Sara Day 1
Sara Stoner was about a bit more than the average built woman, and she had more than one reason to be so. Being a blacksmith for a small town isn’t exactly easy. Bright and early in the morning Sara woke up and did her usual, showering, getting dressed and pushups in the morning before heading off to the bakery. She always walked into the back door, a grin on her face and a sniff in the air, the aroma of fresh baked bread always woke her up to her full peak.
"Good Morning, Sara!" Adrain called wrist deep in a roll of dough. She was always grateful for the way Sara kept her baking tools in tip top shape, and more especially that the hearty woman was a more willing participant in new recipes than her twin brother. "How are you today?"
Sara grinned and waved as she looked through all the baked good later going over to the stove. “ So, so. So what’s new in the oven this time?” Her curiosity never failed her. “ Good morning.” She snickered. “By the way, you never finished your order on any new utensils. I was coming in to check if you finished your list and if you had anything you needing finishing.” She walked over behind Adrain and watched her kneed the dough. “Oh, that reminds me, I need your brother to stop by. I need some more lumber for a project. If he can, I’ll need some more cedar and pine, as well as some oak. If it isn’t to much to ask. I’ll pay him good also.” She chuckles a bit and hugs Adrain a bit. “I’ll also come in later this afternoon for some of those yummy yeast rolls.”
"The ones you gave me last week are in perfect order, I even hid them from Ambrose so he wouldn't use for something they just aren't intended for." She paused a moment brushing her ever stray hair back with the back of her hand. "There are muffins on the counter if you would like some, and Ambrose is in the back"
Through the open doorway Sara could see Ambrose swing his ax down and split a block of wood down the middle, repeating the action to make four neat angled slices for the stove. His shirt was carelessly tossed over a wooden swing he had made earlier that spring, his skin tanned from the hours spent outside in the same manner.
Sara almost squealed with glee as she was offered some muffins, she placed 2 in a small handkerchief and munched on a 3rd. “These are so great!” She blurted out as she finished the one. I’ll save the other 2 for a small snack after I finish my project.’ She looked over towards the back as a small blush tipped her cheeks. “He sure works hard. Lately he hasn’t been coming by to get his axe tuned up. Is something on his mind?”
"With that boy you never know," Adrian answered honestly. "According to him it's the dry season and that means the wood is easier to chop, or something along those lines Im sure of it." She paused a moment watching her brother work. "He's so lighthearted about everything, sometimes it's even hard for me to tell if something bothering him, or if he's just stretching himself a little thin." Popping the soon to be rolls into the oven she took a seat at the small counter. "Although I do suppose it is a good thing that he's rather oblivious to how most of the girls in town think of him, you know?"
Sara went silent and nods, her thoughts were of worry and curiosity. “I never knew so many girls thought of him...” She looked back and ginned a touch then went a little serious. “So does he have any interests? Does he talk to you at all about his feelings towards others?” She looked back at Ambrose and sighed. “I always thought most of the girls would have Ashley, Thomas, or Javier on their mind.”
"Probably so, but he's just like the woodsy guys in all the romance tales," she shook her head a touch, straightening a stray piece that curled around her cheek back up. She had heard more than once that it was the belief her hair grew into the braided bun it was kept in since no one outside of her family had ever seen it down. "I can assure you Ashley, Thomas and Javier are on their minds, just for different reasons." She brushed a small touch of flour from her cheek then continued. "He talks about his feelings on the rare occasion, although sometimes I think he would just marry his axe if he could. He always tells me most important is someone who makes him smile."
Sara laughed a touch. “We’ll that would be complicated also. A lot of people make him smile. He’s just like one of those big sweet teddy bears. Besides I wouldn’t be suprised if he did marry his axe. Even if he did, he still needs it resharpened and the handle replaced.” She shakes her head as she looked to the floor a bit. “I’ve had it where people said that I loved my hammer so much that I should marry it. But they don’t really understand it. I love my job and I put my hard work as well as effort into making every item almost perfect. I love my job, it keeps me busy. Though I wouldn’t mind some help now and then. I mean everyone gets lonely once in awhile.” She leaned her back against the counter as she took out a bag of coins, paying for the muffins and paying ahead of time for the yeast rolls for later.
Adrian shook her head a touch, "You just never know how these things will turn out, after all the boys to their fare share for the daydreaming about all the girls as well." She stood to walk to the oven, knowing by the smell that the bread inside was ready to be cooled, she pressed the center of each with a spoon, preparing it for the filling that would soon be inside.
