Tell me about your past, tell me about your future [Alvina]

A few days had passed since Cecilie had met Alvina at the tavern, and she was already on her way back to check up on the younger woman. Almost immediately after she’d Alvina, Ceci had gone straight to the dressmakers. She’d discovered Visna, one of Freyja’s sisters who she’d help the other day after that disgusting public display, was one of the dressmakers, and had purchased some baby clothes, and requested a few different sized blankets. You could never have too many blankets with a new baby at home. Now she was returning, with a big basket tucked under her arm filled with the clothes, the blankets, any anything else she’d had or had been able to find that would make life with a newborn a little easier.

Cecilie was familiar enough with people to know not everyone appreciated what they saw as charity, because some people thought it made them look weak or like they were unable to care for themselves and their children. She managed to get away with a bit more than most others, she realized, because she was a healer and could slip things in and play them off as necessary. Plus, she was a bossy thing and when she was barking orders for caring for wounds or babies or whatever she’d helped with, it was easy enough to add something about whatever she was leaving behind that she really didn’t need to.

She hoped Alvina was more willing to accept help, at least. Women typically were, and a single woman, alone, with a baby on the way would hopefully understand that pride was simply not the most important thing to be thinking about at the moment.

Knocking on the door to Alvina’s room, she smiled wide when it opened and revealed the heavily pregnant woman. “Good morning!” Cecilie greeted brightly, trying her best not to call too much attention to the basket on her arm. “I thought I’d swing by and see how you were feeling, and I was rummaging around through my things and found a few odds and ends I thought would be helpful.” That was a complete and total lie, and as soon as Alvina got a good look at the basket, she’d know, but people rarely bothered to call her on those kinds of lies. She played dumb, they played dumb, and no toes were stepped on. “So? How are you feeling?” She needed specifics, but now that they’d have a bit more privacy than they had in the middle of the tavern the other day, it would be far easier to ask some more personal questions, and make sure everything was perfectly normal.

Alvina had been enjoying her morning off quite a bit so far. She had been spending the morning working on things that were somewhat entertaining for her. She had taken a liking to making her own jewelry lately. Something that had started out as being a way to save money and fit into the village a little bit more, turned into something that helped her relax and unwind in her room. The more she was doing it the better she was getting too, which was encouraging too. It was something she had never done before being a thrall, and the idea of learning something on her own was exciting. Sure it was mostly just for herself right now, but maybe she could get better and better at it. So she wouldn't have to work in the tavern for the rest of her life. Alvina wants to learn something that could help her make a living for her and her child, and this maybe could be that. Of course she didn't want to get ahead of herself, she knew she still had a long way to go. However she really enjoyed it all the same even if nothing ever came from it at all.

Plus when she was working on her jewelry she could be siting a lot more, and that was when her baby was most calm. When she was up and moving around her baby was as well. Moving, kicking, you name it the baby was doing it. Alvina wanted her baby to come even sooner when she was on her feet and moving around. It wouldn't be too much longer now, she knew that and would just have to keep reminding herself that. She was brought from her work and thoughts however by a knock at the door. Slowly getting up Alvina made her way toward the door and opened it up. A large smile took over her face as she saw that it was her new friend Cecilie standing there. Alvina was shocked and glad at the same time. She was sure it was not fun to hang out with an overly pregnant person, but she was glad Cecilie was here all the same. “Good morning!” she heard Cecilie say to her first and her smile just grew even larger. "Good morning to you too" she says back to her.

She smiled even more at the other womens next words. “I thought I’d swing by and see how you were feeling, and I was rummaging around through my things and found a few odds and ends I thought would be helpful.” Cecilie says to her next and Alivna looks to the basket and already knows that is a lie, however she choses not to say anything. For she was grateful that she was here and thinking about her at all. "That is very kind of you, thank you so much even though you didn't have too" she says to her next. “So? How are you feeling?” Cecilie asks next and Alivna smiles before moving to the side and saying "Please come in, we can talk in here, but I'm sorry its a little small." she says to her next before she lets the other women inside and shuts the door behind her. "I was working on a little hobby before you came, sorry there are things all over the table too." she says as she motions to the jewelry pieces on a small part of the table in her little room.

"But I'm feeling okay, mostly tired because the baby is moving more and more everyday. Very ready for them to finally come out of me, but I know it is still some days away. she says to her with a smile. "How are you? Are you settling in more into being back int he village? she asks her next. Wanting to be a good friend and keep the conversation going. She was glad to have her here and have another women to talk to like this. It was needed more then she had known.

