| Heartwood Logs |
2000-08-16
| Heartwood |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
Merry Midwinter's Day!
- An evening of sharp contrasts, the blurring of the lines
between East and West. Fell magics crashing, a home lost, and come
tomorrow Midwinter's Night and all its celebrations, and the promise
of a stranger to enter the Imperial Church. All focused upon a little
room in a tavern on the very edge between Mainland and Frontier. Here
three of the most skilled sworders sit and contemplate the mystery of a
black haired easterner, matched by a young lad and his teacher, a young
Eye of Hastur, a follower of Attera, a woodsman and a wild Dayallan. As
Captain Dandelion Alyssa Koromov commented, "How come I get the feeling
this is going to be a very long night..."
And it had only begun.
Brisa grins ruefully at the captain, then glances at Romana... then abruptly looks rather worried, noting Romana's small, tight, nervous posture. She says softly, "Hey, mishkhhyra... it's all right now, babochka, truly..." She puts her arms around Romana, if Romana will let her, holding her companion close and warm, her tone soft and reassuringly calm.
Roxanna says, "I really wish you would have checked with me first. We could have avoided a good deal of excitement."
Brisa looks up alertly as Roxanna enters the room, then gets a relieved look, "Roxy-varishch! Could you check Romishka's ears please?" She looks confused, "Checked about what?"
Romana shivers for a moment and then, closing her eyes, leans back against Brisa, her hand seeking Brisa's fingers to entwine. Slowly she lets out a deep, deep breath. "Romana safe now," she whispers, within her companion's embrace. Brisa smiles with quiet affection at Romana, and doesn't let go while Roxanna checks her unless they want her to.
Roxanna looks at Romana's ears, clucking her tongue. "Hmm. I'll bet that hurts. Hold still..."
Benedict hears the commotion in the room next door. Frowning, he stands, leaves his room, and raps gently on the other room's door. "Hello? Brisa? Roxanna? Romana? Are you in?"
Swallowing, Romana tilts her head, reaching up to push away her long black hair. "Well, I'll be an Old Jvrillian in a Dawnview gown..." Mohlkavin shakes his head as Romana's slender and finely tapered easterner ear is exposed. Her lobes are torn, although the bleeding has stopped, as if someone had grabbed Romana's earrings and just yanked. Romana does wince, but only a little, and only once. She shrugs, mumbling philosophically. "Never had that happens befores." She pauses, looking back to Brisa. "Once is enough."
Roxanna says, "I should think so. Do you want to keep them pierced or heal the whole thing, Romana?"
Brisa grins at Mohlkavin, "You'd look very odd so, gospodin!" She glances back at Romana, leaning against her, and nods soberly, "Next time I will be more careful, babochka. I am sorry for my carelessness in forgetting about the magic and the captain."
Captain Koromov just laughs at Brisa's words. "Don't worry too much... it hasn't been the first time that's happened to me. Though it's the first time since I left home."
Brisa blinks at captain Koromov, then murmurs dryly, "Am thinking this would be quite the damper on indoor parties..." Then she calls quietly, "Enter, Benny!"
Benedict opens the door and is doubly surprised when he sees not only the two town captains, but Dandelion there as well. "Captain Koromov! Good heavens, I didn't know you were in town -- I'm glad to see you're better now!" Brisa updates Benedict quickly and quietly.
Benedict takes in the story, interjecting only at the point where Garrick's house exploded. "I had though that was a cart full of stone or timber toppling over in the market..." But he falls silent after that, mulling over the news, and making a mental note to keep not only Easterners, but also fey away from the Captain.
The look Benedict gets back from Dandelion is both amused and patient. "True. You do not get blown up every day. But I thank you for remembering, Benedict."
Benedict coughs slightly, a little embarrassedly. "Well, ah... if I had known that you'd been at the center of... well, that, I'd ah, probably not have used those same words... though it is good to see you again, Captain.
Brisa gives Benedict a faintly guilty look again, then adds firmly to the captain, "Was foolish of me to not insist on you wearing armor... and taking company!" She blinks, then brightens, "Am thinking we could maybe go see the temple now though, if you like? It's still early afternoon, da?" She grins hopefully at the three captains, "Now we have company, and the captain is in armor, da?"
Roxanna sighs. "Well, I suppose we can use a spell. Wouldn't do to have you presented as a novice with your ears bandaged -- it wouldn't look proper." She takes Romana's head in her hands, her hands covering the torn ears, and begins the prayer of healing. Brisa gently strokes Romana's hair back from her ears as Roxanna prays. Benedict blinks to Roxanna, then looks at Romana. Romana, as a disciple of Lady Attera? He marvels silently, then smiles quietly. I know a number of strict adherents to the Imperial faith who would be throwing fits to sky and sea if they knew whom the newest of the Lady's Own was. Which is probably why I don't care what they think...
A soft white light mists about Roxanna's palms, and at her soft touch Romana smiles... until the only sign of any harm is the last remnants of dried blood. Romana smiles again, squeezing Brisa's hand, looking back to Roxanna. "Thank you, Roxyanna, that feels so much better. Though I miss..." Romana looks down for just a moment. "But they are all free now, and home where they belong."
Brisa smiles quietly, a little worriedly, and just as gently strokes Romana's hair back over her pretty pointed ears. Then she looks up at the captains with a hopeful smile, "So... to the temple? If we ask nicely mayhap Roxy will sing for us of Verchovai Tashka and dama Allena?"
Slowly standing, Dandelion brushes out her long skirts. "I probably should see this tumble of blocks I am supposed to be protecting. So please, lead on, Sister Brisa..." Benedict grins a bit wryly at Dandelion's description of the Dayallan temple, and steps out into the hall and out of the way of the door so that the others may exit.
Brisa brightens, then grins at the other two captains and her friends, "Shall we all go?" She rises, offering Romana her hand.
