House Al'rentha - Arwenna

[Adder]

Lantaraana led the way into the street and then locked the shop up behind them. The shadows of evening were starting to draw down and the last fires of sunset clawed at the sky, softened by the wisps of cloud that clung around the tops of the taller buildings.

There, she said with a satisfied sigh and pushed at the door to make sure that it was firmly closed.

Now, to sort you out. I don't like to impose on my friends without asking, but I know that they will find a room for you at least for the darkening. Beyond that it will be up to you I'm afraid, but I think that they will like you.

You might have to fit into their lives a bit and that could be hard for you if you have been living your own.

She led the way through the streets and into a residential district. Even though this area was mainly the houses of the fourth tier, they were by the standards of cities in the Empire, large and beautifully designed and built. Each had their own grounds though not extensive, but then each was the focus of a family not just small family units but the larger groupings of the Esh'lahier complete with servants.

Finally she turned into the entrance of an imposing house built with the same pink veined white marble that most of the city was built in. A circular drive swept around a fountain in which water burbled softly, and their feet led them to the front door.

The older woman turned to the younger with a questioning look on her face. Any last questions before we go in?

[Arwenna]

Arwenna stared up at the house with an awed expression on her face. "I can't beleive I'm going to live here. Its so...clean." Arwenna blinked, as though testing whether her eyes were playing tricks on her. "I haven't stayed at a place like this since I was a child..."

She looked over at Xanthus, who had gone over to the fountain and was examining it. He stuck his nose on the edge of the stone basin to get a better look at the water falling endlessly down. He tilted his head slightly to the left and a drop of water fell onto his nose. Yelping, he jumped back from the fountain and ran over to Arwenna with his tail behind his legs.

Arwenna, who had been watching Xanthus, laughed and ruffled the fur on his head. "Xanthus, you silly dog."

"Any last questions before we go in?" asked Lantaraana, a slightly amused look on her face. Arwenna shook her head, the sunlight making her silvery hair shimmer. Lantaraana nodded, raised her hand and knocked on the door loudly.

[Adder]

The elegant copper door knocker barely thumped against the door, the massive wolf head stylised so that the eyes glared as the knocker was raised, before the door was opening. The house staff kept an eye out for visitors and while Lantaraana was not perhaps a frequent visitor, they were aware that she was in the confidence of the family.

The door opened wide and the servant bowed gracefully, waving an arm out to the side, his eye catching that of the older woman with the barest of nods that she returned. Servants they might be but they were not subservient and guarded the family jeasously.

If you would just wait for a moment, you will be attended to. He shut the door behind them, the door thick enough to stand against most battering rams for a while and he disappeared through double doors of polished wood.

Moments passed and dust motes danced in the last rays of sunlight that came in low through the windows that flanked the doorway.

The inner doors clicked open once more, but this time it was an elder elf, hair fine now and tied back, but the tracks of age were clearly cut into his face, though they were now spread into a new path, one clearly not well trodden in recent eras.

He smiled, it wasn't a huge smile, but it was dignified and he raised an eyebrow the merest fraction at the younger woman who had accompanied Lantaraana. She walked forward and clasped his hand with both of hers.

I brought someone to see you, someone that I thought perhaps you might be able to offer some help. She half turned and guestured for Arwenna to come forward.

Arwenna, this is Pet'thra Al'rentha, the head of the house. She waited for Arwenna to respond, knowing that he would make a decision based on her reaction.

[Arwenna]

OOC: Sorry it took me awhile to reply.ops: I've kinda had an imagination blank. Still do kinda.:*(

IC:
Looking at the copper door knocker was, Arwenna had to admit, slightly intimidating. Her stomache had slight butterflies thinking of what these people might think of her. Especcially seeing as she wasn't really sure herself what to expect.

The door opened and a servant appeared to greet them. Arwenna stooped down quickly to stop Xanthus from greeting this new stranger. "Shush Xanthus. Stay down." Xanthus eyed her as if to say "Who are you odering about", but surprisingly he made no attempt to bound into this new abode.

