xxi. dictated, action

[heloise]

I have a few families and children under my care.

[ She sees no need to specify that they are townspeople. Aren't they all the same? ]

We have enough food, water and other necessary supplies; the castle provides without bounds. But company and songs and stories would help ease their minds, especially the young ones, and I find I have no more happy tales to tell.

You are welcome to share a few of yours: [ insert directions to a white old house in the more preserved side of town.

The windows are broken and many of the doors jammed shut from the quake, but the walls still stand and perhaps that is enough. The survivors have set camp on the floor with whatever blankets and pillows they salvaged and a few of the children are munching on pieces of chocolate eggs. Lucrezia would be nowhere to be seen yet. ]

Comments

[wolfchild]

[ Arya has no happy stories. She does have a few toys. Things she had been given she thinks herself too old for anymore. Pieces of clay and things to draw, even a doll, new, because she had tossed it at the bottom of her chest and never touched it again.

It's a good way to get rid of old things without throwing them away.

She doesn't bother looking for Lucrezia. Claiming a patch of floor for her own, she starts taking them all out of the sack. ]

[heloise]

[ The children are shy at first, but soon they crowd around Arya to pick at the more modest toys first, the clay pieces. Some of them have a few old wooden toys with them but none compare to the doll she brought and they don't dare to reach for that one yet.

Lucrezia comes back with a basket of bread loaves, slowing her steps to hover by a doorway so as not to disturb her first. She thinks the girl might just flee once she sees her... ]

( dictated forever ღ )

[misconstrues]

[ She may visit later but, for now: ]

Are you and Joshua-san okay?

( foreveeeer )

[heloise]

Yes. He is only resting. Did you keep safe?

\o

[misconstrues]

I wasn't in my room, so.. it could have been much worse.

[ That's a solid answer, right? Right. ]

[heloise]

Where were you? Were you hurt at all?

[misconstrues]

In the lobby. [ A pause then, hastily. ]

It's fine! My glasses were the real victim.

[heloise]

I would see you for myself.

[misconstrues]

.. There could be aftershocks!

[heloise]

The quake was worse here. The castle is safe.

1/2

[misconstrues]

It could change tactics!

[misconstrues]

Lucrezia-san, were you hurt?

[heloise]

I was, but now I am well. Wounds heal.

Will you meet me at the library?

[misconstrues]

But, so quickly..

[ Curse you, Lulu. You and your stylishness. ]

I.. could do that. I just can't win at all.

[heloise]

I would choose a few storybooks. Happy ones, preferably.

[wolfchild]

[ She doesn't care what they do. Tucking the empty sack into her belt, she stands.

It's for the best really. Leave her near young children too long and she's bound to make them cry. ]

[heloise]

[ She moves closer when Arya stands, letting the ruffle of her skirt announce her presence. She is here to bring them food and it would be unkind to leave hungry mouths waiting. ]

Were they gifts?

[wolfchild]

They are now.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia goes to give away the basket to one of the townsfolk to distribute, before she goes to crouch and see what the girl has brought. The doll is still untouched though a few of the children are certainly looking at it with interest. ]

I would not think you played with dolls.

[wolfchild]

I don't. It's a stupid thing I got. I hate it.

[heloise]

[ Well then, since no one seems to want to take it, Lucrezia reaches for the doll to cradle it in her hands. ]

Someone here will love it dearly, I think. Who will it be?

[wolfchild]

[ A wordless shrug. Then she recalls her manners and adds: ]

I don't know, my lady.

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

[Well, what's this? Someone looking after children?]

That's kind of you. I might not be seen by all of them, but I'll help best I can.

[He'll just be making a telportation tunnel to dat schoolhouse now, yep]

[heloise]

[ She strokes the doll's head as she moves to stand, turning back to Arya. Never mind all the longing looks she is getting from the children. ]

You should choose. It was yours after all, I would not have them fight to have it.

[heloise]

[ She can be most unkind too, but it would be rude to reject a compliment. ]

What do you mean, not seen?