A Glimmer of Hope

Writers: AL, Ames
Date Posted: 9th February 2013

Characters: Wirnan, Kaya
Description: Kaya visits Wirnan at work and some healing begins
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 11 of Turn 6

Wirnan

He couldn't resist pulling out the pictures again. He'd looked at them far
too many times of late. Wirnan gazed at his favorite. This child had Kaya's
eyes and his nose. He was smiling as though it had been a wonderful day.

Drawing in his breath, he set the paper down and had to look away. Blinking
he tried to reign in his emotions. He ached for the child they didn't have.
The child he would have loved with every fiber of his being. He let out his
breath with a heavy sigh, turning back to the drawing.

A knock on the door disturbed his reverie and once given permission, Kaya
entered. In her hands she held a tray upon which food had been placed.
She wouldn't have thought to bring it to him, but one of the assistant
headwomen had asked where Wirnan was, then suggested that she do so while
practically thrusting the tray at her. So she had. She didn't have to stay
long, after all.

"Jarila sent lunch." Kaya crossed over the room, then leaned over to place
the tray on the only clear spot on the desk. She started to straighten,
but her eyes caught the picture that had captured Wirnan's attention and
she froze.

Wirnan has set the picture down on his desk when the knock had sounded When
Kaya entered he tried not to show his surprise.

"Thank you for bringing the tray," he told her. "Would you care to stay a
bit while I eat?" He noticed that she seemed stiff and looked towards where
here eyes had fallen. The picture. He sighed. Now what should he say?
Wirnan was at a loss for words.

"I've already eaten." Kaya tried to tear her gaze away fro the picture,
but her eyes remained firmly glued upon it. She straightened a little
more, then almost without thinking reached out to caress the picture. "That
was one of my favourites." Her words were a whisper, almost not spoke
allowed and just barely escaped their prison.

He found it took him a moment to swallow past the lump in his throat to
even respond. "It's one of mine, too," he spoke softly, afraid emotion
would take over otherwise. "I see us both in that one more than the others.
You did an excellent job capturing the essence of both of us. I wish..."
Wirnan stopped, unable to express that wish again.

Kaya's face twisted and try as she might, she couldn't stop a tear from
escaping. "I need to go." Shards, it was getting harder, not easier. Why
wasn't it getting easier? Why couldn't she just move on? She turned away
to hurry to the door. She wished she had just stayed in her quarters
rather than venturing out.

"Please don't go," he spoke softly, wondering if his simple entreaty would
stop her from fleeing like she always did these days.

She had made it to the door and Kaya's hand rest upon the handle, but she
did stop. Her back remained toward him for she was afraid if she looked at
him she might lose it. She should probably say something but what could
she? She had no words that she could form, none that wouldn't be
accompanied with tears and sobs.

She stopped. That in and of itself was an opening. Breathing in deeply and
letting out a heavy sigh, Wirnan said softly. "I'm sorry for the way things
are Kaya. I wish we could start again." He had no idea how his words would
be received, but at least he'd finally said them.

Kaya turned just a little, just enough to look back at the man. Her mouth
twisted and then she opened her mouth. The words were soft with a force
indicative of held back tears. "You should eat. I'll see you later." Her
hold upon that handle tightened and she opened the door. But, just before
she slipped out, she managed a soft, "I'm sorry too." Then closed it behind
her.

He heard her words. It was as though a weight that had been compressing
against him for months was lifted. **Could they move forward?** He
wondered. Things had been so rough between them for so long, could these
wounds be healed? "I hope so," he whispered to himself as he reached for
the tray of food. "I _do_ hope so."

Last updated on the February 11th 2013

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A Glimmer of Hope