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Post by ExlMagician on Nov 19, 2010 16:52:34 GMT -8
Frost listened intently to her story and to his own friend's response to it. He had come to notice that Naf'or rarely introduced himself using his full name which was vastly unlike himself. He had grown to tell everyone his full name and most aliases at time of meeting. He smiled at the thought that Naf'or was brushing off on him, forgetting his courtesies. "Such a wonderful thing to be among such noble people. I consider myself most fortunate to have the chance to entreat with you and your most inviting family."
There wasn't much to the family other than their goodness though, and it was far more obvious that John was an outdoor sort of man when he heard him beginning his chores with the other animals instead of coming in once he'd finished with the list of tasks she'd set before him. It was places like these that made Frost feel more at home and more inspired in his tasks over any such day spent in the household of a lord. He was about to speak again when he felt the soft tugging at his travel cloak, glancing down beneath the tiny island table to see a small rattle, hiding its head like a maiden under a blanket but obviously it was far too young to be applying those customs unless it was playing.
Its game was obvious when it squeaked and hid its face with the blanket, sneaking up rather poorly beside Naf'or. It was playing at being an Ashtel woman. He snickered into the back of his hand before giving Naf'or a very brief hand to the shoulder, silently informing him of the little rattle that seemed to be feigning bashfulness.
There was some swearing before John entered as well, shoving passed, after plopping his boots on the footwear tray. He seemed grumpy but pleased with his work, and there was the mark on his sleeve of dry snot where Lump no doubt sneezed on him. The bump did that every time he was washed, but it didn't seem to bother the farmer as he sat across from them. "Well appears there's room for you... lookin' for a mount you are though yes? Seems these two had a bit of trouble of the fire breathin' sort Marcy. Bit scorched on the clothes and y'all smell of char for the most part. I feel yer pain, we lost six of Marcy's prize oxen only half a week back. Anything we can do fer ya?"
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Post by Bunhash on Nov 21, 2010 23:54:33 GMT -8
Naf'or gave the young Rattle a gentle smile, a look that was reserved for the children. He watched until she squeaked as well and scurried away once more. His attention returned to the kitchen until the husband came in. He spoke about their charred clothing and about their own recent loss. Here he spoke, "I suspect she won't be bothering you anymore. She was badly wounded in our encounter and I think she will head for a new home. It's a shame about your oxen."
Marcy was very shocked to hear that the Ashtel man had defeated the dragon, that she almost lost the food she was dicing. "Dear me, that musta been terrifying. Well id thats the case, I demand we give ya a mount at no charge. You looking for a ridin' one or a carryin' one?" before Naf'or could speak, however, the round woman spoke again enthusiastically, "John, how bout them ponies? We got a few nice, just old enough to be a pack animal ones. One a them would do ya fine for a hauler, what ya think?"
Naf'or was certainly surprised at the option. He'd never thought about a pony before and being they were very small... "Thank you kindly, lady. A gift is never turned down." he hoped silently this wouldn't be a mistake.
Before long, other Rattled began to file in. A white female wearing a tawny dress came in holding a small bundle. She touched her nose to Dirk's then greeted Frost and Naf'or kindly. The older couple, Dot and Tanner came in and squeaked hellos. Both of their dark fur was graying. Before long, the roast was done and Frost was given the first helping. It was a thick piece of venison with gravy, large soft carrots, potato and beets. Alongside that was a large basket of freshly baked bread, probably from that morning. There were two, long honey oat loaves and a single hardy wheat with crunchy crust. There was a bowl of fresh whipped butter and another with thick wildflower honey, still cluttered with chunks of beeswax. Naf'or was served next, then John and the Rattles. There were so much left over when everyone was served, there could be seconds and thirds! "Eat up now, don't want you boys going hungry."
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Post by ExlMagician on Nov 22, 2010 7:59:02 GMT -8
Replying between heaps into his mouth, John nodded, thumbing over his shoulder toward the fields in the back. "Them ponies been ready for a good trial. I'm sure I got just the one." Another large bite into his gapping mouth and John sat chewing, watching his wife's appaul at his manners for company. He made sure she could see him making large chewing motions before swallowing the venison down and smearing the back of his dusty sleeve over his face, leaving a clay colored mark. "I'll be sure to get the ponies all nice and clean fer travel in just a bit. They ain't too dirty as it rained the other night."
Frost listened intently to the family, a grand people who deserved some great recognition but most likely would prefer their names kept from things. There were people who longed to do a great number of hurts to a family of such caliber. Surprised as he placed a small spoon full of carrots into his mouth when a pony was mentioned it brought a keen though to the Dolour's mind. He could hardly find a place that would be more meticulous in the care of his friend or in the care of his belongings, and it brought a much needed relief to him as he spoke to them, placing his spoon down before doing so. "My lovely lady and most agreeable man, I hope that I'm not to be pressing my luck in this matter, but I don't suppose you have room in your barn to perhaps allow a prolonged visitor?"
Some of the smaller and more petite rattles looked up curiously, as they were always partial to some company, especially that of such interesting appearance. Usually whenever someone had stopped by, the little ones weren't allowed to come out, because there were risks being a rattle in a human house, but these one's allowed for some play. They giggled and squeaked at one another, bringing a smile to Frost's face that only children could bring. It wasn't what he had had in mind, Frost and Naf'or staying, instead, he had meant Lump. This seemed the perfect place for him, free roaming for eating and interacting with other animals, and they would take good care of the beast so long as he was here.
