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* Kevil knocks on Loria's door. "May I come in?" * Loria carefully folds several veils that she purchased for her stay. "Certainly... please do." <Kevil> ::smiles as he enters the room:: Are you packing? <Loria> ::laughs:: Packing? No... packing involves being able to fit everything in one trunk. What I'm doing is praying for a miracle. <Kevil> ::laughs:: Then maybe I should keep these, instead of returning them... ::he holds up an assortment of items including two unmatched stockings and a gauzy scarf, grinning:: I found them under the bed. <Loria> ::shakes her head:: I'll manage. I got two *bolts* of cloth *here*. You wouldn't have thought I'd have bought so much stuff... <Kevil> ::grins:: I would... I wound up begging an old trunk from my mother for my excess... I still have a little room in it, if you need it? <Loria> ::beams at him:: I only need a little more room... ::she gestures to the small pile of things on the bed:: Right now I can close my trunk, if I sit on it first... <Missa> ::from the hall:: Hello...? Kevil? Lori? <Loria> ::looks up, her whole face brightening:: Missa? ::opens the door:: Missa, come in! ::she reaches out and clasps her friend's hands:: <Kevil> ::eyes the pile as he drops the things in his hands onto it:: Hmm... I think we can make it fit... If not, I think Lisl can probably advise- ::he looks around as Missa comes in and smiles warmly:: Missa-mouse! What brings you? * Missa takes Loria's hands and pulls her into a hug, then reaches out to hug Kevil, as well. "I heard you were leaving soon - I had to come and make my farewells, didn't I? No telling when you'll be back!" <Loria> ::hugs Missa hard:: Ooooooh, don't talk about that! I feel like we just got here. <Kevil> ::laughs:: I have a feeling we'll be back sooner than you might think. ::he grins at Loria:: <Loria> ::bites her lip:: I don't know that Mistress Zoya will want to be away again any time soon. <Kevil> ::shrugs:: It's good for her to get away once in a while. If I have to coerce her to do it... ::he winks at Missa:: <Missa> ::giggles and hugs Loria:: You'll remain in my thoughts, anyway. <Loria> ::considers the stuff in Kevil's hands:: Well, I wouldn't be so... I shouldn't have bought so many things for other people. My purse has gotten very thin. But everything's been so exciting. I've never been on a vacation before. <Missa> ::grins:: I'm sure everyone will love your gifts! What did you get? <Loria> ::smiles:: Well, I'd show you, but they're mostly packed. I got a few books for my sister-in-law, several of those veils for Tarri... ::hesitates and reaches into her pocket:: And I found this. I think I'll give it to the Blessed Mother. ::she holds out a lump of melted desert sand, almost perfectly smooth and oval:: I found it while we were... out. <Missa> ::takes the glass from Loria and turns it over in her hands before giving it back, nodding solemnly:: That's a good idea. * Kevil leans over to look at it without touching it. "Where'd you find it?" <Loria> ::takes the glass back:: When... ::she frowns slightly, remembering:: the rogue mage was attacking, he threw flames at us. You and Zoya and Lisl arrived and distracted him. I found it then. Watch. ::she puts her hands around it, and as it warms in her hands, the almost milky brown color brightens to a warm orange:: <Missa> ::laughs and claps delightedly:: <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow and smiles:: Interesting. <Loria> ::looks a bit embarrassed:: Since I found it out there, while we were in such trouble, and She came to my aid, I thought She might like it. I hope I'm not being presumptuous. <Kevil> ::grins:: I am certain she will be delighted. <Loria> ::turning to Missa:: I'm going to miss everyone... ::she smiles sort of helplessly:: <Missa> ::smiles and hugs Loria again:: The joy of travel is meeting new friends. The sorrow is leaving them behind... ::she glances at Kevil briefly, then kisses Loria's cheek:: Or being left. I'll miss you, too. <Loria> ::smiles, her lip trembling a little:: I never traveled before. Until I went to Marsember, but... when I went there, I was going to the only person I loved, not away from them. <Missa> ::nods:: But now you're going home to friends you love, d'va? <Loria> ::wrings her hands together:: Well, yes... * Kevil takes Loria's hands and kisses them. "We will be back, raindrop. It is not as if you must say farewell forever." <Loria> ::nods, rubbing her eyes:: I know, I know... ::indicates her things that Kevil is holding:: Check and see if those fit, would you, dear? * Kevil nods and slips out of the room with the small pile of leftover clothes. * Loria sits on her trunk, forcing the lid closed. "I'm probably better off that I ended up not performing at all the Midwinter festivals... I'd have had more money, and then spent twice as much here." <Missa> ::giggles as she adds her weight to Loria's on top of the box, reaching down to flip the catch:: But then you could have bought another