Captain Koromov stands on the edge of the ruins for a long, long time, looking down upon the little holdfast of Bordertown. Her hands are folded behind her back, the evening's wind rustling her blonde hair and her long, quarter paneled skirts. Her pacing of the grounds had been very smooth and professional, sharp eyes noting the lay of the land and its approaches, pausing only once to whisper quietly, "...got to get Barris up here..." But mostly she stands quietly, waiting for the first stars to peek through the night sky. Then Dandelion just turns her head, nodding to Brisa. "We can do it. Even if I had a choice, I would... we built it... they broke it, we'll build it again. The full circle of time." Slowly then, next to Brisa, Dandelion walks down the trail, back towards the Dragonstooth. As she does she smiles again. "Full circle... just desserts after too many years, apt repayment... Poppy never told you how we broke the Dawnview Temple, did she..."
Brisa makes a mental note to ask what 'break' means exactly, in regards to the Dawnview Temple! -then grins... so her verchovai was a lot wilder than she ever let on? Fascinating!
The eve before Midwinter's is quiet for all; relaxing, safe... save for poor Reveka, left alone to tend the Dragonstooth bar... again. Brisa makes sure, as she has since hearing poor Reveka's earlier complaint, that she tips well... and then it is morning. Midwinter's morning, very early before Her rising, Brisa (and anyone else that wants, of course) takes all the horses out for their usual exercise and workouts. The break of day is bright, Her light very warm against the coolness of the air and ground, and above the sky is clear. Afterwards is breakfast, with the horses getting a nice hot bran mash with extra treats of apples and carrots chopped in, and the humans heading for the inn to eat their own breakfasts. It is during breakfast that Brisa intends to pick up the afternoon's picnic she's had prepared, complete with special sticky honey pastries to gift her friends and companions.
When the small group walks into the commons the usual morning bustle echoes with a larger than average breakfast as folks prepare for the eve's festivities. Over at one table can be seen the three captains Koromov, Garrick, and Mohlkavin. Brisa collects food and drink from the bar, to save Reveka a bit of running, then heads over to where her friends have seated themselves near the captains.
It is during breakfast that the thought occurs to Brisa, which she passes on to both the captains and her friends, "Michael of the Dark Mark had his people mounted up and armored when the Wild Horde arrived... how'd he know when they were coming? Could he have had someone watching the Eastern Road? And if so... why?" She frowns, thinking... then says with slow worry, "Could he be expecting Velikii before spring?"
It is Captain Koromov that answers Brisa's question, sipping a cold mug of kavass. "Talantal has a handful times two handful cavalry on guard each watch, and while the Kierkegaard Noble Guard are officially stationed at Whitewater you'll find them billeted at Weaver's Village this time of year. And Linnell Allaine moves most of her horse soldiers down to the Sapphire Lake Farms come winter, banking on the fact that no one is foolish enough to try Snowgate Pass in the storm season..." She smiles ruefully, brushing a blonde bang from her eyes. "It's called knowing your enemies, Brisa. I'd be real surprised if Michael didn't know where I was. What was surprising was he decided to make an issue of my arrival this time... but your other thought..."
As Dandelion lets her words fall off, Garrick speaks up. "Aye... that would be unexpected, wouldn't it..."
To which Jake Mohlkavin finishes the thought, "...which would be right up matching that Velikki's manner."
Looking down at her empty mug, Dandelion sighs. "What I'd give right now for a chance to chat with Linnell or her daughter." She sighs again, then smiles, stretching her arms out in a slow morning yawn. "Anywinters.... I should get some rest, Garrick. You get a spare moment from your gift giving tonight, we'll be at the Eastern Gate." Taking her leave, Dandelion looks back to Brisa. "You take care, Sister. And make sure Keegan doesn't give you anything watered down tonight. A party at the Dragonstooth is something everyone should experience, aye?"
Brisa smiles and nods quietly, not mentioning her intention to stay sober this Midwinter's night, with dear friends and an insanely jealous Jvrillian too close for her comfort... instead she just says softly, "Verchovai... some time when you have some privacy I would really like to tell you something I found out earlier, da, please?"
Captain Koromov says, "That's fine. After the noise of Midwinter's, when there's less to distract?" Brisa nods.
After breakfast Brisa will gleefully ask everyone if they'd like to exchange presents then? Roxanna grins. "What, already? I thought that was later."
Brisa grins a little sheepishly, "Well... we can do later if you prefer?"
Romana blinks, "Not at middynites, when the storm's bite turns from attacking to retreating?"
Brisa will happily coax Romana (and anyone else that wants to see what's making Brisa so excited) up to the room... once there she waits until everyone's seated, then offers Romana a cloth-wrapped bundle fastened with a very long leather strap decorated with a rainbow of dancing butterflies upon it... which turns out to also have a simple decorated metal belt buckle on it.
Romana pauses, stopping at the door. She blinks quietly, looking at the object in its gay wrappings. Her hand comes up to Brisa, pressed atop her collarbone, sapphire eyes so very wide, "For Romanas?"
Brisa beams excitedly, "Da, babochka!" She offers it again hopefully, "Open?"
Romana takes a step forward, and reaches out... to wrap her arms so strongly about Brisa! "Oh... thank you Brisa... Romana... Romana... Romana Romana's gifts for you not wrapped yet... thought all day have. Opens? Nows?" And only then does she release Brisa, then exuberantly free the morning's gift.
Roxanna says, "It's traditionally in the evening, Romana... you can wait 'til you have it finished."
Brisa beams gleefully, hugging Romana tightly back... then sits down on the couch, waiting impatiently for Romana to finish unwrapping the present. When she's done, Romana is holding in her hands... a tunic and a beribboned lute. The tunic is in the fitted Dawnview style; a blue as dark and rich as the twilight sky when the stars first start to come out. Its borders are in fact decorated with stars, embroidered in silver and lighter shades of blue thread. Brisa grins shyly, "I am hoping you like it, babochka... the butterflies are for you. I could not find them on a tunic, so I hope the belt will do as well? Also they showed me at the store how they are wearing the belt in Dawnview now... I can show you if you like?"
