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[ Claire has done her best to stay as busy as possible, very much not wanting to have idle time to think about who she's missing. It's better that way and already hard enough when she has to give in to sleep, because when she wakes up, there's that millisecond of blissful unawareness that Jamie isn't next to her.
So, she's quite busy instead.
In the main gardens, she can be found both at night and during the day. In the daytime, she does most of the harvesting and trimming, removing bugs and making sure everything's happy. At night, she waters and brings to life saplings under her fingertips.
Not far beyond the vegetables, she also encourages a garden of wildflowers, needing them for the beehives that are now complete. She was able to fashion her own hat and found suitable gloves, and now she only has to wait on the bees.
About twice a week she tries to make rounds and check on everyone's health; she'll happily get roped into holding a baby or two for babysitting and doesn't seem to mind playing with the kids. In fact, she lets the older ones chase her, but tackling is out these days. Still, she gathers her skirts and they run around for a bit, before she shoos them off and away for supper.
She can always be found out and about the faction, doing everything she can to contribute. ]
So, she's quite busy instead.
In the main gardens, she can be found both at night and during the day. In the daytime, she does most of the harvesting and trimming, removing bugs and making sure everything's happy. At night, she waters and brings to life saplings under her fingertips.
Not far beyond the vegetables, she also encourages a garden of wildflowers, needing them for the beehives that are now complete. She was able to fashion her own hat and found suitable gloves, and now she only has to wait on the bees.
About twice a week she tries to make rounds and check on everyone's health; she'll happily get roped into holding a baby or two for babysitting and doesn't seem to mind playing with the kids. In fact, she lets the older ones chase her, but tackling is out these days. Still, she gathers her skirts and they run around for a bit, before she shoos them off and away for supper.
She can always be found out and about the faction, doing everything she can to contribute. ]
Edited 2023-06-09 12:49 (UTC)
[ In all of her time spent in the Horizon, Claire doesn't leave Lallybroch all that much. Deciding to remedy that, she gathers a basket of goodies (tea, coffee beans, cookies and various fruit to cover her bases) and begins exploring. Maybe the treats won't matter outside of her this space, but it's still nice in the moment.
Each day she has something a little different, but when she sees someone outside, she stops and holds up a hand with a smile. ]
Do you happen to have a sweet tooth?
Each day she has something a little different, but when she sees someone outside, she stops and holds up a hand with a smile. ]
Do you happen to have a sweet tooth?
Edited 2023-05-14 21:21 (UTC)
[ When Claire has her first chance, she goes to Nocwich to try and finds a few thing to shore up her supplies; she needs a vessel for Hilda's gift to Claude as well. Her last venture wasn't one of pleasure, as she was tending to the wounded, but now she'd like to explore if she can. She goes each of the three days, all three times seeing and experiencing something different.
On the first day, she's mostly business. The apothecary is her main haunt, filling up on all sorts of herbs and other ingredients. She also stops for tea in order to people-watch. Her basket sits on the ground by her feet, and she smiles genuinely at someone with their own cup. ]
Good morning. Watch for the path up ahead and mind you don't trip, there are some loose stones.
[ Ask her how she knows!
On the second day, she's enchanted by the woven items. It may not be cold enough, but she'll need hand warmers and shawls at some point. She'll also attempt to find a clothing shop for trousers and shirts she won't mind getting filthy.
The third day she follows her whims. Her basket has books about herbs and plants at the bottom with flowers on top. This time when she stops to eat, it's at a pub where she sits at a table for two alone. As she eats she reads, not paying any mind to her surroundings. She's content and in her own world, lost in thought. ]
On the first day, she's mostly business. The apothecary is her main haunt, filling up on all sorts of herbs and other ingredients. She also stops for tea in order to people-watch. Her basket sits on the ground by her feet, and she smiles genuinely at someone with their own cup. ]
Good morning. Watch for the path up ahead and mind you don't trip, there are some loose stones.
[ Ask her how she knows!
On the second day, she's enchanted by the woven items. It may not be cold enough, but she'll need hand warmers and shawls at some point. She'll also attempt to find a clothing shop for trousers and shirts she won't mind getting filthy.
