Recovering

Log Info

• Title: Recovering

• Emitter: Ravenstongue

• Characters: Ravenstongue, Telamon

• Place: A06 - Lower Alexandrian Gardens District

• Summary: Ravenstongue leaves the Soldier's Defense with a healed and dressed wound that she received from a certain disgruntled soldier. Telamon comes upon her and he gives her the comfort she needs to be smiling again. The two talk about their relationship, house buying, and the next steps forward. Telamon drops the bomb that his mother is coming to visit soon! The two half-elves swear to get through it all together.

-=--=--=--=--=--<* A06: Lower Alexandrian Gardens District *>=--=--=--=--=--=-

The city is divided, unofficially, into Upper Alexandria and Lower Alexandria. The Upper resides further up on the slope of the mountain, and rests to the east of the great river. The Lower resides to the west of it, and if the Lower could be said to have a heart, this verdant park might be its center.

Amid all the bustle of the Lower City, its Gardens District provides a peaceful respite. The warmth of Althea holds sway here, and though Daeus receives the occasional nod, this is clearly Her domain. She shares it with Dana, in the verdant green of this area. Vines and trees, remain green no matter the season and numerous flowers bloom along the park's walkways. Faerie-light lanterns hang from branches and along hedgerows.

A number of shops may be found here, most notably the city hospital, for which the park was originally built. Though now open to the public, the gardens by and large, remain underneath the hospital's care. However, in the Althean tradition, much of the work is provided by volunteers.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- Dramatis Personae =--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-     
Ravenstongue         5'0"     99 Lb      Half-Elf          Female    Short half-elf girl with violet eyes and black hair.                       
Telamon              5'6"     140 Lb     Half-Elf          Male      A platinum-blond half-sil man with dancing dark eyes                       
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The cold wind matches Ravenstongue's mood and expression, as she steps out of the Soldier's Defense with a dour face and somewhat tired violet eyes. Her wool dress has a sleeve that's been ripped and then cut more cleanly, wide enough to reveal the bandaged arm underneath.

Pothy is oddly silent on her shoulder, the white-feathered raven nuzzling Ravenstongue's hair as she walks. Once she's a few feet out from the doorway of the Soldier's Defense, Ravenstongue's eyes snap up and around her surroundings. She's watching carefully for anyone to possibly approach her.

"Fool me once, shame on you," she mutters.

So of course this is when Telamon shows up. Before Raven's had the chance to put on a new dress, or compose herself. The half-sil comes down the road, wrapped in his cloak, evidently looking forward to catching her as she's leaving...

First, he catches her posture, immediately picking up on her tension. Then he takes note of the damaged dress, and the bandage, and he stiffens as well, before quickening his pace, closing the distance swiftly. "'Lana, what happened? Are you all right?" He takes her hand -- the uninjured arm, mind -- looking at her drawn face.

The body keeps the score. Ravenstongue hears the steps first, and already her hands are forming the motions for a magic missile before she sees Telamon, her fingers stilling the second she recognizes it's him. But it seems her eyes don't fully register it's him until the moment he takes her hand and he's up close, as though he'd only been a figment in Ravenstongue's imagination that she wished to be there.

And apparitions typically don't take your hand out of comfort.

Her eyes water a little. "I was attacked. By one of the soldiers who were harassing Boti."

"What?" Granted, sometimes soldiers can be unruly or cruel, but attacking someone unprovoked? Confusion reigns for a moment in Telamon's eyes, and then they go flat and hard. This close, she can see the stars in them... cold, and angry. Not at her, but at anyone who would dare lay a finger in anger on--

With a focused wrench he clamps down on his temper, and takes a deep breath. "Give me a moment," he growls, eyes flicking to the doors of the hospital, before he continues, "Alright. Talk to me, love." He reaches up to unfasten his cloak as he speaks.

"It's the blonde-haired one. Never caught her name, but she's in there recovering, too. She got infected with bubonic plague after sleeping with some guy--we didn't catch him. He turned into a parrot and flew off before we could. We think that the guy controlled her through the infection with magic of some kind." Ravenstongue relates all of this, rattling it off in a even and calm tempo. It's clear that it's a fusion of the explanation she's surely had to give and what she learned after speaking to the healers.

She finally looks at Telamon more directly, the tears falling down her cheeks. "I didn't do anything. I was just walking and talking to Karasu when..."

Ravenstongue sniffles, and Pothy makes a series of comforting noises, the bird nuzzling into her hair some more.

Telamon wraps the cloak around her shoulders first. And then his arms are around her, pulling her against him, as he strokes her hair. He's careful not to muss Pothy, as he lets Raven cry into his chest. "Shhh. It's okay. I'm just happy you're all right." He exhales. "Alright. I'm a little less mad at the guard too -- I know what it's like to be charmed." His lips curl up wryly. "Is someone investigating this? The last thing they need is someone spreading plague in there."