The lute has (to Romana) the proper number of strings -- thirteen. Hanging off the instrument's neck, up by the tightening keys, are several silken silver and black ribbons for Brisa, a handful in different shades of blue for Romana, and two thin braids... one in shades of gray horsehair, and one in sun-bleached blonde. There's also a delicate chain that shines silver -- but not as brightly as the small teardrop of ironsilver that depends from it -- a teardrop inscribed with a single, glittering star. Brisa adds shyly, "Thought you and Roxy-varishch might like to play together today, while we are on the picnic while Khari plays, outside?"
Benedict blinks in surprise at the gift. "Oh, my... a work of art to sing works of art." Brisa grins happily at Benedict!
Roxanna says, "Where did you FIND that, Brisa?"
Brisa beams happily at Roxanna too, "In town! Went to the Hysthainian importers, like Jake Mohlkavin suggested!" She adds cheerfully, "He is very nice, even for a Jvrillian!"
Romana just flounces to the floor, her legs sprawling, her treasures in her lap. She opens her mouth, and just can't speak... until her fingers brush the strings of her lute. Then she looks to Brisa and smiles, picking each string in turn from lowest to high... "I-do-so-love-my-fine-and-bright-Day-al-an-star-lass..." Brisa flushes a bit, getting a rather silly grin on her face as she watches Romana.
Roxanna chuckles. "That's not the way I learned the chording." Benedict's smile widens slightly, and he sits back, calm, at rest, at peace, listening to Romana's... unusual take on the equally unusual -- for him -- thirteen-stringed scale.
Brisa grins happily, kneeling behind Romana and carefully looping her arms around her in a gentle hug that doesn't get in the way of the lute. Romana hugs her lute... resting her head against the neck, smiling soft. Last had, when so little was..." She then slowly unweaves her ribbons... and when Brisa next looks to Romana, she wears a white pendant at her neck. As Brisa kneels next to her, her head raises, and she kisses her companion, sapphire eyes closing, soft and deep for many, many heartbeats.
Benedict blinks, and abruptly finds great interest in the ceiling, thinking that perhaps Hastur would not mind his sudden interest in the Dragonstooth Inn's architecture. Brisa blinks slowly, losing herself in her companion's kiss... she blinks again, a little distractedly, when she comes up for air a moment later, then grins, blushing madly, "Uh... I am thinking this is a da you like it?"
Romana nods softly, looking into Brisa's eyes. "Thank you... and yes."
Brisa practically glows with happiness! -then looks up at her so-patient friends, still a little happily flushed, "Um. So! We ah... would we all like to go now, for picnic?" She can't resist, though, a small cuddling squeeze of a hug of gleefulness.
Benedict looks down, then, having apparently gleaned all that he could from the ceiling's construction (and a lot more besides) and smiles, standing. "Sounds like a wonderful idea, actually! Where shall we be going again?"
Brisa says, "Uhmm... da! Right! Was going to give Khari her Midwinter's present." She scrambles to her feet, offering a hand up and a beaming smile to Romana, then adds, "To the barns first!"
Romana just stays on the floor, still half in shock. "Picnic? Yes... picnic..." She seems a bit distracted, her fingers flowing over her lute.
Roxanna says, "We can play together at the picnic, Romana." She bends down to whisper briefly in the Easterner's ear. "Come on..."
Benedict nods, remembering his own -- no, the horse who is patient enough with him to let him ride (running into the Firstborn has odd effects on one's perceptions, he's found. He'd like to talk with someone -- perhaps Random -- about that at some point... but not to mention his own doubts of the teachings...).
- The barns are quiet this morning, the stablehands' work already
done. The horses pace quietly in their stalls, some licking blocks of
salt, others eating an apple or two. Indeed, it looks as if each horse
has been given a treat of some sort... a carrot, an apple... something fun
and sweet to add to their own breakfast. As Brisa turns to Khari's stall
though, two things stand out as very, very different. Her bridle is gone,
replaced by one of finest leather, inscribed with butterflies and silver
inlays... and over the stall door is a new saddle blanket, black with a
silver stripe border, emblazoned with a handful of silver stars.
Brisa blinks in astonishment, then touches the beautiful new tack with cautious fingers, gently stroking the fine leather... she looks up at Romana, wide-eyed, "Romishka! Did you get this for me?!"
Roxanna grins. "That was mine, actually, and I got it for Khari. Maybe she'll let you wear it if you want."
Romana blinks, her eyes wide, just as surprised. Well, half surprised. "The blanket, Romana for Khari... the bridle?"
Brisa blinks again in astonishment at Roxanna, looking a little stunned, "For... you both did?!" She abruptly gives the tiny Roxanna a hugely exuberant hug, laughing delightedly -- then before poor Roxy is squished Romana gets a similarly delighted hug, lifted up off her feet and swung around! Benedict stifles a chuckle at Romana's comment, smiling also at Brisa's obvious joy.
"-eeee... khhhyaaaaiiii!" Romana laughs delightfully as she is spun, letting her skirts brazenly swirl, long legs stretched and her arms wrapping tight about Brisa as she regains her feet. "Romanas thinks Brisa and Khari likes?"
Brisa laughs delightedly again, then gives Roxanna and Romana both a decorous peck on the cheek each. She grins exuberantly at Khari as the pretty gray mare lifts her head over the stall door with a smug look, "Oh, so you were in on this? Keeping secrets from me, tsk!" She beams at her friends, "Bozhemoi, they're beautiful, tovarishii... bol'shoye spacebo!"
Roxanna says, "Well, we thought you'd both enjoy some nice gear. Khari's a special horse, after all."
