Water ran down the young woman’s face in small rivulets, dripping off her nose and chin. Cold had permeated her entire being and she was exhausted, but she kept going. After all… she had no home she could seek shelter in now…
Keris had left the only home she had ever known in Shim – ran away from her adoptive parents – not because they had been unkind or mistreated her… but because they could not accept who she was. Several years before Keris had learned that she had a gift – a profound gift that allowed her to heal the injuries of small animals. She had not told her parents, who were staunch puradynes, out of fear that they would not accept her gift.
She had been right to fear their reaction, though she wondered if fate might have spared her this road if she had decided not to help her mother bake bread earlier that morning…
Flashback
Keris and her mother stood at the wood burning oven, ready to pull out the freshly baked loaves that filled the room with their tempting aroma. Her mother reached in, then suddenly pulled back as her hand brushed against the side of the oven. Crying out in pain, the woman had cradled her red and blistering fingers. Seeing her mother in pain, Keris could not resist the temptation. She knelt down and grasped her mother’s hand, saying calmly that it would be all right…
But it was not all right. Her mother screamed and pushed her daughter away, staring in horror at her hand that now appeared unscathed.
“What have you done?!” she cried before running from the room.
Later that evening, Keris’s parents had sat down with her, their faces grim.
“Keris… we want you to come with us to Shim tomorrow…” her mother began quietly, unable to look her daughter in the face. “We want you to come with us to see the priest.”
“The priest? Why?” Keris asked, her face tense and uncertain.
Her parents exchanged a glance, then her mother continued, “The priest… he can… help you. We want him to save you from yourself… from this… magic…” The last word was spat out as if it was dirty.
“Mother,” Keris began pleadingly, “This is not evil… I am not hurting anyone – or anything. I can help people… I can make them better – how is that a sin?”
Keris’s father looked firm, “Keris, this is not up for discussion. Magic is evil – a sin – and I will not have you bringing a curse upon our house. People are meant to be born, to live, to die… and we are not meant to alter the natural course of life.”
Keris hung her head and nodded, then retreated to her room. Her parents breathed sighs of relief, feeling that they had succeeded in reaching their daughter.
They were wrong.
That night, Keris packed a few meager belongings, some clothes, a loaf of bread, a chunck of cheese, and a few Bishani, and then in the wee hours of the morning she slipped out of the house and made her way towards Marn.
End Flashback
The road to Marn was not a long one, and Keris had spent much of the day wandering the streets and meandering through shops. It had not been an unpleasant day – until the rain started.
Keris pulled her shawl tighter around her head and neck – it did little to keep out the soaking rain, but made her feel a tad warmer as it blocked the wind. Her eyes scanned the streets, looking for a place where she might wait out the storm.
She noticed a sign swinging, “The Drunken Rat”. The door swung open and a man stumbled outside, turning and reeling down the street without noticing Keris. The place did not look very promising, but at least it would be dry.
Slipping inside Keris kept towards the back of the room, finally sitting at an empty table as far from the drafty doorway as possible. Most ignored the dripping girl, their attention kept by the entertainment on stage. She ordered a hot drink, if only to warm her insides, wincing as she watched most of her money disappear into the hands of the waitress. She would not have enough for a room…
An Open Door
An Open Door
Last edited by Keris on Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: An Open Door
As the late afternoon drifted closer to evening, the rain only intensified. The outdoor shops and sidewalk stalls closed early, vendors and shoppers alike scurrying about to escape the growing downpour. Clutching her waterproof cloak, Nora splashed through puddles and wove her way through Main Street toward the old tavern.
She expected the common room to be empty on such a gloomy day. Instead, it was busier than she had ever seen it at this hour. It seemed the rain had driven people to seek shelter, and many that had come to the Drunken Rat lingered for a drink and a bit of song to pass the dreary afternoon. Looking over the crowd, Nora smiled happily. This could be a very good night indeed. She was halfway out of her dripping cloak before she realized that the stage was already occupied.
“You’re late,” a gruff but friendly voice said. Nora turned and saw Nielson, the old bartender, grinning at her as he wiped down a ceramic mug.
“I was stuck in the shop all day with a customer,” Nora replied, rolling her eyes as she hung up the cloak. “An engaged couple picking out a wedding band… I’ve never seen two people fight and make up so many times in the span of three hours!” She looked at the stage and let her jaw drop with mock indignation. “You let Parn up before me?”
Nielson chuckled at the young girl’s antics. “So long as someone keeps the patrons happy and ordering ale, I don’t care who is on that stage.”
With a long-suffering sigh as she cleaned off her spectacles, Nora said, “My dear sir, you simply have no appreciation for theatrics.”
