Private Tales Forever A Stranger

[Seska the Dragonslayer]

She wept for a time, a litany of self berating nonsense flowing within. The deep hurt, the killing of a companion by her own hand, was but one in that extensive list of terrible things she had done, both great and small. Causing offense to one stranger seemed...trite, by comparison, but she feaved companionship like a dying man craved water in a desert. She always felt awkward around people of the current age.

And, of course, her tongue sometimes got the better of her.

After a time, the sobs trailed off, and she rose, brushing her dress off and scrubbing at her face. She took a deep breath, then pushed the door open again.

"I am sorry, Ro...," she began but trailed off as she found the barn empty. All was still and quiet except for some rats somewhere in the straw. The Sidhe looked on despondently, then sighed and went about her work. Pulling her bedroll free, and laying it out on the floor, then setting a stone on the floor, smooth topped. She stepped outside, a kettle in hand, and returned with it full of rain water.

She was setting about making tea, hearing the water directly via magic, when it hit her that she could feel...something. Something in the room, something tinged with magic. It was not much, but just enough that she could sense it, if not what it was. Or who.

"Is someone there?" Her question was as lifeless as her eyes were, and she did not really expect an answer.

 

[Rose]

Noooo. No one was theeeeere. Course not. Don’t be silly.


Was she making fire with magic? Rose drifted as close as the shadows allowed her, careful not to risk a sudden flame flashing and exposing a part of her no longer cloaked by darkness.

All she wanted was a bit of something warm to soothe her throat. That was it. Just a small reprieve. The threat that the woman could pose if she discovered her was well-heeded but likewise ignored. After all, if she knew about the shadows, she wouldn’t be asking.

She had asked about everything else after all.

Rose tried to streeeetch out, fiddling with the idea of stealing the cup. The shadows grew minutely, the girl testing out the exercise.