2023-09-19: Overdue Reunion
- Log: Overdue Reunion
- Cast: Hannah Curie, Eleanor Klein
- Where: Damzen City - Main Street
- Date: September 19, 2023
- Summary: Hannah finally takes the long trip back home to Damzen to reconnect with her family at the orphanage. Things are awkward, but luckily she has her best friend Eleanor along to support her.
========================<* Damzen City - Main Street *>========================= The main street of Damzen City is a busy place. Damzen has exploded in growth in recent years, with gold mines and oil fields both found nearby. While not as hodge podge as the city outside the walls, the main street reflects this character: wooden buildings have sprung up one after the other, and only some have recently been replaced by brick. Compared to more noble sensibilities to the south, Damzen is positively liberal. ARMS meisters operate openly, with stores proudly advertising their wares and services -- though mining equipment, not firearms, is what they tend to service. General stores, taverns, and hotels serve those with the means. A little beyond Main Street, one can find both old and new houses. Wooden homes are constructed next to the ancient, squat stone structures used by Meria's knights when they brought the region to heel. BGM: Wild Arms 2 - Western Village
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
It's been... quite some time since Hannah has been this way. Damzen is both exactly how she remembered it and yet not. There are more buildings that have popped up, more oil rigs popping up, and even in a span of just five years, (or eight, depending on how you want to count it), there's still been significant growth.
And of course, Hannah herself has certainly changed in the intervening time, as well. There's still a spark of that joyously curious girl within her, but she's been saddled with a lot of worries and doubts, as well. Her brow is creased with worry as the small group of Hannah, Zephyr, Eleanor, and Susanna make their way into town.
Hannah is dressed in her usual these days, denim jacket, jeans, boots, and her satchel, with Zephyr riding on her shoulder. In some ways she looks as she ever did, looking ready to take off at a moment's notice, able to go on a whim with just whatever she's got on her back. But it's become a little different now, too. She's left some important things back at Klein Manor. A sort of little insurance policy to herself to make sure she returns to her friend Eleanor's home.
She'd been really nervous when she told Eleanor she was leaving, and oddly relieved when her friend had asked to come along. She'd accepted, of course (and hadn't even needed Zephyr to bite her ear about it this time.) Susanna had also been grateful for the company and the additional support offered.
They're not at the orphanage just yet, Hannah having stopped when they officially entered the town proper. She's glancing about, nervously, taking in the sights. The sky is clear and the sun is beating down, but as ever it's a dry heat, so it's not totally unbearable.
"... Feels smaller than I remember."
Susanna reaches out to gently ruffle Hannah's hair. The beastfolk woman responds quietly, "You were a mite smaller when you set out."
There's a few people stopping to squint and stare at Hannah, and she just awkwardly avoids making eye contact. Instead she looks to Eleanor.
"Thanks for coming with me. I, um... hope you like seeing..." Her home? But it's not quite, is it? "... where I'm from. Damzen might not be a Klein or a Meria Boule, but I've always thought it was kind of neat..."
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Eleanor Klein has been to Damzen before--but has never really explored it in full like one can a city, always on her way to or from places. She spends more time at noble estates than out in Damzen proper, as a rule.
So it's as she remembers it... but it's not the same, either, to see it through Hannah's eyes. Eleanor's approach is calm and pleasant, a small smile on her face as a genral rule. She is well aware of that 'insurance policy', and she didn't come to ensure Hannah would come back, but to offer some support.
She's dressed in traveling clothes, a pale orange top over a long skirt, boots for walking through the desert. She has a hat, against the sun.
Eleanor is used to being notable when she shows up, though she'd be surprised to be recognized by most here, except maybe as a member of ARMS. "You're welcome," Eleanor says. And... it's where she's from, that will do.
"It's a good city," Eleanor says. "And there's more here than I ever gave it a chance to see before, just passing through as I always was." A beat, "...And it's nice not to have to hide my ARM for propriety's sake..."
Quite the opposite, she wears it on her hip out here.
"I find it's best to appreciate a place for itself, rather than compare it too much to what it isn't."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Susanna herself is dressed in a long, sleeveless duster against the heat, with a wide-brimmed cowboy hat. Not really her normal fighting attire, but it'll do to keep the sun out of the eyes and a bit of the dust off.
"That it surely is," responds Susanna to Eleanor's comment about Klein being a good city. "Up n' coming, too. Each time they strike a new oil field or a gold mine it gets a little bit bigger."
