Unsettling Emotions

Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 25th February 2006

Characters: Gleniel, Kiomo
Description: Kitchen girl Gleniel helps a lost Kiomo
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 10, day 5 of Turn 3

It seemed as though the insane rush of the kitchens came to a screeching halt when _he_ stepped into the room. Certainly it was by accident, for his dark, dark eyes flickered in surprise and he ran long fingers though that glorious wealth of black hair, as if to cover his surprise with a casual movement. Or maybe it was just a habit of his. Whatever the reason was, it didn't matter - certainly not to the women here young enough to appreciate such a handsome, young man.

**What fools,** Gleniel thought, eyeing her co-workers. Did they even realize how stupid they looked with their mouths open and eyes wide and huge like that? Oh, he was handsome. Devastatingly so. But _she_ was not going to act like a flit in heat. No sir.

Still, it was hard to make her legs move to get over to him.

"Excuse me, sir...can I help you with something?"

"Yes, actually," he smiled down at the young red-haired woman as his dark eyes met her bright green ones. "I'm very sorry, I'm a little lost. I was actually looking for the store room."

"Oh. That's not too far from here." Shards, but his eyes were so dark...darker than even a starless night. Gleniel was aware that all pairs of feminine eyes were locked jealously on her, searing straight into the back of her head. And she knew that _they_ wanted to be the ones he was smiling at.

He sighed and laughed apologetically. "Well, I'm sure you've got more important duties than showing a lost new comer around, but..."

"Oh!" A flush rose in her cheeks. An _embarrassed_ flush. "Oh, how rude of me... I'd be more than happy to show you there, sir."
Flustered by her own thoughtlessness and her annoyingly girlish reactions, she took a step towards the door.

"Oh, let me get that," he said as he hurried ahead and opened the door for her. "I appreciate your taking the time."

"It's no trouble. It's good for me to get out of the kitchens - it reminds me that there is more to life out here than baking bread and washing dishes." She risked a glance up at him, and she wondered if he was a Lord Holder's son. How could he _not_ be?

"There is," he chuckled. "There is _much_ more to life, I assure you." He indicated that she should lead the way.

Gleniel slid around him, managing to smile at him and not trip over her own two feet as she did so. She'd never hear the end of this from the girls! A weird feeling she couldn't quite place rose up within her at that thought. "I have no doubt," she grinned - and realized she was feeling _smug_.

He offered her his arm as he fell into step with her. "Now where is this store room? I am in desperate need of a towel so I can wash the travel grim off."

Carefully she slid her arm through his. "Where did you come in from?"

"Far from here, I'm afraid," he chuckled. "I'm originally from Ancient Stones Hold."

Her brow creased as she lead him around a corner. "Where is that, exactly?" Gleniel couldn't say that she'd ever heard of it.

"Months away my land or sea," he said with a sad shake of his head. "But only a moment for a flit or dragon. I have to keep that in mind always."

She glanced at him. "You didn't come a-dragonback?" If he was a Lord Holder's son - or even an important friend or connection - the dragonriders should oblige him. If they didn't....how appalling!

"I came adragonback, but not from Ancient Stones. I haven't been home in many turns. I left about a turn after my father died." He was silent for a moment, his eyes taking on a sad, lonely look. "It just wasn't home after that."

"Oh... I'm sorry," she murmured, a bit unsettled by how his emotions were having an affect on her own. Her face seemed to fall as his did, and the sadness from the memories he was without a doubt re-living seemed to seep into her, tugging at her compassion.

"Please, don't pity me," he said, gently laying his hand on her arm. "Hopefully, I will find a new home now, so the past will... well, stay in the past."

She swallowed thickly, and nodded. She'd never met a man with such a soft, compelling voice... "Here's the storage room," she managed to murmur, gently turning to the right.

"Well, I certainly was lost," he smiled as he looked up at the storage room door. "Thank Faranth you found me."

Gleniel felt a faint heat rise in her cheeks. "If you need help with anything else..."

"Thank you. You've been most kind." He released her arm but took her hand in both of his. "It was very nice to meet you..." He smiled, encouraging her to supply the missing name.

"Gleniel. My name is Gleniel." It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him his name, but who was _she_ to ask him that? He was so obviously of a noble line... And even though that girlish part of her was alight because he wanted to know her name, the more logical side of her knew that he'd probably forget it as soon as she left. She was, after all, just a drudge.

"Gleniel. Gleniel," he repeated to himself, as if trying to commit it to memory. "I'm Kiomo. I appreciate your help."

She dipped in a slight curtsie, trying not to think about how her name rolled so easily and beautifully off his tongue. "You're welcome."
**Kiomo.**

Last updated on the February 25th 2006

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Unsettling Emotions