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Sarah McLeod (![[info]](http://www.journalfen.net/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} sarahshope) wrote in ![[info]](http://www.journalfen.net/img/community.gif){kind=small} bordertown,@ 2004-07-20 21:29:00 |
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Karl / Sarah
Karl: Pulling his aching body from between the covers, Karl rises stiffly and stumbles from his room. He stifles a yawn and meanders into the hallway, his bare feet making barely a sound on the hardwood floor.
Sarah: *Slowly, I've allowed myself to drift into awakeness from sleep. I can smell the morning dew on Orli's gardens as I stretch under the blankets, noting an extra one that Orlando must have brought in after I had fallen asleep last night. I smile to myself and stand, pulling open the bedroom door just in time to see you emerging from your room, as well.*
Karl: "...Sarah?" It is a mumble, barely audible through thick laced sleep. He motions silently for her to follow him into the kitchen.
Sarah: *I blink and run my fingers loosely through my hair. For a moment I consider slipping back into the bedroom, but I nervously bite my bottom lip and follow you - a few steps behind - into the kitchen.*
Karl: Delicately--his hands still healing, he opens the refridgeration and peers at her through a dense curtain of tangled hair. "Beer, whiskey, milk or tea?"
Sarah: *Standing just out of the doorway, I study you.* Tea, *I reply softly - just a little above a whisper, playing with the hem of my sleeves.*
Karl: With a raised brow he grasps the pitcher, supporting it with the palm of his hand until he slides it onto the counter. "...you okay?"
Sarah: *Swallows hard and nods, not saying anything. I pad barefoot to the cupboard and retrieve two glasses, approaching you with caution and hesitantly offering one of the glasses to you.*
Karl: Smiling softly, he grasps both glasses and proceeds to pour the frigid tea into them. "Not even a shot of rum," he mumbles, the corners of his eyes crinkling in a smile.
Sarah: *Taken aback a little when you take both glasses, I take half a step back, knowing I'm probably confusing you, but I can't help it. I don't really know you at all. But I catch the shadow of your smile and return the same, accepting a cold glass from you and raising it to my lips for a sip.*
Karl: "M'Karl." He motions to her with a tip of his glass. "...and you, obviously are Sarah."
Sarah: *I nod.* Yes, *I say quietly, almost hiding behind my glass were that possible to do* Hello, Karl.
Karl: Gauging her reaction, he takes a step back; hoping that, in their distance she is more comfortable. He winces just barely and places the glass gently on the table. "How are you?"
Sarah: *Frowning at your wince, I set my glass aside and step closer to you.* What hurts? *I ask, brushing aside your question about me and looking up into your face with concern.*
Karl: "...it's nothing," he mumbles, curling his fingers in toward his body. "I just...it's from before. They're not completely healed yet."
Sarah: *Drawing my eyebrows together, I step even closer.* What is it?
Karl: "My hands."
Sarah: *I hesitate, tentatively reaching for one of your hands. I take it gently in both of mine and softly uncurls your fingers* What did they do to you?
Karl: "Nothing particularly bad..." tilting his head, he watches her closely. "Chemicals, mostly."
Sarah: *I keep your hand in mine but, when I next look up at you, it is with such empathy and concern that it's as though you just told me my most cherished lover has scorned me.* Have you tended to them? Has Orlando?
Karl: Nodding, he turns his hand to press his palm to hers. "...and you? Are you well?" he whispers, narrowing his eyes.
Sarah: *I blink in surprise when you take my hand, but the contact doesn't hurt, so I let you.* I . . . I am on my way to being well. *Softly, looking away from you again.*
Karl: "Thank heavens for Orlando, yes?" With a crooked grin, he takes his hand away and attempts to drink the tea again.
Sarah: *I nod a little, giving you the slightest smile before picking up my own glass once again and taking a sip*
Karl: "...do you like it here?"
Sarah: *I raise my eyebrows and nod* I do. It's very peaceful. Though I do feel guilty infringing upon Orlando. Do you? *tipping my head curiously*
Karl: With a small grunt, he shakes his head. "I live here."
Sarah: *Blinks* You live here?
Karl: "Mmhm. In the guest house actually," he mutters, motioning with his chin. "Right across the way."
Sarah: I didn't know that. *I say softly, looking down into my tea as if searching for something.*
Karl: He wonders if he should apologize and then, smiling to try and reassure her, he clinks their glasses gently. "To good friends...and new friends, as well."
Sarah: *Blinks at the clink of glasses and nods a little, taking a sip* How long have you been living with Orlando, then? *Trying to sidestep any feelings of jealousy*
Karl: "Mm, good question. Since I came to Bordertown, at least. I met up with him in that bar," pausing, he laughs softly. "That bar that I've had yet to return to! And he offered me his guest house."
Sarah: *Smiles* He's very gracious. *nodding* I actually met him in that bar, as well.
Karl: "You did? How did that go?"
