Topic: A light luncheon

SylviaNightshade

Date: 2009-03-11 16:49 EST
Sylvia had narrowly escaped Llew as impromptu companion on her journey into town. Only when she gave the impression that the visit with her friend was of a more private conference was the gentleman persuaded to remain at Yearling Brook. Llew did not seem inclined to submit to her encouragement that he tour the city on his own or in Ewan's company.

That was a matter to be handled another day. This day she rode through the streets and on her way to Elessaria's Heart Notes Parfumerie. While the day was cold, at least it had some sunlight to it, and it made the glass of store fronts sparkle their wares, showing them well.

When the shop came into view just a little before midday, Sylvia bent down over the neck of the horse to get a better view inside. A livery was a few blocks back, so she turned about to house her mount there. It was a smaller establishment, as it seemed fewer were using the four legged beasts as transportation these days. Still, it was clean and well tended, and Sylvia was comfortable in settling the animal there for her brief excursion.

With the small basket containing the luncheon items on her arm, she returned down the street to enter the shop. There was a customer being tended by Elessaria, and Sylvia did not interrupt, but stepped to the side to look over the establishment. Its creme, crystal, and gold tones had such a delicate richness that did not detract from the hint of frangrances that danced upon the air.

The basket with its small sandwiches, a few cheeses, two apples, and one bottle of an Yransea liquor known as grydda made from grapes and herbs, was set upon the floor near her feet as she looked over the candles for sale. She did not look to be in any sort of a rush, and just smiled a greeting to let Elessaria know she was there.

Elessaria

Date: 2009-03-25 22:37 EST
"Good day, Sylvia," Eless greeted her friend enthusiastically while she finished wrapping up the Mrs. Sullivan's purchase of hand-carved soaps that looked and smelled like white lilies. She placed them in the wicker basket with the matching bath oil, bath salts and lotion for the elderly woman who was referred by Mrs. Byrne (whom was more affectionately called Miss Lil).

After seeing her customer to the doorand bidding her a good afternoon, the diminutive elf flipped over the sign that read "Closed For Lunch" and headed straight for Sylvia. She greeted her with a friendly kiss to each cheek, "Welcome to Heart Notes. Didst thou have any trouble finding it, m'friend?" Her eyes sparkled as she regarded the Baroness fondly. "I am so glad thou hast come. I am looking forward to catching up with thee and actually sitting for lunch! Wouldest thou care to go to the back room where we can have more privacy' I have a pot of Fay's blend of tea ready to heat as well as some pastries and fruit to finish the luncheon thou hast been kind enough to bring."

SylviaNightshade

Date: 2009-03-26 16:03 EST
A smile and exchange of greeting in similar fashion to the one given. "No trouble at all in finding it, Elessaria, and what a very fine shop you have indeed. Already so busy, it seems."

With a dip down, she claimed the basket again, "A cup of the tea sounds wonderful. I did bring a bottle of grydda, a sort of dessert liquor, but for the sandwiches and fruit, the tea would be best."

Following back to the work room, Sylvia kept looking everything over, careful of where she stood and kept the basket under strict control. "Do you have help here" With business so brisk, if you do not have aid soon, I may find you one day overrun." The smile was fond, and upon arrival in the work room and spying the treats Elessaria described upon a table, Sylvia unpacked the basket to add her own offerings to their luncheon.

"I do appreciate this, Elessaria. It is a rare treat to speak with someone who does not couch their words or have to play political maneuverings with every phrase. So, with that," she grinned, "tell me how you have been" All the news." Her hand motioned in a swiping gesture as if indicating the entire landscape. Then with a soft laugh, "Or just what of it you would like to talk about."

Elessaria

Date: 2009-04-28 21:26 EST
"As of now I do all the work myself, Sylvia, and I must admit I find it a bit overwhelming. However, our friends did help me with the grand opening and without their help, I would be lost," she answered as she reached for the teapot and the pair of porcelain cups that were painted with pale blue freesia blossoms. After she poured the cups, the elf added with a smile, "I have been considering offering an apprenticeship to one of the children at High Spires; but, I will nay bring her on until I am certain things are....well, as safe as they can be here." She made a little dismissive wave with her free hand after offering the mug of tea to the lovely noblewoman. "My concerns have little weight or bearing in comparison to thy burdens, m'friend. Please sit and let us relax for a short while." Eless gestured as she sank into one of the chair, happy to be off her feet for a bit.

SylviaNightshade

Date: 2009-05-06 12:27 EST
The cup was cradled in one palm and the delicate handle lightly grasped between finger and thumb of the opposite hand. The warmth of the cup seeped into her fingers. Elessaria's dismissal of her trials as being less than Sylvia's brought a raised brow and look of doubt.

