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Post by Sir Dmitrii Zurban on Apr 11, 2008 12:01:58 GMT -6
((This takes place three days before the Battle at Trotternish)) .....Life took yet another turn for Dmitrii… The Lady Willa had offered him a chance at redemption… she had agreed to discuss the future of a relationship…to get to know each other… the charismatic smile that had become a namesake once again appeared upon a face that had long thought happiness had vanished. He subconsciously took her hand into his… “M’Lady yu honor me… I pray that yu shall not be disappointed.” Then he looks to her Father, the man’s arms crossed, then he realized he had the lady’s hand, he slowly let go, with an accompanying smile and glance down. .....Standing, he offers his hand once again. “Shall we go? I think you must get back to the Castle… I shall be yer escort…” then he glanced at the man then back to Willa, hopes that the man would stay at the farm or return back to his unit. He did not need a chaperone… ......Willa watched him a moment then looked back at Dmitri and offered a small bashful sort of smile. "I'm ready ta goes.. " She stated softly as she picked up her pack from where she had dropped it when this whole mess started. The small giggling blush came about as she glanced to the jar of salve laying on the floor. The few steps collected it as she replaced the cap to the jar then offered it back to the Lord. "ya dropped it. " She half whispered, the memory of walking in with the man's britches half off brought a sweet blush again to her cheeks. OH yes this would be one of those memories she'd hold onto regardless of whatever happened. Dmitrii stood next to the horse, his hands going to her waist as he easily hefted her to the saddle… then securing the reins, handed them to her. Mounting his own saddle, he reined the brown horse in a narrow turn and waited for her. This was their first step into a new relationship…
As the pair rode slowly back away from the farmhouse, he glanced back at her Father still standing, watching them, his arms crossed, then he looks to her… “Nice man, yer Papa…” Settling into the saddle, he would look at her often in silence. Then he breathed deeply… “So… when is yer birthday?” he casually asked…
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Post by wilhemiaschleitz on Apr 11, 2008 19:41:31 GMT -6
Willa rested her hands on his arms as he lifted her up to the saddle. She settled herself sidesaddle , as it didn't seem approperiate to ride astride at the moment. She took the reigns with a soft smile and waited for him. The little turn was given and a wave offered to her father before touching a heel to the flank of the horse. As they moved off she kept herself quite , just looking forward for a few moments until he spoke up. " Da? Aye.. realla he is.. jus been a bit o'erprotective o' me since Ma passed. " She admited with a little shrug. She didn't mind the silence , her mind was still wrapping about everything that had happened really. The day was warm and the wind itself gentle. The glance over from time to time caught his gaze as she chuckled softly. " April 6th, jus past. " She stated quietly as she looked at him. " An yers? "
While this was a new beginning for him, this was her beginning for any sort of relationship that didn't involve bartering wares or something of that nature. She wasn't really a bashful sort, though being in the castle among those that were of a higher station then herself.. tended to make her somewhat more reserved. Regardless of what they all had to claim about that and where they came from.. it mattered where they stood now.
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Post by Sir Dmitrii Zurban on Apr 13, 2008 10:44:37 GMT -6
A surprise look suddenly came upon his face. “Not long ago eh? I do not wish to wait a whole year for something so cherished… I shall have to get yu something special from me…” There it was again, that charming bearded smile.
His hand going to his chest at her question. “Mine?” he chuckles… “mine is a bit of question…but it is the dead o’winter I am told…. Some say 20, some say 30 of December.”
To alleviate the questions that usually arrive after him speaking of his birthday, but is always avoided, he begins to answer hers with honesty. “I know ye ask why… it is odd… my real mother is Seren, Queen of Argania… my real Father is Leonid Kravchenko of Kievan Rus… It seems that I am a bastard son… conceived in a heated passion of two lovers… given away at birth to her hand maid, to prevent my instant death, to a couple named Nikoli and Yelena Zurban…” he looks down, a bit embarrassed… then looking to her with a cracked smile. "The Ranger, Kaelyn Uruqhart, is my half-sister." He begins to tell her the whole story of the love affair, his parents had, and there subsequent deaths. “So ye see, none are so sure, all that is known is that I was born one cold day…” then he winks at her.
