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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 26, 2011 16:06:50 GMT -5
Stepping out of the clothier's shop, I had an appointment to come back in three hours to pick up the day dresses and sets of undergarments I'd commissioned. I didn't think I'd need one, so I didn't bother getting an evening gown. Where in the seven hells would I wear it? I snorted. Besides, I'd have no place to hide my dagger.
My sword, I'd left at Joie and sir Quinn's house when I snuck out that morning, figuring I could dispatch people quickly enough with the two daggers I had on my person, one strapped to the inside of my left wrist and the other in the opposite boot. Either way, I'd have something to protect me should I need it.
I saw a big, open market full of vendors selling all sorts of different baubles. I grinned, remembering that I should pick something up for Joie and sir Quinn to thank them for their hospitality. I began walking very slowly up and down the rows, stopping here and there to examine a bauble, my long fingers gently touching and turning things over. Hopefully, when I did try and buy something, the vendors would be able to understand my heavily accented D'Angeline.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 26, 2011 23:44:39 GMT -5
It was a bright spring day when I found myself in the market, continuing to explore the city as I was. Learning my way around Elua was something I was approaching in my normal manner: careful and logical, one area at a time. Today, I'd chosen the market, as there were a few things I decided I needed for the house. Chief among them, was a harp: I'd left mine back in Namarre, not wanting to risk it to travel. And after the other night at the Parrot, I'd been itching to play some more.
So far, I'd had little luck in finding a harp-maker I'd liked well enough to do business with. Taking a break from that particular search, I began to look around at some of the vendors selling jewelry and other small baubles. Nearby, there was an exotic-looking woman, though he couldn't place her origin just by looking at her. Picking up a particular gold ring with a sapphire set in what was meant to be a dragon's claw, I turned it over in my fingers, but only half my attention was really on it. I could not help but glance at the dark-haired woman from time to time, my curiosity piqued as it was.
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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 26, 2011 23:53:55 GMT -5
I had stopped to examine a leatherbound journal, wondering if Joie or sir Quinn would like it more, when I spied a young man with beautiful, long red hair. I put the journal down and studied him for a moment. He was lean and lithe, and very handsome.
Picking up the journal, I caught the vendor's attention. "Pardon me, sirrah," I said in my heavily-accented D'Angeline, "I would like to purchase this, if you please."
The vendor just stared at me. Blinking, I looked down at myself and then back up at him. "What?" I said inelegantly.
"My dear woman, I am finding it difficult to understand you with your accent," he said, spreading his hands apologetically. I couldn't help it; I laughed. It seemed I could see the future! I remembered thinking this as I started looking around the market. Shaking my head and still chuckling, I held up the journal and then my coin purse, motioning to give him coin and take the journal. "Oh!" he exclaimed. "You want to buy that!"
"Aye!" I said in relief and paid the man, smiling as he laughed at the exchange. Glancing around, I noticed the attractive, red-haired young man was still about and, since he looked polite enough, when he caught my eye I tossed him a grin, wondering if he would actually talk and, if he did, whether he'd be able to understand me.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 27, 2011 0:36:00 GMT -5
When I heard the woman say something to the vendor whose booth she was standing in front of, I was able to place her accent fairly easily. Cruithne was one of the languages I'd studied, and I had a fairly good grasp of the language. I found myself watching more closely as she made her purchase, and when she smiled at me so directly, my cheeks flushed with color, wondering if she'd realized how much I'd been watching her.
Feeling awkward for just standing there, smiling back at her, it was not long before I set the ring back down, and stepped over closer to her. In cruithne, I greeted her, "Good afternoon, my lady. I'm sorry if I was staring, but I've never met a native speaker of this tongue. Have you been in the city long?"
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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 27, 2011 0:48:26 GMT -5
I raised my head to find the red-haired young man speaking to me... In my native tongue. I could have wept with joy, but I kept my composure.
