Kaelara's shop of general goods was pleasantly located a few buildings down from Annuir, relatively close to the South Gate-house, and not far from main street. One's first glance might seem to reveal a normal two-story building, yet upon closer perusal, two turret-like protrusions of stone expand along the forward edges of the store like solid, quiet sentinels. The wooden verandah snugs up against the store with two neatly finished steps, complete with railings, leading up from the street.
The store-front is an odd conglomeration of wood and stone, the stones clambering one upon another like Ivy, settling comfortably in place as if they'd always been there, with planks of wood snugging into them as if they'd grown there. A pole overshadowed the street, upon which dangled one of Klebb's signs, an etching of "Kaelara's Corner" sprawled across the top, while "Buy ~ Sell ~ Trade" curves beneath an image of a chest filled with general trade items.
A window formed of leaded glass and criss-crossing thick lead supports filled a large portion of the wall, allowing a glimpse into the well-lit interior, where dry goods covered shelves, sprouted from barrels and dangled from the ceiling. The wide front door was generally propped open on warm days, leading into a large room ripe with the clean, musky smell of leather, wool, and herbs.
A Notice board adorned the wall space between the door and window. One of the notices, scribed in neat, plain letters said - in both Adhiel and Common - 'Inquire within to post. Thankyou!'
* Inside
The shop was square, with a long counter running a few paces along the wall to the right of the door. A small wood swinging door hangs in a gap in the counter, allowing access to the shelves and materials only the proprieter could retrieve. Even here, as one stepped inside, one could see and feel the encroachment of stone where it patchworked the smooth wooden floor, butting up cleanly and evenly so well that only an observant person would note the difference in coloring, or the slight texture difference when stepping from one to the other.
Though clean and well-lit with windows during the daylight hours (and a few well-placed lanterns during closing), the space was rather full. Shelves run every couple feet in rows across the middle of the room, running straight up to where they attach on the ceiling supports. Odds and ends were grouped in a similar fashion: tools, dry foodstuffs, even locally produced goods found a home in their own shelves or corners. Most of the counter, and the shelves beneath it, contained fabric - blankets, a few simple garments, a few rolls of cloth of basic colors and hardy material. The wall behind the counter contained a small hearthplace, currently empty and cold, near the floor - but a few hatchets, knives and other 'sharper' wares were hung on the walls - conveniently out of reach from curious customers.
The corner to the left of the doorway, past the front window, held a slight stone protrusion wide enough for a door, and just deep enough for a steep set of stairs. Today that door stood, propped open with a heavy box, as a string of melodic Adhiel chased the scampering four-footed puppy which was darting up the stairs into the shop's expanse, little nails clicking on the floor as he chirped playfully, the tones more reminiscent of a bird's muffled twitter.
"Biet! Come! Heel! I'm not playing with you... little scamp! ... Biet!" Faint at first, the words grew louder as a pair of light footsteps echoed up the stone stairway. Though mildly cross, the tone was softened by fondness, which probably wasn't aiding her situation. The chink of coins and bits of metal, muffled by fabric, emerged as the puppy caught sight of her wheaten head appearing from the storage area below and shook the little purse gripped in it's teeth before darting further into the room.
Just emerging from the stairway, a sigh of resignation on her lips, the Shopkeeper herself appeared, a bundle of fabric rolls in her arms.
PAX: Minding Business, Chryil 27th, MT - (Elaine, Open)
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Kaelara Mentahn
- Shopkeeper
- Posts: 334
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: USA
PAX: Minding Business, Chryil 27th, MT - (Elaine, Open)
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Elaine
- Royal Poet
- Posts: 1435
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 4:45 pm
- Location: Citadel, the palace
- Contact:
The previous days did not sit well with Elaine. Fact was that something lived underneath their feet, pretty much in the same way it had done in the Citadel. Another fact was that she was quite unable to voice her worries over that to her husband. Of course she had exchanged the facts with him, yet all else stayed beneath the surface.
It annoyed her that she once again fell into a lack of words that made it very hard to communicate her thoughts. Luckily there was enough to do in this new town to keep her occupied and well away from the shadows of the past.
She'd been learning her way around as fast as she could, counting the corners and houses to get a basic idea of the lay out. With the main street as her guide the young Achadhiel usually managed to get to her destination now. And if not, there was usually a kind soul around to help her back on track.
Today was no exception. Determined to get better acquainted to the woman who had shown such self restraint and confidence, Elaine had asked her way to Kaelara's store.
To own a store in a new place shows insight and planning. Surely this woman has some insights that could help the voice of the past. 2...3....
She counted the last step as she ended up on the veranda. One hand kept in touch with the railing, the other safely on her wooden aid. Normally it would only take two steps to the front door from a set up like this and indeed, her staff encountered the entrance.
Once again the scent of old brick lingered. Elaine frowned. Everything pointed to realities overlapping and yet, those two songs would have to find a way to create a harmony before everything crumbled.
She tapped her way in to the right, staying to the sides to get an idea of the size of the room. Letting a hand waver past the shelves the woman got an idea of the store, slowly translating it into her own views.
At the sound of a voice Elaine held still, waiting for the source to come closer. It was definitely Adhiel and she could pick out the essence from the tone as well as some words.
The little pitter-patter of feet. Deep breathing, irregular steps.
The familiar scent of the dog's hair made up the rest of the missing picture.
Elaine went through her knees and smiled. "Hello, little one." She spoke softly. "Making life difficult on your lady?"
The aforementioned lady emerged from the sound of it and the blind woman tilted her head. "Hello? Lady Kaelara?"
It annoyed her that she once again fell into a lack of words that made it very hard to communicate her thoughts. Luckily there was enough to do in this new town to keep her occupied and well away from the shadows of the past.
She'd been learning her way around as fast as she could, counting the corners and houses to get a basic idea of the lay out. With the main street as her guide the young Achadhiel usually managed to get to her destination now. And if not, there was usually a kind soul around to help her back on track.
Today was no exception. Determined to get better acquainted to the woman who had shown such self restraint and confidence, Elaine had asked her way to Kaelara's store.
To own a store in a new place shows insight and planning. Surely this woman has some insights that could help the voice of the past. 2...3....
She counted the last step as she ended up on the veranda. One hand kept in touch with the railing, the other safely on her wooden aid. Normally it would only take two steps to the front door from a set up like this and indeed, her staff encountered the entrance.
Once again the scent of old brick lingered. Elaine frowned. Everything pointed to realities overlapping and yet, those two songs would have to find a way to create a harmony before everything crumbled.
She tapped her way in to the right, staying to the sides to get an idea of the size of the room. Letting a hand waver past the shelves the woman got an idea of the store, slowly translating it into her own views.
At the sound of a voice Elaine held still, waiting for the source to come closer. It was definitely Adhiel and she could pick out the essence from the tone as well as some words.
The little pitter-patter of feet. Deep breathing, irregular steps.
The familiar scent of the dog's hair made up the rest of the missing picture.
Elaine went through her knees and smiled. "Hello, little one." She spoke softly. "Making life difficult on your lady?"
The aforementioned lady emerged from the sound of it and the blind woman tilted her head. "Hello? Lady Kaelara?"
There is so much to see, yet so few willing to.
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Kaelara Mentahn
- Shopkeeper
- Posts: 334
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: USA
Again that muffled chirp emerged, bird-like, as the puppy fidgeted closer to sniff at this new scent, moist little nose twitching and snuffling as it neared.
"It seems he does not think bundles of fabric should be more interesting than himself." The words spoken reflected the language Elaine herself had first used, an adhielian lilt falling from a quietly-modulated voice as she crossed the room. Despite the hint of asperity in her tone, an amused sigh escaped from twixt her lips.
"But Namaste, Lady Elaine... I see you found the 'Corner without too much difficulty.." There was the hint of a question to her tone, her eyes flicking to the doorway to confirm there was no escort lingering without. Phenomenal. It was no mean feat finding one's way about Pax even if one could actually see, and she was suitably impressed. Then again, perhaps without the distractions of changing landmarks it makes such easier... The softened thud of cloth-wrapped boards echoed as she settled them on the counter, the different fabrics rasping as they slid and settled into their slightly splayed pile.
Her gaze returned to the other woman, assessing and thoughtful, now that there were no other eyes that would find such presumptuous. "Did you come in search of something... particular this morning-tide? As I Buy, Sell, and Trade... generally it isn't too difficult to find whatever you might be looking for." Despite the tangle of curiosity and intense thought hovering at the edges of her mind, she was all outward business and courtesy.
Kaelara's attention occupied again, Biet, from his curious emergence that led him right up within reach of the newcomer, twittered again, the sound muffled and punctuated by the tell-tale jangling of the prize gripped in his pointy muzzle.