“So yu see… I am born of blue blood… lived life that of a peasant and grew to become a warrior… I have a warrior’s heart and the skills to match…”
The ride was slow, intentionally done so they would have more quality time together, henc why h continued to glance at her as they loped along. For once, since before Victoria’s death, he was at peace… he knew not why, or was hesitant to admit it to her, that he liked her very much. “Is there anything else yu wish to know about me M’Lady? I shall be honest and answer all questions...” that was an action he had never done before, except telling Tory.
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Post by wilhemiaschleitz on Apr 13, 2008 16:27:28 GMT -6
She seemed rather at ease in the saddle, confident in a silent way. The bright blue eyes watched him as he talked and the light hearted chuckle came from her as she shook her head. " Ya dunna needs ta, wit da gift an all. We dunna celebrates birthin days an' all. Da says it reminds him o' how muched he missed. " She returned, before falling silent as he answered. The small frown of her face came as he spoke of not knowing when his true birthing day was. The cant of her head came as she allowed herself that bright dimpled smile. "Goddess.. wit alls dat turmoil be nae wonderin why ya dunna knowed. So.. thinkin abouts dat.. oughts celebrates it right smack dabbled in da middles. " She gave a firm little nod to that. " Course ya gonna has a shares it wit da Christian's Christ child.. doh thinks on it.. gits twice da presents. " She teased light heartedly. She didn't mind at all the slow pace as she blinked at the naming of Kaelyn as his half sister. " I mets her an her beau.. twas good an fine folks.. though that feller o' hers be a mountain o' a man. " She commented softly as she continued to listen to the life and death of his parents. The small lean was given and the light touch to his arm. " Tis harsh ta loose em likes dat.. I was nine when Ma died.. doh I lived fer a spell wit some folks in da villa. They wus niace enough.. jus .." she shrugged a bit as she looked off for a moment, a bit distant in that stare ahead of them. " I member when Da comes back ta da Villa.. I hads ta tells em everythin dat happened. He spent three days jus starin at da hull o' da house. " She paused a moment again and sighed. " Ya see Ma died o' one of them lunged sicknesses.. wus alots o' folks that didna survives it dat winter. They wus afeared dat it would spread.. so's.. we had ta burns da house downs about her. " she spoke the last in a quiet voice as she looked down for a moment to deal with that. The expression seemed a bit blank, almost lost for a breath prehaps two before she looked back up and the small smile appeared. " Ma woulda likes it 'ere, I thinks.. be sae green.. an true. Ya know? " She tugged her brow down a moment then managed to shrug it all off as though that brief cloud of sorrow appeared then all at once was willed away. That last offering was given as she looked at him for a long moment. There were rumors of his wife before.. though, she didn't feel comfortable in asking that.. oddly.. not yet. That was still likely to be a touch too personal to ask just yet. " Anythin? Ya sures about dat? " she asked with a dimpled smile once more as the bright blue eyes held a hint of mischief. She'd wait for the affirmative before giving a little nod. " can ya ride as well as ya talk? " She didn't wait this time as she shifted a bit in the saddle.. as the rear foot gave the horse a good kick to the flanks as she shot off before him. Pft.. nothing like taking the long way back to the castle. The ripple of laughter to echo behind her.
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Post by Sir Dmitrii Zurban on Apr 13, 2008 18:27:27 GMT -6
Dmi listened to the girl speak of her Mother and watched the mood changes as she battled her own sorrow. Nine years past she still hurt, he though… Shall I ever overcome the pain… he too looked away pondering his own loss… and quickly back to the light that entered into his life once more… this girl smaller than he and only a few years younger, was able to battle her death demons better than he…
“Da… ti green here… a beautiful place… with beautiful people…” offering that infamous smile… Would she be able to translate his meaning? he wondered.
Listening to her… “Yes, anything M’Lady… anything about anything...anytime...” the brown horse walking in stride beside her own… “Da… I can handle my own with a hor….” His sentence interrupted as she shifted to a straddle position and just as quickly bolted away from him… Spurring the brown destrier, his knees bent, he leaned forward a bit, letting it run on its own…
Her horse, just as strong as his, carried much less weight than his… running thru valley and dale as the two would feel the wind in their hair. Nearing her, she turned her horse toward a clump of trees that led into a valley, reining left, he chased after her….
