Joined: Dec 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 75 Location: atx Karma: 6
A Walk to Clear the Mind. [open] « Thread Started on Mar 18, 2007, 11:38am »
Two days before the Midwinter Festival.
Frost clung to every branch and leaf, a bitter wind reviving itself every once in a while. A thin, almost sheer blanket of white covered everything, only the main path through the gardens having been marred by tramping feet. It was quite picturesque, but soon the real snows would come, and dump heaps of white on everything, and killing whatever could not stand against the cold. More livestock would be moved into barns and sheds, bedding would be added to stalls, and blankets fastened over prized horses.
It was cold, to be sure, but the fierce freshness of it allowed Eamonn to think clearly, something that he'd been too distracted to do while in the castle. He felt a bit awkward, accepting the invitation given to all knights, to stay in the castle, for he would have stayed as his old home with his mother and younger siblings, had they but any room for him. He'd prefer to stay there, in that small, thatch roofed house, with the hearth ablaze and his brothers and sister fighting, as usual. But they had work to do, and he had to continue training, and he'd only be in their way.
But still, someone had to keep an eye on that darned girl. His sister was the main cause of his mother's worrying; Alianora seemed to think that she had been created to even the odds between men and women, and frankly, it drove them all nuts sometimes. But he didn't want to worry and fret about all that; he was in the castle, with servants at his beck and call. Shouldn't he enjoy that? Or could he not, because he'd been a poor commoner all his life? It was true; he avoided calling any servants in because he hated to bother them; he knew that they had too much to do every day, and that they rarely had any time for themselves. They did not live to serve their masters, as Madame Primitt insisted disdainfully. The woman was stern enough to give anyone a headache, but thankfully she was preoccupied with the young ladies that were staying at the castle.
He wouldn't want a prickly thorn like Madame Primitt jabbing at his side constantly, and he definitely pitied those other girls that had to deal with her. Although, from what he'd seen, girls of nobility acted perfectly, always in control of their manners and posture, never saying a word out of place.. It was daunting, knowing that technically it wasn't forbidden to court one of them. Even though he was of common blood, being a knight had raised him several rungs up the social ladder, though he was a bit hesitant to take advantage of that fact.
He pulled his long, roughly made coat tighter about him, his unruly hair of straw sticking everywhere, as usual. It was the feature that always made his mother chuckle, his disobeying hair. And his wide, goofy smile, or so his siblings told him. Only since recently had he had a looking glass available, and he wasn't used to previewing his appearance in it still.
Boots crunched softly on the thin layer of winter that coated everything, arms crossed over his chest, his armour - less torso having only so many layers to keep out the cold. Many of the nobles had fur to wrap around themselves, but that was just too... noble-ish for him. He was a common man, and would bear that identity proudly.
« Last Edit: Mar 18, 2007, 9:20pm by Eamonn Calvey »
Joined: Mar 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 104 Karma: 0
Re: A Walk to Clear the Mind. [open] « Reply #2 on Mar 18, 2007, 2:45pm »
You'd think a girl, born a commoner, abandoned by her family, would love being adopted and raised by nobility. Most of the time you'd be right, but right now, in this moment of quiet and dark, you'd be wrong.
There she sat, as still as could be with her eyes closed and a tear twinkling on her cheek. She'd had another one...another nightmare that is. They seemed to be getting worse too. There is always a woman, bloody and screaming, and a man, drunk and helpless. Then she was there, the girl, and she stood watching them, unable to help, too weak, too small to even speak. Every night since the day said to be her 16th birthday she has had the same dream over and over. Even with all the studying, all the activities she did during the day, she couldn't make them go away. She couldn't wipe the faces from her memory.
She tried to go back to sleep, but it didn't work. She ended up getting dressed and pulling her thick winter cloak around her, and no it wasn't fur. You see, this girl had a soft spot for animals. She loved them very much. They were the one thing that got her going. She hated when people hurt innocent creature. She understood hunting as long as you used all of the animal, but those who killed sweet little bunnies for their fur were murderers in her mind.
