"Anther," he bit out around a mouthful of soup. Slurped it up afore it could escape his mouth, him all pleased as punch he could prove the girl wrong. Pfaw, like them knowin' his name could do anything. He'd been known by a score o' names, and only him knowin which was the right one. If there was a right one. A name only meant so much.
He gave her a knowin' look, "Yer gonna get me clothes? What fer?"
As if. Like anyone would do somethin like that without a reason. Well, he weren't gonna do nothin he didn't wanna, and that was that.
The Clinging Frost
Re: The Clinging Frost
Erryl had been quite ready to fall back into a more comfortable silence, but the other boy's question sparked his own curiosity. He eyed Soneya as he echoed Anther's own doubts. "Yeah, why would you do that?"
It seemed neither boy had much sense of courtesy, too concerned with their own problems. At least Anther had been quick to make sure none of his meal was wasted, whereas Erryl's still sat almost full. He wasn't sure if he felt hungry after the morning's events, and there was just too much going on for him to take it all in. Of course the cold didn't help in trying to sort out his thoughts.
All he really knew was that these two were weird, and that he really needed bishani so he could finish shopping and go home.
It seemed neither boy had much sense of courtesy, too concerned with their own problems. At least Anther had been quick to make sure none of his meal was wasted, whereas Erryl's still sat almost full. He wasn't sure if he felt hungry after the morning's events, and there was just too much going on for him to take it all in. Of course the cold didn't help in trying to sort out his thoughts.
All he really knew was that these two were weird, and that he really needed bishani so he could finish shopping and go home.
Re: The Clinging Frost
Soneya could only stare from one boy to the other. Seriously? Did neither of them know or even understand what it was like to even be remotely nice to someone else? Nice and friendly, and not merely polite for the sake of appearance? What Soneya wouldn’t have given to not have had certain experiences that had taught her some of these lessons the hard way but this was just ridiculous. Not even before she had been beaten to a pulp had she been this delusional on what it meant to show a little appreciation for those who did not have as much as she did.
Then again, one of them was a street rat and probably truly did not know any better. The other was half elf, so should she really expect anything else from Erryl?
Still, the fact that her motives were so severely questioned wounded her. It wasn’t as though she had given either of them reason to doubt her honesty.
“And why the hell would I not want to help someone in need?” she replied, anger bubbling to the surface and turning her usually friendly, open features into something slightly uglier. “Why would I be content with just sitting by in my warm clothes, with my warm food, when next to me someone is freezing their toes off and starving? Well, excuse me for trying to be a little nice!” Shooting a glare at Erryl and then at the urchin before staring down into her empty soup bowl, she added in a low growl: “Though I’m beginning to wonder why I’m even bothering since it’s so very well received.”
Then again, one of them was a street rat and probably truly did not know any better. The other was half elf, so should she really expect anything else from Erryl?
Still, the fact that her motives were so severely questioned wounded her. It wasn’t as though she had given either of them reason to doubt her honesty.
“And why the hell would I not want to help someone in need?” she replied, anger bubbling to the surface and turning her usually friendly, open features into something slightly uglier. “Why would I be content with just sitting by in my warm clothes, with my warm food, when next to me someone is freezing their toes off and starving? Well, excuse me for trying to be a little nice!” Shooting a glare at Erryl and then at the urchin before staring down into her empty soup bowl, she added in a low growl: “Though I’m beginning to wonder why I’m even bothering since it’s so very well received.”
Re: The Clinging Frost
Anther shrugged. It seemed the best option, given the girl's sudden pissy attitude. Still, he was liking that more. Rue was like that. Most normal folk on the street was. Of course, maybe she was playin' at it the way some of the temple folk did, and she was just annoyed cuz Anther wasn't all glib at takin the bait. He weren't one of them types, hadn't been since the first time he'd got his fingers near broke for the trouble. The value of the gift was usual not as much as what was asked in return.
"'Snot like you'd be nice fer free," Anther said around the soup in his mouth. He weren't loud, wouldn't be when faced with a pissy miss, but he was right tired of being shoved this way and that and then be expected to act like the changers themselves had stepped down from on high to save him. Huh. Anther'd seen better rag-puppet shows. At least their stories were truthful.
"'Snot like you'd be nice fer free," Anther said around the soup in his mouth. He weren't loud, wouldn't be when faced with a pissy miss, but he was right tired of being shoved this way and that and then be expected to act like the changers themselves had stepped down from on high to save him. Huh. Anther'd seen better rag-puppet shows. At least their stories were truthful.