He saw the tree laying on its side, and saw her barreling toward it… he tried to get her attention, the lump in his throat threatening to choke him… he prayed she would not get hurt, destroying her Father’s trust in hi vow to protect her… and at the last minute the girl, and her horse bounded over the downed tree… he smirked…then sped up his own steed and rode to the tree… he too bounded over it…
Creeks, fallen limbs, and irregular tree distances did not hamper this girl on horseback. Dmitrii continued to keep pace, not able to get any closer… out into and open field they rode… across rolling plains of heather, dodging large rocks buried in the ground… he got close to her… and yelled… “yer a great rider M’Lady… but ye must slow down… I succumb to yer talents…”
Her smiling and kicking the flanks of her horse made his chuckle… “A spirit of a girl” he muttered to himself…
Catching up with her once again… “M’Lady… ahead is a tree cropping… shall we rest… I have water and pork jerky if’en yu would like some….” His English, and words, broken up by the thunder of the horse’s hooves at its full gaited stride.
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Post by Sir Dmitrii Zurban on Apr 16, 2008 8:39:32 GMT -6
Vox Gladiis: As the horse slows, he rides up to where she stopped. “Nice ridding M'Lady..."
Willa Schleitz: Breathless but still laughing while looking over at him. “An yerself, I hope ya didna mind.. seemed da ol brute here needed a good stretchin'.” She offered in the way of an explanation.
Vox Gladiis: Chuckling… "Nyet... horoshia..." then he blushes… “No it was good..." then he moves closer... "Wanna sit under the tree for a bit and drink some water... or continue?" smiling.
Willa Schleitz: "I think a bit o' a res' oughts be fine. I dun wanna keeps ya from yer duties .. ya dunna thinks dey'd mind? " she didn't want to get him into any trouble as the small hands held the reigns lightly. She couldn't have gotten rid of that dimpled grin if she'd tried at the moment.
Vox Gladiis: Dmi shook his head as he dismounted... then taking her reins, led both horses to under the tree. Tying both sets of reins, he stood below her his hands up... "Assist ye M'Lady?"
Willa Schleitz: She had taken the few minutes to fix the skirts, it simply wouldn't do to appear immodest as she watched him. The small nod was given as she slid down from the saddle into the awaiting hands. "Thank ya M'lord. " she spoke once her feet were on solid ground again.
Vox Gladiis: "Yes M'Lady..." Her closeness was appealing... he could smell her... her breath, her clothes... his steel grey eyes would look at her deep blues... his hands still upon her narrow waist... this had been the closest they had been... alone.
Willa Schleitz: The hands still rested along his biceps as she had to look up at him. The small faint smile there while being caught within that stormy gaze of his. The ride had brought wisps of hair from the braid down to tease the edges of her face, while adding the warm rose hint to her cheeks. Of course she would blame the ride for that and not the closeness in which they shared. She had to remind herself within to ensure the fact she remembered to breath… for it seemed the narrow inches from him stole that from her.
Vox Gladiis: His eyes of steel grey flickered side to side, hard to believe he was near another woman... save for the prostitutes in days of drunken sorrow... oh she was beautiful... and something that he felt he needed to be near... his hand came to her face and pushed errant strands from her face. No words, only eyes spoke... then he smiled.
Willa Schleitz: There was simply no mistaking it this time, the heated flush that managed to moved straight up from her neck to add to the coloring of her cheeks. Her eyes watched his, until his hand lightly brushed against her cheek… Immediately she seemed shy, after all she had never really garnered a gentleman's attention. Her chin dipped down and only a flicker of blue was seen beneath the lay of her lashes. "ah.. perhaps we should have a drink ... as ya says… " She could only whisper. She didn't want him thinking she was some silly little chit... but on the other hand... it wasn't as if one asked dating tips from their Father. And the Maids… Goddess help them... the things they told her!
Vox Gladiis: "Water... ah yes M'Lady..." he too blushed then, for his attention had focused on her... Turning and taking a pouch from the saddle and a waterskin... taking a large leather coat from the destrier and walking to the shade... spreading it out, he motioned to her. "Sit down M'Lady..."
Willa Schleitz: She gave a little nod and waited for him to turn away as she blinked several times and slipped out from between the horses. The young woman looked over the landscape before turning to look at him. It was rather interesting to watch him move... as she seemed almost startled when he turned about... catching her watching as she was. buggers! ahem. She gave a little nod and stepped forward and knelt down on the coat. "thank ya , again... seems a says dat alot abouts ya. " she attempted a jest.
