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One Step [Complete] « Thread Started on Aug 1, 2010, 9:11am »
((Begins morning of 10/20, at the Vulgar Imp Inn in Bord-de-Mer. This topic is open to anyone who is traveling the road leading to/past the Val Forest from Val Royeaux during this time.))
The first crimson rays of light barely peeked over the distant horizon when Delain first opened his eyes. He rubbed his eyes, removing the last traces of grogginess. Sitting up, he stretched and grumbled, finding his throat raw and his mood still rather irate. Wonderful. Apparently, the gods sought to reward his rare spurt of conversation during the previous evening with a sore throat. Rising from the bed, the elf concluded this only further proved why he should remain silent much of the time. Unfortunately, he needed to speak at least a little before he left the inn. Oh well. Some things couldn’t be helped.
Delain glanced down at his bare, scarred chest and to the carved necklace resting against it. Sighing, he fondled the trinket affectionately, bringing himself a brief moment of calm before his usual grumpiness and last night’s irritation settled in once more. With a heavier sigh, the Dalish gathered his clothes and dressed. He strapped his quiver and bow to his back, grabbed his and Olivie's satchels and walked out of his room.
After speaking with the innkeeper (a fellow early bird), Delain strolled back upstairs, casually humming as he twirled a key around his finger and grasped a small piece of carrot in his other hand. Counting the doors, he stopped in front of the second to last at the end of the hallway. Quietly, he slipped the key in the lock and turned. A faint click hit his ears. Smirking, he removed the key and waited a few seconds. Hearing nothing, he raised his foot high and connected it with the wood before him.
BAM!
The door swung open from his kick, startling the bird and the elf occupying it out of sleep. While the parakeet offered an indignant chirp, Delain muttered a sincere, “Sorry,” and quickly slipped the carrot slice under the cloth and through the cage’s bars. A soft flutter and an appeased chirp showed the bird accepted his apology and peace offering. While the parakeet munched on its unexpected treat, Delain turned to the obviously displeased woman on the nearby bed.
“Get dressed,” his voice raised loud enough to be heard through the walls, “The innkeeper’s willing to put your breakfast in a basket so that we may leave before the sun’s fully up. I’ll be waiting for you and Olivie outside. Don’t dawdle.” Turning on his heel, the elven man strode out the door and shut it behind him.
He walked down the hallway once more, pausing as he reached the door the innkeeper had informed him Olivie walked into with a… companion… last night.
Sigh. Bards.
Knocking softly on the door, he spoke lowly through it, “Time to go. Get your things and meet me outside.” Knowing someone like Liv probably slept quite lightly, he doubted she missed his message between his rude greeting to Kaiera and the knock on the door.
Once back downstairs, Delain thanked the innkeeper and returned the room keys – along with a few coppers and an apology for his outburst in the tavern last night. The shemlen merely chuckled, bidding the elf to watch his back when his traveling companions caught up with him. The Dalish returned the laugh with a small chortle of his own, heading outside to retrieve his cart. As he brought the cart around to the front of the Vulgar Imp, Delain pictured the likely unpleasant wrath he would soon endure for his very rude awakening tactics upon his fellow elf.
Re: One Step [Semi-Open] « Reply #1 on Aug 1, 2010, 10:38am »
Olivie had been up, washed, and back in armor before first light. She spent the morning gently picking through her evening companion's things, trying to decide what she would take with her. She had spun a fanciful tale and given the young man something to tell his friends about when he returned home. What he could remember of it, anyway. So what she took was merely just compensation for services rendered. She made sure to take only a small fraction of the coin he kept on him, so he would be less inclined to complain to authorities or even really notice. He would hardly remember how many drinks he had last night or what their cost was. She left the now-empty bottle as a memento to him, something to remember her and his lasting headache by.
From down the hall came a BAM that caught Olivie's attention. It was followed by Delain's voice, so she figured he was having a little fun at Kaiera's expense. A short while later there was a soft rap at her door. “Time to go. Get your things and meet me outside.”
Had Delain forgotten that he had her things? Olivie decided not to take any of the man's items, since the opportunity to sell them would not likely present itself, and instead replaced everything to the original way she had found it. When she poked her head out into the hall, Delain had already left. She walked over to the only open door and found that Delain had already vacated the premises. Not in the mood for questions or stares from the innkeeper, she snuck back into the man's room and slipped out the window. A jump from the second story would hurt but not break any bones. The key she had learned was to roll on impact and accept the pain that would come.
She walked around the building to its front and where Delain awaited. "Good morning," she said softly to him and gave him a polite bow. She retrieved her pack from him, distributing the weight equally before strapping it to her back. Together, they awaited the incoming storm from their third companion. If Olivie had been the smirking type, she would have worn such an expression at that moment.
Re: One Step [Semi-Open] « Reply #2 on Aug 2, 2010, 8:42pm »
BAM!
