Post by EymberFyire on Feb 14, 2010 5:43:41 GMT 10
Title: Weighing the Cost II
Rating: G
Length: 569
Competitor: Lalasa
Round/Fight: 1/F
Summary: The cost of piece of mind is always worth it.
AN: I worked on this one for a long time, and I still don’t have it quite right. Owing to the nature of SMACKDOWN I finally gave it up and present it to you with its wrinkles.
Kel sits alone in her quarters in New Hope, her face the natural mask of indifference that implies she is her most emotional. She is grateful for the rare moment of quiet that allows her time to just think.
It was expensive, Kel. Whoever did this spent a lot of money on making sure you stayed safe. At least a gold noble, maybe more like two.
In one hand she holds a tiny charm of intertwined silver and gold. In the other she holds a small bundle of long, wavy black hair that still smells faintly of lavender.
Can you tell who it was?
No. Can you?
Kel has never fully understood matters of the heart. She is emotional and idealistic, but she is very rooted in the physical. The impact of a lance on a shield makes much more sense to her than the niceties of courtship, and she would rather be knocking someone from their saddle than trying to interpret their advances in a ballroom.
I’m… not certain.
What Kel is used to understanding is herself. The Code of Chivalry and defense of the weak are what make her a good Knight. Loyalty, duty and honor motivate her. She believes in Tortall and what it stands for. She trusts that her hard work means her body will obey any command she gives it. These certainties give her comfort.
Kel, stop worrying. The spells don’t have any effect on you. They just change things that would fall to bad luck. Besides, whoever had these made understood you well enough to know you would rather die than have magic change the skills you’ve worked so hard for.
Neal... what do you mean by that exactly?
For the first time that she can remember she has absolutely no idea what she thinks or feels about something. This makes her nervous.
Rather than answer, he folded Kel’s fist around the bundle of black hair and meet her gaze levelly. Her eyes widened slightly and she stared at him with shocked comprehension.
Kel brings the handful of hair closer to her face to smell the familiar scent. She breathes deeply and lets it out with a sigh that borders on a sob. She is suddenly and unbearably homesick, and wracked with bone deep exhaustion. They have been at war for two and a half years, and she is so very tired. There is an excruciating loneliness that comes of being in command, and Kel can no longer ignore it.
Cuffing her gently on the shoulder, he turned as if to leave. At the door he looked back over his shoulder.
As long as you wear it the spell should work. Just… something to keep in mind.
After a moment she shakes herself free of her gloom with a mental reproach. Sitting in the dark crying would do her no good. There were more important things than self-pity right now, and she had best see to them.
Looking at the things in her hands she pauses for a moment, still undecided. Finally she smiles ruefully to herself. There are still at least six months before she will be returning to Corus. It is plenty of time to think.
Carefully she tucks both the hair and the charm into the pouch she wears around her neck and arranges them under her shirt. The scent of lavender hangs around her. Kel can’t help but smile.
Rating: G
Length: 569
Competitor: Lalasa
Round/Fight: 1/F
Summary: The cost of piece of mind is always worth it.
AN: I worked on this one for a long time, and I still don’t have it quite right. Owing to the nature of SMACKDOWN I finally gave it up and present it to you with its wrinkles.
Kel sits alone in her quarters in New Hope, her face the natural mask of indifference that implies she is her most emotional. She is grateful for the rare moment of quiet that allows her time to just think.
It was expensive, Kel. Whoever did this spent a lot of money on making sure you stayed safe. At least a gold noble, maybe more like two.
In one hand she holds a tiny charm of intertwined silver and gold. In the other she holds a small bundle of long, wavy black hair that still smells faintly of lavender.
Can you tell who it was?
No. Can you?
Kel has never fully understood matters of the heart. She is emotional and idealistic, but she is very rooted in the physical. The impact of a lance on a shield makes much more sense to her than the niceties of courtship, and she would rather be knocking someone from their saddle than trying to interpret their advances in a ballroom.
I’m… not certain.
What Kel is used to understanding is herself. The Code of Chivalry and defense of the weak are what make her a good Knight. Loyalty, duty and honor motivate her. She believes in Tortall and what it stands for. She trusts that her hard work means her body will obey any command she gives it. These certainties give her comfort.
Kel, stop worrying. The spells don’t have any effect on you. They just change things that would fall to bad luck. Besides, whoever had these made understood you well enough to know you would rather die than have magic change the skills you’ve worked so hard for.
Neal... what do you mean by that exactly?
For the first time that she can remember she has absolutely no idea what she thinks or feels about something. This makes her nervous.
Rather than answer, he folded Kel’s fist around the bundle of black hair and meet her gaze levelly. Her eyes widened slightly and she stared at him with shocked comprehension.
Kel brings the handful of hair closer to her face to smell the familiar scent. She breathes deeply and lets it out with a sigh that borders on a sob. She is suddenly and unbearably homesick, and wracked with bone deep exhaustion. They have been at war for two and a half years, and she is so very tired. There is an excruciating loneliness that comes of being in command, and Kel can no longer ignore it.
Cuffing her gently on the shoulder, he turned as if to leave. At the door he looked back over his shoulder.
As long as you wear it the spell should work. Just… something to keep in mind.
After a moment she shakes herself free of her gloom with a mental reproach. Sitting in the dark crying would do her no good. There were more important things than self-pity right now, and she had best see to them.
Looking at the things in her hands she pauses for a moment, still undecided. Finally she smiles ruefully to herself. There are still at least six months before she will be returning to Corus. It is plenty of time to think.
Carefully she tucks both the hair and the charm into the pouch she wears around her neck and arranges them under her shirt. The scent of lavender hangs around her. Kel can’t help but smile.