Beautifully tragic, or possibly tragically beautiful?

[iamnotelphie]

The girl -- no, the young woman enters, deeply engrossed in a book on sorcery. Unfortunately, there's a couch in her path. She trips over it with a mostly-muffled curse and, somehow, lands in a spectacularly tangled pile on the floor. "Ow," she finally says, directing a scowl at the couch. Then she looks around and shakes her head

Comments

[keeptothelight]

"What are you reading?" Louisa asks, distracted first by the important things. Then the more obvious things come to her attention. "And what are--" She realizes a moment too late that that probably isn't a very polite question.

[iamnotelphie]

"A book on cleaning spells." Because she was in need of it, the way that last spell turned out. That second question, though, makes her sharpen a bit, and she says quietly, fiercely, "Are you going to finish that question?"

[keeptothelight]

"No. It makes perfect sense now. You do magic?" she asks eagerly.

[iamnotelphie]

"What makes perfect sense?" She says, still in that sharp tone. Apparently Kalyn has a bit of a temper. "Yes, I do magic."

[keeptothelight]

"Oh, you know what I mean."

[iamnotelphie]

"No, I don't." There's a sweet, tight smile. "Please, explain."

[keeptothelight]

"Oh! You have not seen it yet? You are green, but I am sure there is a way to undo whatever spell you have done-- not that I know anything about spells-- so I wouldn't be alarmed--"

[iamnotelphie]

"It's not a spell," she says, flatly, sharply. "I was born this way."

[keeptothelight]

"--oh!" Awkward fifteen-year-old girl or not, Louisa at least has the grace to look very, very embarrassed. "P-pardon me..."

[iamnotelphie]

"It's hardly your fault." She softens a little, looking amused. "You didn't know. And at least you didn't ask if I was part elf. Or if I ate grass as a child."

[keeptothelight]

She giggles, then looks up worriedly, afraid to have offended again.

[iamnotelphie]

"You'd be surprised how many times I've heard that." There's a small smile. "I'm Kalyn."

[keeptothelight]

"Louisa Strange."

[iamnotelphie]

"Nice to meet you." And she offers a hand, a little warily.

[keeptothelight]

Louisa takes it and shakes it hesitantly.

[iamnotelphie]

"I don't bite. --And it's not contagious." She's smiling, though.