Sarah: About as strange and awkward as all my meetings go. *laughing softly, a blush rising on my cheeks*
Karl: "Do all meetings in Bordertown happen that way," he wonders, absently swirling his glass.
Sarah: All meetings that involve me, it seems. *I blush more, setting the glass down and awkwardly retreating a half step back from you.*
Karl: Noting the step, he takes one as well to give her some distance. In a sort of quiet, understated silence, he nods and gives her a gentle smile.
Sarah: *Smiles back* So . . . do you work, Karl?
Karl: "Lazily. I write."
Sarah: *Raising my eyebrows* You write? What do you write? *Giving you an interested look*
Karl: "Poetry mostly. I don't have the patience for fiction." Giving another smile, he leans back against the counter. "What do you
do?"
Sarah: I run the Bordertown Welcome Center, but I'm rarely there. It's a quiet place. *smiles* Mostly I find myself at home tending to my atrium.
Karl: "...so," a laugh, "you're the one I should have talked to about this place, huh?"
Sarah: *I laugh softly* Yes. Had I been in my shop you might have. How long have you been in Bordertown?
Karl: "At least three or four months...and I don't venture out much, I'm afraid."
Sarah: *I give you a surprisingly bright smile at that* A kindred spirit, then.
Karl: "Homebody? Oh yes. Is there really any place around here quiet? Like, a good coffee bar?"
Sarah: *I think a moment* The book shop is actually quit quiet. *I nod, remembering that Orlando and I got better acquainted there*
Karl: "Bookshop," he nods; eyes closing to try to conjure the soft musty smell.
Sarah: *I smile* I've always loved a good bookshop. The best of them have overstuffed chairs to lounge and read in . . .
Karl: "...and coffee to drink, while you're doing it. Where I lived, there used to be shepherds who would come in and dust their boots off while they browsed. It was so drowsy and comfortable."
Sarah: *I tip my head a little* Shepherds? Where did you used to live?
Karl: "New Zealand."
Sarah: And what brought you to Bordertown?
Karl: Biting his lips, he tilts his head and nods. "My mother and father died...and I just," he shrugs. "I'm a wanderer. I wanted a difference."
Sarah: *My smile drops immediately.* I'm so sorry, Karl . . .
Karl: "So am I?" He laughs softly. "...it's no matter, though. They're gone and I came to Bordertown on what inheritance I had. So yes. What brought you here?"
Sarah: My grandmother, actually. She raised me from the time I was little and I've been here since then. *smiling*
Karl: "Do you like it here?"
Sarah: Of course. *I say matter-of-factly* It's home.
Karl: He nods slowly, looking around the room as if it might hold all of Bordertown. "...yes. It's feeling that way."
Karl: Pulling his aching body from between the covers, Karl rises stiffly and stumbles from his room. He stifles a yawn and meanders into the hallway, his bare feet making barely a sound on the hardwood floor.
Sarah: *Slowly, I've allowed myself to drift into awakeness from sleep. I can smell the morning dew on Orli's gardens as I stretch under the blankets, noting an extra one that Orlando must have brought in after I had fallen asleep last night. I smile to myself and stand, pulling open the bedroom door just in time to see you emerging from your room, as well.*
Karl: "...Sarah?" It is a mumble, barely audible through thick laced sleep. He motions silently for her to follow him into the kitchen.
Sarah: *I blink and run my fingers loosely through my hair. For a moment I consider slipping back into the bedroom, but I nervously bite my bottom lip and follow you - a few steps behind - into the kitchen.*
Karl: Delicately--his hands still healing, he opens the refridgeration and peers at her through a dense curtain of tangled hair. "Beer, whiskey, milk or tea?"
Sarah: *Standing just out of the doorway, I study you.* Tea, *I reply softly - just a little above a whisper, playing with the hem of my sleeves.*
Karl: With a raised brow he grasps the pitcher, supporting it with the palm of his hand until he slides it onto the counter. "...you okay?"
Sarah: *Swallows hard and nods, not saying anything. I pad barefoot to the cupboard and retrieve two glasses, approaching you with caution and hesitantly offering one of the glasses to you.*
Karl: Smiling softly, he grasps both glasses and proceeds to pour the frigid tea into them. "Not even a shot of rum," he mumbles, the corners of his eyes crinkling in a smile.
Sarah: *Taken aback a little when you take both glasses, I take half a step back, knowing I'm probably confusing you, but I can't help it. I don't really know you at all. But I catch the shadow of your smile and return the same, accepting a cold glass from you and raising it to my lips for a sip.*
Karl: "M'Karl." He motions to her with a tip of his glass. "...and you, obviously are Sarah."
Sarah: *I nod.* Yes, *I say quietly, almost hiding behind my glass were that possible to do* Hello, Karl.
Karl: Gauging her reaction, he takes a step back; hoping that, in their distance she is more comfortable. He winces just barely and places the glass gently on the table. "How are you?"
