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* Tarri and Orlann are sitting on Bran's front porch in the late morning sun. Orlann's leg is propped up on a stool, and Tarri is checking the wound and applying a fresh poultice.
* Lisl hikes through the woods, approaching Bran's cabin from the opposite direction of the road. She pauses a moment to take a deep breath before breaking through the screen of trees and stepping out into the clearing. <Tarri> ::nods:: There's a little numbweed in the poultice. That should help with the sting. And if you won't just call me Tarri, could you *please* at least go back to "Miss"? Ma'am sounds so... *old*. * Orlann actually laughs, flashing his white teeth at her. "If you prefer, Miss Tarri." * Lisl strides towards the cabin, looking around for Bran's big, black bird and shrugging when she doesn't see it. She waves when she spots the two of them on the porch. "Afternoon. Bran's out?" <Tarri> ::looks up and gives him a quick smile:: Thank you. Now, I'm almost done. I just-- ::she looks over, only now noticing Lisl:: Oh, Lisl! Master Bran's gone into town to tend Mistress Venner. ::she rolls her eyes:: *Again.* <Lisl> ::grins:: Ah... he'll be awhile, then. No matter, I wanted to talk to you again, anyway. * Orlann looks up at Lisl with a half-embarrassed nod. "Good afternoon, ma'am." * Tarri covers an apprehensive look by picking up a roll of bandage and beginning to re-wrap Orlann's leg. "Sure. Pull up a stool. Nice day, isn't it?" <Lisl> Afternoon, sir. ::grins wryly at Tarri:: I can't even use the "old" argument to get out of that title, can I? ::swings herself over the railing and takes a stool:: Gorgeous day. May not feel like it from the air, but spring's close. I can feel it in the blood. <Orlann> ::nods:: It will be nice for an end to this winter... ::he broods a little:: <Tarri> ::nods:: I've seen snowdrops and crocus in the woods. ::she finishes fastening Orlann's bandage:: There you are, Corporal. Let me know if it gives you any trouble, all right? <Orlann> Thank you, Miss... ::not looking at Lisl, he rearranges his clothing:: <Lisl> ::nods agreement:: It's been more than we've been used to, these past few years. ::grins a little:: We've gotten soft. ::cocks her head at Orlann, asking neutrally:: You're hoping to go back home after the thaw, then? * Orlann flinches. "No ma'am. No home to go back to." <Tarri> ::bites her lip:: <Lisl> ::frowns a little:: Where're you from, Corporal? <Orlann> Bleakhill, ma'am. ::he closes his eyes:: <Tarri> ::quickly:: Corporal, would you be good enough to make some tea for us all? <Lisl> Bleakhill... ::stares at the bare porch boards with a frown, trying to place the name, looking up with narrowed eyes as she does:: That's... somewhere in the Storm Horns, isn't it? West of here? <Orlann> ::standing slowly, reaching for his cane:: It was. ::turns to Tarri:: Yes, miss. The weed-tea or the black? * Lisl falls silent, chewing her lower lip and staring thoughtfully at the floor again. <Tarri> ::gives him a half-smile:: You pick. But if it's the black, I want honey in it, please. <Orlann> Yes, miss... ::he limps into Bran's place:: <Tarri> ::glancing back at Lisl, her voice low:: Orcs and goblins, Lisl. With more organization and malice than I've ever heard attributed to even that sort. Please... He already had to relive the whole mess for the 'Dragons. <Lisl> ::nods, keeping her voice down as well:: I'm sorry, I didn't realize... ::looking up at Tarri again:: Orcs? ::her voice is harsh:: And in the Storm Horns? ::mutters:: That damn dracolich was from around there... <Tarri> ::shrugs:: I don't know. As near as we can tell, though, he's the only one to escape, and he nearly didn't. If I hadn't tripped over him in the woods... ::sighs:: <Lisl> Ahhh... ::sits back a little, raising her eyebrows with a small smile:: So *that's* why he's so fixated on you. Looks like he's got quite a case of angel-worship, to me. * Orlann mixes three cups of