New Face in Bree

The mayor of Bree, Brenden Ferny, is rather fond of going out to the taverns in the evenings. This night is no exception, and the young man with the mop of brown curls, unshaven face, and entirely too many smiles is sitting, relaxing with a pint. He\'s laughing as he chats with a couple of farmers, listening to a story about how some unfortunate rival of theirs fell into a horse trough. A typical Bree conversation of beer.

[Rifka(#24137)] Alone and seeming somewhat uncertain of what to expect, a woman enters the Prancing Pony. Her grey eyes light about the tavern, looking to see who is there, though she expects not to know anyone. Hesitant steps bring her through the door, gaining confidence as she heads to the bar for something to drink. Rifka has finally found Bree, and will hopefully find something good here.

It\'s just after the newcomer makes her way into the room that the farmers finish off their drinks and retire for the evening. This leaves Brenden (who can\'t be more than .. twenty-two? twenty-three?) standing and stretching his arms behind his head. He fishes a few coins from his pocket to settle the tab, and looks to be leaving as well. Then the man pauses and eyes the woman curiously. \"New in town?\" He asks.

[Rifka(#24137)] Glancing at the man in a bit of surprise, the woman blushes softly, eyes turning downwards. \"Yes, I am.\" Those soft grey eyes flick upwards to regard him though, looking through her lashes. \"I\'m afraid I don\'t really know anyone.\" A smile blossoms on her lips as she tilts her head to regard him more fully. \"I\'m Rifka...\"

Brenden lets a slow smile work it\'s way onto his face. The man leans back against the table he\'s standing at. \"Welcome to Bree, Rifka. I\'m Brenden Ferny. Where are you from? What brings you here?\" He asks in a casual fashion. The man has nicer clothes, for the region at least, tailored to fit and made of richly dyed fabrics.

[Rifka(#24137)] A slight shrug and a shy smile light her face as she looks him over, appraising the man. \"I\'m from Gondor, but it\'s been feeling the brunt of attacks from the south...\" Her voice drifs off and she looks down for a moment, emotion clouding her face. \"It just wasn\'t safe anymore. And I lost so much the last time I was there, I just wanted to go somewhere peaceful.\" The woman looks back up and him, longing and hope written in her eyes.

\"Gondor? You came all the way from Gondor by yourself?\" Brenden asks, lifting a brow and studying her more closely now. \"That\'s a dangerous trip for a woman to make alone.\" Slowly he folds his arms over his chest, watching her.

[Rifka(#24137)] Her voice is soft, almost not there as she whispers, \"I didn\'t start off alone...\" Her lips begin to tremble, but she bites the lower one slightly before looking up at him with some defiance measured in the grey gaze. \"I\'m a survivor, and I\'m here now.\" Rifka\'s appearance would attest to something of the trip as well, clothes soaked with mud and loose threads in places.

\"Hm.. \" Brenden says, \"Well, I\'m sorry to hear that.\" It\'s an attempt at politeness. \"What were you hoping to do here in Bree? Find a husband?\" He grins, then pushes away from the table and crosses the room to stand closer to the woman. \"Rifka, right?\"

[Rifka(#24137)] Seeing him approach, she simply watches, not fully trusting the stranger yet, but not willing to give ground to him either. \"Yes, Rifka,\" she states her name for him again, softly. A slight shrug ripples her shoulders. \"I don\'t know what I want to find here. Just peace, really.\" Okay, maybe it\'s not the most thought out plan in the world, but oh well.

\"You\'ll find that in droves. Bree is a pretty dull town. If you\'re willing to work, I\'m sure you could get a job as a maid, or help on a farm. If you can sew, or have any skills, someone will take you in. Or, you can talk to Nob here at the Prancing Pony. He hires a lot of travelers looking to stay in the town.\" Brenden explains, running a hand through the springy curls that drape around his face, \"Just don\'t cause any trouble. If you get completely stuck, I can probably find something for you to do.\"

[Rifka(#24137)] A soft smile pulls at her lips as she looks at him, nodding as he speaks. Her words are soft and heartfelt when she speaks, \"Thank you Brenden...\" His name is rolled off her tongue as she tries it out, finding it suits him quite nicely. \"I can sew somewhat, and I can do what needs be done around a house or farm.\" A hand rises, a slim finger sliding back and forth across her lower lip as she contemplates his words.

The man smiles more easily. \"Good.. good.\" His brown eyes glance her over briefly before he focuses on her face again. \"What kind of work would you prefer to do?\" Brenden asks, and the question seems more of a personal interest than the previous ones have been.

[Rifka(#24137)] Rifka smiles at his apparent interest in her, \"I do like to sew. I like the meditative relaxation it brings.\" Her smile grows as she continues, \"Gardening too, I find that same relaxed air when I\'m out among the plants.\" Warmth lights her face as she speaks, glad to forget the past for a moment and turn to more pleasurable things.

\"What about tutoring? Such as, teaching someone about Gondor?\" Brenden asks, the smile on his face growing more sly as he seems to be getting some kind of idea.

[Rifka(#24137)] She seems somewhat surprised by the thought. \"It never crossed my mind before, I guess.\" Tilting her head to the side, she looks at him, more through him as she thinks. \"I suppose I could, if need be...\" Rifka glances into his eyes, wondering what he has in mind.

\"Would it be worth a few coin to you?\" The man asks, shrugging, though the smile is still on his face. \"It would be of personal value to me if you were willing, Rifka.\"

[Rifka(#24137)] Liking the way her name sounds upon his lips, Rifka smiles, still somewhat shy, but a glimpse of the radiance that lies beneath evident in the action. \"I think I might be willing to do that for you, Brenden...\" Shyness lingers in her body language, uncertain, but drawn to his kindness.

\"Great! Find me tomorrow. Just ask around for the mayor, I\'m sure someone will have seen me around town. My son is a good kid, I\'m sure he\'ll be a fine student.\" Brenden lifts his chin, \"Good evening to you, Rifka. I have to be getting home.\" He heads for the door.