Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Match
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Chelle, Clancey
Date Posted: 18th January 2010
Characters: Sarban, Felyna
Description: Felyna visits Sarban and talks with him about taking a wife.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 7, day 4 of Turn 5
Carrying a tray with klah, like a drudge, while demeaning, was certainly worth it if it gained her the favor of the Steward of Emerald Falls. She knew, in the same way she 'knew' Corowal wanted Erassa in his bed, that Sarban trusted her not at all. And that was...not good. She needed everyone in the Hold on her side, and believing she was the best Lady Holder in turns. She had to be invaluable to Corowal, but also the entire Hold.
So, her visit. She would ..suggest... Sarban think of marrying that lovely young woman she had 'found' for him. And also be.. nice. She arrived at his office and knocked with her free hand, balancing the tray with the expertise of her mother's teaching, never mind that she hardly ever did the actual work herself. But one had to know_how_to do the work properly yourself, if one wanted one's staff to do the work properly.
"Aye who's there?" Sarban balanced a stylus behind one ear while he spread sand across the ink to get it to dry.
"It's Felyna, Sarban. I've brought klah and conversation," she called in answer, wondering what he would think of ..that.
Indeed, the Steward froze for a moment. He began to wonder just why the Lady Holder was coming to speak to *him*. Gulping some air, he realized he was spilling sand everywhere. Panicking, he started to immediately clean the mess. "Em..just a moment, Lady Holder. Sorry to keep you waiting.."
She was sorry too. But she waited until he called that it was alright,and took her free hand to open the door. The tray balanced a bit precariously as she stepped into view, immaculate in her gown in Emerald Falls colors, though it was perhaps a bit less fine than usual. One did not carry klah in one's gather best, usually. But close... yes. "A little help Sarban?" She said with a smile as she tried to shut the door behind her and maintain both her grace and the tray.
"Oh no..I've got it really." Brushing the last of it up, he drained it into the pot. Glancing in her direction as he hurriedly put the brush away, he was surprised to see her actually holding a klah tray.
"Forgive me, Lady Felyna.." Rushing, he moved out and pulled the seat for her. "Let me take that."
"Thank you Sarban." She let him take the tray and moved to the chair he pulled for her and sat down easily. "Shall I pour?" She suited actions to words and turned her attention to the Steward. No doubt he was wondering what on Pern she wanted. "I just wanted to take a moment and visit with you, if you have time?"
Once she was seated, he took his own chair. Sarban hadn't had many dealings with Felyna for good reason and now he didn't know quite what to expect. "Very well mlady." He watched her progress, then took his beverage when she finished pouring. Taking a drink, he nodded. "Thank you for the klah."
"You're very welcome. I sometimes have to force Corowal to stop too. How is the work going, Sarban? I know my husband keeps you busy, with hardly any time for anything else." She smiled, she was just making conversation, wondering how to move the conversation around to dropping a hint about marrying.
"Well..everything's under control for the present. We've been having good dealings with the riverboat people. The minor holds are all on target for production and no serious criminal activities have been reported." He held up one of his hands. "I don't mind it though. It's not as if I have anything else to do now that Mother's passed. I'm thankful to Cousin Corowal for everything he's done for me."
"I know Corowal couldn't do without you, Sarban, so I thank you as well." She smiled at him and then took a small sip of her klah. "Have you thought of ..settling down? I mean, now that your mother passed? Put a little woman in the picture to ease the burden?"
"Have I ever thought of marrying? Sure. Have I met the right person yet? Not yet." Before coming to the Hold, he'd been at sea for most of his days, unable to have a proper family. So he was still getting used to being permanent. Sipping his klah, he wondered if she was trying to do her duty, by urging everyone for the sake of the Hold to reproduce.
Felyna smiled warmly. "Lovely, Sarban, lovely. I know a young woman.... " She trailed off, her eyes sparkling with interest. Would he listen to her or get exasperated with her as Corowal had warned?
"I hate to interrupt you, Lady Felyna, but I'm too many turns for a young woman." He didn't share Corowal's liking, though he understood his cousin's need to breed heirs and the younger, the more fertile, worked better for that.
Felyna raised an eyebrow at him, considering. "You want a woman closer to you in age? There is nothing wrong with a younger woman, you know, Sarban. It's harder to find an older woman who is unmarried with no ... past... shall we say? But I will consider what you are saying. You don't think you could love a younger woman?" She was asking out of curiousity, but also direct concern for her own situation. If Sarban couldn't, maybe Corowal couldn't either.
"Of course an older woman is harder to find. However..I want a partner. Maybe it's just me, but in my experience older women tend not to follow as much. I want someone who is capable, with my breath of experience who isn't afraid to tell me what I need and what I have to do to get it." Sarban was becoming more uncomfortable with this conversation by the minute. Just let Corowal find out he was giving his young wife ideas.
"Not that there's anything wrong with younger women who defer to their husbands or anything, but that's not the sort for me."
Felyna laughed outright. "Younger women can be partners too, you know, Sarban. I would prefer to be a partner, even though I was raised to follow along, like all good Southern girls. Corowal seems to agree with you on the partner theory. Perhaps I will look with that in mind then, eh?"
"Whatever Corowal wants is between the both of you." Sarban wouldn't dare to comment on any of that. "Now, Lady Felyna, was there something else you wanted to discuss? You must have plenty to do and I wouldn't want to hog your time." The Steward finished off his klah and made to pour another mug before she took the tray.
Mildly surprised, she hid it well and smiled instead. "Not at all, Sarban. I just wanted to ..visit." She gathered the tray and stood up. "I can let myself out, Steward. Thank you for the chat." Another of those smiles.
"Thank you again for your time, mlady. My duty to you and yours." He stood anyhow and held the door open for her, regardless of her claim that she could do it herself.
Last updated on the January 19th 2010