Celena stopped and looked around. The view was beautiful from here. She smiled inwardly. 'I never imagined I would settle down near a lake, but then again i am at the base of a mountain.' She grinned and took a deep breath. Her small log cabin had more then enough room for her. She turned back into the house and peered into the darkness until it lightened. The living room was lightly adorned, mostly there was the natural wood on the walls and in the furniture. All the chairs and tables were hand-made by herself. There were small rocking chairs in two of the corners and a longer stable couch filling the space between them. There were small tables placed tastefully around the room. The kitchen was more simple then the living room. There was a small door with a burning and cooking pit at its base. Rather old cooking pots were hanging on the walls and on selves. Cel's ears twitched as she heard something coming toward her new home. She walked to the door and watched them walk up.



ooc: here is a picture of the house... i forgot to put it up... then lost it and had to find it again...

Rosamira had been walking through the forest when she had seen the house that was Celena's home. Realizing that Celena was someone Rosamira vaguely recognized from the New Year's party, Rosamira figured she would not mind if she were to stop in. Rosamira hadn't talked to her at the party... but then she hadn't talked to anyone. But maybe if she was welcomed here she would start to develop more friendships and then she wouldn't be so lonely. She walked up and knocked politely on the door.

Cel smiled as she walked around the house holding two well crafted mugs in towels. "Please come in. I was just about to have some tea. Would you care for some?" She opened the door wide and the smell of jasmine and wild roses drifted from within. Celena stepped inside and walked to the kitchen but offered one of the rocking chairs to Rosamira first. She set the glasses on the homemade table and poured some of the jade tea into the still hot cups and brought back to the living area. Cel set one of the glasses on the table next to her guest and sat on the couch with her cup nesstled comfortablly between her hands. "So Rosamira, how can I help you today?"

"I just thought I'd stop in. I didn't really talk to anyone at the party. I was feeling rather uncomfortable because I worried that I'd see one of the elves from my old village. They kicked me out you know... for being human. I guess they thought it would be hypocritical to let a human live there, even though I was raised by them. But I noticed you didn't look too comfortable at the New Year's Party either. How are you?"

Cel smiled noticablely fake. "I am doing. Just trying to get my life started again. I had to leave my home. It was attacked and everyone was killed. I just arrived back there when the intruders left." She quickly wiped a tear that had formed and fallen from her eye. "I am surviving. My mother also told me i would." She looked into her glass so deeply she appeared to be watching the sceen before her all over again. "It is a long sad story." Cel quickly took a drink of her tea and set it on the table.


ooc: i am currently trying to write my characters history..

"I am in about the same place as you are. But I don't have anywhere to stay. Would you mind if I stayed with you for awhile?" Rosamira asked.

She paused and looked deep into Celena's face. "Pardon me, but don't I know you from somewhere? Somewhere other than that party, I mean? I seem to recall that we've met before. I was raised by elves, you know. To the elves I am known as Cálalelosille. It means "shining rose."

(OOC: Because she was raised by elves it is very possible that they have met before. Up to you.)

Cel thought for a moment. "Well it is fine if you wish to stay here. And you say your name was Cálalelosille. Sounds very familiar. I had a playmate when i was much younger that had that same name." She sighed. "It is hard to remember anything these days. I have locked so many memories out of my mind. But the name does ring a bell."

"Maybe you will remember more clearly given time. I know it takes time sometimes. Time to remember, and sometimes... time to forget." Rosamira could not go on. How she missed her parents so! "We shall give each other time. It will be nice not to be alone anymore, though," she admitted.

Cel smiled a genuine smile. "Yes I do believe you are right." She took another drink of her tea. "You know i was wondering what I was going to do with the extra bed room. I just got the last wall put up last night so it is still drying a bit but I have lots of blankets. Would you like to see the rest of the house?"

Nalen walked along the like whistling a happy tune, his equipment rattling as he moved. He looked to the water, grinning at his reflection in the water. He smiled, his gaze shifting to the sky. The performer checked on his javelins for a moment, all were there. Satisfied, he wandered through a worn path, still whistling his happy tune.

