Music in the Hall (Open)

[Lady Smara]

Prontin made her usual way to the kitchens by the back tunnels, her violin and bow held close while her other hand brushed fingertips across the rock wall. Coming to the doorway, she stood quietly within its arch as she listened to the people moving within. Knives cutting and cook ware being moved painted the picture of a busy group of people for Prontin and so, like always, she waited patiently.

It was not long before a voice cut through the din of the kitchens. “Oh Prontin! You’re always on time and I’m always distracted girl.” The voice was a familiar one and Prontin smiled even as she dipped her head down. The din did not die down, but soon footsteps could be heard coming toward her and while the young woman could not make out each individual foot step, she could tell they moved with purpose toward her.

“I’m sorry Prontin, here give me your hand and we’ll get you through here with no harm done.”

Prontin let her hand fall from the arch of the doorway and held it out before her. The feel of the other woman’s hand grasp her own was reassuring. The touch and feel of the larger woman’s hand was familiar and Prontin could even tell those well known, plump fingers were currently covered in flour. “What are you making today?” she asked softly as the woman began to guide her through the commotion of the kitchens.

“Meat rolls. If you want I can bring out something for you to help with once we get you settled down.” It was not uncommon for the assistant cook to find something that Prontin could help with that would keep her out from underfoot in the kitchens.

“I would like that. May I play a little first, the kitchens sound busy and I don’t want to be a bother too early when there is much work to be done.”

“That works well enough for me, darling. When we find something that could use a pair of hands we will let you know.” As the woman spoke, Prontin felt her stop in front of her. Careful to stop too, she let the woman guide her hand to the table. From her own exploration in previous turns, she knew she was always placed at the same table in the corner of the WeyrHall. They did this to not only keep her out of the flow of traffic, but to also allow her to be able to find her own way back should she have need to.

Finding the bench, she sat upon it and brought her violin up to her chin. There were a few voices in the vast distance that made up the WeyrHall, but they could not be made out clearly over the din of the kitchen. Even so, it did not bother Prontin as it simply meant there would be less people to bother her music. “Will you need anything? A drink or food before I go back to work?”

“I will be fine for now. If I need anything, I will find you.” She said, bringing her bow up to meet the strings, she smiled at the woman who was already walking away. “Thank you.” And with that she began to play.



[[[[Music can be heard @ www.youtube.com/user/pyrofiliac#p/u/12/iUq9kJRKki8 Please note this is not my music – and you only hear the violin as Prontin can only play one instrument at a time.]]]]

[HG]

The young blonde left her small green, napping. They had been awake earlier than usual, so Vaylee took Cupith to eat and bathe. Now having plenty of time to spare for herself she planned to wash up and find something to eat. In that order too! While the bathing pools were warm she felt a shiver go up her spine when she was in there. The chill of a spring morning like this was easily warmed. She would dress in warm dry clothes and dine on something warm in the Weyrhall.

As she entered the Hall, completely refreshed, she heard the sound of beautiful music. Ahhh, now that was something worth relaxing to! Vaylee was quick to grab up a tray and fill it with warm bread and fruit. A cup of juice also made its way onto her tray. The Weyrhall seemed mostly deserted though the breakfast rush would soon begin. Normally she would have taken this time to see her mother. The woman she called mother was actually her foster mother, who had decided only to take in the one child in order to still have time to focus on her weaving.

Vaylee had been a very spoiled little girl. She knew that better than anyone. There were reasons for her not to go home this morning. Not the least of which being that she had less time to spend with her mother than was necessary to discuss all that was going on in her life. The fact that it was still very early was another problem. Her mother would not yet be awake. So Vaylee, weighing her options thought what better place to sit than with the Harper?

Walking up as the other woman finished the song, her soft voice lifted happily, “Well played Prontin. You chose such a lovely song.” She knew her more by association than actual conversation. The other girl might not know it, but she was rather pretty. Certainly someone that Vaylee would mind being seen with. Everyone in the Weyr knew of her disability so Vaylee acted like there was nothing strange about the other girl. Making other people feel estranged was not the way to make new friends.

After a slight pause she added, “Hope you don't mind if I join you for breakfast. I'm not fond of eating alone.” Or doing anything alone for that matter. Now she was never entirely alone but when Cupith slept there was still that void that needed to be filled. She could not stand being left to herself. Again, she had been spoiled as a child and was unused to people not having time to be with her.

