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* Michelle approaches Tarri's apartment. She's wearing a rather plain dress and is carrying a largish box under one arm, while holding Abby in the other. * Tarri and Orlann are sitting at the table in Tarri's tiny kitchen, eating dinner. A bunch of white and purple violets are sitting in a small vase at the table. A covered pot on the stove is boiling vigorously, and the scent in the air seems to promise apple pie. <Michelle> ::When she reaches the apartment she climbs the stairs leading to the door. She pauses for a moment, apparently considering her options before finally kicking the door lightly.:: * Orlann looks up, a forkful of green beans halfway to his mouth. <Tarri> ::blinks, then puts down her fork and goes to peer out the window before opening the door:: Michelle! What a surprise! Come in, come in... I hope you don't mind, we're just having dinner... <Michelle> ::Enters setting Abby down once she's inside:: Oh I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt I just wanted to be sure I caught you before you went to sleep. * Orlann grins. "Well, if it ain't Miss Gail?" <Tarri> No, it's all right. Have you eaten? <Michelle> ::Abby runs over and hugs Orlann's leg:: S'ory! <Michelle> ::smiles:: Yes, we ate earlier. Though that pie smells very tempting. * Tarri smiles. "We might share." She gets out a couple of glasses and fills one with cider, which she offers to Michelle, and the other about halfway, with water, which she hands to Abby. * Michelle sets her box down on the couch and accepts the glass from Tarri, "Thank you Tarri. It's unusual for someone else to be serving me a drink." Smiles as she joins Tarri and Orlann at the table. <Tarri> ::flushes a little as she sits down again:: I'm sorry I don't have anything else to offer... I've been meaning to go to market, but things have been so busy lately... * Orlann scoops up Abby. "A story, is't? And what do cute little girls say when they want a story?" <Michelle> ::smiles and waves her hand:: It's quite alright Tarri. You're a very good hostess. I'm sure your mother would be proud of the woman you've grown up to be. <Michelle> ::Abby looks at Orlann with big eyes:: P'ease! <Tarri> ::looks down at her plate:: I'd... like to think so. ::she glances over at Orlann and Abby:: Abby, sweetling, hold your cup in both hands... That's right. <Michelle> ::smiles in amusement at Tarri's comment to Abby:: * Orlann , between bites of dinner, tells Abby the story of a princess who slept on a pea. <Michelle> ::Abby looks at Tarri and Michelle, then secures her grip on her cup and turns her attention back to Orlann:: * Tarri finishes her dinner quickly, smiling as she listens to the story. * Michelle smiles and sips her cider as she watches Orlann entertain Abby, "I'll have to be careful or you might steal my biggest fan Orlann." * Tarri collects the dinner plates and puts them in the sink, then cuts three slices of pie. For Abby, she scoops up some of the bits that fell out and puts them in a bowl with a spoon. She distributes the desserts, then sits again and takes a sip of water. "So, tell me what brings you, Michelle... I'm pretty sure it wasn't just that Abby was pining for one of Orlann's stories." <Orlann> ::laughs:: Give her a few years, ma'am an' she won't like boys a t'all. <Tarri> ::giggles:: And then give her a few more, and she'll be breaking hearts all over town. <Michelle> ::giggles:: Yes, and a few years after that she won't think of anything but boys. <Michelle> ::giggles at the similarity of Tarri and her own thoughts:: * Orlann helps himself to a bit of pie, bouncing Abby on his knee. <Michelle> ::smiles at Tarri:: I was wondering if you'd be willing to hold onto something for me. What with me going out of town I don't really want to leave anything valuable in Ellesmere. I'm squirrelling most of it away at the Hall or with Adam, but I thought it would be better if you held onto this item. * Michelle takes a bite of her pie and sighs happily, "This is very good Tarri." <Tarri> Well, if I can help, I will.. What is it? <Tarri> ::smiles:: Apple pie's easy. <Michelle> ::smiles mischievously:: Open it up and find out. <Orlann> ::a little shyly:: Are y'all really going after a dead dragon, ma'am? That seems right... pardon my saying so, but... suicidal. * Tarri blinks, then gets up and goes into the living room to open the box Michelle left there. <Michelle> ::Abby happily spoons up some of pie, managing to get most of it into her mouth.:: * Orlann absently blots Abby's face with his napkin. <Tarri> ::from the living room:: Oh, Michelle... This is *lovely*. Is it yours? <Michelle> ::Inside the box and carefully folded layers of white silk, the layer on clearly having been cut and sewn for the top of a gown, with lace, seed pearls and embroidery decorating nearly