"It seems he does not think bundles of fabric should be more interesting than himself." The words spoken reflected the language Elaine herself had first used, an adhielian lilt falling from a quietly-modulated voice as she crossed the room. Despite the hint of asperity in her tone, an amused sigh escaped from twixt her lips.
"But Namaste, Lady Elaine... I see you found the 'Corner without too much difficulty.." There was the hint of a question to her tone, her eyes flicking to the doorway to confirm there was no escort lingering without. Phenomenal. It was no mean feat finding one's way about Pax even if one could actually see, and she was suitably impressed. Then again, perhaps without the distractions of changing landmarks it makes such easier... The softened thud of cloth-wrapped boards echoed as she settled them on the counter, the different fabrics rasping as they slid and settled into their slightly splayed pile.
Her gaze returned to the other woman, assessing and thoughtful, now that there were no other eyes that would find such presumptuous. "Did you come in search of something... particular this morning-tide? As I Buy, Sell, and Trade... generally it isn't too difficult to find whatever you might be looking for." Despite the tangle of curiosity and intense thought hovering at the edges of her mind, she was all outward business and courtesy.
Kaelara's attention occupied again, Biet, from his curious emergence that led him right up within reach of the newcomer, twittered again, the sound muffled and punctuated by the tell-tale jangling of the prize gripped in his pointy muzzle.
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Elaine
- Royal Poet
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- Location: Citadel, the palace
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Elaine waited patiently until she was allowed to scratch the little heap of squeaky noises behind the ears. She chuckled.
"After a few questions I came to find most people know of your store and can describe it's location adequately." She smiled. "Namaste, lady. I would think you have Adhiel origins, from your accent? And I apologize profoundly for my lack of fluency in the language."
Slowly she got up on her feet again, not wanting to scare off the little dog. "I have to admit, I am not entirely sure what I am looking for." The blind woman brushed off her brown robes. "Perhaps I came to trade a little time." A smile followed. "I realize fully well that you must be a busy woman, with a well-wanted store. Yet I would very much appreciate a chance to talk about ...hrm....Pax."
She kept it neutral on purpose. It would not do for any unsuspecting customer to roll into a conversation about shadows and echoes. Yet the young Achadhiel knew perfectly well from her father that the most popular stores were also mostly informed about the do's and don't's in a city.
"After a few questions I came to find most people know of your store and can describe it's location adequately." She smiled. "Namaste, lady. I would think you have Adhiel origins, from your accent? And I apologize profoundly for my lack of fluency in the language."
Slowly she got up on her feet again, not wanting to scare off the little dog. "I have to admit, I am not entirely sure what I am looking for." The blind woman brushed off her brown robes. "Perhaps I came to trade a little time." A smile followed. "I realize fully well that you must be a busy woman, with a well-wanted store. Yet I would very much appreciate a chance to talk about ...hrm....Pax."
She kept it neutral on purpose. It would not do for any unsuspecting customer to roll into a conversation about shadows and echoes. Yet the young Achadhiel knew perfectly well from her father that the most popular stores were also mostly informed about the do's and don't's in a city.
There is so much to see, yet so few willing to.
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Kaelara Mentahn
- Shopkeeper
- Posts: 334
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: USA
The proffered hand met with the cautious twitchings of a cool, damp nose, and when she made no move to snatch his prize, Biet nudged his sharp little snout into her palm. Downy fur encased his roundish skull and short, floppy ears, but after a brief moment, attention sated, he scampered off, the little clicks of his paws pausing as he curled up on a little burlap bag Kaelara had arranged underneath a shelf.
A quiet chuckle slipped from the Adhiel's lips at his antics. Barely a flicker's thought later, however, she swept the little counter gate aside to draw a stool from behind the counter, the four wooden legs rasping briefly along the floor with that tell-tale scree of shifting furniture.
"No need for apologies, I have grown accustomed to such a lack, business would be poor indeed if I used such standards to judge those who enter here... Would you care to sit?" A hand patted the stool as an afterthought, hoping such would guide the woman to its location. "The day after market is generally slow, coins tend to find other uses than the practical ones they would find here." A touch of humor lightened her lilt, though she added, unable to restrain the barest trace of haughty tones, though her voice faded into more genial sounds towards the end. "Born Adhiel, though among a family of merchants, so the knowledge of the human tongue was birthed of necessity." Listening to the other woman, she began lifting each block of fabric, sliding them into the appropriate places after a flicker of note on color and quality.
"About Pax? Ah, I recall you come from out-kingdom." There was a moment's considered silence, for despite the apparent innocence of the question, the woman was far from ordinary, and after the powers of healing displayed the day prior... If she's a Oneist, I'll eat my quill. "Is it a bit cold, perhaps?" Pausing in her work, her light tread wound its way to the door, the quiet snick of the latch catching before she resumed sorting and straightening the shelf of displayed fabric.
"Some might think there was little to know," she began, conversationally, "I'm sure even elsewhere word has spread that Balthasar formed this city as a place of protection from those of his Oneists of.. hmm... shall we say... strong convictions?" Despite the intended blandness of speech, her voice tightened ever so slightly over a handful of words. "But here, I am answering before I know your interests ... what would you know?" Times had improved, since her arrival, but Pax's beginnings had taught the Adhiel a firm respect for cautious words.
A quiet chuckle slipped from the Adhiel's lips at his antics. Barely a flicker's thought later, however, she swept the little counter gate aside to draw a stool from behind the counter, the four wooden legs rasping briefly along the floor with that tell-tale scree of shifting furniture.
"No need for apologies, I have grown accustomed to such a lack, business would be poor indeed if I used such standards to judge those who enter here... Would you care to sit?" A hand patted the stool as an afterthought, hoping such would guide the woman to its location. "The day after market is generally slow, coins tend to find other uses than the practical ones they would find here." A touch of humor lightened her lilt, though she added, unable to restrain the barest trace of haughty tones, though her voice faded into more genial sounds towards the end. "Born Adhiel, though among a family of merchants, so the knowledge of the human tongue was birthed of necessity." Listening to the other woman, she began lifting each block of fabric, sliding them into the appropriate places after a flicker of note on color and quality.
"About Pax? Ah, I recall you come from out-kingdom." There was a moment's considered silence, for despite the apparent innocence of the question, the woman was far from ordinary, and after the powers of healing displayed the day prior... If she's a Oneist, I'll eat my quill. "Is it a bit cold, perhaps?" Pausing in her work, her light tread wound its way to the door, the quiet snick of the latch catching before she resumed sorting and straightening the shelf of displayed fabric.
"Some might think there was little to know," she began, conversationally, "I'm sure even elsewhere word has spread that Balthasar formed this city as a place of protection from those of his Oneists of.. hmm... shall we say... strong convictions?" Despite the intended blandness of speech, her voice tightened ever so slightly over a handful of words. "But here, I am answering before I know your interests ... what would you know?" Times had improved, since her arrival, but Pax's beginnings had taught the Adhiel a firm respect for cautious words.
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Elaine
- Royal Poet
- Posts: 1435
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 4:45 pm
- Location: Citadel, the palace
- Contact:
Unfortunately the little ball of fur lacked the concentration to make anything out other than that it had fur and ears...definitely ears. The scratching would have to wait until another moment, Elaine decided, not wanting to pester the little thing when it's mind was set on rest right now.
It was the ease of a youngster, whether it be animal or not, to single mindedly pursue their first and foremost priority, no matter that it differed per passing flicker and the blind woman could only admire it in a way. It certainly made life a whole lot easier!
"Thank you, I will." Elaine smiled and tapped her way towards the offered chair. "Born Adhiel, came here of your own free will?" It might be a loaded question, but there were many ways out of it if the lady did not wish to discuss it.
The little ploy to close the door did not elude her. "Yes, slightly chilly still. We just started spring, after all." The blind woman smiled, tilting her head to try and pick up the nuances from the other woman's voice. There was something that tasted like freedom in her tone, something that would not be subdued and Elaine liked it.
"Ah yes...we were well informed of his...selfless attempts to create a safe haven for all those that do not fit in." She scraped her throat. "But tell me...." Her mind went in two directions. Part of her wanted to discuss the old walls, the spirit. The other wished to know if the darkness underground had been noticed already. Yet another part explained that as long as they did not touch that subject, it might not become too real as of yet.
"Tell me, the walls....they were already here? The city was built within?" Elaine knew the answer perfectly well, thanks to little Blackbird and her own senses, yet she needed to know how much this bright lady knew and how much she was willing to share. It would not do to scare her away immediately when Elaine needed help on this puzzle!
