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Soren · Journeyman Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 102

Time has a habit of ticking on. And in Soren's case she really didn't mind. Time as it would seem, had decided to finally be good to Soren. In the mornings she would fix breakfast for Adrian, if he was there. During the day she would journey to Umbra long enough to gather ingots and leather for tailoring orders that were still steadily coming in from the workshop. At night, if Adrian was there, she would snuggle down and he would watch over her till she fell asleep. If he wasn't Soren would sit by the fire greeting any Gypsy passer by's that happened by the camp. It was Soren's firm belief that this was her place in the world.

It just so happened that this was one of the many nights that Adrian was away. A few clicks and clacks could be heard in the background as Stormy inched her way forward towards the fire. Soren turned around and smiled at her beloved companion. "Come on, there is plenty of room." Motioning the beetle over she tapped the side of the log with the palm of her hand. Biting her tongue in thought Soren bounced happily up from the log and ran in the other room to grab a piece of parchment and a quill. "You feel like running an errand Stormy?" Soren smiled at the oversized beetle in a questioning look that was almost a challenge.

"My Adrian,

When I was little and in Bryelle's house she would go away for days at a time. My parents went away and it was forever so I thought, somewhere inside, that maybe she would one day too. I loved being alone. I hated thinking it was going to be forever. I don't feel that way anymore. I know when you go away, that no matter how long you are gone for, you will always come back. Maybe that sounds like a kid. Maybe it is. But it's the truth. I have faith in you and in my place here at camp.

I loved writing you letters and I hope that you loved getting them. So I thought I would just go back to that. The writing of them makes me feel like you are here even if you aren't. I filled 23 orders today and it's funny when I get gold for them. I'm used to having to turn it all over to Bryelle and Miss Tierna. I don't have to do that anymore! I've never had my own money. Our money. It will be ours when we marry. Is it too soon to start working on a dress? I would be happy in what I have on you know.

I am sending Stormy with the letter. I have packed her up with a bag of cherry muffins, two loaves of bread, one cheese wheel and four bottles of ale. I thought about sending water but I think you have water wherever you are. I have kept a good fire, you would be proud of me. And I have seen three or four Gypsies happen by and stop for soup. I wondered if I should entertain them with stories? Maybe I will work on some and then run them by you when you get back.

Always Your Sparrow,

Soren"

Gingerly, Soren wrapped the parchment up and tied with a strip of leather. Placing the food and drinks into a pouch she secured them to Stormy's back and kissed her shell. "You be a good girl and don't take too long, alright? We have lots of work still to do." Two clacks answered her and what sounded like a gutteral groan of indignation. Slowly and with purpose Stormy lumbered out of the gates and into the night.

Adrian Bishop · Adventurer Joined: 08 Oct 2009 Posts: 95

Umbra was wearing Adrian down. The gloom, the murk of the city, and the caution. Always the caution….Everywhere he looked, he saw the not-quite-living. It took every ounce of courage and willpower he had to keep from running in the other direction. It wasn’t natural. Still, Arahim had been persuasive with his arguments for finding work within the Order. They would be able to better themselves, to build better lives for their families. For his family. Adrian thought of home, and wondered how Soren was doing keeping the fire burning in camp. The girl could keep a forge roaring and bend steel to her will within its inferno. But a campfire, that’s another story. He shook his head with a subconscious chuckle.

A clackity came from behind him, taking him completely by surprise. “Stormy??” His shock registered in his voice, but was quickly replaced with joy. Joy, even here, in this city of death and hate.

Adrian took the letter and read it eagerly. He smiled fondly as he read how well Soren had done with the fire, and pulled out a blank parchment scroll to pen a response. He looked this way and that for a good, smooth surface on which to write, but found only rock and stone blocks. He tucked himself away in a corner of Umbra and used the back of Stormy’s shell as a desk.

Dear Sparrow,

You have no idea how far my spirits had fallen until your letter found me. I have been seeking the appropriate counsel, trying to find work for some of the gypsies, so that I can provide a better life for you. But so far, all I have found is a not-quite-living person whose eyes sort of float around in a glowy gooey floaty sort of way. I try talking to her (at least I think it is a her) but I always get sidetracked watching the gooey floatiness and lose all recollection of the matter at hand. It’s most unfortunate. I’m always glad when she just slumps her shoulders and stalks off, leaving me to break my floaty-induced reverie.

I look forward to seeing first-hand how well you keep the campfire now. And as for a dress…my Dear, no expense will be spared for your dress, no matter what you want. If you want to design it, I would be glad to travel with you to the weaver of your choice to find a fabric to your liking. And if you would like to have it made for you, we’ll have the finest tailor money can hire cater to your every whim. Your day will be exactly as you’ve always dreamed, if such a provision is within my power.

