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Old 03-09-2004, 11:02 AM   #139
Estelyn Telcontar
Princess of Skwerlz
 
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles)
Posts: 7,645
Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!Estelyn Telcontar has reached the Cracks of Doom and destroyed the Ring!
Merisuwyniel’s heart was not in the shopping lessons, though she was professional shieldmaiden enough not to let Pimpiowyn notice. She instructed her in matters such as the choice of the most becoming colours of bodices and the relative merits of supple suede versus shiny leather for boots, also debating the right height of heels for the latter – high enough to look sexy, while still practical for riding. But she could not find a pair that tempted her to buy them, and she watched Pimpi change into ruffled silk blouses, no ironing guaranteed, without the least desire to try on anything herself.

For whom should I dress up? she thought pensively. Who would notice or care whether or not I have new clothes? Yes, of course she was aware of the admiring stares of males of all races wherever she went, and of the envious glances of other females, but what did they mean to her? She was used to them, and the admiration of chance passersby did not interest her.

Merisu’s Elven heart yearned for the one, her only true love. Far from growing accustomed to his absence, she had felt it more keenly of late, dreaming often of Gravlox, though he appeared strangely changed in her nightly visions.

When Pimpiowyn had bought all she needed, though certainly not all she might have wanted, Merisuwyniel, noticing Vogonwë’s pained facial expression with her usual perception, quite reconciled him by suggesting that the two of them explore ‘Ye Olde Stationery Shoppe’ for writing accoutrements. Thus she skilfully and tactfully achieved some time for herself, away from that constant reminder of twosomeness.

She wandered about the GAP Mall, her normally sharp Elven eyes seeing only a blur of colours, forms and movement, as if through a mist. This was due in part to the abundance of pipeweed, the burning of which was not yet forbidden in public places, but also in part to the fact that her thoughts were turned more inward than outwards. Gravlox’ face alternated with the lovely green of Yawanna’s features before her mind’s eye, and past memories vied with future plans for her attention, when they were interrupted by the strains of a melancholy melody.

A sad call that seemed to echo her inmost feelings drew her in the direction of a doorway. Almost without thinking, she entered the shop and found herself surrounded by musical instruments and parchments filled with black markings. A Dwarf, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sat on a wooden stool, holding a strange, small piece of shiny metal to his mouth. From it came the sound that entranced her. Fascinated, she approached him.

“Please, good Sir, tell me what this wondrous music is and how it is made,” she asked.

Flattered by the attention of such a lovely listener, the musician held out the oblong object. “This is called a hâr-mónicä,” he said, “and I was playing the melody called ‘Once Upon an Age in the West’.”

How strangely appropriate to my thoughts! Merisu contemplated. “But how is the instrument played?” she continued.

“Just hold it to your lovely lips and breathe in and out,” came the answer.

Reverently, she took the hâr-mónicä and blew into it carefully. With the natural musical talent of all full-blooded Elves, she had soon grasped the technique of playing and learned the four notes (well, actually three different ones, since the first and last were the same note) of the haunting melody. After a bit of haggling over the price, half-hearted on the part of the Dwarf, who was so captivated by the combination of feminine beauty and musicality that he did not care about the money and continued only to hear the sound of her voice, she left the shop with shining eyes and the shiny instrument, enclosed in a protective case and tucked carefully into her pocket.

Suddenly she realized that it was late – the rays of the sun that entered the halls were slanted low, and it was time to meet the others at the parking lot. There they had left their cart with the wooden artefacts and, ostensibly to guard them, though the real reason was to avoid paying for damage in the Mall, Chrysophylax beside it. He had fallen asleep, but his mere presence was enough to keep any potential robbers from approaching, so everything was safe. She hastened her steps when she saw the others of the Shopping-Ship waiting, eager to demonstrate her new ability to them.
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