Main Site |
* Elgara'a sits in the downstairs common room, leaning her chin on her fist as she studies a game in progress on a chess board. She reaches out her free hand to make a move, and then turns the board to study it afresh from the other side. * Elgara'a looks up as a log shifts position. Though the weather has been turning warm, the desert woman has a roaring fire in the grate. She checks the fireplace with a glance and turns her attention back to the board, but another sound, this time at the door, catches her ear. * Lisl fumbles with the key one-handed for a moment, balancing a pack on her hip, and opens the door. "Hello? El? I'm back! You alive?" <Elgara'a> ::looking up as the door opens, smiling broadly:: Ahlan wa'salem! Welcome back! Good hunting, I take it? <Lisl> ::returns the grin and hangs the pack by the door before taking a chair herself, fanning herself against the heat in the room:: Well enough. I'm alive. And I see you're better. ::she nods to the chessboard:: I'll tell you about the trip later... it's a bit of a long story. Anything exciting happen while we were gone? Have you managed to keep yourself amused? ::she smiles:: * Elgara'a reaches out and moves another chess piece, turning the board again. <Elgara'a> Not very much excitement. The beholders did not take quite *all* their crew with them, apparently. We dealt with the remaining illithid-- *and* the eggs. <Lisl> ::frowning:: Eggs? There were *eggs*? <Elgara'a> ::nodding, and making a swimming motion with one hand:: What was the word Nacheyla used? Squad... ah! yes, "squidpoles." ::shaking her head:: I think it is some sort of short-name, a nickname. Or my wordbook is more limited than I had thought. <Lisl> ::laughing:: *Squidpoles*? Yes, El, it's a made-up name. Baby frogs are called "tadpoles" and illithid look like a sea creature called "squid." See? ::she chuckles:: Cute, Nach. <Elgara'a> ::looks rueful:: Ah. I see. ::clears her throat:: At any rate, Xarroch cleaned out the main nest of adults quite handily while Master Kevil, Lady Nacheyla and I saw to the bandits. There were humans aiding them, in return for their weapons and the blackpowder they use. ::shudders:: Feeding them. <Lisl> Humans--? ::shaking her head:: Every time I think my view of human nature's too pessimistic, someone comes along and proves me right. ::sighs:: In this case, I hate being right. But-- ::raising an eyebrow:: *Kevil* and Nacheyla and Xarroch? ::with a touch of sarcasm:: Has he made it into a ballad yet? * Elgara'a grins. "It was... not precisely the material of ballads." She cocks her head to one side, studying Lisl's sour expression, and sighs. "Kevil said you did not care for him." <Lisl> Yeah, he'd be right about that. ::she looks at Elgara'a with a raised eyebrow:: "Kevil" is it, hmm? So, you've met. What does he call you, I wonder? Desert moon? Jewel of the sands? For a bard, he seems to have an awful lot of trouble remembering people's names. <Elgara'a> ::leans back in her chair, refusing to be goaded:: He generally addresses me as "illa'azim." A perfectly honorable title, in Bedine... which he remembered from his first hearing of it, when I encountered him as a stranger in an inn on the road here. I see nothing the matter with his memory, and I find him... quite charming, in truth. ::at this last, she looks away, coloring slightly:: <Lisl> ::her eyes widen:: He-- don't tell me he's turned *your* head, too! ::throws up her hands:: What IS it about that man? <Elgara'a> ::leaning forward:: That was precisely what I had hoped to ask you, my friend. I admit, I do enjoy his company a great deal. But it concerns me that you dislike him so... I have always had faith in your ability to judge character... indeed, as do several of the elders in my tribe, now, since you exposed that agent of the Black Robes on your last visit. We would have given him hospitality, but you... you knew. So, what is it about Kevil that makes you dislike him so? <Lisl> ::waves a hand:: I'm no psionic, El. I told you, that Zhent agent you "rescued" from the desert stank of lizard. He had a whole squad of them buried out on your camp perimeter, after all. There's no mysterious sense warning me that Kevil's *evil* or anything. I just... don't like him. Is it such a crime that not *every* girl in a mile of him falls swooning at his feet? What, did he recruit you, now, to talk me over? * Elgara'a tilts her head back slightly to look down her long nose at Lisl. "You know better than to suggest I would do such a thing." * Lisl sighs, and runs her hands through her hair. "I'm sorry, you're right. That was uncalled for. But-- you see? This is just what I mean. The man just... irritates me. He's so... so..." Lisl