The third day she follows her whims. Her basket has books about herbs and plants at the bottom with flowers on top. This time when she stops to eat, it's at a pub where she sits at a table for two alone. As she eats she reads, not paying any mind to her surroundings. She's content and in her own world, lost in thought. ]
Edited 2023-05-14 14:54 (UTC)
[ Claire hasn't explored the Horizon at great lengths yet, not since her first time, so she's slowly been making the rounds. Stopping when she gets to a home with a nice porch swing, she takes in the entirety of the space in all its beauty. The entire area looks like it's come from the U.S., way down South. She's been once or twice traveling with Frank, enough to make an attempt at placing the location.
It's so bucolic that she can't help wandering up close, though she does call out, not wanting to startle. ]
Hello the house!
[ It's a common enough greeting—in the 18th century. Still, it does the job. ]
Is there anyone here?
It's so bucolic that she can't help wandering up close, though she does call out, not wanting to startle. ]
Hello the house!
[ It's a common enough greeting—in the 18th century. Still, it does the job. ]
Is there anyone here?
Edited 2023-05-14 15:04 (UTC)
[ so here's the thing: whether or not sam has any idea that the greeting is common, he is more than used to people approaching his home in the horizon, and has gotten his fair share of different and interesting ways of making yourself known. so much so that he's stopped really noticing if something is common or not. rather, he just listens for the sound of someone walking up, and goes to meet them.
it comes with the territory, after all; a welcoming home, a beautiful place. the air is warm and humid, something you'd expect at the tail end of spring in lousiana, and sam's been out back. or, rather, was out back when he heard the sound of a woman's voice, which has now pulled him up from his rocking chair and has him walking around the wrap-around porch. ]
Hey! [ he says with a welcoming smile, holding up the glass of lemonade he'd been drinking. he's pretty sure he recognizes the woman, though he doesn't know if he's really had time to sit and meet her. now's as great a time as any, so he waves her the rest of the way up to the house. ] Come on up!
it comes with the territory, after all; a welcoming home, a beautiful place. the air is warm and humid, something you'd expect at the tail end of spring in lousiana, and sam's been out back. or, rather, was out back when he heard the sound of a woman's voice, which has now pulled him up from his rocking chair and has him walking around the wrap-around porch. ]
Hey! [ he says with a welcoming smile, holding up the glass of lemonade he'd been drinking. he's pretty sure he recognizes the woman, though he doesn't know if he's really had time to sit and meet her. now's as great a time as any, so he waves her the rest of the way up to the house. ] Come on up!
[ The warm greeting has her making her way up the porch with a return smile, skirts in hand until she's standing on the porch beside him. She knows she took injured people off of his hands, but other than a few words exchanged that she can't even remember, they haven't actually met. ]
Your home is beautiful, I think I might have wanted to make my way to your porch anyway. Are you from Mississippi by chance?
[ It's a guess; an incorrect one but close. ]
Your home is beautiful, I think I might have wanted to make my way to your porch anyway. Are you from Mississippi by chance?
[ It's a guess; an incorrect one but close. ]
[ so that's where he's seen her before - which would explain why sam doesn't remember her name, but also knows she's been around for at least a little bit. it also means that there is already a sense of comradery there - they've worked together, and worked well, so much that sam was comfortable enough dropping off the injured into her care.
she was already welcome in his home, but now even more so. ]
Thank you- it's been in my family a couple of generations now. And you've got a good eye - the porch's the best place in the house. [ he gestures for her to come and take a seat, and sam will probably go as far as to pull out one of the whicker chairs for her to sit in, if she'd like. ]
Close- Louisiana, right on the gulf. You from the south?
she was already welcome in his home, but now even more so. ]
Thank you- it's been in my family a couple of generations now. And you've got a good eye - the porch's the best place in the house. [ he gestures for her to come and take a seat, and sam will probably go as far as to pull out one of the whicker chairs for her to sit in, if she'd like. ]
Close- Louisiana, right on the gulf. You from the south?
Ah, even better. Or at least the food is better in Louisana. I'm not from the South, but I've been.