ever inch of fabric.:: * Orlann stands up, Abby's bowl in one hand, child in the other, to look. <Michelle> ::sighs wistfully:: Unfortunately not. I wish I'd been able to keep mine, but it got left behind along with... Along with everything else of value. ::looks saddened as she takes another bite of pie:: <Tarri> Then whose is it? Why leave it with *me*? * Michelle sips her cider and addresses Orlann, "Yes, this trip is hands down the most suicidal thing I've ever done. Unfortunately the consequences of not doing anything are even worse. That's another reason I'm leaving the dress with you Tarri. It's for Temire if she ever decides to settle down. I figure if the dress is already made we'll have a better chance of getting her to delay the wedding long enough to get her in it." <Michelle> ::brightens noticeably at the mention of Temire's impulsiveness and has another bite of pie:: <Michelle> ::Abby burbles as she sees the dress, reaching out towards it:: <Orlann> ::keeping Abby clear:: Oh, no, Miss Gail... that's just for looking for right this minute... <Tarri> ::laughs:: She does seem the type to elope... ::she lifts the dress out of Abby's reach:: No, not until you've washed up from dinner. * Tarri takes the dress from the box to look at it in more detail. "How much is left to be done?" <Orlann> ::under his breath:: She didn't much seem to be much for marryin' a t'all. <Michelle> The lacing and decorative work in the back needs to be finished, and the train needs to be hemmed and decorated, and of course Temire hasn't even seen it, let alone worn it so it will need to be fitted. I got as close as I could from what I remember of her other dresses but I don't know if she's still growing or not. <Tarri> ::glances at Orlann and winks, also speaking quietly:: That's fair, then. Neither's her man... Though you never know when someone will change their mind about that. <Tarri> ::a little louder, to Michelle:: We'll have to take it to a proper seamstress to have it finished, then. Fitting alone I could do, but... I wouldn't dare to try to copy this embroidery. <Michelle> ::smiles at Orlann:: No, she doesn't. But she also loves children, and given the problems she had with her own parents... I think eventually she's going to decide she's ready to be a mother and then she'll insist that her children have a father who will be there for them. <Michelle> ::nods:: If I'd known I was going to be running off like this I'd have finished it sooner, but I figured I had a few years yet before there was even the possibility of actually needing it, so I've been taking my time. * Orlann glances at Tarri and colors slightly. <Tarri> ::carefully folds the dress back into the box:: Well, that much is probably true, still. ::she flashes Michelle a quick smile:: But I'm sure you'll all be just fine, and you can finish it when you get back. * Michelle pretends not to notice the by-play between Tarri and Orlann. <Michelle> ::smiles:: As much as I hope you're right Tarri, I've already had to leave one daughter behind with nothing. I want to do my best for my other daughters, even if they aren't of my blood. <Tarri> ::gives Michelle a warm smile:: I'm sure she'll appreciate it. And for such a lovely dress... ::she runs a finger lightly over the embroidery at the neckline:: ... I'm sure she'll be willing to wait a few months, if she has to, for it to be finished. <Michelle> ::smiles:: I wonder if someone saved mine. I'll have to ask when I get there. Thank you for the reminder Tarri. * Orlann distracts Abby by depositing her on the sofa next to Tarri's somewhat scruffy looking cat. <Abby> Kitty! ::starts vigorously petting the cat:: <Tarri> My mother kept hers... Once in a while, she would take it out for me to look at, and when I got bigger, I tried it on once or twice. She meant me to have it, but the roof leaked one year, right into the closet, and spoiled it. <Michelle> I'm sorry Tarri. Do you still have it. You could probably get a duplicate made. I know it wouldn't be the same, but... It would be close. <Tarri> ::shakes her head:: She cut the skirts short and gave it to the little girls down the road, for playing dress-up. ::smiles and shrugs:: I've got some ideas, I came up with when San and I were planning... ::she looks at Abby and the cat to avoid looking at Orlann:: There's no hurry now, though, of course. <Michelle> ::smiles and nods:: Well let me know if you want any help when the time comes. I rather enjoy the work. * Orlann studies the floor intently, only looking up when Abby starts pulling the cat's tail. "Easy there, Miss Gail... She don't like that none." <Abby> ::looks up at Orlann innocently and raises her arms:: Up p'ease. <Tarri> I'll be sure to let you know. ::she digs into her sewing box and comes up with a length of ribbon, which she uses to tie the box closed:: I'll keep