1st, Spring, 515 AV
It was late in the evening by the time they arrived at the city, and later still when they tended to their horses at the stables and Ser Moore led her to the dorms she'd be living in for the unforeseeable future. Already things were so different from home and from the Garrison. The further into the castle they went, the more she felt a little claustrophobic. The torches that lined the walls and lit their way did little to comfort her, and by the time they arrived at the door to her suite, she was sweating. There were so many halls, so many strangers, and she quickly found herself growing fidgety.
Her patron glanced back at her a few times and tried to offer her a smile, but he seemed about as out of it as she was. He had a new patron to get used to, and one who was very unprepared for the changes she was about to go through. When he opened the door and warm firelight spilled into the hall, she was surprised by how cozy the room inside was. It was comfortable shared living area, branching off into three separate rooms. One of the doors were open and quiet male voices came from within.
"This is where I leave you for now," he explained and she smiled glumly. "I'll send for you in a few days. Get settled in during that time, and try to mingle. It will help." His attempt at encouraging her didn't go unappreciated, but Kat couldn't make herself feel anything but overwhelmed.
When he was gone, she shut the door behind her and let her heavy pack slide from her shoulder into her hand. A gusty sigh escaped as the weight left her tired, and she went to take a seat on one of the old sofas arranged in what looked to be the general sitting area. A hearty fire danced and crackled in the fireplace across from her on the wall. She listened to the fuel pop and snap from the heat, and inhaled the subtle scent of wood smoke hanging in the air.
When Katelyn heard the faint creak of a door and the swell of female voices, her head turned. From inside one of the previously closed off rooms a young girl strolled out backwards, smiling at the others inside. They were laughing about something, but she couldn't hear what. When the girl turned around, bouncing on her heels and beaming, Kat was surprised how young she looked. A head full of thick blonde curls framed a face still chubby with baby fat, and two big green eyes that looked too innocent to possibly be a squire.
When the girl laid eyes on the newcomer, she made a b-line straight for where Katelyn sat by the fire.
"You're the new girl, aren't you? They told us we'd be getting a new roommate."
Her voice tinkled like bells, and her teeth were perfect. Kat automatically didn't like her.
"My name's Katelyn," she said. "Marks," the redhead added after a quick pause. "I just got here."
"Well my name is Vanessa. It's a pleasure to meet you. How about I show you to our room?"
Kat nodded, rose to her feet, and followed the young girl back the way she'd come. Inside the room things were a little darker despite the candles burning on a table and shelves. The wall across from the door was lined with six bunks, and most of them were full of girls in an intent conversation. Katelyn was horrified to see every single one of them was noticeably younger than she was. The oldest looked maybe twenty-one, if she squinted and tilted her head.
When the two of them walked in, all eyes turned on her. She felt like a rabbit who'd just walked into a den of hungry wolves. Introductions were exchanged as she found her bunk in the bottom corner and tossed her pack inside. The little blonde followed close at her heels, chirping away at her and the other girls like they were all the best of friends. A few stayed rather quiet like herself, but half of them squawked and laughed and interrogated her with feminine determination.
"Just stick with us Katelyn and we'll show you around. You don't have to worry," the little blonde babbled. "We can teach you how things work here in the city. It's probably a lot different than being a farmer. I can't imagine living out there. You came to the right place."
A few annoying giggles from her young friends accompanied the comment, and Katelyn stopped unpacking. She turned around, armed folded over her breasts, and looked down at her fellow squire.
"Listen," the redhead began seriously. "I don't need a posse. I sure as shit don't want to hang out with little girls who can't stop giggling and gossiping like fools. So how about you look for someone less... me to adsorb into your group."
The girl's green eyes narrowed, and if looks would kill Katelyn would have been struck dead on the spot. It was a lot quieter from there on out, and when Katelyn finished unpacking she left the girls to their stares and whispers. A few dirty remarks had to be ignored, but she was glad her first impression of the little blonde had been well-founded. It seemed she'd successfully made a little enemy. The thought made her chuckle.
The few that had kept to themselves during the encounter smiled as the door shut behind her. Once back inside the common room, the squire found herself back on the sofa by the fire. It had died some since she'd been in the other room, and the low light played tricks with the shadows on the ceiling and in the corners.
