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<Tarri> ::The Crow's Nest has continued to be busy, but with the completed harvest of the early spring herbs, most of the traffic is limited to colds and minor injuries.:: * Orlann sits on the porch, three-quarters through a leather-bound novel that Tarri lent him. <Tarri> ::Around mid-afternoon, Tarri comes out onto the porch with a medium-sized basket over one arm. She smiles and leans against a stool near Orlann.:: Enjoying it? <Orlann> ::nonchalantly:: I ain't pitched it off the porch yet. ::he looks up at her, marking his place with a finger:: <Tarri> ::grins:: I'm glad to hear it. Books are expensive. ::she cocks her head slightly:: Have you any experience with boats? <Orlann> ::shrugs:: I can tell the front end from the back end and get a small craft across a lake if it's not too windy. I don't suspect I'll ever remember which side is 'starboard,' though. <Tarri> Fair enough. Master Bran would like me to take some medicine to one of his patients who lives upriver a bit... Since you've been complaining where he can hear you about needing to get back into shape, he thought *you* could row. ::she grins:: And then I'm free for the day. <Orlann> ::grins a bit ruefully:: Ought not to complain in his hearing, then. ::marks his place with a scrap of parchment and closes the book:: How far is 'a bit'? <Tarri> Um... ::thinks:: A couple of miles, I guess. It usually takes me most of an hour to get there, but you can probably pull the oars harder than I can. <Orlann> Upstream... ::he shakes his head:: I c'n probably manage. ::he tucks the book into his belt-pouch:: <Tarri> If it'll sweeten the deal any, it's a pretty ride - especially coming back, with the current in your favor. ::she indicates the basket:: I thought we'd stop and have a picnic dinner. <Orlann> ::nods:: It's probably better than mucking about a few miles upriver through swamp... <Tarri> Oh, yes. I tried walking it once and got most of the way there, but had to come all the way back and get the boat after all. She lives right in the middle of a marsh. ::Tarri leads the way out of the yard and into the woods, following not the path toward Marsember's walls, but heading deeper into the woods.:: <Orlann> ::follows her:: She have a fondness for turtle soup or something? <Tarri> ::laughs:: She's a queer old duck, anyway. <Orlann> ::chuckles:: I can only imagine... <Tarri> She's terribly forgetful, and not very friendly most of the time. But Master Bran's very fond of her. They go back a long ways, I think. * Orlann nods, looking around as they walk through the woods. * Tarri tucks her free arm through Orlann's as they walk. After a bit, the gurgle of the river can be heard. <Orlann> It's a fine day, to be out. I was getting right tired of the chill... <Tarri> ::glances up through the trees at the blue sky and nods:: I hope it stays nice for a few days. <Orlann> ::agreeably:: At leastways until it gets all hot and buggy... Mistress Lisl's told me all about the summers here, in great, vivid words. <Tarri> ::As they emerge from the treeline on the banks of the river, they can see a smallish rowboat sitting on the bank, tied to a stake pounded into the ground.:: <Tarri> ::laughs:: Well, yes... But then you can go swimming. * Orlann gives Tarri a hand into the boat. "Set down, and I'll push us off... no sense in both of us getting wet feet." <Tarri> I won't complain. ::she sits, stowing the basket carefully under a seat:: * Orlann unties the boat and tosses the rope into the bow. He gives a mighty push, then leaps into the small craft, getting no more than the tops of his boots wet. <Tarri> ::applauds and laughs:: Very nice! * Orlann grins at her as he sets up the oars a bit awkwardly. The small craft drifts downstream with the current a ways before he gets the nose of the boat pointed in the right direction and begins to row. * Tarri seems unconcerned about the brief drifting, watching the riverbank turning lazily around them. <Orlann> ::the river, while fairly deep, is not rapid, and Orlann makes quick work of the rowing, once he settles into a rhythm:: Well, this ain't quite as bad as I remembered. Course, I was a bit smaller, last time I rowed. <Tarri> ::grins:: You said there wasn't much more than a stream, in Bleakhill. I wasn't sure you'd have any knowledge of boats at all. <Orlann> My father was taking us to a customer's place to pick up the remainder of his fee. The customer decided he didn't want to pay up and shot my father with a crossbow while he rowed 'cross the lake. I had to get us out, while