Re: The Clinging Frost
Erryl couldn't help noticing that Soneya's raised voice was attracting a few stares -- some curious, other irritated -- from those huddle by the fireplace. He wanted to shrink in his chair, but that would probably just attract more attention. Instead, he shut up and tried to act like the situation wasn't weird at all. He ate more of his soup and silently wished he was back home with his chores already finished.
Re: The Clinging Frost
Erryl was such a little wimp. For some reason, Soneya had a hard time restraining herself from slashing her nails over his cheek. How could he just sit there and wish he could disappear? Or whatever it was he was telling his soup. But apparently coming to her aid wasn't on his mind.
“No, imagine that. I am not doing it for free,” Soneya replied with a hiss, her eyes on the boy. “I’m doing it because I foolishly expected that I could make someone feel better or that someone would be happy to receive a little help. Maybe I expected even a little gratitude, but apparently that is too much to ask. And yes, you will say that I didn’t do it for free at all when I’m telling you that I expected you to give back Erryl’s bag of bishani, whatever it is you have done with them.”
It was exhausting to feel like this and a headache was starting to grow behind her eyes. Taking a few deep breaths, she tried to calm down. Maybe she should just leave. This was no good for her. When had she ever lost her temper like this?
“No, imagine that. I am not doing it for free,” Soneya replied with a hiss, her eyes on the boy. “I’m doing it because I foolishly expected that I could make someone feel better or that someone would be happy to receive a little help. Maybe I expected even a little gratitude, but apparently that is too much to ask. And yes, you will say that I didn’t do it for free at all when I’m telling you that I expected you to give back Erryl’s bag of bishani, whatever it is you have done with them.”
It was exhausting to feel like this and a headache was starting to grow behind her eyes. Taking a few deep breaths, she tried to calm down. Maybe she should just leave. This was no good for her. When had she ever lost her temper like this?
Re: The Clinging Frost
Huh. So the girl did have a mouth on her, and reacted just like every puffed up do-gooder Anther'd ever met. They all had this idea in them that if they gave a little of their pocket change they could make everything better, and would be bowed and scraped to like they was the second coming of Teodinus. It was always the same. Was a time Anther played it like a -- like some kind of stringed musicmaker, but that was when he was real small and didn't know how to steal right. But he wasn't that kid any more, he was older and had some semblance of pride to him. He didn't like it when he was expected to play the part of the stupid happy digger getting money from some do-gooder. That wasn't him. And it was stupid of the girl to expect it out of anyone who'd learned not to soil themselves in the night anymore.
"Yer from slantside or th'proper, hey?" He was watching Soneya real hard, eyes gone flinty without him meaning them to. He didn't even care about the mark no more, right useless sack of shit anyways.
"Yer from slantside or th'proper, hey?" He was watching Soneya real hard, eyes gone flinty without him meaning them to. He didn't even care about the mark no more, right useless sack of shit anyways.
Re: The Clinging Frost
Soneya had more of a temper than Erryl had expected, but he wondered why he hadn't seen it coming in the first place. She was probably one of the spoiled girls if she was wandering around doing whatever she wanted, especially spending her time with the lower classes of society. Or maybe her situation was like Erryl's, where everyone in her family was too busy to care what she did with her spare time.
When Anther spoke, Erryl wasn't sure what the boy had said, so he ignored it. He was just glad they were paying attention to each other instead of getting mad at him.
When Anther spoke, Erryl wasn't sure what the boy had said, so he ignored it. He was just glad they were paying attention to each other instead of getting mad at him.
Re: The Clinging Frost
Anther’s shrug almost sent Soneya over the edge, but then just as quickly as the anger had risen, it blew off away again, leaving the girl slumping in her seat. Erryl didn’t care – he didn’t even talk! And it was his damn bag of bishani that had started this whole thing! But whatever, it wasn’t her problem anymore. She had done what she could to help and to retrieve it. It hadn’t worked, but at least she had done something, which was better than standing by and ignoring the fact that he had been robbed. Or maybe he really was just silly enough to lose it somewhere himself.
With a sigh, she met the boy’s eyes, ignoring the coldness that was staring back at her. There was more to him than what he presented on the outside but she more than likely would never be shown.
“I’m from the side you hate,” she simply stated. There was no need to elaborate where exactly or to even properly answer his question. He had made his decision of what he thought of her before they had even sat down. Still, he had come. Of course, free food, who would say no? Especially in his state.