It was the ease of a youngster, whether it be animal or not, to single mindedly pursue their first and foremost priority, no matter that it differed per passing flicker and the blind woman could only admire it in a way. It certainly made life a whole lot easier!
"Thank you, I will." Elaine smiled and tapped her way towards the offered chair. "Born Adhiel, came here of your own free will?" It might be a loaded question, but there were many ways out of it if the lady did not wish to discuss it.
The little ploy to close the door did not elude her. "Yes, slightly chilly still. We just started spring, after all." The blind woman smiled, tilting her head to try and pick up the nuances from the other woman's voice. There was something that tasted like freedom in her tone, something that would not be subdued and Elaine liked it.
"Ah yes...we were well informed of his...selfless attempts to create a safe haven for all those that do not fit in." She scraped her throat. "But tell me...." Her mind went in two directions. Part of her wanted to discuss the old walls, the spirit. The other wished to know if the darkness underground had been noticed already. Yet another part explained that as long as they did not touch that subject, it might not become too real as of yet.
"Tell me, the walls....they were already here? The city was built within?" Elaine knew the answer perfectly well, thanks to little Blackbird and her own senses, yet she needed to know how much this bright lady knew and how much she was willing to share. It would not do to scare her away immediately when Elaine needed help on this puzzle!
There is so much to see, yet so few willing to.
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Kaelara Mentahn
- Shopkeeper
- Posts: 334
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: USA
Elaine found her seat to be a simple, backless stool, firmly standing on four legs, a trifle higher than a normal seat might be. Yet for all that, it was just high enough to allow easy access to the counter. The flat surface next to her was a wooden affair, sanded smooth and a quickly diminishing pile of fabric wrapped boards within easy reach of her left hand. There was little else within reach to clutter the surface.
Hands and eyes followed the movements of sorting and straightening without fail, though the question sent her thoughts on a curious bent, for the question from any other visitor might have been a naive blunder of innocence. Yet, the composure and independence of Elaine led the Adhiel to think otherwise. She's fishing... "There was a blazing unrest in King's Court to dog the heels of those who thought to linger there, and the decree itself, of course. Would you have chosen a rough patch of dirt and shoddy buildings over the society of your home?" Despite deflecting a direct answer, there was still a stirring of heat beneath her calm facade.
The light whisper of fabric sliding across like material filled the intervening silence, the events of past months shuffling amongst the memories of the past few days.
"There is much in this city that must have lain quiet before we arrived, the walls... it was a singular moment. One mark, nothing with which to defend or entrap, and the next..." Even now, Kaelara felt a chill tingling down her spine. "Age-old stone, dripping with moss, completely encircling us. Uncanny, that - I recall one of the Oneist architects, and another, a Mage, were both a blubbering mess, couldn't shake the dust of our city from their feet quickly enough after that." Good riddance. Leaning a hip against the counter, she studied the blind achadhiel's face from a few steps away.
"But such things have become common place, now, barely a day passes with out some bit of stone cropping up somewhere - the Cube in the square, a house sprouting a turret... or as in my shop, a useful little cellar where I store my goods." A quiet, restrained laugh emerged, "it grows like ivy here, and one becomes accustomed to the strangeness as time passes and other concerns rise to the fore." Her eyes focused thoughtfully on the other's vague gaze.
Kaelara considered posing a question of her own, but restrained the impulse, biding her time until she had a better gauge of what Elaine was seeking.
"Born Adhiel, came here of your own free will?"
Hands and eyes followed the movements of sorting and straightening without fail, though the question sent her thoughts on a curious bent, for the question from any other visitor might have been a naive blunder of innocence. Yet, the composure and independence of Elaine led the Adhiel to think otherwise. She's fishing... "There was a blazing unrest in King's Court to dog the heels of those who thought to linger there, and the decree itself, of course. Would you have chosen a rough patch of dirt and shoddy buildings over the society of your home?" Despite deflecting a direct answer, there was still a stirring of heat beneath her calm facade.
"Tell me, the walls....they were already here? The city was built within?"
The light whisper of fabric sliding across like material filled the intervening silence, the events of past months shuffling amongst the memories of the past few days.
"There is much in this city that must have lain quiet before we arrived, the walls... it was a singular moment. One mark, nothing with which to defend or entrap, and the next..." Even now, Kaelara felt a chill tingling down her spine. "Age-old stone, dripping with moss, completely encircling us. Uncanny, that - I recall one of the Oneist architects, and another, a Mage, were both a blubbering mess, couldn't shake the dust of our city from their feet quickly enough after that." Good riddance. Leaning a hip against the counter, she studied the blind achadhiel's face from a few steps away.
"But such things have become common place, now, barely a day passes with out some bit of stone cropping up somewhere - the Cube in the square, a house sprouting a turret... or as in my shop, a useful little cellar where I store my goods." A quiet, restrained laugh emerged, "it grows like ivy here, and one becomes accustomed to the strangeness as time passes and other concerns rise to the fore." Her eyes focused thoughtfully on the other's vague gaze.
Kaelara considered posing a question of her own, but restrained the impulse, biding her time until she had a better gauge of what Elaine was seeking.
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Elaine
- Royal Poet
- Posts: 1435
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 4:45 pm
- Location: Citadel, the palace
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Elaine put her staff down on the floor and let her free hand roam over the seat. The smooth wood felt good. It made her itch to bring out her tools again. Maybe in this city there would be some quiet time to actually get creative again.
Kaelara's words cut through the surface like a knife. "The decree, yes..." The blind woman frowned. The Citadel had gotten the news of course, and she had been glad she'd not still been in the Mouth to live it. Yet the subsequent happenings in the capital of the Isles had taken her mind away from those that'd had to flee their homes for fear of rammifications.
She softened her voice. "I apologize." It was the only response possible, really. "If my questions offend you, tell me so. Honesty is the best tool I know."
Somewhere the young Achadhiel felt like getting up again, but it felt unwise to go wandering around in a room she did not know -a space where every break would cost money. "So the echoes find a way back into the present." She nodded. "The city wishes to make itself known. It needs to become whole again. You have seen it. I can hear it; feel it. And the more the people in the streets accept it, the more it will grant the memory the power to break through...which might not be such a bad idea if only it was not built on fear, anger and frustration."
It was quite a load to just let go off in front of the relatively unknown woman. Yet Kaelara was the one living here. She had just admitted to knowing something was going on and she seemed to accept it without qualms.
"Question is, what would be healthy? The city asks for a builder...who is present, more or less. The city speaks of a healer being present already. And it asked if I could please sing, to be the third. To look for...no..." The woman shook her head as her memory corrected her. "To go to annuir, to find the book for I would need it to sing like the birds."
The last words were clearly quoted as her tone changed to try and capture Blackbird's strange voice. "She gave Cira to one who came to help....Ah, I must sound like a mad woman now. But at least you will know what I came here for." She cocked her head to the left, smiling in the lady's direction.
"This is my honesty. Does it give you what you seek?"
Kaelara's words cut through the surface like a knife. "The decree, yes..." The blind woman frowned. The Citadel had gotten the news of course, and she had been glad she'd not still been in the Mouth to live it. Yet the subsequent happenings in the capital of the Isles had taken her mind away from those that'd had to flee their homes for fear of rammifications.
She softened her voice. "I apologize." It was the only response possible, really. "If my questions offend you, tell me so. Honesty is the best tool I know."
Somewhere the young Achadhiel felt like getting up again, but it felt unwise to go wandering around in a room she did not know -a space where every break would cost money. "So the echoes find a way back into the present." She nodded. "The city wishes to make itself known. It needs to become whole again. You have seen it. I can hear it; feel it. And the more the people in the streets accept it, the more it will grant the memory the power to break through...which might not be such a bad idea if only it was not built on fear, anger and frustration."
It was quite a load to just let go off in front of the relatively unknown woman. Yet Kaelara was the one living here. She had just admitted to knowing something was going on and she seemed to accept it without qualms.
"Question is, what would be healthy? The city asks for a builder...who is present, more or less. The city speaks of a healer being present already. And it asked if I could please sing, to be the third. To look for...no..." The woman shook her head as her memory corrected her. "To go to annuir, to find the book for I would need it to sing like the birds."
The last words were clearly quoted as her tone changed to try and capture Blackbird's strange voice. "She gave Cira to one who came to help....Ah, I must sound like a mad woman now. But at least you will know what I came here for." She cocked her head to the left, smiling in the lady's direction.
"This is my honesty. Does it give you what you seek?"
There is so much to see, yet so few willing to.
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Kaelara Mentahn
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- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: USA
Realising her frustrations with the past had shaken free, she waved away Elaine's apology, a flickering sweep of slender fingers... though she realized, belatedly, the other would not see it. "The offense is not of your making, and so neither the apology." There are others who must come to task, for what has been done.