Soon enough he came upon a small house. It was pleasantly sized, the kind of house Nalen would like if he ever settled down. He turned, looking back to the lake. "Good view." He nodded, looking back to the house. "Wonder if anyone is home."

Cel's ears twitched. "I think there is someone here. Please look around all you want. I will be back in just a moment." Cel walked back down the hall toward the front door. She saw a man standing looking out across the water. She walked out. "It looks to me like you have been traveling. Could I offer you a warm glass and a soft seat?" She smiled slightly and pulled her cloak a bit tighter.




ooc: there is a picture of the house in the first post...

Nalen turned around as he heard a voice call out to him. He smiled as she made her offer. "A seat would be nice, I've been traveling all day. I guess I could use a break." He stretched, his equipment rattling as he moved. He followed her into the house, nodding thankfully. "I'd be willing to pay to stay for a little bit, or if you'd like: Perform. I'm pretty good at it." He placed a hand on his javelins for emphasis.

Cel smiled and shook her head. "No payment is necessary. I just filled my other room but you are welcome to my couch. Also i have soup cooking. It does not have meat but it fills you up just the same." She waved the man in. "My name is Celena, Cel for short. My friend is around here somewhere and she can introduce herself." As she talked she went to the kitchen and poured another glass of the warm tea and brought it back for the man. As she sat down in one of the chairs she thought to herself. 'I may just have to add more rooms.' Then laughed inwardly.

Rosamira smiled as she saw a young man walk through the door who looked about her age. "Hello, my name is Rosamira. What's yours?" She noticed that the young man was also a performer. "I'm a performer also," she said. "Or really, I used to be. In Yomeniampa."

Cel excused herself and went into the kitchen to stir the soup. It had every vegetable one could possible think of. She took the side door in the kitchen to the kiln out back to get some bowls. 'Fresh bowls. There is nothing like it.' She sighed to herself as she mentally reminded herself to get another cup as well. She made her way back to the cabin with the hot kitchen wares and smiled at the two in the living room chatting. "Soup should be ready soon if you are hungry."

Nalen nodded, "Thank you very much, traveling all the time becomes tiering." He found himself someplace comfortable to sit and sat down. "Some soup would be nice," He smiled to show his thanks. He looked at the two, introducing himself, "I am Nalen, one of the only Javelin Jugglers around." He pointed to himself as he said that, his javelins tucked under his arm. "You were a performer too? Well it must show, as it does! I should have known you were one." He laughed and looked to the kitchen where a delicious scent was drifting to him. "Smells good!"

Cel quickly dipped out soup into each of the three bowls and filled the tea cup then placed them all on a platter. In the middle she set the tea kettle still steaming with hot tea and brought it to the living room. As she listened to the two talk about entertaining she refresh Rosamira and her own tea and set the bowls out. While she waited for her soup to cool she picked up some of her needling she had started before. It was one of the cushions for the couch, three finished ones set on the floor beside her.

Rosamira's mouth watered as she smelled the soup cooling. "It smells great, Cel." She couldn't wait to eat some. It had been much too long since she'd had a good meal. She tried not to cry as she wondered what her adoptive family would be eating as they sat around the table. It was a relief to be among friends though, and Rosamira knew she would try to find a place to stay near here if she could.

Cel jumped from her chair and ran to the kitchen and came back with a hot pan of cornbread. "I almost forgot about these." She grinned and sat back in her chair. "Rosamira you may recognize some of the spices i used. They are elven." She took a bite of the soup. "Yep, that is great. Dig in before it gets cold."

Rosamira ate the soup and cornbread until she was full. Especially the cornbread. She had almost forgotten how good it tasted. "It tastes just as good as my mother's," she complimented Cel. "It's been so long since I've had a good hot meal that I almost don't remember when the last time was."

Cel grinned thankful someone enjoyed her cooking. She had worked for years to get it just right. She sat back as she finished her own bowl. "That was pretty good if i can say so myself." Celena then got a thoughtful look on her face. "You know i have been thinking Rosamira, and it seems there are alot of people here in Arda that do not have homes. What if we enlarged the house and made it a housing so to speak. I have even thought of building more houses like this one on down the shore line. What do you think?"

