Gifting

This follows on from Sometimes Paying Attention Isn't As Easy As You Might Think. It was written to zianuray's prompt "I've been wondering if Rensa is starting to let her husband give her things yet."


“Lots of women receive gifts when they have a baby,” said Yannic quietly.  “What would you like?”

“There’s nothing I need,” prevaricated Rensa.

“I rather thought that,” agreed Yannic, “but what would you like?”

Rensa glanced in the direction of the crib where their baby daughter lay sleeping, the black, silver and salmon tufts of fine baby hair on her head just visible over the blanket from where Rensa was sitting.

“And not something for the baby,“ added Yannic with mock severity.  “I want to give both of you presents for yourselves.”

“But you do things for me,” protested Rensa.  “Lots of things.”

“My friends give their wives pretty things or expensive tools that they covet and I’d like to be able to say ‘See this thing that my wife wanted and I got for her’ too.  Yes, part of it is that I want boasting rights.”  Yannic sighed, “I used to give my first wife presents, and when I can’t give them to you I feel like I’m not treating you as well as I ought to.  Besides, what does it say about a man that his wife won’t accept gifts from him?”

“Oh,” said Rensa, sounding very small, “I hadn’t thought of that.  The trouble is, you gave me all the things I thought I wanted because they were things you thought I needed.”  A thought crossed her mind and she asked brightly, “What would you like to give me?”

This is followed by Almost Everything....

Recovery Action 4.1

This follows on from Recovery Action 3 and was written to kunama_wolf's prompt "Continuation of the thing that required you to travel for further research (patternbox theft?)


“You can follow him now,” said Sir Charles, “or we can avoid more murder and you can come with us to the Weavers’ Guild to sort through the stolen patterns in this box for the property taken from you or those you represent. We are all here to recover that which was taken from its rightful owners for those entities.”

“Why should I believe you, Englishman?” The Indian’s voice did not clarify their sex for Briony. “Your people have been all too ready to grab what is not yours among peoples far from your tiny homeland.”

Lord Oda said calmly, “Not all of us are English or even British, but we are all here to recover stolen property. The rest of us trust the Weavers’ Guild. Do you?”

“Their reputation for scrupulousness in matters of pattern ownership is unstained and unshadowed,” agreed the Indian. “I do not hesitate to say that this is a serious matter of state for my government. If I can recover even a portion of what was taken from us by coming with you tonight, then I must do so.”

Sir Charles’ eyes narrowed and he asked, “You think he might have split the papers up?”

“Why else would he have a bag packed and ready to hand, to be snatched up as he made his escape?” The Indian shook their head. “I suspect that for some of us this matter is not yet over. Nevertheless, I will come with you now and recover what can be recovered tonight.”

This is now followed by Recovery Action 4.2.