Attempt No. 2

Writers: AL, Heather
Date Posted: 20th January 2016

Characters: Caenir, Renette
Description: Caenir tries against to ask how Reven's sister.
Location: Green Valley Hold
Date: month 3, day 16 of Turn 8

Stained fingers drummed impatiently on the polished, wooden table as Renette waited on the drudge to return with the klah and plate that she had ordered. It had been a hard day in the workshop and all she wanted was a little food, and the time to sit and people watch for a bit.

What she wasn't aware of was that someone was watching her. Caenir had come to eat a little earlier, so by the time Renette had appeared, he had finished his own meal. Normally, that would have spurred him to simply go back to the stables or even to his own quarters to quietly whittle or play his gitar or write letters, or any number of things. When he realised she was there, however, he hesitated. Finally, after a few moments of quiet back and forth within his mind, he rose and approached the table. "Renette."

Looking up, Renette smiled when her eyes landed on Caenir. "Hey, have a seat." Using one booted foot she kicked out the chair across the table. "How was your day?"

He hadn't really planned on sitting. In his mind, he thought he'd walk up, ask her, get an idea of a day and time, then be on his way with the rest of the day. Her invitation changed his plans completely and to say no would be rude. For a moment, he stood there, then suddenly plopped into the seat across from her. "Uh. Good. Yours?"

"Tedious, but good." She held up her stained fingers and wiggled them. "Putting new finish on a gitar. Harper blue, it's cliche I know, but the wood grain soaked in the stain so well I couldn't resist."

"For you?" Caenir had to admit that sounded interesting. He'd seen gitars in different shades of brown and even some red ones, but he'd never seen a blue one before.

"Not necessarily, just a one that I am working on in the hopes of selling at the next Gather. The extra marks would be nice." Renette noticed then that Caenir had nothing with him. "Were you planning on eating?"

"I uh...already ate." In fact, Caenir had remained longer than he had intended because of Renette's arrival. "Which Gather'll that be?"

He'd already eaten? Renette was puzzled. Why was the man still hanging around the Dining Hall then? **Maybe he wants dessert.** She thought.

"Whichever one I can get to next." she said. Renette loved traveling, it was one of the fun parts of being a crafter and selling her things.

Maybe they could go to a Gather together. That would be a date right? If Caenir asked her, it would have to be a date. That was what Reven wanted, and if things went well. He opened his mouth and had every intention of asking her when a splash of hot liquid seared across his lap and was followed by a clatter of plates and silverware. With a single, deep grunt, Caenir sprang to his feet while a young drudge stared at him in horror. "I'm so sorry!" She squeaked, clamouring for a towel and attempting to dab at his thigh. "I'm so sorry! It was an accident! I didn't mean to."

With frantic motions, the girl tried to pat at the brown liquid that had spread over the man's trousers. After a couple of seconds, he gently caught her wrists to still them. "It's okay." It wasn't quite okay. His thigh burned and he was pretty sure it would be nice and read, but the distress upon the young drudges' face took priority. Without another word, he knelt upon the floor and began to help her clean up the mess.

"No no no no...I'll get it. It's my fault." The girl's cheeks were as inflamed as Caenir's skin must surely be, but despite her protests, he simply continued until the silverware and shattered pieces of plate and mug were back on the tray. "S'okay." He repeated. He stood with the tray and might have carried it back for her, but the girl was bold enough to tug it from his hands before she hurried off back to the kitchen. Caenir watched her go and peered down at his trousers. "Need to change." He muttered. For a moment, though, it seemed as if he might not leave quite yet, but without a word, he finally just nodded to her, then turned and left the dining hall.

The scene had unfolded so rapidly that Renette just found herself staring at the empty chair Caenir had vacated. There was no doubt that the liquid had been hot, the steam rolling from the dredges left in the cup had been evidence of that. Even though she'd never seen Caenir show his temper, it still surprised her at how calmly he had handled the situation. He'd even helped the drudge clean up the mess.

Renette watched Caenir leave the Dining Hall, her eyes studying the broad set of his shoulders and the easy way he walked, well, it was a little impeded by the burn. The Stablemaster was a fine man, both in looks and in personality, it struck her as odd, not for the first time, that he wasn't already married or in a relationship. He was a good catch.

"He never did say why he was in the Dining Hall…." She murmured to herself.

Last updated on the January 27th 2016

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Attempt No. 2