Kaelara, for the love of all that she could hear, see, and touch with our own limited senses, might, perhaps, have allowed the conversation to wend unendingly around benign matters, rumors among the townspeople, and talk of trade. Elaine's words cut through all such and struck her dumb for nearly a solid burn.
"I barely know where to begin, Lady. Though I never sought this it seems to have swept me into its midst, regardless." The words emerged, recovering a slight amusement as she shook free from the hold of silence that had gripped her. Restless, Kaelara stepped from the counter, arms crossed about her waist, feet settling into a familiar pattern. Seven gentle thuds on the floorboards echoed, before the sounds were muffled by thick stone, then another seven steps as she paced back along the same path. "Perhaps I am the one oweing of an apology, for I knew you, yesterday, and said naught. 'A singer without sight,' they said..." Her words faded into nothing as she coralled her thoughts, "This city.. our circumstances... have grown me suspicious." Elaine's smile stirred forth a faint answering one to her own lips, and then she continued, voice quiet and serious, one amber eye upon the door. Should they be interupted, she was ready to silence her speech immediately.
"There was a city in our past, ages before any others settled here, called Selderine. They built their homes, and they built their wall... and for protection they created 6 stones, covered in protective runes, and placed these outside the city. Whatever purpose they were set to, I am no mage, no healer to understand the workings of these things. All I know is that the Spirit of this land, the Father to a Child I have seen and spoken to, is pained somehow. It wants the stones healed, and yet... by Illuminatus' grace alone, my dreams met another's and I was told we must break, to heal." Continuing her recitation, her voice softened in tenor, ever so faintly.
"While you might see only ties of a dangerous kind, it feels... it is... protective, as well. I cannot wish it harm." She fell silent, short of revealing her own thoughts of just how that protection might be utilized. "Of Annuir, I might aid you - and the book is known to me. There is one named Nyrellon, a priestess to whom you must be made known to as well... But how have you come to know all this of which you speak? From your own reckoning, of yesterday, you've barely been here three full tides?!"
Kaelara, for the love of all that she could hear, see, and touch with our own limited senses, might, perhaps, have allowed the conversation to wend unendingly around benign matters, rumors among the townspeople, and talk of trade. Elaine's words cut through all such and struck her dumb for nearly a solid burn.
"I barely know where to begin, Lady. Though I never sought this it seems to have swept me into its midst, regardless." The words emerged, recovering a slight amusement as she shook free from the hold of silence that had gripped her. Restless, Kaelara stepped from the counter, arms crossed about her waist, feet settling into a familiar pattern. Seven gentle thuds on the floorboards echoed, before the sounds were muffled by thick stone, then another seven steps as she paced back along the same path. "Perhaps I am the one oweing of an apology, for I knew you, yesterday, and said naught. 'A singer without sight,' they said..." Her words faded into nothing as she coralled her thoughts, "This city.. our circumstances... have grown me suspicious." Elaine's smile stirred forth a faint answering one to her own lips, and then she continued, voice quiet and serious, one amber eye upon the door. Should they be interupted, she was ready to silence her speech immediately.
"There was a city in our past, ages before any others settled here, called Selderine. They built their homes, and they built their wall... and for protection they created 6 stones, covered in protective runes, and placed these outside the city. Whatever purpose they were set to, I am no mage, no healer to understand the workings of these things. All I know is that the Spirit of this land, the Father to a Child I have seen and spoken to, is pained somehow. It wants the stones healed, and yet... by Illuminatus' grace alone, my dreams met another's and I was told we must break, to heal." Continuing her recitation, her voice softened in tenor, ever so faintly.
"While you might see only ties of a dangerous kind, it feels... it is... protective, as well. I cannot wish it harm." She fell silent, short of revealing her own thoughts of just how that protection might be utilized. "Of Annuir, I might aid you - and the book is known to me. There is one named Nyrellon, a priestess to whom you must be made known to as well... But how have you come to know all this of which you speak? From your own reckoning, of yesterday, you've barely been here three full tides?!"
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-
Elaine
- Royal Poet
- Posts: 1435
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 4:45 pm
- Location: Citadel, the palace
- Contact:
It was an advantage to not fear the truth. It was an even bigger advantage if it shocked people into revealing what they knew without them thinking too long on it. Thinking tended to blur the edges of pure perception and Elaine was very interested in learning what Kaelara had experienced here.
Yet the truth revealed more than she could have dreamed of. This time it was her turn to blink her eyes in surprise. "Singer without...someone told you I'd be coming?" Her voice sounded incredulously. "Who was that? How did you know?"
Yet the rest of the story was equally important, so the blind woman held the rest of her questions until afterwards, instinctively counting Kaelara's footsteps on the wooden boards to keep her calm.
Elaine nodded after the shopkeeper fell silent. "Very well..." She frowned, pondering the rest of her response. "Selderine is the city. A lovely girl with the voice of a bird has given me the other details I just told you about. Yet she too is an echo. I named her Blackbird, but this is not her real name. She speaks of her father, but her father is not the city. So this might coincide with what you just said. If the stones need to be healed, I can help. I know I can. And I would appreciate the book...although I will need help reading it." She chuckled.
"In a way I was lucky enough to try and get to know the land, at which the girl responded. She was very kind and very patient and told me everything I know...which was confirmed by our walk through the town."
Yet the truth revealed more than she could have dreamed of. This time it was her turn to blink her eyes in surprise. "Singer without...someone told you I'd be coming?" Her voice sounded incredulously. "Who was that? How did you know?"
Yet the rest of the story was equally important, so the blind woman held the rest of her questions until afterwards, instinctively counting Kaelara's footsteps on the wooden boards to keep her calm.
Elaine nodded after the shopkeeper fell silent. "Very well..." She frowned, pondering the rest of her response. "Selderine is the city. A lovely girl with the voice of a bird has given me the other details I just told you about. Yet she too is an echo. I named her Blackbird, but this is not her real name. She speaks of her father, but her father is not the city. So this might coincide with what you just said. If the stones need to be healed, I can help. I know I can. And I would appreciate the book...although I will need help reading it." She chuckled.
"In a way I was lucky enough to try and get to know the land, at which the girl responded. She was very kind and very patient and told me everything I know...which was confirmed by our walk through the town."
There is so much to see, yet so few willing to.
[i]Jonah Bannon[/i]
Avatar by Dorian!
[i]Jonah Bannon[/i]
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Kaelara Mentahn
- Shopkeeper
- Posts: 334
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: USA
Even as Kaelara opened her lips, the words echoed of the fantastical. Despite the amazing technologies of magic, the flying ships of the Condotierre, the powers of the elements, such uses were far from commonplace. Yet, these things all moved among the present, were accepted as possibilities.
"The wall, buildings, items... things have appeared here, things with a tie to the history of this place." A flicker's hesitation, for she would not blame should the woman respond with disbelief. "But not just things have done so... even people have been caught within these influences. Provost Sanguine and Nyrellon," the names fell from her lips with a familiar air, "convinced me that there are dangers if things proceed in Pax with us unaware." I will not flee, nor be removed from my home again. "There are a few of us, then, who have been trying to puzzle out the situation, aided by a Halfling mage, Baltimus, who has been striving to reach towards us from the.. the past. It is from him we received word of you." Stated plainly, the whole situation sounded like a children's tale, but her serious tone, level and uninflected, should leave little doubt that she believed each of these words spoken.
"Healing and Breaking, Elaine," her words were quiet. "We are yet uncertain how breaking will heal, but the same who foretold of you, said this was so. Annuir is not far, and the proprietor is..." her throat closed briefly, a surge of inner turmoil catching at her words. "a good friend. I must wait for my Apprentice, before I can depart, but perhaps I can take you there this morning. The book you seek I myself tracked down recently, but it will take wiser eyes than mine to read. If you give me but a moment, I'll fetch it... "
Already she was moving towards the stairwell, though she would halt if Elaine sought to restrain her with a question. If not, she would reappear a few burns later, the tell-tale rasping of paper sliding against like material accompanying her steps. It was an effort not to think of Seth and of Nyrellon's shocking revelation. With the strange man's propensity to snatch the thoughts from her head, she knew she'd need to regain control before stepping into his presence. How might he react to the thought of his uncertain existence? How do you go about telling someone they're dead? Two days had barely been enough to grasp the concept herself, and though she had intended to go to Annuir all along, Elaine's presence would certainly add a curious uncertainty to what would happen.
