I Like Knitting

Writers: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 20th July 2008

Characters: Lirit, Talryne
Description: Lirit bumps into Talryne in the hall and get some conversation out of her
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 10, day 16 of Turn 4

Talryne

Most of the time, Lirit kept good track of where he was and where his things were in relation to him. Somehow, however, he had managed to drop his walking stick and turned to pick it up just as he felt someone brush against him. He jerked back, surprised and caught off guard and almost fell on top of his canine. Scout whine softly but the pressure of him against Lirit was enough to allow the young man to catch his balance.
"Pardon me!" He exclaimed, turning to where he thought the person was.
"I didn't mean to get in your way."

"No! I'm sorry. I didn't see you. Sorry," Talryne stammered.

The apology merely brought about laughter, merry in sound. "That's all right, I didn't see you either." He grinned at the woman, her voice unknown to her. "So I guess there's really no one to blame. Or we're both to blame. Or you can just blame me if you like."

"No, I don't want to blame you." She clutched her small basket of supplies. He was looking in her direction, but not _at_ her. It was very strange.

Scout cocked his head at the woman, as if trying to understand what she were saying. "Ah well, I guess we've got no one to blame. It's just as well." He paused for a moment, then asked, "I'm afraid we haven't met before. I'm Lirit."

"I'm Talryne." She'd gotten much better about talking to strange people, but it still caused a nervous flutter in her stomach.

"Well met, Talryne." Lirit held his hand out toward the woman, still smiling, though his aim was slightly off and he seemed to be trying to shake someone's hand to the side of her.

She moved a bit to the side and took his hand, shaking briefly. She frowned at him for a few more seconds before it came to her. "Oh, you're blind."

"I prefer 'sight challenged'." Lirit's grin was accompanied by a laugh.
"Just don't hold it against me."

She realized what she'd said might have been rude. "Oh, no. I didn't mean to offend you. I mean, I hope I didn't." She wanted to get out of there and get back to her knitting. Knitting was comforting. It was pattern, and logic, and one loop after another. People were all confusion and misunderstanding and awkwardness.

"Nah, you're fine, you didn't offend me at all." Lirit's smile remained warm, genuine. "Trust me, I'm not that easily offended. So, now that we've met, Talryne, tell me something about yourself."

Well, there was the _obvious_. She felt a sharp pang and cut that thought off before it could go deeper. "I'm an apprentice weaver." She indicated the basket she was carrying. "I'm a little old for it, but ... I started late."

"Better late than never." Scout evidently decided that this wasn't going to necessarily be a particularly brief encounter, so he settled himself down. "I'm assuming that you are enjoying the craft?"

"Yes. It makes me feel ... " She almost said useful. "Like I'm accomplishing something."

"Good. I find I enjoy myself more when I'm accomplishing something."
Lirit paused for a moment, then leaned forward and almost whispered in a conspiratory manner. "Though according to my Masters, I don't necessarily accomplish anything."

The ghost of a smile touched her lips, then she realized he couldn't see it. What else could she do, laugh? It would sound false. Tell him it was funny? That would sound forced. Her eyes settled on his knots.
"You're a harper. What's your specialty?" Talryne thought it probably wasn't archiving. Or painting.

"Music." Lirit responded right off. "I'm a performer, my most used instruments being my voice and the gitar, though I know a thing or two about several others. What about you? I know you're just an apprentice, but have you found anything you want to specialize in yet when you walk the tables?"

"I like knitting. Maybe a little too much." She thought about all the projects laying around her weyr. And N'vanik's.

"Ah, knitting. I have a sweater that one of my friend's mother's knitted for me." He reached up, stroking his chin. "I'd be interested in learning, but knowing me, I'd probably stab myself with one of the needles."

Another almost-smile flickered across her face, and again she realized he couldn't see it. "That's -- that's funny. You were making a joke, right?"

"I was trying." Tal was given a rueful smile. "Alas, my jokes seem to fall short much of the time. I do enjoy a good joke, and don't have a problem with one being made at my expense."

"Well that's ... good. Um." She shifted the basket in her arms. "I should get going." She'd exhausted her people skills for the day.

"Would you like an escort?" Lirit offered, bowing slightly at the waist.
"I'd be happy to oblige. Scout makes an excellent escort."

"No, that's fine. I'm fine. But thank you."

"Well it was nice meeting you then, Talryne." Another bright smile flashed, "I do hope we can meet again. It's always nice to have friendly company."

"Yes. Nice to meet you, too. Bye." She turned and went down the corridor. He was nice, but meeting new people, especially strangers in the hallway, was still draining.

Last updated on the July 21st 2008

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I Like Knitting