An Unexpected Detour

Pillow wrote:Meat, flowers, sunshine on his back. Running, jumping, circling her feet. Practically purring beside her, Pillow snapped as she tossed. Her pain breaking through his dream, he lifted a head, sniffing the air. No danger, nothing here. Safe, sleep. Nudging his nose onto her shoulder, he tried to break through the nightmare that had hold on his mistress. Her arm flashed out, a yelp of pain, teeth flashing as instinct fought to keep him from nipping out. The fox sensed her need, moving down from her arms as she thrashed to rest at her feet, his head tilted, watching, waiting for her to waken.

Athorgate wrote:Athorgate sat in the tavern, sipping his usual Rum as he thought back over the last few weeks. His time in Holywell has been interesting to say the least, and looking ahead would seem to offer more interesting situations. However, he did wonder about the water here, there seemed to be something in it that was making people behave rashly and desire to become.....married. He could only shake his head and sip once more on his trusted Rum. That beverage never led him astray.

Sitting quietly and musing over his next mission for the County, Aasha enters the tavern and rushes through like a whirlwind, up over the stairs and disappeared. The recent confrontation between the two sat badly with him as he felt it was the result of strong will, on all sides. Looking down at the drink before him he mulled over going to speak with her, this foolishness needed to be straightened out, one way or another. As always, the possibility of a argument intrigued him, so swallowing the last of the warm drink, he stood and made his way to the stairs leading up to her room.

His footsteps heavy to give her advanced warning, he was about three quarters of the way to the top landing when Pillow's high pitched barks and yelps reached his ears. This made him slow and listen. The little creature cries seemed to be desperate and almost a warning to Aasha. Athorgate frowned and jumped up the stairs two at a time, until he stood before her door, hand drawn back to pound the meager frame. He stopped.

Why? Why was he doing this? First of all, his parchment and quill were both back in his pack hung over the back of his chair, second, she seemed to have made her decision the last night they had crossed paths at the Ghost, and third, well that was simple. Despite Aasha's continued claim that he was leashed, there was a level of respect between him and Scarlet that made him both listen and confer with her. Scarlet had been angry, yes, but then again, she had also been supportive of his friendship with Aasha, ever the confusing woman was Scarlet. He drew back his hand and took a deep breath.

He took a sliding step backwards, away from the door. Before he would speak with her, he would first gather the travel pack in the tavern, then go and seek out Scarlet, most likely she was at her new house, and then, well then it would be time to get this rough patch behind both him and Aasha. He turned on his heel and started to walk away, but first, he slipped a piece of dried meat under the door for the little canine, a sideways smile on his. Without pause, he walked down the stairs, grabbed his pack and walked off towards Scarlet's new house....

{Continued in "An unusual home for Scarlet"}

--Pillow wrote:He heard the footsteps, his barks getting more frantic. Human coming, hurry. Help her, she needs help! Hurry...can't get her attention! Sniffing the air and barking, the fox nudges her every chance he gets and hopes his voice is heard. Stop yelling Aasha, I'm here. You're going to be alright, stop! All that came out was steady yipping, not the words that might have broken through had he been a different type of friend. He was worried, he'd not seen her like this before, and he didn't like it.

Sniff...whats this? Nose twitching, the footsteps stopped outside the door. His barking grew louder as fingers could be seen pushing...meat!! Meat, meat!! Sniff, twitch. It's him! The one from the tavern. Meat!! Overjoyed, someone she knew, and a treat, Pillow jumped off the bed, his voice ceasing as he took an appreciative whiff of the dried jerky. Ears pricked, surprised when the footsteps turned away, but he was too busy eating at that point to call out once more.

Harlan wrote:

Aasha wrote:Welcome home m'lord...Lady Jas...where's Tiff...

Harlan turned to see Aasha as the source of the footsteps, her small slight frame and trailing fox were instantly recongnizable even if he had not seen her for some time. He felt his chest tighten at her question, aware now that the poor girl had not been informed of Tiffanyanne's fate.
Taking a deep breath to relieve the pressure in his chest, he let it out slowly as he turned to Aasha and looked her in the eyes, a forlorn look forming on his face.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news Aasha..." He paused again, wondering if there was a good way to say this...probably not a good way, but a better way at least. He looked down at the floor, internally cursing the timing of his arrival and wondering why noone had bothered to tell her yet. "...while we were on our trip to Sussex...." the words were having trouble forming on his lips as he fought with how to say it ..."there was an accident...and well....." He looked up into her eyes with a sigh, realizing he should just spit it out and have it be done. "Tiffanyanne is dead, Aasha. I'm sorry." He shook his head and blinked hard, feeling emotional himself, and very concerned how Aasha was going to handle this, seeing as how Tiff had become like family to her along with the fact she had recenty lost Aimar as well.

Jasmyne wrote:Jas turned to see Aasha but tears had filled her eyes, she was close to breaking down but suddenly as soon as it started she forced her emotions back and looked at the two and said.

I want a memorial made for Tiffanyanne, maybe a bronze plaque but im so lost on words right now, i would like everyone who shared life and happiness with her to help me with the wording

She closed her eyes and two single tears ran down her face, unable to any longer contain it

I would be honoured if you both would assist me. She knew Mommikerri wouldnt be far behind Harlan but what of Papajay, he would have an important bearing on the words as well, and Moose. Rain was in town as well as many others who she hoped would show up

Harlan, please make sure the plaque has her full name on it: Tiffanyanne Balboa

Anonymoose wrote:Anonymoose entered the castle carrying a box of candles to be used with the memorial. Seeing Jasmyne, Aasha and Harlan, she placed the box on the ground and rushed over to give Jasmyne a hug.

"Oh Jasmyne, I can't believe what happened! Our poor Tiffanyanne."

She turned to Harlan and hugged him too, saying, "Harlan, welcome home brother. You have been missed. I wish you had brought home better news however."

And lastly, she turned to Aasha and gave her a brisk hug before holding her at arms length so that she could see Aasha's face. "Aasha, are you all right?"

Mommikerri wrote:How she dreaded this moment of coming back to Shrewsbury and dealing with Tiff's death. Trudging up the stone steps to the castle, she didn't see Aasha come barreling towards her and run directly into her. The contact nearly made her lose her footing and she held onto the small girl so they didn't tumble down the stairs. "Aasha, I am so happy to see you! We just got back from our trip. Did you see Harlan inside?" She held her by the shoulders and searched Aasha's eyes and saw the pain emanating from within. Shaking her head, she lowered her head and quietly asked, "You just found out, didn't you?"

Harlan wrote:

Jasmyne wrote:Harlan, please make sure the plaque has her full name on it: Tiffanyanne Balboa

"Sure thing, Jas. I would be honored to make something to remember her by." He nodded agreeingly too her, noticing the few tears streaming down her cheek.

Harlan turned back to Aasha who was slowly backing away. He had worried that she would run and disappear but he hoped that she wouldn't this time as much as she had changed since first coming to Shrews all those months ago.

Anonymoose entered and comforted Jasmyne and gave Harlan a hug too. "Thank you, Sis. It is good to be back..but yes...I wish it could be more of a celebration." His brow furrowed with a disappointed look as Moose gave Aasha a hug and asked if she was okay. Her question was met with an excuse and Aasha quickly dashed out the door.

Harlan sighed heavily and looked at both Jasmyne and Anonymoose. "I think I'll go to the market now and gather the supplies I need for making the plaque. Let me know what you want it to say and I'll make it happen." He gave them both a quick hug before walking to the door. He was curious to see if Aasha was still in sight.