The faint smile faded from Katarina’s face. “Same thing that happened to everyone: the Calamity. The troupe was wiped out. As far as we could tell, ours was the last wagon. Mama fell trying to help another aboard, she slipped from my grip and...†The sisters reached for the other’s hand while Katarina took a deep breath to steady herself. “Well, one moment papa is driving the wagon as hard as he could, looking for a place we could hopefully wait it out. Next moment we’re waking up, nearly a hundred malms from where we remember. The wagon gone, and only a scattering of our supplies around. To this day, we have no idea what happened.â€
It was indeed a most vexing puzzle that everyone has had to endure - what happened? For those of us who survived, most were able to pick things up and move on. But for others, it is a question that haunts them still. For these two, who had lost everyone they cared for, and yet still be able to laugh and joke, showed a resilience that few possessed.
Moire picked up the story, but without any added drama or embellishments. This time she wasn’t performing, she was telling her experience. “We gathered up what we could, and after a some debate, and maybe an argument or two, determined we would search for papa. If we survived, he may have survived. And that’s how we’ve spent the past few summers, traveling from town to town, taking odd jobs to buy supplies or passage to the next stop. Not all that different from life before.â€
“Just with a little less song and dance.â€
“That’s what you got me here for,†Moire said adorably while leaning to tap the side of her head to Katarina’s shoulder.
“Did have one bit of good luck, though. Found our cousin Ludja earlier this season, so it’s possible others from the troupe survived. A bit of bad luck, she agreed to travel with us for a time.â€
“Is someone talking about me?†a smoky voice said sweetly from the doorway. In walked a Hyur, tall as a Highlander but slender like a Midlander. Skin so tanned some would call it brown. A strikingly beautiful face was framed by raven black hair. Piercing, violet eyes swept across the room and she flashed a quick smile at the other patrons. She came to the table with just a hint of a sway in her walk. Her clothes consisted of rich colors, sashes on her hips accentuated her movements. If it was humanly possible, I’m certain I would have heard jaws dropping and hitting tables.
I immediately determined to keep an eye on this one. Someone like this could easily stir trouble, even if unintentionally. And if she stirred trouble intentionally... well, I hoped for her sake, she wasn’t about to do so.
“And how are my two most favorite cousins?†Ludja gave the sisters a kiss each on the top of their heads before dropping her pack and taking the one free seat. She noted how there were only two drinks on the table, “aw, nothing for me?â€
“Didn’t know how long you’d be,†Katarina said.
“Wha’d ya get? Wha’d ya get?†Moire asked like an excited child.
“Oh, I found this,†Ludja set down a silver necklace with a few pieces of lapis attached.
Katarina rubbed a hand across her face. “Hells, Lu... how much did this set us back?â€
“Hey, I got a good deal,†Ludja said with a sly smirk. “Practically a steal.â€
“That’s what I’m worried about,†Katarina said dryly.
“Now, now, I paid for it, in front of witnesses even. Not my fault if I just happened to get it well below market value.â€
I heard one of the patrons let out a quiet whistle of astonishment. Admittedly, I was rather impressed myself. We knew the only place that would have a piece of jewelry like that, and the proprietor was known for driving a hard bargain. If Ludja had indeed made such a deal, it was nigh a miracle.
Katarina let out a nearly inaudible grumble then looked to me. “You have beds available?â€
I nodded and guaranteed all were clean and free of vermin, even in the common room, or their stay and all meals were free. It wasn’t always easy to keep to that guarantee, with some of the folks who passed through, but we have our ways.
“Got one large enough for a Roegadyn?†I noted she asked for a bed, singular. It was practical, the three of them could fit in reasonable comfort and keep each other warm. Again I nodded to the query and told her we have a couple, one in it’s own room even and told her how much it was.
Katarina shook her head, “the common room will do.â€
I heard small sounds of disappointment from the other two. “Come on, Kat,†Ludja said plaintively and gave her cousin a nudge, “it’s not thaaat much.â€
“Pleeeaaaaase,†Moire pleaded while nudging from the other side.
“You paying for it? You?†Katarina glanced at the the two.
“I’ll pay you back,†Ludja said with a firm nod.
“When have you ever done that?â€
“There was that time, back in that village with that Lalafell with the funny tattoo.â€
Katarina blinked at Ludja, “that was nearly a full moon ago!
“Still proves I’m good for my word.â€
I couldn’t help but wonder how many times a scene like this had played out between them. Katarina buried her face in her hands. “You two aren’t going to let up, are you?â€
“Nope!†they both chimed with determination.
“Trust me,†Ludja said in a comforting tone while placing a hand on Katarina’s shoulder.
Katarina mumbled a curse under her breath then relented. “Fine, fine. But when we’re starving you get to decide which of your limbs we cut off to eat.â€
“Yay!†Moire clapped her hands together.
