sixthiterationlogs | Two by Two

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Two by Two

WHO: Margaery and You!
WHERE: The woods, the police station
WHEN: Nov 20th
OPEN TO: All
WARNINGS: Mentions of animal deaths
STATUS: Open

With the onset of winter and the heavy snow fall, the village seemed to be bracing itself for a rough coming season. Now that there was an influx of new arrivals, Margaery felt a bit on edge on what could be provided for the entire village. There was not enough wool alone to supply for everyone. She would need more sheep, and if she had any hope of giving milk to the village, she would need more goats and cows. There were still farm animals in the woods, many that might not survive the cold. She could at least provide them a home and continue her trade with the village.

After recruiting several volunteers, she ventured into the woods, easily finding the animals where they were last. With more hands to assist her, she began to herd the livestock back towards the village and to the police station.

"Thank you for your help," she said, offering a warm smile. "It's a bit tedious and difficult on your own."

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Thorfinn was dressed as warm as he could be. After the night the furnace broke he was much more careful about how he dressed. His hair was braided down over his ears and the hood of the tunic Kate made him was over his head as well.

"You are welcome, do not think anything of it. It is the least I can do with you caring for my sheep for me." He replied with the same sweet smile as always. "Is there anything else you need help with?"

"Still," she pressed, not wishing her gratitude to seem small. "These forests are dangerous now and I ask a lot of those who venture in with me. I appreciate your assistance and willingness to help. I'm certain the animals will be happy as well, once they are finally somewhere warm."

She considered the question. "The new sheep will need to be sheared of their excess wool. We will also need to feed them separately today and try to coax a bit more meat on them. I need to tie a collar about them to mark them."

The gave a quiet smile and nod. "I understand, and accept such sweet gratitude. I do not think I could ever fear the forest though. I feel more myself in the woods than anywhere else. I am not good with people like you are." He added with a shrug.

"Yes, I will help. I do not mind, and with the snow I have more time. The wool helps many, and your friend makes clothing right? So it helps." Yes, he spoke to Sansa a couple times now. He remembered she had mentioned making clothes. So it all made sense. He helped with moving the sheep towards the station.

"I can keep watch while you get the food."

"I enjoyed walking in the woods in the morning," especially with Thorfinn. It was part of a routine that she had come to look forward to. Yet after being trapped overnight in the forests, it was hard to feel that same ease and comfort that she did before.

"Sansa?" She hadn't expected him to know about the young woman's talents, though why it shouldn't have come up in some context (given that such things seemed to be common discussions here) escaped her. "She's a wonderful seamstress. She will put the wool to better use than I would." Though she had at least shown much more skill in making blankets and woolen cloaks.

She whistled to her puppy, hearing him bark excitedly. "You could help Gilbert in his training of herding sheep."

"Yes, but the woods tried to spirit you away. We would be lost without your skill with the animals." He spoke honestly while watching the animals. She had more luck in finding them than most did, himself included. She was very important."And I would miss having my friend to talk to." He added sweetly.

"I am sure your skills are just as fine," He was so sure there was not much she couldn't do if she put her mind to it. "I promised to bring her any extra pelts I get so she can help with making things for the winter. I can do the same for you as well if you want." He offered, he didn't really want anything in return. He felt he had more than enough with Kate working on his cloak all he really had to worry about was his debt to her.

"...I can try." He spoke looking up as he heard the bark. "I do not have much experiance with dogs, but I will try."

She chuckled, "I am not certain how much skill it is." It was a strange thing to consider. Despite her feelings of inadequacy and worry in regards to her contributions, apparently she did offer something in the end.

"You remember the cloak I made for Robb?" She grinned wryly. "I still need to give it to him, but I can't imagine he will truly like it. I did not spend much time devoting myself to needlework in my youth."

"Maybe luck, luck is just as important." he spoke certain of himself. He enjoyed having her around to much to want to see her gone. She filled that spot in his heart named Arneis, the sweetest woman he had ever known, one taken to soon.