Ambrose stretched and dropped his axe gently by the door, "Hi, Sara!" he called cheerfully. "I didn't know you were over, Dri isn't feeding you anything weird is she? Like those red filled buns," he smirked a touch then added softer. "I think it's some crazy love potion to get all the boys in town to fall madly in love with her." He turned a chair backwards and snagged a seat across from Sara, catching the hot roll Adrian had thrown at him. "Thank-you!" he yelled trying to get her to toss another. "You know, one of these days I'll mess up and marry sis off, and then, no more free food, I'll have to do things like babysit or some other uncleish thing for it right?" He turned back waiting for his sister to leave the room, his face turning serious for a moment. "I tease her, but really, I do worry about her," he confided in Sara. "Mind you the stubborn one never complains about anything, but I just know she's lonely all by herself day in and day out, she has to be right?" He puffed up his cheeks, "I mean, I know that I should be more concerned with settling down myself, and mind you it's not that the thought of dating or marriage for that matter bothers me in the least. I just don't think I could leave Dri alone, I mean it would be like moving to a big place with no trees for me, or you without your wonderful hammer to fix my axes, or make me new ones when they get stuck in stupid trees that just refuse to die, right?" He looked up at the one he considered his friend and gave her a half smile, knowing he could confide in her without a single worry.
Sara just shook her head and sighed a small smile curling on her lips. “ Yeah I do get your point. Besides...” She leaned across the table to whisper to Ambrose. “I’ve been talking to Ash for awhile and I know how you two bump into each other out in those woods. Well as I was saying, from the hints I’ve been getting and when I watch as he talks to your sister. I think he has it in for her.” She leaned back as he grin got bigger. “And who wouldn’t she’s an awsome cook, as well as a cutie to boot. You might have to start being more protective of her if you want those free meals coming.” She laughed making sure Dri wasn’t in the room when she talked about Ashley. “Besides your sis has a message I gave her to give you.” She stood up from the table as she started to make her way outside. I expect you to get that axe fixed soon, or else you couldn’t chop wood if you wanted to.”
Ambrose blinked a second, "You must be hearing different stories than I am, he replied following her outside he lifted his axe in his carefree manner then paused in his steps, bowing over her hand in one of his playful manners. "Then I would be ever so grateful if you would fix it for me," he said handing her the axe in question. "I know I'll see you this afternoon, Dri makes the yeast rolls then, and you can tell me all about this flirting with my sister thing." He took a few steps back then bowed playfully before scooping his spare axe from the tool shed and heading into the woods, wanting his first few jobs done before lunch.
Sara laughed some and agreed, she first walked over to Dri to say thanks and then left to her smithing home, first starting on Ambrose’s axe. Soon after she was finished it was no time until she finished her project and hid it in her bedroom. She stretched out and smiled looking outside the window door of her smithing home, watching as Ashley made his way to the butchers to sell his newly caught critters then off to the Bakery to probably catch Dri before she started on the yeast rolls. Sara shook her head then headed back to her work to finish the list of things she had down to finish before lunch.
The bell above the door rang as soon as Ashley entered the Bakery, he looked around the front of the shop before realizing that Dri was most likely in the back preparing her next masterpiece. He paused a second, looking at his leather bag at his side, he opened it up and took out a few lovely rabbit skins he skinned yesterday and let out to dry as a gift for Dri. He walked over to te counter ad looked over the baked goods, not sure which one he wanted to buy for his next hunt when he was taking a break. “ Looks like you’ve been busy lately, Miss. Xanatos. Is it alright if I make an order later?” He looked around the corner watching a bit as he spoke to her, he always liked seeing her hard at work, though never really spoke up when it came to him true feelings.
Adrian smiled and walked up to the counter, "Of course you can," she answered tucking her hair behind her ear as she pulled out a pencil and a pad from her apron pocket. "I guess I always keep busy," she admitted, her voice a touch softer when she spoke to him. She knew the things the girls in town said about the majority of the boys, and they liked Ashley for many of the same reasons they liked her brother, 'not that Ashley didn't deserve their admiration, he was quite handsome and always wonderfully polite,' her inner self reminded her. Although some time ago she had admitted to herself that he would wind up happily married with one of the towns 'prettier' girls. Pretty was just never something she really believed she was, nor that she was ugly, just rather plain in her mind. She also knew well the tease about how she always wore her hair the same way, but after all it did tend to get in the way.
On the other hand she always loved it when people came to her for what everyone called the best treats ever, she looked up at Ashley smiling a touch as just a hint of a blush tapped her cheeks. "Anything special you were looking for?" she asked, "There isn't a girl in town that doesn't love to get some of the chocolates from here." She waited for his answer, never questioning why she was always there to promote sweet things toward the other women in town from it's boys.