[Lady Smara]

Hearing a female voice speak out to her, Prontin carefully set down her bow and violin and gave one of her thin lipped smiles in the direction of the speaker though she was off a bit to the right. Every now and then someone would comment on her playing, though it was not as often that someone would ask to join her for breakfast. Giving a short nod, she folded her hands in her lap.

“Thank you, Ma’am.” She responded politely, though while everyone seemed to recognize her, it was harder for Prontin to learn voices based on passing conversations. While this voice was a little familiar, the name was lost on the wanna-be-harper. It was something she regretted, not being able to learn people by their faces.

“Of course, have a seat.” She replied, though she did not wave toward the bench as some would. She could smell the warm bread on the woman’s plate. It made her hungry, though she did not move toward the kitchens to find her own. Company was rare enough however, no need to be rude and wander off so soon.

“How is the food this morning?” she asked. The sounds of the hall were growing as more people began to join them in the Hall for breakfast, but Prontin was all ears for the woman before her, waiting for her next sound or words to know what she was doing. Thinking of her voice, Prontin attempted to at least place a rank on the woman. She could tell she was young, maybe even younger than herself. And she certainly seemed a morning person, nice and cheerful.

[HG]

While Vaylee had not exactly waited for an invitation she appreciated not being turned away. The food in front of her made her stomach rumble quietly. Often she wondered if it was because of Cupith or because of all the hard work that her stomach had begun to vocalize its needs. “Thank you.” She began to eat some of the bread on her plate, not knowing the other woman had not eaten. The talkative woman answered her with a smile, “The food is wonderful. I generally have bread and fruit in the morning. The fruit is fresh and the bread right out of the oven.” She liked having the fresh food, which was yet another advantage to being here early in the morning. Everyone else hadn't eaten all the best food yet.

“Did you eat yet?” She asked politely. If the other woman had not eaten, well she couldn't just eat in front of her like she was. For one thing it was rude and for another she didn't really want to eat in front of someone who was probably hungry. She could imagine not having such a warm reception the next time she needed a place to eat. Vaylee would be more than happy to get the other woman something to eat. She didn't feel in any way superior to Prontin, not that Vaylee's own rank had ever meant anything to her.

Rank was only important when considering bed partners. She'd much rather be with someone who could give her pretty things than a low ranked person who couldn't. Other than that rank really meant little to her. Although she wanted to give the other woman the benefit of the doubt she slowly realized that the other woman had no idea who she was. Well that made some sort of sense didn't it? Her not being able to see who was there and they had only met a few times over many Turns. Prontin was easier to remember because of her blindness and being the Harper's daughter.

Vaylee was simply one of many lower caverns girls. Not anymore though. Now she was a dragonrider and Prontin would probably like to know who the dragonriders were more than some silly Lower Caverns girls. “I'm Vaylee. I used to assist in the infirmary.” She spoke as if it were only natural she should introduce herself. Briefly wondering if that would ring any bells she refrained from adding that she was now a dragonrider. No need to make the other feel this was any different than a couple of people having a conversation over breakfast.

[Lady Smara]

Prontin only shook her head to the woman’s question of food, waving her hand carefully in the direction of the kitchens though she was off by a good foot. “No, I did not want to be underfoot and I’m afraid I’d knock too much over attempting to help myself. Someone in the kitchens usually brings me something once the commotion of the morning dies down. If not mother, then another friendly voice.”

Her own face cheered up visibly when the young woman thought to introduce herself, however, as Prontin always hated asking. It was a name she recognized too because it was one her father would bemoan for hours being unable to tell the two twin sisters apart in the Harper classes. “It is nice to be able to speak with you again, Vaylee. I apologize, voices change so much from the children in the Harper classes to the adults in the Weyr. What are you up to now that you are out of the Harper Classes? What of your twin sister?”

The blind woman was a few turns older than the pair of twins that had come through her father’s harper classes, so she had been sitting in the corner during most of them. A quiet helper playing pipes or softly on strings when they were practicing their teaching ballads. She never took lessons on new instruments with the students, however, as her condition demanded special attention for her to learn them. She did her best to remember the students by name and voice – but the boys were the hardest when their voices began to change and break.