@Rillewen
Hadassa
December something...
The inn seemed to be busy, and somehow Hadassa found the presence of so many people and the hum of their conversations quite relaxing. She found herself enjoying it as good atmosphere even as she focused on Xyler.
"I regret nothing in terms of making sure the horses get some extra treat," she flashed a hearty grin at him. "Though I figure both of them could benefit from some exercise. I wouldn't mind exploring the vastness outside the main gates a bit, though we did see some when we arrived. I'm sure there's much more to see."
"Well..." she half sighed and half exhaled deeply. "I assist at the stables now and then, but haven't landed a proper job here. I am not sure I'd want to do any cleaning or serving as a waitress though, not really my cup of tea." She frowned slightly and wondered out loud: "I am not sure if there's anything here I could do along the lines of my usual skill set while I'm here. Perhaps worth exploring."
Hadassa then glanced at the menu she had not paid much attention to before, pondered over Xyler's question of her Gondorian reading skills and wondered if she should be honest with him. Eventually she leaned closer to him as well and confessed quietly: "I cannot read this... In fact, I even learned to read Rohirric only after I joined the cavalry." She looked up at him then hoping that he would not consider her uncouth and uncultured because of that. "But they do have a delicious beef stew, and I also love boiled potatoes with gravy, pork ribs and steamed veggies," she added more light-heartedly. "Though I think they have some special dish each day."
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~ I will be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren ~
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Dessy 'Hart’ and Malus Aldis
That same evening in December.
The music was of course, very good. It had evolved from an easy listening delight to a sort of duet, when the blonde young lady leant her voice to skate across the top of the musician’s sweet melody. The two went well together. And for a moment, Malus lost himself in a smile as he gazed across at his wife.
“What do you think ?” Dessy did not need to ask if he was enjoying the music. But it had stolen them both for a time before the young woman recalled the subject of their conversation.
It wasn’t the music then that wrought a small frown onto the undertaker’s face either. Although neither could the soft mood stop him from speaking his mind. “I don’t know, it’s just. It’s very cold,” he blurted out, honestly. “Is this the best time of year to be heading up a mountainside ? You want me to worry about you ?”
“You could come with,” he was offered a seamless invitation, as well as her hand to hold, though it did naught to quell the man’s concern. “You could keep me warm ?” she leaned further across the table, until the owner’s wife returned to regale them with two glasses, and proceeded to pour out the red wine which they watched, until the show was done.
“You’re sure your father isn’t thinking on this little picnic as a way to keep his lady friend warm ?” Malus wondered aloud, lifting his glass, to swirl the elixir about inside it, as he had seen people do, though he could not have said for what reason. Since Dessy had mentioned that this ‘lady friend’ of her father’s wanted the herbs, it stood to reason that the man might have suggested the outing, with the lady friend herself specifically in mind. “You could have your friends over to the house instead, show them the parlour. Entertain at home ? It would probably be safer.”
“Safer ?” she enquired. As though she’d never heard the word before.
“Warmer,” he improved upon his initial description. “I’d be happier to know that you at least are warm, and safe,” he admitted, almost embarrassed to admit it.
“While my father and his lady friend might freeze alone, out on the heights ?” The lady added her hand to his, and guided the glass from a risk of spilling, to safe grace back upon the table. “You know he wants to get to know you better. Are you trying to kill him off, and spare yourself the interrogation ?” Dessy almost laughed, until she saw the look on her husband’s face. And then she really did laugh. “I’m kidding,” she assured him. “But if you are not trying to see him freeze all alone, then you must be trying to get on his good side, giving him some alone time with his dear, before he takes YOU out, my dear ..?”
Taking a drink from his wine, her husband neither confirmed or denied this assumption.
Last edited by Ercassie on Sat Oct 25, 2025 3:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
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@Rillewen
Sorrela Korsey with Unalmis Raxelilta,
Of an evening. In December.
In the wake of ordering, the two young friends were each distracted by the musical backdrop, as though the entertainment for the evening was entirely due to that showpiece.
“That’s your friend ? From midsummer,” Sorrela realised where she had seen the Musician before. The flutist. And for a moment, the smile upon Nal’s face faded, as he swallowed uncomfortably. He really did not wish to speak about midsummer. For more than one reason.
“Trevadir,” he explained, before clearing his throat. “And that’s his girlfriend,” he recognised, as Renia began to sing. As his attention turned toward the sudden vocal performance, a further memory sprung up, of how the pair had distracted him .. at the Midwinter ball.
“They are very talented,” the Guard recruit decided, glancing up with a nod of thanks to accept the hot drink that was brought over then. For all that her company did not seem to note his own arriving. But at least she reasoned, his interest in the musicians was better than his whispering back and forth with the other couple. She glanced from that pair in black, to the girl in the green dress, and then the other in pink, with their respective partners. Before sipping from her coffee, and glancing above the mug, to spy on her reason for coming. The girl in the blue dress and her companion.
“Don’t stare,” Unalmis observed Sorrel’s intrigue and shook his head with disapproval. “You’ll scare him off.”
“As though you know the anything about subtlety,” his own company scoffed. “Anyway I don’t think he’ll scare off so easily.”
“Disappointed ?”
“Hardly !”
“Liar !”
“Oh shush ..”
The young woman raised both eyebrows, and resisted the urge to kick the young man under the table. “He didn’t bring her flowers,” Sorrel sniffed, as though that decided her opinion on their friend’s bruised admirer.
“Good thing too,” Unalmis wrapped his thick sleeve around his mug and dared a deeper drink of his hot beverage than might have been wise. Although he did not spill it. “She once smacked me when I even spoke about giving girls flowers,” he recalled.
“Idiot,” he was insulted though hardly noted it, for Sorrel furthered about her point. “You see ? That’s how it’s done ? Or ought to be done ..” the tallest woman in the room indicated with her head where the girl in a pink dress was being wooed with a small bouquet at a further table. And when Unalmis ventured a glance in the direction he was led, he very nearly did spill his drink after all.
Was that Eryn ? In .. a pretty dress ?? With .. well he had no idea who that was, that his friend was with. He’d certainly never seen the young man before. He was half convinced he did not know the young woman either. A pink dress ? Accepting bouquets of flowers ? He must be seeing things !
“And now you are staring ..” his own company sighed, at the Ranger’s sudden intrigue at another’s table. Though he scarcely heard the disapproval, or the remark at all for that matter.
Sorrela Korsey with Unalmis Raxelilta,
Of an evening. In December.
In the wake of ordering, the two young friends were each distracted by the musical backdrop, as though the entertainment for the evening was entirely due to that showpiece.
“That’s your friend ? From midsummer,” Sorrela realised where she had seen the Musician before. The flutist. And for a moment, the smile upon Nal’s face faded, as he swallowed uncomfortably. He really did not wish to speak about midsummer. For more than one reason.
“Trevadir,” he explained, before clearing his throat. “And that’s his girlfriend,” he recognised, as Renia began to sing. As his attention turned toward the sudden vocal performance, a further memory sprung up, of how the pair had distracted him .. at the Midwinter ball.
“They are very talented,” the Guard recruit decided, glancing up with a nod of thanks to accept the hot drink that was brought over then. For all that her company did not seem to note his own arriving. But at least she reasoned, his interest in the musicians was better than his whispering back and forth with the other couple. She glanced from that pair in black, to the girl in the green dress, and then the other in pink, with their respective partners. Before sipping from her coffee, and glancing above the mug, to spy on her reason for coming. The girl in the blue dress and her companion.
“Don’t stare,” Unalmis observed Sorrel’s intrigue and shook his head with disapproval. “You’ll scare him off.”
“As though you know the anything about subtlety,” his own company scoffed. “Anyway I don’t think he’ll scare off so easily.”
“Disappointed ?”
“Hardly !”
“Liar !”
“Oh shush ..”
The young woman raised both eyebrows, and resisted the urge to kick the young man under the table. “He didn’t bring her flowers,” Sorrel sniffed, as though that decided her opinion on their friend’s bruised admirer.
“Good thing too,” Unalmis wrapped his thick sleeve around his mug and dared a deeper drink of his hot beverage than might have been wise. Although he did not spill it. “She once smacked me when I even spoke about giving girls flowers,” he recalled.
“Idiot,” he was insulted though hardly noted it, for Sorrel furthered about her point. “You see ? That’s how it’s done ? Or ought to be done ..” the tallest woman in the room indicated with her head where the girl in a pink dress was being wooed with a small bouquet at a further table. And when Unalmis ventured a glance in the direction he was led, he very nearly did spill his drink after all.
Was that Eryn ? In .. a pretty dress ?? With .. well he had no idea who that was, that his friend was with. He’d certainly never seen the young man before. He was half convinced he did not know the young woman either. A pink dress ? Accepting bouquets of flowers ? He must be seeing things !
“And now you are staring ..” his own company sighed, at the Ranger’s sudden intrigue at another’s table. Though he scarcely heard the disapproval, or the remark at all for that matter.
Last edited by Ercassie on Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
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Iole Ishen with Gildolen Lhacrist
The self same evening in December.
“You are enjoying the music ?”
Iole had not realised how intently she had been occupied in enjoying the music, until her company called her on it.
“I do, yes,” she was not sorry to confess. “That is my brother,” she saw no harm in sharing this information with Gildolen, since it was scarcely a secret. Tucking her hair behind both ears, nervously, she shook it free again, almost immediately. And glanced down at where her hands sat in her lap. She was creasing the fine dress and knew thus that she ought to relax, but found that she could not. It took a good deal to look up and meet the handsome face who was awaiting her.
“He is very skilled,” a further assumption was expressed, which fell equally as true. The young man folded the napkin he had brought with him over, and then set it back as it had been before. “That is why so many are here tonight I am sure. To hear him play ?” He purposely did not glance over to where Sorrela for one, kept looking in his direction. As though the taller woman meant to fly from her seat if he so much as looked the wrong way toward her friend. The crowd was here for the entertainment, right ? And he was not in fact the 'entertainment' ... right ??!!
“I am convinced that he makes a music just as fine as any establishment of the upper circles can boast,” Iole smiled, and then raised those wide blue eyes to meet her company, searchingly.
“Well, for perhaps the first time in my life, I am sorry that I am not a musician,” the valet attempted a joke, allowed time enough for his date to interpret his meaning, and then debated whether he was sorry, for causing the slight blush that coloured her cheek.
As the tavern owner’s wife went about the room, administering drinks which had been ordered, it occurred to the nervous young couple that at some point she would return to them, expecting an order they had yet to decide on. When she inevitably did, the young man raised his hand to cover his mouth as though he might suddenly claim to have lost his voice, rather than embarrass himself in ordering incorrectly.
“What would you like my dears ?” the eager hostess wondered though, aloud and amiably.
“What would you recommend ?” Gildolen managed to put back to her, acknowledging that her expertise on this subject would far exceed his any attempt. As Edgor’s wife then immediately extolled the virtues of the dish of the day, the young gentleman glanced with an enquiring brow toward his young lady friend. As she nodded minutely, he gladly followed suit, albeit in a rather more pronounced manner which gave the impression of surety. “That will do us nicely I think,” he rushed to agree however, with simply what was deemed the most ‘popular’ dish on offer. The majority could not be wrong, could they ?
“And to drink ?” their interrogator glanced from one to the other, unsure if she had ever met a couple who knew less what they should like. “If I may suggest .. ?”
They boldly nodded, both, perhaps too swiftly, to the named suggestion. And though the landlady knew that her encouraging choice might not be the least expensive item available, it was nonetheless a good blend for the meal they had already decided on. She had spoken true in that regard. The knowledge that they would enjoy it, surely, alleviating any guilt over this pointed ‘tour’ of the menu.
She departed then, before the young man could bring himself to mention that there was no cutlery provided as yet. Presumably they would bring some. Right ? He swallowed nervously.
Last edited by Ercassie on Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:26 pm, edited 3 times in total.
All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
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@Ercassie
Trevadir & Renia
On a particular evening in late December
As the song came to a close, Renia took a glance around and was a bit pleased to see that it looked like pretty much everyone was enjoying the music. No one had started throwing things, anyway. She grinned at Trev, as he was cleaning his flute between songs. "You're right," She whispered. "It is fun."
"Told you." He grinned at her in return, then looked around, himself. He mentally took note of everyone he saw that he recognized, and noted with curiosity those who were, apparently, with a date. Interesting. He also took a subtle glance at the fellow sitting with Iole, so that he would remember his face. Just in case they needed to have a talk at some point.
After he was satisfied his flute was dry inside, he began playing a pretty, wordless tune, as it appeared that the majority of the patrons tonight were more interested in a quiet, romantic type dinner, rather than a lively, boisterous type of evening. While he played this song, he was already thinking about the next one, and a few others he'd like to do before the evening was done. But this one made for a chance for Renia to take a few sips of water and prepare to sing again, with the next one that he had in mind.
@Pele Alarion
Xyler
Xyler grinned back after her statement that she 'regretted nothing'. "I'm sure they deserved every treat they were given." He agreed. "I'd enjoy a bit of exploring, definitely." He added. "I don't think I've been outside the city since we arrived, so it'd be nice to get out in the outdoors a bit." He was rather eager to get out and do a bit of exploring, as soon as there was a good chance.
Hearing about what sort of things she'd been managing so far, for work, he nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe you could ask Nal.." He paused. "Well, when he isn't busy," he added with a brief glance toward their friend, who was sitting with a girl. "You could ask him about maybe finding some temporary work with the rangers? Or.. I don't know how that works. But hopefully, you can find something to keep up your skills. I'd hate for you to get back home and your commander be upset that you've lost your touch, all because of me." He knew, of course, that she was only following her orders by escorting him, but still.
When she leaned closer and admitted that she couldn't read the menu, and had only learned to read in their own language after joining the Cavalry, he smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, that's actually not that unusual." he told her. "My grandma taught me to speak and read in both Rohirric and in Common, because we live so close to the border. But there's plenty of our people who never learn to read at all." He shrugged. "I've got another friend who can't read at all," He mentioned quietly.
The dish that she described sounded amazing, and proved that apparently, she didn't need him to read the menu off to her after all. "Well, if they have that beef stew, I think I'll go with that." He decided, setting the menu away, partly so that they could both simply order without it, so not to draw attention to the fact she could not read. When the lady came over to ask about their order, he motioned for Hadassa to go first. Once she had given her food request, Xyler was pleased to hear that they did, in fact, have beef stew. Once they had their food and drink orders placed, he thanked the lady and offered the menus back.
Trevadir & Renia
On a particular evening in late December
As the song came to a close, Renia took a glance around and was a bit pleased to see that it looked like pretty much everyone was enjoying the music. No one had started throwing things, anyway. She grinned at Trev, as he was cleaning his flute between songs. "You're right," She whispered. "It is fun."
"Told you." He grinned at her in return, then looked around, himself. He mentally took note of everyone he saw that he recognized, and noted with curiosity those who were, apparently, with a date. Interesting. He also took a subtle glance at the fellow sitting with Iole, so that he would remember his face. Just in case they needed to have a talk at some point.
After he was satisfied his flute was dry inside, he began playing a pretty, wordless tune, as it appeared that the majority of the patrons tonight were more interested in a quiet, romantic type dinner, rather than a lively, boisterous type of evening. While he played this song, he was already thinking about the next one, and a few others he'd like to do before the evening was done. But this one made for a chance for Renia to take a few sips of water and prepare to sing again, with the next one that he had in mind.
@Pele Alarion
Xyler
Xyler grinned back after her statement that she 'regretted nothing'. "I'm sure they deserved every treat they were given." He agreed. "I'd enjoy a bit of exploring, definitely." He added. "I don't think I've been outside the city since we arrived, so it'd be nice to get out in the outdoors a bit." He was rather eager to get out and do a bit of exploring, as soon as there was a good chance.
Hearing about what sort of things she'd been managing so far, for work, he nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe you could ask Nal.." He paused. "Well, when he isn't busy," he added with a brief glance toward their friend, who was sitting with a girl. "You could ask him about maybe finding some temporary work with the rangers? Or.. I don't know how that works. But hopefully, you can find something to keep up your skills. I'd hate for you to get back home and your commander be upset that you've lost your touch, all because of me." He knew, of course, that she was only following her orders by escorting him, but still.
When she leaned closer and admitted that she couldn't read the menu, and had only learned to read in their own language after joining the Cavalry, he smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, that's actually not that unusual." he told her. "My grandma taught me to speak and read in both Rohirric and in Common, because we live so close to the border. But there's plenty of our people who never learn to read at all." He shrugged. "I've got another friend who can't read at all," He mentioned quietly.
The dish that she described sounded amazing, and proved that apparently, she didn't need him to read the menu off to her after all. "Well, if they have that beef stew, I think I'll go with that." He decided, setting the menu away, partly so that they could both simply order without it, so not to draw attention to the fact she could not read. When the lady came over to ask about their order, he motioned for Hadassa to go first. Once she had given her food request, Xyler was pleased to hear that they did, in fact, have beef stew. Once they had their food and drink orders placed, he thanked the lady and offered the menus back.
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@Rillewen
Lucion
The same evening in December
Not from Rohan. Gondorian, then, he assumed. Born and raised. "I do consider myself someone," he responded with a smile. About the matter of trust, he hastened to correct himself. "I phrased it wrong, earlier, I think. That they trust you is one thing. That they would trust the world around you, is another?" He tried to explain, though he did not sound too sure that he was doing it correctly. Lucion's smile grew a little. "But it makes sense you would not tell them, in a way. You are still trying to feel me out a little, aren't you?" It was the same for him, after all. There was no need for either of them to be embarrassed about that.
When the lady came to ask for their order, Lucion waited for Eryn to go first. Then he politely asked for a light red wine and for the beef and vegetable stew and thanked her. When she'd left, and when the musician started playing a lovely flute tune, he hesitated for a moment as he looked around the room, and at everyone still firmly sitting down. Then he focused back on Eryn. "I am curious, now we are here without any disguises, to learn more about who you really are," he told Eryn with a half smile. Obviously, she was different from what her guise had meant for people to believe. "You know where I am from and that I live here, now. You have lived out on the Pelennor with your uncle, aunt... and father," he summarized, a bit questioningly. "Where did you live, before? Did you grow up nearby or further away? I'm also wondering about... Well you said you used to deliver the farm products all over the city? Since it sounds like you have stopped doing that - is there anything else you are taking up, now?"
Lucion
The same evening in December
Not from Rohan. Gondorian, then, he assumed. Born and raised. "I do consider myself someone," he responded with a smile. About the matter of trust, he hastened to correct himself. "I phrased it wrong, earlier, I think. That they trust you is one thing. That they would trust the world around you, is another?" He tried to explain, though he did not sound too sure that he was doing it correctly. Lucion's smile grew a little. "But it makes sense you would not tell them, in a way. You are still trying to feel me out a little, aren't you?" It was the same for him, after all. There was no need for either of them to be embarrassed about that.
When the lady came to ask for their order, Lucion waited for Eryn to go first. Then he politely asked for a light red wine and for the beef and vegetable stew and thanked her. When she'd left, and when the musician started playing a lovely flute tune, he hesitated for a moment as he looked around the room, and at everyone still firmly sitting down. Then he focused back on Eryn. "I am curious, now we are here without any disguises, to learn more about who you really are," he told Eryn with a half smile. Obviously, she was different from what her guise had meant for people to believe. "You know where I am from and that I live here, now. You have lived out on the Pelennor with your uncle, aunt... and father," he summarized, a bit questioningly. "Where did you live, before? Did you grow up nearby or further away? I'm also wondering about... Well you said you used to deliver the farm products all over the city? Since it sounds like you have stopped doing that - is there anything else you are taking up, now?"
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Kaylin ~ Joy & Strength
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@Arnyn
Eryn with Lucion
As he corrected himself to explain that he meant 'trust the world around her', Eryn hesitated slightly as she debated how much she ought to tell this young man, whom she had only just met. "Well," She began slowly, thoughtful. "No, my father would not trust a young man he doesn't know." She admitted. "I suppose that's why I didn't tell him that the friend I was meeting, was a young man." She smiled at him with a faint blush. "I'm glad you understand," She added, as he said it made sense. It wasn't like they'd decided to meet in some remote place off in the middle of nowhere, where she'd be far from anyone who could help her if something went wrong. She was right here in a crowded place, where she was well known, and, as it turned out, there were several friends all around. Even if she avoided looking over at a certain table, she knew that the young man sitting over there with his own date would come to her aid in a second if she had need of it. And probably even if she didn't have need of it, she mentally added with a bit of amusement.
She smiled as he spoke of wanting to know more about her. Now that she was no longer hiding who she was, she had no problem with that. "Well," She hesitated at the first question, but it wasn't because she was ashamed to tell. More that it was a bit sad. "I've always lived in the Pelennor," She answered. "My father grew up here, and when I was little, he was a ranger of Ithilien. Now that the king has returned, he's joined the King's rangers." She clarified, so that question would already be answered. Then, she paused, looking down. "Anyway...my mother died when I was young, and he.. well, he needed someone to look after me while he was away on his missions and things, so we came to live with my aunt, who had married a dairy farmer, also in the Pelennor." She looked up and smiled slightly. "So. My aunt and uncle took care of me while my father was away, and he helps out with the farm and things while he's not on duty."
Her smile returned when he asked about her phrasing 'used to'. "Ah, well.. technically, I still do that on occasion, but most days I'm training at the houses of healing." She explained. "I'm an apprentice there." She smiled, quite proud of her status there. "So, my aunt has been doing the dairy deliveries on the days when I have training, but on the days when I don't, then I do that so she can stay home and do other things." She clasped her hands together on the table in front of her, having nothing else to do with them at the moment.
"And, what about you? I know you mentioned being apprenticed to a cartographer, but what sort of things do you do when you aren't making maps?" She asked, curious. "And, also... how much work is there actually, in that? I mean, I've never really given it much thought, to be honest." She admitted a bit shyly. "I thought, once a map is drawn, it's done? And then.. what?" She paused. "Well, I guess, maybe you'd have to make copies for all the folks who want them," She realized, thoughtful. "And maybe check and verify things to make sure they're accurate. Sorry, I've never given a great deal of thought about that sort of thing, before." She really had little idea about how maps were made at all, now that she thought about it.
Eryn with Lucion
As he corrected himself to explain that he meant 'trust the world around her', Eryn hesitated slightly as she debated how much she ought to tell this young man, whom she had only just met. "Well," She began slowly, thoughtful. "No, my father would not trust a young man he doesn't know." She admitted. "I suppose that's why I didn't tell him that the friend I was meeting, was a young man." She smiled at him with a faint blush. "I'm glad you understand," She added, as he said it made sense. It wasn't like they'd decided to meet in some remote place off in the middle of nowhere, where she'd be far from anyone who could help her if something went wrong. She was right here in a crowded place, where she was well known, and, as it turned out, there were several friends all around. Even if she avoided looking over at a certain table, she knew that the young man sitting over there with his own date would come to her aid in a second if she had need of it. And probably even if she didn't have need of it, she mentally added with a bit of amusement.
She smiled as he spoke of wanting to know more about her. Now that she was no longer hiding who she was, she had no problem with that. "Well," She hesitated at the first question, but it wasn't because she was ashamed to tell. More that it was a bit sad. "I've always lived in the Pelennor," She answered. "My father grew up here, and when I was little, he was a ranger of Ithilien. Now that the king has returned, he's joined the King's rangers." She clarified, so that question would already be answered. Then, she paused, looking down. "Anyway...my mother died when I was young, and he.. well, he needed someone to look after me while he was away on his missions and things, so we came to live with my aunt, who had married a dairy farmer, also in the Pelennor." She looked up and smiled slightly. "So. My aunt and uncle took care of me while my father was away, and he helps out with the farm and things while he's not on duty."
Her smile returned when he asked about her phrasing 'used to'. "Ah, well.. technically, I still do that on occasion, but most days I'm training at the houses of healing." She explained. "I'm an apprentice there." She smiled, quite proud of her status there. "So, my aunt has been doing the dairy deliveries on the days when I have training, but on the days when I don't, then I do that so she can stay home and do other things." She clasped her hands together on the table in front of her, having nothing else to do with them at the moment.