Well, it wasn’t a total loss. Parn was a grocer’s son who had a rare talent with his father’s old fiddle. He would keep the crowd lively, and his act wouldn’t be too hard to follow. It would keep her out later than she preferred, only because Aunt Kayli would have words for her when she got home… Letting her gaze rove over the audience again, Nora decided it was worth a tongue-lashing.
Which meant she had a little time to herself. During her inspection of the crowd, she had spotted a girl who looked around her age. Even though she had chosen a small table up against one wall, she stuck out like a sore thumb, and a closer look told Nora she could probably do with some friendly company.
Nora made her way across the common room, taking off her spectacles and shoving them in a skirt pocket as she neared the other girl’s table. With a friendly smile, she nodded to the empty chair. “Is this seat taken?”
She expected the common room to be empty on such a gloomy day. Instead, it was busier than she had ever seen it at this hour. It seemed the rain had driven people to seek shelter, and many that had come to the Drunken Rat lingered for a drink and a bit of song to pass the dreary afternoon. Looking over the crowd, Nora smiled happily. This could be a very good night indeed. She was halfway out of her dripping cloak before she realized that the stage was already occupied.
“You’re late,” a gruff but friendly voice said. Nora turned and saw Nielson, the old bartender, grinning at her as he wiped down a ceramic mug.
“I was stuck in the shop all day with a customer,” Nora replied, rolling her eyes as she hung up the cloak. “An engaged couple picking out a wedding band… I’ve never seen two people fight and make up so many times in the span of three hours!” She looked at the stage and let her jaw drop with mock indignation. “You let Parn up before me?”
Nielson chuckled at the young girl’s antics. “So long as someone keeps the patrons happy and ordering ale, I don’t care who is on that stage.”
With a long-suffering sigh as she cleaned off her spectacles, Nora said, “My dear sir, you simply have no appreciation for theatrics.”
Well, it wasn’t a total loss. Parn was a grocer’s son who had a rare talent with his father’s old fiddle. He would keep the crowd lively, and his act wouldn’t be too hard to follow. It would keep her out later than she preferred, only because Aunt Kayli would have words for her when she got home… Letting her gaze rove over the audience again, Nora decided it was worth a tongue-lashing.
Which meant she had a little time to herself. During her inspection of the crowd, she had spotted a girl who looked around her age. Even though she had chosen a small table up against one wall, she stuck out like a sore thumb, and a closer look told Nora she could probably do with some friendly company.
Nora made her way across the common room, taking off her spectacles and shoving them in a skirt pocket as she neared the other girl’s table. With a friendly smile, she nodded to the empty chair. “Is this seat taken?”
Re: An Open Door
Of course it was raining. What had begun as a light mist this afternoon had taken no time in becoming a deluge. Illae had exited the boat that she had stolen aboard at the banks of the Ofriyu Mar, and found herself in this little nothing town. Though tired, and still wounded, she had not rested, but instead had decided to try and get her bearings in this shanty place. She was not impressed.
There was no color in this place, no life or vivacity. Here was a town that seemed mostly built for function rather than aesthetic, and she could almost feel an energy of despondence radiating from those bleak and dreary buildings. It disturbed Illae that a place could be so lacking in life—no place on Pal Tahrenor was too lively, but no where had been quite so…dead.
Above all this—the lack of color, mirth, crowds of people—above all this, what disturbed Illae was the lack of magic. She could feel it in the atmosphere, a presence in the astral plane that was almost...zero. It was eerie, and strange: Where in the world could there be such little magic? Of all the places she had been, she had never been to one so devoid of magical energy—or, at least what she did feel was somewhat…subdued?
Illae thought on these things as she turned, her coat hood up, and walked back towards a small tavern that she had passed earlier. The rain soaked through her boots as she walked, the fabric squishing between her toes with every step. She couldn’t wait to remove those shoes.
The rain pelted down on the wooden sign, and rushed down and around the letters apparently burnt into the wood. “The Drunken Rat,” She read, and looked through one of the large windows. It was well lit, and bustling with people—there appeared to be a stage, with a young boy playing a fiddle. Illae could hear the rabble of conversation, and laughter from within. She could also smell a distinct musty odor, of alcohol, and those hot and dirty, pressed too closely together. A slight smile crept over her face. “This is the right place for me then,” she said to herself as she opened the door.
Illae stepped inside, not bothering to remove her hood, and took another quick glance around. Plenty of pockets to pilfer here, she thought. The Family would like it here for a night or two... At the thought of her family, Illae’s smile grew thin. She realized she did not know where they were. She didn’t know where she was. It would be a while finding them, if…. Illae stopped the thought short, and slinked down in a seat at the wall, slipping a hand under her coat to hold her side. She wouldn’t think of those things—they always found each other again. She had no need to worry…but now she found herself thinking less of full pockets, than staring out somewhat blankly at the boy on stage.
