...And -then- he said to me, Oh Alys, I haven't seen better buns than these before! Cheeky eh? I mean it is obvious what he meant. Of course Ma knows about him already, all these cooks and bakers know one another, especially with this dance coming up and all, she's been marshaling all the girls in the kitchen, making certain they know what they are making, what will be needed, when they'll have to start cooking, never seen her so happy! He's taking me to the dance, did I tell you that? I think I love him!
Jackilyn stood in front of the bookcase and began to rearrange a few things upon the uppermost shelf. The new books she had been given were neatly arranged further down, this shelf was more for little gifts, ornaments and such.
..Alys, you thought you loved the last one, and the one before that, and the one before that!
,,,I did!!! But Ollie? Oh he be so much more! You should see how he handles that dough, it be skill, them big arms of his, all that flour..everywhere..
Alys gave a dreamy sigh, Jackilyn a roll of the eyes as she then placed the wooden trinket she had been given upon the shelf, though due to the nature of the shape, that of a shield, it refused to stand upright.
..That flour best not be everywhere or your brothers will give him a kicking.
She persisted in trying to make the new gift stand in such a way that it was on display, instead of laying just flat upon the surface. In the end she managed, using a tiny box to rest it against, the gold and steel portions glinting amid the surrounding wood it was made of. It slipped again, to fall on the waxed yellow flower that she kept there. She gave up and just left the task for the moment to go and fill a copper kettle with water. The ever curious Alys though, soon took her place to see what she had been doing. Reaching for a pair of beautiful earrings on the shelf, she asked..
..What were his name?
The younger girl held one against her ear
..The one who got you these?
...Oh put them back will you?! Wasn't got, were made, by a dwarf.
Alys did as she was told, carefully putting down the delicate items, only to go to the small shield trinket, which she turned about in her hands for a good inspection.
...and this?
Jackilyn glanced her way after she had hauled the kettle onto a hook over the low, yet very hot fire.
...a gift, from a man I know, and be careful with it too, it be special.
...earrings I understand, that flower, but this? It ain't romantic or anything.
Alys gave the trinket a rather dismissive look and put it back on the shelf
...gifts don't have to be romantic, they can be given for all reasons remember.
...Ollie said he had something special to give me in the mill!
...I don't think he meant earrings or anything Alys, best not go, not without your Ma.
The younger woman then went to load a teapot with some dried leaves, still nattering away at Jackilyn who looked out of the window as the rain pelted it in long trails, the sky a deep, brooding grey.
...What be wrong with you Jacki? You ain't yourself, if it be that head wound, I could go and get that pretty doctor to come and make it all better for you!
...No. I'm just thinking is all. Also, he ain't my healer, best you remember that. If I need help? Ask for Maddoct. Eli- Mister Dimheim ain't to be disturbed about things to do with me. He not be well himself and needs rest.
Carrying the kettle over with a thick cloth around her hand, Jackilyn filled the pot, a heady scent of tea laced with strawberry filling the air. On her way back to the fire, Alys resumed her chatter.
...So..this man you know, who don't give romantic presents. He handsome?
...He's a friend.
Eventually the pair of them sat opposite one another at the table. A plate of almond slices between them, a cup of tea before them.
...a pretty friend?
Jackilyn didn't seem amused, her usual banter escaping her this day and her mood as grim as the weather outside. The younger girl though, ever oblivious to boundaries, kept pressing.
..So who are you seeing now? I spied some of them horse people in the town! You known, foreign ones! There is the blacksmith! Oh and what about Fowe-
At this point, Jackilyn had her head in her hands, clawed into her hair which made it stick up in the gaps between the fingers, and a long sigh escaping her lips as the girl carried on, and on, and on about every single man she could think of, speaking of their looks, their professions, at times their wives. As she went on, Jackilyn took an almond slice and bit into it, her disinterest couldn't have been any more obvious, but young Alys didn't seem to notice, speaking of tall ones, short ones, muscles, trades, her enthusiasm building as Jackilyns lust for life diminished. It went on, long after the tea had gone cold and the plate of almond cakes were just crumbs. Looking at the window, Jacki took the opportunity to bring the girls prattling to an end.
...Rain has stopped, you'd best go before Ma Denton gets worried.
...I ain't going home, Ollie wants to meet me in town, he is taking me to the inn.
Alys sprung to her feet with enthusiasm, knocking back a bit of cold tea before going to where her shawl was hanging upon a stand at the door. Flinging it around her shoulders, she said..
...You should go out for a drink, it'll do you good!
All the girl received was a murmured response of..
..Not bloody likely.
...What were that?
...Nothing Alys, have fun eh?
Jackilyn forced a smile, adding..
..and no letting him touch them buns!
The girl left with a giggle. Jacki let out a huge sigh of relief, her ears were ringing from all the talk and she was finally alone. As she started tidying up the tea time things, she thought. Thought of what she would miss, what she wouldn't, what she intended to do and if she could go through with it, if it was just reacting on recent events or if it made sense. So her day continued, into the night, plans, posiibilities and potential problems, all mingling around in her mind.
