About the Gossip. . .

Writers: Kaysea, Vix
Date Posted: 19th July 2007

Characters: Tayette, Hartam
Description: Tayette tells Hartam of the rumors circulating about them.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 4, day 11 of Turn 4

"Ah - there you are!" Hartam had finished his first set of the evening at the Tavern and had quickly worked his way across the main room, uttering a hello here, taking a request there, but ending at the door. From there he had exited and gone to the edge of the building, away from the light. He knew that she shunned crowds but that she liked to listen to him play, and he certainly enjoyed having her nearby. "Did all go well with your work today?"

"Yes, it did." she appeared from under the shadows cast by the trees in the moonlight, and walked to his side. "You sounded in good tune tonight." she smiled up at him.

His first impulse was to remind her that he probably sounded better without walls separating her from his music, but they had been over this before and he would not pressure her to face those fears. Instead, he grinned. "Is that to say that on other nights I'm out of tune?"

"No!" she looked alarmed at his question, then saw his grin in the moonlight. "Oh you! You know full well you sound in fine fettle any night of the sevenday." she gave a small laugh, "But tonight, you played a new tune? At least one I have never heard before."

"It _is_ new," he agreed, "but not one of my own. A few new songs were sent from the Hall and I felt that I'd practiced that one sufficiently to introduce it here. Could you hear the words or only the melody?"

"Just the melody, I can't hear your voice as clearly as I'd like to, from out here. One of these days I may actually make it inside." she sighed softly.

"Some day," he agreed. "Until then we'll have to arrange for me to play the new songs for you privately."

A wide smile graced her face, "I'd like that, you know I enjoy listening to your voice. But tonight, where would you like to go?" She gave a small shiver, the nights were cooling, and despite her heavy coat, she was beginning to feel a chill.

"Let's just walk," he suggested. "Unfortunately, I must return to the Tavern in a while for another set."

"Oh..okay, a walk sounds good, its a nice night." she answered. "But, how long can you leave for? We can, we can stay here if you like? We could go and sit in the Tavern, in the corner... I really would like to hear your voice properly." she gave a small laugh, "I really would."

"If you're ready for that, I'd truly like to have you there." He took her hand and led her toward the door, pausing to ask before entering. "You're certain?"

"I can sit in one of the alcoves and no one need know I am there." She wasn't ready for anyone from the Hall to see her here with him. There was too much speculation by everyone already, it would be adding fuel to the fire for her to be seen up here, on any basis.

He tried to picture his audience for that evening. "There were a few empty spaces where you can go. Perhaps I should take you in the back way instead - then no one would look to the door to see who was entering."

"I feel as though I should have more - guts? Is that the word I'm looking for? Sneaking in through the back door, as though I have done something wrong..." she said looking up at him, her eyes flashing with humour. "But I'm concerned, about the gossip."

"Gossip? What type of gossip?"

"About you, me - us." she admitted, "Since I arrived here I have always kept to myself, but since that day in the woods when we met, I have been visited by you and made time for you. At first it was only Binta who noticed, and she kept it mainly to herself."

"Does that bother you?" He spoke slowly, dreading her reply. "Should I. . . stay away from you to stop the rumors?"

"No! No, please don't. I don't want to lose your friendship. It's just, speculation from those who don't know me. Idle gossip - something to fill the hours, and right now, we're the ones under scrutiny." She shook her head, "I just don't want to compromise either of us..."

"I'm not worried - except for you. They can talk all that they want, but if any of them hurt you. . ." He took a deep breath. "I can't allow that. I _won't_ allow that. If anyone hurts you, even through talk, please let me know."

"Their words and suspicions can't harm me." she replied, "I was more concerned about you." she said a small frown of concern creasing her forehead. "You're more in the public eye than I am..."

"I am, but harpers are expected to be outside the norms of usual behavior - at least to some degree. Not so much as dragonriders, of course, but to be more traveled and to have seen and done more than most people."

"But here, at the Hall, its not much removed from a Hold as far as attitudes go. And I don't want your name being scandalised."

"I see nothing scandalous about having my name linked with yours. Those who spread the rumors are simply jealous."

"You may be right," she looked up at him with some determination. "At first, I was doubtful of your suggestion - but Hartam, you may be right. You are a very dear friend, and have become something positive in my life, something I haven't had for a very long time. And that is something to be envious about, if you don't have it in your life."

His grin broadened. "Absolutely! So we'll ignore the rumors?"

With a wide smile, she nodded, "Yes, we'll ignore the rumours."

Last updated on the July 22nd 2007

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About the Gossip. . .