Vox Gladiis: Laying the water skin and the pouch on the coat, he removed the twin swords' harness and laid them down away from her. The odd expression and pinked blush upon her face... Now what was she looking at ... "Ye know M'Lady... yu do not have to keep saying thank you... I do it because..." he hesitated and remembered his vow not to ever lie to her... "...because I like ye... I like doing things for ye..." there he said it.... he finally admitted it.
Willa Schleitz: "I says thank ya fer ya ta knowed it be appreciated… an nawt expected. " She answered softly as the smile brightened a bit. Her hands folded on her lap, as he spoke. "Ya does? " It seemed to honestly surprise her a bit as she felt rather silly , honestly that smile wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. "I like ya as well… ya was right nice ta me... ya knowed talkin an such on da wall. Thought ya was ratherin sweet ta does so. "
Vox Gladiis: Smiling, Dmi offers her a piece of pork jerky and the water skin... "I do.." he winks... "I am glad yer Papa allowed us to be together like this..." and he looks down after she took the skin... "it would be nice tae see ye much more when this war is over..." then he looks back at her for an expression.
Willa Schleitz: She took both pieces from him as she pulled off a piece of the jerky. The skin was taken and a small sip drawn from it before she offered it back. The little nod was given as she chewed at the jerky a moment. "Wella I supose ya oughts keep yerself off dat injuried folks lis.. an makes sure ya comes back ta does so. " She spoke softly, inside she was simply ready to burst into a full fledge round of giggling.. though she doubted he would very much appreciate that. "Ya gaves me quite a fright seein that an all. "
Vox Gladiis: He smirks... "Ohhh, so ye was interested even BEFORE I came on the injured list...?" he teased...
Willa Schleitz: She opened her mouth then closed it again as she stared at him. "Ya left me wit somethin o' an impression o' ya .. aye. " She gave a small nod , admitting a few things herself here. "Ya sayin ya nawt thoughts o' me at all since we talked on da wall? " she lifted a brow, those blue eyes staring right into the grays.
Vox Gladiis: Shakes his head... "I thought of yu alot M'Lady..., 'cept when a blade was at my head..." he winks... Beautiful blue eyes... he just wanted to reach out and kiss the girl... but it was too soon... "Nights were difficult too..." teasing her again.
Willa Schleitz: She winced a little at the thought of blades and all of that. She had seen war, a bit too closely for her own liking. Though as he said the last she seemed abit lost for the comment. Then after a moment or three, she let a little gasp. "Dmitri Zurban! Oh... I... you are a wicked man!" the tone was indeed playful, and... there went her cheeks again.
Vox Gladiis: He felt so comfortable around her... he just smiled at the blush...
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Post by Sir Dmitrii Zurban on Apr 16, 2008 9:14:08 GMT -6
Willa watched him and his smirk, the blushing was slowly beginning to fade as she kept her mind well away from the whole idea of whatever it was he lingered on about at night. The second bite of the jerky was taken as she looked away from him and over the fresh green landscape. It occurred to her that she hadn't offered the same open field of questioning to him as she brought her attention back to him. "Be there anythin ya wanna knowed about me?" She canted her head a bit. Curious of course of the rumors she had heard, but again… that seemed far too soon to ask about that.
“Wicked man?” he smirked… “Some may consider me a wicked man…” he winks… “If being around a woman I trust and adore is wicked, then aye… for I do enjoy the company of a soft voice, and a grateful smile… the gentler discussion of life, far away from the banter of warriors… and I do love the feel of a beautiful woman next to me…” he smiles at her, the charming smile often afforded those with whom he felt comfortable…. “And I do hope yu shall come to enjoy my supposed wickedness, if that is what we shall call it..…”
He was telling her things that would have been inappropriate for public discussion, or to inform her Father about… he did feel comfortable around her… she did make him smile, and was nice to him… and the short periods of time they were near to one another, caused something to spark deep down inside.
Her opening the line of questioning intrigued him, but then again, he opted to take things slow… “yes M’Lady… I would like ta ask some questions… First, what are some of your favorite things? What things do yu like best?” Thinking that he could learn much from her in this respect.
The light and teasing tone of his voice brought a soft laughter from her as she gave a little nod. The hands fell again to her lap as she watched him. The landscape hadn't changed at all, yet his features... from the first time that she had seen him... and now? They were kinder... they didn't seem to carry that burden too heavily upon him. She found that rather delightful, to think she may have had some help in that.
