Mimi
Mimi, priestess of Lathander and youngest daughter of a truly petty king in the Heartlands, was one of my favorite characters on the Neverwinter Nights roleplay server "Savage Frontier". She was an innocent, sweet and naive; okay, maybe a little bit dumb. She had a brilliant flame-colored tendril that contrasted the deep black of her hair and wore a great deal of pale pink. By the time I was playing as her (mig80) I was writing a great deal about my characters, so there are several chapters below.
Dawn Beckons & I Shall Follow
The Early Days
Brand, Kisses & Wonder Worms
Planting Seeds
Magic Doors & Magic Men
Pocket Change
Request, Denied - by Greymaer
Tingles
Singing At The Shrine
One Hundred Days
Eager Adulthood
Dawn Beckons & I Shall Follow
Author's Note : This is the "background" for Mimi. The stories that follow, including one written by Greymaer, are her 'present', so to speak.
Bosell is a small monarchy, set atop a hill between Loudwater and the Graypeak Mountains. Picturesque and fairly wealthy despite its size, Bosell's port-town along the River Delimbiyr is growing quickly and has seen a recent influx of travelers from the East headed toward the larger cities of the savage north.
Though he calls himself King, it is truly his wife, Queen Beatrix, who runs Bosell and not Ironor himself. She is a conservative, cautious, cranky woman of middle years with shiny black hair twisted into elaborate braids and loops and threaded through and ornate headpiece. She rules her minions, her people, and her family with iron fists and is unbendable.
Beatrix and Ironor have five daughters, each with lustrous hair like their mother's. Straight as an arrow an smoothly black like a raven's wing. The eldest, Dessine, was a carbon copy of her mother right down to the snooty, up-turned nose and the nasal ring to her voice when she was demanding something. The next was a horse-faced girl who had inherited her paternal grandfather's manic-depressive streak, though in recent years, eighteen year old Iona had seen many more depressive days than manic ones. She sat, pale and withdrawn, in a corner with her paints and did little else. The fourth daughter, Shaina, was just thirteen, and sang like a lark. She was also dumb as a post. The baby of the family was called Embressa and was the apple of her father's eye; she was also a spoiled brat who got away with murder and spent more time in the pens with the baby animals than learning the 'gentle arts' that her father insisted all the girls learn.
The middle child was, despite having the same lovely black hair and tilted eyes, different from the others. She learned the gentle arts, just as her sisters did, with equal patience and talent; in fact her skill with needles was unsurpassed in the House and her calligraphy was perfection. She sang, she painted, she gave small teas for the ladies-in-waiting and learned to dress her own hair. But she longed for more. She watched the sunrise each morning and felt a longing from her head to her toes; something she could not fathom or explain. Unlike her siblings, she was determined to learn and though the pickings were limited and well censored, she taught herself to read common...sort of. And though the girls were not allowed outside the keep, nor infact, to leave the family's floor at the top of the building, she managed to sneak a few sidetrips into the porttown below the keep by disguising herself as one of the veiled ladies-in-waiting that always accompanied Beatrix on her trips into the 'public'.
It was on one such trip that the middle daughter heard a pair of young priests discussing the Morning Lord. So many of her own reflections were answered in that short, eavesdropped upon conversation, that she resigned herself to finding out all she could.
Within months, the young woman had secretly dedicated her prayers to Lathander and was already planning her escape. With the help of the same lady-in-waiting who had smuggled books and other tales of the real world into the family's very midst, she went out through a window and in less than one hour, was walking free and clear into the dawn.
Her name was Mimi and it was her sixteenth birthday.
The Early Days
Day One
I made it! I am so excited! Demna said I would get out unseen and I did! I really did! I got to see the sunrise properly today. I bought this book from a vender in town, which was stupid. He might report me to Mother. If he knew who I was. I don't think he did. I look very different now. My hair is all down and clean, not all gooey with pomade so it stays in those ugly designs Mother makes us wear.
My feet hurt though. It is dark out and I can barely see this page! I must have walked a million miles today, they will never find me! Those priests said there is a shrine to Lathander in the Moonwood and I am going to go there and pray!
I am tired and I think I will sleep now.