"And, what about you? I know you mentioned being apprenticed to a cartographer, but what sort of things do you do when you aren't making maps?" She asked, curious. "And, also... how much work is there actually, in that? I mean, I've never really given it much thought, to be honest." She admitted a bit shyly. "I thought, once a map is drawn, it's done? And then.. what?" She paused. "Well, I guess, maybe you'd have to make copies for all the folks who want them," She realized, thoughtful. "And maybe check and verify things to make sure they're accurate. Sorry, I've never given a great deal of thought about that sort of thing, before." She really had little idea about how maps were made at all, now that she thought about it.
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@Rillewen
Lucion
With Eryn, December
"Ah." Lucion was not sure what else to say in response to Eryn's admission that her father would not trust a young man he did not know. Around his daughter. It was only normal on her father's part, of course - prudent. And yet knowing this, and knowing that was why she had avoided telling her father in the first place... it did not exactly feel right? When Eryn said she was glad he understood, he did not want to contradict her. It was true that he understood why she had not told her father. Nevertheless... Lucion did not exactly appreciate being a part of the ruse. He would not want to face the man later and have to admit he had known about his daughter's deception - not to mention having to admit that he had willingly gone along with it.
But that ship had sailed, it seemed.
And then she told him that her father had been a Ranger of Ithilien. And that he was, now, one of the King's Rangers. He was getting a little warm under his collar, hearing about that. But what she told him about her mother, distracted him. "I am sorry about your mother," he told her quietly. No one should lose their mother while they were still young, and he had seen it was a blow even at a much older age.
Eryn surprised him when she revealed she was now training at the Houses of Healing. That was a noble calling! She was also still helping at the farm, when she could... He smiled openly at her. So caring. For the ill and injured. For her aunt. His eyes fell to her hands, clasped in front of her on the table. One of his own hands reached out across the table, palm up and fingers spread. An invitation.
"I spent much time cleaning the ink from my fingers," he told her, "before coming here. Drawing the maps is the very last step, but it is very meticulous work. It is slow going. I cannot spill or smudge even once. The proportions have to be exactly right. There is a lot of math involved. And a lot of research and cross-checking." He looked apologetic. "I would not wish to bore you with the details. It is not very... exciting. But I enjoy the work. Finishing a map is very satisfying. And, since the cartographer also sells the maps himself - I am also learning about what it takes to run a shop." He shrugged. "It is nowhere near as noble as healing or rangering," he admitted. "But rangers need maps, too, don't they?" he asked, a little hopeful.
Lucion
With Eryn, December
"Ah." Lucion was not sure what else to say in response to Eryn's admission that her father would not trust a young man he did not know. Around his daughter. It was only normal on her father's part, of course - prudent. And yet knowing this, and knowing that was why she had avoided telling her father in the first place... it did not exactly feel right? When Eryn said she was glad he understood, he did not want to contradict her. It was true that he understood why she had not told her father. Nevertheless... Lucion did not exactly appreciate being a part of the ruse. He would not want to face the man later and have to admit he had known about his daughter's deception - not to mention having to admit that he had willingly gone along with it.
But that ship had sailed, it seemed.
And then she told him that her father had been a Ranger of Ithilien. And that he was, now, one of the King's Rangers. He was getting a little warm under his collar, hearing about that. But what she told him about her mother, distracted him. "I am sorry about your mother," he told her quietly. No one should lose their mother while they were still young, and he had seen it was a blow even at a much older age.
Eryn surprised him when she revealed she was now training at the Houses of Healing. That was a noble calling! She was also still helping at the farm, when she could... He smiled openly at her. So caring. For the ill and injured. For her aunt. His eyes fell to her hands, clasped in front of her on the table. One of his own hands reached out across the table, palm up and fingers spread. An invitation.
"I spent much time cleaning the ink from my fingers," he told her, "before coming here. Drawing the maps is the very last step, but it is very meticulous work. It is slow going. I cannot spill or smudge even once. The proportions have to be exactly right. There is a lot of math involved. And a lot of research and cross-checking." He looked apologetic. "I would not wish to bore you with the details. It is not very... exciting. But I enjoy the work. Finishing a map is very satisfying. And, since the cartographer also sells the maps himself - I am also learning about what it takes to run a shop." He shrugged. "It is nowhere near as noble as healing or rangering," he admitted. "But rangers need maps, too, don't they?" he asked, a little hopeful.
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@Arnyn
Eryn with Lucion
When Lucion reached out his hand, Eryn was for a moment not quite sure what he wanted, but after a brief pause, she realized he wanted to take her hand. She smiled, with a slightly warm feeling in her ears, as she reached out to take his hand with one of hers. Her smile grew a tiny bit as he spoke of having spent so much time cleaning his hands of ink. "You didn't have to do that," She told him, a little surprised he would have gone through such effort, for her. "I would understand. You did tell me you were a cartographer... it's to be expected you might end up with a bit of ink on you." She added in further explanation for her words.
In fact, while she had certainly cleaned up and dressed a bit nicer than usual, she felt that he might have spent more time doing so than her. She nodded with understanding as he spoke of how meticulous the work was, and how he must be extremely careful not to smudge the ink at all. "Yes, I can imagine," She said thoughtfully. "It's not quite the same, but sometimes I have to mix up some herbs for medicine or something, and I have to take great care to follow the healer's instructions, so I don't mess up the amounts or anything." She smiled understandingly. "Healing may be a good and noble thing, but it can be a bit boring, too." She shrugged. "Or... trying." She added with a little grin, then leaned in a bit, to whisper, "Especially when some of the less pleasant patients come along..." She shared, thinking primarily of a certain laundress, who thankfully, hadn't been seen around in quite a while.
"Rangers definitely do use maps!" She agreed a bit more heartily. "And your meticulous work is certainly well appreciated, I'm sure. Can you imagine if they went off on some mission and couldn't find the place they needed to go, all because someone had gotten it wrong or didn't bother to check things properly?" She widened her eyes a bit at the thought of that. "That could really make it hard for them to complete their mission. Even if they found the right place eventually, it might cost them a lot of time.. and what if time were crucial? Some bad guys might get away, or..." She trailed off with a shy little smile, realizing she'd gotten a bit carried away with that topic. "Sorry. I have a lot of interest in the rangers and what they do." She explained.
Eryn with Lucion
When Lucion reached out his hand, Eryn was for a moment not quite sure what he wanted, but after a brief pause, she realized he wanted to take her hand. She smiled, with a slightly warm feeling in her ears, as she reached out to take his hand with one of hers. Her smile grew a tiny bit as he spoke of having spent so much time cleaning his hands of ink. "You didn't have to do that," She told him, a little surprised he would have gone through such effort, for her. "I would understand. You did tell me you were a cartographer... it's to be expected you might end up with a bit of ink on you." She added in further explanation for her words.
In fact, while she had certainly cleaned up and dressed a bit nicer than usual, she felt that he might have spent more time doing so than her. She nodded with understanding as he spoke of how meticulous the work was, and how he must be extremely careful not to smudge the ink at all. "Yes, I can imagine," She said thoughtfully. "It's not quite the same, but sometimes I have to mix up some herbs for medicine or something, and I have to take great care to follow the healer's instructions, so I don't mess up the amounts or anything." She smiled understandingly. "Healing may be a good and noble thing, but it can be a bit boring, too." She shrugged. "Or... trying." She added with a little grin, then leaned in a bit, to whisper, "Especially when some of the less pleasant patients come along..." She shared, thinking primarily of a certain laundress, who thankfully, hadn't been seen around in quite a while.
"Rangers definitely do use maps!" She agreed a bit more heartily. "And your meticulous work is certainly well appreciated, I'm sure. Can you imagine if they went off on some mission and couldn't find the place they needed to go, all because someone had gotten it wrong or didn't bother to check things properly?" She widened her eyes a bit at the thought of that. "That could really make it hard for them to complete their mission. Even if they found the right place eventually, it might cost them a lot of time.. and what if time were crucial? Some bad guys might get away, or..." She trailed off with a shy little smile, realizing she'd gotten a bit carried away with that topic. "Sorry. I have a lot of interest in the rangers and what they do." She explained.
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Lucion
With Eryn, December
The slight blush that swept over her cheeks and the fact she did take his hand, made Lucion smile. How sweet... He looked at their hands as she spoke about the ink. His smile grew a little as he looked up at her. "I wanted to," he told her. "Of course... I did not know whether you would realize what... not what work is, that sounds wrong - but... You seemed very protected, let's say, at the masquerade. Unaware, perhaps, of the realities that come with certain jobs." He shrugged, his smile now apologetic. "It is honestly a bit of a relief that you do know." His fingers lightly brushed over her hand, as if indicating her callouses.
He liked hearing her talk about what she did as a healer's apprentice. "Boring?" he repeated, a bit incredulous, and a bit amused too. He grinned when she did, and leaned in just like her to hear her talk about more challenging patients. "At least it makes for good stories, right?" he asked her, still leaning in, and still grinning. "I also imagine the healers must see the strangest things..."
Relaxing back into his previous position, he regarded Eryn as she spoke so enhtusedly about rangering. She was absolutely lighting up! She must be so proud of her father. "Makes sense," he therefore said as she declared she had a lot of interest in what the rangers did. It must be so nice for her father that his daughter had such an interest in his profession, too. "I am glad to know just how useful the maps are to them." He did take pride in what he did, as well, and for the daughter of a ranger to confirm how important maps were - it felt satisfying.
The innkeeper's wife brought over their drinks, then. Water for Eryn, wine for him. He wondered what she thought about him ordering wine, while she had ordered water. The water was clearly the wiser and healthier choice. I should have followed her example. The innkeeper's wife asked Eryn if she wanted her hot chocolate now, with her soupand bread bowl,or afterward. Once Eryn had supplied her answer, the lady was swiftly back on her way.
"I hope you don't mind that I ordered a glass of wine?" Lucion checked, a bit uncertain. He glanced back at the musician. "Do you play?" he asked his date. "Or sing?"
Lucion
With Eryn, December
The slight blush that swept over her cheeks and the fact she did take his hand, made Lucion smile. How sweet... He looked at their hands as she spoke about the ink. His smile grew a little as he looked up at her. "I wanted to," he told her. "Of course... I did not know whether you would realize what... not what work is, that sounds wrong - but... You seemed very protected, let's say, at the masquerade. Unaware, perhaps, of the realities that come with certain jobs." He shrugged, his smile now apologetic. "It is honestly a bit of a relief that you do know." His fingers lightly brushed over her hand, as if indicating her callouses.
He liked hearing her talk about what she did as a healer's apprentice. "Boring?" he repeated, a bit incredulous, and a bit amused too. He grinned when she did, and leaned in just like her to hear her talk about more challenging patients. "At least it makes for good stories, right?" he asked her, still leaning in, and still grinning. "I also imagine the healers must see the strangest things..."
Relaxing back into his previous position, he regarded Eryn as she spoke so enhtusedly about rangering. She was absolutely lighting up! She must be so proud of her father. "Makes sense," he therefore said as she declared she had a lot of interest in what the rangers did. It must be so nice for her father that his daughter had such an interest in his profession, too. "I am glad to know just how useful the maps are to them." He did take pride in what he did, as well, and for the daughter of a ranger to confirm how important maps were - it felt satisfying.
The innkeeper's wife brought over their drinks, then. Water for Eryn, wine for him. He wondered what she thought about him ordering wine, while she had ordered water. The water was clearly the wiser and healthier choice. I should have followed her example. The innkeeper's wife asked Eryn if she wanted her hot chocolate now, with her soupand bread bowl,or afterward. Once Eryn had supplied her answer, the lady was swiftly back on her way.
"I hope you don't mind that I ordered a glass of wine?" Lucion checked, a bit uncertain. He glanced back at the musician. "Do you play?" he asked his date. "Or sing?"
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@Arnyn
Eryn with Lucion
She gave a little laugh as he spoke of how she had seemed, at the masquerade, and refrained from mentioning that she did happen to be 'protected' but not in the way he meant. He might get worried about continuing this potential relationship, if he learned right away what an overprotective father she had. "Well, I'm relieved that you're relieved," She answered, a bit amused, watching him brush his fingers over hers. She felt a bit self-conscious about her nails not being all prettily manicured like some girl's, but it wasn't as if she could have made them grow out rapidly so she could trim them 'properly' in time for this date. But he didn't seem to mind, at least.
She grinned as he questioned her use of the word boring. "Well not boring, more like.. tedious, and maybe.. a little bit nerve-wracking, since there's a bit of pressure not to mess it up, you know?" She smiled. "Similar to your work, with the maps." She let out a quiet little laugh as he spoke of healers seeing the strangest things. "Yes, there are certainly some interesting ones," She agreed, amused. "You'd be surprised what sort of injuries we get, sometimes."
As their drinks arrived, she smiled at the innkeeper's wife. "Thank you, yes please." She answered. Once she had left, Eryn set the glass of water to one side, then smiled at Lucion as she picked up the bouquet of flowers he had brought for her, and unwrapped the handkerchief from the stems before gently fitting them into the water. She then placed it carefully on the table, but off to the side closest to the wall, so it would not be in between them, but would still decorate the table.
His question caught her off guard a bit. She paused, considering whether she did mind. "I.. hadn't thought about it, actually." She admitted. "I mean, I have some friends who don't drink, and at least one who does, quite a bit." She shrugged. "I've never even tried any, to be honest." She wasn't sure that she'd want to, either. But his next question distracted her a bit from that. "Oh, me? No." She blushed lightly. "Except for a few silly songs my friend and I make up," She added a little shyly, brushing a little piece of her hair back behind her ear, feeling slightly awkward to admit about that. "But that doesn't really count... it's just for a little silly fun."
Eryn with Lucion
She gave a little laugh as he spoke of how she had seemed, at the masquerade, and refrained from mentioning that she did happen to be 'protected' but not in the way he meant. He might get worried about continuing this potential relationship, if he learned right away what an overprotective father she had. "Well, I'm relieved that you're relieved," She answered, a bit amused, watching him brush his fingers over hers. She felt a bit self-conscious about her nails not being all prettily manicured like some girl's, but it wasn't as if she could have made them grow out rapidly so she could trim them 'properly' in time for this date. But he didn't seem to mind, at least.
She grinned as he questioned her use of the word boring. "Well not boring, more like.. tedious, and maybe.. a little bit nerve-wracking, since there's a bit of pressure not to mess it up, you know?" She smiled. "Similar to your work, with the maps." She let out a quiet little laugh as he spoke of healers seeing the strangest things. "Yes, there are certainly some interesting ones," She agreed, amused. "You'd be surprised what sort of injuries we get, sometimes."
As their drinks arrived, she smiled at the innkeeper's wife. "Thank you, yes please." She answered. Once she had left, Eryn set the glass of water to one side, then smiled at Lucion as she picked up the bouquet of flowers he had brought for her, and unwrapped the handkerchief from the stems before gently fitting them into the water. She then placed it carefully on the table, but off to the side closest to the wall, so it would not be in between them, but would still decorate the table.
His question caught her off guard a bit. She paused, considering whether she did mind. "I.. hadn't thought about it, actually." She admitted. "I mean, I have some friends who don't drink, and at least one who does, quite a bit." She shrugged. "I've never even tried any, to be honest." She wasn't sure that she'd want to, either. But his next question distracted her a bit from that. "Oh, me? No." She blushed lightly. "Except for a few silly songs my friend and I make up," She added a little shyly, brushing a little piece of her hair back behind her ear, feeling slightly awkward to admit about that. "But that doesn't really count... it's just for a little silly fun."
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Lucion
The same evening in December
"Except, when I ruin a map, it doesn't potentially make anyone any more ill than they already are," he noted the important distinction between their work. "All it cost me is time. And a scolding from my employer. Naturally." He smiled at her. "I believe your stakes are higher, Eryn."
Surprised when she put the flowers in the glass of water, he stared at what she was doing for a moment and then grinned at her. "Clever," he complimented her. "And decorative!"
Lucion couldn't help but be a bit curious at how she had several friends who did not drink at all, and then 'at least' one who drank 'quite a bit'. "What is quite a bit?" he asked. "Well if you don't want to, you never have to try," he mused. Suddenly, he blinked. "Oh. But if you want to try, you can have a sip of mine, if you like, of course." He should at least offer. It was only polite. "It's up to you. I just enjoy a glass or two when I go out, for the taste and the... I don't know. But..." he shrugged. "Everything in moderation, my father always says. Suppose I've picked up on that."
Music was not a big interest then. Just a few silly songs, for fun. That made him smile while the lady deposited Eryn's hot chocolate. He nodded at the woman, but clearly only had eyes for his date. "Fun is good," he agreed. He wanted her to have fun, be happy. Because, why not? "You mention your friends a lot. Do you have a great many?" he wondered.
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@Arnyn
Eryn with Lucion
"True." Eryn had to agree with Lucion about the difference between him messing up, and her messing up, with the example she had given. "Fortunately for me, I've not been tasked with such things very often... yet." She shrugged slightly. "Perhaps in a year or so, it'll be more common. But so far, I've only been training with the healers for a few months." She explained. "I'm still sort of new."
She was pleased when he complimented her cleverness with the flowers, and grinned back at him as he said so. "Thank you." She replied, then smiled and took a look at the vase, adjusting them slightly so that they were situated a bit more nicely in the glass.
As he asked about her friend, she returned her gaze to him and paused, considering. "Oh, well... it seems like a lot, from what I hear, anyway." She answered, a little hesitant. "I mean, she drinks hard stuff, you know, and talks about getting drunk. Often, or so it seems to me." She explained. "I mean, she hasn't done that around me, but I've heard tales. She's said stuff. I know she does it." Eryn shrugged, slightly unsure how this was coming off to Lucion. Then, as he told her she could try his wine, she blushed lightly and shook her head a bit. "Oh, I wasn't hinting or anything," She assured him. "I do appreciate your offer, but I will decline. Thank you, though." She smiled slightly as he spoke of his father. "He sounds like a smart man," She mentioned, hoping to be able to return some sort of compliment back to Lucion, since he had given her a few, already.
As the lady brought her hot chocolate, Eryn smiled at her. "Thank you." It smelled delicious, and she was really tempted to take a sip right away, but it was also steaming. She decided not to risk burning her lips on it out of being too eager to try it. Instead, she returned her gaze to Lucion and gave a slightly more relaxed smile when he asked about her friends. "I think I do, yes." She answered. Some may not consider it 'a great many' but she did, compared to how she'd felt about a year ago. "Most of them are rangers, actually," She added with a little laugh. "My very best friend," She hesitated slightly and made herself resist looking toward him, "our fathers grew up together, and we see each other just about every day, seems like." She decided to move away from the topic of that particular friend.
"And, the friend I mentioned spending some time with earlier? I met her during the time when we were all evacuated from the city, because of the war." She explained. "She and I traveled together in the very last wagon to leave, and we became friends during the journey." She smiled a bit sadly. "She.. has no family, and she was taken in by a family in Lossarnach during the time we were staying there, until word came that it was safe to return. Then, she wasn't still us on the way back, so I thought she'd stayed there with that family. It turns out, she ended up traveling back with another wagon group, and then neither of us knew where to find the other, so we didn't get to continue our friendship after we returned to the city. Until, now." She smiled. "We had a great time though, reuniting and catching up on all that we'd missed."
She glanced toward the musician as he switched, not only to another song, but to another instrument as well. She listened curiously for a moment as the girl began singing, before Eryn looked back at Lucion and spoke of her newest friends. "I also met a girl at the masquerade, and we arranged to get together afterward. She brought a friend of hers, and us three girls had a very nice time together," She grinned. "They were interested in archery, which I happen to also enjoy, so the three of us spent the evening practicing together until they had to go." She told him, then paused and tilted her head curiously as she looked at him. "I suppose, with you having moved here, maybe you don't really have very many friends around here, yet." She realized, almost apologetic, after having talked about several of her own friends. "Or, do you?" Hopefully, he had some friends, at least. "What sort of things do you like doing, when you aren't working?"
Trevadir & Renia
Late December
After playing the melody which gave Renia time to sip some water and ready herself for another song, Trev ended that tune and then glanced at her as he lowered his flute. He leaned in and whispered with her for a brief moment while his hands deftly worked on cleaning his flute with his handkerchief.
Renia nodded her agreement, then turned to carefully lift out of its case, the stringed instrument he had brought along. She held it carefully while Trev quickly finished cleaning his flute, then after he had tucked the flute into a little leather holster he wore at his side, he accepted the other from her.
Trev took a slow breath in as he glanced around the room. He had never before played his grandfather's zither in public. He'd brought it along a couple of times, thinking he might, but he'd ended up chickening out each time. But he'd been practicing, and he tried to tell himself he'd do fine. This, however, was a song that practically everyone in Gondor would have probably heard at least once in their lives, especially if they'd ever gone to Dol Amroth. So, the tune was one that he'd heard since childhood, and it hadn't taken much effort for Trev to learn it on the zither. Besides, with this song, he could simply play and focus on that while Renia would be singing, so if he messed up, hopefully her singing would distract the people from noticing too much. It also would have been nice if he could've played along with other people, playing other instruments, because in his imagination, he could hear a variety of them joining in and adding to the melody. But, alas, he would only be able to provide the stringed notes, tonight.
Hiding his inner nervousness, Trev kept a smile on his face as he briefly checked that none of the strings had gotten out of tune between the time he left the house and now. Everything sounded perfect. He gave a little nod to Renia, then began to play. Renia soon added her voice to the song, and Trev kept half an eye on the crowd to try and gauge their response, but soon he began to relax as he felt more comfortable with it.
Eryn with Lucion
"True." Eryn had to agree with Lucion about the difference between him messing up, and her messing up, with the example she had given. "Fortunately for me, I've not been tasked with such things very often... yet." She shrugged slightly. "Perhaps in a year or so, it'll be more common. But so far, I've only been training with the healers for a few months." She explained. "I'm still sort of new."
She was pleased when he complimented her cleverness with the flowers, and grinned back at him as he said so. "Thank you." She replied, then smiled and took a look at the vase, adjusting them slightly so that they were situated a bit more nicely in the glass.
As he asked about her friend, she returned her gaze to him and paused, considering. "Oh, well... it seems like a lot, from what I hear, anyway." She answered, a little hesitant. "I mean, she drinks hard stuff, you know, and talks about getting drunk. Often, or so it seems to me." She explained. "I mean, she hasn't done that around me, but I've heard tales. She's said stuff. I know she does it." Eryn shrugged, slightly unsure how this was coming off to Lucion. Then, as he told her she could try his wine, she blushed lightly and shook her head a bit. "Oh, I wasn't hinting or anything," She assured him. "I do appreciate your offer, but I will decline. Thank you, though." She smiled slightly as he spoke of his father. "He sounds like a smart man," She mentioned, hoping to be able to return some sort of compliment back to Lucion, since he had given her a few, already.
As the lady brought her hot chocolate, Eryn smiled at her. "Thank you." It smelled delicious, and she was really tempted to take a sip right away, but it was also steaming. She decided not to risk burning her lips on it out of being too eager to try it. Instead, she returned her gaze to Lucion and gave a slightly more relaxed smile when he asked about her friends. "I think I do, yes." She answered. Some may not consider it 'a great many' but she did, compared to how she'd felt about a year ago. "Most of them are rangers, actually," She added with a little laugh. "My very best friend," She hesitated slightly and made herself resist looking toward him, "our fathers grew up together, and we see each other just about every day, seems like." She decided to move away from the topic of that particular friend.
"And, the friend I mentioned spending some time with earlier? I met her during the time when we were all evacuated from the city, because of the war." She explained. "She and I traveled together in the very last wagon to leave, and we became friends during the journey." She smiled a bit sadly. "She.. has no family, and she was taken in by a family in Lossarnach during the time we were staying there, until word came that it was safe to return. Then, she wasn't still us on the way back, so I thought she'd stayed there with that family. It turns out, she ended up traveling back with another wagon group, and then neither of us knew where to find the other, so we didn't get to continue our friendship after we returned to the city. Until, now." She smiled. "We had a great time though, reuniting and catching up on all that we'd missed."
