There's nothing here, but what's here's mine

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

[Late morning, Tuesday September 15th, game day 107]
[Carnival Diabolique, living lot]


Mornin' comes bright 'n warm, sun shinin' an' lightin't all up real pretty. Nice after yest'rday, but good gathrin' either way. First moss after'a rainfall's a good one, same wit' rainwater ain't never touched th'ground...always good stuff. Uppat dawn both days, out gath'rin' an' found lotsa good shit. 'nough t'keep me workin' fer days.

Wuz kinda hopin'at girl, Tess, 'd show up. Coulda used th'help pickin' up ev'rythin' I needed, not t'mention woulda been a good way t'see 'zactly how much she knows 'bout what we c'n use. Girl's got brains, but ain't had no schoolin', an' dunno if'n she knows what t'get 'n what we c'n use 'n how t'handle it. She might know th'basic herbs, but'ere's plenty more out'ere...

But she didn't know. Ain't like we had no 'ppointment...didn't have no 'ppointments wit' Abby, neither, when I wuz learnin'. Went'ere when I could, an' she taught me when she could. S'jes th'way'a thin's, I guess.

Anyway. Gath'rin's done for now. Settle down in m'wagon wit'a potta coffee 'm sprt ev'rythin' out...thin's t'get dried, thin's t'keep wet, thin's'at gotta be ground up right off, thin's'at need special treatment later (leaves'at need shredded under moonlight, fer starters...). Plenty t'do 'fore we open t'night. S'good t'get back t'simple work sometimes...leave off thinkin' 'bout Genny 'n Tez 'n Lily an' what we's plannin' on doin'. We's figuring another couple days, an'en we settle down t'it. An'en...

...Fuck, not now. Fer now, jes' work. Ain't gonna do no good t'fret 'bout'it.


[OPEN to Tess]

Comments

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

It's up early at the Abbey, same as on the farm, only with more shoutin'. You'd think it'd be quiet place most 'a the time, but one 'a the seniors was herdin' 'round the novices usin' only his voice. I ate a quick breakfast, plain and fillin' and then set out fer the Carnival. I ain't 'bout t'put off unpleasant business.

The sun's nice but the ground's still wet. I ought t'get some shoes soon. I feel strange talkin' t'Kate with dirty feet, and I already got some looks from the more dressy townsfolk. I just give 'em a look back, though, 'n they stop.

The tattoo's healin' well. I ain't really had a chance t'make up my ointment, so I bin usin' Verite's. It works well 'nough, but you sure can smell it. My belly itches with the healin', even when I'm doin' stuff as keeps the mind 'n body occupied. 'S disctractin', t'say the least.

There's definitely a bit in the air today, 'n I'm cold 'n irritable by the time I'm 'cross the bridge and enterin' the Carnival. I march myself over t'Syl's caravan. I get a few looks, fer sure, and a couple 'a the men look like they're wantin' t'tell me off 'cause I ain't a carny and they ain't open. I end up tellin' one 'a them that Syl's expectin' me, which ain't specifically true, but they ease off.

I'm definitely feelin' snappish (and wet, since the dew's still on the ground with the cold) as I rap on her door.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Knock at th'door, right when'm in th'middle'a layin' out some mushrooms t'dry. Well, ain't nothin'at won't keep. Stand up'n gettit open.

An' hey, speaka th'devil. "Wuz kinda hopin' ye'd show up t'day. Plenty t'do, an' could use an extra hand. C'mon in."

What's she lookin' so pissy 'bout?

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She open the door up, 'n the wet, green smell 'a fresh herbs 'n such wafts out. Guess she's bin doin' some gatherin'. "Wuz kinda hopin' ye'd show up t'day," she says. "Plenty t'do, an' could use an extra hand. C'mon in."

I;m half tempted, 'cause i do want t'learn, but I can't let this drop. "I thought you said yer magician friend weren't no danger!" I say, near spittin' the words out. I bin mad 'bout this fer a few days now, and I know I bin dwellin' on it. "Just defendin' himself, yeah? So what, you both needed defendin' 'gainst some schoolteacher?" I dunt know the Miss White Kate was tellin' me 'bout, but i trusted Syl when I should 'a bin more wary, 'n look where that's got me.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"I thought you said yer magician friend weren't no danger! Just defendin' himself, yeah? So what, you both needed defendin' 'gainst some schoolteacher?" girl snaps, don't even bother sayin' hello.

