Her Stranger

Writers: Arale, Miriah
Date Posted: 17th June 2012

Characters: J'ackt, Yarlna
Description: Yarlna finally gets to speak to her stranger.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 8, day 9 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentor Approved

J'ackt

As had become her custom over the last few nights since she'd spotted
the stranger in the wherry pen, Yarlna waited until everyone was
asleep and then climbed out of bed. Once again, she was glad that, as
the oldest child and only girl, she got a bed of her own and didn't
have to share like her brothers did. Before that fateful night, she'd
simply been glad that her lack of sleep wouldn't wake anyone else.
Now, she had another reason.

Being as quiet as possible, the girl crept into the kitchen and began
assembling the items she'd hidden throughout the day. Three hardboiled
eggs, a couple of biscuits, and finally some salted porcine meat that
she'd sliced off a bit at a time whenever her mother's back was
turned. It didn't seem like much to her critical eye, but it was
really all she could put together without her parents becoming
suspicious about the missing food.

It was easy enough to say she'd gotten hungry in he night, but there
was a limit as to how much they'd believe she'd eaten or would let her
eat without lecturing her about it.

The food gathered together, the girl hesitated and then opened the jar
her mother kept the klah bark in and added a handful as well. She
didn't know if her stranger had any way of boiling water, but if so,
he might like it. Finally, she bundled everything up in a rag and took
it to the usual spot. After setting it down, she hesitated just a bit,
kind of hoping to catch a glimpse of the stranger she'd been leaving
bundles for every night for the past few nights. She didn't really
even know what he looked like. She'd only caught a glimpse of a thin
frame and light colored hair in the moonlight as he'd limped away that
night.

Finally though, she turned to go back in. He never came out while she
was there, though the bundles were always gone in the morning.

Jenackt watched her again for the fifth time as she dropped the bundle
It was becoming habit for him to come out to watch her. He was getting
better looks at her. She was young and that could be perhaps why she
still had the kindness she displayed.

He rubbed his palms against his legs and took a chance. Licking his lips,
he stepped out only slightly into the moonlight. He spoke softly. "Wait..."
He swallowed roughly. "I.....thank you...for all of this."

The sound of a surprisingly deep voice froze Yarlna. She turned
slowly, not wanting her stranger to vanish in the night. He was still
mostly in the shadows so she couldn't really see him, but she smiled
anyway. "You're welcome," she replied just as softly. "Is it enough? I
can try to get more, if it's not enough..." It would be risky, if her
parents began noticing large amounts of missing food, it would lead to
questions. A few things here in there, no one doubted she might eat in
the night or she could even blame on a younger brother now and again.
But if it wasn't enough...

There was a slight rustle as he shook his head. "No. Its more than
enough." He watched her quietly for another moment, quietly debating
on whether or not to speak more. It had been so long since he had had
a real conversation, that he foundered for a moment. "You don't need
to give me more than what may be missed."

There was another pause. "You're very kind...why? Why didn't you
report me?" There was obvious confusion on his part.

Relieved that she didn't need to try to figure out how to smuggle out
more food, the girl smiled and shrugged, "Why didn't you try to hurt
me when you jumped out of the wherry pen?" That reminded her though,
"Oh! Your leg. How is it?"

Jenackt tilted his head to the side. "Why would I? You didn't attack
me. I should have been more careful." Unseen, his lip corners lifted
slightly before shifting on his feet. "My leg? Oh....its fine. Just
landed wrong."

He glanced about and then stepped out a little further. She would be
able to see him more now, but not completely. He dug in one of his
pouches then pulled out a small, but multicolored seashell. It was
small, but pretty, something he had found while near the coast.
"Here...you can have it. Its not much..." he laid it on the ground
then quickly stepped back into the shadows. "As a thank you."

She'd caught another glimpse of very light colored hair, much lighter
than her own mousy brown, and a tall, lanky frame. She thought he
might be young too. Perhaps not as young as she was, but he didn't
look as old as her father, or even her cousin who was twenty-four. She
wished he'd stayed out in the light so she could get a good look at
him. But then, she'd wished she could speak to him and here she was.
Maybe one night. She could subdue her curiosity for a little while
longer.

"Thank you." She moved forward carefully and picked up the shell. Her
cothold was far enough from the shore that getting there was more
trouble than it was worth most of the time. She'd been only once in
her entire life. "It's beautiful. I'd better go back in before someone
wakes."

She paused before turning to go though and asked, "What's your name?"
She couldn't keep calling him 'her stranger' in her mind, not now that
she'd spoken to him.

He nodded. "You should. I don't want you getting in trouble because of
me." His lip quirked again. If she did, he would be found out and that
was not something he wanted.

About to leave, he turned and was about to walk away when she gave
another question. He stopped and at first didn't answer, unsure if he
really wanted to give that much of himself away. He shifted on his
feet and looked over his shoulder at her. What could it hurt?
"Jenackt." He quickly walked away, disappearing quickly back into the
woods.

Last updated on the July 1st 2012

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Her Stranger