blows out a sigh of frustration, and shakes her head. "He's a flatterer, El. You know how I feel about flatterers." <Elgara'a> My friend, I know your feelings. But I confess, I do not understand them. Perhaps... is there some difference in language that I do not grasp? ::she gestures to the room eloquently:: Consider-- you have shared my tent, even as I now share yours. You know how my people speak. The Bedine are given to a certain... shall we say, ostentation?" She grins. "How does this differ, then?" * Lisl grins. "'A thousand thousand thanks'?" * Elgara'a nods. "Precisely." * Lisl turns down her mouth in a thoughtful frown as El sits patiently, hands on her knees, looking for all the world like she were at home hearing a dispute in council. <Lisl> Well, it *is* different. I don't know if I... have the words for it. ::she looks rueful:: I'm certainly no bard! It's just... yes, sometimes you... ::she gestures with her hands grandly:: exaggerate. But... you still *mean* it. And you act on it. And I have *never* known you to promise something rashly, or to give up a secret, or to act in anyway other than honorably towards someone. <Elgara'a> ::inclines her head:: I thank you, your words honor me. But... ::frowns:: you believe Kevil to be dishonorable, then? <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: No, it's not that precisely, but... <Lisl> I just... it's... I get the feeling like it's just a big game to him. The reality... that's not important, if it's not pretty, or exciting, or dramatic. He flirts, he makes pretty speeches, he plays with people's moods as he likes... and... it's all just words." <Lisl> He certainly *seems* quite serious sometimes, but... El, he's a bard. He entertains for a living. How do you know if it's how he really feels, or how he thinks his audience wants him to respond? <Elgara'a> ::frowns deeper and shakes her head:: So... you dislike Kevil because you believe he does not mean his words? You think he practices to deceive? <Lisl> Not exactly. Well, that could be part of it. But... he's just... it's all talk, no action. It's all very well to sit around in a bar and dream about saving the world, but... someone like that, he'd sooner someone *else* does the saving. <Elgara'a> ::crosses her arms:: At that, my friend, I believe you labor under a false belief. Kevil did not talk those borjuni to death, I assure you. ::she smiles grimly:: In fact, he nearly died defending me. And he bore his wounds well... he is a skilled warrior. ::she frowns:: You know I do not say such things lightly. <Lisl> ::looking surprised:: Really? Hm. Never imagined the man even knew which end was the pointy one. ::grudgingly:: Alright. So. He can fight. ::stubbornly:: But I STILL a flatterer. <Elgara'a> ::smiling a little:: And there is something so wrong with flattery? He does no harm, Lisl. <Lisl> You think so? ::she snorts:: You don't understand why I don't like flattery, El? Well, listen, then. ::gets up and paces like a caged animal:: Flattery's one of the worst forms of cruelty... give a person a puffed-up opinion of herself, turn her head-- and for what? Empty words. A flatterer makes everything into a grand show, paints larger than life! ::gestures broadly as if painting the sky with an invisible brush:: <Lisl> But then what happens? The person begins to believe the flattery. The little things, the mediocre things-- the *true* things-- that are good about that person, those are forgotten along with the flaws. ::she makes a smaller motion with her imaginary brush, like doing detail-work, painting something out:: The truth... that's small and ugly, compared to the fiction. But a little polishing, a little puffing-up, and that fits, too... sort of. <Lisl> Now suddenly, the person believes she's something she's not. She believes the stories. And so does everyone else! And the first rock someone casts, the first painful truth, and all of that's gone. And the little goodnesses... people are so used to looking large, they can't even see those, anymore. And THAT, El, is why I despise flattery. <Lisl>::sighing as she flops back down into her chair:: Do you know, he even talked about writing a ballad about me? ME? He has no idea what trouble that would cause. Besides, can't you just see it? Instead of the hero killing the monster, the hero IS the monster! ::she snorts:: <Elgara'a> Don't be foolish, Lisl! You and I know very well you're no monster. ::she sighs in turn:: True. Flattery, when heeded-- when paid court against all other advice-- can be dangerous. But...not all flattery is cruel, I think, or even without truth. What of the man in love who tells his ugly wife that she is beautiful in his eyes? What of the mother, who tells