Thread for Harmonic Convergence (Fautrear)

[Valanthia L'Evienne]

Timestamp: Winter, Era XV PF. Right after Fautrear's arrival.

Valanthia had been putting in long candlemarks of work at the Consulate, getting her affairs there in order and determining what needed to be done. Her free time had been limited, and so she didn't feel bad about momentarily stepping out to take a walk on this particular brightening. She'd left Innocence in charge of the office -- her secretary was proving to be as competent as she could have hoped -- and this seemed like a good time for a break.

She might go back to the Sand Castle. That sounded good; Kella might be there, or she could play the piano for a while. But first, out of curiosity, she elected to make a loop over past the city gates. She hadn't been that direction in a while, and she wondered what the influx of traffic was like at this time of the season.

Val didn't take any guards with her except for Umbrosus. A massive white canine, easily the size of a pony, he was enough to deter most people from bothering Val. And at any rate, the half-vysstichi Princess was well-known enough in this town by now that she probably wouldn't have any trouble in calling for backup should the occasion somehow warrant it.

[Fautrear Lumehowe]

Fautrear was more than happy to get through the gate without the guards, or anyone else for that matter, taking notice of her or asking any questions that would cause her to say something she'd regret.

Once past the gate she paused to get her bearings. She didn't want to get lost and needed to find a map to find her way through the city. The last things she wanted or needed was to spend the brightening wandering about aimlessly only to get her frustrated and thus leading her to get in trouble.

There were people and creatures all about, looking as though they had important things to do. She doubted that. They were probably all pretending to be busy so that they wouldn't get too bored with life and then do something stupid, or perhaps they were doing stupid stuff but hid it well.

The brightening had worn on for quite some time. Faultrear was getting tired and hungry. She spoke softly to herself.

"I could get myself a map now or eat first. Hmmm? Which shall it be? I doubt this place has anything decent to eat or even a decent place to eat. Well, I can't not eat, but I can't not get a map either. Stupid city. Why can't I just wish myself into a warm bed with a stomach already full? Stupid city."

She decided to eat first. Her stomach had spoken and so to make things easy she walked straight ahead with the hoped that something would be found that did not inflate their prices for incoming travelers.

[Valanthia L'Evienne]

"Actually...the food here is quite good, if you know where to look."

The voice came from Fautrear's right. The person to whom it belonged was a slim young woman who looked to be somewhere in the uneasy twilight between late adolescence and early adulthood. She was wearing a black skirt with a red top, and though the style was casual, the clothes looked quite expensive. Her skin was gray, which could have meant almost anything, but the white hair that cascaded to her shoulders was a dead giveaway that she was at least part-vysstichi.

There was a huge animal beside her. It was a canine of some sort, but it was as big as a pony. It had pure white fur, and its ice-blue eyes glittered in the sunlight as it looked at Fautrear.

Nonetheless, neither the creature nor the girl associated with it were acting threatening. "I...I couldn't help overhearing you," Val said with a half-smile. "It's...it's really a nice place, Arakmat is, once you...you spend enough time here, you know? But it...it can be a bit confusing when you first come. Anyway, I could...could show you a spot to get some food if you...if you want. My name's Val, by the way."

It was really just on a whim that Val was stopping to talk to this strange person who seemed bent on walking around Arakmat while saying insulting things to herself, but the other woman was the only thing of interest here by the gates. It was even more of a whim that Val wasn't making a more formal introduction, but her curiosity was getting the better of her momentarily...

