Don't Get Too Comfortable
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: AL, Cali
Date Posted: 26th July 2009
Characters: Briata, Talmina
Description: Talmina brings Briata breakfast and lets something slip about Ishek.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 3, day 18 of Turn 5
"Good morning Talmina." Briata greeted the other girl warmly though she doubted that a positive reception would be given. "How are you today?"
"Here's your breakfast." Talmina didn't bother answering her retorical greeting. Her mother kept telling her that she should be happy that Briata thought to secure her a place within the Hold proper, but she wasn't. It was just a horrible daily reminder that Briata got Ishek. That Briata was now Lady Holder while all Talmina was was a scarred up face and a reputation of being a loose woman.
"Oh...thank you." Briata hadn't really wanted breakfast to be brought. She was running late, having stayed up far too late the night before, so perhaps the cook thought it best to send it to her. "Have you eaten yet?"
Talmina ground her teeth for a moment but had to stop as the still sore muscles in her face protested the pressure. "Before sunrise, those of us that work have to eat early or not at all."
"Oh." They always gave her so much food, Briata knew she couldn't eat it all. "Are you still hungry? Would like something more?" Sunrise had been some time before.
Did Briata really think that she would be grateful for her leftovers? "Why don't you share them with your husband. _He_ didn't come down for breakfast either."
"No, he didn't." Ishek had been long gone by the time Briata woke up. She lowered her gaze and focused on her food, picking up a biscuit and nibbling at it. "You don't have to stay if you don't want to."
Seeing her cousin in a less than happy mood perked Talmina up a fair bit. "Fine. If you, or Lord Ishek, want food delivered tomorrow though, put out notice earlier. I'm tired of serving you all at odd hours, I do have other things to do."
Briata frowned and looked up from her food. "Talmina, I don't deserve to be spoken to like this. If you aren't willing to work then perhaps you'd best go elsewhere."
Talmina looked down at the ground, as if anyone else would take her. She'd been kicked out of the kitchens because the head cook refused to work with the disgraced girl, and she'd never marry now that she looked so horrible. If Briata had just left Ishek alone, if she'd just minded her own business, Talmina would have had enough time to get him to choose _her_ as his bride. Then _she_ would have been Lady Holder and not Briata. "I _am_ willing to work. I work more than _you_."
Briata's frown deepened and she stood. "I have worked all of my life. You obviously don't know what you're talking about. You had best leave, Talmina, before I get angry enough to dismiss you permanently."
"Fine, I'll leave." Talmina hissed, furious that her cousin was flouting her athority over her like that. "You'd better not get too comfortable Briata. With the frequency that greenrider is visiting Ishek, you might not be around much longer to enjoy it!"
"W...what?" Briata's eyes widened and she stared at her cousin. "You don't know what you're talking about!"
The disfigured girl's mouth curled into a smeared grin as she realized that her cousin hadn't _known_ about the Lord's lover. To be the one to tell her had to be the best revenge, and without another word, Talmina walked out of the room with her head held high.
Last updated on the July 26th 2009