Post by kevna on Jun 10, 2021 14:21:09 GMT -5
Vanisha - Daughter of Tidewalk
Vanisha looked out the window as she allowed her maid to assist her into her riding skirt, which was why she saw the dragon appear in the sky quite suddenly. Her breath caught at the sight, and she wondered what it would be like, just briefly, to be a dragonrider, free to do as one pleased. It was a ridiculous curiosity. She watched it descend, trying to discern who had come to visit. Once dressed she approached the window, not daring to lean out to better see, but straining her neck until the dragon was out of sight. It was so frustrating her window didn’t better face where the dragon’s normally set down, but she thought that just possibly she had seen Degranik… It could be her mind playing tricks on her.
She caught her breath and turned, realizing her maid was looking at her strangely, offering her her riding gloves. “Oh, forgive me Jorina.” She accepted the riding gloves, quickly placing them on, her heart rate continuing to climb in speed. She tried to look calm as she walked out of her room and moved with elegant and controlled steps toward her father’s study. They were to go for a ride soon, but if Degranik was here, it would be delayed. There were only two reasons as to why the Lord of Jask had come and hope flittered in her stomach like butterflies taking flight. She came around a corner that would take her closer to Lord Divano’s office and would have bumped into the men had their heavier footsteps not given them away. The servant was leading the Lord of Jask toward her father’s study.
“Oh, Lady Vanisha.” He stood there, his eyebrows raised. He itched his head, looking awkward.
“My Lord Degranik.” She lifted her skirts a little and dipped into a proper curtsy, folding her chin down delicately. “What a pleasant surprise.” She straightened and gave a small perfect smile. Vanisha had purposefully taken this route specifically because she knew it was also the most direct route from the front entrance to her father’s study.
“Ah, yes.” He paused, as if considering. “Are you going this way?” He pointed in the direction that the servant had paused in taking.
“Indeed. May I join you?” She nodded slowly once; her smile unchanging. Her heart rate was steadily causing her to feel faint at the sight of him. He looked good. And hesitant. He didn’t take her hand and kiss it, like a normal gentleman might do, but then he wasn’t very normal.
“Yes, of course.” He also didn’t offer his arm as he resumed his motion, and she kept pace with him. It proved a difficult thing to do, as she tried to keep her steps small and elegant-and his long legs had their own speed to them. He seemed lost in his thoughts, and she determined he preferred silence than non-sensical chatter, and so she remained quiet, but watchful. If he glanced at her, she would take it as a cue to speak, as it was the lady’s job to come up with topics to speak about, but until then, she would remain quiet and unobtrusive. His eyes did indeed end up shifting to her as they got closer to her father’s study, and Vanisha looked at him.
“How is your wher, My Lord? I trust the mining work is coming along according to your desires?” Her voice was soft, and she tried to look genuinely interested. It was hard imagining mining, and in the end, she knew little of it. It wasn’t a lady’s place. Though, she wondered if they married if he would show it to her, just to satisfy her curiosity. Probably not.
“Quite well, thank you for asking. The mining is always slow going, but never fruitless.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” They could see the door now.
“It seems I’ve come at a bad time, were you planning on riding with Lord Divano?”
“I was, but it can wait. It’s not my place to interfere in matters of Hold.” She smiled at him, and paused an appropriate distance from the door, folding her hands in front of her. She wanted to wish him luck, but it wasn’t appropriate. Her heart was still hammering.
“Oh, well… good.” He nodded at her, and left her there, not looking back. She heard the servant announce Lord Degranik and watched as he disappeared behind the door. She refrained from biting her lip, from taking the steps necessary to press her ear to the door. Her heart was hammering too loudly, she doubted she would be able to hear anything anyway. Realizing it wouldn’t be proper to wait on her father right outside the door, she allowed her footsteps to take her to the next sitting room over, regret in every slow footstep.
Jorina, who had followed her down and through the halls, carrying her riding hat, followed obediently and silently. She always wondered what went through the quiet woman’s mind. She took a seat in one of the chairs, folding her hands in her lap. Then, as if realizing how long this conversation between Degranik and her father could take she turned to the other woman. “Jorina, would you please go and find that book I was reading?” The woman nodded and curtsied, moving to do just that. Her fingers itched to twitch, to drum mindlessly, but habit and the voice of her mother in her head inhibited her from allowing even that mindless movement from occurring. It seemed like an eternity had passed when Jorina returned, book in hand. She accepted it graciously, a small smile and nod, and Jorina back away to stand behind her, in the appropriate handmaiden manner. Everything, always so proper. Vanisha sighed suddenly, and turned her attention to the book.