this safe for you. ::giving Michelle an impish grin:: And I won't let her run off until you get back. * Orlann scoops the girl up and sets her easily on his shoulder. "How's that for up?" <Michelle> ::smiles and walks over to hug Tarri:: I'll hold you to that. <Tarri> ::returning Michelle's hug:: You be careful... <Michelle> ::Abby cheers, her hands gripping Orlann's hair tightly:: * Orlann squinches his eyes shut. "Easy does it..." <Michelle> ::lets Tarri go and nods:: I will. ::brushes Tarri's cheek for a moment:: I know I told you this before, and I know you've done well on your own, but if you ever need me for anything Tarri, just ask. <Tarri> ::nods:: I will. <Michelle> ::Abby giggles and lets go of Orlann's hair, beating her tiny fists on his head instead.:: * Orlann turns his head to look at her. "Violent today, ain't you?" <Michelle> ::Abby continues to giggle and tries to grab a hold of Orlann's nose.:: * Michelle smiles and watches Abby and Orlann, "Need a hand Corporal?" <Orlann> ::sighs:: I should make you known to the Lieutenant, Miss Gail... he needs a few people to go beat up some mean ol' orcs." * Michelle giggles, "Don't let Meghan hear you saying things like that. She'll be afraid Abagail will turn out like Temire." <Michelle> ::Abby continues to giggle, clearly enjoying the situation as she grabs a hold of Orlann's ears:: <Orlann> ::looks resigned:: I am defeated. ::he flops over onto the sofa, letting Abby tumble harmlessly onto the cushions:: <Tarri> ::giggles and rescues the box before the playing squashes it. She takes it back into the bedroom, and emerges empty-handed:: <Michelle> ::Abby shrieks as she falls, then resumes giggling as she hits the cushions. Turning around she lifts her arms to Orlann again:: Up P'ease! * Orlann opens one eye. "Can't... you kilt me." <Michelle> ::smiles:: Maybe you should give him a kiss to bring him back to life Abagail. <Tarri> ::cautioning:: Don't get her *too* wound up, or she'll never go to bed... <Michelle> ::Abby seems to consider the idea for a moment, then walks over and kisses Orlann's cheek:: * Orlann opens both eyes and snatches her up. "Gotcha!" <Michelle> ::Abby squeals in delight:: * Tarri sits in a rocking chair well out of range of the sofa and watches the man and child play with a fond smile. * Orlann grins up at Tarri. "Yes'm, but I ain't the one putting her to bed." He winks at Michelle. <Michelle> ::smiles and nods:: Yes, and unfortunately, as much as I'm sure Abagail would enjoy it if you told her a bed time story, I'm afraid we need to be going so that little girls aren't cranky in the morning. * Orlann stands up and takes Abby's hands. "Big jump, then!" He bounces her once on the sofa, then 'jumps' her to the floor. <Michelle> ::Abby squeals again, smiling brightly up at Orlann:: <Michelle> Come here Abagail. ::kneels down next to Abby as she walks over:: Now what do we tell Corporal Drilgar? <Michelle> ::Abby turns and curtsies to Orlann:: T'ank oo 'Lann. <Orlann> You're welcome, Miss Gail.... ::ruffles her hair:: You be a good girl and get lotsa sleep, hear? <Michelle> ::brushes Abby's hair:: And what do we say to Miss Tarri? <Michelle> ::Abby turns to Tarri and curtsies again:: T'ank oo Tarry. <Tarri> ::smiles fondly:: You're welcome, sweetling. Be good for Michelle. * Michelle picks up Abby and smiles at Tarri and Orlann, "Goodnight you two. Thank you for the pie, and thank you Tarri for holding onto the dress for me." <Tarri> You're welcome, Michelle. We'll see you soon. <Orlann> ::nods:: Goodnight, ma'am. Good luck on your... ::he searches for a word:: ... mission. * Michelle nods, a grave look passing over her face for a moment before being banished, "You too Corporal." * Michelle heads for the door, pausing on the landing so that she and Abby can wave back at Tarri and Orlann, before closing the door and heading off into the night. * Orlann meanders back into the kitchen to recover his almost uneaten pie. * Tarri grins and straightens the disheveled cushions, then picks up Abby's half-eaten bowl and puts it in the sink. <Tarri> Bundle of energy, tonight. <Orlann> ::takes a large bite of pie:: Feisty... <Tarri> ::grins at him:: She'll probably grow up to be bad, too. <Orlann> ::laughs:: Not so bad as you, darling. * Tarri sticks her tongue out at Orlann as she goes to the sink to wash the dinner dishes. * Orlann finishes his pie and brings the plate over to the sink. He leans down to kiss the back of her neck as he hands her the plate. <Tarri> ::tips her head to one side:: Mm... ::she giggles softly:: A wedding dress for Temire... <Orlann> I have to admit I can't picture that young lady in a dress a t'all, much less *that* dress. <Tarri> ::grins:: I've seen her in a dress a couple of times... But it's not the role I'd envision her in, no. ::she smiles up at him:: I hope Michelle didn't make