{"id":606,"date":"2013-10-25T11:11:03","date_gmt":"2013-10-25T16:11:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jeezjosie.com\/blog\/?p=606"},"modified":"2013-10-18T01:59:19","modified_gmt":"2013-10-18T06:59:19","slug":"ever-waiting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jeezjosie.com\/blog\/2013\/10\/ever-waiting\/","title":{"rendered":"Ever, Waiting"},"content":{"rendered":"

      Today\u2019s snippet, titled \u201cEver, Waiting\u201d, is a piece I wrote about an NPC in my Pathfinder Campaign (sort of the \u201cKing Maker\u201d adventure path). The intention behind this was to illustrate events occurring in the world, but away from the PCs. They\u2019re supposed to be writing their own pieces about actual in-game events. We shall see if any materialize.
\n      Be forewarned, there are mature themes and naughty language below.
\n– \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 –
\n      \tEdvic stopped half-way up the path, placed his left hand on his hip and fanned himself with his right. Lyuba shook her head. Little Klara just gaped. It was difficult, but somehow, Rilla managed to repress a smug little smile.
\n      \tWatching her friends from The Frothing Otter come up through the garden path, she smoothed down the front of her dress, tucked a loose curl behind her ear, and then waved.
\n      \t\u201cRilla,\u201d Praskoviya said, stomping up to the front porch. \u201cThis is what you left us for? This- this- …cottage?\u201d
\n      \tThe way the word rolled off her tongue, it was apparent that Kovi was not impressed by the place. Perhaps she thinks nothing short of a stone manse on the isle is good enough for her, but I think I shall be quite content here! <\/em>Rilla opened the door to let her friends in.
\n      \t\u201cKovi, you make it sound like a betrayal. I am simply-\u201d
\n      \t\u201cA whore.\u201d
\n      \tHer spine stiffened, but she did not rise to the prick. \u201cNo more than any of you. Gavriil chose me, and he cares for my comfort. I could not have asked for a finer man as a lover and anyway, you\u2019re just jealous, Kovi. I know you coveted several of the little houses on this block.\u201d
\n      \tKlara giggled. \u201cThat\u2019s true! I remember when you thought that the Colonel was going to buy you a house, you chose the one just there with the blue door!\u201d
\n      \tPraskoviya\u2019s glower silenced the girl. Rilla wanted to admonish her, but today was a day to enjoy and if she lead off their afternoon by telling Kovi to shut her stupid, loud mouth it would turn into a big mess. She bit her tongue, but when she hugged Klara in greeting, Rilla made sure to hold the girl close a moment longer than necessary – a quiet gesture of support. She hoped Klara picked up on the subtlety.
\n      \tThough Gavriil had provided amply for her upkeep, Rilla knew she was not the type of woman to keep her own house. She took it upon herself to dole out a small percentage of her savings to employ a young handmaiden and a part-time housekeeper; Lai-Lai was Klara\u2019s age and innocent as new snow whereas Mrs. Cavaec was a saucy old widow with no end of stories that could make Rilla\u2019s cheeks go scarlet.
\n      Today, Lai-Lai eavesdropped on the wild tales Rilla\u2019s friends from the Frothing Otter recounted with relish. Even when not actively refilling tea cups or serving iced wine, the girl kept obnoxiously close, hovering either over Rilla\u2019s shoulder or in the closest doorway. Mrs. Cavaec clattered pots and pans about in the kitchen, singing some bawdy bar song under her breath.
\n      Rilla was pleased at their reaction. Even Praskoviya seemed impressed by the beautifully appointed little house, the elegant attire Rilla wore, and the servants rushing about at Rilla\u2019s bidding. Still, no matter how gay the conversation and how pleased she was to see her friends, there was a sadness in her heart. She missed Gavriil.
\n      Don\u2019t be silly<\/em>, she told herself. He is not your one true love, if there is any such thing. Gavriil is your benefactor, your lover, and maybe even your friend. But he\u2019s not going to marry you, Rilla. He will visit when he can – a few times a year, but no more – and when he has found some small breasted noblewoman to give him sons, he\u2019ll put you out to pasture like a favorite cow.<\/em>
\n      \u201c…don\u2019t you think? Rilla?\u201d
\n      \u201cWhat?\u201d She blinked. \u201cI\u2019m sorry?\u201d
\n      Edvic smirked. He knew her better than she cared to think and Rilla was fairly certain he could read her mind at times. His tone was catty as he sipped his tea and re-directed his question to her. \u201cI said, dear girl, that the food is already improving at the Otter, and I hear there haven\u2019t been any further burnings around. How funny that it all happened just as your patron\u2019s troupe returned from the North, don\u2019t you think?\u201d
\n      Rilla swallowed thickly. Gavriil hadn\u2019t spoken too much of their work in the North, but she had the distinct impression than they had in fact been the heroes of the day. There were still shortages, and some people worried that there would be starvation come winter, but the trouble had been quashed, it seemed. She managed a wan smile.
\n      \u201cCoincidence, I suppose. Oh! Klara, why don\u2019t you tell everyone what you saw the other day when we met in the market? That\u2019s a strange story.\u201d
\n      The girl seized the opportunity to be center of attention for awhile with both hands and leapt to her feet to better act out the anecdote.
\n      Rilla set her tea cup aside and glanced out the window. Gavriil and his comrades have such a dangerous job. I wonder, if he falls in battle, will I ever even know of it? Or will I just sit here, smiling a false smile and pretending, waiting\u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n

– \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 \u2013 –
\n\"Signed,
\nNote: Image is “Chelsea” by trubluboy from SXC.hu<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Today\u2019s snippet, titled \u201cEver, Waiting\u201d, is a piece I wrote about an NPC in my Pathfinder Campaign (sort of the \u201cKing Maker\u201d adventure path). The intention behind this was to illustrate events occurring in the world, but away from the PCs. They\u2019re supposed to be writing their own pieces about actual in-game… <\/p>\n

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