tea. Black tea with honey for Tarri. Black tea plain for Lisl. And his own style of road mud: black tea mixed three times as strong as normal with molasses. <Tarri> ::looks surprised:: Oh, no, I don't think so. He's just as attentive to Master Bran. * Lisl snorts. * Orlann comes back out with the tea-tray balanced on one hand, walking slowly. "Miss Lisl, I didn't know how you take your tea, but there's all the fixings here." He puts the tray down gingerly on the table. <Tarri> ::takes her cup and sips:: Very nice. Thank you. <Lisl> Straight's fine, Corporal. I'm not a picky eater. ::glances from Orlann to Tarri as she takes her cup and has a sip:: My thanks. <Orlann> Welcome, ma'am. ::he chews on his tea:: <Tarri> ::takes another sip, looking out over the yard and into the woods:: * Lisl takes another sip of tea. "So." She glances at Orlann. "Sorry, Corporal, but I'm about to devolve to boring gossip again." * Orlann nods once, looking into the bottom of his cup. He swirls the liquid around a few times, then sits down, on the far side of Tarri. <Tarri> ::takes a deep breath and nods:: San. <Lisl> ::nods agreement:: What... ::pauses, shifting uncomfortably:: How did it happen? I never saw him, after he got back from... ::glances at Orlann, her voice hardening again a little:: ...from the orcs. <Tarri> ::looks startled:: You didn't-- ::bites her lip:: Oh. You didn't hear about that. <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: About what? I know he wasn't in the best of shape, either, but he *seemed* well enough, now that he was home... * Orlann mutters something under his breath. <Tarri> Did you even know there were... two of him? <Lisl> ::draws her brows together:: Come again? <Tarri> Guess not. ::her gaze returns to the woods:: There were two of him. It took Mistress Quel'shu *and* Priestess Natovna to get everything straight again. <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: Wait... I'm-- two of him? He was...? ::frowns and makes a circle around one ear with her finger, signalling craziness:: <Tarri> No. There were actually *two* of him. Exactly the same, with the same memories and... everything. It turned out... ::she bites her lip:: They had a psionic. They were torturing him, in mind as much as in body. * Lisl pales. "Oh... Aerdrie..." * Orlann grimaces and gets to his feet, moving down a little on the porch, clenching his fist. <Tarri> In the end... ::she looks down into her cup:: He won. He... he *rebuilt* his torturer, made him over into himself. Completely. Every memory of childhood, every ability, every... every feeling. * Lisl glances down the porch at Orlann, and swallows hard. Something akin to a soft growl rises from her throat, and her eyes turn yellow. <Tarri> ::quietly:: They both escaped, and came looking... for me. * Lisl takes a deep, calming breath and looks back at Tarri. "So... the one I met... which... could they tell? Did... gods, Tarri!" <Tarri> ::nods:: Mistress Quel'shu did... something to them. To both of them. And it revealed the copy. She kept him with her. I don't know where he is now... They named him G-Gregory. <Tarri> Lady Natovna helped. I don't know... what they did. <Lisl> Gods above and below... ::putting her face in her hands and lapsing into High Elven for a moment, in what Tarri might marginally make out as a plea to Aerdrie, and something about catching:: * Orlann leans against one of the porch pillars, his eyes closed. <Tarri> ::takes a deep breath:: We thought it was over, then. I had the-- the *real* San, and I thought I was getting over... ::she glances briefly at Orlann:: ...everything, and... ::she looks back into her tea:: <Lisl> Gods, San... no wonder. Tarri, I'm so sorry. ::leaning forward to wrap her arms around the girl in a fierce hug:: I'm sorry. <Tarri> ::very softly:: I always thought, before, that... that I couldn't wait for him to be able to touch my mind. I wanted to share everything with him. And-- Mother help him-- the orcs made him learn