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Post by Narisha on Jul 14, 2009 21:15:34 GMT -5
She didn't pause in her steps until she was out of the headquarters and back in the street. The cool night air helped her temper quickly cool and her steps slowed, allowing the two men to catch up to her. The house was soon within sight and she smiled at how cheerful and welcoming it looked. She had known those drapes were needed.
A light laugh left her as she overheard Palus' comment. Moving up the steps, she opened the door for the paper laden men and ushered them in, sighing happily as the smells of dinner wafted out of the kitchen.
"Smells like Sophie has been enjoying her new toys sir. Your office has been cleaned and straightened. If you two would like to work there, someone will be sure to call you for dinner."
She gave both men a smile and gestured down the hallway before stepping into the dining room to begin dusting off and setting the table.
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Post by Callahan on Jul 14, 2009 21:56:11 GMT -5
She led the way inside, giving way to the two men with the papers and he thanked her for opening the door for him. The smell of something delicious permeated his nostrils and he almost broke out into a massive grin. He could tell Palus could smell it too, and nodded, as though to say 'Yes, this is my house.' It was hardly the case though. His house was never like this. It was usually dreary and dark and filled with random things cluttered around the floor. This place seemed homely, a place he'd want to stay for a few hours. She mentioned Sophie nearly finished preparing dinner, and... an Office. I have an office? He moved through the house, interested in seeing this. He followed her gesture down the hallway, hardly recognising it cleaned, before moving into a door.
"Hey Palus." "Hmm." "I have an office!" He was definately surprised. It was like the one in the headquarters, only a lot smaller. And very clean. He placed his papers down carefuly on the side of the table, as though afraid if he put them down wrong he'd ruin the serene look of the place. Palus did the same with his, pulling up a chair and relaxing into it, looking around the room. "A few books, some paintings, you could have this place looking really nice." He observed, looking around. "True. Come on, we need to finish these papers." Val reminded the paladin, propping his sword against the wall and laying his helmet next to it. He took up one paper and looked at it.
Stronger shields for the infantry. He'd agree with it, the others would deny it based on funds. He signed his name and wearily placed it on a pile with a sigh, moving onto the next one. A renovation to Stormwind's harbour to allow ships to sail from there once more. Since it was attacked last, they hadn't been able to use any of the docks. He'd wanted to fix it years ago, but again lack of funds. He signed his name anyway. A boost to the mounted forces to better support the infantry. Signed. A petition to remove the paladin group from the army as they supposedly gave the men bad morale. Unsigned. Horses to be given to all officers. Unsigned. Officers can walk. Plea from Lakeshire requesting troops. Signed, but wouldn't get past the committee. A note reminding him he was supposed to be in the library at 12 o'clock. That afternoon. Oops. A report from Darkshire from two weeks ago stating strange happenings at the local graveyard and possible gravedigging. A crude drawing of himself, depicted in a dress, in Palus's style. He punched the paladin roughly in the arm. The Dwarf request for beer tax removal. Signed. A request to assist a group of villagers who had been taken by Orcs from Goldshire. Sounded familiar. A note stating his armour was finished, though strangely addressed to Palus, so he handed the note over, interested in what armour the battle-hating paladin might want. And finally a statement from his the prison warden complaining about the inmates. Not much he could do.
And he was finished, and so was Palus by the looks of it. They relaxed, thoroughly glad that the paperwork was done. At least for today.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 14, 2009 22:35:01 GMT -5
His exclamations caused her to giggle as she worked. Finishing, she took a step back, pleased but feeling it looked a tiny bit bare so she tripped into the kitchen and snagged Claire. Slipping her a piece of gold and some silver she sent the young girl off to the florist to pick up some flowers.
"Edmund, Michael... if you two could, please begin setting dinner on the table."
The two boys nodded and Nari turned to leave, just catching sight of Sophie blush as Edmund reached around her for a bowl of something to carry to the table.
Oh... now that's interesting. Very adorably interesting...
She swept down the hallway and raised her hand to knock at the door. She gave a light knock and when there was no response, she opened the door in time to see him punch Polus in the shoulder. She stayed silent, a smile on her face as she watched them. They reminded her of two little boys. The stick figure in a dress did not escape her notice. It appeared both their stacks of paper were nearing the end, so she let them finish not speaking till they both relaxed back in their chairs.
