A Strong, Healthy Girl

Writers: Noli
Date Posted: 4th July 2013

Characters: Sefanya, Rianna, Artur
Description: Sefanya reflects on her husband's last gift to her
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 1, day 19 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentor Approved; Mentioned: Natur, Radela

Sefanya sighed, one eye on the stitching she was so painstakingly
working through, the other on the toddlers at her feet. The foster
sisters were playing with Alaynne, patting and prodding the flit
delightedly. Radela kept calling the little green her "baby", and
Rianna even tried to put a bonnet on her tiny draconic head--
something she had picked up from Nintur, no doubt. Alaynne bore the
attention patiently, eyes whirling a serene blue. Sefanya chuckled at
the sight.

Her smile disappeared when her hand slipped, stabbing her thumb with the

needle. She gave a tiny gasp of pain and stuck the sore digit into her
mouth. The girls looked up from their play.

"Mama, what's wong?" Rianna asked, concern evident even through her baby lisp.

As Sefanya gazed at the children, so young and innocent, her eyes
filled with tears as her mind wandered back to a day long past.

~*~

"You can't keep him young forever, Fanny." Artur spoke gently, no hint
of irritation in his voice despite the familiarity of the argument.
"The boy is nigh on twelve Turns now. He needs a craft."

Sefanya sighed, defeat evident in her tone. "I know, I know. It's
just... Natur is my oldest, my first child. I'm holdbred, Artur, not
Weyrbred like you. I just can't stand the thought of losing him."
Tears sprang unbidden to her eyes.

Her husband sat beside her and wrapped her in a gentle hug, kissing
the top of her head. "You aren't losing him, darling. He'll still be
here, in the Weyr. You can visit him anytime you like."

Sefanya nodded, and absently stroked Alaynne, who as usual had crawled
into her lap uninvited. She gave a questioning chirrup and nuzzled her
hand softly.

~*~

The nuzzling continued, even as the memory faded and Sefanya slowly
returned to the present. An older Alaynne had shed her bonnet and
climbed into her familiar place on Sefanya's lap. Now the little
green's eyes whirled a concerned pale yellow. The girls, too, had
crept closer, staring mutely with wide eyes. Sefanya brushed the tears
away.

"Who wants a snack?" She forced her voice to sound chipper, and it
seemed to work. Rianna and Radela chattered excitedly as she sliced
them generous portions off a redfruit, and busily fell to eating.
Sefanya watched, relieved.

~*~

"Artur, where are you?" Sefanya's annoyance was plain. They were going
to be late for supper, and the children were already fussing. She
hushed Arnave, who at four Turns was the most vocal about his hunger,
promising him that they would leave just as soon as Father finished...
whatever he was doing. "Artur!"

He emerged from the back room, one hand suspiciously behind his back.
"Alright, let's go!" He herded the children out of the door, keeping
whatever he was holding out of sight. Sefanya was curious, in spite of
herself.

When they reached the massive dining cavern, Artur briskly prompted
Natur and Jerut to see that the other children received their
portions. Then he pulled Sefanya to the side and shyly revealed his
surprise.

"Oh! It's beautiful," Sefanya gasped. The little locket was made
entirely of wood, but so expertly carved and polished and stained that
one could have easily mistaken it for obsidian. Sefanya fingered it
delicately, then noticed the tiny engravings. She peered closer.

"It's all of the children, and their birthingdays," Artur explained. "And
look. There's even room for one or two more." He nudged her playfully.
Sefanya beamed at him, then turned to allow her to place the locket
around her neck.

~*~

She fingered the locket absently, her throat tightening once more. But
she forced herself to remain upbeat. She laughed. "Girls, please don't
smear anymore juice on Alaynne. She's already more red than green."
The little firelizard was indeed a cheerful pink color, and she
chittered in relief at Sefanya's words. Gently removing herself from
the toddler's grasp, she rose into the air and disappeared /between/--
hopefully to take a bath, Sefanya thought.

A little while later, Sialla walked into the apartment, fresh from her
lessons with the harper. Sefanya bid the adolescent to watch her
younger siblings and excused herself to the back room. Once there, she
laid herself down on her furs and gave a muffled sob.

~*~

"Are they all sleeping?" Sefanya was surprised; at two Turns, Nintur
seldom went down for the evenings easily. Tonight seemed to be an
exception, though, as Artur nodded wearily and sat on the edge of the
furs to kick of his boots.

"I think... I would like to have another child." Sefanya spoke
hesitantly, unsure how Artur would react. Most of the others had been
unplanned, with the exception of the foster children, of course. But
now that Natur was nearly grown, Sefanya realized she desperately
wanted a baby. Nintur was the youngest, and she hadn't gotten any new fosters in almost four
Turns. It was time.

Artur surprised her by chuckling. "I knew it wouldn't be long. As I
said, there's space on the locket for a few more names." He winked.
"Do you have any ideas? For names, that is."

Sefanya considered a moment, her thoughts falling on her youngest
sister. "We have so many boys. Poor Sialla is outnumbered. If we have
a girl, I think we should call her Rianna."

"Rianna. I like it. Here?s to a strong, healthy girl, then." And he
pulled her into loving kiss.

~*~

Torr appeared above her and landed, projecting emotions of love and
comfort to his crying mistress. He rumbled soothingly.

"He never got to finish it. He never put Rianna's name on the locket,"
she sobbed. And she held up the offending item as proof. Torr's eyes
whirled in distress, but he continued trying to sooth her. The next
image was of her children, both natural and foster, all smiling at
her. The seemed to be mouthing something, and although Sefanya could
not understand the words, she instinctively knew that they were
declarations of love.

Sniffling, she pulled Torr into a grateful embrace. Yes, Artur was
gone. But the children were still here. She had her Rianna, Artur's
final gift to her before his passing. She abruptly decided that she
would find a woodsmith to finish the locket, to add Rianna's name and
birthingday in its rightful place.

Torr chirruped joyously when she stood, a tender smile replacing her
tears. She cleaned her face in the washbasin, removing the evidence of
her sorrow. There was a time to mourn, yes. But right now was not it.
Right now she would return to the main room and appreciate her
children. For Artur, and for them. And for herself.

"Let's go, Torr. Let's go see our family." And they did.

Last updated on the July 17th 2013

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A Strong, Healthy Girl