A drink: Ferris and Marie

[Marie Legard]

I blushed deeply even as happiness so intense it made me feel giddy filled me.

I ducked my head for a moment before looking up at him again. "Being with you has been my favorite thing too," I admitted, not looking away from him. "I said finding work because I didn't want you to think badly of me."

[Ferris mab Eideann]

I smiled a little as she looked at me. By the Boar, it was if the gods had crafted the perfect woman and plunked her right in front of me. Beautiful and modest and real. I looked down and ran my finger along the ridge of her hand between her index finger and thumb. "I do my very best not to judge people for speaking their mind."

[Marie Legard]

The soft touch of his finger on my hand was quite possibly the most wonderful thing I had ever felt.

“I will remember that in the future,” I told him, my voice gone unexpectedly breathy.

[Ferris mab Eideann]

"Thank you," I replied. I stopped stroking her hand, but my fingers did not go far as I left my hand on the table beside hers. The gesture had initially been something I did without thinking, and I didn't want to make her uncomfortable now. I hoped she might return some sign, dear gods I hoped, but I didn't want her thinking me an overbearing boor if she wasn't interested.

[Marie Legard]

His finger left my hand and without thought my fingers followed. My skin yearned for his in a way that I didn’t quite understand. My little finger touched his thumb then rested atop it softly.

“I am glad you liked the candy. If you’d like I can show you where I got it,” I told him, not really sure what I was saying, I was too caught up by our touching skin.

[Ferris mab Eideann]

"That would be wonderful," I murmured with a smile, glancing up at her eyes and then down to where her finger had come to rest against my thumb. Very carefully, holding my breath, I slid my index finger beneath the ends of her fingers at the first digit. It left my thumb free to brush against the back of her fingers. "I would like very much if I could explore the city with you."

[Marie Legard]

My hand was on fire and the heat was spreading up my arm. It was incredible and made my heart beat faster.

“I would like that very much,” I said softly, looking from where our hands touched up into his eyes. I smiled with happiness and excitement at the idea of seeing him again. I realized I would have agreed to anything if it meant I could see him again.

[Ferris mab Eideann]

She smiled, and I smiled back. I had this strange flutter in my chest, something I'd never felt before. But then, I'd never been interested in a girl before. I prayed that I didn't screw it up. I probably would, but I really hoped I didn't.

"I'm very glad to hear that." Our drinks lay forgotten, I was far too interested in her to pay the liquid any mind, and I continued to brush my thumb across her knuckles.

[Marie Legard]

“What would you like to see first?” I asked, trying to keep the conversation going and hopefully keep his hand on mine.

[Ferris mab Eideann]

Anywhere. Anywhere would be beautiful or interesting with you there, I thought to myself.

"I have heard that the temple district is worth visiting," I said.

[Marie Legard]

“Oh, I’ve heard that too,” I agreed, smiling enough my cheeks ached a little. “I haven’t been yet to see any of the sanctuaries, but I would like to very much.”

[Ferris mab Eideann]

"Perfect," I replied, squeezing her fingertips tightly. "I would like to visit the Academy too, to see if it's worthwhile. But that doesn't have to be on this trip if you're not interested."

[Marie Legard]

I thought for a moment. “We could always meet another time and visit the academy then,” I suggested. The idea of a reason to see him again made my heart thump.

[Ferris mab Eideann]

"Really? I think that would be wonderful," I said. By all the gods above, I must be the luckiest man in this realm right now.

[Marie Legard]

I smiled wide with happiness again when he agreed. “Good, I think that would be wonderful too,” I said.

[Ferris mab Eideann]

I reached for my ale with my free hand, taking a long sip. My mouth was dry again with a nervousness that even touching her couldn't force aside. It came and went in waves, and now it was here and I was tongue tied. So instead of trying to find something inane to say, I put the drink down again and took up her hand in both of mine.