my mother tended the wound. T'was a bit of a bad time. Father was so mad, he was all for jumping out of the boat and swimming after the man, but Mother managed to talk sense to him. <Tarri> ::eyes widening:: That's pretty scary... How old were you? <Orlann> Ten or eleven, I reckon... tall for my age, but still not a man's size. After it was all done, I felt sort of proud of it. It was nice to feel *useful* instead of just like something they carted 'round because they didn't know what else to do with me. <Tarri> ::nods:: I understand that... Anyway, it's something worth being proud of. ::she smiles and watches the riverbank slide by:: You must be going at least twice as fast as I can manage. We'll have practically the whole afternoon to ourselves... <Orlann> ::glances at her with a sly twinkle:: Is *that* why you asked me to row? To better shirk your chores? <Tarri> ::rounds her eyes at him:: Me? Shirking? * Orlann dips one oar and splashes a bit of water at her. "You." <Tarri> ::squeaks and giggles as she's splashed:: Well... You can't imagine Master Bran didn't know it would work out like that. It's not *really* shirking, if he knows, is it? <Orlann> Well, there is that... ::he looks around the featureless woods:: Sing out when I need to be going somewhere other than 'thattaway'. <Tarri> ::nods:: There's a bend in the river coming up in a bit, and then after that we'll swing that way. ::she points off to the far side of the river from where they started:: <Orlann> ::nods:: Aye. ::he nudges the boat towards the farther shore:: * Tarri trails a hand in the water, watching Orlann at least as much as she watches the riverbank slide by. * Orlann fights a bit with the mid-river current before getting past the worst of it. The bank on the far side of the river is quite a bit swampier and tall cattails poke out of the water, fuzzy with spring down. <Tarri> ::pointing over Orlann's shoulder:: Here comes the bend. <Orlann> ::panting slightly with exertion:: Why so it is... ::he rests one oar in its swivet, dripping water, as he turns the boat towards the shore:: <Tarri> It's easier rowing, after the turn. There's not so much current to fight. Of course, the marsh doesn't smell as nice, but it's not as bad in spring as it is in summer. * Orlann nods, a little winded for talking. <Tarri> ::Not too much further on, a tiny house comes in to view. It seems to be floating in the middle of the river. Tarri points:: There it is. * Orlann turns to look. "What an odd little house." <Tarri> ::grins:: She's an odd little- ::breaks off, looking over his shoulder and waving:: Miz Gren! <Tarri> ::Miz Gren has come out on her stoop to watch their approach. She is a tiny little woman with snow-white hair, stooped with age. She squints at them and shouts querulously across the closing distance.:: Who's that?! <Tarri> It's Tarri, Miz Gren! *Bran's* girl! <Gren> Nonsense! Bran's girl's got *dark* hair! Don't think to be trickin' me! <Tarri> ::sighs:: Not his *daughter*, Miz Gren. His *apprentice*. ::she fishes in the basket below the seat and comes up with a stoppered bottle:: I've come with your medicine. <Gren> ::sniffs suspiciously as they pull up in front of the house:: Who's *that*? ::she points at Orlann:: <Tarri> A friend, Miz Gren. Corporal Drilgar. * Orlann nods to the old woman. "Fair afternoon to you, ma'am." <Gren> ::looks startled:: It talks! * Orlann looks a bit startled. <Tarri> ::rolls her eyes at Orlann:: He's a *man*, Miz Gren. <Gren> ::eyes Orlann again:: Hmph. Ain't never seen one that color before. You sure he's all right, girl? <Orlann> ::his dark face flushes and his eyebrows come together a bit alarmingly:: <Tarri> ::gives Orlann a wry look:: Yes, ma'am, I'm sure. ::she stands carefully, the medicine bottle outstretched:: Your medicine, ma'am? * Orlann reaches out to steady Tarri with one hand. <Gren> ::takes the bottle and squints at it:: Bran sent you, you said? <Tarri> Yes'm. He mixed it up himself, and says he's awful sorry he can't come himself, but he'll come and visit a bit later, in a few days. <Gren> ::looking somewhat mollified:: Well. You tell him he'd best make it a mite stronger, next time. ::she squints at Orlann again curiously:: Not half bad, truly... ::she grins toothlessly at him:: Not bad a'tall... * Orlann smiles hesitantly at the old woman. <Tarri> ::sits down again, flushing faintly:: G'bye, Miz Gren! ::undertone:: Let's go, before she invites us to stay for tea... Vile stuff. * Orlann nods hastily. "Yes'm." He picks the oars back up. "Take care, ma'am." He turns the small craft around. * Tarri