IP: 76.71.64.120
Posted on January 10, 2017 at 10:46:01 PM by Aespe
 At the edge of the magical bubble that was castle territory Aespe paused. It wasn’t a moment of reverence, but worry. While she was a pirate she didn’t bring the fight here. She just wanted her freedom. In some ways coming to Shaman had given her everything she wanted. At other times Aespe just felt overcome by the anxiety of trying to keep herself and her sister safe. The white dolphin did a flip in the water as if considering the next move even though she had already decided. Or at least she had told herself she had made a decision.
For a while there with Croe she and her sister had been safer. Not freer. Not all pirates were on any one side or anything like that after all. The world was too imperfect for that. There was a measure of safety being with a stronger woman, though. Then things changed. The world changed. It was more like the world Aespe had left behind, but the magic to cope with things was different. Aespe had never believed in magic back home. Those were just charlatans. This was real. With that thought Aespe burst through the bubble and fell to the grass, her body twisting with a touch of discomfort as arms appeared on the grass before her, supporting her, and her tail became knees perched in the grass. She was approximately fourteen or fifteen years old and as naked as the day she was born, wet hair clinging to her neck and shoulders, eyes as hard as malachite on her surroundings. There was no way Aespe would ever trust royals. Those people were dangerous. Having scouted around the bubble a bit, Aespe had landed herself near the laundry on a day where laundry was set to dry. It was the sort of attention to detail she was beginning to appreciate. If Aespe had really attended to detail she never would have met Croe, by attempting to steal her money, in the first place. That spot must be deep under water now. Aespe snatched servants’ livery from the line and dressed behind the hut. It was still somewhat damp, conforming to her form. Looking over her shoulder and down her trousers Aespe had to grin. Not bad. She looked the role. The next part was reminding her body not to rush. No one knew all the servants. Or at least a new one wouldn’t really be recognized. So, to make sure she didn’t look like she was idle, Aespe gathered some of the laundry that was done, hanging more out on the line, and carried the basket in. She was used to hard work and this was just part of the business of infiltration. So, the girl slipped through the halls. The view was amazing. Just visiting the castle was worth it. While Aespe had experience with wealthy merchants she had never seen this sort of finery. It was out of her range to truly appreciate. She almost ran into several people turning about to look at the paintings, the stonework, a chandelier, the carpet. Suddenly a woman gripped her elbow looking at her sternly, but not unkindly. Aespe fought her first instinct to break free and run. That would give her away for sure and she was too far in. “New, are you?” The woman stared at her until Aespe nodded. Turning her about the matronly woman pointed down a hallway, “Linens go down that way. A left, take the hall on the right two halls down and then it will be at the end of the narrow hall and you can’t miss it. You’ll get used to them fine things after a while and learn the place like your hand.” The woman gave a patronizing nod and shove in the right direction, chuckling when Aespe jogged a bit to get around the corner and out of sight. Right, then left, then right again. Or was it left at the next hall? Aespe wove her way through the halls. She needed to pause and collect herself. This did not seem like such a bright idea anymore. Hearing footsteps Aespe burst through a door near her, closing it behind her. She really needed to think, not run into anyone else right now. And so Aespe found herself in an interesting room whose purpose she couldn’t describe. There were tables and books and glass. With a confused look of awe Aespe discarded the basket full of sheets on the floor, staring about her. She hadn’t even continued listening for the footsteps. It didn’t seem like she could blink her bright eyes. There was too much to be taken in here. She began to understand just how foolhardy sneaking into the castle really was. It was like a maze. Would she find her way out again?  |
Replies:
- son of man, look to the sky. - By thoth March 11, 2017 at 11:32:14 PM
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