Finding a desk had been a chore. It seemed the desks in this office filled very quickly. But she finally found one that looked a little dejected smack in the middle of the large office. Studying it with a slight frown, but not for the noise and activity around her. Jal seemed to be able to block those out in order to attend the matters at hand. All those years aboard a ship with wind and rain and storms creating the most ear splitting chorus left one with the ability to block much, or simply filter it for what needed to be heard. No, the frown wasn't for the noise, it was for the poor little desk. It looked like someone had pulled it from a refuse pile long ago. A tug confirmed though that the drawers worked. And there was something of a charm about it. Nodding to herself, Jal tugged a clean cloth from the pack over her shoulder. Adding some wood soap she'd bought in the market after careful conversation with the merchant, she'd set to work, cleaning away the wear of time, dust that would always be present in a newspaper office, and some rather unidentifyable gook that stuck to the edge of the top drawer.
After scrubbing for an hour or so, the wood looked dull and worn. And well it would. It seemed the desk had seen no loving care for some time. A grin offered to the few reporters that passed her, curious looks abounding, Jaleeisa continued with her self imposed chore. Another cloth yanked from the pack that now sat under the edge of the desk, a more careful hand found the beeswax polish she'd also purchased. Settign to work with a jaunty tune on her lips. Now this had been a chore she'd often enjoyed aboard. Polishing the wood to a high gleam, an inch at a time. She almost could hear the gulls crying out to each other, nearly could smell the salt in the air. Buffing the wax into the wood occupied her for several hours. But as she worked, it seemed a new desk slowly appeared from the old. Softly glowing oak took on a warm, mellow glow. The gentle swirls of the grain caught the light in the room and fed it back. It was almost as though the desk drew a deep breath, then relased it with a sigh of comfort and satisfaction.
After washing her hands several hours later, Jal paused at the water cooler to draw a small sip of water. Ahh.. the necter of the gods it was! Gray eyes moved back to her new desk, taking on a twinkle of pride as she studied it critically. Where before had stood a dark, dingy, unloved and seemingly unwanted piece of furniture was now sitting a softly gleaming well cared for sculpture of a wood crafter's masterpiece.
Returning to the desk, several items were tugged from the bulging pack. The first was one of the small paintings that had been done of her parents. This was settled in a place of pride, angled so that not only Jal could enjoy the sight, but others could see to fine work of the artist. A schooner crafted inside a bottle found a home off to the other side. The ship had been meticulously built inside the bottle by her departed Captain, then escorraled by a mage he'd found ashore. The bottle was firmly corked and could not be shattered, hence her comfort in placing it where her articles would be written. Inside, the schooner rode on a magically looped spell of water, small fishes could be seen from time to time.. dolphins.. those adoreable ship's companions. Watching it could have a relaxing effect and free the mind from worries or confusion, freeing it to concentrate on what was needed. Jal figured that would come in handy in the Oracle's office.
With a grin of satisfaction, Jal looked over her desk once more. Then scooped her pack up and headed over to find Des.. her next goal was materials to begin working with.
After scrubbing for an hour or so, the wood looked dull and worn. And well it would. It seemed the desk had seen no loving care for some time. A grin offered to the few reporters that passed her, curious looks abounding, Jaleeisa continued with her self imposed chore. Another cloth yanked from the pack that now sat under the edge of the desk, a more careful hand found the beeswax polish she'd also purchased. Settign to work with a jaunty tune on her lips. Now this had been a chore she'd often enjoyed aboard. Polishing the wood to a high gleam, an inch at a time. She almost could hear the gulls crying out to each other, nearly could smell the salt in the air. Buffing the wax into the wood occupied her for several hours. But as she worked, it seemed a new desk slowly appeared from the old. Softly glowing oak took on a warm, mellow glow. The gentle swirls of the grain caught the light in the room and fed it back. It was almost as though the desk drew a deep breath, then relased it with a sigh of comfort and satisfaction.
After washing her hands several hours later, Jal paused at the water cooler to draw a small sip of water. Ahh.. the necter of the gods it was! Gray eyes moved back to her new desk, taking on a twinkle of pride as she studied it critically. Where before had stood a dark, dingy, unloved and seemingly unwanted piece of furniture was now sitting a softly gleaming well cared for sculpture of a wood crafter's masterpiece.
Returning to the desk, several items were tugged from the bulging pack. The first was one of the small paintings that had been done of her parents. This was settled in a place of pride, angled so that not only Jal could enjoy the sight, but others could see to fine work of the artist. A schooner crafted inside a bottle found a home off to the other side. The ship had been meticulously built inside the bottle by her departed Captain, then escorraled by a mage he'd found ashore. The bottle was firmly corked and could not be shattered, hence her comfort in placing it where her articles would be written. Inside, the schooner rode on a magically looped spell of water, small fishes could be seen from time to time.. dolphins.. those adoreable ship's companions. Watching it could have a relaxing effect and free the mind from worries or confusion, freeing it to concentrate on what was needed. Jal figured that would come in handy in the Oracle's office.
With a grin of satisfaction, Jal looked over her desk once more. Then scooped her pack up and headed over to find Des.. her next goal was materials to begin working with.