Get to know your hostess

You wake up feeling very refreshed, wanting only more nights like that one. You hear sounds in the building, which must be the woman from last night. Now that you think about it, during your brief meeting you really didn't learn much about the woman who so generously invited you, basically a vagrant, into her home. You didn't even get a good look at her in the darkness of the night, which lamps and candles could do little to alleviate. You redress and start to walk downstairs to see her again, and perhaps inquire about how long she's willing to let you stay here. It would be great if you had a home here while you established yourself, but that might be pushing your luck.

As you near the bottom of the stairs, you see Marie hard at work at an oven. She turns around rapidly when she hears you coming. "Oh! You're up Jean, that's good. I made some breakfast, if you're hungry" she says, motioning to a plate of bread with jam, butter, and cheese. You are quite hungry, especially for real food. You retrain the wildness of your hunger to not make a fool of yourself and get on her bad side, but the food disappears quickly nonetheless. "The eggs are almost ready" she says, turning to look away from her work and flashing you another bright smile. You nod, mouth full, and start to observe her once she turns back away from you. Looking at her in the clear morning light, you feel that you were correct about her age. She is maybe ten years older than you, fifteen at the absolute most. Her skin is quite light, from some combination of inheritance, the cold northern climate, and her likely indoors lifestyle. While there is a margin of error for such a thing, you wold say that her body looks to be fairly rubenesque under her poofy clothes, not exactly plump but definitely a healthy weight. Her face is pretty for a gal of her age, so you're surprised that she hasn't remarried after her husband's ****; she must certainly have had offers.

"So," you say between bites, "you run this place alone?" She looks back quickly then goes back to work. "Oh yes. The shop has always done good business. My Jaques left it to me after his passing, so I've been provided for. The work isn't too hard; I've been educated in letters and numbers so it's nothing beyond my capabilities. Only the moving boxes and such is hard." You remember when the priests came to your village as a teenager and tried to teach you. They had a hard time of it. "That's good. I'm more of a hunter myself" you say. "Really?" she says, sounding surprised. "I wouldn't have thought you capable of killing. There are a few stores around that supply the hunters and trappers, you should be able to find everything you need in town." Now seems as good a time as any to ask the important question. "Speaking of needs," you say cautiously, "I do need a lodging. Would it be possible, maybe, for me to stay here?" She turns back again, pan of eggs in hand. "Oh, I didn't realize you would want to stay. Well..." she says, looking thoughtful, "I suppose you can. But you'll have to help out around here. You can do the heavy lifting; I'm not cut out for it." Whew, that's a relief. You've secured an excellent temporary home, considering the amount of money you have, which is none.

Marie sits at the table, setting the pan of eggs between you. "So, you are from the mainland, yes?" she asks. You fork some eggs into your mouth and nod. "Do you have a family?" You swallow. "Oh, just my mom and sister." Marie brings a hand to her mouth in faux surprise. "No wife? A handsome man like you? Do not lie sir" she says jokingly. You laugh at her compliment. "No, I am a bachelor." She has some eggs and shakes her head. "Mmmm, such a shame." You notice that she is breathing just a bit more heavily, and she has blushed just the barest amount. "Oh! Are you finished? I can wash that, if you want" she asks, seeing your empty plate. You hand your plate to her, and she begins collecting the various dishes and cookware to clean them. "There are some boxes of goods in the back, if you would like to start helping" she says, pointing to a storage are in the back. You get up, wanting to make good on your agreement. Once you're alone you realize just how tense the atmosphere was getting back there.