RP post: Demeter and NPCs, in the villa rustica near Faesulae

[ostro_goth]

[[Some days after this]]

Witichis had stayed a night longer than all his guests -- only one night, and he was off again, leaving some of his armed men to watch over the womenfolk, along with staunch Wachis and the grooms.

Of which there was one more, now, as Duke Totila had left the Greek groom from Neapolis, also, as a 'gift' to his hostess. All knew how that was meant, and were glad about it, none more than Berenike, the Greek maid from Cyprus.

Little Athalwin was openly cranky: shiny Totila had left, his father had left soon after, and quiet Teja had not played his harp again. He was poking the grass with a stick, quite displeased; and Ursula, spreading the used and washed linen on the lawn, had to keep him from treading upon it.

Comments

[ostro_goth]

Ursula unfolds the sheet, then folds it lengthwise, so they may pull it into shape between them.

"He is forever mourning, yes," she says. "Grim and dark and silent, and feared; the women from the town shrank from him as if from a demon! Our mistress, Rauthgundis, managed to reach out to him in her gentle, honest way; she is young yet, and he took pity on her awkwardness. She is very inexperienced at having guests, but this time, she acquitted herself wonderfully! She got him to like our smoked trout, and my moretum; and she took him his breakfast every morning. Wachis, the groom, is full of his praise, also; according to him, Count Teja is the best smith and the best hunter he has ever seen. He inspires fierce loyalty in those that take the time to know him, and he deserves it! But he takes no joy in it, either. He likes cats, and sad songs; but in a dark and wistful way, as if all pleasure reminded him of the inevitable pain to come."

[wheatencrown]

"Perhaps I can talk to him someday and see if I can find the green life inside him."

[ostro_goth]

"It would be worth the try," Ursula says, nodding. "He lives, he breathes, he eats and drinks and even sleeps at times; I have seen him asleep in the stable yard, with kittens sleeping on the hem of his cloak. There must be something that moves him towards good, something that keeps him alive; if all were darkness, he would not live, not move! He strikes me as an old-fashioned Goth that would kill himself rather than suffer dishonour, so he would do that, rather than falter under a dark mood, as some people do upon occasion, when the true demon of darkness has gripped their soul."

[wheatencrown]

"I will try. Now let us finish this work so that you may enjoy this beautiful day."

[ostro_goth]

"Thank you for your help," Ursula says, never taking a friend or acquaintance for granted. "There has been so much work, and there still is, we are grateful for every helping hand!"

"We are, indeed," another voice joined in, speaking in Latin with a harsh Gothic accent. "It's a miracle, all those friends and relatives of our Ursula turning up to help us when needed! Would you share our midday meal with us, for your help?"

It is Rauthgundis, the lady of the house, coming out with more sheets in a basket, and smiling at little Athalwin collecting flower petals in his chubby little hands.

[wheatencrown]

Demeter switches easily to Latin though hers has a Greek accent with a smile,

"I would be honored to, thank you. There is so much love and care in this home that it calls out."

[ostro_goth]

"We are happy here," Rauthgundis says; while her Latin is harsh, her Greek is nonexistent. "And our collected happiness has gone up a notch, as per today, thanks to Berenike and Demetrios! If only we could pass that on to others."

[wheatencrown]

"Oh you do, the land holds your happiness and knows and so it spreads outwards."

[ostro_goth]

"But some, I fear, it may never reach," Rauthgundis says.

She takes a deep breath.

"Well, let us get this done; it is the last basket! And then, we can all go in for our meal. We have the most wonderful things left over from our visitors, who ate much, but not all. And the trout is especially good this year."

[wheatencrown]

"Yes and more hands will make it be even quicker. No, but life gives hope which is always a good place to start."

[ostro_goth]

"It does!" says the other maid who joins them now as well. "Lunch is ready, and I can help you so we get all done sooner."

It is Berenike, and she is almost skipping.

Working in two pairs, they soon get all the sheets spread out in the sunshine, and can go in for their meal.