"The wall, buildings, items... things have appeared here, things with a tie to the history of this place." A flicker's hesitation, for she would not blame should the woman respond with disbelief. "But not just things have done so... even people have been caught within these influences. Provost Sanguine and Nyrellon," the names fell from her lips with a familiar air, "convinced me that there are dangers if things proceed in Pax with us unaware." I will not flee, nor be removed from my home again. "There are a few of us, then, who have been trying to puzzle out the situation, aided by a Halfling mage, Baltimus, who has been striving to reach towards us from the.. the past. It is from him we received word of you." Stated plainly, the whole situation sounded like a children's tale, but her serious tone, level and uninflected, should leave little doubt that she believed each of these words spoken.
"Healing and Breaking, Elaine," her words were quiet. "We are yet uncertain how breaking will heal, but the same who foretold of you, said this was so. Annuir is not far, and the proprietor is..." her throat closed briefly, a surge of inner turmoil catching at her words. "a good friend. I must wait for my Apprentice, before I can depart, but perhaps I can take you there this morning. The book you seek I myself tracked down recently, but it will take wiser eyes than mine to read. If you give me but a moment, I'll fetch it... "
Already she was moving towards the stairwell, though she would halt if Elaine sought to restrain her with a question. If not, she would reappear a few burns later, the tell-tale rasping of paper sliding against like material accompanying her steps. It was an effort not to think of Seth and of Nyrellon's shocking revelation. With the strange man's propensity to snatch the thoughts from her head, she knew she'd need to regain control before stepping into his presence. How might he react to the thought of his uncertain existence? How do you go about telling someone they're dead? Two days had barely been enough to grasp the concept herself, and though she had intended to go to Annuir all along, Elaine's presence would certainly add a curious uncertainty to what would happen.
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-
Elaine
- Royal Poet
- Posts: 1435
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 4:45 pm
- Location: Citadel, the palace
- Contact:
Elaine nodded, a wan smile playing around her lips. "Life holds such strength. Stones speak of their past. Why would not whole lives remain there where they feel bonded? Is this not how ghost stories emerge? Only in this case the past is so much stronger than the feeble excuse the King has used to build this town."
She shook her head, playing with her staff between her hands. The rolling sound on the floor was comforting, somehow. "It makes sense, all of it. This is not so farfetched as one would like to believe. I am glad you are not alone in this. I am glad I am not alone in this." The woman chuckled. "I would like to meet this Baltimus then. Maybe he would be the right person to help us with this book?"
Healing and breaking.
Mother, to encounter a like situation again and again. Let the darkness not be caught with these echoes, please. Let it be unrelated. I do not know if I will break. I do not know if I can heal without going through those nightmares again, without touching the memory.
She kept silent while Kaelara got the book. Somehow the woman's footstep betrayed her thinking. The shopkeeper seemed hesitant, despite her certain words.
Wouldn't you be?
A total stranger on your doorstep, speaking of things she should not know of.
"Sounds like we have our work cut out for us, hm?" She spoke softly. "You will let me know when you feel I intrude too much?" Elaine was worried. It dawned on her that her being the newcomer here was a definite disadvantage when it came to being believed or even being taken seriously. She needed this strong woman to work with, or her efforts would end before they truly started.
Besides that Kaelara portrayed great love and care for this place and the echoes it held, whether it was because she simply accepted it to be or because she cared about the emotional distress of Selderine. If anything Elaine had to have chosen the right door to knock on.
"Kaelara..." Elaine got up and stretched out a hand. "Thank you." She smiled.
She shook her head, playing with her staff between her hands. The rolling sound on the floor was comforting, somehow. "It makes sense, all of it. This is not so farfetched as one would like to believe. I am glad you are not alone in this. I am glad I am not alone in this." The woman chuckled. "I would like to meet this Baltimus then. Maybe he would be the right person to help us with this book?"
Healing and breaking.
Mother, to encounter a like situation again and again. Let the darkness not be caught with these echoes, please. Let it be unrelated. I do not know if I will break. I do not know if I can heal without going through those nightmares again, without touching the memory.
She kept silent while Kaelara got the book. Somehow the woman's footstep betrayed her thinking. The shopkeeper seemed hesitant, despite her certain words.
Wouldn't you be?
A total stranger on your doorstep, speaking of things she should not know of.
"Sounds like we have our work cut out for us, hm?" She spoke softly. "You will let me know when you feel I intrude too much?" Elaine was worried. It dawned on her that her being the newcomer here was a definite disadvantage when it came to being believed or even being taken seriously. She needed this strong woman to work with, or her efforts would end before they truly started.
Besides that Kaelara portrayed great love and care for this place and the echoes it held, whether it was because she simply accepted it to be or because she cared about the emotional distress of Selderine. If anything Elaine had to have chosen the right door to knock on.
"Kaelara..." Elaine got up and stretched out a hand. "Thank you." She smiled.
There is so much to see, yet so few willing to.
[i]Jonah Bannon[/i]
Avatar by Dorian!
[i]Jonah Bannon[/i]
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OOC: hope I'm welcome here. If not, just set Biet on me 
[hr][/hr]
Craghley had to find out more about Laewin. In particular, what had happened last night and to whom. What did she mean, she'd tried to play a game with a man last night? Shuddering, he wiped away agitatedly at the stains left by her embrace.
He needed to go back. But he didn't want to jump unknowingly into the dragons' maw. The Nethers' Gate was out of the question for now; he needed answers, not the deliriously distracting company of Melissa LaRouge. And speakign to the local authorities? If they'd been having trouble with this Laewin, and then he walked in and started asking them about a psychotic little girl with supernatural powers, he could expect to while away his time in a dank cell while being asked uncomfortable question - in an uncomfortable manner, like as not. Lieutenant Tameron hadn't been exactly the personification of hospitality.
Och, strange, callous folk, some o' these Westerners. But ye dae ken where tae go.
Of course - the only thing that gossiped as much as a local drunk was a streetfront shopkeeper, and thus Craghley found himself wandering up and down past the places of trade. He needed a shop that he had a good excuse to go into and spend his coin at.
At last a sign caught his eye. It was the image of the chest full of displayed bric a brac that did it for him. Seemed general purpose enough to pull a reason out of his arse for. Actually, no. He did have two things he wanted purchasing...
He tried to identify the smell of the herbs on the way in. He thought the place had a lovely, homely scent that was as much a comfort as a padded old armchair. Craghley was too late to catch anything of what had passed between Elaine and Kaelara, only seeing the poet offering out her hand to the shopkeep. The man wasn't half surprised at seeing her here.
"Miss Elaine..."
[hr][/hr]
Craghley had to find out more about Laewin. In particular, what had happened last night and to whom. What did she mean, she'd tried to play a game with a man last night? Shuddering, he wiped away agitatedly at the stains left by her embrace.
He needed to go back. But he didn't want to jump unknowingly into the dragons' maw. The Nethers' Gate was out of the question for now; he needed answers, not the deliriously distracting company of Melissa LaRouge. And speakign to the local authorities? If they'd been having trouble with this Laewin, and then he walked in and started asking them about a psychotic little girl with supernatural powers, he could expect to while away his time in a dank cell while being asked uncomfortable question - in an uncomfortable manner, like as not. Lieutenant Tameron hadn't been exactly the personification of hospitality.
Och, strange, callous folk, some o' these Westerners. But ye dae ken where tae go.
Of course - the only thing that gossiped as much as a local drunk was a streetfront shopkeeper, and thus Craghley found himself wandering up and down past the places of trade. He needed a shop that he had a good excuse to go into and spend his coin at.
At last a sign caught his eye. It was the image of the chest full of displayed bric a brac that did it for him. Seemed general purpose enough to pull a reason out of his arse for. Actually, no. He did have two things he wanted purchasing...
He tried to identify the smell of the herbs on the way in. He thought the place had a lovely, homely scent that was as much a comfort as a padded old armchair. Craghley was too late to catch anything of what had passed between Elaine and Kaelara, only seeing the poet offering out her hand to the shopkeep. The man wasn't half surprised at seeing her here.
"Miss Elaine..."
-
Kaelara Mentahn
- Shopkeeper
- Posts: 334
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: USA
OOC: Wouldn't be fair to close an open game location, hehe... 
IC: There was a sense of vague kinship in the words and tone the two used when discussing the authority here, and though Kaelara did not comment, that vague understanding set her a trifle more at ease. Trust did dwell easily within her petite frame, having discovered early how easily words were belied by actions, but for now, suspicion lay quiescent.
A vague smile hovered about her lips, coloring her tone, "While I'm a merchant to the core, and information has it's own value, my opinions seem to find voice in one manner or another." A wry sigh filled the air between them. "I have no trouble telling people where to tread and what portal to take to reach it." She settled the book on the counter, pages splayed wide and revealing a strange series of lines resembling odd, random scratchings in place of where a flowing script might be.
