Fresh Klah and Refreshing Chatter

Writers: Clancey, Yvonne
Date Posted: 16th December 2005

Characters: Tsaera, Solieira
Description: Tsaera and Solieira have a chat over breakfast
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 9, day 1 of Turn 3
Notes: The title is all Clancey's fault. (My muse for titles is on Christmas Holiday)

Exhaustion made her limbs heavy and her mind slow, but Tsaera knew that there was no better cure than hot klah and a cold bath. The bags beneath her eyes felt as heavy as lead as she strolled into the kitchens with the dawn, and was directed by a wide-eyed drudge to where Solieira was presiding. "Morning, Sol. Do I smell klah?"

Sol took one look at her Weyrwoman and started clicking her tongue at her in a mothering fashion she was sure probably annoyed Tsaera, but she couldn't resist. "Morning to you, Tsaera. You look all done in for a morning, and I've got fresh klah just brewed. And how about some steaming hot bread too, hmm?"

"Sounds perfect." Tsaera pulled up a chair and sat, resting her elbows on the table. "Don't let me get in your way."

"You're never in the way, Weyrwoman, and you're always welcome in my kitchen, especially when you're feeling as bad as I think you might be." Sol fixed her some fresh-made klah and sliced up some bread and cheese. She brought two mugs and the platter to the table Tsaera was at, and said quietly, "Do you want to talk to me about anything?"

"This is good klah." Tsaera sipped the hot beverage, careful not to burn her tongue. Steam curled up against the plains of her face and tangled in her eyelashes. "You spoil me."

"That didn't answer my question, Tsaera." Sol said softly, though she smiled. "If I spoiled you well enough, you wouldn't be so tired, hmm?" The Headwoman relaxed over her own klah, eyeing her over the rim. "Now, talk to me!"

"You know perfectly well that I don't sleep well when there are eggs on the Sands." Tsaera popped a piece of cheese into her mouth. "And besides, I'm sure that you've got _far_ better things to say than I do."

Sol laughed out loud at that remark, nodding a bit. "Aye, you're
right, I do know. But it seems to have troubled you more this time.." The Headwoman shook her head. "As to better things than you?
I do if you like to hear the kitchen gossip. Shall I fill your ears
with the doings of the younglings and drudges? I'll admit some of those stories are pretty good for a laugh!"

"Please do." There hadn't been much to laugh about, lately.

Solieira didn't need much urging and launched into a tale of those baker boys that involved flour, clothes, water, and lots of sweeping, in addition to two mortified, yet attractive, drudges. "I had to punish them of course, but oh it was hard to just not laugh until I cried..."

Apprentices were _so_ much simpler to deal with! Tsaera chuckled and wished that she could do the same with some of the 'riders... or, more specifically, one 'rider. "I miss dealing with children. In many ways, they're so much less complex."

Solieira smiled at the thought. "Less complex, more trouble!" But her laugh was warm. Then her kind eyes narrowed. "Are you feeling better, Tsaera?"

"Nothing is better than a good breakfast. I think you put something extra into the klah to make sure of it," Tsaera teased.

Sol winked at her. "If I did, its my secret. But well I know your trouble sleeping. We must be close to a Hatching, too, any day." The Headwoman smiled at her. "Part of my job is to see to the Weyrwoman when she won't see to herself, no?"

"'Won't' wouldn't be my choice of words," Tsaera said dryly. "And speaking of jobs, I ought to attend to mine. The eggs will hatch any day now - what's on the menu for the banquet?"

"Some very fine roast wherry. " The Headwoman paused, not wishing to disrupt her Weyrwoman's morning. "I made sure they were 'safe' myself. There will be hot berry bubbly pies and as much nutbread and jam as anyone wants. I'll also have grilled and baked fish of many types, several beautiful sweetening sculptures, and two varieties of sorbet for dessert. There are rumors of steamed spiderclaw, but it's a secret!"

"Steamed spiderclaw! That had _better_ not just be a rumor." Tsaera loved spiderclaws. "What will be accompanying the meat?"

"Well, we're going to have mashed tubers and some wonderful salads - we just got a shipment of fresh fruit and vegetables. I made blueberry bubblies, too, and pear pie. We should eat well, Weyrwoman. I'll do you proud, as your golden Queen has and will do the Weyr proud." Her smile was kind, and understanding. "Now off with you and get some rest!"

"The sun's barely risen over the horizon, Sol! I can't very well go back to bed." The Headwoman was worse than a canine with a bone when she got an idea into her head. She just wouldn't let go! "But thank you for the breakfast."

"Well, I say there's no harm in it. But you're the Weyrwoman and I'm just your loyal Headwoman." Her grin was arch. She knew Tsaera could look after herself just fine, but the woman _needed_ her sleep!

Last updated on the December 17th 2005

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