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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 17:19:28 GMT -5
Kneeling on the ground I slowly unwound the bandage from around her hand, taking it by the wrist once it was free to look at the marks. "This is the mildest ointment we have but it has herbs to keep out disease so it may still sting a little." Opening the tin I scooped some out and rubbed in softly onto one of the wounds.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 17:26:44 GMT -5
It did sting, more than a little. My cuts were deep and still new. I gasped softly and instinctively pushed my hand against his fingers, wanting more.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 17:32:57 GMT -5
It was always disconcerting when one of the children reacted like that, but I was used to it enough to ignore it, even if I had no idea what exactly they were feeling. Pulling my hand back once the ointment was on the deepest cut I kept my grip on her wrist and picked up more salve to do the rest.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 17:36:18 GMT -5
I heard a little whimpering sound, and realized it was me. I was so intent on the feelings in my hand I had no idea I was even making noise. I couldn't look away, my eyes were fixed on his fingers and where they touched me.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 17:41:28 GMT -5
So far she was doing very well, even for a Valerian. Some of the others just a couple years older than her reacted much more strongly. Her willpower would stand her in good stead if she went on to become an adept. Compassionately but impassively I finished rubbing the ointment on her hands and then let go of her wrist and picked up the bandages, beginning to wrap them around.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 17:48:10 GMT -5
I looked away from my hand and at Gareth.
"Is this… this feeling… what I will learn about here?" I asked him.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 17:50:35 GMT -5
I nodded as I looked at her hand to make sure all of the wounds were covered and fastened the bandage. "This is why everyone is here. Because of that feeling. This is the only place I know of that can teach what that feeling means."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 17:54:41 GMT -5
I nodded, thinking about what he said.
"Then maybe this is the right place for me."
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 18:03:47 GMT -5
Smiling, I looked up. "I think it is as well, Douleur. Are you hungry now? It should be dinnertime soon." It was good that she had finally understood and accepted what Valerian was about; now she would be able to learn and go on to be one of the best adepts in the House.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 18:05:23 GMT -5
"Yes, I am," I said, sounding a little surprised even to myself. "Where do we eat?"
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 18:07:56 GMT -5
"With the other trainees in the dining hall," I said with a grin as I held out a hand to help her up. "Everyone will love meeting you and the food's alright most of the time. Some dishes are just awful but tonight's menu looked reasonable. Besides, eating will help your hand heal."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 18:10:03 GMT -5
I took his hand, just holding it this time and not gripping it.
"What are we eating tonight?" I asked, using my newly bandaged hand to smooth out my dress.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 18:12:03 GMT -5
"Beef roast and vegetable and there's always fresh bread," I said with a grin as I led her our of the room. "You got lucky and came on a day when nothing terribly strange was being prepared."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 18:20:03 GMT -5
"I love fresh bread," I told him, my eyes going wide with excitement. "It's one of my favorite things ever."
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 18:23:23 GMT -5
"Mine too," I said with a grin. "Even when the food is bad the bread is always good, and the soup."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 18:24:51 GMT -5
"I'll remember that," I said with a grin. I liked that Gareth and I liked the same food. It made him feel more like my brothers.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 18:26:54 GMT -5
Grinning back I ran a hand over her head and gave her a quick sideways hug. It was good to have something of a sister here again. She would fit in well here and her sunny disposition would be a blessing.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 18:38:08 GMT -5
Turning, I threw my arms around him and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you," I told him, still squeezing tight.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 18:40:30 GMT -5
Smiling, I hugged her back. "You're welcome. Now, let's go get some food before all of the fresh bread is gone and we have to eat yesterday's loaves."
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 18:48:19 GMT -5
I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the door. "Come on then," I said with a grin.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 18:51:56 GMT -5
Smiling, I let her pull me along, then sped up and matched pace with her. She may have been small, but she was slender and quick. "Race you there?" I asked with a raised brow.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 18:53:55 GMT -5
"No fair," I laughed. "I don't know where we're going!"
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 18:56:41 GMT -5
"Well," I said in teasing haughtiness, "Since I'll be winning, you can just follow me." Grinning, I crouched in a ready position. "Or do you think you'll be so far behind you'll get lost?"
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 19:00:01 GMT -5
Giggling so hard I could hardly speak, I crouched beside him and prepared to give chase. "We'll just see who wins," I told him.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 19:03:14 GMT -5
"In case you do get left behind, just follow the left wall and you'll get there. Ready?" I asked with a grin, trying not to laugh.
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 20:50:19 GMT -5
I looked over at the left wall and then back at him, then took off running.
"Ready," I called out over my shoulder.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 20:53:27 GMT -5
Eyes wide in amazement I bolted off after her, glad that the halls were empty at the moment as the pair of us came galloping past. She was smaller and faster but I had endurance and longer legs- in the end she won, but just barely. Taking a deep breath to keep from panting I said, "Ready to eat and meet the others?"
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Post by Douleur nó Shahrizai on Jul 6, 2006 20:58:46 GMT -5
Laughing, I leaned back against a wall, gasping for air.
"In…a…minute…" I managed, holding my side.
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Post by Gareth nó Valerian on Jul 6, 2006 21:05:00 GMT -5
Laughing lightly, I waited, leaning against the opposite wall. I couldn't remember being so happy or childlike since my sister and mother had left the house; it had been a lonely time. Now I had a new little sister who needed my help as much as I needed her good nature. I was sure we would be friends and siblings to each other for a long time to come.
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