Well okay. Somebody's been talkin' 'round town. Guess she wuz gonna find out sooner 'r later, but me I don't take so well t'bein' talked to like'at. But she's fumin', spoilin' ferra fight, 'n best revenge 'ere's t'let'er stew.

Lean 'gainst th'doorframe, take out m'cigs, shake one out, gettit lit. Nice 'n slow 'n easy, like I ain't got no cares in th'world, an'sure's hell no pissed off li'l girl on m'doorstep. Fin'lly blow outta stream'a smoke 'n say, "Nice t'see you too, Tess. 'm doin' alright. Real nice'a y't'ask."

Take another couple drags, hold'er eyes all th'time. "Guess ye've been talkin' 'round town. Ain't got no problem wit'at. 'd think ye'd get th'whole story 'fore y'went off half-cocked, though. Jes' for 'zample...anybody share th'li'l fact that th'teacher's got powers ovver own, an' she ain't so choosy 'bout who she uses 'em on?"

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She dunt says anythin' fer a minute. She just leans into the doorway, takin' a smoke out 'n lightin' it. I'm 'bout t'start in again when she breathes it out 'n goes "Nice t'see you too, Tess. 'm doin' alright. Real nice'a y't'ask." Yeah, so I ain't bein' polite, but it ain't like we're friends and she's the one as has explainin' t'do.

She keeps her eyes on me though, and even if she ain't shoutin' her voice has an edge. "Guess ye've been talkin' 'round town. Ain't got no problem wit'at. 'd think ye'd get th'whole story 'fore y'went off half-cocked, though. Jes' for 'zample...anybody share th'li'l fact that th'teacher's got powers ovver own, an' she ain't so choosy 'bout who she uses 'em on?"

It sets me back fer a sec, but I ain't satisfied with that. could be true enough, 'cause Miss White dint press charges 'r nothin', but still... "Right. 'Cause you and a bleedin' god got lots t'worry 'bout from some woman that's so dangerous she teaches a bunch 'a kids?" I bin thinkin' 'bout what Johnny said, and what that Voronin woman told him. Gaueko weren't the only god she was talkin' 'bout.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Kinda blinks. Naw, ain't nobody told'er 'bout'at. But she gets'er steam back right quick, "Right. 'Cause you and a bleedin' god got lots t'worry 'bout from some woman that's so dangerous she teaches a bunch 'a kids?"

Jes' keep takin' drags on th'cig. No matter how much I wanna smack'er upside th'head, jes' keep calm. "If'n it'd been jes' her, wouldn'a been so much ovva problem. Her boyfriend poppin' up witta gun wuz more th'issue there. She wuz jes' usin'at's'n 'scuse t'keep screwin' wittus. Tez - tha's th'magician, case y'care - could prob'ly take a bullet t'th'gut. Me? Not s'much."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She still looks calm, even with that cut t'her voice. "If'n it'd been jes' her, wouldn'a been so much ovva problem. Her boyfriend poppin' up witta gun wuz more th'issue there. She wuz jes' usin'at's'n 'scuse t'keep screwin' wittus. Tez - tha's th'magician, case y'care - could prob'ly take a bullet t'th'gut. Me? Not s'much." I shake my head.

"So, you couldn't just walk off? Or dint want to? He just hold you there at gunpoint while she did whatever she does? I was told she said the newstory were true. So, was he there that night? Or did the two of you just jump her after?" She's bein' all reasonable, and it's makin' me calm down a bit despite myself. I grit my teeth a bit, 'cause I'm still mad and dunt want t'cool off. "The two of you were just mindin' yer own business when she started messin' with you, and then her boyfriend showed up 'n pulled a gun fer no reason, and that's why you did it?"

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"So, you couldn't just walk off? Or dint want to? He just hold you there at gunpoint while she did whatever she does? I was told she said the newstory were true. So, was he there that night? Or did the two of you just jump her after?" she's tryin' real bloody hard t'stay pissed off. C'n see'er clenchin'er teeth. "The two of you were just mindin' yer own business when she started messin' with you, and then her boyfriend showed up 'n pulled a gun fer no reason, and that's why you did it?"