Hannah nods in agreement about the ARM. "True enough." She gives the golden ARM a curious look though. "... Still can't believe you kept that, considerin'..." But she offers Eleanor a small smile. "Think it suits ya though."
But her own rifle, secured to the top of her bag, is still unwrapped as well.
"That's true... An' there's lots of neat places you won't find nowhere else!" Hannah says, with a small amount of growing enthusiasm. "Here--if we go this way..."
It's been five years, but before that it was thirteen years, and the places is still well and truly familiar to Hannah, for the most part. She's pointing out different little shops and places to Eleanor as they go along. A nice restaurant here, an ARMs shop dealing with mining equipment there, a place here and there where she fixed something while assisting the town's handyman. Susanna only has to make a couple of updates and clarifications for things Hannah missed, and Hannah herself is an odd mix of excited to see familiar sights, full of growing anticipation as they get closer to the orphanage, and still avoiding eye contact even as she's naming speicific people that go with the shops who happen to be right there to hear her.
But eventually, they get to the orphanage. It certainly looks like an orphanage, in that it definitely isn't a shop, store, restaurant, hotel, or anything else. It's a bit kludged together, in fact, having been expanded several times to accommodate more children (yet clearly never having quite enough room to house everyone comfortably.) That makes the building a blend of old and new, but all of it practical, with no elaborations or fancy architectural flourishes.
And before they get anywhere near it Hannah stops, all of the small amount of cheer she had generated for herself quickly draining away. She seems rooted in place, her breathing suddenly labored as if an immense weight was pressing down on her chest.
Zephyr chirps at her gently and preens at her hair, and Susanna gently places a hand on her free shoulder. "You alright there, sugar?"
Hannah nods numbly, her voice hoarse. "Y-yeah, I just... I need a moment."
Susanna nods. "Take your time." She looks to Eleanor. "I'm gonna head in, let Rochelle know I'm back. You wanna come with, or wait around with Hannah?"
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"Indeed," Eleanor answers about Damzen's expansion. "Steady growth..."
But she laughs a little at the matter of her ARM. "It was a gift from my sister and a dear friend. Even if I didn't keep the man, I think it was a fine idea to keep the ARM." She smiles back. "I'm glad."
Lots of neat places. Eleanor will believe that; she follows along, listening and watching to the places Hannah and Susanna both point out. Specific people even; when they look, Eleanor smiles back, but she doesn't initiate conversations Hannah doesn't seem to be ready for. And at the orphanage...
Hannah's cheer drains, and Eleanor looks at her with some concern. She looks her over, and when Susanna asks...
"I'll stay with Hannah," Eleanor says. "Might as well. We'll be all right."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
"Guess as long as she's okay with it..." It still seems weird, but then again, she'd never heard of someone interrupting a wedding to object before, either, so maybe it's not the most strange thing to come out of that.
Eleanor herself gets a lot of polite and even cheerful greetings. It's a new face in town, and an elf, to boot. Not every day you see one of those coming through.
Susanna nods as Eleanor makes her choice, "Alrighty then. I'll be inside if you need me." She looks to Hannah. "You come right on in whenever you're ready, okay? I'll let Rochelle know you're here."
Hannah just nods, silently, and Susanna turns to head inside.
Once they're alone, Hannah finds a nearby bench to sit on, staring at the building. "... I'm kinda scared..." she admits, quietly, mostly for Eleanor's benefit.
Zephr, of course, already knows, and gives her a soft, consoling chirp.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"She's fine with something that keeps me safe, I think." There are definitely some strange aspects... but Eleanor, at least, is pretty calm and chill about them all. So it would seem.
She's happy to be a bright presence in the days of those around her, of course; just being a Pleasant Person is one of her skills! But here, now that Hannah has difficulty...
Eleanor nods, too, and then looks to Hannah, moving to sit with her on the bench when she does. And what she says...
"That's okay," Eleanor says. "It's all right to be scared. It's no small thing."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Hannah can accept something that helps keep Eleanor safe. She barged into the rescue mission to make sure Eleanor would come back okay, and she hadn't even been entirely certain that she was there.
She draws her knees up to her chest and hugs them tight. She's glad Eleanor doesn't think it's silly that she's scared. Still, she feels the need to explain. "It's just..." She glances to Eleanor. "You thought I was dead, and I ain't even known you as long as I've known them... I don't... I don't know what they'll think of me..."
