#i am going to make a tea & put on some tin roof rain noises & go to town

[dordey]

me: :( steam email: the most cliche point & click mystery puzzle game you could have possibly added to your wishlist is on sale for 3 bux me: :)

#i am going to make a tea & put on some tin roof rain noises & go to town #*

[mybeautifuldecay]

Private Tutor. Chapter Twenty-Six; Bad Weather.

Happy Saturday all. Mega thanks to @suhailauniverse who helped me to add a little bit onto the end when I couldn’t figure out where to take it next <3 you’re a true legend!

And to @gotham-ruaidh - without her, I wouldn’t be here writing now.

MASTER LIST: is HERE should you want/need it. 

Sitting in the conservatory watching the rain cascade across the vaguely transparent roof, Claire let her mind wander. Jenny, Jamie’s sister, had arrived the day before with her two young children in tow. Her husband, Ian, had been required to attend a course in London and Ellen thought bringing her grandbabies up to the farm might occupy Claire’s mind. Wee Jamie and Maggie were, indeed, a clever distraction but as the clouds had settled overhead, so the morning sickness had quashed her playing for the time being. Instead of running around the garden, she’d made herself some herbal tea and hidden away whilst she allowed her belly to calm once more.

“Here,” Ellen said quietly, passing her the biscuit tin, “have something sweet.”

Although the nausea had abated somewhat, the idea of consuming anything solid made her head spin and she focused on the beating rain in an attempt to pacify her stomach.

Placing the tin on the table, Ellen sat next to Claire, putting her hand over hers where it rested on the arm of the chair. “Yer fretting?” She asked, her eyes full of sympathy.

“It’s just silliness.” She sighed, trying to brush off the fear that something would go wrong at any moment - shattering her momentary happiness.

“Nothing ye feel is silly, Claire. You just want to be content and until ye’ve that news in yer hands, everything will make you question yerself. We’ve all been there, aye? I ken Jamie feels the same way. He’s been nervous ever since ye sent off yer divorce papers, too.”

“He always seems so patient.” Claire whispered, turning her hand over so that she could take Ellen’s fingers in her own. “He’s so good at hiding his emotions and seeming calm that I can never tell when he’s worried. So I try not to panic and give him cause for concern, but I can never manage to stay as composed as he does.”

“He’s well practiced, lass. When we lost Willie he took it hard, ye ken? Ever since then he’s been good at keeping his emotions buried deep. He’s the Fraser rock. When we were all falling apart, it wasna that he wasn’t, but he kept us all upright. He’s strong, Claire, that’s all he knows. But inside, where it counts, he’s worrit I can see it in the way he hovers around ye.”

“It’s only been a few days, I know,” she said, using her free hand to rest over her belly, “but I just want to know whether everything is going as it should.”

“Of course ye do, my darling. Yer in the last stages of being free - ye can smell the fresh air but ye canna yet see the sunshine. It’s so close and yet cruelly out of reach. But, from what Ned said, I dinna think ye have much to be worried about in that sense. Frank doesna have the right to withhold the divorce from ye, Glenna has already made a statement to the solicitors and has promised that she’ll make a full and thorough report should he change his mind on signing the papers.” Pausing for just a second, Ellen held her breath before continuing. She didn’t want to bring up past painful events but she still wanted to make sure Claire was alright with the way things had turned out. “Just one question?”

“Sure.” Claire replied no hint of trepidation in her tone.

“Are you sure ye dinna want to press charges against the man? He assaulted ye, Claire. Ye’d be well within yer rights to do so.”

“And go up against him in court? No, I know Jamie is a little disappointed, but it would mean a lengthy trial which I don’t think I could face. Once I start to show, too, his lawyers would tear me apart. He doesn’t have to admit that he was unfaithful, but the baby will give me away. It would be all the ammunition he needed to ruin my reputation and solidify his own.”

Just then thunder rolled over head, the sky lightening significantly as lightning followed seconds behind. “I spoke to Glenna before we left.” Claire continued once the noise had subsided. “He hasn’t sacked her, in fact he apologised for his behaviour that night.”

“Though he hasn’t said that to you?”

“No, but I think he’s too scared to contact me - which is for the best, I don’t want an apology.” She said with no remorse. “I hope that the knowledge of what he’s capable of scared him enough to never do it again with anyone else.”