"Firs'off, don't sees I owe ya much ovv'n explanation atall." I says, rollin' m'cig 'tween m'fingers. "Ain't no skin offa m'back if'n y'decide t'take off 'n not come back. Ye're th'one'at stands t'gain fromis, not me." Pause t'take a drag. "But if'n'it fuckin' matters...we wuz at th'inn, allovus. She getsit inner empty head t'play 'round wit'Tez. Tez tells'er t'back off 'r she'll be sorry. 'er boyfriend takes offense, pulls th'gun. She thinks's alla big joke. An' we did walk away, that partic'lar night. Wuz later when we caught up wit'er t'show'er we didn't 'ppreciate it none." Still hold'er eyes, nice'n steady. Ain't sorry fer what I did, an' ain't gonna pretend otherwise.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Firs'off," she says, rollin' her smoke 'round her rough hands, "don't sees I owe ya much ovv'n explanation atall. Ain't no skin offa m'back if'n y'decide t'take off 'n not come back. Ye're th'one'at stands t'gain fromis, not me." She takes a pull on the smoke, breathes it out, and continues. "But if'n'it fuckin' matters...we wuz at th'inn, allovus. She getsit inner empty head t'play 'round wit'Tez. Tez tells'er t'back off 'r she'll be sorry. 'er boyfriend takes offense, pulls th'gun. She thinks's alla big joke. An' we did walk away, that partic'lar night. Wuz later when we caught up wit'er t'show'er we didn't 'ppreciate it none."

I'm bettin' he did more 'n tell her t'back off. Sounds like she did mess with 'em, got threatened, and her boyfriend took exception and told 'em off. She's kept my eyes all through, not flinchin'. She ain't feelin' guilty at all 'bout it. Most times, that's good. They done what they thought was right, and ain't lyin' t'cover it.

Thing is, she should feel guilty. It was stupid, and from what she says and what she dunt say it was cruel. But. I know I done stuff t'some I wouldn't do t'me nor mine. It's hard t'fault her fer standin' up fer her and hers, even if she done it mean. I step up and take the smoke from her, starin' her right back. I take a drag myself, careful not t'blow the smoke back at her, and hand it back.

"I ain't offerin' just nothin' on my end. I know the plants, the places, and the people here. I got stuff in the journals I'm willin' t'bet you ain't seen, and I know there's stuff as is easier t'do with two than one.

"I want t'learn from you, right enough. But I can just as easy turn 'round 'n walk off. So, don't pull that sort 'a shit in town. Me and mine may not be the sheriff, but we got our ways, and we dunt take kind t'it. I'm bettin' you dunt take well t'threats, so it ain't one. Just layin' out the way 'a things.

"And last. From everythin' I heard, yer magician, Tez, is a fuckin' menace. I dunt care what he does on yer lot, but if he hurts someone as isn't trying t'hurt him, 'r ain't able t'hurt him, we'll do our damnedest t'deal with him.

I keep y gaze on her, steady. I ain't burnin' hot with anger, just firm with purpose. I got Him and Her on my side, my family, and i ain't gonna back down.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

....Oh, this girl's fuckin' ballsy. Takes m'own cig right outta m'hands, takes a drag, handsit back. "I ain't offerin' just nothin' on my end. I know the plants, the places, and the people here. I got stuff in the journals I'm willin' t'bet you ain't seen, and I know there's stuff as is easier t'do with two than one."

Easier? Sure. Not nec'ssary though. An' know th'plants jes' fine m'self. But let'er talk.

"I want t'learn from you, right enough. But I can just as easy turn 'round 'n walk off. So, don't pull that sort 'a shit in town. Me and mine may not be the sheriff, but we got our ways, and we dunt take kind t'it. I'm bettin' you dunt take well t'threats, so it ain't one. Just layin' out the way 'a things."

Voice's calm. Still pissed, but I laid it out fer'er, so she's doin' th'same fer me. Okay. She's right 'bout me'n threats, though. If'n I thought she wuz threat'nin' me she'd be flat onner back wit'a broken nose right now.

"And last. From everythin' I heard, yer magician, Tez, is a fuckin' menace. I dunt care what he does on yer lot, but if he hurts someone as isn't trying t'hurt him, 'r ain't able t'hurt him, we'll do our damnedest t'deal with him."

Wait ferra sec. "Y'done?" I says first, an'when she nods I take 'nother drag. "'kay. Ain't got no plans on messin' wit' nobody else, so long's they leave me'n mine alone. They fuck wittus, we fuck wit'em. S'th'way'it works. Goes both ways; folk leave us alone, we leave'em alone, an' don'tchou tell me we ain't s'posed t'defend ourselves, cuzzit don't work'at way. We don't got no sheriff, no town 'ffic'als lookin' after us, an' mosta th'time we's fair game, so we watch out fer ourselves, an' we's gonna keep watchin' out fer ourselves.