She glanced toward the musician as he switched, not only to another song, but to another instrument as well. She listened curiously for a moment as the girl began singing, before Eryn looked back at Lucion and spoke of her newest friends. "I also met a girl at the masquerade, and we arranged to get together afterward. She brought a friend of hers, and us three girls had a very nice time together," She grinned. "They were interested in archery, which I happen to also enjoy, so the three of us spent the evening practicing together until they had to go." She told him, then paused and tilted her head curiously as she looked at him. "I suppose, with you having moved here, maybe you don't really have very many friends around here, yet." She realized, almost apologetic, after having talked about several of her own friends. "Or, do you?" Hopefully, he had some friends, at least. "What sort of things do you like doing, when you aren't working?"
Trevadir & Renia
Late December
After playing the melody which gave Renia time to sip some water and ready herself for another song, Trev ended that tune and then glanced at her as he lowered his flute. He leaned in and whispered with her for a brief moment while his hands deftly worked on cleaning his flute with his handkerchief.
Renia nodded her agreement, then turned to carefully lift out of its case, the stringed instrument he had brought along. She held it carefully while Trev quickly finished cleaning his flute, then after he had tucked the flute into a little leather holster he wore at his side, he accepted the other from her.
Trev took a slow breath in as he glanced around the room. He had never before played his grandfather's zither in public. He'd brought it along a couple of times, thinking he might, but he'd ended up chickening out each time. But he'd been practicing, and he tried to tell himself he'd do fine. This, however, was a song that practically everyone in Gondor would have probably heard at least once in their lives, especially if they'd ever gone to Dol Amroth. So, the tune was one that he'd heard since childhood, and it hadn't taken much effort for Trev to learn it on the zither. Besides, with this song, he could simply play and focus on that while Renia would be singing, so if he messed up, hopefully her singing would distract the people from noticing too much. It also would have been nice if he could've played along with other people, playing other instruments, because in his imagination, he could hear a variety of them joining in and adding to the melody. But, alas, he would only be able to provide the stringed notes, tonight.
Hiding his inner nervousness, Trev kept a smile on his face as he briefly checked that none of the strings had gotten out of tune between the time he left the house and now. Everything sounded perfect. He gave a little nod to Renia, then began to play. Renia soon added her voice to the song, and Trev kept half an eye on the crowd to try and gauge their response, but soon he began to relax as he felt more comfortable with it.
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Lucion
The same evening in December
He was honestly a little worried, hearing Eryn talk about her friend. A young lady, drinking too much too often? Or at least, that is what it sounded like to him. "Do you think she needs help?" he asked her, the concern seeping through his voice. "To cut back, at least, if not quit? It does not quite sound healthy for your friend..." he ventured carefully, unsure whether this would make him win or lose points with the lovely redhead sitting in front of him.
He wondered, also, whether Eryn's refusal to even try the wine, stemmed from her seeing her friend enjoying it all just a little bit too much. A cautionary tale, perhaps. Lucion smiled at Eryn. "He is," he confirmed about his father. "Though he would wave off the compliment himself, I'm sure," he added, his smile growing a little. "He always says that the greatest wisdom of all is knowing you have very little of it." He shook his head, still smiling, thinking about his father. "I do miss him, and my mother, sometimes," he admitted, avoiding eye contact as he did so.
When Eryn spoke of her best friend, Lucion returned his gaze to her. "Is she the one who drinks so much?" he inquired, assuming she was talking of a girl, of course. "She is a Ranger?"
He listened to her talk about some of her other friends, and focused more onto the musician and the singer when Eryn looked their way, as well. Eryn's question about his friends, made Lucion grimace. "I have plenty, back home," he said more quietly. "But I moved here, by myself. And I have yet to find the time and the right place to make friends. Somehow, the pubs are not so much of a draw for me to find any. And I have little time for hobbies, so... I haven't been sure how to approach it, really," he admitted. "When I'm not working, I am generally taking care of other things. Groceries, cooking, going to the post office. I've been slowly exploring the city." He smiled apologetically at Eryn. "I sound dreadfully boring. The masquerade was a bit of an exception. My employer advised me to go. Meet some people my own age. Do you have any recommendations as to what I could do to fill my evenings?" His smie was charming, really. "Not limited to meeting a mysterious lady from a masked ball, of course?"
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@Arnyn
Eryn, sitting with Lucion
"Help?" Eryn paused, a little unsure at first what he meant, but soon his addition made her realized he was speaking of her friend, needing help concerning her drinking. "Oh.." She blushed faintly as she realized quite how it must have sounded to him. "Um, well, I should have probably not spoken so much in the present tense, regarding her drinking. She has already cut back a lot, actually, last I heard." She explained. "I've mostly heard some stories about her drinking, but since I met her, I've only really known of her to do any drinking a couple of times. I think her husband may have convinced her to slack off, or something like that."
She smiled to hear Lucion speak of his father. He sounded as if he admired his father almost as much as she did, her own. "Humble as well." She commented in regard to his father, then nodded with sympathetic understanding as he spoke of missing them. "I'm sure." She replied, hesitating briefly before reaching across to rest her hand over his, on the table. "At least you know you can write to them, or even go visit them, now and then?" She attempted to offer a consoling thought. "What sort of work does your father do? Not something dangerous, I hope?" She asked, curious about that. After another slight hesitation, she added, partially to explain why she asked, "I always miss my father a lot, whenever he goes off on a mission. I worry about him the whole time he's gone. I.. often find myself trying to imagine how I'd cope, if.. he didn't return." She looked down at the table, a little shy about this admission. She said nothing about her mother, figuring that might only make him feel bad, since she'd already mentioned that she had died.
When he asked if her best friend was a ranger, and the one who drank too much, Eryn blinked and sat back. It took some effort not to laugh, hearing him refer to her best friend as a 'she', but then, Eryn couldn't really blame him for that once she realized that she had not specified that, in her comment earlier. She bit her lip to try and hold back a little smile as she paused to think how to answer that question. "Well, yes, and no," She answered, shaking her head slightly. "The one who drinks a lot is a ranger," She answered. "And my best friend is also a ranger. But not the same one," She explained, then recalled something she'd told him at the masquerade. "Actually, do you remember at the dance, I mentioned that I had a dog? and that I was taking care of her for a friend?" She asked. "The dog actually belongs to him." She smiled. "His father and my father pretty much grew up together, so.. we're all very close." She added, wondering why it felt so awkward to be telling her date that her best friend was a 'he'. She wondered, would he be jealous about that? Would Nal be jealous of Lucion? She tried not to let that thought linger, and focused instead on Lucion.
She felt a little bad, seeing him grimace when she asked about his friends. "It must be really hard, leaving home, and all your friends," She commented thoughtfully, then smiled and shook her head when he worried about sounding boring. "No, I wouldn't say that. More like, you just haven't had a chance to meet anyone new." She smiled as he asked if she had any recommendations. "Well, that depends on what sort of things you like to do." She grinned. "I could introduce you to some of my friends, but I'm not sure you'd want to do the same things they like to do." She explained, shrugging slightly. "A lot of them are rangers, like I said, so they tend to do things like riding horses, practicing archery.. training with blades and stuff, or.. you know, outdoor type stuff."
She paused, thinking. "I do have one friend who likes to read a lot, but that doesn't really sound like a very exciting way to spend an evening," She said, with a little laugh. "And another who likes dancing," Eryn paused before adding, "Not the sort of dancing like we did at the masquerade, but like, ballet dancing. She's very excited about the one they're doing at the theater." She tilted her head and considered for a moment. "To be honest, most of my days are pretty filled with apprentice training with the healers, and then dairy-related chores at home. And, I take my horse and dog out for some exercise every day, of course. I'm not all that familiar with what sort of things there are to do around the city." She told him apologetically.
Eryn, sitting with Lucion
"Help?" Eryn paused, a little unsure at first what he meant, but soon his addition made her realized he was speaking of her friend, needing help concerning her drinking. "Oh.." She blushed faintly as she realized quite how it must have sounded to him. "Um, well, I should have probably not spoken so much in the present tense, regarding her drinking. She has already cut back a lot, actually, last I heard." She explained. "I've mostly heard some stories about her drinking, but since I met her, I've only really known of her to do any drinking a couple of times. I think her husband may have convinced her to slack off, or something like that."
She smiled to hear Lucion speak of his father. He sounded as if he admired his father almost as much as she did, her own. "Humble as well." She commented in regard to his father, then nodded with sympathetic understanding as he spoke of missing them. "I'm sure." She replied, hesitating briefly before reaching across to rest her hand over his, on the table. "At least you know you can write to them, or even go visit them, now and then?" She attempted to offer a consoling thought. "What sort of work does your father do? Not something dangerous, I hope?" She asked, curious about that. After another slight hesitation, she added, partially to explain why she asked, "I always miss my father a lot, whenever he goes off on a mission. I worry about him the whole time he's gone. I.. often find myself trying to imagine how I'd cope, if.. he didn't return." She looked down at the table, a little shy about this admission. She said nothing about her mother, figuring that might only make him feel bad, since she'd already mentioned that she had died.
When he asked if her best friend was a ranger, and the one who drank too much, Eryn blinked and sat back. It took some effort not to laugh, hearing him refer to her best friend as a 'she', but then, Eryn couldn't really blame him for that once she realized that she had not specified that, in her comment earlier. She bit her lip to try and hold back a little smile as she paused to think how to answer that question. "Well, yes, and no," She answered, shaking her head slightly. "The one who drinks a lot is a ranger," She answered. "And my best friend is also a ranger. But not the same one," She explained, then recalled something she'd told him at the masquerade. "Actually, do you remember at the dance, I mentioned that I had a dog? and that I was taking care of her for a friend?" She asked. "The dog actually belongs to him." She smiled. "His father and my father pretty much grew up together, so.. we're all very close." She added, wondering why it felt so awkward to be telling her date that her best friend was a 'he'. She wondered, would he be jealous about that? Would Nal be jealous of Lucion? She tried not to let that thought linger, and focused instead on Lucion.
She felt a little bad, seeing him grimace when she asked about his friends. "It must be really hard, leaving home, and all your friends," She commented thoughtfully, then smiled and shook her head when he worried about sounding boring. "No, I wouldn't say that. More like, you just haven't had a chance to meet anyone new." She smiled as he asked if she had any recommendations. "Well, that depends on what sort of things you like to do." She grinned. "I could introduce you to some of my friends, but I'm not sure you'd want to do the same things they like to do." She explained, shrugging slightly. "A lot of them are rangers, like I said, so they tend to do things like riding horses, practicing archery.. training with blades and stuff, or.. you know, outdoor type stuff."
She paused, thinking. "I do have one friend who likes to read a lot, but that doesn't really sound like a very exciting way to spend an evening," She said, with a little laugh. "And another who likes dancing," Eryn paused before adding, "Not the sort of dancing like we did at the masquerade, but like, ballet dancing. She's very excited about the one they're doing at the theater." She tilted her head and considered for a moment. "To be honest, most of my days are pretty filled with apprentice training with the healers, and then dairy-related chores at home. And, I take my horse and dog out for some exercise every day, of course. I'm not all that familiar with what sort of things there are to do around the city." She told him apologetically.
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@Isolde Alarion
Cali, with Mourgan
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
The current song was just starting as Cali and Mourgan entered. Cali paused, smiling slightly with interest as well as a bit of surprise. She had, first of all, never heard Trev play his grandfather's instrument in public. In fact, she had only occasionally 'caught' him practicing it at home, but he usually put it away soon after she or Iole got home from their respective jobs, and had acted as if he were a bit shy about playing it around anyone else. Knowing him, he had probably been trying to make sure he was good enough to play it well before letting even his friends hear him. But now, he was playing it here, in this crowded room, and he was pretty good. She smiled, listening for a moment to the song. Trev's girlfriend sang very well, too. But most of all, Trev looked happy, Cali noted with a little smile.
After a brief pause to enjoy that initial moment upon her entry, Cali glanced over at Mourgan and realized they probably should find a table to sit at. But, it wasn't until she glanced around that she noticed how many tables were occupied by familiar faces. Not that she was all that surprised since she expected many of them had come here for the same reason she had wanted to come here tonight, but there were a few more than she had anticipated. She even spotted Nal's friends from Rohan, sitting not too far from where he and Sorrela were seated. Nal, and the guard girl? Cali was a bit curious about that, but didn't let her gaze linger there. Nearby, Nal's cousin Dessy sat with her husband Malus, and then over there was Eryn... and her new male friend. And then, of course, Iole. With her new male friend, as well. Not to mention plenty of strangers crowded into the room as well, most of whom were likely still in town because of the midwinter festivities.
"How's this table?" Cali asked Mourgan, finding one of the few empty ones left. Once they'd chosen a table and had claimed their seats, Cali was a bit surprised by the menus that the innkeeper's wife brought over to them. She didn't recall any written menus ever being a thing, before, but then, maybe it was because of the increase of business, since so many people were here from out of town.
(Mourgan entering with Cali was cleared with Isolde beforehand)
Cali, with Mourgan
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
The current song was just starting as Cali and Mourgan entered. Cali paused, smiling slightly with interest as well as a bit of surprise. She had, first of all, never heard Trev play his grandfather's instrument in public. In fact, she had only occasionally 'caught' him practicing it at home, but he usually put it away soon after she or Iole got home from their respective jobs, and had acted as if he were a bit shy about playing it around anyone else. Knowing him, he had probably been trying to make sure he was good enough to play it well before letting even his friends hear him. But now, he was playing it here, in this crowded room, and he was pretty good. She smiled, listening for a moment to the song. Trev's girlfriend sang very well, too. But most of all, Trev looked happy, Cali noted with a little smile.
After a brief pause to enjoy that initial moment upon her entry, Cali glanced over at Mourgan and realized they probably should find a table to sit at. But, it wasn't until she glanced around that she noticed how many tables were occupied by familiar faces. Not that she was all that surprised since she expected many of them had come here for the same reason she had wanted to come here tonight, but there were a few more than she had anticipated. She even spotted Nal's friends from Rohan, sitting not too far from where he and Sorrela were seated. Nal, and the guard girl? Cali was a bit curious about that, but didn't let her gaze linger there. Nearby, Nal's cousin Dessy sat with her husband Malus, and then over there was Eryn... and her new male friend. And then, of course, Iole. With her new male friend, as well. Not to mention plenty of strangers crowded into the room as well, most of whom were likely still in town because of the midwinter festivities.
"How's this table?" Cali asked Mourgan, finding one of the few empty ones left. Once they'd chosen a table and had claimed their seats, Cali was a bit surprised by the menus that the innkeeper's wife brought over to them. She didn't recall any written menus ever being a thing, before, but then, maybe it was because of the increase of business, since so many people were here from out of town.
(Mourgan entering with Cali was cleared with Isolde beforehand)
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Lucion
The same evening in December
Husband? Eryn's friend was married? Then perhaps Eryn was more the age he had figured her to be at the masquerade. Still, he felt like her actual appearance could pass for nineteen, at the most. Perhaps her friend was a few years older. Or perhaps Eryn simply looked a bit younger than she was. Lucion was still uncomfortable with asking how old the redhead sitting across from him actually was.
"Well... I'm glad to hear she has cut back," he finally said, a bit hesitantly.
When Eryn asked about his father, he was pleasantly surprised by her interest. "Nothing dangerous, no," he said, realizing he had it easier than she did. "My parents run a leatherworking shop together. My father mostly works on the products. My mother handles the sales part, and they do the paperwork and the finances together." He wasn't sure what to say when she spoke about the possibility of her father not returning home from duty. "That... must be difficult," he ended up saying quietly, before seeking the ease the driness of his throat with another sip of wine.
His eyebrows lifted in surprise when Eryn disclosed her best friend wasn't the one who drank too much. He nodded as she spoke of her dog. Yes, of course he remembered. Wait - 'his' father? Her best friend... was a guy?
"Oh," he said. "I just assumed..." But then... if their fathers were close, maybe it was more like a brother and sister kind of dynamic. Right? Yes, surely that had to be it. "Must be nice to have a best friend whose father also grew up with yours," Lucion chose to say. "I wish I had a friend like that, here." He offered Eryn a smile, and a begrudging nod. It was hard, being out here, feeling rather alone. "You're very kind," he told her, being reminded of how much he liked that at her own offering of having him meet some of her friends. "I like being outdoors well enough, but weapons..." He shrugged. "Do not really carry my interest. And I much prefer walking to riding," he said, once again thinking she would find him terribly boring. That feeling was reinforced when Eryn gave her opinion on reading. He did like to read, in the evening. Drat. He wasn't sure whether it would be better or worse to pick in on that. "I'm not very into ballet," he laughed quietly, "but I do appreciate a good book... from time to time," he added quickly.
"Sounds like both your and my days are rather busy," he summarized. "With not that much time left to wander around the city and find exciting things to do. Maybe we could make some time for that, together, though. At some point," he dared to suggest.
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@Arnyn
Eryn, sitting with Lucion
She was glad, for his sake, to hear that his father did not do anything dangerous. Unless working with all those sharp leatherworking tools counted as 'dangerous', which she did not consider it to be. "Good, that sounds nice." She tilted her head curiously. "But you didn't want to be a leatherworker? You preferred cartography?" She asked, somewhat surprised that he had not stuck with his father's trade, as was traditional.
She was not quite sure what to say on the topic of friends. It wasn't as if she could offer him any friends, but she had made the offer to introduce him to her friends. Not tonight, of course. All of those who were present, seemed to be on a date or something. She grinned as he spoke of enjoying books now and then. "I'm not very into ballet, either," She admitted. "But I have been invited to come and watch it, so I thought I'd go, just to spend time with my friends." She shrugged, then mentioned, "My father likes books, too. Once, when he was hurt and couldn't walk for a while, I brought him a whole load of books from the library. One my friends helped me with picking out some books she thought he'd like, since I'm not very familiar with that sort of thing." She told him.
The thought of making time, together, to find exciting things to do made her smile. "That sounds nice." She said. "The city seems to have something interesting going on, all the time. You just have to know where to look for it." She may have heard that from another friend, but if so, she didn't say so. "The Pelennor is also nice to explore.. usually." Her smile faded a fraction as she remembered a less than pleasant 'exploration' experience, but she pushed that thought off to the back of her mind. "So, um, when do you usually get done with your work for the day?" She asked, going back to the 'exploring the city together' thought. "Maybe if it works out around the same time I'm done with my work, if there's not too much to be done afterward, then we could meet up one evening? Do a bit of exploration, like you mentioned."
Eryn, sitting with Lucion
She was glad, for his sake, to hear that his father did not do anything dangerous. Unless working with all those sharp leatherworking tools counted as 'dangerous', which she did not consider it to be. "Good, that sounds nice." She tilted her head curiously. "But you didn't want to be a leatherworker? You preferred cartography?" She asked, somewhat surprised that he had not stuck with his father's trade, as was traditional.
She was not quite sure what to say on the topic of friends. It wasn't as if she could offer him any friends, but she had made the offer to introduce him to her friends. Not tonight, of course. All of those who were present, seemed to be on a date or something. She grinned as he spoke of enjoying books now and then. "I'm not very into ballet, either," She admitted. "But I have been invited to come and watch it, so I thought I'd go, just to spend time with my friends." She shrugged, then mentioned, "My father likes books, too. Once, when he was hurt and couldn't walk for a while, I brought him a whole load of books from the library. One my friends helped me with picking out some books she thought he'd like, since I'm not very familiar with that sort of thing." She told him.
The thought of making time, together, to find exciting things to do made her smile. "That sounds nice." She said. "The city seems to have something interesting going on, all the time. You just have to know where to look for it." She may have heard that from another friend, but if so, she didn't say so. "The Pelennor is also nice to explore.. usually." Her smile faded a fraction as she remembered a less than pleasant 'exploration' experience, but she pushed that thought off to the back of her mind. "So, um, when do you usually get done with your work for the day?" She asked, going back to the 'exploring the city together' thought. "Maybe if it works out around the same time I'm done with my work, if there's not too much to be done afterward, then we could meet up one evening? Do a bit of exploration, like you mentioned."
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@Rillewen
Hadassa
December something...
"Are the Rangers not some special unit though?" Hadassa wondered about the option to find someplace to sharpen her skills. "I should probably practice somewhere though it is so easy not to do it or think of it now that there are so many other things to do and explore."
When she learned that Xyler did not think of her less because she was not well educated in reading and speaking other languages and had mastered the basics of their own writing not that long ago, she smiled and prodded the menu slightly towards him as if to indicate that she did not really need it.
Beef stew sounded good for her and she chose cider to go with it.
"Where do you usually eat your meals?" Hadassa then asked, leaning her back against the chair as she returned to more comfortable topics. "That is, if you are not too busy and go without a meal or if you wolf one down on the run."
Hadassa
December something...
"Are the Rangers not some special unit though?" Hadassa wondered about the option to find someplace to sharpen her skills. "I should probably practice somewhere though it is so easy not to do it or think of it now that there are so many other things to do and explore."
When she learned that Xyler did not think of her less because she was not well educated in reading and speaking other languages and had mastered the basics of their own writing not that long ago, she smiled and prodded the menu slightly towards him as if to indicate that she did not really need it.
Beef stew sounded good for her and she chose cider to go with it.
"Where do you usually eat your meals?" Hadassa then asked, leaning her back against the chair as she returned to more comfortable topics. "That is, if you are not too busy and go without a meal or if you wolf one down on the run."
~ I will be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren ~
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Mourgan w/ Cali
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
@Rillewen
He stepped back and offered the opened door to Cali and when he stepped in behind her he first looked around the crowded room then smiled to hear Trev playing and his girlfriend singing, his smile widened before turning his attention to Cali.
“Looks good to me.” He answered her question about an empty table. He followed her to it and made sure to pull out her chair for her before taking the seat to the right of her. He cast a look around the room as the menus arrived.
“Nice crowd tonight hu?” He stated to her then looked at the Innkeepers wife. “I’ll take an ale.” He looked at Cali. “What would you like?”
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
@Rillewen
He stepped back and offered the opened door to Cali and when he stepped in behind her he first looked around the crowded room then smiled to hear Trev playing and his girlfriend singing, his smile widened before turning his attention to Cali.
“Looks good to me.” He answered her question about an empty table. He followed her to it and made sure to pull out her chair for her before taking the seat to the right of her. He cast a look around the room as the menus arrived.
“Nice crowd tonight hu?” He stated to her then looked at the Innkeepers wife. “I’ll take an ale.” He looked at Cali. “What would you like?”
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Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December
He shrugged when Eryn basically asked why he hadn't followed in his father's footsteps. "It would have been easier, in the sense that I wouldn't have had to look for any apprenticeship, and that I could have stayed at home. But I do not particularly enjoy it. And I love to draw. Cartography allows me to join together what I love doing and what I do professionally. It feels like a much better choice, given how much time we spend at our jobs, when you consider an entire lifetime."
Hearing that her father also liked books, was at least reassuring. Although that hopefully did not mean Eryn would think of his pastime as an old-man hobby! It did not seem like she thought badly of it, however, when she smiled at his suggestion of finding some entertainment together. He wondered why her smile faded a moment after she mentioned the Pelennor, but she distracted him well enough by asking when he finished work. "Usually around five in the afternoon," he told her with a smile. "That does mean I walk out of the place more around five thirty," he admended thoughtfully. "I work until five, and then there is the clean-up," he explained to her. "What about you?"
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@Pele Alarion
Xyler
"I guess they are," He answered thoughtfully. "Still.. so is the Cavalry. Right? So maybe they could have some sort of.. transfer thing? I don't know. If nothing else, maybe you could find work in one of the shops. I passed a leather shop that sells things for horses?" He shrugged. "I was thinking of stopping in there to get a new.. part for Dusty's saddle." He paused. "I forgot what it's called." He admitted, a little embarrassed. "I'm not the most 'horse knowledgeable Rohirrim', am I?" He said with a little laugh. It seemed they were even in their lack of knowledge, about one thing or another. With Hadassa, it was reading. With Xyler, it was horse things.
