Talk

Writers: Jane, Kaysea
Date Posted: 11th February 2008

Characters: Dwinda, Giga, Yaleen, Binta
Description: Gossip abounds about Causton and Rikka, between the woman of the Vintner Hall kitchens
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 8, day 24 of Turn 4

"Dwinda! Dwinda!" Yaleen called across the yard as they made their way to the kitchens. "Did you hear?"

Dwinda waited for the other woman to catch her up, stopping, but stamping her feet to keep out the cold. "Hear what?" she asked.

"Quick, come into the kitchen to keep warm," Yaleen said, pulling her towards the door. "I don't know if Giga has heard either."

"What haven't I heard?" Giga asked as the other women entered the room.

"The news!" Yaleen said brightly. "Hallmaster and that _woman_ from the Hold."

"What woman? There are hundreds of women at the Hold."

"That crafter. You know, the one who fixes things. Jemikiah said he saw them last night. After dark, Hallmaster walking her home."

Giga harrumphed in surprised. "Was he sober? Jemikiah, I mean, because he's often not."

"Well, he seemed to be this morning when he told me. Very confidential." She nodded, "Seemed to think there was more to it." She shrugged, "I thought it was strange when his sons showed up, with no mother in tow. D'you think she didn't come on purpose?"

"I heard that she was on the way but not by dragon," Giga offered. "But whatever the reason, he's by himself here now and being seen with _that_
woman is just foolish. People will always think the worst of anybody seen with the likes of her."

"I thought she was quite pretty." Dwinda mused quietly. "I've seen her around, and if they are _together_ it wouldn't be a surprise."

"Wouldn't be a surprise? He's a _married_ man, young woman. It should be a shock and a disappointment, not something you don't even surprise you."

"Yeah he is married, but he's also handsome." she smiled airily, "...and, well, he's also handsome, and we know men have needs..." she didn't think she needed to say more.

"Handsome, handsome! Needs! You're a silly girl - making excuses for him."

"Well we'll see what happens when his wife arrives, _if she does_."
Yaleen nodded knowingly. She bustled over to the stove and began stoking it. "I need some klah, I don't know about you two."

The door to the dining hall opened and Binta shuffled in. "What's going on in here?" she asked, looking around the room, "Shards, its the fifth candlemark and none of the meal has been started, I can't even smell any klah. What have you lot been gossiping about this time of the day?" her eyes, all knowing, glanced from one to the other of them, and she noted the guilty looks from each of them.

"Nothing," Giga said instantly, hoping the other two took the hint. She didn't think Binta would like the direction or tone of their talk and an annoyed Binta wasn't a good thing in the kitchen.

"Then shouldn't you all be working?" she asked, eyeing each of them in turn again, this time lifting one eyebrow each time. She suspected whatever it was they had been gossiping over, wasn't a pleasant subject, not judging by the guilt they each wore plainly.

"Remember only a few days and the new Hallmasters wife'll be here, we need to spruce the place up, so she's impressed. And I hear Desree will be making inspections, too." If the threat of the Headwoman wasn't enough to put a fire under these three, then nothing would be.

"She'll be here in a few days time?" Giga asked, looking at the other two again.

"Yes, why?" Binta asked, a frown furrowing her forehead, at their reaction. "Are you sure you have nothing you want to share with me?"
she asked.

"Nothing at all. Just thinking it would be nice for the Hallmaster to have his wife here - and those boys of his to have their mother around."

"Have their mother around and keep them out of trouble." Binta smiled fondly, "Though she may be kept busy with the new babe..." she didn't know if the other women were aware of the Hallmasters recent news, since he had only mentioned it in passing when he heard of Tayette and the Harpers good news.

"A baby?" Giga was surprised. "I hadn't heard there was a baby."

"Apparently so, if what Desree had the workers over at their quarters is any indication. A cradle has been set up, and apparently the Hallmaster has had some special linens delivered." she enjoyed being the bearer of happy news, and from the looks on the faces of the other three women, none of them had been any the wiser, before now. "So, how about we get the first meal of the day under way?" she asked, clapping her hands together, briskly.

Giga nodded and went back to her work, her thoughts deflected completely from the chatter of the other girls. A baby. That would be nice.

Last updated on the February 14th 2008

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