RP:Gift of Friendship

From HollowWiki

Part of the Agitation Arc


Summary: Hildegarde visits Josleen in Xalious and brings her a gift: an amulet with an engraving of the Xalious Tree and light blue flourite gems. The flourite is said to absorb and store magic,and thus should offer Josleen some protection against magical attacks. The public gift-giving between the world famous Steward of Frostmaw and the local Xalious figure, Josleen, elevates the bard's social status a little in the eyes of the fellow villagers present.

Hildegarde is the most romantic.


Xalious Village

A small crowd has gathered in the village square to listen to the doomsday prophecy of a local religious firebrand and farmer. He stands on a soap box, literally. The overturned crate on which he stands has been painted with the words ‘Old Carl’s Spice Scented Soap.’ Beneath the gold lettering there is a weathered, upside down illustration of a burly man from the waist up lathering himself in the masculine soap. “BLACK STORMS! DECAY! FIREY CHERUBS FROM HELL ITSELF! And why? You ask yourselves why, why, why! You ask yourself why, why, why as you idle at home instead of attending mass at the Xalious temple! You ask yourself why, why, why as you forget to burn sage over your crops on Daedria’s day!” Josleen lingers at the fringe of the crowd and listens, though her bored expression suggestions the prophet isn’t getting through to this sinner.


Hildegarde hung further back in the crowd, further away than Josleen who was on the fringe of the crowd. This prophet, a typical doomsday prophet was getting mixed responses. There were those who believed in him ardently and those, like Josleen, who looked more bored than awed. The knight took a few steps forward, gently placing her hand on Josleen’s shoulder in a silent message of ‘I’m here’. She towered over the petite nurse, keeping her sole eye upon the prophet as he spoke of decay and black storms. This was not the sort of man who ought to have respect in her hometown.


Josleen should be alarmed at the heavy hand on her shoulder, but isn’t due to some instinctual recognition of who it must be at her back. It’s a gut feeling, but, as she discovers when she turns to greet the knight, a correct one. “Dame Hildegarde.” Josleen curtsies with the flame of mischief in her eye as teases her friend with a public curtsy. “What brings you to Xalious? Surely not the local entertainment,” she says as she nods her head sideways towards the doomsayer. “I hope Linn didn’t write an alarmist letter.” She lifts a hand to show a healing burn wound, first degree, minimal damage. “I’m fine. It won’t even leave a scar.”


Hildegarde ’s cheeks turned a tint of red from the curtsy, but she held her head high. She had to. She wouldn’t give Josleen too much satisfaction, it was already bad enough that she was blushing. “He didn’t,” she answered, leaning forward slightly as if to better examine that healing burn. “Although I think perhaps I should have words with him. Teach him a little thing or two about defending a lady,” she murmured. Hildegarde was not an arrogant woman. Frankly, she did not consider herself to be a brilliant warrior but she was certain she would do everything within her power to stop harm coming to her charge. “I actually came here for personal reasons. I wanted to give you something.”


Josleen smiles at Hildegarde’s light fussing. “He did his best, but not everyone is as efficient under pressure as you.” Her head cants to the side curiously as Hildegarde gets to the motive of her visit. “Oh? What’s that?” Curious eyes search Hildegarde’s body for hidden packages or bulky pockets. Does armor have pockets? A cloak with pockets? They should invent armor with pockets.


Hildegarde ’s hand dips into an inside pocket within the finely-tailored admiral’s longcoat that was a little worn and in need of some repairs. It had been resized to fit her, but it had once belonged to her prince. One of the few mementos that had been left behind for her to claim. The Silver withdraw a rather small ‘package’, something wrapped in what looked to be an embroidered piece of cloth; decorated with the sigil of Frostmaw and then Hildegarde’s own personal device. “I, er, had the shaman bless it. We both love Xalious very much, but… well, I am bound to Frostmaw. It comforts me to know that at least one of us can stay here and keep an eye on our beloved hometown. But you are very loved by Frostmaw, Josleen, and by me. So, please, accept this gift and think fondly of us from time to time. Keep home close to your heart and Frostmaw forever at your back.”