"An' anythin' you wanna say t'Tez, y'c'n say t'im. Never known'im t'go after somebody'at di'n't go after'im first, but if ye're so fuckin' worried 'bout'im y'c'n talk t'im yerself. I'll introduce ya. But'm mighty curious's t'what madeya decide 'e's a 'menace'. C'n only think'a th'two inc'dents m'self, onna them on th'Lot, which don't seem t'count t'yer mind."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She waits 'till I run down. "Y'done?" she asks. I nod, 'n she takes another pull on the smoke. "'kay. She lays out how it is, them fightin' back if necessary, 'n hell. That's just how I've seen it fer us out on the farm - leave alone and we'll do the same, mess with us 'n we'll fight back. I know Johnny's always thought we got more 'v an obligation t'the town, and I know it's rubbed off on me some, even if he is younger.

I sigh. "Yeah, well. There ain't nothin' I can say t'that, really. 'S fair, 'n I'd be sayin' the same."

She keeps goin'. "An' anythin' you wanna say t'Tez, y'c'n say t'im. Never known'im t'go after somebody'at di'n't go after'im first, but if ye're so fuckin' worried 'bout'im y'c'n talk t'im yerself. I'll introduce ya." I nod, 'cause I should meet him. Even after all this, I want t'see what kind 'v a man he is. "But'm mighty curious's t'what madeya decide 'e's a 'menace'," she says, her tone changin'. "C'n only think'a th'two inc'dents m'self, onna them on th'Lot, which don't seem t'count t'yer mind."

I open my mouth with another retort, but shut it and start thinkin'. I came on here lookin' fer a fight like a bull with his balls tied, not workin' through anythin' I were told. I wonder 'f I was so mad 'cause 'a how Kate put it. And I guess part 'a me wanted it to be more him than her, 'cause she's right. He ain't done much, not so's I should be so pissed. "He scared my brother somethin' awful. And he hurt someone in a way as scared someone else I care fer. I suppose I weren't thinkin' too clear 'bout it."

I look at her. Bleedin' hell. "Sorry. Shouldn't 'a come lookin' fer a fight." I can't rightly say we look out fer our own and not let them do the same, even if they dunt rightly belong here.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

She listens. Girl's willin' t'do'at, at least. Known plenty't wouldn't bother. Fin'lly says, "Yeah, well. There ain't nothin' I can say t'that, really. 'S fair, 'n I'd be sayin' the same."

Kay, fine. An' she nods when I tell'er I'll take'er t'meet Tez. Bloody hell, that'll be one clusterfuck ovva meetin'. Better be someplace where's plenty'a booze. She opens'er mouth when'm done, an'I'm thinkin' she's gonna make some sorta snipe, but'en she closes'it. Thinks. "He scared my brother somethin' awful. And he hurt someone in a way as scared someone else I care fer. I suppose I weren't thinkin' too clear 'bout it."

Right, 'er brother wuz'ere. M'own brothers'n sisters had more'v'a "You take any'a m'food an'll break yer fuckin' head open" thing goin' on, but get why she'd get all bristly. "Sorry. Shouldn't 'a come lookin' fer a fight."

"No, y'shouldn't've." I agree, flickin' th'butt'a m'cig away. "But I getcha bein' prickly 'boutchour baby brother. Next time jes' don't come stompin' in'ere yellin' 'fore y'know th'whole story." Think 'bout lightin' 'nother cig, but na. Not jes' yet. "Now. If'n y'wanna make yerself useful, I got moss t'shred inside. There's plenty'a coffee."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"No, y'shouldn't've," she says finally, tossin' her smoke, 'n turnin' back t'me. "But I getcha bein' prickly 'boutchour baby brother. Next time jes' don't come stompin' in'ere yellin' 'fore y'know th'whole story." I nod. Fools rush in and all. I think 'a gettin' mad 'round Kate, and calmin' down just like now. 'S a strange thought, comparin' the two 'a them in my head, and I give a small grin.

She heads back inside. "Now. If'n y'wanna make yerself useful, I got moss t'shred inside. There's plenty'a coffee." I'm chill now that I'm not pissed anymore, and the coffee sounds good. I step up into the caravan, followin' her. "Thanks. The scent 'a plants is stronger inside, and it's damp from them dryin' out. I pour myself some coffee from the pot and walk over to where she's got the moss sittin' out. "Fine 'r rough?" I say, sittin' down 'n pullin' a clump 'a the moss over t'me.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

She smiles a bit, comes in, thanks me fer th'coffee. Good, looks like we's alright. Like'is girl. Got a real temper on'er, but don't back down none. Got guts. Tha's good.

