ii.

[revolutes]

[ around the streets of boston, connor wanders-- hood up and alert ( always alert ), bow fastened against his back by the line across his chest, bobbing occasionally from side to side. he had to run a few errands at the time for not only the old man, but for himself ( shopping for weapons, goods, scouting for information, seeing a few people and the like. ) the bustling streets were of no news to him, children laughing-- the occasional remark there, a group chatting it up there . . . and those who were simply doing what he was doing. running errands. would he, by chance, run into someone today? he ran into a few people daily-- those he recruited to the homestead, for example.

he was told not to be a stranger-- and he never really was.

a dog-- eager and large barks as connor passes, beginning to follow with padding tacks of claws against stone ground. the man always felt a strong calmness from the creatures around him. nature, in general. the loyalty a dog offers, and the simple happiness received from just a little well meant attention was admirable, as was the natural milk and meat cows livestock offered, the eggs ( and meat ) that chicken gave-- even the wild deer, a wolf pack, all of them-- predator or prey, they were familiar, and familiarity brought a sort of comfort.

at this moment, connor takes from the middle of the street to the side, closer to shops and out of the way of other passerbys ( in turn, the persistent pup follows ). eager wags of the animal's tail follows as it sits, connor extending his arm and petting the dog. a few moments wouldn't hurt. ]

Comments

[revolutes]

There aren't many where you're from?

[ there's a small smile pulling at his lips, and when namine speaks once more, he pays attention. ]

What has happened?

[cagedmemories]

There aren't any at all.

[Aside from the Heartless and Nobodies. Maybe there were other creatures as well but Namine would have never obtained the chance to see them. For a moment she looks pained before the look morphs into exasperation - mostly at herself.]

There is a hole in it, right on top of where I usually eat. I think the wood rotted.

[Which isn't any sizable amount of ground, anyway. Her house is tiny and just enough for her, but that means even the slightest of malfunctions tends to affect everything else over time. It's been very annoying and her whole purpose for coming into town today was to find someone she could hire to fix it.]

[revolutes]

Do you have extra wood?

[ they'll buy some here, if the case were no ]

[cagedmemories]

[Briefly, she thinks back to the pathetic, unevenly split logs she had tried to cut herself.

It had really only ended in pain and humiliation.]

No, unfortunately.

[revolutes]

[ after a moment of thought-- the things he does for everyone! ]

We can purchase some. [ in other words-- i'll help you with your roof! ]

[cagedmemories]

[But - But he doesn't have to! Surely he has other issues, more important matters than helping her with a roof of all things. Namine looks as though she might try to argue or insist that she can do it on her own, or hire someone else.

But she does not know anyone else, and she certainly doesn't know how to fix a roof, either.]

I do not want to take up all of your time.

[And yet her voice wavers slightly, she truly needs the help, after all ...]

[revolutes]

[ well-- it was an offer that stood! ]

Are you sure?

[cagedmemories]

[And a good one. She would be stupid to give it up too quickly.

So Namine must think for an extra handful of seconds before the solution occurs to her.]

I will return the favor, somehow. [She has learned to sew and cook, and while he may not need either service, Namine will not allow herself to be useless. That does not seem to be the way of this world, something that she loves about it, despite the problems.] On that condition, I'm very grateful for the help.