A Daunting Task (Closed for Cheska)

[Cheska]

She listened intently, sipping her drink only a little until he was finished, “Master, yes, of course.” she considered his question. Thinking carefully about what she remembered and what he would need to know, she began, “My grandmother taught me at her knee. She was a wise woman, or Witch, as the common folk would call them. Gifted with abilities beyond her kin, she was granted a pact with a spirit who taught her much, as the tradition goes.” she looked up at Leomas and thought carefully, she did not want to insult him by explaining what he already knew, but did he know it all? She would risk it an knew just how to say it as well.
“I was instructed that a witch must be taught by a spirit or another witch until a spirit can be found. A pact is made with the spirit and teaching begins with the strongest gift the witch may know. Mine being healing craft and such.” she took a breath, “And, as you obviously know, a witch cannot teach some thing, certain things only a spirit knows.”
She picked up a sweetbread and took a small bite, her eyes closing as she savored the delicious morsel, taking a deep breath to enjoy the whole of it before she relaxed again, she blushed as she must look a bit foolish to him.
“But, my grandmother said that I was gifted beyond witching, that my heritage came with it's own power. But she said I must be careful and not let it over whelm me, she passed before she could explain further, our village was attacked by northern barbarians.” she looked away, not wanting to show him any sadness.
“I am hoping you can teach me what she could not, or help me find a spirit to teach me, I want to do more, be more than this.” she looked back, wiping a tear away and showing him her best smile, “Please Master Leomas, help me be better than what I am, shape me to do better.” she said, earnestly, pleading to him.

 

[Noon_Shadow]

He studied her very carefully as she spoke. This one was innocent enough that he would need to be very delicate, and would require just the right touch. So for now, how she said certain things was just as important and what she was said. Though he found her very simply peasant dress to be very unflattering. He would need to do something about that shortly enough.

He nodded carefully as she mentioned that she had a power beyond witching, an untapped potential. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she mentioned how her grandmother had warned her to be careful of it, before nodding again. "Yes, you definitely do need to careful, at all times. Magic, the winds of magic, they're a vast gulf that you can get lost in. Which you can drown in. They're like any other-well, that's a lesson for another time, my apprentice." He gave her a cryptic smile.

At the sight of a tear sliding down her cheek, he reached out to wipe it away, catching her own as she had the same impulse. He caught her hand, looking into her eyes, smiling as she smiled at him. He nodded, and then stood, slipping around behind her where she sat. He hesitated there, looming over her for a second, before sliding his hands onto her shoulders. "I will do all that I can, Rashida. My hands will shape you...mold you...." Leomas allowed his hands to rub at her, slightly, in a way that was nearly intimate-she would need to grow very used to his touch," until you are exactly what you were meant to be, my dear."

He drew her up, then until she stood next to him, her lithe body next to his. They were both very slender, he realized, even though she had a shapeliness that made her distinctly feminine, and he could feel those features against him. Still smiling, somewhat cryptically, he leaned in, toward her lips....and planted a kiss then, on her cheek, just missing the corner of her mouth. Then pulled away quickly. "Well, I've thrown together some quarters for you, Rashida, let me take you to them." He then escorted her down the hall, walking away from the kitchens, and then up the stairs that led into the main floor by the library. Several identical doors were passed on their left, with only two sets of doors on their right.

"This wing is mostly unoccupied at the moment. Since you'll be studying, I've put you next to the palace library. I'm sure you will appreciate being able to avail yourself of it as you like." He then made a point of glancing down at her, before reaching into his robe and pulling out a small pouch. "And since you'll be staying in the palace, I think it appropriate that you dress the part. Here's a bit of gold and silver toward the task. I think you should find a shops in towns that deal in silks suitable for your figure." He then stopped in a doorway, pressing them into her hand.

"And now, I think it is time I big you good night. We can start your lessons tomorrow, at the noon hour. If you require a bath, a servant can be fetched to draw one for you." With that, he turned suddenly, leaving her in the doorway of her quarters, making his way back to his own.



OOC: I described her quarters in an earlier post, briefly, from this thread. I know it's been a while, but you can peek back to find it.

 

[Cheska]

She was stund, the room was better than any she had slept in before. And it was hers, to herself!
She wandered about, brushing her hands over chairs and table, the canopy bed.

She was unsure what to do, than giggled, sleep would be in order of course.
She imagined her had much for her to attend tomorrow and it would not do to nod off while he taught.

Undressing down to her shift, she folded her clothes and then climbed into the warm bed, she could not help but wiggle down to find the best comfort.

"You took a big step girl, make it worth it!" she said to herself, "Good night momma, gramma."

 

[Noon_Shadow]

Shortly after first light the following morning, Rashida was awakened by a knock at the door to her quarters. When she answered the door, there was a petite serving woman there, with brown hair, wearing the livery of Lord Leomas. She curtsied politely, bowing her head. " My Lady, the Lord suspected that you would enjoy a hot bath this morning, to wash off the residue of your journey. If it please you, you may follow me-a hot bath has been prepared." The serving girl led her down the hallway, uninhabited rooms to the left, occasionally, twice passing doors that led into the doorway on the right. At the end of the corridor, the girl took a right turn onto an adjacent hallway, and then opened a door onto the left, leading into a bath.

Inside the room, there were two great tubs carved into the floor. One of them had been filled with hot water, steam still visible in the room from it having been filled. "You can have these baths to yourself, my Lady. Right now there are very few people staying in this section of the palace. My Lord also would like me to remind my Lady that he is expecting her at noon. Until then, you shall have freedom of the palace, if you wish to explore."

She blushed, faintly, then lowered her eyes. "My Lord also wished me to give you directions to a few shops in town where you might silks to garb in. He thinks it fitting for you to wear...finer...things while you dwell with us." The girl quickly rattled off directions, then added, "If I may be so bold, my Lord seems to like the color blue. If my Lady were hoping to catch his eye, that is. And you would lovely in something loose and flowing." She blushed again and then stepped away.

"I shall wait outside, if you need me. You can summon me with the bell if you need to be shown the way to the kitchens." She bowed and stepped away, leaving Rashida to her bath.

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Leomas had had a restful night. Now he was working on his potion. The r'galath blossom would be useful, after all, now that he'd realized he did have a use for it after all. He was grinding the blossoms up into a fine powder in the early morning, preparing his ingredients. This particular potion would take a few days to complete. He had everything necessary, but filtering and purifying everything would be a process. He chuckled to himself in amusement, glancing at the clock he kept within his summoning chamber. Rashida would enjoy the taste of this later, he did not doubt.