“The offer still stands,” she continued, still looking at Anther and completely ignoring the elfling. If Erryl wasn’t going to finally stand up for himself and ask about his bishani, well she wasn’t going to do anything else about it. She had mentioned it, it would have been his cue to jump in. Though of course, she could already feel that resolve starting to crumble. “For the clothes, I mean. Even if you don’t want to accept anything from someone the likes of me.”
With a sigh, she met the boy’s eyes, ignoring the coldness that was staring back at her. There was more to him than what he presented on the outside but she more than likely would never be shown.
“I’m from the side you hate,” she simply stated. There was no need to elaborate where exactly or to even properly answer his question. He had made his decision of what he thought of her before they had even sat down. Still, he had come. Of course, free food, who would say no? Especially in his state.
“The offer still stands,” she continued, still looking at Anther and completely ignoring the elfling. If Erryl wasn’t going to finally stand up for himself and ask about his bishani, well she wasn’t going to do anything else about it. She had mentioned it, it would have been his cue to jump in. Though of course, she could already feel that resolve starting to crumble. “For the clothes, I mean. Even if you don’t want to accept anything from someone the likes of me.”
Re: The Clinging Frost
"If y'know it then, don't get so cocky. Either of ya." He was right ready to refuse her, thinkin' of that fat bag of money he'd left behind, but that wasn't no guarantee. Instead, he thought of Yoger and Rue. Sagath had his plum share of good clothing, though he never said quite where he got it from and he wasn't ever ready to share with any of them, but the rest -- well, they could all use something. And wouldn't Rue just be so pissed if he turned it down on account of his pride? He looked at Erryl, still not sure how he fit into alla it, but deciding that maybe he didn't need to know.
He took a few more spoonfuls of food, enjoying the sensation of eating but knowing that his body would reject too much more. He hadn't been eating enough. None of them had. "Alright," he said finally, letting the spoon fall back into the bowl. "Alright, if yer price is a bit o' thanks, I'll play yer game. Yer on." He held out his grubby hand to knock the backs with Soneya; it was a bit of street etiquette she probably wouldn't know, but he didn't care none. Point was he was making a deal with her. Empty smile an' all.
He took a few more spoonfuls of food, enjoying the sensation of eating but knowing that his body would reject too much more. He hadn't been eating enough. None of them had. "Alright," he said finally, letting the spoon fall back into the bowl. "Alright, if yer price is a bit o' thanks, I'll play yer game. Yer on." He held out his grubby hand to knock the backs with Soneya; it was a bit of street etiquette she probably wouldn't know, but he didn't care none. Point was he was making a deal with her. Empty smile an' all.
Re: The Clinging Frost
It was surprising to see the bitter young man concede to Soneya's offer, and Erryl wondered briefly if his resistance had been an act, for whatever purpose that might serve. It was an unusually cold winter, so perhaps it was simple resignation and practicality, but regardless of his intentions, Erryl continued to eye Anther with uncertainty whenever he moved or spoke.
"Do you do this a lot?" he mused aloud, the question directed at Soneya. Silently, he wondered if Anther might consider revealing what he'd done Erryl's purse. There was no way he'd receive any satisfactory answer though, he'd decided, even if the other boy was almost beginning to lighten up.
"Do you do this a lot?" he mused aloud, the question directed at Soneya. Silently, he wondered if Anther might consider revealing what he'd done Erryl's purse. There was no way he'd receive any satisfactory answer though, he'd decided, even if the other boy was almost beginning to lighten up.
Re: The Clinging Frost
At first Soneya didn’t quite know what to do but then she simply imitated the way Anther held his hand and knocked backs with him the way the boy apparently intended. She had seen it before but had never really understood the gesture, not being one of those kids after all, but she felt almost… relieved that Anther would do this and actually accept her offer.
His snide comments were hurting however, but of course they were intended that way. She did her best to ignore them and gladly replied to Erryl’s thoughtful question to distract herself. “From time to time. Though I’ve never had this hard a time to convince someone that I was doing something good for them without wanting something in return. A pair of gloves here, a scarf there.”
It almost shamed her, now that she actively thought about it, that she rarely did anything to help the streetkids during the summer when the weather was all warm and nice, but at least in winter she remembered that some people were not so well off and couldn’t afford firm boots and warm cloaks.
“Not many people know this however,” she continued, her voice dropping even lower, though she wasn’t quite sure why. “My parents certainly don’t.”
Shaking her head, she eyed Anther's bowl. “Whenever you're ready,” she said with a smile, but staying put where she was, not wanting to rush the boy. Her eyes then slid over to Erryl once again, wondering what had made him ask his question and then deciding to voice that thought. “Why do you ask?”
