#01 [Outside of London. March 17, 1253.] #01 [Rolf is Rolf! And he's got his cave, and rolf. Even the alliance, or whatever it's called these days, ain't gonna keep him from rolfin'. He's doing whatever Rolfs do in their cave a couple of hours into their evenings when he hears a sweet, familiar voice call, "Lord Rolf? Are you there?"] #01 [Mini Start!] (Rolf is clearly rocking out at his virginal.) #06* Rolf lets out a rumbling growl ... well, something does, down in the cave. So maybe he is in. #06* Jill hesitates for a moment, then calls again, "Lord Rolf?" She steps into the cave, sharpening her vision as she does so. #06* Rolf appears in her vision as she goes down, wearing loose leather pants and no shirt. He nods slightly and says, "Jill... somethin' hasn't happened already, has it?" #06* Jill blushes a bit. "Ah... no. Nothing bad. I didn't mean to worry you." #06* Rolf smiles slightly and says, "It ain't no worry." So what brings ya here? #06* Jill smiles at Rolf's smile. "Well, I... I want to ask for a favor, if you don't mind." #01 Lady Eliana purchased- no, 'acquired,' she said, a farmhouse you're familiar with? #06* Rolf straightens up a bit. "Uh... yes, ask..." he trails off, then nods slightly. "Did she? Might as well, make her feel safer." #06* Jill nods. "Yes." And adds, thoughtfully, "I worry about her sometimes, but..." #01 Anyway, she told me that she would like me to move there. And that I can have the whole above ground. I'm getting my own home, out of the city! #06* Rolf smiles a bit and says, "Livin' out of the city's definitely better than the alternative. S'more how you used to live, too." #06* Jill practically beams. "Yes!" She makes vague gestures, probably to do with where things will go. "I'll have my own garden that Lady Eliana *promised* she'd stay out of unless I was in danger or something, and a hearth that isn't in the same room as my bed!" #06* Rolf keeps watching her gesture. She'll get to the point eventually. #06* Jill isn't done, since she's on a roll and she gestures some more. "This is the best thing that's happened in ages! I *knew* Lady Eliana wasn't that happy in cities, either, with all of the people around, even though she had her books and all. I don't know how she could handle living in that tiny room all the time." #06* Rolf leans on one foot and listens to her, still smiling faintly. #01 And you can come visit! #06* Rolf chuckles slightly. "Well, I could visit before, you know." #06* Jill smiles. "Well yes, but I know *you* don't like going into the city very much, and our new place will be much better for visiting. Especially since you wouldn't have to climb those rickety stairs." #06* Rolf nods slightly and says, "That's, uh, all good news, little lady, but I ain't heard the favor yet." #01 Oh! #06* Jill blushes a bit. "Oh, well, that is..." #01 It's still... not quite livable. I was wondering if you would mind helping? #06* Rolf tilts his head, then says, "You mean... fixin' the roof and floor and everything?" #01 Well, not *everything*. I will do some of it, and I'm sure Lady Eliana will when she's not researching or reading or- #06* Jill wrinkles her nose. #01 And I know that she's hiring some people to work on it during the day. #06* Rolf nods a little and says, "Well... I guess. Better than buildin' up straw dummies when I'm in the cave." #06* Jill blinks. #01 You build straw dummies? #06* Jill looks around; she doesn't recall seeing any dummies the last few times. #01 Like scarecrows, for crops? #06* Rolf shakes his head. "For punching. Practicing without hurtin' nobody." He growls a little and adds, "Fight's always coming." #06* Jill nods. #01 This is about... about Troile, right? #06* Rolf nods back. "Yeah. She's fast and strong." #01 You're fast and strong, too. #06* Rolf smiles wider and rubs the back of his head, before saying, "She's... somethin' else, little lady." A small pause, then, "Anyway, uh, yeah. Sure, I'll help you get your house in order some." #06* Jill brightens again. "Really? Thank you! I don't know how I'd repay you, but if you need anything, just let me know." #06* Rolf chuckles a little and smiles down at her. "S'no problem, li'l lady, it ain't like I don't got the time." #06* Jill spontaneously hugs Rolf. "Thank you!" #06* Rolf looks slightly surprised, and puts a big hand on her shoulder. It's like a hug! "I... uh, yeah. Yer welcome, Jill." #06* Jill pulls away and smiles, flushed and happy and not minding at all that she just hugged what essentially feels like a corpse. "I really appreciate it." #06* Rolf nods and says, "I can tell." He lets out a warm chuckle, then says, "Well, best show me where things stand... I'm no carpenter or anything, so I better look." #06* Jill beams at the chuckle - Rolf has a nice laugh - and she leads him out to look at the farmhouse. He knows where it is, of course, but still! #01 [Mini End!]