“Playing devil's advocate now,” Ellen continued somewhat meekly, “could ye live with yerself if he did. If, in years to come, ye opened the papers to find yerself face to face with the image of the man being held up on charges similar but to another lassie. Would ye be regretful that ye didna press charges and possibly stop it happening to someone else?”

A heavy silence filled the room as both women sat quietly next to one another for a time. Claire mulled over Ellen’s question with a heavy heart. The sick feeling she’d managed to tamper rose up once more and she tasted bile in the back of her throat.

“I don’t know.” She returned at last. “I think I’d always feel some manner of guilt if that happened - but, even with that thought, I don’t think I want to pursue it. Does that make me a horrid person?”

“No,” Ellen said, smiling softly, “not at all, Claire. I think it just makes ye human. Ye’ve been through a lot - it’s natural to just want to move on wi’ yer life. Hundreds of others have done just the same. I just hope, for both of your sakes, and the bairns, that yer right. Ye dinna want that hovering over ye.”

“Are ye alright in here?” Jamie asked, holding Maggie on his hip as he came in search of Claire. “I felt my ears burning and thought I’d better come and see if ye were talking about me behind my back.” Tickling wee Maggie’s sides, he watched as she giggled, throwing her head back so that her think, long hair tickled his bare arms.

Smiling at the scene in front of her Claire cupped her hands around the still pleasantly warm mug and cocked her head to the left.

“We’ve better things to discuss that ye, son.” Ellen chirped back as she stood to take Maggie from Jamie, kissing him on the cheek as she lifted her grandaughter up in the air. “Remember, Claire,” she said as she turned and stepped backwards into the shelter of the main house, “deep breaths and all will be well.”

“What was that about?” He asked as his mother disappeared with his young niece. Coming to sit on the arm of the chair, he let his arm wrap around Claire’s shoulders, bringing her against his side as the clouds began to part overhead.

“Your mother was just being kind.”

“Yer worrit something will go wrong wi’ the divorce, aye?”

Nodding, she turned her head up to look at Jamie, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “It’s just like this bad weather though, eh? A bit of thunder and an ill wind before the sky clears and the sun comes out again.”

Glancing up out of the conservatory roof they both sighed before turning back to one another.

“Still talking about the divorce?”

“Maybe,” she replied, “maybe not.”

“Am I the sun?”

“Always.” She muttered, her mouth creeping steadily closer to his as she pushed herself up on the arms of the chair. “You never fail to chase away the storm. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Placing a delicate kiss at the corner of his mouth, she closed her eyes as she felt the pleasant flood of endorphins - the taste of him calming the less palatable disquiet that had rocked her only moments before.

“I feel the same, my sassenach. When ye came into the library, timid yet wi’ the air of unkempt fearlessness eager to escape, ye chased away the mist surrounding me. I didna even ken I was in darkness until you showed me the light. And now we’re about to have a baby.” He leaned down then, placing his hand over her belly whilst placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“I’m so lucky to have found you.” She whispered, her hand coming to rest over his. “All of you. You saved my life, James Fraser.”

“As you did mine, Claire Beauchamp.”

#gotham's writing workshop #private tutor au #Jamie X Claire

[jacks-tracks]

December 20

A month of days. Yes 1 month and a bit here, and there's a pleasant routine to follow. Let's start at midnight: The night club down at the beach,perhaps 100 meters as the grackle flys, has turned up the bass trance music, earplugs are useless, the vibration rocks the air. Full fans (it's 30 degrees in the bedroom), and the rustle of the whirring blades seems to sound like hard rain on a tin roof. Rolling on my left side puts my mostly deaf ear up, so sleep is possible. The dogs have exhausted themselves barking back and forth, only the all night roosters still call false dawn. Really, after a month, it's unheard background noise.

First light comes at 6:15, and by 6:30 it's full day. The night breeze off the mountains has lowered the air temperature to 23 degrees, time to pull up a bedspread over the crisp white sheets. At 7 am the office next door opens and the hotel day begins. The office staff are charming, very helpful, and tolerant of fractured Spanish. They also are happy, and often given to bursts of laughter together. Whether it's calling taxis, explaining where to find goods(and prices), or arranging repairs,they are a nice bunch. I always try to speak Spanish, respectfull, and Leyte, office clerk, patiently corrects my errors. As I make a fruit smoothy daily, they get a glass each. Likewise for the cleaning staff, maids, all women who get excited about cake or smoothies. i realize that with their income, family expenses, and lifestyle, that things like cake or fruit are luxurys.

