Courtyard of Harper Hall (#169)
&nbps;  A large, open flagstoned courtyard is encircled by the smooth-cut stones of the Harper Hall in all its splendor. Benches are set around the perimeter to flank each door - an archway leads out of this haven to the road, and a grand set of double doors are the entrance to the Hall itself. The wings hold dorms, offices and the occasional classroom.

Kaeryn cocks her head to the side, allowing her gaze to shift from the book held in her lap to the book settled on the bench beside her. In a smooth, easy motion, she adjusts the hides so they're easier to read, and finds what she's looking for. In an unconscious movement, her fingers brush a stray curl away from her face, tucking it back behind her ear.

Travelstained and weary, Marius approaches the Hall from the road. His carry-all is slung cavalierly over one shoulder and his guitar case just barely visible from it's position on his back. Boots softly crunch the gravel of the road as Mar crosses from the outside world into the realm of the Hall. He pauses under the archway and leans against the cool stone for a moment, a slight smile playing across his features. He softly clears his throat to make his presence known.

Kae's head tilts a little further to the side, but this time, it's in an effort to listen, as she hears the echo of boots crunching as they hit the gravel. As his attempts to be noticed, she lifts her eyes toward the sound, smiling brightly as she recognizes the figure. Quickly, books and hides are pushed to the side so she can get to her feet and make her way across the Courtyard. "Mar!" she calls out enthusiastically, waving.

Marius laughs and raises his hand in a bit of a wave at the enthusiasm of the recognition. His travelpack is dropped, forgotten to one side as Mar covers the ground between the two of them. Reaching her, Mar doesn't even pause before sweeping Kae off of her feet into a huge bearhug. "Kae! Ye gods, it's been a long trip."

Kaeryn squeals childishly and happily as she's swept up into his arms and buries her face into the crook of his shoulder, her own arms wrapping around his neck. "What are you *doing* here?" is the question that's whispered, once she regains her breath, words muffled by her position. "It seems like it's been turns, but has it?" she releases her hold on him just enough to plant a kiss on both of his cheeks.

The taller Harper must aquiesce under /that/ onslaught. His blue eyes twinkle slightly, the effect hampered somewhat by the dust that seems to have become a permanent part of his brow. Mar shakes his head slightly, "Nae, not Turns. Months, moons, and many MANY miles, but not quite Turns." He frees a hand to gesture around at the Hold, "I'm here just finishing up my tour of the North. I've been to just about every Cothold between Crom and Tillek, so I figure that I deserve SOME bit of rest when I get home."

Kae's smile only grows brighter as she reacches her hand up to brush some of the dust away from Marius' face, in a loving, if motherly, gesture. "I'm here finishing up my research, and preparing to return home within the sevenday, but I must admit, this surprise is more than just pleasant." Managing to settle herself straight on her own feet again, after one last hug, she reaches down and picks up his bag, and motions toward the bench she's occupied for the past several candlemarks. "Come, have a seat, will you?"

Marius nods slightly, lips twitching slightly in amusement at attempt to clean away dirt that would take a dragon hours to fully dissipate. Nevertheless, he follows her over to the bench, unconciously attempting to smooth down the mop of tangled hair that wreaths his head. His beltknife is shifted around to his back before hs finds his voice once more, "I'm certainly glad to see a familiar face. I stopped by to see Aife at the 'Reaches, but that was ages ago, just before their first snow last autumn."

"Are you headed back to Ista from here then?" Kae queries, the look in her eyes being a thoughtful one. "I've one more meeting with the Masterharper, and in a few days, I'll be going back. Perhaps we could travel together." She pauses just long enough to pile her things on the ground before taking a seat, careful not to mix the things she's so carefully organized just so. "I've taken a room back at the hall, you know," she points out this little fact as though it's something he should know, despite knowing that he wouldn't.

Marius pauses in the act of sitting down, a curious half-standing stoop. He flashes her a rueful smile, then sinks completely down to the bench, shaking his head to indicate the news hadn't quite trickled through the grapevine yet. "I'd like to have someone to talk to one the sail back to the Hall. I'm so sick of sailor's tales that I donna think I could stand another without writing a song that should probably be left unsung." Blond-topped head is cocked slightly, "Nae, I hadn't heard that you were coming back to the Hall."

"It isn't permanent, but semi-permanent," Kae explains, reaching a hand out to take Mar's in a friendly, or perhaps more-than-friendly gesture. "I've a great deal of work to do at the hall in order to get the Gather working and ready by Turnover, and Master Atira," the fingers of her other hand touch the charm bracelet of that dangles from her wrist denoting her affiliation with the dolphincraft, "she's the DolphinSinger at Ista, wants to teach me. We decided it would be best for me to be there, instead of travelling to and from the Weyr constantly."

Marius flashes Kae a tight grin. /That/ much gossip had made it to the other Halls. "A Mastery project worth enough for two Halls, nae? It'll definitely be a memorable Turnover." His hand gives Kae's a slight squeeze, then relieves her of his travelpack, "I'm going to go find myself some floorspace in the Harper's quarters then seek out the Baths. I've needed one for about a sevenday, and it's time to pay up. I'll find you before you go. Or..." he pauses slightly, "If you're getting some airborne assistance, then I guess I'll see you back in Ista when I get there."

"Actually, I'm using Master Delron's quarters at the moment, since he's at the Istan Hall," Kae points the little fact out, as the bag is handed over. "He's two beds there, if that matters... and I'd suggest you might want to lodge there as well. The guest room is filled with this family and..." she shrugs, shaking her head, "Whichever, that's up to you. I wouldn't mind the company, of course."

Marius chuckles softly and shrugs, "To the Baths first, I guess. A bed would be /very/ nice to have again." He makes a face, "Remind to start using Journeying as a disciplining tool for our young apprentice who are soft-bred. My back is definitely of the mind that it could be a very good deterent."

Kaeryn laughs and shakes her head, "Enjoy your bath, and perhaps we'll meet up for dinner later? It's at 6 and a half candlemarks, but get there early, if you want to sit at the journeyman table. Otherwise," she wrinkles her nose and shakes her head, "You'll be with the apprentices, and *that* is an experience I choose to not live again." With a nod of her head, she points him off in the right direction, "Until then..."

Marius gives her a brief imitation of a courtly bow and a wry smile, "Words to live by, my lady. Until 6 and a quarter, then." He reslings his pack and heads off for the baths.

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