Niane Tesmani

[shelley_winters]

Moving slowly and deliberately. Eyes where her opponent's would be.

The sword feels heavy in her hands, dragging, making her arms ache even though it is only for practise, but she holds it stubbornly raised.

Move one, two, three. No rush. It's a temptation to go faster, but that's unnecessary. Accuracy is.

The girl called Zera finishes her move and attempts to hold it, though her aching arms make the blade shake. Good enough.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mother_dearest/]

Niane's eyes darted back and forth and a flush crept on to her cheeks as she pursed her lips. That had not worked nearly as well as she had hoped.

Hazel eyes pleaded to Zera for intervention as she stumbled over her words.

"Well... Umm... You see... I... um."

[shelley_winters]

Zera, biting her lip hard to stop a smile, takes pity.

"It's probably a... secret that she promised not to tell."

She looks encouragingly at Niane. Unfortunately, Zera is not a particularly good liar, but is doing her best.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mother_dearest/]

Niane gives a small smile and glanced away. Her voice was shy and quiet, she made sure to give Zera a thankful look.

"I was... speaking abstractly. I wanted to keep it a secret, since I do not think he likes me. I wanted to ask Lady Zera's advice. She is good with men."

[shelley_winters]

She recieves an indignant look from Zera that says 'see if I ever help you out again, miss!'

"I hardly think so, Niane. I have only ever spoken to two that I remember!"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mother_dearest/]

Niane glanced away rather sullenly and twisted her body with hands clasped behind her back. Chewing her lower lip idly, she spoke in a somewhat dejected voice.

"Well... I thought that... because..."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mother_dearest/]

Lyrae eyes the girl.

"Try not to make assumptions, Niane. And please, stop biting that lip, you will make it sore."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mother_dearest/]

Niane hung her head, as she quickly released her lip. Her voice overly remorseful, the syllables drawn out too far. Hazel eyes darting around.

"My apologies, Lyrae Sedai."

[shelley_winters]

Zera slips down off the wall in the disapproving silence wielded by Lyrae. The redheaded girl brushes her skirt down while searching for a change of topic.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mother_dearest/]

Lyrae gives Niane another quelling look - carefully hiding any trace of amusement at the child's predicament.

"Well enough, then," she says, finally shifting her attention from the young girl.

"I take it your practise is over for the day, Zera?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mother_dearest/]

Niane, still with head bowed, mutters to the two women. Hazel eyes darting back and forth carefully.

"Lyrae Sedai, Lady Zera... Go in peace."

The girl gave a hasty wave, before scampering off, green dress waving behind her as she ran. Tripping over her slightly over-sized sandals, she picked herself up, and dusted her dress before continuing her flight.

[shelley_winters]

Zera tries not to laugh nervously, as she waves after the girl.

"A-and you, Niane."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mother_dearest/]

Touching a few fingers to her forehead, Lyrae Addam shook her head. She could not keep the slight smile from her face. A slight fondness creeping into her voice.

"Such trouble that child... I do not envy her mother."

[shelley_winters]

Zera leans back against the wall.

"I like her. She's the only girl that's ever come to talk to me before. It was nice of her."

Even if her questioning had been a little uncomfortable.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mother_dearest/]

A light chuckle as Lyrae calmly looked Zera over to make sure she was well now that the little minx had scampered off.

"She is a gregarious child, so I am not surprised that she came and spoke to you."

A cool glance out at the other houses.

"This small village can be rather insular."

[shelley_winters]

"What do you mean?" Zera asks, picking up the sword again with the faintest frown at the ache in her arms.

"Though I suppose I have met very few people..."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mother_dearest/]

A fluid gesture as she waved away her concern. Her eyes bearing a calm concern.

"Do not worry, Child."

[shelley_winters]

Zera looks down, still brushing the dirt from the wall off her skirts.

"...All right, then."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mother_dearest/]

A small, maternal smile. Despite looking nearly the same age as Zera, Lyrae Addam had the warm touch of a mother when she wanted.

"You have been working hard, why don't we go inside and you have a cup of juice, and perhaps, some soup?"

A pause.

"It is almost time for lunch regardless."

[shelley_winters]

Zera smiles gratefully, lifting the sword to carry it over one shoulder.

"That would be very nice."