[ Claire sits when he offers the chair, thanking him as she settles and sighs contently at the view looking out. It's beautiful, his version of home. ]
My first husband was a historian, and when my daughter was small, he cajoled us into plenty of trips to the south. We stayed in a town called St. Francisville for nearly a month.
[ But her curiosity is piqued because of her recognition of him. ]
I'm not sure we were able to introduce ourselves during the chaos a few weeks ago. Claire Fraser.
[ She offers her hand. ]
You brought more of the injured to me than nearly anyone else.
[ Claire sits when he offers the chair, thanking him as she settles and sighs contently at the view looking out. It's beautiful, his version of home. ]
My first husband was a historian, and when my daughter was small, he cajoled us into plenty of trips to the south. We stayed in a town called St. Francisville for nearly a month.
[ But her curiosity is piqued because of her recognition of him. ]
I'm not sure we were able to introduce ourselves during the chaos a few weeks ago. Claire Fraser.
[ She offers her hand. ]
You brought more of the injured to me than nearly anyone else.
[ Galadriel's Horizon is still not entirely to her liking, but in her conversations with others within their number she has learned that changes can still be made. Some of it has required unearthing deeper memories than she ever expected to retrieve — she has not dwelled on Finrod's face since it was forced upon her by the Dark Lord himself, since her newest ally had revealed himself as her greatest enemy. It is painful to think on, now, and so rather than let herself become too mired in the past she has wandered, likely farther than she means to.
This place bears such strong reminders of Valinor that for an instant, she wonders if she has been walking in circles — but the small castle is unknown to her eyes, and the woman who stops to regard her also unfamiliar.
The question itself is one that has not been posed to her in centuries, perhaps, and therefore it takes Galadriel a bit longer to answer it, blinking a few times in the sunlight. ]
I suppose so. Are there those who do not enjoy sweet things?
This place bears such strong reminders of Valinor that for an instant, she wonders if she has been walking in circles — but the small castle is unknown to her eyes, and the woman who stops to regard her also unfamiliar.
The question itself is one that has not been posed to her in centuries, perhaps, and therefore it takes Galadriel a bit longer to answer it, blinking a few times in the sunlight. ]
I suppose so. Are there those who do not enjoy sweet things?
[ Claire gives the woman in front of her time to think, in no hurry as she rummages to see what she might offer either way. At the positive answer, she brings out a small batch of cinnamon sugar cookies wrapped in burlap and tied with a nice ribbon. Her answer comes easily as she hands over the bundle. ]
My husband. I'm not sure why, but he's never had much of a fondness for sweets. I most assuredly don't share that quality with him.
[ With a warm smile she introduces herself. ]
I'm Claire, normally in Solvunn when I'm not passing out what I suppose amounts to imaginary food.
My husband. I'm not sure why, but he's never had much of a fondness for sweets. I most assuredly don't share that quality with him.
[ With a warm smile she introduces herself. ]
I'm Claire, normally in Solvunn when I'm not passing out what I suppose amounts to imaginary food.
In the few weeks since Hilda and Claire made their plan for Claude's birthday, Claire's been a busy woman of trial and error. To make a small pine tree, the sort that would be good for his tea, is no easy feat. Fir trees, on the whole, are massive and don't typically come in miniature sizes. But Claire's been determined and after a few false starts, she's pretty sure she has it. It's good practice anyway, because she's on notice for a Christmas tree for Solvunn.
(She doesn't dwell on the fact that Christmas is over seven months away. Is she truly going to be here in seven months? Will she be happy here for that long? Only time will tell.)
They've decided to meet in a tea house and Claire arrives a little early, setting her things on the ground beside her feet and ordering. She takes the liberty of ordering Hilda's tea for her, knowing what she likes by now, and also asks for a few teak cakes as well. Then, she simply waits patiently, people watching contently.
(She doesn't dwell on the fact that Christmas is over seven months away. Is she truly going to be here in seven months? Will she be happy here for that long? Only time will tell.)
They've decided to meet in a tea house and Claire arrives a little early, setting her things on the ground beside her feet and ordering. She takes the liberty of ordering Hilda's tea for her, knowing what she likes by now, and also asks for a few teak cakes as well. Then, she simply waits patiently, people watching contently.
