A Helping Hand

[Dove Latimer]

It was good to have someone think her stories were exciting, for once! She got a lot of people thinking that kind of thing was silly for a maid to do--or like her father, thinking fantasy stories were for children and that no good would ever come of her writing them. She told him that even if no good would come of it, no harm would either. It kept her out of trouble, at least. He hadn't been able to argue with that, and she'd been triumphant the rest of the night. Her eyebrows rose, though, when he said he was a soldier. Somehow he seemed too nice for that. Or...no, nice wasn't the right word. He just seemed more relaxed than some of the other soldiers she'd encountered. Maybe it was because he wasn't from Tresteria? Either way, she liked it. She didn't get to just chat with people all that often.

Dove squinted slightly as she read Kaiden's lips as if that would help her focus. She understood, now, why it was a little more difficult--he must not be a native speaker. She didn't know much about Ithais, but maybe Trout could sneak her a book from the library about it later. She was so excited she nearly did a little dance when she realized what he'd suggested--she loved being able to share her stories. She kept her movement to a minimum, though, even if it felt like she might explode. She thought about running to her room for one then and there but decided that might be a little over-eager. They'd only just met, after all, and besides, she knew better than to run in the halls during the day, even if she'd like to. She'd gone out barefoot one night, running down the halls in her nightgown when most people were asleep. She'd almost gotten caught, too, but she'd hidden in an empty guest room when the guard came looking. She'd needed to know what it was like, though, if she was going to write it into her story!

(You can read mine any time you like!) she signed, not waiting for Trout to answer. (I'd like to hear what a real soldier thinks.)

[Trout Latimer]

Trout grinned as Dove answered and lifted his head back up, although he kept his arm protectively around Dove's shoulders. He didn't even realize he was doing it--it was simply habit to keep her close whenever they were together. In the early days after her illness, Dove had been extremely anxious at the sudden silence of the world around her and relied on him to make her feel safe. These days, she was back to her naturally firey self, but Trout's habit hadn't gone away. If he had a hold on her, whether it was a hand or arm on her shoulders, or her slender hand in his, he knew she was there and safe, that nothing bad would happen to her. It was even worse if she ever caught a cold or the flu, and she'd taken to hiding when she was sick so he couldn't "mother her to death."

"That's awfully generous of you, Lord Dellario. My stuff is a bit dry, but if you're ever interested I'd be happy to have an extra set of eyes. But it looks like Dove would be even happier." He realized he'd answered when Dove couldn't see him, and re-signed to her what he'd said.

(Dry as a desert! It's more fun to see him talk about it. He gets very excited.) Dove signed to Kaiden, and Trout grimaced. "She's not wrong," he both said and signed, "I love my work."

[Kaiden Dellario]

Kaiden of course preferred to live his adventures, but that wasn't an option for everyone or one available all the time. Ithias wasn't a military super power. There were still soldiers, but many lived by the general belief that it was better to know how to do something and not need to than to need to and not know how. This was true of many things, including fighting. But there was also the belief that a true master warrior knew when not to fight. And Kaiden liked to take that a step further. He liked to be nice to people, rather than simply not fight them.

There was a moment of awkwardness when Dove squinted at him and he looked at her as if to ask if everything was okay. If he had said something she didn't understand or done something rude, or maybe she had understood and she found him strange being from Ithias? He nodded and smiled happily at her offer he read hers any time. (Any time,) he repeated. (My reading is only okay.) In Tresterian, at least. He got much more practice speaking than he did reading as a foreign soldier.

(Same to you,) Kaiden added, gesturing to Trout. He grinned at Dove's suggestion. He might prefer to take that offer actually. For a lot of reasons. He blushed slightly. His reading level really wasn't up to par. "That already seems more palatable."

(Next week? I don't write, but I do cook.) Yes, he was suggesting they meet up intentionally in the future.

[Dove Latimer]

Only okay? She didn't...Oh! He meant that he was better at speaking their language. Well, that made sense. She didn't need him to correct grammar, anyway, just to tell her if the story was semi-logical and if he enjoyed reading it. She hoped he would. She had only ever had her family to read her writing, so this was a golden opportunity to get some feedback. Even if that thought was also a tiny bit terrifying.