"An' I couldn't even meet anybody I knew in the eye, neither. They... they know, I'm pretty sure. They recognize me. Not like there's many people who'd walk around with a hawk on their shoulder." She sighs and closes her eyes.
"... 'Specially scared to tell them why I never came back..." Her magic is still a sore spot for her.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"...That makes sense," Eleanor says. "Of course, my life is dangerous--Sielje's curriculum can be dangerous--so I had more reason to fear the worst than most of them would, I imagine." Not that it helps if they didn't think so, but still. "...But you don't know they'll think badly of you, either."
She pauses. "...They do likely recognize you. But until you open yourself to the possibility of rejection, you'll live in its shadow forever. They can't welcome you home if you don't go back."
Pause. "...But I understand that that's difficult. It would be for me, too."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Eleanor was more primed to suspect danger. "... I s'pose that makes some sorta sense... Certainly enough danger in lettin' kids get access to magic like that. Always gonna be somebody that tries to do something dumb with it." Like the accident that she inadvertently made worse.
But no guarantee they'll think badly of her. It takes her a moment to accept that idea, but logically... she has to, eventually. "Yeah..."
"The possibility of rejection, huh?" It feels like an odd way to phrase it, like it might be something you're expecting or wanting, but on the other hand... she gets it. Can't get to the good stuff without risking the bad. Is living in its shadow what she'd been doing? She'd certainly been hiding from something all this time.
And she's not letting them welcome her back. "That... guess I can't argue with you there." She closes her eyes. "I really do hate keepin' myself apart from people. I got so scared I might hurt someone without meanin' to..." She opens her eyes again and looks to Eleanor again. "But you got a lot of friends who are dangerous too, huh?" Ruth, Ida, Ashley...
She blinks in surprise as Eleanor admits it would be hard for her. "... Really? But... Everythin' always seems to come so easily for ya. You got in and out of Sielje early, you're an elf, a noble, heck you're a Sage, of all things. You always kinda seemed amazin' at everything you tried."
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"Indeed. Or even if they don't mean harm... Dangerous things can happen." She thinks of Lilka's sister; she never could do anything about that, even to this day. And then the accident, of course...
Eleanor has had her own share of fear of rejection. She understands at least the spirit of the problem. But... Hiding...
"I do," Eleanor says. "It's normal not to want to hurt people. But when you keep distant... they can't help you, either."
Eleanor smiles, when Hannah says it comes easily. "I've always had help," Eleanor says. "When I was young, it was Xiumei. ...It was hard, going to school younger than everyone else. Especially because some of the girls thought my parents had just bought me a special position. Xiumei looked out for me, and helped me grow. By the time I made it to Sielje, I had a much better foundation... and I had good friends, like you, to support me."
"Even being a Sage, I have the guidance of Rauru, and Marivel and Magilou and Mariel and so many others. By being a noblewoman, I have gained so much help. Being an elf... Well, there were times I didn't feel very lucky. But in all, that's the story. I've always had help."
"And when I haven't... or when it's been my turn to do the helping... I've always kept in mind how lucky I was."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Keeping distant means she can't receive help... Hannah glances away. "... That's true." She glances sidelong at Eleanor after a moment. "... I'm really bad at askin' for help, ain't I?"
Eleanor had to convince her to take tutoring help at Sielje, guilt trip her into taking a room at her home... and yet, she can't deny that she's felt better ever since she started opening up and sharing her problems with others. Even if she still feels bad about her magic.
But Eleanor explains about all the help she's had. And it turns out to be a lot more than she had ever stopped to consider. And Eleanor even names her as helping, while at Sielje. Hannah smiles shyly, despite her current funk. It definitely feels nice to hear Eleanor call her a good friend, and even nicer to know she had something to offer to help Eleanor, amazing as she always thought the other woman was.
Eleanor's turn to do the helping, like she is now. "... Thanks, Eleanor. For... everythin'. Giving me a place to stay, insistin' I take it, the offer to join ARMS, not... getting mad at me when I told you I wanted to do somethin' else, helping me get back into Sielje... and just... not giving up on me."
Hannah uncurls, then, and turns to face her friend. "I just want you to know, that... no matter what, if you ever need me, I'll be there for you too, okay?" Zephyr chirps, and Hannah cracks another little smile. "Both of us will."
But Zephyr chirps again, and Hannah looks over to the orphanage. There might be a face or two poking out of a window to look at the two, then quickly vanishing. "... I think they spotted us."
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"You are," Eleanor says. "But you have other good qualities!" She beams--and hopefully that little moment of levity helps. Still...