trunk! <Loria> ::giggles:: Oh, and then I'd have felt obligated to fill it up. <Missa> ::laughs:: Only see how the cyclone spins! <Loria> ::nodding:: And then I might need to think of getting a new home, just to put all my stuff in it. <Missa> ::laughs harder:: And of course with a bigger house, you'd need more lovers, to fill it! * Loria blushes furiously. <Missa> ::grins sheepishly:: Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot. <Loria> ::giggling, looking both nervous and embarrassed:: I... ::glances at Missa, her eyes saying something she's not entirely sure how to verbalize:: <Missa> ::smiles and leans over to kiss Loria very gently:: * Loria trembles slightly, her whole person reflecting the conflict between desire and culturally ingrained beliefs. For a moment, it seems as though she will push Missa away, and then she relaxes, returning Missa's kiss timidly. <Missa> ::smiles and runs her fingers briefly through Loria's hair, her dark eyes meeting Loria's:: You should come back soon. <Loria> ::smiling hesitantly, almost shy:: Yes... yes, perhaps we should... * Kevil comes back in, his hands empty. "It all fit, and with a *tiny* bit of room to spare!" * Loria jumps, startled. * Kevil eyes Loria, then looks at Missa, faintly amused. * Missa actually blushes slightly, but meets Kevil's gaze steadily. * Kevil grins, and bends to kiss the top of Loria's head. "Perhaps I should disregard my circle-mother's advice, after all..." <Loria> ::studying her shoes with intent:: What advice? <Kevil> ::shrugs and sits on the edge of the bed:: She feels, if I am not to live in Alanis, that I should not insist upon Alani conduct. That I should, in her words, "play by the rules as they are written." <Loria> ::blushing a bright pink:: Well, I came here to try and understand. ::she glances at Missa:: Maybe I understand a little better, now. <Missa> ::smiles back at Loria:: <Kevil> Do you? ::he glances at Missa and grins:: That is good. We can talk about it... about what we are going to do with it... soon. <Loria> ::raises an eyebrow, still slightly embarrassed:: Did you have something in mind? * Missa glances at Kevil and blushes again. "I... I think I'll go get some juice from the kitchen. Anyone else? I'll be right back." She gets up and hurries out the door. * Loria watches her leave with a look of surprise. "I didn't think she'd get embarrassed." * Kevil watches Missa go, amused, before turning back to Loria. "I think she once had something of a... a crush on me, and is embarrassed at the memory." He grins, then sobers slightly. "I have nothing *specific* in mind for a discussion - only that I hope we may find a solution to the problems we had mentioned before." <Loria> ::shrugs, not quite looking at him:: I think... maybe.. ::twists her hands together:: I wasn't expecting this, you know. ::glances at him, sidelong:: <Kevil> I know, raindrop. ::he reaches over and takes her hands again:: I am not asking for a decision to be made immediately... Only that we soon begin considering the possibilities, d'va? ::he smiles and puts a finger under her chin to turn her face to his:: What troubles you, n'shava? <Loria> ::blinking:: I don't know... I feel... strange. Guilty and defiant and desiring and terrified all at once. <Kevil> Ah... ::he smiles and brushes her cheek:: A forbidden desire? ::he glances toward the door:: The mouse? <Loria> ::swallowing, she nods:: I do... I didn't mean to, I just... she... I like her, Kevil. <Kevil> ::nods and smiles:: I knew you would - it is why I introduced you, after all. She has a good heart. You are not afraid of *my* reaction, are you? <Loria> ::Shakes her head:: No, not yours... ::she gives him a slightly suspicious look:: If I didn't know better, I'd accuse you of planning this... ::she grins:: <Kevil> ::grins and shakes his head:: I knew she would befriend you, but I had no thought of any other desire... ::he strokes her hair:: <Loria> ::nodding:: That subtle, my love, you are not... ::grins at him:: Well, we're all packed and ready to leave tomorrow... ::taps her fingers on his chest:: <Kevil> ::nods:: What would you like to do with our remaining day here? * Missa returns, much less flustered-looking, carrying a tray with a pitcher of juice, three glasses, and an assortment of fruit and cheese. "Here... I was just going to bring juice, but Lady Dehlia insisted..." She grins at Kevil as she sets the platter down. <Loria> ::smiles as Missa comes back in the room:: Oh! Good... I'm starving... packing is hard work. <Missa> ::grins and passes Loria the plate of food:: You first, then. ::she begins to pour the juice:: * Kevil laughs and snags a slice of melon as the plate passes him. <Loria> ::takes a piece of cheese and nibbles at it, complimenting the taste with a bunch of tart grapes:: So... what should we do, on our last day? ::glances at Missa:: <Missa> ::eyes Loria's bulging trunk:: Well... shopping is out. * Loria giggles, covering her mouth with her hand. <Loria> I'm almost out of money anyway... <Missa> You've been spending your own