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Post by Galadareth on Dec 27, 2021 6:36:09 GMT
Kestra laughed. “My life is not terribly exciting. Some of my jobs can be but for the most part, I’m just hired help around here. I don’t mind that. It gives me simplicity without being tied down. I could never settle down on a farm by myself. It seems terribly lonely to do. Maybe someday, if I had the right person at my side…” She seemed a little lost in thought. She was a romantic for sure. Internally, she knew her wistful thinking was not entirely realistic for a nomadic woman. Her parents were like that though. Complete with the farm and the small house and a couple chickens and horses and cows. Simple but they loved each other. Kestra wished she had met her mother.
“As for what’s chasing me, I’m not sure myself. Age, maybe. Maybe the life I was born into. I was supposed to be a farm girl but that life wasn’t for me, at least not while I still have the ability to walk Middle Earth. I want to see the world at some point.”
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Post by Jax Nova on Dec 28, 2021 4:58:12 GMT
Duinn felt his spirits lift with her laugh. She had a beautiful laugh. He wouldn’t say it, though. The alcohol hadn’t emboldened him that much yet.
“Well,” Duinn mused, your life seems more exciting than mine, but I guess the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”
He listened as she elaborated. He caught her distant gaze as her mind seemed to be wandering to a different place and time. Then she mentioned traveling. It was almost like it lit a spark inside his chest. How he dreamed of seeing more of middle earth. “Traveling is a foolish goal,” Duinn mumbled, almost to himself. He looked back at Kestra. “That’s what my mother always used to tell me. I would dream of traveling the world and seeing what there is to see.” He shrugged. “I still do, I suppose. I’ve just lost much hope of it happening.”
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Post by Galadareth on Dec 28, 2021 5:14:57 GMT
Her brows furrowed when he mumbled to himself. She hated that he was always told traveling was a wasted goal but she understood the reality of the truth in that matter. Many who grew up on farms seldom travelled—hobbits were chief among that category.
She fell silent, fiddling with her empty mug. For once she didn’t want another, but instead sat, musing over an idea in her mind, a smile steadily growing on her lips. Settling on voicing her thoughts to him, she spoke, “Come with me.” Kestra beamed at Duinn.
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Post by Jax Nova on Dec 29, 2021 3:43:00 GMT
Duinn wondered if he had offended her by his comment as she fell silent. He was just about to apologize, in fact, when she spoke up once more.
“Come with me.” Kestra beamed at him.
His eyes widened, taken entirely off guard. The idea was crazy, but the moment he heard her offer he knew what his choice would be.
“Me?” he seemed to sincerely seek some sort of clarification, as if somehow she might have been talking to someone else. “I- I’ve got a job, and I’ve never traveled... but I- I would love to go with you.” He caught himself staring with surprise and averted his eyes away from Kestra’s. “Are you sure? I mean... you hardly know me.”
Even as he said it, his mind — logic — screamed at him that this offer wasn’t even an option. That age old, pent up, zeal for adventure, however, had been waiting patiently for the right opportunity to burst forth, and so it did. If she would have him, then there would be no changing his mind.
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Post by Galadareth on Dec 29, 2021 4:32:35 GMT
Kestra was never more sure if anything in her entire life. Inviting him along was the right thing to do. “You can become a mercenary with me. I’m sure you don’t want to swing an axe for the rest of your life. See the world with me. It’ll be the greatest adventure of your life…and mine.” She was still smiling. Her mood had vastly improved over the last couple of minutes as she was filled with an excitement that hadn’t been there in years.
She reached over and gently touched his arm, “I may hardly know you but I can tell the you’re a good person. I’d be honored to have you come with me.” The muscles beneath her fingers were strong and swollen from the days’ work. As she felt his warmth, a heat rose in her chest, adding to the excitement she felt. What was this feeling?
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Post by Jax Nova on Dec 30, 2021 3:13:57 GMT
Duinn exhaled heavily, blinking as if he still struggled to wrap his mind around the opportunity that she offered him. After all the dreams he had given up on, and after all the years that it took him to bury those dead dreams... now, when he least expected it, a real opportunity presented itself.
“Thank you doesn’t suffice... but, thank you,” Duinn declared.
His eyes met her own dark blue jewels and her heightened mood seemed infectious. Then, he felt her touch. Simultaneously, he could have sworn he felt his heart stop. There was something in her expression... something alluring. As anxious as it made him to look aimlessly into her eyes, he could hardly help himself. He blinked, wondering why his emotions ran so wild. There was something about this young maiden. Something that brought out that long-buried, and once-thought-dead side of him. Whatever it was, he felt it was exactly what he had been missing all those years.
“The honor would be mind,” he accepted he offer with a broad smile. “I’d love to accompany you.”
He wanted to reach over and take her hand that rested on his arm, but his upbringing prevented it. It would be too brash of him. They did just meet after all.
