Harpers are good for rumor-spreading, no?(Mecuto/Maelynn)

[Mecuto]

Half the fun of message running was dasing around as fast as possible, just to watch his guards try to keep up.  Not that they were unfit or anything, but he did his best to keep them panting.  If nothing else, it was an escape from the frustration and boredom of not being able to do much else.  The main problem however, with message running was the actual message part.  Because really, people took way way too long fussing about replies and such. 

Which was why he was waiting outside Master Nipcy's office, waiting for the man to compose a response to the latest stupid demand from Mikhen.   Not that Mecuto opened the message he delivered.  Much as his curiosity gnawed at him, he had a very good relationship with living, and wished to continue doing so.  And to do something like read a message  Mikhen didn't want him to read would most certainly endanger that wonderful relationship with living.  So he hadn't, though he had little doubt it was something officious and stupid, demanding the Hall's backing or some such.  He sighed and leaned his head back against the wall, steadfastly ignoring his guards.  So bored.

Who could blame him then, for essentially snapping to attention then when someone else came in?  And especially a young woman?  Younger than his personal tastes, but a distraction if nothing else.
"I think the Master's working on a message at the moment" he said, getting to his feet and giving the young girl with Harper knots a bow.  "I'm sure he'll be done in a moment though.  In the mean time, may I have the pleasure of making your acquaintance?"

[Maelynn]

"If you drop this tray Maelynn, I swear by Faranth..."

"I know, I know - You'll feed me to the watch wher."

Despite the threat of being dinner for the watch wher, should she mislay her tray, the young harper tip-toed up to give the cook a parting kiss on the cheek. For all his gruff blustering, the old man blushed, just as he did every time. It was part of the reason she enjoyed doing errands for him, that and the cookies. Attached to her belt was a small handkerchief full of freshly baked cookies which were her reward for a task well completed. No need to mention the task was yet to be completed, oh no. Putting a hand on her hip to check her sweets, the girl had toddled off moments later laden with tea and dainties for one of the masters who were supposedly receiving company.

It took her no time at all to wind through the corridors and locate the master in question, though she'd never spoken to him that she recalled, that didn't mean it wasn't a wonderful opportunity to make a good impression. She'd paused at the door and taken a deep breath, both of which were in an effort to appear composed. Alas, halfway through the door someone spoke to her and startled she stopped partially inside the receiving room. Her lips parted and mouthed at words for several moments before she caught herself and shook her head. A curtain of light brown hair fell into her face and hazel eyes peeked out nervously from there.

"Oh, yes. I mean, I know. I was supposed to bring this for his guests?" The last peaked in question, eyes shifting across Mecuto's face. He seemed a rather unlikely guest for a master harper. Then again, who was she to presume? Bumping the door open enough, she finished squeezing into the room and set her tray on the side table. That done she could give Mecuto more of her attention, even remembering to pull a neat enough curtsey. "I'm Apprentice Harper Maelynn, and I have brought you some tea." The threat of becoming the watch wher's meal had pressed almost a stiffness into her limbs and formality into her tone. Wouldn't her masters be proud?

[Mecuto]

Mecuto gave the young girl his best winning smile and he returned her curtsey with a flourishing bow of his own.   "Mecuto, born of Southern Boll, currently... employed at Fort.   Not quite sure Master Nipcy would consider me a guest, but I would quite enjoy the tea."

Hey, if he was going to be running all over the Fortian countryside, he might as well enjoy some minor perks, right?  Free food and drink was nothing to sneeze at.

"So, pretty little Apprentice Harper Maelynn," he said, while pouring himself some of the tea.  "Help me pass the time waiting for your master's reply.  Tell me, are you from around here originally?"

[Maelynn]

There hadn't been any mention in the threat whether or not she had to actually entertain the Master's guests, though she imagined if he were rather cross with her leaving he'd inform Nipcy, who'd either have after himself or inform the cook. Her nose wrinkled. No that just wouldn't do, not when she'd managed to get here all in one piece and without a dainty out of place. It helped that she still had her handkerchief of cookies to tide her over, kept sticky fingers more apt to oneself.

So he was employed at Fort? Very odd, since none of the news from there had been any good as of recent, but she supposed if she were entertaining him she was allowed to eat some his snacks. Maelynn scootched a little closer to the tray which she'd initially backed away from, fingers hovering over the pastries before popping one up and into her mouth. Bad form, since Mecuto had a question for her that had her swallowing rather hastily and wiping her mouth on the back of her hand.

