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* Orlann is sitting on a large roundish rock, his cane laying just beside him. A cluster of children and their parents are sitting on the lawn around him in the shade of a flowering cherry tree. Every so often a light breeze swirls through the square, creating a snowstorm of pink flower petals. On the grass, just in front of Orlann's boots, is a shapeless baggy cap with a few coins in it. * Tarri approaches from one side, a basket over her arm. She pauses at the edge of the square to listen and watch. As a breeze showers her with cherry blossom petals, she turns her face up to the bright sunlight and laughs silently. Slowly, she approaches the group of listeners and joins them, dropping lightly to sit near a family who greet her with smiles and nods, apparently acquaintances. <Orlann> ::leaning forward slightly:: And so the King and Queen were dreadful unhappy. Princess Larina was the thirteenth daughter, and they'd still had no sons. And worse yet, she was just as plain as she could be. With thirteen daughters to marry off, the King had no hopes for a plain princess. <Orlann> Where all their other daughters had bright smiles and sparkling eyes and cute little noses, Princess Larina had dull, listless eyes, she always frowned, and worst of all, her nose turned upwards. ::he pushes one finger against his nose, making a pig face:: "She'll ne'er find a husband," the queen despaired. * Tarri giggles with the children at the pig-face. She exchanges murmured greetings with the family's mother as a little boy of about four crawls into her lap. Whispering to him to sit quietly, she turns her attention back to the story. <Orlann> And for thirteen years, that seemed to be the case. Larina grew to be a young lady, and still none of the sons of the lords would pay any attention to her at all. <Orlann> And then, on her fourteenth birthday, an old, poor woman came to the castle. "Your kingship," she said. "I believe I have the cure for your daughter." And the King said "Well, old woman, what is it?" But the old woman wouldn't tell him. "You must trust me, your Kingship. Give me your daughter, and she will come and live with me and my children for a year. At the end of the year, I guarantee that she'll be all that you want." <Orlann> In the end, the King agreed. Princess Larina was bundled up in her finest clothing and sent off with the old woman, whose name was Mae. The Princess was both frightened and indignant. After all, she was a *princess* and this old woman was just a commoner. But the King had said she would go, so go she did. * Tarri looks amused, especially at the indignation on the face of a little girl nearby. <Orlann> Mae led her far from the castle to a farm miles and miles away. Mae called to her children and out they came, jumping and clapping their hands to see their mother again. There were four girls in all, Maebelle, Sara, Christine, and Julia. Julia, the youngest, was very sick, and came outside bundled in a thick blanket, even though it was as warm as it is today. She coughed when she greeted her mother and shivered. <Orlann> "Daughters, this is Larina. She'll be staying with us for a while, and I want you to treat her as if she were your very own sister." And the girls exclaimed over the princess and her fine clothing, but Larina was outraged. Not one of them bowed to her, or called her "Your Highness" or showed her any of the courtesy she was used to. * Tarri restrains a giggle as the nearby girl scowls and stamps her foot. <Orlann> For weeks, Larina found something to complain about in everything. The beds weren't soft enough, the food was plain, her room was too small. She was dissatisfied with everything in the house and everyone in it. Even gentle Christine, who loved everyone to distraction, started avoiding her. <Orlann> One day, she was sent outside to hoe weeds in the small vegetable garden. She found it to be odious work, she'd never done a lick of chores before, and her hands were soon covered with blisters. Finally she threw the hoe aside and fell to her knees in the warm soil and cried. She missed her parents and her sisters and her servants, and no one here liked her, or wanted to talk to her. <Tarri> ::The indignant little girl looks flummoxed, then bereft, and sniffles. The girl's mother, only half paying attention, picks her up and pets her soothingly.:: <Orlann> Sara found her, all hunched in the dirt ::he mimes rubbing his eyes with both hands:: and said "Why, Larina, whatever are you crying for?" "I'm so lonely," the princess wailed, crying fresh tears. Sara sat down in the dirt next to her and offered her a handkerchief. "Well, I'll be friends with you, if you'll be friends with me," she offered the lonely little princess. <Orlann> "How do I do that?" the princess asked. "Well, it helps if you're friendly, you know," Sara said. "Here, let me help you with the hoeing." And the two girls finished the chore together, and the princess found that it went much faster with someone to talk to and laugh with. The two