As for her reasoning to allow him to ask of anything. there wasn't much in her short life that was secret at all. So as he spoke of his wanting to know things she shifted a bit to face him more directly. "Favorite thin's?" She repeated as she thought it over. "I like ridin... o'course ya prolly figured it outs. Ta be honest I ain't realla ne'er has a use fer none o' that silly thin's that mos ladies does... sewin and the like. I can does it, but be more a chore fer me then mos Books I suppose… I can read; ain't ta keen on it... an paintin. Though I ain't had much time ta does none o' that. I ain't verra good at it... but it does seem ta be relaxin…" She shifted a little again. "There's somethin I dunno... that comes from here... when ya paint…" She had touched her breast with that as she looked down a moment. "Prolly sounds silla." She admitted with a little laugh. "Oh. an I like ta cook.. Its kinda like paintin wit food. " She announced with a little rise of her chin.
"Now yerself… doh ya established ya likes purty girls." She teased with a wink of her own before waiting for his own answer to all of it.
Biting off a piece of jerky while he listened to her… chewing as discriminately as he could not to appear rude… following that by a hefty drink of water from the skin. “Da… I figured yu like riding… it was hard to tell…” he teased again followed by a smile.
Listening to her was a pleasure most men took for granted, but Dmitrii was not like most men in all ways. He actually enjoyed listening to Willa, though she often commented on her own speech, he liked her tone… her voice… “Painting with food eh? Nyet… not silly… If ye like it so… then ye must cook for me…I would so enjoy that M’Lady…” His baritone voice was almost melodic with the Rus accent.
Oh her question… a coy one tempted with a teasing smile. Swallowing the jerky sooner than expected, he followed it with a drink of water. A chuckle, his hand falling to her knee unconsciously… “Da… Con yesh na…. I am here with yu am I not?” he too provided a wink… “O’course, If I were older, and yu were a bit heavier with wrinkles, I think I might still enjoy my time wit yu M’Lady…” attempting to explain his feelings, in limited English, toward her. “Do yu know what I mean?” he shyly asks.
Shyly? Dmi had never since the age of 5 been considered shy. Why now? How could such an exuberant man become shy? Did he feel that he was failing at trying to display himself to the girl? Did she see him as a lesser man because he was an emotional man inside? One that had a self-imposed barrier to the outside world often protecting him from emotions. He truly liked the Lady Willa and he was so afraid he would make a costly mistake… hence causing mistakes to occur.
With his last question he squeezed her knee slightly for emphasis, then realized his hand was upon her and quickly retracted the appendage , a blush, where the beard forsake, soon followed.
"Then I'lls make ya a deal. ya makes sure ya comes back.. from all dis in one piece.. an I'lls make ya a biggo dinner. " She promised with a dimpled smile. The small lean towards him as his expression shifted a bit as he swallowed too soon. The hand rested for a moment on his arm. "Ya a'ight? " She smiled and slipped back to her seating. The glance was given to the resting place of his hand, though she didn't correct him; after all she was properly attired so there were layers beneath that hand... it was innocent enough. "Sae yer sayin that when I gits fat an old yer still gonna likes me?" She asked with that bright eyed innocence.
She knew men that were hard on the inside, terrific warriors, though they were hollow on the inside. She found his brief moment of shyness rather wonderful. At least she wasn't in all this alone. Though both of them blushed with the squeeze of her knee beneath his hand. Though as he withdrew it... it wouldn't get the chance to hide it away as she caught a hold of it with her own small one.
"Ya still ain'ts answered da question, my lord. " She reminded him gently, her fingers slipped between his... a bit forward... especially for her. The man often looked at her and made her heart skipped… and he had admitted a few times of his interest as well as his fondness of her. While she wasn't so good with words at times... she let this speak for itself. She hoped it didn't make her appear overly bold.
“You have a deal M’Lady… when this war is done… I shall expect a big meal with fine company…. You!” he admitted. Of the swallowed jerky and her question, he nodded… “Aye M’lady… spa see ba…… umm, thank you…”
“Of course I shall like ye when yer old…. Old and grey…” he smiles. And as she took his hand, he looked at her; “What question was that M’Lady?” his fingers spread to allow hers… no blush, just a smile, and an accelerated heartbeat… steel grey eyes began to flicker side to side as he searched her blue eyes as deep as he could… he would take in her face, forever permanently etched on his mind.
