She let herself soak in the wooden tub for a while. A small girl came in just as she was wringing out her newly cleaned black hair and getting ready to stand up. The little redhead smiled timmidly and said "My name's Madilin. I'll be your maid while you're here. M'lady asked that I bring this to you so's you can wear it to dinner." She set a pile of clothes and a pair of shoes on the bed. The clean thief nodded as she reached over the side of the tub for a towel, and Madilin left.
Wrapping herself in a towel and shaking out her hair, she walked to the bed. The ground, in a patch of sunlight, was warm under her feet. On the top of the stack was a simple white shirt, but underneath was a beautiful, black skirt. She had kept her eye on it in a shop window for a while, but never thought she'd have one. Next to it was a pair of slim, shiney, black shoes. She smiled to herself and pulled the clothes on.
Just as she was slipping her feet into the shoes, Velouria came in. Not a sound was heard, and the girl was suprised to not only hear her voice, but hear what she had to say.
"The clothes are yours, should you choose to stay or not."
For the first time since she'd been caught trying to steal from this wonderful woman, she said, "You...you mean, I can stay?"
"As long as you like, dear."
She thought it was odd. No one had asked her name or inquired as to her past. It was fine with her. She didnt want to talk about it.
"I'll send Maddie after you when dinner is ready. It should be about 10 minutes," Velouria informed her. She nodded, and Velouria left.
Madilin came for her as she was slipping the final pin into her hair. "Dinner's waitin', miss." Without a word, she followed the little girl first down one hallway and then a set of stairs. There was another hallway, and then they were in front of a grand pair of doors. Madilin pushed one open and motioned her follower inside.
Xavier, Jar, Velouria, another woman, and a boy about her age were there. The men rose, and seated themselves as she took her own seat between Velouria and the woman. Across from her was the boy. He looked famaliar, but she couldnt quite place his name with his body. She blushed when he smiled at her, and was outraged that she would do something like that at just a smile.
"Jendaya, Hibiki, this is our guest," Velouria said, and introduced them to 'her guest.' Hibiki? Velg'larn? It couldnt be. They said he died. Her thoughts were in a mad rush as she finally recognised the boy across from her.
"And, my beautiful guest, what is your name?" She was snapped out of her thoughts as Xavier directed a question at her. She must have looked bewildered, for Xavier shot a look at Velouria.
"Oh, dear. I forgot to ask such a simple question. I'm sorry, honey. Do tell us your name," Velouria explained and asked. She was flustered.
Before she could answer, there was a tremendous boom through the room. She jumped, and everyone laughed a little at her suprise. A shadow slipped out of the room. Within minutes, someone was whispering to Xavier, who stood up.
"Lady Haven has invited us to a party," he announced. As if in explination, he said, " We will go there, and the servants will have the food we were to eat tonight." Everyone seemed to have forgotten that they didnt know her name, for the time being at least.