When Arwenna righted herself once more the servant had gone and was instead replaced by an elven man who seemed to know Lantaraana, for he greeted her with a smile.

"Arwenna, this is Pet'thra Al'rentha, the head of the house."

Arwenna greeted Pet'thra. "Vedui." She smiled politely. She then turned her head slightly so she could see Lantaraana, hoping the elderly woman would give her an indicaton of what to say. None such luck. Turning back to Pet'thra she smiled again, hoping she didn't seem to...what was the word? There was a word for it, she just couldn't think of it...

"Its a lovely place you have here," she observed, gesturing to the fountain and the plants around the house. "Would there be a possibility that I could stay with you? Lantaraana told me that you probably wouldn't mind having someone staying in your house. And I don't make lots of noise, I don't eat much, and I will be out of the house for generous parts of the day, exploring or working. There is, of course, my dog Xanthus, but he's really a lovely boy. And I'm sure he won't be much of a problem, his big brown eyes could seduce anyone." She laughed and ruffled Xanthus' fur fondly. She looked up at the man again, her green eyes sparkling hopefully.

[Adder]

ooc: Don't worry too much about it I know this is an elvish city and people expect long, flowing, flowery posting, but really I don't mind if you don't. I know it takes a while to get into a character, but if you don't post then that doesn't happen Just react naturally if you are feeling stuck or even chat to me about it, PM or IM and we will soon come up with something that will overcome any blocks.

Pet'thra bent his knee and bowed slightly, his head nodding at Arwenna. My house would be graced by your presence young lady. As my friend here has so rightly pointed out, the house is rather empty. At first the emptiness was painful but as the eras have gone past, the echoes have died in the hallways and we have become accustomed to the silence.

He smiled, the expression starting off polished perfection, but it was also cold, a defensive front that distanced him from others. His head tilted slightly as he looked at the young elf with her puppy and slight cracks appeared in his expression, and a tinge of warmth appeared in his eyes.

Lantaraana as ever knows what is good for me better than I do. He looked over at the older woman and smiled tenderly before looking back at Arwenna.

So, tell me of yourself and how you come to be alone in this city where you can scarce move for falling over second cousins ten times removed?

[Arwenna]

Arwenna smiled, but it was a smile tainted with sadness. She reached down and petted Xanthus on the head gently.

"I lived with my parents and two brothers in a beautiful house. It was a two story building with lots of gorgeous trees and plants everywhere. My mother and father were not poor." She said this and then chuckled. These old memories were beautiful ones. She had always, up until the fire, lived well. "Then, one day, the house caught fire. We had been listening to mother sing at the time. She had a gorgeous voice, my mother. The whole building went up in flames. I remember my father grabbing me and hauling me out of one of the many burning windows. When I hit the ground I fell unconcious...but just before that I had seen my father taking my brother in his arms to throw him out with me. They never found Xanthus...But I know that he's still out there...somewhere..."

Xanthus then started to whine and scratch Arwenna's leg. Arwenna merely responded by reaching down and petting his head once more, her mind caught up in her sad thoughts.

"Well," Arwenna finally said. "Thats my story." She smiled bravely, trying to push the sadness that gripped her so tight away.

[Adder]

He nodded, the sorrow in her story matching the sorrow that had burnt its way into his own heart. With a soft hand he reached out and gripped her on the shoulder.

I am sorry to hear that my child. It seems that none of us is free of the sorrows that this world brings upon us.

Now you must be wondering as to my lack of manners. Please come within and take a seat and some refreshment. I must be getting old indeed to even imagine that Lantaraana would bring someone to me that I might consider turning away.

He let go of her shoulder and turned, leading them back into the room where he had been before. The drawing room was comfortably furnished, like most of the house it was not as it might have been once but was laid out in an informal design which was familiar and intimate.

He waved her to a comfortable sofa and when she was seated he rang a small bell, which summoned after only a few short heartbeats a servant who paused and waited at Pet'thras nod. Would you care for something to drink my dear?