Sarah: *Frowning at your wince, I set my glass aside and step closer to you.* What hurts? *I ask, brushing aside your question about me and looking up into your face with concern.*
Karl: "...it's nothing," he mumbles, curling his fingers in toward his body. "I just...it's from before. They're not completely healed yet."
Sarah: *Drawing my eyebrows together, I step even closer.* What is it?
Karl: "My hands."
Sarah: *I hesitate, tentatively reaching for one of your hands. I take it gently in both of mine and softly uncurls your fingers* What did they do to you?
Karl: "Nothing particularly bad..." tilting his head, he watches her closely. "Chemicals, mostly."
Sarah: *I keep your hand in mine but, when I next look up at you, it is with such empathy and concern that it's as though you just told me my most cherished lover has scorned me.* Have you tended to them? Has Orlando?
Karl: Nodding, he turns his hand to press his palm to hers. "...and you? Are you well?" he whispers, narrowing his eyes.
Sarah: *I blink in surprise when you take my hand, but the contact doesn't hurt, so I let you.* I . . . I am on my way to being well. *Softly, looking away from you again.*
Karl: "Thank heavens for Orlando, yes?" With a crooked grin, he takes his hand away and attempts to drink the tea again.
Sarah: *I nod a little, giving you the slightest smile before picking up my own glass once again and taking a sip*
Karl: "...do you like it here?"
Sarah: *I raise my eyebrows and nod* I do. It's very peaceful. Though I do feel guilty infringing upon Orlando. Do you? *tipping my head curiously*
Karl: With a small grunt, he shakes his head. "I live here."
Sarah: *Blinks* You live here?
Karl: "Mmhm. In the guest house actually," he mutters, motioning with his chin. "Right across the way."
Sarah: I didn't know that. *I say softly, looking down into my tea as if searching for something.*
Karl: He wonders if he should apologize and then, smiling to try and reassure her, he clinks their glasses gently. "To good friends...and new friends, as well."
Sarah: *Blinks at the clink of glasses and nods a little, taking a sip* How long have you been living with Orlando, then? *Trying to sidestep any feelings of jealousy*
Karl: "Mm, good question. Since I came to Bordertown, at least. I met up with him in that bar," pausing, he laughs softly. "That bar that I've had yet to return to! And he offered me his guest house."
Sarah: *Smiles* He's very gracious. *nodding* I actually met him in that bar, as well.
Karl: "You did? How did that go?"
Sarah: About as strange and awkward as all my meetings go. *laughing softly, a blush rising on my cheeks*
Karl: "Do all meetings in Bordertown happen that way," he wonders, absently swirling his glass.
Sarah: All meetings that involve me, it seems. *I blush more, setting the glass down and awkwardly retreating a half step back from you.*
Karl: Noting the step, he takes one as well to give her some distance. In a sort of quiet, understated silence, he nods and gives her a gentle smile.
Sarah: *Smiles back* So . . . do you work, Karl?
Karl: "Lazily. I write."
Sarah: *Raising my eyebrows* You write? What do you write? *Giving you an interested look*
Karl: "Poetry mostly. I don't have the patience for fiction." Giving another smile, he leans back against the counter. "What do you
do?"
Sarah: I run the Bordertown Welcome Center, but I'm rarely there. It's a quiet place. *smiles* Mostly I find myself at home tending to my atrium.
Karl: "...so," a laugh, "you're the one I should have talked to about this place, huh?"
Sarah: *I laugh softly* Yes. Had I been in my shop you might have. How long have you been in Bordertown?
Karl: "At least three or four months...and I don't venture out much, I'm afraid."
Sarah: *I give you a surprisingly bright smile at that* A kindred spirit, then.
Karl: "Homebody? Oh yes. Is there really any place around here quiet? Like, a good coffee bar?"
Sarah: *I think a moment* The book shop is actually quit quiet. *I nod, remembering that Orlando and I got better acquainted there*
Karl: "Bookshop," he nods; eyes closing to try to conjure the soft musty smell.
Sarah: *I smile* I've always loved a good bookshop. The best of them have overstuffed chairs to lounge and read in . . .
Karl: "...and coffee to drink, while you're doing it. Where I lived, there used to be shepherds who would come in and dust their boots off while they browsed. It was so drowsy and comfortable."
Sarah: *I tip my head a little* Shepherds? Where did you used to live?
Karl: "New Zealand."
Sarah: And what brought you to Bordertown?
Karl: Biting his lips, he tilts his head and nods. "My mother and father died...and I just," he shrugs. "I'm a wanderer. I wanted a difference."
Sarah: *My smile drops immediately.* I'm so sorry, Karl . . .
Karl: "So am I?" He laughs softly. "...it's no matter, though. They're gone and I came to Bordertown on what inheritance I had. So yes. What brought you here?"
Sarah: My grandmother, actually. She raised me from the time I was little and I've been here since then. *smiling*
Karl: "Do you like it here?"
Sarah: Of course. *I say matter-of-factly* It's home.
Karl: He nods slowly, looking around the room as if it might hold all of Bordertown. "...yes. It's feeling that way."
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