Re: A Traveling Visit

aasha · aasha on Sat Nov 08, 2008 4:25 am

Tiffany was too still by her side, unlike the person who had practically dragged her in. Whispering so only Tiff could hear; Is ya feelin' bad? We ken go home if'n ya need to... The smile towards Mac was slightly reassuring, though she stayed close just in case.

The ease that Lady Fugue remembered her name made her glad she'd placed her before she approached. Lady Fugue...this is my fam'ly Lady TIffany. An...ya knows Lady Mac... The affection and almost pride in the word family was subtle, but Aasha'd never had someone to call family before, and being thought of that way was something she didn't take for granted.

aasha · aasha on Sat Nov 08, 2008 4:28 am

Tiffanyanne wrote:The woman eye's barely stilled on Tiff and slid over to Lady Mac. She let out a silent sigh. Good, there was nothing she wanted to talk about less right now.

She heard Aasha's concern and looked over to her, a small smile on her lips. I'm just fine Aasha, but thank you for asking. She gave her arm a gentle squeeze and then turned back to Lady Fugue and Lady Mac.

It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Fugue. She kept out the 'again'. If the woman didn't recall her, so much the better. Shall we have a round of drinks by the fire?

Without waiting for an answer she went to the bartender. Warmed honey ale and a plate of Moose cookies. And if none of the drinks is ever empty I will make sure you are well compensated. The last part she said in a lowered tone. The bartender gave her a conspiratorial wink.

Fugue wrote:
Lady Fugue...this is my fam'ly Lady TIffany.

What a change in the girl since Fugue had last seen her. She seemed both more comfortable and more self-conscious in an odd combination which somehow worked. Then she realized what she had heard. Oh, my! How different we look out of office. But I know this woman's mind more than her appearance. I wonder why this feels easier. Because she is family to Aasha?

She watched Tiffany move to the bar after the introduction. Have I offended her? She sighed, and girding herself, she followed to stand beside the elegant woman at the bar. Looking at her solemnly, she said, We meet now as Fugue and Tiffany. I know that the duchesses had their differences, but I always had great respect for the mind of the Duchess of Stafford. Will you accept me as Fugue, the travelling scholar? She closed her eyes for a moment. This was hard; the echoes of political strife reverberated. There. Said. I have either gained a possible friend or retained an enemy.

Tiffanyanne wrote:Tiff didn't hear the stop steps coming up behind her and almost dropped the plate of cookies when she heard Lady Fugue's voice.

crap crap crap crap crap....

When Lady Fugue offered to put aside the past Tiff almost cried in relief. Only if you promise to call me Tiff.

Fugue wrote:Fugue let out the breath she didn't know she had been holding. Of course, Tiff. And if any armies storm the tavern, we can beat them off together by throwing cookies at them!

Fugue turned back toward the others who must be wondering what she and Tiff were doing.

Tiffanyanne wrote:Now that was going too far. A frown burrowed Tiff's brow.

You've obviously never had moose cookies or you would know that throwing them at the enemy would be a terrible tragedy and an insult to the sanctity and wonder that is the great moose cookie. Without waiting for Fugue's responce she pushed a cookie into the woman's mouth and then wandered off back to Aasha and Mac.

Fugue wrote:Fugue spit and sputtered and put a hand up to her mouth where it felt like it had been cut. Well, clear is clear. I am not welcome here.

After brushing the crumbs from her clothing and feeling again that corner of her mouth, the dark haired woman took a deep breath and straightened her back. She kept her expression blank as she had learned to do when in public office as she gathered her books. Turning, she saw the group still at the door. She would have to pass them. Another deep breath and she approached. Mac, come see me when you can. Aasha, I am glad you are well and look so happy. Goodnight, your Grace. As she walked to the door she was careful to keep her step steady and her face expressionless.

aasha · aasha on Sat Nov 08, 2008 4:28 am

The mood was lighter in the tavern, the darkness concealed any lingering guilt over Mac's skirts, she was accepted readily from all present, and she got to enjoy two of her favorite things, ale and moose cookies.

She was standing with Mac, patiently waiting for Tiff to return. Lady Fugue had followed. Turning, she watched with curiosity as they chatted. Eyes widened when she saw Tiff stuff a cookie in Fugue's mouth. - Thats not like her at all. Wonder what's going on?At least everyone loves moose cookies... -

But Fugue seemed to be the exception, the lady paused to speak, obviously intending to leave. Yer leavin' now? But ya ain't had a drink...an' after yer help with Pillow before what I never thanked ya for proper, I thought I'd get ya one now.

aasha · aasha on Sat Nov 08, 2008 4:32 am

Tiffanyanne wrote:Tiff stood imperiously and pointed at Fugue.