"I think an apprentice would be good for both parties, and I hope you deem it safe, as you put it, soon or I may just visit every day for lunch to see you get a moment's rest." She teased setting aside the teacup so she might select a sandwich, rather delighted in the fact she could eat at leisure instead of the fits and starts usually associated with lunch time at her home.

The first bite was delayed though to field the first volley of hinted troubles. "What is unsafe about being here, Elessaria" I find it quite the haven from my insistent guest, hammering repairs, and uncertainties, though," she sighed, "I suppose all feel that way when visiting lives of others. Come, tell me of these issues, and maybe I can be of aid to you where I cannot be to myself. Shared burdens or some such?" A light note of laughter and she finally took a bite of the sandwich.

Elessaria

Date: 2009-05-18 16:49 EST
Elessaria stared at the delicate porcelain cup in her hand as she searched for the words to explain what the elf didn't fully comprehend yet herself. She glanced up with a wistful smile, the desire to share outweighing her fears of burdening Sylvia. At the very least, her friend could simply listen to her bare her heart; at the best, she could share some of her well-earned wisdom. The empath took a slow sip before she spoke in low tones in spite of the fact they were the only ones in the building, "A few months back somebody managed to broach my wards here. They did nay steal nor tamper with anything. 'Twas very subtly done. Whoever it was, is very skillful for they left no magical nor emotional signatures for me to trace."

Eless kept her gaze upon her friend's beautiful face while she took another sip of the tea which was then followed by a few deep breaths. "When I went to Evandar as I always do on the Spring Equinox - to pay homage to my parents and people - I discovered those wards were crossed as well. No one hath been permitted entrance to Evandar after its destruction and those wards were set to do just that." Her brow furrowed as she recalled her surprise upon entering Evandar during her most recent pilgrimage. "Sylvia, they were perhaps a bit elementary in craftsmanship; however, they were extremely strong. They were created with blood, ashes and emotions, as well as magic. Again, there were no traces for me to follow, but I believe 'twas the same person."

"I fear the Servants of the Dark are toying with me. I know this is all vague. I am only just beginning to sort the puzzle pieces myself. More of my memory is returning every day - the visit to Evandar hath triggered the breaking of the spells that had bound them these past few years," Eless' words came tumbling out in reflection of her jumbled thoughts. She set the cup down on a side table carved of honey oak and her fingertip strayed to trace the pendant that was nestled at the hollow of her throat. The intricate, elven design was of a gold flame - the sign of the House of Devabriel. The blue flames flickered erratically deep within her gaze as her eyes began to shimmer with crystalline tears. "I am nay the only one in danger, Sylvia."

The empath watched the Baroness' expression carefully as she shared the most critical news, "I am soulbound to Thelrain Larethian and I think I am beginning to understand finally why we are living separate lives."

—- ((Edited for grammar, spelling, and necessary changes in SL, etc.))

SylviaNightshade

Date: 2009-05-23 15:31 EST
There was great weight to the confidences presented to her, and Sylvia set aside her cup of tea as she listened. Threats were not an unusual thing for Sylvia herself to face, nor for her children, though these threats were full of deep magics beyond her faculties.

She sat in silence, letting the words repeat in her mind to give the complexities their due. Fingers did not move from where they rested upon her lap relieved of the tea cup. Violet eyes moved over Elessaria, seeing in only delicate gestures the heaviness of being parted from the one the woman is soulbound and the resolved acceptance of that separation. These gestures were not bold strokes painted across Elessaria's features or crushing down upon her shoulders, but the touch of the pendant. It was a motion Sylvia was all too familiar with in her own right. It had been surprising in one corner of her thoughts, then all too likely in the other that Elessaria had an intimate, soulbound connection with another.

"Elessaria," she finally spoke soft into the hush of a room that barely let the sounds of the outside world enter. "Such mysteries are difficult things to bear, and doubly so when the heart has a longing that is unable to be appeased. I cannot deny your reasonings for being cautious in bringing another close to you when you have defenses believed secure undone. I have no answer to causes or preventions, for when it comes to such matters I must rely on others more aptly able to confront them."

It was a bittersweet smile, "But of one thing I do know, and I present it as a thought only to consider. Do not let mysteries and threats rob you of the time and opportunities presented. Do not let them cage you into living a life bereft. I understand your reluctance to bring the child close, but if I shared in that reluctance I believe my children would have a very poor life indeed locked into a tower protected by every measure within my grasp. Or more so, would not have had them at all to face such dangers as they have in the young start of their lives. As to the separation of you and your love," her heart sighed its ache in company to the sigh of her breath, "I am so very sorry."

It sounded sanctimonious, though sincerely meant and she had striven to present her understanding, in its limitation. "Have you sought the aid of others that might help in revealing this person so determined to harass you?"