Up, showered, boil tea water, make breakfast and eat it while reading the news, 8 o'clock and the day awaits. The sun is well up and the land breeze fades, so the temperature quickly rises to the daily average of 30 degrees. Now it's choice time: to market? bank? beach? Whichever, first i take a neighbourhood walk, checking out the progress of the cement road paving, down to the shore to watch the big rollers crash in with a fling of frothy foam, then back up the steep hill, via one of several overgrown paths and crumbling cement stairs. The bouganvillea coats walls and raises it's multi coloured blooms above the impenetrable thorn. Coconuts cast dappled shade, and the short coarse scrub bushes are still cloaked in rainy season green.

Back at Casa Dan, it's pack a snack, water, keys, combi coins,sunhat, walking sandals, smear on a generous layer of sunscreen, and hike off to the caraterra(highway) to play chicken with the four lane speeding traffic. Pedestrians make better targets than dogs, and no one slows a bit. From a patch of shade I can watch for the distinctive blue canopied pickups, with their destinations hand painted on the front, and a hand lowered limp wave signals for a pickup. Sometimes the back is empty, sometimes there are 12 people crammed in. It's "Buenos Dias!" to all and most reply.

So..Which beach? A 5 to 10 minute ride drops me at the side of the road, and it's up to a 20 minute walk down to the sand. It's nice to find some shade, and quickly dive in the cool green water. Yes.. cool.. The ocean currents have changed this week and the soupy sea now has a nip to it, perhaps 25 degrees. Still feels awfully good after a hot walk. Beach time is about 2 to 3 hours, drink a coconut, slurp cold water, then well air dried, walk back out to the homebound combi.

Home for lunch, guacamole, or fruit,maybe a cinnamon bun from the uptown bakery, then a siesta, Full on fan, dark room, earplugs to dampen the office chatter, roll out on the crisp sheets on the comfy bed..zzzz.

Up at 3to go to the pool, bringing a good book, and choosing a shaded lounger. Usually there is some other long stay guest, and we chit chat about peoples health, world news, or just a lazy philosophical thankfulness for being here. The pool is 25 degrees, so it's refreshing, crystal clear, lap pool, so it's only 4 feet deep by 50 feet long by 12 feet wide. Some folks do laps, most just float about doing water exercises. By 5 oclock everyone has gone back to their rooms, preparing to go out for dinner, or like me prepping a meal.

At about 6, a few regulars gather on the 3 story rooftop to watch the sun go down. Now is when the news of the day gets exchanged, with tips on good restaurants, better food shops, who's coming or leaving, and a sort of check in. Nice to feel part of a group, though we could hardly be more varied, from hippies(me) to Airforce. Everyone is retired, mostly Canadians, and compatible. The sun reliably sets at 6:15 in either a bulging orb slipping into the sea, or into a mist bank split by the red rays,backlighting the wispy clouds and casting red/orange rays across the sky. Night falls quickly, and by 6;30 everyone has hasta manana'd.

A fine dinner for me, usually chicken fish or shrimp, with peppers, onions and garlic, sometimes rice,or potatoes, and lately alfalfa sprouts made in my sink. The night mosquitoes are active, so it's into the well screened room to watch netflics till 9, then zzz till the disco starts up again. If all this sounds lazy and relaxing, it is. Hasta Luego!

[acreasy1]

Aftermath

Written for @timepetalsprompts this was for the random word generator.  I got the words “wreckage” and “fingertip”. 

Read it on Ao3

Nine x Rose

Hurt/Comfort, sort of fluff.  There’s bed sharing and huddling for warmth, so...if you’re into that, you might like this. 

Word Count: 1557, according to my ancient version of Word

Aftermath

The Doctor’s head pounded as he grudgingly opened his eyes.  Salty waves lapped at his feet and he managed to pull himself up into a sitting position.  As his vision cleared, he became acutely aware that Rose’s hand was no longer entwined with his own. 

“Rose?” he called out hoarsely.  

The sound of the waves lapping on the shore was his only answer.  He shook his head and peeled off his leather jacket, getting himself to his feet.  The world swirled around him and he paused for a moment.  The swaying stilled and he surveyed the scene.  The sky was gray with clouds, and rain threatened to start again soon.  