"Gentlemen..." She spoke softly, not wanting to startle them too much, and stepped out of the shadows. "Dinner is being served, your presence is requested."
She gave them both a smile and turned to leave, knowing they would likely follow.
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Post by Callahan on Jul 14, 2009 22:59:09 GMT -5
She had entered quietly, not even making herself noticed until she spoke, softly distracting them from their relaxation time. She beckoned them for food, and Palus grinned eagerly, willing to follow her immediately before Val laid a hand on his arm. "I'm sure Sophie is a good cook, my friend. You won't be finding anything overdone, I'm sure." He nodded, and Palus grudgingly set down his warhammer, hardly wanting to leave now, giving it a lingering look before following the others through the door.
Stepping into the kitchen, Val found himself greeting many faces. There was Sophie, whom he was rather familiar with already, having met her that morning. Narianne, obviously. He wasn't going to forget her, even when drunk. But two children also milled around the table, a boy and a girl, and a young man stood off to the side. He paused, a little intimidated at all the new faces, before stepping in and seating himself at the head of the table, smiling his best to try and reassure the children, Palus sitting beside him. The food was laid down almost immediately. Meat, potatoes, carrots, vegetables, all smothered in a delicious smelling gravy. He thanked Sophie, indicating to Palus to dig in. The paladin pushed the food a little, half impressed that the fork went in so smoothly, before beginning to devour it.
After the first bite, Val shot a look up at Narianne. He wasn't really comfortable with eating whilst being watched, almost sure she was taking more care of him than she was of herself, wanting to beckon her over to sit with him but hardly finding the right time to do so. He indicated with his head a little, hoping she picked up on the hint, before returning to his dinner, Palus apparently not having eaten so well in his entire life.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 15, 2009 3:07:27 GMT -5
Claire and Michael helped set out the food before hopping into their chairs and beaming happily at the Grand Marshal. Nari scooted their seats in, making sure that Edmund and Sophie had taken their seats as well.
It didn't in anyway surprise her that the paladin dug into his food. Chances were, the way he and the Grand Marshal got along, that there was no one to take care of him either. It made her sad to see that their men were so poorly taken care of.
Nari made sure everyone had something to drink, setting a bottle of wine up by the two men. Taking a look around the room, she snagged the flowers Claire had brought and dropped them into a vase. She took one last look and smiled, satisfied with how everyone was.
Then she caught his head movement and faltered. She'd had no intention of eating, truthfully wasn't all that hungry and...
She glanced around the room, a blush creeping up her cheeks...
There weren't any seats but the one right next to him. Sighing internally, she decided to pretend she couldn't fathom what that little nod meant and slide over to them, bending down and saying softly,
"Is there something you needed sir? I'd be happy to get it for you..."
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Post by Callahan on Jul 15, 2009 11:34:55 GMT -5
He shook his head at her question, eyeing Palus warily as she settled the wine down in front of him. The paladin glanced up before returning to his food as though nothing had happened. She leaned closer and he whispered to her. "I want you to take care of yourself. Sit and have some food with us." He motioned towards the spare seat next to him, hoping she wasn't going to start behaving towards him a lot differently to how she took care of herself. Lead by example. Always what he did. He glanced around the table. The children seemed rather happy with each others company, giving a few curious looks at the men at the dinner with them, and talking between themselves. The two older ones, either late teens or young adults, were also talking to themselves. He watched them for a few seconds curious.
Returning to his dinner, he was suddenly snapped up as one of the children asked him a question. "Sir, have you fought in a lot of battles?" He nodded. "Far many than I can remember, that's for sure." He smiled. The children smiled, the girl giggled a little, and the boy asked another question. "So is the army good?" He paused. How did he answer that? Tell him yes, and make him want to join? Tell him no and make him distrust soldiers. He thought, pausing, as Palus decided to give his own little rendition. "The army would be useless without us paladins, mi'lad. We're the backbone of the forces. Ain't that right Grand Marshal?" "Is that really true sir?" The boy looked rather eagerly at him, and he felt pressed into a response, choosing his words carefully.