He placed her menu with his own, and handed them back to the lady when she came. He gave Hadassa the first chance to order, then told the lady he would have the same. Once she had gone on her way to get their food, he smiled at her. "So, seems neither of us actually needed the menu." He said, then glanced toward the musicians interestedly. "I think that's a story from Gondor's history, if I remember right," He mentioned quietly, in case Hadassa was interested in that information. "Something about how the city Dol Amroth got its name, I think."
@Isolde Alarion
Cali, with Mourgan
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
Cali smiled with a faint blush as Mourgan pulled her chair out for her. She was still getting used to this.. courting thing. It had never seemed like something she would be a part of, and now, to have someone opening doors for her and getting her chair for her and things.. she was not entirely sure how to react at times. "Thank you." She smiled at him as she sat down and took a look around.
"Yeah, I think it's the music." She answered his comment about the crowd, smiling as she glanced over at the musician and singer. "I've never seen him play that in public," She told Mourgan quietly, with a little nod to her 'brother'. "He usually doesn't even practice that thing if anyone else is in the room." She was glad to see that Trev had gained enough confidence to play it in a place like this. "He's gotten good at it," She added softly.
Turning her attention then to the menu, she considered the question of what she would be having. Definitely not something alcoholic, but what options were there? She looked around to catch a glimpse of each of her friends, each sitting at their respective tables, then looked at the menu again. "I think I'll have some lemonade, please." She asked, at last, which seemed the simplest option. She already knew that the inn had that, since she could see a glass of it near Trev. "What sort of food do you recommend?" She asked, figuring Mourgan might be more familiar with the food they serve here.
@Arnyn
Eryn, sitting with Lucion
Nodding, Eryn smiled as he spoke of loving to draw, and how he'd wanted to do something he enjoyed for a career. "That makes sense. I'm glad you found something that lets you do what you enjoy." She smiled and sipped her hot chocolate carefully, then set her cup down. "It sounds like a very peaceful sort of occupation, at least. Sometimes the houses of healing can be really chaotic," She said with a little smile. "But even then.. it's not what I plan to do forever." She admitted. "I do like learning how to heal, but it's not something I intend to do forever."
She smiled when he answered that he got done at around five, or technically five-thirty. "That works out. I usually get done a bit earlier than that, but I can find things to do around town. Maybe we could plan to meet one afternoon, after you get done working?" She suggested.
Trevadir & Renia
Late December
One of the benefits Trev noticed, while playing the zither rather than flute, was that he could smile while he played. Or sing, too. But that would be later. As he observed Cali and Mourgan enter the tavern, he couldn't help a little smile of satisfaction when he observed Mourgan not only open the door for her, but pull out her chair, too. He made sure not to look toward them for too long, but he did offer a nod of greeting toward them as they came into the tavern, then turned his gaze back toward his strings.
He was still not quite so familiar with this instrument, to be able to play without keeping his attention on it most of the time, so he made sure to pay attention while he played, until the end of the song. Renia finished with singing, while Trev continued playing the melody for a short time later while she took a few sips of water. Once the last notes died away, he took a small drink of his lemonade.
"What now?" Renia whispered.
Trev paused, thinking. "What about that one.. that you wrote?" He suggested, also in a soft whisper.
Renia rolled her eyes. "I only wrote the poem," She muttered. "You made it better, and made it a song."
"It's still your writing." He protested with a little grin.
"Sure, whatever." She grinned back. "Yeah, that might be a good one." She agreed, nodding. "Let's do it.. but only if we sing it together. Just like we've done it before?"
After a brief hesitation, Trev nodded to show he accepted these terms. He took a slow breath in and then cleared his throat before beginning to play the first notes on the strings. And this time, rather than Renia beginning to sing, Trev's own voice would be the first to sing.
"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat, but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted,
Valar forbid love ever leave you empty-handed,"
As he paused, Renia picked up the next lines while looking at him with happiness clear on her face,
"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,"
Then together, they sang,
"And if you get the choice to sit it out or dance,
I hope you dance!
I hope you dance!"
Renia kept her gaze on Trev, a smile lingering in her eyes as she sang, while he glanced at her as often as he could manage to look up from his instrument. The next verse began with Renia singing,
"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance,
Living might mean takin' chances, but they're worth taking
Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making,"
Trev joined in briefly for the second line but let Renia continue the last two. She took a glance around the room now, while Trev sang the next portion,
"Don't let some hardened heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to selling out, reconsider
And remember to give the stars above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,"
Renia, this time, joined for the second line, but kept quiet for the last two. After that, they both sang different versions of the chorus at once, while still harmonizing, and ended with Renia repeating one of the verses,
"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens"
Trev joined her then so that they sang the rest of the song together,
"Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,"
"And if you get the choice to sit it out or dance,
Dance!
I hope you dance!"[/i]
They continued to sing, and if any of their audience were to happen to decide to take them up on the suggestion, neither Trev or Renia would be the least bit bothered by it, but rather might quite enjoy seeing people actually go for it. The room wasn't exactly set up with a dance floor, of course, but people could probably find a way to make it happen if they wanted to.
(the song "I Hope You Dance" is written by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers in the real world, but I'm borrowing it for this fictional couple to have written, for this fictional story lol.
I am using this very lovely version to represent Trev and Renia's rendition. Just use your imagination for the small adjustments to the lyrics, to fit in with the Middle Earth setting)
Xyler
"I guess they are," He answered thoughtfully. "Still.. so is the Cavalry. Right? So maybe they could have some sort of.. transfer thing? I don't know. If nothing else, maybe you could find work in one of the shops. I passed a leather shop that sells things for horses?" He shrugged. "I was thinking of stopping in there to get a new.. part for Dusty's saddle." He paused. "I forgot what it's called." He admitted, a little embarrassed. "I'm not the most 'horse knowledgeable Rohirrim', am I?" He said with a little laugh. It seemed they were even in their lack of knowledge, about one thing or another. With Hadassa, it was reading. With Xyler, it was horse things.
He placed her menu with his own, and handed them back to the lady when she came. He gave Hadassa the first chance to order, then told the lady he would have the same. Once she had gone on her way to get their food, he smiled at her. "So, seems neither of us actually needed the menu." He said, then glanced toward the musicians interestedly. "I think that's a story from Gondor's history, if I remember right," He mentioned quietly, in case Hadassa was interested in that information. "Something about how the city Dol Amroth got its name, I think."
@Isolde Alarion
Cali, with Mourgan
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
Cali smiled with a faint blush as Mourgan pulled her chair out for her. She was still getting used to this.. courting thing. It had never seemed like something she would be a part of, and now, to have someone opening doors for her and getting her chair for her and things.. she was not entirely sure how to react at times. "Thank you." She smiled at him as she sat down and took a look around.
"Yeah, I think it's the music." She answered his comment about the crowd, smiling as she glanced over at the musician and singer. "I've never seen him play that in public," She told Mourgan quietly, with a little nod to her 'brother'. "He usually doesn't even practice that thing if anyone else is in the room." She was glad to see that Trev had gained enough confidence to play it in a place like this. "He's gotten good at it," She added softly.
Turning her attention then to the menu, she considered the question of what she would be having. Definitely not something alcoholic, but what options were there? She looked around to catch a glimpse of each of her friends, each sitting at their respective tables, then looked at the menu again. "I think I'll have some lemonade, please." She asked, at last, which seemed the simplest option. She already knew that the inn had that, since she could see a glass of it near Trev. "What sort of food do you recommend?" She asked, figuring Mourgan might be more familiar with the food they serve here.
@Arnyn
Eryn, sitting with Lucion
Nodding, Eryn smiled as he spoke of loving to draw, and how he'd wanted to do something he enjoyed for a career. "That makes sense. I'm glad you found something that lets you do what you enjoy." She smiled and sipped her hot chocolate carefully, then set her cup down. "It sounds like a very peaceful sort of occupation, at least. Sometimes the houses of healing can be really chaotic," She said with a little smile. "But even then.. it's not what I plan to do forever." She admitted. "I do like learning how to heal, but it's not something I intend to do forever."
She smiled when he answered that he got done at around five, or technically five-thirty. "That works out. I usually get done a bit earlier than that, but I can find things to do around town. Maybe we could plan to meet one afternoon, after you get done working?" She suggested.
Trevadir & Renia
Late December
One of the benefits Trev noticed, while playing the zither rather than flute, was that he could smile while he played. Or sing, too. But that would be later. As he observed Cali and Mourgan enter the tavern, he couldn't help a little smile of satisfaction when he observed Mourgan not only open the door for her, but pull out her chair, too. He made sure not to look toward them for too long, but he did offer a nod of greeting toward them as they came into the tavern, then turned his gaze back toward his strings.
He was still not quite so familiar with this instrument, to be able to play without keeping his attention on it most of the time, so he made sure to pay attention while he played, until the end of the song. Renia finished with singing, while Trev continued playing the melody for a short time later while she took a few sips of water. Once the last notes died away, he took a small drink of his lemonade.
"What now?" Renia whispered.
Trev paused, thinking. "What about that one.. that you wrote?" He suggested, also in a soft whisper.
Renia rolled her eyes. "I only wrote the poem," She muttered. "You made it better, and made it a song."
"It's still your writing." He protested with a little grin.
"Sure, whatever." She grinned back. "Yeah, that might be a good one." She agreed, nodding. "Let's do it.. but only if we sing it together. Just like we've done it before?"
After a brief hesitation, Trev nodded to show he accepted these terms. He took a slow breath in and then cleared his throat before beginning to play the first notes on the strings. And this time, rather than Renia beginning to sing, Trev's own voice would be the first to sing.
"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat, but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted,
Valar forbid love ever leave you empty-handed,"
As he paused, Renia picked up the next lines while looking at him with happiness clear on her face,
"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,"
Then together, they sang,
"And if you get the choice to sit it out or dance,
I hope you dance!
I hope you dance!"
Renia kept her gaze on Trev, a smile lingering in her eyes as she sang, while he glanced at her as often as he could manage to look up from his instrument. The next verse began with Renia singing,
"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance,
Living might mean takin' chances, but they're worth taking
Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making,"
Trev joined in briefly for the second line but let Renia continue the last two. She took a glance around the room now, while Trev sang the next portion,
"Don't let some hardened heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to selling out, reconsider
And remember to give the stars above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,"
Renia, this time, joined for the second line, but kept quiet for the last two. After that, they both sang different versions of the chorus at once, while still harmonizing, and ended with Renia repeating one of the verses,
"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens"
Trev joined her then so that they sang the rest of the song together,
"Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,"
"And if you get the choice to sit it out or dance,
Dance!
I hope you dance!"[/i]
They continued to sing, and if any of their audience were to happen to decide to take them up on the suggestion, neither Trev or Renia would be the least bit bothered by it, but rather might quite enjoy seeing people actually go for it. The room wasn't exactly set up with a dance floor, of course, but people could probably find a way to make it happen if they wanted to.
(the song "I Hope You Dance" is written by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers in the real world, but I'm borrowing it for this fictional couple to have written, for this fictional story lol.
I am using this very lovely version to represent Trev and Renia's rendition. Just use your imagination for the small adjustments to the lyrics, to fit in with the Middle Earth setting)
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Mourgan w/Cali
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else
He nodded lightly at her choice for a lemonade and when asked what he might recommend he didn’t take long to answer.
“The roast chicken and vegetables are good but then so is the stew. It comes with a fresh roll too.” Now that he mentioned it he was swaying his decision over to the stew just for the roll.
“Think I’ll go for the stew myself.” He half grinned as he looked between Cali and the person taking the order before he sat back more comfortably in his seat.
The music caught his attention and he enjoyed the words of the song. He reached over and gently took her hand in his larger one. He genuinely smiled at her. “They really sound great together” he motioned towards the duet.
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else
He nodded lightly at her choice for a lemonade and when asked what he might recommend he didn’t take long to answer.
“The roast chicken and vegetables are good but then so is the stew. It comes with a fresh roll too.” Now that he mentioned it he was swaying his decision over to the stew just for the roll.
“Think I’ll go for the stew myself.” He half grinned as he looked between Cali and the person taking the order before he sat back more comfortably in his seat.
The music caught his attention and he enjoyed the words of the song. He reached over and gently took her hand in his larger one. He genuinely smiled at her. “They really sound great together” he motioned towards the duet.
Isolde Alarion/Rohan~Nelladel Alarion/Gondor~Mourgan Alarion/Gondor ~ Dahak/ Umbar ~ Relic RIP
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@Isolde Alarion
Cali, with Mourgan
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
Cali considered, thinking. "Mm, the chicken sounds good," She decided, giving a little nod as she made up her mind, then smiled at the lady taking their order. "I'll have the roast chicken with vegetables." She could live without a roll. However, she grinned at Mourgan. "You do realize it won't be your mother's rolls?" She couldn't help a little teasing, after the lady had left to go get their order. "I'm sure they're good, though."
When he reached over and took her hand, Cali smiled back at him, remembering that first time they had danced together, at the midsummer festival. "Yeah, they are." She agreed with his words, smiling a little bigger as she glanced toward Trev and Renia then. "It's nice to see him looking so happy, too." She added. "And that thing he's playing.. this is the first time that I know of that he's played that publicly. He only learned to play it a few months ago. He used to try and mess around with it when we were kids, but he didn't know how to tune it, so it never really sounded right." She grinned, amused at that memory. "He found someone at the Hall of Song to show him how to tune it, though, and he's learned to play it pretty quickly, since."
She didn't want to keep the conversation focused on Trev, however, since they were there on a date with each other. "So.." Cali realized she had no plan for what she'd been going to say, and didn't really know what sort of things people said to each other, on dates. "Is it usually this crowded here?" She glanced around, trying not to seem awkward. "I'm not really all that familiar with this place."
Cali, with Mourgan
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
Cali considered, thinking. "Mm, the chicken sounds good," She decided, giving a little nod as she made up her mind, then smiled at the lady taking their order. "I'll have the roast chicken with vegetables." She could live without a roll. However, she grinned at Mourgan. "You do realize it won't be your mother's rolls?" She couldn't help a little teasing, after the lady had left to go get their order. "I'm sure they're good, though."
When he reached over and took her hand, Cali smiled back at him, remembering that first time they had danced together, at the midsummer festival. "Yeah, they are." She agreed with his words, smiling a little bigger as she glanced toward Trev and Renia then. "It's nice to see him looking so happy, too." She added. "And that thing he's playing.. this is the first time that I know of that he's played that publicly. He only learned to play it a few months ago. He used to try and mess around with it when we were kids, but he didn't know how to tune it, so it never really sounded right." She grinned, amused at that memory. "He found someone at the Hall of Song to show him how to tune it, though, and he's learned to play it pretty quickly, since."
She didn't want to keep the conversation focused on Trev, however, since they were there on a date with each other. "So.." Cali realized she had no plan for what she'd been going to say, and didn't really know what sort of things people said to each other, on dates. "Is it usually this crowded here?" She glanced around, trying not to seem awkward. "I'm not really all that familiar with this place."
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Mourgan Alarion w/ Cali
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
@Rillewen
He watched her order and grinned when she mentioned his mother’s rolls. “Yes, they are good. Don’t tell my mother that though “ he lowered his voice to a conspiratorial level and grinned.
His eyes followed hers as she looked toward Trev. He listened to her story and smiled at the end. “I tried to learn the flute as a child. I succeeded in tormenting my mother and the neighbors dog for a couple weeks before it mysteriously disappeared.”He chuckled. “I suspect my mother gave it to the dog to bury it.” He chuckled again.
When she asked about the place he glanced around abit. “It’s usually pretty busy. It’s a pretty popular place. One of the nicer ones.” He could honestly say he knew what he was talking about, he’d spent a couple years dragging himself from one to another. He let that memory rest and turned his attention back on her.
It then dawned on him. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you, I have a farm. Would you like to come see it? I have to go do some work there in a few days, nothing crazy, just some fence mending for the barn.”
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
@Rillewen
He watched her order and grinned when she mentioned his mother’s rolls. “Yes, they are good. Don’t tell my mother that though “ he lowered his voice to a conspiratorial level and grinned.
His eyes followed hers as she looked toward Trev. He listened to her story and smiled at the end. “I tried to learn the flute as a child. I succeeded in tormenting my mother and the neighbors dog for a couple weeks before it mysteriously disappeared.”He chuckled. “I suspect my mother gave it to the dog to bury it.” He chuckled again.
When she asked about the place he glanced around abit. “It’s usually pretty busy. It’s a pretty popular place. One of the nicer ones.” He could honestly say he knew what he was talking about, he’d spent a couple years dragging himself from one to another. He let that memory rest and turned his attention back on her.
It then dawned on him. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you, I have a farm. Would you like to come see it? I have to go do some work there in a few days, nothing crazy, just some fence mending for the barn.”
Isolde Alarion/Rohan~Nelladel Alarion/Gondor~Mourgan Alarion/Gondor ~ Dahak/ Umbar ~ Relic RIP
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Steward of Gondor
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@Isolde Alarion
Cali, with Mourgan
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
Cali laughed lightly. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." She promised, grinning at him. She couldn't quite imagine this place having better rolls than his mother's bakery, but she hadn't tried them, so she couldn't really judge them fairly. Still, she knew that his mother was an excellent baker.
Laughing softly in amusement as he spoke of his mother giving his flute to the dog to bury, Cali grinned. "Maybe the flute itself ran away, to spare itself from torture?" She suggested joking. She indicated Trev again. "He and Nal, they used to bang on their grandmother's pots and pans when they were very little," She shared, as if it were a secret. "Most of the poor things ended up in my father's shop with dents like you wouldn't believe." She joked. Maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but it was humorous. "Trev though," She added, "He made his own flute when he was a kid, out of reeds from the river." She recalled the many attempts he'd made before he decided it was perfect. She propped her chin on one hand and rested the elbow on the table. "My brother used the reed one as a model, when he made the one Trev always carries with him." She added quietly. Anyone who had seen Trev anywhere would easily associate that flute with him, since he and it were never apart.
She turned back to him with slight surprise when he spoke of having a farm. "No, I don't think you have told me," She answered, trying to think back. If he had, then it had slipped her mind, but that didn't seem like the sort of thing she would've forgotten easily. That he owned a farm? She wondered how he managed to run a farm and also keep active with the rangers. What surprised her even more, however, was when he asked if she'd like to come along with him to see it. She blinked and considered that for a moment. "Well.. where is your farm?" She asked. "Is it in the Pelennor?" That would be the most logical guess, if he was keeping up with that and also living in the barracks and all. Then, with a teasing grin, she added, "Is that your way of saying you need a blacksmith's help with this fence-mending project?"
Cali, with Mourgan
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
Cali laughed lightly. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." She promised, grinning at him. She couldn't quite imagine this place having better rolls than his mother's bakery, but she hadn't tried them, so she couldn't really judge them fairly. Still, she knew that his mother was an excellent baker.
Laughing softly in amusement as he spoke of his mother giving his flute to the dog to bury, Cali grinned. "Maybe the flute itself ran away, to spare itself from torture?" She suggested joking. She indicated Trev again. "He and Nal, they used to bang on their grandmother's pots and pans when they were very little," She shared, as if it were a secret. "Most of the poor things ended up in my father's shop with dents like you wouldn't believe." She joked. Maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but it was humorous. "Trev though," She added, "He made his own flute when he was a kid, out of reeds from the river." She recalled the many attempts he'd made before he decided it was perfect. She propped her chin on one hand and rested the elbow on the table. "My brother used the reed one as a model, when he made the one Trev always carries with him." She added quietly. Anyone who had seen Trev anywhere would easily associate that flute with him, since he and it were never apart.
She turned back to him with slight surprise when he spoke of having a farm. "No, I don't think you have told me," She answered, trying to think back. If he had, then it had slipped her mind, but that didn't seem like the sort of thing she would've forgotten easily. That he owned a farm? She wondered how he managed to run a farm and also keep active with the rangers. What surprised her even more, however, was when he asked if she'd like to come along with him to see it. She blinked and considered that for a moment. "Well.. where is your farm?" She asked. "Is it in the Pelennor?" That would be the most logical guess, if he was keeping up with that and also living in the barracks and all. Then, with a teasing grin, she added, "Is that your way of saying you need a blacksmith's help with this fence-mending project?"
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Mourgan w/ Cali
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
@Rillewen
He listened to the musical history of Trevs flute and smiled, amused, at the telling of the banging of the pots and pans. He had his own version of banging on things as a child. He laughed at the suggestion of his flute running away.
He nodded at her suggestion the his farm was in the Palennor but her guess at the reason for his invite made him chuckle. “No..no.” He shook his head, still amused. “Now that you mention it it’s not a bad idea.” He gave her a playful smile revealing a dimple in his stubbled cheek.
Just then their drinks and meals arrived, he leaned back in his chair as they were set before them. Their server left them with a quiet nod and he took his fork in hand. “I thought you might like to get out of the city for awhile. I know I need to see open fields at times.” He stabbed a carrot and chewed it while he gave her time to think about it.
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
@Rillewen
He listened to the musical history of Trevs flute and smiled, amused, at the telling of the banging of the pots and pans. He had his own version of banging on things as a child. He laughed at the suggestion of his flute running away.
He nodded at her suggestion the his farm was in the Palennor but her guess at the reason for his invite made him chuckle. “No..no.” He shook his head, still amused. “Now that you mention it it’s not a bad idea.” He gave her a playful smile revealing a dimple in his stubbled cheek.
Just then their drinks and meals arrived, he leaned back in his chair as they were set before them. Their server left them with a quiet nod and he took his fork in hand. “I thought you might like to get out of the city for awhile. I know I need to see open fields at times.” He stabbed a carrot and chewed it while he gave her time to think about it.
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Dessy 'Hart’ and Malus Aldis
Eve of Dec 27th
“Wouldn’t hurt too greatly if he is too put off the cold after a mountain hike, that he reconsiders even needing to take me out into the middle of the woods,” the young man let his wife know, again, with a pointed look thenafter which allowed her chance to realise what he was saying. “I mean, we had a lovely dinner, all of us the other night. I don’t have anything against spending time with the man. But I don’t quite understand why he keeps insisting on taking people off into the middle of nowhere, in the middle of winter. ”
“He appreciates the outdoors,” Dessy shrugged. “I know you don’t so much ..”
“I haven’t noticed you complaining about spending time indoors yourself either,” Malus took up her hand and kissed it softly.
“The other night was nice, ..” The young woman had to admit. Taking her sweet time about even slowly drawing her hand back. “And I know you’re right. It’s just .. he was always gone, you know ? The last few years. And whenever he did show up, just like now .. I didn’t ever care what he wants to do or where .. because that part didn’t matter. He was there, that’s all that mattered.” Dessy sighed. “I took what I could get, when I could get it.”
“I get it,” he assured her. “Honestly, I would have given or done anything to spend time with my father .. I guess. If I could remember him at all .. So I can’t really expect to keep you from going off on wild treks with yours. But still ..”
“That’s just it though, he’s your family too now. And you’re his, because you’re mine. He’s just trying .. to get to know you. Going off outside is a good time to him. He wants you to not hate it, and he doesn’t always get that other people might not want to go off into the wilderness.” Dessy sat up, and flicked her dark hair back over both shoulders, with confidence. “It's very sweet of you to be worried about me out in the cold. Playing the third wheel just so I can spend any time with him. So, how about I’ll not drag along on his hiking trip with Seri, if you promise to do go out walking with him, like he asked. Fair ? It’s a compromise for us both ..”
“I guess,” he husband frowned, unsure how fair it was exactly that he was having to go out and freeze with his father in law, so that his wife could stay inside in the warm ... This had been his idea, and somehow he felt like he was getting the raw end of the deal still. “But I’m still asking Nal to come along with his father as well,” her husband assured her. “Safety in numbers. And he can’t go dragging us out too far if your Uncle is with us ..” he started to assume and then stalled, catching her expression. “I mean, right ?”
Rather than explain that her Uncle had once been a Ranger himself and deeply loved getting any chance of time outside the city now, Dessy instead gave Malus a slow, drawn out kiss that kept the two locked over the table, for a time. As they came apart, the flutist’s latest song was ending. And the Undertaker looked up, raising his both hands in gladness. “Very good ! That was ..” he said. And stalled as his wife bit her bottom lip, as she sat back against the chair and tilted her head in an approval of her own.