held hands when they went into dinner, and when Larina looked in her mirror to brush her hair that night, guess what she saw? * Tarri seems almost as caught up in the story as the children, waiting for the answer with wide eyes and shallow breath. <Orlann> Larina's mouth, which had always turned down ::he demonstrated a petulant looking frown:: was now turned up! She rushed out of her room to tell Mae. "Yes, dear," said the old woman. "For the first time in your life, you're happy and you have friends. Of course your face would reflect that." <Orlann> Time passed for the princess much faster after that. She learned to get along with the other girls, and the food no longer offended her mouth. She slept better at night, and while she still missed her parents, she found that she didn't mind helping with the chores as much. <Orlann> About half a year after she got to the farm, it was coming up on Mae's birthday. All the daughters went wild, making presents for their mother, but Larina didn't know how to embroider, or make baskets. Christine came to her and said "Come on, Larina, I'll teach you to make a cake, and you can help me." * Tarri grins. <Orlann> But Larina wanted to do something all by herself, something special for Mae. So the morning of Mae's birthday, she crept downstairs early. She was going to make a pie, Mae's very favorite, with apples and spices. She opened Mae's big fat cookbook and found a recipe. She spent all morning in the kitchen, terrified that someone would come in and find her covered in flour and bits of ginger root. * Tarri puts her hands over her mouth to restrain her giggling. <Orlann> Finally, the pie was ready. She was just taking it out of the oven when Mae and her daughters came in. "I... I made this for you," she blurted, staring wildly around the messy kitchen. Mae grinned and hugged the girl, and then served up the pie. The crust was a little burned, and the filling wasn't cooked all the way through, but they ate every bite and declared it the best pie they'd ever had. And Larina beamed with pride. <Orlann> And guess what she saw, when she looked in the mirror that night? ::he looks around at the audience:: Her dull eyes were bright and sparkily! And she ran out to tell Mae. "Well, of course, dear. You've done something all by yourself and you're proud of your accomplishments. Naturally it showed on your face." * Tarri laughs at a whispered comment from the woman sitting near her. <Orlann> Summer passed, and winter came on. Young Julia, who was never very healthy, got sicker and sicker, and she shivered all the time, even piled with blankets and sitting next to the fire. The family was poor and the doctor in the village was expensive. Mae feared that Julia might not live through the winter. Larina was terrified and sad. She loved her friends, and she didn't want to see anything bad happen, but she knew nothing about medicine. <Orlann> One night, it was colder than cold, and the wind howled around the small farmhouse like some cruel monster. Julia was burning up with fever, but she was still shivering and cold. Larina said her good nights and went up to bed. In the stairwell, she heard Mae talking to her oldest daughter. Julia would not live through the night without medicines. Larina threw herself down on her bed and sobbed. * Tarri shivers and holds the little boy in her lap a little tighter. <Orlann> Larina suddenly sat up. She knew she could help, she knew it! Wasn't she a princess? Didn't she have fine clothes and jewels, even if she didn't wear them here on the farm? She bundled herself up in her warmest clothes and took a pair of earings and a pearl necklace that her mother had given her for her birthday and slipped out of the house. <Orlann> The snow was cold and blinding, and soon the princess was soaked and freezing, but she kept going and finally arrived at the doctor's house. She beat on the door until he let her in. "Please, you have to help my friend. Julia will die without medicines, please, I can pay!" She offered the doctor the strand of pearls and the two diamond earings. <Orlann> The doctor was finally convinced, and the two made their way through the snowstorm back to the house. Julia was slipping away as they arrived, but the doctor was a good physician, and he managed to save the girl's life. Larina was so relieved and grateful, she didn't even notice that her nose had straightened out. She was just happy that her dear friend hadn't died that she didn't even see herself in the mirror. * Tarri smiles and sniffs once, quietly. Hers is not the only one. <Orlann> In the spring, her parents came to take their daughter home and they didn't even recognize her, so beautiful had she become. Mae smiled. "But of course, your Kingship. She has learned joy and pride and love. These are all any child needs to be beautiful." <Orlann> The princess cried as much leaving her friends as she had when she left the castle. And even returned to her palace and her servants and her money, she did not forget them and went to visit as much as she could. * Orlann