|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:39 pm
Anlu's home is located on the opposite side of the River Dusk, almost directly across from the Grave household. There is a bridge over the river to connect the girl with her friends and the worn trail that leads to the castle and such.
This rather large cottage seems to be a little too big for such a small girl to be living in by herself, but she somehow manages to fill all the space she can. Two-story, of course, with a basement and quite a lot of cleared out land for her rather large garden, some may say that the large area compensates for her small stature. At least that's how some tease. The outside being made of stone, makes the house sturdy and less likely to catch fire, the inside, stairs and floors is panneled with sanded down and polished cherrywood, while the walls are sanded and polished cedar, for insulation and decorative purposes. The only area without wood on the inside is the smithing workshop.
The main floor is actually two buildings separated by a stone wall. On the left is her home containing her living room, kitchen, and stairways to the upper floor and basement. On the right is her smithing station, complete with furnace, anvil, sharpener, racks and tools. There is also a seperate door for her workshop, you can't get into it from the inside of her house.
The living room is rather large, as Anlu tends to have company often, being the people-person she is, now. When first opening the door, you see the traiway, on the left, sarting in the back and going upwards, along the wall, towards the front. Below it is a door in the floor that can be lifted to reveal another stairway leading down into the basement. On the left is a set of couches, dark brown in color, that are soft and easy to relax in. They sit, back towards the window next to the door, and against the wall on the right wall. There is a small coffee table in front of them and a stand with a lamp in the corner between them. Further towards the back is a small, rectangular table with three chairs.
The Kitchen is just through an open doorway next to the dinner table. A lot brighter on the inside, almost the whole back wall seems to be windows. On the right is a wood stove, alrge enough to put a pot in for stew. On the left is a counter that turns and also runs alond the windowed wall. On the farthest left of the counter, there is a small sink with a pump for water and on the wal not covered by windows is a series of cabnets and cupboards.
The upper floor contains three bedrooms (one Anlu's, one for the random guests she gets at times, and the other is currently storage) the bathroom, and a small deck.
After climbing the stairs, you find yourself to be st the front of the house ahgain, just on the upper level. Along the front is a thin hallway, with about three windows. Almost directly in front of each window is a door, except for the third one, that is. The first two rooms aren't too special, the first being rather empty other than a few things taht the girl doesn't know what to dow ith, the second has a one-person bed with a dresser and lamp, simple really. The end of the hall leads to a door that walks to the deck on the outside, covering about one-third of the roof above the workshop. This little area has a covering over head, held up by thin wooden pillar in case of rain. Hanging ehre and there are a few potten plants, some with vines hanging down, curling at the railing. Other than that there is just a couple of chairs and a small, circular table.
Going back inside the hall actually makes a turn to the left, ending with a nother window not too far off, Close to the end there is a door on each side, to the left is Anlu's bedroom. To the right is the bathroom. The bathroom, being over the furnace of the workshop, gets hot water rather easily. Inside there is a large basin use for a tub, and a water pump. There is also a changing screen and a rack for towels next to a full body mirror. This is the only room on the upper floor that still has stone as the floor.
Anlu's bedroom, on the left, has a few windows that often shine brightly, to her dismay. She tends to cover them with dark green curtains. Her room being slightly larger than the others contains a two-person bed, she moves around a lot and hates falling off to the floor, a dresser with mirror and a lamp.
Bck downstairs, we have the basement. This, all stone, room is also covered with counters and cabnet. It is where Anlu makes her poisons, medicines, and various other things. Generally the only other person she allows down here is Jon, being a man of poisons himself, btu she'll sometimes let others in, liek the Captain, Puck, or Nemo... sometimes...