Eleanor smiles, when she's able to offer something. And when Hannah thanks her, "You're welcome. That's what friends do. And I suppose I do have some good qualities myself that inform how I'd like to do that," she says, obviously puffing up a little in humor. She smiles, and then more seriously, "I'll be sure to rely on you if that comes to pass. And... to be honest, I'm sure it will, one day."
Maybe it hits different, when someone who sees the future says something like that. Maybe.
Regardless, Eleanor turns to look when Zephyr chirps and, "I suspect you're right," the elf says. "Shall we? I'd love to meet them."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Eleanor assures her she has good qualities, and Hannah looks interested. "Yeah?" There's a 'Like what?' just waiting on the tip of her tongue but she holds that back. That's... kind of conceited to just ask for compliments, but she sorely wants to.
Hannah takes the humorous statement in the spirit it's intended, cracking a bit more of a smile, just for a moment. But her help will definitely be needed one day. "Right. And... maybe, someday, when I finish Sielje... I can take you up on your offer to join ARMS? I spent so long not getting involved in things, but... I wanna make an impact. Be part of somethin' bigger than myself."
But there are more faces poking out, even as they're being shooed away, and Hannah nods. She takes a moment to steel herself, drawing a deep breath... and then she stands up with a firm nod. "I think I'm ready."
Hannah waits for Eleanor to stand up too, and then... to the orphanage proper.
There are definitely people trying to get peeks and glances as the two approach, and it's an even gamble on whether they're meant for Eleanor or Hannah. Probably both. (Probably some for Zephyr, too.)
One more breath to steel herself, and then... Hannah steps inside. The decor is just as eclectic as the exterior of the building is, assembled from various sources over time without much regard for consistency in style. The door leads into an open common room, with mismatched sofas, tables, chairs, and rugs. There's a number of kids milling about, engaged in various activities. Some are recognizably doing schoolwork, others are just playing, but it's lively and noisy, and it's a sound that surely fills the rest of the orphanage, too.
But when Hannah steps in, a hush falls over the room in a wave, as people notice, or hear the cessation of sound and turn to see the source. And once the first room goes silent, the rest of the orphanage follows. Soon enough there's a few faces peeking from the various hallways and even a second story railing.
Hannah pulls a hand out of her jacket pocket to wave, weakly. Many of the kids clearly recognize her and are shocked. Others, mainly younger ones, are merely curiuous at the arrival of a drifter they don't recognize.
"H-hey, um... sorry it's... been a while."
And all at once there are kids coming up to the three of them, pestering both Hannah and Eleanor with questions, or fawning over Zephyr. At one time Hannah would have been in her element, but she's strugging to keep up with all of the attention.
Hannah gets a lot of "Where have you been?", while they both get "Who are you?" and Eleanor gets many, many questions about her elf ears, her golden ARM, and so on.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Eleanor expected some looks and questions, really. But before that, "It's a good way to make an impact, for certain. You'd be welcome among us. ...But it's good, to want to see to your education first. All the fighting to save the world makes little difference if it's not a world we can live in."
More faces... Eleanor laughs a little, to see them. "All right."
Eleanor looks around brightly, noticing the style--the many styles, really. And of course, the hush when Hannah moves to enter the room. Everything's quiet, for a moment, and Eleanor has to hope that Hannah will do well.
She does, Eleanor thinks.
And then the children come! "My name is Eleanor," Eleanor answers one, seeing no reason to go into her position at the moment. "Oh, yes!" she says to one, "I am an elf. You see?" She shows off a pointed ear--pierced, so naturally she keeps them away from grabby child hands, and then leans down with hands on her legs, "But this?" the ARM, "This was a present from some people very dear to me. It's only plated in gold; a real golden gun wouldn't be very good!"
"I'm a Crest Sorceress," she says to another, "And some of these rings I'm wearing are actually magical! You can find magic in all sorts of places, if you look..."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Hannah should be in her element here. This is her home, she loves kids, and she's very sociable, At least, she was, but certain things get rusty when you don't use them for a long time, and it's hard, no matter how much she wants to, to invest herself in others when she's spent so long worrying only about herself. So in short...
She's getting a bit overwhelmed. She's doing her best to respond to all of the questions. "Oh, I'm Hannah, I grew up here--" "--she's a friend of mine--" "--name's Zephyr--" "--actually went to school together--"
But there's too many voices, too many places to turn her attention, and too much awkwardness (from both her and some of the older kids who remember her) for it to go smoothly. Eventually she freezes up, only able to offer fragments of answers.
