Inogen Mhrentisio

“ Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.”

[morganttudd-deactivated20190516]

Morgant grabbed another green stalk from the large pile in front of him and began stripping the leaves.  Much of the morning had been spent in the garden collecting ingredients to be used in his work and now all that was left to do was store them.  It wasn’t a straightforward a process.  Some required drying.  Others needed to be infused into water to be of any use.  Still others, such as the plant he held in his hand, required more immediate use and could not be stored.  It was silent work but it was one of the more relaxing of his duties.  

Morgant heard someone enter the sun-filled room.  Not looking up, he said, “Can I help you?”

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

Inogen probably shouldn’t have been here. Certainly Merlin would be able to answer her inquires. But, something inside her felt seeking out the healer was the better option. With her scrolls and journals tucked carefully into a basket on her arm, tucked under a loaf of fresh bread and a small decanter of wine, a sort of peace offering.

She was about to knock when the man seemed to sense her presence first. “Oh, I uh,” she shuffled a bit nervously. “..pardon me, I just had a few questions that I hoped you’d be able to answer. A-and I brought food.”

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

Dear Inogen, You are in charge of how you feel and today I hope you are choosing happiness. Sincerely, Your secret admirer.

A sweet laugh spilled from her lips. “Well, it’s decided then. I shall choose happiness.” 

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

You should get out more often, it is so nice to see your gorgeous face. ~Your Secret Admirer

Inogen felt her cheeks flush a deep red as she red the note that had been rested on her window sill. She did get out often, just didn’t really show her face. Perhaps that was liable to change soon.

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

sweetyoungtaran‌:

He stayed behind the bar, watching her fingers wrap around the tankard but he couldn’t help but look up when she spoke. For a moment he looked at her openly and smiled. “Well then, it’s a pleasure to officially make your acquaintance miss Inogen. My name is Taran,” he said and then the corner of his lips twitched before he quickly lowered his gaze once again and began busying himself by cleaning off the counter. “Answers and companionship, then. Fortunately I happen to be in the business of satisfying longings, so I’ll see what I can do.” he jested tentatively. He could not imagine the sort of questions that might be troubling her and he doubted he was fit enough to answer them, but for some reason he felt compelled to try. “What sort of questions do you have? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Taran..” She said softly. It was a lovely name. It seemed to fit him. At least, upon first glance at the man behind the counter, Inogen felt it it fit. She wasn’t quite sure why, but she felt her heart skip a beat or two when he voiced that he was in the business of something else. Something that she wasn’t sure she even needed, there wasn’t too much that she longed for. Or perhaps he meant it in a different way. Meeting his gaze she chewed at her lower lip for a moment before letting a few questions flow from them. “This place, I’ve watched people come here, why do they often hide their faces when they do?” Perhaps if she tailored them to the space they were in, that she could get better answers. 

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

merryshieldmaid‌:

“A staff?” Quarterstaffs weren’t Merry’s weapon of choice, but she had trained with him the same way she had with most others - a warrior was no good, her teacher had maintained, if they could only use one or two weapons. What happened if you lost those two and only something else was to hand? Even if you never mastered it, you needed to be able to use it. “I’m no expert but I can teach you the basics, yes.”

Inogen smiled brightly starting to almost vibrate in her spot. Looking down at her attire she knew this probably wasn’t the right dress to start training in. “Are you going to be busy tomorrow? Can we start then? You seem tired already and I don’t want to add more things to do to your day today.” 

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

eriann-the-guard‌:

It had been over a decade since he had paid much attention to such things. Guards only had place in the gardens to make sure those that shouldn’t be there weren’t. His father had been a blacksmith and hadn’t taught him much of the fruits of the Earth and his mother had been a kitchen maid who hadn’t seen much of the world around her to know much beyond herbs used in cooking. Mary though, she had seemed to truly have an eye for beautiful things, including her little flower garden. “I don’t know what it’s called” he answered finally. 

Inogen’s ears seemed to perk up at his answer. Sitting up a bit straighter in her spot she shifted just a bit from excitement. “Well, perhaps you can just tell me what it looks like and then I can match it to what I already know. Or even just do the research to figure out what it is.” 

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

eriann-the-guard‌:

Years ago Eriann had lost his wife and child. His heart was still littered with cracks and he often felt a deep sorrow for them, which is why he was so happy to have allowed Inogen in. She couldn’t take the place of the daughter that he had lost but he could still care for her as if she was his own - like a sort of patch to fix a much larger leak. It was no longer surprising for him to find her in his chambers nor was it odd for her to be so comfortable. “I have not made much time for flowers I’m afraid” the guard replied, heading over to her and lifting a piece of meat from the tray before her. 

Looking up at Erian when he stepped closer. A soft smile on her lips. She’d found a safe space with the guard. A place where she could be herself, at least the part of herself she was allowed to show to others. “Do you have a favorite? Even if you don’t have much time, you must have some kind of favorite plant.” 