There was no color in this place, no life or vivacity. Here was a town that seemed mostly built for function rather than aesthetic, and she could almost feel an energy of despondence radiating from those bleak and dreary buildings. It disturbed Illae that a place could be so lacking in life—no place on Pal Tahrenor was too lively, but no where had been quite so…dead.
Above all this—the lack of color, mirth, crowds of people—above all this, what disturbed Illae was the lack of magic. She could feel it in the atmosphere, a presence in the astral plane that was almost...zero. It was eerie, and strange: Where in the world could there be such little magic? Of all the places she had been, she had never been to one so devoid of magical energy—or, at least what she did feel was somewhat…subdued?
Illae thought on these things as she turned, her coat hood up, and walked back towards a small tavern that she had passed earlier. The rain soaked through her boots as she walked, the fabric squishing between her toes with every step. She couldn’t wait to remove those shoes.
The rain pelted down on the wooden sign, and rushed down and around the letters apparently burnt into the wood. “The Drunken Rat,” She read, and looked through one of the large windows. It was well lit, and bustling with people—there appeared to be a stage, with a young boy playing a fiddle. Illae could hear the rabble of conversation, and laughter from within. She could also smell a distinct musty odor, of alcohol, and those hot and dirty, pressed too closely together. A slight smile crept over her face. “This is the right place for me then,” she said to herself as she opened the door.
Illae stepped inside, not bothering to remove her hood, and took another quick glance around. Plenty of pockets to pilfer here, she thought. The Family would like it here for a night or two... At the thought of her family, Illae’s smile grew thin. She realized she did not know where they were. She didn’t know where she was. It would be a while finding them, if…. Illae stopped the thought short, and slinked down in a seat at the wall, slipping a hand under her coat to hold her side. She wouldn’t think of those things—they always found each other again. She had no need to worry…but now she found herself thinking less of full pockets, than staring out somewhat blankly at the boy on stage.
Re: An Open Door
The room was warm, more from the number of bodies present than any actual heat source, but to Keris it was a relief to finally feel the chill begin to leave her bones. She placed her soaked shawl over the back of her chair, hoping it would dry quickly, then ran her fingers through her dripping hair in an attempt to make herself more presentable... or at the very least make her less likely to draw attention. Keris winced as she slid her bag under the chair behind her feet. It, too, was water-logged, and her spare clothing was probably a mess - full of mushy bread and crumbling cheese. So much for changing into something dry...
Slowly sipping the hot tea she had ordered, Keris finally felt herself beginning to relax. Until someone spoke to her, nearly causing Keris to spew her tea across the table. Looking up in alarm, Keris could not help the blank, scared rabbit look in her eyes. It quickly faded, however, when she realized the person speaking was a young woman like herself and not someone who might be sent to search for her by her parents.
Forcing a strained smile, Keris motioned to the empty chair with her hand. "No, please sit," she offered as politely as she could manage considering her nervousness. No one knows you can perform magic... you're safe for now... Keris reminded herself before continuing, "My name is Keris... and you are?"
Slowly sipping the hot tea she had ordered, Keris finally felt herself beginning to relax. Until someone spoke to her, nearly causing Keris to spew her tea across the table. Looking up in alarm, Keris could not help the blank, scared rabbit look in her eyes. It quickly faded, however, when she realized the person speaking was a young woman like herself and not someone who might be sent to search for her by her parents.
Forcing a strained smile, Keris motioned to the empty chair with her hand. "No, please sit," she offered as politely as she could manage considering her nervousness. No one knows you can perform magic... you're safe for now... Keris reminded herself before continuing, "My name is Keris... and you are?"
Re: An Open Door
Nora’s smile grew a little wider at one side as she slipped into the empty chair. The other girl’s apprehension was practically painted on her face, which probably meant she wasn’t supposed to be in a place like this. Almost immediately Nora liked her; it was far too rare to see someone with a little spirit for adventure in a place like Marn.
“My name is Keris… and you are?”
“Shenora Tillen, but no one ever remembers all that. Just call me Nora.” She took in the full sight of Keris’s sopping clothes and shook her head in sympathy. “Looks like you got caught in the worst of the rain. Here…” She fished around her pocket and pulled out a rumpled handkerchief. “Try tying it around your neck. It’ll at least keep the rainwater from dripping down your back.”
Nora fingered the coinpouch at her waist. She never kept much on her person, but there was a little bishani in there today. She flagged down a waitress and asked if there was anything hot in the kitchen today.
