Questions,Assumptions and the Flapping of Ears

Writers: Kaysea
Date Posted: 12th July 2007

Characters: Tayette
Description: Tayette is asked some probing questions by a nosy Binta
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 4, day 11 of Turn 4

Tayette sat on a stool in the kitchen, lost in thought as she peeled the tubers one by one. She didn't even sense the other woman's approach until Binta was standing in front of her.

"A mark for them?" she asked, pulling up another stool to the bench. "Need a hand? You look lost in the wilds." she commented, plucking another knife from the block at the back of the bench. "Dreaming of your Harper, no doubt." she said with a slow smile and enquiring eyes.

"He's not _my_ Harper." Tayette replied slowly.

"You sure about that?" Binta asked. "Seems to me that he doesn't look anywhere else, and not through lack of temptation - either."

"What do you mean?" Tayette asked, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of losing the Harpers companionship - and more, may be?

"I've heard some of the other girls complaining that he's friendly enough to them when they talk to him at the Tavern, but he doesn't seem too quick on the uptake, when offered. If you know what I mean?"

She hadn't realised she'd been holding her breath until she released it in a rush of relief. "Oh, well, that has nothing to do with me." she blustered, trying to cover up her reaction. "He and I have no ties to each other." she shook her head. Did she want an attachment? The thought entered her head unbidden and she knew what the answer was likely to be.

"Oh come on." Binta shook her head in disbelief, "You don't seriously expect me to believe that, do you?" the older woman couldn't restrain the smile that curled the edges of her mouth. "You're trying to tell me you haven't.." she nodded her head to the side, ".._you know_.."

"What? WHAT?" Tayette's eyes widened in shock. "BINTA! NO!" she dropped the tuber she had been peeling and slipped off the stool to pick it up. She could feel the deepest of flushes covering her face and chest, and a rush of heat suffusing her upper body. "You...how... _Where_ did you get _that_ idea?" She found she was totally horrified at the thought anyone would think she and the Harper had, that they would be the subject of speculation! She shook her head again, trying to wipe the thought from her mind.

"Calm down..." Binta reached out a hand and helped Tayette back into her seat. "You mean you haven't?" she asked more quietly, in a completely disbelieving tone.

Tayette shook her head. "No..never." she answered in a hushed whisper.

"Oh dear girl! Where is your head?" Binta asked. "We all... well, we all thought you and he.. Well, you know.." Binta gave a weak smile. He didn't appear to be anything other than a normal man, not the type that would fly a blue, but these days, you just couldn't tell - the old woman's thoughts became muddled.

May be he was? She shrugged to herself. They'd been seen together too often by others in the Hall, speculation had run wild among the kitchen staff. If he wasn't a 'blue' then he had rocks in that head of his. She had to restrain a huff of annoyance - Tayette was a fine figure of a woman, what was wrong with the man?

"Oh love, I didn't mean to upset or offend you." Binta could see now that the flush had washed from her face, Tayette was looking a bit peaked. What had she done? "Look, you sit still, and I'll be back in a minute." Binta slipped from her stool and walked hastily to the other side of the kitchens, ignoring the enquiring looks she was getting. Grabbing a couple of mugs she filled them with fresh klah and picked a couple of pies from the tray, before making her way back to Tayette.

"Here," she offered Tayette a mug, "get this into you. It'll bring the colour back." she assured the younger woman. "I'd no idea. No one did. Shells, I didn't mean to embarrass you. We all thought, well, that you and he.. I mean, you've been together so often, we just assumed. Well, you're both free." Binta could feel she was dropping herself further and further into a mire. "I'll just shut up and drink my klah, shall I." she nodded and hastily downed a gulp of the hot liquid.

Tayette couldn't help but smile at the older woman's confusion and embarrassment. "Why must I always be the subject of gossip?" she asked, quietly. Glancing around the kitchens she noticed now the occasional sideways glanced towards her and Binta. "Does everyone know what you've just asked me?" she asked, once again feeling the colour flooding her face. Shards! Why was she so transparent?

"No, well.." Binta glanced around as well, and noticed the lack of eye contact _she_ was now receiving from the other staff. "Nosy buggers!" she muttered. "Well some may have guessed by your reaction, but no, they didn't know what I was going to ask you. They just assumed, I think." Frowning, Binta bent her head and took another, slower sip of the klah, appreciating the distraction.

Tayette sighed heavily. "I guess things have been a little slow around here lately, and since Karvea's visit, well, everyone wants to know what I'm going to do next." she spoke quietly, aware of the flapping ears around them in spite of the normal noise of the kitchens.

"Have you..." Binta shook her head. "...no, never mind, it's really none of my business. I should just be pleased you have a friend, and one that makes you happy. But Tay? I'm not really asking just to be nosy..." she smiled weakly, "...I'd also like to know you're happy - after the life you had to live before...it'd be nice to know you'd found happiness."

"I know Binta, but a bit of gossip doesn't go astray either, does it?" Tayette winked back. "But in future, please - give me some warning before you spring questions and assumptions of that kind on me, okay?"

Binta nodded, muffling a low chuckle. "Okay.."

Last updated on the July 14th 2007

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Questions,Assumptions and the Flapping of Ears