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

sweetyoungtaran‌:

He left her to think on his words while he prepared the tea, pouring the boiling water into two smaller tankards. It wasn’t like they kept proper teacups in the brothel. He looked up when she spoke again. “It’s hard not to care,” he sad softly. “Besides, if I didn’t care I imagine things would be a lot less satisfying for everyone involved.” He shrugged with a smile, noticing the way color was rising to her cheeks yet again. When she replied his smile flickered and his eyes filled with curiosity. She was as puzzling to him as he imagined he was to her. “Nothing at all? Surely there must be something.” If there was one thing Taran was intimately acquainted with it was desire. Everyone longed for something, even him. “I mean no disrespect, my lady, but if that were true I don’t think you’d be here.” She may not have come to the brothel looking for what they usually offered, but she was still human. “I don’t mean to offend or presume, but something brought you here. A search for company, or for answers perhaps?” She’d said she was looking for a friend. When he glanced at her he couldn’t quite tell if she was lonely or just curious. Or maybe both.

“Inogen.” She said rather quickly. “Please, call me Inogen.” When the cup was placed infront of her, she wrapped her hands around it. Humming at the warmth that radiated through the cup. Staring down into the dark tankard, the young woman took in a deep breath. “Companionship.” She said after a moment. It was something she was certainly looking for. Inogen didn’t have too many people that she considered friends. Of course there was Merlin and Erian, two people she trusted with her life. But, beyond that. She didn’t leave her chambers too much, and when she did she kept to the shadows just watching how things worked around her. “And answers, I’m sure too. There are far too many questions that swirl around my head and they never have the answers. Or when they do have the answers, they don’t make sense.”

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

merryshieldmaid‌:

“Why not?” Merry shrugged and took another sip of her drink, watching the expression on the girl’s face shift as she considered it. At the objection, she just smile. “If that’s what you prefer. It’s true some people take to some things easier than others, but the point is if you’re prepared to put the effort it there are few skills you can’t learn.”

Scratching a hand across the back of her neck, Inogen looked around the field for a moment. “Could you teach me how to use a staff?” She questioned softly. She’d someone fighting a few weeks ago spinning a long staff above their head. The idea of using that, and somehow using magic with it was intriguing to her. 

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

merryshieldmaid‌:

“Not when it’s swords and spears you want to protect them from. I can hope it’s not necessary, but I also do not want there to come a day when I need to fight for them and cannot,” Merry pointed out. She didn’t know how she could explain it someone who had not grown up watching people going off to war and never coming back. “Practice and hard work is all it is. If you wanted to learn, you could.”

“Me? Learn how to fight?” She questioned with a bit of a laugh. Sure, would she want to be like the knights she read about in stories and the warrior women who had seemed to appear in Camelot? Sure. But, in reality, at least in her reality, that was an achievement she couldn’t see herself making. “I do believe I’m bettered suited toward books, rather than brawls.” 

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

sweetyoungtaran‌:

At her question he averted his gaze, feeling slightly ashamed. “You weren’t joking when you said you don’t know what goes on here,” he chuckled slightly.  “This is a business, my lady. Like any other establishment there are customers that pay and there are goods provided in exchange, only instead of selling food or weapons we sell something far more complicated.” Life at the brothel was always full of surprises, and it wasn’t something he was ashamed of, but he’d never really had to explain any of it to anyone. Once again he was shocked silent by her words, and he dared to look at her with a curious smile. No one had ever asked him what he longed for. “In my limited experience, I’ve found that friendship, love and business aren’t mutually exclusive. Look at the Knights of Camelot for instance, they are paid to protect the people of the kingdom. It’s their job, but that doesn’t mean their efforts aren’t sincere. Just because you are paid to look after someone doesn’t mean you don’t care for them.” Besides, in his experience it was impossible to sleep with someone and not feel something for them, whether it be lust, understanding, pity, or friendship. “What about you, my lady. What do you long for?” 

“Something far more complicated.” She repeated, still trying to get the idea drilled into her mind. Her bottom lip quickly made its way between her teeth as she listened to the blonde speak. There was so much more beyond the castle walls that she didn’t know about yet and Inogen wanted to learn all that she could. “So then, do you care for the people that come through the doors? Or are you only trying to satisfy their needs until they come again?” Tucking a dark curl behind her ear, Ingoen’s cheeks flushed lightly when the question was posed to her. In reality it should have been simple for her to answer. But, the question seemed to puzzle her. “What do I long for?” She repeated. The phrase coming from her lips a few more times before brown eyes met the blue hues before her. “I-I’m not sure. I suppose, in the moment I don’t long for anything.” 

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

eriann-the-guard‌:

Years ago Eriann had lost his wife and child. His heart was still littered with cracks and he often felt a deep sorrow for them, which is why he was so happy to have allowed Inogen in. She couldn’t take the place of the daughter that he had lost but he could still care for her as if she was his own - like a sort of patch to fix a much larger leak. It was no longer surprising for him to find her in his chambers nor was it odd for her to be so comfortable. “I have not made much time for flowers I’m afraid” the guard replied, heading over to her and lifting a piece of meat from the tray before her. 