“Really. Very. Good,” she added, with a smile. And as though they had summoned it, the food they had ordered was delivered to their table. The pair did not break their gaze from one another even as the innkeeper’s wife laid out the meal before them. And the music easily made melody a mood.
Last edited by Ercassie on Sat Oct 25, 2025 3:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
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@Rillewen
Hadassa
December something...
"I might have to explore some more options for jobs eventually," Hadassa shrugged one shoulder. She liked being unconcerned and simply enjoying life but the money she had would only last that long without being supplemented, especially with extra costs for fancy clothing. "Horse things," she chuckled softly. "Even if you don't know that much about horses you have a plenty of other knowledge, no?"
While waiting for the food to arrive, Hadassa listened to the music for a while, though mostly to the tune rather than the words, and then leaned slightly closer to Xyler as she asked, "The song is great but... perhaps you know more about that story about Dol Amroth and could tell me in your own words?"
Hadassa
December something...
"I might have to explore some more options for jobs eventually," Hadassa shrugged one shoulder. She liked being unconcerned and simply enjoying life but the money she had would only last that long without being supplemented, especially with extra costs for fancy clothing. "Horse things," she chuckled softly. "Even if you don't know that much about horses you have a plenty of other knowledge, no?"
While waiting for the food to arrive, Hadassa listened to the music for a while, though mostly to the tune rather than the words, and then leaned slightly closer to Xyler as she asked, "The song is great but... perhaps you know more about that story about Dol Amroth and could tell me in your own words?"
~ I will be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren ~
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@Rillewen
Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December
He was a little surprised to hear she didn't intend to be a healer 'forever'. Then why was she learning at all? And not apprenticing at something she did want to do more long-term? "You don't?" he asked. "Have you already decided what you do want to do forever, then? Or do you still have to figure that out?" Or maybe she intended to give up on a job once she settled down with someone and started a family. Or maybe she wanted to be an independent healer, for her neighbourhood or something, rather than work at the Houses of Healing... It sounded like she might prefer something that was more peaceful, in the long run. Something less stressful, he imagined.
His hopes of meeting her after work fell a little when Eryn said she was done at the Houses of Healing earlier than he was. But then - then she said she could find something to do until five thirty. She was willing to.. keep busy. Until he could meet her. His mood brightened again instantly, and it showed in his congenial smile. "Sounds great," he agreed without hesitation.
The musician started up a new song then, and also sang himself. The young lady with him joined in soon enough, and Lucion's attention was drawn back to them curiously. It was then that their food arrived, and Lucion thanked the lady politely. He grinned at Eryn and tilted his head toward the musician and the singer. "I think they want to get people dancing," he said conspiratorially. "Too bad the food just got here..." He let go of her hand, then, so the both of them could actually eat. "But maybe... after?" he asked Eryn, testing the waters.
Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December
He was a little surprised to hear she didn't intend to be a healer 'forever'. Then why was she learning at all? And not apprenticing at something she did want to do more long-term? "You don't?" he asked. "Have you already decided what you do want to do forever, then? Or do you still have to figure that out?" Or maybe she intended to give up on a job once she settled down with someone and started a family. Or maybe she wanted to be an independent healer, for her neighbourhood or something, rather than work at the Houses of Healing... It sounded like she might prefer something that was more peaceful, in the long run. Something less stressful, he imagined.
His hopes of meeting her after work fell a little when Eryn said she was done at the Houses of Healing earlier than he was. But then - then she said she could find something to do until five thirty. She was willing to.. keep busy. Until he could meet her. His mood brightened again instantly, and it showed in his congenial smile. "Sounds great," he agreed without hesitation.
The musician started up a new song then, and also sang himself. The young lady with him joined in soon enough, and Lucion's attention was drawn back to them curiously. It was then that their food arrived, and Lucion thanked the lady politely. He grinned at Eryn and tilted his head toward the musician and the singer. "I think they want to get people dancing," he said conspiratorially. "Too bad the food just got here..." He let go of her hand, then, so the both of them could actually eat. "But maybe... after?" he asked Eryn, testing the waters.
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@Isolde Alarion
Cali, with Mourgan
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
Cali grinned at his teasing. "I knew it." She declared jokingly. "Do you even have an anvil or anything like that, out there?" She wondered, seriously curious about that. "I'm not sure what sort of things are normally on a farm.. I don't think I've ever been to one." She couldn't recall specifically whether she had. Except.. no, she wasn't counting that time she and Iole were kidnapped.
As their food arrived, Cali sat back with a little smile as she thanked the lady. Once she had gone away, she looked back at Mourgan. "That would be nice, yes." She agreed. "But how long as you thinking? I mean," She paused. "Well, I don't really tend to take extra days off, so I'm not sure. Do I just.. ask for one?" She realized there were probably a few things she ought to have checked into, like what sort of days off she could have, beyond the regular ones. The last day off she'd taken had been when she closed up the armory to help Nal search for Eryn... which wasn't exactly a 'day off' in terms of relaxation.
"One of these days, I'd like to go visit my sister-in-law, and my niece and nephew. But... they live in Dol Amroth, so it's a bit far to go.." She sighed, then hesitated. "And, well, I've heard it's not quite safe yet, to be traveling by boat." She added more quietly. "One day, though." She smiled slightly at the thought of it, but then reverted back to the farm topic. "So, what is your farm like? What sort of farm is it?" She asked, curious. "I have to say, I don't think I would've imagined you as a farmer," She admitted with a little smile, then started eating.
@Pele Alarion
Xyler
Xyler nodded, sensing that job talk wasn't really something she was very eager to discuss. He found himself wondering how much she had actually brought along, and whether the cavalry was paying her to be here all this time, and also how much of her money she had spent on that dress the other night... but he didn't want to ask and bring up a potentially uncomfortable topic.
Instead, he grinned when she asked about his other knowledge besides 'horse things'. "About healing, sure." He shrugged. "Plants and gardening, yeah. I wouldn't mind continuing a few lessons in defense, but I'm not even sure where to practice something like that." He added with a little frown of uncertainty. "Maybe I should ask Nal about that. He'd know where we could practice some things, right?" He kept his voice low, so not to draw attention from the ranger in question, because he didn't want to distract him from the lady he was sitting with. Although, when he glanced over, he thought it looked as if Nal were already distracted from her, but he wasn't entirely sure.
Hearing Hadassa ask about the song, Xyler turned back to her. "Oh, not really." He answered apologetically. "I mean, I've heard the song, but that's about it. It talks about a couple of elves who were in love, and got separated while traveling.. and never saw each other again. Pretty sad, really. I've always wondered how they actually got separated." He tilted his head thoughtfully. "I mean, we traveled quite far together, and we managed not to lose anyone," He added with a little joking laugh. "Still, I guess the land was a lot less tamed then, than it is now." He shrugged, unsure what else to say on that matter.
As the musicians changed into another song, he listened with a little smile. Glancing around slightly, he wondered if he ought to ask her to dance. But no one else was, and he was definitely not the best dancer, so he felt a bit hesitant about it. Although, they were still waiting on their food. He looked at Hadassa, remembering she'd expressed interest in dancing some more, while they were at the masquerade. "Well, should we?" He asked, smiling with a little nod toward the couple singing about taking every chance to dance. "I mean, until our food gets here, anyway? Would you like to?"
@Arnyn
Eryn, sitting with Lucion
Eryn smiled and nodded when he asked if she had already decided what she wanted to do forever. "I'm going to be a ranger, like my father. And.. well, also like most of my friends," She added with a grin. She realized it might sound a bit surprising to him, since she was in healing at the moment. "It's what I've wanted to do since I was.. well, about twelve or so, I guess." She admitted. She took a sip of her drink before continuing. "I'm not able to enlist at this time, though, so.. in the meanwhile, I'm trying to learn all the things I can, so that when I get to the training portion, I won't have as far to go to master the skills needed. Basic healing is one of the requirements."
"Well.." She hesitated. "Well, I don't mean it to sound like I'm only doing it because it's required. That isn't why." She looked down and her expression grew thoughtful, hesitant for a moment, before she glanced up again at Lucion. "I've been very frightened before, because of people being injured, and me not knowing what to do. Feeling helpless, because I could do nothing, or because I had to rely on someone else to help them.. that sort of thing. So, I want to become as good at healing as I can, so that even after I've become a ranger, I'll be able to help my comrades in case they get injured, or.. whatever situation might call for it." She shrugged slightly and tucked a bit of hair behind her ear, feeling slightly self-conscious sharing that with him, when she barely knew him.
Glancing up, she smiled when he agreed so readily to meeting her sometime, later on. As their food came at that moment, however, she didn't add anything on. Then he joked about the musicians trying to get people to dance. She laughed lightly, then her smile widened a little when he asked if she'd like to dance after eating. "That would be nice, yes." She agreed, remembering how nice it had been, dancing with him at the masquerade. "It's.. sort of new to me, to be honest," She admitted with a slightly shy smile. "But I enjoyed dancing at the masquerade." She glanced around. "But, is there enough room here?" She wondered, uncertain.
Cali, with Mourgan
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
Cali grinned at his teasing. "I knew it." She declared jokingly. "Do you even have an anvil or anything like that, out there?" She wondered, seriously curious about that. "I'm not sure what sort of things are normally on a farm.. I don't think I've ever been to one." She couldn't recall specifically whether she had. Except.. no, she wasn't counting that time she and Iole were kidnapped.
As their food arrived, Cali sat back with a little smile as she thanked the lady. Once she had gone away, she looked back at Mourgan. "That would be nice, yes." She agreed. "But how long as you thinking? I mean," She paused. "Well, I don't really tend to take extra days off, so I'm not sure. Do I just.. ask for one?" She realized there were probably a few things she ought to have checked into, like what sort of days off she could have, beyond the regular ones. The last day off she'd taken had been when she closed up the armory to help Nal search for Eryn... which wasn't exactly a 'day off' in terms of relaxation.
"One of these days, I'd like to go visit my sister-in-law, and my niece and nephew. But... they live in Dol Amroth, so it's a bit far to go.." She sighed, then hesitated. "And, well, I've heard it's not quite safe yet, to be traveling by boat." She added more quietly. "One day, though." She smiled slightly at the thought of it, but then reverted back to the farm topic. "So, what is your farm like? What sort of farm is it?" She asked, curious. "I have to say, I don't think I would've imagined you as a farmer," She admitted with a little smile, then started eating.
@Pele Alarion
Xyler
Xyler nodded, sensing that job talk wasn't really something she was very eager to discuss. He found himself wondering how much she had actually brought along, and whether the cavalry was paying her to be here all this time, and also how much of her money she had spent on that dress the other night... but he didn't want to ask and bring up a potentially uncomfortable topic.
Instead, he grinned when she asked about his other knowledge besides 'horse things'. "About healing, sure." He shrugged. "Plants and gardening, yeah. I wouldn't mind continuing a few lessons in defense, but I'm not even sure where to practice something like that." He added with a little frown of uncertainty. "Maybe I should ask Nal about that. He'd know where we could practice some things, right?" He kept his voice low, so not to draw attention from the ranger in question, because he didn't want to distract him from the lady he was sitting with. Although, when he glanced over, he thought it looked as if Nal were already distracted from her, but he wasn't entirely sure.
Hearing Hadassa ask about the song, Xyler turned back to her. "Oh, not really." He answered apologetically. "I mean, I've heard the song, but that's about it. It talks about a couple of elves who were in love, and got separated while traveling.. and never saw each other again. Pretty sad, really. I've always wondered how they actually got separated." He tilted his head thoughtfully. "I mean, we traveled quite far together, and we managed not to lose anyone," He added with a little joking laugh. "Still, I guess the land was a lot less tamed then, than it is now." He shrugged, unsure what else to say on that matter.
As the musicians changed into another song, he listened with a little smile. Glancing around slightly, he wondered if he ought to ask her to dance. But no one else was, and he was definitely not the best dancer, so he felt a bit hesitant about it. Although, they were still waiting on their food. He looked at Hadassa, remembering she'd expressed interest in dancing some more, while they were at the masquerade. "Well, should we?" He asked, smiling with a little nod toward the couple singing about taking every chance to dance. "I mean, until our food gets here, anyway? Would you like to?"
@Arnyn
Eryn, sitting with Lucion
Eryn smiled and nodded when he asked if she had already decided what she wanted to do forever. "I'm going to be a ranger, like my father. And.. well, also like most of my friends," She added with a grin. She realized it might sound a bit surprising to him, since she was in healing at the moment. "It's what I've wanted to do since I was.. well, about twelve or so, I guess." She admitted. She took a sip of her drink before continuing. "I'm not able to enlist at this time, though, so.. in the meanwhile, I'm trying to learn all the things I can, so that when I get to the training portion, I won't have as far to go to master the skills needed. Basic healing is one of the requirements."
"Well.." She hesitated. "Well, I don't mean it to sound like I'm only doing it because it's required. That isn't why." She looked down and her expression grew thoughtful, hesitant for a moment, before she glanced up again at Lucion. "I've been very frightened before, because of people being injured, and me not knowing what to do. Feeling helpless, because I could do nothing, or because I had to rely on someone else to help them.. that sort of thing. So, I want to become as good at healing as I can, so that even after I've become a ranger, I'll be able to help my comrades in case they get injured, or.. whatever situation might call for it." She shrugged slightly and tucked a bit of hair behind her ear, feeling slightly self-conscious sharing that with him, when she barely knew him.
Glancing up, she smiled when he agreed so readily to meeting her sometime, later on. As their food came at that moment, however, she didn't add anything on. Then he joked about the musicians trying to get people to dance. She laughed lightly, then her smile widened a little when he asked if she'd like to dance after eating. "That would be nice, yes." She agreed, remembering how nice it had been, dancing with him at the masquerade. "It's.. sort of new to me, to be honest," She admitted with a slightly shy smile. "But I enjoyed dancing at the masquerade." She glanced around. "But, is there enough room here?" She wondered, uncertain.
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@Rillewen
Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December
A ranger.
A ranger?
A ranger!?
A bit stunned by that, Lucion wasn't sure what to say. Upon their meeting at the masquerade, he had not even figured this young lady knew what working was. It had not even entered his thoughts for so much as a moment that she would want to be a ranger. Slowly, it seeped into his mind. Like her father. Like so many of her friends. Considering the Eryn he was getting to know here... it did not sound all that strange. It was no longer all that surprising.
It would take some thinking, though, on his part, to decide how he felt about that. A healer - that had instantly appealed to him. A ranger - well... it didn't hold an instant appeal, that was for sure.
As Eryn continued, though, the part of her that wanted to be able to help the injured came back to the forefront. And that brought back his smile. "I think learning how to heal is not easy, and it says a lot about who you are that you still want to put in the effort to use it whenever you can, to help others," Lucion said honestly.
And when she agreed to dance with him, later, his smile turned into an almost silly little grin as he picked up his utensils. He galnced around the room when she asked about whether there'd be enough space. "There is always enough space, somehow," he replied with a little shrug. "We can see how it works out. But first - enjoy!" he wished her, nodding at the plates on the table. It all looked very good. Lucion would wait for Eryn to start, before taking the first bite himself.
Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December
A ranger?
A ranger!?
A bit stunned by that, Lucion wasn't sure what to say. Upon their meeting at the masquerade, he had not even figured this young lady knew what working was. It had not even entered his thoughts for so much as a moment that she would want to be a ranger. Slowly, it seeped into his mind. Like her father. Like so many of her friends. Considering the Eryn he was getting to know here... it did not sound all that strange. It was no longer all that surprising.
It would take some thinking, though, on his part, to decide how he felt about that. A healer - that had instantly appealed to him. A ranger - well... it didn't hold an instant appeal, that was for sure.
As Eryn continued, though, the part of her that wanted to be able to help the injured came back to the forefront. And that brought back his smile. "I think learning how to heal is not easy, and it says a lot about who you are that you still want to put in the effort to use it whenever you can, to help others," Lucion said honestly.
And when she agreed to dance with him, later, his smile turned into an almost silly little grin as he picked up his utensils. He galnced around the room when she asked about whether there'd be enough space. "There is always enough space, somehow," he replied with a little shrug. "We can see how it works out. But first - enjoy!" he wished her, nodding at the plates on the table. It all looked very good. Lucion would wait for Eryn to start, before taking the first bite himself.
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Iole Ishen with Gildolen Lhacrist
Eve of December 27th
Having now broken words already over the pleasing music and made too with their orders for food and drink, that same awkward silence as before reared up it’s head anew. And for a time the young couple took turns in glancing nervously toward one other, daring themselves without words to speak some … any .. thing at all. And yet the glancing persevered a while longer, until their eyes happened to meet at the same moment. And both Iole and Gildolen glanced away, as though embarrassed to have been caught .. admiring the face across the table from them.
It was the arrival of Cali, with Mourgan, that saw Iole’s intrigue rise, her gaze then following that of her friend, to see what in particular had caught the other’s attention. As she recognised the unusual instrument which Trevadir had just brought into play, Gildolen lifted his frame also where he sat, recognising the song now beginning .. as one he knew especially well. An approving smile escaped from Iole, before she recollected to not neglect her own company. And as their eyes met both glanced, nervously aside. As though they had bumped clumsily into one another with a mere look.
“She might very well be describing you,” the valet observed quietly, as the lyrics told of the elf maiden’s white limbs, bright eyes, a beauty to keep a man from departing all but his senses. A deeper scrutiny of his ‘date’ only convinced him more intently that he was sat here with Nimrodel herself reborn.
“It is such a sad song,” Iole declared softly, dropping her chin to try and conceal the light blush which rose, unbidden, about her cheek. “One of my favourites I must admit. However I am no ..”
“You are the very reason that any soul would leap into a churning sea to hold in heart,” her company compelled her to accept the compliment, and coughed ever so slightly on realising that perhaps he might have overdone himself. “Forgive me,” the young man’s voice dropped half an octave as he sought rather belatedly to recover himself, and his awe. “I am often told I make too much of poetry. It has conquered me once more. Evidently.”
A fluttered gasp escaped Iole and she felt as though she might need to sit down. Somehow further than she was upon her seat. “Evidently,” she repeated, beneath an involuntary flurry of long eyelashes. Enjoying the lilt of his Belfalasian accent. “I could not say I mind so very much,” she managed, honestly. But before she could improve upon that response, he resumed.
“I only mean.. that I believe I would wait for longer than forever, far longer than Amroth,” Gil tried anew. “It feels indeed as though I have already been waiting, within sight of your shore. For this chance to share .. words with you, to sit .. with you.” he smiled, somewhat self conscious again all of a sudden.
Faced with such an .. unexpected outburst, the Undertaker’s daughter almost forgot how to breathe. For poetry she had long loved, and so to find such lyrical expression .. spoken so easily aloud .. it was so much better than reading fair verse. Though she did not imagine she could ever truly compare to an elvish maiden, still she did almost imagine that she had somehow come to be within a song herself.
“I can not say that speaking, sitting .. with you is less comfort than what little else we have known of one another before now,” she agreed. “We are doing better,” she dared to believe it.
“Who knows whatever may come of it all ?” the valet found the courage to remark. As the music altered it’s ambience once more, this time to a song less known. Entirely unknown in fact. Still the meaning that it wrought into the inn made the melodic encouragement quite clear. “I must admit .. ” Gil cleared his throat and fed his fears into focusing on the azure pools that were her eyes. As though he had dived right into those depths, soothed by cooling waters .. he managed to reclaim his tongue. “I do regret now that we did not venture even so far as words when there was yet still time enough to ask you to the Masquerade.”
The admission was .. surprising, albeit beautifully delivered. Still Iole felt as though a rabbit in a snare. What ought she do ? She had come here with a mind to tell the man to please leave her alone. That she was sorry for what had happened, but it was best for them both to just ... not. But was this now what happened when the young man was allowed to speak before he was seen off ? It sounded .. too good to be true. And that much she had known before. Men had claimed an interest in her before now and she had learnt .. what that led to. Still.. oh stars ! Was he standing ? He was standing ! He had now entirely stood up, as though given instruction by the lyrics of the enchanting song. And with one hand folded neat as a belt behind his waist, the other extended smoothly towards her.
“It might be a time yet before the food or drink are delivered,” he explained, rather than just speaking a clear invitation. As though she did not understand, Iole stared, unstirred from her seat, though her hands had slipped off the edge of the table, as though she would see them safe from his grasp.
“Dance .. I hope you dance …” crooned the song in the backdrop of anticipation, and still the young woman hesitated. One hand did separate from her other, and yet quivered before she could ever raise it up above the table. The other, more wary, of the pair swiftly grasped it's partner back safely into the harbour of her lap. Awkwardly, Iole glanced away, her eyes closing for long enough for her lashes to dispel the little damp that they were breeding behind tight shut lids. Could she make this all go away by refusing to face it ? Did she want to ?
Swallowing his confusion, and disappointment, Gildolen quietly resumed his seat back at the table, with an expression all about his face as though he were indeed Amroth, fighting to remain upon the surface of a most uncertain ocean. He had thought to spare them from nervous smalltalk, near carried away by the message in the sung account. To hesitate, to wait ... sometimes would leave both parties in despair. And all the advice he had received had amassed to his standing too distant, too aloof. If he wanted to get to know this young lady then he would have to actually make it happen. Or lose her forever. But perhaps now he already had. As Iole could not bring herself to look at him, the young man focused upon the table, as though he could read in the wood what he ought to do.
The tavern owner’s wife found them there, returned to a state of awkwardness anew, just as the song came towards it’s end. With a confused smile … for the two young patrons looked as though they wished to be any where else but where they were … she set their chosen drinks before each and walked away, shaking her head slowly as she did so.
Last edited by Ercassie on Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
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@Rillewen
Hadassa
December something...
"You know what," Hadassa said when Xyler brought up the wish to practice defence some more. "Any patch of open field could do in a pinch, for most types of practice. Maybe not archery if safety can't be guaranteed." She shrugged one shoulder lightly and left the thought out there as an open invitation that they could set up something. "Though yes, could always ask Unalmis."
She listened with interest to any lore her friend could impart related to Elves, and eventually voiced her conclusions: "Strange folk, Elves. Though I thought they would be way superb in their sense of direction and all that too, what with living for years and years."
The song changed, and so did their subject of conversation. Hadassa cast a glance around at other people and the setting of the room before she replied quietly: "I would not mind to dance, though if no one else joins I'll be a bit embarrassed." A soft chuckled escaped her, and then she added: "But if you don't mind going for a spin, stares from people or no, I would most happily oblige and take the chance to do so as well. Who knows... It seems there are so many couples here, perhaps the others would decide to dance too."
Hadassa
December something...
"You know what," Hadassa said when Xyler brought up the wish to practice defence some more. "Any patch of open field could do in a pinch, for most types of practice. Maybe not archery if safety can't be guaranteed." She shrugged one shoulder lightly and left the thought out there as an open invitation that they could set up something. "Though yes, could always ask Unalmis."
She listened with interest to any lore her friend could impart related to Elves, and eventually voiced her conclusions: "Strange folk, Elves. Though I thought they would be way superb in their sense of direction and all that too, what with living for years and years."
The song changed, and so did their subject of conversation. Hadassa cast a glance around at other people and the setting of the room before she replied quietly: "I would not mind to dance, though if no one else joins I'll be a bit embarrassed." A soft chuckled escaped her, and then she added: "But if you don't mind going for a spin, stares from people or no, I would most happily oblige and take the chance to do so as well. Who knows... It seems there are so many couples here, perhaps the others would decide to dance too."
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@Arnyn
Eryn, sitting with Lucion
Eryn watched him for a moment, wondering if she had caught him by surprise with the ranger thing. But he recovered soon enough, and made her smile when he said he thought it said a lot about her, that she wanted to learn healing. "Thanks. And no, it really isn't that easy." She admitted. "Some things are a lot more complicated than people might think. Some stuff is hard to keep straight in your head, you know? But it's rewarding, too."
The food had arrived, and she was eager to try it. The soup looked delicious, and the bread it was served in was beautifully browned. The center had been removed, and it was on a side plate, along with some other chunks of bread from where they'd hollowed it out to make room for the soup. "Mm it looks really good." She declared happily. "You too!" She returned, when Lucion said to enjoy. She grabbed her spoon and dipped a small piece of the excess bread into the soup.
