| Logs |
2004 August 22
| Idlewild |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Idlewild Logs |
August 22
Hiding out in the treetops at midnight, the tired group of rescuers sits in distinct clumps of alliance and comfort on the smooth wooden floor of a elegant arboreal gazebo that feels older than the entire Grey World contingent combined. As Kip cries softly, his brother Melierel and Aiden offer support from either side. Grennit has sought similar support from Steven, and Zhi gently rubs Lauren's back as he leans against her whispering quiet reassurance. Sol and Seodil are the only islands alone, both a small ways off from any group but distinctly separate from both each other and from their closest clump-- Kip's.
In the silver-touched dimness, the sad lump of Kip finally whispers, "I want to go home."
Aiden nods, "Sure Kip. You just tell us where and we'll make sure you get there, okay?"
Kip says at barely a speaking volume, "Where it always was. I want my own bed. I want my family." He sounds so very young, and fragile.
Lauren insists, though not very loudly, that "it is my fault," to Zhi. Through the beginnings of tears, she assures him that she's never going to kiss him again, or anyone, and that when the nuns catch up with Steven she's going back with them to the convent.
Melierel gnaws his own lip for a moment, and says "I will do my best, Kipling."
Aiden frowns. His voice stays comforting. "Sure, Kip." Shit. I don't think that's a good idea, but it's family and you have to. Just means that we need to stay close, just in case.
Steven grimaces a little, sighing. Kip sounds like he's been through hell, and all things considered, it's close enough.
Steven notices that when Melierel answers Kip... he sounds not at all certain. In fact, the look in his eyes suggests that there might be something he's holding back.
Steven frowns a bit, gazing levelly at Melierel. He doesn't turn his gaze away; he wants to see what Mel's reaction.
Melierel looks up to catch the gaze levelled at him as if sensing it; he looks straight back at Steven, defensive, and says "I will be taking my brother home, Steven." Seated in the same position, he somehow looks more formidable.
Steven nods once. "I know. You will." Perhaps it's more one sentence than two. Perhaps not.
Aiden says, "With all due respect to your wishes and Kip's, is it safe or is that the sort of reaction he can expect from others?"
Zhi pets Lauren like a child or fuzzy animal, soothing. He murmurs, "Nothing unfortunate will happen if you kiss me. Kip may need time and can speak for himself later, but I assure you that your lips are not cursed." He pauses. "I would not, however, recommend testing that on Seodil."
Zhi's tone is definitely light, at that last comment.
Steven glances to Zhi, smiling a little bit.
"Not gonna," Lauren sniffles, with a careful look across the room to make sure that Seodil didn't hear that, or is at least doing the usual thing and stolidly ignoring it.
Melierel nods precisely back to Steven, slowly, holding his gaze steady. "I am glad we understand one another, as Kip's allies." He looks at Aiden, and his expression is somewhat brittle now. It takes Melierel a moment to choose his words. "No one is... certain... what happened, but those who were present. Kipyranyllie... and Anisaire. Both of their families have a version of events that they... prefer. A culprit. Anisaire married into mine and we agreed to save face as much as possible; the coming child is politely assumed to be her lawful husband's. However. Anisaire's family is convinced that Kip, ah... disgraced her. They would prefer to exact revenge for her honor despite her own words to the contrary. The pants left alone in the woods, well... it is unfortunate that they were found and Kip was not."
Seodil appears to be listening only to Melierel's story, and does not react in any way to Lauren or Zhi.
At least, he doesn't react to Lauren or Zhi.
Aiden says, "I'll be frank. I'd rather not put a friend in harm's way if it can be helped and his welcome here wasn't exactly friendly. You seem like a good person and I'm sure you have your brother's best interests at heart, I would hate to see him hurt."
Steven nods a little, thoughtfully. He doesn't trust Mel. All they have is his word that he's Kip's brother, despite the similarity of appearance. Even so, assuming he is Kip's brother, he's certainly warranted in being concerned about allowing Kip to get back into the situation that saw him teleport away.
Kip, so far, has been content to sniffle and let others talk about what's best for him. Now, he speaks up. Quietly. "Does she hate me?"