There is, however, someone ready to absorb some of that extra attention. Zephyr chirps loudly and suddenly takes off, flying up to the ceiling (it goes another story up), and then swooping down, only to come back up again in a large loop. That provides a distraction, and Hannah breathes a sigh of relief for the break in the questions.
Eleanor, at least, seems to be faring better, though once 'crest sorceress' gets mentioned there is then some clamoring to see some spells and magic. Probably best not to do that in the common room. There's also a few questions about where Elves come from--or maybe they're just asking where Eleanor came from, it's a little hard to tell--and, of course, plenty about why they came here together.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Eleanor doesn't think less of Hannah for her difficulty--quite the opposite. To her, it shows how much she cares that she's having trouble. But if she can try to help her...
She can't at first; she can't get away, but Zephyr has it handled. Which is why Eleanor can focus on the kids near her, too.
She smiles at one. "May I see your toy?" she asks, and takes a doll. With a flourish, she touches the doll's shoulder, and it glows with brilliant golden light, warm and gentle. "Here you go. A little magic for you. Even when it fades, she'll remember she had it. And all of you, I hope, will remember too!"
But the questions, "I'm from Klein," she explains. "My family is mostly humans. And I'm here with Hannah because we're friends!"
"I do a lot of traveling. But it's always more fun with people you like."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Zephyr's distraction, as well as Eleanor's, give Hannah a bit of time to compose herself. She flashes Eleanor a grateful smile. Zephyr, of course, already knows how she feels.
Zephyr has a lot of the kids distracted, and Eleanor's demonstration draws most of the rest. Hannah looks a little concerned--not for the magic itself, but a moment later there's a few voices clamoring to do their toys next. "H-hold on, don't y'all go crowdin' Eleanor now, maybe l--"
And then the first voice asks her if she can do the same, and she freezes again. Zephyr swoops over to land on her shoulder with a reassuring chirp, and she shakes herself out of it. "S-sorry, we're both--" she glances to Eleanor, putting extra emphasis on that word "--tired from travelin', s-so maybe later. Right, Eleanor?"
There is a look in her eyes as she looks to Eleanor just imploring her to agree.
But in a perpetually loud place like the orphanage, there are several things that will immediately set off alarm bells for any caretakers. Loud noises of many kinds, particularly explosions and animal sounds, of course. But silence can also be just as much of an alarm bell, too. And when the hush rippled through the orphanage moments later a lanky weasel beastfolk girl in a red dress, who looks to be about Hannah's age, comes rushing in clearly looking for the aftermath of some calamity. She freezes, when she recognizes Hannah, and seems striken speechless, though she takes a few steps back, as if edging towards cover.
But moments after her, emerges Susanna, and a woman one could only presume to be Rochelle. She's about Susanna's age, is wearing a long brown skirt and a white blouse, with her hair up in a bun (either to be fashionable or to help keep it out of the way of grabby hands), and where the weasel girl is alarmed, she is composed: prepared, but confident she can handle whatever she faces.
And even she has a moment of stunned silence when she actually sees Hannah for the first time--as does Hannah.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"Right, later," Eleanor says. "I'll be happy to--"
There is quiet, in a moment. That beastfolk girl about Hannah's ae comes in, and Eleanor turns towards her. She notices the freeze. She notices, too, Susanna and... One presumes, Rochelle.
That clear confidence stands out to Eleanor; it's an aura of authority, which there would need to be around here.
Eleanor turns--and then turns to Hannah, and gives her an encouraging look, as best she can.
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
There is a small chorus of disappointed cries as both Eleanor and Hannah say 'later' for more demonstrations of magic. A few of them, in fact, drift away, losing interest to go back to whatever it was they were doing before.
The rest of the kids swarming Hannah and Eleanor just sort of back off for a moment, once they all seem to notice Rochelle's arrival. It is a sort of wave of silence inverted, as those closest to where she walked in notice, and then those next closest, and so on.
And Hannah is stammering a little, "H-hi, I, um..."
Rochelle's indecision only seems to last a moment, just long enough to take in Hannah, assess her, see the toll of the last five years on her in a million little ways only one or two people in one's life ever truly can... and she rushes forward--somehow she is both rushing and calm all at once--and pulls Hannah into a deep, tight hug. "Welcome home."
