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Post by Lucca on Sept 19, 2009 22:56:31 GMT -5
"Ugh, I'm not even gonna try the Bog," Eldy said, making a slight face. The Gardens had been bad enough, she didn't need air that could actually kill her! Unless she managed to find a gas mask, that is. Eugh.
She nodded to Dania, smiling, glad her suggestion had been liked...until she saw the strange look in the Rat's eyes. Wait. She replayed her comment in her mind, trying to decide if it sounded like she was offering for Dania to come with her when she left. Um. Hopefully not, as that wasn't really what she would have wanted. She was glad, at this point, to change the subject completely.
"Oh, sure," she said, looking up to give the Mom-Rat a smile that was more or less sincere. "Thank you again for having me for dinner." She thought it was a good thing to repeat, especially with that fact that she might be turning in soon. It had been a long day after all.
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Post by Harpsdesire on Sept 21, 2009 0:26:07 GMT -5
Once the pie was eaten with mugs of milk and generous toppings of whipped cream, and the dishes cleared away, Dania showed her guest to a smallish bedroom containing a pair of single beds with clean sheets and excessive ruffles on the many decorative pillows. "I hope you're okay with turning in a bit early, Eldy. I'm used to it because of work. Bathroom's just down the hall to the left, and my room is across from it, if you need anything."
Dania smiled awkwardly and gave Eldy a quick, clumsy hug. "I'm glad you came. It's nice to have a friend. Sleep well!" The embarassed rat was out the guest-room door in seconds.
((Feel free to have something happen, or just time jump to the next morning, or I suppose give Eldy's reaction and call it done?))
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Post by Lucca on Sept 21, 2009 7:54:35 GMT -5
The pie had been very good, and after thanking her host and hostess once more, with a small bow, the cat shuffled up the stairs after the rat. " That's fine. 'S been a long day," Eldy replied with a shrug and a slight yawn. At the hug though, her ear went back and her eyes widened. She...had not been expecting that, honestly. Just as her brain kicked in gear and she began to raise a paw to return the gesture, the rat had already backed away, looking embarrassed. Well. How awkward. " T-thanks..." Eldy stuttered as the rat left. A friend, huh? She...had never had many of those. A warm blush rose to her face as she curled up on the bed, feeling slightly sentimental. So apparently there was joy to be found in Torquehelm, then, despite its gloom. ---- The next day, Eldryia woke rather sluggishly, forced into wakefulness by a dry mouth and the anxious prickle that she had somewhere to be or go. She blinked, confused for a moment by the darkness of the bedroom. Wasn't it morning? Then she remembered where she was, and, looking outside the small window of the guest bedroom, she saw what looked like a grayish, sickly dawn painted across the sky. She rolled out of bed with a slight -thunk- from her binding, and walked off to find some water, and Dania. Her new friend. A smile spread slowly across her face at the thought. ((ooc: decided to continue just a bit longer, if that's okay.  )) |
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Post by Harpsdesire on Sept 22, 2009 0:49:43 GMT -5
It was a typical day in Torquehelm. The sky was overcast, and stormclouds threatened on the horizon. A few birds chirped in a subdued manner, somewhat relieving the general air of forboding and gloom.
Daniel had already kissed his wife goodbye and set out to sweep up before opening his shop, and Dania was groggily drinking some sweetened tea in front of the fire while her mother was raising a light clatter of utensils and an array of mouthwatering smells in the kitchen.
"Hmmm, morning!" The young rat greeted her guest with a sleepy contentment, offering her a plush but faded armchair with a casual sweep of her paw. "Sleep alright? Can I get you some tea or coffee?" She yawned hugely, covering her mouth with a paw. With the memory of last night's rather uncomfortable ending swiftly returning to the forefront of her mind, Dania gave Eldy a friendly, almost apologetic smile. "Breakfast soon. Mom is refusing all help in the kitchen, as usual."
This morning the candles were again glowing softly, and the table was correctly set for the four, although one plate already bore the remains of Daniel's hasty earlier meal. A faint, muffled strain of music floated in from the kitchen, where the older woman was cheerfully singing with more exuberance than skill.
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Post by Lucca on Sept 22, 2009 8:32:47 GMT -5
Not finding anyone upstairs, Eldy was quick to follow her nose towards the kitchen, where she could smell a lovely breakfast being prepared. Who'd have known she'd ever find somewhere in Torquehelm to eat so well? Though she supposed maybe it was a coping mechanism. Hmm. She smiled brightly at the Rat, taking the proffered seat gracefully and clearing her dry throat before speaking.
"Tea would be great, thanks," she mewed, "Three lumps of sugar, no milk." Her ear twitched at the off-key singing, but it didn't bother her that much. There were all sorts of strange sounds in the Palace growing up, but none of them sounded so sweet to her as silence.
"I slept all right," she continued, though she completely missed the apologetic smile's meaning, as her mind wasn't focused on the awkwardness of last night at that moment. "I guess your Father already left for the bookstore, hm?" She had noted the dirty plate at the table.
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Post by Harpsdesire on Sept 23, 2009 23:40:35 GMT -5
"Alright." Dania poured and sweetened the tea, then handed it to Eldy in a two-handled mug meant to be used in animal form. Although her bound leg made balancing a mug while walking a challenge, Dania at least had the advantage of a rodent's dexterous clawed hands-- they were nearly as good as the opposable thumbs of a bipedal form when it came to carrying things and getting the lid off the sugar bowl.
"That's good. I slept well too." The rat was almost surprised to hear herself say it, and to realize that it was true. She often battled night time wakefulness that left her tired and apathetic the following day. Something about the day before had left her relaxed and happy enough to sleep through the night without nightmares or tossing and turning. She smiled to herself a little. Talking with Eldy about her past had been almost cathartic, and she felt a bond of friendship beyond what she would have expected from such a recent acquaintance. Of course, it was beyond her ability or desire to voice this aloud-- the object of her newfound affection would have to go on her way unaware of Dania's feelings.