waves until the old woman goes back into her little house, then sighs with relief. "I swear, she gets more difficult with every trip." <Orlann> ::shakes his head:: I been called a *lot* of names for being dark-skinned, but no one *ever* called me a non-human afore... <Tarri> ::half-smiles, apologetically:: She's... a bit off in the head. At least she was *listening* to me, today. * Orlann looks slightly mollified. <Tarri> Anyway, I'm awfully sorry about that. I didn't even think about it... ::she gives him a shy smile:: I don't even really notice it much, anymore. <Orlann> It's not terribly unnatural or anything. Chult's really hot, and they're darker skinned than more northern people... ::he sighs:: <Tarri> I never thought it was... ::she looks slightly distressed:: Miz Gren's never been further from home than Master Bran's place, and even that's been a long time. <Orlann> Don't fret, Tarri. Ain't you that was rude... ::he gives her a quick smile:: Shouldn't let it bother me... <Tarri> ::smiles faintly and relaxes a bit as they turn back out into the river:: We'll just forget it, then, and enjoy the afternoon. * Orlann nods and rows downstream, putting considerably less effort into it, letting the current do most of the work. * Tarri watches the banks for a likely stopping-spot. After half a mile, she points. "How about there?" * Orlann smiles. "Looks right pleasing to me..." He turns the small craft towards the shore. * Tarri clambers out as the boat's bottom scrapes the bank, taking the basket with her. She steadies the bow for Orlann as he climbs out. * Orlann climbs out and shoves the boat ashore firmly. * Orlann bends down suddenly and scoops something up in his hands. "Well, hello there." <Tarri> ::looks up from unpacking the basket:: What's that? * Orlann holds out his cupped hands displaying a baby turtle not much larger than a bird's egg. <Tarri> Oh, how cute! ::she grins at it:: Such a little thing... * Orlann watches as it shyly pokes its tiny head out of the shell to peer at them. <Tarri> ::laughs softly, leaning closer to peer back:: * Orlann sets the reptile back on the ground, somewhat away from where they might step on it by accident. * Tarri goes back to the basket. Unpacked, it proves to contain a blanket to sit on, most of a cold roasted chicken (minus both legs and a wing), half a loaf of bread, some cheese, and a small bucket of strawberries. * Orlann flops down on the blanket and stretches out while Tarri prepares lunch, arching his back until it pops loudly several times. <Tarri> Thank you for rowing... ::she grins:: I owe you one, for helping me shirk. <Orlann> ::tucks his arms under his neck:: I'd say 'anytime' but I reckon I don't want you to take that too serious. <Tarri> ::laughs as she settles herself next to him:: I'll make it up to you. ::she offers him a piece of cheese:: Want something to eat? * Orlann groans and sits up. "Surely... how do you *walk* after you row up here an' back?" <Tarri> ::grins:: I can *walk* okay; it's lifting my arms past the elbows I can't manage. ::she puts some bread and cheese in his hands, then shifts around behind him and starts to massage his shoulders:: * Orlann stiffens for a moment at her touch, then relaxes. <Tarri> Where's it hurt? * Orlann stretches again. "Mostly in the middle of my back... I think that boat's meant for a shorter person. I'm all hunched over." <Tarri> Well, you're a lot taller than Master Bran or I... ::her hands work down to the middle of his back:: * Orlann shivers under her hands, the cheese and bread forgotten. <Tarri> ::gently working out the stiffness and kinks:: ... but it might just be that you're not really used to rowing. Is that helping, any? * Orlann nods gingerly, taking a hasty bite of cheese to cover his awkwardness. "Oh, yes'm." <Tarri> Oh, good. I'd hate to think you were halfway crippled again because of my laziness. ::her voice is light and teasing:: <Orlann> I'm not crippled, Tarri, *because* you're not lazy... ::he looks at her seriously over his shoulder:: <Tarri> ::smiles and touches his cheek:: I'm glad I could do some good. <Orlann> You do a lot more than 'some' good... ::taps her on the nose teasingly:: You underrate yourself. * Tarri flushes and looks down. "You- Thank you." <Orlann> My privilege... ::he grins:: Come 'round here and have something to eat... <Tarri> Yessir. ::she moves over again and picks up a piece of cheese.:: * Orlann laughs lightly and helps himself to a generous slab of chicken. <Tarri> ::eats only lightly, mostly watching Orlann from the corner of her eye:: * Orlann