A Playmate for the Evening

Writers: AL, Rochelle
Date Posted: 22nd October 2009

Characters: Tatitem, Irlani
Description: Tatitem asks Irlani if she would be willing to do a favor for one of her assistants.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 5, day 19 of Turn 5

"Irlani?" Tatitem called after the younger woman, hoping she heard her so she didn't have to rush any more than she already was. Her knees were not appreciating the extra work she'd been doing today. "Could I speak with you for a moment?"

Irlani stopped and turned toward Tatitem. In her arms she held her foster son, Ravyan. "Of course, Tati. What can I do for you?" She asked as she shifted the child from one hip to the other.

Tati smiled a little at the pleasantry. It was disturbingly apt in this case, instead of merely an appropriate response to a request for attention. "I need a favor. I was wondering if you'd be free to watch a little boy for a few candlemarks this evening."

"J'gen and I don't have anything planned so I don't see why not." Ravyan would be back to his mother, but Gyta would probably not mind another playmate. "Is something wrong?"

"My assistant, Appare, has to go to Dream's End and the sitter she had lined up is sick." Tatitem explained. "I'd watch him, but I'm in the kitchens. Menare's four, and a little clingy, so I was hoping your experience with Ravyan would work better with him."

"Four, hmmm?" Irlani looked to Ravyan and jostled him playful which brought a smile to his face. "Shall we go pick up a playmate?" The young boy pondered for a moment, then nodded almost solemnly.

"Thanks, Irlani." Tatitem smiled at the pair. "I thought about asking one of my daughters, but they're a little tied up with my grandkids tonight, and not really at their best in the evenings anyway."

"I don't mind, really." And she didn't. Irlani felt like she was born to take care of children even if she couldn't have any of her own. "What time do you want me to be there?"

"Appare has to leave about a candlemark before sunset, so..." Tatitem thought briefly. "If you could come by my office a little before that? I'll have her bring him there so I can watch him until you can pick him up. Are you sure your weyrmate won't mind?"

"So an hour and a quarter before sunset." Irlani nodded, then smiled. "If he minds, he'll get over it. It's only for one night and it's not like we don't see each other every night."

"Appare should be back by midnight, but I'm not sure how much before." Tatitem warned. "She told me that Menare can get really cranky when he's tired, but doesn't sleep easily."

"We'll figure something else." Irlani had rocked many a child before and few could resist the sleep that was encouraged by that motion. "Is it all right if I bring him to our weyr?"

"I don't think it will be a problem." The Headwoman assured her. "Menare is fussy either way, so you might as well be comfortable."

"Well I will be there and you won't have to worry about a thing." Irlani assured her. She had dealt with fussy children before, it was nothing new.

"I didn't think I would. I'll tell Appare that you're taking him for the evening then." Tati hesitated for a moment, then decided to ask anyway. It wasn't normally an issue, but she knew of many children that didn't take kindly to extra visitors stealing their foster mother's attention when they already had to fight for it from their dragonrider parents. "Will your children be okay with this?"

"Ravyan will be back with his mother by that time." Irlani wouldn't have to worry about him at all. "And Gyta will be fine. We can all have dinner together and then they can play together before bedtime. It won't be a problem at all."

"Good." Tatitem said, satisfied. "I promised Appare if I couldn't find someone to watch him for the evening then I'd have Yereti run the evening meal and watch him myself, but I hate doing that."

"Well now you won't have to." Irlani didn't mind helping out a friend and she enjoyed children. It would give Gyta a chance of pace too, someone to play with but different from Ravyan. Of course, she got that with other children, especially in harper classes, but it was still a nice change. "I will be there on time." If not early.

"I'll make sure Appare is waiting for you." The Headwoman promised. "Thank you, Irlani."

Last updated on the November 17th 2009

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A Playmate for the Evening