Good Fortune in Pretty Packaging

Writers: Anika, Tyr
Date Posted: 14th November 2014

Characters: Symion, Gautrek
Description: Meeting some of the newest Hall residents gives Symion some ideas.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 10, day 2 of Turn 7

Gautrek

Geirlene, pushed back her golden curls and pulled her coat more
tightly about her as she made her way to the main Hall to meet her
uncle for the noonday meal. Her brothers were already there, or at
least they had better be. She dug her hands more deeply into her
pockets with a shiver. It certainly was cold here compared to the
coastal Hold where she'd been born.

"This simply cannot be," Symion put his hand on his chest
dramatically, flashing a winning smile at the girl. "Such a beautiful
lady and I've not been introduced."

Looking up, Geirlene felt her face flush as she met the bright blue
eyes of a very handsome man. "Hello," she said shyly, "My name is
Geirlene."

"I'm Symion. It is an absolute pleasure to meet you. Are you here visiting?"

"Oh, no we live here now. My uncle is Senior Journeyman Gautrek you see."

"Ah, yes I remember the name," Symion replied with a nod. "You must
be heading for the main Hall, may I escort you before you freeze out
here?"

"Thank you." Geirlene was not normally bashful but she felt rather
tongue-tied around this dashing young man.

"So where did you move from?" Symion asked.

"The coast, near Coral Bay. My father was a Harper there," she
paused, looking down sadly, then added quietly, "Before he died. Now
Uncle Gautrek cares for my brothers and I. Where are you from?"

"A minor Hold close to here. I always wanted to travel to the coast one day."

"Perhaps when you're a Journeyman. I know Uncle Gautrek has traveled
all over the South."

Honestly, Symion was beginning to get a bit worried about walking the
tables. He was older than most of the apprentices and although he 'd
done well enough in his studies to stay at the Hall, his progression
had stalled. Not that he had any intention of sharing any of this
with Geirlene. "Maybe so," he replied instead keeping his voice
jovial. "So you've brothers have you? I've two myself and two
sisters as well, all older."

"Yes, two little rascals to keep in line. They're nine and twelve and
about as rambunctious as they come. I always thought a sweet, quiet
sister would be nice. Though, honestly, I wouldn't trade my brothers
for anything."

"I'd have been more than willing to trade out my brothers a time or
two, " Symion shared with a laugh. His mother had cosseted him, but
his brothers had made every attempt to make him tow the line.

"Well, on a particularly bad day, I might have felt the same,"
Geirlene giggled. "Do you like it here at the Hall?"

"I suppose I like it well enough," Symion replied. He had positioned
himself to be well liked by the other apprentices, and he was a
favorite with the kitchen staff. It wasn't quite the life of leisure
he would like to have but he did okay.

"I'm a bit worried about living at a Crafthall," Geirlene confided.
It's different from what I've known."

"Ah, but change can be a good thing. It adds spice to life! Give us
a chance and you'll see how wonderfully exciting that we can be," he
cajoled, waggling his eyebrows.

The girl laughed in response to his silliness. "I'm sure I will grow
to like it here very much."

"Ah, Geirlene, there you are, my dear," a tall, lean man said as they
approached the main Hall.

"I haven't kept you waiting have I, Uncle?"

"Not at all," he said smiling fondly at his niece. "And who might this be?"

"Oh, this is Symion. He was kind enough to escort me to the Hall."

"Senior Apprentice Symion, sir," the young man chimed in smartly.
"Welcome back to the Hall."

"Senior Journeyman Gautrek. My thanks. I appreciate your kindness,
both on my own behalf and that of my niece," the Journeyman responded,
though he was not certain he cared much for Geirlene drawing such
attention.

He supposed she was of an age, though, that it was to be expected.
However, now that they were at a Hall with an abundance of young men,
he might need to have a word with the girl on how to handle the
attention she was likely to get. Symion seemed pleasant enough but
Gautrek felt a frisson of unease just the same. He was a very good
looking young man and could quite likely turn a girl's head and in
point of fact had probably done so before. Yet he seemed old for an
apprentice, and Gautrek decided Symion warranted watching for sure.

"Not at all. It was my pleasure," Symion assured the man, noticing
how Gautrek seemed to be sizing him up. He was currently on a path to
impress as many journeymen and masters as he could so he realized he
would need to tread carefully here. "I should head to my place,
though. Enjoy, your meal. Very nice to meet you both."

He did offer a particularly warm smile to Geirlene as he considered
different possibilities in his head. Would striking up a friendship
with the girl help or hurt his chances with Journeyman Gautrek? She
was pretty enough, but as always her appearance was secondary to what
good she might be able to do for him. If he respectfully gained her
friendship, maybe even a little more, could he gain favor with her
uncle? More importantly, could such favor help his standing in the
Hall? Help him to make journeyman?

"You too, Symion," Geirlene replied, oblivious to the apprentice's
mental plotting.

"Indeed," Guatrek added before ushering his niece towards their seats.

Yes, he would definitely need to have a word with Geirlene. Perhaps
he should talk with the Hallmaster as well. Rayan had all those
daughters after all and had lived here at the Hall with them so
certainly he could offer some insight. Being completely new to
parenting, Gautrek was at a bit of a loss here. He felt that he had a
good relationship with his niece and they spoke freely to one another
but he certainly did not want to embarrass the girl by bringing up
such a topic, as necessary as it might be.

Symion watched as the two took their seats a smile playing at his lips
while he considered various possibilities for making the most of his
new acquaintance.

"Who was that girl?" A boy sitting on his left wanted to know.

"That, my friend, is a bit of good fortune wrapped in very pretty packaging."

Last updated on the November 16th 2014

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Good Fortune in Pretty Packaging