Dreams. The elf had been in the midst of a pleasant enough reverie, a tender recollection of one of the happier moments at the estate, and sleeping soundly until that monstrous noise had jolted her from the perch subconsciousness and brought all former tranquility to a standstill.
Kaiera bolted from her pillow, her first primordial haze of a thought one under the impression that her room was being raided – some crude burglar attempting to steal her valuables and coin purse with a distinct lack of finesse. What her rapidly clearing vision did happen on was no burglar, but certainly no less crude; no, the developing blur of an elf before her was something else entirely, crude being too kind to describe one such as him.
That man. She rubbed her eyes as if it would wipe his very existence away, but he obstinately remained, even now defying her every notion towards sense. That vile man in my room?
Kaiera could feel the rousing of anger, the brief but unmistakable flare: never – never – did you go into an Orlesian’s room unless summoned; it was proper etiquette. To do so to an Orlesian lady, however, was to invite a swift death.
“Sorry,” But not anywhere close to enough.
She had thought the apology for her, despite what little difference it would make, until gray eyes focused on his actions, heightened awareness gained from his closer proximity to her bed. He had retrieved a sliver of carrot and set it in Peko’s cage, the bird voicing the indignant cries, even in these early hours, she would refuse. The effect appeared immediate: he cooed his delight, conclusively placated by the offering.
Traitor.
Smoothing her unpinned hair with a brisk once over by hand, her gaze set on the uncouth intruder once more; present company did not apply, but appearances were always to be kept. “You bribe my bird, assault my door,” she easily spotted the key loop that rested on his finger, I. Will. KILL. This man. “and arrive unannounced. While all acts easily fill the role of any lesser bred mortal, I cannot be anything but unsurprised it is you, an insufferable brute of a man, who has committed them. I will assume what little your brain can manage to string into proper knowledge is urgent – you would not wish to linger, otherwise.”
“Get dressed,” His voice was unnecessarily strident, and her daggers were oh so close, “The innkeeper’s willing to put your breakfast in a basket so that we may leave before the sun’s fully up. I’ll be waiting for you and Olivie outside. Don’t dawdle.”
That is your message? She did not have to feign fury, nor did she conceal it. “The faster your feet deliver you from this place, the safer you become. Leave.”
Taking her words to heart or not; Kaiera did not care, the man turned on his heel, slamming her door with his departure, pettiness no doubt making this so.
Removing the blanket that covered her form, she willingly disregarded everything the other elf had said as she made her way to the room’s hanging mirror, grabbing her patterned silver brush as well, and began running it through the naturally curly bundle that was her hair. Kaiera looked in the mirror to see the effect the repetitive strokes had on the strands, never truly favoring the needed practice as it was far too time consuming.
Aure would do this meaningless….
A sigh escaped her lips; it appeared fruitless. She did not desire to think of the woman; she did not wish to see her when she closed her eyes – she wished to forget her, move on and just be done with it. Melancholy did not suit her ambitions and in the situation that she was in; she could not afford to give it influence – no: it would not be allowed.
Removing the brush from her hair as it was enough for now, Kaiera replaced it in her pack, moving next to the basin of water she had collected for herself. It was simply not possible for her to go to her bed without a wash after all the exertion the former day wished to bring, and, thinking of the morning, she secured some fresh water to not only give to Peko, but to cleanse her face with. Her hands splashed into the now lukewarm water, the liquid still cool against her face and somehow cleansing of the ill direction of her thoughts, before another chirp of rapture caught her attention.
The elf dried her face with a hand cloth and looked to the cupboard, where the small cage resided, eyeing the process that had been made on the carrot sliver. “Yes, by all means, enjoy your spoils…There is no purpose in neglecting food when offered and that man may even give you more.” She rose a brow at him. “You will soon be plump, of course, but I suppose that is but an afterthought.”
Peko produced an additional cheep, cocking his head.
“It is not as if you will lose my love after becoming a bit more…fleshy, you will just not be as attractive as you are now. And how ever will you find a suitable mate then? Though, I suppose another bird could enjoy you for your personality…” Her eyes rolled in mock thought. “Would you still prefer him to take care of you?”
Peko chirped at her urgently, recognizing her unconvinced tone and seemingly begging for her forgiveness for his moment of weakness as he hopped away from the vegetable and closer to her.
“Oh? Now you remember the hand that devotedly feeds you?” She smiled, it playful and teasing. “Well, just know that the option is always there.”
Distributing a moderate amount of the bird’s food into a small container, the elf changed his water as well, being provided with a few more happy chirps along the way, before undressing and changing into her leathers once more. She donned the heavy cloak again, checking the mirror one additional time to check glance at her appearance as well as well as take up more time; after that mindless elf’s display, she was in no mood to appease anyone but herself.
Let them wait.