The gesture loosened the little knot of loneliness she carried deep within, kneading it away as one might release the strain of a taut muscle. Accepting the clasp of the Healer's fingers, and clasping them between both her own palms for a brief moment, Kaelara found herself reinforcing her self-restraint. 'There is but one truth you can count upon, child, besides that of familial loyalty,' her father's gruff words echoed in her mind. 'No one gives or does anything without expecting something in return, whether it be recognition, money, reputation, power...' To the inner workings of her own mind, Kaelara could not determine what profit Elaine might find here by offering her assistance and aid. Prophecies were well and good, but this woman was flesh and blood, and until the shopkeeper understood her motivations and expectations, she would always be a trifle uneasy.
Releasing the other woman's hand a few long flickers after Craghley's entrance, her rote greeting was forestalled by his recognition of the woman standing at her side. Though many common herbs were present, dangling in dried bunches in one corner, the subtler scents mixed too evenly to lend more than an earthy presence to the air. Lavender, Lemongrass, Basil, these were three of the easiest to identify, should Craghley know much of herbs.
"Namaste," she glanced briefly between the two, amber eyes alert, though not unwelcoming. "I gather, as you know one another, you are of the same party that arrived yesterday?"
The slight sound and vibration of the door falling closed behind the Achadhiel stirred a sleepy, muffled chirp from somewhere within the shop.
IC: There was a sense of vague kinship in the words and tone the two used when discussing the authority here, and though Kaelara did not comment, that vague understanding set her a trifle more at ease. Trust did dwell easily within her petite frame, having discovered early how easily words were belied by actions, but for now, suspicion lay quiescent.
Elaine wrote:"You will let me know when you feel I intrude too much?"
A vague smile hovered about her lips, coloring her tone, "While I'm a merchant to the core, and information has it's own value, my opinions seem to find voice in one manner or another." A wry sigh filled the air between them. "I have no trouble telling people where to tread and what portal to take to reach it." She settled the book on the counter, pages splayed wide and revealing a strange series of lines resembling odd, random scratchings in place of where a flowing script might be.
Elaine wrote:"Kaelara..." Elaine got up and stretched out a hand. "Thank you." She smiled.
The gesture loosened the little knot of loneliness she carried deep within, kneading it away as one might release the strain of a taut muscle. Accepting the clasp of the Healer's fingers, and clasping them between both her own palms for a brief moment, Kaelara found herself reinforcing her self-restraint. 'There is but one truth you can count upon, child, besides that of familial loyalty,' her father's gruff words echoed in her mind. 'No one gives or does anything without expecting something in return, whether it be recognition, money, reputation, power...' To the inner workings of her own mind, Kaelara could not determine what profit Elaine might find here by offering her assistance and aid. Prophecies were well and good, but this woman was flesh and blood, and until the shopkeeper understood her motivations and expectations, she would always be a trifle uneasy.
Releasing the other woman's hand a few long flickers after Craghley's entrance, her rote greeting was forestalled by his recognition of the woman standing at her side. Though many common herbs were present, dangling in dried bunches in one corner, the subtler scents mixed too evenly to lend more than an earthy presence to the air. Lavender, Lemongrass, Basil, these were three of the easiest to identify, should Craghley know much of herbs.
"Namaste," she glanced briefly between the two, amber eyes alert, though not unwelcoming. "I gather, as you know one another, you are of the same party that arrived yesterday?"
The slight sound and vibration of the door falling closed behind the Achadhiel stirred a sleepy, muffled chirp from somewhere within the shop.
Last edited by Kaelara Mentahn on Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Avatar courtesy of www.allavatars.com - Electra
-
Elaine
- Royal Poet
- Posts: 1435
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 4:45 pm
- Location: Citadel, the palace
- Contact:
Elaine accepted the explanation the merchant gave about the worth and trade of information. She could certainly understand the use of having knowledge which others craved, although in her Citadel experience it was better shared as soon as possible lest disasters were left to grow into full bloom.
It was an impulsive gesture to reach out for Kaelara, yet it reached it's goal: the blind woman felt how her companion's hands folded around her own. Her smile grew. This shopkeeper was unique. Such strength in a woman who was possibly forced to live her and yet working outside the set boundaries of her gilded cage!
A familiar voice sounded at the doorway. Elaine blinked and turned, taken out of the moment. "Sir Craghley?" She remembered him from their arrival, even though that had been as chaotic as they had wanted it to be smooth.
"A good day, sir. Yes, miss, we arrived together." Yet the Achadhiel did not know him well enough to simply continue their conversation. Sharing information was one thing. Scaring people off was quite another.
At least little Biet did not seem to be scared, judging from the little sound. Elaine chuckled.
It was an impulsive gesture to reach out for Kaelara, yet it reached it's goal: the blind woman felt how her companion's hands folded around her own. Her smile grew. This shopkeeper was unique. Such strength in a woman who was possibly forced to live her and yet working outside the set boundaries of her gilded cage!
A familiar voice sounded at the doorway. Elaine blinked and turned, taken out of the moment. "Sir Craghley?" She remembered him from their arrival, even though that had been as chaotic as they had wanted it to be smooth.
"A good day, sir. Yes, miss, we arrived together." Yet the Achadhiel did not know him well enough to simply continue their conversation. Sharing information was one thing. Scaring people off was quite another.
At least little Biet did not seem to be scared, judging from the little sound. Elaine chuckled.
There is so much to see, yet so few willing to.
[i]Jonah Bannon[/i]
Avatar by Dorian!
[i]Jonah Bannon[/i]
Avatar by Dorian!
Craghley barked out a laugh.
"Nothin' tae do wi' sir, my guid lady!"
He could determine the lavender and basil, but the lemongrass was lost him. His knowledge of herbs wasn't all that advanced. Well, maybe this good Adhiel knew something of them if they were hanging up in her shop. And he needed to restock his supplies anyway since he'd given some of his stock to Ulder.
"Aye, we did," he confirmed for Kaelara. Then, more to Elaine than the shopkeep, "I've just bid master Synkaaros farweel, and gi'en him something for the journey."
"... uh, do ye keep birdies here? I thought I just heard..."
Something clicked at the back of his mind a little too late, something about the atmosphere he'd walked into.
"Erm, sorry, I'm nae interupting anything, am I..?
"Nothin' tae do wi' sir, my guid lady!"
He could determine the lavender and basil, but the lemongrass was lost him. His knowledge of herbs wasn't all that advanced. Well, maybe this good Adhiel knew something of them if they were hanging up in her shop. And he needed to restock his supplies anyway since he'd given some of his stock to Ulder.
"Aye, we did," he confirmed for Kaelara. Then, more to Elaine than the shopkeep, "I've just bid master Synkaaros farweel, and gi'en him something for the journey."
"... uh, do ye keep birdies here? I thought I just heard..."
Something clicked at the back of his mind a little too late, something about the atmosphere he'd walked into.
"Erm, sorry, I'm nae interupting anything, am I..?
-
Kaelara Mentahn
- Shopkeeper
- Posts: 334
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: USA
Listening to the interchange, her idle fingers closed the small leather-bound book on the counter. If Elaine did not feel comfortable continuing their discussion, she knew the achadhiel better than she.
"Be welcome, and... it's a long story, but Biet is the guard dog my apprentice found for me. At first, I thought he'd be relatively ineffective, but the little rascal has managed to hide my valuables so well that I can barely discover them." The wry tone was welcoming, and she shook her head a negative to the Achadhiel man's question.
"Your husband must have much faith in your companions, Elaine, to leave you here so quickly upon arrival." The observation spoken was a quiet one.
"Can I help you find something perhaps? By your looks, you had something other than the Lady as your objective when entering..." There was a pleasing note in the man's rollicking accent, though she had to listen a bit more closely to the unfamiliar syllables to ensure she didn't hear his meanings awry.
"Be welcome, and... it's a long story, but Biet is the guard dog my apprentice found for me. At first, I thought he'd be relatively ineffective, but the little rascal has managed to hide my valuables so well that I can barely discover them." The wry tone was welcoming, and she shook her head a negative to the Achadhiel man's question.
"Your husband must have much faith in your companions, Elaine, to leave you here so quickly upon arrival." The observation spoken was a quiet one.
"Can I help you find something perhaps? By your looks, you had something other than the Lady as your objective when entering..." There was a pleasing note in the man's rollicking accent, though she had to listen a bit more closely to the unfamiliar syllables to ensure she didn't hear his meanings awry.