Which brings me to our next question. We really should discuss a date, should we not? I will return home on the morrow, and I’m sure that we can talk more of the matter then. Till that time, may Stormy find you safe and peaceful.

With my heart entirely,
Adrian

He took out a heart-shaped obsidian pebble he had been carrying in his pocket for days and pressed it into the wax seal, then attached the letter to Stormy. As a last second thought, he unloaded his haul from Stormy’s pack and took a hungry bite of Soren’s delectable cherry muffin. Stormy didn’t even wait for Adrian to chew or give the command before speeding off toward camp again.

Soren · Journeyman Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 102

Soren turned the obsidian pebble over and over in her hand absentmindedly. She had been lost in thought for the better part of the morning and it was beginning to make her angry. Something about the smoothness of the stone, and of course where it had come from, gave her a sense of peace. And peace is what she needed at the moment.

Two pins stuck out of the corner of her mouth, now crooked in frustration, and 2 layers of cloth lay across the anvil directly before her. The design was going to be simple, pretty, and completely her own. But somewhere in fabric it was losing it's way. "I know what I want, I just need to make the cloth see it," she said aloud to no one inparticular. This dress was going to be Mrielle's dress.

Mrielle. Soren's mind wondered back to the fateful day in Luna. Turns out purchasing dull copper ingots gave you a lot more than work. It brought back your sister. For standing there, just outside the vendor shop, was Mrielle. The last time Soren had seen her she was 8. The memories were full of smoke, pain and half blocked with the rusty passage of time. They were also filled with Bryelle. Mrielle, had been the sister of her childhood. She was beautiful, talented and everything their mother had wanted. From what Soren knew of her now, she was just as beautiful with her dark hair cascading down her back. And she was just as talented. They both worked with their hands, but in different ways. Mrielle was light and art, Soren was heat and necessity. They were very much like a checker board the two of them.

Bryelle had been the sister of her teen years. The protector, the defender, the punisher. Soren pushed that thought away with a chill and decided on a break from the tailoring. Quietly she put the pins down on a nearby dresser and pulled out a quill and parchment. If there was one thing that fixed her focus is was Her Adrian. Writing him, she would regain her connection to the material, to the wedding, and be able to finish.

"My Adrian,

I tried my hand at crafting benches this morning. It took me 3 hours for one leg. I am so distracted with thoughts of spending the rest of my life with you that I am getting ahead of myself. I'm no expert with wood, but I manage. And I am MANAGING to get splinters.

I had wanted to tell you something when we picked the location for our ceremony but I got all caught up and it slipped my mind. I can't beleive telling you I found my real sister just went right out of my head. But then I can't see very straight when I am with you. I see only you. I can't wait for the 21st!

Her name is Mrielle. I remember bits and pieces. You should see her. She is the spitting image of my mother, or what I remember my mother to be. And she is an artist! I came across her in Luna. I went looking for ingots. I am always running out of ingots. It's funny, I can mine them but that takes to long when I would rather be busy being bent over. I'm off topic again aren't I? I am so glad I found someone who is okay with my off topics. I would hate life with someone I couldn't ramble to.

I am going to invite Mrielle to our wedding if that is alright with you. Actually I thought about making her part of the ceremony. She is my sister. Bryelle would have held her spot if things had gone another way. But they didn't. And I am so glad to see her. So much of what I am is a mix between her and Bryelle. I want to introduce you before the ceremony. I think you will like her. I hope you will like her. You are about to be my husband, it would help if you two got along. My Husband! I love the sound of that.

When I see you next I will introduce you! I don't know if you are working in Umbra or traveling but I am including more treats. It is my job and my pleasure to take care of you now and forever! That means making sure you eat. I think I have said that before, but jsut in case I will say it once more and then leave it be. I have packed you another cherry muffin, 2 loaves of bread, a piece of chocolate. Also, there are bits of pumpkin loaf for Pidgy. Give him a kiss for me!

Until you come home again,

Your Sparrow,

Soren"

Once more, Soren packed up Stormy and sent her on her determined way. Clicks and clacks could be heard throughought Umbra as the oversized blue beetle swayed too and fro to the wedding music playing in her head. The same wedding music Soren had been singing under her breath all morning.

Adrian Bishop · Adventurer Joined: 08 Oct 2009 Posts: 95

Adrian breathed lightly and peered around a corner. He’d been stuck in the back corner of the inn for at least ten minutes while someone not-quite-living gave instructions to the innkeeper. He didn’t dare breathe, nor did he chance another look. He was quite sure that the not-quite-living one had spotted him the last time he peered around the heavy armoir. This phobia of his was getting worse, despite his best efforts, and he knew what he had to do. I have to face it. I have to walk out of the inn, right past that…that…he leaned his head out and looked at the being, then shuddered all over again.

