Elyna was intrigued by his words, and the slight nod. She watched him with even greater care. He had suggested with the minute action that he would take steps against the Immortals themselves. A brave man indeed, or a foolish mortal. The young woman pulled her tip lip into her mouth and pressed her teeth to it. Or was he more? She knew, perhaps more than anyone that people with power walked among the population. Elsie grew restless and tugged at her hair, Vara was wriggling, as though for all intents and purpose she needed to visit the nearest patch of grass to relieve her tiny bladder.
“Folks to trust are hard to find,” Elyna conceded, wondering if she was implying that she trusted the man. Did she? She found Doran spoke in riddles, but ones she could make sense of. He was refreshingly direct and willing to share his thoughts. He hadn’t lied to her. The young woman found that she was smiling, a cautious expression but a smile none-the-less.
“I think, perhaps I should leave,” the noblewoman admitted with regret. “Perhaps you would write to me, and we can arrange a time to continue our discussion?” It was a hopeful proposition. She had enjoyed speaking to Doran, no matter the strange circumstances of their fledgling friendship. “I would like to think, that even if we are not friends, Professor, we could be allies.”
As Elyna remarked that folks to trust were hard to find, he nodded. “They are”, he agreed. He had met very few people that he had been able to trust to some extent in the four hundred arcs that he had walked the world of Idalos. Yanahalqah had, perhaps, been such a person – she had joined him after he had made his move against Xiur and fought alongside him, although he had never told her what he was. There had been Beira, the woman that he had once loved. He had, for the most part, also been able to trust her son.
As he stood there and looked at her, he couldn’t help but wonder what kind of person Elyna Burhan was. Could he trust her? Was she implying that she trusted him in spite of what he had said about turning from the Immortals? He didn’t return the smile, although the look on his face was not as cool as it had been before. He studied her thoughtfully for a few moments before he replied, “I can certainly write a letter to you. We could even communicate that way if we are too busy to meet in person.”
Perhaps, he thought, he would write her after he had left Andaris even though he had initially wanted to sever all ties to his former life. It would be good to have a contact in the city that was somewhat open minded and that was in a position of power – and a confidant. Yanahalqah had, to his knowledge, not returned to the kingdom, and he didn’t know if she ever would. He did wonder what Lady Burhan would think if she found out what he had done though. Would she understand? And would it matter if she didn’t?
“Your dog is growing somewhat impatient”, he remarked and handed the leash back to her. In fact, he thought, Vara looked as if she wanted to relieve herself right there, in the hallway. “If you walk that way …” He pointed left. “… there’s a door that leads to a small meadow where she’ll be able to relieve herself without a number of professors and students watching.” He briefly turned his head. The students had just turned around the corner. “I found our meeting quite interesting, Lady Burhan”, he remarked.
“Until next time”, he spoke. Unless she had something else to say he would turn around and continue his work. Perhaps, he thought, there would be a next time after all – eventually.
Animal Training: Dogs Will Naturally Protect Children
Animal Training: Kids and Pets Can Get Each Other Over-Excited
Discipline: Deciding to Fight Back
Doran: Memorable From Shadow Beast Incursions
Interrogation: Simple Questions can Elicit Daring Answers
Politics: The Proper Decorum of a Lady in a Dress
Socialization: Meeting the Common People Through Sewing
Socialization: Silent Foolishness is Preferable to the Vocal Kind
Socialization: Taking Public Embarrassment in Stride
Socialization: The University is no Place for Pets or Children
Socializing: Don't Initiate a Confrontation in Someone's Workplace
Socializing: Hear Out People's Anti-Immortal Sentiments
Socializing: Sharing a Sense of Being Manipulated
Loot, Loss, Injuries, Fame and Devotion:
Nothing to speak of
Comments:
No story or structure hang-ups here. Not a skill-heavy thread.
But nice, consistent characterization.
You have so many Etiquette and Politics Ks already, I tried to squeeze them into the Social categories.
PM me with any comments or concerns
Deception: Leaving Permanently Under the Guise of an Academic Trip
Detection: Elyna's Hesitance to Continue on to See Malcolm
Discipline: Finish What You Start
Elsie: Reminds You of Your Own Daughter
Elyna: Remembers You From Shadow Beast Attack
Elyna: Stayed in Rynmere for the Treidhart Battle
Etiquette: Escorting a Lady to Where She Needs to Go
Etiquette: Mind Your Own Business in Others' Relationships
Etiquette: Not leaving a Mess For Your Successor
NPC: Elsie: Elyna and Malcolm's Child
Psychology: Immortals are the Puppet Masters
Socialization: The University is no Place for Pets or Children
Socializing: Sharing a Sense of Being Manipulated
Loot, Loss, injuries, Fame, Devotion:
Nothing to speak of
Comments:
Same as Above. Nicely Portrayed meeting of those questioning the accepted roles of mortals and Immortals (even the first letter is only capitalized on "Immortals"!) Obvious favoritism! The Outrage!
PM me with any comments or concerns
