Topic: Visit of Uncertainty

Storm Divine

Date: 2008-02-09 19:25 EST
Storm arrived early at the Teas'n Tomes as she waited for Peredhil. Rather than waiting in the cold or an empty home, she opted for the short walk to the meeting place and enjoyed a cup of peppermint tea. From her seat near a window, she glanced up at the blue and purple clouds, and knew that it would snow later in the evening. For the current noontime, it made a bleak atmosphere.

Fingerless gloved hands cupped the small teacup as she took her last sip. The silence of an empty room allowed her the concentration to prepare her mind for the purpose of the meeting. Her concern for Piper could no longer be kept to herself when others reached out for her assistance. She did not know what kind of help she would be, but Storm would not turn her friend away.

Her eyes moved away from the window towards the time piece, and sighed softly. It would be any moment now, when Peredhil would come and they would venture to check on Piper. With each passing encounter, the odd behavior only drew out more concern. But she was not as knowledgeable as Peredhil, and so she would save her curiosity for him on the short walk.

Peredhil

Date: 2008-02-10 16:14 EST
Peredhil strode quickly towards Teas?n Tomes. Already a good ten minutes late, he didn?t want Storm to have to wait any longer than necessary. Good ol? Storm? so loyal to those she cared about. He knew how lucky he was to count her among his group of friends. And he knew she was deeply concerned about Piper. As was he. Nevertheless, he had serious misgivings about joining Storm, as his presence seemed to bring out the worst in Piper. She had changed since her trip, and the mere sight of him seemed to stir up unhappy memories. There was the disconcerting bit about his twin as well. Storm had insisted, however, so here he was.

Pushing open the door to Teas?n Tomes, he immediately spotted Storm. They exchanged hurried greetings ? clearly, neither was in the mood for pleasantries. As they walked towards Piper?s house, Storm seemed to be full of questions and she appeared disappointed when he was unable to answer them. He tried to fill her in on what he little he knew, gathered from the few times he?d actually spoken to Piper since she'd returned.

He spied Piper?s home ahead, smoke rising lazily out of the chimney.

?I really think you?d be better off if you spoke to her alone,? he said softly, turning to Storm. ?Maybe it would be best if I just wait out here.? Storm waved off his protests and he reluctantly followed her towards the front door.

Storm Divine

Date: 2008-02-16 00:52 EST
"Nonsense, I am here because you do not want to be alone. You cannot back away now." Offering her infamous cheeky grin, she almost started to knock, before she turned to face him.

She studied his eyes, and lowered her voice just above a whisper, "Peredhil, I want you to know that you are not the only one has worried. I want to know just as you do. So, let us find out what we can, and go from there, yes?"

She knew he had more reasons that she, but that was neither here nor there. Without wasting more time, she swiftly knocked on the door.

Peredhil

Date: 2008-02-16 15:41 EST
He smiled hesitantly at Piper, then waited for Storm to enter before following her in. Glancing down at the book Piper held in his hand, he was surprised to see that she was reading one of his favorite books. It took him a moment to realize that he had loaned her that same book a few months ago. His eyes sought her face, a sly smirk the only indication that he recognized it.

A quick sweep of the room gave him pause. It was too early for a spring cleaning, but it appeared Piper had rid herself of all of her pottery. Except for four mugs sitting innocuously on a table, their presence more conspicuous due to the absence of all other pieces. Peredhil hastily turned away, those mugs invoking bad memories of his only previous visit and reminding him of the dangers that lay ahead.

Turning to Storm, he found her looking expectantly at him. Stifling a grumble, he turned back to Piper.

"Piper, we're worried about you. You haven't been yourself since your trip," he began, fighting the urge to look at the mugs again. "We don't mean to pry, but is there anything we can do to help?"

Storm Divine

Date: 2008-02-16 15:57 EST
"Thank you." Polite upbringing at its finest, Storm was all smiles as she stepped inside to the warmth of her home. Easily removing her fingerless gloves, she tucked them away to the pocket of her cloak. She made sure to make room for Peredhil to enter behind her.

She was much more discreet in observing Piper's home, though she was drawing the same conclusions. The absence of all the pottery was not something that brought immediate worry, though something felt amiss within the back of her mind. The four mugs set upon the table had little meaning to her, but by the way Peredhil's demeanor changed, she had a feeling it meant something to him.

At her pointed look to Peredhil, Storm was hoping that he would at least be polite with some small talk before reaching the root of the problem. Instead, he practically blurted their intentions, and it took all of her self control to not roll her eyes up to the ceiling.

Peredhil

Date: 2008-02-17 11:36 EST
He had noticed Storm's grimace, but small talk was not Peredhil's forte, especially when he was worried about a friend's welfare. Besides, it seemed like a week had elapsed during the course of their short walk from Teas'n Tomes to Piper's home, which did not inspire a desire for chitchat.

Settling into a chair, an uplifted brow was his only reaction to Piper's explanation. As to her question, there were numerous things that still perplexed him. The absence of all pottery except for those four mugs, for instance. Why she seemed seemed so suspicious of him, to cite another. Or perhaps a sane explanation of this "twin" of his. He realized that this was a lot like counting sheep -- you don't stop until you fall asleep. This time, however, he turned pleasantly to Storm.

"Is there anything else that perplexes you, Storm?"

Storm's look of surprise and discomfort was priceless. Hiding a cheeky grin, he gazed at her blandly. His questions could wait.

Storm Divine

Date: 2008-02-18 13:28 EST
Storm settled easily into one of the chairs by the hearth. Looks were hardly discreet as Piper shuffled around the kitchen, but she did not give Peredhil any more pointed looks. They seemed to miss her subject entirely.

A smile of thanks as the tea was brought out, she listened to the very short and brief explanation of Piper's odd behavior. Thoughts easily masked, she poured herself some tea, and settled back into her chair and welcomed the warmth against her palms. Piper's words were so selectively vague, Storm had the feeling that there was much left out of the story.

Her look of discomfort was brief, though she could see him suppressing a grin. She briefly rubbed her forehead around her hairline, finding herself in the position of asking questions unexpectedly. Next time she offered to give support to Peredhil, she would make sure that he had some sort of plan.

"If you do not mind me asking, how is your business doing?" A more concerned question hidden in a polite one, Storm gestured to the lack of pottery, before carefully taking a sip of her tea.