[ that comment has sam beaming, pleased and with no small amount of pride for the association. because she is so right, the food is much better, and sam can't help the way he chuckles a bit at the association.
when she sits, he moves to settle in the opposite chair, reaching back to a side table and pulling out a pitcher of what appears to be freshly made lemonade. one of the nicer things about this horizon - he doesn't need to be worried about being surprised by guests. ]
Well, if you've had the food then you're halfway there. Especially if you liked it. [ he grins a bit, offering some of the lemonade to her and pouring a glass if she accepts. ] Ah! I know the place, just a bit north of Nola, yeah? This- [ he gestures around them. ] Is Delacroix, which is just south of the city. Hope your stay wasn't in the summer months- they can get pretty brutal.
[ she introduces herself, offers a hand, and sam's eyes widen a bit as he reaches over to grab her's and shake. ] Oh, I think you're right. Wow- well, it's great to meet you Claire. Name's Sam, Sam Wilson. You really handled yourself well out there, are you a doctor?
when she sits, he moves to settle in the opposite chair, reaching back to a side table and pulling out a pitcher of what appears to be freshly made lemonade. one of the nicer things about this horizon - he doesn't need to be worried about being surprised by guests. ]
Well, if you've had the food then you're halfway there. Especially if you liked it. [ he grins a bit, offering some of the lemonade to her and pouring a glass if she accepts. ] Ah! I know the place, just a bit north of Nola, yeah? This- [ he gestures around them. ] Is Delacroix, which is just south of the city. Hope your stay wasn't in the summer months- they can get pretty brutal.
[ she introduces herself, offers a hand, and sam's eyes widen a bit as he reaches over to grab her's and shake. ] Oh, I think you're right. Wow- well, it's great to meet you Claire. Name's Sam, Sam Wilson. You really handled yourself well out there, are you a doctor?
Often, the best unions can be forged when one is in possession of what the other lacks.
[ There is only the slightest pang in Galadriel's heart when the conversation briefly turns to the subject of marriage — her own, of course, had been cut short by loss, and with Celeborn being missing these many years, there has rarely been a day where she has not resigned herself to the fact that he is likely gone.
For now, at least, she refrains from any greater mention of him, especially since she's moving to accept the woman's — Claire's — offering, reaching out to accept the bundle that's been handed to her and carefully unwrapping to see its contents.
She doesn't immediately sample one, but her gaze lifts, the hint of a smile emerging across the shape of her mouth. ] I am Galadriel of the Noldor, daughter of the House of Finarfin, and presently of Thorne. It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Claire.
[ There is only the slightest pang in Galadriel's heart when the conversation briefly turns to the subject of marriage — her own, of course, had been cut short by loss, and with Celeborn being missing these many years, there has rarely been a day where she has not resigned herself to the fact that he is likely gone.
For now, at least, she refrains from any greater mention of him, especially since she's moving to accept the woman's — Claire's — offering, reaching out to accept the bundle that's been handed to her and carefully unwrapping to see its contents.
She doesn't immediately sample one, but her gaze lifts, the hint of a smile emerging across the shape of her mouth. ] I am Galadriel of the Noldor, daughter of the House of Finarfin, and presently of Thorne. It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Claire.
I was never unlucky enough to be there in the summer. No, it was typically during his spring break from teaching. Summer was Disneyland.
[ Claire says that with an 'of course' head tilt. As in you know how it is with kids. Even if he doesn't, what kid wouldn't beg for Disney in summer? Taking the lemonade with thanks, she sips and hums at the name of the home. ]
Delacroix? After the French artist?
[ After shaking his hand, she finds herself feeling a glimmer of warmth at his compliment. It's always nice to be seen, though it isn't why either of them do what they do, and she feels safe making the assumption of Sam. ]
I am, a surgeon, in fact. But before that, in another life or two, I was a battlefield nurse. It never quite leaves you, how to snap into action. But I suspect you must know something about that, yourself.