Ashley smirked as he leaned against the counter some then arched a brow. “Chocolates? Now why would I have any use for those? I thought you knew well I’m not interested, well not interested in most of the demon. that around town, but I will tell you what I would like. Even though you probably already know what I’d like in bread for later todays dinner.” He leaned in closer giving the hint that he wanted it to be a secret and only for her to know. As soon as he get Dri close enough he gave her a quick peck on the lips then stood up strait. Blushing more red than he ever did before. This was his first and successful attempt to get his first kiss from the girl he had a crush on since childhood. He scratched the tip of his nose then let out a sweet smile. “Chocolates are nothing compared to that.”
Adrian blushed a bright red as she grinned and brought her hands up to her cheeks, "Y-y-you think?" she managed after a few minutes, barely managing a glance up at him before grinning and looking down again for once unable to really think of anything to say, something truly rare from her and more especially her brother. Ashley could see how she smiled more as she glanced up at him, as she turned her head to the side still in a deep blush, although more worried she would end up giggling and he would think she was laughing at him. She left one hand against her cheek closing her eyes to try and calm her blushing.
Ashley couldn’t help but place his hand to his face, to try to hide his own blushing. “ I know so. Besides, promise you won’t tell your brother what I just did. I wouldn’t hear the end of it if he found out.” He looked down to his bag and remembered the animal skins, soon taking them in hand and placing them on the counter for her. “These are for you. I thought that if I got enough of them for you, you’ll be able to make a coat or a nice warm blanket for the winter seasons. They do come in handy around those times.” His smile was warm and calm, he looked over as a new arrival started walking past the bakery. “Looks like the new neighbor is here to move into that haunted place. I’ll leave you then, maybe I can see you gain tonight after my hunt. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you then.”
Adrian still had a slight blush to her cheeks, "Then I'll see you tonight, after your hunt," she answered smiling softly, "I'll be sure not to tell Ambrose, he'll just have a fit," she answered quickly regaining her comfortable nature with him, as she walked with him to the doorway.
Ashley nods as he walked with her to the door. He gave her one more sweet smile before bowing and heading off to te smith house to get some more arrows.
>>Same time as Simon's arrival... <<
Ambrose leaned against his axe smiling to himself as he admired his work. Something in Sara's tone had him on edge. He knew that Ashley was about as shy as they come, and even his big brother instinct told him that the boy was good enough for his beloved sister, however, there was just something off about the thought of it. Perhaps it was that he knew that his sister always did things in coupling up the other girls in town, never taking any time to do anything of the sort for herself. He finally shook his head toting the wood over to Sara's; knowing she would be by the bakery to pick up bread in a while, he decided to talk to her then.
As he continued with his work he paused hearing the all too familiar sounds of Ashley in the woods nearby, figuring it was a good time for a break he sat down on a stump he had recently made and took a small solid piece of cherry colored oak out of his pocket, whittling at it with his pocket knife while he waited for Ashley to make his way over. "Anything new?" he asked halfway glancing over.
“Hummm?” Ashley looked down at Ambrose and grinned, soon holding up a few quails. “Best of the best, why? It’s just the usual. As long as they don’t stop breeding, if you know what I mean.” He wondered if Ambrose actually found out that he kisses his sister. He paused a bit and looked down at what Ambrose was whittling. Thoughts ran all through his head as he sat down for a small break. “So uh... have you found anyone of interest yet?”
Ambrose smiled, and glanced down at the work in his hands. "Well there is someone," he admitted, working on intricate details of what was quickly becoming a small heart shaped box in his hands. Using the back of his knife he sanded the sides, smoothing them out to perfection before blowing off the small amount of saw dust and flicking out a smaller knife to work on details. "She doesn't know it yet, though I'm thinking about dropping a few hints."
He paused looking up at Ashley for a moment. "So you have anyone special in mind?" he asked.
Ashley grinned a moment and nods. “Sure do, and I already told her that I have a crush on her. Maybe one day we’ll be more. I don’t know if I could be with anyone else or like anyone else besides her.” He went through all his new kills and sorted them out, tying their legs together. “So what kind of hints are you going to show her?”
By now he was mostly done with the box, and held it up for Ashley to see, it was perfectly heart shaped and had intricate designs that looked like lace around the sides and ribbons over the top. "I'm giving her this," he said with a grin. "Gonna get some of sis's little muffins to put in it, she really loves them," his smiled changed slightly remembering the look Sara got whenever she was offered one of Adrian's muffins.
"You know, Ash, you give her some of the chocolates from the bakery, they really are the best, although I don't like chocolate myself. Any girl in town would just about die to get those from someone, especially the little ones with the ribbon on them... they look kinda like the top of the box, ya know?" He wrapped the box up and slipped it into his pocket again, "Or flowers most girls like that too."