His snide comments were hurting however, but of course they were intended that way. She did her best to ignore them and gladly replied to Erryl’s thoughtful question to distract herself. “From time to time. Though I’ve never had this hard a time to convince someone that I was doing something good for them without wanting something in return. A pair of gloves here, a scarf there.”
It almost shamed her, now that she actively thought about it, that she rarely did anything to help the streetkids during the summer when the weather was all warm and nice, but at least in winter she remembered that some people were not so well off and couldn’t afford firm boots and warm cloaks.
“Not many people know this however,” she continued, her voice dropping even lower, though she wasn’t quite sure why. “My parents certainly don’t.”
Shaking her head, she eyed Anther's bowl. “Whenever you're ready,” she said with a smile, but staying put where she was, not wanting to rush the boy. Her eyes then slid over to Erryl once again, wondering what had made him ask his question and then deciding to voice that thought. “Why do you ask?”
Re: The Clinging Frost
Anther rolled his eyes at her staging. It was all like watchin' a bad job of handling hand puppets on a corner. An' seein' as how things was left up to him, he decided he wasn't gonna leave nothing in his bowl. Asides, the girl was chattin' up the boy, and he wouldn't slip by a chance to learn something useful for later.
His stomach hurt, but he still swallowed down another bite. After that, another. He smirked at the thought of Rue's reaction to his fat belly once he'd had done with it. She'd be so cockered!
His stomach hurt, but he still swallowed down another bite. After that, another. He smirked at the thought of Rue's reaction to his fat belly once he'd had done with it. She'd be so cockered!
Re: The Clinging Frost
There was a calm about the conversation now, for which Erryl was relieved. He shrugged in response to Soneya's question and replied, "It would've been weird if it wasn't a normal thing for you to do, right? I'm not used to seeing a lot of charity either."
As suspicious as her choice of actions were, he could see no reason to think she might be lying. There was no obvious sign of cunning in the way she spoke, and she seemed relaxed enough. That did not rule out the possibility she was mentally unwell, however, like many of the other residents of Marn -- a fact Koran had made very clear to his little brother. At least she doesn't seem too dangerous, Erryl reminded himself, trying not to let himself get too nervous.
One particular line caught his interest though, and he decided to push this line of inquiry for his own curiosity's sake. "Why is it a secret?" Especially when you're doing it right here in public.
As suspicious as her choice of actions were, he could see no reason to think she might be lying. There was no obvious sign of cunning in the way she spoke, and she seemed relaxed enough. That did not rule out the possibility she was mentally unwell, however, like many of the other residents of Marn -- a fact Koran had made very clear to his little brother. At least she doesn't seem too dangerous, Erryl reminded himself, trying not to let himself get too nervous.
One particular line caught his interest though, and he decided to push this line of inquiry for his own curiosity's sake. "Why is it a secret?" Especially when you're doing it right here in public.
Re: The Clinging Frost
“It isn’t a secret as such. Even though it would of course be better if my parents didn’t find out, but in the end I guess it wouldn’t matter.” Soneya stopped for e moment, considering how honestly she should answer Erryl’s question. Then again, it wasn’t something to consider. Soneya wasn’t the kind to lie well, or lie at all if she could avoid it. “I just don’t have many friends or people who care about what I’m doing. So practically no one knows that I am sometimes trying to do something good. Not that anyone would care.”
The last part was barely more than a whisper. She didn’t want to ride the pity train but she couldn’t stop herself from saying it.
“Anyway,” she said, giving the waitress a sign. “We should probably get a move on. What do you want to start with Anther? Something for your feet?” She paid the waitress for their meals and as soon as Anther was ready – since Erryl and herself had finished – Soneya would drag the both of them to do some shopping. And since there were a few shops nearby, they wouldn’t even have to run far before Anther could get some proper socks onto those poor feet of his.
"What are you planning on doing about your purse? Are you going to get into trouble?" she asked Erryl as they got up and made their way towards the door of the inn.
The last part was barely more than a whisper. She didn’t want to ride the pity train but she couldn’t stop herself from saying it.
“Anyway,” she said, giving the waitress a sign. “We should probably get a move on. What do you want to start with Anther? Something for your feet?” She paid the waitress for their meals and as soon as Anther was ready – since Erryl and herself had finished – Soneya would drag the both of them to do some shopping. And since there were a few shops nearby, they wouldn’t even have to run far before Anther could get some proper socks onto those poor feet of his.
"What are you planning on doing about your purse? Are you going to get into trouble?" she asked Erryl as they got up and made their way towards the door of the inn.