makes short work of his lunch, then tosses a bit of bread crust to a pair of ducks who scuffle noisily over the treat. * Tarri picks up a strawberry with a grin. "Do you like strawberries? They're my favorite." She bites into it with evident relish. <Orlann> ::takes a berry himself:: I could've guessed that... <Tarri> ::eyes him:: How's that? <Orlann> ::tosses the stem into the grass:: Your home smells like berries... unless you were wearin' it as perfume, I sort of guessed that you ate 'em a lot. <Tarri> Oh. ::she grins sheepishly and shrugs:: <Tarri> What's *your* favorite food? <Orlann> ::thinks:: I was always partial to honeycomb... although gathering it up has never been my favorite thing. I always seemed to miss a bee or two when I was smoking the nest. <Tarri> Ooh, honeycomb is good, too... ::she grins and eats another berry, then lays back on the blanket, folding her hands behind her head:: * Orlann leans back on the blanket. "Course, Miss Denna always made some wonderful pies... I used to like her green apple with a wedge of cheese melting on top of the crust." <Tarri> You mentioned her before... <Orlann> ::nods:: She was Tinner's girl, and Tinner was... well, we spent loads of time together. <Tarri> Oh... ::she reaches over to touch his arm:: I'm sorry. * Orlann reaches up and takes her hand. "It hurts to talk of them... but someone's gotta remember them. And I'm all that's left." <Tarri> ::twines her fingers with his and nods:: I'm sure they appreciate it. <Orlann> They'd just gotten married, would have been about a year ago now. Patch and I held up the garland for 'em after Priest blessed them. ::he sighs:: Was a grand feast for them, Miss Denna's mother and sister spent *days* cooking... <Tarri> ::bites her lip:: That's so sad... <Orlann> ::shakes his head:: No, it was good. Least they had some time together... and Miss Denna was so happy. <Tarri> ::half-smiles:: That's good, that you can remember them happy... You're a good man, Orlann. * Orlann leans up on one elbow to look down at her. "Thank you." * Tarri meets his eyes solemnly. "I mean that. No teasing. You're... I'm proud to be your friend." * Orlann blushes and ducks his head. "I... " He flounders for a bit, trying to find something to say and ends up simply staring at her. <Tarri> ::looks back at him for a moment, then lifts a hand to touch the side of his face:: * Orlann tilts his head into her fingers. "Tarri..." He blushes harder. <Tarri> ::brushes her thumb over his cheek:: Yes? <Orlann> I don't reckon you should be doing that... ::his eyes stutter up to hers and then down to the blanket:: <Tarri> Why not? <Orlann> ::takes a deep breath:: 'Cause I said I wasn't gonna take advantage of you, and I don't want to go back on my word. <Tarri> Ah, I see... ::she hesitates, then lifts her hand from his cheek, only to trace the line of his face with her fingertips.:: What if... what if I wanted you to? <Orlann> ::swallows hard:: Don't you be on teasing me again... <Tarri> ::half-smiles:: I may be a bad woman, Orlann, but I never yet asked a man to kiss me if I didn't want him to... <Orlann> ::hoarsely, his fingers suddenly shaking:: Is that what you want? <Tarri> Silly man... ::takes a quick breath:: Yes. I've been trying to say so for... ::she closes her eyes, then opens them again:: Kiss me, Orlann. * Orlann hesitates, then leans down, cupping the side of her face with one hand. Gently, as if he's afraid she might break, he kisses her. * Tarri shivers and slides her arms around his neck to return the kiss. * Orlann pulls back after a long moment, grinning a bit foolishly. <Tarri> ::grins back:: Thank you. <Orlann> ::stares at her, flummoxed:: Thank *me*? <Tarri> ::laughs at his look:: Surely. My Mama always taught me to say thank you when someone's given me something nice. <Orlann> ::shakes his head, suddenly laughing:: Oh, you're a *bad* woman... <Tarri> ::laughing and protesting at the same time:: What did I do *this* time? <Orlann> ::puts on a look of such shattered innocence that it's laughable:: Luring me into temptation... <Tarri> ::chuckles:: Oh. *That*. ::she runs a finger down the side of his face again:: I suppose if that's bad, then I'll just have to accept my fate. I've got no intention of stopping.. <Orlann> ::snickers:: Very bad... ::he kisses her again, this time a bit more confidently:: <Tarri> Mmm.... ::she laughs as the kiss breaks:: And you were worried about taking advantage of me, when you should have been worrying that I would take advantage of *you*. <Orlann> ::looks a little befuddled:: It never occurred to me... <Tarri> What