Kae's Place (#15804)
From floor to ceiling, soft, natural colors cover the room, making it look like a picture it's resident has painted. Plush cream-toned rugs pad and warm the naturally cold stone floor, leaving not fingers-width of the stone uncovered. Atop the thick rugs, in the far corner of the room, rests a large bed, its mattress aparently overstuffed with rushes, and covered with several soft, smooth blankets and pillows in various shades of blue.
In the opposite corner stands a small desk, covered with neat piles of books and hides, and topped by two carefully shined wooden flutes. Decorating the wall above her workspace is a collection of paintings, both of people and of places that are near to Kaeryn's heart. Standing tall beside the desk is a wooden music stand, polished to perfection, with a book of songs help open in it's arms. Flanking its other side is a short short, filled completely with books, paintings, supplies, and other odds and ends that this harper needs to work and survive each day.
The faint scent of mixed flowers, and perfume lingers in the air.
It is a winter afternoon.

Kaeryn (#7720)
With a height of about 5 foot 4, this young woman is not exactly overbearing in stature, but the confident air about her makes her seem a little taller. The strands of her golden hair flow fluidly down her back, ending in gentle curls at her waist. Bringing attention to the features of her heart shaped face, which is slightly fuller than normal, are her blue eyes, highlighted with golden flecks, that sparkle mischievously in the light. Her skin is lightly tanned and delicate, tiny freckles powdering her small nose. A mysterious look in her eyes, and the way her pale pink lips upturn in a smile make her seem even more attractive.
A cascade of cotton, dyed a becalming azure, falls from about Kaeryn's shoulders to drift like a curtain of clouds about her ankles. Chalk-white sleeves, billow about her arms to seal about the wrist in a pleated cuff. The skirt is double-layered so to warm the swollen belly it covers, and for comfort. The underskirt is a fine shade of lilac, complimenting both the embroidery and the dress in general. The square neck of the blouse has been daintily stitched with lavender thread into the form of a triple-border which joins at the front and decends down the midline of the dress to then split at the hem to encircle there as well. At her currently invisible waistline, a sash of lavender sisal has been knotted closed in a flat-knot to one side. Boots of lavender wherhide hug Kaeryn's feet and legs firmly to give them support in her day to day activities. Piper, her over-protective harper blue firelizard, flutters just over her left shoulder.
A bright silver knot dangles from a fine silver chain, a mark of friendship.
A knot of blue and white adorns Kaeryn's shoulder. Two twisted chords formed into a loop and a long tail represent her ranks as a Journeyman of the Harper Hall. Within the knot is a ribbon of black and a ribbon of orange signifying her posting at Ista Weyr.
She is wearing a silver and gold braided chain bracelet with the Dolphinsinger charms.
Kaeryn's face glows softly with apparent health and happiness, which, when accompanied by her swollen belly, makes her 8 1/2 months of pregnancy pretty obvious.
Kaeryn is 26 Turns and 7 days old.

T'rell (#5123)
A small fellow, his shoulders are broad, his hands well-calloused, and his form compact and fit. His dirt-brown eyes sparkle with mischief and humor to lend a joke to his short and wavy hair, which has become quite a remarkable shade of light grey. His features are unlined except when he's laughing and are free and mobile with his expressions, such that all his five feet and four inches of height are alight with a juvenile and contagious spirit.
A short beard is trimmed more or less neatly, the light brown-grey adding definition to a firm jawline.
A well-worn, ash-scarred wherhide jacket hangs well on his shoulders over a plain shirt, his wingrider's knot slightly frayed at the edges but otherwise neat with its bronze strand winding unevenly through the orange and black of Ista. Work trousers end at sturdy brown boots, patched here and there but with several turns to go.
IC Age: 36 Turns, 8 months, and 3 days

T'rell knocks at the door from the Harper's Area.

Kaeryn call out toward the door to Harper's Area, "Come on in!"

Kae is, as usual, seated at her desk, searching through the many hides and books that are spread out before her. She waves a hand toward the door, without bothering to turn to see who it is. "Just a moment," she mumbles softly as she flips through the pages of one of the books.

T'rell sets his bundle down on the floor with a clunk. "Awkward thing, ain't it?" He leans an elbow atop one of the long, slim beams.

"Hmm? What is?" Kae turns her head in T'rell's direction and gives him a warm smile. Her gaze falls on the bundle for a moment, and returns to T'rell's face. "Looks like it, but, what is it?"