Her pale feet slipped into her warm socks and then into her leather boots, yes I know leather is from animals, these are special boots. She bought them from a commoner who was selling every part of the cow. Therefore, she was ok with it. Complicated, isn't she? Carefully she walked through the corridors, her simple black cotton dress underneath her pale blue cloak. A chill could be felt as she neared the door, and right as she opened it a strong breeze came through. She pulled gloves from her cloak pocket and put them on before heading to the gardens. It was barely the start of winter, there wasn't much snow on the ground, and she already couldn't wait until spring.
Her boots made almost no sound under her frail body as she walked. She was a very petite girl, porcelain skin, only a little over 5 feet, and very thin. It wasn't her fault though. She tried her best to gain wait, but it just didn't work. It had something to do with being very sick when she was a young one. She didn't really know, and didn't really care. As she walked passed the barn she beckoned her dog to come with her. You never know who might be where. There were definately some people she did not trust, ones that were in the very castle now, but that was for another time.
As she walked, her dog bounced ahead happily at the sight of someone. I have yet to tell you the true name of this girl, so now might be the best time. The young girl, who was now laying eyes on one of the knights, is Miss Adeylizia Mae Creyzkaton. She was born a commoner and adopted by the Lord and Lady because of her wonderous beauty. Not to worry though, she isn't a stuck up little snob like one would expect.
"Shouldn't you be training or conversating with the other Knights, sir?" She smiled carefully as she neared him, but still kept her distance.
Joined: Dec 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 75 Location: atx Karma: 6
Re: A Walk to Clear the Mind. [open] « Reply #3 on Mar 18, 2007, 9:41pm »
There was a dog. Who let their dog randomly wander loose at such an hour?
Training? Conversing with the other knights? The soft, feminine voice of a girl drifted into his open ears, his head raising suddenly to see who in the world was out here with him. A girl, petite in all directions, was slowly walking towards him, though it was clear that she was keeping her distance. At first, because of her height, he thought perhaps she was one of the younger nobles, perhaps twelve years old or so. But an air of nearing maturity weighed the words slightly, causing him to think twice.
As the mystery girl took a few more paces, he was able to see her in the silvery moon light, as it cast an eerie glow on her face and outline. He saw the heavy, winter cloak pulled around her shoulders, the air from her breath turn misty and opague in the cold night chill. She was clearly a noble; she held herself with the graceful ease of one, so with the politest of smiles, he bent over at the waist, bowing low to honour her prescence. Raising himself back up to his fairly moderate height of six feet, he stepped forward to introduce himself, as was demanded by protocol.
But then, protocol also demanded that fair maidens not wander the night without an escort.
"Well, a well earned rest is always much appreciated, both from training and from competative company."
He returned with a small smile.
"I am Sir Eamonn Rhys Calvey. Who might you be?"
He asked, not really where to go, from there. She looked so small and fragile, he was almost afraid she'd faint away right there. He'd certainly heard of all the noble women fainting at random, and although he'd only witnessed it twice, this seemed like a good enough time and place to suffer from a fainting spell. Why did they faint, anyway? They were too delicate and pale. He could see the beauty in it, sure; it made them like porcelain, almost like ivory in its purest, their slender figures pretty enough to capture any man's attention, but surely it wasn't great for their health, if they kept fainting all the time. But then again, a little restraint like a corset on those as rowdy as his sister might not be a bad thing.
"Are you all right, out here on your own?"
He didn't want to make it sound as if she were unable to take care of herself, but in all reality, that was definitely a possibility. Many nobles were so rich that every aspect of their lives was amply cushioned and feathered, preened and perfected. And it was all gilded and bedazzled with glittering jewels.
Sometimes, it didn't sound all that bad to be rich.
