Festival of Roses

Well, the hunt hadn't been a complete washout, but she certainly could have done better. Or at least, Mari thought so.

At least now properly washed, clothed, and ready for the day, Mari had promised Kevith she wouldn't go out into the wilds unaccompanied. So instead, she decided to explore parts of the Grassfield Keep that she remembered from visiting as a child.

Now wasn't there somewhere around here where Lysa and I hid after stealing lemoncakes from the kitchens? she wondered as she walked along the pathways.

Rayley caught sight of the other girl strolling along the pathway, "Jynessa! Jynessa!" She broke into a little pattering trot, catching up and linking her arm through Mariessa's. With a smile and a giggle, "didn't you hear me calling you?"

Mari looked quite puzzled as the girl linked their arms together. Then realization dawned on her.

"Oh, I'm afraid you've mistaken me for someone else, my lady. Though I think I know why... Mariessa Tremaine. A pleasure."

Rayley blushed brightly, releasing the twin’s arm. With a self-conscious giggle, “oh my, I’m terribly sorry. Jynessa mentioned a sister, but she never said anything about you being twins.” She clasped her hands and wrung them together.

Mari chuckled lightly, placing a hand on Rayley's arm. "Oh, it is no trouble, really. Being nearly identical, we're quite used to such misunderstandings... honestly, we used it quite to our advantage when we were younger and were really difficult to tell apart."

Smiling, “really? Oh, I was never any good at getting in trouble, it just never occurred to me to do anything but go to my lessons and do my embroidery. I’m afraid I’m just not creative enough.”

"Really?" Mari was genuinly baffled. Didn't all kids do the occassional prank or hair-raising stunt?

"... You mean... you've never..." she murmured, "... done anything you were not supposed to be doing? Or skipped a lesson?" Embroideried a lewd word when you were practicing, though that one she thought better against asking out loud. She remember the hours she had to spend pulling out the thread when she had been found out.

Rayley’s mouth twisted, “of course, but it was never my idea. Cousin Dyanna was the mastermind, I just followed along.”

"Ah, I see... for a moment there I grew worried that you had never had the chance to have some innocent childish fun, lady Rayley," Mari giggled. "Then again, I probably had my fair share of it as a child as well.

“You do have to tell me more about these things you got up to,” Rayley giggled, “it must be wonderful having a sister you can be so close to.”