"Paladins, like all our soldiers, have important roles in the functioning of our army at peace and at war, on and off the battlefield. The army is what I'm accustomed to, so it is good, though we'd be at a loss without the politicians, loremasters, magi and other members of the society supporting us." He breathed a sigh of relief a little. He didn't want to make the army sound too grand. Ruffians, angry children, those with warrior hearts, devoted fighters, those were the ones he would happily take into battle with him after training them. Not a young boy who seemed quite capable of actually doing well for himself.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 15, 2009 14:23:53 GMT -5
She sighed internally. He had meant for her to take that seat after all. She gracefully straightened and moved over to it, smoothly seating herself and scooting her chair in.
"I take very good care of myself sir." She said softly. "But it is my duty to make sure your needs are met."
Nari carefully took a bit of each of the things on the table, smiling gently at the children and keeping a subtle eye on Edmund and Sophie. Michael's question, while not a huge shock that it was asked, stunned her a bit in the earliness of it. Palus' answer, she had hoped, would stem the tide, but it seemed he was determined to find out what his parents were living and whether he should be proud of them.
The Grand Marshal's answer was perfect. Michael and Claire turned back to one another and engaged in a heated discussion. Nari turned to him as they chattered and gave a quick explanation.
"Michael and Claire's parents are both fighting up north. I'm sure they just wanted to brief explanation of the army so they know whether or not to be proud of their parents. You gave an excellent answer... Both of you..." She graced Palus with a smile also. "I appreciate that. Matron Nightingale was so helpful in picking these children, I wouldn't want to misuse her trust."
She took a bite of her dinner and sighed happily.
"But then, they wouldn't be here if I wasn't sure that underneath all that scoundrel-ish-ness you weren't a good man. If something happens to their parents this is the best house for them to be in."
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Post by Callahan on Jul 15, 2009 14:36:26 GMT -5
He nodded. They had parents in the army? It seemed an odd place for the parents to go with children already growing up, but he knew better than most that some situations just can't help but come around. Money, promises, honour, duty, they were all valid reasons to fight, in some lights. He wished he could pull the strings needed to get their family back together, but if he were to start, how would he know when to stop? Someone's parents? Someone's brother? Someone's lover? Someone's friend? The army would have less than half the recruits it needed. He knew for a fact many of the soldiers were not there for protection or honour. Army payrolls could be rather enticing to those with no work and little money.
"If you can find out their names and where they were stationed, I can find out how they're doing. If you want to find out." He whispered to her, not wanting to be overheard, though there was little chance as Palus had started on the wine by now and was telling about how he supposedly killed three Orcs with his eyes shut. "Though you'll understand as well as I that sometimes knowing isn't worth it." He lowered his tone seriously. If he could, he would assist the children, but there were limits he could get to. Once he started moving past them he would be running close to detrimental to the rest of the operations. Not that he was afraid of moving past those limits if the intended result was honourable.
He got Palus to fill him up a cup of the wine, taking a sip and getting another for Narianne. Sophie and the man she was with seemed to be unwilling to drink, though he was certain they'd enjoy it more privately than out on a table with children present. Palus certainly didn't have that problem. He leant back close to Narianne, whispering once more. "And if these children and teens are intending on staying, I'd like to get to know them better. Including you, but it may be best to get to know the young ones first before they sleep. After dinner maybe." His plate was nearly cleaned, and he was certainly feeling the gap in his stomach being filled as he swallowed more. Another sip of wine, though Palus had certainly already had more than enough. He'd get home fine, though Val would be certain to shout a little the next day.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 15, 2009 14:59:21 GMT -5
"I think it's probably best that I not find out. If they want to know they'll ask you. Claire and Michael are hardly shy. And yes... If they want to find out I'll let them, but I'd rather they stayed ignorant if things are bad then know right now. They're happy. No reason to spoil that happiness."
She took a sip of her wine, smiling as Palus' regaled the children with war stories and listening to Michael's exclamations of awe. She highly doubted that he beheaded all the orcs in one swoop with a broken arm, but it gave Michael something to think about and another person to look up to. Though the way the man was drinking...
"As soon as everyone is finished eating we can move into the sitting room and let Edmund and Sophie clean up. Or you can help me put them to bed. You'll need to speak with Edmund at some point regardless about his duties as your manservant. Sophie is always in the kitchen... she's quiet but sweet. A bit misused. As for myself..." She gave him a charming smile. "There is nothing more of me you have need to know."
