The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post

piosenniel · 12-08-2002, 04:03 AM

Pio smiled warmly at Elfred as he pulled out the chair for her and bade her sit down. ‘Thank you for your gracious courtesy, Master Thistle. It is often a rare thing these shadowed days to find such a one as yourself. Someone who is still a true gentleman.’ She placed her hand on Elfred’s arm and looked directly at him as she spoke, telling him also that she was called Piosenniel, but that he might call her Pio, if he so wished. He stood, gazing at her, a starry-eyed look in his eyes. She smiled encouragingly at him and increased the pressure on his arm to draw his attention, bidding him sit down in the chair opposite her.

She felt a small pressure on the toe of her boot, and looked down to find Nop standing politely beneath the table, his paw on her foot. She laughed, delightedly, a refreshing, pure sound like clear water bubbling up from a hidden spring. Her hand went down to ruffle the hair behind his ears. ‘Yes, good Nop, you, too, are a gentleman in your own right. Please sit, also.’ Her slender fingers found the cocklebur, and gently worked it loose. ‘Can’t have such a handsome one getting all knotted up from this.’ Nop settled comfortably down on the floor, his chin resting across her right boot.

An awkward silence ensued, at least on the part of Elfred. She furrowed her brow, thinking how she might proceed. ‘Best just to jump in, as usual.’ she thought to herself. Leaning across the table, her voice lowered so that only he might hear her, she began.

‘I was looking to find someone here at the Green Dragon who might help me in some research I am doing on the family of a very old friend of mine. I was to meet someone here today, but I fear they must have been delayed, and I cannot wait to see when they might come.’ Her eyes searched his face, finding no trace of guile. His mind betrayed no hint of shadow. ‘Perhaps I could prevail upon your long memory to help me, if you will.’

Pio took a sip of her ale, watching his face closely. ‘The name I was hoping that would stir someone’s memory is that of Cami, or rather I should say, Camellia Goodchild. Though sometimes she may have been known affectionately as Mistress Nitir.’

Her eyes darkened as she spoke this name, as if the sun were suddenly clouded over, and her face took on a look of great sadness. She looked away from him, toward the low flames dancing in the fireplace. And for just a moment, tears threatened at the corners of her eyes as she recalled memories of a time now long passed . . .

[ December 08, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

12-08-2002, 04:03 AM	#238
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Pio smiled warmly at Elfred as he pulled out the chair for her and bade her sit down. ‘Thank you for your gracious courtesy, Master Thistle. It is often a rare thing these shadowed days to find such a one as yourself. Someone who is still a true gentleman.’ She placed her hand on Elfred’s arm and looked directly at him as she spoke, telling him also that she was called Piosenniel, but that he might call her Pio, if he so wished. He stood, gazing at her, a starry-eyed look in his eyes. She smiled encouragingly at him and increased the pressure on his arm to draw his attention, bidding him sit down in the chair opposite her. She felt a small pressure on the toe of her boot, and looked down to find Nop standing politely beneath the table, his paw on her foot. She laughed, delightedly, a refreshing, pure sound like clear water bubbling up from a hidden spring. Her hand went down to ruffle the hair behind his ears. ‘Yes, good Nop, you, too, are a gentleman in your own right. Please sit, also.’ Her slender fingers found the cocklebur, and gently worked it loose. ‘Can’t have such a handsome one getting all knotted up from this.’ Nop settled comfortably down on the floor, his chin resting across her right boot. An awkward silence ensued, at least on the part of Elfred. She furrowed her brow, thinking how she might proceed. ‘Best just to jump in, as usual.’ she thought to herself. Leaning across the table, her voice lowered so that only he might hear her, she began. ‘I was looking to find someone here at the Green Dragon who might help me in some research I am doing on the family of a very old friend of mine. I was to meet someone here today, but I fear they must have been delayed, and I cannot wait to see when they might come.’ Her eyes searched his face, finding no trace of guile. His mind betrayed no hint of shadow. ‘Perhaps I could prevail upon your long memory to help me, if you will.’ Pio took a sip of her ale, watching his face closely. ‘The name I was hoping that would stir someone’s memory is that of Cami, or rather I should say, Camellia Goodchild. Though sometimes she may have been known affectionately as Mistress Nitir.’ Her eyes darkened as she spoke this name, as if the sun were suddenly clouded over, and her face took on a look of great sadness. She looked away from him, toward the low flames dancing in the fireplace. And for just a moment, tears threatened at the corners of her eyes as she recalled memories of a time now long passed . . . [ December 08, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.