Outside, more towards the back of the house, is a great deal of space that was filled by her many purpose garden. It is seperated in three areas; A left plot, a irght plot, and a back plot. The left plot holds all of her medicinal herbs. The right carried her odd plants and poisonsout things. The back plot is for food; carrots, potatoes, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, strawberries, etc. Surrounding the border of her garden, however, with about six feet between them and the garden itself is a series of fruit trees; cherry, apple, orange, lemon, nectarine, plum, peach, olive, and pomegranite.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:53 pm
Clang, clang, clang, clang...
The little, blind girl was at work, in more ways than one. Inside her shop, she was beating at the blade of a now glowing daggar, trying to put three pieces together while working off her frustrations. Why did Nemo have to be such a jerk? And why did this idiot have to break his daggar into three pieces?! What kind of an idiot does that? Pausing for a second to wipe the sweat from her brow with the hand not holding the hammer, she closed her eyes and tried to find a quiet place in her mind before she continued on in front of the blazing ehat of the fire.
It had been a while since Puck left, and while he'd been gone the girl wasn't sure what to do besides work. She tended to keep herself busy by finding some excuse to move aropund, watering and weeding the garden, repairing and sharpening tools and weapons, going on little hunst to find new plants or old ones that are to bloom. Mnay many excuses. Lately she'd been trying to help Mori out, too. She knew well enough that the poor girl didn't like people to hover, Anlu had had her fair share fo that and she'd never been pregnant. However, she was always there when help was needed, or the half-demon just wanted to talk.
She hadn't been to see Mori today though, and now it was already nigthfall. She should just finish with this daggar, sharpen that pother man's broad sword and then go to bed. Yeah... that's what she'd do... and then the next morning she'd make another run around the lake, like usual, and start her day's work over again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:07 am
Making his way carefully through the underbrush, the large black wolf with shockingly blue eyes carefully took in the scents around him. Snorting as he easily figured out which was his aunt's home and which was that of his own infatuation, he veered towards Anlu's residence. Behind him, he heard the whine of the smaller wolf as she struggled to keep up. Pausing, he nuzzled her head with affection, her fur steel gray to his black though her eyes were equally as blue.
Once she had a chance to catch her breath, Puck continued to make his way around the house until he found Anlu in the forge, surrounded by the smell of hot metal. He sat down, his tail wagging, as he teased, All work and no play makes Anlu a horrid bore of an old maid. The smaller female wolf had come to sit beside him, watching his interactions curiously. At his comment, she nipped his ear sharply, making him whine. Looking at her apologetically, he licked her cheek, ignoring the expression on her face that showed she would rather he hadn't.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:19 pm
Hearing his voice so suddenly in her mind make her miss the right spot on the blade, bringing the hammer down she ended up bending it more where it had broken rather than straightening it. Sighing she just let it sit for a second. Quite true, however... if you had been here earlier you would know that I've been neglecting my work and messing around when I shouldn't have been... She didn't turn around to look at him, raising the hammer against to beat the daggar into the anvil. She heard his small whimper, bit figured he had just stepped on something... She'd pick it up later... whatever it was. Besides, she continued in thought, I'm not an old maid yet. I still have a few good years left before the guys in town stop flirting with me... A tease, of course.
"So, what took you so long?" Back still turned to him, she picked up the tongs and carried the dimming metal to the flames and set it inside part way. She needed to reheat the blade to continue her work. "I was starting to think you'd never come back." She teased, slightly. He had said he'd come back, and she trusted him but... many people had gone missing in the past because they'd spoken to her, helped her... and though those things had ended a little over a year ago, she couldn't help but... fear. "Mori's doing well," changing the subject to avoid thinking about anything of the past, "she's due in a few weeks or so."
Picking up the tongs again, she stuck them in the flames to retrieve a newly glowing daggar, and turned to carry it back to the anvil. In the glow of the forge, the blind girl saw two animal-like figures... not just one. "Oh, you brought a friend?" Seeing as it was shaped similarly to him, she knew it must be another demon of his clan.. friend or family? She turned back to the blade but took one small look over her shoulder. "My apologies for not being more hospitale at the moment, if I don't get this done tonight I'll lose a customer or two..." She smiled meekly before starting to hammer away.
