[i]Kraeg’s Hill, Kaedwen - Aunsellus Manor Summer, sometime in the 13th century[/i] [hr] [indent]It must have been approaching mid-day when the abrupt sound of glass shattering against stone pulled her from her sleep. She did not wake with a start, for very little truly startled her, and besides - something getting broken in her quarters had become rather commonplace. She slowly opened her eyes to the daylight spilling in, lying on her side facing away from the window adjacent to the four poster bed in which she slept. “Winifred…” she mumbled drowsily with a long yawn. She began to stretch under the covers, straightening to her full height beneath them briefly, before curling back into a relaxed fetal position. She may have been awake, but she was in no rush to [i]actually[/i] get out of bed. It wasn’t until a small, black cat climbed into the bed with her that she showed any signs of life again. He was a tiny thing, but not a kitten, and his tail appeared to have been cut off one third of the way down. His eyes were a dazzling green - enough to rival the woman’s in fact, and his expression was completely precious. He could not quite meow as majestically as a cat should, instead he merely mewed in long and melodic strings, as if he was singing. He climbed over the curves of the woman under the blankets, his steps so light and timid. Avery picked up her hand and carefully placed it on his head, rubbing his ear gently between her thumb and forefinger - he purred in response. “Hello Lorne…” she said softly, finally sitting up to look at him properly. “You’re hungry aren’t you?” she asked with an easy smile. The cat’s response was one of his signature mews, and to grab at her hands with his two front paws. “I’ll bet your sister put you up to this, where is she anyway?” she laughed as she planted her bare feet on the floor. It was delightfully cold to the touch. Her housing space at the Manor of of Kraeg’s Hill had been her home for fifteen years, a safe and quiet haven away from most where she could conduct her business and live peacefully in the village. She was known by most, Sorceresses were somewhat of a rarity - and were usually always eccentric in one way or the other, enough to stand out in any case. For Avery, it was her eyes - for they were two different colours. One as purple as amethyst, and the other as green as the most flawless emerald. Among the men of the village she was known secondly for her especially well-endowed chest, that she was perfectly happy to have on display in low cut attire. This did not go unnoticed by the women of the village either, in fact it was a source of great nuisance to have Sorceress Avery walking through the town perusing the market wares while displaying wares of her own. If there was another quirk that she was known for, it was that she was quite the hoarder. Her space was littered with trinkets and decorations. If there was a surface that had room for something, she would find something to fill the emptiness. Be it a candlestick, ornament, jar, vase, or piece of crystal. It wasn’t just the surfaces either, there were several hanging planters inside of her room growing ferns, flowers, and vines and various other flora. It was the creeper in the corner that had recently gotten out of control and had grown from the planter and up across the wall and ceiling. At least it would bring some more colour when it eventually bloomed. She enjoyed colour so much, that there were several clashing around the place in the form of blankets, throw pillows, scarves, and exquisite rugs. One such exquisite and expensive tapestry rug was currently being clawed and hissed at by the hairless demon cat, Winifred. Avery stepped around the shards of what had been a glass bowl to reach the destructive feline, plucking her up into her hands - pulling her back from the rug until her claws finally broke free from the threads and she released it, her temper subsiding as she nestled herself into Avery’s hands. Still, she could feel the furiously fast heartbeat drumming against the tips of her fingers. “What am I going to do with you, you little beast?” she joked, before placing Winifred up on a table, where she immediately began swatting at the next thing that set off her desire to attack. Lorne, who had been following Avery, gave Winifred a wide berth, avoiding eye contact for fear he might be next. To some, her quarters would seem cluttered and disorganised - but to Avery, everything was where it needed to be, and she knew exactly where that was. With sandalwood incense sticks burning their way down, releasing their fragrant smoke. Avery felt relaxed and at home. Her space was a treasure trove of wonders. It felt opulent and full of luxury to her, and nobody would be able to tell her it was anything other than that. With magic as her aide, she was able to freshen her appearance quickly to make herself presentable enough to leave. She wound her tresses into a loose chignon at the nape of her neck, securing it in place with a single copper hairpin. She swept a kohl pencil over her eyelids with such ease, smudging it at the edges with a brush of her finger, and she finished up by applying a bronze powder against the hollows of her sharp cheekbones. Today’s outfit would be simple - trousers in