Meet Nan Pell
Nan runs a plant cuttings stall in the Sedgewick marketplace. Fiona gave her all of the originals, including the cardinal flower. Nan will tell this to anyone who stands still long enough to peruse her wares.
She is an older Half-Orc. Nan is beautiful, in the way of someone who is trying to please no one but themselves. Her greying hair falls gently over her shoulders in loose waves. Most days, she tucks flowers into it. Her olive green skin creases with laugh lines. Her rust-colored dress flares at the waist. Her hands are delicate, and dirt often hides under her nails.
I decided Sedgewick is fond of her. They treat her like some kind of lucky charm. She must be lucky to have been through something so horrible and thrived. People go out of their way, making the trip to her stall just for the conversation. A few of the town's older bachelors come courting regularly. She's never taken any of them up on it.
For her past, I decided that her village was raided, years ago. She ran and never looked back. She doesn't know if anyone survived. She kept running for a long while after, more out of habit than any threat still behind her. Nan drifted until she heard tales of a marsh woman who performed trades. She was desperate. Nan offered the memories that plagued her: those of her family and the raid. This seemed her only chance at living again. Fiona refused outright, stating that she had nothing equivalent to offer in trade. She helped Nan start her stall instead.
Even her good cheer slips on occasion. When it does, she tucks her hair behind her ears. This buys her a moment for it to recover.
When Fiona told her that the cardinal flower protects her from the fen, she's never questioned it. I decided that this stems from an innocence, somehow preserved. I wanted her to have made the effort to protect that part of herself along with her cheerfulness. She chose both in order to survive.
When the stall closes, she goes home to tend her plants. They're like her children. She's cheerful even when alone.
Do you think it gets easier to keep choosing kindness the longer you do it, or does it always cost something?
Currently in development. More soon!