that, for his own defense. He had to learn how to touch minds before he could learn to shield himself. <Lisl> ::looking her in the eye, not flinching away from the name:: But after Tomas, that was the last thing you wanted. Yes? * Orlann inhales sharply, then moves further away, looking both angry and upset. * Lisl glances briefly, speculatively, at Orlann. <Tarri> ::flinches and looks away:: Yes... He... He wouldn't *pry*. Of course he wouldn't! But surface thoughts are hard to *not* see, and... ::looks back at Lisl:: Have you ever tried *not* to think about a purple elephant? <Lisl> ::grimly:: Aye. I see your meaning. And he was... forgiving. Understanding. Accepting. ::putting a finger under Tarri's chin:: But you don't want to be forgiven that, do you? <Tarri> ::shrugs uncomfortably:: It's more than that.... He's so... *pure*. What the orcs did to him was far, *far* worse than anything that happened to me.... And he never hated them. He felt despair and terror and pain, but never hate. That's why, in the end, he conquered them. Orcs live on hate, and they couldn't... get a handle on him, without it. <Tarri> Before last summer I never hated another being.... I could have overcome everything else, if it wasn't for that. ::she is barely whispering, talking to her tea again:: I can't unlearn it. I can't even regret it. And Sanriel flinched every time he felt it in my mind. * Orlann mutters something ugly and slams one fist into the pillar. The pillar creaks and sways alarmingly. <Lisl> ::looks down at the floor again:: Aye. ::picks up her almost-forgotten cup and has a few sips, her face a study:: Tarri... everyone has their... dark places. Some more than others. ::smiles self-mockingly:: Some people never even find theirs. I think, with San... well, they were only threatening *him*. Not his loved ones. And you... he never wanted that kind of darkness to touch you. ::Lisl's tone is almost wistful as she reaches out to tuck a lock of hair behind Tarri's ear:: <Tarri> ::looks up, startled, at Orlann's outburst, then looks back at Lisl. Tears stand in her eyes:: I know. Of course I know. He shared as much with me as he read *from* me. We tried, we really did. It just... ::she closes her eyes, and a tear rolls down her cheek:: It got worse and worse, not better. In the end... he went home. <Lisl> It's okay, Tarri. ::wiping the tear from her cheek:: Really, it is. Just... *please*, don't blame yourself. ::glances back at Orlann, her voice pitched low:: And now I think we'd better switch to a different topic, before your not-worshipper hurts himself. <Tarri> ::half-smiles and takes a deep breath:: I'll try. ::she takes a deep breath and runs a hand through her short hair, then looks back at Orlann:: I'm sorry, Corporal. I should have... I didn't meant to upset you. It's not a pretty story, but it's over. The... the injuries will heal. <Lisl> ::takes another swallow of tea:: As much my fault, for poking at the scabs. ::glancing at Tarri:: Just wanted to make sure there wasn't any infection hiding in there. * Orlann shakes his head darkly. "They do nothing but ruin lives...." He casts a look at Tarri, bright-eyed with pain. <Lisl> Aye. ::scowling into her cup:: I'm starting to think about a little spring cleaning, myself.... * Tarri meets Orlann's gaze for only a heartbeat before looking back out to the woods. "We do only what we can." <Lisl> ::mutters moodily, leaning back against a post:: Some of us don't even do that much. ::softly:: Dammit, Jaret... <Tarri> ::blinks and looks at Lisl:: What did Lord Malkier do? * Orlann stares into the bottom of his cup, then hurls it across the yard angrily. Luckily, the ground is soft from rain and it bounces a few times before rolling over on its side. Orlann, slightly flushed, limps out to retrieve it, a little shamefaced. <Lisl> ::looking unhappy:: Something I didn't. And dammit, I *couldn't* leave, with the rest of them going, and it's not like I can do *spit* against Yb, but... <Lisl> ::quirks a faint smile, watching Orlann's progress across the yard, muttering quietly to herself:: Damn, he's got it *bad*... <Tarri> ::watches Orlann with sympathy, then gives Lisl a quick, wry smile:: Of course he does. His whole life, everything and everyone he's ever loved was destroyed. And *you're* mad because Lord Malkier gets to fling himself into the dragon's teeth while you have to sit at home and wait for danger to come to you. <Lisl> ::glances at Tarri, amused, and nodding towards Orlann:: That's not what I was thinking. 