Lost.

[sisterofswans]

The girl opens her mouth to speak and then closes it again, covering it with a hand as if to stop up the sound. Under one arm is a bundle of thistles, the handling of which may explain the angry-looking red scratches on that pale hand, but despite the prickly unpleasantness, she clutches it tightly to herself

Comments

[illgotten]

"You all right?"

[sisterofswans]

She shakes her head, clutching the bundle of thistles tighter. It is, unfortunately, awfully difficult to explain that you cannot speak without speaking.

[illgotten]

He studies her a moment. "Looking for something in particular?"

[sisterofswans]

She starts to shake her head again, has a thought, sets her thistles down. Then she makes what she hopes looks like the motions of spinning with her hands. There are no restrictions on pantomime, after all, and she will need a spinning wheel if she is to accomplish anything.

[illgotten]

It takes him a minute or two. "--spinning. Spindle? --Got it. You know, I haven't seen one, but then I haven't looked. I'll bet my sister has one, if nobody else does." He extends a hand, gesture of invitation. "Want to go take a look?"

[sisterofswans]

She claps her hands together, pleased to be understood, and nods. She isn't certain yet if the people here can be trusted, but knows she cannot waste time.

[illgotten]

"Right." He crosses the room, looks into the cupboard where unlikely articles generally reside; reaches in and brings out a drop spindle. "How's that?"

[sisterofswans]

She watches, wide-eyed, and then reaches toward the spindle. Then she pulls her hand back sharply, afraid to touch it for fear of magic.

[illgotten]

"No? --Don't tell me. Christening curse, sleep for a hundred years?" He grins.

[sisterofswans]

The girl smiles a little at that, as if she will laugh -- and then there's that sudden look of alarm, the hand flying to cover her mouth, and the careful, deep breath, and she is solemn-faced again, maintaining her silence.

[illgotten]

"Hmm." He studies her a moment, sobering. "Well, anyway. I'm reasonably sure it's not rigged, given that I had to go looking for it." He tosses it a little, catching the weighted end before it can fall, and offers it again.

[sisterofswans]

Very, very cautiously, she reaches to take it. He doesn't seem like a sorcerer.

[illgotten]

Nothing happens. He pauses a moment, then lets go of the other end. "I guess we're safe, huh?"

[sisterofswans]

Another smile, and she ducks a curtsy, hoping to convey gratitude. At least now she is fairly certain she isn't about to turn into a duck.

[illgotten]

He bows in return -- he does have good manners, when he bothers. "Anything else?"

[sisterofswans]

She shakes her head. No. There is nothing else except a place to work, and that she can find on her own.