« Last Edit: Mar 18, 2007, 9:43pm by Eamonn Calvey »
Joined: Mar 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 104 Karma: 0
Re: A Walk to Clear the Mind. [open] « Reply #4 on Mar 19, 2007, 7:28pm »
Adeylizia, or Adey as she is commonly called, whistled to her Great Pyrenees to come to her. The great white dog, the same color as the snow, sat down quietly by her side. The dog looked huge agianst the frail looking body that was Adey's. She smiled at the stranger, slowly lowering her hood as he spoke to her.
"Well, a well earned rest is always much appreciated, both from training and from competative company."
She nodded in agreement. She could surely relate, but not to such extremes as his. She had never jousted, and didn't plan to anytime soon. What she has done is she has wondered all around her home: the woods, the plains, the creek, the lake, and even the town. She had wondered for hourse upon hours with just her horse and her dog. It had been quite fullfilling, but at the same time she loved to be able to sleep all night and through half of the next day. It was a pleasent combination.
"I am Sir Eamonn Rhys Calvey. Who might you be?"
Oh my. He was being formal. She hated it when the knights were formal to her. It made her feel as if she should run away. The knight before her, yes, she had heard his name before. He was of common birth, as she was. No one knew such things, but it was true. They were the same. Both born nothing, but became something. Her because of her beauty and innocence and him because of his skills and talent. It made sense, i guess. She shivered at the sound of him asking who she was. She was tempted to run away, but that wouldn't be proper, would it?
"Yes, rest is always a good thing to have. I am Adeylizia Mae Creyzkaton. It is a pleasure Sir Calvey."
Always be proper. She could hear her manner coach saying those exact words as she did a very small curtsey. All went through her head, all the rules that was. She had to follow each one precisely, perfectly, before she would ever be able to be married off. Sigh.
"Are you all right, out here on your own?"
She blinked several times, taken back by his words. Was he truly worried, or was it part of his..well..you know. She smiled sweetly, her strawberry blonde hair flowing gently in the wind as she walked closer to him. She wouldn't get too close, but to be so far away was just ridiculous. She was nervous. Her thoughts scattered and she didn't know why. Was it this knight's amazing good looks, or was it the cold getting to her.
"I am fine. Thank you for being concerned, but I do not need a human escort. Mizko here is a fine one."
She let her hand pat her dog on the head before smiling kindly, yet weakly at Eamonn. Her face seemed to be glowing in the moonlight, and despite the dark, her blue eyes reflected the moon and stars as if they were mirrors.
Joined: Dec 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 75 Location: atx Karma: 6
Re: A Walk to Clear the Mind. [open] « Reply #5 on Mar 20, 2007, 4:28pm »
He watched in momentary silence as she called the dog to her side, noting that the dog obeyed immediately, seeming fond of her. That was a good sign; animals tended to bring out the best or worst of people. And the bond between this girl and her dog was definitely a good sign.
Adeylizia Mae Creyzkaton? That was a bit of a mouthful. And, he noticed, she failed to announce her title. It must have been on purpose, mustn't it? After all, she'd been polite with the rest, giving her full name and all. No matter, he wasn't one for titles, anyway.
"And a pleasure to meet you, Miss Adeylizia, if it is not to forward to be so casual in greeting. Eamonn, if you will."
He said with a slight dip of his head. She looked to fragile, especially next to the large dog, almost as if the merest touch would cause her to shatter into a million pieces. Once her hood was off, he found himself watch her hair move slightly in the soft, cold wind as she walked a bit closer. She seemed hesitant, quite unlike the girls in his village. Normally he was glad to be gone, to not be talked of by scullery maids and pursued by the most unlikely of girls, but her shyness was something he was not skilled with combating. He knew a few nobles, but wasn't sure how to approach a strange female noble. What was he supposed to do? It wasn't as if, upon being knighted, that he underwent a course in manners and protocol of the noble and royal. No, they just trained him a bit and sent him on his way to fight in the current battle, and then he was on his own until called into the King's service again, for war.