Starting to answer Aiden, Melierel is sidetracked by Kip. He looks solemnly at the smaller, dark-eyed version of himself. "No. She doesn't. Mostly, she's been worried about you and crying herself to sleep."
Aiden's forehead creases in thought. Oh my god. She married you didn't she...?
Kip nods, looking simultaneously guilty and relieved. Aiden's thought does not appear to have occurred to him-- maybe he's just too distracted.
Aiden says softly. "Are you her husband, Melierel?"
Lauren dabs her nose and looks less miserable and more angry. Both, more accurately--jealous. "We're going to meet her, aren't we?"
Melierel sighs, drags a hand across his eyes. He doesn't meet Aiden's gaze. "Yes." He flicks a look over at Lauren, quickly, not really making eye contact there either. "Yes, if you wish."
Steven blinks.Oh. Well. This makes for an interesting turn.
Lauren curls up more tightly against Zhi. Her mouth goes all narrow, and her reply is curt. "Not really," she says. Kip gets a look, almost a glare.
Aiden gives Kip a quick squeeze, then stands up and walks to the other side of the treehouse, gazing over the edge and down. It might be so he can check to be sure there isn't anyone down there, or just to give Kip and Melierel what little privacy can be afforded in one of these.
Kip's startled look up at Melierel's answer goes next to Lauren when she speaks-- and at her tone and glare, he shrinks in on himself and huddles against Melierel, staring miserably at the floor.
Kip and Melierel hug, at the elder's firm insistence, and then Kip's older brother leans down to speak into Kip's ear too quietly for anyone else to hear. Kip's posture slowly relaxes, to a degree... but when Kip asks something, and then Melierel-- reluctantly-- answers, Kip looks distinctly unhappier again.
Aiden sees a spark of golden light high up in the far treebranches as he looks back up, away from the ground.
Aiden keeps his eyes on the spot that he saw the spark from, narrowing his eyes at the distance, straining to make out what that was, "Sol.. C'mere a second?"
Soleil rises willingly and comes to Aiden's side.
Grennit sighs and leans on Steven.
Aiden leans to whisper, "I just saw something directly ahead off the ground right around.. there.." He motions to where he saw the spark with his hand. "A spark of light or something. Can you see anything?"
Steven glances to grennit and gives a quiet sigh, saying quietly, "It'll work out. This whole thing will."
Zhi murmurs to Lauren, "You need not meet her, but don't take it out on Kip. This situation is not your fault. Having just made your friend feel worse about being in it-- is."
Grennit nods and cuddles into Steven's shoulder, as if needing comfort.
Sol listens to Aiden, then follows his gesture with his own sharp elven eyes. At a whisper, frowning, he says "...Maybe... yes. Yes, and it's getting bigger."
Lauren mumbles out hastily, "i-don't-wanna-meet-her-and-i-don't-like-her-and-i-don't-want-to-talk-about-it-right-now." She pulls up her blanket around her ears and looks determined to drop off to sleep.
Zhi's hand stays on Lauren's side atop the blanket, gentle and moving a little as if trying to soothe a cat.
Aiden keeps tracking that area with his eyes, his frown deepening significantly when he realises which direction it's coming from. "Sol? I don't like this.. It's coming from the direction of Summer.." Aiden's heart is thudding so hard in his chest that he's sure the others can hear it.
Sol swallows, equally fearful, as if he can't help it when Aiden's like this. He takes a step back and draws his sword, waiting. At the sound, Seodil rises, and Melierel notices the silver elf for the first time since the fairly large party came up here-- Seodil having only changed back to elven from wolf form in order to climb up the ladder, after Melierel went up. He gets to his feet and faces off with Seodil, half-crouching and looking for his bow. "Where did you come from?"
Steven blinks, glancing to Aiden and Sol. "Excuse me," he murmurs to Grennit, standing. "I'm sorry...." He moves to Aiden and Soleil. "What do you see...?
Aiden glances back when Melierel says something that doesn't seem to make any sense. He glances at Steven. "Company. Coming from the direction we just left." He points in the direction of the light.
