07-06-2024, 06:39 PM
Mara watched Ashton with a mix of wariness and fascination as he approached. His singsong voice was soothing, almost hypnotic, as he spoke with the staff. Her pets, by then, had long ago dispersed.
When Ashton addressed her directly, Mara tilted her head, studying him for a moment before nodding slowly. "Ashton," she repeated, as if testing the foreign name on her tongue. “The boy mentioned you. Said you could help.”
The idea of packing her things felt almost surreal. "There isn't much to pack,” she murmured. "But I'll take what I have.” She was gone only a few minutes only to return with nothing. They weren’t allowed personal affects, the clothes were provided by the ward, and she had no jewelry.
Turning back to Ashton, she gave a small, almost shy smile. "I'm ready,” she said, her voice steady. "Thank you for coming to get me.”
When Ashton addressed her directly, Mara tilted her head, studying him for a moment before nodding slowly. "Ashton," she repeated, as if testing the foreign name on her tongue. “The boy mentioned you. Said you could help.”
The idea of packing her things felt almost surreal. "There isn't much to pack,” she murmured. "But I'll take what I have.” She was gone only a few minutes only to return with nothing. They weren’t allowed personal affects, the clothes were provided by the ward, and she had no jewelry.
Turning back to Ashton, she gave a small, almost shy smile. "I'm ready,” she said, her voice steady. "Thank you for coming to get me.”
"Come, mistress"