So deep was he in his thoughts that he nearly missed her next reply to a question he'd asked of her. Was she all right, here on her own? Apparently she seemed to think so, since.. what was the dog's name? Mizko, was with her.
"That is good to hear. I came out here seeking peace, but not necessarily solitude. Might you wish to accompany me in a stroll about the gardens?"
Wow.
He sounded like an idiot. A perfect, little prince. Ugh, and how he hated himself for it. He wished to withdraw the words that had been emitted from his own tongue and two lips, to rearrange them, rethink them. He was of common birth, but clearly he'd been around noble born knights for far too long.
Note to self - spend more time with Alia and her rough, native dialogue.
Hopefully some would rub off on him, since he'd clearly lost whatever he'd been raised with. His mother had always taught him to be polite, but a dance with words this elaborate was just ludicrous.
« Last Edit: Mar 20, 2007, 4:28pm by Eamonn Calvey »
Joined: Mar 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 104 Karma: 0
Re: A Walk to Clear the Mind. [open] « Reply #6 on Mar 20, 2007, 8:41pm »
She has had her faithful guardian, Mizko that is, ever since she became part of the Duke and Duchess's family. They too saw Adeylizia as weak, frail, and unable to protect herself. The truth was that she was far from being weak or frail. Over the years of being fed well and venturing off into unknown places she has learned a few things. One was how to hunt with bow and arrow, and the other was how to be be strong. She knew well how to swim, climb trees, and she was very good at running fast. It was one of her favorite ways to get her heart pumping. With Mizko by her side she would run for hours on end through the forests and by the creek.
You see, Adey didn't care much for her title, she didn't think that she deserved it. Everyday she would try and prove to herself that she was, but for some reason she always went back to thinking herself unworthy. That is why that, here and now, she had not introduced herself with a title. She was among someone who had truly deserved his title of becoming something more than a commoner.
"Not too forward at all Sir...Eamonn. You may call me by what those around me call me, Adey, if you please."
Her hesitation wasn't because of any particular reason really, maybe it was because of the dream that was still playing in her mind, maybe it was because the man before her was so handsome. She was unsure of the true reason, so she took in a breath and stepped even closer to him. She was at a good distance for talking now, a common distance used when talking to a friend. She was a shy one, in some ways, but in others she was not. She had never been near a guy that she had felt so..fluttery around. She knew it was most likely because of his handsome, yet rugged figure, but still it nagged at her.
Her bright eyes seemed to smile as he was staring at her, as if in another world. She was quite flattered by it. Her lips slowly curved into a smile, a real one, and she bit her lip to hold back a girlish giggle.
"Do not be so formal Eamonn, please. We are not in a room full of other nobles and I am not one to put an act on when no one else is around. I would love to take a stroll through the gardens, but at the same time I would also like a nice ride in the moonlight. But, you offered a stroll first, so that is the offer I shall take."
Well, she sure does have a brain in that head, one that knows how to twist things and turn things into strange...well strange things. She tucked a stray strand of her hair before making her way to stand right next to him. She waited for him to offer his arm though, that was about the only thing that she did. The reason for this was known. You see, Adey has always wanted to feel a man's arm holding onto hers. It was sort of a comfort for her, a dream too. It was about the only peice of manners, other than those used at the table, that she enjoyed and liked having.
"So, Eamonn, why is it that you are seeking peace? I am curious because I am sure it is no where close to my reasoning."
Joined: Dec 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 75 Location: atx Karma: 6
Re: A Walk to Clear the Mind. [open] « Reply #7 on Mar 21, 2007, 4:17pm »
He was to call her Adey? He wasn't sure if that was allowed, but since no one else was around, and she had asked it of him, he supposed he would. Truth be told, he was rather glad that she chose to shed the burden of her title for their late night conversation, since it tended to make him clumsy with words.
"All right... Adey."