you too uncomfortable. I don't think she was... hinting at anything. <Orlann> No'm, I don't think she was... ::shrugs:: She don't rightly seem that subtle. <Tarri> ::laughs:: You may be right, there... <Orlann> ::a bit hesitantly:: I don't reckon she meant to, but... ::he sighs:: I don't reckon I was the only one a mite uncomfortable with it. <Tarri> ::gives him a faintly uneasy smile as she stacks the plates to dry:: Not entirely, no. * Orlann puts his hands on her shoulders, leaning against her. "Care to share your thoughts with me, darling?" * Tarri dries her hands on a towel and leans her head back against his chest. "I was thinking... I *do* want to get married, someday... But I don't want to do it because everyone else expects it, or... or anyone else's reasons. I want to do it because it's what *I* want, and it's what's right for *me*." She laughs softly. "Selfish girl that I am." <Orlann> ::wraps his arms around her:: I don't reckon that's selfish. Ain't no sense in being miserable for the rest of your days, is there? <Tarri> No, I suppose not. ::she turns in his arms to wrap her arms around his neck:: And what are *you* thinking? <Orlann> Worrying... ::he considers for a bit:: Wasn't really that long ago, when you and your young man went your ways, was it? <Tarri> Six months, or so... <Orlann> ::thoughtfully:: Not so very long ago... <Tarri> ::cocks her head:: What are you worrying about? <Orlann> ::shrugs:: Just wonderin' if you're all done being sad because of him... <Tarri> Oh. ::she looks up into his face for a moment, then draws a breath:: I don't know, Orlann... He's a good man, and I'll probably always be sorry that I hurt him... He didn't deserve that. But I couldn't marry him, either, and there was no sense in trying to hold on to something that was gone. <Orlann> ::tentatively:: Why... what happened that made you stop loving him? <Tarri> ::wryly:: The short answer? Tomas. The long answer... is longer. ::she sighs, and takes Orlann's hand to draw him out into the living room and sit on the couch:: * Orlann sits next to her and takes her hand in his. "You know I... you're the first girl I ever... I don't want to lose you." <Tarri> ::squeezes his hand:: I don't want to lose you, either, Orlann. You're good and honest and gentle and handsome and... and you make me feel good about myself. <Orlann> What's for you to feel poorly about? Did he... did he make you feel badly about what happened with that... Tomas? That weren't your fault, darling. <Tarri> No, no, it wasn't like that... He was... ::she takes another deep breath and looks down at their clasped hands:: He was psionic. He could... touch minds, and see the future, a little, and... some other stuff. * Orlann brushes the fingers of his free hand over her hair. <Tarri> When Tomas took me, he'd gone back home, to the village where he grew up. It's a *long* way, much farther than Bleakhill. I'm not sure it's even in Cormyr. But he'd seen... he'd had these visions... ::she tightens her hand on his:: ... orcs, overrunning his village. He went home to warn them. To fight. * Orlann nods slowly. "Were they always right, these visions of his?" <Tarri> ::bites her lip:: Mostly. They could be changed - they weren't *certain* - but if you didn't do anything about it... they happened. <Orlann> ::shudders:: What a terrible burden... <Tarri> ::nods:: So he had to go home, to try... ::she takes another shaky breath:: So he wasn't here to protect me, when Tomas came. ::softly:: I never did ask, if he'd seen that, and had to choose. I... I didn't want to know. * Orlann slides his arm around her. "No, I don't reckon you would want to know that..." <Tarri> ::she leans into his warmth:: Just a little bit after I'd come back, I got a letter from his mother. They'd driven off the orcs, though some good men had fallen in the fight. San... The orcs took him, and they never found a body. After three months, they'd... she thought I should know, he was probably dead. <Orlann> ::grimly:: But he wasn't? <Tarri> ::shakes her head:: I mourned... And I was just starting to... to let go of him, when he came back. Vallel brought him to me, out at the 'Nest, and I'd never been so happy in all my life. ::she shivers:: And a few days later, he... he came back again. <Orlann> ::blinks:: I... don't follow you. <Tarri> ::laughs shakily:: I don't either, to be honest. We were here, sitting right here in this room, and there was a knock at the door, and when I opened it, he was *there*. Again. There were two of him. And - Mother help me - I couldn't tell them apart. They looked the same, and talked the same, and had most of the same scars - and the ones that were different were all *new*. And when they touched my mind, even *that* was the same. <Orlann> I heard tell once of creatures like that... who could make a perfect copy of a man... a