A few good beatings straightened out the blade further, and she made sure that there were still no breaking points in the metal. There was nothing she could feel, anyway. Now for it to cool... She set it down in a special holder so that it wouldn't bend the slightest as it cooled. I guess I'll save the sharpening for tomorrow... the man who owns the broad sword won't be here until next week, unlike the idiot who broke his daggar. She figured if she had the time, she could push it away for later as company is more importaint.
"Why don't you both come inside the house with me?" She stepped out the door of her workshop, moving around the two of them and heading to the front of the house where she could take them inside and be a proper host. Looking over her shoulder at the smaller, blobish wolf, she gave a small wave. "I'm Anlu, by the way." Like how she introduced herself to everyone else she came across, she neglected to mention her clan, the Black Briar. Though her younger brother had now obtainted the throne she was still somewhat ashamed of her own family. And they were ashamed of her as well, after all, she was still the runaway princess, the goldenblood heir to the throne. Stepping to the side, she held the door open for the two of them. This visit was sure to become interesting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:13 am
Puck had just rolled his eyes are her mental ramblings until she made the comment about the guys in town. Who’s been flirting with you? he mentally growled, annoyed. His eyes had narrowed in angry slits, his fangs bared in an ugly snarl. He softened when she mentioned here thoughts on his return. I was actually doing something for Mori, but that can wait. He watched her work curiously, having never seen her in the role of a smith before. He winced, though, at her term of “friend.” He knew she was amused, but he hoped she would spare Anlu’s feelings later when she corrected her.
Walking up beside her, he shifted as he stepped, taking on the humanoid form. He reached over her head and took a hold of the door frame. “You both should go ahead of me,” he said with a charming smile. “Ladies first, after all. I was raised a gentleman."
She had been watching, ever so curious, during the interaction between Puck and this blind girl. Of course, she had been forced to discipline the boy for his teasing of the girl, Anlu, but honestly, he was being well behaved for Puck. Her mouth parted in a wolf’s laugh at being mistaken for a friend. That was too entertaining. When her son stood up on his two feet and held the door open, she followed his example. Instead of a steel gray wolf with bright blue eyes, there was now a very tan woman with raven black hair, streaked lightly with gray. Her eyes and a few of her facial features were similar to Puck’s, though the markings on her skin were in light blue as opposed to his sapphire. Dressed in a simple but elegant navy gown, she was every inch a noblewoman, down to the silk and steel fan in her hands. “I have certainly tried to beat manners into you,” Titania drawled, fingering her fan absently as she spoke.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:30 am
Anlu laughed audibly as his mental growl. No one in particular, just the boys at the port on the docks, or running around with carts of stuff. She would have stopped there if she hadn't remembered the wisle she'd gotten a couple days before. Puck was sure to read that off her mind. She kept herself from wincing at the thought, though. After all, she didn't need to see anyone bruised or worse any time soon on her account. Then, to try to mend things, I don't give them a second thought, though. The only reason why I even notice is because I have to do business with them...
Not at all surprised that he shifted form to hold the dorr, she gratefully stepped inside. Turning to wait for his friend, whom shifted as well. Anlu stood in... slight awe to see that it was his mother. What was a blind girl supposed to do in this situation? Puck had brought his mother home with him and... well... She just wasn't sure.
So, she gestured to one of the couches. "Why don't you two have a seat. I'll put on some tea..." Yup, she'd have to play the hostess real well tonight. Wandering off into the kitchen, she grabbed the kettel and pumped water into it, then placed it on top of the wood stove and stoked the fire, embers glowing back to life. When it was sem-heated she would put in the tea, but not while it was still cold. Then the leaves wouldn't soak well. Looking around the kitchen further, Anlu couldn't think of what else to do? Snacks? No, demons of their kind only ate once every three days, and it was msotly meat. Um, what to do? What to do?