"Ah, sirrah, I'm no lady but it warms my heart to hear you speaking my words!" I exclaimed happily, a full smile touching my face for the first time in over five years at least, my emerald eyes shining. This was certainly the happiest I had been in that long at the minimum. I couldn't contain the smile that this simple gesture, someone speaking my mother-tongue, put across my face. "And I didn't mind the looking at all. To answer your question, that would be a no. I just arrived last night. The last time I was here was when I was a small child, visiting my cousins. And you?" I asked, the smile still on my face.
Handsome and could speak Cruithne; how could it get better?
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 27, 2011 1:00:54 GMT -5
"I've only been here right around a week, myself, and this is my first ever visit," I answered her, a wide smile crossing my lips at her apparent happiness. I'd expected a bit of friendliness, perhaps, for speaking her native language, but nothing like the reaction that I got, her joy actually making me feel rather warm inside. "I'm only recently returned to Terre d'Ange, as well, from the university in Tiberium."
Briefly, then, I glanced around the marketplace, before turning my sapphire gaze on her again. "I am glad that my grasp of your language, poor as it is, has brought you some comfort, though," I added. Hearing her speak it, he now realized that his own accent must be atrocious, having learned it from a non-native speaker, himself.
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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 27, 2011 1:06:25 GMT -5
I nodded, taking his words in. "Tiberium, ah! A scholar. Well, welcome back to you then, m'lord," I smiled.
"Aye, that it has," I then said in answer to his comment about comfort. This man couldn't possibly know how much good it had done my heart to hear my dialect. I stuck out my hand, intending for him to shake it since my approximation of a curtsy was dismal, and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, m'lord. I am Fionnula mab Bevin."
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 27, 2011 9:20:41 GMT -5
I was not as taken aback by the offer of her hand as others of my station might have been, likely a result of my time in Tiberium, where not everyone I ran into was so impressed with title. Still, with her being a female, it seemed awkward somehow to simply shake her hand, so I did something that I likely would never have otherwise, so soon after meeting someone: taking her hand in mine, which was stronger than one might expect from a scholar due to at least some time put in with a practice sword on a regular basis, I lifted it to my lips and pressed a light kiss to the back of it. Of course, the gesture caused my cheeks to flush lightly again as well.
"A pleasure to meet you as well, madamoisille mab Bevin," I told her as I released her hand, the warm smile on my lips remaining as I lifted my head again. "What brings you out to the market today? Just looking around, or were you seeking something particular?" I went on to ask her, giving another quick glance around us. After all, if she were on some particular business, the last thing I would have wanted was to distract her too far.
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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 27, 2011 9:53:03 GMT -5
I blushed. How could I not! It was the first time anyone had ever kissed my hand. It was so... Gallant. I grinned at him, a light flush staining his cheeks as well. The man was simply a treat. "Please," I said, "Call me Fionnula."
"Ah," I said in answer to his question, "I'm shopping for my cousin and her betrothed. I've got a few hours before my new dresses and things are ready to be picked up at the clothier's, so I'm basically just burning time and, since my cousin and her betrothed have been so kind to me, I thought I'd pick them both up a gift. I bought this journal--" I took it out of my satchel to show him the leather-bound item "--with a wee bit of difficult from that vendor, considering he couldn't understand my accent. Now I just have to find something else. I'm not sure who would like the journal more though," I mused. "Well, I'm sure I'll find something for the other, if I just keep browsing. Care to join me, sir...?"
I trailed off, realizing he hadn't told me his name. I wondered if he had done it a-purpose or if he had simply forgotten.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 27, 2011 10:06:18 GMT -5
I nodded as I listened to her; there were times I had to pay particular attention to her words, as my understanding of her language was good, but not perfect, and she spoke it much more smoothly than my instructor had. It was not beyond me, though. When I realized I'd not given her my name, I apologized, "I'm sorry, Fionnula, I am Leon d'Essoms, Comte d'Essoms. If I'm to use your given name, though, please just call me Leon. And I'd be delighted to join you. I was just taking a break from my search for a harp-maker."