[Fautrear Lumehowe]

Fautrear for once was speechless. She just stared at this strange person, who introduced herself as Val. She was used to people ignoring her when she spoke to herself, but perhaps that was because they all knew her and it had been a long time since she had been in an unfamiliar place. She was curious as to why this Val was even speaking to her, especially since Val looked much higher in standing then Fautrear. Fautrear did not want to screw this up as with all other meetings, including the one with the guard at the gate. She had already messed that up. She bit her tongue in order to not say the wrong thing while she came up with something half-brained, at least, to say.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I often talk to myself. It has gotten me in trouble on more occassions than I can remember. My name is Fautrear. As you can see I am quite new here. I find that if I am critical from the get-go I won't be so disappointed if it turns out I am right, although I did not wish to pass on the criticism to you." She paused again, hoping she was not digging herself into a bigger hole. She needed practice at being polite, and this was the perfect chance.

"So, where do you recommend to eat around this place?"

[Valanthia L'Evienne]

"Well, it's...a pleasure to meet you, Fautrear," Val said. Her new acquaintance, it seemed, didn't have any trouble speaking her mind. As a matter of fact, Fautrear's demeanor reminded Val of another brightening on which she had met an outspoken stranger in a statuary garden...a stranger who had become perhaps Val's closest friend.

"I tell you what," Val replied, "why...why don't you come and eat at my house this time? I mean, I could...I could show you over to the Desert Oasis, and it's...certainly worth going there at some point. But I've got...got plenty to eat at my place too, and I...I guess I could tell you more about Arakmat over a meal, if...if there's anything you need to know."

Val smiled. "If you don't want, of course, the....the Desert Oasis is down this street here, not too...too awfully far." The girl gestured in the appropriate direction. "But if you're willing to trust me...big dog or no...you're welcome to come along."

Fautrear intrigued Val, intrigued her enough to make the offer. Not many people walked around Arakmat talking to themselves, and this was already one of the more interesting discussions that Val had had recently.

[Fautrear Lumehowe]

"Well, my mother taught me to never say no to free food...or are you going to charge me if I accept your offer to eat at your place? If so, I might as well go to the Desert Oasis which doesn't really sound appetizing at the moment." Fautrear had no problems accepting food from people, even people she did not really know. She was still surprised that Val was even talking to her and made her want to find out more. She also didn't have much money and so eating at a 'Desert Oasis' would not be too appealing. She would probably have ordered the cheapest thing on the menu which would, as always, end up being the grossest food any human could eat, although it might suit some other creature quite nice.

Fautrear wondered what type of food Val would offer. She'd be happy with bread, but Val looked as though she could afford more than bread, but looks do not always tell. For all she knew, Val could have a one room shack, but that was neither here nor there. Her stomach was speaking now.

"So, how far is your place? And before I sound too much like a begger, thank you for inviting me. I am not altogether rude. I just seem to come off that way. It has gotten me into trouble more times than I can count." More times was right, she thought. That is what got brought her to Arakmat in the first place, but she wasn't about to tell Val that. She needed a friend, even if she didn't want to admit it.

[Valanthia L'Evienne]

Val laughed quietly. "It's...it's really not a problem. And no, I...I wasn't planning on charging you. My home is...not that far away. Shall we go?" She motioned for Fautrear to follow, and set off down the road, her canine companion walking alongside. It didn't take a particularly long time to get there, although Fautrear might have been a bit surprised when they got there...

The rather imposing building, conservative in its architecture, had reportedly once been the residence of a local sultan. It was made of marble, and the stark, clean lines of the walls stood in contrast to the empty desert sky. A small outbuilding, probably the sort of thing that would ordinarily have housed a few servants, was partially hidden behind the main building. The entire compound was surrounded by a wrought-iron fence. It was tasteful, but austere. The gate was closed, and should anyone be inclined to test it, it was also locked. Behind the main building was the main attraction of the facility -- a pool of water, surrounded by several trees. One of the few natural well-springs in Arakmat happened to open into the backyard, and the compound was designed to take full advantage of this fact. There was no indication as to the identity of the compound's occupant on the outside. Instead, the carefully-lettered sign on the gate simply said: THE SAND CASTLE Underneath, in smaller letters, a few more words were printed: Beware of the Dog

Val took a key out of her pocket and put it into the lock; the gate swung open soundlessly at her touch. As soon as all three of them were inside, she locked it again, and then stepped lightly up the walkway to the main stairs. "This is...is it," Val said to her new acquaintance. "What...what was it that you wanted to eat? If you tell me what you like, I...I'm sure I can find something to suit your tastes."