The storm came up unexpectedly surprised all of them- even the captain.  It hadn’t been long till the fierce winds snapped the mast and they were all swimming for their lives. The wreckage of the small boat was washing up on shore, cracked timbers and ruined supplies littering the beach.

“Rose?” he called out, a bit louder.  

He took a few steps, and scanned the vast expanse of shoreline.  The beach to the right was void of anything other than debris, but there was a dark shape in the sand to the left.  On shaky legs, the Doctor hurried to the lump in the sand, sliding down next to it.  It was her. Waves washed around her legs and the Doctor rolled her onto her back.  She was pale and her skin was cool to the touch, but she was breathing.  He let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding in. 

“Rose…c’mon, Rose, open your eyes for me,” he said urgently. 

A large wave broke further up the beach, soaking both of them.  He looked up at the darkening clouds and picked her up carefully- they needed to get somewhere reasonably safe.  He carried her up the beach, and away from the sea and into the waving grasses. He looked around for shelter as he cradled a limp and cold Rose in his arms.  On the edge of the grasses there was a low, dark smudge.  He dared not hope that it was a building, but perhaps it was something- anything to protect them from the rain that threatened to start any minute.   The skies opened up as he trudged through the sand.  He shifted Rose in his arms, trying to protect her from the cold, driving rain. The wind pushed against him, slowing his progress.  The dark shape was coming into focus, and even through the storm, he could see that it was a small hut.  It was luck- pure and simple.  With a renewed sense of determination, he slogged through the sand.  

The door was old and weather-beaten.  He knocked once, and only waited a few seconds before fumbling for the sonic. The device faltered at first, then whirred to life, opening the door.  He shut it quickly behind him, surveying the inside of the tiny shack. There wasn’t much- a small cot in the corner, a tiny tin stove, a store of sticks and kindling along the wall and a few split logs next to that.  The place was deserted- likely a fishing shack for summer use.  It was a good sign in more ways than one.  If there was a building of any kind, it meant that the island was populated.  Perhaps it was even their intended destination, but he shook his head, focusing on Rose. She was cold and wet and needed attention. He pulled back the two thin wool blankets and placed her on the slightly musty straw mattress.  He peeled off her jeans and tee shirt, leaving her in her under-things, then covered her with the blankets and checked her pulse and breathing. For now, she was safe enough, but needed to get warm.  The wind gusted outside, rattling both the single window as well as the door.

The Doctor shivered a bit and turned his attention to the small stove.  He took a log and a large handful of tinder, arranging them carefully in the box.  After a few quick pulses from the sonic, the tinder caught fire and soon he had a cheery blaze.  He shut the door and opened the dampers, encouraging the fire to burn.  There was a wooden chair in the corner and he hung her clothes over it, hoping that they would dry quickly.  

The wind gusted again, causing the door to shake on its hinges.  Rose made a small noise in the back of her throat.  His focus shifted instantly back to her and he knelt down, smoothing his thumb across her cheek.   “Rose?” he asked softly.  “Can you talk to me?  Are you okay, sweetheart?”   She groaned a bit and coughed weakly.  He put his hand behind her head, and turned her on her side, patting her back.  “That’s right, cough it up,” he said, wondering if she’d inhaled some of the sea water.  

She coughed again and made a soft whimper in the back of her throat.   “Doctor?” Her voice was raspy.  

“Right here, Rose,” he assured her, holding her hand.  “You alright?”   She coughed again.  “Cold.”

“Workin’ on that,” he smiled.  “There’s a fire going.  That little stove’ll be puttin’ off some heat soon.”  

