[Mkguild] Introductions Cycle 2.19 - Confronting the Shrew

[C. Matthias]

>            More laughter, raucous and tipsy, 
> issued through the muffling curtain separating 
> the kitchen from Walter’s tailor shop, 
> prompting the confused hedgehog to 
> investigate.  She knew one laugh to be 
> Walter’s, but the other was an animalistic 
> churring sound she could not place.  Drawing 
> back the curtain was no more informative, for 
> the source of the rapid-fire churring was 
> seated with their back to the door.  The source 
> was a skunk, but it was not Berchem the archer 
> because he was markedly different in physique; 
> not quite so broad of shoulder or heavy of frame.
>             “
 when Berchem could not 
> immediately open the door he grabbed at it with 
> both hands,” Walter was saying, modeling her 
> explanation with expansive gestures.  In one 
> hand she held a beaten bronze chalice, the 
> other a pair of scissors like a door’s 
> handle,  “braced his feet, and yanked for all 
> he was worth.”  Walter took a draught from her 
> chalice, eyes bright and merry, face flushed 
> with considerable tipsiness.  “Of course, all 
> that did was yank the stay pin out of the 
> wagon’s rear gate, and the chock from under the 
> wheels, when he hauled the door open, and you 
> can imagine the results!  There was manure and 
> slop everywhere!  While it was spilling out of 
> the back of the wagon it started to rolling, 
> knocked Berchem on his rump before he knew what 
> had happened, and rolled right on over him, 
> down the hill, and into Master Andre’s front 
> door with the most almighty crash.”  Walter 
> rattled a nearby footlocker with one foot, 
> brandishing scissors and chalice emphatically 
> while her guest laughed that hissing, churring staccato exultation of breath.

Two things in this paragraph: I think you mean 
Justin instead of Berchem and Angus instead of Andre.

>            Anne looked sidelong at her 
> typically acerbic, waspish wife, “A good cry?” 
> she blurted, spines rustling under her apron 
> and kirtle and looking toward the skunk.  She 
> saw that he, too, held a beaten bronze chalice 
> recently dusted clean.  He looked somewhat 
> familiar, she had seen him about, and he had 
> even come into the shop a few months 
> earlier.  Walter identified him as Murikeer, 
> but that meant little.  “Dearie, you haven’t cried since Justin left.”

I love the line about Annette's spines rustling 
under her apron.  Good thing to note for a hedgehog!

>            Walter stepped aside as Anne sidled 
> past her closer toward their guest, eyes 
> looking him up and down.  “Justin’s son, 
> Emily’s son.”  She said slowly, wonder crossing 
> her face followed by a warm smile, “Their 
> legacy, come back to us.” She held out a hand 
> to Murikeer who reached up to grasp it, a small 
> surprised chirp escaping his lips as she smoothly pulled him to his feet.
>             “Aye, our nephew.”  Walter beamed.

Ah, what a lovely story!  Thank you so much for 
sharing this one with us, Ryx.  It is so nice to 
see Walter Levins find some way to break past her bitterness!

May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love,

Charles Matthias