Zephyr takes off of Hannah's shoulder just before the hug, perching, instead, on an arm offered by Susanna. Hannah is stunned back into silence, but eventually closes her eyes and just leans into the hug, wrapping her arms around Miss Rochelle. She says something, but it's muffled, and Rochelle just shushes her soothingly. "It's okay," she whispers back.
The beastfolk girl seems to spring into action then, too, approaching and quietly saying to the kids, "All right, all right. Break it up. There'll... there'll be plenty of time to talk to Hannah later." Authoritative, but not quite practiced and definitely not as calm. She doesn't really seem willing to make eye contact with either Hannah or Eleanor, though, and after the crowd disperses she backs off, too.
After a long moment, Rochelle looks to Zephyr with a warm smile. "And welcome home to you as well, Zephyr." Zephyr chirps happily in reply. And then, to Eleanor, a grateful smile. "Thank you, Miss Klein, for taking care of our Hannah. Would you like to have some tea?"
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Eleanor is used to kids. She really will spend probably more time than she should showing them little wonders, though. Just... later.
For now...
Eleanor watces Hannah and Rochelle, her heart beating as she waits. She isn't sure, exactly, what will happen. But she hopes.
And that hope comes true. Eleanor smiles to see them. So when that beastfolk girl breaks it up, Eleanor steps around out of the way, and then when she is acknowledged, she nods back. "You're welcome. She is a dear friend."
A pause. "I would love some tea if it's no trouble. Thank you very much." She smiles. "...I'm glad to see this happening."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
The kids all seem to really respond to Eleanor, too, so it will probably be really easy to get sucked into spending lots more time with them if someone isn't around to keep them from pestering her.
Susanna is smiling too as she watches the reunion, exchanging a glance or two with Eleanor, and, though she's still not quite used to it, with Zephyr. (Zephyr being far smarter than he previously let on both explained a lot of things and was still taking some getting used to.)
Eventually, Rochelle and Hannah pull apart, with Rochelle taking Hannah's face in her hands. hannah's eyes are definitely not dry as she looks up at Rochelle, but she is a fair bit calmer, though still guilty-looking and sullen.
Rochelle's eyes are misty too.
But to Eleanor, she is all smiles. "Not at all, dear. Please, right this way." Hannah opens her mouth to say something, but then closes it again. Rochelle just says, "Would you like to help with the tea?"
Hannah just nods.
And so the small group leads deeper into the orphanage, Zephyr taking off and flying ahead to find a perch in the kitchen. There is a table in there, which is just enough to seat the four non-avians in the group, but there surely must be another space for mealtime for the orphanage. Here, too, the theme continues: pots and pans are mismatched, and none of the dishes seem to share a color let alone a pattern.
Susanna settles into a chair, slouching a bit with one arm slung over the tall back. Hannah and Rochelle set about to work, with Rochelle gently guiding the latter on where various things have moved.
"So, Miss Klein," Rochelle says pleasantly as she works. "Please, tell me all about yourself. I've heard so much of you from Hannah's letters, but I'm delighted to finally get to meet one of her best friends in person." She considers. "Is there a particular type of tea you like? I can't promise we'll have it, but we do get some rarer varieties in the general store occasionally."
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"Very well."
Eleanor gives Susanna another look--still smiling faintly--and then follows along. She does notice the theme; they seem to get whatever they need wherever they can get it.
Eleanor takes a seat as well, because she has been invited as a Guest, not to help; she wouldn't want to impose on their pride by insisting. So instead...
"Oh? Well, I hope she told you largely good things," Eleanor says with a polite laugh. She smiles. "Oh! I'm sure whatever you have is very good," she says. "Though I do like the Arlee blend," she admits, speaking of a blend more common here in Damzen than down in Klein. It wouldn't be hard to have it... but it would be something she doesnt get often.
"As for me... Of course, I was a student at Sielje; after graduation, I stayed for some research work, but came away to join ARMS after a conversation with Lord Irving." She pauses, and then shows off her left hand. "I also married! My wife, Xiumei, is back in Klein. She's another school friend of mine, though from before I went to Sielje, and she's also in ARMS with me."
"Hannah actually returned to see me while I was out on a mission, in fact. That's how we met again. She came to help while I was missing."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Rochelle and Hannah seem to work comfortably together, even if it's taking Hannah some getting used to where a few different things have been shuffled around to. It's clearly not the first time they've prepared something together.
"The Arlee blend... Let me see..." Rochelle checks a cupboard, and pulls out a tin. "Ah, here we go."