He said softly, before offering his arm, as he'd watched nobles do. A genuine smile lit up her features in the soft, pale moonlight, and he had to keep himself from staring at her beauty. Surely she was had caught the attention of Sir Alabaster, who charmed and bedded more girls than Eamonn even knew of. He hoped that she'd at least make him chase for a while, if she decided not to hold out forever.
He was not sure what she meant by her comments regarding the stroll versus a ride, so he fell silent. A ride would have been far too forward, he had thought, and so had not offered such a thing. He would have been turned down and thought of as almost rude, or so he'd thought. She did not seem to be fond of the intricate patterns of societal protocol, either, for which he was glad, as she spoke in words he had no need for translating.
Hmm, why was it that he was seeking peace? He could be polite, say that it was manly, knightly things that she needed worry her pretty head over. Or he could be truthful, letting her in on a few thoughts and concerns of his. Not dump them on her, of course; he'd only met her a few minutes prior, but she had asked, and he would respond. And she seemed to genuine and light hearted, he figured she wouldn't mind too much; she'd brought up the question, and surely wasn't against a nice conversation. So, on to her question.
Why did he feel the need to seek peace?
"My family, in short. My mother tends to worry, and sometimes feels that I can make everything better. Or should, at least."
He said, beginning to walk slowly over the wide stone pathway through the gardens. And no, he couldn't make everything better. No mortal man could, not without a miracle.
"And my kid sister. She has such different ideas about the world, that most tend to clash with her, and she responds only too eagerly. She wants things from people that cannot be given, and hates them for that. Perhaps, through the tournament, she will come into her own. Although I suspect that she will never change, much to the annoyance of our mother."
He smiled ruefully, to himself, head bowed slightly. Raising it back up to the starlit skies, he then looked to her.
"And you? What brings you out here this night?"
« Last Edit: Mar 21, 2007, 4:17pm by Eamonn Calvey »
Joined: Mar 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 104 Karma: 0
Re: A Walk to Clear the Mind. [open] « Reply #8 on Mar 23, 2007, 6:41pm »
She could easily relate to tripping on the words that were said to be proper and polite. She too was new to this life of nobility and even after 5 or more years she hasn't gotten it down. She still wishes to speak normally around those she can, normal as in the way the servants in the household speak. She gave a meak smile at the sounds of her name coming from his lips and and hesitation that snuck in between. It made her stop thinking about her words and concentrate more on the golden hair that was constrewed in many different directions atop his sweetly calm face. Her smile widened as she placed her arm ever-so-gently in his.
He was quite strong and she knew he had to be for his duties as a knight in this kingdom. Still, it was a surprise, a good one. His arms weren't so huge that she couldn't place her arm in his without it getting squished, but instead her thin, frail-looking arm seemed to fit perfectly.
He was much more polite and self-controlled than the nortorious Sir Alabaster. She was pleased at the fact that Eamonn hadn't commented on her beauty or the fact that she was being persued by the infamous charmer of the court. Alabaster was very annoying and never seemed to stop following Adey and trying to persuade her to bed him. A sigh escaped her lips as she shook her head. Her thoughts had wondered and what she had just done might offend Sir Eamonn. Oh no!
She quickly looked up at him to see him a little lost, but not from her random sigh, instead it came from her ramblings of taking a ride verses a stroll in the moonlight. Ah, well, that is a relief. The silence was stiff and unnerving as she took a breath of heavy air. She bit her lip liughtly and was pleased and relieved greatly when he spoke to her.
Awe, he was a family man. His care for his mother was very soothing, calming almost. How sweet was it for him to worry of such things, not because he must, but because he truly cared. She knew what it was like to have the whole world on your shoulders, to have things asked of you because you alone can accomplish them. Adey sometimes ran away from the life of a noble because of this. She didn't pack anything up and try to escape; she just got on her horse and rode through the forest or through the fields for hours upon hours.