Grennit looks distinctly forlorn to be left alone. Melierel, when Aiden glances back, appears close to exchanging blows with Seodil as the latter says "I was always here. I was the wolf," and matches Melierel's half-crouch.
Steven can see the light when Aiden points to it, twinkling golden and getting noticeably larger as seconds slip by. It appears to be coming straight for their treetop.
Aiden looks at Melierel, deadly serious. "Don't." There's a lot invested in that one strong word.
Steven squints a little, then blinks. "Message bird?" he asks Sol, then glances back. He cant say anything to convey the need to not fight Seodil to Mel more than Aiden's single word.
Lauren pokes her head out of the quilt-burrito she's made of herself. "What's going on? Message? From who?"
Seodil says reasonably, though with a faint edge to it, "This does not need to happen. I fought on your side, merely in fur." Melierel's eyes are white-rimmed as he glances as Aiden, but it's Kip's small voice added to the quick thrown words that seems to work best. With a little shudder of the skin, Melierel bows politely to Seodil and sits back down by Kip, an arm going around his brother again. "The assistance is appreciated," Melierel says through gritted teeth. "Warning would have been, too. We do not do that here."
Seodil looks a little more smirky than smiley as he bows politely back. "I will keep that in mind."
Aiden glances at Steven. "One of the birds? Do you think it might be?" He sounds like he's really hoping that Steven will say "yes".
The golden sparkle turns into a streak. Definitely a Summer message bird. In seconds more, it reaches Steven's shoulder and trills at him. "Steven Kananga!" It's Sarete's voice, sounding remarkably like an answer on voicemail when asked who you want to leave a message for. It also sounds... joyous, in a repressed sort of way, as though saying the name made her happy.
"Oh, GREAT," snaps Lauren. "Now everyone for a few miles will not only know we're here, they'll know WHO. Go Sarete."
Aiden sits down with his back against the short wall of the treetop hut when the bird trills Steven's name. "Experience says that it didn't say anything until it touched Steven. The last one didn't say anything until it touched the person it was meant for."
Aiden adds, "The light, though..."
Melierel looks nervous again, pulling Kip protectively closer. Zhi and Grennit just look fascinated by the golden bird made of light. Tightly, Melierel says "Is it dangerous?"
Steven blinks at the bird, and smiles softly. "I'd say that it is, yes, Aiden." he says, smiling. he reaches up to ruff the bird's feathers a little. he winces at Lauren's complaint. "Well, hopefuly we'll be all right," he admits, a bit lamely. "Steven Ansel Kananga," he says to the bird, remembering that that should give the message.
The messenger bird flutters its wings and hops to Steven's shoulder. Opening its tiny beak, the little creature-- no bigger than a canary-- speaks warmly in Sarete's voice. "Steven, my dear friend and ally," she begins in tones that suggest she's just too shy to be blatantly schmoopy at him by bird yet, "I apologize for waiting so long to address you again, but feared you might become weary of my voice and so delayed, lest I run the risk of pestering you."
Sarete's proxy continues, "I hope that you continue to enjoy my small gift, and assure you that I await your own token of betrothal with patience. News from the Court is good only in part; the head of Lady Averet arrived by courier this morning. I do not know if a note was also sent in its company. Clairchiare Averet has still not been found, and some here are saying that his flight is evidence of his own involvement in the plot against the Princess. Some few days previous, Rathskeliad Shh sent word that he had gone in search of Clairchiare, in order to bring his friend back and prove the Averet heir's innocence in what Rathskeliad firmly attested was a plot hatched by the Lady Averet and Lady Shh alone without aide from their sons."
Steven blinks, casting a glance to Seodil a little nervously at mention of his mother's death.
Seodil is motionless and looks absolutely serene, hardly any expression on his face at all.
Aiden doesn't appear to have heard. He just sits where he is, legs cross, elbows on his knees, chin propped in his hands and staring off into space.
Lauren scowls. "That BASTARD," she says firmly.