Ravenstongue folds into Telamon's chest, wrapping her arms around him in turn. She heaves and cries into his tunic. He probably didn't anticipate having it rain in one specific locale on his chest today, but then again, she also didn't plan to be attacked by the soldier today, either.

Pothy makes do with the situation as he continues to nuzzle against Ravenstongue's head, acting as a comforting duo with Telamon stroking her hair. He even briefly looks up to Telamon with a look that suggests, "We're both here for her."

"It's all being taken care of," Ravenstongue says after a while of crying and comfort, lifting her head up to reveal her tear-stained face. "I'm sure that there'll be reports filed once she's recovered, and I'll have to talk to people again."

Telamon keeps one arm around Raven, while the other deftly fishes out a handkerchief. Tenderly, he wipes away the tears, before kissing her gently. "I'll be with you if you need it, 'Lana. I know you've got Pothy," he pats the raven on the head. "But it might not hurt to have some additional moral support."

Now that the worst of her weeping has passed, Tel begins to gently lead her away from the hospital. "Were you able to see Boti despite all the ruckus?"

Her tears are wiped away and the kiss works its magic: she smiles a little again. It's a little one, but it's certainly better than no smile at all, and it continues to widen as she watches Pothy get a little affection too. "I kept thinking about you the whole time," she admits, "so I'm certainly not opposed to your moral support.

She sticks close to Tel as they walk. "No, I wasn't. Honestly, I didn't want him to get upset by seeing me hurt--or by seeing that soldier again. He probably would have done something that he would have regretted."

"Boti is a nice boy," Pothy says, imitating Ravenstongue's voice. This earns a little giggle from Ravenstongue. She's able to laugh again, too! The power of moral support.

Telamon nods, walking along, his arm around her shoulders. "He's a bit on the scrawny side for causing trouble..." A thought occurs to him, and he raises his eyebrows. "Has he got the talent? Sorcery?" It might explain a bit. "In any case, I might try to look in on things. Make sure things are in order, use my gift of talking to shake loose any problems. That sort of thing."

He looks over at the Gardens, green even in winter, and smiles. He points out there. "They should try and get the patients out there more often. It might help."

"No magic talent that I know of from him," Ravenstongue says, "but, well, I meant more that he'd try to cause trouble. Everyone is capable of trying to cause trouble, after all."

She looks up at Telamon with real and clear amusement in her violet eyes. "You know, I think I understand where you get it now I've met your father. You really do take after him. It's..."

Her amusement and enthusiasm dampen a little, looking off into the distance again. "Well, I wish I could introduce you to my mother. I guess all that's left of her is me."

Telamon gives Raven a little squeeze. "True enough. Some people are just born to cause chaos, I think." He looks thoughtful, as she brings up her mother. "It is enough. If the gods grant we meet her again, so be it... but I am happy to know you, and everything you do. I think she would be proud of you, though."

He grins impishly. "Speaking of mothers, though... I have gotten word that mother has recovered from her cold. Hence why I came looking for you. Now that she knows of you, she is quite intent on a meeting. Fortunately, we have a little time to prepare."

"Wait. Wait!" Ravenstongue says, looking at Telamon with wide eyes. "Is she here? In the city? Oh gods. I have to buy a new dress! I have to figure out how to hide these bandages--so a nice long sleeved dress. She'd probably prefer silk, something fashionable--aaaahh!" She's clearly excitable and mildly worried, bundling even closer to Telamon like she's shrinking.

"Chill out," Pothy says in Ravenstongue's voice. If ravens could roll their eyes, he would be.

"Chill out! This is Tel's mother! I have to impress her!" Ravenstongue retorts, glaring at Pothy.

Telamon knew she'd do this. "No, she's not in the city yet. Like I said, we have some time to prepare -- four or five days minimum. Calm down, 'Lana." He firmly cups her chin, looking into her eyes. "Everything is going to work out. You are going to do fine. My mother is not an ogre. She is fiery and strong-willed, but she is not the obnoxious type."

Once Raven has, in fact, stopped hyperventilating, he starts walking with her again. "If I didn't warn you well ahead of schedule, I'd be lucky to survive incurring your wrath, let alone mother's. I'm not that foolish."

"Gods, no, I wouldn't dream of implying your mother is an ogre," Ravenstongue says with a little groan. But she sighs, and calms down. "I just... want to make a first good impression. I mean, your mother could and would veto us being together if she thought I wasn't good for you, and, well, I'm a sorceress who's just gotten slashed by a soldier at random and has charmed random men into falling in love by sheer accident before."

She frowns a little as they walk again. "That being said... I trust you, of course. What's the plan?"