“Of course not. You spend your time fighting and watching over everyone. Ensuring that they are all safe and sound here in the palace.” Licking at her lips, she watched him pull some food from the tray before quickly spinning the book around. “Take a look at this, the very lavender that I grow outside. It’s supposed to be good for healing burns. I know the cooks use it a lot. For if they drop pots or things. But it’s supposed to help with headaches as well.” Flipping a few pages forward she quickly tapped the page. “A-And roses, they are not just beautiful to look at. They can actually physically help heal the heart.” 

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

merryshieldmaid‌:

Merry couldn’t help being amused by the girl’s blunt honesty; her lips twitched a little as she took another long drink of water. “Then you and I are very different people,” she said. “I want to protect the people dear to me. To do that, I have to be able to fight.”

“But, certainly there are other ways to protect the ones you love, that don’t involve fighting?” She wondered out loud. She couldn’t fight worth a damn. But, if she could hone her magic skills, perhaps that could be a way of fighting. “But, I do commend you, your skills are far more impressive than mine.” 

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

sweetyoungtaran‌:

At her innocent reply Taran looked down with a soft smile, feeling suddenly self conscious. Had he been too presumptuous? The meaning of his words seemed to suddenly dawn on her, and he noted with some endearment that her cheeks became even rosier. He watched her in silence as she seemed to process, and when she spoke her words took him by surprise. “A lot is done here,” he said cautiously, trying to think of how to proceed. “Actually, if you can pay for, pretty much anything can be done here,” he smiled slightly. he quirked his head slightly to the side, trying to understand what she wanted. “It entails whatever you want it to. You wouldn’t be the first person to come here seeking company, though that can come in many different forms.” He paused for a moment, searching his mind for ways to reassure her. “I once had a customer spend the night with me, and we barely even spoke. We just lay in bed together, holding each other. I suppose that’s just how people work. We all get lonely and sometimes you just need to someone to hold on to.” He paused, running his hand over the back of his neck with a sheepish shrug. “I don’t know if you’d call that friendship.” 

Watching the way he moved behind the counter, Inogen paused as her eyes wandered about the building. Everything was decorated rather nicely. Far nicer than she would have honestly expected it to be. She’d expected things to be dirty, for there to be people laying about on the floors drunk off their asses. But no. It almost looked like the halls in the palace. “Pay? People pay you for your company?” She said rather softly. It was a foreign concept to her. Inogen knew what happened at places like this. But for some reason, Ingoen couldn’t wrap her mind around the idea. “Is that something that you long for? For friendship? Or are you content with the idea that you are only paid for a short time.” 

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

merryshieldmaid‌:

Merry arched an eyebrow a fraction - she didn’t beat about the bush much. It was something of a personal question, and though it wasn’t as if she wished to be secretive, words did not come easily for her, especially with strangers. Instead she tilted her head slightly and asked in return, “Haven’t you ever done something that wasn’t comfortable because it was the only way to do what you wanted to do?”

Inogen thought for a moment before shaking her head. She couldn’t pinpoint a moment in her life so far that had been so uncomfortable but proceeded to do it anyway. “I have a habit of giving up on things when they become too difficult and moving onto the next thing.” 

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

theatlanteanprincess‌:

Cyra winced at the loud exclamation of her title and smiled politely. “Please,” she said in low voice. “No need for formalities.” She could feel her guard shifting in the shadows and the princess herself tried hard not to look around for any potential dangers. “I definitely need to check those out soon, then.” She couldn’t quite place the woman’s face, but was sure she must’ve met her at one of the many royal events. A lot of faces seemed similar to her in Camelot. “There are so many colours everywhere, it’s wonderful. As if done by magic.”

Inogen had opened her mouth to speak again, but felt a blush roll over her cheeks. “My apologies, Miss.” She said before turning her attention to the world around her. The idea of magic causing the trees to change color brought butterflies to Inogen’s stomach. “I suggest taking a trip toward the woods edge. The leaves on the trees look beautiful, every single one a bright red, yellow and orange.” 

[inogen-magiciansassitant]

lincolnshirehealer‌:

It had been weeks since Richard went back home. For the first few days he was gone she struggled to find her purpose. She had been tired, sick, and lonely. As she got used to the emptiness, she was able to go about her daily tasks. Keeping herself occupied did not help how often she felt faint and ill. She had eaten very little since she just was not feeling up to it.

As she walked through the market, she found herself feeling disgusted by her usually favourite produce. She kept her scarf around her head in order to stay hidden. However, she felt someone bump into her and she assumed she had been discovered.

“I would hope my faces do not offend. I just find myself repulsed as of late.”

“I’m sorry!” Inogen said rather quickly when the woman spoke. She’d been too lost in looking at the fresh fruits and berries, she hadn’t seen the woman beside her. Furrowing her brow at the comment, Inogen tilted her head just a bit. “No, no your face does not offend me. Honest, I just wasn’t paying attention to where I stepped.”