An idea... and an impish grin. "Hey Puck, did you know that the Captain and Nemo are starting to finally get together?" He'd love to hear this... "You know that trap door in the Throne room, right? Well, I was trying to avoid Agito, so I went through it and lo and behold I pop in right in the middle of a deep, and most likely importaint, conversation." She stayed in the kitchen as she recalled this, spotting her reflection in her darkened window, she frowned slightly and got herself a wash cloth and pumped water into a bucket. Soaking the cloth she ran it along her arms and face, scrubbing the dirt, soot, and coal stain sfrom her skin. She hadn't realized how dirty she was.
"I didn't hear what they'd been talking about, but I actually took the Captain by surprise... and Nemo was irked at me. At least that's what I felt from him. He didn't say anything except call me a little mouse spy." Now that I think about it, why do I always get nicknames that have to do with animals... and small ones at that..? Wait, don't answer... Checking her blurred reflection again, she figured she had done a well enough job and dried off with a small towel. "Anyway, I left them alone and later saw them and Jon at the Inn. The Captains aid Nemo told her I won the bet, so I assumed they, or one of them at least, admitting to liking the other. So, of course, I teased them. The Captain put a hand over my mouth and threatened me, and Nemo made some comments that made me go on the defensive... but, all in all I think their reactions just prove my theory." She nodded matter-of-factly, looking through the kitchen doorway to the others as she returned to the heating kettle, puting inside it a strain full of tea leaves and waiting until it whistled.
When it was finished, she fished out the tea pot, pouring the colored hot water inside, and climbed on the counter to retireve a few cups from the cabnet. Unfortunately for her, she tended to place the facy ones on the highest shelf, out of her reach, because they were only used on special occasions. Slipping off the counter with grace, she put it all on a tray and carried it into the living room, placeing it onto the small table in front of the couches. To make matters worse, the Captain keeps trying to push Agito on me. I think she believes a creepy, psychotic, cross-dresser can replace you... Sighing, she poured the tea and gave each their cup before seating herself on the end of the couch further from the door. She figured Puck would sit with his mom, so she should make room for them and let them have the other, slightly bigger, couch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:01 am
Grinning as Anlu walked past him and his mother soon followed, Puck kept that smile as they walked in, despite the somewhat mischevious look it gave him. He stayed in the doorway, watching her putter around before she disappeared into the kitchen. If only she knew how nervous she was acting… “No, I hadn’t heard about them,” he answered mildly, his eyes changing to following his mother’s movements as she settled herself on the slightly larger sofa, spreading the skirts of her gown out around her like she was on a navy cloud of silk rather than just relaxing. However, he couldn’t avoid rolling his eyes. Trust Anlu to find out by popping out of a trapdoor in the throne room. Though it was useful to know one was there…
Snickering as she realized she didn’t want him to answer that question, he said out loud anyway, “Let’s see… Mouse spy from Nemo, and of course I’ve been calling you kitten for a while now," he mused. “I’m sensing a theme. I wonder what on earth we all are noting when we look at you.”
His brow furrowed as he read a little into her thoughts. Choosing to answer silently, he thought to her, Is he really bothering you so much? Perhaps we should make a spectacle out of ourselves at the Inn. I need a drink anyway. Spending this much time with Mother is not something a man should do without a decent bottle of fire whiskey. He smiled then, making the corners of his eyes crinkle even as they showed he was dead serious about warning off this “Agito” character…and needing that drink. Rather than sit beside his mother, he took a perch on the armrest of the couch Anlu had taken a seat on.
Smoothing out her skirts with an absent hand, Titania couldn’t resist asking as she overheard her son’s comment, “Why on earth do you call her a kitten? I know you are content in your panther form, but you have always preferred your wolf or falcon form over it. Feline terms have never been one of affection for you.” Her own blue eyes could see Anlu fairly well from her seat. The petite girl didn’t seem like much to the demon queen, but she had somehow captured her middle, and most beloved, son’s heart. That was more important.