Cough...cough

"Erm...Well, yes of course. Born and bred at Fort Hold." Couldn't he tell? Still, mention of her home and breeding did tilt her smile up a little. She loved to talk about Fort and all the little nooks one could get themselves into if they were so inclined. Not that he would be. He seemed fairly proper - all flattery and such. "Are you enjoying the snow?" A child's question with the appropriate sparkle in her hazel eyes. Not, how are you finding the weather or any such nonsense for her. Given the right clothes and some good boots - she loved the snow.

[Mecuto]

Ah.  A Fort born-and-bred.  Well, he could use that.  Make use of that.  He shrugged slightly at her question and mock-shivered.  "Not me.  I'm Southern Boll bred.  All this cold just seeps into my bones.  Give me sun and warmth any day!"  He sipped his tea, amused at how easily the girl was flustered.   "My father sent me up to Fort to 'civilize' me, but it seems things haven't gone quite as planned on that front."

He gave his omnipresent guards a sharp look.  Really they were more an annoyance than anything, but he didn't want to take chances.  Fortunately, Trouble chose that moment to poke his head out from the collar of Mecuto's coat, notice the snacks, and make a dive for them.  Well, attempt to make a dive.  The little blue firelizard got his tail tangled in Mecuto's collar and only managed to really flop down his chest with a frustrated trill.  Mecuto laughed and gathered the little blue up in his arms and picked up one of the smaller pastries to feed him.   "I seem to have named this boy rather well" he said, with obvious fondness.  "He's been nothing but Trouble.  Then again, I suppose that fits, with all that's been happening at the Hold"

[Maelynn]

Her jaw dropped a little and there may have been a hint of a pout in her face. How could he not like the snow? Now that just wouldn't do. There were a number of wonderful things one could enjoy about the stuff! "And how do you make snowmen in the sun hmm?" She put her hands on her hips, leaning forward with accusation in her eyes. Civilized? One could not be properly civilized if they weren't having the whole experience which in her opinion rightly included the snow.

Though with Trouble's appearance her features softened again and she took a couple steps closer to look at the flit properly. "Oh! He's so cute. Like my Stitch." Her voice cooed and gave her the appearance of a young woman much younger than her actual 16 turns. Especially with how big her eyes had gotten with curiosity. At his mention a very audible pop introduced another blue firelizard, smaller than the first and much darker in color. His wings flared out and introduced him to his person's shoulder, chirping with curiosity. "This is Stitch by the way." She laughed, bubbling up. She seemed oblivious to Mecuto's "guards" though her wide eyes had brushed over them at one point. Their expressive hazel depths were too busy inspecting Trouble.

[Mecuto]

Mecuto mimicked her her pout, though the twinkle in his eyes kept it from being a nasty mockery.  "And how can you go swimming in the cold?"  He'd take swimming over playing in the snow any day, and not just because it gave him an excuse to run around without a shirt on.  Though that was not an insignificant perk. 

Trouble warbled a greeting to the other firelizard and made an attempt to squirm out of Mecuto's arms.  Fortunately, he was faster than the 'lizard, and had the advantage of opposable thumbs.  Instead, he transfered the little blue to his shoulder and took another sip of his tea.  "Oh, were you one of the other lucky ones at the Gather?" he asked, nodding towards her firelizard.   "The whole lottery idea was brilliant, if I do say so myself."

[Maelynn]

"I can't swim." Maelynn offered just as easily. It wasn't as if there was any water nearby for her to practice in anyway, the rivers were shallow enough for wading. She gave a shiver just thinking about those deeper waters. Nope, not for her. Though sand castles did sound appealing. Stitch chirruped his agreement at the pictures his was thinking of, winding himself along her upper arm. The blue's overlong neck stretched towards Trouble and he mimicked the other's warble.

"Oh, yes! I had ever so much trouble getting a ticket for myself! How did you get yours?" The young harper scooped a handful of dainties up into one hand and took a seat adjacent from Mecuto so she could nibble and listen. Her excitement buzzed into the flit, who scampered down into her lap to beg a few snacks of his own. She hardly even seemed to notice when one or two when missing.