Back in the kitchen Ama helped Nell wipe down the cutting tables and preparation counters in silence. The older woman was rarely quiet, and so it was no surprise when she launched into a complete conversation about the importance of socializing with no input from Ama at all.<br/><br/>"Truth be told, brat, I met my Willie at a dance the good father Samuel put on for us working folk. That man's got a good heart, but then he would have to wouldn't he? To be a holy man an all. Well, anyway, as I was saying, that's how I met my Willie, handsome young thing that he was, as romantic as a girl could hope for too. All of the other girls had their eye on him, but old Willie, he had his eye on me, was the hair you see." Nell tugged on one angry red lock and winked. " We were married in the fall after that, just a small thing, but he gave me fourteen years of happiness before he was called out of this world. I cherish each and every one of them." Ama set a hand on the older woman's shoulder, knowing the too recent passing of her husband was still a fresh wound. Nell patted Ama's hand with a moist one of her own and then shrugged it away. "So, its important for young girls to get out and be social, you never know what's out there waiting for you if you don't." Nell finished.<br/><br/>Ama shook her head and moved to stir the fire. "Nell, I have no objection to socializing, you know that."<br/><br/>"Like I do, you don't venture out of this place unless I send you out, and then you are rushing right back in, like you've got something nipping at your heels." Nell replied, turning to face Ama with her fists perched on her hips. " I know hard times sent you here, and you don't really belong here, anyone with eyes can see there is something off about you, but can it be all that bad, brat?"<br/><br/>Ama sighed and dropped her eyes to the floor, it was dirty, needed swept. She crossed the room and grabbed a broom out of the corner and began to push it across the wooden floor. "Yes, Nell, it is that bad." She murmured without meeting the woman's eyes.<br/><br/>"Mayhap you should be telling someone about it, a lawman or something then, don't you think?" Nell persisted.<br/><br/>"No, I don't Nell, I don't want to talk about it, to anyone." Ama grimaced in pain and supressed a curse.<br/><br/>"That foot is hurting again isn't it, well sit down. No sense in working yourself so hard." Nell complained.<br/><br/>"I will rest when the floor is clean." Ama replied sharply. Her left foot, though healed completely, still ached after over use, it was just another reminder of what she was trying to forget. "The tavern will be opening soon, I will take my rest then. Unless you need me." She added once the floor was swept and the broom was put back in place.<br/><br/><br/>"I can manage, go on, the tavern's open, has been for about a quarter hour now." Nell replied. Ama turned her head, she could just make out the sound of people talking in the room next to them. "Go on then." Nell shooed.<br/><br/>"I won't be long." Ama said as she whipped off her apron and smoothed out the wrinkles in the skirt of her colorless gown. She moved through the servant corridors and out into the dark edge of the tavern, it was indeed open, and filling quickly, as usual. She inched her way along the wall, trying to remain unseen and slid into a chair in the corner, covered in the shadows. Ama laid her head back against the cool wooden wall and let her eyes glide shut.