Once everything is ready, a tray is brought over to the table, containing a tea pot, four cups and saucers, and some sugar cookies, which look to be homemade. "Susanna got word to me that we would be having a guest today, so I made these fresh this morning." Tea is poured, cookies are shared, and Rochelle sits to listen to Eleanor share about herself.
Susanna goes right for a cookie first, taking a bite. "Delicious as always, Rochelle."
"I remember Hannah mentioning your research. Time magic through crest sorcery, was it? That sounded very interesting. I'd never heard of such a thing before. How did that turn out?"
"Oh! ARMS, how prestigious. They must be lucky to have you among their members." She leans in to look at the ring. "Oh, how lovely!" Then she pauses. "I thought you were engaged to Montgomery Curie?"
Hannah's been sipping quietly at her tea, "It didn't work out," she offers quietly. It's just enough to move the topic along if Eleanor doesn't want to dwell on it, but still leaves an opportunity to elaborate, should she feel like it.
"Oh that's such a shame, but I hope you and your new wife are very happy together."
But as for their reunion... "Ahh... yeah, more or less... Miss Marivel's actually the one who got in touch with me, and... w-well, I'd heard Eleanor was missing, and put two n' two together... It, uh, got a little bit complicated at the end but it turned out alright, I think."
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"Thank you!"
Eleanor inhales the aroma of the tea, once she has it, and sighs. "Yes, this is lovely. Thank you. And these look delicious!"
She will enjoy both!! But while she does, of course, they are talking...
"The theory turned out to be quite sound; I was able to use a number of ancient Crest Graphs to prove that time effects are possible using conventional sorcerous means. I've only grown more adept with them over time, and indeed, i've since learned things that suggest that it could've been a more common practice long ago that simply didn't survive."
"I do my best for them," Eleanor says; she's modest enough that she doesn't point out she's one of the leaders these days. Instead, "Thank you!" And, yes, that could be awkward; Hannah offers that, "Yes, that's right. We're friends now, but our match turned out not to be quite right for either of us."
"But we are! We were just putting the touches on our library."
"It was certainly complicated," Eleanor says. "I was actually in a time warp," she explains. "Funnily enough. But we got out, and there was Hannah, helping with the effort to extricate us. It did turn out quite well. I hadn't realized she and Marivel knew each other at the time, of course. And after that, I invited her to the castle and that was that!"
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Rochelle seems fascinated by Eleanor's description of time magic beign cast through Crest Graphs. "Well, well. I never imagined such a fascinating discovery like that would be made with Crest Sorcery. Or rediscovered, I suppose I should say. I'm afraid my training is probably out of date these days."
"But Miss Rochelle," pipes up Hannah. "Your crest graphs were still good enough to get me interested in magic, so I still think they're amazin'." Of course, both she and Eleanor have probably done things far beyond what might be considered normal for a Crest Sorceress... but Hannah seems sincere all the same.
Hannah's not about to bring up that tidbit about Eleanor being in a leadership position either.
"A library, how wonderful. I bet you're excited to see it."
Hannah nods silently. She is excited, of course, but it's a little hard to muster enthusiasm right now-- but Rochelle doesn't seem to dwell on it, either.
But the mission turned out okay, and then... Rochelle seems a little confused. "Invited her to the castle?" This time she looks to Hannah for clarification.
Hannah blushes a little. "Ahhh, yeah, um... I've been staying there. When I haven't been out doin' work." Then, a little hastily, "She just gave me a room, but I've still been workin' hard to make my own money and to keep sending money back ho--here."
That seems to catch both Susanna and Rochelle by surprise. Susanna actually sits up and leans forward a little. "What do you mean, sugar?"
"O-oh, I've been... sending money back here, um... to help out."
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"I'd be more than happy to provide a copy of my papers on the matter." She recognizes Rochelle immediately as a colleague, from what she says, and how she says it. "Some things never fade, I find."
She smiles. She hasn't seen them, of course--but Hannah has a high opinion, so so does Eleanor.
The castle! "Klein Castle," Eleanor explains, and that should make it clear which Eleanor Klein she is, given that this is still part of the Merian nation. "That's my home."
Then she pauses. "...Oh, you didn't attach your name to it, did you?" Eleanor wonders.
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Rochelle chuckles softly, but good-naturedly. "Oh, I do appreciate that, Miss Klein, but I can't make any promises I'd get much out of them. It's been a long time since I was very active as a sorceress, and even longer since I was in school." She considers. "But I suppose it would be interesting to see what sorts of things the younger generation is discovering these days..."
