A Bittersweet Burden --- &RPaward

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Jaye
Posts: 170
Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2019 6:59 am
Location: UK

A Bittersweet Burden --- &RPaward

Post by Jaye » Mon Oct 05, 2020 5:14 pm

Ely edit 29 Jul 2021:

1-6 qps, depending on length and quality.

Potential +1 qp: if part of a series: o

Total: 2 qps

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"Have you changed your hair?"

Jaye smiled softly as her brother, now approaching his middle years, made his usual quip as she met him at Tarlomen's Gate. "Something like that. How are you?" He grinned widely and put an arm around her shoulders, squeezing her to him as they began to walk into the city. A few Novices whispered amongst themselves, watching them leave. Jaye arched an eyebrow at them and they scurried away, causing her brother's grin to widen.

Rogar Kumira was an acceptable looking man, over a foot taller than Jaye (though at her diminutive height that was not unusual) but when he smiled he was beautiful. His eyes sparkled and he radiated warmth, and if that warmth was directed at you all of your worries melted away. Today, Jaye's worries didn't melt. She allowed herself to be led towards the Woman of Tanchico enjoying Rogar's happy talk of home, trying to hold on to the moment. She held her cloak closed against the brisk autumn wind coming off the Erinin, watching Rogar's face as he talked.

They entered the inn, Rogar hardly pausing for breath despite the change in scenery. A serving boy came to take Jaye's cloak and she held up a gloved hand and he stopped, looking at her curiously. She smiled softly and shook her head. Meanwhile, Rogar dumped his heavy cloak on the boy causing him to wobble and Jaye stifled a snort and ruffled the boy's hair. He grinned before trotting away, and Rogar led Jaye to the private dining room they always hired for their annual reunion.

The warmth of orange light suffused their faces as they entered the wood-panelled room, candle flames dancing and a fire roaring in the hearth. The room had been decorated with autumnal greens which scented the air and added to the comforting atmosphere. A long table was the room's main feature, surrounded by wooden seats with pleasantly worn-in cushions. Before Jaye could take all of this in however, she had the wind knocked out of her by three little ones who barrelled into her and clutched her around the waist.

"Blood and ashes, give your Auntie Jaye some space children!" A woman's voice shrilly attempted to make itself heard over the cacophony of little voices. "Auntie Jaye! Is it true you can turn people into frogs? Can you teach me to turn people into frogs?", "Auntie Jaye, Auntie Jaye! Do Gaidin really blend into the walls? Do you think I could borrow a cloak so I could hide from Father?" Jaye crouched down to the level of her nephew and two nieces. All around two years apart in age, they had instinctively arranged themselves from oldest to youngest. Little Lortham was barely four, and he sucked his thumb whilst his older sisters, Rowna and Bethin, clutched at Jaye's cloak. Rogar bent over an armchair by the fireplace and kissed his wife, Caylin, on the forehead. Smiling, Jaye made a show of doing a routine inspection of each child as they squirmed and giggled. "Good teeth on this one, Rogar. Oh my, the ears on this one Caylin, what were you thinking? Perhaps we can forgive you, as they have such good noses." After turning each head Jaye tapped her finger on the end of each nose, and placed a present into eager hands. The children rushed away to play, and Jaye stood, removing her cloak and gloves.

Rogar's hearty laughter abruptly stopped and Jaye turned to see him frowning at her, his mouth slightly open. Caylin's face mirrored his.

"Auntie Jaye! You're wearing a different dress!" The girls darted up and began to touch the fine navy wool with silver embroidery depicting northern flora around the cuffs and neckline, their little fingers tracing the needlework. Rogar's eyes took in her garb, his hand clutching his wife's shoulder. He noted the great serpent ring on the forefinger of Jaye's right hand before looking her in the eye. With her left hand Jaye touched the leather braid woven through her hair resting on her forehead, drawing his attention to their father's hadori, reminding him she was still herself. The silence hung in the air for an incalculable moment before Rogar crossed the room in large strides and swept Jaye into a fierce hug.

"Congratulations Jaye Kumira, Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah. Father would be proud."

Her fears melted away as she saw Rogar's smile, a smile of pride. She noted that some of the crinkles around his eyes were permanent now, and remembered with a jolt that she still hadn't gained hers despite being the older sibling. Caylin joined the hug before ordering more spiced wine. As they talked into the small hours, little Lortham fell asleep in Jaye's arms. She took comfort in the love around her and that she could use her fortune to look after her family, and support these children.

After all, she would never have her own and would likely outlive them.

_____________________________________________________________


Jaye shook her head in an attempt to shake off the melancholy settling into her as she walked back to the Tower later that night. Feeling the strange new awareness in her head, she took a detour towards the Tremalking Spice. A thud followed by a sudden jolt of frustration from the new patch in her mind caused her to embrace the Power instinctively. Her vision sharpened she saw two figures stumbling, one struggling to hold the other upright. She smiled to herself and came to the aid of Starvald, dutifully aiding his sponsor and mentor, Koschei. She hefted her arm under Koschei's shoulder and around his back, her hand on Starvald's elbow for support. "You are an Aes Sedai now Jaye, let me carry him. What will the Blues say if they saw you?" Starvald's whisper hissed through the cold night air. Grinning wryly Jaye whispered back, "We share our burdens now Starvald."

Koschei muttered in distress. "A duck. A duck! It was the size of a horse!"
Last edited by Jaye on Wed Oct 07, 2020 5:48 am, edited 1 time in total.

isabel
Posts: 1713
Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2016 5:19 am

Re: A Bittersweet Burden

Post by isabel » Tue Oct 06, 2020 5:38 pm

Very nice..feel like you really captured some moments there..the crinkles not there, the aftermath of them leaving. Also congratulations :)

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