Seldom Spring

Anafrey would smile and squeeze Jambiya tightly.. pulling her in very close and wrapping her injured arms around the goblin as far as they would go. "i... I am so sorry.. I said.. things and I could hear me say them but it wasn't me saying them and.." She would pause for a moment as her voice cracked and tears would drip down on to jambiya's shoulder. "I didn't mean.. " She would squeek out before squeezing even tighter and rocking the goblin back and forth.

“I know, Anafrey. You were so brave, and I love you.” She returns the hug fiercely.

Once let go, she smiles at the silver haired young woman. “My mom’s some kind of Fey fairy or something! And she gave me this, and this! It’s so amazing. And the little dragon slept next to me last night!” She points to where the dragon is keeping out of the way. 

Maldorn is already up and looking out the window by the time the ladies begin to wake up. At the first opportunity he approaches the bed and, without changing his serious facial expression, looks into Anafrey’s eyes: “Icy, I said what I wanted to say to the other two last night, but I need to say something to you as well. I am sorry for not noticing the change within you sooner, for being mostly a hindrance in helping you to reach this point, and for being responsible for a good number of your new scars. You deserve better from a companion that what I delivered. Please allow me to continue hunting by your side as to remedy my failings and help you achieve freedom again.”

Jambiya did not even notice Maldorn by the window, he was so quiet and contemplative. ;)

"That is great! I am so happy! That is great!" Anafrey would reply with a smile as she wipes away her eyes.   "You found out about your mom and you got a present!" She would add with a laugh. "That thing looks pretty nice.. wanna trade?" She would say with a another laugh.. looking down at the flail in her hand and giving a small frown. Then as Maldorn begins to address her, she would quickly turn towards the dragonborn. "Noo... no no no." Anafrey would say as he holds her hands up "You did nothing wrong! I.. it was me! It was all my fault you.. you all were great.." she would add as she looks down at her cut up hands and the flail resting on her lap. "I guess I have some things to figure out.. I.. I had a dream about the person who made the flail... it was a dwarf.. but it was like it was my own memory.." She would say as she rubbed her head.

Erric agrees with Maldorn's pitch to Ebokk regarding the offer of the fifth share. "That said, these folks look fairly wealthy and we did agree on payment for services rendered, so I think they can afford to pay us."

About halfway through Maldorn's speech to Erric and Jambiya, Erric walks over to him and gives him a hug. "I'm so glad to hear that, Big Spoon. Forgiveness isn't necessary. Thank you." He's too sleepy to be stunned into silence, but he does not respond with a long response. The hug suffices. 

When Jambiya ruffles Erric's hair in the hallway, she'll find it has somehow already turned into an amazing state of bedhead. He'll sleepily get up and walk into the room and find a corner or a chair to continue sleeping in. 

He then sleeps through everything until Jambiya cries out in happiness and Anfrey's return, and registers about every other word of their conversation. "Anafrey? It's really you? We... almost lost you. We're going to keep you. We're going to get rid of the dumb stick. Flail. You know what I mean. How are you feeling? Do you need any healing? We have maybe a hint of a plan of how to fix you. Apparently it involves some travel, maybe leaving together today. Are you up for it?"

When Jambiya mentions fey, he furrows his brow and scratches his head. He looks down at his chest to see if there is any mark there. 

"My head hurts and I got a few tender spots.. but I think I am good to travel" She would say with a smile. "Not sure if my head hurts cause of the ale or the dwarf guy taking up too much space..." 

"Oh, this is great! I feel better about things than I have since... well... um... maybe since the giant crabs? Anyway, I have a letter to post, and we should see if Ebokk is really coming with us, and if there's anything for breakfast. I feel like I grew a ton last night and my body is empty!" Jambiya is still a little giddy about all the things that have happened in the last 24 hours.

As she bounces out of the room she is followed by a brief trail of sun sparkles and illusory dandelion seeds.

Erric, you find no mark. There's just a lingering emotional pleasantness surrounding your heart.

The stairs being more welcoming than the hallway of closed doors, Jambiya, you head down to the front rooms you know. As you descend, the pseudodragon flutters down to ride upon your shoulder amiably. You peek into the office and find it much more organized than you left it the night before. The desk is in what you would assume is the correct place. The glass has been cleaned up, though the pane is still missing. All traces of blood have been removed. You cross to and enter the sitting room. You still haven't found anyone. You decide to check the kitchen. As you enter the dining room, you find that breakfast dishes have been laid out. As you are looking at them, there is a loud a noise from the kitchen. The winged lizard takes off and flies back into the sitting room. You round the large table and enter the kitchen to find Tairdai working away. She greets you warmly, telling you that breakfast will be ready in a moment, and that Ebokk is out back readying the horses and ponies. "How is your friend?" she asks more solemnly.

Maldorn smiles as warmly as he can at each of his companions.

After Jambiya leaves the room, the old ranger picks up his things and follows her. He keeps his distance as not to be too overbearing. He still has some emotional soft spots after speaking from the heart last night/this morning. It has been years since he last did that...

Sagitta on the other hand is much more excited about the new day. The winged snake coils, slithers, and flutters all around Maldorn's limbs and clothes. It would seem the little beast has finally grown more fond of its balding companion after the many training and bonding sessions.