After answering her, I fell in beside her, allowing her to lead the way as she was the one here with more purpose, searching for gifts for her cousins. At least if she had further trouble with a vendor understanding her, I would be able to help her out. "Who are your cousins? I doubt I know them, but what do they do here in the city?" I asked her after we began to walk.
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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 27, 2011 10:27:55 GMT -5
"It's no problem, Leon. A Comte, huh? Sounds important. Good thing I only hold by titles if I have to," I grinned companionably at him. I was impressed, though; I didn't remember much about d'Angeline society, but I knew a Comte was farther up than me; a noble, at least.
"A harp-maker? Hm. I'm not sure of where to find one, but I'd bet my cousin Joie would know," I mused. "She knows almost everything about the City. Joie de Mornay is my cousin, and Quinn... ah..." I tried to remember his surname. Snapping my fingers, I searched my brain. Ah! "Du Paras, Quinn du Paras, he's her betrothed. I'm not sure what they do, although I do know Joie has a love of healing. As for sir Quinn...." I spread my hands helplessly. "I actually just met the man last night and, due to a two-year long set of extenuating circumstances, I never got any of Joie's letters."
I shrugged, wondering if he would actually ask about the circumstances. Not that it mattered; I knew that damn Skaldi couldn't find me here; he had no idea I even had family in the City. I had done a lot of thinking early this morning on my way to the clothier's shop. Still, sometimes I couldn't suppress the old habit of looking over my shoulder.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 27, 2011 11:00:00 GMT -5
"I felt the same way about titles, actually. Then I had to hold one," I responded, with a wry chuckle as we walked along, "And I suppose its an important one. I'd have preferred to stay at the university to complete my education, myself, but we take the hand we are dealt."
I then listened as she spoke of her cousin and her cousin's betrothed. "I see. As I thought, I do not know them, but healing is a noble calling to devote oneself to," I said as we continued to look at the booths around us, coming upon one that apparently belonged to an expert woodcrafter, with elegantly engraved boxes of various sorts as well as staves and walking sticks on display. "If I don't have luck finding someone to make a harp for me, I might have to escort you back to your cousin and ask her for help," I added as I paused to take a closer look at some of the carver's wares.
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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 27, 2011 11:19:23 GMT -5
I chuckled softly as well at his jest about titles, relieved that he at least felt the same way. I would have felt bad had I offended the man; he was very sweet. As we walked by a table full of beautifully carved wooden boxes, I spied a simple one with etching on the side. It wasn't feminine, and the cedar smelled wonderful. I wondered if either sir Quinn or Joie would be able to use it. Well, I could always simply set them on the table and let them take their pick. Leon examined some items as well, and mentioned something about escorting me back to Joie and sir Quinn's home to ask for assistance.
"I would thoroughly enjoy that, Leon," I said to him, grinning my customary grin. Joie and sir Quinn are wonderful; I'm sure they would be happy to help." Touching his arm with my hand, I said, "Watch this."
Catching the vendor's eye, I motioned him over. "Gidday, sirrah," I said in my heavily-accented D'Angeline once more and holding up the scrolled wooden box I had spied a bit ago. "I would like to purchase this fine item, if you would be so kind."
The vendor simply stared like the last one had, mouth slightly agape, in total confusion. "What?" I said once more, knowing what he would say. Sure enough: "Ah, I am so sorry, milady, but I am unable to comprehend your words, I believe it may be due to your accent."
Sighing, I motioned to him to wait a moment and turned and gazed up into Leon's eyes, whispering softly into his ear in Cruithne, "Would you be so kind as to translate for me? I would be eternally grateful."
