A Moment of Peace
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Aaron, Heather
Date Posted: 5th February 2020
Characters: Wirnan, Suynie
Description: Wirnan and Suynie have light conversation over tea
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 2, day 8 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Bryvin, Yriadha
Suynie released a small sigh. The children were spending some quality time with their father, Lord Bryvin, and her own son was at harper classes. That meant for a few precious moments she had no one putting sticky hands on her, or spilling their food on her. She loved the children, dearly, but a little peace and quiet was also necessary. A cup of tea in the parlor sounded divine, she decided, pushing open the door, hoping to find it empty, and being only slightly disappointed when she realized someone else was already there.
"Lord Wirnan," she greeted the Hold's Steward, dropping a quick curtsy. "I hope I'm not disturbing you?"
"Please," said the steward. He held up a hand and smiled. "Just Wirnan will do nicely, thank you. You're not disturbing me at all. Can I get you anything?" He already had a pot of klah on to brew.
"I was just going to make myself a cup of tea," Suynie said with a pleasant smile. "The children are with Lord Bryvin so....." She trailed off, not wanting to say anything that might be misconstrued as her complaining about her job, a job that she was very grateful to have.
"Ah, a little time to yourself, eh? Well, I hope you wouldn't begrudge me a little company nonetheless. I can be very quiet if need be," said Wirnan, grinning as he started another kettle of water boiling for the tea.
"Oh, no, a little adult company would be lovely. All of my conversations revolve around colors, shapes, and the progress the children are making." The corners of Suynie's mouth twitched upwards as she took a seat to wait on the boiling water.
"What's on your mind in the realm of adult conversation?" Wirnan wondered. There was always small talk, but even that would eventually be about as engaging as shapes and colors.
Suynie laced her fingers together. That was a good question. "Um, well, tell me about yourself Steward. I'm afraid I don't know much about anyone, being in the nursery all the time."
"You can call me Wirnan, really, Suynie." He smiled – reassuringly, he hoped. "I grew up with my grandparents. And after they died, I traveled about here and there and worked for stewards at this hold and that. What about you? Have you lived here your whole life, then?"
"Yes, my husband was a seacrafter. He was out at the time the tsunami hit and never returned." Suynie said, although she hurriedly continued, not wanting Wirnan to think that she was looking for pity. "I was in the weavercraft when I was younger, but I have a son to take care of, so when Bryvin opened the position I applied."
"I'm sorry. Bryvin has a good heart. So, one of the wee lads is yours, then?" asked Wirnan. It seemed prudent to keep the subject on the boy rather than on his late father.
"Well, my son, Lucyien, is six, so he's started some basic harper classes. He stays with me at night but is gone most of the day for class."
"I see!" said Wirnan. "I haven't got any children of my own." He was not precisely sad about that, not considering who was likely to have been the mother if he had.
"Milk?" he asked as the kettle began to whistle. "Sugar?"
"Were you married before?" Suynie asked, before nodding her head. "Both, please."
Wirnan poured the tea and added the milk and sugar. He stirred it, leaving the spoon on a saucer with the cup and limped over to hand it to Suynie. He returned for his klah and then sat down.
"I was. It's a long story," said Wirnan. "I did my best to do the right thing."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry," Suynie said immediately, taking a cautionary sip of the hot tea. "Doing our best, that's all any of us can do."
"It is, isn't it?" said Wirnan as he mirrored Suynie's careful sip with his own drink. "So, speaking of wives and weddings, which one of these lovely ladies do you expect will end up wedded to our Lord Bryvin, eh?" he asked, grinning.
Suynie could not contain an eyeroll at the mention of the 'ladies' that had descended upon Sunstone in the hopes of marrying the eligible Lord Holder. "The sea only knows. They're all one in the same in my book. Empty heads and lovely faces. It is good for Lord Bryvin that Headwoman Yriadha runs such a tight ship."
Wirnan chuckled at the response. It was about as much as he ever had to say on the topic, but he tried to keep his answers more diplomatic.
"Aye, Lord Bryvin is lucky to have her on his staff," he agreed. "We all are."
"You said you worked for other Holds. I take it then that you are well traveled?" Suynie asked.
"I suppose you could say that," said Wirnan. "I've been here and there. Hardly everywhere, though. Is there someplace you'd like to visit?"
Suynie shook her head. "I don't suppose so. I love the sea and Sunstone is perfect for that. I've always wondered what a Hatching would be like. I've heard stories about them before." It took knowing a dragonrider personally, or having some level of rank, in order for a Holdsperson to get to a Weyr Hatching. Suynie had neither.
"Hmm," said Wirnan, nodding and taking another sip. "I never thought much about the weyr." It would be a risk to travel there. "Maybe young Lucyien will Stand at one someday."
The fostermother's eyes widened a bit. "I had not even considered that, but I guess anything is possible. Right now he wants to be a seacrafter, like his father was."
"I wanted to be a herdsman myself," said Wirnan. "Like my grandfather. But I wasn't cut out for it. Things don't always go the way we think they will." He reached up to rub the scar behind his ear.
"I hope things turn out better for your boy." He smiled.
"Thank you, so do I. I would much rather he pick something safer, like being a harper, perhaps." Suynie lifted her cup of tea for the last time to her lips, finishing it off. Her eyes glanced at the timekeeper on the mantle. "Oh, I'd better get back, it'll be time to take the children to dinner soon." She stood. "Thank you for the company, Wirnan." It felt weird to not address him formally.
Wirnan pushed himself to his feet as well and smiled. It had been refreshing to talk to someone who did not want anything from him.
"The pleasure was all mine. Suynie," he said, "could I see you again sometime?"
Suynie returned his smile. "Yes, I would like that."
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Last updated on the May 31st 2020