She redid her bed, and cleaned what little messes she had made, thinking it only proper to leave the room in the condition found it in – perhaps even better. The inn, despite its horrendous name, was not all so bad: it, and its workers, at least had her respect for their cleanliness.
Shrugging her pack on her back and securing Peko’s cage in hand, Kaiera left the room, thanking the innkeeper once more with another of her practiced smiles as she was awarded not one, but two baskets, a simple explanation that she might become hungry on the road after eating the first the man’s only explanation as he sheepishly scratched the back of his head. She merely nodded, claiming his actions as ‘consideration’ and thanking him again with sweet, dulcet tones before making her way to the entrance.
He must have a fondness for elves. It was not uncommon; her kind – especially those of her sex – were highly revered for their beauty and delicate build. Lust or hatred: there is no in-between….
Descending down the steps off the establishment, Kaiera quickly found her target. There is the simpleton.
“How fitting. Here I find our ‘qualified’ guide with cart, his first allowance of proving himself useful so wisely spent in his earlier performance. Tell me, why is it that you neglected mentioning your wonderful skill in kicking in doors, along with your knowledge of the land?” Gray orbs shot daggers at the crass creature before her. “Did you have fun with your diversion – feeling accomplished, even? Perhaps you sat all night fuming in that bed of yours as you schemed? Funny, since I did not know the simple had the capacity for such things.” The elf turned to Olivie. “And you – did you take part in this stunt? I ask only to discern if I should invest in playthings for the children whom accompany me on this trip as a clearly made the mistake of thinking them adults.”
Re: One Step [Semi-Open] « Reply #3 on Aug 2, 2010, 9:27pm »
He watched Olivie jump from a second story window and roll with the impact, merely quirking an eyebrow at the display. Somehow, her rather dramatic exit came as little surprise.
“Good morning,” the human greeted with a polite bow. Delain returned it with a small nod of his head and a simple hum of acknowledgement. Together, they waited for their third companion. And waited. The sun began to peek over the horizon, and he smirked. Unsurprisingly, the other elf took her sweet time preparing herself – either out of spite or too angry to move quickly despite his requests. Delain expected as much, otherwise he would have waited until the sun rose further to leave. But this way was far more… Entertaining.
Finally, Kaiera strode out of the inn, Peko’s cage in one hand and two baskets under her other arm. If looks killed, the Dalish held little doubts he would soon find himself in the Beyond. They did nothing but chill the air between them, and the short woman narrowed her stormy eyes before launching into a long-winded rant. He listened to the insults and accusations of his lacking intellect and crass behavior, none of it affecting his subdued giddiness. His smirk remained, though far more subtle than before. The irate elf turned on Olivie, suspicious of her involvement in the prank.
Delain interrupted, his answer brief, “No, Liv is far too discreet for such things.” Tempted to comment on bard poisoning tactics and the deathroot he smelled earlier in Olivie’s backpack, he chose against insinuating anything further. Purposely leaving Kaiera’s other queries unanswered – they were really more insults than valid questions, anyway – he turned and lifted the handles of his cart, “Come. Dawn arises, and we’ve much ground to cover.” Without another word, nor looking back to see if his charges followed, Delain pushed his cart forward and began his walk down the road and towards Bord-de-Mer’s southwest exit.
Re: One Step [Semi-Open] « Reply #4 on Aug 2, 2010, 9:52pm »
Olivie tolerated Kaiera's accusation but didn't have to acknowledge it because Delain interjected with her innocence. Of course he knew what Olivie would have done if she wanted to have a little sport at Kaiera's expense, he had long since put together that she was a bard. Not that she would kill the elf, but Kaiera was close to spending an evening vomiting if she didn't change her tune.
Delain started down the road but Olivie paused for a moment to make one cold comment to Kaiera. "I have offered you a multitude of advice and warnings. Here is the last unless you start listening to me. Stop angering the man who is going to lead you deep into the woods lest he decide to leave you there. You have lips. Learn to close them."
With that, she turned on her toes and jogged to catch up with their guide. Olivie had no idea if the advice would sink into her head. It seemed just as likely she would have to explain to Delain why Kaiera mysteriously disappeared a little while after burying the body. The problem was that he was a good tracker and could probably find the mound of disturbed soil. Or if an animal came across it and unburied it. Such complications. Still, on balance, it could be worth it if only to travel in a little peace.
"Is there anything you need in order to get fully underway?" She asked Delain. "I am not sure how much time you had to plan despite you being about to leave Val Royeaux."
Re: One Step [Semi-Open] « Reply #5 on Aug 3, 2010, 1:22am »
"I have offered you a multitude of advice and warnings. Here is the last unless you start listening to me.” Promises; promises… “Stop angering the man who is going to lead you deep into the woods lest he decide to leave you there.” Or at the very least, have his way with another door. Kaiera found it somewhat astounding that the man had not been reprimanded at all for his actions against her; it was not acceptable in any shape, form, or fashion to injure them, but evidently, they could have their fill when plotting against her.