doppleganger. <Tarri> ::shakes her head:: I took them to Mistress Quel'shu, at the psionics school. I thought maybe she'd be able to tell. But even she couldn't, by herself. It took her *and* Lady Natovna together to... to dig deep enough. <Orlann> Mistress Que'she? ::he mangles the elven word:: That's the lady mage's elf friend? The persnickety one? <Tarri> ::very quietly:: The orcs had a psionic, too... He... he tortured San. To try to twist him, to use him. But San... San was so *pure* in his heart, he... he couldn't hate them, like they wanted him to. He was angry, and scared, and hurt, and hopeless... but he still couldn't hate. And somehow that... that rebounded on the orc. Changed *him* into the thing he was hurting. Into San. <Orlann> ::blinks:: I don't reckon that was what they'd expected... <Tarri> ::shakes her head:: It wasn't just a shape change, either. He'd copied San's mind, too. Forgotten, except way down deep where most people can't even get, that he'd ever been an orc. ::she shudders:: They made him remember, and changed him a little, so he didn't look so much like San anymore. He still lives over at the school, I think. <Orlann> ::shakes his head:: What a strange and horrible thing... <Tarri> So... so I had my San back, and I thought everything would be good again... But it wasn't. Tomas had... Every time San touched me, I couldn't help but remember. And maybe with time, I'd have just gotten over it, or through it - but every time I remembered, San couldn't help but see it in my mind, and *he'd* flinch. So instead of it getting better, it just got worse and worse... <Orlann> ::bites his lip, then nods:: <Tarri> And he's so pure of heart, and I'd learned pretty well how to hate someone, by then, and it made me feel... unworthy. And he saw that too. And it made him feel bad, and he tried to tell me it wasn't my fault, but that just made it *worse*. <Orlann> No, darling, it ain't wrong to hate someone that's wronged you... ::hugs her:: It might not be so very good to just *live* for that hatred, but... <Tarri> ::she curls into his arms:: No... I... I know that. But it seemed so awful - so *petty* - to hate Tomas, while San still didn't hate, and he'd been through so much worse... I cared for him, but I couldn't... I didn't like myself, when I was with him, and that's no way to live. And he saw that, too... <Orlann> ::his face darkens slightly:: Doesn't really seem quite... right of him, to go looking through your mind. <Tarri> I don't think he could help it. He wasn't very well-trained. Mind-touching, he'd only come into while the orcs had him, and he couldn't control it very well sometimes. <Orlann> ::shrugs:: I... don't rightly know much about it, but... I don't know that I'd be wanting someone in my mind. I don't reckon there's many who don't have parts of them they'd rather keep to themselves. <Tarri> ::nods:: There's rules, at the school, against prying where you're not invited, and the punishments are pretty strict if you do. <Orlann> ::relaxing slightly:: Well, leastways if you come to not care for me, it won't be caused by *that*. <Tarri> ::looks up at him:: Orlann... I wish I could tell you that nothing could change my mind about you. But I can't... All I can say is that you make me feel happier and better and... and more *right* than I've felt for a year. I love you, and it'd have to be... something really big and awful to change that. <Orlann> ::shakes his head:: No, I... nothing is forever, darling... not a single thing. What happened to Bleakhill is proof of that... and it don't matter what happens in the later. I... can't promise there won't be any big and awful. But what we have, what I feel *right now* is special, and all the later can't change this moment. * Tarri puts her arms around him and hugs him tight, tucking her head against his chest. <Orlann> ::his tone somewhat lighter:: But you won't think worse of me, darling, if I confess to *hoping* there won't be any big and awful? <Tarri> ::laughs, a little hysterically:: I think we've had more than our share of big and awful in our lives already. <Orlann> ::kisses her hair:: I don't reckon we get a bonus for that, darling. But *I'll* try real hard not to be big and awful. <Tarri> ::looks up with a faint smile:: You're pretty big already, love. You'll just have to try not to be awful. <Orlann> ::sticks his tongue out:: That ain't my fault. <Tarri> ::laughs and kisses him:: I love you the way you are. * Orlann returns her kiss. "Well, that's good. I ain't likely to shrink much." <Tarri> ::with a sly grin:: How about growing a bit? <Orlann> ::laughs:: You are a *bad* woman... ::scoops her up off the sofa and stands:: I think I c'n manage. <Tarri> ::laughs and wraps her arms around his neck:: You love me for it. <Orlann> You know it, darling... |
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