Avatar courtesy of www.allavatars.com - Electra
Kaelara wrote:"Be welcome, and... it's a long story, but Biet is the guard dog my apprentice found for me. At first, I thought he'd be relatively ineffective, but the little rascal has managed to hide my valuables so well that I can barely discover them."
A dog... that chirped. Craghley made sense of it all by reminding himself that he was but a village-born clanman, and of course there would be many things he'd yet to come across that would be to himself wondrous, but a simple fact of life for folk elsewhere. Maybe it was commonplace for dogs in the West to sound like birds.
Nonetheless, the jest made it through alright and he chuckled.
"As long as he can find them, I suppose it's a'right."
Kaelara wrote:"Can I help you find something perhaps? By your looks, you had something other than the Lady as your objective when entering..."
"Ah, right - business! Of course, I'm sorry... I was chasing twae things, herbs and a pipe. Not tobacco; I just used a fair portion of my stock recently; agrimona and bistort root and the like. Am I in the right place?"
-
Kaelara Mentahn
- Shopkeeper
- Posts: 334
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: USA
OOC: I might point Guido here to describe any effects the book might have on you, Elaine, should you choose to examine it more thoroughly.
IC: The leather-bound book lay on the counter near where Elaine had perched earlier, to the physical senses, the leather was worn by the caress of many fingers, and bore the softness of a binding oiled to forestall cracking.
Meanwhile, Kaelara nodded to Craghley, an eyebrow twitching upwards briefly as she caught sight of the strange stain upon his garments, but unable to quite determine what it was. Having taking a quick stock of the man, she nodded, pert features quiet and business-like, though her amber brown bore an alertness that sought to catch details.
"I haven't fresh," she gestured briefly towards the back corner where the herbs dangled from hooks on wall and ceiling. "A moment, if you don't mind," she murmured to Elaine, as she gestured Craghley to follow with a flicker of slender fingers. "But these have been carefully dried." Bunches of specific amounts were bundled with a bit of string, and each were carefully spaced so none would be mixed with others. A bit of label fastened above each, the herb's common name scribed in both common and adhiel.
The achadhiel was free to gather what he needed, and she was quick to point whatever else he requested, a thoughtful gaze resting on his features as her melodic accent evaded the precise rendering of the human tongue she used.
"And how do you find the city? I always find the impressions of newcomers interesting."
IC: The leather-bound book lay on the counter near where Elaine had perched earlier, to the physical senses, the leather was worn by the caress of many fingers, and bore the softness of a binding oiled to forestall cracking.
Meanwhile, Kaelara nodded to Craghley, an eyebrow twitching upwards briefly as she caught sight of the strange stain upon his garments, but unable to quite determine what it was. Having taking a quick stock of the man, she nodded, pert features quiet and business-like, though her amber brown bore an alertness that sought to catch details.
"I haven't fresh," she gestured briefly towards the back corner where the herbs dangled from hooks on wall and ceiling. "A moment, if you don't mind," she murmured to Elaine, as she gestured Craghley to follow with a flicker of slender fingers. "But these have been carefully dried." Bunches of specific amounts were bundled with a bit of string, and each were carefully spaced so none would be mixed with others. A bit of label fastened above each, the herb's common name scribed in both common and adhiel.
The achadhiel was free to gather what he needed, and she was quick to point whatever else he requested, a thoughtful gaze resting on his features as her melodic accent evaded the precise rendering of the human tongue she used.
"And how do you find the city? I always find the impressions of newcomers interesting."
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"I thank ye. I've bin a wee bit fashed the past couple o' days, running low on stock."
Passing by Elaine, he began to offer the woman a smile. Craghley remembered her condition with a wince and continued to follow Kaelara. On the way he took stock not only of the shop, but the shopkeeper; a petite and stunning Adhiel woman, with the strangest eyes he'd ever seen. Of course, all that make-up was a little off-putting; she looked more like a doll than a real lady.
In the corner, he a careful survey of her stock. Certainly she had at least most of what he'd carried before; all that, and more. Delicately, he picked out a dangling bistort root and two bunches of agrimona. Well, that was his pocket money almost used up. Under the mask of an inquisitive newcomer, he began his original task.
City? Maybe one day it'll grow to be one, and mayhap a fine 'un. But as it is right now?
"Och, what a place! Canny folk 'roond every corner," he said with a smile and a thought of Melissa, "And a mighty fine ale, too. Some strange folk, too, aye. Was just talking tae a wee bairn - it were the strangest thing, there ane flicker, gan the next, like a ghostie. Wha's her nam..."
He made a show of clicking his fingers with a frown, face suddenly lighting up with revelation.
"Laewin, I ken it... you've probably seen her aroond?"
Passing by Elaine, he began to offer the woman a smile. Craghley remembered her condition with a wince and continued to follow Kaelara. On the way he took stock not only of the shop, but the shopkeeper; a petite and stunning Adhiel woman, with the strangest eyes he'd ever seen. Of course, all that make-up was a little off-putting; she looked more like a doll than a real lady.
In the corner, he a careful survey of her stock. Certainly she had at least most of what he'd carried before; all that, and more. Delicately, he picked out a dangling bistort root and two bunches of agrimona. Well, that was his pocket money almost used up. Under the mask of an inquisitive newcomer, he began his original task.
Kaelara wrote:"And how do you find the city? I always find the impressions of newcomers interesting."
City? Maybe one day it'll grow to be one, and mayhap a fine 'un. But as it is right now?
"Och, what a place! Canny folk 'roond every corner," he said with a smile and a thought of Melissa, "And a mighty fine ale, too. Some strange folk, too, aye. Was just talking tae a wee bairn - it were the strangest thing, there ane flicker, gan the next, like a ghostie. Wha's her nam..."
He made a show of clicking his fingers with a frown, face suddenly lighting up with revelation.
"Laewin, I ken it... you've probably seen her aroond?"
-
Elaine
- Royal Poet
- Posts: 1435
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 4:45 pm
- Location: Citadel, the palace
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Elaine smiled and nodded. Ulder was a busy man already and it was good to know he had found a sense of purpose again after the Citadel had so betrayed his trust. Of course she would have preferred a little time off, so to speak, but such was simply not to be and she'd make the best of it. There was no way she was going to stop her beloved from the very thing she had almost broken up with him over!
Her sensitive fingers played over the leather of the book, trying to get an idea of the size and well...the feel of the book. After all, there was not much more she could do with it.
Craghley struck her as a smart enough fellow. There was something in his attitude that made Elaine wonder if he had truly only come here for some herbs. But as long as he was not talking about it, the blind woman was nto about to make Kaelara any more uncomfortable than she had already done.
She hummed a soft tune while Kaelara minded the store, waiting until they coulld continue their conversation.
Her sensitive fingers played over the leather of the book, trying to get an idea of the size and well...the feel of the book. After all, there was not much more she could do with it.
Craghley struck her as a smart enough fellow. There was something in his attitude that made Elaine wonder if he had truly only come here for some herbs. But as long as he was not talking about it, the blind woman was nto about to make Kaelara any more uncomfortable than she had already done.
She hummed a soft tune while Kaelara minded the store, waiting until they coulld continue their conversation.
There is so much to see, yet so few willing to.
[i]Jonah Bannon[/i]
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[i]Jonah Bannon[/i]
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Kaelara Mentahn
- Shopkeeper
- Posts: 334
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: USA
There was no need to dissemble, and although Kaelara's eyes flickered with awareness at the mention of a little girl, disappearing ghostlike, a slight furrowing of her brow revealed a vague puzzlement as he revealed the name. The child that had initially leapt to her mind, bourne of her conversation with Elaine, just as quickly departed from thought. The spirit child gives no name, is there yet another sprite among the town?
"There are many children among the townspeople, and while I've managed to occupy some of them with odd jobs, I've nearly given up keeping track of their names... what did she look like?" In nearly the same breath, she glanced towards Elaine, "The child you spoke of, Lady... she did not give you a name?"
With measured steps, she swept behind the counter, the little wooden door opening as she swung a hip against it, and swishing to a sighing halt behind her. Flipping open a little log book, and dipping a quill into a nearly empty jar of ink, the faint scritch of the sharped shaft jotted out a few carefully scribed words, as she catalogued Craghley's purchases.
The front door opened vigorously, a young lanky figure with short reddish-blonde hair stepping exuberantly within the shop, bobbing his head to Kaelara. "They'll bring your horse round in the morning, no difficulty Kae... Miss Mentahn." The young man checked his familiar tone as he belatedly noticed that customers were present.
"Thankyou, Maury, I've left some things out of place down in the Storeroom - if you don't mind...?" Bobbing his head, the young man promptly disappeared into the corner and down the stairs, cheeks flaring with a vague redness from some manner of imagined embarrassment.