"A little present from Mom." T'rell grins broadly, his eyes dancing with his surprise. "It's well-used, of course," he adds, running a finger over the scarred wood post, "But it's survived at least 20 kids." He stops leaning on it, moving it to a clear spot on the floor, where he lays it down to unbundle the pieces.

"A present? From your Mom?" Kae gets to her feet as quickly as she can, which is actually rather slow, and moves toward T'rell, eyes filled with excitement at seeing exactly what is going to come of all of those pieces. "It's something for the baby then, apparently, but what?" she leans over and looks at the pieces, her hand gently rubbing her swollen stomach. "Something for you, little one," she whispers softly.

T'rell begins separating the posts and supports out, laying them in an order whereby he can put them together again. Rectangular, with guard rails to be attached to end posts -- once finely carved, but having suffered the slings and arrows of a dozen small boys.

"Ooh!" Kae exclaims excitedly as she realizes what is going to come from all of these little pieces. "A bed?" she asks T'rell, as her fingers settle lightly on one of his shoulders. "Did you sleep in this when you were an infant then?"

T'rell's ears redden, just the smallest amount, as he grins. "Yep. At least, according to Mom." He pushes a piece or two out of the way, starting to fit others together with pegs. "I remember my little brothers in it, that's for sure. See that notch there?" He points to a rather obvious gash in one of the railings.

Kae nods her head, causing her to have to push a few curls out of her eyes to see clearly. Her clear blue eyes have a dreamy in them as she watches, and her pale pink lips curve up into a gentle, happy smile. "Did you do that?" she asks softly, as she reaches out a hand do touch the well-worn wood.

T'rell chuckles. "I got blamed for it. Actually, my brother -- Oli's dad," he clarifies for Kaeryn's benefit, "did that with a slingshot, aiming for me." He now has the outer frame together, and sets it upright. He wiggles it, testing it for sturdiness, and it hardly moves. "Seems good enough."

Kaeryn's fingers trail along the smooth wood of the frame, pausing to study and touch each little nick and scratch. "This is perfect, T'rell. Better than perfect. Thank you so much," she offers her appreciation, her voice shaking slightly with emotion.

T'rell looks up, then leaves the piece he was fitting and stands to embrace Kaeryn, stroking her hair affectionately. "It was Mom's idea," he admits with a smile, "But I figured it'd be useful, too."

Kaeryn easily allows herself to be folded into T'rell's embrace, leaning her head so that it rests gently against his in a gesture of affection. "I was just about to ask if you'd take me to see about having one made," she admits, her voice still a little shaky with emotion, and she reaches up to wipe her eyes, which are filled with happy tears. "You will send her my appreciation, won't you? I could never thank her enough for such a gift." A sheepish smile forms on her lips and she shrugs slightly, "I'm quite emotional, aren't I?"

T'rell doesn't answer that question -- any way he could, he'd probably be in trouble. Instead he chuckles. "She was mortified we hadn't already got one, you know. Kept scolding me that it could've come early, and then where would we be." He curls a small lock of Kae's golden hair behind her ear, playing with it. "I told her you still had a month, but she insisted I take it immediately." He glances back at it. "So, here we are."

"Of course, we do still have /some/ shopping to do," Kae teases slightly, her fingers continuing to trail along the frame of the bed. "Otherwise, the baby will catch cold as soon as he or she is born, with no clothes to wear."

T'rell kneels down again to take the rope, starting to thread it through the holes in the frame to create a support surface for a mattress. "Clothes," he exclaims questioningly. "Clothes? What, kids need clothes? I figured they just popped out furry."

Kae perches herself on the edge of her bed, her hands folded gently across her stomach, as she watches him work. At his comment, a pillow is plucked from the head and tossed in his general direction. "It /is/ winter, dear, clothes are needed for the baby. /I/ won't have him or her wandering around nude so he or she will catch a cold."

"He or she won't be wandering at all until at least summer, with any luck," T'rell points out, ducking the pillow quickly.

"But I will, and I intend to take the baby with me," Kae replies with a soft giggle. "You just don't want me to take me over to the Hold for shopping, isn't it?"

T'rell tugs the rope tight, bracing the crib with his shoulder. "I thought you said you couldn't *possibly* climb up Sejith's neck anymore," he half-mimics the harper, tossing her a mischievous look.

"I /can't/," Kae sighs dejectedly, "but I /need/..." she pauses and grins happily, clapping her hands together with excitement over her new idea, "Vivian!"

"Vivian?" Slow to catch Kae's meaning, T'rell stands up, wipes his hands on his trousers, and looks quizzically at the woman.