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 27, 2011 11:33:26 GMT -5
When she told me she would enjoy my escort, and that her cousin would be happy to help, I smiled back in return. I managed not to jump at her touch on my arm, surprisingly; it wasn't that it was not a pleasant feel, but I was unused to such familiar contact with anyone, particularly women. She had done it to get my attention, though, and so I watched as she asked about purchasing a box she'd found.
The merchant couldn't understand her d'Angeline through her accent, though I had little problem doing so. Perhaps it was because of my familiarity with her language. In any case, when she turned to look up at me, I gazed down into her green eyes a moment before she whispered her question into my ear, prompting the slightest of shivers from me as I nodded.
Turning to the merchant, I said with a slight inclination of my head toward him, "Good day, sir. Milady here would like to purchase this fine box." Of course, he had little trouble understanding me, with my provincial Namarrese accent.
"Ah, of course my lord," the man responded, before giving the price for it. "A pleasure doing business with you," he then added, his gaze darting back and forth between myself and Fionnula.
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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 27, 2011 11:41:11 GMT -5
My customary grin in place, I put forth the coin and took the box, inclining my head at the merchant and hoping that that was suitable thanks; it was the best I could do to convey my thoughts, considering no one understood me in this blasted City. As we walked away from the merchant, I rolled my eyes and put the box in my satchel on top of the journal. "If this keeps happening, I won't be able to go anywhere without you as my translator," I joked, winking up at him.
"Well, where shall we...." I trailed off as I saw a beautiful ring, a sapphire set in what looked to be a dragon claw. "Oh," I exclaimed softly as I stepped a bit to my left, over to the stand where it sat. "That is beautiful," I whispered. Looking up at Leon, I whispered once more in Cruithne, "Would you be willing to ask him the price for this?"
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 27, 2011 11:58:18 GMT -5
At her suggestion that she might need to keep me around to translate for her, I chuckled softly, returning her wink with a bit of a grin. I could think of worse fates; she was friendly enough, and seemed to enjoy my company.
When her voice trailed off in the middle of a question, I followed her gaze to see what it was that had caught her attention so abruptly. It turned out to be the same ring I had been taking a closer look at when I first noticed her, the gemstone clutched in the dragon's claw the same color as my eyes. "Of course," I responded when she asked me to inquire about the price.
"Excuse me, good sir," I spoke to the jeweler whose booth it was in, "How much for the ring that milady is looking at?" The man's eyes lit up as I asked the question; it was a fine piece of work, worth every bit of the price he asked. Once he stated the price, I looked to Fionnula to see if she was still interested so that I could convey such to the merchant if she was.
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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 27, 2011 12:12:36 GMT -5
As I heard the price, I couldn't help but frown and shake my head once. "Ah well, if you would be so kind, tell him thank you anyway," I said to Leon. It was too much; I had maybe half of that and so I couldn't even afford to spend the half on it. There would be others, I was sure. I had a strange connection with sapphires. They had always been my favorite, and I distinctly remember my mother always wearing a sapphire ring when I was a young child. The one I used to wear had been taken from me in Skaldia and melted down; I knew. I'd been made to watch. I silently cursed the Skaldi thane who held me back as the ring was dropped into the melting pot, sending a prayer that his insides be turned to mush and his phallus fall off.
Shaking off the murderous thoughts, I grinned up at Leon. "I appreciate you translating, truly."
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 27, 2011 12:43:24 GMT -5
Nodding again to Fionnula, I watched her face as some thought crossed her mind, though it didn't seem to hold her for long. Smiling back at her warmly, a thoughtful look in my own deep blue eyes, I responded, "Its my pleasure, Fionnula. I always enjoy the chance to keep my languages from growing too rusty."
I then turned to the merchant, and rather than relaying her message to him, I reached for my own pouch, and told him, "I will take the ring." I then began to count out the coins for him, and once it was paid for, I placed it into the palm of the woman at my side.
"Its too much of a coincidence that the same ring I was looking at when I noticed you talking to the merchant who sold you the journal would catch your attention as well, out of all the baubles here," I explained as I gave it to her, the smile still on my lips. It was a bit impulsive of me, but it was rather ironic that she would pick up that particular ring.
