~*~*~*~*~*~
Snow swirled and danced in the early afternoon sun, coating the rooftops and streets in it's chilly white blanket. Smoke streamed up from slanted rooftops, casting the streets in hazy yellow. It was quiet here, on this far end of Mysthaven. The poor end, the back alley's, people called it different things. This block was quiet, with cracked doors bolted, and windows shuttered. Anything to keep in the warmth. Even shades were drawn. There were signs of life though, of cheerier days. From the bits of garland that still hung here and there, to a children's toy left carelessly on a porch. People only lived here, and worked a few blocks away in warehouses and shops. It wasn't uncommon that it be so quiet here in the middle of the day. One figure broke the silence though. Trodding quickly through the thickening snow with cowl drawn and cloak pulled tight. It was a slim figure, and short of stature. The pack slung over their shoulder was nearly as large as them. They paused in the middle of the road, and sheilded their eyes as they peered at the numbers on the buildings until what they looked for was found and they hurried across the narrow lane. The muffled rap of gloved knuckles on the aged door gave announcement of a visitor to those within. *~*~* "Shh.. Shh.. Lay your head back down now," the Widow Ellyce Nolan whispered soothingly to her daughter, "I'll be right back." Ellyce smoothed back the sleeping girl's hair before she carefully stood from her watchful perch. Things just haven't been the same since her father died. At least Ellyce has been able to get her to eat more regularly this past year. She left the small room with their meager fire and walked down the narrow hallway towards the front door. The white walls were cracked, and the ceiling was bulged and yellow. They were grateful for the warped wood planks that made the floor as some had none at all and only clay. The floor creaked beneath her careful steps as she passed old pictures drawn by street artists. A picture of her laughing, smiling daughter. One of the family cat that ran away a few months back because she couldn't afford to feed it. One of herself, lovely in the new gown her husband had purchased for her birthday. Her soft blonde hair arranged in perfect ringlets, and her green eyes as bright as her smile. Her hair was limp now, and her eyes dull. The last and largest of the pictures was one of their entire, small family, and her eyes lingered upon her late husband as she finally reached the door. "Yes?" she kept the chain on the door as she pulled it open to peer out into the snowy white afternoon. "Ellyce, it's so good t' see you," came the reply as the stranger pushed back her hood. "Captain Radford!" her eyes went wide with surprise, and she quickly unhooked the chain and pulled the door wide. "Come in, come in. Please," she hurriedly ushered the young woman inside by pulling gently upon her arm. "Thank y', Ellyce," Talynthia Radford smiled, "It's bitter cold out." "Oh, I know it. At least it hasn't been as bad as last year... though sometimes it feels that way," Ellyce quickly shut the door behind her. "This place can be drafty," she said, briskly rubbing her arms as Talyn removed her large pack to lay upon the floor near the door. "I'll take your coat for you." "Thank y', again," Talyn replied with a warm smile as she shrugged out of her heavy wool cloak. She'd changed since Ellyce had last seen her. Grown some. She wasn't any taller then before, but noticibly more mature. Red gold hair that had once been chin-length was now pulled back in a tail, and light green eyes that glinted with a new intelligence instead of eagerness. "What brings you here, Captain?" Ellyce took Talyn's cloak and hung it upon a hook near the door. "Are things quiet in Rak? I don't doubt that they are with you watching over things." "They sure are quiet. Even wit' Eben watchin' over things," she chuckled, running a hand over her tousled hair. "But things 'ave been well." "Good, good to hear. How long will you be in Mysthaven?" Ellyce motioned for her to follow as she stepped further into the house and back along the hallway towards the kitchen. "I'm not sure yet. Three days, a week... two. I don' know. But how are you, Ellyce? How is Bree doing?" "Better," her smile seemed a bit forced as she glanced over her shoulder. "She still won't talk, and she mostly sleeps." They passed into the wider area of the kitchen. A fire burned in a small hearth, and there Breeanne laid in a soft bundle of blankets before it. She would only be five years old now. Ellyce paused for just a moment before directing them towards a small table at the opposite side of the room. "Things have been better though. We rented out the top half of the place," she glanced towards the ceiling, "...and it's enough to pay our way here. With just a little extra." The pleasant smile had left Talyn's face, and she nodded quietly with concern. "They can be loud sometimes, but Bree'll sleep through anything. So, we don't have to worry about that." "Good, good," Talyn nodded as she settled herself into one of the ladderbacked chairs at the table. "Would you like some tea? Something to drink? You and Jaret used to be able to drink anyone under the table," she said with a fond smile at the memory. "I'm good, Ellyce.. 'ave a seat," Talyn smiled. "I don' drink as much as I used t'. All this responsibility 's gone and made me nearly sober. Bu' I do miss those times." "Oh, so do I," she sighed wistfully as she settled herself into the seat across from her. "So, you're taking a bit of a break, hm? Just visiting old friends?" "Nah, I'm on more serious business then tha'," Talyn tilted forwards and laid her arms on the table as she looked squarely at Ellyce. "You do remember my promise t' you?" "I do..." she answered slowly, laying her hands in her lap and clutching at her skirts. "I'm gonna catch 'er, Ellyce. I swear I will. I'm so sorry that I 'aven't yet. I've practically lived on bread and water to save the money, bu' I 'ave now, an' I'm takin' this leave to track down that Tiger. I jus' needed the resources, an' Eben's more then apt to hold down the fort." Ellyce was silent for a moment, staring at the young woman across from her. She did want her husband's murderer caught, she wanted her to pay for what she did. For what his death had done to their daughter. And she knew that Talyn wanted the same. "I know you will," she said in a shakey, bare whisper. "I'm goin' t' get a room in an inn, but would y' mind if I stayed for the night?" "You can stay as long as you need to." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Sarah ooc note: Talyn will be on an extended hiatis (sp?) from Rak, and she left Eben Rainier in her place. In my personal feeling, most everything that we play revolves around Mysthaven, and I would like to more freely be able to play my main character. Eben is an npc, but should anything happen in Rak, and it's needed, I can step behind the reigns. Otherwise, I'd like it assumed that he does his job, as he is a very thorough and meticulous person, and the guard there does have his respect. If it is a problem, and someone else wants to take the place of Captain off in the remote nowhere, feel free. _________________________________________________________________ Join the world�s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com -- To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Archives & Other DMI Lists: http://www.dragonmyst.f2s.com/lists.php3