She made a little sound of displeasure.   “I know,” he said gently.  “Are you in pain?  Anythin’ hurting you?”   Her nose wrinkled. “J-just cold.”   He stood up.  “Let me see if there’s anythin’ I can do to help.”  He looked around the interior of the small building and eyed a little cupboard in the corner.  Hopefully, he walked to the cupboard and opened the door.  The hinges squeaked and revealed a small kettle and a tin cup.  He bit his lip.  At least a bit of hot water could help warm Rose…it wouldn’t be tea, but it might be better than nothing.  He hadn’t noticed a water pump outside and there certainly wasn’t one inside the tiny shack.  He looked outside and smiled.  Rain was still pounding noisily on the tin roof.  He opened the door and ran out, leaving the lid of the kettle off, hoping it would quickly fill with drinkable water.   “It’s pourin’ out there,” he commented as he walked back in.  Her eyes were closed again and he sighed.  “You still with me Rose?”   “Yeah,” was the barely audible reply.  She’d curled herself up into a little ball and was shivering.   He licked his lips and sighed, peeling off his jumper and jeans.  Although they’d begun to dry, they were still wet and wouldn’t help him raise her body temperature.  Clad only in his shorts, he climbed into the single bed with her pulling the scratchy wool blankets over the two of them.  “I’m going to help you get warm,” he explained, “the fire’ll help too, but I know you’re cold right now.”   The Doctor carefully turned so they were lying on their sides, facing each other.  He wrapped his arm around her snugly and rubbed her back.  His leg wrapped over hers.  “There we are,” he said lightly.  “Nice and cozy; hopefully you’ll start feelin’ warmer soon.”  He continued his ministrations, trying to improve the blood flow in her body.  Her chest was pressed up against his own and he could feel the beat of her single heart as he tried to keep her comfortable.  Slowly her body temperature started to rise, along with the air temperature in the little hut.  

As Rose began to warm, she stopped shivering and opened her eyes, looking at him.  “Thanks,” she said quietly. He smiled.  “My pleasure, sweetheart.”   “Where are we?” she asked.   The Doctor licked his lips.  “Not quite sure, actually.  I found you a few meters down the beach from me and saw that it was goin’ to start raining again.  I saw this place and brought you here.”  He looked around.  “At least we know there are inhabitants around.  Somebody had to build this place.”   “D’you think the TARDIS is close by?” she asked softly.   He sighed.  “You know as much as I do, Rose.  It was stolen and taken on a ship to an island just south of the mainland. I don’t know how far off course we are. This could be the place we’re lookin’ for, or somewhere completely different.”  

“Did anyone else make it?” she asked softly.

He shook his head. “There wasn’t anyone else near us, Rose, but they could’ve been made it to shore elsewhere.  They might be alright.”   A tear streaked down her cheek and he brushed it away with his fingertip.  “They were so nice.”   “They might be okay,” he said hopefully.  “We made it to shore.  Good chance that a sturdy crew like that could’ve done the same, yeah?”   A ghost of a smile came on her face. “Yeah…I hope so.”  

He nodded.  “Me too.”

She sighed softly. “’M tired.”

He nodded.  “Get some rest.  ‘M sure you’re exhausted.  I know I am.”

He held her close to him and she drifted to sleep almost instantly.  The rain beat down, but they were safe and relatively comfortable.  The Doctor was keenly aware of how nice it was having Rose wrapped around him.  He sighed softly.  Tomorrow they could resume their search for his missing ship, but tonight he was content enough to be curled up with a sleepy little human.  

#timepetalsprompts #timepetals ficlets #ficandchips #nine x rose #hurt/comfort #this was a lot of fun to write although i'm a bit out of practice

[celadonch]

