She'll Be Missed

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 16th January 2010

Characters: Eilomar, Merlish, Tantral
Description: Eilomar has tea with Tantral and Merlish.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 6, day 16 of Turn 5

Merlish checked herself in the mirror once more. She was pretty sure she would not shame her uncle in this dress. Modest, as was fitting a girl of her breeding, and yet colorful as was suitable to one of her youth. Shards, she only hoped her hands would not shake as she served her uncle and the Choir Master tea.

"Would you get the door, child?" Tantral asked, already seated at the table. "These old bones don't much want to move now that they're settled."

She obediently emerged from her bedroom, straightening up a little as she walked through the door. It would not do to slouch. Taking a deep breath she reached for the door handle. "Master Eilomar," she said with a polite curtsy. "Please won't you come in?"

"Thank you, Merlish. How have you been?" Eilomar replied.

"Fine, thank you, sir," she said with a smile as she opened the door wider for him.

"Get in here, Eilomar," Tantral called, waving his cane. "I don't want the cold air from the hallway in here. It goes right through my old bones."

"You should have some insulation," Eilomar said and slapped his belly.

"If my niece were to stay much longer, I just might have a layer or two," his friend chuckled, pointing to the nice cake already set out for them to enjoy with their tea.

"Won't you sit down, Master Eilomar?" Merlish asked, waving to a chair as elegantly as possible.

Eilomar nodded and took a seat. He was curious to sample her cookings. "It does look delicious."

"It's not much," Merlish admitted softly as she took out the knife and began to cut into it. Truth be told, she could cook much more complicated dishes if she needed to. But Tantral had assured her that the Master Harper would like this kind.

"It looks just fine to me," Eilomar assured.

She smiled shyly as she served him a piece first, and then one to her uncle and herself. "Would you prefer tea or klah?"

"Klah of course. Tea is for ladies and children," the fat harper said with a snort.

"I haven't touched klah since I was a young man. Never cared for the stuff. What does that make me?" Tantral asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Would you like sugar or milk in your klah, Master Eilomar?" Merlish asked, not sure if her uncle was amused or truly offended, but thought it best to divert the conversation just in case.

"Plenty of sweetener, please," Eilomar answered and hold out his cup to Merlish. He ignored Tantral's comment, as he ofted did with uncomfortable questions he couldn't answer.

Merlish obliged him and gave her uncle a pleading look. She honestly didn't need tension between the two men on top of her own nervousness.

"Milk and sugar, uncle?"

"Thank you," her uncle mumbled, deciding to let the harper's comments go. "As I was saying, it's a good thing my niece will have to return to her family soon. I have been spoiled by all this attention and she will be missed."

"She will be indeed," Eilomar agreed, mumbling his mouth full.

She blushed slightly, her feminine vanity a little pleased that a man would miss her. "Cake, sir?"

"Yes, please," Eilomar beamed.

Last updated on the January 19th 2010

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She'll Be Missed