"Yes, Vivian," Kae nods her head in the direction of the rest of the weyr. "She's a weaver, you know. Made my ballgown and many other things for me, perhaps /she/ could make a few things for me."

T'rell finally comprehends. "Ah. Right." He generally has very little interest in clothes except when his own wear clean through or when he's removing them from females... ahem. Baby clothes generally don't cross his mind much. "Sure. She probably would." Sliding in the railings, he tugs Kaeryn over to show her how they work. "See, you can pull them out if you need or keep them in, on any side. Pretty good, eh?"

T'rell finishes setting up the crib.

Well-used Crib
An old crib, well-made and with a lovely oil finish, is carved in simple lines. Unfortunately, those lovely curves have been marred and blemished by the activity of a couple of dozen children over many years. The scars can be dated by their color and wear -- some are mostly invisible, others have taken on a deep golden of age. A simple straw mattress is supported by crisscrossing ropes which thread through the frame. Cushioned with rushes, fresh bedsheets cover it with a worn, well-loved quilt.

"Perfect," Kae repeats as she moves around the crib, leaning in to touch the matress inside, and tugging gently on the rails. "Looks pretty sturdy, so I guess you did a pretty good job of putting it together, didn't you?"

T'rell shrugs. "I dunno, there are a couple of pins left," he holds up a sack with two spare wooden dowels in it. "Maybe it came with spares." He shakes the crib again, testing it, and it seems to hold. "Should be okay."

"/Spares/?" Kae stares at the sack with a look of uncertainty. "I don't know, T'rell, I mean, do you /really/ think they're spares?"

T'rell gives another look all around the crib, peering in and under it. "I don't see any other places where they should go," he shrugs. "Oh, wait. I get it. They lock down the railings, see?" Triumphantly, he inserts one into a hole above one.

T'rell peers into the bag, again, but this time it's empty. "I guess that means we're actually short a couple." He raises his eyebrows and shrugs helplessly, turning the sack upside down.

A sigh of relief is Kae's response to T'rell's triumphant discovery. "Well, then, I suppose that makes it safe, right?" she asks softly, as she plants a kiss on his cheek. "Wait..." she steps backward and looks at the bed again, "Missing?"

"Here, and here," T'rell points to empty peg-holes above two of the sides. "It's okay. Easy enough to make a couple more." He picks up a couple of odd bits of old wood that must've come from somewhere, but they're small enough that it's impossible to tell where. For lack of a better place, he drops them into the bottom of the sack, drawing it closed as he sits down on the bed, admiring the crib from afar.

"So you'll see about getting new ones, so the sides can't be lifted, right?" Kae slips down on the bed beside T'rell and gives him a warm smile before leaning her head against his shoulder, "Not that I would ever doubt something you'd put together for our little one."

T'rell snickers slightly, rubbing Kaeryn's back. "I had to get instructions from Mom," he admits, sheepish.

"Mmm," Kae releases a soft, relaxed sigh. "Keep that up, and I'll be eternally grateful," she closes her eyes, enjoying the soothing touch and concentrating on breathing nice and slow, to relax herself. "Did you tell her how nervous I am?"

"She practically told *me* how nervous you are," T'rell laughs softly. "She's been there through at least a half-dozen new mothers. Oh, that reminds me," the rider speaks cheerfully, massaging the harper's shoulders lightly. "She offered to send one of my sisters down to help you out, if you want. Dunno if she's asked *them*."

"To help us out?" Kae changes T'rell's wording a little, her voice soft, calm, attention focused at something across the room instead of looking to see if he catches the wording. "That would be nice, I really, well, have *no* idea where to even begin taking care of a baby."

T'rell doesn't even notice the change; he probably didn't notice he'd done it. "I'll ask, then. You know, my little sister's having her first pretty soon now, too." He gives a light sigh on the back of Kaeryn's neck. "It's hard to believe we all grew up. Even Mall's ... " he trails off, calculating. "27, now, I think."

"A little one the age of ours, to keep each other company, perhaps?" Kae lets her eyes droop closed again to concentrate on the soothing actions of T'rell's hands. "I've all of 26 turns now, myself, you know. Good solid age to be a mother though, don't you think?"

"By Faranth," T'rell exclaims abruptly. "Don't tell me you've gone and grown up, too!?"

Kaeryn shrugs her shoulders lightly, reaching a hand up to touch T'rell's. "I just realized today that I've 26 turns as of a sevenday. Didn't even realize I missed my own turnday until today," she admits with a sheepish grin. "So much for my memory."