Romana smiles softly, "Pretties, too."
Roxanna grins. "Besides, you got her her treats for today. If I remember what I've been told, too many treats aren't good for a horse."
Brisa laughs! "Well, apples and carrots are good for her, so that is what I use for treats for her." She leads Khari out a moment later, tossing a very large and bulging saddlebag up on her back. Brisa will happily put Romana and Roxanna up bareback on Khari, if they'll let her, then adds that this year for Khari's Midwinter's romp she's also invited Lady Kara along. "Usually it's just me and Khari, but this year I thought we all could go, and have a picnic, play some doublebluff maybe, maybe listen to some music?" She grins happily up at Romana on Khari's back, "That's why I wanted to give a gift now, mishkhhyra... I am very glad you like it!"
Benedict smiles quietly. "Very pretties -- er, pretty I mean, yes. Bordertown has some excellent craftsfolk."
Roxanna says, "Ah, that's it, then. You just wanted free minstrels for the picnic." She grins. "I suppose we'll oblige."
Romana looks to Roxanna and smiles, "Roxyannas also teach Romanas to play again?"
Brisa giggles at Roxanna as she heads out for Lonely Street, then simply walks alongside the eagerly pacing Khari, humming happily to herself as her friends talk. A moment later she'll wave at Lady Kara, dressed as colorfully as usual and waiting outside her doorless home, and happily compliment her, "I am thinking you look as fair as flowers today, dama!" Then she leads Khari out via the Eastern Gate, to turn east again, heading for the Flowered Path. She'll wave to any Romany that are up and about, of course. When everyone arrives at the Flowered Path Khari is unloaded, and Brisa leads her a few steps away from everyone else.
Lady Kara slowly walks along the path a bit, stopping to smell the flowers every now and then. She looks to the others and wanders back, smiling softly. "And it's a nice morning too, for a change..."
Benedict glances briefly towards Lady Kay and the tower up on the hill to the south. I know it may be foolish of me, Lady, he thinks, but after having seen what happened to your brother in Hastur's service, I would have hoped to give some sort of solace. He thinks back to the night of the small 'ceremony' atop the Dayallan temple. Maybe it's started -- the healing… or at least I hope.
Khari is by now tense with excitement, her head lowered slightly, waiting for Brisa to remove the halter. Brisa pats her neck affectionately, then slowly unbuckles the halter... then waves her arms abruptly in a shooing motion, stepping back once again, "Go get 'em, girl!" She laughs at Khari's explosive snort and (literal) crouch, which looks very odd until Khari bounds away from Brisa at a mad gallop, her hooves thundering, tail bannering high in the wind, head down and body twisting as she gives repeated bucks, each punctuated with a grunt of effort...
Khari gallops and bucks for quite a bit, then finally settles down into a ground-eating gallop, swinging around in a huge circle about the small group of celebrants. Brisa's eyes are bright with pride -- Khari looks gorgeous right now -- her delicate head held high and full mane and tail flaring in the wind of her passing, nostrils flared and Herself striking bright gleams off of her glossy, healthy coat. Khari inhales deeply as she gallops, then bugles a demanding, clarion whinny towards the Romany encampment. A few wistfully calling neighs return, and Brisa laughs affectionately again, watching Khari playing, with her hands on her hips, the halter and lead rope dangling forgotten from one arm. Roxanna smiles, both at Khari's exuberance and at Brisa's delight in her mount's antics. "Truly an amazing horse, isn't she?"
Benedict blinks in surprise. Hastur has truly blessed me to See this as well, on this day! "She's... oh, my. I don't think I've ever seen a horse so... alive!"
Brisa beams proudly, nodding, "Da, she is -- the best!"
Romana walks quietly up behind Brisa, placing her hands upon Brisa's shoulders. She strokes softly, a proud smile on her lips. "Pretties and cunnings... for Brisa, yes?"
Brisa grins, putting an arm around Romana, "She is the smartest horse I know, mishkhhyra."
Finally Khari slows to a swinging trot... and later, to a walk. She drifts along some distance from the group, nose to the ground, whuffling occasionally, and Brisa grins as she says softly, "Tcha, my turn now." She folds her arms, turning her back on Khari, and calls out clearly, "Nyeh, I'm not looking! Only bad horses would roll in the dirt anywise... I don't see you!"
Khari stops abruptly, her head swinging up to stare alertly at Brisa, ears pricked. She snorts defiantly, shaking her head, then tosses her forelock, flirts her tail, and trots a swift, large circle around the little group. Just as she reaches Brisa's view she slows quickly down into that drifting walk again, nose down and whuffling softly... Brisa's grinning as Khari selects a large dusty spot in front of them. Khari inspects it carefully, pawing repeatedly so it's really dusty... then, slowly and deliberately, she lies down in it and rolls. She rolls several times, occasionally all the way over, completely ignoring Brisa's occasional cheerfully called-out commentary, "How embarrassing -- what will the Nehrimstel think?! What will I tell all the other horses?! Tcha... such a naughty horse you are!"
Khari's unconcerned enjoyment of Brisa's cheerfully commentary continues as she rises finally, violently shaking herself from nose to tail tip until a cloud of dust rises from her. She walks happily over, ears pricked up expectantly, and receives a treat from Brisa, whose tone is a far cry from her scolding words, "...can't say how we'll be able to show our faces in public again, really! -such an embarr- hang on, let me cut your treats up first, greedy one! There you go, pretty lady... where was I... ah, right, such a bad girl you are..." The two of them show the casual unconcern and quietly contented camaraderie of two friends engaging in a very old and long-standing game.
Roxanna smiles at the two old friends. "Got all those nasty itches taken care of, Khari?" Brisa giggles at Roxanna's comment as she feeds carrot chunks to Khari! Khari just whuffles.
Benedict chuckle softly, shaking his head quietly. "I can't even imagine how it must feel to just... let go... like that."