“Just a bit of onion soup today, love,” the serving girl replied.
“That should be fine.” Nora pulled out a couple of small green coins. “Is that enough for two?”
“Aye. I’ll be right back.”
“My name is Keris… and you are?”
“Shenora Tillen, but no one ever remembers all that. Just call me Nora.” She took in the full sight of Keris’s sopping clothes and shook her head in sympathy. “Looks like you got caught in the worst of the rain. Here…” She fished around her pocket and pulled out a rumpled handkerchief. “Try tying it around your neck. It’ll at least keep the rainwater from dripping down your back.”
Nora fingered the coinpouch at her waist. She never kept much on her person, but there was a little bishani in there today. She flagged down a waitress and asked if there was anything hot in the kitchen today.
“Just a bit of onion soup today, love,” the serving girl replied.
“That should be fine.” Nora pulled out a couple of small green coins. “Is that enough for two?”
“Aye. I’ll be right back.”
Re: An Open Door
A few moments of inward silence slipped by as Illae watched the boy onstage. The bow moving quickly: back, forth, back, forth--like it had a little life of it's own, scratching the strings, creating music by itself....The moments passed, and she was suddenly awaken back to the reality of the room she was in.
She felt the soaking cloth between her toes, small eruptions of water engulfing her skin whenever she moved her feet. In a movement, she removed one boot, and then the other, exposing the little, water-shriveled toes within. Her toes, however, were not the only things released from her shoes, as days in prison, and more days as a stowaway had not permitted her the boon of personal hygiene.
The ripe smell started low, dancing a playful jig about her ankles, and then up up up, past thighs and stomach, until it settled at a comfortable position in the atmosphere: about nose level. Illae could smell the offending stink, but she didn't mind it, and she didn't mind if the other patrons minded it either. She'd be damned if someone dared tell her to slip those soggy weights on again--but this, however, was not even what she was thinking about.
In the seats behind her were two girls. They were younger than she was, probably not by much, though she noted they both still donned that innocent, naive look on their faces.
"Just a bit of onion soup, today," she heard the waitress answer one of the girls upon question. As she started to walk away, Illae held an arm out to stop her. She pushed back her dripping hood, revealing her face, and a shock of crinkly hair. "I'll have what they're having," she ordered, giving a look behind her at the girls. "And something hot to drink."
Illae had produced two bishani from somewhere on her person, and pressed them into the server's hand. For whatever reason, she was still looking behind her at the table, at the girls. Maybe it was one of those moments where one finds that they are staring inadvertently, or perhaps she was studying them for some greater reason. Whatever the issue, her eyes were settled on them, in a fashion that would surely cause most to feel ill at ease.
She felt the soaking cloth between her toes, small eruptions of water engulfing her skin whenever she moved her feet. In a movement, she removed one boot, and then the other, exposing the little, water-shriveled toes within. Her toes, however, were not the only things released from her shoes, as days in prison, and more days as a stowaway had not permitted her the boon of personal hygiene.
The ripe smell started low, dancing a playful jig about her ankles, and then up up up, past thighs and stomach, until it settled at a comfortable position in the atmosphere: about nose level. Illae could smell the offending stink, but she didn't mind it, and she didn't mind if the other patrons minded it either. She'd be damned if someone dared tell her to slip those soggy weights on again--but this, however, was not even what she was thinking about.
In the seats behind her were two girls. They were younger than she was, probably not by much, though she noted they both still donned that innocent, naive look on their faces.
"Just a bit of onion soup, today," she heard the waitress answer one of the girls upon question. As she started to walk away, Illae held an arm out to stop her. She pushed back her dripping hood, revealing her face, and a shock of crinkly hair. "I'll have what they're having," she ordered, giving a look behind her at the girls. "And something hot to drink."
Illae had produced two bishani from somewhere on her person, and pressed them into the server's hand. For whatever reason, she was still looking behind her at the table, at the girls. Maybe it was one of those moments where one finds that they are staring inadvertently, or perhaps she was studying them for some greater reason. Whatever the issue, her eyes were settled on them, in a fashion that would surely cause most to feel ill at ease.
Re: An Open Door
Any remaining apprehension left Keris' eyes as she heard the girl 'Nora' order them both some soup. She had, it seemed, found a friend and not someone seeking to return her to Shim. "Thank you," Keris said quietly as she tied the offered handkerchief around her neck, "for this, and the food."
As they waited for the food to arrive, Keris began to notice a decidedly unpleasant odor that seemed to drift by every time a breeze was created by patrons coming and going. Glancing around in mild curiousity Keris's eyes suddenly met the determined stare of a dark woman who appeared as rain-soaked as she.