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Post by Galadareth on Dec 30, 2021 3:43:45 GMT
She smiled at him. “I’m glad to have your company.” She withdrew her arm but felt like she didn’t want to. The touch was warm and sparked something within her to life.
“Where are you staying?” She asked. “I set up a campsite over the hill with my horse if you need a safe place to stay.”
(I was thinking someone comes to give them their job at the campsite. I don’t have any ideas on what the job would be though so if you have any, that would be great.)
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Post by Jax Nova on Dec 30, 2021 22:43:00 GMT
“I’ve been bunking at the lumberjack camp under a make-shift lean-to,” he answered. “I’ve got a small travel pack of my few belongings there. We could stop by on our way, if it’s not too much trouble. I can grab my things and settle up with the foremen for what he owes me so far.”
(Alrighty, not a problem. I should be able to come up with some ideas.)
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Post by Galadareth on Dec 30, 2021 22:56:58 GMT
“Sounds good.” She got to her feet and the barmaid bustled over.
“All done, Miss. Kestra?” she asked.
Kestra nodded and handed her some money, “Here you go, Laura. Have a good evening.” She smiled and picked up her bag and the half of bread remaining on the plate before turning to Duinn. “Lead the way, woodsman.”
(Awesome! Thank you!)
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Post by Jax Nova on Dec 30, 2021 23:07:39 GMT
Duinn reached in his pocket after they stood up and tossed Kestra a couple coins. He hardly gave her time to object before he headed towards the door looking over his shoulder at her. “It’s not far,” he said. “Just a fifteen minute ride outside of town. My horse is just outside.”
He headed out the front door and over to where his horse was hitched. The young filly was headstrong, but a good horse. Her bay coat could be seen as red or black depending on the lighting.
Duinn untied the reigns and gave the horse a gentle pet on her forehead. “Good girl.” He slung the reins over her head, jumped atop his saddle, and waited for his new companion to join him.
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Post by Galadareth on Dec 30, 2021 23:22:10 GMT
Kestra opened her mouth to object to the coins he tossed to her but he left before she could get a word in. She’d have to find a way to sneak them back to him later. She pursed her lips and followed him out of the door. Outside, just near where Duinn had hitched his horse, was her own horse, Aerin. Aerin’s grey coat was whittle but flecked with black speckles up close. His grey tail swished as he saw his rider approach.
Kestra gave his nose a pat and untied him from the post. She mounted swiftly and patted his neck, ready for Duinn to lead the way.
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Post by Jax Nova on Jan 1, 2022 1:51:30 GMT
Duinn made his way out of town and stopped by his old lodging — and did it ever feel good to call it that — to grab his things and settle up with the foreman. He jingled the coins in his hand once he returned to the horse and looked over to Kestra. “It’s not much, but maybe it will help us on our way towards that adventure you spoke of.” He gave a grin, then jumped back on his horse, Holly. Amongst his pack was a bow and quiver of arrows, a double edged sword, a dagger that he strapped on his side, and a hatchet. “I’m not very good with any of them,” he admitted with an embarrassed chuckle. “Maybe you can teach me a few things.”
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Post by Galadareth on Jan 1, 2022 2:21:27 GMT
Kestra followed gladly. Anyone who made coin was interesting to her but Duinn was especially fascinating. She stayed on Aerin while he finished his business with the foreman. When he grinned at her, she immediately returned the expression. He had a nice smile.
“I’m not sure I can teach you about the hatchet. You’re our resident woodsman so that is your area more than mine. I haven’t picked up a bow in many years so I am sure I am decently rusty. Swords are my weapon of choice. I could use a partner.” She smiled. “For sparring, that is,” she said quickly.
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Post by Jax Nova on Jan 1, 2022 2:41:18 GMT
Duinn felt his nerves tens slightly when she smiled back at him. The alcohol must be wearing off. Then she mentioned needing a partner. He thought nothing of it until she quickly clarified, bringing to his realization how she must have feared he would take her comment. He wasn’t sure if he blushed, but he felt like he might have. He chuckled nervously. “I’d love to be your sword fighting partner.” He gave a slight emphasis on “sword fighting” Then his mind began to over think. “Not that I’m saying I wouldn’t be interested-“ he stopped himself there, realizing how jumbled his thoughts were. “I mean-“ He looked away and scratched the back of his neck. Finally he looked back to her. “I’d love to learn swordplay,” he rephrased and simplified his statement.
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Post by Galadareth on Jan 1, 2022 3:11:37 GMT
Kestra did what might be construed as a giggle, half covering her mouth as he stumbled over his words, just as she had done. The slight redness already in her cheeks grew a bit brighter in color as she flushed and looked away from him, getting busy with gathering up her reins, she turned Aerin around and began trotting away, hiding her expression. “Maybe I’m not saying I wouldn’t be interested either,” she mumbled under her breath then looked over her shoulder at Duinn. “My camp is this way!”
The sky was darkening quickly and she lit the lantern that dangled from her saddle and held it aloft to light the way.
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