~Princess Mimi
Day Four
Walking is hard work.
I did not bring enough money and I am so hungry. I want to kill a rabbit and have stew, but I don't know how to do that anyway. I have not seen a single town or person in two days. Except for that orc. And I killed him. But only because Lathander sent me the strength to do it.
And he smelled too bad to eat.
I am so tired. Maybe I should go home.
~Princess Mimi
Day Six
I met a woman on the road today. She had seven children follwoing her and they were going to Loudwater! She gave me a little bundle of bread and some water. I have never been so happy as I was to take a bite of that crusty bread. My feet still hurt, but I think it is less hurt than before.
The world is so pretty. I plant a seed every day, just like those priests said. I know I am supposed to learn and think, but there is no books out here and so I plant seeds instead.
It is cold tonight and I think it might snow. I have never been in the snow before and I am very excited.
I am never going home.
~Princess Mimi
Day Ten
I am in Nesmé today, sitting in a real chair in a real Inn with a real fire and everything! There are real people milling all around. Some have been nice. There was one man in the trader's wagon, who acted like I was going to rob him. I must look a fright. I will ask the innkeeper if I can bathe here this afternoon.
A funny thing happened two days ago, but I had no ink to write about it with. I was praying - well, singing a song I made up about Lathander - and planting my seeds. And my head started to tingle. It went away quickly and I just ignored it. But when I stopped at a pool to wash my hands I saw it! Part of my hair changed. Right in the front, at the top, and curling down my face! It turned from black to like...orange. Like...sunrise.
I think it means Lathander likes my song.
I am so hungry though. I can smell food all over the Inn but I have no money. I think I will go sit outside though, and ask if anyone knows about the shrine. The Moonwood is not far from here, I think.
~Princess Mimi
Brand, Kisses & Wonder Worms
Day Eleven
I made a friend today. His name is Brand and he stood up for me against that creepy man called Matte. He bought me dinner - and I was so hungry! But I never got to eat it because Matte was casting spells at me. Brand took me upstairs and we sat by the fire. I love strawberries and he gave me something to drink that tasted like strawberries and sweaty socks. I liked it though. It made me tingle.
When he kissed me it made me tingle too.
We planted seeds together and praised Lathander. I do so love singing to the Morning Lord. I think he might have sent me Brand to keep me safe. There is so much that I don't know about. Like wonder worms and wine.
Brand found out that I was a Princess at home... I don't think he liked that.
~Princess Mimi
Day Sixteen
Today I met a sad dwarf called Genar in the northern part of Nesmé. He said his brother was missing and asked if I would help. I thought maybe he would reward me with money so I could buy food. I called Lathander's light and went deep into the mines with Sunny - she is coming as a big scary spider now, but it is still Sunny.
When the light went out, I panicked. Like I used to before Iona came to share my room with me. I am all grown up and still scared of the dark. I was lost and there were flying things attacking me. Sunny ran away and I don't know how long I was there - curled up in a corner crying like a baby!
I don't know how he found me, but he did. Brand found me and helped me find the dwarf's brother - he was dead. And then he led me out of the mines and he bought me stew (its so good!) and strawberry wine.
Brand says that he is my boyfriend. I like him very much.
~Mimi
Day Twenty-One
It is wrong to kiss someone who is not Brand. That's what Erien says. He said he wanted to talk where it was quiet and we went to the second floor of the Inn. He said if I want Brand to be my boyfriend, I cannot go upstairs with other men because they will want to take me. I didn't ask where they wanted to take me, but I think it was bad.
Still, he was very nice and I like it here. That creey man has not bothered me since and I think he forgot about me. Tonight I will sit up through the darktime and sing in the Dawn. I want to thank Lathander for brining me safe to Nesmé.
I should ask Brand if he knows about the shrine. Maybe he will go with me. I don't want to leave him.
~Mimi
Planting Seeds
Day Fifty-Three
I was planting a seedling on the North Road today, because the terrible orcs rip up the and use them for terrible things! I even saw a dead man staked to one. It was horrible. A strange little woman came to help me. She just sat there and rattled on and on about dragons. She said her name was Brianna.
