Log:The Twins Retired

The Twins Retire 2014/03/24 	 Captain Lothven Jessica Lorelei

2

Undermoon Palace
As Stephanie is making her way across the courtyard, Captain Lothven approaches her, "Highness, can you spare me a moment of your time?" he asks.

Lorelei actually checks her intricate watch before replying, since scheduling is a bit complicated at the moment. "Yes, of course. Is something the matter?"

Captain Lothven says, "It's regarding your companions, Jennifer and Jessica. I don't know, your Highness, how informed you are of what transpired in this castle while you were in the swamp seeking the antidote to the King's poison?"

Lorelei smiles. "I'm afraid I'm the last person who can tell you what I was and wan't informed of."

Captain Lothven nods, "As I expected. I did not expect they would have spoken of it. While you were in the swamp the then Duke Palanir attempted to assassinate the King. He arranged a distraction that drew me away from the King's chambers and used gunpowder to blow a hole in the wall of the King's bedchamber. I had assigned four of my best guardsmen to the King's protection. He had the cold iron swords Jennifer and Jessica had surrendered to my men, and struck three of my men down in seconds. Jennifer and Jessica were outside the King's chambers. I had not allowed them to stay inside while I was away. They kicked their way through a door that would have withstood ten men with a battering ram for at least fifteen minutes. And Jennifer took on Palanir, empty handed, and defeated him..."

Lorelei grins. "Sounds like Jenn."

The Captain's voice becomes a little exasperated, "When they returned to Undermoon I offered them, with the King's permission and approval, a place in the Guard. They turned me down. Highness, I would rate them as among the most skilled warriors in all of Heartworld. I want... I need their skills in the Guard. And they are wasting that skill shovelling horse shit at Valandil Carnesir's stable in the city! Uh... My pardon for the language, Highness. Could you speak with them?"

Lorelei frowns. "That's what they're doing? They had said they wanted retirement, but I never anticipated that! And for Jennifer and Jessica, I can always spare time."

The Captain nods, "Thank you, Highness."

Lorelei says, "Are they to be found there now? I'll go to them immediately"

Lothven nods, "I would expect so, Highness. My men have instructions to keep an eye open for them when patrolling in the City, and the last report has them at the stables. I... I got a little heated when I discussed this with them. So there is some tension between us at the moment. Which I regret. We had been... seeing each other. When you see them, please tell them I apologise."

Lorelei says, "I will." She thanks Lothven and orders her currently rather large escort to take her at once to the stables of Valandil Carnesir.

The Stables
The stables appears to be one of the larger establishments of its kind in the city. There's a stockade wall and large double gates. Inside are several buildings, a corral with a number of horses in it, and a open fronted stable. Jennifer and Jessica are in the stable, working away happily. One habit they haven't broken is keeping 360 degree coverage of vision, so they see Stephanie entering, Jessica waves and calls out, "Hi, Lorelei!" in greeting. They are wearing clothing suitable to the work they are doing. It's noticable for anyone who knows them that neither seems to be carrying any weapons.

A stout fae male hurries out of the barn. He's dressed flamboyantly even by fae standards. "Back to work!" he snaps at the twins. Then turns to you and quickly apologises. "Your Highness, please forgive them. They are willing and industrious workers but only recently come to Undermoon. They do not know our customs and I am sure no offence was intended. Have you come seeking a steed? Carnesir's stables has the finest riding animals in all of Upper Heartworld. Whatever you desire I am sure I can supply it..." Behind his back you can see the twins grinning cheerfully as you listen to the monologue. Jessica is currying a stallion, and Jennifer is indeed shovelling horse manure from a line of stalls into a wheelbarrow.

Lorelei smiles. "I understand. In fact, Ableman Valandil, it is to these two I have come to speak." She's relieved at least to find the twins are looking happy.

Carnesir looks over at the rather large escort with you, and gulps a little nervously. Even so he stands his ground and says, "They are my employees. If there is a complaint against them I will stand by them as is my obligation and duty to the members of my household." He's obviously a bit scared but isn't backing down.

Lorelei smiles. "I have no complaint with them. I wish merely to speak to my friends. I hope you can spare them from their work a short time so that I may do so?"

The stable keeper looks poleaxed. "I... Uh..." Jessica comes over and goes to hug you if allowed, "Oh dear, you're scaring him. He's a good man, Lorelei."

Lorelei hugs and grins. "I thought so from your smiles. I'm so glad you chose to put him out of his misery. Would you prefer I not address you by your title in his hearing?"

Jessica nods, "Yes please, Lorelei. It might make things a bit difficult." She turns to Valandil Carnesir, "It's really all right. Lorelei and I go back a long way."

Lorelei comments, "Lorelei is the name by which she knows me."

Jennifer waves but stays back. She's been cleaning stalls. She's dirty and more than a little aromatic.

Lorelei takes Jess aside a bit to talk. "I must say I was surprised to hear you're working here!"

Valandil Carnesir looks back and forth. Then he visibly shakes his head. "No doubt you'll explain this to me some time, Jenn.. uh, Jessica. Take all the time you need. I'll.. I'll be in the office if I'm needed."

Lorelei nods to the office and comments, "If it helps you can tell him that we became friends when I was abroad incognito. Which is more or less true."

Jessica smiles, "There's not a lot of jobs for the unsighted, Lorelei. And my skill set isn't exactly ideal for civilian employment. Valandil is letting me sleep in the hay loft until I find a place and honestly, Lorelei, I'm enjoying the work. I've always liked horses."