[Marie Legard]

When he took a drink of his ale, I remembered my own and took a drink as well. Fortunately I had just put my mug down when my hand was enveloped by both of his. The heat that had been creeping up my arm exploded through my body, leaving me breathless again.

I could have stayed like this for a very, very long time.

A burst of loud voices from the other end of the table broke through though and brought me back. I struggled for something to say. “Is this at all like being at home for you?” I asked, meaning the tavern.

[Ferris mab Eideann]

I had been looking at our clasped hands, but when she spoke I looked up and then around. "Yes," I replied. "It's the little things. People's colourings, beards, handshakes. And the language. I hadn't realized how much I would miss my tongue when we came here."

[Marie Legard]

“Would you say something to me in your tongue?” I asked, a little shyly. “It doesn’t matter what it is, I’d just like to hear you speak it.”

[Ferris mab Eideann]

I smiled slightly, and then spoke to her in Cruithne. "Your eyes are the colour of the sky on a perfect summer day. I do not know how you can be so beautiful."

I only had eyes for her as I spoke, but apparently my choice of language had piqued the ears of our table mates, and one whistled suggestively, looking over at us with a grin. He had Atta boy! written all over his face, and I looked down, a blush spreading across my cheeks. I cleared my throat gruffly, trying to control my embarrassment at being caught flirting. Even if she didn't understand me.

[Marie Legard]

I had no idea what he said, but the way he looked at me when he said and the way his voice sounded caused heat to rush through my body.

Before I could even try to remember how to speak, one of the others at the table whistled in a way that even a country girl could understand and Ferris was blushing and no longer looking at me.

I turned my head, meeting the eyes of the man who had whistled, or at least I guessed it was him since he was still looking at us. I knew my eyes held annoyance and disapproval, it was a look I’d gotten from my mother and it could even quell Pierre now and then. I held his gaze for a second before looking at Ferris again, my gaze softening.

My free hand boldly went to his chin, touching him softly and urging him to look at me again. “Thank you,” I said softly. “For whatever the words meant and for letting me hear them.”

[Ferris mab Eideann]

There was a long pause, and I glanced up, worried that I had offended her deeply. But she was staring the man down! My gaze fell again, only this time it was to try to keep my heart from bursting out of my chest. Her strength of character... could she be any more perfect?

My breath caught when she touched me, and I looked up once more to find her eyes soft once more. "Do you want to get out of here?"

[Marie Legard]

“Yes,” I said softly, nodding a little but not looking away from him. “I’d like that very much.” My hand dropped away from his chin, but my fingertips burned from the contact.

[Ferris mab Eideann]

I nodded and stood, keeping a hold of her hand. If she could stare down the men at our table, then I could certainly hold her hand until we left the restaurant. And after, if she let me.

[Marie Legard]

My hand tingled deliciously as he held it, leading me from the restaurant. My mind was spinning with everything that had happened, but I didn’t bother to try and sort it out. It was all just so wonderful.

[Ferris mab Eideann]

We found ourselves back outside again, and I looked to her. "Where would you like to go now? Or may I walk you home? Or work? Not that I don't want..." Oh gods, I was stumbling over myself again. I made myself stop before I got myself into even more trouble.

[Marie Legard]

For a fleeting moment I wanted to ask him to take me somewhere private, ask him to speak to me again in his native language.

I didn’t though, instead I said, “I should probably be getting home. I would love the company.”

[Ferris mab Eideann]

"Of course," I replied, happy that she would put up with me for a few minutes more. I began to lead her in what I was pretty sure was the right direction. "You mentioned that you were living with your brother?"

[Marie Legard]

“Yes, and his fiancé. It’s her house. My brother was an adept of the Night Court,” I answered, then realized I was babbling a little. “My younger brother is there too – at the house, not at the Night Court.”

[Ferris mab Eideann]

"The City of Elua is a long way from Camlach. How did your brother end up becoming an adept?" I asked, curious to learn more about the culture here. Truth be told, I was still rather miffed about the Night Court.