It was nice to talk to someone. I think she is a little crazy though. I have not met many people in Nesmé. I miss having my sisters around to talk with, even though they were pains in the butt!
I have been gone for weeks now. No one has come looking for me.
I guess that's a good thing. Brand says my Father probably will.
I am not going home.
~Mimi
Day Sixty
Brand took me to the desert today. There is a place called the Oasis of Tears and it is so beautiful! The water is clear and blue and warm. We went swimming and sang to Lathander because it was such a beautiful day. I think Lathander must love the desert. The sunrise there was so pretty.
I keep forgetting to ask him to go with me to the shrine. I want to go there so bad. I think I will go to the desert city and buy Brand a present.
He said that he wants to take care of me and then he said he was afraid of the day I wouldn't need him anymore. I felt so worried. I think I cried a little bit. I don't want him to go away.
He's my boyfriend. I don't want him to leave.
I did not kiss anyone else, like Erien said. Brand saved me and I thanked him. We plant seeds together and he gave me strawberry wine and let me read any book I can find! I hope he never goes away.
~Mimi
Magic Doors & Magic Men
Day Sixty-Two
I got back to Nesmé today. It makes me laugh because I walked all the way to Nar'wannan and all the way back and when I told the merchant Vashanu that he chuckled at me. There is a portal in the Temple that goes there like magic!
But that's good because the old man there called Famir said he has a good idea for me to give to Brand. He says that he knows Brand will like it, but he will have to go through his warehouse to see if he has one.
I wonder what he will find for me.
I just hope Brand likes it.
I like him.
~Mimi
Day Sixty-Three
That strange man who gave me weird looks when I first came to Nesmé approached me this evening. I was looking for Brand, but he wanted to apologize and he said he would buy me food. So we had dinner in the Sundered Shield.
He ate so much! It was funny. He has sharp looking teeth and dragon blood an he says sometimes he eats whole chickens RAW! I couldn't believe that but he said it was in his hertiage. I didn't know people could be related to dragons.
I read a story a long long time ago where a big red dragon captured virgin princesses and ate them! Matte - that's his name - he said that that is probably all fake stories.
He bought strawberry wine because he knew I like it. He must have overheard Brand and me talking about it. He was a very nice man, to buy me stew and bread.
I sure do love Narma's stew. I want to learn to cook on my own.
I wonder if she will teach me.
~Princess Mimi
Pocket Change
Day Sixty-Four
I went back to Nar'wannan through the golden mirror today. Famir said he found the perfect present for me to give Brand. It is a pretty little rock with magic in it. He said it would strengthen his connection with Lathander. I don't know how it works, but I could feel the power in it, I swear I could.
I could not afford to pay for it. I have made a little money by doing calligraphy for Lady Alyrdana DePompose. She says I have talent for it. That made me very happy because I like to make calligraphy. I made new brushes yesterday so I could make calligraphy for Brand. I will write a song on it that I made up to sing to Lathander. It is my favorite. I always feel strong and protected when I sing that.
But that isn't enough money yet. The painter, Firnyg Tumuric, offered me one thousand gold if I will pose for a painting for him. He looks at me the same way Brand does sometimes, but when he does it, it makes my skin crawl. I will go talk to him tomorrow, I think, because I know Brand would love the pretty rock and I want to give him a present.
~Mimi
Day Sixty-Six
Firnyg said he would double his offer if I posed for him today in my 'small clothes'. I don't like the way he looked at me, but I really want to give Brand this magic rock. I am going to sit for him tomorrow I think.
There was a man there when I went to talk to the painter. His name was Arden and he just got out of jail for being drunk and hitting people. When he yawned it looked like his whole face was his mouth and he had funny, pointy teeth in the front.
I am going to go tend my seedlings this afternoon. I hope Brand comes back today. He went to a graveyard I think to do Lathander's work. Next time I will ask if I can go with him. I want to do Lathander's work too.
~Mimi
Request Denied
by Greymaer
The wooden door crashed open from the heavy weight of his boot. Sending wood chips and splinters flying into the room. A surprised and fearful squeel came from the small canopied bed situated to the rear of the room.