[ She lived with two armies, she likes to think she has an eye for a solider. Especially after seeing him in action. ]
[ Claire says that with an 'of course' head tilt. As in you know how it is with kids. Even if he doesn't, what kid wouldn't beg for Disney in summer? Taking the lemonade with thanks, she sips and hums at the name of the home. ]
Delacroix? After the French artist?
[ After shaking his hand, she finds herself feeling a glimmer of warmth at his compliment. It's always nice to be seen, though it isn't why either of them do what they do, and she feels safe making the assumption of Sam. ]
I am, a surgeon, in fact. But before that, in another life or two, I was a battlefield nurse. It never quite leaves you, how to snap into action. But I suspect you must know something about that, yourself.
[ She lived with two armies, she likes to think she has an eye for a solider. Especially after seeing him in action. ]
[ Galadriel's introduction makes Claire's heart ache in a strange way; it reminds her of a title she once held, and there's a brief flicker of sadness before she matches the other woman's smile. ]
Likewise, I'm glad I wasn't empty-handed. And you weren't wrong about making up one another's qualities. I'm not sure a matchmaker would've put Jamie and I on the same page.
[ It's part of why she thinks things were difficult with Frank even before time travel. They were exactly alike, whereas Jamie was literally from another time, more different than she'd ever expected. And yet they became two halves of a perfect whole, and again, Claire feels that ache tug at her. Changing the topic, she reaches back into her basket. ]
Do you enjoy tea? I happen to have a hot thermos and a cup.
Likewise, I'm glad I wasn't empty-handed. And you weren't wrong about making up one another's qualities. I'm not sure a matchmaker would've put Jamie and I on the same page.
[ It's part of why she thinks things were difficult with Frank even before time travel. They were exactly alike, whereas Jamie was literally from another time, more different than she'd ever expected. And yet they became two halves of a perfect whole, and again, Claire feels that ache tug at her. Changing the topic, she reaches back into her basket. ]
Do you enjoy tea? I happen to have a hot thermos and a cup.
Then you saw the best of it.
[ even if spring can get a bit warm, too - judging from the way the very air seems to hold onto the sun's rays around them. thankfully it's the horizon, which means that sam can be certain there is always a cool breeze that flits through every now and then, coming in off the water and keeping the air moving.
he smiles and nods a bit at her look, though. because yeah, disneyland is always going to win out when a kid is involved. he knows he's already heard his nephews begging his sister for a trip down to world. ]
Nah- after the landowner back in the 1800s. I think her name was Countess Pauline de la Croix? It's mostly known as the Island by the locals.
[ her confirmation of her skills has him nodding, leaning back in his chair and proud of his own assumption. it's not difficult to recognize experience and skills when you run across them in the battlefield, and their brief interactions had told him enough. hearing it confirmed - surgeons and battlefield nurse, he should have pegged that from the start - and her assumption has him chuckling, feeling both like he's been read and also seen. ]
Yeah, guess I do. I used to be pararescue for the Air Force, so I know what you mean about it never really leaving you. But a battlefield nurse- thank god we had you around during the last couple of months.
[ even if spring can get a bit warm, too - judging from the way the very air seems to hold onto the sun's rays around them. thankfully it's the horizon, which means that sam can be certain there is always a cool breeze that flits through every now and then, coming in off the water and keeping the air moving.
he smiles and nods a bit at her look, though. because yeah, disneyland is always going to win out when a kid is involved. he knows he's already heard his nephews begging his sister for a trip down to world. ]
Nah- after the landowner back in the 1800s. I think her name was Countess Pauline de la Croix? It's mostly known as the Island by the locals.
[ her confirmation of her skills has him nodding, leaning back in his chair and proud of his own assumption. it's not difficult to recognize experience and skills when you run across them in the battlefield, and their brief interactions had told him enough. hearing it confirmed - surgeons and battlefield nurse, he should have pegged that from the start - and her assumption has him chuckling, feeling both like he's been read and also seen. ]
Yeah, guess I do. I used to be pararescue for the Air Force, so I know what you mean about it never really leaving you. But a battlefield nurse- thank god we had you around during the last couple of months.
