It felt so wrong, bitter on her tongue as she spoke her encounters with those of the church in regard to the orphanage. Sonata felt as though she was making a fuss over nothing. They gossiped out of concern, so she dismissed it most days. That’s what the teacher and musician tried to convince herself. There was no need to stir up unnecessary drama, right? Yet his inquisition would find her ears and she proceeded to share her experiences. Limbs and hands would fidget out of nervous habit following the half-hearted chuckle that did anything but express the humor that she had hoped for. That is unacceptable, I’m afraid. Her lower lip curled inward, teeth grazing with a slight bite as a soft inhale swelled within her lungs. I’ll tell my mother and father right away. I’ll make sure not to mention your name, consider it as no personal favor. There will be no gossip over it, “Oh but—” she wanted to tell him he didn’t need to do anything of the sort. Her cheeks reddening as guilt hardened in her chest. Before she could even get another word out, he had continued. A barrier to keep her from further declining the offer to cease the cumbersome gossip. However, I would implore your aid in exchange, should you want. Brows would rise and head tilted like that of a curious canine at a familiar sound catching their attention. My mother often helps those suffering from the food shortage, I’m sure she’d enjoy the aid if you could help her in my stead. A negotiation, an offer in the stead of his intention to cease the banter she’d dismissed day-after-day whenever she could spare the volunteered time at the orphanage. She placed her palm against her cheek in decided consideration. It was not only an opportunity to catch up with Mrs. Luíseach, but another way to provide aid to the community that oftentimes was far more overshadowed than it ought to be. Another project to keep her occupied with the semester coming to a close and the renovations on the school nearly complete. There wasn’t a time when Sonata wasn’t keeping busy. Even during her visits to the cemetery, it wasn’t uncommon to see lesson plans peeking from a basket, or some project related to her teachings. Shuffling through the quaint picnic basket, topics would shift as she wanted to stray away from the staff at the church and orphanage and instead focused the spotlight on the present. My old man is being stubborn as ever and pushing himself far too hard. Sonata chuckled softly, knowing she had no room to talk. Christoph would fuss more often than not before Aeolian was born as she felt the need to do everything at any given moment because she couldn’t bring herself to burden anyone else. Ma’s doing rather well though. She hates the circumstances of course, but I believe she enjoys having him home. A warmed smile touched her lips if it hadn’t left already. “I am happy to hear they are otherwise fairing well – that is certainly good news.” As for my absence, There was a slight falter to her expression. It softened, sobering assuming to already know of the news as worried mothers had spoken to one another when retrieving their child from a day of schooling. …the draft's been recalled to the barracks. I'll probably be leaving tonight or in the morning. Her gaze would drift to the tombstone that marked her husbands grave. “Well,” she sighed unable to hide the disappointment in the news. “I suppose we shall make the most of the day while we can then, hm?” She extended the offered sandwich, simply made with thin slices of venison, and a sharp white cheddar with greens and a vinaigrette dressing housed together between a hearty rye bread. “I made the bread and vinaigrette this morning, I hope it is to your liking.” She retrieved the second sandwich from the basket from the towelette to keep the freshness and taking a bite of her prepared meal.

Jahi

It didn't sit well with him, learning of the nosy gossips that lingered within the church rows. As if the woman's private affairs were someting they needed to bee privvy of to begin with. Let aone the toxic implications that they expected her to be already moved on from the man she had so deeply loved not two years from his passing. Such pressure was not only void of their concern and a private business concerning to Sonata herself. He could only sigh and shake his head as his frown swiftly returned. "I will also bring up the matter of the gossiping as well, it's unbecoming of women of their position. Both personally and officially."


He held his most sincere of doubts that such news would bring her any mnner of respite, and she would most certainly claim that he didn't need to trouble himself - habits of hers he had picked up on easily enough. It wasn't just for her sake, however, that he would breech such a topic. If they were truly so forthcoming with their opinions, it was only a matter of time before someone far less.... acquainted with such grief heard similaar remarks. Not only was the Church meant to be a place of worship and spiritual enlightenment, but also of healing both physical and of the heart. It simply wouldn't do for a single soul to feel anything but relief of a burdened heart when theey ycrossed the threshold on the holy land.

