Out of Tune

Writers: Patrick, Yvonne
Date Posted: 23rd October 2006

Characters: Mariss, Faran
Description: Mariss asks Faran for help with her harp
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 13, day 1 of Turn 3

It had lain quiet, wrapped in a tunic at the bottom of a trunk, ever since the earthquake. Since before the earthquake, really, if she was going to be honest with herself. The little hand held harp held a lot of memories for Mariss, and some heartache... If there was anything that could have helped drive away the loneliness that had wrapped itself around her ever since she'd arrived at Amber Hills Hold, it would have been a dear friend. **But he's not coming back,** she told herself sternly, **and so his music will just have to do.**

But she couldn't play the harp without new strings.
Her replacements had been lost in the earthquake's aftermath and she hadn't had the courage until now to ask for help. The Steward's daughter glanced down the hallway nervously before reaching up to brush her knuckles against the Harper's door. Music was something she wasn't very good at, even if it was special to her, and she felt vulnerable exposing herself to imagined ridicule.

Faran looked up from his guitar, he had been replacing a string on the old instrument. The faint knock had been barely audible, if it wasn't for his silent work he would have missed it.

"Come in," he called over his shoulder, winding the guitar string tighter around the knob, getting the tuning just so. "It's open."

Mariss poked her head cautiously into the room, glancing around in barely contained curiosity before settling on the Harper. He was young, and reminded her a little of Valand.. she held her sad bundle before her like a shield. "Harper Faran? I was- I hope that I'm not interrupting you. I can always come back later."

"Oh, no it was nothing pressing," Faran placed the guitar on his desk, sliding a few pieces of hidework to the floor. "What can I do for you?"

"I'm- looking for some harp strings. For a hand held harp." She glanced down at her bundle. "I can pay."

"Pay?" Faran smiled at the younger girl as she fumbled for her purse. "I don't require pay for something as simple as harp-strings lass, I just like to hear the sound they bring." He smiled as he took the stringless harp from her fumbling hands and sat it on his desk.

The cloth fell away from the body of the harp. Faran let out a low whistle as he let his experienced hands run along its soundbox and neck. "I think I have just the set for this beauty." He rummaged in his cluttered desk a moment and came out with a pack of wire harp strings. He always preferred the newer style, they were stronger and lasted longer than twined gut.

"Shall I tune it to C?" He asked, not sure if she knew what to tune it to, picking the most common tuning.

"Please," Mariss said, relieved. She could tune her own instruments, but it took her five times as long as it ought.

Faran fixed and tuned each string to the harp, just as he remembered doing it on his first harp quite a few years ago now. Once the harp was strung he sat on his desk to tune it. The tuning was slow and tedious even to Faran's practiced hand. Once it was finished Faran played a scale.

"You've a beauty there. I assume you know how to play it?" He placed the harp on his desk.

Mariss had the good grace to flush. "Not as well as it deserves, I'm afraid. I'm sort of... learning on my own, now."

"Well I would be happy to offer you lessons." Faran said with a smile. "That's what I'm here for after all. To pass on knowledge." He took the younger girl's hands and held them up. "And I would be honored to teach a young woman as intelligent and beautiful as you." He knew how to sway a reluctant student if he had to.

"Oh! Well, umm-" Mariss blushed and desperately tried to think of a way to free her hands without being rude. Was he _flirting_ with her!? In spite of herself, her mind drew comparisons between the man before her and her own Harper Valand, and where their 'lessons' often ended up... "I- ah, thank you, but I have- I'd have to talk with my father..."

Faran saw her blush, maybe he pushed to far. It usually worked with his older students who needed extra help, and had worked quite well up North. He dropped her hands slowly, trying to hold onto that spark of wistfulness he'd seen when he'd first mentioned lessons. "Completely professional of course. Talk it over with your father, and come back again. My doors always open." He smiled genially. She nodded - he'd let go of her hands! "All right." "If that's all, I have one more string to tune before I close up for the evening." His hand waved to the guitar on his table. "I have plans with someone." It wasn't _exactly_ true, but maybe it would sooth her fears.

"Then I'll let you be. Thank you again for restringing my harp!" Mariss grinned, gently picked up her instrument, and beat a hasty retreat. But as she closed her door she couldn't help muse on what the Harper had offered. Lessons... and maybe this time, there'd be no strings attached.

Last updated on the October 30th 2006

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Out of Tune