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Post by Callahan on Jul 15, 2009 15:08:50 GMT -5
He nodded. Maybe assisting her in taking the children would be a better idea than having them stay indoors when there was a cool night air for them to enjoy for a while before they had to sleep. And Edmund, yes, he'd make arrangements to talk to this boy. what about, he had no idea, though he certainly would like to know more about the boy. Finishing his plate he glanced around, then standing wordlessly dragged Palus out of his chair, thanking Sophie and promising to return, taking the paladin somewhat unsteadily towards the front door. "Palus, are you OK to get back to the Cathedral?" "Yeah, the pixies will guide me." Val nodded. "OK good, wait here and I'll get your warhammer." Palus suddenly looked up. "Warhammer! Yes!" He agreed, waiting in the doorway as Val moved quickly for the blunt weapon and returned to find the paladin constantly blessing himself over and over.
"Good night Palus." Val smiled, handing the weapon to the paladin and waving him into the night. "Good night my sweetheart." Was Palus really drunk? He said that to a lot of people even when sober. Well, during the day. Whether that implied sober or not was a different matter. The children arrived at his side to wave goodbye to the paladin, who seemed to have grown a pair of golden wings as he approached the corner, before disappearing from sight. "I wanna be a paladin!" Michael had said, his eyes filled with wonder. "Me too!" Claire added, equally gleeful and picking up a stick from the floor, brandishing it against one Michael found and duelling a little. "No, children, your stances are... I mean... Nevermind." He smiled, not wanting to lecture them on proper combat stances just yet, returning to the living room inside and collapsing into a chair.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 15, 2009 15:21:03 GMT -5
Nari stood and began clearing the table with Edmund and Sophie. She was happy. It almost felt homey to be there that night. The two youngest were playing Paladin on the porch and she could hear the sticks thwaping together. Passing by the living room, she checked out the open door to make sure they weren't being too rough and her eyes fell on the Grand Marshal relaxing in a chair. This was good for him.
The three quickly dismantled the dining room, left overs were packaged into a lunch for the Grand Marshal tomorrow, and then packaged to go with the old linens to the orphanage and the cathedral. Sophie and Edmund settled into a dishwashing routine, murmuring softly to one another, and Nari smiled to herself when something Edmund said caused Sophie to splash him with a bit of water. She left them alone in the kitchen... in times of war she felt people needed to be alone with the ones they loved as much as possible.
Stepping back out into the living room, she called the children.
"Claire... Michael... time to come in and get ready for bed."
There was a cry as a stick hit a finger and the two came running in, Michael holding out his finger and Claire close behind him a slightly worried look on her face.
"Oh goodness me... someone has returned from battle injured." Nari gave him a concerned look and the little boy nodded at her. She looked at Claire. "In order to save this finger we'll need to work quickly... Go and get me a bandage and a healing potion."
Claire nodded and quickly took off down the hallway, returning mere moments later. Nari let a drop of healing potion fall on the bruised and lightly scraped finger then quickly bandaged it.
"There my brave paladin. Now let us get you and your fine sister here to bed. Rest is what is needed after one has been wounded so that you can get up in the morning and fight once more."
She ushered them down the hallway and into their room, turning back to him.
"Coming Grand Marshal?"
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Post by Callahan on Jul 15, 2009 15:30:10 GMT -5
He nodded, a little concerned at the cry but glad to see it was only a graze, following the trio upstairs with a glance into the kitchen. Everything seemed to be fine down there for the pair cleaning up. He followed Narianne up the stairs, focusing down on the stairs themselves rather than keeping his head at its normal height. He knew where his eyeline would be. Following her into the children's room he watched as they scampered into bed, tucking them in gently with the warlock and stroking their small faces with his large, rough hands. "Time for soldiers to get their rest. Tomorrow may be busy." He smiled, looking across to Narianne as the youngsters yawned in their comfortable beds.