Mornings

Part 2 of Janyice and her day away from the front lines. ----- The night was filled with strange dreams.  Janyice had seemingly snagged her shirt, tossed it on with wet hair and sat on the edge of the bed for a moment.  The softness was overwhelming as she seemed to flip herself around.  She didn't really have time to object the bed, she knew it was the only one in the house, but it was so… safe, and warm.   Janyice could feel something warm across her face all of a sudden.  When had she fallen asleep, and why did it feel lumpy too?  Janyice seemed to allow her eyes to crack open slowly, the soft warmth of the morning sun was hitting small shafts of light on her face, seeming to touch her as if to ensure she was up.  It had to be just past dawn. Her instinct kicked in as the unfamiliar surroundings caught her off guard and she blinked more than a few times trying to remember the events of the previous night.  Her neck rolled, popping loudly a few times only to see the hostess of the day pressed closely into her back.  Good thing they were alone...In a forest...With no one else around to smack her.   Janyice imagined trying to explain this predicament to Mara but quickly shook the thought from her mind.  Which was followed by a distinct need for two things.  Food, and a place to relieve herself.  Janyice tried to move slowly, letting the sleeping woman's arm have a replacement pillow and slipped out of the bedroom. Janyice cracked the front door open and let the cool morning air hit her barely covered form with a soft blast.  There was a hint of dew on the leaves and grass this morning.  It must have rained after they got in last night.  Gary was happily grazing in the distance near an open space close to the road.  Janyice clicked her tongue and let out a quick and soft whistle.  The grey yak sniffed the air and moseyed over towards Janyice as she met him halfway. “Atta boy.  Did you get some sleep bud?”. She scratched at his mane, between his horn and ear.  Looking around, the forest seemed so lonely this time of the morning.  Spotting a small grouping of brush and cover Janyice, pat Gary on his head and moves to the brush.   Her time on the front gave her little to no privacy when it came to this and as a result she didn't much care anymore for actual places to go.  She made quick work of it and headed back inside, to find the larder that was mentioned the night before.  Stocks of dried foods, bread and an ice box was rummaged through until she found what she wanted.   A pair of eggs, a length of sausage and a few slices of bread were quickly snagged and placed near the table at the side where she entered the night before.  Taking the sausage, she snapped it in half and simply put it across the bread, making a rather crude sandwich.  She stood, back to Brica, in full view of the bedroom doorway.  Sandwich sticking out of her mouth hand on her hip just sort of taking everything in now that she was sort of about le to think again.   She placed the dry sandwich in the table again and snagged one of the eggs.  She looked for a good point she could crack it on but eventually decided on just using her thumb.  Poking into the shell, Janyice just opened the egg, and slipped the contents into her mouth. Brica stirred when Janyice rose, but kept herself still. She wasn’t sure if it was the softness of the bed that made the other woman toss so much, or if the sounds she made as she dreamt indicated some hidden torment. Brica had finally settled herself against her, tucking her arm over her in a comforting gesture, and they both had finally fallen into a deep sleep. She stayed still at the sound of the front door, and the chill it brought. She kept waiting to hear the water run in the water closet, when she finally spotted her guest, with her back to the bedroom and food. Brica rose then, silently she padded around the bed, pausing in the doorway, “Morning,” she offered softly. Grabbing a couple of pieces of firewood, she stoked the coals, add some kindling, and placed the logs under the pot. “Fel, I am running late this morning, I don’t usually sleep that hard unless Daci is here,” she offers as she stands, stretching her back in a very catlike gesture, the pops come close together like a zipper being opened rapidly. Her own long shirt pulled high as she did so before settling back down to her knees. The light material showed the chill in the air from the open door. “Nice to see I am not the only one who likes her eggs runny.” Her grin is infectious surrounded by her sleep tousled hair. “I need to grab a quick shower, and then fly to the school. You are more than welcome to take your time, relax a bit. I would rather you come back from your coming battle and bring with your Mara, it would be nice to meet her.” She moved back into the bedroom as she spoke, then headed towards the bathroom, the sound of a shower splashing in the large tub sounded like the rain on a tin roof. Stepping back out, she took the pitcher she held in her hand and poured it’s contents into the pot sitting over the now well burning fire, before placing the vessel on the hutch. Grinning at Janyice, she slipped her long shirt off and made her way back to the bathroom, the door sitting open still. Janyice started at the voice as she watched the other woman move about the room.  Setting to what she was sure was daily routine.  Chuckling a bit as she swallowed the egg and returned to her sandwich, she shuffled towards her things and with the sandwich hanging from her mouth, she picked up her arm.  Lining it up she snagged the strap and pulled it inline.  Realizing she had a mouthful she stopped and looked a bit worried.   Shrugging she carefully balanced the sandwich on her shoulder, took the strap from the arm into her mouth and latches it into place.  