her little boy that the pot he has made with his own hands is better than those of the finest artisan in the city? <Elgara'a>And... Kevil *is* a truly a talented Singer. ::softly:: He sang of El Mara, for me. I had told him the tale. <Lisl> El... ::Lisl reaches out to squeeze Elgara'a's hand lightly:: I know what that must mean for you. ::she looks into the fire:: So perhaps he's not *all* wind. But... ::a note of frustration creeping back into her voice:: Why can't he just speak straight? <Lisl> Even Zoya gets frustrated with him at times, and he used to be her lover! ::snorts:: Well, he's certainly not sticking to one woman now. * Elgara'a starts guiltily. "He was Lady Zoya's lover?" <Lisl> ::nods, narrowing her eyes:: And just what *has* he been saying to you, El? I don't think I've *ever* seen you blush. Not that you could tell, half the time. <Elgara'a> ::turning her head away, cheeks heating:: He... am I not allowed to look at men? <Lisl> ::dryly:: I don't know, *are* you? According to your tribe, you *are* a man, aren't you? ::her eyes widening:: He's been *flirting* with you, hasn't he? And-- ::looking up, flaring her nostrils:: He's been HERE? El, please don't tell me you-- and he-- ::her eyes tinge yellow:: I'll kill him. <Elgara'a> ::holding up her hands:: No, you misunderstand. He has walked me home, a few times... he helped me in, while I was still recovering from illness. Nothing has happened, this I swear. I would not so dishonor your house. ::more mildly, with a trace of her original humor:: We have not even had a proper date, as yet. <Lisl> ::calming slightly, her eyes fading back to their usual blue-grey, but still hard:: Alright. But... ::she sighs, and scrubs her face with one hand:: El, I just don't want to see you hurt like that. I know you're no babe in the woods, but... ::dryly:: well, the man's got a way with words, I'll give him that. <Elgara'a> ::smiling faintly:: That he has. But... I believe he is harmless, Lisl. I... ::she bites her lip, and pulls her braid forward over her shoulder to study it:: I have certain... responsibilities to my tribe, as you know. I am widowed, yes, and it is not unheard of for a widow to... find comfort. Discreetly. But for me, I do not think it would be wise, to tempt the gods. * Elgara'a picks up the queen from her chessboard, running her fingertip around the points on the carved crown before returning it to its place. <Elgara'a> As you say, to my tribe, I am a man. ::she smiles without humor:: Of course, they know I am not a *man*. But... I cannot afford to be otherwise, and the scandal, were it discovered... ::she shakes her head:: Of my bloodline, there must be no question. My children *must* be accepted by the khowwan. <Elgara'a> And though he is a man of the sands-- well, the oasis, at least-- he is not of *my* sands. He is not Bedine. Even if I knew what I wanted, I could not... I doubt, here, it would ever be discovered. But... *I* would know. And so, to be a proper chief to my people-- to be what they need-- I... cannot afford to be human. * Elgara'a smooths the braid again, and sighs. <Lisl> ::looking troubled:: But Kevil... he actually made you think about it? D'you think *he* expects...? * Elgara'a shakes her head. "I do not know what he expects. I have *tried*..." She makes a face. "I have tried not to think too deeply on it." Her voice is plaintive. "I only... it has been so long, since a man has wished to... flirt with me." <Elgara'a> ::thinking for a long moment:: I do not think he *expects* anything of me. He does have honor. And even if he did not... against *that*, I can defend myself. ::she touches a hand to the ever-present jambiya, sheathed at her waist:: * Lisl nods. "Well enough." She stands, and stretches hugely. "Maybe he's not so worthless. We'll see." She relaxes again, and scrubs her eyes. "I'm going to bed." <Elgara'a> ::nodding to the board:: I think I will finish my game. Mise'e-noor, old friend, sleep peacefully. <Lisl> Thanks. ::starts up the stairs, and pauses:: El... just... be careful with him, alright? <Elgara'a> ::nods gravely:: I will. <Lisl> And El? <Elgara'a> Yes, Lisl? <Lisl> If he *does* cause you problems... come to me. I won't tell you "I told you so." I promise. <Elgara'a> ::smiles:: Yes Lisl. Go to bed. <Lisl> ::grinning:: Yes, El. * Lisl disappears up the stairs. * Elgara'a stares at the chessboard a little while longer, the crackling of the fire the only sound in the room. After several long minutes, she sighs, reaches out, and tips over one of the dark pieces on the first rank. "Shah'ch'mat, the King is dead." * Elgara'a rises and goes quietly upstairs. The queen lies on her side, abandoned, glimmering darkly in the firelight. |
|
|