@Pele Alarion
Xyler
Xyler grinned. "I don't think I'd do that great at archery, to be honest." He shrugged. "I've never had any cause to try it. And I only have an interest in learning to use my dagger, for the sake of defense, really. Just in case of emergencies, you know." He wasn't really sure how useful such knowledge would be if he did have some sort of emergency need to defend himself, but it would surely be better than knowing nothing, right?
He grew thoughtful as he considered her words about elves. "Yeah, you'd think," He agreed, wondering about that. "I guess they can get lost just like us mortals, though." He looked around slowly, then leaned in a little closer. "I've never seen an elf before, though I heard the queen was at the dance the other night."
He sat back then, and gave a little nod when she said she'd be happy to dance if he didn't mind stares. Grinning, Xyler got up and held out a hand to her, similar to how he had seen another fellow(Gil), who had apparently had less luck in trying to coax his own lady friend to dance. Perhaps they would draw a few looks, but so what? They were probably drawing looks anyway, given that they were both clearly from other lands. And if they did anything that was not proper, they could claim ignorance due to being from elsewhere. Or, maybe they would embolden others to follow their example and start dancing... anything was possible, after all.
Eryn, sitting with Lucion
Eryn watched him for a moment, wondering if she had caught him by surprise with the ranger thing. But he recovered soon enough, and made her smile when he said he thought it said a lot about her, that she wanted to learn healing. "Thanks. And no, it really isn't that easy." She admitted. "Some things are a lot more complicated than people might think. Some stuff is hard to keep straight in your head, you know? But it's rewarding, too."
The food had arrived, and she was eager to try it. The soup looked delicious, and the bread it was served in was beautifully browned. The center had been removed, and it was on a side plate, along with some other chunks of bread from where they'd hollowed it out to make room for the soup. "Mm it looks really good." She declared happily. "You too!" She returned, when Lucion said to enjoy. She grabbed her spoon and dipped a small piece of the excess bread into the soup.
@Pele Alarion
Xyler
Xyler grinned. "I don't think I'd do that great at archery, to be honest." He shrugged. "I've never had any cause to try it. And I only have an interest in learning to use my dagger, for the sake of defense, really. Just in case of emergencies, you know." He wasn't really sure how useful such knowledge would be if he did have some sort of emergency need to defend himself, but it would surely be better than knowing nothing, right?
He grew thoughtful as he considered her words about elves. "Yeah, you'd think," He agreed, wondering about that. "I guess they can get lost just like us mortals, though." He looked around slowly, then leaned in a little closer. "I've never seen an elf before, though I heard the queen was at the dance the other night."
He sat back then, and gave a little nod when she said she'd be happy to dance if he didn't mind stares. Grinning, Xyler got up and held out a hand to her, similar to how he had seen another fellow(Gil), who had apparently had less luck in trying to coax his own lady friend to dance. Perhaps they would draw a few looks, but so what? They were probably drawing looks anyway, given that they were both clearly from other lands. And if they did anything that was not proper, they could claim ignorance due to being from elsewhere. Or, maybe they would embolden others to follow their example and start dancing... anything was possible, after all.
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Sorrela Korsey with Unalmis Raxelilta
Eve of December 27th. Date night.
Waiting for Unalmis to recover his intrigue back from scanning the room, Sorrela fell back into her own distraction. No flowers indeed at the nearest table, but at least the commencement of conversation, she noted. As their food arrived, the two non-daters drew back to allow enough room at their own table for the refreshment to be set out between them. A sincere though somewhat vague ‘thanks’ was returned from each of them to their hostess.
“Looks good,” Sorrel admitted, as she then took up her spoon and dipped it several times in the filled bowl, moving the utensil about to encourage steam to escape.
“Looks hot,” Nal picked up his spoon and twirled it thoughtfully in the fingers of one hand. “Its always worth it though,” he shrugged.
“You can probably take that thing off now,” the Guard mentioned, shaking her head at his cloak. She had folded hers over the back of her chair as soon as they had arrived. “It’s heating up in here now and you’ll need it to be clean when you use it to cover up what you’re bound to spill on your shirt ..” she suggested, knowingly. Having four younger siblings had made such foresight instinctive, after all.
“You never told me that you could tell the future ?” the Ranger returned, even as he bade her advice and removed the outer garment, tossing it in a crumpled fashion over the back of his chair. Where it immediately slipped onto the floor behind him.
“I wish,” she only muttered in response. And since the young woman had taken up the vantage point of facing Iole and her date, Unalmis could only try to guess at how things were going, by Sorrel’s expression and his own temptation to lean back in his seat and eavesdrop.
“Well ..” his companion took up a taste of her food, if only to put over a casual air. “This may just be the very worst apology I’ve ever received,” she sighed. Pointedly. And when that did not harbour any successful reaction, she waved one hand, cutlery and all, in front of the young man’s oblivious face.
“It’s stew,” Nal pointed out the obvious. And then meeting the woman’s astounded expression, tried to tune himself in to his actual companion here, and tried to recall what she’d said, what it might mean .. oh yes. That. “Look, I think we can both agree, that .. all that .. it was no more my fault than it was yours,” he lowered his voice more so as the sentence unfolded. “It was absolutely his,” he concluded with a shrug. “And given that we now know how many people were involved, we can both say we were right. I’m only glad we’re talking again.” He shrugged, though it was not lost upon him just how close he’d come to losing another friend .. because of .. somebody he really did not care to worry about today. There was enough to think about without .. that,
“You’re right. I suppose we oughtn’t even be discussing .. that,” she observed her proposal and his silent nod to that movement. Then Sorrel swallowed a morsel of her dinner, mostly to keep from saying anything more upon the subject. “I didn’t know that Cali was seeing someone ..” she began in earnest.
“They certainly seem to have a lot to say to one another,” the Ranger replied, changing the subject entirely. And since he was facing in the opposite direction to her, and pointedly not looking toward Cali and Mourgan, his companion stopped to wonder how much he was managing to pay attention to Iole and her date at all. Was he listening to them, while speaking to her ? He was closer of course, .. even though his back were turned to the even more awkward pair. Brown eyes were narrowed, and that concentration could not have been for the food.
“He’s coming over,” the young woman put in suddenly, straightening up, ready to rise and meet any input from those on the next table, while her company slowly shook his head as though in warning, and glanced down as though remembering his food was here. “Oh,” she then recanted, “He stood up, she did not,” she explained. And met only a hissed ‘Shhhh’, which came out more like a whistle in response. And earned the young man a disapproving look. “They’re back to not speaking again ..” she remarked, lowering her spoon so that both hands could tear apart the bread roll.
No they weren’t. Not the couple that kept drawing his eyes across the room. There was a lot of choice for entertainment in the Guesthouse tonight, but all of the other pairings that he could see seemed to make .. sense ? Except for that one .. Forget Sorrela being able to tell the future, Unalmis was seeing it, all about him. As though they’d stepped a few years forward when they’d stepped through the inn door. And still it was like nothing had changed overmuch … except for .. he frowned and dropped a hand upon his bread roll but did not move it, or else.
Most of the girls in the inn had clearly taken the time to make themselves ready for the evening but Eryn .. ? Astounding. For that was Eryn, wasn’t it ? Part of him wanted to be wrong and he wasn’t sure quite why. Most of him was still wondering what she was actually doing here. He’d mentioned the idea down at the farm, of coming all out in force to support Trevadir of course, but Dui had said his daughter already had plans, to go out that evening, with a friend … And that wouldn’t be anything strange at all, because Eryn had a lot of friends. Only .. she usually told him about them, about everything in fact. Part of what he loved about her was that she was so unguarded and honest about things. There was no game playing or having to work out what she ‘really’ meant, in ‘girl terms’ which, if his experience with Iole and Cali were anything to go by, usually left him getting smacked or called an idiot. Recently though it seemed that Eryn was spending all of her time with friends he'd never heard about before. She did not tell him about them, he was lucky if he even saw her long enough for them to have time to talk ! Dancing with men in the park though, running about the marketplace with a small group of other girls .. Unalmis had almost fallen off the rooftop that his Uncle had set him to running along, when he saw it. Her .. dancing. Her .. shopping ?? And was it his imagination, or was she actively avoiding him ? He went to walk Hattie these days, and his friend was always out. Maybe she'd gotten fed up of his spending so much time about the private training of late. His recent dancing practice with Gael had not been a secret but what his Uncle challenged him to try, outside of the regular Ranger training with Isys ? It wasn't as though he could tell her anything about .. that .. But she was clearly not telling him everything either. Something had changed. He knew that much. The actual what or why .. was starting to become frustrating. He'd told himself she was just busy too. Eryn certainly had a full schedule, which he never would have personally considered when he was her age. But was it so simple ? It felt like he was missing something more integral and he had no idea what it was. There really was just too much to think on these days. But ..
“Should we do something ?”
The young man’s hand tightened on and raised the bread roll, as Sorrel hissed her concern across the table at him. His free hand, Nal raised to show it’s palm. Signalling wait. He could tell that the Guard wanted to march over there, and there were better ways. Or they would not be in this mess in the first place ! So, returning the bread to it's plate, the young man glanced behind him all of a sudden, seeming to take a surprised note of how his cloak had tumbled from the back of his chair, and he reached down to the floor to retrieve it. Just enough scuffle and noise to remind Iole that they were at hand. If she required them.
“Happy now ?” Nal enquired, righting himself back up on his seat with a look which suggested Sorrel had just told him to pick up his mess. Instead the Guard shook her head slowly. Of course, despite all of the enchanting atmosphere, she was not alone in being confused tonight. But there was food, and there was drink. And so where conversation stifled, consumption would serve a fitting alibi. For a time anyway. The next time Sorrel glanced toward Iole and Gil, she found the pair accepting a meal each and wine, from the publican's wife. And Unalmis throwing what he hoped was a furtive look to further investigate just who had put some sort of spell on Eryn, was instead more happily distracted at the sight of Xyler, obliging the musicians' urge, and inviting Hadassa up to dance. Now that made every sort of sense.
Last edited by Ercassie on Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
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Iole Ishen and Gildolen Lhacrist
Eve of December 27th. Date night.
Sitting in silence as the remainder of the song regaled the room, the young couple could not find the will to meet each other’s eye. And as the earlier ode to separated elvish lovers had spoken to Gildolen of the fair creature sat nervously across the table, so too did the song encourage now against being ‘left bitter’ and instead ‘reconsider’. Which made Iole suspect that her brother had selected his lyrics for the evening very very carefully .. The song then even bid her to give the stars above more than a passing glance .. And then, thankfully, the server who had brought them each a glass of wine, returned with a plate of roast chicken and vegetables to complement the drink.
“The food is here,” the young woman was grateful, grasping at the excuse as though it had arrived in time to explain why she had not risen up to dance when he had asked her. To which the young man simply nodded, and sipped at his wine. She followed suit, and then a further moment passed before they each took up their cutlery and considered the plate of further avoidance before them.
“Forgive me but I shall not make with an apology for that one,” Gil told his dinner, frowning even as he did so. Though the alternative .. no. Be more direct, they had all said. And she might never agree to go anywhere else with him at all, ever again. This was perhaps his one and only shot.
“The food is very nice,” he was assured, as Iole pressed her thumb hard against her fork. Why was he apologising .. for the food now ? He had ordered well, even if by assigning all credit for the choice to their waitress.
“I meant for the ask of you to dance,” he trialled, out loud. Because he could not even imagine what response she might give, She was still here though, he reminded himself. She had not run out. And no zealous crusader had come and demanded how he dare to even talk to her .. yet. Even as the Belfalasian thought it though, Unalmis stirred in his nearby seat and stooped to retrieve his cloak from the floor. If it were possible, both Gildolen and Iole released their breath when nothing further came of that.
“I am not sorry that I want to dance with you,” the young man admitted, and lowered his own fork in hand, willing his ‘date’ with a look to meet him at least halfway. “Are you sorry that you will not ? Or perhaps are you a terrible dancer ?” This last was ventured forth almost with jest, as though the young man was trying a different approach. And it did get her attention.
She smiled, after the initial surprise. She laughed then. Not for very long and not at all loud, but still. She had found that funny. So he smiled. Hoped.
“I dance,” she confessed, and sucked her lips in just a moment before releasing them anew. “More often to music which has no words to distract me,” she let him know. And then cut up and swallowed some of her dinner, as though she needed to refuel, after even that small allowance of information. “I can not help but lose myself in lyrics,” she found the words came, easily, as though she needed to properly clarify. “And then I would risk miss-stepping,” she concluded. A sip of the wine helped to swallow down her nerves. And now the grinding terror as she waited for his any response.
“The song speaks to you,” he surmised, his own fork laden with a morsel of food, hovered but did not reach his mouth. As she stole his every other function but to listen, to learn more.
“Your name, it is Gildolen ?” she suddenly recalled then, from their talk of lyrics to what Trev and Nal, though not the man himself, had told her. And as he realised this amateur mistake, the valet began to wonder quite whether she even had wanted for him to be here. When she’d .. refused to come out to dinner at a restaurant with him. Because she was already committed to come here. And so he’d said he would come here … But no, she had said where the 'here' would actually be, and she had even told him what time the entertainment would begin .. if she had not wished for him to come .. she needn’t have made sure he was aware of such details. The moment or two that it took for him to think back over the facts left the lady’s question hanging, until he then realised.
“It is,” he agreed. There. That wasn’t so hard, now was it. Now she knew his name. She’d cared to ask, or at the very least remember it if one of her brothers had told her.
“My language skills, I’m sure, leave a lot to be desired," she blushed. "It means ‘hidden star’, does it not ?”
The valet’s fork struck the table as he lost all sense of it to watch the slight rose of her cheek, and he shook himself to realise that she was not using the dinner to avoid him. Even as he pushed away his training that to speak when eating was very poor manners .. “Something like that,” he conceded. “And .. Iole ..” sounding out each syllable of her name in return the young man, tilted his head slightly. “That is a very unusual name. Does it have a story ?”
“I ..” she stalled even in the moment of beginning. As she recalled, just how easily she had talked about herself, about her life .. to a man who turned out to be a liar. And far worse things than simply a liar. “It is nothing very interesting.”
“I fear that I shall not believe that unless you can prove it,” he replied, gently, supping from his glass, so that she must try to take her turn at filling the silence.
“Tell me something about yourself first,” she put to him, all of a sudden. And then did commit to cutting and eating more of her food rather than face that she had just perhaps been so rude ! But .. had he not been stalking her for weeks, months ?? He had spoken to two of her brothers. He knew ever so much more about her than she did of him. “You have met my brothers,” she rallied some further cause to strengthen her resolve, when part of her was already thinking she’d erred. But what did it matter ? She was only here to tell him .. that she did not want to know him. That she could not. ”Do you have any brothers or sisters ?” she found herself asking.
Last edited by Ercassie on Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
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@Rillewen
Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December
Lucion was not a man so crude as to speak with food in his mouth - his mother had taught him better than that. So what he did say, during the meal, he only said in between one mouthful and the next. When there was no risk of making strange noises, no risk of spitting any food Eryn's way, and no risk of her having difficulty understanding him.
As they both progressed through the delicious food on their plates, he started wondering. Eryn had said she wanted to be a ranger, but could not enlist at this time. 'At this time'... but why? Initially, he had been too stunned by the announcement about rangering to inquire anything further. Now that news was settling, however, he found the question increasingly prevalent.
"Why is it that you cannot enlist yet?" he wondered out loud, at last. Only to be brought back to an equally alarming question he had so far not dared ask aloud: how old was this girl, truly? How much younger was she, than him? Was it her age that kept her from enlisting? That could not be it - it COULD not - for that meant she was surely, certainly, most definitely, much too young for him...
Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December
Lucion was not a man so crude as to speak with food in his mouth - his mother had taught him better than that. So what he did say, during the meal, he only said in between one mouthful and the next. When there was no risk of making strange noises, no risk of spitting any food Eryn's way, and no risk of her having difficulty understanding him.
As they both progressed through the delicious food on their plates, he started wondering. Eryn had said she wanted to be a ranger, but could not enlist at this time. 'At this time'... but why? Initially, he had been too stunned by the announcement about rangering to inquire anything further. Now that news was settling, however, he found the question increasingly prevalent.
"Why is it that you cannot enlist yet?" he wondered out loud, at last. Only to be brought back to an equally alarming question he had so far not dared ask aloud: how old was this girl, truly? How much younger was she, than him? Was it her age that kept her from enlisting? That could not be it - it COULD not - for that meant she was surely, certainly, most definitely, much too young for him...
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@Rillewen
Hadassa
December something...
"Ah, you only care for a dagger?" Hadassa responded to Xyler's training thoughts with a small grin. "That's for when you get really face to face with a baddie. Archery would let you keep them far away. Though... might get an arrow stuck in someone who's not that bad by accident. I prefer a spear, but dagger or even a knife is handy. For handling food if nothing else."
She then considered the Elf matter with the same grin stuck on her face, and with a small tilt of head to accompany it. "The queen was there? There were so many beautiful ladies there that I would be hard pressed to guess which one was her, though I might have some guesses," she said, and then looked around the room at the many other couples before she looked back at Xyler who had already extended his hand to her.
"Fine. Let's do this!" she got up and placed her hand in his. "Let's show the locals how it's done. Well... that they should not be stuck to their seats when the song says to dance."
Hadassa
December something...
"Ah, you only care for a dagger?" Hadassa responded to Xyler's training thoughts with a small grin. "That's for when you get really face to face with a baddie. Archery would let you keep them far away. Though... might get an arrow stuck in someone who's not that bad by accident. I prefer a spear, but dagger or even a knife is handy. For handling food if nothing else."
She then considered the Elf matter with the same grin stuck on her face, and with a small tilt of head to accompany it. "The queen was there? There were so many beautiful ladies there that I would be hard pressed to guess which one was her, though I might have some guesses," she said, and then looked around the room at the many other couples before she looked back at Xyler who had already extended his hand to her.
"Fine. Let's do this!" she got up and placed her hand in his. "Let's show the locals how it's done. Well... that they should not be stuck to their seats when the song says to dance."
~ I will be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren ~
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@Arnyn
Eryn, sitting with Lucion
The soup not only looked good, it tasted very good, too. And the bread was excellent, as well. It seemed to be a mutual agreement to put a pause on most of their conversation while eating, and Eryn didn't mind that at all. This happened to be one of her favorite meals. Of course, normally, she wouldn't be wearing a nicer dress than usual. So, she was extra careful when dipping the pieces of bread into the soup, to make sure she didn't spill or drip any.
After a short while, she was a little surprised by his question. She took a moment to finish chewing what was in her mouth and took a sip of drink before answering. "Well, I could have enlisted ages ago, but my father is..." She paused to think of the right word. "Well, he's rather against me joining the rangers. He thinks it's too dangerous," She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Anyway. So, he made it clear that he's not in favor, and... long story short, we eventually reached an agreement that I would wait for a few years to give him time to get used to the idea, and me time to.. well, his hope is that I'll lose interest and find something else to do instead, but my thinking is that I'll work on acquiring any skills that I'll need to be a ranger, so I won't be too far behind." She explained, smiling as she used her spoon to dunk a bite-sized chunk of bread into the soup.
"And, even though I'm old enough that I could just go and enlist any time I want to, I care too much about keeping a good relationship with my father, to go against his wishes like that." She shrugged. "We've always been very close, and I don't want anything to ruin that."
@Pele Alarion
Xyler
Xyler laughed softly, shaking his head. "I prefer my medical supplies over weapons, really. But.. I also don't like not knowing how to defend myself if I needed to." He shrugged slightly. "And daggers are small and easy to tuck into a saddlebag or something, when traveling." Much easier to hide than a bow and arrows or a spear, too. "But maybe I'm calling it the wrong thing, anyway. Is there a difference between a knife and a dagger?" He asked, frowning a bit in confusion.
He grinned when she agreed to dance, and laughed at her words about showing the locals how it's done. As if. Most of these people probably knew how to dance far better than they did. But maybe seeing them, who were not very skilled, would inspire others to show them how much better they could do it. It was a somewhat amusing thought as he began dancing them around the small space between tables.
As for the matter about the queen, he nodded. "That's what I heard, anyway. The king, too. But yeah, I wouldn't know who either of them were." He thought all of the people at the masquerade had been mysterious, and out of everyone, he had only managed to recognize her. And he had been quite happy to spend the evening with her, too. "I still have to find out how to get dancing lessons," He mentioned, as he attempted to guide her through a slow and careful twirl, glad he had at least managed to learn that properly.
As they concluded the song, Trev noticed that one couple had actually started dancing, at least. Therefore, he was not willing to leave the room in silence for too long. But he hadn't decided on any particular song yet, so after just a brief moment to let the last notes of the previous song fade, he let his fingers start playing the first tune that came to mind, one that he'd been practicing most on the zither. This was not one that he had written, but the music for this had been tucked with the instrument, and once he began learning to read the notes, it was the first thing Trev had decided to learn, since it was clearly one his grandfather had liked to play.
As there were no words to this song, that he knew of, it gave him a bit of a break between songs to think of what to sing next. And it gave Renia a chance to get a drink and rest her voice, too. Not to mention providing some background music for the people eating or still waiting on their food, too. Which was, of course, what he was being paid to do. While he played, his eyes strayed across the room, trying to keep watch on whether the patrons were enjoying the music, and trying to get an idea of what to do next, based on the mood of the room.
A well-dressed man entered the common room, pausing as he observed how busy it was. After a brief glance around, he made his way over to sit at one of the bar stools, in an out-of-the-way end, where he would be less likely to be catching anyone's attention. Seated alone there, he asked for a drink and then glanced about the room quietly. Whether he was waiting for someone to join him, or simply there to sit alone and enjoy a drink, was difficult to guess.
Eryn, sitting with Lucion
The soup not only looked good, it tasted very good, too. And the bread was excellent, as well. It seemed to be a mutual agreement to put a pause on most of their conversation while eating, and Eryn didn't mind that at all. This happened to be one of her favorite meals. Of course, normally, she wouldn't be wearing a nicer dress than usual. So, she was extra careful when dipping the pieces of bread into the soup, to make sure she didn't spill or drip any.
After a short while, she was a little surprised by his question. She took a moment to finish chewing what was in her mouth and took a sip of drink before answering. "Well, I could have enlisted ages ago, but my father is..." She paused to think of the right word. "Well, he's rather against me joining the rangers. He thinks it's too dangerous," She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Anyway. So, he made it clear that he's not in favor, and... long story short, we eventually reached an agreement that I would wait for a few years to give him time to get used to the idea, and me time to.. well, his hope is that I'll lose interest and find something else to do instead, but my thinking is that I'll work on acquiring any skills that I'll need to be a ranger, so I won't be too far behind." She explained, smiling as she used her spoon to dunk a bite-sized chunk of bread into the soup.
"And, even though I'm old enough that I could just go and enlist any time I want to, I care too much about keeping a good relationship with my father, to go against his wishes like that." She shrugged. "We've always been very close, and I don't want anything to ruin that."
@Pele Alarion
Xyler
Xyler laughed softly, shaking his head. "I prefer my medical supplies over weapons, really. But.. I also don't like not knowing how to defend myself if I needed to." He shrugged slightly. "And daggers are small and easy to tuck into a saddlebag or something, when traveling." Much easier to hide than a bow and arrows or a spear, too. "But maybe I'm calling it the wrong thing, anyway. Is there a difference between a knife and a dagger?" He asked, frowning a bit in confusion.
He grinned when she agreed to dance, and laughed at her words about showing the locals how it's done. As if. Most of these people probably knew how to dance far better than they did. But maybe seeing them, who were not very skilled, would inspire others to show them how much better they could do it. It was a somewhat amusing thought as he began dancing them around the small space between tables.
As for the matter about the queen, he nodded. "That's what I heard, anyway. The king, too. But yeah, I wouldn't know who either of them were." He thought all of the people at the masquerade had been mysterious, and out of everyone, he had only managed to recognize her. And he had been quite happy to spend the evening with her, too. "I still have to find out how to get dancing lessons," He mentioned, as he attempted to guide her through a slow and careful twirl, glad he had at least managed to learn that properly.
