The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Marian Hawke]

"I know," she says softly. "You don't mean to be a burden, right? You don't mean to impose or cause trouble. So you learn to swallow your feelings, hold your head up, and keep moving. You're stronger and braver than anyone knows, but you're not perfect. It's okay. I won't blame you for it."

[Merrill]

What- why- The elf sucks in a sharp breath, then holds it, trembling. Her arms cross her stomach, a self-administered hug, and she just... waits, unable to process Marian's compassion.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian lifts her hands again, working through some of the tangles in the girl's hair. "I like this shampoo Lightsong uses. I hope you don't mind smelling like vanilla and strawberries -- it's a nice smell though."

[Merrill]

"Nice," she echoes weakly. Her eyes close and her head tilts back as Marian continues to clean her hair. Clearly hasn't been cut in years, and as the tangles, mud, blood and sap is worked out of it, it reaches down to the water around their hips.

[Marian Hawke]

"You have such pretty hair," continues Marian. "Not like mine. I bet it'll look great when it's dry and clean."

[Merrill]

"Mmmmh." Evidently this stage of things, most of the tangles out and Marian just running her fingers through the long locks, feels pretty good. "'s nice," she slurs. "Y'r nice."

[Marian Hawke]

"Heh. Thanks," she chuckles. "I try."

She sighs, then, pulling back to look at her work. "Do you want it plaited or left loose to dry?"

[Merrill]

Plait? Like... I remember that... "Don't have... ties," she mumbles. Or anything except two dresses- one dress now- and my little cooking kit. Suppose I could use some hair to tie the rest of the hair?

[Marian Hawke]

"I'll loan you a ribbon," says Marian, shrugging. "I just use them for bookmarks anyway."

[Merrill]

A.. ribbon? I wonder what she'll want for that? Still... It'd be so nice to have my hair tied again... "Okay." Rather passive, this one... 

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Mary? Miss? It's Ray Shining. I have lunch and a clean dress, some slippers." By her voice, she must be a dozen or so yards away, waiting for permission to approach.

[Marian Hawke]

"Great."

She deftly separates the hair into three strands, putting together a simple, messy plait, before handing the girl the end of it. "Here, hold this, I'll grab the ribbon while you get dry."

[Merrill]

Obediently, the young woman does as she is bid, then waits patiently in the stream.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian trots toward Lightsong, looking faintly ill. As she passes the paladin, she says quietly, "Right. Go help her dress, I'm grabbing a hair ribbon then she's your problem for a bit. I mean. Then you can look after-- spend some quality time with her?"

[Haliel Lightsong]

Lightsong studies Marian for a long few seconds. Her hands are full, so she can't hug the merikos elf, so she instead leans forward to kiss her forehead. "What happened?"