“He is absolutely adorable!†Astidien squeaked as he lofted the puppy into the air. The grey canine’s small tail wagged furiously as he was lifted, embraced, then spun in the Elezen boy’s arms.
Roen watched as the young boy set the pup gingerly onto the ground, laughing joyously as both he and the animal then tried to run circles around each other. A noble son he may be, but he is still a child, the paladin reminded herself, coming to a seat on a wooden chair set against an oaken desk in the library.
The paladin had brought the pup long to the Theron Manor for her ward’s lessons today. She was reluctant to ask Gibrillont at the Forgotten Knight to keep watch over yet another animal. The Elezen innkeeper did not seem to mind looking after the kitten--a gift from Kage--that was growing more rotund every day. A part of her wondered if leaving it at the inn was a good thing or not, for the feline seemed skilled at catching rodents and charming some patrons for their scrap of food. But when Roen received yet another animal as a gift from Kage, this one a pup with a hat and a cape to boot, she caught the innkeeper rolling his eyes to the ceiling. All she could do was give him a helpless shrug.
“Does he have a name?†Astidien plopped onto to the fur rug laid over the marbled floor, gasping for breaths as the puppy pounced onto his lap.
“I have not named him yet.†Roen shook her head. “You are welcome to choose a name for him if you like.â€
The Elezen boy tilted his head thoughtfully at her. “Why not, Miss Deneith? He is your puppy. A Starlight gift you said.â€
“Aye, from an old friend.†She shrugged. “A good name had not occurred to me, I suppose.â€
Astidien regarded her a moment longer before he turned back to the pup, who was now staring at him imploringly with his front paws planted firmly against the boy’s chest. “I’ll not name you, little one. That is for Miss Deneith. Perhaps she just has not gotten to know you yet.â€
As the boy and the pup began to play again, Roen propped one elbow against the armrest of her chair, her hand coming to cradle her chin. Her gaze drifted from the two at play to the desk that was against the far wall, where his books sat neatly piled. Nowhere in sight were the wooden sword and shield nor any other form of practice weaponry. The paladin let out a small sigh, knowing she herself had not expected to actually tutor the Elezen boy in martial arts this sun, even though that was what she was originally hired for by his adopted father, Constantin Theron. But after a few initial sessions, Roen discovered that the young boy was a gentle pacifist at heart. He did not want to disappoint his father’s wishes of some day aspiring to become a Temple Knight, but in truth he lacked any ambition to learn the art of war. His love was with diplomacy, music, alchemy. A thick tome would be his chosen armament.
Roen pursed her lips to one side, her eyelids half drooping as she imagined discussing another chapter in politics and philosophy, trying not to let her enthusiasm wane.
“She will though, eventually.†Astidien put his nose right up against the puppy’s and murmured quietly. “She’s warming up to us slowly as well.â€
That made the paladin blink. He only gave her a sheepish sidelong glance and a smile which was answered with a stern look. A perceptive child, she observed. She had not mentioned that she also had a cat that she had not given a name to, despite more than one person inquiring after it. Naming them would be calling them her own, creatures that would then be dependent upon her. She was hardly about the inn, did not consider any place her true home now, and would maybe see the cat at the end of the sun if she returned to the Knight at all. She would be a terrible one to entrust a responsibility of another’s well-being. No, eventually finding a home for these animals would be best, and not giving them a name would spare her the attachment.