Romana just crosses her arms. "Even Dancers better behaved! Hmmf!" But then she smiles, her sky blue eyes sparkling.
Finally Brisa pats Khari's neck ("Eeew, you're all dusty! Go graze, silly girl, and we'll clean you up later, da?"), then turns to the others, "Well! Let's picnic, da?" Khari wanders off, cropping mouthfuls of the greenest grass, and Brisa helps her friends lay out the picnic tablecloth and the edibles.
Romana walks back to the gathering, settling down next to the food. She draws her lute upon her lap, letting her fingers drift across the strings and the finely polished wood. Lady Kara too sits down, resting back on her hands. "This is a nice way to spend Midwinter's day..."
Benedict smiles quietly to Lady Kara as he sits as well. "Oh, definitely," he says. "Much better than how we spent it in Talantal."
Roxanna says, "Or in Trundle."
Brisa smiles at Kara, "I am glad you are enjoying it, dama." She glances curiously at Benedict and Roxanna as she hands out plates, bread, meat, and cheese to everyone, "How did you both spend it elsewhere?"
Lady Kara shakes her head, "Oh yes. They were so formal there. It's one of the reasons I eventually moved here. I could finally... relax."
Brisa stifles a sudden grin at the startlingly unexpected mental image of the lady as relaxed as Khari -- rolling cheerfully with her! Roxanna says, "In the Alley? Same as every day. Dodging the predators, at least until I took my vows. After that, it was cleaning up after the fights and a wary truce."
Romana leans quietly against Brisa. "At home... it started a week before and went on until there was nothing left to eat or drink."
Benedict makes a bit of a face as he accepts the plate of food from Brisa, though the expression is not towards the platter. "Thanks, Brisa. Ergh... Midwinter's at Talantal. Lady Kara and Roxanna are very right, I'm afraid. And after taking my own vows..." He looks around the landscape, sighing softly, then looking back at the small gathering. "Nothing at all like here." He pauses, taking a nip of cheese. "And nothing like the... companionship here," he adds quietly.
Brisa nods thoughtfully to her friends, then smiles with quiet contentment as she puts a gentle arm around Romana, "Well. Today we are together here on a beautiful clear Midwinter's day, in the flowers... we are safe and well, and we are amongst friends. I am thinking these are all very wonderful reasons to give thanks to the deities today, da?"
Lady Kara nods, looking across to Brisa. "All of them, who stand at the corners of the world..."
Brisa nibbles meat and bread, giving Kara a curiously interested look, "At the corners? Which four stand there, dama?" Benedict metaphorically perks his ears, glancing towards Lady Kara curiously and listening.
Kara looks back, smiling. "Four? All of them. There are many corners, for the world is shattered, yes?"
Benedict shifts a little in his seat. Shattered... yes, shattered... and we're still feeling the pains of that shattering... Brisa blinks... then says slowly, "Da... so... why are they standing at corners? Do they keep the pieces from flying apart?" She looks puzzled, "Wait... so the Heartwood is only one piece of..." she pauses, looking astonished, "-of... a bigger world?!"
Roxanna blinks. "Brisa... where DO you get these ideas?"
Smiling, Lady Kara nods, "Of course it is. There is where we spend our waking hours... here. There are the cold halls of my Lady... there are the realms where your Lady walks; where the Dark Ones are banished to; the spheres of shadow, ice, fire, water, air, and earth; the places between where spirits haunt... the strangeness of Faerie... The Forest was shattered and left us a world of parts making up a whole."
Brisa blinks at Roxanna, then looks down at the bread she's eating. She holds it up, "A piece, Roxy, see? Does the meat think it is the only piece of bread? Does the bread remember the loaf? -or the dough before that?"
Benedict blinks, almost dropping his plate. "Er... you mean... in the time before the First Age, that... before the Shattering, all those were... were one and the same?"
Brisa stares in astonishment at Kara, "Then... it is true, what I was guessing about?" She stares doubtfully at her bread... then, carefully, puts the meat back on it and has another slow, deliberate bite.
Benedict glances to Brisa, the symbolism not lost on him. "It... might be possible, someday," he says, softly.
Brisa chews thoughtfully, then swallows, frowning in thought, "So... all these places are separate because of the Shattering... are the gods trying to put them back together? Is that why they stand at the corners?" She tilts her head, thinking, then adds even more doubtfully, "Would putting them back together be... wise? I am thinking the Fey make me very nervous?"
Lady Kara nods. "They are just... strange. And while I suspect that some of us wouldn't mind the world reforged... others... for others it would be against their own interests."
Brisa says in slow puzzlement, "I... wonder what Herself wants..." She looks up at the sky curiously, adding softly, "I... never knew..." She looks back at Kara, "What does the um... the Chaos want? I am thinking the opposite of what it wants is a good place for us to start." Her quiet grin is rueful.
Benedict munches on a piece of bread thoughtfully. "Maybe..." he says, musing out loud, "-maybe... that's why Hastur wants us to See everything... something to do with the Shattering... but to See it all that it might someday be reforged, or to See it all that it might remain separate..." He realizes he's speaking out loud, and erks softly, ducking his head slightly. Brisa gives Benedict an interested look.
Romana shakes her head, whispering. "It wouldn't matter to Them, Brisa. Nothing matters to Them."
Brisa looks puzzledly at Romana, then at Kara, "So... some of the deities stand at the corners to keep the worlds from flying apart more... and some want it to?"
Romana and Lady Kara look to each other and they both nod. "That's about it, Brisa," lady Kara confirms.
A small figure on horseback leaves the town and pauses a moment, looking in the direction of the group. It starts riding at a leisurely pace towards them.