He would chuckle softly at her immediate instinct to neglect the aid of his family. All before continuing to barter the action as a trade rather than the blatant help that it was. It had made his heart heavy to think that he wass to leave his mother to her own stubborn whims over the matter. Even more so knowing that his father would likely feel the sting of remorse and wounded pride as well with his sudden inability. The way he saw this: he was to be killing two birds - maybe even three - with one stone. It offered a small piece of mind for the safety of his folks as well as giving a helping hand to his dear friend's widow.

She was soft-spoken as she adminished her happiness for his parents' well being despite the hardships now imposed upon them by the war. While they would likely never want for coin, such material wealth was never at the forefront of their agendas. No, more like than not, Guil would be beside himself with worry for those on the front lines, no longer able to watch over them and tend to their hurts - even hampered from making his way to the grand Cathedrall of his own free will. He only hoped that his mother wouldn't try his pride overly much. Even earlier this morning Coen had made an extra trip there, of course it was just to take his old man without simply asking if he wanted to be wheeled there as he wouldn't want his family to go out of their way on his accouunt. Maybe that's why he'd known a way around her outright refusal.

"Well," her murmur would break after a tense moment, her eexprression finally dulling some of its radiance in the face as the news she already seemed somewhat ware of, though it certainly wouldn't be surprising seeing her close relations to the public. His own expression sobered somewhat, folloing her stare to the neatly kept pair of graves. It felt horrid to know that despite Cristoph and many other a brave man's sacrifice, Dunmeath had fallen prey to the enemy. It made it all the more feel like their deaths were in vain, not to mention the pitiful bout of inaction lately.

The simple meal she'd offered however brought a bitter-sweetness to the place. It was no seecret that the care packages of sweets and savory morsels she had made for her beloved had nearly gotten him mugged on more than one occassion, and he had to say that having such a commodity fresh was far better. Not that he as particularly picky over his meals, but such as this picnic was a sore sight better than the gruel that no doubt awaited him in the coming days. "I just wonder if we're being gathered for something now or if we'll be cut loose again soon." He pondered the words aloud before shaking his head faintly in dismissal. "This is one of the best sandwhiches I've ever had, by the way."

It was the eyes of judgment and the dip of their faces when they tried to hide the words that slipped from gossiping lips. Like a flock of hens keeping to their collective group whispering back and forth glancing back at the widow while she tended to the needs of the separated children, a consequence of the previous war. Shouldn’t she consider remarrying? Oh but who would marry a widow. We’ve pressed her to move to the monastery but she blatantly refuses time and time again. She’s determined to keep that school running when she could just be here full time. Those were just the few things that would find her sensitive ears though time and time again Sonata simply grinned and bore their sharp words. I will also bring up the matter of the gossiping as well, it’s unbecoming of women of their position. Both personally and officially. She would try to press that there was no need. She endured it this long, whats any longer? Instead she simply tucked away a stray silver curl behind her ear with a mere nod of her head of acknowledgement. There was no arguing, she discovered. And with relent, her shoulders dropped. She’d only hoped her next visit would be less… prickly than it had been. Their conversation swiftly moved, thankfully as her demeanor softened happily to hear the wellbeing of Coen’s parents. She extended the other half of her sandwich to him following the reminder that their time was limited. I just wonder if we’re being gathered for something now or if we’ll be cut loose again soon. Sonata took a bite of her prepared meal, “I suppose no one will know until it happens,” she responded in kind. In reality, she’d wished none of it would even need to happen. If there could have been some sort of agreement made – a peace treaty of sorts but even she knew that idea seemed highly unrealistic. This is one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had, by the way. Her golden sights lit up like a child entering a store filled with sweets for the first time. “O-oh, thank you.” she wasn’t prepared for the compliment, as showed with the color sweeping along her cheeks. “I… I can give you the recipe, if you’d like, its rather simple I think.”

Jahi