The Peace of Spring

[Joie de Mornay]

So much had happened lately.. so much that I could barely wrap my head around it, but slowly it was beginning to ebb and everything fall back into place again. Every day spent in the arms of my love saw me closer to the person I was before, and while I knew there was a time for mourning, that Jess wouldn't have wanted me to cry for her forever.

My hand tucked in Quinns arm, I walked quietly by his side, glancing up at him with a soft smile. My side felt fine so far, my flesh knitting back together well, though I'd always bear a scar of that horrible day.

"It's beautiful out," I murmured as we walked, and a momentary breeze brought me the smell of his cologne, a scent I cherished more than the freshness of Springtime.

[Quinn du Paras]

“It is,” I agreed, smiling at her as we walked. “This spring has been very mild.” I had been delighted when she suggested a walk. We had been so wrapped in our grief for so long that any normal, mundane thing seemed a triumph of the ordinary.

Almost ordinary anyway, for now while we walked, I carried a sword across my back. Only one, so as not to seem paranoid, but more than enough to protect her with.

[Joie de Mornay]

Everything was simple and easy, beautiful, and if I closed my eyes for a moment I could forget the reality of events that had happened... but one glance at Quinn showed me the difference with the sword strapped to his back. He carried it effortlessly, easily; in an odd way to me I found it suited him. Him with it was as dashing and devilishly handsome as him without, but I had to admit I did feel more protected with it's presence. I didn't want to go anywhere by myself anymore, my confidence broken, but I knew with Quinn I didn't have to worry about it.

"I hope that doesn't mean the summer is going to be sweltering," I smiled as we walked, my mind idly going to when our wedding would be, wondering what season we'd have it in.

[Quinn du Paras]

“If it is, we could always go visit mother and father. It is never as hot up there as in the City,” I suggested. “I know they would be more than happy to have us come and stay for awhile.”

[Joie de Mornay]

A little tingle lit through me at the prospect of leaving to tay a while with Quinns parents. My steps slowed, and I looked at him, eyes slightly wide. "They wouldn't mind, truly?"

[Quinn du Paras]

“Not only would they not mind, they’d love it,” I told her, my hand coming up to caress her cheek. “We could stay as long as you wanted, my love.”

[Joie de Mornay]

I leaned into his caress, turning my face a little towards his palm to inhale his scent. My eyes closed, and I tried to picture myself at the du Paras estate; it was terrifying and exciting all at once. Kissing his palm, I looked at him with a soft smile. "We should visit them at some point then," I said quietly; for a moment I was able to forget everything just by looking at him, feeling his love in the very marrow of my bones.

[Quinn du Paras]

“Whenever you want, my love, all you have to do is say the word,” I said smiling and then leaning in and kissing her forehead softly.

[Joie de Mornay]

Gods, I loved him -- how could I not? My eyes closed briefly as he kissed my forehead, and with another smile to him I made a soft noise in my throat, turning to look forward again, strolling by his side quietly. Too much motion and my knife wound hurt all over again, feeling as if it'd break open, but I couldn't sit still any longer. My thoughts skittered dangerously close to Jessamine, much like water on a hot griddle, but I shied away, wanting to focus on being happy.. just being content.

[Quinn du Paras]

We began to walk again, companionable silence between us as the crowd flowed around us. My eyes never stopped moving over the people as they neared, assessing any danger.

We came upon a shop selling chocolates and other sweets and my steps paused. I looked at the display in the window and then at Joie, my eyebrows raised questioningly even as I grinned at the sight of so much candy.

[Joie de Mornay]

The change in Quinn was almost palpable at times, and I couldn't quite decide if it saddened me that he felt so uneasy, or if it made me feel safe, protected. I'd never suspected anything like what had happened before; hearing it in stories and living it is two different things. What must Quinn feel, have felt? I had to resist the urge to stop him and kiss him, to show him how much I loved him, something he already knew. Instead I huddled against his side, but smiled warmly up at him, trying to be as relaxed as I could be before he pulled me over to a store of sweets.

"...I don't remember eating lunch."

I grinned at him, the lie plain as day on my lips; we'd eaten together a couple hours before. "I'm famished! Candied almonds are a suitable replacement for a meal, aren't they?" My grin grew, and I kissed his upper arm before pulling back a little, not wanting to smother him.