“I am onto you.†A voice drew both the boy and the paladin’s attention to the entrance to the sunroom, where stood a Hyur girl, one of fourteen winters. Her dark hair was braided to one side, some fringed curls coming loose around her ears. Roen could tell that the hair must have been quickly loosened from whatever fancy arrangement it had been placed in, and had been re-braided hastily, likely by the girl herself. She stood there dressed in tunic and pants, soft leather boots laced up to her knees and her hands bearing a wooden shield and sword. “You are just trying to soften her up so you can talk her out of teaching you swordplay today.â€
“Why should I need to?†The Elezen boy smiled warmly at the girl. “You will do that for me, sister.â€
“You are speaking as if I am not here,†Roen chided them both as she rose from her seat. Leila Theron, the only child to Lord Constantin Theron, gave her the biggest smile possible, one that the paladin knew was her best attempt at winning her over. “I thought you had a dance lesson today?â€
Leila’s bright expression immediately dimmed, twisting into something between an indignant pout and a determined frown. “I’ve no intention of dignifying that farce with my attendance, not when I could be learning a skill of actual use instead. You are the only teacher that is willing to show me how to hold a sword, much less swing one! The dance lessons can wait for when you are not here.†When she came to stand just a few fulms away from the paladin, she set one foot back and brought the wooden shield up in front of her. “I have been practicing what you taught me from the last lesson, and I do not believe I will disappoint..â€
Roen crossed her arms and looked at her with a skeptical arch of a brow. “And I suppose your dance teacher thinks you are unwell again?†When Leila only gave her a toothy grin in return, the paladin sighed. She wondered how teaching his daughter sword play while allowing his son to study poetry would go over with Lord Theron. She walked around the girl, then tapped her foot to slightly wider stance and adjusted the level of her shield and her sword. “For better leverage and balance.â€
The Hyur girl beamed at the first set of instructions for the day, then immediately replaced her eagerness with focus. She demonstrated some basic swings and lunges, and Roen could tell that the girl had been practicing since she last saw her. Her hold was more steady, and she was using her body for more momentum.
“Good!†The paladin gave her a nod of approval and swung her arms toward the door. “You can start practicing on the target dummy outside. I shall be there in a bit.â€
At first she flashed the briefest hint of a playful scowl--Leila had tired of the dummy rather quickly and been perhaps too eager to begin proper sparring--which almost immediately broke into a refreshed grin as she ran off to engage her foe. Roen glanced down at the sound of a small whimper, and noticed the grey pup seated by her foot, his tail wagging for some attention. His round black eyes peered up at her and one foot pawed at her boot. Roen let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping.
“How come you told us we could not even consider a Starlight gift for you?†Astidien clucked his tongue to bring the puppy back to his lap, rewarding him with affectionate scratches on the neck. “You said you did not want such things. And yet someone thought enough of you to send you this delightful creature.â€
“It is from an old friend, a stubborn one at that.†Roen answered dryly, her expression remaining one of disapproval. “I need no gifts.â€
The Elezen boy brought the pup to his chest, his arms wrapping around it. Both him and the canine both turned her head to the paladin almost comically. “No one needs gifts, Miss Deneith. They are a sign of endearment. A reminder that someone is thinking of you. It is not a bad thing.†Then his pensive gaze broke as the puppy began to lick the boy’s nose furiously and he fell back into a fit of giggles.
The paladin stared at the scene for a moment longer. Memories of last year’s Starlight wafted through her thoughts, as she recalled wrapping many gifts, sending each of them with warm remembrance and a small note that said that she had not forgotten them. She had no such sentiments this year, for she had spent a better half of it trying to forget everyone.
As a matter of fact, until she had run into Ser Heuloix and Lady Dufresne in the Forgotten Knight, she had been actively trying to avoid all things Starlight. But it was not to be. The Elezen noblewoman used her charming assertiveness to coax and hire those in the tavern, Khadai and Roen included, for the task of going out into the Brume to handout mugs of warm soup and bread. Roen had acquiesced out of politeness, while she just assumed Khadai would welcome the chance to bring relief to those in need.
The paladin frowned, still unhappy with how she had left things with the Au Ra warrior after their last encounter.
“I cannot imagine the cultural transition has been easy for him.†Eliane’s words suddenly chimed through her thoughts.
Roen let out a long sigh, her shoulders sinking slowly. I suppose I could make amends. That is… if he even took any offense. Who knows with him. She unceremoniously plopped her chin onto her curled hand, blowing away an errant forelock from her eyes. She was not even sure why such thoughts caused the stir of uncertainty within her in the first place. Still… what do I even say now? It was then that a small tap at her boot tip drew her gaze. The grey puppy sat at her feet again, its black eyes peering up at her. Its pink tongue slid back and forth from its mouth with each breath and the paladin could swear the little creature was smiling at her.
The paladin let out a small snort, then gave into (what she imagined in her mind) the relentless stare of the canine, picking it up from its perch by her feet and setting it upon the chair next to her. Its tail drummed on the wooden seat furiously, the pup seemed happy just to be remembered.
Her hand fell onto the pup’s grey furry brows and gave him a quick scratch, to which it happy rolled over onto its belly. Roen gave the soft belly a gentle rub and when she was rewarded with the happy series of pants, a small lift began sneaking onto the corner of her lips.