"So, you want to be paladins eh?" He asked. They nodded somewhat, an 'mhm' audible. "Yes sir, or a warlock!" "A warlock eh? Does that mean you two can do magic?" They paused a little, maybe unsure whether they could or not, so he decided to change the subject a little. "Are you glad to be here?" He asked, hoping they'd let him know if anything was wrong, but they just nodded rather happily, and so he decided to leave it at that. Moving back beside Narianne, e turned his head a little and whispered to her. "I'm not sure Grand Marshal is necessary. I don't need them to fear or respect me." He smiled, stepping from their rooms when they seemed comfortable.
Stepping outside he paused at the doorway, waiting for her to emerge. She'd done all this before so she'd know how the children would like to be sent to sleep. Downstairs he could hear murmurs and not as much clattering as earlier, meaning there was likely little being done in the kitchen. Or a lot being done in the kitchen, he couldn't quite tell. He wouldn't blame the pair, though. She was abled and attractive, he was pleasant and handy. There were many more adjectives he could have came up with to describe the pair, but in short it seemed they were pretty much a sound plan for each other. That was, of course, assuming they liked each other, and he wasn't very wrong about what he thought he saw.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 15, 2009 15:50:11 GMT -5
He was so adorably awkward. Nari had to stifle a giggle and tone down her smile. She stood by the door listening to them.
Her eyes widened a bit as they said a warlock and she rolled her eyes smiling. Children... She lowered her head as he stepped next to her. The dim light in the room thankfully hid the small blush on her face. Why it was the man affected her so she would never understand.
As he stepped out of the room, she stepped forward, her hands twisting in the air causing the little guardian voids to appear.
"A warlock hmm?" She smiled at them both and dropped a kiss on their foreheads. "Get some sleep little ones. The voids will watch you. And I'm never so far that I can't protect you."
She turned down the lamp and stepped outside, closing the door softly. She looked up and about jumped to see him still standing there, her hand fluttering to her throat. She had assumed he'd gone downstairs.
"I-I'm sorry Grand Marshal... You startled me. Is there something more you needed from me?"
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Post by Callahan on Jul 15, 2009 15:57:42 GMT -5
He smiled at her slight shock, but moreso her continuous use of his title. "Please, there's no need to keep calling me Grand Marshal. I get that enough in varying amounts of sarcasm all day at the headquarters." He smiled, wanting to appear nice somewhat, continuing. "I get the feeling I never introduced myself properly. My name is Val Mortedorthem. And although you seem to have given me much information, there's not much I've given you." He smiled, wanting her a little relaxed, half expecting her to ask her a question any time soon, so paced a little away from the doors, starting down the stairs to try and prevent the children from being disturbed from slumber.
"I would like to know, however, where you and I stand, Narianne. There's a lot of history between us, more that you remember than I, and I'd just like to know of what to expect from you." He smiled, glancing into the kitchen as they neared the bottom. The pair in there were still talking, so he lead himself into the dining room instead, not wanting to disturb the pair. He allowed the lady to sit in the more comfortable chair, taking himself into a stool by the fireplace, prodding the embers a little and checking the door was shut. Usually he'd not have to worry about these things. Usually he'd be with Palus in the pub by now and wouldn't be back for a few hours.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 15, 2009 16:43:42 GMT -5
Nari gave him a small smile as they moved down the stairs.
"Shall I call you Val then here? It would hardly be proper for me to use your given name outside this home. And I will still refrain from using it in front of company. I am your manager sir, not your equal here."
She listened into the kitchen and heard the continued murmurs from Sophie and Edmund, her face relaxing. They truly were a pair those two. It made her happy to know she'd had a hand in making it so they could be together.
He question stopped her, her footsteps pausing a moment in the hallway before following him back into the dining room. She could hardly sit with that question before her and set about to straightening things.
"Where we stand? I-I'm not quite sure what you mean..." She loosened the drapes to the window and smoothed them down making sure there were no cracks.
"There is no real history worth remembering. Just the mistakes of a drunken soldier."
She continued avoiding him, brushing crumbs off the table... slipping candlesticks back into the china cabinet.
"And there is nothing to expect from me. You rescued me, I owe you my life and my thanks. You need someone to keep an eye out for you and it would hardly show my appreciation if I let you kill yourself through neglect..."
She wandered over to the flowers, picking at them. Moving a daisy here, some other wildflower somewhere else.
"You can expect that I will be sure your needs are met. My purpose is to help make your life easier, not harder."
She continued rearranging the flowers, refusing to look at him.
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