"You mean like... umm... what is the word for it... group homes? What a great idea!" Rosamira remembered her friend Yuna and how she had left her home too. Rosamira and Yuna had lived together in Yomeniampa. Yuna had not been ousted the way Rosamira had, but she knew that one did not have to be ousted to be in need of a place to stay.

Cel smiled. "I knew there was some way that i would be of use here." She took a big bite of cornbread and kept the satisfied grin on her face. When she finally finished it she looked back at her new friend with a defeated look on her face. "I think we are going to need some help tho."


ooc: maybe we can do this as like an rp that alot of people can get into... i am going to start a planner in that section... if you think it is a good idea

Nalen looked at the cornbread, his mouth watering. Cornbread was his favorite snack of all. He took a massive bite, chewing it thoughtfully. After, swiftly but enjoying every second of it, finishing his bread he turned to the soup. It was very tasty, a nice treat from days of just meager meals. He stretched out, loosening muscles and resumed his position.

When they began to talk about group homes Nalen became interested. He listened quietly throughout the conversation, nodding now and again. Such things weren't his forte but he knew enough to get the idea.

OOC: Good idea Cel! My charrie Magdiel could help as she opens her home to others all the time.

"How exactly does one start one? I know of them but don't know the process. And we would have to have someone help us who does know the process. I don't know where such a person could be found. Do you know of anyone?" Rosamira asked. "If my mother were here, I'd ask her. But after I was ousted from Yomeniampa I don't know if that's such a good idea."

Cel shook her head. "No but I can spread the word around town I am sure someone can help." She picked up another piece of cloth, it was a large blanket with a wolf howling at the moon, she was close to being done with it. Cel laughed. "I feel like an old woman sewing all the time. But i just want this place to look nice."

"Don't worry about it. If I had a home all to myself I would want it to look nice too," admitted Rosamira. "But really, there's no reason for me to have my own home, for I don't have my own family to share it with. I would imagine that a big house like this all to yourself would get lonely, would it not, Cel?"

Cel nodded but said nothing. She had been on her own for so long it was nice just to be somewhere with other people talking and eating and sharing. She smiled slightly. "A home is not a home unless you have someone to share it with. Sure it is nice to have some alone time, but i would prefer to have people around." She cut the thread on her last stitch of the blanket. "Rosamira, I would like for you to have this. Think of it as a welcoming gift." She folded the blanket and set it beside Rosamira and went back to her own seat.

(Joelle, is this the thread you were talking about?...I hope so, if it isn't I am very sorry, and I will get this post deleted.)

Yunalesca looked up at the house for a long time. She was hesitant to go up to it. It had been a long time since she had sought enterence to anyone's home...it felt odd to try now. Her heart was racing as she took a step toward the house, forcing her nearly unwilling legs to move. "A promise is a promise Yunalesca. You settled everything you needed to. Time to hold up your part of this." Yuna said icily, speaking aloud to scold herself for wanting to walk away.

I hope Rosamira's home...this will be very embaressing otherwise.... Yuna thought as she continued walking up the path toward the house, still feeling odd about coming here, and interupting this quiet place. I hope I'm not interupting something...like dinner...or a conversation. Yuna's mind added, despite her attempt to banish all such thoughts.

As Yuna walked she looked around her. The yard was gorgious, absolutly beautiful. Not as pretty as some of the elven gardens, but in a way, even more so, for its originality. The house seemed huge as she got closer... it too was very pretty, if oddly built by Yuna's standards.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Yuna reached the door. She took a deep breath, then released it slowly. She forced herself to lift her hand and knock quietly on the door to the house.

The door almost instantly opened. "Hello. Would you like to come in? I have some hot soup and warm to you are welcome to." Cel's smiling face appeared from the warmth inside the house. "Please come in it is getting cold." Cel left the door open and went for another mug and filled it with the warm tea.

