I find Niah's situation to be somewhat amusing. She's this power hungry gold-digger, who initially was just out for herself. She went from a place with servants to running an inn. Essentially becoming a glorified servant. She has this character trait of tunnel vision, and with her situation right now, that's really coming into play. Her priorities are falling into her peripheral vision and I thought this was just a fun writing exercise to do. That moment where she's toiling away with the mundane, only to be reminded of what she truly cares about. Anyway. Enjoy this little bit of Niah writin'.
Swiping a quick hand across her brow, Niah pauses with an upturned face to the afternoon sun shining into the humid cavern. If not for the dozens of sheets soaking in the surrounding water, she'd almost consider this a small respite from work. A relaxing moment in the natural hot spring. Closing her brown eyes, she takes somewhat of a small breath and lets the unique scent of Vigil's water flood her nose. Standing knee deep in the laundry pool, water soaking her tired feet as steam rises into the half exposed cave... It was almost nice. But the wafting scent of spilled broth on one of the sheets brings her focus back with begrudging ire.
Running a hand through her messy curls, she tugs a bit as the frizzed and matted mess of brown hair gets caught on something. Letting a small curse whisper against the water, she yanks the tangle away. With an air of aggravation, she reaches into the pocket of her loose black breeches and pulls out a small ribbon of similar color to tie the mess up. She had to get back to work. She'd already re-made the roast for the evening's dinner twice. She couldn't afford to tarry with the laundry and let it overcook.
Niah tightens the rolled up pants legs and with slow, careful steps, she trudges with high steps to the edge of the pool. She grabs the wooden pole propped against the wet stone wall and tosses it to the dryer walkway above. Placing both hands on the rock, she pulls her short frame out of the water and twists to hop out of the stifling spring. The sound of steady dripping of water from her calves blends with the slosh of the water below, echoing and escaping into the air. She affords another quick swipe of her brow before picking up the pole and stirring the sheets through the water once more.
One by one, she pulls the long strips of fabric out on the end of the pole. She frowns somewhat at the exertion, detesting the effort needed to sling the sheets over the taut clothes lines fastened to the cave walls. Time passes in agonizing slowness, but she almost smiles as she comes to the last sheet. Heaving a great sigh, she dips the pole into the water once more to fish out the final bit of fabric. With both hands she pulls it up-
Her eyes widen at the glint of something silver stuck in a fold of the cloth. Losing care for keeping it clean, she tosses the sheet to the walkway, letting the wooden stick roll off into water as she quickly goes over. Her hand already going to her neck, feeling the absence of her necklace. When did it fall off? How? She bends down, gingerly picking the soaked necklace up. Niah lets out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, clutching the necklace to her chest. Her hair must have been caught in it when she tugged on it...
Unfurling her hands, as if holding something delicate, she looks to make sure the obsidian pendant is there. She gives a light smile, relief washing over her. She couldn’t lose it. She wouldn't. Running a finger gently over the black stone, Niah's smile only widens. The clasp was broken, but only slightly. An easy fix. Going to grasp the pendant in closed hand, she leaves the soggy sheet on the stone path with a turn. Heading out of the laundry pool, Niah's bare feet carry her up the stairs into the inn. Likely some small tools lying about.. Yes, it would be an easy fix....
@Michcat
@The Living Ghost
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Swiping a quick hand across her brow, Niah pauses with an upturned face to the afternoon sun shining into the humid cavern. If not for the dozens of sheets soaking in the surrounding water, she'd almost consider this a small respite from work. A relaxing moment in the natural hot spring. Closing her brown eyes, she takes somewhat of a small breath and lets the unique scent of Vigil's water flood her nose. Standing knee deep in the laundry pool, water soaking her tired feet as steam rises into the half exposed cave... It was almost nice. But the wafting scent of spilled broth on one of the sheets brings her focus back with begrudging ire.
Running a hand through her messy curls, she tugs a bit as the frizzed and matted mess of brown hair gets caught on something. Letting a small curse whisper against the water, she yanks the tangle away. With an air of aggravation, she reaches into the pocket of her loose black breeches and pulls out a small ribbon of similar color to tie the mess up. She had to get back to work. She'd already re-made the roast for the evening's dinner twice. She couldn't afford to tarry with the laundry and let it overcook.
Niah tightens the rolled up pants legs and with slow, careful steps, she trudges with high steps to the edge of the pool. She grabs the wooden pole propped against the wet stone wall and tosses it to the dryer walkway above. Placing both hands on the rock, she pulls her short frame out of the water and twists to hop out of the stifling spring. The sound of steady dripping of water from her calves blends with the slosh of the water below, echoing and escaping into the air. She affords another quick swipe of her brow before picking up the pole and stirring the sheets through the water once more.
One by one, she pulls the long strips of fabric out on the end of the pole. She frowns somewhat at the exertion, detesting the effort needed to sling the sheets over the taut clothes lines fastened to the cave walls. Time passes in agonizing slowness, but she almost smiles as she comes to the last sheet. Heaving a great sigh, she dips the pole into the water once more to fish out the final bit of fabric. With both hands she pulls it up-
Her eyes widen at the glint of something silver stuck in a fold of the cloth. Losing care for keeping it clean, she tosses the sheet to the walkway, letting the wooden stick roll off into water as she quickly goes over. Her hand already going to her neck, feeling the absence of her necklace. When did it fall off? How? She bends down, gingerly picking the soaked necklace up. Niah lets out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, clutching the necklace to her chest. Her hair must have been caught in it when she tugged on it...
Unfurling her hands, as if holding something delicate, she looks to make sure the obsidian pendant is there. She gives a light smile, relief washing over her. She couldn’t lose it. She wouldn't. Running a finger gently over the black stone, Niah's smile only widens. The clasp was broken, but only slightly. An easy fix. Going to grasp the pendant in closed hand, she leaves the soggy sheet on the stone path with a turn. Heading out of the laundry pool, Niah's bare feet carry her up the stairs into the inn. Likely some small tools lying about.. Yes, it would be an easy fix....
@Michcat
@The Living Ghost
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