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.
Sitting protectively on the edge of the baby's crib are MacPhisto and Eppie.
You see Well-used Crib here.

Jueann knocks as she enters. "I'm looking for a new mother harper."

Kaeryn has already managed to get herself back into her work, as she sits at her desk, taking the small amount of quiet time that she has to do touch ups on a sketch. At the sound of the knock, she turns toward the door, and grins brightly, exclaiming softly, "Jueann! Why, I didn't expect to see you here!"

Jueann chuckles as she enters with a package behind her back. "I heard someone had a new baby here. so I asked K'shaw if he would ferry me to the weyr. Mine if I come in?"

"Not at all, of course," Kae replies, motioning for Jueann to enter, "Come in. Make yourself at home. I haven't any visitors, except for T'rell, of course, and my cousin Brina. They're both out, and Brencia is sleeping."

Jueann smiling as she steps closer, still with a package behind her back. "It's been awhile since I was last here. So how are you doing and the little one?"

"I'm well, though unbelievably tired," Kae laughs at herself as she moves toward the old, and well-used crib that stands near her own bed. "Brencia is as healthy as can be, thank goodness, and isn't much trouble, beyond the usual feedings and such."

Jueann taking the package from behind her back. "I thought you could use a baby gift. " Jue is famous around Grinstead for her crocheted afhans.

"Jue, you shouldn't have, really!" Kae blinks in surprise while she accepts the package and opens it. "It's beautiful, and so....soft," the younger harper whispers as she lets the afghan fall open, and runs her fingers over it. "I don't know what to say," she admits shyly.

Jueann shrugs, still smiling, "Well, of course I have to. I needed a hobby besides teaching and it settles my nerves.

"Have a seat, would you?" Kae motions to one of the two chairs that rest beside her desk. "I can understand the nerves, I'm a wreck right now, so worried that every little thing that I could possibly mess up, I am. I'm sure you understand that, since you've how many children?"

Jueann sighs as the mention of her children. "I had 2 sets of twins."

"Twins. We were worried we'd have twins," Kae shakes her head unhappily at the thought, "I'm so lost being the mother of one little girl, I can't imagine *two*. How did you manage the first set?" Spreading the new gift out across her lap, Kae fingers it, nervously, as her nerves have been a mess since the birth of the little one.

Jueann nods, "At least I was able to keep Julena and Jylana. The first set with their father and Hayla is with my cousin at Crom." Changing the subject, "So you love the colors? I wasn't sure if you had a boy or a girl. I keep several on hand all specially made of course by these two hands and my magic fingers."

"I, *we*, were blessed with a daughter," Kaeryn smiles proudly, glancing toward the sleeping infant in the crib. "The colors are perfect. Harper colors are always right for a harper, I suppose. When in doubt, choose blue," she grins and shifts her gaze back to Jueann. "You can't imagine how nice it is to see another harper, other than Torlan, that isn't upset with me. No one can believe that I'm here, with a child from T'rell, instead of back at Tillek with Jerran."

Jueann sighs, "I've been there. Why should I be upset? Only you can be responsible for what you do. It's none of my business." She has blocked most of her time with Seamus and with Makheil then there was Joat and finally happiness with Julian. Yeap. Jueann isn't one to judge.

"I guess it's just because my closest friends are all friends with Jer as well," Kae shrugs her shoulders and gives a weak smile. "No one really knows what's going on in your life, unless they're living it with you, but that doesn't stop some of my closest friends from blaming T'rell for Jer and I being separated. But, I'm here now, and happy."

Jueann nods, "I was going to ask that. Are you happy?"

"I am," Kae replies softly, her eyes sparkling brightly. "Things with Jer were good, and I loved him, always will, I guess, but T'rell. With T'rell, I can see my future in him, I can see myself loving him for the rest of my turns."

Jueann lets out a sigh of relief. "Ahh. That's good. You realize that the two of you can never be hand-fasted? And that duty will always come first with a rider. I hoped we trained you well enough." Jueann has turned serious, turning from good friend to a harper, checking on the state of a journeyman.

"I know, Jue, trust me, that I *do* know," Kae nods her head, she usually was, after all, a good student. "That's why we decided it would be best if I moved back into my old room in this area, instead of his weyr. He knows that I understand that his dragon and being a rider will always come first, but we've found a pretty good balance, so far."

Jueann watching her for a moment, "Good. I can make my report to the Hall." Then relaxing a bit, "I'll do my best to relieve the stress for you with the craft. I can't help with everything between you and Jerran. Beleive me. I've been there."

Kae's smile softens. "But it doesn't mean I can't love him with all of my heart," she adds with a soft laugh. "I know my duties, and he knows his, though, I must admit, it will be hard for me to put anything before Brencia."

Jueann laughs, "Wait until she reaches the terrible twos and say that." Standing, "Well I need to find K'shaw and return to Grinstead.

Kae gets to her feet as well, and moves toward the door, opening it for her fellow harper, and friend. "Thank you for visiting, Jueann, and for the gift. You've no idea what it means to me. Have a safe trip, and I'll see you soon."

Jueann moving to the door, 'Ohh no problem Kaeryn. Take it from an experiance mother and harper, "Apprentices make great baby-sitters."

Kaeryn laughs and nods, "I'll have to test that theory. Well, good day, Jueann, and clear skies."

Jueann waves as she leaves to collect her riding gear and a wayward Watchrider.

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