Wood chips ground into the floor as he strode purposefully towards the rear of the room. His hands clenching and unclenching into fists. His face a mask of fury. At his side prowled Tripper, his large wolf friend who was currently invisible thanks to a potion.
"Who . . . who" the painter stuttered in fear "are you!?" he finally managed to say sitting up in bed clutching the bed covers about his shoulders.
"Me?" he growled while snatching the trembling man by the throat and hauling him out of bed. "I'm Brand. The name mean anything to you?"
"The boy friend" Firnyg gurgled in fright as he was tossed across the room.
"Thats right. The boy friend" He strode forward as Firnyg scuttled backwards towards the door. "I understand you like to take advantage of young girls. Get them to pose for you almost naked." Brand stamped his foot down hard on the painters leg who howled in pain. "I'm hear to tell you" Brand growled hauling the man to his feet by his nightshirt "That Mimi wont be here to pose for you"
"No no" Firnyg flailed his hands wildly as Brand cuffed him about the face. "It's not like that. I wanted her to bring those so . . . so . . . so"
He balled up his fist and smashed it into the painters face driving the man back to the floor. "mhmm" Brand snarled "Tripper" the large wolf darted forward and shoved his muzzle between Firnyg's legs. His massive jaws opening, pressing sharp teeth against Firnyg's happy parts. Firnyg, who had no idea the wolf was there yelped in surprise, then the color washed from his face as he felt the large jaws clamping down firmly.
"If I ever hear anything like this again, I'll be back, and you can say good bye to your two best friends (and I dont mean the ones in the Winnebago).
"What I want you to do is find a buyer for her calligraphy. She's a true artist. You let me know when you find one."
Brand made a motion to Tripper who reluctantly moved back.
"And I'd hate for word of your side projects to reach the duchess. I dont think she'd want someone like you close at hand."
Firnyg nodded quickly. "It wont happen again. I p-p-promise."
Brand nodded, and thought about kicking the painter for good measure, but knew he had accomplished what he had set out to do.
Just make sure you stay away from her. When you find a buyer, you'll go through me. Understand?"
Firnyg nodded quickly then froze in fear as Tripper growled a low warning.
In the distance Brand could hear the sound of heavy boots pounding on the streets. "You're right" he nodded to the wolf, and drank his own potion of invisibility vanishing from sight. "I'll be watching you Firnyg" he called from the doorway, then vanished into the streets. He and Tripper escaping the sight of the guard.
Tingles
Day Sixty-Six
Brand says he isn't mad at me. But his eyes were like storms when I told him what the painter wanted me to do. He said it was wrong for him to ask that and I know he means it was wrong for me to say I would. I just wanted to give a present to thank him for being so nice to me.
He said if I want to give him presents, I should give him my kisses. But my kisses aren't magic rocks to protect him and help him do Lathander's work! I wanted to help him like he helps me. Is that wrong to? Why can I do anything right?
Brand said that he found someone to buy my calligraphy for two thousand. Which is the same price the painter said. I was so happy at first. I thought every thing was okay because then he wanted to take me to the shrine! And plant seeds there and everything!
But I think he was mad at me...
I told him that I like it when he looks at me like that. Like he is hungry. And I told him that the painter looked at me like that but it made me feel sick. He said that Firnyg wanted me to make him tingle, but I don't want to make anyone tingle but Brand. I don't want Brand to leave.
He is my best friend.
Tomorrow we are going to the shrine. He said Lathander would like it if I planted strawberry plants there and I am going to.
~Mimi
Singing at the Shrine
Day Eighty
Finally! Yesterday Brand and I went to see Lathander's shrine in the Moonwood. We got to take a trip upriver on Captain Joel's boat - the Seagull. I only got a little seasick.
There were vines and overgrown weeds all over the altar. Brand said it didn't look like anyone had visited it in a long time. We cleared away the plants so the shrine was clear, and then we dug little holes and planted the strawberries seeds I picked a few days ago. It was dark, but still early. I sang for the Dawn anyway. It was a song I made up to thank Lathander for all His blessings and, for Brand.
I am grateful for the sunrise.
When Your light stills the screaming night,
And people wake and birds take flight.
I am grateful for your blessings,
For every tree and flowers and weed that grows,
For Brand, who keeps me safe and makes me tingle to my toes.