He laughed as young ones looked up with large exaggerated pleading eyes to their parents. It brought joy to see such happy faces, and John snickered a bit as well before nodding his head. "You mean for yourselves? I'm sure Marcy would have it no other way." But he noted Frost's slight shake of the head, before downing another bite to add to his previous statement.
"We of course accept such an offer as kind as yours, but I am of a different need. We are on an errand of sorts, a quest... I fear that Lump may perhaps be in danger as we cross into foreign lands and though I would usually not hesitate to bring him along... I can not help but see the love and attention with which you lavish upon your animals. Perhaps there would be space here for Lump?" It was a last minute decision on his part, but were they in need of fast travel Frost did not want to compromise his safety for this particular quest. He would of course pay for it and storage of his things, but he knew it was the best choice for the animal. After his near dehydration without Naf'or in the Brint, he could not risk Lump's health for such a personal curiosity.
It of course took the family a moment to realize that Lump was referring to the animal that John had just cleaned and slurping up a beet, the farmer nodding enthusiastically. "He's a loud fella, but so long as he gets along I'd have no quarrel with havin' him here. We've got plenty of room and you fellows seem nice enough. So long as food 'n stable space is paid for I'd gladly rent to ya fer the fellow. And the goods of course. I can't imagine you are plannin' on takin' those things with ya if you aren't takin' the... whatever he is."
Appreciation shown through Frost's eyes, and gratitude as Marcy filled his plate again without even the slightest hint of request. They were a good people, and he was easily trusting with his Dolour sense of people. Dinner was filling and left him with a feeling of such fullness that he had to sit back for a while, listening to John talk about the ponies particulars in foods and the hours of rest they might require. He was thorough and continued long after he had finished eating, elbows propped up in a triangle with his chin rested on the backs of his hands as he spoke about their endurance. Frost could not help on the other hand, but be curious of the children, and followed Marcy into the other room with the little ones who were already beginning to play. He couldn't help but to join them, telling an epic tale about one of their toys as he trekked the high mountain pass in nothing but a sheep wrap in effort to save his wife from the clutches of a vicious ogre.
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Post by Bunhash on Nov 22, 2010 13:54:18 GMT -8
"Ai." Marcy said, enjoying her own third helping, "John n I would be pleased to host your adorable horse. Such a frumpy little fellow that one." Then she finished with her plate and began collecting the dirty ones to wash later, setting them into a sink of water. She then collected the little babes and took them into the other room where Frost joined them shortly. She looked at the elf with motherly adoration.
In the kitchen, Naf'or listened intently to the man, nodding where appropriate and giving input when asked for it. The only thing he kept to himself was exactly where they were traveling. It was not a good thing to announce you were headed for probable death leaving them with a frumpy, smelly Bump for the rest of the bump's life. Not that he could guess Marcy would mind so much.
Soon they were both finished and John and Naf'or headed out to the fields to look at the ponies.
Back with Frost, Marcy was sitting in a chair, listening to the stories. In the kitchen the two lady Rattles were doing some dishes and preparing a sweet dish for dessert in a little while. Dirk was also in the kitchen making packs of something but for now, who knew?
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Post by ExlMagician on Nov 23, 2010 17:45:48 GMT -8
The field was different than the others, the grass blades much longer than the others and there were almost two dozen ponies. It was indeed a profitable market as the possibilities for ponies was endless. John climbed the tightly constructed fence, as the sun was just coming to the edge of the horizon, but it was well enough from night. Jumping off the top into the field, he motioned for Naf'or to follow. "Thems ponies are quite tame, you'll have no trouble of them if you approach." John made no attempt to hide the sound of his voice and it echoed well out into the field. Small ears perked and twitched at the sound and as he shook a small rattle their heads raised, starting at a slow trot but before long they were all galloping the best they could manage with their stumpy legs.
"Now I don't know what you -" The first reached him, nudging him with its round chestnut nose and interrupting his statement. Further nudging ensued and before long the ponies had surrounded them. One came up behind Naf'or, nipping at his hand with hunger speaking. It had a speckled brown rear with some cream splotches on his face. Upon inspecting them for food, the ponies were satisfied and rumbled around them in some semblance of order. "As I was sayin' before interrupted," he looked at the pony with a smile and a ruffle of its mane, "I can have them run a number of tests for ya if you'd like to see if they can handle yer things. And those three behind ya can carry near as much as a normal horse."
One of the ponies whined and was rewarded with a short swat to the rear before he took his rattle and lined them up. "Alrighty, start yer runnin come on." Each pony in turn ran after the other, returning swiftly for their sugar cube in return for being good. Another test of their maneuvering came after that, showing off their abilities to lift their hooves, clamber over the objects, or weave through things. "As ya can see they are very agile little fellers, and certainly can move around well enough. Plus they don't need much in the way of food. Whatcha think?"
Whilst they played with the ponies, as the baby rattles stated, Frost laughed within, teaching the tiny voiced children how to sing together. He was having far too much fun to worry on if his friend knew what he was doing. Naf'or was quite capable of taking care of himself as proved earlier and one Frost's dolorian side raised its ugly head he always felt it was necessary to dive head first into happiness to restore himself. One snicker and he blew on a small wooden tuning flute that he had acquired long ago. Each toot of the flute made incurred the little ones to sing out or perhaps squeak out to each note. "Oh so perfect." He laughed, clapping hands together in excitement for the small rattles.
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