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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 27, 2011 13:08:34 GMT -5
I gasped, my mouth hanging open in what was probably a rather uncouth manner. I was unable to help myself; utterly stunned I was. This man who had no idea who I was had just gifted me one of the most precious things I'd ever gotten. "Leon... Oh, thank you!" I said happily, wrapping my arms around his neck and hugging him. I slipped the ring onto the second finger of my right hand, where it fit like it had been made for me.
"This means more to me than you could ever know," I said to him softly in Cruithne, the words coming out like a caress. "Someday, if you ever wish to know, I will tell you of myself and then you will understand much better." Softly, I kissed his cheek. I was sure it probably made him rather uncomfortable, but I didn't know how else to convey my deep thanks to him.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 27, 2011 13:44:25 GMT -5
"You are quite welcome," I replied to her thanks, blushing at the kiss she gave me even as I returned the embrace. It was comfortable and awkward all at once; while the affection was something I was not used to, I was not about to deny that she felt nice in my arms. Once again, however, I was not prepared for the strength of her reaction, watching with pleasure as she slipped the ring onto her finger. "One of us should have the ring, given the circumstances, and it was made for a woman's hand," I added, smiling softly into her eyes.
At her offer to tell me more of why it meant so much to her, I told her, "Well, if you don't mind talking about it as we walk, I'd be happy to listen now. I doubt many will be able to follow the conversation, so we wouldn't have to worry about eavesdroppers."
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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 27, 2011 14:18:39 GMT -5
Smiling up at him, I couldn't help but be momentarily transfixed. I wondered what it would be like to bed someone who actually wanted to bed you for more than what you had between your legs. Shaking my head to dispel the thoughts, I nodded at him.
"Aye, I'd be happy to tell you if you really want to listen," I said. "I just need to stop at the clothier's and pick up my dresses and we can be on our way."
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 27, 2011 15:06:37 GMT -5
As our eyes met, the idea of bedding her did not cross my mind. not because I didn't find her attractive; she was rather lovely, in fact. It was more because it never occurred to me that she might want it. She'd been quite friendly, but not enough to make me think that she wished anything else but my company. That, she was welcome to, however.
"I would love to," I assured her, and fell in beside her once again as we began to walk toward the clothier she spoke of. With the trouble I was having finding a craftsman capable of making a harp, it occurred to me that it was likely best to do as I said, and go with her to see if her cousin might suggest someone. "I'm all yours for the afternoon," I told her with a smile, indicating my readiness to listen without even thinking of how my words could be taken.
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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 27, 2011 15:14:47 GMT -5
I grinned, a bit more mischeviously. "Mine, you say? For the whole afternoon.... And all you want to do is talk? Maybe I should be offended," I teased him. If he wanted to, I was more than willing. Which surprised me, considering my experiences in Skaldia. As we made it up to the door of the clothier's shop, I slowed my pace and then stopped. "One moment, I'll be right out," I said, slipping silently into the clothier's shop to pick up my dresses.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 27, 2011 15:27:50 GMT -5
"I...um...," I was somewhat at a loss for words. More than somewhat; no one had ever flirted with me so openly before, and I didn't really know how to respond. My cheeks flushed, and thankfully we reached the clothier before I could stutter any further. Simply nodding when she told me that she would be right back out, I stood aside, waiting patiently for her as I did my best to calm myself, now that she likely thought me some sort of imbecile.
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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 27, 2011 15:32:44 GMT -5
I shut the door inside the clothier's shop and just giggled like an idiot for a bit. Poor man, I should be nicer. He was rather attractive, though; I would have been willing to bet that he knew his way around a female. Shaking my head, I nodded at the shopgirl and explained my reason for being there. She got me my package after a bit of pantomiming and, grinning once more, I left the shop to see Leon still waiting for me.