"Oh! I see. Well, then. I suppose I should also thank you for looking after our dear Hannah like that. It's good to know she has friends who will look out for her."
But the names... Hannah is blushing harder, and looking down at her lap. Silently she shakes her head. She slowly looks up, looking to both Susanna and Rochelle. "S-sorry, I just..." There's that haunted epxression again, and this time it's Susanna who leans in to ruffle her hair. "Don't worry, sugar. We can explain later." She gives a meaningful glance to Rochelle, who nods back.
"Certainly, dear," replies Rochelle. "I'm just surprised you were able to end back so much."
So much? Eleanor's seen Hannah's budgeting. Hannah sent back most of what she made, but even at that... Hannah looks up to Eleanor, and Rochelle looks too. "What's the matter, Hannah?"
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"It's no trouble," Eleanor says. "I'm happy to share. If it's even a little bit interesting, then I'm quite happy."
A smile, then. "Of course."
Eleanor looks over Hannah as she blushes, and then she starts to explain. There is a lot going on with Hannah, of course. But... Ah. The matter of 'so much'. Eleanor looks at Hannah as she looks at her, opens her mouth, and closes it again.
Then she smiles. "Yes, Hannah's really something, isn't she?" But because she knows Hannah doesn't want credit for something she didn't do, "I've also been sending some, though not with as much dedication. I was under the impression that Hannah had died, you see, and so... Since you're the only family of hers that I knew of..." Eleanor gestures. "I wanted to do something."
"Of course, I'll continue. But now, I hope to do so as a friend, instead of just as a distant mourner."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
"I'm sure it will be quite fascinating."
There is a quiet, whispered, "Gotcha!" that comes from just outside the door, and then the very distinct sound of a small child being picked up and carried off, resisting, from their eavesdropping position. It sounded like Amelia, in fact.
Hannah looks to Eleanor, knowing, dreading the explanation that's coming... and yet, not willing to say it herself.
And... Eleanor gives her all the credit. Hannah's eyes go wide, and she stammers, standing up a little. "N-no, wait, I didn't-- Not all--" There is clear panic, perhaps even more than she froze up earlier. And then she relaxes when Eleanor starts to explain properly.
Even if she looks very glum at what the real explanation is.
"Oh my," says Rochelle softly.
Hannah sighs. "I should've told you I just... didn't..." She sighs, already knowing how hollow it sounds and just saying the sentence is making her feel tired somehow. "... didn't want you all to worry about me..."
"Oh Hannah..." Rochelle places a hand on Hannah's shoulder. "You poor thing..."
Susanna is the angry yelling one of the two. Rochelle just has the compassion and understanding.
But to both of them she says, "Well, then I suppose I owe both of you a great deal of thanks. The extra money has helped us out quite a bit over the years." Rochelle smiles to Hannah. "I'm glad you were thinking of us all this time."
Hannah nods and looks up. "Aintt a day goes by when I didn't..." she confesses.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Eleanor had a feeling that would be the reaction if she didn't explain. But, here it is, and Hannah starts to apologize. It is not Eleanor's place to tell her it's 'okay' this time; she's already done that. And Rochelle seems to have matters well in hand, there.
"You're quite welcome," Eleanor says. "I'm just glad that I've been able to help." She smiles back, and then nods to Hannah, smiling still. That confession...
Yes. She's glad she got to see this. She'll continue to be supportive as she's able.
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
There is still quite a lot left to explain about Hannah's time away, but perhaps some of that is best done more in private. There are, apparently, eavesdroppers about (despite Amelia's best efforts), and Eleanor, of course, had heard most of this already. Multiple times, even.
"Both of your support has been quite invaluable... Later, we should give both of you a tour, show you a few of the things we've been able to do with the extra money," says Rochelle gently.
"That'd be nice..." says Hannah.
"And will you be staying with us?"
Hannah looks taken aback by the question. "O-oh, no, I, um... made arrangements to stay at the Inn... It's just... It'd be..."
Rochelle smiles and nods, "It's okay dear. just remember you'll always have a place here if you need it."
Hannah nods silently, eyes tearing up again before she has a chance to regain her compusre. "Thanks," she whispers.
But there is still more tea, and Rochelle is quite invested in asking questions of both Eleanor and Hannah as they ashare the time together.
And after that... a chance to meet more kids, and see more of the orphanage!