Once Erric and Anafrey join them downstairs, Maldorn whispers to the bard that he should probably ask about the matron of the house.

"I'm fine.. kind of?" Anafrey would say with a small wave towards tairdai. "i have a pounding head ache and I am not sure if I need more ale... or a lot less ale maybe? She would add as she gives her head a quick rub. She would slowly make her way towards one of the chairs around the table and take a seat. "Maybe just a little breakfast ale.. and a few glasses of water.. and a heap of meat." She would say with a grin as she settles into the chair. While sitting in the chair listening to her companions.. she would almost unconsciously as though she had done it all her life.. begin braiding her long white hair into a large tight braid, similar to many dwarven woman might wear.

Jambiya bustles about the kitchen, helping where it seems needed, little dragon raising a wing occasionally to avoid falling off its perch. "She is doing much better, thank you! What a day it was yesterday! I am sure this household will be happy to see the backs of us!"

She pauses. "Though I guess Master Ebokk coming hasn't sat too well, has it?"

Erric greets Tairdai, warmly. "Good morning! Thank you for taking such good care of us. Apologies again for the... unpleasantness yesterday. We should be out of your hair soon. I wanted to ask you two things. One, will Mrs. Lockforge be joining us for breakfast? And two, what can you tell me about Eilikasys, the gnomish grand dame? Have you met her? Have you seen her do anything interesting? And how do the Lockforges know her? She indicated that she has plans for me but was very mysterious about them and I don't know the first thing about her. I'd be happy to compensate you for your words with some help in the kitchen, or a bit of a song?"

Persuasion: 13

Erric walks in and tries to help in the kitchen, and after he is certainly encouraged to turn around by Jambiya, he tries to help set the table. Once he's done, he'll pick up his lute and begin strumming gently, and singing the first few stanzas of the shanty he's been writing about their trip... involving dancing crabs, Bosun Grout, a lean-to shipwreck full of nothing interesting, three sharks who fiercely guard the linen closet of a merman named Davijonz, irregular zombie gnolls, abandoned camps, large mounds, mud bats, the worst flail in the world, a murderous chest, pirate's treasure, the tragic death and improbable revival of Ebokk, a mutiny on the ship, and... very little mention of Anafrey's dealings with the flail.

Anafrey would smile and nod towards Jambiya and when Erric begins to sing his song, she would bob her her head as she meticulously braids her hair. At the mention of gnolls, she would perk up in great interest before shaking her head and continuing.

Erric is trying to remember if he has ever seen Anafrey braid her hair before...

OOC: Nope.

Bringing food out, Jambiya notices Anafrey's work. "That looks nice on you," she says, fully aware of the oddness. Throwing Flindbar a bone, as it were. "Grumpy Pops would approve, and I think that would surprise him more than it would anyone else!" She smiles, then gets a little sad, then smiles again. "After breaking our fast I need to get to some sort of post horse place, to send my fathers a letter. Then I'll be ready to go."

She digs into her food, humming along with Erric's shanty once she catches the refrain. "That's good, Erric. It needs more heroics by the little green girl, though!"

"Oh!.. yeah thanks." Anafrey would reply to Jambiya in surprise... almost as though she didn't realize what she was doing. "I think it should help keep my hair out of my face. Maybe I should get myself one of those beard rings... but.. well a hair ring I guess?" She would say with a small laugh as a slightly concerned expression flashes across her face for a moment. "I am really sorry about messing up your house.. you have a lot of nice things." Anafrey would say as she glances up towards Tairdai.

Jambiya asks, "Though I guess Master Ebokk coming hasn't sat too well, has it?" to which, Tairdai glances at her and gives a quick and silent shake of the head.

Erric greets Tairdai, warmly. "Good morning! Thank you for taking such good care of us. Apologies again for the... unpleasantness yesterday. We should be out of your hair soon. I wanted to ask you two things. One, will Mrs. Lockforge be joining us for breakfast? And two, what can you tell me about Eilikasys, the gnomish grand dame? Have you met her? Have you seen her do anything interesting? And how do the Lockforges know her? She indicated that she has plans for me but was very mysterious about them and I don't know the first thing about her. I'd be happy to compensate you for your words with some help in the kitchen, or a bit of a song?"

"I have seen Eilikasys many times," responds Tairdai, "but I hardly know her. She is not very friendly with ... me," she says purposely polite. "I know she has a house in the city, but she travels much. She has helped Master Ebokk many times in his search for his father. For that, I forgive her unkindnesses." She appears to catch herself, changing the subject quickly. "Mrs. Lockforge will not be joining us for breakfast. I have already taken a tray up to her." She looks around the room. "It will just be the four of you this morning for breakfast."

She retrieves the dishes and brings them to the table. As she is situating everything and pouring drinks, Jambiya comments,  "I am really sorry about messing up your house.. you have a lot of nice things."

"The house is very comfortable," Tairdai agrees. "It's really too bad Mrs. Lockforge keeps selling off her husband's treasures. But, perhaps that's why he collected them."

Mostly quiet until that point, Maldorn pipes up once the kind dwarven lady speaks of treasure sales: "Perhaps the dwarven matron is not as wealthy as appearances would suggest. It would help explain why we haven't heard any mention of our due payment yet. That fifth of our treasure should sit well with them if that is indeed the case."

Maldorn makes sure to feed Sagitta off his own plate.