Dinner (Smara

[Lady Smara]

Prontin found herself blushing slightly again at his words. She could certainly tell he was trying to string words together, though to what ends she was still not sure. He might not have that silver tongue that spoke silken words like J’zen, but he was honest and truthful in everything he said. Well until he spoke of her blowing away.

Her face naturally leaning toward his touch, she let out a soft laugh. “I would not blow away!” she argued with good nature. Holding his hand a little tighter, she returned the smile unconsciously. That was the funny things about smiles. She knew what they were, having felt her own and other peoples, but she could not see them. After a time, however, she had learned to actually hear the smile. It had a way of coloring a person’s voice with happiness or even mirth. So while she could not see the smile on his face, she could sense his happiness.

“But food does sound good.” She admitted as they walked toward the WeyrHall.

[Marnark]

Prontin was doing a lot of blushing this evening. Twice already and they'd hardly gone a hundred yards yet. It made R'gar wonder what she was thinking, or if being complimented really got to her like that, that easily. Had no one ever complimented the poor girl before?

But he laughed in agreement. "No, you wouldn't blow away." For a moment he was silent as they made their way closer to the hall. Fairly quickly, considering how she couldn't see. It didn't escape his awareness that she apparently trusted him explicitly to not walk her into a corner or worse.

"I realize it's a tad rude to have waited this long to ask, but better late than never I guess. How have you been these last few days? Had anymore adventures?" He asked, somewhat seriously, and somewhat in jest. For she sure did seem rather adventure prone. Almost every time he'd ever met her, she was either recovering from an adventure or getting into one. Some better than others, but all the same.

As they reached the hall, he pushed the door open for her and led her through, in to a table for her to sit at comfortably. "Here, I'll go get you something. What would you like?"

[Lady Smara]

Prontin found herself nodding and smiling as she considered back to the few days she’d been waiting for R’gar. She had tried her best to not wander far from her families quarters or the WeyrHall so that he would be able to easily find her. It had given her plenty of time to practice her music and other musings.

“I’ve been well. Working on a song I’ve stuck in my head actually.” She said carrying on the light conversation. “And you? You have work with your wing do you not? And at the Infirmary? How are Imp and Apollath?”

Finding a table before her, she was careful to make sure she did not miss the seat offered her. Once sitting safe and sound, she turned her face toward R’gar’s voice once more as she considered her options. From the smells of the WeyrHall, several people had opened wine skins though the liquer was not something she could stomach. She did, however, smell roast wherry drifting through the hall.

“I will have a little bit of the wherry, but only a little bit please. And some juice and whatever fruit they have available.” Catching R’gar’s hand before it could escape her own, she squeezed it. “Thank you.” She said, sincerity heavy on her voice at his simple offer to get her food.

[Marnark]

R'gar smiled, glad to hear she'd managed a semi normal existence for a few days. "Maybe some day I will hear you play it." He said. She really was a wonderful musician, formally trained or not. She had talent and spirit. And ... sadly ... not a whole lot else to do with herself. Maybe if Faranth smiled on them, that might change soon? Though ... he was as of yet not very sure how much she would like change. If she wanted it at all.

"I have. The drills are more of the same. Usually. Every great now and again we end up doing endurance runs. But Apollath handles those very well. Imp usually tries to fly along too, but usually also has to ride back again due to exhaustion. That aside, he's getting to be quite the flying flitter." R'gar answered with a shrug, stopped half way through when he remembered she couldn't see. "The infirmary? Well ... I swear I want to strangle some of the so-called Healers in there. Barbaric, the whole lot of them. I realize everyone here in the South was busy hanging onto tradition and old ways so hard that no growth and research was done, but Faranth help me." It was a recurring frustration for him. Those old ways and traditions were why he'd come here, after all. He couldn't diss them too much. The dragons, the role they played, all of it. But the healercraft!!! It made him sick. "Uh, well. They could all stand for a stint in an actual healer hall, let's put it that way."