money? ::mock-indignantly:: What's the point of having a wealthy lover if you're not going to spend *his* money? ::she grins at Kevil:: <Kevil> ::laughs and holds a hand up to his ear:: Did I hear a mouse squeaking? <Loria> ::raises an eyebrow and turns to Kevil with surprise:: You're wealthy? <Kevil> ::glances at Loria, surprised:: Well... I hesitate to answer without your definition of "wealthy", but I am comfortable enough... <Missa> ::snorts:: Master Bards are not found in the slums. <Missa> ::grins:: And he must have *some* way to support his wardrobe. <Kevil> ::pretends to look offended:: <Loria> ::shrugs:: I guess I hadn't really thought about it... ::she smiles:: I do well enough. I teach singing and playing to nobles' children in my brother's shop, and there have been many offers to entertain, since Kevil and I sang for the ambassador. <Missa> Together? ::her eyes light up:: Would you sing for me? <Kevil> ::sniffs:: After such comments about my clothing? <Loria> ::smiles:: I don't mind... I have a special case for my lute... ::reaches for her instrument case, pulling out the engraved lute that Vallel made for her:: * Missa squeals like a girl half her age and claps with delight before sitting promptly on the floor and looking up at Loria with wide eyes. * Loria looks down at Missa with a sudden grin of understanding and a hint of desire. "If this is a common reaction to music around here, n'shava, I can see why you became a Master." She winks at Kevil. * Kevil laughs and straightens. "Alani love music, though not all are *quite* so enthusiastic..." He bends to ruffle Missa's hair. "Spoiled child, with Bards and Minstrels to play to your whim..." <Missa> ::grins:: Blame it on my upbringing. * Loria begins the opening chords of one of her favorite tunes, her fingers moving lightly over the strings, bringing sweet music into the air. * Kevil waits, watching Loria almost hungrily. * Loria grins, strumming, then opens the first verse of a song about dandelions, called Shepherd's Clock. She has sung it for Kevil before, and modulates the chorus down a register so he can accompany her on the chorus, if he choses. * Kevil grins and joins in on the chorus, singing softly. * Loria ends the song on a high, clear note, which she holds for an impressive span of time, before strumming off the final bars. She takes several deep breaths, recovering. * Missa applauds with obvious delight. "Very pretty!" <Loria> ::takes a sip of juice:: Thank you... I don't know if you have dandelions here... <Missa> ::shakes her head:: What is it? <Loria> They're a little flower, and in the late summer, they turn into these little puffballs of seeds. If you blow on one, all the seeds come out and go flying into the wind... ::she smiles, her eyes far away:: Vallie used to braid dandelions for me, while he was herding. <Missa> They sound pretty! <Loria> ::nodding:: I always liked them... Vallie hated herding, so I think he was glad of the distraction... ::turns her lute to one side, showing the engraving:: Here... ::pointing to the small flowers near the bottom of the lute:: <Missa> ::leans in to look at the flowers:: Pretty... Do they mean anything? <Loria> ::the other designs on the lute include the familiar sunburst pattern, as seen on Loria's necklace, several shepherd's crooks, and a few perfectly fat looking sheep:: <Loria> They're supposed to be good luck. If you blow all the seeds off with one breath... <Missa> Oh, a wishing flower! <Loria> ::nodding, looking at Kevil and blushing slightly:: * Kevil catches the look and grins. "What shall we perform next, do you think?" <Loria> ::considering:: We don't have a third for the song we did at the Welcoming... ::she laughs:: It's a wonder I could manage to sing... that was an evil thing we did to that poor elven bard... ::she giggles, remembering:: <Kevil> ::grins:: I imagine his feelings were more than soothed by the commissions that song brought him. <Missa> ::eyes wide:: An *elven* bard? What did you do to him? <Loria> Well, I don't think he *knew*... ::she strums the melody for the song, her fingers picking the notes out reflexively:: <Missa> ::starts at the melody:: Oh, I *love* that song! <Kevil> ::grins:: He certainly knew *something* was up... <Loria> ::laughing merrily:: Well, we performed it for the elven ambassador... we didn't tell him what it meant, though. <Missa> Why not? It's a... ::trails off as she remembers certain cultural differences:: ... Oh. ::she laughs:: What did you tell him? <Loria> That it was a girl, her lover, and her disapproving father... ::covering her mouth, she giggles:: <Missa> ::laughs, looking the tiniest bit scandalized:: <Loria> ::slightly defensively:: Well, it's a pretty song... but elves are even more conservative than most of the rest of... well, everyone. <Missa> Are they? I've never really had a chance to talk with any, much... Just to trade for horses, once or twice. * Kevil shrugs. "Some of them are rather less conservative. Like any people, they vary..." He grins. "Dwarves, now..." <Loria> I've