Thread: Tsumi's Journal: Dual Hearts

Lock and Key Chap 1 Okay just dropped it here because I got tired of fighting with the link. A chilled breeze dropped across the earth as a young woman moved across the land. The nights were growing longer, the temperature colder, and the woman knew that she wouldn't last much longer without a break. Six months ago this would have brought a fresh wave of despair over her and the ever present knife through the heart pain of loss. But now the woman just sighed to herself and forced her feet forward across the nearly frozen ground. Her long dark hair whipping across her face briefly in the wind as she struggled to withstand the cold. She trudged forwards, her feet long numbed in her tattered leather boots. Her thighs and bare arms long since loosing any warmth in them. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself and tried to rub some feeling back into her arms, her steps long labored. She knew she wouldn't make it much further and strangely felt at piece with that. Without even realizing it, she felt the cool grass against her cheek and for several moments stared at the blades before her nose in confusion. She had been walking, hadnt she? What was she. Her thoughts muddled and she could think of nothing further than laying there as another breeze blew across her back and in her face, bringing a sting of tears to her eyes. Closing them she shuddered and lay still. She awoke from a dream of fresh potatoes and thick well cut ham. She shifted slightly and curled into something warm beneath her, seeking nothing more than to dive back into the dream once more. But it wouldnt come. After several moments, she slowly opened her eyes and for several moments her mind refused to register her surroundings. She kept expecting her vision to clear or to pull out of some day dream and back into the cold, not to continue staring at this large expansive room and soft bed she lay in. For several moments she sluggishly considered the thought that she had gone insane and nearly laughed. At least she would believe she was warm before she died. She had been hoping that it would be a pleasant and gentle slumber into the void. Well hello there. she heard a female voice say. Immediately the womans eyes flew open. Looking over in sudden shock at a beautiful red haired woman sitting in an ornate chair, she quickly rolled away from her and across the bed. Coming to her feet, she backpedaled slightly. Oh God. she thought to herself, Ive gone and broken into someones house! she looked around, her eyes lighting upon the only exit. In a hoarse cracked voice, she said, Im sorry. I didnt know what I was doing. The last I remember was laying in the grass. she looked from the woman to the door and back again and slowly began easing around the bed. Please, theres no need to get the Tin Man involved. she said refering to the local law. The Tin Men tended to be very heavy handed with anyone that ran afoul of them. She had heard tales of their corrupt and ruthless tactics as a child. From stealing a night with ones bride to taking their last copper and leaving them broken and beaten in a dark alleyway. Whats your name. the woman said, more a statement than a question. The woman responded without thinking and cursed her befuddled state for allowing such a slip up. Tiffany. she said to the red head. The woman smiled and rose from the chair then strode over to the muddled woman. Im Lady Lorena. You were passed out in the cold when my carriage passed by so I had you brought here. There is no need to worry. You have done nothing to merit undue attention. Tiffany stopped and stared at the woman for several long moments as her brain worked furiously trying to piece this all together through her sluggish haze. You helped me? she asked lamely as her thoughts finally began to organize. She was suddenly suspicious of the woman before her. Since when did someone of such finery give a rats ass bout someone so down on her luck. She began taking a slow look around the room, taking a long moment to assess her situation before commenting. The woman spoke before Tiffany had a chance to respond. Of course I wont just provide you room and board for free. Youre going to have to earn it. Tiffany could only look at the woman curiously.