[Fautrear Lumehowe]

Now this was more like it. Fautrear's eyes opened wide in astonishment. "Wow! You live here?" This was not a place she expected to see in the desert, let alone being invited in it. She wondered who Val was and to what trouble this would cause her to be in for setting foot as a much more common person on a place such as this. But, she was invited and no one could tell her otherwise, so far. She figured she should stay close to Val just in case someone noticed her and accused her of trespassing.

She read the sign as Val opened the gate. "Beware? I'd say. I don't suppose you have any larger dogs?" Once again, she spoke her thoughts, ones she probably could've kept to herself, but they just came out and she couldn't help it. She realized she needed to be careful as she didn't really know who Val was. Fautrear needed to be cautios, think before speaking, or at least try, and be on her best behavior if it was even possible.

Politely as she could muster, and with no success she tried to sound amazed and grateful to be invited to such a place. "Thank you for inviting me, um, this is a nice place, so, are there any rules I should be aware of before I eat?" She wasn't sure if Val was laughing inside or not. She didn't even hear what Val said anyway, she was just too busy staring. All Fautrear heard was what she wanted to eat and the first thing that came throuh her and straight out her mouth as quick as could be was, "The biggest, fastest, juiciest Steak ever!."

Being polite, nice, and proper was very shortlived and Fautrear decided to just be herself before she got kicked out for trying too hard. Might as well, after all she was hungry and if she was going to get thrown out for being too common or rude it would've happened long before they arrived at the gate. So, she resolved to just let her hungry stomach speak for now and then maybe she would be able to think more clearly.

[Valanthia L'Evienne]

Val couldn't stifle a bit of a laugh, even though she was trying. "Yes...yes I live here. And no...you're looking at the biggest dog I've got, I'm afraid." Curiously, there wasn't anyone else in view. Val maintained the Sand Castle with a skeleton crew of janitors and gardeners, and in fact, the only other person who lived permanently in the massive compound was her personal assistant, Kella.

"Pretty much the most important rule is...is printed on the gate," Val replied. She kept her face straight, but there was a gleam in her gray eyes. Beside her, Umbrosus made a huffing noise, which almost sounded like a canine chuckle. Before Val could add anything else, her new acquaintance had dispensed with all pretense of formality, and was taking Val's offer of food more seriously than she could have expected.

"I can...can see how you might get yourself in...a bit of trouble," Valanthia said. There was a smile on her face, however. Val was puzzled as to how Fautrear was even still both alive and unscarred, but at the same time, the other woman's honesty was...almost refreshing. Certainly, you'd never have to wonder where you stood with Fautrear.

"But at any rate, I do have...some rather good steak as a matter of fact." With Umbrosus around, the Sand Castle was usually generously stocked with meat, and Val could afford to buy the best. She led Fautrear past the doors, through an elegant, if severe, drawing room, and into a formal dining area. "Have a seat. I'll...see if Vivienne is in and can...prepare the meal."

[Fautrear Lumehowe]

Fautrear tried to follow Val gracefully through the Sand Castle to the dining room without gawking too much or stumbling over her own feet while she did so. She never dreamed of setting foot in a place as this. She still had no idea who Val really was, but she had not been kicked out yet and there didn't seem to be many people around to kick her out, which she was grateful for.

The thought of food had almost left her mind until they arrived in the dining room which reminded her the entire reason she was there in the first place. She was glad she didn't choose the restaurants in town.

