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Botanist And Bards

Gracie smiled as Izzy continued to love on Turnip, and mused over Valora's words in her head as she thought about them. "Valora - obviously it was cruel and unnecessary. My lady wasn't too happy about it - people shouldn't be so cruel to their servants for a simple mistake." The maid let out a slight sigh. "So young too - it's obvious people learn from their parents, at least. The sooner we get out of here the better - though at least we are all comfortable."

"Were you talking about something else, though? I thought these ... strangeness of this land would have been rather apparent, divines cursing us all while we are here."

---

The footsteps went away after a while, going away from the party's rouge. The room was once again empty and silent. Though a new problem arose - from down the hallway towards the dining room a guard was approaching - it was hard to tell why, but his exhaustion was obvious as he let out a large yawn and stretched his limbs. Lana hadn't been seen yet, and the man's weapons were sheathed at his hip. Would Lana move, reveal herself, or hide?

Botanist And Bards

Gracie smiled more than a little as she observed her little apple ... well, being adorable with her horse. She tried not to make it to obvious ...

"Oh!" The maid honestly seemed a little surprised as she noticed Valora speaking to her. Ah yes, the formal tough girl. A quick glance over to the princess revealed she was too focused on her steed to care much about that exclamation though. Looking to the side as if they were having a casual conversation, she wondered what Valora was about to ask. Probably something she just didn't want to bother the princess about.

Well, she was about to find out, but still. "Of course, Valora. What is it?"

---

As she twisted the doorknob, she'd realize it was locked. Additionally, through the other door she would hear footsteps some distance away - would she fall back or try and force her way through the large doors?

Botanist And Bards

Turnip would be found among the other horses in the stable - given that there was only 1 large door between them and the howling wind outside, the noise was loud and audible - thought the steeds did not seem to care as they wore small, protective earmuffs. Ensuring the horses were well taken care of, a stable boy was currently brushing off a warhorse - likely belonging to the lord or part of his retinue.

An apple core lay in front of Turnip - a clear sign that he had been given a treat at some point for being a good horsey. Gracie smiled as Isabella - she was happy the woman would probably enjoy seeing such a happy horse.

---

The dining hall was relatively plain compared to what Lana was probably hoping for - the hallways were also barren, with no excellence compared to the houses of the nobility back home. The torch sconces on the wall were made of some sort of bronze, but that was it. Leaving the room were three exits - the one she had come from, one that smelled slightly of food, and one that had two large double doors leading to it - possibly a fancier part of the castle?

Botanist And Bards

The maid blinked twice, a little concerned. Truthfully, her highness looked physically exhausted, as if she'd just finished running a couple miles. But Gracie knew she was ultimately a maid, and they weren't acting all lovey-dovey right now. "Of course, Ma'am." The maid headed over to find a newer dress and soon enough the white cloth was placed on her mistress. "There you go. Want me to come with you?"

Botanist And Bards

The slave girl steeled herself for a moment as she got on her face, sighed, and then left the room to return to her depressing fate. A couple of minutes later there was a knock on the door - Gracie slid herself inside the room after giving the princess a few moments of privacy to prepare herself. The maid closed the door behind her, looking back towards the princess.

She noticed an apple was missing from the plate, but didn't comment on it. "Hey, Izzy, you alright?" She wondered what had happened in here, but she could see the exhaustion on her charge's eyes. "Why don't you lay down?"

It was rather apparent the woman was more concerned than curious.

Botanist And Bards

The slave looked upwards at the apple hungrily - she hesitated for several seconds. She wasn't supposed to eat food - but then again, it was an order so that made it okay, right? It didn't take long for the justification to result in her greedily biting into it as if she was starving. The thing hardly survived for half a minute, the girl even eating the core and part of the stem.

For a minute she sat there, savoring the flavor before speaking once again nervously.

"T-thank you m-miss Isa-Isabella." For the first time the girl seemed to have a small smile across her face - from staying in the small sanctuary that existed in her life of living hell. She closed her eyes for a moment before shaking her head.