Yunalesca was startled as the door opened almost imeadatly...and by an elf. She had been expecting an elf to live in the house, Rosamira had warned her of that, but it still took her by suprise. Yuna straightened herself slightly and walked in very slowly, closing the door as soon as she was inside. The girl probably thinks I'm human...Or half elven. Yuna thought as the door closed. "Does Rosamira live here? I'm Yunalesca...but everyone calls me Yuna...I'm sorry to have just kind of appeared on your door step like this...." She called out, not really sure where the Elven woman had disappeared off to.

Yuna glanced around as she took a few more steps inside. She didn't want the woman to think she was rude, or uncomfortable, but then again, she didn't want to seem nosie either.

Cel walked back into the room. "Rosamira is around here somewhere. I think she is still in the living room. My name is Celena, but you can call me Cel." She handed her the cup of tea. "Careful it is still pretty hot. I also have some soup. Would you like some? It does not have meat. I don't eat meat so there is never any in my home. The living room is this way." Cel started down the hall toward the other room.

A small black and gray tiger walked through the door behind Yuna. It ran through the house unnoticed and hopped on the the back of the seat Rosamira was sitting. It walked in a small circle and laid down for a nap. Before too long he was purring lightly and slightly kicking in his sleep as if running after a small animal. Soon he stopped and starting licking his furred lips showing his small ivory fangs. A small growl escaped him and he woke him. He stood and walked in another circle and settled in again.

Cel looked down as the tiger walked past. "I was wondering when you would get here." She then turned to Yuna. "The living room is right that way." She pointed down the hall. She then turned back toward the kitchen and went for a bowl of warm milk for the tiger. She walked back to the living room and set the milk down on the floor. "Please Yuna, make yourself at home."

Nalen yawned, stretching his tired muscles and scratching his head. He looked around at the gathering of people, then at his gear. He walked over to where he had set everything down, checking on each individually. Satisfied he still had everything, he bundled it back together and stood. Nalen looked around at the people again, nodding. "Yes well, I think I should be going. I've got a performance in about a day, and where I'm headed is a little under a day away." He looked at the owner of the house, who was very kind indeed, "Thank you for the food, but I need to be going. Perhaps I'll come back on the return trip?" He smiled, and with a flourish of his javelin bundle, was out the door.

Cel ran after him. "Nalen, I made you some to take with you." She held up a rather old looking bowl with a cover and a flask. "Just incase you get hungry and the cold gets to your bones." She smiled. "I hope you have a safe trip and just know you are welcome anytime." The elf woman pulled her cloak in tighter as the wind blew harder. "Safe journies my friend." She held her arm out for an elven goodbye.

Nalen paused as she called out to him. He turned, the grass shifting under his feet. He took the food into his hands, smiling. "Thank you once again. I do think I will return." He nodded once more, and gave his farewell. He had many things to attented to, but the addition of food would be a great treat.

Yuna's eyes followed the tiger as it shot down the hall, but didn't follow it though, she still felt akward here. Does she think I'm deaf? She already pointed me down that hall once. Yuna thought, part of her mind just a little resentful at being spoken to like a young child who wasn't following instructions properly. "I will Lady Celena." Yuna said in a very polite tone, she bowed very slightly, just as a man came in, the half elf? Her mind wondered.

Yuna felt even more akward and out of place as they began to speak. She flushed a little and slipped past them to head down the hall that Celena had indicated twice. The main reason she started that way was to cover her embaresment, it felt - and looked - like she was intruding here, like she didn't belong.

The tiger sat up and looked around. He saw all the homey items he knew the elf would have. He yawned proudly showing his fangs once again. His gray eyes followed the woman he passed in the hallway. He shrugged which was strange for a tiger and started to clean himself, taking his time and making sure he was completely clean.

Rosamira smiled when she saw Yuna come through the door. "Hi! I'm glad you decided to come. I just finished eating, but I'm sure Cel made plenty to go around. Did you have any problems finding the house?" Rosamira wanted to know. "I don't think I would have noticed it myself had I not been looking for a place to stay."