Post by Sandrine nó Orchis on Jun 4, 2009 3:48:16 GMT -5
I had said I was not going to seek out Guy. This much was true. I remembered our last encounter with a mixture of pleasure and pain, and I was not sure I was ready to repeat it. But there was something I needed to tell Guy.
I took some time writing the letter, as my handwriting was not the best. (I never saw any reason to practice.) And then I did not want to create a scandal by using one of the Orchis servants to deliver the letter. Who would be more discrete than myself?
I put on some grubby clothes and rubbed dirt from the garden onto my face and hands, hoping I looked like a scullery maid. I bound up my hair--no small task--and hid it under a bonnet. Then I walked using shuffling steps to the North Borough, to the de Rouille residence, and knocked on the servant's door.
The washerwoman who opened the door looked at me strangely as I explained my business. Sensibly, she asked why there was no return address. I whispered that it was Cassiline business, and she nodded knowingly, promising to get the missive to Guy.
I crossed my fingers, praying to any god that would listen that she would keep her word, and that Guy might respond...
Guy,
I am writing to tell you of my plan to distribute food to the people of Night's Doorstep. Since I have you to thank for the idea, I guessed that you might like to hear what happened. I must apologize for the length of this letter, but as you know I am not very good at stilling my tongue.
I asked my Dowayne about donating our leftover food to the poor of Night's Doorstep. Predictably, she took some time to think it over, no doubt trying to figure out what wool I was trying to pull over her eyes now. It took a lot of convincing and staying out of sight, but finally she determined that there was no ulterior motive to my plan.
It was easier said than done. Few of the adepts wanted to help me. I begged a few of the older fosterlings and some adepts who owed me favors to lend their aid. There was a lot of grumbling, but we were able to load the first shipment and ride on the cart with it to Night's Doorstep.
There were more hungry people than I realized. It took all I had not to burst into tears at the sight. Several of my fellow Orchis were not so strong, and they wept as they gave food to the poor. I heard whispers that they would be more observant of what they were eating, so as to have enough to give each week.
The people of Night's Doorstep were more than gracious. One older woman, perhaps Tsingani, grasped my hand and would not let me go, repeating the same phrase over and over. Her son told me she was saying thank you. It made me a little uncomfortable, because I am only an adept, and not a very good one, but still she wanted to sing my praises.
You know that I didn't do this for accolades or any kind of reward, don't you? I just want people to be happy. Sometimes I feel that's why I was born: to make people happy. I'm not a hero, I'm not special. I do this because it is a good idea and it will help others. The smiles on the faces of the adepts and the poor are reward enough.
We have been doing it for a few weeks now. There are several adepts who volunteer every few days to help me, which is a far cry from how I started. I wish you could come one day and help, though I understand if you cannot.
I am not as good at writing as I am at talking, so I will stop the letter now. Ending is much more difficult than beginning. I hope you are well. Be safe.
Sandrine nó Orchis
I took some time writing the letter, as my handwriting was not the best. (I never saw any reason to practice.) And then I did not want to create a scandal by using one of the Orchis servants to deliver the letter. Who would be more discrete than myself?
I put on some grubby clothes and rubbed dirt from the garden onto my face and hands, hoping I looked like a scullery maid. I bound up my hair--no small task--and hid it under a bonnet. Then I walked using shuffling steps to the North Borough, to the de Rouille residence, and knocked on the servant's door.
The washerwoman who opened the door looked at me strangely as I explained my business. Sensibly, she asked why there was no return address. I whispered that it was Cassiline business, and she nodded knowingly, promising to get the missive to Guy.
I crossed my fingers, praying to any god that would listen that she would keep her word, and that Guy might respond...
Guy,
I am writing to tell you of my plan to distribute food to the people of Night's Doorstep. Since I have you to thank for the idea, I guessed that you might like to hear what happened. I must apologize for the length of this letter, but as you know I am not very good at stilling my tongue.
I asked my Dowayne about donating our leftover food to the poor of Night's Doorstep. Predictably, she took some time to think it over, no doubt trying to figure out what wool I was trying to pull over her eyes now. It took a lot of convincing and staying out of sight, but finally she determined that there was no ulterior motive to my plan.
It was easier said than done. Few of the adepts wanted to help me. I begged a few of the older fosterlings and some adepts who owed me favors to lend their aid. There was a lot of grumbling, but we were able to load the first shipment and ride on the cart with it to Night's Doorstep.
There were more hungry people than I realized. It took all I had not to burst into tears at the sight. Several of my fellow Orchis were not so strong, and they wept as they gave food to the poor. I heard whispers that they would be more observant of what they were eating, so as to have enough to give each week.
The people of Night's Doorstep were more than gracious. One older woman, perhaps Tsingani, grasped my hand and would not let me go, repeating the same phrase over and over. Her son told me she was saying thank you. It made me a little uncomfortable, because I am only an adept, and not a very good one, but still she wanted to sing my praises.
You know that I didn't do this for accolades or any kind of reward, don't you? I just want people to be happy. Sometimes I feel that's why I was born: to make people happy. I'm not a hero, I'm not special. I do this because it is a good idea and it will help others. The smiles on the faces of the adepts and the poor are reward enough.
We have been doing it for a few weeks now. There are several adepts who volunteer every few days to help me, which is a far cry from how I started. I wish you could come one day and help, though I understand if you cannot.
I am not as good at writing as I am at talking, so I will stop the letter now. Ending is much more difficult than beginning. I hope you are well. Be safe.
Sandrine nó Orchis