Biting her lip nervously, Keris averted her gaze and nudged Nora's arm with a finger cocked in the direction of the stranger. "Do you know her?" she asked in a low tone that could not be overheard.
As they waited for the food to arrive, Keris began to notice a decidedly unpleasant odor that seemed to drift by every time a breeze was created by patrons coming and going. Glancing around in mild curiousity Keris's eyes suddenly met the determined stare of a dark woman who appeared as rain-soaked as she.
Biting her lip nervously, Keris averted her gaze and nudged Nora's arm with a finger cocked in the direction of the stranger. "Do you know her?" she asked in a low tone that could not be overheard.
Re: An Open Door
Nora looked to where Keris pointed. Without her glasses the table in front of them and its occupant looked fuzzy about the edges, but there was no doubt that the other young woman was staring at them. Slowly she shook her head. “No… I don’t know her.”
She squinted a little, bringing the stranger’s features into focus. It only served to intensify the force of the woman’s gaze, and Nora had to resist the natural urge to look away. Instead she folded her hands upon the table and cocked her head to one side. “Excuse me,” she called out. “Was there something you needed?”
The smell was slow to reach her, but when it did her nose wrinkled on reflex.
She squinted a little, bringing the stranger’s features into focus. It only served to intensify the force of the woman’s gaze, and Nora had to resist the natural urge to look away. Instead she folded her hands upon the table and cocked her head to one side. “Excuse me,” she called out. “Was there something you needed?”
The smell was slow to reach her, but when it did her nose wrinkled on reflex.
Re: An Open Door
For some reason the woman did not respond to Nora's question, which only made Keris feel more uncomfortable. It was getting late, and while her stomach had been satiated, she still needed a place to stay for the night. She stifled a yawn while she considered her prospects. Her new friend was the only hope she had at the moment, and considering Nora's generosity with the meal Keris thought she might at least be willing to recommend a safe place that would not cost too much...
Turning away from the stranger, and doing her best to ignore the disconcerting stare, Keris smiled shyly at Nora. "Forgive me for asking... but I am new in town and I was wondering if you might know of a place... an inexpensive place I might find a room for the night?" A safe place too... Keris thought, but did not voice her concern. So far, aside from the staring stranger Keris had been lucky to have travelled through Marn unmolested by any unscrupulous persons. She knew, however, that a young woman traveling alone might be considered an easy target.
Turning away from the stranger, and doing her best to ignore the disconcerting stare, Keris smiled shyly at Nora. "Forgive me for asking... but I am new in town and I was wondering if you might know of a place... an inexpensive place I might find a room for the night?" A safe place too... Keris thought, but did not voice her concern. So far, aside from the staring stranger Keris had been lucky to have travelled through Marn unmolested by any unscrupulous persons. She knew, however, that a young woman traveling alone might be considered an easy target.
Re: An Open Door
Nora didn’t know what to make of the stranger’s persistent stare, nor her silence. Even with Parn’s music and the general tavern conversation, unless the young woman was deaf she couldn’t have failed to hear the question. With a confused frown, Nora shook her head, then turned when Keris spoke again.
“Forgive me for asking... but I am new in town and I was wondering if you might know of a place... an inexpensive place I might find a room for the night?”
In Marn, inexpensive translated into unkempt, shoddy and dangerous. Nora gave a slow wince, shaking her head. “I know of places, but I wouldn’t send my worst enemy to them.” She chewed the inside of her cheek in thought. Parn would be finished with his set soon… she could probably earn enough tonight for a single night’s stay at the Drunken Rat…
…but at the same time, the thought of letting Keris stay here alone didn’t sit well at all. Nora remembered well her father’s primary rule of travelling: any unfamiliar place was dangerous, especially when travelling alone.
Aunt Kayli wouldn’t be pleased, not one bit, but Nora had already counted on being shouted at this evening. Having one more barb thrust in her face wouldn’t draw too much blood, and in the end she doubted that Kayli would turn Keris away in the middle of a storm. She smiled reassuringly. “We have an attic storeroom. It’s cramped and a bit dusty, but it’ll be dry. My aunt owns a shop on Main Street. If you offer to help for a day or two, I’m sure she’ll let you use it.”
The fiddle-playing ceased, and hearty applause filled the tavern. Nora grinned broadly as Parn made his way off the stage. “Think about it while I have a bit of fun. We can talk more once I’ve finished with this.” Then she sprang from her seat and dashed toward the stage, catching Parn’s elbow before he could pack his instrument away. She had a sudden urge to do something lively and adventurous, and to pull it off she would need accompaniment.
