"Clearing the Air"

Writers: AL, Heather
Date Posted: 6th August 2014

Characters: Barenziah, Zathris
Description: The two clear the air.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 8, day 16 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Benani

Barenziah

Zathris

"Have a good evening, Lady Benani." Barenziah said as she motioned for
Chiffon. The gold came to her shoulder immediately. When she opened
the door to leave the Lady's quarters for the night she was startled
to find Zathris on the other side, obviously just about to knock on
the door.

Her eyes met his and for a moment neither of them spoke. She ducked
her head and curtsied, "Milord." She brushed past him, keeping her
face and tone even. If he was going to insist on denying her request
to quit her position then she was going to be the lady-in-waiting that
he apparently wanted her to be. Like all the other ones. Quiet,
demure, obedient, and completely in-line with etiquette. They were
suppose to be "acting like adults" right?

She sighed as she rounded the corner and took off through a doorway
that led out onto a private veranda. The stars were beginning to
pierce through the sky, and no one else was around for the moment.
Taking advantage of the privacy she sat down on the long wooden swing
mounted out there. The cool and the quiet helped her relax.

Zathris had taken note of her direction, but he didn't follow her
immediately. He peeked in on Benani first, found her unchanged, then
left with a sigh.

Unfortunately, Benani wasn't the only thing weighing on him. Zathris
ran a hand through his hair, heaved a second time, then with more
decisive steps, headed in the direction she'd taken.

It was surprising to find her outside. Granted, women's winter
clothing was heavy and layers of skirts probably helped keep them
warm, but it was freezing outside. Still, there she was, perched upon
a swing, seemingly unmindful of the cold. Zathris did his best to
ignore himself and approached. One hand indicated the empty portion
of the swing. "Mind if I join you?"

Barenziah liked the seeping cold, it cleared her thoughts, and she
didn't find it too bad when the wind wasn't blowing. Luckily the
veranda provided some shelter against the wind with the carefully
maintained foliage surrounding it. Zathris's presence was surprising..
and disappointing. Was he going to come and ruin the only moment of
peace she had indulged in all day?

"It is your Hold, milord." She said softly, without looking at him.

"Maybe. But it's your choice as to whether or not to allow my
company." Zathris countered with a bare attempt at a smile.

Barenziah stood, "In that case I will leave you to the veranda,
milord." She said, her tone still polished and perfectly polite as she
made to step around him and return inside.

"Barenziah, please. Wait." He had hoped she would stay despite that,
and he reached out to gently catch her arm. "Look, I'm sorry."

She looked up at him and blinked, swallowing past the sudden ache in
her throat, "For what?"

"For being a big Wherry." Zathris released her and let his hand drop
to his side. "For...for not treating you right. For...doing things
wrong."

Some of the starch eased from her spine, "Does this mean we can be
friends again?" She asked, her tone huskier, sounding more like her
normal self.

"I would very much like that." Barenziah had been a spot of sunshine
in the darkness that had clouded his days as of late. He didn't want
to lose that.

She let out a long exhale, a glint returning to her blue eyes as she
grinned, "Good, I am glad. Acting like a perfect lady is hard work. I
have never been so exhausted."

Zathris's lips spread out into a long, slow smile and he resisted the
urge to slip her hand into his. "Well, you're not that good at it."

Her eyebrows shot up, "Excuse me? I have been every man's dream of a
quiet, docile woman."

He snorted, eyes darting over her form. "Not every man's. I much
prefer the real Barenziah. I do have a question, though."

Barenziah was on the verge of saying that they couldn't always get
what they wanted, "Okay, I am listening."

"How do you stand this blasted cold without a cloak?"

Her tinkling laugh was his only reply.

Last updated on the August 12th 2014

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"Clearing the Air"