Starting Up the Fire

Writers: Sarah Lynn, Suzee
Date Posted: 30th November 2017

Characters: Sophque, Tovessah, Bryvin
Description: Tovessah arrives at Sunstone Seahold and is shown around by Sophque.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 2, day 2 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Yriadha

Sophque

Bryvin

Leaving Topaz could have been easier, Tovessah decided. She could have
found some way to discover where her sister was and contacted her,
maybe seen if she would have been willing to give her a lift to
Sunstone. Instead there'd been an arrangement to have her sent to the
Seahold on ship.

It was her first time on a boat, due to her father's rather thick hold
on what his daughters could and couldn't do over the Turns, and now
that her feet were firmly on land again, she was a little lost - not
that she would admit to it of course.

She'd thought she would be prepared for the shift in times,
considering how far away Topaz was from Sunstone, but coupled with the
trip by sea, and the shift was quite a shock to her system. It took a
moment for her to adjust to the slight shift, and she _hated_ it. It
made her feel weak and she seethed.

This was not the first impression she'd wanted to make on the people
she encountered at Sunstone, especially when she still had to find her
mark...

Perhaps it was too lofty to think she might be able to get started
right away, but she only had a short time before she reached the
promised date, and if she didn't get it done by then, she not only
lost out on pride, but she lost out on marks.

And she refused, flat out _refused_, to return to her place under her
father's thumb.

Elegance, who had flown away as soon as they'd arrived at the Hold,
returned to her shoulder and settled down. "No one to your liking here
sweets, or just miss your Mama?" It was teasing, and she snickered
when there was a hiss in response and her hand was slapped with a tail
tip.

Tossing her bag over her free shoulder, she headed towards the
entrance of the Hold, looking neither awestruck nor fascinated as she
stepped inside. Instead, she tried to find someone who might be of
help. If she wasn't going to be able to get to work on her main task,
she wanted to set up for some crafting - she needed to get some funds
flowing, and the best way to do that would be to to start working on
some bolts of lace and and a few seamstress jobs.

Damn her father between for teaching her nothing but "soft" things,
but at least she was good at them to make a decent mark or two from
the way her fingers could move.

Sophque was just crossing the hall from the family's private rooms
toward her work area when she saw a young woman she didn't recognize
looking a little lost. "Hello," she said with a smile. "Can I help you
find someone?" She didn't know where the guard was and Yriadha would
be livid if she knew the front door wasn't monitored.

Tovessah reminded herself to paint a pretty picture on her mouth
before she parted her lips to reply. Certain it was situated, she
loosened her tongue and let the words slid out to meet the air.
"Actually yes," she said, feigning pleasantries to the best of her
abilities. "I'm trying to figure out where I need to be. I'm a
seamstress and lacemaker, recently transferred in from Topaz Seahold.
As you can imagine, I don't know where I need to be, where I can work,
none of it."

Why do this part of the work herself when she could get someone else
to do it for her?

"Oh of course," Sophque smiled. Just then boots sounded in the
corridor. She pulled Tovessah with her to the side, dropped into a
curtsy and signaled her to do the same.

Lord Bryvin strode toward the entry to the hold with several men
following. None of them gave the ladies a single glance as they walked
by.

"That was Lord Bryvin," she confided after they'd gone and started off
down the hallway towards the workroom.

While she curtsied as was proper, Tovessah didn't bow her head when
the Lord Holder and his men passed. Not only was it beyond her, but
she wanted to know who exactly was in charge - these kinds of things
were important, even if she was nothing more than a simple seamstress.

It could have irritated her, but she remained silent for the time
being, taking in her surroundings, as did Elegance who remained
clinging to her shoulder. "Perhaps it's beyond my station," she
started. "But since I'm new here, would it be a good idea to become
familiar with the history of the Hold?"

She'd been told a little before being sent, but not enough, and in her
opinion that was a shame. A little more knowledge would do her task
some good; whatever Sophque told her, she would learn. Then she would
send her firelizard off to learn what secrets were being tossed to the
winds carelessly by loose tongues.

"Certainly," she smiled. "You probably had a long trip though. You
must be tired."

Come to think of it she was. She didn't want to admit to it, but she
was nearing that point where overexerting herself would lead to
further weakness.

It would be nice to get started on other things instead, but in her
current state, that would be in possible. "I don't want to start on
too much in one day. The last thing I need to do in a new place is
overwhelm myself."

Knowing the reputation that greens had for being flighty, she sent an
image to Elegance: **Look around a bit.**

The green, taking the hint, fluttered off to do exactly that, and
Tovessah sighed. "Such creatures are they. I hope she doesn't get
herself into any trouble."

She shifted her pack again. "Have you lived here all your life?"

"Yes," Sophque nodded. "My father is the head Orchardist. My brothers
also work around the hold. Though Sollen is a sailor." She walked with
the girl toward Yriadha's office. "Here we are," she smiled. "This is
the Headwoman's office. Talk to her about your skills and I'm sure
she'll find a place for you."

Her bitter heart skipped a beat in thanks before stuttering to a stop.
It was as nice as things would get. "You have my thanks, Sophque. I
appreciate your willingness to help me. Hopefully I'll see you again
soon." She saw her off before turning to the door, face melting for a
moment as she reached up to knock. Enough of that for just a moment,
Yriadha could have a smile if she answered.

Tovessah would just have to be quick enough to put one on right before
she opened the door.

Last updated on the December 10th 2017

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Starting Up the Fire