“Share a fourth of my earnings if you play Ribbon in the Wind for me,” she whispered in his earn. He blinked, then pursed his lips, and at last nodded. Nora took the stage. A warm flutter filled her stomach as she looked upon the assembled crowd; it always did, and probably always will. She took that thrill and let it spread throughout her nerves, her limbs, imaging it as a glistening light filling her whole body. Parn dragged the first notes low and soothing, but the tempo quickly picked up. When the flutter subsided into pure enjoyment, Nora began to sing.
“Forgive me for asking... but I am new in town and I was wondering if you might know of a place... an inexpensive place I might find a room for the night?”
In Marn, inexpensive translated into unkempt, shoddy and dangerous. Nora gave a slow wince, shaking her head. “I know of places, but I wouldn’t send my worst enemy to them.” She chewed the inside of her cheek in thought. Parn would be finished with his set soon… she could probably earn enough tonight for a single night’s stay at the Drunken Rat…
…but at the same time, the thought of letting Keris stay here alone didn’t sit well at all. Nora remembered well her father’s primary rule of travelling: any unfamiliar place was dangerous, especially when travelling alone.
Aunt Kayli wouldn’t be pleased, not one bit, but Nora had already counted on being shouted at this evening. Having one more barb thrust in her face wouldn’t draw too much blood, and in the end she doubted that Kayli would turn Keris away in the middle of a storm. She smiled reassuringly. “We have an attic storeroom. It’s cramped and a bit dusty, but it’ll be dry. My aunt owns a shop on Main Street. If you offer to help for a day or two, I’m sure she’ll let you use it.”
The fiddle-playing ceased, and hearty applause filled the tavern. Nora grinned broadly as Parn made his way off the stage. “Think about it while I have a bit of fun. We can talk more once I’ve finished with this.” Then she sprang from her seat and dashed toward the stage, catching Parn’s elbow before he could pack his instrument away. She had a sudden urge to do something lively and adventurous, and to pull it off she would need accompaniment.
“Share a fourth of my earnings if you play Ribbon in the Wind for me,” she whispered in his earn. He blinked, then pursed his lips, and at last nodded. Nora took the stage. A warm flutter filled her stomach as she looked upon the assembled crowd; it always did, and probably always will. She took that thrill and let it spread throughout her nerves, her limbs, imaging it as a glistening light filling her whole body. Parn dragged the first notes low and soothing, but the tempo quickly picked up. When the flutter subsided into pure enjoyment, Nora began to sing.
Re: An Open Door
Keris breathed a sigh of relief when Nora offered her a place to stay at her Aunt's shop. Dusty and small did not bother her - as long as it was safe. Not only a room, she would possibly have something to do... Keris was sure that she could help out around the store. The truth was, she had no plans, no idea of what she would do in Marn. Returning to Shim was out of the question, so she would have to take advantage of any opportunities that presented themselves.
Before Keris could respond, Nora asked her to think about it then hurried to the stage.
Sipping her drink absently, Keris allowed herself to be caught up in the music and song. It was exciting and enticing, pulling at the depths of Keris' spirit and daring her to live - and to toss aside the fears that held her back.
Keris decided that she trusted Nora - not that she had much choice, but there evidently no better offers forthcoming - and would accept the young woman's offer. She hoped to find a friend in Nora... someone she could confide in and perhaps eventually tell her story to. However, Keris also knew that her "gift" (or "curse" as her parents saw it) would need to remain a secret for as long as possible. Should an opportunity to heal arise, Keris determined that she would have to resist the temptation to help. Surely that will not be so difficult? she mused silently.
A normal life - whatever that meant - is what Keris would do her best to live for now.
Before Keris could respond, Nora asked her to think about it then hurried to the stage.
Sipping her drink absently, Keris allowed herself to be caught up in the music and song. It was exciting and enticing, pulling at the depths of Keris' spirit and daring her to live - and to toss aside the fears that held her back.
Keris decided that she trusted Nora - not that she had much choice, but there evidently no better offers forthcoming - and would accept the young woman's offer. She hoped to find a friend in Nora... someone she could confide in and perhaps eventually tell her story to. However, Keris also knew that her "gift" (or "curse" as her parents saw it) would need to remain a secret for as long as possible. Should an opportunity to heal arise, Keris determined that she would have to resist the temptation to help. Surely that will not be so difficult? she mused silently.
A normal life - whatever that meant - is what Keris would do her best to live for now.