"Yup," She said, "He's an early riser." It was so much easier to stick to small talk, so much safer. "So, um, where are you off to next, if you don't mind me asking?"
Dania was spared from further chit-chat by the arrival of her mother and a tray of eggs, bacon, biscuits and fruit. There was even a basket of blueberry muffins, and Dania couldn't help but shake her head fondly and bemusedly at her mother. "There's only two of us, mom." She playfully teased, "You didn't need to make enough to feed the entire Capital City."
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Post by Lucca on Sept 24, 2009 5:13:21 GMT -5
Eldy took the tea with a nod of thanks, immediately taking a large gulp, despite the fact that it burned her tongue a little. Ahh, that was better. She was grateful for the mug, too. It was nice to be around other people who were stuck with their animal forms, since they were so much more accommodating than some of the circles the cat had been used to.
"Good, good," she nodded, and she could only hope she was okay at this 'small talk' thing, it still wasn't something she was entirely used to though it came easily enough when she tried. "Oh, actually, I'm not sure yet," she admitted, shrugging. "I figure I'll look around...see where else there is to go. Maybe Midori Beach or something." Her nose twitched as the smell of food got stronger, and her eyes widened slightly. Goodness, they always did eat well at Dania's house.
"Thank you, Ma'am," she said, pulling some eggs and bacon onto her plate. She was eying the muffins, though, wondering if she could take a few with her for later, and trying to decide on a polite way to request such a thing as she began on breakfast, not needing to rush since she'd eaten well the night before, as well.
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Post by Harpsdesire on Sept 24, 2009 23:26:33 GMT -5
"Ooh, Midori. I'd like to see the ocean some day." Suddenly, Dania felt a wistful longing to be on the golden beaches of Midori, to feel the full power of the unimpeded sun on her face.
This, Dania knew, was next to impossible. She could never leave her family and the only home she'd ever known. Even if she could bring herself to rebel against he father's wishes, her mother might very well fall apart at the loss, however temporary, of her only living child. The older rat's cheer was a fragile facade, and any disturbance in the insulation of her well-ordered life was a threat to her sanity. Dania refused to be the cause of her mother slipping back into a months-long spell of despair. If the woman entered another depression like the last one, Dania feared she would never recover.
A bit morosely, she served herself some bacon and eggs. Food was a distraction and a rare pleasure, when one felt well enough to have an appetite. At the moment, she didn't. It wasn't that she didn't want Eldy to go-- she would never presume to try and delay her new friend's journey, but she almost dreaded having her life return to the stifling quiet of 'normal'. At least the feline's visit gave her a glimpse into the outside world, into adventure and places where the very land didn't groan under a curse.
She was only half-listening as her mother chatted amiably about inconsequential things and offered Eldy more bacon.
With only a little trouble, Dania kept up a fairly convincing smile and ate enough that her lack of appetite would not be conspicuous. She was relieved when breakfast was over and it was time to go. Giving Eldy a tour of the bookstore would be a welcome distraction, and help to pass a little of the morning work hours. Mornings were usually slow, giving Dania a chance to read, write and daydream between helping customers.
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Post by Lucca on Sept 25, 2009 6:23:33 GMT -5
"Eh. I'll bet you it's not all it's cracked up to be," Eldy responded somewhat cynically. "Most things souind better in the hearing than the actual doing." She, personally, was only going to see what all the hype was about, but she wasn't too optimistic. There was a reason she hadn't gone there sooner, and it was because she did not like large quantities of water. She would very much sink in the ocean, thanks to her binding, and drowning did not sound like an all together pleasant experience.
Not being privy to the Rat's thoughts, she had no idea of the depressing weight Dania felt upon her to keep her mother sane. She was enjoying breakfast, and inserting words into the conversation with her friend's mother when she needed to, and yes she would like a bit more bacon, thank you, everything is very good...
By the end of breakfast, though, the Cat had noticed something about Dania was...off. She seemed a bit like she had while discussing her Father before by the old tree. She didn't want to bring it up in front of her Mother, but she kept giving Dania thoughtful, worried looks. She stood up, stretching, when it was time to go, smiling and lowering her heasd briefly to the elder Rat.
"Thank you again for breakfast, Ma'am. I was wondering if perhaps I could have a few of those tasty looking muffins to take along?" She smiled hopefully, though did cast another glance at Dania. She would ask her later, perhaps, and see if something she'd said had set off this mood, or if she could help alleviate it in some way.
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Post by Harpsdesire on Sept 25, 2009 15:35:11 GMT -5
"I suppose." Dania didn't sound entirely convinced. Would people give a region such praise if it really wasn't that great? Well... actually, yes. Her ears drooped a little, then perked, "But people say Torquehelm is terrible, and it's not really so bad-- I guess it goes both ways."
Delighted by Eldy's praise, Dania's mother packed the cat not only several muffins, but also an apple, some leftover bacon and a chunk of hard yellow cheese. As a clock chimed quietly in the background, she hurried her daughter and guest out the door, giving Dania a kiss on the cheek and Eldy a friendly wave. "Don't be late for work, dear." She urged.
It was just a few minutes walk along the lane before they reached the center of town, such as it was. Just a few shops, a fountain and a post office made up the village square. Across from the bubbling fountain, a black and white Tudor-style building housed the book shop. A wooden large sign shaped like a leather-bound volume hung above the door, bearing the name of the store in ornate lettering: 'Paige's'.
"Here we are!" Dania announced, curving her mouth in what she hoped was a reasonable approximation of a smile.
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))