Alvina greeted her brightly and Cecilie’s grin widened. Sure, they’d only met once but Ceci already quite liked the younger woman, and her drive to help people only made her more determined to befriend her. Alvina was only eighteen, in a new village, about to have a baby. And Cecilie had already decided she wouldn’t be going through all of that alone. No matter how often she needed to play dumb so no one’s feelings or pride were wounded.

“That’s what friends are for,” she answered simply when Alvina told her she didn’t need to bring her things. Entering the room when she was invited in, Cecilie looked around quickly, both curious about what Alvina did in her spare time, and trying to determine if this would be big enough for a new mother and her newborn. Her initial gut reaction was no, it wasn’t big enough for the two of them. But there wasn’t really much that could be done about that right now. And, it was very close to Cecilie’s house, so at least she could visit often enough.

Setting the basket down on the floor, Cecilie took a peek at the ‘hobby’ things Alvina had just mentioned, and noticed jewelry pieces and tools on the table. “You make jewelry?” she wondered, thoroughly impressed. She had an acquaintance in Kattegat who made some really nice stuff, but Cecilie rarely wore jewelry and therefore had no reason to waste money buying any of Iliana’s overpriced pieces. “Do you sell it? Or is it just for you? To occupy some time?” There was no need to rush directly into the poking and prodding and personal questions, so she was happy to have a bit of time to chat for right now.

As they got settled, Alvina told her she was feeling normal, but tired, which was to be expected. And Cecilie smiled and nodded at her admission about wanting that baby out of her. “I feel like I’ve heard that before,” she answered with a laugh.

When Alvina returned her question, asking how she was settling back into the village, Cecilie shrugged a bit. “It is different, I guess? My parents have a farm further inland, and I lived there before we moved away, so being in the village, right in the thick of things is new. At least, here in Skagen.” She tried to think about her daily routine now and how it differed from last time she’d been there. “And I used to always hang about with my brothers in the training yard, or with their friends, but now that it’s just me and Dómi, and he’s a fisherman now, I have a lot of free time on my own.”

Granted, they hadn’t spent every waking moment together in the past, neither here in Skagen, nor in Kattegat or on their travels. But a good chunk of her day had almost always been spent in the company at least one of her brothers. Being on her own so often or just going off and doing as she pleased, without having to check in with anyone, was still very new. She still wasn’t sure if she liked it or not.

“I go out to the farm to visit my parents every few days, and see how they’re doing, and help on the farm occasionally. I’ve tried to reconnect with some of the people I was familiar with, but it all still feels… unfamiliar,” she finished with a shrug. Cecilie decided to turn the conversation around again. “What about you? You said you’ve been here a few months? Have you made any other friends yet?” She was curious about how people were treating the younger woman, and also if they knew any of the same people.

She was still so very happy that Cecilie had decided to stop by and see her, however Alvina wished had had moment to clean up her little room. For she felt a little bit embarrassed that there were things all over he place. It was just getting hard for her to store things way in such a small place. It worried her that she might not be able to say here once her child was born, however she also have no idea what she was going to do. Alvina didn't have the money to buy a place yet, between saving and having to buy things to live her savings just wasn't growing as fast as she would hope it would. “That’s what friends are for,” she hears Cecilie say yo her in return after she thanks her for bringing the basket of things for her. She would have to think of a way to return the favor for her. Maybe she would make her something, a bracelet or necklace of some kind would be nice she was sure. Alvina would just have to see if she could figure out something that Cecilie would actually like and wear before she just made her something however. "Well you are already an amazing friend to me, thank you again." Alvina says to her back. She really meant those words too. Cecilie was already so kind to her and they just met, it was still all so shocking to her. That a woman as kind and strong as Cecilie wanted to be friends with a person like herself.

Alvina makes sure to apologize for the mess of stuff on the table, but smiles when she hears Cecilie ask “You make jewelry?” to her. She nods her head at the other women with a smile. “Do you sell it? Or is it just for you? To occupy some time?” Cecilie asks her next and Alvina smiles more. "I just make it for now, I'm not sure if its good enough to sell just yet.?" she says to her as she looks to one of the bracelets she had been working on before Cecilie had come over. It would be a fun thing to sell, but she didn't want to get her hopes up. What if she wasn't good enough and people didn't want to buy her work. Alvina wasn't sure she wanted people to be hard on her hobby. "I started so I could have some pieces of my own, but I really do enjoy making things." she says to her next with another smile. If they kept talking about it, maybe she could figure out what kind of things her new friend liked. So she could make Cecilie something as a thank you like she wants to do.