“You have lips. Learn to close them."
Silence? The sharpest insult yet from those lips and she wasted it to gain a thing as unwieldy as silence? Despite what the woman may have believed, being the taciturn observer was a ruse that came quite naturally; though censorship, as most soon discovered too late, came opportunity. At least there was an inkling of motivations had with speech and even greater a patchwork theory with deed: but to be muted, thoughts unknown to all but their originator…It was a dangerous defense indeed.
So; yes: for the time being; she would let the human believe utter dominance had been efficiently earned by the harshness of her statement, feelings marred and pride damaged from this recently crossed line, while remaining unvoiced and catching what she could. Increasing her pace to catch up with the two, Kaiera eventually caught up with them yet still kept a measured distance between them and herself, wishing to give the feel of an creature with its tail between its legs; defeated and perhaps vying for acceptance.
"Is there anything you need in order to get fully underway?" The other woman cooed to the man just as Peko did when given the slice of carrot, though instead of vegetable, a thief was her prize. "I am not sure how much time you had to plan despite you being about to leave Val Royeaux."
Re: One Step [Semi-Open] « Reply #6 on Aug 3, 2010, 2:09am »
He caught Olivie’s warning to the younger elf, but paid it little mind. Truly, Kaiera could insult him all day and it would bother him little – after all, Delain was accustomed to bothering others with his rough manner. And such a front often led to people assume he lacked intelligence. True, he may not be the most literate or academically versed man in Orlais, let alone Thedas, but that came from a lack of formal education rather than a lack of mental capacity. Such assumptions from others earned only amusement or indifference from him, not ire. Often, it meant people underestimated him and that led to learning very interesting information – or, better yet – being left alone when he desired no company. So if the self-important woman chose to regard him as lesser, uncouth, and obtuse, let her. Nothing new to him.
Nor did he entirely disagree with her apparent assessment, in some regards. Delain knew who he was and, for the most part, felt content with it. How that affected others rarely mattered to him. However, judging his friends and blanketing entire groups of people with uninformed judgment did bother him. Though the last of his rage from the night prior left once he viewed Kaiera’s shocked and enraged face staring at him when he slammed down her door, he hoped for the young woman’s sake that her rather narrow world view expanded. Though not one for abandoning others under his care – however irritating they may be – Delain remained uncertain Olivie’s patience reached that far. Even if it did, Kaiera’s attitude would make finding herself friends and allies in a harsh world quite difficult.
And even he understood the value of a true friend or ally. He noted the other elf’s distance, and her apparent obedience to Olivie’s warning. Considering the notable level of headstrongness demonstrated by Kaiera in the past two days, he doubted her truly cowed; likely, she hoped to observe for the time being. Whatever her motivations for the silence, it mattered little to him. But enough musings – Olivie caught up with him, “Is there anything you need in order to get fully underway? I am not sure how much time you had to plan despite you being about to leave Val Royeaux.”
Delain’s throat still ached from all the speaking last night, and he preferred to keep silent. However, she gave a relevant query, and that he could handle. “No.” Hm. His voice felt rawer than before. Pausing, he stopped the cart and reached down to retrieve his bota. Drinking from the container, he felt the water soothe his throat. Momentarily refreshed, he put the water skin away and pushed his cart once more before elaborating. “All I need do is drop my cart off by my hut. Any supplies I lack I can get there. It’s about two days from here, right on our way into the Val Forest.”
With that, Delain ceased any more conversation unless something required answering. For now, he enjoyed the break on his vocal chords and the silence.
Chirp! Chirp!
A small smile tugged the corners of the elf’s lips. Well, near silence.
Re: One Step [Semi-Open] « Reply #7 on Aug 3, 2010, 6:36am »
Whatever her motivations for complying were, Kaiera did indeed silence herself. Olivie was greatly relieved to have a little time to walk along occupied by her own thoughts. Delain's voice was rougher than usual and his throat parched to the point where two sentences caused him strain. She was also glad that they would be depositing Delain's cart in a safe location. She hadn't wanted to raise the issue since Delain was infinitely more experienced in traversing the deep woods than she, but she couldn't imagine it would be easy to keep the thing mobile once they were far off the path.
Her mind wandered back to the other elf. Kaiera wasn't a bad sort, not really. Olivie remembered how insolent she had been herself many years ago. Her silence was often accompanied by a deadly glare and vicious loathing but it had been silence nonetheless. At this point, though, Olivie was willing to take deadly glares and vicious loathing over the barrage of insults and snotty remarks. Kaiera was just too old to need a mother and probably too old to appreciate a mentor, but Olivie did not know how else to get through to her. Even if Kaiera could just manage to pretend to be agreeable, the long trek would be bearable for everyone involved. Delain was actually a pleasant sort of fellow if given a touch of respect and treated with dignity.