Pours'erself some coffee an'sets right to'it. Like'at too. "Fine 'r rough?"

"Fine's you c'n make it," I grunt, sittin' back down t'm'mushrooms. "We's gonna soak it t'make essence. Good fer poultices 'n wards. Y'were sayin' y'know th'plants'ere....what else?"

Girl's gonna do fine. Jes' fine.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She sits down to some mushrooms. "Fine's you c'n make it," she says. "We's gonna soak it t'make essence. Good fer poultices 'n wards. Y'were sayin' y'know th'plants'ere....what else?"

I keep shreddin', my fingers pullin' the strangs apart in clumps. I ain't sure if she means what else fer the moss, 'r in general, so I give both. "'S the same stuff I use fer cut 'n burn ointment, only I mash mine in with oil, then melt it in with beeswax 'n a few other things. Calendula seed oil, aloe, though I grow that indoors. You can't really find it outside. I've also used the moss fer brewin' a stomach settler, and you can use it fer helpin' willowbark tea."

Thinkin' 'a the ointment makes me think 'a the feel 'a the tattoo brushin' 'gainst my shift, 'n I give it a quick, irritated scratch.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"'S the same stuff I use fer cut 'n burn ointment, only I mash mine in with oil, then melt it in with beeswax 'n a few other things. Calendula seed oil, aloe, though I grow that indoors. You can't really find it outside. I've also used the moss fer brewin' a stomach settler, and you can use it fer helpin' willowbark tea."

Good girl. Nod. "Tha's real good." look over't what she's doin' an'I like what I see too. She's takin' lotta care wit' th'moss, shreddin' it tween'er fingers, crumblin' th'li'l bitsa earth off t'th'side. Real careful, real precise. Good. Damn good.

While'm lookin' she's scratchin' at'er belly like somethin's buggin'er.

"Somethin' bitcha?" I says, thinkin' mebbe flies...s'a bit late'n th'year, but fuck knows'ere's always somethin' about ready t'take'a chunk outta ya.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She nods. "Tha's real good." She looks over at the work 'm doin', 'n I look down t'make sure I'm doin' it proper. I dunt want t'look bad in front 'a her, 'r like I dunt know how t'handle myself. "Somethin' bitcha?"

I grimace a bit, 'cause I should 'a figured she'd notice. "No, nothin' like that. I just got - " I pause, but she's from the Carnival. It ain't like she's gonna be shocked. " - I just got a tattoo touched up by that girl Verite in town. It's a bit raw, is all." I start separatin' the dirt out so I can toss it.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"No, nothin' like that. I just got - " Pauses, lookin' at me sideways, like she ain't sure how'm gonna react. " - I just got a tattoo touched up by that girl Verite in town. It's a bit raw, is all."

Ferget she'sa farm girl sometimes. Bettin'er folks weren't so happy 'bout'er gettin'a tat. Wonder if'n she's even told'em. But'm also bettin'at baby brother'a hers thinks she's right badass. "Ri does good work," I smile. She's'a good kid, Ri. Not onna m'girls...'er own ma's right protective, hardly even liked me talkin' t'er kids...butta good kid. An' she knows'er stuff. "If'n she did it, ye're gonna have it a good long time, an's likely gonna heal up soon. 'f's both'rin' ya, got some ointment y'c'n use." Same stuff I gave t'that girl on th'streets. S'a nice li'l all-purpose skin cream, good fer minor burns 'r scratchs 'r bruises. Numbs, soothes, got a li'l disinfectant in'ere too. Oughta be good onna fresh tat. "S'in'at brown jar on th'shelf by yer head. Take's much's ya want; s'easy t'make. 'll show ya how, once we's done'ere."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Ri does good work," she says with a smile. I'm guessin' she settled in from the Carnival then, 'n I'm none too surprised. "If'n she did it, ye're gonna have it a good long time, an's likely gonna heal up soon. 'f's both'rin' ya, got some ointment y'c'n use." I nod. "Thanks. Got it one summer, but he dint have time t'finish it, and I ain't met someone else as does them 'till now." She points out a small brown jar on a shelf over my head.

"I was figurin' on makin' up some 'a my own," I say, openin' it up and takin' some on my fingers, "but I ain't found the time yet." I turn my back 'n lift my skirt t'spread some on. I ain't so embarrassed here, since it's so less public, but I ain't puttin' a show on neither.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"Thanks. Got it one summer, but he dint have time t'finish it, and I ain't met someone else as does them 'till now." she says, takes th'jar down. Opensit up 'n c'n smell th'chamomile 'n lavender. "I was figurin' on makin' up some 'a my own, but I ain't found the time yet." says while she scoops some out.