Cecilie asks her how she is feeling, and Avlina makes sure to answer her as truthfully as she can. “I feel like I’ve heard that before,” the other women says in return and Alvina smiles and nods. She as sure it was normal to be so tired and sore at this point in her pregnancy like the was. Alvina makes sure to ask her about herself next. Not wanting everything to be all about her the entire time. That would not make her a good friend she was sure. “It is different, I guess? My parents have a farm further inland, and I lived there before we moved away, so being in the village, right in the thick of things is new. At least, here in Skagen.”Cecile says to her, and she is sure that is different. It had been different for her as well when she moved into the tavern. The most people she would see at the mansion were other thralls or Vidar. So being around as many people as she was now was fun, exciting, and very different. “And I used to always hang about with my brothers in the training yard, or with their friends, but now that it’s just me and Dómi, and he’s a fisherman now, I have a lot of free time on my own.” she hears Cecilie in next and she nods again. "I am sure that is all very different, I would have a hard time adjusting too. However you can always come see me or we could do something together. If you want that is." she makes sure to offer.

Cecilie goes on to say “I go out to the farm to visit my parents every few days, and see how they’re doing, and help on the farm occasionally. I’ve tried to reconnect with some of the people I was familiar with, but it all still feels… unfamiliar,” to her next, and she was sure it was hard. To be here without her bother and trying to adjust to all of that. Things would surely feel all strange and different if someone you were use to being around was suddenly gone. "I'm sure its going to feel different for a while, but if I can help make things more enjoyable I will do my best as your new friend!" she says to her in return before Cecilie asks “What about you? You said you’ve been here a few months? Have you made any other friends yet?” of her. Alvina smiled for a moment before deciding to be honest. "I've made very few, I try to be guarded...because of things in my past.However I would like to slowly start making more. To let more people in I suppose." she says to her first before rubbing her wrist.

"Can I trust you, with something very important and secret?" she asks Cecilie suddenly, her face a mixture of worry and fear. That this could end up biting her in the ass someday, but she really wanted to try the other women in front of her. Alvina wanted someone who she could talk to and trust who wasn't involved in this crazy mess somehow. Someone who wasn't the son of the man who hurt her. Or a man who only found out because he saw it and grabbed her arm. A women would be nice to talk to, sure Cecilie would never understand her life, but she could be someone who could listen to her.

Cecilie smiled happily when Alvina said she’d already been an amazing friend. She was glad the brunette thought so, because she wanted them to be friends. She wasn’t sure what her future looked like exactly, since Dómi had always enjoyed traveling, and she wasn’t about to be left behind, but while she was in Skagen, she was going to be there for Alvina however she could.

Listening to Alvina’s explanation about making jewelry, Cecilie nodded in understanding. She imagined it had to be boring, to be pregnant and in a strange place with few friends. Taking up a hobby to pass the time seemed perfectly logical. Leaning over to inspect the contents of the table a little closer, she noticed a pair of earrings and an unfinished matching necklace. “Those are so pretty! I bet you could sell those? And the more you work on it, the better you’ll get.” Obviously she didn’t think Alvina should be setting up a shop immediately, but she clearly had talent, and Cecilie saw no reason for her not to pursue it.

When the conversation turned to how she was settling into the village, the healer smiled and nodded at the brunette’s reply. “I would love to! We should probably stick to some simple things until a while after the baby’s born, though,” she answered with a laugh when Alvina told her she was welcome to come and spend time with her whenever she liked. Cecilie was grateful to have met her in the tavern, for more than one reason.

The younger woman explained that she’d met a few people, but that she was fairly guarded, which Cecilie didn’t think was a bad thing. It certainly wasn’t a trait she shared with Alvina, but it was probably a good one to have when you were a young woman alone, the way she was. Trusting the wrong person could be very bad. It had never really been one of Cecilie’s strong suits if she was being honest. She was far too trusting; too forgiving; a little too gullible. But she’d always had her brothers to look out for her, so it hadn’t come back to bite her in the ass yet. “I think that’s perfectly understandable,” she told Alvina, not wanting her to feel badly for being the way she was. Though Cecilie had to admit, she wondered why.