burgundy and a cream shirt with a deep v neck that ran to her stomach, stopping just at her navel, and a brass button across the collarbone. The look was complete with a caped charcoal jacket of velveteen, embroidered with gold thread. She looked sophisticated - admiring herself in the floor length mirror with an almost devious smirk. Off she went in search of food… Her heels tapped against the halls of the manor, as she made short strides, her head held high and her back completely straight with her shoulders back. Her posture was so effortlessly graceful, and a far cry from the relaxed gait that she had displayed behind closed doors. At work, and in public, she endeavored to be as perfect as she could be. On her way towards the kitchen, she passed several of the guardsmen - and she usually always made sure to pay attention to what they were discussing for as long as she was in earshot of them, but today there was no such luck. They seemed to stop their whispering when they caught sight of her, and gave a polite nod in her direction instead. It was all just faux pleasantries - the guards were not all that fond of the Sorceress, which was fine by her - she wasn’t remarkably fond of them either. She gave as polite and pleasant a nod back. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted around the corner, signalling her to follow it - for a moment she wondered if there would be any iced buns available and as she did a smirk crept over her lips. Like the guardsmen had done, as she turned into the kitchen, the ladies who were working in there all stopped their chatter, and put their heads down into their work - all but one, who greeted the Sorceress with a legitimate smile. “Ma’am! Good to see yer today - check over there I left you a bowl of chicken and vegetables for yer little scamps!” She was a plump, older woman - her grey hair pulled back into a bun with only the wisps framing her round and overly friendly face. Maintaining her posture, Avery did as the lady suggested, and there it was - a bowl of scraps for her cats. “Thank you Maebh,” she began in a voice like velvet. “This will keep them happy for the day indeed.” She raised a brow and picked up the bowl carefully, holding it as daintily as she could in front of her. “Any news to tell?” One of the younger cooks took a sharp intake of breath and began on her way to the larder all of a sudden. She knew better than to gossip in the presence of the Lord’s advisor - but Maebh was not as naive as the girl, and she opened her mouth without any hesitation. “Oh aye, that bloody Jon’s still missing - Lord pu’rah notice on the board today for some help in finding him. Me though? I hope he’s buggered off for good - he’s a wrong sort that one and [i]everyone[/i] knows it.” She shook her head, grabbing at a huge bowl. She dunked a wooden spoon into it and began to stir aggressively. “Hmmm, I’ve had select run ins with him, he’s in line to be a commander of the guard.” Avery commented, her eyes locked on to another of the younger maids as she rolled some pastry on the bench, she could see the girl biting her lip - a sweat forming on her brow. “Which I’m sure his wife will be very impressed with, more crowns to set aside for their [i]family[/i].” The girl flinched, and just as her colleague had, she made her way to the larder. Avery raised an eyebrow again, the reaction was very telling. “Oh stop it Ma’am, you frighten the little ducks enough as it is…” laughed Maebh as she poured the mixture into a series of tins laid out on the bench. “Still, bad as he is I do ‘ope it’s nothing foul. That’s all we need is trouble in our parts…” “I wouldn’t worry Maebh, I’m sure he’ll resurface soon. Probably hungover and with a rash.” As she spoke, she ran a finger around the rim of the bowl, watching the cake batter fall into the tins. It was a very satisfying sight indeed. “I’m not sure what good a note is going to do, not many in the village who’ll want to go look for him…” Avery smirked again, her eyes alight with mischief, meanwhile, Maebh pursed her lips and “hrmmphd” in the direction of the Sorceress. “Indeed Ma’am, indeed… He aint a big loss,” she sighed as she placed the bowl back on the bench. “Thank you again for the scraps, Maebh,” she began, her smirk falling away into an easy smile that she saved only for those she liked, people like Maebh. “We’ve both been here a while, haven’t we? You a lot longer than me.” “Oh aye, been here for thirty-odd years - s’why you don’t put much of the fear in me I’m afraid. I’ve bloody seen it all, I really av, hell I’ve known Jon since he was a bairn! Never would have thought he’d turn into such a wrong’un. It’s hardly my place to say it but he aint commander material, he’ll get worse!” She turned to look at Avery with worry in her rich brown eyes. “As you know Maebh, I can only advise the good Lord, whether he listens is up to him… But your worries have been noted.” Still, she stood in the doorway of the kitchen, as if waiting for something. Maebh turned to look at her again, a knowing smile that begin to curl on her thin lips evaporated the worry from her face. “Oh I know what yer after - aye there’s some iced buns if you’d like them, give me a moment…” Avery grinned. “As a matter of fact, I’d absolutely love them…” [/indent]