[Amber]

[petiteaubergine]

[The amber glows upon the face of a frustrated young man. It's turned a few degrees, then a hand slips up and messes with with tangled strands of hair. His face shifts from side to side, eyes following the outline of his face. He's fascinated with the odd little mirror. Comfortable with the outcome of his quick-fix effort, he looks up towards the hole in the ceiling.]

Now, I will surely get up there this time!

[Alla spreads his midnight-blue wings and wobbles into the air. The room around him tilts, then shrinks as he ascends. The scrunched-up lines in his face soften into a smile. He's done it!

Then, without warning, he slips from view, crashing back down onto the floor with a yelp of surprise followed by a moan.]

Oh dear... this was my best garment. Oh no...

Comments

[circleprodigy]

We have various herbs and roots, such as sage, ginger, mint, wild onions...oh, and mushrooms. Your assistance would be welcome, of course. I'm certain we will find use for all that's gathered.

[Glancing to Garahel when he does, Ivaera notes the concern and nods.]

We do have a storage area for meat gathered, though supplies aren't nearly as abundant as flora. I hope I'll continue to have success hunting with him, or he might have to subsist on treats for the leaner months.

[The mabari whines softly, as there's never enough food for his tastes anyway.]

[petiteaubergine]

The gardener at the estate did allow me to assist him from time to time. [He usually makes a mess of things, but he remembers some of the things he learned... perhaps.] However, I suppose it will be quite different at this height.

[Pausing in thought, Alla tries to imagine what kind of animals could be small enough to hunt... and fails to think of anything. Except maybe slugs?]

I cannot imagine what you can hunt, with us being so very small. I regret my poor sword skills, or I could possibly assist with hunting as well.

[Despite swords aren't the best for hunting, but he feels useless all the same.]

[circleprodigy]

[Ivaera shakes her head, not wanting to seem as though she's throwing all these expectations on him.]

It's alright, we have hunters enough around here. Our size can be a hindrance at times, true, but it can also afford us better stealth than otherwise. And inventiveness can help far more than brute force.

[petiteaubergine]

[It's a relief that he doesn't have to learn hunting. After all, his lord disapproves of the practice, although that was hunting as sport, rather than for essential foods. That thought, as it floats about in his mind, leads to another as Ivaera speaks again.]

Inventiveness? Euh, well, Duke Airen, if he is here, may be of great help in that regard! My lord often finds curious ways of solving mysteries. He is the foremost inventor in Racitoire.

[Or so Alla believes. Truly, there may well be others better or more renowned, but he very much admires Airen's talents, and comparing him to other nobles he's met, well, Airen might as well be a parallel world DaVinci in comparison.]

[circleprodigy]

I don't believe he is here, at present, but that could change. Perhaps your knowledge of his cleverness will come in use regardless? We can still attempt to draw on the strengths of those dear to us, even if their actual presence is lacking.

[What would Wynne do is a question she's asked herself often here, and probably will continue to do so.]

[petiteaubergine]

Oh...

[The smile fades from the young lad's face at the thought of Airen not being around. However, her idea that his lord was somehow a part of him, even if only in memory, brings a softer smile back to his lips.]

Perhaps you are correct. I will do my best to make this winter a good one.