Benedict shivers slightly. Just when I was coming to grips with one crisis of faith, he thinks morosely. Brisa is lost in thought, her forgotten sandwich halfway to her mouth. She finally remembers her sandwich and takes a slow bite, then says muffledly, "Fo... whoof holdin' n' whoof not?" Benedict blinks to Brisa, then can't help but laugh. What a way to ask one of the most critical theological questions in the Heartwood!"
It becomes obvious that the horse is carrying two as it draws near to the group. Anuje waves as she draws up to the group. "I'm glad you're still here."
Brisa looks up, still chewing, then grins and waves! Roxanna says, "And where else would we be?" Benedict looks up, still grinning, and waves to Anuje and Dominic
Brisa gets a faintly surprised look at Benedict... then grins and swallows. She gets a slightly sly look as she adds, "We knew you'd get here eventually, Anuje... I saw Dommi talking to Reveka, so he must know about the honey pastries I got us all for dessert! And..." her voice gets carefully casual, "-I'm sure his village was so small they never got one apiece, after all..."
Anuje smiles and elbows Dominic lightly. She laughs at the joke. "He probably wasn't talking to her about pastries..." Brisa covers a giggle at Dominic's expression!
Slipping off the back of Anuje's horse, Dominic heads straight for... the food! A bit of bread found and he leans back in the flowers. He smiles very brightly, looking up to the sky. "No, we had to share... and poor old brother Dominic, he was the littlest, and sometimes there was nothing but the smell left for him to eat. But he was small, so he could suffice from that."
Brisa laughs! Roxanna chuckles. "You didn't really think you'd stop his stories by predicting them, did you, Brisa?"
Brisa grins and shrugs cheerfully at Roxanna! -then looks fascinatedly (and hopefully) back at Lady Kara? Benedict chuckles softly, then looks back to Kara as well. Brisa carves off a few bits of cheese and meat, handing them out to Anuje and Dominic, then goes back to eating herself while she waits for Kara's answer. Anuje climbs down, pulls a skin out of the saddlebag, and sets it on the ground before leading her mount a bit away, taking a minute to hobble her. She calls back over her shoulder, "There's honey mead in the skin."
Brisa brightens, "Spacebo, Anuje!"
Benedict blinks. "Oh, yes, thank you very much, Anuje!"
Anuje walks back and sits down near the others, then smiles and takes the food, taking a quick bite. "Thanks." Shee reaches and gives Dominic's hair a tussle. "Seems to me you must've grown an awful lot since."
Lady Kara just looks back to Brisa, confused. "I think your question was lost in your sandwich?
Brisa grins, "Sorry, dama. Which deities are holding and which want the world to shatter more? Do you know?"
Anuje nods politely to Lady Kara. "Lady... how are you this fine Midwinter's day?" Brisa quietly back-explains the conversation to Anuje as she waits for Kara to answer. Anuje presses her lips together and nods, realizing quickly she was interrupting.
Lady Kara smiles softly. "I only know my Lady's, and I suspect she doesn't care. We get the dead anyway."
Benedict nods quietly, wondering how he would find out what Hastur's plans are. Possibly when -- no, at this point, make it if -- he ever became a high priest. Brisa nods slowly, thinking... then says thoughtfully, "Did She tell you, dama?" She mentally hopes she understands more, someday, of Dayalla's plans -- if she ever gets past initiate... there's so much she wants to learn! Then she looks up, realizing everyone's quiet... she grins at Anuje, pointing to Romana and the 13-stringed lute in her lap, "Mishkhhyra said she'd play some with Roxy-varishch, Anuje, while we picnic'd!" She gives the two women a hopeful look?
Roxanna grins. "Well, it's all right with me if it's all right with Romana. Anything to avoid another argument, right, Lady Kara?" Brisa chuckles softly, nibbling on her food. Benedict blinks, then grins softly, letting out a silent breath. He'd almost forgotten this was Midwinter's, a time of celebration. Brisa gets a suddenly thoughtful look again, and runs her hands gently through the flowers around her. She'll start quietly collecting as many as she can, and making a daisy chain while Romana and Roxanna sing.
Lady Kara smiles quietly, "That is my guess, Brisa. I think there are some secrete our Mistresses keep even from us."
Brisa sighs with a rueful grin, "Don't you ever wish you could throw a good old tantrum, like a child, so they'd tell you more?" She giggles at the image, then looks up, grinning, "Am just teasing, Lady!"
Anuje nods and munches her food. "Hmm... do you have any mugs or shall we just all drink from the skin?" She grins... roguishly. Brisa empties some mugs out of the not-so-bulging saddlebags and hands them to Anuje with a smile. Benedict grins softly.
Roxanna says, "Most likely, Lady Kara. But if they told us everything, then what would be left for us to discover?"
Dominic smiles to the skies, "Oh, I've tried it once or twice. I usually get rained on."
Anuje pours the mugs, passing them to the ladies first. "So... have you heard any more about the armor? Some poor sap had to take it off that wretched body."
Benedict smiles quietly, "I do feel sorry for that 'poor sap.'"
Brisa snorts amusedly at Roxanna's words, idly wishing to herself that her Lady would tell her anything sometimes... she grins quietly to herself, then passes filled mugs around to everyone. "Am thinking best to just burn it out, Anuje." She blinks at Dominic... then giggles! -then halfway through a giggles stops and gives Dominic a puzzledly intent look.
Dominic just slips his hands beneath his neck. "Oh my, I gotta get some gifts, don't I... well, midnight's a ways away..."
Brisa glances around and decides to be polite and ask later... she turns her gaze to Romana and grins, "Um... mishkhhyra, you mind if I sit behind you and brush your hair a bit?"
Anuje pours the rest of the mugs and passes one each to Benedict and Dominic, then stands quickly. "A toast... is in order. I think."
Benedict blinks, looking up at Anuje as he accepts the mug. "A toast to...?"
Romana smiles brightly, turning her back to Brisa, her eyes so very, very bright. "Oh... very... please..."
Anuje smiles. "To new friends... and old... but mostly to new. That we may all become old friends together."