Sarete's message continues, "I regret that my news was not better, but I wished to inform you of this latest development. The Prince sends his reassurance that he still considers himself in your debt, and that of Aiden and Seodil... should any of you have a request of him, you may send word through me." There is a pause, then the bird reproduces a feminine sigh. "I will speak of more mundane and gentle things another time. This missive is not one in which to mix politics and passions. Know that I think of you at sunrise and nightfall, and wonder what sights you see." That last bit sounded final, and indeed the bird does not speak further.
Steven lets out a breath. "I do, too, Sarete," he murmurs quietly, still lightly ruffling the bird's ruff. "I do, too...."
Aiden's eyes flick up at his name, then quickly over to Seodil and Soleil in turn.
Seodil looks like a carven marble elf, a pale and emotionless statue in the dim moonlight filtering in through the trees-- the bird throws off more light than the moon does, here. The shadows from the golden bird put Seodil's eyes in pools of shadow and heighten his cheekbones, both spooky effects. He looks a great deal like a statue of his dead father.
Steven glances to Seodil, then sighs softly, sitting down, trying to get the bird out of the sight behind some of the walls in the treehouse.
Soleil looks more comforting in the golden light, his own coloring sunny and warm and thus not fighting it. Unlike Seodil, he looks back at Aiden, head tilted. "Pity Summer can't help Kip," he says right up against Aiden's ear. Kip and Melierel do not appear to hear it.
Even seated, Steven's bird is like a little torch. It would need to be muffled in something opaque to effectively dim its light... anyone on the ground can still probably see the glow.
Aiden gives Soleil an odd look at the strange statement. He replies in a quiet voice, "Do you think there's a way that they could?"
Steven frowns, looking aroudn a little nervously. "Anyone, er...." He glances to the bird. "I dont suppose you can tell me how to turn down your light, do you?"
Zhi tilts his head at Lauren. "That bastard Rathskeliad, you mean?"
Lauren nods. "That one. He is a COMPLETE bastard."
Sol shrugs and murmurs back to Aiden, "Nothing comes to mind. Just typically useless of them to want to owe you a favor... and for us to need help here, so far away."
Zhi's tone is remarkably light. "But an innocent bastard, is he not? Aiden assured us that Rathskeliad had nothing to do with the Princess' theft and abuse."
Aiden nods at Soleil. "Oh, yeah. I was never planning on taking that up or anything. Thought I'd just leave well enough alone." He pointedly doesn't answer Zhi.
Lauren tucks her chin in close. "Don't CARE," she says. "He hurt Linden, so hell with him. Should we even be here now that bird has shown up?"
Steven sighs a little, and glances between Seodil and Soleil. "Is there a way to send a message back with the same bird?
Aiden looks at the bird, "Would your cloak be enough to muffle the light, Steven? If you don't want to answer in front of the peanut gallery, that is."
The bird sits on Steven's finger, glowing and unhelpfully silent. Seodil looks at it and answers Steven in a very calm, even voice. "I believe it is waiting for exactly that, and will not return to Summer until you do. Did not the last one follow such a pattern?"
Steven says wrly, "I'm not sure. You threw the last one into the fire. Or was that the first one?"
Zhi strokes Lauren's hair and says soothingly, "Oh, I quite agree that Rathskeliad is a dreadful creature. I only wondered as to your reasons. Linden is away from him now, at least. As to the bird... if we can hide it or send it away, we should be safe enough here, out of reach. I think some of us need sleep as badly as we all need safety. When did you last sleep, Lauren?"
Steven nods, smiling a bit.
Steven says, "I'll compose a message back, and let the bird be on its merry way."
Steven moves a bit to the side, already thinking of what he's going to say before sending the bird back to summer.
Seodil says with a touch of wryness, "In the absence of a fire, that does seem best, Steven." He pauses, and says "That was, by the way, the first one. The last one, you did send back with a reply, I believe. It was quite a few days ago."
Aiden leans ever-so-slightly on Sol. Sleep is a good way to avoid uncomfortable conversations that he doesn't want to have. He sorely wishes Zhi would stop talking about Rathskeliad.
