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 Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 2:31 am
"No reason, I'm only curious," she smiled, inviting her in. Chel shrugged. "I've only known you for a few hours..."
"That's also true," she agreed and retrieved the book that had dropped to the floor in her unplanned welcoming. "What shall we do - you look lovely! It reminds me somewhat of Earth. A little. I didn't know one could find something as comfortable. What is it?" she inquired inquisitively and rested herself into a chair nearby, beckoning for Chel to sit with her. "Just a padded leather travel outfit, in a very common style of Argyll, I guess." Chel took a chair near Jaime. "They come in lots of colors in the market, if you'd like to go shopping later. You'll find some interesting stuff. What are you reading," she asked, nodding to the book in Jaime's hand. Her eyes brightened at the suggestion of going shopping. This time, remembering her previous experience, she would do so with her own riches. "Oh," she said, glancing at the book. "It's a journal, I think, of Sir Geoffrey Lodbrok. It was open, yonder, and I took the liberty of indulging myself. It's not a crime for humans to read here, is it?" Chel smiled. "I don't think so, though you're not technically human," she stifled a laugh "I've heard of Sir Geoffrey. He's father's friend. I wonder how his journal ended up here? Perhaps he left it during his last visit?"
"He's alive?" Jaime blushed. "I hope he wouldn't mind my prying. It's rather interesting and I find it very helpful. I hope he doesn't come to take it away."
"I doubt that he would. 'Still' alive may be a bit of... Well, it's difficult to explain. Perhaps you should meet him before you leave; then you'll understand." She stretched out her legs, unbuttoning her jacket to reveal a long-sleeved crimson top that showed her stomach. "Is there anything else you'd like to do or see before we leave?"
"Everything, actually, but I'm unsure if there would be enough time. I'd also like to meet some new people. Being a servant and traveling with those two has limited my social experiences greatly," she laughed. "That is, with your permission, of course."
Chel nodded along. "I know a lot of things we can do," she smiled. "You can meet all of my friends. And... I'll take you somewhere, if you can promise to keep the secret."
"I promise," she beamed. "Should I change into something less formal?"
"Yes, you might want to," this time she laughed; it sounded like a melody. "You can rummage through my clothes, but now that father's changed your room, you'd probably have new clothes here." She stood and placed the book safely upon the vanity table before turning to the armoire. There were a few pieces of clothing inside it. After some time of contemplation, she picked out a beige gown. It was simple, but not as practical as the other things she could have chosen from. However, it was like what she would have worn in Ravenheart and that made her comfortable with it. "Where is the powder room?" she asked Chel with the dress and a pair of fitted black boots in her arms. Chel crossed to the left side of the room and pushed in a panel of wall. The wall went inward and slid sideways to reveal a beautiful bathroom. "I'll wait outside," she said, closing the door gently behind her.
She walked over the carpet, enjoying the sensation, before undressing, setting her sister's gown carefully across the back of what seemed somewhat like a chaise lounge, and dressed. The boots were tight and made her want to run and dance in them. After ridding her face from the tears, she brought her hair up to expose her neckline, pinning it together with orange blossom pins that she found in a cabinet.
[PENDING DESCRIPTION]
"Chel! Come look!" Chel hurried in at Jaime's request. She looked behind the red curtain to the room beyond. "What is it," she asked, concerned. "It's so beautiful; so perfect," she said softly, gazing out at the world beyond the window. "I wish I could stay here forever."
"You can, if you want," she said quietly, "It's as much your home as it is mine."
She looked at her sister and held her arm. "It's so dream-like I'm afraid I might disappear."
Worked out with m i s s Rieux via PM.
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Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 5:43 am
"Perhaps we all will, through some portal, as I've disappeared from Earth. Nothing is ever as stable as we'd like it to be: always fading in and out of existence." Contrary to her words, she smiled at her sister and affectionately tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Shall we go?" Chel nodded absently, lost in memories. "Where do you want to go first? Shopping? Breakfast?"
"I've forgotten that breakfast exists! That would be lovely, and perhaps to meet with some friends thereafter? You decide, I'm yours for today."
Chel nodded. "Would you like to eat here, or go to a restaurant? I know a good one."
"Any, as you recommend it."
Chel smiled. "I know the perfect place." She hurried down the stairs and out a back door. She started down a path across the field toward the forest edge. "Do you require a horse," she stopped and asked before they had gone too far. "You must be exhausted from losing all that blood. And when is the last time you slept?" Slightly taken aback by the flurry of questions and positively affected by her sister's enthusiasm and concern, Jaime started answering from last to first, "I can't remember when I've last had the luxury to sleep properly, and I'd very much like a horse if I may."
