Preparations

Saveenah's soft voice carried the tune she was humming throughout the small cottage, the song a traditional Kaldorei folksong and one that she had learned from passing Sentinels over the years. Her sweet voice was filled with joy and lighthearted happiness as she moved through the cottage, dragging a broom built from a stick and the dropped feathers of hippogryphs that lived in the nearby Frayfeather Highlands.

The small cottage was composed of only two rooms; a large central room that consisted of a kitchen and dining area and then a smaller room in the back that she used as her bedroom. When her father came to stay, he would often sleep by the small stone hearth set in the corner of the kitchen, for the place had little other space for guests. When Saveenah was little, the cottage had been her father's, but as she grew and he spent less and less time at home, it had become hers although it had also become a place that made her feel trapped as well at times.

For now though, thoughts of such matters were banished from her mind as Saveenah busily continued to sweep dust from the small home. Her excitement was obvious in her every movement, and she continued to hum even after she'd completed her task, setting the broom against one of the rustic log walls of the cottage.

Kyliska is coming! She's coming HERE! 

Saveenah had never been so excited in her entire life. The moment her father had informed her that he had arranged for her twin to visit the place, she had squealed with delight and rushed off to begin preparing their home for Kyliska's arrival. Saveenah had no idea what had made her sister decide to come to their home, but she was grateful for whatever it was.

With the sweeping complete, Saveenah hurried across the room, sinking down onto one of the cut logs that made up a chair around the small table. There was, of course, a much nicer bench but Saveenah had determined that she would save that place of honor for Kyliska once she had arrived. She sat with her legs crossed atop the smooth log-top, looking over the table. A small bird flew in through the open door, alighting on the bench that Saveenah had decided to reserve.

"Hmmm, this will not do at all! I've no idea how many place settings we have here," Saveenah mused to the bird, which seemed not at all interested in the collection of golden plates and bowls on the tabletop. Saveenah had scavenged many of the items from the nearby ruins and ogre dens, knowing her sister would appreciate and need finery if she was to enjoy her visit; Kyliska was a mighty Lady after all and in charge of an entire estate!

"Do you have one soup bowl, two spoons, and two forks per place or....is it three forks, a spoon, a small bowl and a plate...?" Saveenah said to no one, tilting her head in confusion. The customs of nobles were beyond her, and she'd never had contact with anyone who had any wealth, Elven or otherwise. Most of the things she'd scavenged would likely have been admired by such people given that they were ancient Kaldorei artifacts, but the value of the finery was also lost on the druidess as she continued to study the table, seeking to find the best way to impress her sister.

Shrugging, Saveenah leaned forward and set three plates out, each with a golden fork and spoon and a homespun cloth napkin that she had made for such purposes. Although the table looked sparse to her, it was the best she could do and she hoped her sister would like everything. She'd already begun cooking a delicious soup that she'd learned to make using local herbs and spices, and the scent of it wafted from the cooking pot that sat over the fire in the hearth, filling the cottage with a lovely scent.

Finally satisfied that she could at least provide Kyliska with a relatively decent meal, Saveenah nodded happily at the bird, smiling as she spoke to it, "Now that that's done it's time to make myself presentable! I don't know when she will arrive, but it doesn't hurt to be ready now does it?"

Predictably, the bird said nothing as Saveenah rose from her seat, hurrying into her room. She looked down at herself, frowning and pulling at her tattered dress, trying to make it as presentable as possible. She had no fancy dresses to wear and could only hope that Kyliska would not be offended that she was not dressed for a ball or whatever the nobles did when they met one another! Sighing, Saveenah picked up a small and ancient mirror she'd taken from the Highborne ruins, looking at herself in the frosty image from the ancient glass.

"Well, that's as good as it will get I think! Maybe a little touch up or two!" she said to her own reflection. Setting the mirror down on the blanket-covered pile of soft leaves and feathers that made up her mattress, Saveenah picked up a small vase of flowers she had gathered and set it carefully on the floor, picking several of the bloomed white blossoms and taking care to leave just the right length of stem on each. With a smile, she began to weave them into her hair, humming happily to herself again as she worked, only stopping when she had woven several of the flowers in place and liked what she saw in the mirror.

"Perfect! Now all I need to do is make sure dinner remains delicious and of course wait!" Saveenah exclaimed.

She put away her mirror and set the vase back on a very small dresser that held all of her personal possessions, walking from the room and nodding again to the bird, which still had not left its seat. Ignoring it, she walked over to the pot that was simmering over the fire, stirring the contents and nodding with satisfaction at what she saw.

Turning from the pot, she returned to the table, sitting down in her chair. She'd done everything she could to prepare herself for Kyliska's arrival, and could only hope her sister would be as excited to see her as she was to see Kyli. With a sigh, she gazed out of the open door into the forest beyond. Though she longed to be roaming, it was important that she be patient and wait indoors. Where her father had gone she had no idea either, but she was sure both he and Kyliska would arrive in due time, and she'd be there waiting to greet them when they did.

It was going to be amazingly exciting!