Lauren suffers the realization that yes, it has been a stupidly long time since she last slept, and it wasn't even GOOD sleep. "Sven," she mumbles, still crotchety, "send the bird and turn the stupid lights off."
Steven says, "Oh, right. Just getting used to communicating with these little fellas."
Kip, on Melierel's shoulder, appears to already be out cold. Lips slightly parted, long eyelashes dark on his cheeks, he looks like nothing so much as a pretty child.
Zhi chuckles softly.
Soleil slips an arm around Aiden, perfectly happy to be leaned against.
Fetching another blanket, Zhi removes his boots and sets his things in order before curling up at Lauren's back, facing the opposite direction.
Aiden doesn't bother with a blanket, he just curls up in his cloak and closes his eyes.
Melierel, unwilling to move Kip, looks not particularly comfortable. Seodil stands, pads quietly over to them and arranges both the offered blankets and Kip more conveniently. Melierel doesn't seem entirely comfortable having the shapechanger that close, but he does permit it and even appears to thank Seodil afterward. The silver elf smiles, walks a polite distance away again, and curls up alone.
Grennit watches Steven quietly, eyes and nose over her blanket-wrapped knees.
Aiden feels Sol get up and move away, taking his support and lowering him to lie instead on his side. Moments later, Aiden has a blanket, too-- and Soleil. The golden elf, misfit of Winter, curls up facing Aiden's back and shuts his eyes.
Aiden feels it happening, but he's too exhausted to do anything and is out almost the second he's laying down.
Steven sits down apart form the others, thinking, before smiling and saying to the bird, "Sarete Alur of Summer." He pauses, thinking a moment, more, then saying, "It was wonderful hearing from you again, and hearing fropm you is never a bother. We've been running into some... rough travels of late, but we hope to be back in a more comfortable routine soon. My regret right now is that the trip has been unceasing, with no time to find a suitable gift for you. The ring is a joy, and it reminds me every moment, every day, of that day in the not so far future when I will see you again, a day I look forward to with all my heart.
"The news of the Lady Averet was a surprise, though I imagine it was to have happened at some point. That Rathskeliad Shh left so abruptly and mysteriously is of some concern, and we of course hope for the best for Clairchiare, wherever he might be right now."
Steven glances over his shouolder, and drops his voice a little. "The others are sleeping, and even though I hate to, I should send the bird back on his way to you. I have not forgotten, nor will I, nor do I wish to, the memory of you, and I hope that someday soon, it may be more than just a memory which I stand before, but you yourself." He thinks for a moment, a faint smile upon his lips, then nods, and sends the bird upon his way. Shortly after, and collects himself, and goes back to sit amongst the others, a little nervously aware of Grennit's eyes on him. He settles down -- nearby. but not quite touching -- where he had sat before, and feels the exhaustion of the day catching up to him even before he can perform his evening meditations.
Grennit eyes him, her mouth and thus her full expression hidden by her knees, and then she curls up in a ball facing away from Steven.
The glowing bird wings its way silently and swiftly back toward the golden court, and the Fall night once more is dim and silver. It almost lasts long enough, for once, to make up for everyone's lost sleep. Steven wakes with sunrise, entirely refreshed and noticing for the second time that something in him very much agrees with waking up high off the ground.
Aiden is not as lucky-- he still feels as though he could sleep several hours more, if only he had the leisure. Still, it was enough sleep to go on with, and Sol's warmth never left his back. That comfort supplies a certain amount of energy, too.
Lauren is snoring.
Steven blinks, a little surprised. He'll have to try sleeping in a tree one night when all this is over. He straightens, and begins his morning meditations.
Aiden opens his eyes to narrow slits, makes a disgruntled sort of morning noise and immediately tries to go back to sleep. He is entirely unsuccessful.
Soleil matches the grumpy noise with a little protest, and curls harder against Aiden, arm effectively keeping him there. The golden elf is clearly not inclined to break his usual sleep habits today.
Aiden lays there for a moment pretending to be asleep but succeeding only in making himself stiff. He stretches a little and opens his eyes. "Nnf."
Lauren makes a snuffle noise, reminds herself that she doesn't have to get up early for work, and drifts back to sleep with an angelic smile.