Dominic sits up again, and accepts the mug from Anuje, as does Lady Kara. "A toast?"
Brisa beams, settling behind Romana -- and pulling a handful of brilliant ribbons out of a pouch into her lap with the daisy chain! She hastily picks up her mug and looks up expectantly at Anuje... then smiles, "Vos nostrovya!"
Anuje takes a sip and sits down. "Was that okay? It was my first."
Benedict grins softly, raising his mug as well. "To friends," he says, and takes a sip -- a small sip, honey mead can be strong.
Brisa grins, drinking some, then nods, "Was very nice, Anuje-varishch." Then she settles in, concentrating contentedly on weaving ribbons and flowers into Romana's hair the way the lady Kara taught her.
Dominic smiles quietly, looking to the others, "Old friends... true friends..." Brisa looks up to Khari, and with a smile mentally includes her in the toast... an old and true friend indeed.
Lady Kara raises her mug to the sky, "Until we all dance together once again in my Lady's hall... friends now, friends hereafter..."
Roxanna raises her mug, a little sadly. "To friends... both the ones present today, and those present in our hearts." Benedict nods quietly, looking up into the sky... but of course the stars aren't visible at this time of day.
Romana considers for a long, long while. "Romana never had friends before." She smiles softly. "To friends new, teaching Romana that there is more than just Romanas." Brisa smiles, lightly stroking one hand along Romana's hair... then quietly going back to what she was doing before.
Anuje smiles and takes a sip, then says, "When did you get the lute, Romana?" Brisa grins happily to herself at Anuje's question, as she braids.
Romana looks across to Anuje, her eyes just sparkling brighter than the sun. "My Brish'khhya gave it to me, Anuje. Isn't it wonderful?" Brisa grins shyly, her face flushing again.
Anuje grins. "Oh it is... that's very nice. Uhm... did I miss the gifting?"
Brisa smiles again, shaking her head, "Nyeh, Anuje, I just wanted her to have the lute for the picnic."
Roxanna says, "She's hoping for free songs."
Brisa adds cheerfully, "-for the singing, da!" She giggles, then confides to Anuje, "They are holding out on us, you know..."
Benedict laughs softly. "Free or otherwise," he notes, "-whatever songs that will be sung will be worth more than all the coins in the Heartwood."
Anuje grins. She glances between Roxanna and Romana. "I could tickle it out of them..."
Brisa laughs! -then hastily adds, "Tickle Roxy-varishch, Anuje -- I am not done here!" She's got dark hair, ribbons, and flowers all tumbled across her hands and lap.
Roxanna says, "After I'm done eating, and not before. Tickle me and I'll let you lead the singing." Brisa laughs again... what a marvelously relaxing day! she thinks, then realizes a little startledly -- this is, in fact, the nicest Midwinter's she can remember. She smiles affectionately at the group... what a difference friends make...
Anuje blinks. "My voice might crack. That wouldn't be a good idea."
Romana looks to Roxy and smiles softly... "Would Roxys let Romanas sing along?"
Roxanna smiles at Romana. "You may sing along with me any time you wish."
Dominic just mumbles a bit, "Maybe I'll gift all the ladies a romantic kiss..." he considers absent mindedly, "...but what about Anuje and Benedict..." he shrugs. "I could kiss them too..." There is a mischievous glint in the rogue's eyes. Brisa stifles a snort of laughter at Dominic. Romana just quietly giggles. Dominic continues, "But If I kiss Brisa... I'd have to kiss her horse too... and they slobber..."
Benedict blinks, and gives Dominic a wry look. "I won't even tempt fate by replying to that one." Anuje laughs.
Brisa murmurs calmly, "How you know I don't slobber too, Dommi?" She looks up with a sly glint in her eyes, grinning.
Anuje says, "Aren't you supposed to seek knowledge in all its forms, Benedict?"
Brisa grins at Anuje, "Careful, varishch, or he will seek knowledge of kissing you maybe?"
"Again with the 'knowledge in all its forms'!" Benedict says, mock exasperated. "That gets me into so much trouble!" Anuje blushes and laughs quickly at Benedict's answer. Brisa laughs aloud again lightheartedly.
Roxanna says, "Maybe you'd better kiss Khari then, Benedict."
Brisa giggles! -then glances over at Khari and grins, "Might want to wait until after she's been cleaned up, da?"
Anuje drinks from her mug and takes a bite of bread, chuckling quietly. Benedict says with great dignity, "I'm sure Khari is a fine lady horse, but she might be more interested in a bright cluster of apples than me."
Dominic slowly continues, "But then everyone else would be jealous... and Bordertown has so many people in it. Midwinter's was so much easier when I was home because my village... was... so... small."
Anuje smirks at Dominic. Roxanna giggles. "How small was it?"
Anuje rolls her eyes and grins, "Here it comes..."
Dominic laughs, "Well it was so small we didn't have to remember names. Me and all my siblings had to share the same name. It was fine... easy to remember. Though my sister Dominic wasn't all that happy about it." Romana just looks at Dominic blankly. Anuje stops chewing and starts laughing!
Brisa grins amusedly at Dominic, "Jealous. One name. Mmhmmm..." She goes back to her braiding, chuckling softly to herself. Finally she takes a breath, then lightly pats the neat bow that she finished with. "There. Is that nice, mishkhhyra?" Romana's silky hair ripples in dark sable waves down her back, crowned with a woven chain of daisies, violets, columbines, and lilies of the valley... silken ribbons are woven amongst the flowers, holding them in a ring and flowing in rainbows of color through several slender braids. Brisa sighs happily, then adds, "Khari let me practice a lot on her the last few days!"
Roxanna sips her mead and nibbles on bread and meat and cheese and dried fruit. As things quiet down, she tunes her balalaika and strums a quiet melody.