She snagged the sandwich from her shoulder a moment later and began to rotate and roll her left shoulder and arm to get it up and running for the day. Looking back to Brica as she moved about, talking to Janyice about her day and taking it easy.  She smiled as she stretched, which caused her to stretch as well.  This in turn causes a piece of the sausage to fall on to her head and plop on the ground.  “Well, guess I gotta clean up now, don't I”. She laughed. Brica laughed softly as well, “it isn’t like you probably haven’t shared a shower at the barracks.” Brica was not surprised how at ease she felt. It was nice having someone here, and someone she wasn’t romantically involved with. There wasn’t that delicious tension of arousal, but instead a nice companionable feel. “I lived in a barracks both when I was in Feathermoon learning to be a Guardian and then when I was in Draenor.” Her voice carried over the shower, and the tone of the falling water changed as it now fell on her form instead of just straight into the bathtub. She was moving quickly this morning, she wasn’t late yet, she still had a couple of hours before class started, but she really enjoyed getting to school early and setting up for her students, and spending a little time in the library helping to keep it straight. Janyice puzzled at the sausage on the floor, like a dog that didn't quite understand what a noise was as she popped the rest of her sandwich in her mouth.  Bending over, she snatched at it only to scoot it slightly ahead of herself.  She rolled her eyes and grunted snatching it on her second attempt.  This led her to looking at it as if it was a precious jewel or shiny coin.  Janyice shrugged softly and blew and wiped it on her shirt and popped it into her mouth with a satisfied look on her face.   Janyice cracked her neck idly, then rolled into her back popping a few places with a groan of approval as the air escaped her lungs from the shock of the feeling.  She turned back to the living area if the house and began the search for her pants, tapping closed the front door to quell the morning breeze rolling into the house.  She padded softly as she found them at the base of the tub Brica was in.   Moving into the bathroom and snagging the pants with her toes, she popped them up to her hands and walked back out of the room with a chuckle.  “You missed a spot on your arm.”. Walking back to her things and putting her pants back on she stopped again and snagged the other raw egg.  Popping it like the first she gulped it down and places the shells next to one another on the entry way table.   Janyice took a bit of extra time however as she knelt, running her hands along the length of her larger pair of swords.  She ran the width and the length, almost as if she was caressing a lover gently.  Her lips pursed for a moment and she flipped to the floor, legs splayed in front of her as she just sort of stares at them.  She closed her eyes and slowly let her legs wrap underneath into a lotus position.  Her hands on her knees as she took in a shallow set of breaths then exhaled in a soft sigh.  She began to mumble to herself. “Makers, bless this day for you have let it be.  Makers, your wisdom in this time of trial is needed now more than ever.  I ask you to guide my blades, and bolster my shield as you have willed them to me to be so.”. She continues albeit at a normal tone now.   “In your days, treat them ever alike.” She put her right hand forward, fist balled.  Taking her left hand she opened it, palm up.  “For when you are the anvil bear.  For when you are the hammer…” her balled fist slapped into her palm with a full metallic thunk.  “Strike!”. Her eyes opened and she looked back at her weapons and armor.  “Good morning you guys.  Time to head back to dent the legion and send them packing.” Brica stepped from the shower, pausing when she heard the prayer being spoken. Careful to be quiet and unmoving while Janyice spoke. It was an interesting prayer to behold. When she was certain the prayer was done, Brica made her way back out of the bathroom, standing before the fire as she finished drying off and toweling her hair dry. Going to the hutch, she quickly assembled a pair of cups and some dark tea leaves. They were strong in flavor and heavy in caffeine. Good tea for first thing in the morning. Once the cups were set, she ladled water and left them to steep. While the tea steeped, she slipped back into the bedroom, quickly dressing in the clothing she prefered for the school. The finely crafted dress made for her by Venibeth. Rather than hide her curves, the dress did an excellent job of simply toning them down. She was tying her hair in a bun when she made her way back out into the main room. “Tea is ready, it is a nice gunpowder style, strong in flavor and full of energy.” She pointed to the second cup as she took her own and settled on the couch, pulling a pair of low heeled boots from under the table and slipping her feet within, pausing to take another sip of her tea before working on the near knee length lacings. Hearing Brica moving about as the water ended it's noise.  Janyice stood and turned watching the woman dress and sit.  Smiling, she nodded and snatched up the offered tea and plopped down on the stool next to the couch.  She let a foot ride up to the foot bar and leaned her free hand on her knee, looking forward as if she was spacing out for a moment.  She sipped the tea, blowing the hotness away from the rim as she did.  Her body looked loose, free from the worry of the world and it's problems for even a simple moment.  Janyice just sort of took in her surroundings again.   “I'm jealous”. She sipped again.  “You have a life.  