been told they are... Lisl's a great scandal in her family, being half-human. I understand her mother finally healed the breach in the family, after almost four hundred years... <Missa> ::eyes widen as she considers all the implications, shaking her head in amazement:: * Kevil looks around the room, then gestures toward Loria's lute. "May I?" <Loria> ::confidentially:: I don't know all that many non-humans either... Lisl, and that pretty dark-skinned woman, Lini'leah. ::hands her lute over to Kevil:: <Kevil> ::grins as he takes the lute:: We have no dark elves here. I'd heard tales, but she surprised me... ::he handles the lute carefully, almost tentatively as he plucks a few chords to get the feel of the instrument:: * Loria listens to Kevil playing. "I think I'm going to need a new E-string soon..." * Kevil nods absently. Almost subtly, the random plucking turns into a gentle stream of notes, reminiscent of the patter of rain. After a moment, a quiet harmony emerges from the patter. * Loria watches him intently, her eyes soft with emotion. * Kevil sings "Aylin's Rain", his tone ranging from desperation to determination and back as the song pleads with Aylin not to die, to only wait for the healing rains to come... * Missa watches unmoving, her eyes filled with tears. * Loria swallows hard, tears filling her eyes. <Kevil> ::As the last notes drop from Kevil's fingertips, a quiet sniffle announces Dehlia, standing in the hall. Kevil looks up at the sound, and smiles faintly, the sorrow of his sister's death still lingering in his eyes.:: You could have come in, Vin... * Loria sniffles, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. <Dehlia> ::wiping the tears from her eyes, she edges into the room:: I didn't want to disturb you. * Kevil reaches out to hug his circle-mother comfortingly. "You are not disturbing." * Loria rather absently takes her lute out of Kevil's hands, tuning the e-string while he shares an embrace with his circle-mother. * Dehlia sniffs again, then straightens. "I'd come to tell you that supper'll be ready in about an hour..." She smiles at Missa. "You'll stay, I hope?" <Missa> ::smiles and nods:: Thank you. * Loria smiles up at Dehlia. <Loria> I'll miss your cooking, when we go... ::she laughs:: I'm terrible in the kitchen. <Dehlia> ::smiles at Loria:: We'll miss you, too... It's not important that you're *good* at cooking, dear. It's important that you do it with love. ::she smiles around the room again, then leaves:: <Loria> ::looking thoughtful:: Maybe that's my problem... <Kevil> What's that? <Loria> I don't love being in the kitchen... ::she sighs:: I sort of think of it as a trial to be endured. <Missa> ::grins:: Me, too. <Loria> ::laughs:: You'd feel the same way about *eating* my cooking... Kevil's a saint, for putting up with it. <Missa> ::giggles:: It can't be *that* bad. If it was *that* bad, he'd cook himself. <Loria> ::shakes her head:: I don't know... I sometimes think he's just as lazy as I am... <Kevil> I am letting you learn by experience. ::sniffs dramatically:: <Loria> ::laughs, picking a pillow up off the bed and bopping him on the head with it:: <Missa> ::grins and jumps up to help Loria:: <Kevil> Hey! What- ::is cut off by a face full of pillow:: Ack! ::he fends off another blow from Missa and lunges to tickle Loria:: <Loria> ::squeals, lowering her arms to defend her sides:: Help! Missa! ::she ducks forward, squirming her fingers under Kevil's arms:: * Missa laughs and tries to maneuver around behind Kevil. * Kevil is obviously outclassed, trying to capture Loria's hands while also keeping an eye on Missa. "Wait a minute! Who do *I* get to call for help??!?" <Loria> ::laughing:: You don't... you are helpless against us... ::she frees one hand, tickling his ribs:: * Kevil laughs and squirms, trying to re-capture her hand. "Stop that!" * Missa sneaks up behind him and thwops him with the pillow again. <Loria> ::giggling:: Oh, fine... ::turning suddenly, she assaults Missa's exposed sides with her fingers:: * Missa shrieks with mock-indignation. "After all the thi-eeeeeEEEE!" She counterattacks, not bothering to try to stop Loria so much as return equal fire. * Kevil sinks to the floor, watching the girls with a grin. <Loria> ::giggling, she struggles with Missa, trying to protect herself:: * Missa at last gives up, giggling uncontrollably. * Loria collapses onto the bed, panting. * Kevil pulls himself into a sitting position, still grinning. <Loria> ::looks at Missa, raising one eyebrow:: <Missa> ::fighting to control the giggles:: That was fun... * Loria reaches out, touching the side of Missa's face. "I think so, yes..." * Missa puts her hand over Loria's briefly, smiling. <Loria> ::taking Kevil's hand with her free hand:: Let's go get dinner, shall we? <Kevil> ::smiles at Loria and pulls himself to his feet:: Certainly. <Loria> ::tucks her arm around Missa's waist and giving her a quick hug:: Come along... <Missa> ::laughs:: I wouldn't miss it! |
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