'Course, you've got *me* spot-on, but I know I'm predictable. <Lisl> ::takes another sip of tea:: You're right. And I think I made the right decision. Doesn't make me feel like less of a coward, though. * Orlann limps back to the porch. Not looking at the two ladies, he moves inside to wash the cup and sit it on the sideboard. <Tarri> ::finishing her tea:: Well, I know how that feels, anyway... And yes, I know what you were thinking, but I think you're wrong. <Lisl> ::grins a little:: Well, I expect we'll see. <Tarri> I suppose so. <Lisl> ::sips her tea with a small smile:: And I promise not to glare at him. Had enough with Temire on my back about that. <Tarri> ::glances back quickly toward the house:: Lisl, it wouldn't matter if you were right. He's my *patient.* There are... It wouldn't be right. <Lisl> ::amused:: Patients do get better, you know. <Tarri> ::shrugs:: Eventually. It'll be a while. Don't go matchmaking on me *now*. ::grins:: Besides, there's still my lordling to consider. <Lisl> Ahhh, yes, your lordling. ::her grin is almost predatory:: Want me to have a talk with *him*? * Orlann decides to wash up the rest of the dishes while he's in there. He comes out briefly to gather up the tea things and goes back inside. <Tarri> ::laughs:: *No.* I rather like Niall. * Lisl hands her cup to Orlann with a smile and thanks. <Lisl> ::grins:: Maybe I think you could do better than gentry. ::chuckles:: I've known too many of them to think much of them, as a species. <Tarri> ::sniffs:: Now you sounds like my father... <Lisl> ::cackling:: Do I, now? Horror of horrors. * Orlann finishes with the dishes and returns to the porch. <Tarri> ::laughs:: If it'll make you feel better, I promise to let you know if I ever need you to give someone one of your famous speeches. <Tarri> ::smiles at Orlann as he returns:: Better? * Orlann puts one hand on Tarri's shoulder. It is probably the first time he's touched her that wasn't part of leaning on her or needing her care for his injuries. "Some. You are not the only one who hates, sometimes." He attempts a smile. <Lisl> ::snorts:: "Famous"? I think you go too far. Infamous, maybe. Honestly, you'd think I'd bit Roni, the way Mira carries on. <Tarri> ::pauses, then puts her hand over his and returns his smile:: I know. Thank you, Orlann. <Tarri> ::grins at Lisl:: Temire isn't happy unless she's overreacting to *some*thing. <Lisl> ::chuckles:: Point. <Lisl> ::grins at Orlann, a glint in her eye:: I promise, I don't bite. Much. <Tarri> ::snorts:: You're just a big puppy, down deep, and you know it. * Orlann shakes his head, smiling down at Tarri. "You know, I always worry about women who feel the need to reassure me that they don't bite. Makes me wonder why they think they have to say that..." * Lisl sticks her tongue out at Tarri. <Tarri> ::giggles:: <Lisl> Just don't want you getting the wrong impression, Corporal. <Orlann> ::raising one eyebrow waaaaaay up:: I think I'm getting exactly the *right* impression, ma'am. <Lisl> Damn. ::grins at Tarri:: This is why subtlety always fails me. Too damn predictable. * Tarri is obviously *highly* amused, turning slightly pink as she tries not to laugh hysterically. <Lisl> ::grinning wider:: Breathe, Tarri. <Tarri> ::lets out her breath on a burst of laughter, then grins impudently at Lisl:: <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: She laughs. I'm horribly wronged, and she laughs. ::grins:: <Orlann> ::snorts:: Somehow, I