[ Claire has never known how to react to so much praise, but she does dip her head graciously for a moment in acknowledgment before looking back at him. ]
I appreciate you saying that, soldiers don't typically stop to thank the nurses.
[ Her tone doesn't suggest she thinks they should, it is war after all, and if bad manners offend, it isn't the correct place to be. She assumes that hasn't changed. She only means to try and explain why better words fail her.
But on the topic of what happened, her expression shifts into something a little tenser. ]
I've been alive a long time now, I've seen my fair share of horrors and experienced a few of them myself. But this was something else. Something other.
[ Claire's forehead creases as she searches for better words. ]
I don't know how to explain it.
I appreciate you saying that, soldiers don't typically stop to thank the nurses.
[ Her tone doesn't suggest she thinks they should, it is war after all, and if bad manners offend, it isn't the correct place to be. She assumes that hasn't changed. She only means to try and explain why better words fail her.
But on the topic of what happened, her expression shifts into something a little tenser. ]
I've been alive a long time now, I've seen my fair share of horrors and experienced a few of them myself. But this was something else. Something other.
[ Claire's forehead creases as she searches for better words. ]
I don't know how to explain it.
Hilda bursts into the tea house several minutes after their appointed meeting time. She hadn't meant to be late. At home she had been notorious for being fashionably late; something had never been right with her outfit or her hair wasn't cooperating with her. Sometimes it was that she had simply woken up late. This time however it was a rare moment when she had been caught putting the finishing touches on a gift where all of the details had to be just right.
"I'm sorry," she starts breathlessly as she bundles through the door and straight into Claire's arms for a quick hug. "I promise I have a good reason for being late and I promise it won't happen again." She grins like it'll be true but Claire can probably discern that that probably won't be the case. As she slides into the seat across from her, cheeks flushed pink from all but running straight from the portal to Nocwich, she finally takes a breath. "You didn't wait long, did you?"
"I'm sorry," she starts breathlessly as she bundles through the door and straight into Claire's arms for a quick hug. "I promise I have a good reason for being late and I promise it won't happen again." She grins like it'll be true but Claire can probably discern that that probably won't be the case. As she slides into the seat across from her, cheeks flushed pink from all but running straight from the portal to Nocwich, she finally takes a breath. "You didn't wait long, did you?"
If my Ma taught me anything, it was to recognize the people doing the real work. They're usually the ones least recognized, and they're usually the ones who deserve it the most.
[ and it's something he's carried with him his whole life. something that was doubly confirmed for him during his service, seeing as more often than not he might have been the one going in to get their people, but there always had to be someone he could hand them off to in the end. that someone, who was usually the one doing the actual saving.
sam has no problem with giving credit where credit is due, and it's fairly obvious with his tone what he thinks of claire and her abilities. how vital she was at the time. whether or not claire believes that it should change, it's fairly obvious that sam thinks it does. lord knows he's seen his fair share of bad manners during his years in the service.
the tension at the mention of the last couple of months isn't a surprise, and sam lets some of that easiness of the earlier conversation fade. not entirely, because he knows as much as anyone how important it is for people to be able to work through just what it is they're dealing with after trauma like that, so he shifts his focus to listening.
i don't know how to explain it and sam nods, setting his glass of lemonade down on the table next to his chair. ]
No, I know what you mean. Before I came here I felt like I saw enough horrors to last a few lifetimes; wars do that. Wars are that. But the kind of stuff we run into here? [ he lets out a breath. ] It's not something you can really compare. Doesn't matter what you're used to living through or dealing with- this is something else.
[ and it's something he's carried with him his whole life. something that was doubly confirmed for him during his service, seeing as more often than not he might have been the one going in to get their people, but there always had to be someone he could hand them off to in the end. that someone, who was usually the one doing the actual saving.
sam has no problem with giving credit where credit is due, and it's fairly obvious with his tone what he thinks of claire and her abilities. how vital she was at the time. whether or not claire believes that it should change, it's fairly obvious that sam thinks it does. lord knows he's seen his fair share of bad manners during his years in the service.
the tension at the mention of the last couple of months isn't a surprise, and sam lets some of that easiness of the earlier conversation fade. not entirely, because he knows as much as anyone how important it is for people to be able to work through just what it is they're dealing with after trauma like that, so he shifts his focus to listening.
i don't know how to explain it and sam nods, setting his glass of lemonade down on the table next to his chair. ]
No, I know what you mean. Before I came here I felt like I saw enough horrors to last a few lifetimes; wars do that. Wars are that. But the kind of stuff we run into here? [ he lets out a breath. ] It's not something you can really compare. Doesn't matter what you're used to living through or dealing with- this is something else.