subtly nudged the small cap with his foot and grinned amiably at the parents of the children as they dropped in a few coppers. Slowly, the small crowd broke up. * Tarri waits until Orlann is distracted, talking to someone else, and gives a handful of coppers to the children nearby and nudges them gently forward to drop them in Orlann's cap. <Orlann> ::grins as the children come up to say goodbye:: * Tarri stands up and brushes cherry blossom petals from her clothes before picking up her basket and crossing the lawn to stand near Orlann's rock. <Orlann> Good afternoon, Miss Tarri. ::he stands awkwardly to sweep her a bow:: * Tarri laughs and returns his bow with a curtsey. "Good afternoon, Corporal. That was a lovely story." <Orlann> I'm glad you liked it, miss. It was a favorite of mine, when I was a boy... <Tarri> Really? I wouldn't have thought little boys would much care for stories about princesses. ::she lifts her basket a little:: Would you like some lunch? <Orlann> ::shrugs:: I was a fey child. ::he gestures to the rock:: I'd be honored to have lunch with you, miss Tarri, if you'll share my luxurious rock, here. <Tarri> ::laughs and sets her basket on the rock before perching on one side:: And a lovely rock it is, too. I wonder what such a big rock is doing in the middle of a swamp? ::she opens the basket and takes out half a loaf of bread, a wedge of cheese, a pair of cold meat pies, and a sealed crock.:: * Orlann rubs the side of his nose. "Magic..." <Tarri> ::laughs as she fishes a knife from the basket and starts to cut away the wax sealing the crock:: Some mighty wizard felt Marsember would be the richer for a big rock in the middle of it? ::She lifts the lid from the crock to reveal a dark liquid - cider, by the smell. She deftly cuts several slices of bread and cheese before putting the knife away again.:: <Orlann> ::a bit loftily:: I find it to be so. I miss the mountains, sometimes. ::his pale blue eyes grow a bit faded:: Marsember is awfully flat. <Tarri> Not to mention damp. ::she picks up a piece of cheese and nibbles:: There were hills, where I grew up, but not mountains. Though I didn't notice the flatness when I came here nearly so much as... how *big* it is. <Orlann> ::looks around:: The city, you mean? My father took me to Waterdeep once, when I was only seven. I still remember how many people there were. More than I thought lived in the whole world. <Tarri> I've heard Waterdeep is even bigger than Marsember... Marsember was big enough for me. I spent my first weeks here terrified of everything. ::smiles:: Did you travel a lot, when you were little? <Orlann> ::nods:: My father was a sword for hire. Sometimes, when he couldn't find anyone to take care of me, he'd bring me with him. <Tarri> What about your mother? ::hastily:: If it's not too prying. <Orlann> She was... ::he closes his eyes for a moment:: She was a druid. She met my father when she was young, traveling the world. But then, as she grew older, she had to stay with her lands more and more often. And when she was there, she really didn't have time to watch out for one child. <Tarri> Oh. I'm sorry... <Orlann> ::shrugs:: I never knew life any differently. I used to love seeing her, she was so beautiful and kind. <Tarri> ::smiles:: That's very sweet... Where does she live? <Orlann> Far to the east, in a small forest called Brynwood... across the Sea of Fallen Stars. <Tarri> Oh... I've never even heard of it. ::smiles a little sadly:: I guess you didn't see her too much, if it was that far away. <Orlann> About once a year ::he takes a piece of bread and nibbles on it thoughtfully:: My father traveled a lot, too. Until he finally remarried, and then we settled in Bleakhill. ::he swallows hard:: <Tarri> ::nods sympathetically:: How old were you, when you moved there? <Orlann> Twelve, maybe? I don't remember, exactly... only about a year before my father died... and then I lived with my step-mother until I joined the militia. <Tarri> Oh... That's sad. ::She looks about to say something else, then shakes her head and picks up one of the meat pies, nibbling carefully at the crust.:: <Orlann> ::smiles a bit thinly:: At least I had someone, for a while. I been spending some time at Miss Lore's orphanage, and there's a sight to break your heart, these kids who haven't got anyone. <Tarri> ::nods:: The poor things... ::gives him a quick smile:: It's good of you to spend time with them. <Orlann> ::grins:: They're good kids, the most of em... <Tarri> ::cocking her head slightly:: Most? <Orlann> Well, you know ::he shrugs:: Some of em are real angry with the world. It hasn't treated em real well, and that's all they know. But I think Miss Lore'll help em out. <Tarri> ::nods:: I hope so. In any crowd, there's always a few who'd rather dwell on bitterness. ::her face clouds for a moment, and she picks up the cider and takes a long swallow to cover it.:: It sounds like you're keeping busy. That's good. * Orlann looks down at the cap of copper coins. "It's not a bad living, I guess. And I like the kids... " He grins slyly. "I