Puck sighed. The woman’s meddling was already starting. “I call her kitten because when she’s angry she reminds me of one that’s dripping wet, hopping mad, and ready to attack you, yet all you can think is how damn cute it is,” he told her shortly, even as his narrowed eyes warned her away from the topic. Titania had been pestering him about Anlu almost as much as she had about Mori. It was about to drive him absolutely bonkers, and his temper was fraying.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:22 am
Anlu's small,c urled fist shot out, hitting him in the upper arm. It probably wouldn't hurt him, but it made a nice twak sound. "I'm not that small!" She crossed her arms over her chest and scooched a foot away from Puck. Pretending to not hear his thoughts, she answered anyway. No, well, I don't know... I'll just say that he made a comment about me and beasiality... A small pause, almost peaking her interest. Spectacle like what... exactly..? Then another pause. Is she really that bad that you need to drink?
Her attention was turned to Titania, rather quickly, though, as she mention ANlu's nickname. One thing about being called kitten... it took her over a year to get usee to it and kind of like it. However, when she said that feline terms have never been one of affection for him... Anlu had to wonder. Did she change that? I suppose kitten is better than pup or fledgeling...
"Yeah, cute until she jumps at you, claws yor face off, and then prances away all happy because she left her prey all bloodied up..." She said this with a small smirk before adding, "and it's not cute... Cute is for little kids and fluffy animals. I am neither, so there..." Yup, they were getting into this argument again, but... it was fun. Quietly, she took her cup of tea and drained a small bit of it. Howeverm, after setting her cup down she couldn't hellp but give off a small yawn. Arching her back slightly, she pushed her hands into her legs, letting them slide forwrd to her knees. She sounded, and looked, like a cat... but she was... small... Damn it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Krombopulos Michael Captain
|
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 2:47 pm
A loud knock could be heard from the door, two quick 'raps' loud enough to be heard just about anywhere in the house. Two muted voices could be heard from the other side, and after a moment a rather loud, "I am not a monster!". It seemed at least one of the people behind the voices was a little annoyed, though it seemed to be with the other. Another loud knock was on the door as it seemed the two were a little impatient today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 3:05 pm
ANlu almost froze in her seat as she heard the sharp raps on the door. "Must be the Captain and Nemo.." She closed her eyes and listened closer. "Yup, even with hushed voices I can tell it's them..." Her words wor a quiet murmer as she opened her eyes and got up from her seat. Taking a small breath, she walked over to the door and opened it.
"Captain!" Anlu smiled at the mischevious woman on the otherside of her thresh hold. "Come in~" She practically pulled her through the door by the hands, and without much warning, she shut the door on Nemo and quickly locked, and bolted it. He was a bandit, so she figured he'd get inside somehow or another. But he clearly wasn't invited right now. Still keeping her smile on she led the Captain to where she had been sitting previously. "I'll go get you a cup for tea, but first introductions. Captain, this is Puck's mother," then turning to the maternal demon she gestured towards the Captain. "This is Captain Neciel, leader of the Dawn Striders. In essence, my boss among other things." The girl could play cheerful like no one's business, though, she wondered. Would Nemo go in through a small kitchen windown, and even smaller basement window and risked getting stuck down there, too, or climb up the forge onto her roof deck and then come down the stairs? Then again he could always pick the lock on the front door.
