Nothing Special?

Writers: Vix, Kaysea
Date Posted: 9th June 2007

Characters: Tayette, Hartam, Binta
Description: Hartam meets Tayette for an evening out and notes how much more assertive and trusting she has become.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 4, day 4 of Turn 4

It had been a long day, her feet were tired, her back was aching and all she
wanted was to lay down and sleep, but there was still kitchen floors to be
swept and mopped; and tables to be re-set for morning.

She wasn't the only one left to work, but the other two had been gossiping
since the cooks had left, so Tayette had been left to carry most of the
load. She elbowed the door open again, and made her way out with the basket
of utensils and started laying the tables, one by one.

He rose from the table where he had been sitting, waiting, and stepped
toward her, his voice soft as he spoke. "It's not a good idea to work round
the clock, nor should you be expected to do so."

"Oh!" she dropped the forks she had been holding and they clattered to the
table. "Hartam!* Her hand rested against her chest. "I knew you were there,
I don't know why I jumped so."

"Probably because you're concentrating on what you're doing," he said,
reaching for the basket of utensils. "How about if I help you so that you
can finish faster?"

"No . . ." Tayette shook her head, "No, Hartam. It's their job as well,"
she nodded back towards the kitchen door, "and they should come out and do
it." She had hoped the sound of the clattering cutlery might have dragged
at least one of them out of the kitchen to make sure she was alright. She
dropped the cutlery she had in her hand, and walked back over towards the
kitchen door, just as one of the other workers entered from the hallway
door.

"Tayette! You're not _still_ here?" she called across as she worked her way
through the tables. "Where are Lakest and Vesthe?"

"Oh Binta!" Tayette turned around and grimaced at the other woman, "They're
in the kitchen." she replied and rolled her eyes towards the ceiling. "I was
just about to get them out here."

"Perhaps I should offer to write a song for them," put in Hartam. "An ode to
their laziness that I can sing when next I meet with the Hallmaster?"

Tayette looked at him for a moment, trying to judge just how serious he was,
before she allowed herself a low chuckle of laughter.

"That sounds like a fine idea - you do that Harper!" Binta nodded as she
made her way through to the kitchen.

"She's like fast diving wherry when she gets het up." Tayette shook her
head, and cringed a little as she heard Binta's strident voice behind the
doorway.

It wasn't long before the errant workers made their way out into the main
dining room, neither looking happy. They both frowned at Tayette, as though
she had sent Binta at them, before they began setting the tables.

Binta appeared a few moments later, "Harper!" she looked straight at Hartam,
"You have plans for the rest of the evening?" she asked, loud enough for
everyone to hear.

Uncertain what she wanted of him, the harper paused. "I. . . I had hoped to
escort Tayette to the Tavern?"

"Good! That's what I was hoping you would say." she smiled, coming towards
them. Her voice had dropped back to a normal level again. "Those two can
stay and finish, I want you to take Tayette and show her a fine evening."
Her eyes once again moved to the other two workers, who were solemnly laying
tables a few paces away. "And tomorrow, you might want to consider that
song you mentioned." With that, she gave both of them a smile and turned
back to the kitchen. "Tayette, don't just stand there - Go!" she said over
here shoulder.

Tayette looked from Binta, back to Hartam. "I ...I guess we should go?" Her
confusion was mirrored on his face too. She looked first at one then the
other of the workers, and turned back tot he harper. "Come on.."

He offered her his arm, then reconsidered and grabbed her hand, pulling her
from the room with a hasty, "Thank you, Binta!" Outside, he slowed his walk
and looked down at his companion. "We don't really have to go to the Tavern
if you don't want. I just. . . when she asked me I was suddenly speechless.
I mean, I came here to spend time with you but had no definite plans."

Tayette gave a low laugh, "It's okay, she surprised me too. Binta's a good
friend to have on your side, but not one to cross, as you just saw." She
smiled widely up at him, "You know, I've not had someone so attentive for
many a turn, you're spoiling me."

Hartam paused before answering, noting that smile that such a short time ago
had been so slow to appear. "I've not been attentive, not had an interest in
anyone for turns. I'd set that portion of my life aside, throwing myself
into my work. But something about you. . ."

"Me?" she dipped her head for a moment, "I'm nothing special.." she
countered. Something she had been told repeatedly for turns, had become more
than second nature to her beliefs.

"I'm allowed to see you as special if I want, correct?"

"Please Hartam, I'm not used to compliments. I. . . I don't know how to
accept them graciously." she shook her head, her hands covering her burning
cheeks.

He sighed loudly. "If you insist," then muttered under his breath, "but I'll
think what I want."

"Don't sound like that." she turned and looked at him, a small, self
derisive smile growing on her face. "I know I'm frustrating, but . . .
you're the first real friend I have had in a long time, apart from Binta,
and I'm sure its more curiosity that started the friendship I have with
her." She paused for a moment and looked thoughtful, "In fact, you are the
first male friend since I was a child. So feel honoured, but also, be
patient, please?"

"I do feel honored, Tayette." He started to reach for her hand but stopped,
uncertain whether he should. "But I'm also angry that those lazy wherries
take advantage of you the way they do."

"Ah, I'm used to it now." she smiled, "and as I said, it's good to be on
Binta's good side. She doesn't have any right to boss any of us around,
really. But better you do as she says, or you never hear the end of it."
she laughed.

"I've known a few people like that in my time," he laughed with her,
enjoying her enthusiasm and the comfort she know showed with him. "Of
course, I've a feeling that my apprentices see me the same way."

"Yes, but you have the advantage of rank, Binta has none, apart from
maturity. And I'm sure you don't harp on the way Binta does - if you'll
excuse the pun."

He winced at her turn of words. "I try not to. However, Binta does seem to
have a good heart. She definitely wishes you well."

"Yes, she does. She has been there for me since I first arrived, and she
had the misfortune to meet Karvea, when he showed up last turn."

The name brought a cold feeling to the pit of the harper's stomach, though
he was proud of the woman for now being able to discuss her ex-husband
without the fear that it had once caused her. "He'd not want to run into
me."

"I'd not want to run into him, either." a shudder ran through Tayette at the
thought. "It's becoming easier to talk about him, but I still wouldn't want
to see him appear back here again."

"Even if he did appear here, you've friends who would protect you. This is
your home, and there's naught he can do about that."

She rested a hand on his arm, "Thank you Hartam." Could it really be only a
few short sevenday's ago that she had first met this man, she wondered? "I
doubt he'll make an effort again, he suffered the wrath of Binta last time -
that may have been enough. He doesn't like to be shamed, and Binta did a
good job of it last time, from what I was told." She hoped it would be, but
it was good to know if he did show up again, she would have more than an
ageing kitchen worked to back her up.

He brought his other hand up to cover hers. "I'd like to have seen that, but
would prefer that you not have to endure it again." He winked at her. "But
if we don't want to face Binta's wrath ourselves, we had better put some
distance between us and the kitchens."

"With a small, hushed laugh, she nodded. "That we should." And allowed
Hartam to lead her away from the dining hall.

Last updated on the June 10th 2007

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