"I figured you'd have run away screaming by now," I said to him with a wink as I nudged my shoulder against his arm.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 27, 2011 15:43:54 GMT -5
Grinning at her words somewhat shyly, I shook my head as I felt her nudge against my arm. "Not at all, Fionnula. I'm still looking forward to hearing your tale," I responded, meeting her emerald gaze once again as I searched for the words to explain my behavior right before she'd gone inside, "I'm just...well, not used to women flirting with me that way, I guess. Not that I mind it, its just not something that happens." At least, it had never happened in the past to my knowledge; but again, my ability to read people was sadly limited.
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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 27, 2011 15:56:00 GMT -5
"Ahh," I nodded, understanding. "Well, my friend, I think you're a very attractive man and you seem nice enough, so I figure I should show you I am attracted to you. If you would rather I didn't, you need only tell me and I will stop, no hard feelings whatsoever." I grinned.
"My tale, that's right. I was going to tell you. It's a rather short one, actually, and not much of it is nice."
Taking a deep breath, I looped my arm through his for a comforting touch, thinking he would probably be okay with that, and began my tale.
"I led a happy childhood in Eire until my parents were slain by a wasting sickness. My aunt and uncle took care of me -- and I use the term "care" very loosely -- from when I was five or so until I was 20. Then, a Skaldi raiding party came through my village and I was taken as a slave. I was used, sometimes very harshly, and a week into my enslavement I started making my plans to escape. I filched money from the warlord's coffers and hid it away for two years and finally escaped him, travelling by myself with my pony until I reached Alba, when I sold my pony to a family with an adorable little girl in exchange for the rest of the passage money I needed to get on the boat. When I got to Terre d'Ange, I rode straight for the City of Elua and only arrived last night to Joie's old townhouse, where I was directed to sir Quinn's townhouse, since Joie lives there now. And the rest, as they say, is history."
The story came out clear and calm; there was no need to rush through it. It was what it was. I looked up at him, wondering if now was the time he would run away screaming. I hoped not; I had wanted to help him find a harp-maker.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 27, 2011 16:29:29 GMT -5
There was surprise on my face when she told me that she found me attractive; I felt it, and there was no doubt she would see it. After that, when she looped her arm through mine and began to speak, though, my expression changed from surprise to sorrow as she spoke of her enslavement at the hands of the Skaldi. It did not occur to me to run away screaming, though, nor even to pull away from her. Instead, I gave her arm a gentle, comforting squeeze.
"I'm...sorry to hear you had to go through that, Fionnula, but I'm also glad that you were able to get here," I told her when she was done, a soft smile on my lips, "And no, you don't have to stop...showing me. I just didn't want you to think I was an idiot, or that I didn't..well, appreciate it."
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Post by Fionnula mab Bevin on Jan 27, 2011 16:46:11 GMT -5
As Leon squeezed my arm, I grinned. "Well thank you for your kind words, Leon," I said, truly grateful for his compassion. "You're the first person I've told, other than Joie. I am so glad you have chosen to accompany me still."
Lifting myself up onto my toes, I kissed his cheek once more out of impulse yet again as we were walking and, for some reason, found myself blushing. Gods and goddesses, what was wrong with me? I never blushed. And here I was, like some virgin, blushing away. The poor man was going to think I'd lost my senses.
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Post by Leon Charles d'Essoms on Jan 27, 2011 16:57:16 GMT -5
"You're quite welcome, Fionnula," I responded simply, just as I noticed her slight change in movement, and then felt her lips brush against my cheek again. She was not the only one who blushed at the gesture, and I exhaled deeply when we resumed walking afterward. "If I've given you some comfort, after all of that, then I'm glad that I'm accompanying you as well," I went on as we continued to walk, presumably toward her cousin's home. Hopefully Joie, as she had named the woman, would be able to suggest a harp-maker of sufficient skill. I knew of someone else I could ask, of course, but did not want to impose on her again so soon.
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