Eternity RPC Board
09-14-2016, 12:07 AM
"You don't--!"
Elke's eyes went wide as she simultaneously swallowed her premature objection.
Had Nevina just agreed?!
"You what?" she instead murmured, her accusatory tone replaced by one of hopeful trepidation. "Oh, I-I mean...." In all honesty, Elke had been ready to enter phase two of her verbal strong arming, prepared to deliver a rashly strung-together smackdown of counter objections sprinkled with a healthy dose of whining.
What she hadn't been ready for was Nevina folding and giving in just like that.
The girl cleared her throat and calmly folded her hands. A true professional, or something like. "Well, thank you for your consideration." Despite her attempts to maintain a straight face, the corners of her mouth twitched visibly in an insuppressible grin. "One chance is all I need. You won't regret it. You have my word."
When Nevina seemed to be distracted with something in her teacup, the mageling seized the opportunity and flashed a victorious grin to the old innkeep.
Her mind was spinning. A whirlwind of manic optimism. Elke had known since she woke up this morning that good things were in store for the day. She'd seen it in the way the light spilled through the trees and the way the clouds moved on the horizon. Her abilities in omen interpretation were vague, though, and at times so unspecific that she wasn't sure if the impending fortune would be as insignificant as finding a place to sleep that wasn't a blanket tossed over a pile of leaves or as major as having her hero agree - or at least not outright object - to take her under her wing.
The former was more frequent in her experience, but the latter was far more exciting.
Still reeling with delight, she selected a jellied citrona cube studded around its sides with toasted pine nuts and popped it into her mouth. Candies somehow tasted sweeter when enjoyed in triumph.
The magically-charged charms and pendants strung about Elke's person more numerous than festival decorations jingled as she moved to sit and jangled as she jerked herself back up into a standing position as she saw Nevina move to take her leave. She was halfway into a stride towards the door before the elfen woman announced that she had unfinished business, and though it hadn't been stated aloud, the implication was there: she was going by herself.
"Of course!" Elke shooed away the correct and obvious assumption that she had intended to follow Nevina before being otherwise forbidden. She had, after all, interrupted the woman in what had appeared to be mid-slaughter. After further thought, she didn't mind one bit being excluded from whatever had been going on in that dingy shack on the outskirts of town. The flashes of a dead, hulking heap of something and a fresh coat of blood spatter spied through a dusty window had been enough. In due time, undoubtedly, she would learn more, but for now, the mental images were enough.
As if it had been her idea all along, Elke confirmed, "I'll just wait here." Here there were sweets and beds and a place for her to spread out for some quality time with her journal. She still had a newly purchased toggle and sewing kit to keep her occupied. If she was lucky, there were even perfumed bath sachets for sale at Forlag's establishment to make her smell less like Waldo and Chubb's - aha, those were the names - putrid funk.
Speaking of Forlag, maybe he could introduce her to the little village of Myerleigh a bit better. Next to the fact that it had a haberdashery (or some kind of farce of one) and an inn, she was totally unfamiliar. There was also something about owing Forlag exactly one item of his wildest dreams, a promise which a traveler with about six pieces of silver to her name had no possible way of fulfilling and which she really hoped would be forgotten in the long run.
Maybe he would actually make her check for mold. But maybe she would get free room and board in return. Such an offer she might have to propose....
Whatever potential the night held, Nevina would play no part as she was up and gone like a gust of wind. But, all things considered, just one more night of anticipation before her lessons began was something Elke decided she could handle.
Probably.
..:: End Lesson One ::..
Elke's eyes went wide as she simultaneously swallowed her premature objection.
Had Nevina just agreed?!
"You what?" she instead murmured, her accusatory tone replaced by one of hopeful trepidation. "Oh, I-I mean...." In all honesty, Elke had been ready to enter phase two of her verbal strong arming, prepared to deliver a rashly strung-together smackdown of counter objections sprinkled with a healthy dose of whining.
What she hadn't been ready for was Nevina folding and giving in just like that.
The girl cleared her throat and calmly folded her hands. A true professional, or something like. "Well, thank you for your consideration." Despite her attempts to maintain a straight face, the corners of her mouth twitched visibly in an insuppressible grin. "One chance is all I need. You won't regret it. You have my word."
When Nevina seemed to be distracted with something in her teacup, the mageling seized the opportunity and flashed a victorious grin to the old innkeep.
Her mind was spinning. A whirlwind of manic optimism. Elke had known since she woke up this morning that good things were in store for the day. She'd seen it in the way the light spilled through the trees and the way the clouds moved on the horizon. Her abilities in omen interpretation were vague, though, and at times so unspecific that she wasn't sure if the impending fortune would be as insignificant as finding a place to sleep that wasn't a blanket tossed over a pile of leaves or as major as having her hero agree - or at least not outright object - to take her under her wing.
The former was more frequent in her experience, but the latter was far more exciting.
Still reeling with delight, she selected a jellied citrona cube studded around its sides with toasted pine nuts and popped it into her mouth. Candies somehow tasted sweeter when enjoyed in triumph.
The magically-charged charms and pendants strung about Elke's person more numerous than festival decorations jingled as she moved to sit and jangled as she jerked herself back up into a standing position as she saw Nevina move to take her leave. She was halfway into a stride towards the door before the elfen woman announced that she had unfinished business, and though it hadn't been stated aloud, the implication was there: she was going by herself.
"Of course!" Elke shooed away the correct and obvious assumption that she had intended to follow Nevina before being otherwise forbidden. She had, after all, interrupted the woman in what had appeared to be mid-slaughter. After further thought, she didn't mind one bit being excluded from whatever had been going on in that dingy shack on the outskirts of town. The flashes of a dead, hulking heap of something and a fresh coat of blood spatter spied through a dusty window had been enough. In due time, undoubtedly, she would learn more, but for now, the mental images were enough.
As if it had been her idea all along, Elke confirmed, "I'll just wait here." Here there were sweets and beds and a place for her to spread out for some quality time with her journal. She still had a newly purchased toggle and sewing kit to keep her occupied. If she was lucky, there were even perfumed bath sachets for sale at Forlag's establishment to make her smell less like Waldo and Chubb's - aha, those were the names - putrid funk.
Speaking of Forlag, maybe he could introduce her to the little village of Myerleigh a bit better. Next to the fact that it had a haberdashery (or some kind of farce of one) and an inn, she was totally unfamiliar. There was also something about owing Forlag exactly one item of his wildest dreams, a promise which a traveler with about six pieces of silver to her name had no possible way of fulfilling and which she really hoped would be forgotten in the long run.
Maybe he would actually make her check for mold. But maybe she would get free room and board in return. Such an offer she might have to propose....
Whatever potential the night held, Nevina would play no part as she was up and gone like a gust of wind. But, all things considered, just one more night of anticipation before her lessons began was something Elke decided she could handle.
Probably.
..:: End Lesson One ::..