Hm. Perhaps I have just the thing.
Roen watched as the young boy set the pup gingerly onto the ground, laughing joyously as both he and the animal then tried to run circles around each other. A noble son he may be, but he is still a child, the paladin reminded herself, coming to a seat on a wooden chair set against an oaken desk in the library.
The paladin had brought the pup long to the Theron Manor for her ward’s lessons today. She was reluctant to ask Gibrillont at the Forgotten Knight to keep watch over yet another animal. The Elezen innkeeper did not seem to mind looking after the kitten--a gift from Kage--that was growing more rotund every day. A part of her wondered if leaving it at the inn was a good thing or not, for the feline seemed skilled at catching rodents and charming some patrons for their scrap of food. But when Roen received yet another animal as a gift from Kage, this one a pup with a hat and a cape to boot, she caught the innkeeper rolling his eyes to the ceiling. All she could do was give him a helpless shrug.
“Does he have a name?†Astidien plopped onto to the fur rug laid over the marbled floor, gasping for breaths as the puppy pounced onto his lap.
“I have not named him yet.†Roen shook her head. “You are welcome to choose a name for him if you like.â€
The Elezen boy tilted his head thoughtfully at her. “Why not, Miss Deneith? He is your puppy. A Starlight gift you said.â€
“Aye, from an old friend.†She shrugged. “A good name had not occurred to me, I suppose.â€
Astidien regarded her a moment longer before he turned back to the pup, who was now staring at him imploringly with his front paws planted firmly against the boy’s chest. “I’ll not name you, little one. That is for Miss Deneith. Perhaps she just has not gotten to know you yet.â€
As the boy and the pup began to play again, Roen propped one elbow against the armrest of her chair, her hand coming to cradle her chin. Her gaze drifted from the two at play to the desk that was against the far wall, where his books sat neatly piled. Nowhere in sight were the wooden sword and shield nor any other form of practice weaponry. The paladin let out a small sigh, knowing she herself had not expected to actually tutor the Elezen boy in martial arts this sun, even though that was what she was originally hired for by his adopted father, Constantin Theron. But after a few initial sessions, Roen discovered that the young boy was a gentle pacifist at heart. He did not want to disappoint his father’s wishes of some day aspiring to become a Temple Knight, but in truth he lacked any ambition to learn the art of war. His love was with diplomacy, music, alchemy. A thick tome would be his chosen armament.
Roen pursed her lips to one side, her eyelids half drooping as she imagined discussing another chapter in politics and philosophy, trying not to let her enthusiasm wane.
“She will though, eventually.†Astidien put his nose right up against the puppy’s and murmured quietly. “She’s warming up to us slowly as well.â€
That made the paladin blink. He only gave her a sheepish sidelong glance and a smile which was answered with a stern look. A perceptive child, she observed. She had not mentioned that she also had a cat that she had not given a name to, despite more than one person inquiring after it. Naming them would be calling them her own, creatures that would then be dependent upon her. She was hardly about the inn, did not consider any place her true home now, and would maybe see the cat at the end of the sun if she returned to the Knight at all. She would be a terrible one to entrust a responsibility of another’s well-being. No, eventually finding a home for these animals would be best, and not giving them a name would spare her the attachment.
“I am onto you.†A voice drew both the boy and the paladin’s attention to the entrance to the sunroom, where stood a Hyur girl, one of fourteen winters. Her dark hair was braided to one side, some fringed curls coming loose around her ears. Roen could tell that the hair must have been quickly loosened from whatever fancy arrangement it had been placed in, and had been re-braided hastily, likely by the girl herself. She stood there dressed in tunic and pants, soft leather boots laced up to her knees and her hands bearing a wooden shield and sword. “You are just trying to soften her up so you can talk her out of teaching you swordplay today.â€
“Why should I need to?†The Elezen boy smiled warmly at the girl. “You will do that for me, sister.â€
“You are speaking as if I am not here,†Roen chided them both as she rose from her seat. Leila Theron, the only child to Lord Constantin Theron, gave her the biggest smile possible, one that the paladin knew was her best attempt at winning her over. “I thought you had a dance lesson today?â€
Leila’s bright expression immediately dimmed, twisting into something between an indignant pout and a determined frown. “I’ve no intention of dignifying that farce with my attendance, not when I could be learning a skill of actual use instead. You are the only teacher that is willing to show me how to hold a sword, much less swing one! The dance lessons can wait for when you are not here.†When she came to stand just a few fulms away from the paladin, she set one foot back and brought the wooden shield up in front of her. “I have been practicing what you taught me from the last lesson, and I do not believe I will disappoint..â€
Roen crossed her arms and looked at her with a skeptical arch of a brow. “And I suppose your dance teacher thinks you are unwell again?†When Leila only gave her a toothy grin in return, the paladin sighed. She wondered how teaching his daughter sword play while allowing his son to study poetry would go over with Lord Theron. She walked around the girl, then tapped her foot to slightly wider stance and adjusted the level of her shield and her sword. “For better leverage and balance.â€
The Hyur girl beamed at the first set of instructions for the day, then immediately replaced her eagerness with focus. She demonstrated some basic swings and lunges, and Roen could tell that the girl had been practicing since she last saw her. Her hold was more steady, and she was using her body for more momentum.
