After careful inspection, Nozomi determines that the passage way leading to her room is deserted. Fleeing down the corridore, the princess realizes that she must cross the tap room to get to the stairs leading to her second floor room. Of course, at this time of the day, any patrons will be congregating in the main dining hall to enjoy Beka and Benison's culinary efforts.

A shame that the tap room is also the main dining hall.

The realization almost stops "Kyra" in her tracks.

__________________
GM Wolff

Sure...
you can do that...
Just let me roll a few dice here...
Hmmm....

In fact, the realization did stop Zomi, so that she had to struggle for a moment against the sensation of her knees melting. How in the Wyrld had she managed to forget such a complication? She must have underestimated the effect her exhaustion had on her mental capacities.

If only I had my dressing gown from the palace...

With a deep breath, she reminded herself that she wasn't a princess anymore; in fact, for now she was just Kyra, a more or less anonymous, unexceptional traveler who was just passing through. What difference would it make if one such average individual slipped through the dining room on her way to her room. Surely no one would notice. Besides, Beka said that the food wouldn't be ready for a while longer, so maybe there wouldn't be many people there yet.

Bolstered by her convenient rationalizations, Zomi rewrapped her towel more tightly around herself, then set off through the dining room, attempting to evade noticed without looking like she was sneaking.

__________________
Nozomi Astell

To Nozomi's surprise, the tap room is deserted. Beka had said something about her Da running out and hijacking travelers to fill the empty Inn... But still, a deserted Inn at the intersection of two trade routes? The prospect seemed... unlikely.

Perhaps the other patrons have yet to arrive? Surely that must be it, because this Inn would be out of business if it were truly as unused as it appears.

The princess' thoughts wind their way through their observations as her feet carry her through the empty dining hall and safely up the stairs to her room.

Opening her pack, the princess swiftly removes her second (and only) other set of clothes. For a moment she sees them with the eyes of the princess she was. She wonders who has replaced her clothing with rags that smell of horse and campfire?

__________________
GM Wolff

Sure...
you can do that...
Just let me roll a few dice here...
Hmmm....

For just a moment, Nozomi was repulsed by the idea of dressing herself again in such tattered, grimy scraps. Then she abruptly closed her eyes, sighed dramatically--preparing to resume her peasant role--and quickly clothed herself in the simple leggings, blouse, and jacket. After perfunctorily running a comb through her thick, red curls and lacing up her boots, she stopped only long enough to slip her late sister's flute under the pillow on the bed and then slide her own dagger into its customary place next to her her calf, reassured by its lethal metal form.

What could you possibly be worried about all the way out here?

Kyra once more, she ignored the stray thought in favor of habit, closing her door firmly behind her and heading down to the dining room. Perhaps someone would chance arrive at the inn soon to keep her company; otherwise, she feared she might fall asleep while waiting for supper.

__________________
Nozomi Astell

"Oh hey dere Kyra!" Beka calls as the princess steps off the stairs and into the tap room. "Ve vill haf dinner ready in yoost a minute, doncha know." Teh blonde heads back into the kitchen and a moment later the smell of cooking venison reaches "Kyra".

The door from the baths opens and an older woman steps in, "Kyra's" wet clothes in her arms. "Yew!" The woman stalks over to Nozomi and dumps the clothes on the table. "Yew are der owner of dese rags?"

Not pausing for affirmation or denial, she continues, "Dese vere once fine clothes, doncha know! Vhat did yew do, find some noblewoman's trunk and decide yew vould go camping in dem, hey? Yew haf ruined dese fine silks and der wool vas nefer meant to take der abuse of camp fire smoke and ground-in dirt!"

It is at this moment that she notices what Nozomi is wearing. "Vhat!!! and yew are wearing more of der same, except even dirtier! Yew haf some 'splainin' to dew hey!"

The woman finally runs down enough that Nozomi/Kyra can get a word in edgewise.

__________________
GM Wolff

Sure...
you can do that...
Just let me roll a few dice here...
Hmmm....

Nozomi felt a flash of annoyance at the demanding tone of the peasant woman. Explanations could be so tedious. The Princess was not used to having to explain herself to just anyone. Her anger fizzled quickly, however, as Zomi realized she couldn't just dismiss the woman, or else risk ending back up outside, or worse.

Why must everything be so difficult?

She was struck by memories of her younger sister, and the two Princess' masquerades, usually dressed in the clothing of the staff, from a messenger's uniform to a stable boy's overalls and rough, itchy shirt. At first confined to the Palace, the elder was soon leading the younger out into the city proper. While Zomi had always done it for the freedom--the escape from the montonous life of royalty--Jaela had simply reveled in the fantasy, in the acting out of roles.

Help me to remember, my little one, she prayed. Help me to make her believe like you could always do.

'Kyra' slowly picked up the sodden heap from the table, making a show of examining the garments. She used the time to gather her thoughts before dropping the pile back onto the wood with a wet plop.

"Those are my clothes, I assure you." She met the woman's questioning gaze with an unequivocal nod. "Of course, even when I received them, they were far from new. They my Lady's, you see. She never got her figure back after the first pregnancy--such a shame--and I was lucky enough to receive several of her old garments."

Kyra babbled on candidly. She knew, however, that anyone hearing the story were more likely to believe if it had more drama to it. It needed some flare.

"Unfortunately, during my Lady's third pregnancy, shortly after a dangerous miscarriage, my Lord's wandering eye proved observant of the way the dresses fit my shape." She gave the woman a meaningful stare. "After the birth of her baby boy, My Lady once again became more observant her husband---and of me.

"Pelosian nobles are a jealous lot, you understand. She knew, of that there was no doubt. My Lord feared her wrath, and bade me flee. He proved himself a coward, in the end."

Kyra shrugged, as if to dismiss it all as no more than was to be expected from the powerful. Her eyes rested on the woman, looking to see if she was satisfied.

__________________
Nozomi Astell

The older woman's expression softens. "Oh, vell, dat's different, dere. Yew couldn't help it if yew had to flee fer yer life dere.

"I am Marjorie. I dew der cookin and der sewin' fer Beka und Ben."

Looking at the mass of sodden clothes on the table between them, the older woman sighs. "Sometimes, I may be a bit of a nosy busybody too dere hey, und fer dat I ask yer forgiveness.

"If yew be wantin' somethin a little more sturdy, not to mention warmer and cleaner, I think I haf a few tings in der back dat might be vee could make fit yew?" The woman is plainly embarassed that her temper and her rash assumptions have put her in such a position.

__________________
GM Wolff

Sure...
you can do that...
Just let me roll a few dice here...
Hmmm....