| Bittersweet Birthday |
| Summary: | Martyn gives Muirenn her nameday gift, but the talk doesn't go quite as planned. |
| Date: | 11/09/2012 |
| Related Logs: | None |
| Players: |
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| Four Eagles Tower - Entrance Hall |
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| The Entrance Hall is more than two dozen feet high with ornate columns hefting the fresco ceiling above all. Plush seating is arranged around one side for visiting nobility while the other has less comfortable slab stone or wood benches for the peasantry. Alcoves dot the walls for more private discussions and sworn Guards patrol this hall at all times and especially during court. Several hallways and doorways lead off to different areas of the castle with a spiral staircase carved neatly into one corner that winds its way up. |
| September 11, 289 |
Silk skirts rustle as Muirenn makes her way downstairs from having gotten her new pet settled in her room. Loping immediately behind her is Brengy, followed by her other retainers. Reaching the vast entry hall she gives a little sigh and comments to her Septa, I wish to see Lady Jocelyn…and while Lord Alric has been generous, it is just awkward entertaining him." Procrastinating a bit she moves towards a group of seats.
Having gotten in from the outside a while ago, Martyn has already taken a seat in the entrance hall, leaning back a little bit. Near him is that wooden box that he didn't get to deliver to his sister earlier on, as well as his squire Xander. "Not the best way of doing some sword fighting, that spar with Lord Alric," he explains to the squire, before he adds a little thoughtfully. "I guess people tend to adapt to the level that their opponents are on, after all." Looking up now that he hears that familiar voice, he offers a bit of a smile. "Sister…" he offers in greeting.
Pausing, Muirenn's smile is faint "Hello Martyn. How do you fare?" The tall girl heads in that direction and stands a bit apart, looking at him calmly. There is none of her usual adoring exuberance.
"Well enough," Martyn replies, offering a bit of a smile. "How about you? Having a good day so far?" he asks. Offering a bit of a nod in Xander's direction, making the squire move to pick up that wooden box.
"It has been a good day. I will be making my rounds with my patients in town and have picked up small items to give them in honor of my nameday. I am so blessed and they have so little." The girl shrugs and smiles, "Do you have exciting plans today?"
Martyn smiles a little as he hears that. "I'm glad to hear that it's been a good day," he offers after a few moments. "I hope you have a few moments to spare, though. I've got a little something for you." This is the point when Xander steps over with the wooden box, placing it in front of Muirenn. "I know it's probably not the most exiting gift you've ever gotten, but I hope you like it."
"Very nice of you. Very obligatory but very nice." Muirenn nods and gives Xander a fond smile before kneeling before the box. Lifting the lid she peers inside.
Inside, protected by some straw so it won't break, is a tea pot with some roses painted on it, in addition to a set of four cups and saucers with wildflowers painted on them. Martyn nods a little bit as he watches her carefully for a reaction to the gift now, keeping silent for the moment.
Whatever she was expecting, it was not this. Thought had clearly gone into the gift. A long, delicate finger traces the fragile outline of the teapot and caresses down the shapely contour of one of the teacups. Looking up she is almost too choked up to speak. Finally she manages, "I was quite prepared to snub you and ignore you but I cannot." Rising, her skirts swirl as she runs to give her brother a hug. "I am still mad and hurt, but I love you brother. Thank you for a beautiful gift."
Looking a bit anxious for the long moments before she spoke, Martyn smiles a little bit now. Hugging her back as he's being hugged, "I know you're still mad and hurt, and I know I deserve most of it. But never doubt that I love my dear sister," he offers a bit quietly, before he adds, "And you're welcome. I spent some time looking for the gifts, but when I saw this one, I thought it seemed perfect for you."
"It is. Perfect that is." Muirenn smiles, but then her smile fades "Please forgive me Martyn, I love you and will always love you but until something is actually settled with you and Lady Haigh, I cannot spend a lot of time in your company. I get so furious and frustrated. Your utter lack of concern during the absolute humiliation I suffered at our cousin's wedding feast was the end. I cannot take the Drama anymore." Giving her brother a final hug she steps back. In the meantime, Miniella has re-boxed the tea set and picked it up.
"It's really you that need to forgive me," Martyn replies as he hears that, letting out a deep breath. "I know I should have done something about that," the humiliation at the wedding feast. "I can't really say why I didn't do anything, because I don't know why I didn't. I wasn't quite aware of what happened at first, because as you stepped over towards… towards that…" He looks unsure of what words to use now. "Anyway, at that point Ser Jarod came over to greet me. Probably at least partially to distract me from something, I guess." There's a brief pause as he looks around the room rather carefully. "I guess that whatever I do these days, it goes wrong for someone…" He offers a quiet smile after a few moments. "Thank you for doing what you did at the feast, though. I wish you didn't have to go through what happened there."
"I think Lady Haigh makes you happy where as the rest of us cannot. You have made her your first and only priority. I just am sad she seems to not yet have done the same. I am sorry, I can't do this. I know I am not beautiful and that I am too tall and ungainly, but to be so publicly insulted and to have our family so publicly insulted was too much." Giving her brother a curtsey the girl turns and moves upstairs.
Martyn pauses for a few moments now. Opening his mouth, and closing it again. "I'm sorry…" he finally says, words kept a bit quiet now. "And yes, she makes me happy…" He watches as his sister leaves, looking a bit unsure of what to say or do now.