Chel nodded and called a young boy over. She crouched down to eye level. "Bernard, will you go fetch my horse and father's horse for Miss Jaime?" He looked up at Jaime and then back to Chel, nodding shyly before running off. Chel stood and turned to her sister. "We'll make a short stop before breakfast; I know where to find something to cure exhaustion. But don't tell daddy, okay?"
"As long as it doesn't kill me in the long run," she laughed in response.
"He's adorable. It's been so long since I've seen little people."
Chel nodded. "He's very shy most of the time, but I bring him sweets when I can. He really has a way with animals." No sooner had she said this than Bernard came into view, leading two horses without holding the reigns. He held up his and they stopped in front of the girls. "Here you go," she told him, slipping a candy in a bright wrapper from his pocket. He took it from her, beaming, and ran back to the stables to admire his treat.
Chel mounted her horse, a Snowcap Appaloosa, leaving the other - a large, black Warlander - for Jaime.
"Impressive creature," she said, watching the boy run off. "Well, hello," she greeted the horse, rubbed it's nose and mounted. "Thank you," she said, taking the reigns from Chel. "Come on," she smiled, guiding her horse up the path at a leisurely walk, "It's this way. And remember - not a word to father about where I'm taking you first."
"Promise." She started the horse to follow the other and let the reigns hang loosely around its neck. When it would halt and throw back its ears for instruction, she would answer with only light encouragement and a pat on the shoulder. For most of the ride, Jaime had her fingers in the horse's mane, stroking its spine, and glanced at all the wonders about her. Chel guided the horses off the path and past a wide river in another, larger field of wildflowers. At a narrow and shallow section, the horses crossed the river and into another section of the forest; almost immediately they came upon a house, high in the trees. Chel dismounted and secured the horses to a post in the soft earth near the roots.
A charming little tree house. Curious. Jaime followed suit and continued to admire her surroundings. "Who are we to visit here? They've a lovely home."
Chel came around the tree to a set of wooden spiral stairs wrapping around the trunk. She walked up them carefully, motioning for Jaime to follow. "Miss Isolde? It's Chel! I've brought a friend." The door opened and a beautiful woman with long black hair to her waist opened the door. She was wearing a yellow floral top and black pants. Her arms were adorned with many bangles and she sported several ear piercings. "So you have. Come in, girls."
Jaime followed and was silently amazed as though her voice had been taken away by the excitement and curiousness of the situation. Isolde waved her hand at a cream colored sofa on the left side of the room. Chel sat as the woman poured the tea from a silver pot. "My name is Isolde La Blond," she introduced herself to Jaime. "Please make yourself at home."
Jaime sat herself down on the sofa. The room was pleasantly cozy with plenty of natural light to soothe their eyes. "Thank you for your hospitality, ma'am," Jaime said warmly, accepting her cup with both hands. "I am Jaime Knight, Chel's sister. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Isolde took a seat across from them. "I know who you are," she replied, her eyes smiling. "Miss Isolde," Chel interrupted politely, "Jaime hasn't slept in a while. Do you think you could help."
"Certainly," she said with a knowing wink. "But first, you must finish your tea, Miss Jaime." Jaime sipped away happily. It was delicious and she was thirsty. "It's a lovely little home. You must be very peaceful living here, off the beaten path," she attempted at conversation and, a little while after, returned her empty cup to it's saucer. She blinked, feeling oddly refreshed and energized as though she had slept for a day.
"I am. It's quite peaceful out her and allows me to do my research without distractions. However," she said standing, "I believe you're on your way to breakfast."
"We are," Chel agreed, approaching the door. Isolde handed her a thick, folded paper.
"Would you mind placing this order for me?"
"Of course. I'll see to it."
"Jaime, it was a pleasure. Please stop by any time. I hope my tea helped?"
"It was delightful, thank you," she beamed and followed Chel out. "I hope we can visit her before we leave," she said, feeling chirpy. Chel smiled. "We will, as long as father doesn't find out." She descended the stairs carefully, returning to the horses.
"Do they not see eye to eye?"
"You could say that," she said hesitantly, mounting her horse once more. "Ready for breakfast?"
Jaime nodded, still wondering how anyone could dislike such a lady. However, it was none of her business, she reprimanded, and took to the saddle. A twenty minute ride west saw them on a dirt road, out of the forest and across grasslands. "We're north of the capitol," she told Jaime, nudging her horse into an easy run.
Worked out with m i s s Rieux via PM.
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