“Marvelous,†Ludja beamed, then looked to me. “Now, what fine drinks does your establishment have? Oh, and I think we’ll be needing some bowls of that delicious stew I smell.â€
Katarina mumbled something about it being their last hot meal.
It was indeed a most vexing puzzle that everyone has had to endure - what happened? For those of us who survived, most were able to pick things up and move on. But for others, it is a question that haunts them still. For these two, who had lost everyone they cared for, and yet still be able to laugh and joke, showed a resilience that few possessed.
Moire picked up the story, but without any added drama or embellishments. This time she wasn’t performing, she was telling her experience. “We gathered up what we could, and after a some debate, and maybe an argument or two, determined we would search for papa. If we survived, he may have survived. And that’s how we’ve spent the past few summers, traveling from town to town, taking odd jobs to buy supplies or passage to the next stop. Not all that different from life before.â€
“Just with a little less song and dance.â€
“That’s what you got me here for,†Moire said adorably while leaning to tap the side of her head to Katarina’s shoulder.
“Did have one bit of good luck, though. Found our cousin Ludja earlier this season, so it’s possible others from the troupe survived. A bit of bad luck, she agreed to travel with us for a time.â€
“Is someone talking about me?†a smoky voice said sweetly from the doorway. In walked a Hyur, tall as a Highlander but slender like a Midlander. Skin so tanned some would call it brown. A strikingly beautiful face was framed by raven black hair. Piercing, violet eyes swept across the room and she flashed a quick smile at the other patrons. She came to the table with just a hint of a sway in her walk. Her clothes consisted of rich colors, sashes on her hips accentuated her movements. If it was humanly possible, I’m certain I would have heard jaws dropping and hitting tables.
I immediately determined to keep an eye on this one. Someone like this could easily stir trouble, even if unintentionally. And if she stirred trouble intentionally... well, I hoped for her sake, she wasn’t about to do so.
“And how are my two most favorite cousins?†Ludja gave the sisters a kiss each on the top of their heads before dropping her pack and taking the one free seat. She noted how there were only two drinks on the table, “aw, nothing for me?â€
“Didn’t know how long you’d be,†Katarina said.
“Wha’d ya get? Wha’d ya get?†Moire asked like an excited child.
“Oh, I found this,†Ludja set down a silver necklace with a few pieces of lapis attached.
Katarina rubbed a hand across her face. “Hells, Lu... how much did this set us back?â€
“Hey, I got a good deal,†Ludja said with a sly smirk. “Practically a steal.â€
“That’s what I’m worried about,†Katarina said dryly.
“Now, now, I paid for it, in front of witnesses even. Not my fault if I just happened to get it well below market value.â€
I heard one of the patrons let out a quiet whistle of astonishment. Admittedly, I was rather impressed myself. We knew the only place that would have a piece of jewelry like that, and the proprietor was known for driving a hard bargain. If Ludja had indeed made such a deal, it was nigh a miracle.
Katarina let out a nearly inaudible grumble then looked to me. “You have beds available?â€
I nodded and guaranteed all were clean and free of vermin, even in the common room, or their stay and all meals were free. It wasn’t always easy to keep to that guarantee, with some of the folks who passed through, but we have our ways.
“Got one large enough for a Roegadyn?†I noted she asked for a bed, singular. It was practical, the three of them could fit in reasonable comfort and keep each other warm. Again I nodded to the query and told her we have a couple, one in it’s own room even and told her how much it was.
Katarina shook her head, “the common room will do.â€
I heard small sounds of disappointment from the other two. “Come on, Kat,†Ludja said plaintively and gave her cousin a nudge, “it’s not thaaat much.â€
“Pleeeaaaaase,†Moire pleaded while nudging from the other side.
“You paying for it? You?†Katarina glanced at the the two.
“I’ll pay you back,†Ludja said with a firm nod.
“When have you ever done that?â€
“There was that time, back in that village with that Lalafell with the funny tattoo.â€
Katarina blinked at Ludja, “that was nearly a full moon ago!
“Still proves I’m good for my word.â€
I couldn’t help but wonder how many times a scene like this had played out between them. Katarina buried her face in her hands. “You two aren’t going to let up, are you?â€
“Nope!†they both chimed with determination.
“Trust me,†Ludja said in a comforting tone while placing a hand on Katarina’s shoulder.
Katarina mumbled a curse under her breath then relented. “Fine, fine. But when we’re starving you get to decide which of your limbs we cut off to eat.â€
“Yay!†Moire clapped her hands together.
“Marvelous,†Ludja beamed, then looked to me. “Now, what fine drinks does your establishment have? Oh, and I think we’ll be needing some bowls of that delicious stew I smell.â€
Katarina mumbled something about it being their last hot meal.