I am grateful for the sunrise.
Because it banishes the dark,
Letting joy and love fill up all my heart.
Brand said he liked my song and that it was simple but it came from my heart. I am glad he thinks so.
When he looks at me like that, hungry but not mean, I think I never want to be without him. When he goes away sometimes I think my heart might break into a million pieces because it hurts so much. Then he comes back and I am so happy I can't breathe.
He told me he loved me while we planted seeds. He never said that before. I think Lathander was pleased; when Brand made me tingle it was more,more, than ever before.
I think we have to be married now. If that means he will never go away, then I don't mind.
We laid together until the sun came up and I prayed while he slept. He has a beautiful face. When I rub his cheeks and chin they are scruffy and rough.
Yes.
I do love him.
~Mimi, Priestess of Lathander
One Hundred Days
Day Ninety-Three
I went to that graveyard alone today, to help Lathander put those poor undead souls to rest because they should not be walking around and hurting people that pass by. There is a big statue that says it is the Graveyard of Lost Heros. And that makes me sad. That all those evil creatures used to be people like me and Brand, who explored and adventured and helped out.
I don't want to be a lost soul when I die.
With all the blessings Lathander gives me for my songs, I feel so warm and protected even in that graveyard. Like nothing could ever hurt me and that I'll be safe. There was someone else there, but he wouldn't say his name.
I hope he was trying to help and not...do bad things.
~Mimi, Priestess of Lathander
Day One Hundred
I have been away from home for one hundred days!
Part of me is sort of sad that no one came looking for me. Didn't they even know I was gone? Five daughters is a lot, but not like having fifty that you can't keep track of them. I think maybe they were glad to be rid of me...
Mostly though, I'm glad. I don't want to go back. I have friends here, like Kamira. She taught me a new prayer when I went to Nar'wannan last time. And Brand, who loves me. And Narma. And sometimes I miss Demna, she was so good to me. She brought me books and helped me escape.
She was my only friend.
Maybe one day, she will run away too, and come looking for me.
~Mimi, Priestess of Lathander
Day One Hundred & Seven
I sat for hours this morning and talked to Kamira. She says she is from a long long line of Clerics who serve Lathander and that there is much she can teach me. She says one day I should bring Brand to meet her too.
The sun was shining so bright, and the sky was so blue, that it almost hurt my eyes. She says the desert is Lathander's land, even if no one else thinks so. She says mornings are prettiest there, and always clear. She said that Lathander is a patron of birth and youth and vitality and that there is no life in the desert that doesn't have to work to live. She says people and things in the desert have a stronger respect for life because of that.
She might be right, I guess.
I know that the seeds I planted there thrive in the sunlight, so long as they have shade sometimes, and so long as I water them whenever I can. Kamira told me she will care for my garden when I am not in Nar'wannan. I think I will ask Brand if we can go there together more. Kamira wants to meet him.
~Mimi, Priestess and Princess!
Eager Adulthood
Day Seven Hundred & Thirty-Five
I forgot to celebrate my own birthday this week.
It was spring and we were planting strawberries - like we have done for two whole years now - by the shrine in the Moonwood. It was a long walk back to the Moonwood, but I am looking forward to seeing Nesmé again! It feels more like home than anywhere we've been in two years!
I turned eighteen a few days ago. I guess that means I'm really an adult - but really, I think I grew up really quickly. Thanks to Brand. I love him so much. I have learned so much because of meeting him. I thank Lathander everyday when I sing in the dawn, for sending me him. Or sending him to me. Or...well, for putting us together.
When we get to Nesmé I am going to kiss Narma on the cheek and order a big, huge bowl of her stew! She taught me how to make it, and mine isn't bad but it isn't as good as hers. Then I will go to Nar'wannan and see Kamira. I hope she finally got to talk about making a shrine to Lathander in the desert. It is a perfect place to worship him.
I wonder if Matte is still in Nesmé, and all the other people I met. Oh! We should be there in a few days, unless we stop somewhere else. I think Brand wants to go to Silverymoon, maybe we'll go there first. I don't care, but I am so excited to see Nesmé again!
~Mimi, Priestess of Lathander