Dove lit up at his suggestion they meet up again. She was already nodding, then stopped to glance at Trout as her common sense caught up with her eager emotions. She held up a finger to Kaiden to wait and signed, (Sorry,) before turning her full body towards Trout so she could rapidly sign to him. They needed to figure this out.

(Are we going to get in trouble for this?) she asked, looking concerned. She'd never had a noble offer to spend any kind of time with her as a friend, and she honestly didn't know what to do about it. Was this something that they were even allowed to do? She'd let herself forget there were rules, in her excitement to have someone to talk to, especially since he seemed kind and was interested to hear more about them. (He did invite us, but I don't know.)

[Trout Latimer]

Trout's confusion was clear as he looked down at Dove, but understanding soon dawned on his face. She wasn't usually the one to think of this kind of thing, but perhaps it was good that she'd caught it--he'd been just as close to saying "sure" as she had. It would be nice to have someone for them both to chat with. But she had a point, too. He grimaced.

(I don't know.)

He glanced back at Kaiden, looking a bit nervous. He didn't want to talk 'behind Kaiden's back' so to speak, but he also didn't want to put either his or Dove's jobs in danger. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. (Let me talk to him a minute. Faster.)

Dove made a face, then nodded, and Trout took that signal to turn back to Kaiden.

"So we're wondering...You're a noble, yes? Both Dove and I are just your everyday citizens, even if my work does afford me a few extra privileges. We er...We don't really do a lot with nobles outside work, so we don't want to cause trouble for you, or for our jobs, if that makes sense. I apologize if that sounds rude, Neither of us have ever been in this situation before."

[Kaiden Dellario]

Kaiden was confused for a moment by Dove's at firdt enthusiastic and then concerned expression. He understood what her order to wait meant but he wasn't sure...why and his confusion was evident on his face. But he waited patiently for the two to communicate and gave Trout an easy smile at his nervous look. He tried not to eavesdrop so he glanved toward the shelf Dove's slate had been set on. So many things.

He nodded. He was a noble he supposed. If only because he was from a prominent and well off foreign family who was related to royalty. But they were all people.

In Tresteria, class meant a lot more. He knew that. He just...wasn't sure any more than Dove or Trout. He supposed there were rules and that some of them said he shouldn't really be talking to them right now.

"So...perhaps I can employ your services in the privacy of my home?" Kaiden meant it as cover. He assumed no one could speak poorly of the three of them if they respected normal social rules in public. He certainly didn't want to cause any trouble but he did want to talk to them further. "Otherwise...perhaps it is best we not, then?" He said hesitantly. Clearly it wasn't his preference. "I don't want to get you in trouble."

[Dove Latimer]

Dove's face fell. She wasn't ready to give up a chance at a new friend. She bit her lip as she looked to Kaiden. (It'll be fine, won't it? I mean, if you invited us, that's your choice. It'd only be bad if we were offending you...)

She didn't really understand all these rules anyway, which was part of her reason for worrying. It was all so complicated, and to her, people were people. Sure, money and land were nice, she was sure, but human nature didn't disappear just because you were born into wealth. So, in her mind, she'd just simplified it to "don't bother the nobles" which in time had become "don't try to say anything at all ever to the nobles because a lot of them don't want to put in the effort to understand me" thanks to a few less than lovely experiences with one or two of the council members.

(I just worry because some people are strict about these things.)

[Trout Latimer]

Trout looked just as disappointed as the others at the thought of giving up on it. He watched Dove sign, nodding along with her words. They'd just have to make it work, he supposed. Actually...Kaiden had suggested hiring them... He chuckled. There was an idea. His students were usually children, but it wouldn't be totally unbelievable.

"I've got it. We'll say that I'm tutoring you on your reading in our language. You said you're better at speaking it, right?" He beamed at Kaiden, then signed his suggestion to Dove. "What do you think? That should cover us if anyone really did put up a fuss."