Hearing of his sister made Adey wince slightly and look away. She knew a little bit about such beliefs, but surely not as much as his sister seemed to.
"Well, mothers are supposed to worry and they always think that if you have the slightest chance to do something that you should change everything."
Adeylizia's parents had so much faith in her abilities and beauty that they sometimes forgot that she was human. Adey wants to fall in love and get married that way, but all the same she wants to please her parents and marry a noble. After all, they gave this wonderful life to her.
"Some people hjope for things they cannot have because without those hopes they feel no reason to be alive this day and the next."
She was watching him as he bent his head away from her, so as soon as he looked back at her their eyed connected. She never wanted to let go of this moment. She didn't, not until she spoke, answering the question he had asked her.
"Nightmares haunt me." She was honest because he had been with her. "They are like memories that I am supposed to remember." As she looked away, a sigh escaped her lips and she scratched Mizko's ear (yes, he is still following). "I come out here because it help me to clear things up, to forget the horrors that come to me when I close my eyes."
She gave him a wry smile as she looked deep into his eyes and half expected him to laugh at her. Inside she knew he wouldn't, but the thought was still there, hovering over her head like a black halo. It was then that she wanted to kiss him. It was like everything about him was so perfectly unperfect in that one moment and she wanted him to caress a hand on her cheek and then kiss her. A small, gentle caressing of lips on lips. Skin on skin.
Joined: Dec 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 75 Location: atx Karma: 6
Re: A Walk to Clear the Mind. [open] « Reply #9 on Mar 26, 2007, 4:50pm »
As she slipped her arm through his, it seemed to fit perfectly, and he began to walk slowly with a hint of a smile on his face, talking vaguely of his troubled mind. She walk quiet as he spoke, not interrupting, not making disapproving sounds, or shaking her head at his words. It was indeed a wonderful break from his family.
"Yes, well, sometimes I just wish she'd accept the fact that not everything can be changed, and that I'm not always the man to change the rest, either."
He was glad for her comments, for although she most likely couldn't relate, she at least had opened her mind to understand what he spoke of. She then spoke again, though her words could fit either his mother or his sister, though he knew his sister well enough to know that this was not the case, with her. She was just bull headed. His mother, though. That was definitely possible. The woman always clung to the shards of hope she could find, though she didn't always need to, or so he thought. Like at the moment, their family was doing fine, and still the woman prodded Eamonn about taking care of his family, marrying, and all sorts of other little things, like whether or not he was getting involved with the shallow, spoiled riffraff of the castle society. When he was through, he fell silent, for her to answer the same question, though surely her answer was much different. He was surprised at her answer; he knew the nobility didn't have the perfect lives like some of the villagers tended to think, they were always bound by rules and restrictions, unspoken codes of conduct, the punishments being unreasonable, at best. But nightmares? What on earth could plague the sleeping mind of so beautiful and innocent a girl?
"Nightmares?"
He repeated, his voice hardly half its usual volume, his native accent proclaiming his common birth. Memories? How could she be expected to remember something? Surely they were just dreams; he didn't think she'd forgotten or lost any of her past; she couldn't have anything to remember that she didn't already know. Did she? Her parents were noble, of course, and she seemed to have turned out well; she sure was nice to spend time with, he'd learned.
"Yes, I come here as well to clear my thoughts, though mine do not plague in such a way as yours."
He said, turning his face to look at her. His eyes gazed into her, and time seemed to stand still, contentment tugging the corners of his lips upwards ever so slightly as he stood still a moment. She was like the goddess of beauty, the idol of love. Venus to the Romans, Aphrodite to the Greeks, and to Eamonn, her name was Adeylizia. Her porcelain skin looked flawless, her eyes deep and crystalline, her strawberry blonde hair adding that unique touch to her appearance. Before he knew it, he started to lean towards her ever so slightly, face nearing hers, before he caught himself. Leaning back, he shook his head ever so slightly, before pivoting on heel to turn away from her ever so slightly.