This woman insulted the great and beneficent Moose cookie, so I made her eat one. Can you believe she wanted to toss her cookies? That's like throwing your gold at thieves to get them to leave.

She looked at the blank expression on Fugues face, the confused one on Aasha's and was that anger from Mac?

Well at least tell me this Fugue, did you like the cookie?

Anonymoose wrote:Anonymoose had been working in the back of the tavern when she heard something about her cookies being disparaged. She stormed outside with a frown on her face, just in time to hear Tiffanyanne say that the holy moose cookie had been insulted.

"What's going on here," she cried, her hands on her hips.

Fugue wrote:Fugue nodded in acknowledgement. I am sure that they are good. Perhaps someday I will be able to taste one rather than be assaulted by one. She paused, trying to think of a way to salvage the situation. No, whatever had happened, Countess Tiffanyanne was angry over something unfathomable and did not look as if she were going to calm down. I'll trouble you no longer. Goodbye.

Tiffanyanne wrote:But being assaulted by a Moose cookie is like being assaulted by love! Tiff wailed.

It should be noted that the stress of the last few months had weighed heavily on Tiff. She was trying so hard to be her normal cheerful self with Fugue that she was actually being quite nuts.

She grabbed a hold of Fugues shoulders and turned her towards Aasha. Tell her Aasha. Tell her she's been assaulted by love. Who doesn't like love in all its forms?

aasha · aasha on Sat Nov 08, 2008 4:33 am

The interchange between the two would have been amusing any other time, but at this moment, Aasha could only watch dumbfounded. Tiffany's actions were so far removed from what she'd come to expect from her that she honestly didn't know how to react. - I told Red something was wrong! - But being right wasn't helping the situation.

It seemed everything in her life was going astray. Her past was coming to her when she least expected it, Aimar was gone, the new stirrings for Red were throwing her in turmoil, and now her family was going insane. Ain't nothin' better than moose cookies Lady Fugue. Turning towards Anonymoose, she smiled, then picked up a fresh cookie.

Moments later, cookie in hand, she faced Fugue. Ya really should try one...then I'm sure ya will un'rstand. Have a cookie an' ale wit' us... In a much lower tone, making sure no one could overhear, she whispered; ...she ain't meanin' to hurt ya none...she just ain't...umm...actin' herself lately...

Praying her pitiful attempt at being peacemaker worked, she swiftly grabbed an ale, wistfully wishing it would wash her cares away.

aasha · aasha on Sat Nov 08, 2008 4:33 am

Anonymoose wrote:Anonymoose looked at Tiffanyanne with wide eyes.

Sidling over to Aasha, she whispered, "Is Tiff okay? She doesn't seem herself at all. It's not because of cookie withdrawal, is it?"

MackenzieGael · MackenzieGael on Sat Nov 08, 2008 4:35 am

Stepping into the tavern Mac took in a quick breath and couldn't control the smile that threatened to split her face. Oh but what a joy it was to see a familiar face. Traveling produced a mottled collection of strangers that were more than interesting but there was no denying the strong pain of homesickiness in the pit of her stomach, and the familiar face of Lady Fugue was both a joy and a soothing ointment to the wound.

"Lady Fugue!" She cried hugging the lady tightly. "Oh but how wonderful it is to see you!"

******

Standing silently, hands clasped behind her back to prevent the fidgeting she would most assuredly do otherwise, Mac watched with great interest Fugue and Tiffany's interaction. True they had been duchesses at the same time but she was unfamiliar with this tension they contained between them. Och but ye've been out 'o politics awhile remember? Frustrated she glanced around the room, her eyes scanning the other inhabitants and looking for any chance of recognition, anything really to jar her brain from wandering to the dark times in Chester County that had forced her from council and invevitably her mayorship.

" Mac, come see me when you can. Aasha, I am glad you are well and look so happy. "

"Happy m'lady? Aye weel I reck'on I've goot a' smile on me face but it dinnae always portray ma true feelings. But then ye know that. I would love ta come see ye. I assume yer staying 'ere at the inn?"

Suddenly her eyebrows shot skyward as Tiffany seemed to charge Fugue, spin her around and scream at Aasha about love. Love. Och! What did anyone know of love. But Moose cookie love? Being assaulted by moose cookies was assaulted by love? Biting her bottom lip Mac began to wonder about this new friend of hers. Perhaps being duchess has addled her brain. Was she daft? Moose cookie love? She had to fight back a chuckle, knowing that right now it would possibly cause more anger than it would amusement.

"If'n these cookie bring an onset of love I'm thinking I need one meself!" Stepping quickly forward she grabbed one herself, hoping to lighten the mood and release the tension that was bubbling in the air.