(2024-01-15) Past, Present, and Future Plans

Details

Author:	Aly
Summary:	Jenzelle and Terrineth meet to discuss the memorial to be held for Jasper.
Rating:	T for Teen

+ Show additional content warnings

Terrineth sits alone at a table in the corner of the room. She has her back to the wall so that she can see everything going on around her. She slumps in her seat and there are dark bags under her eyes.

Jenzelle enters the inn and looks around, a bag held nervously in her hands. She does not immediately see Terrineth, and heads towards the innkeeper.

Terrineth recognizes her description and waves over, "Hey. You Jenzelle Halveris?"

[Jenzelle]: U-um, I'm looking for a Terrineth? *She turns quickly at the address.*

[Terrineth]: That's me. *she groans and sits up* Nice to meetcha.

[Jenzelle]: Forgive my asking, but…have you not been sleeping well? I-I suppose that wouldn't be surprising, considering everything going on, and… Oh goodness, that's probably none of my business is it? I'm so sorry! I brought cookies?

Jenzelle inches closer to the table.

Terrineth scoffs. It's not angry or anything, she just sounds that way, "Yeah. Been sleepin like shit. Fraid of gettin another one of them dreams. Part of why I took so long to meet up with ya."

[Jenzelle]: I've heard about them. So many people are getting nightmares, and I wish… I wish there was some way I could help everyone. But whatever is causing it is beyond me, I'm afraid…

Jenzelle sliiides the bag of cookies onto the table.

Terrineth shrugs, "Yeah I get it. But it's not your fault. Now sit down already."

[Jenzelle]: Y-yes! Of course! Sorry. *She finally sits.*

[Terrineth]: Don't gotta apologize, just fuckin sit. *her face looks a bit annoyed but part of it is just that she's tired* Make yourself comfortable.

Jenzelle looks probably the opposite of comfortable, but she forces a smile anyway. "So you are looking to have a memorial?" she offers cautiously.

[Terrineth]: Yeah. For an old friend of mine. *she thumps a wooden crate underneath her chair with the back of her heel. The contents of it rattle.*

Jenzelle pales a little, glancing at the crate. "Is… Is your friend…" In the crate? She can't seem to finish the sentence, and her voice has reduced to a whisper.

Terrineth grunts, "What's left of 'im anyway."

Jenzelle glances around quickly. "R-right. Of course he is. Um… Do you plan to…lay him to rest near here, then?"

[Terrineth]: Yeah… *her eyes soften a bit and hints of a smile play on her lips* Used to say he wanted to settle down here someday once we got things all sorted out.

[Jenzelle]: Oh… *Jenzelle relaxes slightly.* It is nice here. This is a good place.

[Terrineth]: Yeah it is… *she says wistfully* But uh, yeah. That's the plan I guess. Just wanted to do something nice for him since I never got to thank him for everything he did I guess.

[Jenzelle]: That's kind of you. I'm sure he would appreciate it. I'll help you send him off, too.

[Terrineth]: Thanks Jenzelle. *she places a hand on the table and smiles at her* That means a lot to me, really.

[Jenzelle]: It's important, and…it helps. I plan to do a memorial of my own, if we manage to defeat the Lich King before everyone…falls asleep and stops waking up.

[Terrineth]: Oh yeah? Well… *she takes a second, not quite sure what to say* I'm sorry for your loss then.

[Jenzelle]: And I am sorry for yours. *She peers at Terrineth, gaining a bit of confidence.* Have you been to see an alchemist? I've heard there are potions that can help you sleep without dreaming.

[Terrineth]: Does he count? *she points over to the bartender* Cause I think he's a quack. Can't even drown 'em out they've been gettin so fuckin bad.

Jenzelle eyes the bartender. "Oh, I don't think those are potions, so much as…" She blushes, realizing Terrineth probably already knows what those are. "Oh. Drinking doesn't help either…?"

[Terrineth]: Nope. *she leans back in her seat and sighs* Been weaning myself off the sauce a bit recently. Got a bad dream bout once or twice a week usually, but…. nothin like this… *her eyes go hollow and she starts getting a thousand-yard stare*

[Jenzelle]: Goodness… I've been fortunate in that, I suppose. If you ever want to talk about any of those dreams — or anything, really, I am a priestess. I'm duty-bound not to repeat anything without permission.

[Terrineth]: I'll pass. *she almost cuts her off* No offence.

Jenzelle shakes her head. "It's alright, I understand. Sometimes repeating things means reliving them. But if you change your mind at any point, the offer is open."

[Terrineth]: Yeah yeah. A-and I appreciate it… *she trails off in a sort of grumble* But back to the vigil. I think I got a spot that I like. Any details or whatever we should be thinkin of?

[Jenzelle]: Well, maybe if you have some things you'd like to say about him, things to remember him by, you can say them then?

[Terrineth]: Hmmm… Yeah that makes sense. Gotta think of something good to put on the stone too. Thought up a couple things, but none of em feel like they got a good ring to em.

[Jenzelle]: That part can be difficult, even if you're coming up with your own. How to summarize someone's life in just a few words… It almost doesn't seem fair, because you know their life was more than that.