"Well, obviously, a new dress for you. We'll also make sure your bandages don't show -- no need to worry mother." Telamon thinks. "At some point we need to look into that house in the University District, but I don't think we'd have it ready in time. So, we'll tidy up our respective apartments, and take her to dinner. Father may or may not be with her -- that mess in the Greatwood has kicked off a whole wasp's nests of issues and he's been running around ever since he got back home dealing with them."

Mulling things over, he continues, "Father is not the sort to spin tales, and you made a good impression on him. So she'll be coming into this with at least a favorable opinion of you."

"That house in the District looks nice, but I wouldn't really want to show it as-is to your mother," Ravenstongue agrees. "At least it looks better than that mage frat house. I think I still smell that place from time to time..."

She looks thoughtful. "Maybe I'll go to Sandy's for a new dress--no, nevermind, she'll try to get me into something more scandalous. I'll ask Aryia instead. She'll know what to do--and maybe even have a solution for the bandages. A practical one, that is."

Telamon nods. "Aryia is... very practical. And mother does approve of that sort of thing. Though she's not above a little showmanship." His eyes suddenly glint, and he covers his mouth to desperately suppress a boyish snicker. "She... oh gods, this is such a story. This was just after she'd taken up with father, and of course there's always SOMEONE who disapproves. Said someone confronted her at one point. Well, mother had arranged to have one of her dresses modified with one of those bags of holding."

He lets that sink in, before continuing, "It was a very real shock when she reached into her bodice and pulled out a sword. As I said, she can be fiery when provoked."

"A sword?" Ravenstongue half-squeaks it, half-laughs the word, before she finally just laughs. It's a nice full and long laugh, clearly dispelling the last of her worries and tension from the day's events. "Does your mom know how to use a sword? I imagine she looked absolutely ferocious regardless!"

"I think it was the shock value. No one expects that sort of thing. But yes, she does know how to use a sword. She grew up as part of a trading family on the road; they learn at least the basics on how to fight, because you never know what you'll run into." Telamon nestles Raven against him. "Father said that if I hadn't developed talent, as he calls it, he would've trained me much the same."

He checks on her. "Are you warm enough? I didn't want us to walk home and you to catch a chill on the way."

Ravenstongue is clearly trying to picture Telamon wielding a sword now, because she's got a goofy grin on her face. "Aww, you could have been Warrior Telamon in another life," she says teasingly. "Then we would have been a real cliché. Fair and noble warrior in love with a beguiling sorceress."

It's at this point that Ravenstongue realizes she still has his cloak wrapped around her. Her eyes widen a little. "Oh! I'm actually really warm if you want your cloak back," she says. "I don't want you to catch a cold, either."

Telamon shakes his head. "I'm fine, really. It's actually kind of pleasant. I think I'm happy with the way I am, though yes, the whole idea of me as a dashing swordsman does have some appeal." He grins at Raven. "After all, if I wasn't who I am, I might not have met you, and that wouldn't be any fun at all." Continuing to walk, he inquires, "So where should we take mother? I'm thinking the TarRaCe, since we want to impress her..."

"I mean, if I can be honest?"

Ravenstongue flashes Telamon a little impish smile. "I was picturing you training with a sword, sans shirt."

Pothy laughs at her, earning a little glare from Ravenstongue. "What! I'm allowed to flirt with my boyfriend," Ravenstongue says with a sigh. "Anyway, yes, I think the TarRaCe sounds like the best bet. Too cold for one of the outdoor cafes in the Market District, otherwise I'd say we go there."

Telamon nods sharply. "Yeah, the weather being as chilly as it is, the outdoor cafes are right out. I'd sooner try to cook at home." He considers. "When you speak to her, don't try to hide anything. She values honesty, even if it's irritating or unpleasant. She knows this is going to rattle you, and she may push you a little bit, just to see what happens."

"Honesty is the best policy--or so I heard once," Ravenstongue says, still smiling impishly even if her flirtation hasn't made Tel blush. He's a hard egg to crack. "So I will have to tell your mother if she asks that I think you're the loveliest person in all of Alexandria."

"Oh brother," Pothy moans. That one was painful for him to hear.

That one does bring a little color, though he rallies. "Oh, is that how it is? Now I regret not showing you the letter I sent mother. I believe the phrase is 'wax poetic', about how you were the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen, that your hair was like the night sky and your eyes were like hyacinths and lilies in bloom." He grins back. "I even made sure to mention Pothy, since it's kind of a package deal."

It's now a contest, and Ravenstongue blushes fiercely from his words. "Wow," she says. "I used to think those kind of words were a little cheesy, but when you say them, they're... Well, they're beautiful."

She lets him stew in victory for only a beat before she says, "Not half as beautiful as your mind and your noble spirit, however."

Pothy finally makes a noise of disgust as he launches himself from Ravenstongue's shoulder. He flies above Telamon and Ravenstongue, circling around them in the sky as they walk.