'spectin'er t'smearit onner back 'r 'er shoulder. Stead she stands up'n hikes up'er dress. Must be onner belly 'r thighs. Turned away from me, so's I can't get th'full view, but I getta nice look at'er legs. They's good legs. Mighty good legs.

Girl might be too young fer me, but that don't mean I can't look, right? Shifts 'round an'I c'n jes' getta look at th'bottom curve ovver ass. Fuck, I miss bein' twenty-eight. Nottat my ass ever looked like'at, mind...always been'a right skinny bitch, me, but my ass looked loads better when I wuz twenty-eight than it does now.

....too young, dammit. Barely older'n onna m'girls. But I c'n fuckin' look.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

I can hear the faint squeak 'a her chair as she shifts in it. I think back on our meetin's, and yeah, she might like girls some. And she weren't shocked none by the tattoo. I bend over 'n brush a bit 'a mud off 'a my foot. I think I hear her breathe in, and I grin t'myself 'afore droppin' my hems 'n turnin' back 'round. I screw the jar shut again 'n set up back on the shelf.

"Thanks," I say, sittin' myself back down. "It was gettin' a bit distractin'." I glance up at her. Yeah, I'm pretty sure she was watchin'. "So," I say gettin' back t'work. "You work with aversion charms 'r wards much?"

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

....damned if'n th'girl don't know she's bein' watched. 'member when she first knocked on m'door, an'I came out half-dressed. Damned if'n she didn't gettan eyeful'a m'tits. Girl likes girls, 'm bettin', An'm jest's ddamned if'n she don't know'm watchin'

....yeah, sure there's dirt onner foot. Sure there is. Ain't complainin', mind, cuzzit's on helluva view, but'm pretty sure she's testin' me. Fin'lly sits back down'n smooths'er skirt. "Thanks. It was gettin' a bit distractin'."

It ain't th'only thin'.

"So. You work with aversion charms 'r wards much?" she says, goin' back t'er moss.

"Plenty," I says, stringin' th'mushrooms fer dryin'. "Onna th'thin's I make most. Women who want'eir exes t'stay away, farmers want bugs offa th'crops 'r foxes outta th'henhouse, store owners want rats gone...an' others. Hadda folks with ghosts in'eir houses, wanted'em out." Sometimes didn't work allat well if'n th'ghost wuz tied real hard ta th'house, but sometimes wuz after a person, 'r somethin' else, fuck knows what, an'a ward gottem out. "There's demons too...jes' li'l ones, mind, imps'n such. Even a spell t'keep a girl from catchin' pregnant's a ward attits heart." Stand up so's I c'n start stringin' th'mushrooms up. "Why?"

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Plenty," she says, knottin' mushrooms 'long a cord. "Onna th'thin's I make most." She lays out the different types. I ain't done any fer ghosts, and the last time I tried the demon-ward from one 'a the older journals I wound up flat on my back fer a week. "Why?" she finishes.

I was askin' mostly out 'a idle talk, but thinkin' 'a the old charms on some 'a the bars, and how they're wearin' down... "I was wonderin' if you ever done one on a mobile thing, like a tool 'r a weapon." Even if I could just renew 'em it'd be good fer the boys. And some 'a the bigger charms, well. I'd sleep better knowin' johnny could carry his with him when he slips his skin.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"I was wonderin' if you ever done one on a mobile thing, like a tool 'r a weapon."

Give'er a look outta th'corner'a m'eye. She ain't askin' jes' fer nothin'....know she's gottat bracelet'a hers, 'n mebbe she's jes' lookin' t'beefit uppa bit. But she's got folks t'look out fer too, so mebbe she's lookin' inta somethin' fer'em. Nothin' wrong wit'at.

"S'poss'ble," I says, hangin' th'mushrooms up. Once'at's done, pull over m'mortar'n pestle. Need t'make a paste outta th'new leaves. "But gen'rally gotta pick'r choose; mobil'ty 'r gen'ral protection. C'n make a movin' charm t'ward 'gainst somethin' spec'fic...bugs 'r evil spir'ts 'r what'ver...butcha can't make a gen'ral ward at'll move. Tha's more've a shield, an'at can't move." Think 'bout what she said, an' pour sommore coffee while I do. "'course, if we's talkin' onna weapon...could work, but only on th'weapon. So, ye'd have t'use it t'block whatev'r'it wuz ferrit t'work. If'n y'want somethin' t'protect th'person like, wit'out 'em even thinkin' bout'it, gotta be somethin'ey's wearin', like jewelry. Wood'r metal holds charms best, so us'ally jewelry's best."