T'rell grins back as he gets up, almost reluctantly, from the bed. "Forgot, did ye? Well, it's a good thing, or I wouldn't have been able to hide this." Without saying what 'this' might be, he picks up a forgotten sack by the door, pulling out a medium-sized package wrapped in dyed cloth. "I know, we haven't been doing the whole gift thing," he apologizes, forstalling protest, "But I didn't think you'd mind."

"But.." Kae does begin to protest, but not very much, as her attention goes to the package T'rell now holds in his hands. "You really didn't have to, you know," she mumbles softly, though the look on her face shows the gesture itself has touched her. "How did *you* remember if I didn't?"

T'rell shrugs. "It was about this time last year. Besides, Oli reminded me before she left." He grins merrily, presenting the soft bundle to Kaeryn. "I couldn't get out to get it until today, so it's late. But not too late," he adds, perching on the edge of the bed next to her like a boy on his own turnday.

Kaeryn quietly accepts the soft bundle, placing it on her mostly invisible lap, and opens it, pulling the covering cloth away to reveal the gift. Without taking it from the cloth, she runs her fingers over it for a moment, then lifts it up, knocking the wrapping to the floor. As a realization of what it is crosses her face, she gasps softly, "Oh!"

"I know it's not all that new," T'rell prevaricates. "But I thought you might like it." Hopefully, he watches the harper.

"Oh, T'rell..." Kae's eyes tear up again, but she doesn't bother to wipe the tears away this time. "It's.. it's..perfect," she stumbles on the words as she presses the tiny quilt against her cheek.

T'rell runs his fingers through the ends of Kaeryn's hair as he strokes her back with gentle warmth. "You've probably guessed where that came from," he figures, self-conscious.

Tears of happiness stream down Kae's cheeks, dampening the soft quilt somewhat. "I couldn't have asked for anything more wonderful, thank you," the expectant mother in Kae revs up even more than earlier in the day. "I feel so silly, crying over this but..."

T'rell suddenly rummages in his pocket. "Right, I nearly forgot." Blinking in surprise, he pulls out a small box. "Oli asked me to give this to you. Should've done that a sevenday ago, shouldn't I?" Again apologetic, he wipes Kaeryn's tears away with a finger.

"Oli?" Kae places the quilt in her lap and reaches out to take the small box. "She really didn't need to," she looks at the box, a little confused, and opens it.

T'rell shrugs. "She wanted to." He watches in anticipation, half-grinning already. "I think you'll like it."

Kaeryn pulls the top off the box, and her eyes open wide. "Oh, wow, it's beautiful," she whispers, gently fingering the charm as if afraid she'll break it.

T'rell beams, the family resemblance between he and his neice evident for a moment. "It looks nice on you."

"Remind me to send a thank you to her this evening, would you?" Kae requests as she thoughtfully fingers the charm, now that it rests against her skin.

"Send a thank-you to her this evening," T'rell dutifully repeats, resting an arm behind her back on the bed.

Kae giggles and pokes T'rell in the chest. "You know what I mean," she teases, but her smile shows her amusement. "Ooh!" she gasps softly, quickly moving her hand to her stomach, "The baby's moving again," she whispers quietly.

T'rell puts his free hand soothingly over Kaeryn's stomach, raising his eyebrows as he feels movement. "Does it hurt?" Concern passes across his features.

"Not really," Kae reassures him, her face practically glowing as the movements continue. "It's actually amazing," she admits as she gently moves T'rell's hand over to where the most forceful kicks can be felt. "Strong one, we have here."

T'rell's expression shifts to a dubious one, and he directs his words at the occupant of Kaeryn's stomach. "Calm down in there, no coming out for at least a fortnight," he insists sternly.

"If he's ready, he can come out now," Kae whispers softly as she leans against T'rell, resting her head against his as they, together, feel their unborn child moving around. "Think you're ready?"

T'rell shakes his head immediately. "Nuh-uh. You?" He puts on a nervous expression, very like one he must've worn when caught doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing.

"Almost scared enough to want to go hide *between*," Kae admits with a nervous grin. "But the sooner, the better, I think, because that's less time to be scared." She lifts her hand from her stomach and gently brushes the tips of her fingers against T'rell's cheek.

T'rell catches Kaeryn's hand, giving a smile as he holds it. "Oh, okay. I s'pose you're right. You think it's a he, huh?" He looks at her well-clothed stomach. "How do you tell?"

Kaeryn's fingers press a little more firmly against T'rell's cheek, and her eyes meet his, "I can't tell, I just keep saying that, I guess. Maybe I just like the idea of having a little miniature T'rell?"

