Misadventures of a Hallmaster's Daughter

Writers: Clancey, AL
Date Posted: 16th November 2008

Characters: Otrina, Daynar, Nalad
Description: Daynar is a wherry's arse at the dinner with Otrina and Nalad. As usual.
Location: Smith Hall (NPC)
Date: month 12, day 6 of Turn 4

Dinner was ready, but that didn't make Otrina feel any better. Not one
whit. _He_ was coming, the man her father wanted her to meet. And she
hadn't been able to talk Fieayz yet either! She was nervous, so much so
that she had managed to drop one of the plates. It had waken her up enough,
however, to keep her from dropping more. Unfortunately, she also overcooked
the wherry stew and burned the bottom of the cookies for dinner. She hadn't
meant too, but her mind had kept on wandering and she was just so sharding
_nervous_!

Yet, despite it all, she managed to get everything done on time, the table
set and all that was left to do was wait. Unfortunately, that made things
all the worse!

Daynar sat chatting with a young, handsome man called Nalad. He was a
Journeyman Smith, and looking for a solid future. He was looking to
specialize in jewlery and that was a good thing for Daynar; jewelry seemed
to be more and more popular these days.

"She's an excellent cook, Nalad. She was taught very well. She's quiet and
minds her manners for the most part." The young man eye's were wide as he
listened, trying to decide if he really was ready for marriage.

Nalad had large blue eyes that looked even larger under the scrutiny of the
Hallmaster. "For the most part?" He asked, with a faint smile. His father
had told him what he should want in a wife. He wasn't sure it matched up
with what _he_ wanted.

Daynar chuckled dryly. "Don't worry, lad." He turned toward him to say
something else, but Otrina appeared just then. Time to see if the children
took to one another.

There he was and his wide eyed gaze made her realise that he was probably
just as nervous as she was. She blushed prettily and lowered her gaze as
she approached her father and the young man. "Good evening." She stated
softly, bobbing her head politely.

Nalad smiled awkwardly but he did smile. She was certainly pretty enough!
That made him like her right away. "Good evening to you. The table looks
lovely." His father had said to compliment her at first, though after they
were wed, he wouldn't have to do it any more.

Daynar smiled at both of them, thinking of the young journeyman's father,
who was a minor holder. It was a good match for Otrina. "Nalad, this is
my daughter, Otrina. Otrina, this is Journeyman Nalad."

"She will be serving us dinner shortly."

"Ah, yes. W...well met." Serving. Dinner. She should serve dinner.
Otrina leaned over to take up the bowl that held the stew and began to spoon
it into the smaller soup bowls that had been placed next to their plates.
Once that was done, she doled out the greens and bread to both of them
before serving herself. She took her place at her seat and stared at her
food, not certain she could find the appetite to eat.

Nalad smiled nervously at the young girl, and with appreciation at the food
being served. "Thank you, Otrina."

Daynar looked on with interest, wondering if it was too soon for his
daughter. "Nalad is a very successful Journeyman, Otrina. He makes
beautiful jewelry settings." Then he stood up and moved to a chair on down
the table. It wouldn't do to leave them alone, but he wanted to see if
they could even talk to each other.

Otrina didn't hide the surprise at her father's move but then flushed when
she realised _why_ he had done so. She reached up to take up her fork and
slowly began to eat, though half the time she simply played with her food.
She seemed to either not want to say anything or was waiting for Nalad to
speak first.

Nalad peered at her for a little bit, with his eyes downcast. "It all
smells wonderful. Do you enjoy cooking?" That was one thing; his father
insisted on - she must be a good cook, Nalad.

"I...I don't mind it." Otrina didn't particularly enjoy it to the point
that she tried to be fancy with it or take risks, but she was good enough at
it she supposed. At least, when she kept to the recipes and wasn't so
preoccupied. The girl glanced at her father, then looked to her food and
took another bite. Speak only when spoken too - just like the good girl
that she was supposed to be.

Daynar watched Otrina and Nalad through the first course, then returned to
their side. It was clear that the conversation was slow, but they seemed to
like each other well enough - or at least to his unpracticed eyes. He
nodded to Otrina. "Best go see that the drudges are doing their job, lass,
then rejoin us for the rest of dinner?"

"Yes sir." Otrina was glad to escape, even if it was but for a moment. She
checked on the drudges as asked, set one back on task, and then slowly made
her way back to her father and their company. She took note of the empty
cups and took up the bottle of wine to refill them. Upon setting down the
bottle, however, she managed to knock over Nalad's glass, the purple liquid
splashing across the table and right into his lap.

"Oh!" Otrina froze and her eyes widened. "Oh...oh I'm so sorry!"
Daynar's eyes went wide as saucers and he rose to his feet, his face turning
red. "Of all the incompetent idiots for a daughter!! I had to have you!
Out of my sight, Otrina, and send a drudge to clean up this mess!"

The Hallmaster turned toward the young Smith, apologizing to him. "I am
sorry, Nalad! My daughter is usually so perfect at serving. She must be
nervous."

For a moment, Otrina stood there trembling, her eyes wide as she stared at
her father. It was one thing to be insulted, it was quiet another to be
insulted in front of someone else. Finally, the girl burst into tears and
ran from the room, a sob her farewell before she disappeared through the
door.

Well, it wasn't the first time he'd yelled at his daughter - or any woman -
in front of the entire Hall. He didn't seem to realize he'd done something
wrong, despite the months of Miralani distracting him and making him
*nicer*. Some things even a woman like Miralani could not change very
quickly.

Nalad, though, appeared slightly worried and stood to his feet in a hurry.
"Please don't worry, Hallmaster. I'll just go change. Please don't be too
hard on her; I'm sure she was just nervous."

Daynar narrowed his eyes at the young man. Perhaps he wasn't the right man
for his daughter, after all? He nodded, though, letting the young man
leave. "Thank you Nalad. I will talk to you again soon."

Turning away from Nalad, he frowned toward the kitchen. He needed to do
something about that girl!

Last updated on the November 25th 2008

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Misadventures of a Hallmaster's Daughter