> Analise crossed the dining hall, heading towards that raw, but beautiful
> voice.  She noticed the dark hair, and immediately thought of her own
> daughter...her face hardened unintentionally.  But the woman was a
> stranger -- more a girl -- and she was with that mouse of a girl -- what
> was her name? -- ah, yes, Mara, nice voice, but nothing spectacular, and
> certainly not very tallented on an instrument.  In almost a dismissive
> tone Analise spoke..

  Ashelle sat up a bit straighter as the Warren's Bard approached.  It
wouldn't do to look sloppy now.  She had to give a good impression, after
all.  Especially if the woman might be able to help with her singing!

  Then she almost lost her nerve as she heard the tone in the Bard's
voice.  She certainly hoped that she was more soft sounding when she
taught.  That voice gave her nervous shivers.

> > "Mara, are you going to introduce me to your friend," Merissa's mother
> > asked stepping up to them.
> 
> > Mara nodded. 
> > "This is Ashelle."
> > 
> Analise looked long and hard at the young girl before replying..
> > "That was an wonderful song, Ashelle."
> > 
> > "Thank you." Ashelle blushed, "Acutally it was just something I made up for
> > the baby."
> > 
> > "Baby??" Analise looked down at the carriage, noticing the baby for the
> > first time. "Oh, how beautiful." 
> 
> She found herself making silly noises -- her smile for once genuine -- as
> she cooed and clucked to the infant...

  Ashelle relaxed somewhat.  That smile was for real, and she seemed to
like babies.  That was certainly a plus.
 
> > Mara grinned, "It's Oberon. Merissa and Th'rin's baby."
> 
> > Ashelle stifled a giggle
> 
> Analise turned in surprise.  Only the sound "Oh" came out, as she tried to
> hide her bewilderment.  Merissa's baby??  How...  she had just seen her,
> and she had obviously *not* been pregnant.  What had that daughter of hers
> done now???  She backed away from the baby with a serious frown on her
> still beautiful face.

  Uh oh...she'd spoken too soon, perhaps.  What had taken the woman from
smiling to frowns so quickly?  She did have a very nice smile, but that
frown was quite intimidating.

  But she barreled ahead anyhow.  She'd made up her mind to ask, and ask
she would.
 
> > "M'am?  Might it be possible to speak with you for a few moments, if
> > you aren't busy?  It was suggested that I speak to you about my
> > singing."
> 
> Analise blinked coming out of her reverie about Oberon.  She nodded,
> at Ashelle.  
>
> > Maybe the girl had talent, maybe not...the song was a bit rough, but
> > she'd sung it better than some she'd heard.  She certainly had guts.
> 
> >  'Shel went on, everything coming out in a tumbled rush.  "You see, I 
> > sing, well..sang in a tavern near Killaglen, and I know quite well that 
> > I might not Join with a dragon here.  I love to sing, and was wondering
> > if there was a place that I might sing to entertain the other riders?
> > Or barring that...maybe you could teach me to sing better??"
> 
> > Analise's jaw dropped.  Guts?  Nope..this one was as daring as they
> > came.  If she didn't know better, it sounded as if she wanted to
> > apprentice to be a Bard!
> 
> Analise stumbled for a moment, thinking of how to answer this girl.
> Certainly she wasn't implying that she wanted to be a bardswoman?  That
> took years of intensive training -- and certainly not here.  No, she
> looked to be one who might just sing for the joy of singing.
> 
> "I teach the children of this warren, you may join our classes, if that is
> your wish." Analise said stiffly to the young upstart.  "I do not give
> private lessons, unless you wished to pay for my time, but I have been
> asigned here by the Master Bardsman himself to instruct the children of
> this forsaken den.  Lessons commence promptly at 9 AM either here in the
> dining hall or on the green, weather permitting."

  Ashelle kept her face perfectly flat, and set her voice the same way..as
cool and collected as that of the Bard in front of her.  No way was she
going to let Analise know that inside she was as nervous as she'd been the
first night she sang at the tavern, and just as fluttery at the tone of
voice being used.

  Forsaken den?  What a term for a posted Bard to use, and she wasn't
using it in a poetic sense either.  She found herself deeply hoping that
that sort of feeling didn't come out during her lessons.  Children were
impressionable, after all...and so far, the people *she'd* met had been
quite nice to her.

  "Yes, M'am.  I'll be there, early.  Thank you for your time.  I
appreciate it."
 
> She turned and noticed Nalin approaching.  "If you don't know where to
> come, ask that young man....he is usually there if he is not too busy with
> his dragon," she almost seemed to spit the word *dragon*.  She nodded to
> Nalin as he came towards them, turning away from Ashelle dismissively --
> the audience was over, obviously.  Though in fact, Analise was still
> perplexed by her *grandson*.

  And she didn't like dragons either?  Oh boy, this wasn't looking all
that promising, but she would stick it out.  She always did if she set her
mind to something.  She just prayed her voice wouldn't give out and cause
her to make a total fool out of herself in the morning!

  "Yes, M'am...I will..."  But Analise had already turned away, and seemed
to be deep in thought about something.  Ashelle glanced over to Mara with
a questioning look, and then smiled as Nalin spoke.  A smile seemed to
make everything right again.
 
> > >"Hello Mara," he said with a friendly grin. He nodded to the black haired,
> > >odd eyed girl and flashed a dazzling smile at the baby.
> 
> Analise brushed passed Nalin bearly acknowleging him, heading towards the
> food line....deep in thought.

  Ashelle watched Analise walk away, and shivered in spite of herself.
She found herself wondering if tomorrow was going to be any better.

< next morning >

  Dressed in the best that she had, as she was still waiting on the few
bits of clothing that she'd asked to be altered a bit at the tailor's
shop, Ashelle moved to find where the lessons were being held.

  Noticing a younger boy running along she asked him where the music
lessons were being held, and he pointed towards the Green area.  "Nice out
today, so lessons will be outside.  Don't be late, though...that Bard can
sing pretty or take off your skin with the same voice!"

  Blinking, Ashelle thanked him, and took off at a run.  Arriving at the
Green area, she saw that she was one of only three there at the moment.
Taking a breath, she sat down, and waited for Analise to arrive.
Thankfully, she'd arrived early.  That was one thing that the Bard
couldn't fault her for!

[Tag: Arlene!]

--------------

Jeanette
Ashelle/Oaklah-to-Be * Whiteriver