doubt that very much, ma'am. <Tarri> ::laughs again, then asks more seriously:: Are you back for a while, Lisl? Can I resume lessons? <Lisl> Oh, bah. ::shifts in her seat, not looking at Orlann:: Aye, if you want them. Short of flaming attack from above-- again-- I think I'm here for awhile. <Tarri> Good! ::she looks genuinely happy:: I'll talk to Master Bran about a schedule and let you know. <Lisl> Alright. ::looks around the yard measuringly:: If it makes it easier, we could meet here, just as well. Not like it's out of my way. <Orlann> What lessons do you take from Mistress Lisl? ::looks curious:: <Tarri> ::half-smiles:: Self-defense. <Orlann> ::nods grimly:: A good skill to have. <Lisl> My thought, exactly. ::nods to Tarri:: She's a good student. Quick learner. <Tarri> ::giving Lisl a grin:: She rather insisted, actually. Healers have a habit of wandering the city streets alone, at all hours... ::she shrugs, then eyes Orlann:: Another week or so and you'll be needing some exercise a little heavier than walking into town and back. Maybe you should join us. <Orlann> ::nods:: If I would not be in the way.... <Tarri> I'm sure you'd be useful. After all, I should practice occasionally against someone bigger than me. I doubt I'd be accosted by too many ruffians *Lisl's* size. <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: Not at all, if Tarri and Master Bran allow it. I usually have several friends I spar with, mornings, but they're all... out of town at present. <Tarri> ::nodding:: Good, that's settled. Though of course you can't join us until Master Bran says you've healed enough. I'd hate to undo all the work we've put into you. ::smiles:: <Lisl> It'd be good for me to ease back into a routine. ::eyeing Orlann:: I'll not take it any faster than Bran allows, though, with a patient of his. So no carping if you think I'm holding back. I will be. * Orlann nods. "My captain was always very firm about that. One follows the orders of one's healer, at all costs, ma'am. You needn't worry." <Lisl> ::relaxes:: Good. ::looks between Tarri and Orlann:: So... another week or two, you think? Do you want to start together, or ease back into it first, Tarri? <Tarri> Ha! You'd better start with me first. I haven't done much of anything for months, and I don't have the excuse of being wounded. <Tarri> And I'll ask Master Bran when he thinks Corporal Orlann can start up. <Lisl> ::chuckles:: Fair enough. ::thinks a moment:: Send a message around to my door when you've hashed out times with Bran... if you like, we can start in a couple of days. <Tarri> ::nods:: That would be good. I'll send word. * Orlann nods to Lisl. "If I won't be in the way, ma'am, I'd like to watch, even if Master Bran says I'm not healed enough to join?" <Lisl> ::nods:: If Tarri's comfortable with it, I'm fine with it. <Lisl> Do you have a preferred weapon, Corporal? <Tarri> ::hesitates, then nods:: You'll be watching, anyway, once you start working with us. <Orlann> ::nods:: Double-bladed sword. ::he jerks his chin towards the house:: It's inside. <Lisl> Hm... ::raises an eyebrow:: That'll make matters interesting. Haven't seen one of those since... well, some time, anyway. Enchanted? <Orlann> ::shakes his head:: Not that my father ever said. <Lisl> Alright. ::nods, and stands:: Thanks for the tea. I'll most likely see you in a couple of days, then. * Orlann nods. "Good day to you, ma'am." <Tarri> ::hugs Lisl tightly:: Thank you.... We'll see you soon. <Lisl> ::nods, returning Tarri's hug, careful not to make her ribs creak:: Take care of yourself, girl. * Tarri nods. She stands on the porch stair, watching as Lisl leaves. * Lisl vaults back over the end of the porch, heading back the way she came. She turns to wave before disappearing into the trees. * Orlann glances at Tarri. "Interesting friend you have, Miss Tarri." <Tarri> ::grins:: Oh, yes. But you couldn't ask for better. |
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