Re: An Open Door
The tune was a familiar one in this part of the world, and many songs had been written to it. The version Nora chose wove a tale of a farmer’s daughter trying to win the affections of a noble’s son, and the lengths she would go to in order to gain his attention. From leaving gifts of fruit and biscuits on his doorstep every morning, to dressing as a boy to work in his stables, all of the heroin’s exploits were comically exaggerated, and the crowd laughed and clapped their hands to the tempo. The story ended with the lad’s estate coming to ruin, but the friendship forged from this silly affair led the two to wed anyway.
Nora was out of breath when she finished. It was a rather long ballad and in places the melody lifted towards the upper end of her range, but the cheers made the walls rattle. Coins clinked on the stage. Some patrons approached and pressed them into her hands. Nora laughed and bowed, tempted by numerous demands for another song, but she decided at the last to end it there with promises that she would return tomorrow evening. She didn’t wish to keep Keris waiting overlong, and the earlier she returned home, the less likely Aunt Kayli was to work herself into an unreasonable fit. Besides, she doubted she could rival such a response with a second song.
She handed Parn his promised share with thanks and made her way back to the table, smiling from ear to ear. “Well,” she panted, “that was fun! Let’s hope the rain keeps up all week.” She took a large drink from a cup of water the serving girl brought, getting her breath back. “So what do you think? Shall we away back home?”
Nora was out of breath when she finished. It was a rather long ballad and in places the melody lifted towards the upper end of her range, but the cheers made the walls rattle. Coins clinked on the stage. Some patrons approached and pressed them into her hands. Nora laughed and bowed, tempted by numerous demands for another song, but she decided at the last to end it there with promises that she would return tomorrow evening. She didn’t wish to keep Keris waiting overlong, and the earlier she returned home, the less likely Aunt Kayli was to work herself into an unreasonable fit. Besides, she doubted she could rival such a response with a second song.
She handed Parn his promised share with thanks and made her way back to the table, smiling from ear to ear. “Well,” she panted, “that was fun! Let’s hope the rain keeps up all week.” She took a large drink from a cup of water the serving girl brought, getting her breath back. “So what do you think? Shall we away back home?”
Re: An Open Door
Keris' smile at Nora's return was genuine, lighting up her face and making her eyes sparkle. There was something, fun - she decided, about this seemingly impulsive girl. She made Keris want to forget everything depressing about her life and just up and dance a jig or something else equally exuberant. She only wished she had enough coin to toss on the stage with the rest of the crowd.
"That sounds like a plan," Keris responded gratefully. She rose, pulling her still-damp sack from beneath her chair and taking her shawl off of the back of her chair.
As the two young women made their way towards the exit Keris found herself curious about her newfound friend. "Your song was beautiful," Keris continued, "where did you learn to sing like that?"
"That sounds like a plan," Keris responded gratefully. She rose, pulling her still-damp sack from beneath her chair and taking her shawl off of the back of her chair.
As the two young women made their way towards the exit Keris found herself curious about her newfound friend. "Your song was beautiful," Keris continued, "where did you learn to sing like that?"
Re: An Open Door
For a moment Nora’s eyes misted over, and her smile softened, turned sad. “My mother,” she replied. The two girls crossed the common room to where Nora had hung up cloak, and during that time she regained her cheerful composure. “She had the most beautiful voice in all the world,” she continued, flinging the heavy cloak about her shoulders. “Sometimes I feel almost ashamed trying to sing her songs. I sound like an old crow compared to her.”
The rain hadn’t let up in the time they spent in the Drunken Rat. Nora gave a little squeal of mock fear as she drew up her hood as far as it would go. “The shop isn’t far, but we’ll have to run or we’ll get soaked. Come on!” She grabbed hold of Keris’s hand and dashed down the street, tugging the other girl along. It became almost a game: weaving through the crowds, dodging or splashing through muddy puddles while trying to keep their feet under them. At one point Nora’s hood whipped off her head, but she didn’t bother setting it back. She just kept running, laughing and shouting directions to Keris like “Watch out!” and “This way!”
Panting and grinning, Nora drew up to a refined-looking jewelry shop. The pieces on display in the windows—pendants, rings, circlets, earrings—were of simple design but exquisite make. The lantern-light of the street glistened upon bracelet set tiny diamonds, while a red gemstone in a teardrop necklace burned with passion. Nora pulled a brass key from a skirt pocket, unlocked the door and ushered Keris inside. A tinkling bell announced their arrival.
“Shenora, you’re late!” a woman’s voice called out from a back room.
“Sorry, Aunt Kayli!” Nora answered. “I got caught in the rain.”
“Well, go on upstairs and dry off. I’ve nearly finished closing up shop.”