Whatever would float his boat, but for now she went to fetch a cup for the Captain. Returning quickly, she poured the cup full of tea and set it on the table in front of her, retieving her own cup to drink from.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Krombopulos Michael Captain
|
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 3:16 pm
"Oh my." being yanked inside the door, the captain simply shrugs and goes with it. Allowing Anlu to yank her about, she seats herself on the couch quietly. Looking up as the other is named in the room, she smiles faintly. "Hello." she stands, moving across the room to extend her hand to the other woman. She knew, of course, that she was someone of importance in thee Xerian clan, and decided it best to stay on good terms with them. She wasn't quite sure as to how demons went about greeting eachother, and decided to go about it the human way. After all, she wasn't quite sure how her own kind went about greeting eachother. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Xerian."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 3:30 pm
Nemo cocked an eyebrow at the closed door sending a thought straight to Anlu, You asked for it. I'll see you in a minute. He could have just picked the lock, he could have tried to go through the roof or window but that wasn't good enough. Instead Nemo turned from the house. His face was straight and blank as he started to walk. He was going to be a good bandit but then she had just ruined that chance. This wasn't a childish prank this a challenge and if she was irritated with him now she was going to hate him once he was done. That was at least until he brought her more of those herbs she liked to use to make that black poison of Jon's. He started to walk off, but he would be back soon enough. This was going to be the most fun he had had in a nice long while.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 3:36 pm
I was just playing and you knew it... Her mind growled back at him before sighing. Yeah, I know I'll probably see you soon. He was gonna pull soemthing, and it'd probably piss her off. She was going to have to keep her cool, especially around Puck's mother. OPut of curiosity, though, she wondered what he was plotting. "I think I'm gonna have to brace myself..." Her tone was wary. She challenged him, and he was gonna get her back. She didn't want to make it too easy for him, did she? Hmmm... it depended on how far they could take this... game of theirs. He'd better not destroy her garden, though... she would murder him in broad daylight if he did that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 3:45 pm
Puck only laughed, flinching mockingly as she hit him and rubbing his arm afterwards. He actually just felt the impact like a slight shove, there wasn’t any real pain. It was better to humor her though. He kept laughing even as he answered her mentally. You haven’t been stuck with her since the Shimmering Coast, now have you? Yes, she is that bad. As for spectacle… Well, I imagine if we liquor up a little we could make ourselves out like lovesick idiots. That ought to put an end to it. The full demon made a mental note behind shields that he would have to be careful not to drink too much. Else they wouldn’t be acting near as much as planned… Or really, he wouldn’t be acting…
Before he could start wickedly teasing her about her comment, the knock at the door caught his attention. Staying seated, he watched the happenings with narrowed eyes. Quickly enough, he turned his attention back to Anlu and clicked his tongue. “You had to go and challenge the desert rat,” Puck scolded playfully. “You deserve what you get now.”
Titania watched the interaction between her son and this girl with a slight smirk on her lips, hiding it by taking a sip of the mediocre tea. Really, it was no wonder he was so protective of her. Even she could see the love he held for the human. Before she had time to question anything, a rap at the door made her sit up. She too sensed two beings on the other side of the door, though it was rather curious that only a woman entered. Tilting her head, she eyed this woman named Neciel carefully before holding out her own hand lightly. “Lady Titania of the Xerians,” she chose to introduce herself coolly. Reflexively, her mind reached out to brush the woman’s even as her hand tightened around her fan, the ends sharpened and deadly though deceptively innocent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Krombopulos Michael Captain
|
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 4:02 pm
Smile still in place, Neciel shook the woman's hand before moving back to sit on the couch as she had before. "Well, Lady Titania, I do extend a warm welcome to you. I do hope you find your stay on the Dawn Lands pleasant." she crossed her legs casually, sensing the woman reaching for her mind. She wondered if she would be able to find it, as Nemo had stated that even he couldn't on more than one occasion. Letting it be at that, the captain gives no sign that she can tell what the woman is doing. It takes her a moment to figure out that the woman must be here for Mori, as her due date was drawing near. Being half demon, the captain was quite unsure as to whether the children would be born the demon way or the human way. Not that she knew how demon children were born. Turning her gaze on Puck after a moment, she frowns at him. "You should play nice too, Puck. I'm in the mood for wolf stew." she tells him, grinning broadly a moment. She was playing, of course, but Puck didn't need to know that. Glancing at Anlu, the captain shakes her head in remorse. "And he was going to be on his best behavior too... Oh well~"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