Soleil whines soft protest. "Nnnngh... no move yet... sleep..."
Aiden doesn't want to get too stiff, just in case he needs to attack anyone today. One never knows, "Gotta... leggo."
Steven's meditation goes particularly well today. As he returns easily from contemplation, he feels a warm sort of fondness. A quiet voice in his head, amused, says Back to work. Well done, Sven.
Sol groans, but obeys. "S'mean t'me." He doesn't actually mean it, though.
Zhi pokes Lauren in the rounded parts of the arse. "Time to rise." He then moves prudently out of reach.
Steven blinks, a bit startledly, looking around. Badger...?
Aiden gets himself upright. That's sure to wake him up, or at least, keep him awake. He looks like he could use another full night's sleep.
The little voice in Steven's head was definitely male.
Lauren thwaps at where Zhi's hand used to be and glares bleary loathing at the morning, and at her companions who happen to be in it. "Shut UP," she suggests helpfully. "Back to sleep."
Seodil gives Aiden a sympathetic look. He himself, of course, looks cool and serenely rested.
Steven frowns a bit, rubbing his head. Odd... nobody called me Sven until Badger did... and then of course Lauren started. Weird....
"Mmm," says Zhi. "I'll just go take Kip home and meet Anisaire myself, then. Farewell!" He sounds obscenely cheery.
Steven gives a start, loking to Zhi. "Wait... what?"
Aiden looks over at Zhi, trying to figure out if he means it, or if he's just trying to pester Lauren out of her blankets.
Zhi is probably just pestering Lauren awake. He's not even wearing his boots yet.
Melierel and Kip are not in the treehouse.
Aiden says, "Shit."
Lauren rolls to a sitting position, still cozily bundled. Once she's scrubbed the sleep out of her eyes, she notices the lack of Kip, and she's hanging half out the treehouse looking for rope before her brain wakes up to match.
Steven looks around sharply once he noties that. Blast!
Aiden stands up and looks over the edge. Be reasonable. Maybe they've just gone for a morning pee break.. It can't be what it looks like..
The treehouse door is in fact open, and the ladder is down.
"Why, Lauren," Zhi says with quiet cheer. "One would think you cared what happened to the lad. --Don't fall out. They went to attend Crenshaw. Glad you're up, though." He starts putting his boots on.
Aiden rounds on Zhi, opening his mouth to say something. He doesn't look happy, but apparently decides better of it and instead just goes over to the ladder and heads towards the ground immediately.
Lauren thrashes out of her blanket and away from the hatch, heart pounding. "One would th-think you're a schmuck," she replies with exceeding lameness. She goes looking for her shoes.
Soleil follows Aiden. Once on the ground, he says quietly, "You can hit him with a stick later if you like. I'll hold him."
Grennit gives Steven a thoughtful sort of look. "Girlfriend back in Summer?"
Aiden is pacing the furious energy away at the base of the tree the second his feet hit the ground. "Just.. keeps.. doing it."
Steven blinks to Grennit. "Betrothed, actually."
Lauren picks her way down the ladder and heads for Crenshaw at once. Crenshaw understands. Crenshaw is not a snarky, blue haired bitch, nor a pretty chocolate boy who was thinking of that other girl THE WHOLE TIME DAMN IT.
"Doing which?" Sol asks Aiden, following easily with his longer stride. "He's a flippant little bastard, yeah, but I think he means well."
Aiden says, tightly. "Causing us undue worry and laughing it off as a joke."
Grennit nods, again thoughtfully, to Steven. "Sounds nice. ..Best be on our way. See you downside." She heads down the ladder.
Crenshaw is neither blue nor chocolate, but she is bitchy and she does have Kip with her. Melierel isn't there.
Lauren rubs her poor mare's neck. "Morning, Crennie," she says, trying to be cheerful for the horse's sake. "Kip," she adds neutrally.
Steven nods a little uncomfortably to Grennit. "Sure thing...."
