Grip of Hysteria IC (Mannie/Savvy)

Sabina had long since grown out of her shyness. She enjoyed caring for and playing with the children of the town. Sabina and her parents took their heritage and it's traditions very seriously, and for this evening they had planned a small, secret gathering in the woods to celebrate a phase of the moon, starting a new season. They wanted to praise the earth, asking for a safe and healthy winter.

As Sabina finished up the dishes in her master's sink, she thought about her acquaintance, Rynn Hart. Rynn was the daughter of a respected member of Sabina's master's congregation and lived just a few doors down. Although Rynn was not particularly a close friend, Sabina enjoyed her company all the while and had decided to invite her into the woods for the secret festival. Now that Rynn seemed to be acting out a little more, Sabina was sure she'd accept the invitation.

Sabina quietly completed her duties for the day and asked permission from her master to visit the Hart household. Such a kind master the clergyman was, so he sent Sabina off in the direction of Rynn's house, watching at the edge of their property, until she arrived there safely. Knocking firmly on the door of the Hart household, Sabina waited to be greeted. She had brought along with her a loaf of freshly baked bread to present, bread she had prepared just a few hours ago.

Rynn sat in her rocking chair working on a quilt for her brother. The rocking chair was the one nice thing her father had gotten her, and she loved it. It wasn't that he didn't love her, but he strongly believed that the fewer worldly possesions one owned, the better their soul would be. Rynn wasn't sure she agreed. As she stroked the beautifuly sanded wood, she couldn't help but wonder how such a wonderful thing could ever be harmful. She had gotten distraced, and acidentally pricked her finger on the needle. After checking to make sure that no one was around, she stuck her finger in her mouth and sucked the blood clean. The metallic liquid felt warm on her tounge.

As she looked out the window, she noticed that the sun was beginning to set. She would have to begin fixing dinner soon. Her brother and father would be returning from the fields in an hour or so. As the only woman in the house, it was her responsibility to clean and cook everyday. After all, what else was a woman good for? She made a face.

She looked up as someone knocked on the door. She had been a little startled; not many people came to visit while the men were away. With caution, she went to the door and opened it a crack. She was surprised to see Sabina, the friendly slave from a few doors down standing on her porch with a fresh loaf of bread in her hands. She opened the door wider and gave the older woman a wide grin.
"It's wonderful to see you, Sabina. What brings you here?" She motioned the woman in. "Please, make yourself at home."

Judging by the lack of movement within the house, Sabina figured the Hart men were still out in the fields. She was thrilled to find Rynn standing before her and quickly handed over the warm bread. "Hello Miss Hart," Sabina said politely as she stepped in the main room of the home. "I baked some bread for you." Although Sabina was around ten years older than Rynn, she still felt quite inferior.

Sabina looked around the simple room, admiring the rocking chair in the corner. "This chair is beautiful!" She proclaimed, her accent strong, as always. In her own household, the walls were decorated with Christian images and words, but here there were none, the walls stood bare. Rynn's father did not believe in worldly possessions, and the state of his house proved it.

"Miss Hart," Sabina started quietly, her voice shaking slightly. "I wanted to invite you into the wood this evening." Sabina was unsure how Rynn would respond, but she hoped Rynn would accept the invite. She knew her father was a very religious man and he'd probably warned her of "slave magic." Sabina wanted to show Rynn that her "slave magic" wasn't evil.

Rynn quickly set the bread on the table and covered it with a towel to keep in the warmth. She thanked Sabina, both for the compliment and for the bread. She sat down once again in her rocking chair, and invited the slave to sit as well. The only two chairs were straight backed and rather plain - just the kind of thing her father preferred.

She leaned back in her chair as she thought. What could they possibly do in the woods? The tone of Sabina's voice tipped her off. This would be no normal stroll in the woods. They would be doing something. . . abnormal. Rynn smiled. She leaned in closer to the other woman, who was obviously nervous about asking her.

"I'm in. But tell me, Sabina dear," she whispered in a conspiratorial tone, "what will we be doing in the woods this evening?" Her heart beat was already beginning to quicken at the prospect of doing something her father would disapprove of. That is, he would disapprove if he knew about it. And she would make sure that he didn't.

Sabina felt a little more comfortable as Rynn moved closer and smiled. Sabina's father would be so proud if she convinced Rynn to join them this evening. Her parents always enjoyed sharing her culture with others, especially those who know absolutely nothing about it. Sabina's father would always tell her, "Those young, sheltered Puritans are so impressionable. We can teach them anything." Although Sabina didn't quite understand what that meant as a whole, she made sure to keep close to those young Puritans, as with Rynn.

"Well," stared Sabina, her voice still vibrating. "I want to show you somethings from my home... Ways to read nature and use it for help." She paused, worried Rynn would change her mind. It was pretty courageous to be inviting a member of the super religious Hart family out for a seasonal, cult festival. Sabina enjoyed Rynn's company and truly wanted to share some tips and tricks with her.

"Did you know you can read your future in the leaves leftover from your cup of tea?" Sabina asked Rynn. Sabina remember when she first learned how to do it. Reading the tea leaves became an obsession. She'd even read the fortunes of her master's family when she cleared their classes from a table. So many little tricks her mother and father had taught her.

Rynn leaned forward, suddenly interested. If what she said was true, then there was no where else she'd rather be tonight. Even though it was different then what she had been brought up to believe. Which was actually part of why she was so ready to go.
"Can you really read the future just by looking at some leaves?" That would truly be a trick. She had heard of some people that claimed to be able to see the future, but she really knew nothing about them. Most of them were silenced not long after they voiced their claims.

She heard voices coming towards the house. Although they were still far away, she could recognize her brother's voice. She stood up quickly, thinking equally fast. Although there was really no reason why Sabina couldn't be at the house, but there was also no reason for her to be. She quickly ushered the older woman to the back door, where her family would be unlikely to see her.
"I hate to rush you out so quickly, but perhaps it would be better if my family didn't see us together."

She followed Sabina part of the way out.
"Oh, I almost forgot to ask. Just where and when do we meet?" She gave a quick glance over her shoulder. The voices were getting closer. They were running out of time.