"I'll just sit here and wait for you then. Thanks again for inviting me. I hope it isn't any trouble and that Vivienne won't mind cooking up a steak at such short notice." Fautrear looked around the room while Val left. She looked up at the ceiling, down the long dining room table, and admired every detail in the decoration of the room. "This place is amazing! I can't believe anything like this exists!" She wanted to get up and see how long it would take to walk across the room and back again, but restrained herself by conversing with her mind. "I bet a hundred people could fit at this table and still have elbow room." She tried to imagine that many people and wondered what kind of occassion it would have to be. She closed her eyes to dream a bit not realizing that by so doing her tired body would take charge and opening her eyes would need some encouragement.

[Valanthia L'Evienne]

"You're welcome," Val said quietly. "And...I'm glad you like it. It's by no means the...the fanciest place in Arakmat though." She walked out into the kitchen to let Vivenne know what was needed.

When she came back, she was confronted with a sleeping houseguest. Something in Val's expression softened. Whatever Fautrear's story really was, wherever she had come from and whatever she was doing, it was clear that she'd had a rough go of it. Val turned and went back into the kitchen, letting Fautrear sleep until the steak was done.

*****

The aroma of a steak along with the gentle touch of Val's hand on her shoulder would bring Fautrear back to reality, hopefully as easily as possible. "Here you go," Val said. "Vivienne says it's the...the best cut she's got."

And indeed, it was an awfully expensive-looking slab of beef. It was done to perfection, and it filled the entire plate. There were potatoes on the side, and a sprig of parsley on top. Val wasn't a steak-eater herself -- the red meat in the house was for Umbrosus, not her -- but she didn't want to leave her guest to eat alone, and so she had a selection of pastries and a small salad.

"Once you...you finish eating...are you going to be in Arakmat long? And what brings you here?" They were social questions, and Fautrear could deflect them easily enough if she wished, though Val was genuinely curious about her...curious guest.

[Fautrear Lumehowe]

Fautrear felt a hand on her shoulder waking her quickly. She was slightly disoriented until she looked up at Val when everything flooded back into her conscious. She could not detect any sense of frustration in Val for having fallen asleep, although she was stilled somewhat embarrassed. "Oh, sorry for falling asleep. I just haven't slept well in days and sleeping on the ground for the past few nights is not my favorite thing to do." She tried to look very apologetic and hoped Val would have mercy on her, she expected it though as Val didn't seem disturbed by it.

"Wow!!! You weren't kidding on the steak! This smells so good!" She wasted no time in getting past the awkward moment and to the reason she was really there, the steak. She picked up the utensils and began to cut. Normally she would have just picked it up with her hands, but she still had no idea who Val was and she could at least use the manners she was taught for her previous life. She shoved a juicy bite of steak in her mouth and let it rest for enjoyment before being mutilated and swallowed. It was the only bit she was willing to enjoy for so long and the rest would be consumed much quicker.

"I'm....mmmm....gau.....ing....to....to....be....a un....Aurauk....mau....t." Fautrear swallowed and cut another bite. "I'm going to be here for awhile." She stuck the next bit of meat in her mouth and started chewing. She was starving and had forgotten how hungry she had been. She wasn't sure how much to tell Val of what brought her to Arakmat and so she just kept eating, only stopping to breathe and drink.

[Valanthia L'Evienne]

Val gazed at Fautrear with a sort of barely-repressed amusement as the girl woke up and immediately began stuffing herself silly. She waited until Fautrear was essentially done eating before she said anything else, choosing instead to pick her way through her salad. When she finally did make some more conversation, it might not have been what her houseguest was anticipating.

"You don't have any idea what you're doing, do you?"

It was a simple question, not a rebuke. Then Val shook her head. "Whoever you are, Fautrear, wherever you've come from...you're in a bit over your head, no?" A rueful smile came to her lips momentarily. "Not that I haven't...experienced that personally before."

Val still wasn't entirely sure why she was taking such an interest in the remarkably naive young woman before her, but the princess did remember what it felt like to arrive in a strange city with no plan and no prospects. There was a bit of softness in her gray eyes.