“Good!†The paladin gave her a nod of approval and swung her arms toward the door. “You can start practicing on the target dummy outside. I shall be there in a bit.â€
At first she flashed the briefest hint of a playful scowl--Leila had tired of the dummy rather quickly and been perhaps too eager to begin proper sparring--which almost immediately broke into a refreshed grin as she ran off to engage her foe. Roen glanced down at the sound of a small whimper, and noticed the grey pup seated by her foot, his tail wagging for some attention. His round black eyes peered up at her and one foot pawed at her boot. Roen let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping.
“How come you told us we could not even consider a Starlight gift for you?†Astidien clucked his tongue to bring the puppy back to his lap, rewarding him with affectionate scratches on the neck. “You said you did not want such things. And yet someone thought enough of you to send you this delightful creature.â€
“It is from an old friend, a stubborn one at that.†Roen answered dryly, her expression remaining one of disapproval. “I need no gifts.â€
The Elezen boy brought the pup to his chest, his arms wrapping around it. Both him and the canine both turned her head to the paladin almost comically. “No one needs gifts, Miss Deneith. They are a sign of endearment. A reminder that someone is thinking of you. It is not a bad thing.†Then his pensive gaze broke as the puppy began to lick the boy’s nose furiously and he fell back into a fit of giggles.
The paladin stared at the scene for a moment longer. Memories of last year’s Starlight wafted through her thoughts, as she recalled wrapping many gifts, sending each of them with warm remembrance and a small note that said that she had not forgotten them. She had no such sentiments this year, for she had spent a better half of it trying to forget everyone.
As a matter of fact, until she had run into Ser Heuloix and Lady Dufresne in the Forgotten Knight, she had been actively trying to avoid all things Starlight. But it was not to be. The Elezen noblewoman used her charming assertiveness to coax and hire those in the tavern, Khadai and Roen included, for the task of going out into the Brume to handout mugs of warm soup and bread. Roen had acquiesced out of politeness, while she just assumed Khadai would welcome the chance to bring relief to those in need.
The paladin frowned, still unhappy with how she had left things with the Au Ra warrior after their last encounter.
“I cannot imagine the cultural transition has been easy for him.†Eliane’s words suddenly chimed through her thoughts.
Roen let out a long sigh, her shoulders sinking slowly. I suppose I could make amends. That is… if he even took any offense. Who knows with him. She unceremoniously plopped her chin onto her curled hand, blowing away an errant forelock from her eyes. She was not even sure why such thoughts caused the stir of uncertainty within her in the first place. Still… what do I even say now? It was then that a small tap at her boot tip drew her gaze. The grey puppy sat at her feet again, its black eyes peering up at her. Its pink tongue slid back and forth from its mouth with each breath and the paladin could swear the little creature was smiling at her.
The paladin let out a small snort, then gave into (what she imagined in her mind) the relentless stare of the canine, picking it up from its perch by her feet and setting it upon the chair next to her. Its tail drummed on the wooden seat furiously, the pup seemed happy just to be remembered.
Her hand fell onto the pup’s grey furry brows and gave him a quick scratch, to which it happy rolled over onto its belly. Roen gave the soft belly a gentle rub and when she was rewarded with the happy series of pants, a small lift began sneaking onto the corner of her lips.
Hm. Perhaps I have just the thing.