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She gives me a look, and it ain't like I exactly bin subtle, but she answers. "S'poss'ble," she says, movin' about in her work. "But gen'rally gotta pick'r choose; mobil'ty 'r gen'ral protection. C'n make a movin' charm t'ward 'gainst somethin' spec'fic...bugs 'r evil spir'ts 'r what'ver...butcha can't make a gen'ral ward at'll move. Tha's more've a shield, an'at can't move." I half shake my head, 'cause that's not really what I meant. And I remember readin' 'bout shield-charms on movin' objects, even tried it out a bit, but even the notes in the journals said they was unreliable at best. Better off not gettin' shot at 'r struck at in the first place. "'course, if we's talkin' onna weapon...could work, but only on th'weapon. So, ye'd have t'use it t'block whatev'r'it wuz ferrit t'work. If'n y'want somethin' t'protect th'person like, wit'out 'em even thinkin' bout'it, gotta be somethin'ey's wearin', like jewelry. Wood'r metal holds charms best, so us'ally jewelry's best."

I nod. "Weapon wouldn't be well-suited t'that sort 'a thing, anyways, yeah? Like puttin' a charm fer growin' things on a scythe? It just wouldn't take right. I was thinkin' more like a charm so's people would ignore it, like it'd just be part 'a the background t'them."

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"Weapon wouldn't be well-suited t'that sort 'a thing, anyways, yeah? Like puttin' a charm fer growin' things on a scythe? It just wouldn't take right. I was thinkin' more like a charm so's people would ignore it, like it'd just be part 'a the background t'them."

'm noddin', 'n 'm smilin' cuz she's right. Folk don't get thatcha can't jes' slappa charm on anything' 'n ev'rythin t'make ya stronger'r faster'r richer. Stuff don't like gettin' used fer whattit ain't meant fer. So y'slappa charm on something' that don't got nothin' t'do witit, like she was sayin' witta scythe 'n a fertil'ty charm, 'n won't work at best 'r go wrong at worst. Sharpness charms on weapons, like th'one I got on m'knife, tha's fine, cuzza knife's meant t'be sharp. No conflict. Parta th'reason wards 'n 'tection spells hold on jewelry 's cuzzey work like somethin' t'wear, jus' addin' somethin' a li'l extra t'th'chain, like.

But'en she says she wuz lookin' more fee somthin'at'll make folk ignore ya, 'n shit, I c'n do'at. "Ye're talkin' 'bout goin' dim. Sure, y'c'n do'at. Y'mean th'person 'r th'weapon?"

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She smiles, lookin' like she's glad I got it. Makes part 'a me pleased, 'n part 'a me annoyed, 'cause it ain't like I should care too much 'a what she thinks 'a me. She picks up on my meanin', too. "Ye're talkin' 'bout goin' dim. Sure, y'c'n do'at. Y'mean th'person 'r th'weapon?"

"The weapon. Just somethin' t'make folks' eyes slide off 'a it. It'd be handy 'f you needed, bein' able t'go armed without folks noticin'." Johnny'd get looks carryin' his bar 'round if it dint have that old charm on it. "It should be easy 'nough, right? Especially if it ain't a blade 'a bow 'r somethin' that folks notice 'cause it's dangerous?" I'm likin' the talk. Even if she dunt have any ideas, it's just nice t'have someone t'work out my thoughts.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Girl perksa bit when I smile atter, an'en frowns a bit. Know what'at's like. Glad t'get praise, but ain't sure if'n she wants t'take it from me. Tha's okay. We's still gettin' t'know each other. Looks back t'er moss after a minute. "The weapon. Just somethin' t'make folks' eyes slide off 'a it. It'd be handy 'f you needed, bein' able t'go armed without folks noticin'. It should be easy 'nough, right? Especially if it ain't a blade 'a bow 'r somethin' that folks notice 'cause it's dangerous?"

Start grindin' up th'leaves. "Well, if'n't ain't somethin'at's strictly a weapon, be easier fer sure...but y'know, goin' dim ain't like bein' invis'ble. Jes' makes folks more likely t'ignore it 'r ferget'ey saw it. But won't hide it fromma cam'ra, an' if'n'y'hit somebody wit'it 'ey's gonna 'member. An' likely won't work if'n somebody's lookin' real close. Like if'n'y'try t'walkit past a guard't's checkin' folk fer weapons." Grind th'leaves, drain th'juice inta a bowl, "Sayin't'c'n be done, sure, but it sure's hell ain't'a cureall, y'know?"