Ashley blushed a bit just thinking about it. “Actually I gave her something more meaningful. I’m sure she liked it much more than any chocolates. Besides, I need to get a few more rabbit skins to give her. Winter’s coming soon and you don’t know how useful those skins will come in handy. Plus I want her to warm when the time comes.” He blushes a bit brighter thinking how beautiful Dri would look like with only the rabbit skins made as either a coat or a blanket around her soft naked skin. He placed his hand over his face trying to hide his feelings, only to come up with a new gift idea for her. “ I have an idea, I’ll hunt down the biggest black bear I can find and skin it for a nice soft rug for her.”
Ambrose raised and eyebrow at his statement, not really wanting to know why he was blushing such a deep red. "Must have been some gift, I don't know of anything the girls in town like better than Dri's chocolates," he stood and stretched out. "Something soft for a fire place eh?" he teased lightly, "You just behave yourself young man, and don't go getting any nice little girls into trouble," he teased again remembering what Sara had shared with him earlier in the day. "You do know that if you really feel that way you should go for it," he advised, the big brother inside of him hoping that nothing he did hurt his sister just a little more than the friend who wanted to see someone he'd known since childhood truly happy. "Sometimes, if you take too long to build up your courage, you loose what you were working toward."
He walked over and lifted a set of the catch for the day, not having any of his own stuff except his axe that needed carrying back. "Besides, sis'll have the dinner breads done any minute now, and we wouldn't want them getting cold."
Ashley nods thinking about what Ambrose said. “What do you mean go for it? You saying that I should jump into the fire instead of the frying pan? What if she hates me or doesn’t want to anything so forward?” He picked up his quiver. “You can have that catch of the day, besides I bet Dri would love some quail once in awhile.” He placed the quiver over his shoulder and grinned. “ Could you tell Dri for me that I’m not going to be able to stop by for my order. I’m hunting a black bear. If I can find a good big one. Anything you’d like me to catch for you two for tomorrows dinner?”
"Sometimes things are worth the risk, and if you've already told her you have a crush on her, you really can't turn back now, well, you could I mean the whole haha I was just joking... but that wouldn't be the best way to handle it either," he answered pausing a moment. "I'll be sure to let her know you sent it just for her," he answered holding up the catch of the day. "Dri especially likes food that was cooked for her by someone else, except baked goods of course," he smiled a touch. "You know I don't think anyone's ever been by early enough to see her real hair color," he mused remembering what he and Sara spoke of, smiling a little at the thought of Sara's face when she saw her 'mysterious' gift. "Dri gets up so early and right away her pretty hair is covered in flour, and anyone who gets a little too close," he ran a hand through his hair finding a small spot with just a touch of flour on it.
"But! I'm off, going to try and beat Sara to the bakery! Stop by later and let me know how your hunting went!" He called walking toward home with a mischievous smirk.
Ashley shook his head and waved to Ambrose as he headed on his way, only half understanding what he just said. “Yeah you never know, and I never said I didn’t mean it when I said I had a crush on her.” He smirked as he headed back into the deeper part of the untamed woods.
Ambrose made sure to beat Sara in for the dinner rolls, slipping the small box he made in with her basket of yeast rolls. He fixed up the wood his sister would use in the morning then made his way upstairs to clean up a bit before going outside to smoke the quail on the brick grill he had built. He smiled to himself when he saw Sara walking into the bakery, where Adrian stood filling Ashley's basket even if he wouldn't make it. She would always deliver it to anyone in town.
"Afternoon Sara," she said brushing a lock of hair behind her ear for what seemed like the millionth time that day. "Get lots of work done?"
Sara nods, filthy as usual from a hard days work. She carried the axe she fixed for Ambrose as well as two new inventive axes for him to try and have if he wanted to do so. One was handles with the finest and strongest wood she could get and the other was a new inventive one with a strong metal handle though she wasn’t so sure about the safety of it. She tried it out earlier for it to bend when she hit the stump, but kept on making it a little better so it wouldn’t bend, hopefully at all. She lay them where Ambrose would always find them and carried a good sized wooded box with her to Adrian. “Here’s the new knifes, pots and pans you wanted.” She placed the box on the counter, taking out her handkerchief and wiping the ash off her face. “ So how’d your day go? I saw Ashley visit you today.”
Adrian smiled a touch, "He stopped by for his lunch, he does at least four times a week you know, he made and order for dinner, but he won't be able to pick it up." She handed Sara her basket of goodies. "Ambrose said he's hunting a black bear, but that he doesn't know why exactly. And there's a newcomer in town," she filled Sara in on Simon.
As soon as Ambrose finished the quail he brought it in and sliced it up, serving it to the two ladies, taking a seat across from Sara. "That new axe looks wonderful," he offered smiling at her over his drink. "I can't wait to try it out," Sara could see the mischievous smile reflecting in them, meaning he was definitely up to something.
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