Another Date

Writers: Estelle, Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 19th January 2020

Characters: Yriadha, Bryvin, Brina, Tarani
Description: Tarani has her dinner with the Lord Holder
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 13, day 17 of Turn 9

Yriadha

Bryvin

Brina

Tarani arrived at the private room where, she'd been told, she would
dine privately with the Lord Holder, feeling bored and restless already.
Her maid had forbidden her to ride or even set foot outdoors all
afternoon lest she ruin her gown or tousle her hair, and the dark-eyed
gaze of the Headwoman wasn't in the least comforting.

Back home it had all seemed so simple. She'd always been her uncle's
favourite, and when he'd told her he was counting on her to charm Lord
Bryvin into choosing her as a bride, she'd been thrilled. The prospect
of seeing a new place, after spending all her life at dull old Flint
Hills, was exciting, as was the chance of being Lady Holder.

Life at Sunstone Seahold was not all pleasure, though. She had to share
a room with the oh-so-perfect Lady Noriya, who she still hadn't forgiven
for her words after the tavern incident. Also, although she didn't think
Lady Brina knew exactly what had happened that evening, she knew
something. The Lord Holder's sister was looking at her as if she was
wondering if this dinner had been such a terribly good idea.

"I'm sure my brother will be along at any moment," Brina said, giving
the girl an encouraging smile to hide her concerns. Lady Tarani was
very...young, she thought. At least she wasn't late this time. Perhaps
she should have asked the kitchens not to send any wine, but then Bryvin
would have had to go without as well. "He's been spending a great deal
of time on Hold business lately, hasn't he, Headwoman?"

Yriadha looked up from her corner of the room, her hands paused over
her embroidery. As a member of the Hold staff, it wasn't appropriate
for her to dine with the other ladies, but it was incumbent upon her
to wait upon them if necessary, especially when the young Lady was a
prospective bride. She dared not trust a drudge to do so. "Indeed he
has, Lady Brina. Duties do not often allow Lord Bryvin the time to
entertain, even when he desires to do so. It will be important that
the new Lady Holder, whomever she might be, take on those
responsibilities."

The door opened again and Bryvin stepped through it with a smile.
"Good evening Ladies," he said pleasantly. He crossed to his sister
and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Brina," he murmured her name with
love in his eyes. Of everyone here, she was the one person he trusted
to have his interests at heart. He squeezed her hand, nodded at
Yriadha sitting demurely in the corner, then focused on this evening's
young lady. "You must be Lady Tarani," he smiled charmingly at her.
"How are you finding my Hold?"

Tarani was flustered for a brief moment. Had he somehow heard about the
excursion to the tavern? He couldn't have, she told herself, suppressing
a nervous giggle. It was a perfectly natural question to ask.

"It's very...different from my home, my Lord. Very exciting. There's so
much to see! At Flint Hills there's just the mine and the cotholds and
lots of woods and hills and goats." Now that some time had passed, her
memory of the fear she'd felt when they'd been surrounded by the sailors
had faded, and she half wished she could go back to the docks. This was
definitely not the time for such thoughts, however. "I'm grateful for
the opportunity to be fostered here at Sunstone," she continued,
remembering her manners. "Lady Brina has been so kind to us."

As soon as Bryvin entered, Yriadha rose, gave a respectful curtsy, and
then proceeded to the table. Keeping a calm expressionless face, she
lifted the trays to reveal the food, and then glancing at Brina,
poured the wine for each person. After each area was prepared, Yriadha
stepped back and silently walked back to the corner, lifting her
embroidery once again.

Tarani managed to contain herself until Brina had thanked the Headwoman
and raised her glass before trying a sip of the wine. She'd been allowed
a small glass at the Turn's End celebration before and found the taste
took some getting used to, but she'd liked the pleasant sensations that
followed.

"Lady Tarani has been busy today, like all our fosterlings, helping with
the preparations for the Turn's End ball," Brina said. "I think you were
outdoors gathering flowers, weren't you?"

"Yes, Lady Brina. I was glad to have that duty, I like to be outside.
Back home, my uncle growls at anyone who sits around indoors when they
could be out in the fresh air, drudge or Lady. He says he can't abide
pasty-faced ninnies who lie around on couches," Tarani said, her
confidence growing. She set down the wine glass and started on her meal.
"It's so funny to watch him sometimes, striding around with his canines
at his heels and the Steward trotting along behind with a hide and pen,
trying to get him to sign his papers. Some of the holders were
terrified, mostly because of the canines, but they're just big, shaggy
puppies when you get to know them, really. I miss them. Do _you_ like
animals, Lord Bryvin?"

Bryvin smiled pleasantly at the young woman. She was well put together
and her sense of humor pleased him. "A good habit," he said in
agreement at her description of her father, and clasped his hands
behind him. Captain dropped to a seated position at his side and
regarded the others in the room with a canine smile and lolled tongue.
"This is my companion Captain," he smiled down at the canine. "He's
never far from my side." He never knew how a female was going to react
to the big guy.

"Oh!" A giggle of delight escaped the girl's lips and she forgot the
meal, the wine, Lady Brina and her table manners as she gazed adoringly
at the big canine. She reached out with one hand before checking
herself, recalling enough common sense to ask first. "He's gorgeous!
Will he mind if I pet him?"

"Just a moment," he said dropping down beside the canine and putting
his arm over his back. "He needs to know he's not working before you
get near him." Bryvin's arm over his back had changed Captain's
behavior and he licked at the Lord's chin before wagging his tail.
"Go ahead," he smiled at the girl.

Bryvin's interest in the girl easily caught Yriadha's attention and
she watched the interaction with interest. Taranni was a lovely young
woman, but from what Riadem had told her, was reckless. Continuing her
stitches, she considered the girl further. She was also sufficiently
bright. Too bright, perhaps? She might grow into a threat. Her eyes
turned to Bryvin again, hidden by her lashes. Was this a young woman
who could make Bryvin happy? It was obvious that she could at least
attempt a decent conversation. And a reckless spirit could be
channeled. She would have to study this girl further.

Tarani abandoned her dinner altogether and knelt down eagerly before
Captain, offering him her hand to sniff. Brina watched and tried to look
severe, though she couldn't help the twitch of amusement at the corner
of her mouth. Had _any_ of these girls learned how to behave properly at
table?

"You're a good boy, aren't you? Look how clever you are..." Tarani
looked up at the Lord Holder. "Where does he like to be petted? Two of
my uncle's canines love to have their ears rubbed, but the other one,
she hates it and will growl and snap if you try, but if you stroke her
belly she adores it and wriggles in delight."

Oblivious to the fact that her food was getting cold and Lady Brina was
giving her a look that was full of meaning, she happily ran her fingers
through the canine's fur, murmuring a stream of nonsense. This dinner,
which she'd been expecting to be formal and boring, had turned out far
better than she could have anticipated.

Last updated on the February 1st 2020

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