might be a bit busier soon... " He pauses. "Fixing windows, and the like." <Tarri> I heard.. Going to set up housekeeping? ::she grins briefly:: * Orlann blinks at Tarri for a minute, then blushes furiously. "Oh, no, no, miss. Nothing like *that*. What sort of life could I give anyone, poor as I am? I'm just helping her out, 'cause she needs the help." <Tarri> ::laughs softly and pats his hand:: I'm just teasing, really... Though being poor doesn't have so much to do with the life you can give someone as how much you care for them. <Orlann> Well, no miss, it surely doesn't. But I haven't even got a home yet... <Tarri> Were you in a hurry? Got someone in mind? ::she grins teasingly again, and picks up another piece of cheese:: * Orlann eats his meat pie in a few bites. "I hadn't really been thinking on it much, miss. Not that I haven't met some fine women, since I got here, yourself not least nor last. But I'm little more than a wreck right now. Half-crippled and waking from cold sweats three times a night. I'd best mend my own fences, before I go courting." <Tarri> ::nods:: Oh, certainly, and I'd be surprised if you were really thinking about such things so soon after... ::she makes a face and waves at his injured leg:: ...everything. You'll have to forgive me for teasing so much. It's just me... You can ask anyone. ::she grins:: Vallel, say. <Orlann> ::raises one eyebrow:: And who's Vallel? <Tarri> You haven't met him yet? Well, he's been holing himself up so much lately, *I've* barely seen him... He's... a friend of mine, from back home. He kind of appointed himself my big brother, when I came to town. I think you'd like him. <Orlann> It's always good to have a brother - someone to watch out for you... ::he grins:: I had any number, in the militia... ::his grin fades:: * Tarri looks sad and puts a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry." * Orlann covers her hand with his own, tears glimmering in his pale eyes. "I miss... I miss them all. It's so hard, sometimes, to believe it really happened. How can they all be gone?" <Tarri> ::somberly:: I know. It's... ::she shakes her head:: I can't even imagine it, how awful it must be for you. I... I know it's not enough, but if you want to talk about it... whenever... ::she gives him a faint smile and shrugs helplessly:: * Orlann blots his eyes, half-angry, half ashamed. "I'm sorry, it's just... it... " He shakes his head. "Maybe later, when it's not so... when I can talk and not remember like it was happening now." <Tarri> ::nods, her mouth twisting wryly:: I understand. ::she pats his arm again:: It takes time to heal. I know. <Orlann> ::forcibly wrenching himself away from his memories:: So, why did you come to Marsember? <Tarri> Me? Oh... ::she blushes, just a little:: My father arranged a post for me here as a nanny. <Orlann> And now you're learning healing? Ambitious... and commendable... <Tarri> ::shrugs, picking a piece of bread apart and tossing crumbs for the birds:: I... enjoy it. And there wasn't much point in going home again, so I had to do something to earn my way. <Orlann> A good healer can make her way just about anywhere... there being so many of us idiots who go out and swing swords at each other, you know. ::he gives her a rueful grin:: <Tarri> I suppose so. Though I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to reconcile myself to putting people together only to have them run right back out and do it again. ::flashes him a quick smile:: <Orlann> ::blushes:: It's a bad habit. <Tarri> ::grins:: Maybe I'll just tell Lisl you need to work on defense more. <Orlann> ::snorts:: Mistress Lisl... ::he cuts himself off, looking at Tarri with a rather concerned expression:: <Tarri> ::cocks her head quizzically:: Yes? <Orlann> She's a hell of a warrior... ::his voice is slightly awestruck:: I never measured her like before. <Tarri> ::grins:: She's one in a million. And a good friend... ::she looks down, picking at her piece of bread some more:: I know I'm lucky to have her for a teacher. I'm not the sort that a fighter of her caliber would normally even look at. <Orlann> You underrate yourself, Miss Tarri. You're a fine healer and a good woman. No one honored to know you can think anything wanting. <Tarri> ::flashes him a smile, blushing, before she looks down again:: You're very kind so say so. But I'm certainly no warrior. Lisl only started teaching me because of Sanriel, really. I was a little worried she'd be mad when she found out we'd parted ways. But Lisl... ::she laughs faintly and shrugs:: Once she decides you're a friend, you'd have to do something *really* bad to make her change her mind. <Orlann> A good quality, in a friend... Sanriel is the young man you... used to be engaged with? Beg your pardon, but I overheard some of your conversation with Mistress Lisl. <Tarri> ::nods:: Yes... It's okay; it's not a secret or anything. <Orlann> ::grins a bit shyly:: I wouldn't want you to think I had no manners... ::indicates the crumbs of lunch:: Thank you, for the luncheon. It was very good. <Tarri> ::looks up and