Josleen gently peels back the cloth in her palm to reveal the enchanting amulet with an engraving of the Xalious Tree and celestial blue stones — flourite, most likely, given the source. “Oh Hilde… You shouldn’t have…” she coos softly as is scripted for people who receive too much too unexpectedly. She slips the amulet on around her neck then lifts the jewelry to admire it. “It’s lovely.” Her brown doe eyes lift up at the towering knight and she’s at a loss for words for once. Move over Ansel, Ezekiel, Eliason, you’ve all been one-upped by Hildegarde. “It’s such a beautiful gift and gesture. Come…” She hugs her friend tightly despite the setting. The prophet still hollers at her back, but some in the crowd have turned to watch the new spectacle of Josleen and the Steward of Frostmaw. While still embracing the knight, Josleens says, “I love you to, Hilde, and I won’t soon forget Frostmaw.” As she pulls away she takes Hildegarde’s hands in each of hers. “It’s my second home, and how fortunate am I that I should be honored by this amulet and your friendship.”


Hildegarde watched with that sort of nervous excitement a gift-giver watches with, always waiting to see for a sign of dislike or dissatisfaction with the gift. But to her relief, Josleen is pleased with the gift. So much so, she feels as though she must hug the knight to show as much! The knight stoops ever so slightly just to make it easier for the petite woman, smiling as her friend spoke so fondly of the gift. “I’m glad you like it, m’lady. Fluorite is a stone that is very, er… well, I wouldn’t know, but it is described to me as being open to magic and storing magic. So, I believe that should someone try to strike you with magic, the amulet might just absorb some and lessen the attack. Not that I hope you are ever in such a position to discover such, but I would rather you safe than sorry,” she said gently. With her scarred and rough hands now in Josleen’s smaller and softer ones, the woman shook her head, “No, no. It is I who is honoured to have such a friend in you, m’lady. I am honoured to know that my hometown is under the careful eye of one I love.”


Those gathered and now watching the exchange between Hildegarde and Josleen had no idea that their village was under Josleen’s care. And yet, just by virtue of Hildegarde saying it, some of them begin to see Josleen in a new light. It isn’t so far-fetched, now that the Steward mentions it, though Josleen isn’t magically regarded as some hero in the blink of an eye. This simply elevates her station from daughter and wife of Guild members to village stalwart. A little mistiness shines in Josleen’s stare. Is someone chopping onions out here, or what? But she’s smiling throughout and simply nods her acceptance of Hildegarde’s kind words. “With trust like that, I’ll strive to be worthy of it someday.” These two women could easily fall into an endless loop of compliments and modesty: no you’re the best, no you’re the best, no you’re the best times infinity! And so on. It’s for the best that the nurse’s shift at the clinic begins soon. “I’ll wear this with pride daily. I’m sure the other nurses at the clinic will ask after it. My shift begins soon. Not sure how to tell them without sounding boastful.” She grins impishly at the thought of their jaw-dropped incredulity.


Hildegarde didn’t take notice of the gathered crowd and how they watched the exchange between Steward and nurse. Her attention was all on Josleen and her ever so kind words. “Just be sure to come and visit us in Frostmaw. Already the giants are talking of waging another war just so you’ll come visit them!” she smiled, evidently talking in jest or amusement. “I’m glad you’ll wear it, Jos. But I had best be off. I just wanted to make sure you got the gift and liked it. Take care, all right?”


Josleen laughs at the giant anecdote. “I’ll be sure to visit then, to keep the peace.” She squeezes the knight’s rough hands as they say their goodbyes. “I will. Thank you again. Fly safe, Hilde.” Once the knight has departed, Josleen holds her chin a little higher as she sashays through the town, en route to the clinic, with stares flickering like moths to her new fancy amulet.