But chances were greater that their dynamics were well on their way to being established. Delain enjoyed the stunt that morning a little too much to accept Kaiera's silence as a peace offering. Olivie let out a little sigh. The last thing she wanted to do was play referee. Fully embracing her own shortcomings meant she recognized she had no idea how to bring people together. She didn't even like people. She had hoped the mutually beneficial goal would be enough for everyone to keep things appropriately civil. It would for criminals, anyway.
The thought struck her as amusing, and she began to walk with a lighter step. Peko was chirping delightfully. The sun had risen and was pleasantly warm. They were on their way to Leliana. It was a good day. A good morning. Olivie's gate became slightly playful, a silent dance as she walked. Her ankles turned and moved to the song in her mind as she strode forward. A song Leli had taught her so many years ago. For the first time since she could remember, Olivie was almost in a good mood.
Re: One Step [Semi-Open] « Reply #8 on Aug 3, 2010, 11:14pm »
“No.” Kaiera did not think it possible. Truly, how could it be that this man’s voice was allowed to become even more abrasive to the ears – here he managed a spectacle with this new, raspy atrocity; peace would be her welcome companion if she did not have to incite it any more than was absolutely necessary. “All I need do is drop my cart off by my hut. Any supplies I lack I can get there. It’s about two days from here, right on our way into the Val Forest.”
So, we head, now, for this hut of his. A pleasant divergence, I'm sure. Apparently, he wished to drop off his cart, and, while in some ways reasonable; Kaiera could not help think the task trivial, now with fixed destination at the forefront – her Lydes. Two days seemed an unbearable expanse of time, especially with present company being what they were, and to think of the spell it would take for them to actually ‘find’ the thief was all but unbearable. And this all without the return trip to the Balfour manor after reclaiming the object.
The estate… While her thoughts almost instinctively brushed against Aure, the elf instead focused on other concerns, such as the less fortunate elves whom still worked there. The ones she had considered family.
It warranted deliberation if there had been any unseen repercussions from her departure; perhaps the marquis was harsher on them now since one had broken his precious daughter’s heart? A sinking feeling took her gut and guilt merely strengthened it: she wished none of them harm, despite the fact that none wished to be free of the life they led. Only she appeared excessively unsatisfied, only she always wanting, even with provided with more than most.
There were only the briefest moments where she would question herself, ask if a life spent as a noble’s maid would be so terrible compared to those elves who deteriorated daily in their ghettos…Until she told herself that she could be the one to end their suffering. If her actions were to be seen solely as self-seeking, at least some good would come of it.
An internal sigh. These morbid thoughts – can I produce nothing else?’ It was tiring.
Chirp!Chirp!
It was as if Peko had arrested her inclinations and heard them as clearly as if she had proclaimed them to the world.
Yes. She looked at him fondly, leaving the darkness behind. I will always have you, my lovely bird. My greatest treasure.
Her heart went out to him, chirps vibrant and cheerful even while trapped inside a smaller cage. How the elf wished she could let the bird out while she walked, to feel him perched on her hand or shoulder…But it was too dangerous, and while Peko’s wings had been clipped so he could not fly about; she would not allow him to fall prey to any wild animals they might encounter. But singing – harmonizing was something one could do even while locked away: she had been barred from talking, nothing else.
Nostrils flaring slightly as they captured the air, Kaiera let it balloon in her lungs as she felt the notes compress before reverberating within, forcing the sound outward, though sill soft and delicate. Mimicking the bird’s cheerful calls, she hummed a bright melody of her own, Peko’s reply immediate as he imitated her freshly made tune. Smiling at the charming reflection, she produced an addition to their duet, this melody no less merry, but ending with a slightly bitter note.
Listening to the expected response of melodious chirps from Peko, Kaiera’s eyes trailed to the human, peripherals catching the slight difference in weight as she continued. As far as silent observations went, at least Olivie provided interest, the woman’s gait giving way to a dancer’s lean – one she knew intimately. The ripple in one's body, the gentle sway of hips and lightness of step: there could be no denying it; the woman knew something of dancing – and if she knew of this rhythm, perhaps she knew of song as well, as any decent bard would.
A test was needed. Music proved a demanding master; when one bound themselves, it would not be denied: a dancer would dance, a singer sing.
Gathering even more air this time, Kaiera pressed even harder on the sound that filled her, pushing it out to produce a much stronger, sharper resonance as the hum carried beyond the intimate realm of private duet. And she was slave as well, that familiar feeling washing over her as she let the wordless melodies play against her throat, each key causing its own unique vibration to her pleasing.