Lorelei looks amazed. "Skill set? Jenn, you could work as a team of horses yourself if you wanted to - not, I admit, that that would be any better. Still, I'm glad to hear that you're happy working with the horses. But is this really what you want to do? There's a lot more out there, with less smelly sleeping arrangements. Some things to which you would be excellently suited."

Jessica smiles, "Such as? You know what I am, Lorelei. When I came here and starting looking for work I quickly realised that just about everything I know is about breaking people and blowing things up."

Lorelei says, "Well, I dare say there's a lot of work to be done in those fields, but I know you're tired of war. But seriously, your raw strength counts for something, at the very least. But I do have something in particular in mind. If you're not tired of this as well as of war."

Jessica nods, "I'll always listen to you, Lorelei. You've never guided me wrong in the past and I don't believe you'll start now."

Lorelei says, "have you heard of the charity, the Society of Wraxling?"

Jessica shakes her head. "No. I'm pretty sure I haven't."

Lorelei says, "Well - you probably know that female warriors are pretty rare here. On the whole women don't fight - most women that do are veterans of the ancient wars when times were desperate."

Jessica nods, "Yes, I did recall that. There were some side looks cast my way when we first arrived here. Although being a human helped. The fae, well some of them, kind of expect humans to have barbarous habits."

Jennifer chuckles from back in the stalls. "I imagine some were surprised I didn't have warpaint on my faces."

Lorelei grins. "Yes, well. Don't take it personally. Actually, they take pretty well anyone who isn't fae that way. And probably some of the more remote fae, too.... Actually, come to think of it, they may not have seen the warpaint as so barbarous - I think the fae did it too, long ago - but anyway.... it turns out this isn't quite true. There's an unarmed martial art, wraxling. And many women - pretty well exclusively women - do practice that. It's basically 'ok' because it doesn't use weapons, and I suppose because it's notionally in the nature of self-defence. But," she grins broader, "I've got to tell you, from what I've seen it's what TV would describe as 'extreme self-defence', at least as practiced by some of them. Serious martial arts stuff. .... All of which basically comes down to, I guess, would you like to be a gym trainer again? Because I think you'd be perfect for it."

Jessica and Jenniner laugh, "That would be closing the circle, wouldn't it. I started out in Colonial Bay City teaching in the Gym while going to high school. It's probably something I could do. Although depending on how proficient the practitioners are maybe I'd be learning rather than teaching. It sounds interesting. Certainly it would be worth looking into." Jessica smiles, "Retired or not, you know if you ever need me I'll be there for you, don't you. This could be a way of keeping in practice and shape though."

Lorelei says, "Maybe both learning and teaching. I'm sure you're better than most of them - probably enough for a paid instructor position. The money wouldn't be great, I imagine, unless you can get private tutor work. But it's something you can do, would keep you in shape and practice as you say, and would let you feel you're making good use of your skills. Not to mention it being a good way to meet people here."

Jessica nods, "I'll follow it up. Lorelei. It does sound like a good idea. I enjoyed my time at Steel's Gym. And as you say, it's a good way to meet people. Is there a dojo, or whatever the Gym is called, in the city? I..." She shrugs, "We're not really speaking to each other right now but I wouldn't want to move too far away from the Palace."

Lorelei smiles. "The city of Undermoon has everything, pretty much. Pretty well any organisation has an office here, often the head office - a prestige thing. I admit I can't remember exactly where, but it wouldn't be hard to find out. It's not an official Art yet by the way - though it's one of the ones most likely to be recognised before long - but that's probably to your advantage at first anyway - rather less formal. But," she looks more serious, "as to Lothven - he did request that I give you his apologies. What happened between you two?'

Jessica sighs, "He wanted me to join the Palace Guard. I realise it was a great honor, Lorelei, but that was the absolute last thing I wanted to do, join another military type body. He just didn't seem to understand where I was coming from. There I was, an unsighted human and he was offering me a place in the Royal Palace Guard. He couldn't understand why I would even hesitate. And, well it got a bit heated. On both sides."

Lorelei sighs. "I can see why. I doubt anyone without the Sight has ever been offered such a position - perhaps he felt he'd stuck his neck out even suggesting such an appointment. But I completely understand why you couldn't take it.... I'll have a talk to him, remind him of decorated veterans of the Dragon Wars who even now are reluctant to take up arms.... Don't let this come between you. I'm sure that in his mind it was not only an honour but the highest compliment he could possibly pay - not to mention that it would guarantee he could see you every day!"

Jessica hugs you again, "You really are the best friend anyone could possibly have, Lorelei. When you see him... can you tell him I'm sorry. And if he can forgive me, I'd like to see him again."

Lorelei says, "I'll be sure to do so. And I know he feels the same way."

Jessica says, "He does? I... I can see where he was coming from, Lorelei, now you've explained it. I didn't mean to upset him. But I just couldn't... If you could explain to him why... Please."

Lorelei says, "Of course I will!"

Jessica smiles, "And I'll look into the Society of Wraxling. If it pans out I'll give Valandil Carnesir due notice of my departure. He's too good a man to let down by leaving without warning. And he looks after his animals. If you ever need a riding animal you could do a lot worse than coming to him." She chuckles, "I'm sounding like an advert aren't I?"

Lorelei grins. "No wonder he was so worried when he thought you were in trouble. I dare say you're a good worker...."

Jennifer and Jessica both laugh, "I am. It's easy work and enjoyable. My background might not count for anything in terms of skills but my physical attributes still apply."

Lorelei says, "Absolutely. I'm so glad to see you're happy!"

Jessica nods, "I am, Lorelei. Very happy. Especially now it seems Lothven and I do have a future."