[Quinn du Paras]

"Suitable yes," I agreed with a smile. "Though if you add some of those chocolate covered fruits it is even more suitable.'

I gave her a wink and a quick kiss before moving to the door and opening it with a playful flourish.

[Joie de Mornay]

I grinned as I followed him into the shoppe, his sense of humor making it easy to stay out of the melancholy state that seemed to haunt me of late. The smell of candied treats washed over me, and I glanced 'round to take it all in. "I don't remember the last time I've been in a candy store," I admitted, feeling like a giddy child all over again.

[Quinn du Paras]

I slipped my arm around her waist and drew her towards the counter. “Me either, and I think that just means we both have a lot of time to make up for,” I said, chuckling. “I’m almost tempted to just order one of everything.”

[Joie de Mornay]

I laughed so suddenly that the wound in my side strained, bringing a wince to my features. My laugh didn't, just faded somewhat, and I placed a hand over the tender area just above his arm as I grinned up at him. "We wouldn't be able to walk for a week if you did," I said, amused at the thought and willing myself not to think of the fading throbbing.

[Quinn du Paras]

“A week in bed with you is hardly the argument to dissuade me,” I replied, grinning at her. I noticed her hand on her side, but forced myself not to ask if she was alright, this sort of easy laughter had been absent for too long.

[Joie de Mornay]

I laughed again, softer and easier this time, my eyes twinkling with mirth as I looked over all the sweets on display. "That is if we're not too stuffed to do anything but just lay and stare at the ceiling," I teased, glancing up at him.

[Quinn du Paras]

“You’ve seen me eat, I am never too stuffed to just lay there,” I said, giving her a wink.

Looking at the counter again, I asked, “Alright, the almonds and the chocolate fruit, what else shall we get? Perhaps we should get some drinks and take it all to the park around the corner?”

[Joie de Mornay]

"Mmm, that sounds divine," I grinned, still pouring over the candies available as a clerk came over to help us. "And a couple candied petals for dessert?" I added, looking up at Quinn in full amusement. "After all, we should round off a meal with something sweet."

[Quinn du Paras]

“And some of those toffee nuts,” I added, smiling as the clerk began to fill our order. Leaning in, I kissed Joie’s temple softly. “What shall we get to drink?”

[Joie de Mornay]

From sweets to drinks; I hummed lightly as I considered. "Citrus water for me," I decided at last, looking up at Quinn with a smile. "Something a little lighter after all the sweets."

[Quinn du Paras]

“That would be very nice,” I agreed. I looked at the list of offerings on the wall and didn’t see the citrus water. “We shall have to get it from a vendor on the way.”

The clerk finished our order and I paid, tucking the little boxes into my pockets for the walk. I offered Joie my arm. “Shall we?”

[Joie de Mornay]

"But of course," I grinned as I took his arm, giving one smile for the clerk before following him out the door and back into the sunshine again.

[Quinn du Paras]

Glancing around, I found a stall that offered the drinks we wanted and purchased two bottles.

“To the park then?” I asked Joie with a smile.

[Joie de Mornay]

"To the park," I smiled as we made our way forth. My arm in his, I followed as we wound our way through the crowd, slipping through the streets til the park appeared around the corner. "I missed this," I said softly; winer brought beauty, but took some away with its coming as well.

[Quinn du Paras]

“So did I,” I answered just as softly before kissing the top of her head.

We walked down a gentle path until we came upon a flat area with a large tree sheltering it. “How is this?” I asked, smiling.

[Joie de Mornay]

"It looks fine to me," I smiled as we walked, coming 'round to the tree. There were no benches nearby, but it was fine enough for me; without pausing, I grinned at him and seated myself upon the soft new grasses, settling my skirts about myself.

[Quinn du Paras]

I smiled wide as she settled onto the grass; loving her a little more if possible.

Settling beside her, I carefully withdrew all the sweets from my pockets and then opened her drink before handing it to her.

“This may end up being my favorite lunch ever,” I told her with a chuckle.

[Joie de Mornay]

I laughed as he set everything down, looking over the collection and feeling as spoiled as a child on holiday. "I'm not sure how I'll ever go back to the more mundane foods," I grinned as I picked up a bag to begin opening it up.

[Quinn du Paras]

“I’m not sure what you mean, this is a perfectly normal meal,” I said with a grin as I opened another bag.