Nora bit her bottom lip and glanced at Keris, wondering if she should announce the girl’s presence right now, while Aunt Kayli was partially distracted. No… Kayli didn’t like having her close-down routine interrupted; it might put her in an ill mood. Still holding Keris’s hand, Nora gave it a tug and pointed toward the staircase in a back corner. “Come on. The house is above the shop. We can at least warm up a little.”
The rain hadn’t let up in the time they spent in the Drunken Rat. Nora gave a little squeal of mock fear as she drew up her hood as far as it would go. “The shop isn’t far, but we’ll have to run or we’ll get soaked. Come on!” She grabbed hold of Keris’s hand and dashed down the street, tugging the other girl along. It became almost a game: weaving through the crowds, dodging or splashing through muddy puddles while trying to keep their feet under them. At one point Nora’s hood whipped off her head, but she didn’t bother setting it back. She just kept running, laughing and shouting directions to Keris like “Watch out!” and “This way!”
Panting and grinning, Nora drew up to a refined-looking jewelry shop. The pieces on display in the windows—pendants, rings, circlets, earrings—were of simple design but exquisite make. The lantern-light of the street glistened upon bracelet set tiny diamonds, while a red gemstone in a teardrop necklace burned with passion. Nora pulled a brass key from a skirt pocket, unlocked the door and ushered Keris inside. A tinkling bell announced their arrival.
“Shenora, you’re late!” a woman’s voice called out from a back room.
“Sorry, Aunt Kayli!” Nora answered. “I got caught in the rain.”
“Well, go on upstairs and dry off. I’ve nearly finished closing up shop.”
Nora bit her bottom lip and glanced at Keris, wondering if she should announce the girl’s presence right now, while Aunt Kayli was partially distracted. No… Kayli didn’t like having her close-down routine interrupted; it might put her in an ill mood. Still holding Keris’s hand, Nora gave it a tug and pointed toward the staircase in a back corner. “Come on. The house is above the shop. We can at least warm up a little.”
Re: An Open Door
Keris allowed herself to be caught up in the excitement Nora exuded as they ran in a futile attempt to avoid the rain that continued to pour down unmercifully. She couldn't help but grin and laugh in return as Nora pulled her along.
Once they reached Nora's Aunt's shop, Keris paused as she took in the imposing shop. Pieces of jewelry so beautiful Keris could not have imagined them shone through the windows, glistening despite the gloomy weather. She followed Nora inside timidly, keenly aware of how bedraggled she must look in the light of such finery.
"Come on. The house is above the shop. We can at least warm up a little.”
Keris barely nodded as she allowed herself to be led up the stairs and into a warm and welcoming room. Nora provided a towel for Keris to dry her hair, and the two sat before a fire, warming themselves as their clothes dried. Keris removed her soaked shawl, laying it out as best she could on the hearth in hopes that it too would dry quickly.
As she contemplated the room below, Keris fingered an item hidden behind her dress. Hooking her finger in the chain she pulled the necklace out and held the charm out towards Nora. "I was wondering..." she began hesitantly, "Since your Aunt owns a jewelry shop... have you ever seen anything like this before?" It was a simple chain with a teardrop-shaped pendant that appeared to be silver. The only decoration was an engraving in fluid script that read, "KERIS".
Since the day Keris' adoptive mother gave her the necklace the girl had never shown it to another person. It was the only thing she had to connect herself with whomever had left her on the banks of the Ofriyu Mar. Likely as not it was a worthless trinket... Keris could only hope it might be more.
Once they reached Nora's Aunt's shop, Keris paused as she took in the imposing shop. Pieces of jewelry so beautiful Keris could not have imagined them shone through the windows, glistening despite the gloomy weather. She followed Nora inside timidly, keenly aware of how bedraggled she must look in the light of such finery.
"Come on. The house is above the shop. We can at least warm up a little.”
Keris barely nodded as she allowed herself to be led up the stairs and into a warm and welcoming room. Nora provided a towel for Keris to dry her hair, and the two sat before a fire, warming themselves as their clothes dried. Keris removed her soaked shawl, laying it out as best she could on the hearth in hopes that it too would dry quickly.
As she contemplated the room below, Keris fingered an item hidden behind her dress. Hooking her finger in the chain she pulled the necklace out and held the charm out towards Nora. "I was wondering..." she began hesitantly, "Since your Aunt owns a jewelry shop... have you ever seen anything like this before?" It was a simple chain with a teardrop-shaped pendant that appeared to be silver. The only decoration was an engraving in fluid script that read, "KERIS".
Since the day Keris' adoptive mother gave her the necklace the girl had never shown it to another person. It was the only thing she had to connect herself with whomever had left her on the banks of the Ofriyu Mar. Likely as not it was a worthless trinket... Keris could only hope it might be more.