Away from the front, away from the death and the sorrow.  I'm jealous of how you can just stroll into town and talk freely and just be you.” She paused then looking down she caught a glimpse of her left arm, like it was a new thing.  “This arm...Thing, defines me as a warrior.  It's made me who I am now.  Nira and Finkswitch made this so I could function on the front lines.  Nira used Draeneic crystals and fink created the joint that connects to the shoulder.  I live with the knowledge that I was a complete idiot a decade ago and I lost my arm to that stupidity.” She sighed sipping the last of her cup and leaning forward,placing the cup In front of Brica. “Thank you for everything.  For last night, for this morning.  I'm sure Gary thanks you for having fresh grass instead of the bailed crap they have at the base camps.  This was a lovely and very needed day off.  I have to return to Stormwind, catch the boat back to the isles for a second push on the Nighthold in 2 days time.  We have gryphons waiting for us to transport us back to the base camp east of Dalaran and I am glad to be fresh for that push.” “It was my pleasure to have you here. I don’t have many visitors who are not here for business, so it was nice to have someone here to relax. So I thank you for accepting the offer.” Her face seems to shrink in thought, her features darken slightly with her thoughts, quietly, “I found my purpose. When I ended up at Feathermoon, one of the druids there saw where my potential lay, and began to work with me. I had the instincts necessary to be a Guardian, to stand on the front line and be the biggest, meanest, scariest thing there. I could take a terrible beating in my bear form. I thought that had been lost.” She looks up and into Janyice’s eyes with her own single eye tracking back and forth between each eye. “I worked hard to get that back. I had earned the trust of the Grove to be a Guardian for the gateway here in Duskwood.” She takes a sip of her tea, her voice had become slightly shaky with her words, but she spoke up, stiffening, her spine going straight, her shoulders back, a look of calm confidence came over her. “Then one day a few months back I was attacked by Legion agents just outside of the Gateway. Both were Worgens, one of whom was another druid. It was a hard fought fight, and in the end, I was shot in the head by the remaining agent. It took everything from me. My memory, my identity, my courage and my confidence. Dacianna nursed me back. She made it possible for me to find someone who could go into my mind and unlock what was broken. Slowly, I learned again who I was, what I was capable of, but in truth, I am a little girl, trapped in a cursed body that has been broken too many times.” She stood up then, eyes bright with unsaid things, and possibly unshed emotions, “I would follow you into battle, let you be the Guardian and do my best to keep you healed and standing. To throw my meager spells forward and punish the Legion for what they have wrought, but in my heart, where I want to be is in front of you, being your shield, being your Guardian while you bleed our enemies with your ferocity. That is who I am, and where I want to be, but for today,” she pauses to swallow, “for today I shall teach classes of children how to read, so that one day, they will be prepared for the calamities that befall us in the future, because that is what I can do today.” Her smile was soft, her voice gentle, but there was a longing to it that seemed to cut deeply through the air. Janyice shifted on the stool, both hands between her legs, as she leaned forward.  “I fight, for the world that doesn't need children to face these horrors, these atrocities.  The legion consumes everything and I will fight till the very damned last to see them stricken from this world, from all worlds.  I will not rest until I know that my friends, my family, my world is safe.  I lost my king, my home, my way of life because of Gul’dan, the orcs … the horde.”. Her teeth ground audibly for a moment as she spat the last words.  “I am the anvil on which the hammer sheds the scales of the worked metal.  I will not bend, I will not break.  I will continue until my body is on its last breath and beyond” She leaned back on the stool. “I'm glad you are strong, and I'm happy you are alright.  Just know, if you need me.  I'll come as soon as I can.” Brica smiled strongly at Janyice before stepping around the small table and giving her a strong hug, “if you need me, just call, I will come running as fast as I can Janyice. I wasn’t kidding when I said I would follow you into battle, you are a strong woman, and I am proud to call you friend.” Straightening, she turned to the table and grabbed her assembled notes. “Now, I must fly in order to beat my students to class. Take all the time you need, fill your belly, and drop me a line when you have a chance. My door is always open and you are more then welcome to visit any time you wish. Even without the tea, my offer still stands if you wish to bring your Mara so you both can enjoy the tub.” Stepping back, she made her way quickly out the door, the warm comforting magic of nature filled the air momentarily and in her stead, a stormcrow now winged it’s way into the morning sky. As the woman transformed and flew off to her destination, Janyice took the time she needed to find a few snacks for the trip north back to Stormwind, and Don her armor and weapons again. Closing the front door on the way out, Janyice took a small glance around the forest.  Clicking for Gary, she rubbed his head and attached his barding and saddle and finally mounted the large grey yak.  Urging him forward Janyice took to the road to Stormwind, and back to the danger of the war against the Burning Legion