The book Elaine fingered was a few finger's breadths in thickness, and an average height and width that lent it a nondescript manner. She might easily lift it in one hand. The perusal of it's physical attributes revealed nothing extra-ordinary or of particular note.
OOC: Brief appearance of apprentice used with GM permission, as is description of book.
"There are many children among the townspeople, and while I've managed to occupy some of them with odd jobs, I've nearly given up keeping track of their names... what did she look like?" In nearly the same breath, she glanced towards Elaine, "The child you spoke of, Lady... she did not give you a name?"
With measured steps, she swept behind the counter, the little wooden door opening as she swung a hip against it, and swishing to a sighing halt behind her. Flipping open a little log book, and dipping a quill into a nearly empty jar of ink, the faint scritch of the sharped shaft jotted out a few carefully scribed words, as she catalogued Craghley's purchases.
The front door opened vigorously, a young lanky figure with short reddish-blonde hair stepping exuberantly within the shop, bobbing his head to Kaelara. "They'll bring your horse round in the morning, no difficulty Kae... Miss Mentahn." The young man checked his familiar tone as he belatedly noticed that customers were present.
"Thankyou, Maury, I've left some things out of place down in the Storeroom - if you don't mind...?" Bobbing his head, the young man promptly disappeared into the corner and down the stairs, cheeks flaring with a vague redness from some manner of imagined embarrassment.
The book Elaine fingered was a few finger's breadths in thickness, and an average height and width that lent it a nondescript manner. She might easily lift it in one hand. The perusal of it's physical attributes revealed nothing extra-ordinary or of particular note.
OOC: Brief appearance of apprentice used with GM permission, as is description of book.
Last edited by Kaelara Mentahn on Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Ah, the eyes. The way they... moved, just as he mentioned 'ghost-like'. Outwardly he blinked at returned to his selection, fishing in his sporran for the appropriate coins and placing them on the counter. But did she know of Laewin specifically, and was feigning ignorance, or was this 'ghostness' a problem throughout the town? Then:
Woah there... more suspicious little girls? He had to pause to gather his thoughts and readjust to the situation. Surely he could speak to Elaine freely; and she had spoken to - the shopkeep (Gods, he couldn't remember if the shopkeeper and he had shared names) as well... certainly suspicious of them, two people from the same congregation of newcomers and enquiring along such similar lines.
He was mildly distracted once more by Kaelara's swing of the hip, before recovering his shambles of a thought process.
Kae... 'Kae' what? Miss Mentahn would do, though. Nicely formal. Forcing himself out of his habitual withdrawal into thought, he answered Kaelara's question. Nodding at the assistant, he spoke.
"Oh, uhm... small, white dress, messy dark brown hair... um, if it makes things any easier, she mentioned someone by the name of 'Falven'. Soonded like a friend. Or, per'aps, a pet."
Turning to Elaine, he also asked: "Soonds like ye've also had a run-in with some of the bairns here."
Conscious that he might be interrupting despite what they said, he busied himself trying to endear himself to miss Mentahn by perusing the other wares to see if she had any smoking pipes in stock.
"'S no fair for me to ken yer nam and no the other way roond. I'm Craghley Donovan."
Kaelara wrote:In nearly the same breath, she glanced towards Elaine, "The child you spoke of, Lady... she did not give you a name[?"]
Woah there... more suspicious little girls? He had to pause to gather his thoughts and readjust to the situation. Surely he could speak to Elaine freely; and she had spoken to - the shopkeep (Gods, he couldn't remember if the shopkeeper and he had shared names) as well... certainly suspicious of them, two people from the same congregation of newcomers and enquiring along such similar lines.
He was mildly distracted once more by Kaelara's swing of the hip, before recovering his shambles of a thought process.
Kaelara wrote:The front door opened vigorously, a young lanky figure with short reddish-blonde hair stepping exuberantly within the shop, bobbing his head to Kaelara. "They'll bring your horse round in the morning, no difficulty Kae... Miss Mentahn." The young man checked his familiar tone as he belatedly noticed that customers were present.
Kae... 'Kae' what? Miss Mentahn would do, though. Nicely formal. Forcing himself out of his habitual withdrawal into thought, he answered Kaelara's question. Nodding at the assistant, he spoke.
"Oh, uhm... small, white dress, messy dark brown hair... um, if it makes things any easier, she mentioned someone by the name of 'Falven'. Soonded like a friend. Or, per'aps, a pet."
Turning to Elaine, he also asked: "Soonds like ye've also had a run-in with some of the bairns here."
Conscious that he might be interrupting despite what they said, he busied himself trying to endear himself to miss Mentahn by perusing the other wares to see if she had any smoking pipes in stock.
"'S no fair for me to ken yer nam and no the other way roond. I'm Craghley Donovan."
-
Elaine
- Royal Poet
- Posts: 1435
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 4:45 pm
- Location: Citadel, the palace
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Elaine frowned at all the new incoming information. While her fingers meandered over the book, her attention was fully on what transpired between Craghley and Kaelara.
Laewin? That does not sound like Blackbird at all.
Hrm.
The blind woman brought a finger to her lips, thinking. Blackbird had not mentioned any other ghostly girls either, but really, with all the echoes permeating the present it was a wonder to find live people to begin with!
"No, she did not give a name." The Achadhiel shook her head. "Instead she asked me to make one up for her, and so I did -Blackbird, because of her song. And I agree, mister Craghley, there seem to be more than just one appearance here. Falven does not sound familiar either. No, it sounds like a different situation altogether, although it might be tied in with the memories of this town."
Elaine politely waited until the assistant was gone.
"So let me get this straight, we've all had some ghostly encounters? People who might have been here in the past but certainly should not be here anymore? So now the question is, is the guilt of this town so strong that it even keeps it's inhabitants close in an attempt to redeem itself?"
She was quickly piecing some bits together and of course she might be wrong, yet this seemed to be the outcome right now. "Mister Craghley, would you mind telling us what this girl told you or asked of you?" Maybe they were related, maybe they were not...
Laewin? That does not sound like Blackbird at all.
Hrm.
The blind woman brought a finger to her lips, thinking. Blackbird had not mentioned any other ghostly girls either, but really, with all the echoes permeating the present it was a wonder to find live people to begin with!
"No, she did not give a name." The Achadhiel shook her head. "Instead she asked me to make one up for her, and so I did -Blackbird, because of her song. And I agree, mister Craghley, there seem to be more than just one appearance here. Falven does not sound familiar either. No, it sounds like a different situation altogether, although it might be tied in with the memories of this town."
Elaine politely waited until the assistant was gone.
"So let me get this straight, we've all had some ghostly encounters? People who might have been here in the past but certainly should not be here anymore? So now the question is, is the guilt of this town so strong that it even keeps it's inhabitants close in an attempt to redeem itself?"
She was quickly piecing some bits together and of course she might be wrong, yet this seemed to be the outcome right now. "Mister Craghley, would you mind telling us what this girl told you or asked of you?" Maybe they were related, maybe they were not...
Last edited by Elaine on Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
There is so much to see, yet so few willing to.
[i]Jonah Bannon[/i]
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Kaelara Mentahn
- Shopkeeper
- Posts: 334
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:12 pm
- Location: USA
"A pleasure to meet you, Master Donovan." Listening, the adhiel took in the information, allowing the two their moments of discussion while she withdrew a few pipes from beneath the counter. They were all simple, each with a similar size of rounded bowl, though the stems varied. Whatever local wood had been used had been stained a dark brown that left the whorls of grain coiling as a dark within darker pattern. Most of the stems, whether curved, straight, narrow, or slender, seemed to meld seamlessly with the base of the bowl. Though simple, they would certainly get the job done.
There was something particularly insightful in Elaine's wording, though her own experiences within the town had led her to a slightly differing opinion.
"I do not know we can entirely judge whether or not these people belong..." she averred, quietly. Far be it from me, to wish them returned to certain death. The words were murmured quietly, so as to reveal their thoughts did not align, but she too turned, peering up at Craghley's greater height intently to hear what he might reveal. A suspicion was stirring in her mind, regarding just what the purpose of this girl and her pet might be, yet there would be time enough once she'd heard this Craghley's untainted experience.
There was something particularly insightful in Elaine's wording, though her own experiences within the town had led her to a slightly differing opinion.
"I do not know we can entirely judge whether or not these people belong..." she averred, quietly. Far be it from me, to wish them returned to certain death. The words were murmured quietly, so as to reveal their thoughts did not align, but she too turned, peering up at Craghley's greater height intently to hear what he might reveal. A suspicion was stirring in her mind, regarding just what the purpose of this girl and her pet might be, yet there would be time enough once she'd heard this Craghley's untainted experience.
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