springs white, I think. That should go well. Or would you prefer something a little heavier?"

"To get drunk on?" Tatit snorted. "The white will be fine."

"Tati! You know I never get drunk." Viri said archly, pulling out the selected wineskin. "I just sample the vintages."

Tati laughed, relaxing a little farther into the sofa as Viri pulled out the glasses and closed the cabinet. It really wasn't often that they could get together like this, particularly since Tatitem had been promoted to Headwoman. But as the duties amounted and stressful situations piled, Tati found herself missing her friend more than ever. She needed someone who understood how she thought, who wasn't afraid of her and was willing to tell her when she was being silly. It was hard to do that when the person you were talking to was all too aware of the potential consequences of annoying an authority. It was particularly hard to find people her own age and enough similar experiences to commiserate.

They both knew they wouldn't have long before someone came looking for Tatitem for some emergency that required the Headwoman, or some disaster would occur in the wine cellars that would require Viri to slip out back down to the wine cellars. But it didn't mean they couldn't enjoy it until then.

"Here you go." Viri said, tearing the stopper out of the skin and then handing her a glass. "What should we drink tot today? Family? Friends? The roast wherry pie I smell?"

"The pie isn't that good today." Tati said accepting the glass with a thoughtful nod.

"Berry pie then. I know that was in there too." Viri said definitively, settling herself beside Tati on the sofa as the Headwoman shook her head with a smile. Sometimes she wondered if Viri had 'sampled the vintages' before she arrived, but she knew Viri well enough to tell she hadn't, something she felt thankful for every time she entered.

"To berry pies then." The Headwoman announced, raising her glass. "May they never wander off under their own power."

The vinter giggled, clinked her glass lightly against hers, and the two reached for the baskets together.

Last updated on the June 1st 2008

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