smiles:: Thank you. I like to cook. And it's always nicer to eat with someone than alone. <Orlann> Indeed it is, Miss Tarri. I'm greatly in your debt, I don't know how I'll ever pay back your kindness. <Tarri> ::smiles slyly:: I'm sure I'll think of something. * Orlann colors, but can't seem to look away from her. <Tarri> ::laughs lightly and throws the last crumbs of her bread to the birds:: Didn't the girls back home ever tease you, Corporal? <Orlann> ::laughs a bit self-consciously:: Only Lina ever talked the way *you* do sometimes... <Tarri> ::grins:: She sounds like fun. <Orlann> She was... ::he looks off into the distance:: She wasn't fair, or young, but we were fond. She was strong, and a good hunter. Very quiet, she could sneak right up on a deer before it saw her. Her man died of the pox not long after their son was born, and she had ::he touches his cheek:: scars from it. But I was quartered with her. Only the privates lived in the barracks, you know. The rest of us stayed, single or in pairs, with the families. <Tarri> ::nods:: I think you said that... ::bites her lip, then shrugs:: If it's too nosy, just say so, but... How come it's "Lina", and not "Mistress Lina"? Were you... very close? <Orlann> ::laughs:: Lina went upside my head with a pie-plate once, for being so polite. She said if I ate off her table and left my dirty clothes on her floor, the least I could do is name her proper. <Tarri> ::laughs:: I definitely like her. <Orlann> But we were fond, aye... She, I think she didn't like her looks none too well, so she didn't always take me seriously... but I think she was leaning towards liking me back, maybe. <Tarri> ::grins:: Who wouldn't? <Orlann> Me, miss Tarri? ::he looks slightly aghast at the suggestion:: <Tarri> ::laughs at his expression:: Why not? <Orlann> I'm just a militia man, not so much of a great catch, you know. <Tarri> ::snorts:: Is that all you think a woman cares about? You're a good man, with a caring heart. You're attractive, and good with children, and you know how to laugh... There's more to a man than his moneybelt, Corporal. * Orlann has the grace to look embarrassed. "I don't rightly know. 'Cept for Lina, I haven't been too close friends with many ladies... " <Tarri> ::chuckles:: I can tell... ::she grins at him:: You'll just have to take my word for it, then. Unless you want to ask Meghan or Lisl, of course... * Orlann turns an even darker shade of purple. "No, I believe I'll pass on that, miss Tarri." <Tarri> ::laughs delightedly:: Oh, poor Corporal... I shouldn't be so bad, I know, but it's so irresistible! ::she tries, without much success, to put on a straight face:: I'll try to be good, now. <Orlann> ::with mock-mournfulness:: You're a bad woman, miss Tarri... * Tarri opens her mouth to reply, closes it, and starts giggling even harder, covering her mouth with her hands. * Orlann watches her laughing, leaning back against his rock with a grin. <Tarri> ::finally winding down, wheezing slightly:: Oh, Blessed Mother... ::she fans her face with one hand:: It's been too long since I've laughed that hard. <Orlann> ::grins at her:: You should try it more often... I'll do m'best to keep you entertained. <Tarri> ::gives him a mock-curtsey:: Much obliged, sir. ::she grins as she straightens:: That smile looks good. You should wear it more often. * Orlann looks up at the scuttling rainclouds coming in. "I'll keep in practice, if you do, miss. But we should be seeking a roof, soon. Seems to be raining a lot this year." <Tarri> ::follows his gaze up and sighs:: Again? Ah, well, at least it stayed nice through lunch. ::she quickly starts repacking her basket:: * Orlann offers her his short cloak as the rain starts pelting in, rattling along the ground like hundreds of frantic drummers. <Tarri> Oh, thank you... ::she pulls the cloak over her head, looks around quickly, and dashes for the closest building:: * Orlann follows her somewhat more slowly. "It should let up fair soon. It doesn't usually rain this hard *all* afternoon." <Tarri> ::Under cover, she shakes the cloak off and offers it back.:: No... But that doesn't help much if you're caught in the middle of it! <Orlann> ::grins:: Well, we can wait it out, or you can take the cloak and run on back to Master Bran's, if you're running late. <Tarri> ::glances up at the sky to gauge the time, and makes a face:: I probably should head back... * Orlann drapes his cloak over her shoulders. "Just bring it back, when the weather's fair again, miss Tarri." He pulls the hood up over her hair. <Tarri> ::smiles:: I will. Thank you. I had a lovely time. We'll have to do it again, sometime. ::she glares up at the sky:: When the weather's better. * Orlann grins. "I'll look forward to it. Be well, miss Tarri." <Tarri> You, too! ::With a final wave, she clutches the cloak around her shoulders and dashed back out into the rain and down the street:: * Orlann watches her go, then limps off towards his inn, sticking to the undersides of building eaves, whenever possible. |
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