She held the book in her lap, her eyes on the pages, her back rod straight against the chair, her two feet pressed against the floor solidly. She looked picture perfect, and to any that walked in on her, she would appear to be reading. But her eyes were unseeing, her hands still; she hadn’t turned a page since she had heard the angry rise of her father’s voice. It wasn’t ladylike, but she couldn’t help but strive to listen in to what could possibly be occurring. Anger was not what she had expected Degranik to elicit from her father for this visit. Maybe she had misinterpreted his reason to be here.
Her hear rate had spiked, and she desperately tried to take relaxing breaths. Maybe her father was just on edge? He had been a little touchier ever since Novarel had left over a month ago to become a dragonrider. She clung to that reasoning, even as she stopped hearing his raised voice. She imagined he had gone back to his more amiable tone, maybe they were laughing about whatever it was they were discussing moment ago. She turned the page to her book, realizing she couldn’t remember the last time she had done so, and wondering it Jorina had caught her trying to listen in to the conversation, hoping she too had been more aware of the closed door then the woman sitting demurely in the chair.
Another eternity had to have passed, and she heard the door open. Her throat constricted, but her eyes remained on the book. She heard her father chuckle, and Degranik’s rougher voice as he offered a pleasant enough farewell. She heard boots, and as they neared the sitting room, she allowed her eyes to drift up to see the handsome, dark face. Vanisha’s breath caught again as her eyes were caught in his darker ones, and she supposed she could drown in those eyes for the rest of her life and consider herself the happiest of all others. He had a serious face on, but he did offer her a small smile and an awkward bow. “Lady Vanisha.” He murmured, then straightened, nodded, and walked off. Maybe one day he would call her Isha. Or maybe he didn’t like nicknames. Whatever he preferred.
“Vanisha.” Her father’s voice, it sounded… disappointed? She looked over, and found him watching her, and she felt her cheeks heat. He had caught her watching after Degranik, which probably, most certainly, was not appropriate. The redhead closed her book and put it on the table beside her, and stood, folding her hands in front of her. “Father, forgive me, I did not notice you.”
He waved her apology off, and motioned her to follow him, which of course she did, right back into his study. He closed the door on Jorina’s face, obviously not wishing her handmaiden to join in on their conversation. Vanisha sat when he motioned her to do so, and then he too sat, though he behind the large desk where he took care of Hold matters. He did so with a sigh, and Vanisha raised worried eyes. “You seem tired father, we do not have to go riding today.” Her father only looked at her, nodding, but his eyes unaware. She doubted he had even heard her. He sat in silence for some time, and his daughter sat dutifully before him, hands folded in her lap, and ankles crossed. She didn’t press.
“Degranik has spoken to me about his intentions…” He paused again, but this time Vanisha’s heart was soaring. No wonder he was so reserved, he was contemplating losing his little girl. She felt her cheeks heat, and a small smile appear on her lips. Why didn’t he go on? Didn’t he know he was killing her with his silence? “He has… Decided to marry Relaena of Charin Hold.” All heat and color seemed to fall from her cheeks, and her eyes rounded. Shock threaded through her veins like ice, freezing her in place as her mind echoed her father’s words over and over again, uncomprehending, and comprehending too much.
He had chosen Relaena. Why did it shock her so? Relaena was perfect, and small, not one imperfect freckle on her unblemished skin. Her laugh was like music, and though quiet, she was vibrant in comparison. “Isha?” His soft warm voice seemed to break through her reverie, and Vanisha blinked back tears that suddenly seemed on the verge of spilling.
“I see.” She whispered, and then nodded. She swallowed, offering a small smiled. “Is that all, father?” She met his eyes and wondered at the disappointment she must be for him. She had failed in doing her one purpose, which had been to successfully marry a Lord who would strengthen their Hold. She didn’t see disappointment though, only… concern. But she knew better. She had disappointed him, and the rest of her hold. Isha had disappointed herself.
“I was thinking tomorrow would be better for our ride.” He offered, and she nodded, shame and grief trying to press forward and paint their marks on her face. She couldn’t allow it. Her face remained impassive, and she stood. “I look forward to it, if I may be excused?”
It was his turn to nod, and she didn’t take any extra time in standing, curtsying to him, and walking out the door. He had chosen Relaena. Not her. She had failed. He was gone and the next time she saw him he would be married. She almost missed the way Jorina had been standing too close to the door, but it registered quickly nonetheless that she would have heard their conversation presumably. Best to keep her façade a little longer. Just a little longer. She just had to make it to her room. Grief could wait. Shame could wait. Tears were not welcome here. Tears were not welcome.
