Post by Lisa on Apr 4, 2010 13:56:27 GMT 10
Title: Social Obligations (I)
Subtitle: The Musical Concert
Rating: G
Length: 517 words
Character: Wyldon
Summary: the lonely widower realizes that there’s more than what meets the eye in Kel.
“Ah, I’m glad you came!” Sir Dermid called out, gesturing for Wyldon to join him. He took the proffered seat, leaning over his friend and brother-in-law in order to greet his sister. Their relationship was not as easy as it had been growing up; harsh words were never completely forgiven – he was never sure which of them were more at fault.
“Wyl, you always liked this piece,” she said, pointing to a title on the program.
He read it, then frowned. “Isn’t that the one that mother loved?”
“She played it at your wedding. It was Vivenne’s favorite, too, wasn’t it?”
Leaning back in his seat again, he lost himself in his thoughts. He didn’t come to all of these ridiculous social gatherings because he wanted to – he did it because people asked him to come. It had been over a year since Vivenne’s death, and his friends were still worried about his reluctance to do more than work – be it his knightly obligations or Cavall breeding. But the last thing he wanted, in one of these evenings away from his home, was to be reminded so strongly of what he had lost.
He stood up just as the musicians were stepping onto the makeshift stage. They weren’t just any musicians, at that. Princess Lianne and Lady Haname were among them, as accomplished as any professional he’d ever heard. Nodding apologetically to the young princess he was fond of, he left the room quickly.
He wasn’t aware that he was followed until he was in the corridor, pacing to release his frustration.
“My lord, is something wrong?” Keladry of Mindelan came to his side, placing on hand lightly on his arm. He couldn’t help but stare. When had they become close enough to touch one another casually? She pulled away, and when his eyes rose to her young face, the slightest pink hue colored her cheeks.
“I was overwhelmed,” he admitted reluctantly.
“Are you not intending to listen to the performance?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know why I attend these affairs. I’m not exactly comfortable in such a setting.”
She smiled warmly, looking more at ease than he had ever seen her in the palace. “You’re like me – you’d rather be in the mud, weapon in hand and obvious enemies to face.”
He nodded. “Obvious enemies would be nice,” he said, sadness creeping into his voice. With a heavy sigh, he rubbed his aching arm. “I didn’t mean to keep you from the music.”
She shrugged. “I’m actually not a great lover of music. So, if you wanted to talk….” She trailed off uncomfortably.
He studied her in the low light of the hallway. He’d never noticed the kindness in her face. He’d valued her generosity, her sense of duty, her devotion to helping those in her care. He’d noticed the attractiveness of her eyes, her sensual lips. But seeing the warmth in her expression, her obvious concern, made him wonder if there was much more to Keladry than had ever met his eye.
“Would you like to take a walk?” he asked.
“Of course.”
Subtitle: The Musical Concert
Rating: G
Length: 517 words
Character: Wyldon
Summary: the lonely widower realizes that there’s more than what meets the eye in Kel.
“Ah, I’m glad you came!” Sir Dermid called out, gesturing for Wyldon to join him. He took the proffered seat, leaning over his friend and brother-in-law in order to greet his sister. Their relationship was not as easy as it had been growing up; harsh words were never completely forgiven – he was never sure which of them were more at fault.
“Wyl, you always liked this piece,” she said, pointing to a title on the program.
He read it, then frowned. “Isn’t that the one that mother loved?”
“She played it at your wedding. It was Vivenne’s favorite, too, wasn’t it?”
Leaning back in his seat again, he lost himself in his thoughts. He didn’t come to all of these ridiculous social gatherings because he wanted to – he did it because people asked him to come. It had been over a year since Vivenne’s death, and his friends were still worried about his reluctance to do more than work – be it his knightly obligations or Cavall breeding. But the last thing he wanted, in one of these evenings away from his home, was to be reminded so strongly of what he had lost.
He stood up just as the musicians were stepping onto the makeshift stage. They weren’t just any musicians, at that. Princess Lianne and Lady Haname were among them, as accomplished as any professional he’d ever heard. Nodding apologetically to the young princess he was fond of, he left the room quickly.
He wasn’t aware that he was followed until he was in the corridor, pacing to release his frustration.
“My lord, is something wrong?” Keladry of Mindelan came to his side, placing on hand lightly on his arm. He couldn’t help but stare. When had they become close enough to touch one another casually? She pulled away, and when his eyes rose to her young face, the slightest pink hue colored her cheeks.
“I was overwhelmed,” he admitted reluctantly.
“Are you not intending to listen to the performance?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know why I attend these affairs. I’m not exactly comfortable in such a setting.”
She smiled warmly, looking more at ease than he had ever seen her in the palace. “You’re like me – you’d rather be in the mud, weapon in hand and obvious enemies to face.”
He nodded. “Obvious enemies would be nice,” he said, sadness creeping into his voice. With a heavy sigh, he rubbed his aching arm. “I didn’t mean to keep you from the music.”
She shrugged. “I’m actually not a great lover of music. So, if you wanted to talk….” She trailed off uncomfortably.
He studied her in the low light of the hallway. He’d never noticed the kindness in her face. He’d valued her generosity, her sense of duty, her devotion to helping those in her care. He’d noticed the attractiveness of her eyes, her sensual lips. But seeing the warmth in her expression, her obvious concern, made him wonder if there was much more to Keladry than had ever met his eye.
“Would you like to take a walk?” he asked.
“Of course.”