>Trinale could see her straining to put the words together, and had an
>idea.
>
><Try thinking it,> Trinale thought, trying to hurry the conversation along.
>
>A look of relief washed over Xanthia's face, and she thought to Trinale,
><Is Aradia my sister? Is Oberon my nephew? Is it true?"
>
>Trinale looked at Xanthia, her resemblance to Aradia and then got up from
>behind her desk. She took her hand and guided her to a seat then knelt
>down next to the seat, still holding her hand. That small hand was
>trembling in Trinale's as Trinale thought to her (I believe so, yes. You
>look so much like her and then there are the matching daggers.....)

It was said, she'd found her sister, a sister she didn't know she had, and
she was dead. Xanthia felt she should be feeling something right now, some
form of grief like she'd seen patient's families go through when their
loved ones died. But she could feel none of that. She was torn between
fleeing and hiding at the news, or staying and finding out more. She found
the touch of the warrenlady strangely comforting in this odd situation,
though she usually didn't like to be touched, and though she was trembling
she let Trinale continue to hold her hand and stayed to find out more.

>Trinale again tried to reassure her (Aradia was a wonderful woman, very
>much loved, and a very dear friend. She would have loved to have met her
>sister, I am sure.)
>
>Xanthia frowned. (Everyone keeps calling me by her name.)
>
>(Well, you look exactly like her except your eyes....and she died very
>recently. I am sure if you give us time we will come to care for you just
>as much, Xanthia.....will you stay and give us a chance to know you?)

Xanthia frowned as she thought of her options. Yes, people did look at her
like she was a ghost, and called her by the wrong name, but that might
change with time. However, if she left she'd have to go back to Tilharnon
where people did worse to her than that. And there were no dragons in
Tilharnon, except those that came to visit with their riders. Xanthia would
miss her dragon friends if she left.

(Did Aradia have a dragon?) Xanthia asked.

(Why, yes she did. His name was Futhark)

(Can I have a dragon, too?) Xanthia asked, her childlike innocence breaking
through like a ray of sunshine. She smiled at the thought of having her own
dragon, the smile warming her eyes so they resembled more crystals than ice.

Trinale burst out laughing and unable to contain herself embraced the girl
in a hug.
Xanthia's eyes flew open wide as she flinched at the unexpected embrace. It
was momentarily uncomfortable, but not entirely bad, so Xanthia didn't
flee, but stood there stiffly.

"Well, it's up to the dragons, but to hear them tell it, it's practically
guaranteed!" Trinale told her, still bubbling with laughter.

Xanthia looked at her curiously, unused to such odd behavior from people.
Hugging and laughter was not something that Xanthia was used to being on
the receiving end of, with the exception of derisive laughter that hurt to
the core when she'd been made a fool of. But this was different somehow.
And what did she mean that it's practically guaranteed?

Trinale must have sensed the discomfort and backed off from the embrace.
She looked at Xanthia warmly and explained, "The dragons love you, you have
a gift with them. But we'll have to wait and see what happens at the
hatching."

(But what if... what if I don't join to a dragon?) Xanthia's worst fear was
that she would be sent back to Tilharnon, to be a disgrace and to be
laughed at for even thinking of becoming a dragon rider.

(Then you work here, as a healer since that is your trade, and we keep
trying at each hatching if that is what you want. You are welcome to stay
whether you have a dragon or not.)

"Then I will stay," Xanthia said, smiling prettily. "But can I I have some
clothes of my own?"

"You don't like the clothes Merissa brought you?"

Xanthia shook her head, "They are pretty, and they are soft... no
itchies... but they are Aradia's."

"Ah..." Trinale exclaimed as she saw the girl's conflict, "Yes, you can
have some new clothes. And you can keep Aradia's, too, if you like. Go see
Barry at the tailor shop."

******

** Later **

Xanthia was relieved as she headed for the tailor shop. She at last found a
home! And she could have some new clothes. Xanthia couldn't remember if any
of the clothes she'd ever had were actually new when she got them, but she
didn't think so. She wandered somewhat aimlessly, not really knowing where
the tailor shop was, but looking for it.

"Can I help you?" a girl asked.

Xanthia stopped and looked up. Confusion was written all over her face.

"You're the new girl, aren't you? I'm Ashelle." She paused as she
considered the curious red-head in front of her. "Are you lost?"

"Tailor shop," Xanthia finally said.

Ashelle smiled, "I just came from there. Here, let me take you."

Cautiously Xanthia followed the young woman. The bells jingled on the door,
a pleasant sound which made Xanthia smile and reach up to play with the
bells, making them chime again.

"Back again?" the old tailor smiled at Ashelle.

"I brought... A friend."

"Oh, who would that be?" He frowned at the red-headed figure standing in
his doorway playing with the bells. She looked very familiar.

Xanthia turned to face the tailor, "Barry, this is..."

"Aradia!" the tailor's mouth dropped open as he saw the young woman's face
and recognized the dress she was wearing.

"Xanthia," the red-head corrected, "Aradia's sister, I'm told."

"My... my..." Barry muttered to himself, "Well, Xanthia, what can I do for
you?"

"Need clothes, Xanthia clothes, not Aradia clothes."

"Ashelle, how would you like to help Xanthia here? Take her measurements,
and help her pick out some suitable clothing designs and fabric." Barry
told his new employee.

*******

NRPG: Tag Jeanette! Not sure on the timing, so this doesn't have to be
right after the visit with Trinale. After all, Xanthia isn't that good at
linear thinking. ;) She doesn't have a lick of fashion sense, all she cares
is that the clothes are comfortable and soft, "No itchies," so she's going
to need a lot of help. ;) Have fun! ;)

Kris, Xanthia will probably be wanting to see Th'rin and Oberon, and talk
to them with a more open mind some time that day.







                \=/,         _-===-_-====-_-===-_-==========-_-====-_
                |  @___oo   (    Submitted by:                        )
      /\  /\   / (___,,,}_--=    Jacqueline "Morgan" Allgood          )
     ) /^\) ^\/ _)        =__                                          )
     )   /^\/   _)          (_                                         )
     )   _ /  / _)            (      Danika/Kalindeth of Daere        )
 /\  )/\/ ||  | )_)            (_    Xanthia of Whiteriver            )
<  >      |(,,) )__)             (   Kattibrie/Calishandra of Telnor )
 ||      /    \)___)\             (_ Yasmine/Starlin of Marrid       )
 | \____(      )___) )___           -==-_____-=====-_____-=====-___==
  \______(_______;;; __;;;