Romana looks to her hair and smiles. With a sudden turn she is in Brisa's lap, holding her so tight. "Pretty... thank you, Brisa!" Her hug is long, her eyes dancing. And then Romana stands, seeing the ribbons still lying next to her companion. With a soft smile she sets her lute in Brisa's lap and then, unasked and freely gifted, Romana sits herself down behind Brisa... and the Dayallan feels soft fingers in her hair... a touch of ribbons, a pretty weaving by a princess who cares for her.
Brisa blinks! -then laughs delightedly and hugs Romana tightly. She's a little startled when Romana sits behind her, but doesn't object when her long braid gets unplaited... her hair is a long, rippling mane from all the braiding, and a deep, rich gold on her head, slowly fading to a pale gold at the ends. She smiles thoughtfully -- it hadn't occurred to her to get her hair braided! -then grins, patting the pile of remaining ribbons, "I have more too for Khari, if we want?" Her grin gets mischievous, "And... maybe two other war horses we know, if the lady Kara would like?"
With a startled blink Lady Kara smiles, "You really think we could do that? They are very fierce and dangerous, you know. They won't let anyone but their master near, or people their master have introduced to them. But they would be so pretty."
Softly Romana's fingers sift through Brisa's hair, smiling as her braid comes undone, marveling at its color and length. She slowly weaves in the ribbons, accented by a daisy here, a dandelion there... until the two women's tresses match, night and day. Romana leans forward to kiss Brisa's cheek, laying her long braid over her shoulder, so she can see. Then she just rests her chin on her companion's shoulder. "Very lucky Romanas."
Brisa blinks at the braid, a little startled at how nice it looks... is that her?! She lightly runs careful fingers along the garlanded hair... then smiles slowly, touching Romana's face in light caress as well, "So pretty, mishkhhyra... I did not know it could look so nice..." Her face is quietly wondering... then she smiles slowly, turning enough to gather Romana up into a hug, "You are... a marvel, babochka..." She just holds Romana close and tight for a long moment, her face hidden against Romana's hair. Finally she looks up at Kara, slow and peaceful. "They will let us near. I will speak with them." Her face is... different, a little, somehow... relaxed, almost glowing with a quiet, internal joy.
Dominic just turns to Brisa and gives her an intent look. Then he just shrugs and smiles. "That sounds like a fine trick to gift."
Roxanna grins. "This I will have to see."
Brisa chuckles quietly, lightly brushing a dark strand of Romana's hair out of her face, "But first I have to clean up Khari so she can be pretty too... or she'll never forgive me!"
Roxanna keeps a straight face. "Of course not. That's why she got all dirty in the first place, right?"
Brisa laughs! then grins, "Ah, I see you understand, Roxy!"
Lady Kara smiles, "This is better than belling a softpad..."
Romana just leans close to Brisa, cheek to cheek, held just as tight. She leans back, her whisper a smile, "Very smart, very pretty, very strong, but mostly very Brisa. How could Romanas not fall for you?"
Brisa blushes hotly at Romana's whisper, then gets that delighted, silly grin that people in love get. She laughs, kisses Romana lightly on the forehead (since they're in public), then pulls several brushes, curry combs, picks, and other useful grooming tools out of the now-deflated saddlebag. She stands and waves, "Hey! Khari! Come get clean! You can't stay scruffy like that all day now!" She glances over her shoulder at lady Kara with interest, "I've never tried talking to one of those, actually..." She looks up as Khari comes cantering over, tossing her head, then slows to a decorous walk up to Brisa.
Brisa chuckles at Khari's expectant stance (sideways to her for easy brushing), and starts a slow, leisurely, thorough grooming. Much later she straightens with a proud smile, "There you go, Lady Kara... feel free to braid in all you'd like! I got LOTS of ribbons, just in case!" She grins, then hms, "Maybe I'll add a few myself... and maybe a flower or two..."
- The rest of the morning is easily spent making Khari look so
very fine and pretty, like a beautiful horse bound for the parades of
Midsummer's -- a touch of warmth in the cold Cold Season. Even Dominic
helps a bit, gathering a spray of flowers. "I'm closer to the ground than
all you giants," the little man jokes. Finally, however, Romana walking
hand in hand next to Brisa, the pretty Amber mare slips through the
Bordertown gates, her head tall, her pace as dainty as if she very well
knew she was the prettiest creature upon the mainland. She steps high and
fine, her clip-clop light, and gets bright smiles from the townsfolk...
A bit later, quietly, Dominic distracts the stable hands and a big destrier is approached. And while they both glare at Romana and Roxanna and even Lady Kara, all it takes is a word and a touch from Brisa and the big beasts are calm. It is Kara and Romana who braid... Brisa calming the very dangerous horses... until, when they finally leave, the last thing they hear is a friendly chuckle from a stable hand... "Kor... Garrick's got to see this...!" Two of the town's fiercest warriors, Stormrunner and Terrorfang, all bright and warm. The odd thing is that Terrorfang seems somehow pleased.
Brisa will whisper quietly to Terrorfang as he's being braided, "Terrorfang... is that really your name, handsome? or do you have another one you use?" The war-horse just... whuffles. Brisa murmurs quietly to the big stallion, "I'm sorry, pretty man, I can't understand as well as I wish I could... but I'll keep trying, da?" She strokes one hand down his nose, adding, "You and your friend look very fine though, handsome!" Brisa grins cheerfully at the stablehand, "Tell them Merry Midwinter's from us all!"
Roxanna grins. "And you didn't even need my services."
The stablehand shakes his head. "I'll bet he'll be able to guess... crazy bloody Dayallans."
Brisa chuckles, slipping a carrot apiece to the war-horses, then happily heading out of the barn with her friends. She feels... oddly happy with herself -- she understands the high, proud head carriage of the horses, as she walks next to Romana, ribbons woven into her long blonde hair by her lovely companion. She'd had no idea life could be so... wonderful!