"Wherry, fruit, and juice. Got it. I'll be right back." R'gar assured her, before striding away to go fill her request. Quickly he gathered a plate and placed some of the wherry and some of various fruits on it. The fruits, not knowing what she liked, he chose not at random. He gathered a small selection, varied not just by taste, but by texture and shape. Color in this case was immaterial. That done, he picked up a cup of juice as well. Setting these aside he picked up another plate and mug of meal and drink for himself. This accomplished, he propped the plates on his forearms and carried the cups in his hands all the way back ... a trick he'd perfected in the infirmary for carrying several trays at once when trollies were not to be had.

Setting the cups down first, in their appropriate places, he shifted the plates down onto the table top. He sat down across the table from her, not wanting to push too much with her. He was grateful just to be able to spend time with her at this point. "I hope I got that right." R'gar commented.

[Lady Smara]

Listening to R’gar move away to disappear into the din that was the noise of the WeyrHall. Folding her hands carefully in her lap, she stared into the space between her arms reach and the rest of the world, never able to actually see such space. Her mind was elsewhere and it was not until he heard the gentle thump that told her a cup was placed in front of her that she brought herself back to the present.

Keeping her hands in her lap until she heard a plate put down as well, Prontin hesitated a moment long as she heard R’gar’s hopes. Giving his left shoulder a smile, she finally lifted her fingers to the very edge of the table. “I’m sure you’ve done fine.” She said as she began to carefully and gently slide her hand forward, fingers splayed so she covered more area.

Finding the cup where she had thought she heard it set down, she let her fingers slide up it before curving one finger over the brim of the cup. Testing how full the glass was before she picked it up, she was glad to find it not too full and in danger of being spilt by clumsy hands. Lifting it, she brought it carefully to her lips to take a sip. It was in fact juice and she drank enough to further insure she would not spill it while moving it to and fro.

Reaching a little further to the right side of her plate, she set it down carefully, exactly arms length from her so that she knew precisely where it was and so she would not be in danger of knocking it over while she ate. Splaying her fingers once more on the flat surface of the table, she searched for her plate.

“The juice is perfect.” She said in way of simple conversation as they ate. Finding the brim of her plate, she moved it a little closer so she would know too exactly where it sat even as she tested to see how large of a plate it was. “Is healing so different in the north?”

Fingers moving over the plate, she found the small pile of meat first. Picking up a piece with her fingers, she carefully pulled off a bite sized piece, glad to find the meat tender and easy to separate. Putting the small piece into her mouth, she chewed as she wanted for an answer. It was the second piece she put into her mouth that she found a bit of the meats juice slip over her lip and start to slide down to her chin.

Quickly pulling up the back of her hand, she tried to hide it from him as her other hand put down the rest of the meat as she searched for a cloth to wipe her face. Finding only wood and her plate, she frowned. “I’m afraid I forgot to ask for a cloth as well…” she muttered as she tried to decide if it would be lady like to use her sleeve when at dinner with someone special.

[Marnark]

R'gar smiled when she remarked on the juice, taking a moment to look at the set up he'd brought. Something was missing, but he couldn't put his finger on what, exactly. But he was distracted from that by watching her as she felt across the table for the things placed there. It fascinated him, seeing how she coped with normal, every day activities that most people took for granted. Like finding your glass to get a drink. He almost forgot his own meal in his fascination with watching her do something so simple.

But then she didn't just find her plate ... she started eating with her fingers. At first he was horrified ... he'd forgot to bring her any utensils! But in that realization, and in watching her eat, he also realized that she probably couldn't use any either. What with not being able to see to be able to aim a fork ...

And then she needed a napkin ... and didn't have one of those either!! "I'm sorry. I'll be right back." He rose from his seat and hurried away. Quickly he found some utensils, and more importantly, napkin towels. Bringing those back, he placed the utensils on the table but gave the towel directly to her hand. "Here."

Reclaiming his seat, he blew a quiet sigh, feeling very inadequate and awkward. He couldn't even get her a meal properly. What good was that?!

[Lady Smara]

While R’gar disappeared from her small, dark world, Prontin dipped her head a little lower as she attempted to stop the juice from running further down while also keeping her hands clean. Hearing the brown rider return, she was more than happy to take the cloth from him and wipe her lower lip and chin clean. A blush heavy on her cheeks, she kept her face down, embarrassed.