Re: One Step [Semi-Open] « Reply #9 on Aug 4, 2010, 3:37am »
Enjoying the relative quiet for its brief duration, Delain focused on the path ahead, pacing himself to balance between speed and conserving his energy as much as possible. The wagon weighed little, as did its contents, so the elf expected he could keep up the current pace for at least a couple of hours without needing a rest – perhaps longer. Hell, he’d made the trip from Val Royeaux to Bord-de-Mer without stopping on several occasions. Perhaps a break at lunch, and maybe one more for a late afternoon snack. Of course, he didn’t travel alone this time – the women may require rest at some point. Another detail to consider.
He began to contemplate whether or not allowing the women to ride in the cart would save time or not – more weight for him to push, but then they wouldn’t require breaks except when he tired. Which, with the added weight, may or may not occur more often. He had carried fuller loads in the cart before with little trouble, though. As he weighed the advantages and disadvantages, such as how to make such a suggestion (even he wasn’t tactless nor suicidal enough to inquire a woman about her weight), Peko’s chirps pulled Delain out of his musings. Focusing his attention to listening, he noticed the bird’s twitters strung out a simple, yet lovely melody. And… Huh…
Was that humming?
Delain turned his head only slightly, enough to bring his ear a tad closer to the music, but not far enough to get a good glance behind. Olivie danced slightly in her stride beside him, but her lips did not move. That left the other elf in their company. Interesting. He didn’t recognize the song, but even with simple humming, the Dalish realized Kaiera’s musical talent. Admittedly, it was a vast improvement to not only her usual insults and assumptions, but the utter silence as well.
He knew better than to assume their entire journey would be so simply pleasant and peaceful, but it was a nice thought to hold for but a moment.
~*~
Hours passed, and the sun began its descent over the distant hills. Delain scanned their surroundings, finding them more open than he preferred. Setting his cart down, the man turned to his companions. “Wait here. I’ll look for a suitable spot to set up camp for the night.” He jogged off road, moving with both haste and attentiveness. They needed to find the best natural spot for shelter, but also required time to set up camp. Luckily, less than a few hundred yards from the path, he found a slope. Walking down it, he found a pond at the bottom, and a small cave entrance nearby. Examining the mouth, he saw it only went about fifty feet back. Too shallow to risk getting lost in, and he found no signs of animal occupation. Perfect.
He returned to the women and led them to the camp. Setting his cart down once more, Delain began rummaging through his supplies. “This cave is big enough for us to have comfortable space and be safe for the night, but we’ll need to cover up the entrance a bit to help keep in warmth. Bedrolls won’t be enough.” He held up the blanket he used when sleeping in the cart and decided it large enough to do the job. A few more moments of rummaging and he located some wooden stakes, a small hammer, and rope. “We’ll put stakes in the ground above the entrance and tie the corners of the blanket to them. It’ll work for a cover. Kaiera, you can help me with that. In the meantime, Olivie, see if you can find some dry sticks and grass for fire fuel.”
Delain handed Kaiera the blanket and rope, picking up the stakes and hammer himself. He motioned with his head for her to follow and walked up the slope. Stopping above the cave, the elf squatted down and hammered one stake into the slightly hardened earth. “Rope,” he held his scarred hand up and waited until Kaiera handed it to him. Looping the cord around the stake into a knot, he spoke once more, “Your humming is very nice. Obviously you retain musical talent of note.” Whether or not the pun was intended remained unclear. He stated it plainly, as if declaring something as apparent as “the sky is blue” or “winter is cold” – no insinuations nor sarcasm, nor invitation to further commentary beyond the proclamation itself.
Without waiting to see how the other elf took the simple compliment, if she chose to acknowledge it at all, Delain finished tying his knot and pulled out his pocket knife. He sawed off the excess rope and picked it up, rising to stride two yards away and begin setting another stake.
Re: One Step [Semi-Open] « Reply #10 on Aug 4, 2010, 7:15am »
Ah, the reason why her mind drifted to the song Leliana once taught her was because it was what Peko was singing. Kaiera confirmed this when she began to hum it. The sound was a pleasant change and Olivie began to dance a little more obviously to the noise. But she found the song did not want to manifest in her heart. Leli. Would they find her alive? Would they find her at all?
Hours had passed and Delain found them an appropriate camp. The site was a cave by water, which while appropriate, did not lend itself to dry kindling. Yet that being her task, she set off to find a place untouched by the water. Olivie was secretly glad that Delain volunteered himself to work with Kaiera to set up the camp. It was a good sign that the night would be peaceful. Or disastrous. As she walked, her mind traced to what she might find when she returned. Perhaps that was the best part of Kaiera's form of aggression - Olivie could hear how things were going long before she had returned. The whole valley would be able to hear it too.