"If he cares for you, he will love it. Trust me on this. I am also a man, I would love such a thing gifted by someone I cared about." He replied, running a hand through his bangs then, that had come loose of the long braids. "If he doesn't than maybe find something else, or ask help of another?"

"Luck makes all the difference," she agreed, pausing in front of the police station doors, fumbling to get them open. Gilbert bounded up and down the row of sheep, yapping at any that started to step out of the line. For as little as she was able to train him, he was clever.

"It is not in Robb to criticize, not a gift." He would tease her about it, but he was too kind to be cruel. "I will think of more gifts for him at another point. Given all that has happened between us, I want to show him he is appreciated and loved."

She smiled apologetically at Thorfinn, "But I imagine that there are other things you will wish to discuss, rather than the matters of my heart."

It'd been Annie's decision for her and Finnick to start... well, not exactly integrate, but connect a bit more. Become a bit more a part of the village, instead of those Weird Forest People. They can't survive a winter, and it's looking increasingly that they might just be stuck here so long. And if more deaths happen, if the group becomes more and more paranoid, Annie knows that she and Finnick make very good targets, particularly if they stick to themselves.

That's one reason why Annie (and Finnick) are helping Margaery. The other reason is that Margaery has been nothing but kind to Annie, and despite her periodic suspicions that this is kindness and optimism is because Margaery's in on the plot, she'd been pleased to be asked. Deeply, genuinely pleased.

So she's broken off a branch to use as makeshift herding stick, and helped.

Working in a group, like this, makes her happy. Between Fishery 8 and Career Academy, she's grown up working in a group. Part of a whole, with her task to do to work with everyone else.

(And, if she's being honest, it's good to work with a length of wood in her hands again. She's always been better at using a stave than any other weapon.)

So, when Margaery talks to her, Annie turns and briefly grins.

"Be pretty impossible, I reckon. But it's, um. It was good. Good work."

It had been with genuine delight that Margaery witnessed Annie and Finnick finally open up to the rest of the village (as much as they could.) She had worried for the pair, both while they were in the forest and when they were locked away in their home. They had kept to themselves, but it wasn't such a wise thing anymore, especially with the cold setting in and the options for food becoming dependent on the help of others.

Annie had always seemed the more approachable of the two, even if she was the stranger one. She seemed lost in a way, broken by an experience that Margaery might never understand but could at least recognize. Battered soul to battered soul.

Having Annie's company was pleasant, especially when she had the chance to see the woman grin. "I managed before, but it was with a much smaller herd. It was the cow that gave me the greatest trouble. She simply refused to move."

To a large extent, Annie assumes that everyone she talks to has been bruised by life. Even the Capitolites are scared, if you know where to look. So far, nothing here has suggested that she should change this assumption.

If nothing else, they've survived this place.

"We're from the fishing district," Annie says, with a nod towards Finnick, currently having a battle of wills with some sheep. "Never done this. How, uh, did you get it to move? The cow?"

"I'm surprised he can't lure them by his smile." Margaery nudged Annie, nodding towards Finnick. The pair were often alone together, even living in the same house. While it might be nothing, a part of Margaery suspected that they were a great deal closer than either let on. In an effort to truly get an answer, she chose to tease Annie by highlighting Finnick's looks and presence, searching for the subtle signs that might show on her face.

Margaery laughed, remembering the struggle all too well. "There was a man, Dorian. He helped me and taught me how to move the cow." She hadn't thought of him after that moment, but...what happened to him?

"You are from the same district?"

She doesn't even have to stop and think about her reaction, stop and pretend. She's known Finnick for too many years, since they were both dock-kids sassing each other while their parents packed and unpacked the boats.

She laughs. It's the kind of fond, mocking laugh of anyone who has known and liked another for years. It's neither friend, nor lover, but something that could be either.

"It's a good thing he can't. He'd be unbearably smug for weeks after," Annie says. The mention of Dorian doesn't get so much as a blink, certainly no curiosity. There was a man can cover many, many things.

"We are. Same fishery, too. We knew each other as kids."

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Two by Two

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