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 Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:15 pm
"Oh I'm glad if they've made friends - I'm terrified he'll play a prank on someones banya and scare it to death." Sindri looked up, almost to say, as if I would.
"I'm Altaira. Nice to meet you both properly at last." Her smile widened and she stroked down the bobcats cheek, absently. She wasn't sure what else to say - sorry for travelling with you all so long and never really talking to you? Far too timid for her own good, she fell silent for a long moment.
"Hope you don't find me rude, but where are you from? That's an interesting accent you've got?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:20 pm
"Och, no worries, dear," says Caroline, her lips breaking out into a wide grin. "I love talkin', specially 'bout myself, so any question's welcomed. I'm from Scotland. That's where I was born, anyway. My older sisters and brother were mostly raised there, until Mama and Da moved to Arabesque, it's a wee village on a mountaintop. I picked up the accent from my Da and from my siblings." She smiles. She delights in giving people an earful.
Rojiza moves closer to Sindri and pets him happily. You're Sindri, I'm Rojiza. There, now we're friends.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:28 pm
"Scotland, hm? Well, I think it's a lovely accent you've got, never heard one like it. My gran would have said it was too harsh I think, she likes softer ones, but..." She shook her head and a hint of wistfulness came into her voice. "My gran would have loved travelling with this caravan."
The same, growly purr. Rojiza. Rojiza. Rojiza. He wondered what it meant. He'd picked up language through example. To him, her name would mean exactly who she seemed to be to him, but he had to wonder.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:33 pm
"Aye, I've been told I have a bit of a burrrrr." She grins like a cheshire cat, accentuating the r's. She sobers, though. "You must love yer Gran."
Ro rubs her little snub-nose against Sindri's pink cat nose. Mama told her it was an Eskimo kiss. She giggles to herself. Today she is happy, and it's because of Sindri.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:42 pm
Sindri tossed his little head back and wrinkled his nose. That had felt odd. Had he been able to laugh, he would have. All he had was that growly purr. At last a friend. Only other Fortunette I know is Kala and she hates me. I like you much more, Rojiza.
"I did. I do." She shrugged slightly, changing the subject. "...do you have any family in the caravan? I know some are related, I'm just not sure how."
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 2:38 pm
"I know Valelldia and Oqaia are sisters," she says, "But I cannae think of who else is related to whom, if anyone. I'm no' related to anyone else, but everyone here are my gypsy sisters and brothers."
Rojiza looks up at Altaira, a question forming in her eyes. She wants to take Sindri from her and let the adults do their talking. Her hedonistic side has taken over--she wants to play, and a big cat seems perfect for a romping partner.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 2:59 pm
"Oh, I thought someone mentioned someone else. I probably didn't hear them right." She shrugged. "It was probably something like that, actually. Family of the road."
Sindri wriggled and leapt down - he was still a bobcat, a wild thing, and when he didn't want to be held, he wasn't. He didn't like all this standing around to chat buissness.
"...if you've got time, would you like to stop here for a while for some tea? I left the water boiling while I was out looking for the kitten."
Hey! I'm no kitten. Pout.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:02 pm
"Ooh, tea. That sounds lovely, Altaira, thank ye. I do believe I'll accept yer invite." She hitches up her skirt and pads up the stairs.
Hurrah, they're free! Rojiza frolicks off, turning cartwheels and somersaults and beckoning Sindri to join her.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:07 pm
"Mind the roof - it's just a bunch of low boards under the canvas. And the drivers bench is just through the curtain." Altaira said the usual warnings out of habit. Hers wasn't a real wagon, just a cart she and her gran had made home.
Sindri pounced after her, trying to catch her, aiming a slash at her tail with claws carefully kept in. He didn't want to hurt her of course, so he kept them velveted.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:14 pm
Caroline heeds the warnings, though she's in no danger of hitting the roof, short as she is. She sits down on a sturdy trunk, careful not to put her whole weight on it. "What sort o' tea do ye make, Altaira?"
The blow to Ro's tail makes her lose her balance and she tumbles, giggling. She rolls over and sits up, her face alight with laughter. She pounces herself, jumping toward Sindri in a flailing but no less graceful manner.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:23 pm
"I've got a few kinds. Green tea, camomile...bark and herb...aaand....vanilla." Alt digs through the box she keeps them in. "Take your pick."
Sindri considered dodging, it would be more fun to tumble, he decided. He was enjoying today so much. Much better than scaring Dan or pinching a few eggs.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:26 pm
"I'll have whatever you're having," says Caroline, unfamiliar with all of those types of tea. Except for green, which she doesn't particularly care for.
Rojiza tumbles with him, finally landing sprawled on her back with the cat on top of her. She giggles and smiles and looks up at the clouds. If only we could talk to each other, she thinks. Then it would be perfect.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:33 pm
"Bark and herb then. Almost like normal tea but...not." Her gran invented the blend to trick her into taking things that were good for her as a child.
Maybe one day, I'll grow into a human-like creature too. Then we can talk. Except out here, not in the wagons like the adults, okay Rojiza? I prefer the outside. He purred again.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:44 pm
Caroline nods. "Sounds delightful." After a moment, she feels the need for more conversation. "Have ye been with the caravan long?" she asks. "I canna imagine no' havin' met ye," she says. "And what a beautiful son ye have as well--he'll grow into a bonny lad someday, mark it."
Rojiza smiles as he purrs, able to feel the rumble all the way to her toes. She folds her arms behind her head like a pillow, but after a moment moves one to stroke his soft grey-brown fur. One day you'll be a darkling infant. And maybe I'll get to hold you then too, if your Mama isn't super-protective. And then you'll be older, and you'll talk. And you can talk to me, and tell me things, and tell me what you're thinking right now. And I'll smile at you and nod, and maybe write things, but that's all. I'm mute, Sindri. I can't talk. I'm afraid I'll never talk, never sing, never make any sound but laughter. She's aware that he can't actually hear her, but it makes her feel better to do this than just to sit silently, not participating in their play.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:56 pm
"I joined around the time De'Arca did. Just have been keeping my head down really, focussing on sorting out Sindri." Altaira busied herself with cups and hot water for a while. "I hope he'll grow up to be as lovely as the others. Your lass is lovely - she was a squirrel?"
I wish I could actually talk to you. He laid his head down and closed his eyes. One quick nuzzle and he's up again headbutting her shoulder. Play more, or sit here and listen to each other breathe? I don't mind. I just wish I could talk. Then I could see if you'd come play jokes with me and you could tell me about the others and... Sindri just thought at people all the time, having never known speech either.
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