Closed Wright is Left(ing) [Philomena]

[Liminal]

Charm nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Minnie. And, though I don't know that I'm a person really worth reading, I'll do as you ask. I do know what it means to you, and the fact that you take it so seriously is one of the reasons I'm willing to give custody of Kena's papers to you."

One more time, the old woman stood and reached onto the mantle. This time, what she retrieved was a wooden box, perhaps four inches square. It was artfully carved to show a scene of a wide and sandy shoreline, with a woman's figure gazing off into the empty sea.

"Imtapptendosin carved this himself and gave it to Kena," Charm said softly. "She gave it to me just before she left, and in turn, I give it to you. You'll need what's inside."

As she said this, she lifted the lid. Inside was a swathe of red velvet, on which rested four keys. She spoke again, pointing to each one in turn.

"This one opens the gate to Kena's manor house. I'll let the caretakers know you're the custodian of Kena's papers, and to expect you to come and go. The second one opens both the front door of the manor and her study, where all her papers are. The third one actually opens the room we're in now. You won't need the front door key, because I've made arrangements for the servants to stay on until I'm declared dead, just on the off chance that I show back up. Good help is so hard to find, you know? Anyway, my papers are in the notebooks on the tall shelf over there, and sort of stuffed in the desk there by the portrait. When they do decide I'm not returning, the house will go to Jossy, but you'll have enough time to take the papers wherever you want to keep them. And I haven't the faintest clue what this fourth key does. It was in the box when Kena gave it to me, and she didn't say what it was for. I've never found anything that it fits."

She handed the box to Minnie now, and sat back down. Only then did she glance at the papers the other woman had put on the table. After a brief look, she smiled for the first time in this section of the conversation.

"Prepared as ever, I see, my friend. Well, with your help, I'll be prepared too."

[Philomena]

Minnie lifts her hands to take the box, and one by one, her fingers stroke the keys. Hey eyes maintain a certain grim serenity,but when she returns them to Charm, they melt a little, and she murmurs, in an awkard tone, unused to speeches. "Captain... Charm, I think you will not come home. I would... I would lie to you, and talk of how I'd see you soon, if you were someone else. But you... I will not lie to you, and say otherwise. Even if the voyage is a success, I think... I think you will not come home again. I think this is your last star to follow, as the poet says. I... Charm, when we spoke a long time ago... you were right then. About me, about how little I knew you. But I want you to know, now, that you are not simply Kenabelle's sister to me, anymore."

She slid the keys quietly into her satchel,then, along with the wax tablet and stylus, and drank the bottom of her teacup.

[Liminal]

"No, I don't think I will come home." Charm agreed quietly. "One has to be prepared -- always, always prepared -- but I don't believe I'll be coming back. I love Zeltiva, love it fiercely, but I think my time here is over."

Then she met Minnie's gaze. "I'm proud to call you a friend, Minnie Lefting, a friend who knows me for who I am, and is willing to put up with me anyway. I'll see you later, to turn my last notebook over to you. At any rate, go in peace, Minnie, and thank you for everything."

She set the empty teacup down, and stood to escort Minnie to the door.

[Liminal]

THE RESULTS And here we reach the end of a beautiful thread, for which I thank you! +2 XP Observation Lores: Charm Wright's Secret History, The Secret of Kenabelle Wright's Notebooks Items: Box carved by Imtappdentosin, Keys as described above.