“Thank you.” She said rather softly in a timid voice. Opening up the cloth fully, she twisted it slightly and then laid it in her lap so she would feel it and know where it was at throughout the rest of the meal. With the lightest of touches, she explored the rest of the items upon her plate, finding a piece of fruit.

Picking that up, she took a small bite out of it, registering its shape and flavor. She chewed a moment before regaining control over her own embarrassment. “You haven’t answered my question, R’gar.” She finally murmured.

[Marnark]

Disaster averted. Whew. Wow, he really needed to pay more attention! It was a good thing she wasn't offended and mad with him over it. What would he have done then? Nothing that he could think of at the moment, that was for sure. "You're welcome." R'gar assured her, eager to have that particular incident slip into the past. No way was he bringing it up again.

Even with having the utensils, she still ate with her fingers. Again, he figured the logical reason for that. Nor did he say anything about it, it was merely a point of interest to observe in her, how she dealt with the world. Maybe this was why she took her meals in her room more often than not? Granted she wouldn't know any different, but her folks would... and might even be embarrassed by it maybe? But she was neat enough ... the napkin had been missed after all.

Wait what? Question? What question?? R'gar wracked his brain, trying to figure out what she was talking about. She had asked him a question? What question? Had she asked him a question? "Uh ... well ..." he started lamely, thinking quickly. Would it be better or worse to admit that he didn't recall a question? He cleared his throat and contemplated his plate for a moment in silence. "I, uh ... missed the question?"

How embarrassing.

[Lady Smara]

At R’gar’s hesitation and hearing his own embarrassment in his voice, Prontin could not help but laugh. The laughter proved to cure her of her own timidness as she smiled broadly as she took enjoyment at the brown rider’s expense. Giving a sweet smile to his chest, she repeated the question.

“You said our ways of healing here were ‘barbaric’ before you got our food. When you came back I asked how healing in the North is so different from here.” Explanation given, she smiled and took another bite of fruit before finding the cloth and wiping her fingers carefully. Pausing to listen, something else occurred to her. She had heard him return with two plates yet she had not heard the tell tale signs of him joining her in the meal.

“Are you not hungry R’gar?” she also asked his chest.

[Marnark]

Oh! Yes, now he remembered the question. He really was distracted, apparently. So too indicated by her following question. "Oh, eh ... I was watching you, I guess." He admitted, before thinking more seriously about her twice asked question.

"It is. In many ways. In good ways, and in bad. There are reasons for both, I realize. But it still leaves me frustrated at times. Especially with the lack of proper equipment. You see, back when the Weyrs and Holds fell apart, the Weyrs moved down here. I am sure you know. But the Weyrs and their people held to tradition ... preserved it as it were. Nothing changed. This is our saving grace today, as it does appear that is all that stands between us and thread. But while the Weyrs held to this tradition and lockstep, it was abandoned totally by the Holds. In this, growth was achieved. Things were done differently, things were learned, advancements were made. Very quickly, I might add. Granted, that may as well be our downfall now, in the face of thread. But, in nearly every crafting field, especially that of the Healing craft ... leaps and bounds were made. Not only in understanding why things happen the way they do in and with bodies, but in how to remedy these problems in far less ... eh ... drastic? Measures. So yes ... it is very different. In so very many ways. I see such simple things here, treated as if they are the end of the world ... and with rather heavy handed measures. They really don't have to, you know. But they don't listen to me ... I'm too young, I'm only a journeyman, and that only barely. Worse, I'm from the North. If you know what I mean. It ... it upsets me." he admitted.

[Lady Smara]

Watching… her… That was strange in Prontin’s opinion, though probably due to the fact that she could not ‘watch’ anyone else. If she could see what people were doing and how they were doing it, well she had to admit it would probably be a favorite past time of hers. As it were, however, she was not sure how she should take the comment that he had been watching her. Was that a compliment or something terrible? Should she feel uneasy? Did she look silly? She was lost with the statement, but thankfully R’gar moved on to answer her previous question.