The pub is, unfortunately, filling up, so that a time comes when the only spare place is at Claire's table. She looks familiar to him, from the time when the taken were recovering. There is, perhaps, a little of Lady Stark in her, which nearly makes him turn away -- but it is only the kindliness that Lady Stark had shown to others. He has seen Claire show a bit of it from a distance since.
Jon does not like to trouble her, but he has spent the afternoon hunting the woods in one shape or another, has brought in a brace of hare, and a mug of cool ale is greatly wanted.
He brings it to the table, and says, with a hint of apology, "This all right? I can stand, if you would rather keep to yourself, my lady."
[OOC: So a while ago I think you hit me up for a totally different game and character and I had too much going on IRL to do much about it! That can also happen, over there, but I thought this might help make up for it too... and regardless, these two should have CR. :> ]
Jon does not like to trouble her, but he has spent the afternoon hunting the woods in one shape or another, has brought in a brace of hare, and a mug of cool ale is greatly wanted.
He brings it to the table, and says, with a hint of apology, "This all right? I can stand, if you would rather keep to yourself, my lady."
[OOC: So a while ago I think you hit me up for a totally different game and character and I had too much going on IRL to do much about it! That can also happen, over there, but I thought this might help make up for it too... and regardless, these two should have CR. :> ]
The beautiful thing about being from different times, is knowing the mannerisms, the way of speaking, even the communal aspects of eating. And so, when she's approached, she's only startled in that she was in her own head, and her expression relaxes.
"Please, sit, I don't mind the company," she offers, then tilts her head a bit to look at him as does. She isn't sure of his name, but she does remember seeing his face while doing what she could to help the injured the last time she was in Nocwich.
Whenever Claire meets someone from a time of Ago, there's a small part of her, the part that still mourns the loss of two decades separated from family, that wants to be Lady Broch Tuarach again, wants to introduce herself with the title she once had, briefly as it was. It felt right, like home, and the best title she's had asie from 'mother.' But the majority of her knows Lallybroch isn't Jamie's anymore anyway, and so she refrains and never has introduced herself that way.
"I do know I've seen you, but unfortunately I've never caught your name. I'm Claire Fraser. I'll respond to any sort of arrangement you choose," she says with a smile, whether he calls her Mistress Fraser or Claire, or anything else. She's heard (most of) it all.
[ ooc: omg buddy this is awesome, I'll take your Jon in any game with any character! Let Claire adopt you, son. ]
"Please, sit, I don't mind the company," she offers, then tilts her head a bit to look at him as does. She isn't sure of his name, but she does remember seeing his face while doing what she could to help the injured the last time she was in Nocwich.
Whenever Claire meets someone from a time of Ago, there's a small part of her, the part that still mourns the loss of two decades separated from family, that wants to be Lady Broch Tuarach again, wants to introduce herself with the title she once had, briefly as it was. It felt right, like home, and the best title she's had asie from 'mother.' But the majority of her knows Lallybroch isn't Jamie's anymore anyway, and so she refrains and never has introduced herself that way.
"I do know I've seen you, but unfortunately I've never caught your name. I'm Claire Fraser. I'll respond to any sort of arrangement you choose," she says with a smile, whether he calls her Mistress Fraser or Claire, or anything else. She's heard (most of) it all.
[ ooc: omg buddy this is awesome, I'll take your Jon in any game with any character! Let Claire adopt you, son. ]
He sits, then listens to her introduction. Apart from a brief pull at his mug, he is more attentive than some might be under the same circumstances, dark eyes fixed on her face. There is little hardness about it, he decides -- another thing setting her apart from his late father's late wife.
