April 27, 3200 – Predawn
Reference: http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/posts/list.m?topic_id=175183
April 27, 3200 – Predawn
The cool night air whistles gently through the grass of Sunrise Hills. The small outline of a Gnome twiddles nervously as it approaches the resting artist. The serene hush of the night is broken by a stammering whisper, ‘I…I… I think they’re looking for you.’
The artist nods her head slowly. Her eyes are shut as she remains focused in a meditative trance. She speaks without moving, ‘I’ve been commissioned to study the flora of Faydwer by some nameless High Elven traveler.’
The Gnome’s expression shifts to a worried wide-eyed stare, ‘So…Th…They know you’re here?’ The young artist smiles as she opens her eyes and turns to face the Gnome, ‘You’ve really no reason to be so nervous around me, Garik.’
Garik maintains his panicked expression but now finds himself staring at the ground with an embarrassed blush. He breathes heavily before speaking, ‘What are you going to do when word gets out? Th..th…they’ll never believe your story… You’ve seen how forgiving he was of your sisters .’
The young Half-Elf sighs, ‘Your concern is touching but I’m not foolish enough to fall for such a simple trap. That life is behind me. It is troubling enough that I’m still haunted by those memories.’ She pauses and grins, a leading question entering her mind, ‘…and what business of yours is my wellbeing anyway?’
The Gnome’s face ignites, his cheeks now beaming a ruby hue, ‘I..I..ghh.. Just, take this!’ He quickly reaches into his pocket and places a gift in the hand of the artist. He turns to run away but finds himself held in place with the artist’s left hand upon his shoulder.
The moon dips under the horizon; the dead sky now casts no shadows. The artist leans over and whispers, ‘Thank you, Garik. You may never know what you mean to me.’ The embarrassed Gnome sighs, but is unable to shake his nervousness. He stutters a parting line, ‘I sh…sh..shall tell no one. You will always be Claire to me.’
The small figure scurries back into the building to prepare for the next round of Orcakar… He thinks to himself, ‘ Someday soon… ’