She had the feeling she was about to find out, though, when Alvina asked if she could keep a secret. “I promise, I can keep a secret. I won’t even tell my brother. And I usually tell him everything.” That was true. She’d never kept secrets from her brothers. She’d never had a reason to. But if someone asked her to keep a secret for them, that was a good enough reason for her. “But don’t feel like you have to tell me anything you don’t want to?” she added quickly, wondering if this secret had anything to do with the baby’s father, or maybe the brand she’d seen on Alvina’s wrist in the tavern the other day. She didn’t want to make her friend uncomfortable.

As soon as Alvina saw the that other women was looking toward the table and the things she was making and got worried that Cecilie would think the things that she was making were ugly, or not good. However she as presently surprised when she heard her say “Those are so pretty! I bet you could sell those? And the more you work on it, the better you’ll get.” about a pair of earrings and a half finished necklace on the table. Alvina felt her face heat up in a blush as she thought about the idea of selling her jewelry, and that Cecilie actually liked what she was making. "Thank you, that means a lot to me...I would love to love things like this someday. Once I have more practice that is." she tells Cecilie with a shy smile. Making sure to make a mental note that the other women was to get the set when she was done making it. As a thank you for all the help she had been giving her, and the new friendship on top of that. Alvina knew it was the least she could do, and would not take no for an answer when she did give the necklace and earrings to her.

They started to talk about other things, Cecilie explained that things were just so very different for her now that she was back. So Alvina made sure to tell the other women she could come and se her whenever she wanted. “I would love to! We should probably stick to some simple things until a while after the baby’s born, though,” Cecilie said to her in return, and she smiled and nodded. That made sense to her as well. That they would need to take things easy while the baby was little and she was still healing. Alvina was aware that is was going to take her some time to be fully healed and back to normal, but hopefully by the time is was summer or late spring she would be back to her full health. Plus the baby would be a bit bigger as well. Something that excited her, the idea of watching her baby grow and learn. The two of them talk more, and about friends and things. Alvina says she has made a few, but she is mostly guarded around others. “I think that’s perfectly understandable,” Cecilie says to her and Alvina smiles and nods again. "I just want to keep myself and my baby safe." she says to her slowly.

Alvina decides to do something rather brave, she asks the other women if she can trust her and if she can keep a secret. This might be a dumb move, but she is so desperate for a female in her life that she can trust that its just something she needs to do. “I promise, I can keep a secret. I won’t even tell my brother. And I usually tell him everything.” Cecilie says to her and Alvina nods to her. “But don’t feel like you have to tell me anything you don’t want to?” Cecilie says next and Alvina smiles at her before taking a deep breath."I thank you for that, but I want us to be real friends....and this is something I should share." she says to her before she closes her eyes for a moment and takes another deep breath. "I'm a thrall." she says to her first and opens her eyes and looks to the other women. "I am run away thrall from Uddevlla." she says to her next before she crosses her arms over her stomach. As if she could protect herself and her baby form the hurt and the memories she was about to tell Cecilie. Nothing in the world could protect her from them, they would hunt her for as long as she would let them.

Still trying to keep composed she took yet another deep breath. "My owner was the king himself, and the baby in my stomach was created in a brutal attack that will haunt me for the rest of my life I fear." she says as she starts to walk around the small room. Thinking about the events that led up to her attack. "I was born a thrall, my mother was brought home on a raid from England, at least that was what they told me. She had been pregnant and they hadn't known when they took her. The trip and the brith had been to much...so she died. I was raised to replace her once I was old enough to work and be used. she tells her next as she turns to look at Cecilie. "I hated my life, I hated the king, and so I made a plan to escape. I stole a knife that I planed to use to buy passage onto a ship, however I was caught by the king himself. The knife turned out to be his dead wives...I would have never touched it I had known....but it was too late." she says to her next before the tears filled her eyes and she felt flashes of what happened hit her like a sword.

Tears running down her face she goes on "I tried to talk my way out of it, I tried to do anything to change his mind...but he attacked me. He raped me,and so many other things that day. Then once he was done he left me to clean up the mess. As soon as I was healed I took off into the night and came here. I realized I was pregnant just before I left, and I just couldn't stay there. I would have ended my life if I had to." she says to her next before rubbing her eyes, and trying to will the tears away. "So thats why I'm guarded, and thats why I pulled my hand away from you. To hind the branding on my wrist. I wont go back there, I'll sooner drown myself in the sea before I'll ever go back there." she tells her before finally sitting on her bed. She wanted to lay down and cry more, but she was a strong women. She needed to stay strong, even more so in front of Cecilie."Now you know....I just ask you please keep your promise..." she says to her last before trying to control her breathing. It was bad to get upset with her baby.

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» Alvina Odinsdóttir
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