A Time to Court

Writers: Ames, Suzee
Date Posted: 12th August 2014

Characters: Demir, Royan
Description: Demir formally asks Royan to court Faldrimme.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 7, day 27 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Faldrimme
Follows: Dinner Invitation and Conversation

Demir

It was chilly, but warmer than it had been. Wrapped in his heavy
cloak, Royan walked quietly out to the gardens. There was still a
dusty of snow from earlier in the sevenday but most of it had already
melted away.

Once they were away from prying eyes and ears, Royan looked toward
Demir and inquired, "So you wanted to talk?"

"Oh don't play coy with me Royan," Demir shook his head. "You know
perfectly well why I want to talk to you. Your daughter."

Royan gave a grin that revealed how devilishly handsome he had been in
his younger days.

"Looks like some of my ploy may have worked?" His tone had a hint of
tease and a hint of seriousness to it. "I was hoping you might take an
interest in one of my girls. Who caught your eye tonight?" He turned
his head to look at Demir as they walked.

"Wilbera is awefully sweet," he started with a sideways smirk at
Royan. "But too young. Faldrimme is very lovely," he said after a
short pause. "Can I persuade you into allowing me to court her?"

"Persuade?" Royan chuckled. He was _thrilled_, but still he had to
ask, "and what sort of persuasion did you have in mind?"

Demir grinned, "How about a punch in the nose you wily old fox."

Royan chuckled as he raised his hands in mock surrender. "You got me.
I had hoped that you might take an interest in one of my girls.
Faldrimme in particular, but she's not your average girl, Demir. She
has hopes and dreams that, I'm afraid, have been out of her reach.
I've hated to see her so disappointed these last months, and had hoped
to find someone worthy of her who would also appreciate her dreams
even if they can't all be realized." Royan's face had taken on a
different look as he spoke. One that showed a hint of sadness and also
one that showed the determination of a father to do what he could for
a daughter he cared greatly about.

"What kind of hopes and dreams," Demir asked a little warily.

Royan looked at the younger man from the corner of his eye, wondering
what his take on what he had to say next would be.

"She wanted to craft. It was her dream. She fell in love with the
animals when she was just a wee lass. If the world were different I
would have turned over every stone to allow her to follow her dream
and craft." Here Royan paused and turned to look directly at Demir,
"Best you know now before you decide to pursue this. She even went to
the Weyr for a short time to try and follow that dream. It wasn't the
life for her."

"Really," he blinked several times. Faldrimme was obviously not just
lovely to look at but more than the average young woman he'd met
recently. He knew Royan well enough to take it for granted that
Faldrimme had been escorted at the Weyr. But he knew she was up
against a great deal of prejudice from his holders. "Do you think she
could take it slowly at first, until she's accepted?" He wasn't
necessarily against a woman crafting as long as it didn't interfere
with her other duties to the hold.

Now it was Royan's turn to give pause and blink. "Are you suggesting
she actually _could_ pursue her dream in someway? _If_ she were to
say, move to Hidden Meadows?"

"I wouldn't put any blocks in her way, I love it so much myself that I
can understand how she feels. But.." He thought for a moment. "Your
sister Lady Benani, loves her runners and you've told me she often
used to care for them herself and no one found that odd. But formal
crafting, that might be a bit harder." It didn't even dawn on Demir
that he was considering life after marriage to the young woman in
question rather that _if_ he should marry her.

Royan gave a more understanding smile this time. "Honestly, I think
she would be happy to be with someone who would simply allow her to do
what she could in a more informal way. Perhaps someday in her lifetime
things will change, then she can truly pursue the dream she carries."
He gave a slight shrug, "But until then someone who is understanding
and even willing to _teach_ a bit perhaps?" He gave another of his
wily smiles, "That would satisfy her, I think."

"So, then I have your permission to pay my address to her then?"
Demir's half smile had widened. Baring the unforseen, Royan's daughter
could be an excellent match. For both of them.

Royan returned the smile, "You do. I believe you will be a good match
for her." He paused and his expression got serious for a moment as he
added that last fatherly word, "But if you hurt her, well, you'll have
me to answer to."

"Noted," he grinned and pulled his friend in to a solid back slapping hug..

"Well I have to go right now, but I'll be back tomorrow," he smiled.
The next day was rest day and perhaps he could take Faldrimme for a
public walk and they could get a bit better acquainted.

Last updated on the August 12th 2014

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

A Time to Court