A few days after the Hunt Fete: Pacing

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

Freya was indeed fretting, partially because the saddle’s belt had slipped, and rubbed uncomfortably under her belly – she fretted enough that the lads had preferred to get me, and that was well and fair. By many ways, I was grateful for this spin of events.

I calmed her, my friendship with my mare a great asset in the process, and once the issue was addressed, I turned to the didikani lad to thank him. He was of course highly interested in coin, but I felt honest sweetness in him, and his smile pleased me. Perhaps one day, we’d have a mead or an ale together – for now, I wanted away from the pub, and so I bid my leave and started to walk on Mont-Nuit, holding the horse by the reins, giving her a reprieve. Slowly, I was making my way to the banks of the Aviline once more.

There, I would let her graze free. Perhaps she and I both needed to rest – we missed our males.

[Joras Timbule (I)]

I was walking along the road, taking my time on my joy walk. I did not often take these strolls, and so it was my mind that I should take one today. I took in the beautiful sights around me, seeing all that there was to see, and appreciating everything as it should be.

It was on this walk that I sighted her, a lass that had the distraught look of a dog when it's master leaves for the day. I continued on my way towards her, noting that she was walking towards me. As we neared, I raised my hand in greeting.

"Hello, miss." I said invitingly, "You look depressed. Is it something a stranger could help you with?"

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I was lost in my thoughts when a voice interrupted my own meandering self-pity. I had to shake myself, it was pathetic that a stranger seem to see through me this way.

I turned to look at him - he was older, perhaps Rannan's age or about, and foreign-looking. Then again, I had no judgement to place on one who offered help so freely.

"I doubt anyone can do anything about it, M'Lord," I replied with a sorry smile. "But thank you for your kindness. Do I look so crestfallen, then?"

[Joras Timbule (I)]

"Now would I have asked if you wore the face of joy?" I asked her, chuckling. "But will moping about your problems do you any good? In my experience, it never has. Come, tell me of it. Strangers do not judge the way a friend will."

I walked nearer to her, not too close, but at a more comfortable conversational distance. Admittedly, I was not giving her a choice in the matter, but people never speak of things that they dislike unless prompted. I was allowing her an outlet, and hopefully she will realize that.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

He moved closer and my hand moved imperceptibly to the sword at my side, though I tried not to insult his apparent kindness with my own lack of trust. I was alone, and though I did look like what I was, a swashbuckler, he had not rescinded from his intent.

"T'is nothing, M'Lord," I replied curtly. "Nothing but the missing piece to a silly girl's fancy," I said moodily.

[Joras Timbule (I)]

I did not notice her hand hovering over the hilt of her sword, but I did catch the emotion in her voice.

"Yes, our dreams can bring us fear, can bring sadness too. But without our dreams we would have no guidance in life, not knowing what we want or where we want to go. Without our fantasies, we cannot have happiness, however fleeting it may be. Silly is not a word I would use to describe you, nor your dreams. Tell me, what is this missing piece? If I have inferred correctly, I am able to help." My voice was sincere, and I only had helping her in mind.

[Julie Deveroix (D)]

I was feeling rather unpleased with the idea of telling him straight out that the two men I had fallen for had both disappeared of my life, and that I felt utterly inadequate. "I should hope you would not called an armed stranger silly for indeed that would indicate a want of sense, M'Lord," I replied without animosity, and with rather firm tones. "But what, pray tell, have you inferred, if I am so transparent?" I asked with dignity.

[Joras Timbule (I)]

Armed? I looked to her waist, where I spotted a sword dangling in its sheath. I never noticed that, having been looking at her shoulders and face to see her demeanor. I added a little distance between us, just in case I angered her.

I thought of what to say, and how to phrase it. I couldn't be blunt, nor could I be roundabout... I put on my most sensitive smile, and said in a clear, kind voice, "I have sensed that you have lost someone very dear to you, a close friend or family perhaps. You do not seem too sure of yourself either, perhaps you blame yourself for their disappearance?" I shook my head.

"You shouldn't. People come and go, such is the way of life. Perhaps necessity drove them, perhaps they thought they could find Heaven elsewhere." I ended my philosophical speech, and waited for her reply. I really hoped I hadn't offended this sword-wielding woman.