[Kaiden Dellario]

He smiled encouragingly at Dove when it was clear the idea of being friendly with someone above her station made her nervous. Hopefully it wasn't him. The man was quite aware of the finer points of class and rank, at least where he was from. Here...Tresteria was much more strict. He was honestly surprised the pair hadn't insisted they were bothering him despite any evidence to the contrary. Most commoners were that way. It was a little sad. The man was always happy to find those who didn't worry so much about the system. Still...maybe it was because he had spent more time traveling and soldier in Tresteria rather than being a proper noble.

(Not offending me,) he clarified and then laughed. (Everyone is strict,) he said mimicking 'strict' a bit awkwardly since he was mostly using it with context clues. It could have meant 'proper' or 'had a stick up their ass' for all he was aware, but the face she made when she said it and her previous concern made him mostly confident in the sign. It looked quite similar to 'boring' too so seemed he was on the right path.

Kaiden glanced at Trout and grinned, not at all worried about the connotations of tutoring for someone his age. Anyone here that mattered to him knew where he was from and he did enjoy learning. Anyone who would give him grief over learning to read a foreign language better wasn't someone who mattered. (Good idea!) he signed enthusiastically. He'd certainly pay them too, if that was the expectation. He didn't ask. Certainly it would be time they could have spent earning money. (That is reasonable, if you are both okay with it?)

[Dove Latimer]

It didn't occur to either Latimer to actually charge, so Kaiden needn't worry about that--they were just happy to have a new friend. Dove most of all--although part of that was simply due to her innately effusive nature. She would be a far more social person if it weren't for the language barrier that kept her from chatting with the average employee here at the castle. This was like an extra Yule gift for the woman.

(I'm so excited!) she signed, beaming. (I can't wait!) 

Movement down at the end of the hall caught Dove's eye, and she spotted one of the other maids--Dana, the ringleader--pointing the head housekeeper her way with a prideful flip of her hair. Her smile vanished, and she tugged on Trout's sleeve to get his attention. They were trying to get her in trouble for shirking her work! It was their fault in the first place, for taking her slate. But then, the housekeeper wasn't likely to believe her if she couldn't defend herself, and Dana knew it, the witch. 

[Trout Latimer]

("Of course we're okay with it,") Trout both signed and spoke. ("Frankly, it's the most exciting thing to happen to us in months.") He chuckled. He meant it, though, the two of them kept to themselves most of the time, save for Dove's friend Sienna, and his work with the princes (and as much as he enjoyed working with the boys, it wasn't entirely the same as talking to adults). Whether they actually wound up talking about his research or not, it would do his heart good to see Dove so happy and talking about her writing. The two of them were best friends as well as siblings, but that didn't mean he'd stop her from having other friends--in fact, there were very few things that would make him happier.

He was just opening his mouth to set a day and time, when Dove tugged on his sleeve. He looked to her, then followed her gaze to the other women at the end of the hall. He recognized Dana and the housekeeper right away; this wasn't the first time he'd been mediating in a dispute between the younger girl and Dove.

"Oh fantastic. This one again," he muttered with a sigh and ran a hand through his already haphazard curls. He looked to Kaiden. "Something strange happened before I got here, I take it?"

[Kaiden Dellario]

They didn't need to ask for repayment for him to want to pay them. Even if no tutoring occured (he hoped it did) he would at least be getting some sign practice.

Kaiden smiled, sort of relying on context clues again until Trout both signed and spoke. Excited. He nodded in agreement then. (Same) he signed, meaning it in a 'me too' sort of way. He was always excited to have more friends and to know more faces.

He caught the disturbance on Dove's face and Trout's words made hin glance behind him. The head housekeeper. He put a hand to Trout's shoulder reassuringly, he touch firm but calm. "I'll handle this," he said softly, still with a smile. "You should go back about your day." Not that he figured Trout would and he intentional avoided making it sound like a command, but he was asking the tutor politely to shut up.

The pleseant smile was turned to the housekeeper and Kaiden pointedly ignored the fact that Dana(her name was lost to him of course be it hardly mattered in the moment) even existed. "Housekeeper, pleasure to see you. Is there something the matter?" A noble greeting him at all was odd, but the man fron Ithias was exceptionally friendly with almost everyone. He was also entirely going to pretend nothing had happened until accusations were thrown around. He wasn't here to start something or presume to take sides...but he would take sides if they presumed to start something.