As they concluded the song, Trev noticed that one couple had actually started dancing, at least. Therefore, he was not willing to leave the room in silence for too long. But he hadn't decided on any particular song yet, so after just a brief moment to let the last notes of the previous song fade, he let his fingers start playing the first tune that came to mind, one that he'd been practicing most on the zither. This was not one that he had written, but the music for this had been tucked with the instrument, and once he began learning to read the notes, it was the first thing Trev had decided to learn, since it was clearly one his grandfather had liked to play.
As there were no words to this song, that he knew of, it gave him a bit of a break between songs to think of what to sing next. And it gave Renia a chance to get a drink and rest her voice, too. Not to mention providing some background music for the people eating or still waiting on their food, too. Which was, of course, what he was being paid to do. While he played, his eyes strayed across the room, trying to keep watch on whether the patrons were enjoying the music, and trying to get an idea of what to do next, based on the mood of the room.
A well-dressed man entered the common room, pausing as he observed how busy it was. After a brief glance around, he made his way over to sit at one of the bar stools, in an out-of-the-way end, where he would be less likely to be catching anyone's attention. Seated alone there, he asked for a drink and then glanced about the room quietly. Whether he was waiting for someone to join him, or simply there to sit alone and enjoy a drink, was difficult to guess.
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She had intentionally chosen a dress that wouldn't immediately draw attention to her. The color was dark, almost black, long-sleeved, and the neckline was not broad - although the narrow V was deeper than what most women would be comfortable with. Her lush hair was left down, and just like everything else about her appearance, it looked impeccable.
The guesthouse was busy this evening, and it did not take long to figure out that the night's entertainment was most likely the reason for it. That could be good. The busier the common room would be, the less she would stand out, after all. Choosing a stool at the bar, with one open stool between her and another patron, she politely ordered a glass of red wine at the bar. And offered a friendly smile to the gentleman also seated there. "Good evening," she bid him, as if she was balancing out being polite and friendly with being shy and not wanting to intrude.
Arnyn ~ Honor & Valor
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Kaylin ~ Joy & Strength
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@Rillewen
Hadassa
December something...
"Defend yourself..." Hadassa made a serious face. "You can always kick, scratch and bite." Then she laughed, even though her answer did have a touch of seriousness to it. "Daggers usually have both edges the same and sharp, but knives are usually have only one sharp edge," she gave a simple explanation to his asking about knives and daggers. However, she then turned attention to their dancing.
While she did trust Xyler to make sure to keep her from bumping into furniture and people, she could not help looking around now and then just to be sure, though she mostly kept her eyes on Xyler's face. "Well, I did not even think you would go right away and find the dancing lessons. There's no hurry, no?" she said with a hearty smile as she set about a careful twirl. There was not room enough to attempt any fancy twirls with the dress skirts flying with the rapid movements.
"We're stuck here for a good long while after all, plenty of time for dancing, if you are willing for such a change to your healing schedule," she added when she came back around to face him.
Hadassa
December something...
"Defend yourself..." Hadassa made a serious face. "You can always kick, scratch and bite." Then she laughed, even though her answer did have a touch of seriousness to it. "Daggers usually have both edges the same and sharp, but knives are usually have only one sharp edge," she gave a simple explanation to his asking about knives and daggers. However, she then turned attention to their dancing.
While she did trust Xyler to make sure to keep her from bumping into furniture and people, she could not help looking around now and then just to be sure, though she mostly kept her eyes on Xyler's face. "Well, I did not even think you would go right away and find the dancing lessons. There's no hurry, no?" she said with a hearty smile as she set about a careful twirl. There was not room enough to attempt any fancy twirls with the dress skirts flying with the rapid movements.
"We're stuck here for a good long while after all, plenty of time for dancing, if you are willing for such a change to your healing schedule," she added when she came back around to face him.
~ I will be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren ~
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Iole Ishen and Gildolen Lhacrist
Eve of December 27th. Date night.
When she mentioned that he had already met her ‘brothers’, Gildolen struggled to keep his gaze from where Trevadir was now employing a zither to lend a more unusual, yet still pleasant, sound. Since he wasn’t sure he wouldn’t find a scrutinising or expectant expression aimed back at him from that direction. The irony struck him of course, as the pause took over his mind. That Iole had admitted she would dance to songs that were without words. She liked the ones which had no lyrics to distract her from movement toward thought. This one then, would have been perfect. No sigh was conceived from him though, since the food which had grounded the couple at their seats was also quite perfect. He’d chosen something she was now enjoying .. even if he had simply followed the staff’s recommendation. It could be counted a success. And they had spoke some .. started at least ..
“It was not supposed to be a difficult question,” his date mentioned, when it took Gil longer than she would have thought to answer her. “Unless you have as strange a state of siblinghood to match my own ?” She teased lightly, referring of course to the apparent ‘choice of adopting friends to be family. A tendency of her group’s which the Belfalasian had found odd. But that was not the cause of his hesitation.
“I have a brother,” he admitted, after indicating with one fork-held hand, that the swallowing of food had delayed his response. “His name is Indoron. And he is four years my senior.”
The share, so simple, and the confidence it leant between them nudged Iole toward accepting her ‘stalker’ as a rounded individual, just another young man. He had a family. He had a brother, just as she did. Well, perhaps not 'quite' the same. But she was keen to ensure this did not prove another interrogation. It ought be a two way conversation, or nothing at all. “If I understand right, that you left Dol Amroth to come here, then you must miss him terribly,” she supposed, that the rest of his family had not migrated with him for work. He had claimed to not hardly know anyone here after all. “I am .. assuming that you are close,” she admitted then, after the fact, and dropped her lashes with a little blush.
“I miss him, yes,” Gil lowered his fork further in that hand and frowned some at his food, quite undeservedly, for he was finding it pleasing. The subject she had chosen though was difficult. Especially with what he had been warned of her past experiences. “But that is not a new phenomenon. We were closer when we were young, both figuratively and literally too. But he works aboard a ship and has done now for many years. So he is always away a lot of the time. Our father was lost to us some years ago, and my mother is in service, like myself. But Dory .. well, he wanted to do something else with his life.”
“I am certain he must miss you also,” she allowed. “I miss my parents a lot. But they had to move out to the coast, for my mother’s health. Now travelling back here to visit would be rather ill-advised,” Iole paused to make good her alibi of their meal. It was just as difficult for her to go to the coast, of all places, to visit her parents too. But there was no need to go into that. “Perhaps Dory” she adopted the pet name that the sailor’s brother used, “will come and visit you in the city here, when he docks. He can not sail indefinitely,” she smiled, presenting hope. And stopped herself before wondering aloud whether she and Gil might one day go together and visit both of their respective parents. Such a swift step forward startled her back unto a more safe subject. “Where is your mother in service ?”
“You ask a lot of questions,” Gil observed, when a convenience amidst his dining permitted. “Not a judgement,” he added then hastily afterwards, for he did not wish to startle or embarrass the young lady, after all that it had taken to get them both this far. “I know that you have cause to be curious. But I am equally intrigued. Iole is such an unusual name. Is there any harm in sharing such a 'nothing' story with me ?”
The calm and agreeable manner of the young man stole what might have else been taken as ‘pushy’ behaviour. So Iole swallowed, politely, and decided that it could not hurt. The origins of her name were not any sort of secret, not to anybody who knew or cared about her. Would telling him even so insignificant a story be any less ‘perilous’ than having admitted her parents had moved to the coast ? And her mother was frail ..
“It is really just such a silly thing,” she downplayed before beginning and then took a small breath. “My mother’s favourite flowers are violets. And so the story goes that she decided, if she ever had a daughter, she would name her, .. me .. Violet. But she did not figure for my father, who had an aunt he could not stand, named Aunt Vi. So,”
Gil forgot his food as he observed the young woman speaking something of herself. Even something so small. It was coming to know of her, of where she’d come from. And it was only fair, since she’d recently demanded the same of him.
“My father protested her choice of name, when I was born, .. clearly a girl," the account continued. "Explaining that he could not bear the risk that folks would come to call me Vi, or this aunt of his would think he’d named me after her. As though that would have been so very awful. And so my mother proposed they should make a compromise, and begin by calling me ‘Lettie, so that nobody would see the Vi connection. But, alas. Unknown to her,” Iole almost smiled at the nonsensical state of her parents’ reasoning, “My father had once courted with a girl called Letty so he did not like that option either. And by this point, my mother was beginning to lose heart but my father said that they should simply cut their losses, and use only the middle part of Violet. Which is why they called me Iole. So you see, it is just silly really, but there was finally no other with my name. Except well, me.”
“So your real name is Violet ?” her suitor sought for confirmation now. And saw his assumption waved off by his amused company as she girlishly shook her head.
“It has always been just that. Iole,” she shrugged. And Gil leaned back in his char comfortably to see it. For the gesture was so natural, he started to believe that perhaps she was beginning to relax around him. But now that his defences were so lowered, the young woman struck. “You never did say where your mother is in service,” Iole mentioned, sweetly. And watched his reaction unblinking now for a time. “Do you write her, or your brother ? I only ask because .. well, I often write my parents. It helps some, to hear what they have been about, when I am not there to know it with them.”
“You have a very beautiful and unique name,” the valet conceded, and it was unclear whether he was attempting to steer their converse in another direction again, or simply needed a moment to work up the will to answer what she’d insisted on asking. Twice now. Would it be rude to deny her ? Would it inspire more curiosity the longer that he withheld the truth ? Really, it was difficult not to simply be honest about it. But .. there was honesty and then there was reservation and the two were often sparring partners over the man’s tongue.
“My mother was housekeeper in the House of Lord Estennin,” Gil surrendered. For all he knew, Trevadir might have already relayed that much information to her already. “That is how I found my own position there when I was old enough. After his sad demise, we both found employment elsewhere." A pause danced between them, before the young man properly answered. "My mother went with several of the other staff to an estate named Aelin-Celebhen. It abides more inland, though still in Dor-en-Ernil.” With luck she might never have heard of it. But if she later found out, and discovered he had told her anything else . no. He could not risk that.
“Now that is a beautiful name,” Iole considered. The ease with which her company fell in and out of the Sindarin lilt was not entirely foreign of course, for many words that were still used in the cities she’d dwelt in, had elements of the elvish still. He had warned her about his poetic tendencies of diction already. But her heart did sigh some nonetheless, in a quiet joy to hear the more potent inflection in the Belfalasian’s speech. “The pool of silver eye ?” she trialled her interpretation in a half gasp of awe. “And is it as magickal as it sounds ?”
“Well .. it is something of a very old legend,” recognising his date’s evident intrigue, Gildolen could not help himself by indulging her fancy. “There is a shimmering pool there, that the estate safeguards now, I suppose you could say. And it is said to have been a favoured bathing site for the Eldar back when they frequented the lands thereabout, back in the Second Age. To this day, folk believe that the still and tranquil waters are sacred, that they may provoke blessings upon all who descend into it's cool sheen under the moon’s light. Hence the ‘silver eye’ part of the myth. The family who live there are excessively devoted to the Valar in all manner of their lives. They aren’t one of the richest families in Belfalas, but they are well renowned almost to the point of prophets. Several of their number have been counsellors to the Princes of Dol Amroth.”
“Have you ever been there ?” Iole had forgotten her food, as she gazed more into the young man who had certainly swept up her romantic ardour.
“My mother writes me,” Gil confessed, finally. “But no, I have never been there myself. The House of Menilzir are ..”
Whatever the Belfalasian had been about to reveal to his enchanted dinnerdate was lost somewhere in his surprise, as Iole took her turn in standing, alone, and although she did not look toward dancing, as some others were already enjoying, she did flee across the cleared floor and find the rest room where she could recover herself and where, most importantly, her date could not follow.
Last edited by Ercassie on Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:28 pm, edited 2 times in total.
All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
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High Warden of Tower
Posts: 1799
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 8:37 am
Unalmis Raxelilta and Gildolen Lhacrist
Eve of December 27th. Date night .. clearly not going as planned ...
Before Gildolen could more than blink at his date’s abrupt flight, both Sorrel and Unalmis rose from their neighbouring table. An unspoken agreement carried between them, and the Guard recruit took after Iole in long strides; awkwardly sidestepping around the dancing couple, to follow her friend to a wash room where the two women could speak in better secrecy. Nal was left to give a brief, begrudging glance toward the plate he was neglecting, before the ranger swopped his seat for the one backed up against it. As he lowered himself down to sit down opposite the valet, both of the young men leaned back, and sought to acclimatise to the re-assignment.
“Can I help you ?” the Belfalasian was unsure. Of a lot of things, not least of all, what had just happened. Though by this time he was not surprised at the unlooked for ‘assistance’ showing up from Iole’s siblings.
“I was thinking more along the lines that I help you,” he was informed.
“You were listening,” the taller youth asked, or maybe realised, both at the same time. His new company shrugged.
“I mean, the tables are all pretty cramped together. To clear more space for dancing, I’d imagine,” Nal decided not to bother denying the charge. He lifted the wineglass which his sister had but supped from, sniffed it once and then replaced it. “But you don’t want me telling you what you said wrong, why she did .. what she did. I’m not going to do that,” came the somewhat unorthodox approach to ‘helping’. He didn’t believe that it was his place to babywalk the other young man through each step of wooing Iole. If the so called couple couldn’t manage to work it out by themselves then he had no place interfering. “I just thought you might want some company, while you wait. I mean, if you weren’t figuring on walking.” That was one reason. Another was that standing in, for even a short time, might aid the stranger’s chances of not being physically accosted by Sorrel, or Trev, or even Cali for that matter. When it came to protecting Iole, Nal considered his approach the least .. aggressive.
If there had been some part of Gil which had been tempted to take flight himself, it sagged, as he reached instead for his wine, to bide him the time to think. “I’m still here,” the valet pointed out, after partaking very politely from his drink. Unalmis smiled. Until the other pointed out that “Though it appears that my behaviour has robbed you of your date as well.” A dark eyebrow was raised ever so slightly at one edge. And there was some attempt made by Nal to contain his amusement.
“Sorrel ? No, stars no. We’re just friends,” he assured the valet, unconcerned by the insinuation. “We came to see Trev perform is all. A lot of people did. He’s very good,” Unalmis confided.
Roselly Korsey, and also Diona Darthor
seating themselves on the table with Gildolen and Unalmis
“I’ve seen better,” Rose decided, even as she dragged one of the seats from Nal’s abandoned table, over to sit beside him, now at Gil’s. “Hello, I don’t believe we’ve been introduced ..” Extending an arm across the table, food and drinking glasses be damned, the young woman laid her hand on Gil’s. “I’m Rose,” she smiled. “Ooh you went all out ! This is the good stuff !” she noted, recognising the wine by it’s aromatic lure.
Withdrawing his hand from where the second surprise arrival in as many minutes could reach, Gildolen coughed quietly and awkwardly around a nervous smile which spared him from knowing what to say. As far as expecting any help from Unalmis, that young man had been properly distracted by a second young woman who did not even bother fetching up a seat. Instead Diona sat without asking upon the edge of the table itself, after pausing to wave first, non-discreetly, toward Trevadir had slightly delayed her own entrance.
Having seemed to reach his limit for unwanted intervention, the Belfalasian rose up to stand, and stayed thenafter just behind his chair so that it’s back served as at least a moral objection if not an outright shield against the sudden invasion. Unalmis on the other hand was more troubled to manage this, with Diona whispering something in his ear that shocked him out of trying to stand up at first.
“It’s been like three days !” he responded, apparently astounded, by whatever she had said to him. “Stars, Dee ! I’ve been busy. What do you expect to have been managed in just ..?”
“Five days,” the young woman corrected him with a smirk. “I can count. And apparently stones move faster than you do.” As Gildolen glanced almost yearnfully toward the interior door where the only company he actually wanted .. had just disappeared. Nal then rose too, forcing Diona to do likewise. “Rosie ..” that young performer summoned her accomplice, with a new train of thought. “Trev is playing here. Right now !” Diona confided the news .. to the entire already aware room. She pointed toward the musician and then the two young women observed the abandoned table with it’s forgotten refreshments, and pulled the one chair back so that they could sit and, with satisfied shrugs, make use of what Nal and Sorrel had left on their plates unattended.
“Don’t tell me. More sisters ?” Gil enquired, as he and Unalmis sat back down at the valet’s table. The Ranger shook his head determinedly.
“Sorrel’s” he clarified. “Don’t worry. They’re mostly harmless.”
“You do realise that they’re ‘harmlessly’ eating your dinner,” the taller youth pointed out, as he smoothed a napkin he had retrieved from one pocket now across his knees. To his surprise Nal did not seem the slightest bit concerned. Some people, the latter reasoned, needed more incentive than others to come listen to his friend perform. And it wasn’t the food which had lured him here. Maybe the girls were hungry. And the wider audience wouldn’t hurt any. More people had come in since he had last looked around as well. This had to be going well for Trev any way. As for Iole .. she had to come out of the wash room at some point.
“I have to say, this is not quite how I had envisaged this evening going,” the Belfalasian sighed. And as he raised his napkin to cover a smart cough, he couldn’t help but think that this sort of thing would never happen back home.
"It's not over yet," Unalmis shrugged.
Last edited by Ercassie on Thu Oct 23, 2025 10:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
- Points: 9 342
Steward of Gondor
Posts: 4487
Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2021 10:12 pm
@Pele Alarion
Xyler
Xyler thought about the description she gave for determining the difference between the two kinds of blades. "Huh, I never really thought much about it, I guess." He shrugged slightly. "My father was a warrior, you know. He served in the Rohirrim Cavalry, like you. But he died when I was too little to remember him." He mentioned quietly. "When I was little, for a while, I entertained the notion that I might join up as well, you know. Follow in his footsteps when I had grown up. But, when I got older, I realized that wasn't really the sort of thing for me. Healing is what I know, and what I am best at. And I like it. Helping people. Making them feel better." He smiled, remembering that was how he had initially met her.
He looked around in curiosity as some people left the room, others changed tables, and some other people came in. He returned his attention to Hadassa soon after, however. "At the same time, I don't like the idea of feeling helpless in a situation that might require fighting, you know? It's..." He hesitated, unable to find the right words, and then sighed. "I don't know. I think it would be good knowing how to fight, even if I never actually need to, again. It.. would have been helpful, years ago when me and my.. peers.. were captured. Kicking, scratching, and biting didn't help much, then. You know?"
He wasn't sure that he wanted to keep talking about that topic, nor other topics that it might lead into. Therefore, he was glad when he noticed the server bringing food to their table. "Ah, there's our food." He nodded to draw her attention to it, then gave a little grin after tilting a head toward the table that Nal and his date had abandoned, which had been set upon by two young ladies who were even now devouring the food left behind. "We'd best go eat it, before those vultures notice it," he whispered to her, leading her toward their table, and pulled out her chair for her. "My lady," He said with a somewhat exaggerated bow, with a gesture inviting her to sit.
"I wouldn't say there's any hurry for dance lessons, no," He added, shrugging. Still, she had seemed quite interested in dancing, and had seemed to enjoy it very much at the masquerade. So, he was eager to offer her more opportunities to do so. With him. "And while we do have a whole year, and it seems like plenty of time... we also only have a year." He pointed out. "I mean... I don't know if there's anything like that, back home. I've never seen anyone offering dancing lessons or anything, have you?" He shrugged. It seemed like, if they wanted to learn to dance together, it would be best if they could try and get as much learning in as they could, before they went home. "I'm sure I can squeeze some time in for that," he added with a smile, when she mentioned his schedule.
It was nice to see at least one couple start to dance, and Trev smiled slightly while he played the melody. He couldn't really hear anything of what was being said at the individual tables, but he had to admit that he was keeping at least half an eye on one table in particular. Despite not being able to hear anything that Iole and Gil were saying, he wanted to know that his sister was doing alright.
For a while, he thought things were going well. He saw her smile, chatting with him, looking relaxed. That made Trev relax a little, and he felt more comfortable letting his gaze roam to look around a little bit. Then suddenly, Iole fled from the room. Trev's gaze snapped to her, and followed her progress. His fingers missed a note, but to the average person it wouldn't be noticeable. Only if they were very familiar with this tune, probably.
When he saw Iole's friend Sorrel set off after her, he told himself that she was alright, that there was nothing he could do. Though concerned, he made sure not to let himself mess up again, or it might become noticeable. Still... what had caused that? What had happened? Did Gil say something to upset her? Had she suddenly felt sick, or... what? He had to force himself not to think about it. The tune was nearing its end, and he hastily put his mind toward deciding on the next thing to play.
Considering Iole's plight, and the fact that he knew she had chosen to meet with Gil here, so she wouldn't be alone with him and would have her friends all around... the next song almost chose itself. Silence was allowed to settle over the inn's common room for only a few seconds while Trev laced his fingers together, stretched them out in front of him, then whispered something to Renia. In the corner of his eye, he saw a girl wave in their direction and he got distracted for half a second while trying to place her in his memory, or else decide whether she was even waving at him or not.
But he was trying to focus on his music at the moment. Figuring out who she was, could wait. He nodded in a vague, polite way to her before strumming the first few chords of a song which his closest friends had heard often enough that they could, potentially, sing it with him if they wanted to. Hopefully, Iole could hear him from the washroom or wherever, and that she'd get the point of it; You're not alone. You have friends here. Everything will be alright.
(This song, but with only the zither for music)
As he sipped on his drink, he couldn't help casting a slow glance about the room. From what he could tell, there seemed to be a lot of young couples crowded in here this evening, though he was not sure whether there was any particular occasion, or if it was mere coincidence.
His gaze briefly rested on each of the young men that he could see, wondering whether he might recognize anyone in the room. He did not. In fact, none of the people in this room looked the least bit familiar to him, which was probably a good thing, even if he had somehow hoped he might find a certain person he had been seeking for a long while. No such luck, alas.
His attention was drawn away from the main room when a lovely lady made her way through the room and seated herself not far from him. When she spoke to him, the man smiled politely. "Good evening, miss." He greeted her cordially, while managing not to stare. For she was certainly stare-worthy, even in such a dress that didn't draw the eye. Given the fact that they were in public, he was careful not to let his gaze linger on her too long. He didn't know whether anyone would recognize him here or not, but he did not want to take that chance.
Pretending to have no further interest in the woman, he made himself resume looking around the room, as if he had no interest in the beautiful woman there, as if he were seeking someone else. In his head, he counted to ten, took a sip of his glass, then glanced toward her again. "You haven't seen a young man around twenty, outside of the ones in this room, have you?" He asked, as if he were waiting on his son. He gave a wry smile. "None of those currently in here, are the one that I seek." He added.
Xyler
Xyler thought about the description she gave for determining the difference between the two kinds of blades. "Huh, I never really thought much about it, I guess." He shrugged slightly. "My father was a warrior, you know. He served in the Rohirrim Cavalry, like you. But he died when I was too little to remember him." He mentioned quietly. "When I was little, for a while, I entertained the notion that I might join up as well, you know. Follow in his footsteps when I had grown up. But, when I got older, I realized that wasn't really the sort of thing for me. Healing is what I know, and what I am best at. And I like it. Helping people. Making them feel better." He smiled, remembering that was how he had initially met her.
He looked around in curiosity as some people left the room, others changed tables, and some other people came in. He returned his attention to Hadassa soon after, however. "At the same time, I don't like the idea of feeling helpless in a situation that might require fighting, you know? It's..." He hesitated, unable to find the right words, and then sighed. "I don't know. I think it would be good knowing how to fight, even if I never actually need to, again. It.. would have been helpful, years ago when me and my.. peers.. were captured. Kicking, scratching, and biting didn't help much, then. You know?"
He wasn't sure that he wanted to keep talking about that topic, nor other topics that it might lead into. Therefore, he was glad when he noticed the server bringing food to their table. "Ah, there's our food." He nodded to draw her attention to it, then gave a little grin after tilting a head toward the table that Nal and his date had abandoned, which had been set upon by two young ladies who were even now devouring the food left behind. "We'd best go eat it, before those vultures notice it," he whispered to her, leading her toward their table, and pulled out her chair for her. "My lady," He said with a somewhat exaggerated bow, with a gesture inviting her to sit.
