After the Feast- A Walk; Lessa and Fydor

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"Kashtanovbij," I repeated, trying to use the same inflection on the syllables as he did. "I think it sounds lovely. I like them all." Smiling at the closeness between us I squeezed his hand slightly as we drew nearer the stables and one of the stablehands came to meet us.

[Fydor Romanov]

"You can say also punczovo," I said, pleased that she was showing interest in return. I raised our joined hands to kiss the back of hers. "Or kpasno. That means red."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"Kpasno," I repeated, the touch of his lips on my hand warming my skin anew. "What does punczovo mean? Is it red as well?"

[Fydor Romanov]

I gave instructions to the stablehand and he went off to ready her carriage and my mount.

"It is a type of red," I explained. "Very bright, like a flame."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I like that one best," I told him, smiling sweetly and kissing the back of his hand as well. "What color do you use for your hair?"

[Fydor Romanov]

"I just say that it is black," I said with a smile. "Chernota."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"Black- chernota," I said softly. "I think of ebony, or pitch- or the night. It's a rich color, but warm and soft."

[Fydor Romanov]

"I did not think it was very complicated," I said with a grin as the carriage came around, my horse trotting behind it on a lead. "Just black I thought."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I didn't mean to make it complicated," I explained with a soft smile, my mood light. "I simply think black is a good number of colors, I suppose- and I like your hair."

[Fydor Romanov]

I grinned. "Thank you, that makes me very happy to hear. My mother has black hair, I am the only child that has it too."

The carriage stopped before us and I opened the door and gave her a hand inside.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"Your mother must be very lovely," I said softly as I took his hand and stepped into the carriage, then sat and scooted over to make space for him. "My mother had black hair as well; she was the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

[Fydor Romanov]

"I am sad that I will never meet her," I said softly after settling in beside her and twining my fingers with her once more as the door closed.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I'm sad about that as well," I replied, squeezing his hand gently and leaning my head lightly on his shoulder, ready to move should he indicate he was uncomfortable with my actions. "She was smart, beautiful and poised- I hope one day I can be more like her."

[Fydor Romanov]

"But you are those things," I said, confused as to why she didn't believe in herself.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"Thank you," I whispered, peeking up at him and smiling. "Perhaps I am just too hard on myself, please do not be upset."

[Fydor Romanov]

"I am not upset, I just do not understand why you think you are not," I said, looking down on her adorable face peering up from where she rested against my shoulder. "You are a very special woman Lessa."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

I gently wrapped an arm around his chest and gave him a hug. "Thank you," I replied with a smile, feeling wonderful and adoring his sweetness. "You are the most gracious and sweet man I've ever met."

[Fydor Romanov]

"You are welcome beautiful," I said with a smile, maneuvering my arm up and around to hold her like that to me. "Oh, what does 'poised' mean?"

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

Laughing softly I smiled wider, absorbing the warmth of his body. "'Poised' means self-assured and dignified," I told him in a happy tone.

[Fydor Romanov]

"Well you are very dignified," I said with a smile. "You are a lady very much, I like that about you."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"But being such a lady- if I weren't.." I began softly, then stopped and simply relaxed against him again. "That's not- the only reason you like me, is it?"

[Fydor Romanov]

"No, no," I said with a furrowed brow. "I like many things of you. That is only one."

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I'm glad to hear that," I replied in a quiet tone and gaze apologetic. "I didn't mean to question you in that regard, not really- I just felt I had to ask, to know for certain. I'm not very good at trusting my own instincts."

[Fydor Romanov]

"Lessa, I like you for so many different reasons," I said. "So many that I want to ask..." I snapped my mouth shut. I had promised myself to not ask so soon, to give us both more time to get to know one another. But I wanted to, so badly that I was having a truly difficult time to keep a lid on it.

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I'll answer whatever you like," I assured him with a smile. "I want you to feel like you know me, and to know as much about you as I can."

[Fydor Romanov]

She gave me an out, and while I was grateful I couldn't keep my mouth from running away from me. "I want to ask you if I may court you. But I know it is too soon, so please, you do not have to answer." Oh gods above, why couldn't I have kept quiet?

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"I thought you asked me that the first night we met- and I said I'd be happy to have you do so," I whispered, lightly kissing his neck. "That still stands true, Fydor. It makes me happier than I have been in a long time to consider such a thing."

[Fydor Romanov]

"Truly?" I asked, her words causing a smile so wide I thought it might split my face. My hand went to her cheek and I gazed into those beautiful eyes. "Then may I say that we are courting? Officially?"

[Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov]

"Yes," I told him, as happy as he was if in a softer way and stroking his own cheek as he did mine. "May I have a kiss in honor of the moment?"

[Fydor Romanov]

"Oh yes," I replied, kissing her with relish. She had made my heart soar.