"I.. I am sorry, Lady Adeylizia, I don't know what overcame me."
He said, forcing himself to use her title, in hopes of keeping himself in his place. Sure, he'd been with young women of noble birth before, but those had been based on lust, of passion. This was... different. Softer, smoother.
« Last Edit: Mar 26, 2007, 4:51pm by Eamonn Calvey »
Joined: Mar 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 104 Karma: 0
Re: A Walk to Clear the Mind. [open] « Reply #10 on Apr 7, 2007, 12:53pm »
She shrugged slowly at his wishes. It seemed that he just couldn't and wouldn;t be able to understand his siste. That's how things were supposed to be.
She might be beautiful, but some things don't effect the minds' games. Beauty is something most would see as a blessing, but to Adey it was just another peice of who she was. The nightmares were part of her too, so when he asked of such things, a slip of his his native tongue, she smiled.
"Yes, nightmares Eamonn. It is not something simply explained though."
She could not tell him the truth, not yet, for they had just met. The truth was hidden from practically all. Her parents did not wish for people to know in fear of nobles shunning poor Adey. Their reasons were true and loving, but at the same time it hurt to have to hide who she was from everyone. In this moment, it stung to have to hide her past from Eamonn. He seemed so sincere, so honest that maybe he would understand.
She had lost herself in her own thoughts, not hearing his words. She looked up to see his face coming near hers. She was shocked at first, but a quick flutter rose in her stomach as she began to ache for his lips on hers.
But he turned away...he turned away from her...
His words made her ache, the sudden flutter and then the sudden disappointment hurt internaly. She slowly walked around him so she could see his eyes. Her pale fingertips lifted his chin eversoslightly so his eyes weren't staring at his feet. Her hand fell to his mid-chest and her own blue eyes locked onto his.
"Do not apologize for something you cannot take control of."
She moved her hands to both sides of his face, cupping his face.
"You cannot control the most wild thing there is. You cannot control your heart."
Joined: Dec 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 75 Location: atx Karma: 6
Re: A Walk to Clear the Mind. [open] « Reply #11 on Jun 26, 2007, 9:45pm »
Nightmares. He wished there was something he could do to help, but they both knew that there was nothing. Nothing he could do against so deep an enemy in her mind. She would have to battle them alone.
"I truly hope they soon cease to plague you."
He said with the utmost sincerity. If only he could help, though. Nightmares were of the mind; of one's thoughts. What were her thoughts? He could not ask this of her, however; he could not ask her to reveal the inner workings of her mind. They hardly knew each other. Unless she chose to do so herself, there was nothing he could do.
It was hard for him to turn away, and it was his mind, rather than his heart, that had turned away from her, that had forced him to step back to formality. She was a noble, and he was not. Furthermore, she was a lady, and he daren't stain her reputation by being caught out here without anyone's approval. He had not formally asked her out to walk, and anyways, it was far to late in the evening for even that to be appropriate. But still... She was beautiful, soft spoken, and so tempting..
He remained silent as she came to stand in front of him once more, as she tilted his chin up slightly from where it'd been pointed more to the ground. As the soft, flawless skin of her hands rested on his cheeks and jaws, making his heart flutter. What on Earth was wrong with him? He had to get a hold on things, he had to! And at the same time, it was almost like it were she who was giving him a hold on things, soothing his thoughts with her voice.
"I cannot control it especially when it is dire that I must. It would not do to harm your good honour by so small a thing. I would rather not risk it."
He said, gently lifting of his own larger, rougher hands to take one of hers in it. He raised it slowly to his lips, kissing it lightly, gently, before lowering it again.
"Are you going to the Midwinter Festival, two days from now? I should like to see your face, there."
He said, suddenly afraid that she'd say no. He yearned for more time in her company, but he would be missed, for surely his sister and brothers would notice him gone, and it was only a matter of time until someone came looking for her. A handmaiden or servant, or something to that effect.
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