Was there a way to encourage the evening to go well? Other than staying out of it, which was often Olivie's preferred course of action. We should swap stories! Olivie heard Leliana's voice in her head. Her mind drifted back through the memories. You must know some wonderful stories! But if it would make you feel more comfortable, I can go first… Maybe that was what they could do. Or sleep. Or she could stay out of it.
Olivie sighed. There was a right answer in there somewhere but she had no idea what it might be. But finding dried wood was the minimum she needed to accomplish. Her feet had taken her far enough away from the water that she began to spot dry material. It had not rained in a few days and so there were plenty of dried sticks and grass in the area. She knelt down and collected more than what they would need just in case they had to restart the fire.
Re: One Step [Semi-Open] « Reply #11 on Aug 4, 2010, 5:17pm »
There could be no assumptions now: as her hums found their target of the human’s ears -- and lamentably the other elf's -- the sway in her body increased and she had answered their master’s call beautifully.
A fellow dancer, yet with motions slightly unpracticed…Curious little human, wherever did you learn such a talent?
It was an observation of note and one she would have to check on at a later date with the woman, if only from how pleasant it would be to know if she traveled with a murderer.
The swiftly progressing hours led their guide to finding them a place to set camp; and while still nowhere near ecstatic at the thought of sleeping outside, at least there was a fresh source of water near for drinking from and freshening up before her meal. She also very much wished to clean Peko’s cage now that they had come to a complete stop; the contraption contentious enough without being left soiled by his droppings.
Their impromptu organizer gained her attention when producing stake, hammer, and rope. “We’ll put stakes in the ground above the entrance and tie the corners of the blanket to them. It’ll work for a cover. Kaiera, you can help me with that.” Pardon me while I faint from sheer joy… “In the meantime, Olivie, see if you can find some dry sticks and grass for fire fuel.”
She had no idea why the man would wish to choose her as companion over Olivie, and was about to voice so, but the human had already departed, making her way further out as she obviously found no fault with her assigned task. The elf had been left to assist the simpleton.
Lovely.
After lying Peko’s coop down on a level patch of ground, she was soon saddled with both blanket and rope before, with a curt motion of his head, the other elf gestured for her to follow him to the gaping mouth of the cavern. If it was one thing she was sure they could both agree on, it was that his scarred hands were meant for this type of work as he hammered one of the stakes into the gradually allowing earth.
“Rope,” the man held out one of those very marred hands toward her.
“Please.” Kaiera corrected, letting the woven bundle fall from her fingers, uncaring if he secured it or not.
When obtained, he began looping the cord about the stake into a seemingly well done knot, before gracing her with his voice once more, “Your humming is very nice." Compliments? The mere fact that the man now indulged in such was entertaining. "Obviously you retain musical talent of note.”
Do you think I have so soon forgotten your earlier stunt, you beastly man? Her words, however, as often was the case, did not mirror her thoughts. “You flatter – and a lady should always find time to return praise when given.” The corners of her lips tugged softly upward, toying with the cynicism on her tongue before unleashing it. “You direct your cart with tremendous skill.”
The rule of silence had apparently been broken whether the man’s own doing or caused by Olivie’s absence, and while this would, no doubt, be a simple dialogue, perhaps something could be learned from the exchange while the other was away – he did know more about her target than she.
“And you?” Her eyes followed him as he moved away, awarding extended life to their conversation, but not speaking her final goal: no matter her opponent, there was still decorum to adhere to. “Are you a connoisseur of the finer arts?” She felt a semblance of accomplishment for not falling into a bout of laughter. “Or could it be possible that you sing as well?”
Re: One Step [Semi-Open] « Reply #12 on Aug 4, 2010, 6:09pm »
“You flatter – and a lady should always find time to return praise when given.”
Focused on his task, his response came as more reflex than anything else. “It is not flattery to state a simple observation.” The comment held no hint of either defensiveness or ire – the elf called things as he saw them, nothing more, nothing less. The oncoming sarcasm from the woman came as no surprise; obviously, she still remained bitter about this morning and her gratitude merely spoken out of politeness rather than true appreciation. That was her issue to bear, however – not his.
“You direct your cart with tremendous skill.” Delain merely chuckled at the jibe, “Your sarcasm is noted and appreciated.” He finished staking the second post and began tying the remaining rope to it. Looking down at his work, he continued giving directions, “Bring a blanket corner over here,” he gestured in the general direction of the cloth, “Then stand over by the other stake and hold the blanket taunt while I tie this end.”
Gathering his blanket corner and rolling it into a long, pointed edge, Delain began knotting it into the rope’s end. Still keeping his concentration on his current task, it took the Dalish several moments to realize Kaiera posed another question. Sigh. If she wished to talk, really – he didn’t mind. It was the questions for him irrelevant to their current task that bore him.
“Are you a connoisseur of the finer arts? Or could it be possible that you sing as well?”