"It's hard to know what to call anyone here, when we are all so -- well. Far from home. I am Jon Snow, my lady -- Claire." Another sip, and he adds, "What sort of place did you come from?"
[HI MOM.]
"It's hard to know what to call anyone here, when we are all so -- well. Far from home. I am Jon Snow, my lady -- Claire." Another sip, and he adds, "What sort of place did you come from?"
[HI MOM.]
Sometimes true connection can spring up right when we least expect it to.
[ Had it not been that way with her and Celeborn, at the start? She had hardly been in a position to consider marriage, much less any form of romantic commitment, and yet she recalls even now his persistence in winning her over, in convincing her that it was the best course of fate for them both. Perhaps, had she not been dancing in the glade that day, it would have turned out very differently — and now, she thinks, with a slightly sobered smile, who can say whether his fate, the disappearance, would have been the same?
She draws herself back from reflections on the past in favor of the present moment, glancing to Claire with a minute flicker of surprise in her gaze. ]
Certainly, when the opportunity allows for it. [ She nods, slightly, in the direction of the estate behind them. ] Is this your home?
[ Had it not been that way with her and Celeborn, at the start? She had hardly been in a position to consider marriage, much less any form of romantic commitment, and yet she recalls even now his persistence in winning her over, in convincing her that it was the best course of fate for them both. Perhaps, had she not been dancing in the glade that day, it would have turned out very differently — and now, she thinks, with a slightly sobered smile, who can say whether his fate, the disappearance, would have been the same?
She draws herself back from reflections on the past in favor of the present moment, glancing to Claire with a minute flicker of surprise in her gaze. ]
Certainly, when the opportunity allows for it. [ She nods, slightly, in the direction of the estate behind them. ] Is this your home?
It's like catching a whirlwind of a daughter, and briefly, Claire thinks of Marsali as she hugs Hilda. If not for this breathless young woman, Claire might ache a bit more at the loss of both her daughter and daughter-in-law.
"No, I wasn't waiting long, and I'd only start to worry if you weren't here within a half hour. I'm used to living in a place where one stubborn horse can be the difference between punctuality and being so late we've all gotten to dessert by the time someone arrives." That is to say, Hilda's excused, and Claire can't help but match her smile. That promise is a hundred percent a young person's pledge, and she doesn't take it to heart.
"I did take the liberty of ordering for you, I only hope I know you as well as I think I do."
"No, I wasn't waiting long, and I'd only start to worry if you weren't here within a half hour. I'm used to living in a place where one stubborn horse can be the difference between punctuality and being so late we've all gotten to dessert by the time someone arrives." That is to say, Hilda's excused, and Claire can't help but match her smile. That promise is a hundred percent a young person's pledge, and she doesn't take it to heart.
"I did take the liberty of ordering for you, I only hope I know you as well as I think I do."
[ The kindness that Sam projects isn't just for show; Claire's lived long enough to tell the difference and he exudes a genuineness that she's found rare. At least in her time. In her time—whichever one you'd like to choose—she wouldn't be able to have this conversation without being looked at sideways. Those are the 'nice' people who couldn't be kind to save their own lives.
Claire's quiet for a moment after he speaks, then takes a sip of the lemonade before setting it down. ]
I don't mean to sound like a pessimist, but after seeing the damage Jocelyn inflicted, I can't help but wonder if that was simply a prequel. The parts I saw her harvesting, and the things I found in her house, are all for some use we don't know yet.
[ It makes her chest tighten and squeeze, worried for something she can't predict. ]
At least in my own world, I somewhat know what the future has in store. I feel lost some days, here.
Claire's quiet for a moment after he speaks, then takes a sip of the lemonade before setting it down. ]
I don't mean to sound like a pessimist, but after seeing the damage Jocelyn inflicted, I can't help but wonder if that was simply a prequel. The parts I saw her harvesting, and the things I found in her house, are all for some use we don't know yet.
[ It makes her chest tighten and squeeze, worried for something she can't predict. ]
At least in my own world, I somewhat know what the future has in store. I feel lost some days, here.
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