Soleil says to Aiden, "Oh. Honestly, this time I just trusted that he'd have woken us immediately if he didn't know where Kip was. He's practically in love with the kid." He shrugs. "I'd still be happy to hold him for you to hit, though. He annoys me for other reasons."
Aiden nods at Soleil, most of the flash of anger gone. "He means well, I'm sure. I'll be okay. I just.. don't like being caught off-guard like that right now."
Seodil stretches elaborately, considers the ladder Grennit just went down, and follows her down it with a brief but not unfriendly nod toward Steven. The monk is now alone in the treehouse.
Soleil sighs, gusty. "I know." He does. "Ready to go check on Kip?"
Aiden nods, "Yeah." He waits for Sol to lead the way and then follows him.
Steven lets out a breath, and nods a little. Time to get to work, Sven. He makes one last look around the treehouse, then heads down.
Crenshaw is still whining about how much her shoulder hurts when everyone arrives, as everyone but Melierel does in fairly short order. Kip has avoided Lauren's eyes the entire time, finishing the poultice for Crenshaw's wounded shoulder and applying it without a word.
Aiden and Steven hear Melierel's voice raised in frustration for a moment, as if talking to someone... but everyone but Melierel is right here.
The sound came from a ways off to the group's right, farther in the direction they've been travelling towards.
Aiden narrows his eyes and moves quietly in that direction.
Steven frowns, looking over that direction. he doesn't have nearly the skill Aiden has in that, and so stays back with the others.
"Sven?" Lauren calls. "What's going on now? Is it breakfast?"
Soleil moves a little ways out toward the edge of the group, to be free to run if Aiden needs him, but lets him go alone.
Steven rather likes the idea of breakfast now that Lauren mentioned it. "No, uhm.. maybe." He drops his voice. "Aiden heard Mel."
Melierel's voice has hushed again, trying to keep it down, but Aiden follows the direction of the first sound he caught and finds them... for a "them" it is. Melierel is talking with angry, short gestures to a honey-blonde elven girl who looks remarkably like Lauren, height and all. If not for the hair color, they might be sisters.
Well. If not for the hair color... and the fact that this one looks just a little rounded in the midsection.
Aiden gets himself out of the line of their sight once he has a look at them. Oh, Jaysus, Lauren's going to go off the bloody deep end.
Melierel says, low and angry and barely audible, "I told you not to follow me."
The girl says, in a voice sweeter than Lauren ever uses, "Might I not have been worried about my husband?"
"Don't pull that shit," Melierel says flatly. "I don't have time and I've no more intention of consummating the damn marriage than you have."
Aiden slips away, back to camp.
Aiden notices abruptly, looking at his sister Lauren, that her black hair... has golden blonde roots.
Aiden manages to keep his jaw from dropping. Mostly. "Uh, Lauren?"
Lauren looks up from fussing with Crenshaw's mane. "Yeah?"
Aiden says, "You're not.. naturally blonde are ya?"
Lauren blinks. "Oh, hell." She ducks her head into Crenshaw's field of vision. "Crennie? Are my roots showing?" Helpfully, she points at the part in her hair where, yes, her roots are showing.
Aiden says, "Y'know the old wives tale about everyone has a twin somewhere out there?"
Crenshaw says, "Lauren.... I hate to break this to you, but you are not in fact a tree. Try harder maybe."
Lauren harrumphs. "Not those roots, damn it. And no, Aiden. Never heard of it. Why?"
Aiden tucks his hair behind his ears nervously. "I don't think it's an old wives tale. Leastwise, not in your case."
Kip fusses with the other side of Crenshaw's neck, braiding her mane, head down. The little clumps of people that form the rest of the group look interested. Kip... suddenly freezes, and stops braiding.
Lauren flicks a glance at Kip. His reaction does not bode well. "...um. Aiden. Who?"
Aiden says, "I think I might've just had a close encounter with Anisaire, maybe? She was pretty pregnant." Aiden turns back and looks at Kip seriously, "And your brother is a different person entirely when we're not here watching him, Kip. We ought to talk."
Lauren makes a choked sound.
Steven just blinks.
Kip flinches, hard, and says "eef." Or something remarkably like it, anyway.
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