Yay for Teaser Tuesday! I've managed to scavange around for something presentable. It's actually the very most recent bit of the story, which means I'm going to have to do some serious noveling to have anything for next week. Oh, the life of a writer.
Let's get on with it.
Background
Last time we saw Natura at a celebration in the City with Erik and Rigel. Now, Natura is back in Parcel (her village) and is at Haro's Shop where she is often employed. She is close friends with Haro, as well as Christiana who works at Haro's as well.
Natura just became aware of peculiar circumstances between Haro and Christiana the night before this scene, so there is tension between them (why Christiana is trying to explain something).
The Tease
“Good morning, Natura.” Christiana stood in the doorway between the shop and the rest of Haro’s house, leaning against the doorframe. She tentatively met Natura’s eyes and had her arms wrapped around herself.
“Good morning, Christiana,” Natura said. She looked up and smiled at her before returning to petting River.
“Natura, I—”
“Don’t explain, Christiana,” Natura said. “I wouldn’t understand.”
Christiana took a few steps toward her, stopping short in front of a finely crafted table with papers scattered over it. “But I—”
“Christiana.” Natura smiled at her friend. “We decided a long time ago that our lives are out of our control. Remember?”
Christiana smiled and maneuvered around the shop towards Natura. “I remember. We have no control over our lives here, but someday we’ll leave this village.”
Natura laughed, remembering the pact they shared in their early years as friends in the schoolhouse. “And we’ll go live in a cottage hidden away from any village.”
“Near a big river that runs into a swimming hole, with a cliff for diving,” Christiana continued.
“And a stable for Arian.” Natura left River at the counter and went to meet her friend.
“And a big fireplace that no one will wed in front of, because there are no boys allowed,” Christiana finished. They laughed together and Natura pulled her friend into an embrace.
“You know I would never leave you, right?” Christiana said, talking into Natura’s hair. “You’re my dearest friend, Natura.”
Natura smiled. “I know. I would never leave you either, Christiana.”
Christiana squeezed Natura tightly. “And you had better not!” She laughed and released her friend. “Someday when my father is dead and yours is well again we will leave this place. Someday we’ll have our cottage.”
“Excuse me, Misses.”
Natura and Christiana turned toward the front of the shop. Alaster stood in the doorway, hackles raised, a low growl rising in his throat at the man who stood just outside the shop.
“Alaster, calm down,” Natura called, she didn’t bother to raise her eyes to the man. Alaster tended to react badly to villagers he may not be familiar with; another reason why Natura never brought him along. Alaster growled for a moment longer before withdrawing back into the show and lying down in the corner, an eye on the man.
The man stepped into the shop. “Pardon me if I’m mistaken, but I do believe a Miss Natura Halle is employed here?”
Natura looked up at the man. He smiled widely at her. She couldn’t help but mirror his infectious smile. “Rigel, what are you doing all the way up in Parcel?”
“Business,” he said. “Renald has me checking an inn out in Riverton. He’s looking to expand the business, and wants me to manage the new location.”
Christiana came up by Natura’s shoulder. “You know this handsome young man?” she asked not quite quietly enough.
Natura’s cheeks burned and she pushed Christiana towards the back of the shop. “Yes, he’s the stable boy at The Maiden’s Folly in the city,” she whispered. “Now hush and go make yourself useful.”
Christiana giggled as she skipped off to the back of the shop. Natura rolled her eyes and made her way through the shop to Rigel.
“I see your position is not one of cleaning,” Rigel said, laughing.
“Haro likes the disarray,” Christiana called from somewhere out of sight. “He finds it amusing to watch Natura panic.”
“Rigel,” Natura said, dismissing Christiana’s comments that continued from her hidden location. “Why aren’t you at the Academy?”
Rigel shrugged. “Only one of Renald’s boys was destined for the Ascensian Academy,” he said. “Funnily enough, Erik didn’t seem too thrilled to have passed. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back in Icarthia by the change of season. I think he may have had an eye for you, too.” He winked and laughed.
Natura fought the unexpected urge to shudder, and pushed the confusion at the reaction to the back of her mind. “Well I’m glad he made it,” she said. “He seemed really set on passing.”
“Yes…” Rigel said. He watched Natura for a moment; she shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
“How long will you be in the area?” she asked, breaking the moment.
“Oh, no more than a few days,” he said. “Just long enough to finish my business here.”
“Well I hope it goes well for you,” Natura said. “I’m sure it would be nice to be away from Renald.”
Rigel laughed. “Without a doubt.”
“Riverton is a nice little town, too,” Natura said. “A lot of inland ships go through there, as well as a lot of interesting people you don’t see many other places in Icarthia.”
“They certainly do,” Rigel said. “Well, I really must be going. I will see you another time, Natura. Have a nice day.” He turned and walked out of the shop, letting the door shut softly behind him, only the slight tinkle of the bell echoing through the shop.
“What a handsome young man,” Christiana said, appearing at Natura’s side. “It’s a shame no boys are allowed at the cottage.”
End Tease
Hee hee, I have some lovely plans for Natura, many which involve Rigel. It really is too much fun to mess with the lives of your characters. And Natura's life is prime for messing with.
Also, this scene really shows what I think Natura's true personality is, rather than what she has appeared to be in some of the other recent scenes (her personality got a little buried away for some reason, I'm working on it). It's still not the best, but she's getting there. She has this sort of natural responsibility about her, which is coming out a lot in revision, and she does so much for her family (her father is dying, if I haven't said anything about that). It's that sense of responsibility that will get her stuck in the adventure of a lifetime, and I'm so excited for it.
Till next time
-Lauren-
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