Girl's warmin' t'th'talk, an'm kinda likin' it too. Ain't never had nobody t'talk shop wit' to. S'kinda fun, really.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"Well, if'n't ain't somethin'at's strictly a weapon, be easier fer sure...but y'know, goin' dim ain't like bein' invis'ble. Jes' makes folks more likely t'ignore it 'r ferget'ey saw it." I nod, and start breakin' up the smaller pieces 'a moss cross-wise. But won't hide it fromma cam'ra, an' if'n'y'hit somebody wit'it 'ey's gonna 'member. An' likely won't work if'n somebody's lookin' real close. Like if'n'y'try t'walkit past a guard't's checkin' folk fer weapons." She drains off the mortar she's bin workin' with, then goes back t'grindin'. "Sayin't'c'n be done, sure, but it sure's hell ain't'a cureall, y'know?"

"I get you," I say. The moss is broken up pretty small now. "D'you want it chopped finer, or left t'soak like this?" I ask her. "And yeah, the idea ain't perfect, but it seems easier t'get folks t'be lazy rather 'n tryin' t'hide somethin' from 'em altogether." I lean back in the chair 'n stretch my hands 'n arms up 'n back, takin' a deep breath. I'm a bit sore from hunchin' over the moss and pickin' it apart so careful.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"I get you," she says, an' I think she does. Clever girl, 'is one. She wants'is fer'er bother, 'm bettin'. Wants'im t'have some way'a 'tectin'imself that won't get th'sheriff onnis ass. Nothin' wrong witat, but also nothin' wrong wit'keepin' a knife tucked in yer belt. I oughta know. "D'you want it chopped finer, or left t'soak like this? And yeah, the idea ain't perfect, but it seems easier t'get folks t'be lazy rather 'n tryin' t'hide somethin' from 'em altogether."

"Ye've got th'right ovvit," I say, 'n take a look at'er moss. "That'll do. Use th'water innat bottle over'ere; s'fresh rainwater." "But y'know, s'jest's easy t'hide a knife onya. There a reason y'can't jes' use somethin' a li'l more subtle?"

Girl leans back 'n stretches some. C'n hear'er back pop. Guess we been attis ferra while. "Take a break, honey." I says, scrapin' th'ground up leaves inta a cheesecloth sack t'dry. S'a bitch doin'it this way, but need th'powder 'n th'juice. "Get summore coffee if'n y'want. Or y'hungry? Could hit th'cooktent." She did good work. Should get a break.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

She looks over. "Ye've got th'right ovvit," she says, lookin' at the moss 'n addin' "That'll do. Use th'water innat bottle over'ere; s'fresh rainwater." I start scrapin' the moss into a big wooden bowl. "But y'know," she says, "s'jest's easy t'hide a knife onya. There a reason y'can't jes' use somethin' a li'l more subtle?" I hesitate, pourin' the water over the moss 'n breakin' up clumps to it soaks even. "Well. I'm good 'nough with this," I say, pattin' my knife where it's hangin' from my straps under my dress. "'S more fer my brother. 'S kind 'v a family thing." I finish pourin' and stirrin' and set the bowl on the table.

"Take a break, honey." I nod at her and she finishes up with her leaves. "Get summore coffee if'n y'want. Or y'hungry? Could hit th'cooktent." "Sure." I take a look out one 'a the windows, but it still looks just this side 'a miserable. "Could do with some warm food."

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"Well. I'm good 'nough with this. 'S more fer my brother. 'S kind 'v a family thing."

Yeah, this chick's too smart t'go wand'rin' 'round wit'a vis'ble weapon. We's back t'er baby brother. An' some kinda trad'tion makes'im carry 'round some bigass weapon. S'a reason I don't think mucha trad'tion. "If'n'is fam'ly thin's makin'im carry 'round weapons could gettim 'rrested, mebbe y'wanna think 'bout ditchin' it." Stretch m'self, my spine cracks. Yeah, 'kay, time ferra break.

"Could do with some warm food." She says, lookin' out th'window.

"Cummon'en," I says, standin' up. "Food at th'cooktent ain't great, bu's hot an's fillin' an' if'n yer with me s'free. Plenty t'do when we get back." Always plenty t'do. An'I could get used t'havin' an extra hand 'round'ere. Really could.