[Terrineth]: Y-yeah. I know. I mean… *she looks a little embarrassed* we didn't even know all that much about eachother. I mean like our pasts and shit. We didn't talk about that. It was always about what we wanted to do later.

[Jenzelle]: Aside from settling here, what did he want to do, after?

[Terrineth]: Well… he wanted to get away from all the shit that was going on in Westfall. Wanted to build a place up somewhere out of the way, live off the land not havin to listen to no one but himself.

Terrineth smiles a bit despite herself, "Told him I'd help."

[Terrineth]: Or well… I guess he's the one who asked if I'd come with…

Jenzelle smiles back. "Country life can be very satisfying. I lived on a farm for a while, growing up. Was he interested in farming, or more of the hunting and fishing sort?"

[Terrineth]: More the huntin and fishing and stuff. Think he had enough of farming. Plus it's more fun to explore outside while ya work, no?

[Jenzelle]: Oh, I don't know, planting things and watching them grow big and healthy can be rewarding. But exploring is fun too, of course. Do you have any plans for the future yourself? Aside from getting a decent sleep?

[Terrineth]: I… *she has to think about this for a bit. She scratches the back of her head.* I dunno… I got some ideas I guess, but… I'm not really sure. Never been much of a planning sort, ya know?

[Jenzelle]: Ideas help. I tend to take things day by day as well, but I do know I'd like to continue being a priestess and helping people. Life is a bit finite, and you never know what's going to happen, so the furthest I plan is a few seasons ahead.

Terrineth purses her lips and thinks for a bit, "Well I feel like I should head back to Westfall and help out with things there."

[Jenzelle]: That's a wonderful idea. I don't know a lot about the south, but if people are struggling and you can help, then it sounds like a good plan.

[Terrineth]: Y-yeah! I guess it is a good plan. Just means I might be a bit far from my girl though… Not sure how keen I am on that.

[Jenzelle]: Ahh, yeah, because of the fleet. How do you feel about boats? I asked Lena, too, out of curiosity.

[Terrineth]: I don't mind em. That's my other idea was maybe joining up with her boss and stuff.

[Jenzelle]: Do you think people in Westfall need more help in some seasons and less in others? Maybe you could do both.

[Terrineth]: Westfall has been needin help since I was born. *she says strongly* Not sure I can do both. That's why I've been feelin so lost bout it.

[Jenzelle]: That's…a long time. N-not that I think you're old or anything, really, it just seems like a long time for a place to need help, seeing as you're an adult and… A-anyway. Do you…have any friends left in Westfall?

Terrineth shakes her head, "Nope. Gonna have to start over."

[Jenzelle]: What about in Cobalt Company? I know you have Lena, but, anyone else?

[Terrineth]: Eh, I don't know. Don't really feel like I fit in with the rest. That's why I asked Lena to help out with this. Figure if people won't show for me they'll at least show for her.

[Jenzelle]: Oh, goodness. I didn't know either of you before Lena contacted me, and my answer would have been the same no matter which of you asked. Once the war is over, I would be happy to learn more about and help the people of Westfall.

Terrineth smiles a bit, "That'd be good."

[Jenzelle]: This Company has a lot of good people in it. I haven't met many of them myself, but I'm sure once things settle down, we'll spread out our work more, and others will help Westfall too.

[Jenzelle]: And if that happens, you'll be able to spend more time with Lena.

[Terrineth]: Yeah. *she lightens up a bit* That'd be real good.

[Jenzelle]: So maybe you don't need to decide right away.

[Terrineth]: I guess not. Just weird is all. More used to livin day to day. Got real used to that kinda life. Thinkin ahead don't come natural, ya know?

Jenzelle smiles a little. "I know someone like that. She's a friend of mine. You can be too, if you'd like."

Terrineth smirks, "Oh yeah?"

[Jenzelle]: Yes. Call on me anytime, no upkeep required.

[Terrineth]: I'll keep that in mind then. Thanks.

[Jenzelle]: Did you have any other questions about the memorial, or anything I can help with?

[Terrineth]: Oh uh… Well I guess I just gotta… think of sumthin to say and you'll take care of the rest? Right?

[Jenzelle]: Yes! And I will bring the headstone here when it's ready.

[Terrineth]: Ok then. *she looks relieved* Was a bit worried I'd have to learn some whole complicated church speech or something like that.

[Jenzelle]: Goodness, no. If anything, that would be my job.

[Terrineth]: Good. Heh. *she chuckles* Guess I was worried over nothing, huh?

Jenzelle smiles. "There's no right way to send a friend off. The best way is the way that makes you the happiest."

Terrineth nods, "I suppose you're right. I just hope it makes him happy too." she waits a beat and then stands, "Anyway. Get in touch with you soon? Get this guy in the ground before everything completely goes to fel and back?"

Jenzelle nods. "I'll be ready whenever you are." She gets to her feet. "Those cookies are for you. So um… Hope you like them."

[Terrineth]: Hey, thanks! *she takes the cookies* I'll have to bake you somethin later too to pay you back.

Jenzelle giggles. "You bake too? I'll look forward to it, then!"

Terrineth gives her a devilish grin, "You better."