Naveen

Rina:

I shook my head and blew out a breath slowly. “Okay, but if this goes badly, you will never hear the end of it.” I warned.

"Oh it will go badly, trust me. But how badly it goes is what we will have to find out!" I flashed her a playful grin as I grabbed her hand and pulled her into an alcove that was barely big enough for two. I looked down at her, my eyes laced with sadness for today. But also a bight freedom that I could be nothing but myself for this day. I reached behind her, my arm moving around her so I could press a stone in the wall, that I then traced downwards to press another one near her hips. To the side of us the wall shifted slightly as if unlocked and waiting to be pushed open.

Rina:

The air stuck in my lungs when he pulled me closer to him. I felt dizzy and a little hazy when he put his arm around me. Frankly I was shocked, and I was in deep denial about my emotional reaction to all this. And then the wall shifted and suddenly it dawned on me what he was doing. I let out a little breath as I relaxed and quickly pushed the wall so as not to be as close to him. “Wish me luck.” I muttered.

"I'll wish you luck once we get into the kitchen." I said softly behind her. "At the end of this passage take a left then your first right. That will put you into the pantry. I'll be going to the right to see what kind of trouble I can stir up."

Rina:

“Oh lord.” I muttered and made my way into the passage. I gave a little wave to Talon -Savion- when I reached my turn. My heart beat started picking up when I reached the pantry, but it was thankfully empty.

I smiled and shook my head as I went down my passage. I came out in a little broom closet and from there I just walked right into the kitchen. Taking the time to sample a few dishes before a resounding crack sounded just seconds before pain lanced through my skull. "No touching the dishes. You know that little ruffian."

Rina:

I froze in my gathering when I heard the loud voice from the kitchen. I peeked my head out the door trying to not be seen. I saw Savien with the little she-elf and had to cover my mouth to suppress my giggle.

"Ow....you still hit so hard..." I muttered rubbing my head.

"And you have yet to learn the rules and manners of being in my kitchen!" She said brandishing her metal ladle as easily as I used a sword.

I grimaced, plenty of bad memories at her words resurfacing. I had spent a lot of time being punished by working here in the kitchen...I also spent an almost equal time here in the kitchen trying to steal food much like I was now.

Rina:

I assumed she was the Kitchen master, and I remembered him saying to run if I saw her. So I selected a few last things then tied up the bag I found and hurried back down the passageway, waiting for Savien to come back, assuming he could get away from her.

It took me a while and a few more good whacks before I was able to get away. I escaped and was waiting for Rina in the passage way, right inside where we had both entered from.

Rina:

“So you’re pretty notorious in the kitchen.” I said with an amused smile when I saw him.

"Sarine knows who I really am. I spent a lot of time in her kitchen, either in punishment from my parents or teachers. Or because I was trying to steal a snack. At first I did it because I was being punished by my combat arms teacher for slacking off in my training. I wasn't aloud more than bare staples with no flavoring. Gruel, some bread, water. If it hadn't been for that punishment I could at any time walk into the kitchen and ask for something. I still could. But I was hungry then, and it seemed like a good idea at the time. With out a second thought she caught me and beat me with her ladle until it hurt to breath. After that she dragged me by my shirt and tossed me in front of my parents and walked out." I shook my head as I lead her back towards my room. I took a moment to be close to her while our bodies blocked sight of the passage way so I could close it secretly.

Rina:

I tried not to notice when he got close to me. “Sounds like quite a childhood. What happened to your parents?” I asked curiously.

"Dad died defending from a wraith raid. His lines were weak but he was a good man. Good with the people. My mother served the temple and became an oracle. Ocationally I go visit her, but her memories of me are hazy at the best of times." I stated with a small shrug.

Rina:

“So… Exactly how old are you?” I asked curiously as we walked back to his room. I held ontot he bag of food with both hands.

"Old. Well, young by my people's standards. I am 437. About your age equivalent in years." I said with a small shrug. "You probably weren't wondering, but just in case you might have been. I am the younger twin. By twelve minutes."

Rina:

“So you were the little brother.” I said with a soft smile. “It must have been nice, to be raised with someone else. I was- am an only child. And there weren’t very many children where I grew up.” I said with a little shrug. While my statement was only half true, it felt true to me. I had a brother, but I had only met him the one time, and I had felt nothing toward him.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Children are rare for my race. Twins were....almost unthinkable." I said after a moment. "We never had others to play with. Only each other."

Rina:

“That is one more than I had. But I guess I was always a loner.” I said. “Now, why don’t we dig into this?” I smiled softly and raised the food bag once we reached his door.

I returned her soft smile as I opened my door and held it open for her. "Let's dig in."

 

I flopped down onto the giant cushion again, my eyes on the ceiling for a moment before I sat up and inspected her work.

 

"You did amazing." I said with a rougish grin. I grabbed an apple and fiddled with it in my hands before taking a bite from it and laying back.