This is Umbra. People and the not-quite-living interact ALL THE TIME. Stop being a child and just hold your head high, don’t look it in the eye, don’t make any sudden movements – and WALK OUT THE DOOR. It is NOT that big a deal. It probably won’t even notice! With a slow, deep breath, Adrian calmed his nerves and steeled himself against the possibility that the thing would snarf his face off as he walked by. Then he forced one steady step after the other, striding, chin level with the ground, trying not to look at the…Then he looked. And it looked. And his eyes became dinner plates, and its eyes…floated.

And Adrian didn’t see the giant blue beetle as it charged in the door toward him. Stormy stopped. Adrian didn’t. He tripped and clattered over the top of the beetle’s shell, then slid down her backside to land on his own backside. He sat there, stunned, for a few seconds. The innkeeper’s conversation halted as two faces – well, really one face and one skull – turned to look where he had fallen. He skittered crablike toward the door, then got to his feet and loped down the steps and out into the Umbran night, with Stormy clicking and clacking noisily after him.

Only when he was safely away from the inn did he take the time to smile as he read the note that Soren had penned. Then Stormy again obliged to be his desk as he wrote a response.

My Sparrow,

I am not having much luck here in Umbra finding the kind of work I seek. I had a run-in at the inn earlier, and am beginning to think perhaps someplace else might have work more suited to our people.

I was overjoyed to read that you had found your sister. You never mentioned whether you had siblings, and I never dared to ask, fearing that I might bring up hurtful memories. I would absolutely love for your sister to attend the wedding, and I hope to meet her soon. I will return to the camp tomorrow, and we can speak further regarding the plans, your sister, and the the life that awaits us. We’re on the edge of Forever, my Sparrow.

Again, I thank you for the food. If you’re not careful, you’ll have a fat husband, and your eye will wander to Kieran or Gustav! But seriously, I do thank you for the provisions you sent. Pidgy has taken up on the roof of the bank, and he paces and coos menacingly at all who enter. The guards have spoken with me about him, and it looks like I’ll be crawling up there to get him before I come home. Hopefully the pumpkin bread will help lure him down.

I will see you tomorrow. Please be safe, and take care of my heart till next I see you.

Your Friendly Pigeon Wrangler,
Adrian

Adrian, for once, found himself without any personal effect by which to seal the letter. He carefully tore one of the silver and lavender embroidered flowers from his vest and pressed it into the melted wax before attaching the letter to Stormy and sending her on her way. Then he cast a furtive glance up toward the roof of the bank, where Pidgy was doing the dance of doom over the head of a local patron who lingered in the doorway.

Soren · Journeyman Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 102

Soren Calestra. Tonight was the last night she would have that name. As of tomorrow she would be Soren Bishop, wife of Adrian Bishop. That thought replayed over and over in her head. Mrs. Adrian Bishop. Wispy eyed and floating on a cloud of future thoughts she walked over to the corner of the workshop. Within the ornate dresser were the supplies for the ceremony and celebration. All of the bags, the bonnets, and the candles were lovingly placed within. Carefully and slowly with her eyes closed she ran her fingertips from edge to edge of that dresser concentrating on only tomorrow. Biting her lower lip she opened her eyes and fumbled for a piece of parchment and a quill. It would be brief, as she would say most of what she needed to tomorrow. But some things... simply had to be said now.

"My Adrian and pigeon wrangler,

The night is almost over. The night where I am a Calestra. Tomorrow I am a Bishop. Tomorrow I am yours. Not just in what I want, but by law. How funny it is that law matters. It doesn't really does it? I guess to gypsies it never really did. Is that bad to say? I always thought of you as free spirits. So as free spirits we shouldn't need the ceremony, I know. But it means so much to me. And the after the ceremony, the party and the life that goes with it. I need that too. I want that. And tomorrow when I say my vows you will know it. I'm not a poet. I'm not a writer. I'm a blacksmith. So I can't see my words being very pretty. But hopefully they get the point across. So until tomorrow my Adrian. I am thinking of you and my future. Our future. May you and pidgy sleep well tonight, wherever you are.

Your Sparrow,

Soren Calestra, soon to be Bishop."

With a small strand of leather she wrapped the parchment up and attached it to Stormy. "I will meet you at camp, girl." Petting her shell lovingly she sent her on her way and went back to counting supplies for the ceremony for the fifth time.