Listening intently as she picked up a second piece of meat and tore it apart carefully to eat it, she considered his words. Better ways to heal, that was certainly a good thing. Prontin had to admit that while she loved the old, traditional songs in her own craft, she also loved to create and hear new music. Listening to new music, perhaps that was a close comparison to her ‘watching’ someone do something differently. If that were the case, she did not mind him watching her at all because she did love new music with a passion.

Wiping her hands again as he came to the end of his explanation and admitted that the whole thing upset him, she frowned. Reaching across the table, she fumbled for a moment before she found his hand. Giving it a gentle squeeze, she looked at him and actually managed to catch his eyes with her own clouded ones.

“Do not be upset or discouraged, R’gar. You are a wonderful healer.”

[Marnark]

R'gar paused all motion and thought for a moment as he watched her reach across the table. For a moment he wondered what she was looking for. Her drink, maybe? He was about to ask, when she found his hand. Again, he was given pause. Though this time it was accompanied by a small smile as he listened to her words. R'gar wrapped his fingers around hers, smiling simply in a lack of something to say.

It was touching, it really was. In that she cared ... in that she understood. It was ironic, really. The blind person was the one who saw. "Thank you." He said, quietly when he finally spoke again.

He had no doubts on that front, really. He knew he was a good healer. But to have someone else ... especially here ... agree with that assessment? That it was her that agreed? That meant the world to him.

[Lady Smara]

Hearing his sincere ‘thank you’, she reclaimed her hand and finished the last little bit of food upon her plate. Truth be told, he had gotten her a little more than she was use to eating, but she did not want to appear rude by not enjoying everything he had chosen for her. Taking another sip of juice, she finally leaned forward and rested her elbow on the table, her chin in her palm.

“Now that you’ve ‘watched’ me eat, I get to ‘watch’ you right?” she asked jokingly, having still not heard any movement on his end that told her he had actually eaten anything. Of course there was always the possibility she had missed it, but she doubted it. While she wondered what the rest of the night might hold, she could not help but enjoy the moment.

[Marnark]

"Watch me?" R'gar asked, more interested than dubious. "I suppose so. How would you do this?" He asked, quite intrigued and curious. "I hardly think my eating is that terribly interesting to you, but I won't argue." Interest piqued in this fashion, he still neglected to actually eat anything. Or drink for that matter.

She just held so much of his attention that it hardly occurred to him. To see her, not only as her, but also as a learning experience. To see her and how she did things, how she interacted with the world. It all interested him greatly. But it wasn't all research and scholastic, no. She was Prontin, and just for being that she interested him. In wholly other ways. She was the focus of his world at the moment ... enough so that Apollath poked at him about it.

He rubbed his thumb over his fingers after she reclaimed her hand, thoughtfully remembering that sensation, and how so simple a touch, and so simple a comment ... could set him aglow from within so very easily. No one else had ever done that for him. Seeing her sit there, chin in palm ... her face half framed by her long fingers... it only made him want to kiss her.

But ... this was hardly the time or the place for such thoughts or actions. It was a good thing he had wisely taken a seat across the table from her, keeping her more or less out of reach. Instead, he searched her eyes. No for sight, but for other things. Even sightless as they were, they were still a window into her thoughts. The minuscule movements of the tissues around the eye were like a book waiting to be read ... on even the most impassive of people.

R'gar just wished he knew how to read it.

[Lady Smara]

Hearing that he wouldn’t argue, Prontin found herself with the dilemma that he wanted to know exactly how she was going to do it. Oh bother! Actually closing her eyes as she let out a half laugh, half sigh, she reopened them to only show the world how they could dance. He was picking on her!

“Well I can’t watch with my eyes, but I can either feel you move while you eat or I can listen to you eat. That’s how I watch. Considering you’re so far away I guess I’m listening aren’t I?”

Smiling despite the playful retort, she let her hand fall from her chin as she sat up a little straighter, though her voice spoke a little softer. “If you are not hungry, we don’t have to stay here, R’gar.”