Hope (1/2)

Writers: Eimi, Suzee
Date Posted: 20th October 2017

Characters: Sophque, Devren
Description: Sophque and Devren meet to celebrate Turns Beginning together...
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 13, day 30 of Turn 8
Notes: Follows "SSH: A Great Time"
1 of 2

Sophque

Sophque smiled to herself as she got ready for the evening. Her day
had seemed to crawl by but when she could justify it she began to get
ready. She tried and discarded at least three different dresses before
she found the one she felt was most flattering and would be easy for
dancing.

Once she escaped the house and all her relatives she walked slowly
towards the square willing herself to calm down and at least appear
composed. She stopped at the edge of the Gather Square and looked over
the crowd but she couldn't see Devren so she began to slowly circle
the plaza.

Devren, it just so happened, had the same tactic in mind. Luckily he
had chosen to walk in the opposite direction, standing on tip toe to
try to see over heads in the crowd. Finally he saw that familiar
auburn crown bobbing up and down heading in his direction.
"Sophque!", he called, waving his arms in the air to attract her
attention.

She stretched her own neck to try and see through the crowd. Then she
heard her name called and turned toward the voice with a smile. She
lifted her arm and waved threading through the people to finally meet
Devren. "Good evening," she smiled.

"Hi," he grinned, rather relieved. He had started to feel a small fear
in the pit of his stomach that she had changed her mind. Devren was
so happy that she had not that he instinctively reached for her hands.
"Happy Turns Beginning, Sophque."

"Happy Turns Beginning," she echoed. She squeezed his hands and then
let go. She heard the harpers tuning up and turned toward the
platform. "Do we have a table?"

"Oh, uh... no." he said, raising his hand to run though his hair
nervously when he realized his excitement had got the best of him.
Shards, did she think he was too forward? "I wasn't sure what you
wanted to do first. But I can get us a table. I can go find one
right now."

She thought she was beginning to realize that the fingers through the
hair was a nervous reaction. She found it just a little endearing to
think he might feel that way about her. She wasn't precisely nervous,
more tentative. But the more time she spent with him the better she
liked the man she was getting to know. "I'm open," she smiled. "Did
you have something planned?"

"No, not really." He had just been hoping he could find her! **Shards,
I am so out of practice...** "Alright," he said clapping his hands
together as he came to a decision. "Let's find a seat and a drink,
chat a bit, and then try out our dancing legs. How does that sound?"

She gave him a broad smile. "That sounds great."

"Great. Let's find a seat." He stepped aside, indicating that she
should lead the way, but he would follow close behind. Devren stopped
short of putting his hand on the small of her back to guide her, but
the temptation was there. "There are two seats right there," he said,
pointing to a table towards the back of one of the Gather tents.
There were plenty of people around, but it seemed to offer some
privacy at least. "I'll get us some wine. Red?"

She headed in the direction he'd pointed out and was soon seated at
the small table. She smiled and nodded. "Yes, I prefer red to white.
Thank you."

Devren quickly returned with two glasses and took his seat next to
her. "So, did you spend your day with your daughter and family?"

"We had a wonderful day. Sophine couldn't contain herself when she saw
all the gifts," she chuckled. "How about you?"

"Oh, well, let's see... I went down to the docks and looked at what
some of the boats brought in." A gleam shone in his eye as he
remembered all the fine deals that he made with the captains coming
into Sunstone for the festivities. "In fact, I have something for
you," he said, pulling out of his pocket a length of fine ribbon. "I
thought it might match the dress you made."

"Oh Devren," she sighed. She felt momentarily guilty that she hadn't
brought him a gift but her eyes glowed as she looked at it. "It is so
beautiful, and look at that sheen!"

"It's from the Hall at Emerald Falls," he said with a grin, glad that
she seemed pleased with his gift. Devren also had been pleased, since
the ship it came from had brought a few different products from famous
Masters at a good price.

"Really?" She was very impressed and it showed. "I've always wanted to
go there and see how they do it." She picked up her glass and took a
small sip. "Thank you so much."

"My pleasure," he said, leaning his elbow on the table and his chin in
his hand and smiled as he looked at the expression on her face.
Shards she was pretty! Devren suddenly realized he had been staring
at her silently for an obviously long stretch and quickly sat up
straight. "Ah... So... You had a good day, then? That's good."

Even when he was just sitting there for a moment she was content. It
was a beautiful night, there was music, and wine and the beginning of
a new turn. "Yes," she said simply and sipped her wine. "And this,"
she waved around them "Is very nice."

"It is," he agreed, looking around at all the happy faces and pretty
decorations. **I wonder who supplies the fabric for the bunting...**
Shaking off that thought, he turned back to his lovely company. "Do
you have any resolutions for the new Turn?"

She smiled. "I probably sounds silly, but I just want to be happy. I
think I've been sad long enough. How about you?"

His look turned serious a moment as he contemplated her answer. Sad.
Yes, it was easy to stay sad. There were still moments of loneliness
and sadness for Devren, too. After all, he had lost his wife after
Sophque had as he could recall. He did not know it was another that
Sophque grieved for. **What a deep love she must have felt for her
husband to mourn so long...** But he shook it off and gave her
question a moment of thought. "I probably say this every Turn, but I
want to do more outside of work. I never seemed to manage it very
well, but then again, I never really had a reason to." And perhaps
that was what he really hoped for this Turn. A reason not to throw
himself into his work.

"I think that is a very good goal," she smiled. "You should take some
time for yourself. I know it is to work too hard sometimes." She
thought of her daughter and how they could spend more time together.
Then she looked toward the stand where the music had begun to play.

His eyes followed hers. Well, he had a promise to fulfill. Standing,
he reached a hand out to her, "Would you like to dance?"

Her smile broadened and she put her hand in his. "I would."

Devren's heart beat a little faster, both at the touch and his
nervousness that his skills as a dancer might disappoint. It wasn't
that he had two left feet, just that he was a bit out of practice.
Thankfully the Harpers were starting with songs that everyone knew so
well none had to really worry about losing their way on the dance
floor.

Even though she'd been hesitant at first, it felt good to have someone
who seemed so interested in her and not for her skills as a
seamstress. She just let herself enjoy the moment and put the past
firmly in the past as she'd promised herself. Then she enjoyed herself
while he guided her around the floor.

Last updated on the November 2nd 2017

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Hope (1/2)