"Un-Unless you need me I should g-go back." The girl seemed nervous and saddened at the prospect, but she couldn't think of an excuse to stay here herself and she didn't want to bother the noble who had been so nice to her.

Botanist And Bards

"... B-Better miss ..." The slave still seemed apprehensive, but didn't resist the entire time as the bandages were laid back across her various wounds - probably to hide them more than help them really heal. Perhaps someone normally here would say 'thank you', but for some reason the slave girl didn't. Whether it was because such an unusual sight terrified her despite its clear benefit to her, she was afraid of being punished for some reason, or she'd simply never learned how to thank someone because kindness was a rare commodity, the girl remained silent and sitting on the ground, eyes downcast submissively.

If Isabella wouldn't say anything for a while, the girl would eventually turn her head upwards, quietly observing the woman in front of her and waiting to be told what to do next. She had been sent here to check up on the noble (and probably get yelled at by her) but this was ... not what she had been expecting.

Periodically her eyes drifted over to the plate of fruit - mostly still uneaten - and for a short time her tired eyes remained on the bed - but the girl tamed herself and looked downwards again. "... A-anything y-you need miss ...?"

Botanist And Bards

The slave winced slightly as the bandages were removed - and seemed confused as the woman placed the hand gently between two of her own. Instinctively the girl tried to withdraw her hand as it stinged, but eventually she managed to make it stand still as she observed what had happened, obviously confused.

And a little terrified. She started breathing heavier as she watched her blood stitch herself back together, utterly bewildered. When her second hand was grabbed, the girl didn't even react as she was still staring at the handiwork on the first hand with wide eyes.

Though as her neck was grabbed, she seemed to come back to herself. The slave had figured out what was going on, and was curious, thankful, and utterly terrified as she saw something that could easily be considered sacrilege. "W-what are y-you doing?" The slave was a little concerned she'd be hit for asking a question, but it was clear she was trying not to resist as her arms remained tight at her side.

Botanist And Bards

It took about a minute before the slave realized she wasn't being hurt yet - slightly surprised, she looked upwards towards the silent woman in front of her, almost confused. W-what was she doing? Her face was strange and she was extending a hand ... as if she wanted to place her own in it?

The slave tried to figure out what sort of punishment this was going to be as she nervously extended a hand and placed it in the nobles. She was still shaking a bit - and it was obvious she was still afraid, but she seemed to be in control of her own mind once again as the fear reduced to a manageable level. She was still breathing deeply, preparing for whatever pain the woman planned on eliciting and closing her eyes to prepare for it.

Underneath the wrappings on her hands were many long, thin, bloody gashes that ran across her fingers and palms in straight lines. They had stopped bleeding the previous day, instead simply bruising painfully. The girl would look up if her bandages were undone nervously, but said nothing.

Botanist And Bards

"Yes Ma'am." Gracie seemed a little concerned as she looked back and forth between them, curious about what she needed to leave for. But she shrugged obediently, leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

The slave glanced up into Izzy's seemingly emotionless eyes and began to realize what the other woman was thinking: obviously, the noble was frustrated with the spill on her clothing. It had likely been humiliating and expensive. She'd had her hands hit with a switch until moving them hurt by a guard from Lord Hasingwrath's orders. Her stomach and neck were bruised from Zarva. She was even being put on half rations for the next week to teach her not waste food.

And now the noble was contemplating how to beat her.

For a couple of seconds the girl's eyes seemed to shake, widen, and then she began to cry. "I-I'm sorry m-my lady." She seemed to be treading her words carefully, limbs shaking as she lowered her head submissively. "My master has already t-taught me my l-lesson. P-"

The girl started backing away. "Please don't hurt me." Her back ran into the doorway, where she slumped to the ground and began crying, cradling herself in some odd attempt at comfort at what was to follow from this cruel woman.