A flicker of panic passes through T'rell's eyes. "No, no you don't," he corrects Kaeryn. "Believe me."

"Don' you think that you and I, with Sejith's help, can't keep up with a little T'rell?" Kae teases softly as her fingers trail down T'rell's cheek and slowly circle his lips. "I'm not so sure you'd want a little Kae, I was a pretty hyper child, you know. Went around painting everything in site. Pa's poor runner..."

T'rell chortles. "A runnerbeast? You've got more talent than I thought," he compliments, reappraising the harper with a grin. "Well," he considers finally, rubbing his beard with thumb and forefinger, "Maybe we should hope for a throwback to previous generations."

Kae shrugs her shoulders and wiggles the fingers of her other hand, "Finger painting was actually fun, and Aubby didn't seem to mind much. Either that or he just liked me enough to not kick." With that explanation, she falls quiet and her fingers trail from his face to his shoulder where they rest, and her attention turns to the crib near the bed. "Whichever of us he or she is like..."

"We'll have our hands full," T'rell finishes for her.

"We'll love him or her regardless," Kae adds quietly, her face glowing softly, "because he will be *ours*."

T'rell grins crookedly. "Or she." As if to seal the bargain -- not that it wasn't sealed long ago -- he draws Kaeryn in to kiss her lovingly. Well, as close as possible, which isn't as close as it used to be, and is actually rather awkward.

Kaeryn laughs softly at T'rell's addition, which is cut off by the sudden kiss. Her fingers press against his cheek, once again, before she leans back and grins at him. "It's hard to do that now, isn't it? I'm kind of overwhelmingly huge," she grins and leans forward again to press her cheek against his. "We can manage this, together, I'm positive of it."

Realizing the humor inherent in their pose, T'rell breaks into a grin, his brown eyes dancing as they look into Kae's blue ones. "This'll get easier in a couple of weeks, even if everything else gets harder. I'll definitely ask my sisters for help," he adds.

T'rell clarifies hurriedly, "With the baby." He winks.

"It will be nice to be able to fit in your arms again, though," Kae admits shyly, her gaze falling toward her stomach once again, either ignoring T'rell's comment, or missing it completely. "Too bad I can't talk to Sejith so I can call you when I need help," she teases lightly, attempting to change the subject.

T'rell seems to consider this. "Well, you could try, I guess." His expression turns thoughtful. "Some folks are easier to hear than others, but usually you have to be with him anyway." He shrugs. "Your firelizards will always be able to find one of us, though." He glances around the room to locate them.

"I wasn't serious, love," Kae shakes the idea off with a motion of her head. "That's what I have these little guys for anyway," a nod of her head in Eppie's direction causes the little gold to sit up straight and tall, as if posing. "I figure there are enough well-practiced parents around the weyr to help me out if I need it."

T'rell nods agreement. "Oh, sure." He takes Kaeryn's hand, tracing a finger along the delicate structure as he lets out a breath. "And if you need me for anything, send them, because I've got to give Sejith his bath. He's complaining he itches," the rider gets a look of discomfort, "And he's making *me* itch, too."

"If ever you find Eppie appear at your side, acting as though she's lost her mind," Kae promises, her smile bright, "You know that I need you immediately. If I have time to write a note, then chances are it isn't nearly as urgent." She squeezes T'rell's hand, her other rubbing her stomach gently, "Honestly, there's no guarantees on when this one will make an appearance, but I promise to alert you as *soon* as I even *think* anything is happening."

T'rell grins as he rises. "Right. Wacko firelizard is a signal for help, notes I should just ignore. Got it." He glances around, wondering if he's left anything he didn't mean to, then bends to give Kaeryn another kiss before he turns to go.

"Notes you should /not/ ignore, just don't drop what you're doing to rush over," Kae laughs, and reaches out to touch your arm, gently. "I *do* however, realize that there is a chance you *can't* come, when it's time. Fall comes first, I know this. Just, promise to come as soon as you can?"

T'rell places his hand over his heart. "As soon as humanly possible, or sooner," he promises. "Either that or I'll send someone more qualified." He grins and winks, checking his pockets for something which evidently was right where it was supposed to be.

"I just didn't want you thinking I expect you to risk yourself, or your wingmates, just to be by my side," Kae explains her worry as she gives him a warm, loving smile. "Now, go on and take care of your itchy dragon, and be prepared to perhaps be woken in the middle of the night."

"What fun," T'rell replies, too cheerily. He rolls his eyes, returns Kaeryn's smile, and strides out.

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