“I appreciate many kinds of art and music.” He shrugged and rose, this end finished. “Hold that end tight.” Walking back over to her, Delain carefully took the cloth from her grasp and left the other half of her question unanswered until brought rope to blanket once more. “And I do not sing so much as impersonate cries of dying animals.” His own singing ability was hardly that terrible, but it wasn’t anything astounding either. Probably… Average? Whatever the case though, he enjoyed a little self-depreciating humor when opportunity presented itself. Whether the other elf found it amusing as well remained irrelevant.
Finishing his task, he tossed the blanket over the cave opening, pleased to find it covered and secured. Rising again, the man spotted Olivie returning with a large bundle of sticks and grass. Certainly enough to last a fire all night. “Liv’s back. Come.” Glancing up briefly at the other elf’s expression, he sighed and rolled his turquoise eyes, “‘Please.’” His tone implied more a degree of appeasement rather than begging. He picked up the hammer and scrap rope before heading back down the slope.
Re: One Step [Semi-Open] « Reply #13 on Aug 4, 2010, 7:22pm »
Now that she thought of it, Olivie wasn't entirely certain about the dynamics of building a fire in a cave. Both outside and a fireplace allowed the smoke to rise straight up and not suffocate the unsuspecting people huddled around it for warmth. But a cave would trap the smoke in, wouldn't it? Maybe if the fire was near the mouth of the cave the smoke could go through the opening. Unless the wind started to blow it back. But a wind strong enough to push the smoke into the cave indefinitely would also bring fresh air with it. Or so she thought, but Olivie confessed to herself that she did not really understand all of the dynamics of wind and smoke. For neither the first time nor the last, she wondered if such thoughts were clever or simply a symptom of her madness.
"Delain, build the fire slightly inside the cave, enough room that the sparks can't catch the ropes?" Olivie called out as she approached the camp. When in doubt, ask the expert. She surveyed the scene. No signs of blood. No screaming. Things seemed to be going well so far.
She wondered how to broach the topics of Kaiera's earlier song and an evening of telling stories. They were going to have many, many evenings on the road together. Should she mention it now, so soon? And Leli would have just blurted out the suggestion, but done so with so much enthusiasm and so bright of a smile that people would never resist. It was as though she had an endless well of enthusiasm within her. Olivie couldn't remember the last time she was enthusiastic about anything at all. Plus she wasn't exactly warm and smiley. Maybe she should just save it for later. What if they all ran out of stories to tell? You can never run out of stories, the voice of Leliana chided her in her mind. They are all around you, happening all the time. Fine. Maybe she'd try for just one tonight. As long as everyone stayed pleasant. Maybe.
Re: One Step [Semi-Open] « Reply #14 on Aug 4, 2010, 8:54pm »
“Bring a blanket corner over here,” he motioned to the cloth, not even meeting her eyes, “Then stand over by the other stake and hold the blanket taunt while I tie this end.”
Kaiera stared at the man, not knowing if he had simply chosen to ignore her earlier statement or if she herself was using lexis beyond his understanding; she would try again. “I do not know what kind of company you have kept while on excursions past, nor do I find myself beginning to care. I am not your laborer." I am no one's laborer. "Whether you have this basic grasp on manners or no, I suggest you learn of them as soon as you are mentally able: when asking me to do something for you, please need be part of your request.”
Tossing the blanket in his direction, she placed a single foot upon the fabric as the other elf continued his work before adding another question in what she felt a growing futility. Kaiera felt no inclination to help him and while she had actually initiated all the workings for a proper discussion, his offhand nature made quick work of it and easily tried her patience.
“I appreciate many kinds of art and music.” His shoulders shrugged at her, his mind clearly on this task of his – not that she happened to take mind of this: he had been the one to start this small talk, she now would take advantage of it.
“Your skill at specifics appears only to second that of pushing your cart.” It was as if talking to a wall, his sentences leading only to dead ends.
“Hold that end tight.” Who does this man think he is? It was an ever growing temptation to apprehend one of the stakes he forced into the ground and strike him soundly against the head; the only thing that saved him was the comment that followed. “And I do not sing so much as impersonate cries of dying animals.”
“Of this, I have little doubt.” The joke did little to mollify her irritation.
He seemed to finish his project then, nodding at the new covering to the cavern before rising up and looking behind her.
“Liv’s back. Come.” He dare – he dare – ask her participation as if she were some trained animal? If his actions this morning were not enough to ensure his demise, this certainly would be. “Please.” Even he appeared to have enough sense to know when to concede. Smart boy.
Ignoring the man's request completely, Kaiera chose a different route down the slope, glare still prominent as she saw the bundle carrying Olivie approaching them.
"Delain, build the fire slightly inside the cave, enough room that the sparks can't catch the ropes?"
“Yes, Delain: you seem so very fond of giving orders. Please indulge her with the same courtesies you gave me in our time together and speak to her as if she has no value.”
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