didn't? <Orlann> ::blushes again:: That you... that we... ::waves one hand a bit aimlessly:: That you'd... <Tarri> That I'd want you? ::she blushes, but meets his eyes:: Silly man. How could I *not*? <Orlann> ::seriously:: You deserve better... <Tarri> Better? ::incredulously:: I'm not hearing this. Tell me what more I could possibly ask for! <Orlann> Tarri, darling ::he traces his fingers down her cheek, greatly daring:: I'm just a soldier... you said yourself you'd never reconcile to sewing someone up and having them rush back out to fight. I... can't give you anything better than that. I can't not be who I am. <Tarri> ::takes a breath, then nods:: I know. But just because I don't like it doesn't mean I don't understand it. ::she turns her face into his hand:: Orlann... You're... you're so much that I've wanted, and you wouldn't try to make me into something that's not who *I* am... <Orlann> ::pushes her hair back out of her eyes:: Why should anyone want you to be different? <Tarri> ::grins:: See? You can't even imagine it. <Orlann> I like *you*... if it ain't broke, don't fix it... ::taps her nose teasingly:: <Tarri> ::smiles impishly:: Even if I'm a bad woman? <Orlann> Maybe it's *because*... ::grins at her:: I never met anyone like you. <Tarri> ::laughs:: Lucky me... ::she half-sits to kiss him:: * Orlann clasps her to his chest, kissing her soundly. "Oh, damn." He releases her gently, a concerned frown on his face. <Tarri> What's wrong? <Orlann> ::sighs:: Now I really best move back to the inn, darling. <Tarri> But... why? <Orlann> ::blushes furiously:: It'd... be improper. I... you haven't got a... 'course I... ::he looks disconcerted and flustered:: * Tarri sits up and back on her heels, looking at him confusedly. "You're going to have to do better than that. I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about." <Orlann> I want to do right by you, Tarri... And if you're my girl, I... ::blushes:: Tarri, it might be too much for me to not... * Tarri stares at him a moment before comprehension dawns. "Oh!" She blushes furiously, but takes a slow breath. "Tell me, Orlann, what's it mean, you want to do right by me? What's *right*?" <Orlann> I don't... Tarri, I... ::takes a deep breath, and does not look at her:: It wouldn't be right to... to lay with you. And... if we were kissing like this, I might... Tarri, I don't want to treat you like that *Tomas* did. <Tarri> ::soberly:: You couldn't. You could never treat me like he did. I promise. Orlann, look at me, please... ::she puts her hand under his chin:: Why wouldn't it be right? Who says it's wrong? <Orlann> ::blinks:: Well, ain't it? <Tarri> ::flushed:: I used to think so... Now, I'm not so sure. I've seen so many things... and so many of them tell me that it's what's in your heart that really matters. ::she looks down:: You met Mira - she's living with her lover, and taking care of his little girl like a mother. And Loria - the Mother's priestess who killed Tomas - she lived with her husband for quite a while, before they got married. And Lady Natovna has a lover, I've heard, though I've never met him." <Orlann> ::looks a little shocked:: Tarri! <Tarri> ::glances at him quickly, then looks away again:: I'm sorry, Orlann... I tried- But the longer I look, the less important it seems to me. ::she bites her lip:: I hope that doesn't make me... *really* bad, in your eyes. <Orlann> ::hastily:: No... no, never. I just... I'm just surprised. Doesn't take much, I know. But Tarri... I couldn't ever think badly of you. I... think I might love you. I just... don't want to hurt you. * Tarri looks up in surprise, then puts her arms around his waist and curls against him. "I'm sorry. I don't want to hurt you, either... If it's important to you, then... Do what you have to do, if that's what you think is truly *right*. But don't go thinking it's what *I* want. <Orlann> ::putting his arms around her:: It's not. I want to do right by *you*... if you want me to stay, lord knows I don't *want* to go... <Tarri> ::whispering into his chest:: I want you to stay. <Orlann> ::kisses her hair:: Thank you. <Tarri> ::looks up at him with a faintly watery smile:: For what? <Orlann> ::grins at her:: Didn't your mama say to thank someone when they give you something nice? <Tarri> ::laughs:: I haven't given you anything yet. * Orlann props his head up on one hand. "You don't think so... you have. You've given me my life back." * Tarri lays back on the blanket, snuggling close to look up at him. "If you say so..." |
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