Position: Journeyman Baker
Specialty: Seawater Pull Candies
Family:
His love of life and music are evident in his everyday dealings; he has been known to pull out a hornpipe and kick up a lively jig. Currently he is posted at the WeaverCraft Hall. He lives by the code passed on to him by his father, "Treat all women as precious gems and all men as your better and life will be good to you." So far, he's found this to be true.
Norbert's personal history as told to Nalaya after dinner at the WeaverCraft Hall the cool
winter evening of day 26, month 1, Turn 16, of the Tenth Pass.
Nalaya settles back into her chair, then appears to get a bright idea. "I was wondering...Norbert,
you've never really told me all that much about your family."
Norbert says "Ah, now there's a bit of a story." He grins at the cleverness of his betrothed.
Nalaya giggles softly, leaning a bit closer. "Well, I just thought I should know, us being betrothed
and all."
Norbert chuckles and nods. "Well, as you know, my father's family are seafaring folk from
Tillek. My mother, Rosina, also grew up around the sea and they married young." He takes a sip
of his wine, then leans in to tell the tale. "They found no success in adding a successor to father's
fishing to the family. From what my father said, there were many attempts, and not a few losses
to them as far as children were concerned." He pauses, "So it was quite awhile before I came
along."
Norbert gets a grave look as he continues. "Pregnancy was hard on my mother, she wasn't made
for it and, as you already know, my birthing took her from my father."
Nalaya hrms, nodding. "Yes...it's so sad."
Norbert nods. "Aye. My father was already 40 turns when I was born and hard put to care for
himself. That was a task set to me as soon as I could handle it. Naturally he expected me to take
over his skiff when I was able. But I hadn't the stomach for it. Tuning was actually my first love,
and then baking. I had come to have some talent for it by the time my father died."
Nalaya grins, soft smile coming over her face. "Tuning? Really? I never had any talent for music
at all..."
Norbert smiles and nods. "I pined to join the harpers, but was needed at home about the pies. I
had 19 turns when my father passed and, as soon as I was able, I sold the skiff and headed toward
Harper hall."
Nalaya nods, shaking her head slightly. "See, this is why you have to tell me these things. I would
never have guessed."
Norbert chuckles. "Aye, my love." He leans in to kiss her forehead and continues his saga. "But,
as life would have it, I got detoured along the way, landing myself at Ruatha where Lord Eleos
promised me singing lessons and Gwennar needed an apprentice baker. Besides, 19 turns is too
old to apprentice with harpers. At the first Ruathan Gather, Master Marissa was impressed with
my pull candy recipe and, feeling I had the talent for baking, sent me here to study under Johann,
the finest bubbly maker in Pern!"
Johann chuckles as that last bit was said with the direct intention of catching his ears.
Nalaya hrms. "I love those pull candies, so it's no wonder. And besides...I think your bubblies are
better than even Johann's." She casts an apologetic glance at the other baker.
Norbert chuckles and looks relieved the immense man is preoccupied. He says "And now, you
look tired. Why not rest? I'll clear this up."