"I wouldn't say there's any hurry for dance lessons, no," He added, shrugging. Still, she had seemed quite interested in dancing, and had seemed to enjoy it very much at the masquerade. So, he was eager to offer her more opportunities to do so. With him. "And while we do have a whole year, and it seems like plenty of time... we also only have a year." He pointed out. "I mean... I don't know if there's anything like that, back home. I've never seen anyone offering dancing lessons or anything, have you?" He shrugged. It seemed like, if they wanted to learn to dance together, it would be best if they could try and get as much learning in as they could, before they went home. "I'm sure I can squeeze some time in for that," he added with a smile, when she mentioned his schedule.
It was nice to see at least one couple start to dance, and Trev smiled slightly while he played the melody. He couldn't really hear anything of what was being said at the individual tables, but he had to admit that he was keeping at least half an eye on one table in particular. Despite not being able to hear anything that Iole and Gil were saying, he wanted to know that his sister was doing alright.
For a while, he thought things were going well. He saw her smile, chatting with him, looking relaxed. That made Trev relax a little, and he felt more comfortable letting his gaze roam to look around a little bit. Then suddenly, Iole fled from the room. Trev's gaze snapped to her, and followed her progress. His fingers missed a note, but to the average person it wouldn't be noticeable. Only if they were very familiar with this tune, probably.
When he saw Iole's friend Sorrel set off after her, he told himself that she was alright, that there was nothing he could do. Though concerned, he made sure not to let himself mess up again, or it might become noticeable. Still... what had caused that? What had happened? Did Gil say something to upset her? Had she suddenly felt sick, or... what? He had to force himself not to think about it. The tune was nearing its end, and he hastily put his mind toward deciding on the next thing to play.
Considering Iole's plight, and the fact that he knew she had chosen to meet with Gil here, so she wouldn't be alone with him and would have her friends all around... the next song almost chose itself. Silence was allowed to settle over the inn's common room for only a few seconds while Trev laced his fingers together, stretched them out in front of him, then whispered something to Renia. In the corner of his eye, he saw a girl wave in their direction and he got distracted for half a second while trying to place her in his memory, or else decide whether she was even waving at him or not.
But he was trying to focus on his music at the moment. Figuring out who she was, could wait. He nodded in a vague, polite way to her before strumming the first few chords of a song which his closest friends had heard often enough that they could, potentially, sing it with him if they wanted to. Hopefully, Iole could hear him from the washroom or wherever, and that she'd get the point of it; You're not alone. You have friends here. Everything will be alright.
(This song, but with only the zither for music)
As he sipped on his drink, he couldn't help casting a slow glance about the room. From what he could tell, there seemed to be a lot of young couples crowded in here this evening, though he was not sure whether there was any particular occasion, or if it was mere coincidence.
His gaze briefly rested on each of the young men that he could see, wondering whether he might recognize anyone in the room. He did not. In fact, none of the people in this room looked the least bit familiar to him, which was probably a good thing, even if he had somehow hoped he might find a certain person he had been seeking for a long while. No such luck, alas.
His attention was drawn away from the main room when a lovely lady made her way through the room and seated herself not far from him. When she spoke to him, the man smiled politely. "Good evening, miss." He greeted her cordially, while managing not to stare. For she was certainly stare-worthy, even in such a dress that didn't draw the eye. Given the fact that they were in public, he was careful not to let his gaze linger on her too long. He didn't know whether anyone would recognize him here or not, but he did not want to take that chance.
Pretending to have no further interest in the woman, he made himself resume looking around the room, as if he had no interest in the beautiful woman there, as if he were seeking someone else. In his head, he counted to ten, took a sip of his glass, then glanced toward her again. "You haven't seen a young man around twenty, outside of the ones in this room, have you?" He asked, as if he were waiting on his son. He gave a wry smile. "None of those currently in here, are the one that I seek." He added.
I'm looking for someone to share in an Adventure
- Points: 6 920
Steward of Gondor
Posts: 3608
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 3:34 pm
@Rillewen
Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December
He noticed and appreciated that Eryn seemed as aware of not talking while eating as he was. When she said she could have enlisted 'ages ago', he relaxed. Not too young, then. It was so hard to tell around this age... Some girls looked of age when they had hardly reached their teens, whereas others looked much younger than they were.
Lucion was surprised to hear her reasoning behind not enlisting yet. It was... He couldn't help his smile. Eryn and her father had discussed it - like adults. And they had reached a mutual agreement - like adults. She had just told him much more than she probably realized. Eryn had just told him she was mature and thoughtful. She was focused on the long term. The results. And she had found a way to both settle her father and have him agree, taking his feelings about the matter into consideration. As well as their relationship.
"I'm impressed." It was a stand-alone statement, for he did not wish to offer her too many compliments - he had been told that often scared girls away, after all. Meanwhile, he had finished his plate, and he slightly pushed it forward on the table, to then take a sip of his drink. "With how you handled that," he added, figuring he should clarify he hadn't been talking about the food.
"Are you and your father both equally stubborn?" he could not resist teasing her lightly.
"I am afraid not," she replied, casting her gaze down in an almost shy manner when she caught him glancing at her. She knew what he meant, obviously. And she wasn't about to drop him any hints. She was smarter than that. Apparently, he had not realized that. She took a thoughtful sip from her drink, and resisted a frown, instead keeping her expression friendly. Why was it that she was suddenly expecting this man to realize that there was more to her than her looks? Was she letting a certain knight mess with her head too much? Or was it simply that easy to raise her expectations?
"Perhaps it would help if you could tell me a bit more about the young man you seek?" she suggested, just loud enough for her voice to carry over to him. "Anything in particular that might help in determining that if I come across such a young man, I wouldn't be mistaken?"
Lucion
With Eryn - The same evening in December
He noticed and appreciated that Eryn seemed as aware of not talking while eating as he was. When she said she could have enlisted 'ages ago', he relaxed. Not too young, then. It was so hard to tell around this age... Some girls looked of age when they had hardly reached their teens, whereas others looked much younger than they were.
Lucion was surprised to hear her reasoning behind not enlisting yet. It was... He couldn't help his smile. Eryn and her father had discussed it - like adults. And they had reached a mutual agreement - like adults. She had just told him much more than she probably realized. Eryn had just told him she was mature and thoughtful. She was focused on the long term. The results. And she had found a way to both settle her father and have him agree, taking his feelings about the matter into consideration. As well as their relationship.
"I'm impressed." It was a stand-alone statement, for he did not wish to offer her too many compliments - he had been told that often scared girls away, after all. Meanwhile, he had finished his plate, and he slightly pushed it forward on the table, to then take a sip of his drink. "With how you handled that," he added, figuring he should clarify he hadn't been talking about the food.
"Are you and your father both equally stubborn?" he could not resist teasing her lightly.
"I am afraid not," she replied, casting her gaze down in an almost shy manner when she caught him glancing at her. She knew what he meant, obviously. And she wasn't about to drop him any hints. She was smarter than that. Apparently, he had not realized that. She took a thoughtful sip from her drink, and resisted a frown, instead keeping her expression friendly. Why was it that she was suddenly expecting this man to realize that there was more to her than her looks? Was she letting a certain knight mess with her head too much? Or was it simply that easy to raise her expectations?
"Perhaps it would help if you could tell me a bit more about the young man you seek?" she suggested, just loud enough for her voice to carry over to him. "Anything in particular that might help in determining that if I come across such a young man, I wouldn't be mistaken?"
Arnyn ~ Honor & Valor
Kaylin ~ Joy & Strength
Kaylin ~ Joy & Strength
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High Warden of Tower
Posts: 1799
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 8:37 am
Unalmis Raxelilta with Iole Ishen and Gildolen Lhacrist
Eve of December 27th. Date night.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to ask how you envisaged this evening would go, either,” Unalmis let Gildolen know. The former’s eyes upon the valet as the latter’s eyes remained fixed upon the door to the wash room. Nal dropped his in the motion of making a smile. That song .. nice work, Trev. He cast a knowing look toward the musician and nodded once to mark his approval.
“I hoped she would at least allow me to apologise,” the Belfalasian admitted. “Anything beyond that ..”
“You definitely need to get beyond all the apologising,” he was counselled then. And Nal considered the other young man, who looked just as startled at receiving such advice as the one doling it out. Whatever was the world coming to, when he was the one handing out wisdom ?! “For goodness sake, you’re forcing my hand here.” the ranger groaned. “Look, the last thing she's going to want to do is sit here all night being reminded about how awkward things are between you. So, you know, make her forget that. If you don’t want her to keep thinking of you as the guy who made her uncomfortable, .. just .. I don’t know, be the guy you want her to realise you are.”
“I thought I was,” the valet sighed. For a moment or two, they had been .. freed of all the delicacy and concern. “I told the truth.”
The Ranger turned in his seat to glance too, at what the other was transfixed by. “At least I’m not the only idiot, where it comes to women,” he laughed. And then joined his fellow idiot in rising to his feet again. Since Iole had just emerged from behind the wash room door.
Tucking her dark hair behind her ears, it had fallen forward again by the time that she had passed back across the room. The music had gotten her attention, and blue eyes flicked toward it’s source, stopping only short of whispering a ‘thankyou’. Her brother surely knew her well enough to read the gratitude in her expression nonetheless. Nal broke away from the table and met her before she had properly resumed her place. He took her one hand, and then led her gaze to note where Gildolen was stood, respectfully awaiting her. A swallow forcing it’s way nervously down the taller man’s throat.
“What have you been saying to him ?” she asked quietly through gritted teeth, as she was escorted back to her dinner.
“Hey, you ran off with my date. It's only fair yours kept me company meanwhile,” her brother replied, casual. “Or what ? We were both supposed to sit there like lemons on our own until you two had powdered your noses ?” She did not buy the portrait of his umbrage at all though. She was glad that he could make light of her frightened flight, rather than fuss over it. It made it easier to put behind her. Just so long as she did not allow it to happen again ..
As they passed the table where Roselly and Diona were helping themselves to a free dinner, Iole sighed. It didn’t look as though he would have been lonely for very long.
“You invited them ?” she asked, surprised.
“I invited everybody. Except this one,” Nal instead slighted his head toward Gildolen. "He's all yours," was Nal's casual conclusion then, even as the milder mannered man saw them approach and extended one hand toward his date's now emptied seat.
“Is it your wish I should leave now ?” the Belfalasian made himself ask .. the only person whose opinion on the subject mattered to him. So he was thrilled when she shook her head, albeit reservedly. “I tried to keep it warm for you,” Gil gestured where he’d upturned a side plate over her dinner.
“Stay. Please. For my turn to apologise, I think,” Iole offered meekly.
“Don’t apologise,” her date begged of her, stiffly and then coughed slightly to note the grace of the young woman compared to those forward and voracious samples sat close by. “It was clearly what I said, which made you do .. what you did,” he acknowledged. Even as Nal rolled his eyes and left them to it, considering belatedly his own altered table scene.
“Did he say .. ?” the shop assistant panicked slightly in the meantime, half turning in some thought to accuse her brother .. until her date took his head in a slow, stately fashion left to right. And so she sat down, and took a new breath.
“He did not need to,” she was assured. “You were, I dared to believe, happy enough until I spoke a certain name. And since you seemed until tonight quite unaware of Aelin Celebhen, there can only be one cause for you to react at that name. One member of that House. Please ..” he stalled her in the moment that she looked to interject. “In truth I was in two minds about confessing where and who my mother now works for,” the admission persevered. “But my conscience would not allow that I hand to you some falsehood and have you then find out the truth, however much it would displease you, later on. You asked. So,” the valet shook out his napkin again. “I obliged, as far as I could,” he concluded.
“You only answered what I asked you,” she accepted. Not sure how that ought to spare her an apology. But since he had explained, it seemed only fair for Iole to take her turn on that score instead. Apologies without explanations after all, were only words. “Evidently … I did not expect such an answer, though I can not fault you for your honesty. I should have stayed to hear you out.”
“Yet if you had stayed, perhaps I might not have so registered your objection” he countered, as his company revealed her still warm meal, and laid the sideplate aside. "Please do consider it noted."
“Are you arguing with me ?” she was forced to ask him, then. Surprised for her own sake, though not offended. It was difficult to take such good manners as any sort of affront. If anything GIdolen had been too courteous.
“I am seeking only to see you not fly from my side again so soon. So .. I should probably assure you that my mother does not now, nor has ever, worked for any of her current employer's house whom happen to dwell outside the estate. And then, we might do better perhaps, to pursue an altered subject of converse,” the valet responded, altogether agreeably. Blue eyes watched his face for any sign, that this was all too good to be true. “As much as I enjoy regaling my dates all about my mother,” the Belfalasian managed a hint of a smile, which Iole noted, and mirrored in kind.
“Is that then not what you would usually speak about on 'all your many dates' ?” she sliced a carrot into two, and then focused on consuming one half, to give him time to think. Was she now .. teasing him back ? Were they come back on track ?
“Well now I couldn't rightly say. This is my first .. date, Ever,” her date confided, and then blinked some as though realising what he had just done. Ah well, it was done now, and it can not have been a surprise. “I am very particular,” he added, in a try at turning the tell into a compliment to charm her. "That is to say, contrary to all evidence, I do not offer my apologies to just anybody, after all."
Her smile told him that against all odds, this time, he had not erred. "I am honoured then," she almost laughed beyond her eyes. And so the two fell back toward their food. Eyes rising up at intervals, in intrigued wonder to observe this other soul who they were sat opposite. How their mouth moved when they dined. How their hands employed the tools to do so. Learning to trust .. learning to take care. Neither one now willing to walk away. And so the name that troubled them each, both, was not mentioned again this night. This .. this was a night for good things alone.
Last edited by Ercassie on Tue Oct 21, 2025 10:39 pm, edited 2 times in total.
All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost.
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Steward of Gondor
Posts: 4487
Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2021 10:12 pm
@Arnyn
Eryn, sitting with Lucion
Eryn tilted her head slightly in curiosity, when Lucion declared that he was impressed. What had she said that was so impressive? When, a moment later, he added 'with how you handled that', she understood, and gave a small smile. Her soup gone, she had begun tearing the bread that had formed the bowl into bite-sized pieces. It was a bit tough, as it had to be so that the soup wouldn't turn it into mush, so she had to use her knife to cut it. Ordinarily, she would have just bitten off a chunk, but somehow she felt self-conscious doing that, in this situation.
She smiled as he asked about her father. "Well," She answered thoughtfully, with a bit of amusement. "You could say that, yes." She grinned slightly, then ate a piece of the bread. It took her a moment to finish chewing, which gave her a moment to think about whether to say any more on that topic, or ask more about him. After swallowing, she decided on the former. "Even though I agreed to wait, I did remind him that when he joined the rangers, he lied about his age so he could enlist two years earlier than he was supposed to be," She mentioned, as if sharing a secret. "He was less than impressed to have that reminder thrown at him," She laughed lightly, then sat back with a lingering smile.
"But enough about me and my father," She added. "How are you liking it here?" She asked. "We mentioned the idea of getting together sometime, to do things?" She recalled. "What sort of things do you like to do?" She paused. "Do you, by chance, like to ride horses?" She wondered, hoping perhaps that might be something they could enjoy together some afternoon.
"Well," He sighed, resting against the bar. "I don't think that will be necessary, but thank you anyway. My son is meant to meet me here," he explained, not even trying to be secretive about that. He did have a son here in town, who was around that age. So, he did not mind anyone overhearing that, for they would assume he meant Togg. "I'm afraid he's running a bit late, however." He smiled politely at her as he picked up his glass, thinking about how he wanted to say something.
"I'm sure he'll be along eventually..." He continued, sounding unconcerned. "Or else, he may send a message to let me know another place where I should meet him." He added thoughtfully. "We have something to discuss in private, so he may prefer to meet me elsewhere." He explained to the lady, taking a little sip of his drink. Hoping that she would pick up on what he was saying, as well. "But I appreciate your offer to assist. That was truly kind of you, miss." He smiled. "Are you a local here, or only visiting the city?" He struck up another, more casual form of conversation, with the sort of question anyone might ask.
Eryn, sitting with Lucion
Eryn tilted her head slightly in curiosity, when Lucion declared that he was impressed. What had she said that was so impressive? When, a moment later, he added 'with how you handled that', she understood, and gave a small smile. Her soup gone, she had begun tearing the bread that had formed the bowl into bite-sized pieces. It was a bit tough, as it had to be so that the soup wouldn't turn it into mush, so she had to use her knife to cut it. Ordinarily, she would have just bitten off a chunk, but somehow she felt self-conscious doing that, in this situation.
She smiled as he asked about her father. "Well," She answered thoughtfully, with a bit of amusement. "You could say that, yes." She grinned slightly, then ate a piece of the bread. It took her a moment to finish chewing, which gave her a moment to think about whether to say any more on that topic, or ask more about him. After swallowing, she decided on the former. "Even though I agreed to wait, I did remind him that when he joined the rangers, he lied about his age so he could enlist two years earlier than he was supposed to be," She mentioned, as if sharing a secret. "He was less than impressed to have that reminder thrown at him," She laughed lightly, then sat back with a lingering smile.
"But enough about me and my father," She added. "How are you liking it here?" She asked. "We mentioned the idea of getting together sometime, to do things?" She recalled. "What sort of things do you like to do?" She paused. "Do you, by chance, like to ride horses?" She wondered, hoping perhaps that might be something they could enjoy together some afternoon.
"Well," He sighed, resting against the bar. "I don't think that will be necessary, but thank you anyway. My son is meant to meet me here," he explained, not even trying to be secretive about that. He did have a son here in town, who was around that age. So, he did not mind anyone overhearing that, for they would assume he meant Togg. "I'm afraid he's running a bit late, however." He smiled politely at her as he picked up his glass, thinking about how he wanted to say something.
"I'm sure he'll be along eventually..." He continued, sounding unconcerned. "Or else, he may send a message to let me know another place where I should meet him." He added thoughtfully. "We have something to discuss in private, so he may prefer to meet me elsewhere." He explained to the lady, taking a little sip of his drink. Hoping that she would pick up on what he was saying, as well. "But I appreciate your offer to assist. That was truly kind of you, miss." He smiled. "Are you a local here, or only visiting the city?" He struck up another, more casual form of conversation, with the sort of question anyone might ask.
I'm looking for someone to share in an Adventure
- Points: 4 404
Faramir
Posts: 2959
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 2:58 pm
@Rillewen
Hadassa
December something...
Hadassa listened to Xyler's account of his father's service and the brief note on his demise, and then the choice towards healing rather than soldiering; a look of compassion stole into her brown eyes though she kept herself from expressing it in the form of pity which she supposed would not be welcome.
"I'm sorry about your loss and all that capture experience," she did say though, and then added, "And I think doing all that healing work fits you well enough." In fact, she quite admired his heart for helping people, though she did not wish to admit that out loud too.
When Xyler directed their attention to food right after, and the possible disappearance of the said food into the bellies of others, Hadassa laughed lightly and took a seat with a hearty thank you for Xyler's gentlemanly conduct of pulling the chair out for her.
"You might be right. A year can be a lot and it can be so little," she wondered while observing the food with some interest though she hesitated to dig in and looked back up at her dinner companion. "I have no clue if there are any dancing lessons back home; though I gotta admit that I was not interested in those before so I might not have paid any attention to it even if such a piece of information came into my ears. But yeah... I would certainly be glad if we could learn a bit here." She paused and then added with small chuckle: "Also, I figure it would speak to your ability of learning lots if you returned with advanced healing skills, good dancing skills and perhaps a fair ability for self-defence."
Hadassa
December something...
Hadassa listened to Xyler's account of his father's service and the brief note on his demise, and then the choice towards healing rather than soldiering; a look of compassion stole into her brown eyes though she kept herself from expressing it in the form of pity which she supposed would not be welcome.
"I'm sorry about your loss and all that capture experience," she did say though, and then added, "And I think doing all that healing work fits you well enough." In fact, she quite admired his heart for helping people, though she did not wish to admit that out loud too.
When Xyler directed their attention to food right after, and the possible disappearance of the said food into the bellies of others, Hadassa laughed lightly and took a seat with a hearty thank you for Xyler's gentlemanly conduct of pulling the chair out for her.
"You might be right. A year can be a lot and it can be so little," she wondered while observing the food with some interest though she hesitated to dig in and looked back up at her dinner companion. "I have no clue if there are any dancing lessons back home; though I gotta admit that I was not interested in those before so I might not have paid any attention to it even if such a piece of information came into my ears. But yeah... I would certainly be glad if we could learn a bit here." She paused and then added with small chuckle: "Also, I figure it would speak to your ability of learning lots if you returned with advanced healing skills, good dancing skills and perhaps a fair ability for self-defence."
~ I will be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren ~
- Points: 914
Child of Gondor
Posts: 484
Joined: Wed May 20, 2020 3:35 am
@Rillewen
Mourgan Alarion w Cali
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
As he popped another carrot in his mouth he chewed and smiled at her question, he swallowed before he answered her. "Firstly, yes, there is a smithy shop. Not as glorious as what there is in the armory but it's functional." he chuckled. "It would take me a couple days to repair the fences." He wasn't sure how she felt about spending a few nights at the farm. "Of course we would be chaperoned." He quickly interjected. " My mother would love to join us and there is a good possibility one or all of my uncles will show up. They stay there in the bunkhouse when in the area." He took a drink then returned to answering her questions.
"As for taking a few days off all you do is fill out a request form with the date and your name and expected return, then hand it to the Lieutenant. Very easy, I already put mine in." He then listened to her wanting to go to Dol Amroth to see her sister-in-law and the children. He smiled lightly at seeing her do so. "No worries, you'll get there." He reassured her then went on to answer her about the farm. "Well, it's nothing grand but it's warm, dry and provides a modest income for me." He shrugged lightly. "I suppose it's like many farms, pastures and fields for crops, an orchard and perhaps even a few chickens." He chuckled at the chickens. " Ya, I can't claim to be a real farmer, I guess. I lease out most of the land and keep the area around the house, bunk house and barn and stables for myself." As he spoke a gleam of pride showed in his brown eyes. He did enjoy getting away from the city on occasion and the work cleared his mind of other things. He seemed to have find himself staring across the room, lost in thought. He looked back to her with a wide smile.
" I can't wait to take you there. I know it's abit cold but even winter adds a certain charm to it." He smiled before returning to his stew.
Mourgan Alarion w Cali
Late December (after the masquerade)
(same night as everyone else)
As he popped another carrot in his mouth he chewed and smiled at her question, he swallowed before he answered her. "Firstly, yes, there is a smithy shop. Not as glorious as what there is in the armory but it's functional." he chuckled. "It would take me a couple days to repair the fences." He wasn't sure how she felt about spending a few nights at the farm. "Of course we would be chaperoned." He quickly interjected. " My mother would love to join us and there is a good possibility one or all of my uncles will show up. They stay there in the bunkhouse when in the area." He took a drink then returned to answering her questions.
"As for taking a few days off all you do is fill out a request form with the date and your name and expected return, then hand it to the Lieutenant. Very easy, I already put mine in." He then listened to her wanting to go to Dol Amroth to see her sister-in-law and the children. He smiled lightly at seeing her do so. "No worries, you'll get there." He reassured her then went on to answer her about the farm. "Well, it's nothing grand but it's warm, dry and provides a modest income for me." He shrugged lightly. "I suppose it's like many farms, pastures and fields for crops, an orchard and perhaps even a few chickens." He chuckled at the chickens. " Ya, I can't claim to be a real farmer, I guess. I lease out most of the land and keep the area around the house, bunk house and barn and stables for myself." As he spoke a gleam of pride showed in his brown eyes. He did enjoy getting away from the city on occasion and the work cleared his mind of other things. He seemed to have find himself staring across the room, lost in thought. He looked back to her with a wide smile.
" I can't wait to take you there. I know it's abit cold but even winter adds a certain charm to it." He smiled before returning to his stew.
Isolde Alarion/Rohan~Nelladel Alarion/Gondor~Mourgan Alarion/Gondor ~ Dahak/ Umbar ~ Relic RIP
