Clouds had blocked the sunlight transforming the last Ymiden day into a near twin to that of Vhalar. Elowen was sitting on the ground in the wildflower garden, watching Pea who was enjoying his snack, ruffling his feathers, turning his head this and that way, and generally being a content bird.
There was no doubt in the girl's mind now that the bird was staying. It had healed for the most part and Elowen wasn't preventing it from leaving, if anything, at some point, she was even encouraging it. Yet, he was still sticking around despite all that. So Elowen kept collecting and roasting grasshoppers whenever they had some catch in her primitive traps. It was the least she could do to show gratitude for his company.
She would have spent more time in that peaceful moment were it not for the sounds of someone stomping down the path that led to the shack. Soon after, Eseld came into view and her furious expression was no good news. Elowen had heard of the girl's legendary whimsical mood swings which equalled her prowess with languages. But she had never been on the receiving end and did not understand why that would be changing now.
Frowning, Elowen got up, brushing herself off as Eseld marched into the wildflower garden. Pea must have heard her approach but didn't leave until last minute, letting them both know how displeased he was with that intrusion by uttering a loud cry as he part hopped, part ran to the opposite side of the garden. Elowen found it comical that his commitment to the rest of the goodies prevented him from taking flight.
But at least the sight of the bird placated the visitor somewhat for a while. Eseld stopped in surprise as she took in the fact that she was looking at real life Peaphonix who was closer than any she had seen before though he eyed her with equal fury that the Inn's serving girl seemed to have felt earlier.
"I didn't know you had one of these," Eseld said and perhaps the conversation could have shifted from whatever had angered the girl, if it didn't have such a strong hold on her. For just a few trills later, she shook her head, the upset returning to her features. "But that's not why I'm here. I need your help. Ciaran, the muppet. Asgall's son, I'm sure you know..." At that point, Eseld uttered what Elowen understood only as a growl of frustration as she watched Eseld's hands raise to the air all claw-like. Was something happening to Ciaran? Did he hurt himself in the brewery?
"I swear..." Eseld huffed again then rubbed her forehead. "I need you to make me a love potion for him. He's as blind as a stick in a puddle and I really don't know what else to do."
A what now? Elowen raised her eyebrows and her eyes met Eseld's for a brief moment before she dropped her gaze, frowning and shaking her head.
"I don't do potions, Eseld," she told the other girl.
"Well, take it as a practice run," Eseld said and made a move to take hold of Elowen's elbow as though to guide her back into her own home. But thanks to the angle of Elowen's gaze, she saw the gesture coming. A sudden wave of queasiness and distaste washed over her. The heat in her body soared and before she knew it, Elowen's body acted, getting out of the way. She near stumbled but finally placed herself between Eseld and the door.
Elowen had never been rough handled or forced in any way by any of the villagers. So this move was both a point of shock, horror and reaffirmation to her. People only act in self interest. She recalled Meira's words or something similar to what she had once told her. Those living in Mistral Village treated Elowen with as much respect as they would give a child her age who succeeded their long trusted apothecary which was enough that they would come to her for help, but not too much that they would interact with her outside the shack unless necessary.
If Eseld's act came out of blue, Elowen would have been caught blind sided. But the anger in Eseld gave away all the possibilities of her actions that aligned with her mood. Elowen learnt that also when observing Meira alone.
But in that moment, there was no space for words. Both of the girls taken aback at what had nearly transpired. It was Eseld who broke the silence, holding her hands up. "I'm sorry," she said and an aura of defeat came over her. "I just don't know what else to do."
Elowen let the moment take its course and during that time she too managed to get a handle on herself. Though the heat was still high in her body, she could see clearer the problem in front of her. Although the way Eseld arrived and the way she behaved was most unwanted and unappreciated, she was still just a villager in need of help. Elowen's craft was not potion-making, but perhaps there was something on the shelves in the shack that could help.
"Come," Elowen whispered and made her way back into the shack, not knowing if Eseld would follow but having a strong inkling that she might.
There was no doubt in the girl's mind now that the bird was staying. It had healed for the most part and Elowen wasn't preventing it from leaving, if anything, at some point, she was even encouraging it. Yet, he was still sticking around despite all that. So Elowen kept collecting and roasting grasshoppers whenever they had some catch in her primitive traps. It was the least she could do to show gratitude for his company.
She would have spent more time in that peaceful moment were it not for the sounds of someone stomping down the path that led to the shack. Soon after, Eseld came into view and her furious expression was no good news. Elowen had heard of the girl's legendary whimsical mood swings which equalled her prowess with languages. But she had never been on the receiving end and did not understand why that would be changing now.
Frowning, Elowen got up, brushing herself off as Eseld marched into the wildflower garden. Pea must have heard her approach but didn't leave until last minute, letting them both know how displeased he was with that intrusion by uttering a loud cry as he part hopped, part ran to the opposite side of the garden. Elowen found it comical that his commitment to the rest of the goodies prevented him from taking flight.
But at least the sight of the bird placated the visitor somewhat for a while. Eseld stopped in surprise as she took in the fact that she was looking at real life Peaphonix who was closer than any she had seen before though he eyed her with equal fury that the Inn's serving girl seemed to have felt earlier.
"I didn't know you had one of these," Eseld said and perhaps the conversation could have shifted from whatever had angered the girl, if it didn't have such a strong hold on her. For just a few trills later, she shook her head, the upset returning to her features. "But that's not why I'm here. I need your help. Ciaran, the muppet. Asgall's son, I'm sure you know..." At that point, Eseld uttered what Elowen understood only as a growl of frustration as she watched Eseld's hands raise to the air all claw-like. Was something happening to Ciaran? Did he hurt himself in the brewery?
"I swear..." Eseld huffed again then rubbed her forehead. "I need you to make me a love potion for him. He's as blind as a stick in a puddle and I really don't know what else to do."
A what now? Elowen raised her eyebrows and her eyes met Eseld's for a brief moment before she dropped her gaze, frowning and shaking her head.
"I don't do potions, Eseld," she told the other girl.
"Well, take it as a practice run," Eseld said and made a move to take hold of Elowen's elbow as though to guide her back into her own home. But thanks to the angle of Elowen's gaze, she saw the gesture coming. A sudden wave of queasiness and distaste washed over her. The heat in her body soared and before she knew it, Elowen's body acted, getting out of the way. She near stumbled but finally placed herself between Eseld and the door.
Elowen had never been rough handled or forced in any way by any of the villagers. So this move was both a point of shock, horror and reaffirmation to her. People only act in self interest. She recalled Meira's words or something similar to what she had once told her. Those living in Mistral Village treated Elowen with as much respect as they would give a child her age who succeeded their long trusted apothecary which was enough that they would come to her for help, but not too much that they would interact with her outside the shack unless necessary.
If Eseld's act came out of blue, Elowen would have been caught blind sided. But the anger in Eseld gave away all the possibilities of her actions that aligned with her mood. Elowen learnt that also when observing Meira alone.
But in that moment, there was no space for words. Both of the girls taken aback at what had nearly transpired. It was Eseld who broke the silence, holding her hands up. "I'm sorry," she said and an aura of defeat came over her. "I just don't know what else to do."
Elowen let the moment take its course and during that time she too managed to get a handle on herself. Though the heat was still high in her body, she could see clearer the problem in front of her. Although the way Eseld arrived and the way she behaved was most unwanted and unappreciated, she was still just a villager in need of help. Elowen's craft was not potion-making, but perhaps there was something on the shelves in the shack that could help.
"Come," Elowen whispered and made her way back into the shack, not knowing if Eseld would follow but having a strong inkling that she might.