"I tell you what...why don't we introduce ourselves properly? You can...can tell me why you're here, where you're from. But I'll...I'll go first, if you like." Again, it was gentler than Fautrear might have expected.

"Anyway...like I mentioned, I think, my name's Val." She bit her lip, without thinking about it. "Princess Valanthia...I'm....Prince Milo's sister. I work here in Arakmat as the...the Royal Consul." She could have done more explaining, but she imagined that would probably be enough for the moment. She waited for Fautrear's introduction...as well as the other woman's reaction.

[Fautrear Lumehowe]

It was the best steak Fautrear had ever tasted. She was still savoring the flavor and the feeling of being full, something that had not happened in several days, when Val started to speak to her. Of cousre she was in over her head. She had been to several different cities though, and could survive although she did prefer when it was easier and she didn't have to work so hard. She hadn't quite thought up a plan this time around though because she had been forced to come this way. She would never had chosen this city, ever. It was the last place she vowed to ever go and on most occasions would have preferred dying in Ethgan'tor.

In her mind she wished she could tell Val all about her and what she had done, if only Val knew she might throw her out, but maybe not. She was trying to think of just how to explain to Val about her...."I move around a lot, no, that doesn't sound convincing. I like to travel and don't spend much time in a city. No, that wouldn't do either." Somehow she knew that Val wouldn't accept any vague answer and she might have to tell the truth anyway. "Maybe...." She thought, "I could lie, but that would just get me in trouble anyway."

Fautrear hadn't yet come up with the right words to explain why she was there when Val gave details of who she was. It took a moment to register in Fautrear's mind, interrupting her own thoughts, of who Val was.

"What! No way!" Her jaw dropped. "You've got to be kidding me?! Prince Milo's sister?" Fautrear's mind began to race and her thoughts became jumbled. She knew who Prince Milo was, and had heard he had a sister. She began mumbling random things to herself trying to sort it all out. "That explains the big fancy house. But why pick me? I can't afford time here. It will only get me in trouble, but I like her, she's nice. Is she faking it? Does she know who I am....?"

Fautrear felt all the fear and confusion building inside her. She never planned on this and so didn't have a quick reply or a plan of action. She was frozen in her seat. She shut her mouth quickly and looked at Val. She tried to see if there was any hint in her eyes of knowing who she was. Was it some big plot to use her or get her to confess something?

Faultrear knew her mumbling had been heard. She said the first thing that she could politely say, just in case she could still save herself and just in case Val really didn't know anything about her.

"Please to meet you. Thank you for invited me here and feeding me a wonderful steak. I enjoyed it very much. My compliments to the chef. You have a wonderful home. I am honored to have been in your presence. My name is Fautrear."

[Valanthia L'Evienne]

Val raised her eyebrows as Fautrear began her descent into jabbering. "No...I'm not kidding." She was able to pick out snatches of what the girl was muttering, and she almost rolled her eyes, though she was able to stop herself just in time.

"You're welcome. And...if my memory serves, we established that your name is Fautrear already." She shook her head quietly. "Although I think the question was directed at...at yourself, I'll go ahead and answer it -- I don't know who you are. So let's see if...if the third time is really the charm, shall we?"

It was easy for Val to see why Fautrear was so worried about getting in trouble -- the girl conducted herself with all of the elegance of a beached whale -- but still, the Princess' sympathy for her overmatched guest remained. Besides, Fautrear posed no threat that Val couldn't handle, she was quite sure of that.

"Anyway...would you like some tea while you think about it?" Val knew that Vivienne had put on a pot of the special blend that Ada had sent, and she was desperately craving some herself. "Just tell me how you...you know, how you like it." It could have been perceived as odd, possibly, that Val was asking that last question herself, given that most royals didn't do that kind of work themselves -- but Val hadn't been royal for very long, really, and old habits did die hard.