Excitement… also known as exhilaration… anticipation… stimulation. All those terms were flooding his body as he sat next to her, positioned so he could gaze upon her fully… her fingers intermixed with his...like St Elmo's fire tingling his fingers, her touch sparked new life, once though dead... Birds chirped, the sun warmed the cold ground, and spring had begun to pokes its way into winter. Dmi’s eyes were searching hers, glancing all over her, his heart racing… he hoped he would make right decisions… this time.
The light hearted laughter came as she watched him still. The little cant of her head was given as she arched a brow. "Ya fergot fat… " She teased lightly as she shook her head a bit.
“And I shall love ye when yer old, grey, and fat…” he retorted with a pat to her hand… Freudian slip? If one knew what a Freudian slip was, then one would know…
"Be naw worries… " She shifted just a little to sit up on her knees as she slipped her hand away from his. The thin chain was carefully tugged out from beneath the blouse of her dress. The fingers were careful as they slowly pried open the locket as she lifted her chin. "See. dis was my ma… Da had it doned when I was little… She alwus looked sad an such... jus figures cause she missed Da as much as she did an all." She spoke quietly as she couldn't look down after all but leaned forward just a bit to allow him to view the trinket and the tiny drawing within. The woman was obviously older then Willa, though seemed to hold herself with great dignity. However, thankfully, Willa must have taken after her… with the fine features and such. "Sae ya nawts has ta worries abouts gettin' fat. " She chuckled.
Glancing at her then the locket, his eyes averted to the small painting, then up to her. “Con yesha na… doeytch na…” he said… [agreed, the same]. Then he began to explain his Rus words… “Some day yu will be in someone’s locket… but I pray that yu will seem happier M’Lady…” He added… He always called her M’Lady, not due to social standing but to where she stood in his view…
"An ya didna answers about whutcher favorite thin's be. " She asked softly. The bright blue eyes were his to delve into. There were no hidden secrets… they were clear and seemed to dip all the way down into her soul as she took his hand once more.
Accepting her hand with a smile… “My favorites?” his free hand going to his chest… “Boz ya myoi… [oh my goodness] … my favorites…” he rubbed the trimmed beard upon his chin. “Um, well I do like to practice with my swords… I can read Kievan Rus, French, and most English…” but his nose crinkles… “I dun like ta read…” pondering again… “I dun know much about painting… or sculpting… but I do like ta ride… I love horses… and open fields of flowers and forests…” he smiles… “Forests are alive… the birds… the many animals… but I am not too keen ta open seas…” he chuckled. Then he looks at her… “But I think doing anything with yu is probably my favorite… ye make me feel alive again…”
She couldn't help it… but the way he looked at her caused her to giggle. "Whut are ya lookin fer sae hard?" She finally asked him softly. For some reason it seemed necessary to speak in the quieter voice. More because he made the laces of her bodice a bit too tight! And all he was doing was staring at her.
Frankly spoken, he winks at her… “I want to engrain yer features hard on my mind before I leave day after tomorrow…” his hand applying a slight squeeze… Smiling as the slight breeze blew an errant strand of hair loose… his hand immediately pushing it back behind her ear… then his calloused hand caresses the soft features of her face at the cheek. Again, no words… just motions of the eyes…
That smile of hers faltered just a little, Goddess bless... she had forgotten. Sitting here... she had forgotten nearly everything but him. Not that it was a bad thing, but still, it made her feel a bit guilty. She had lowered her head a bit as his hand brushed along her cheek. The small almost faint turn of her face to prolong that touch was given as she looked up at him. There hand held a bit tighter to his as she spoke.
It would have been a faint turn of the face, but to him, it was one that could move mountains, for it forged his steel heart to open and allow a lass inside.
"Promise ya be careful... nawt does nothin stupid.. aye?" It was her turn to search his eyes. She wanted a promise... a given word that he'd be alright. Of course it was war... and how silly was that to even ask? But she would none the less.
Eyes locked, breathe shallow, his heart raged a drumbeat like no native dance… glancing down… “M’Lady, ye know I can not make that promise… for ye know the way of the warrior…” he looks up at her. “I shall never promise anything that I cannot keep true…” His hand caresses her face, his thumb to her lips and traces the outline. “I shall promise that I shall fight like the devil to stay alive… and return to yu…”
Then to hide her own embarrassment at even asking such a thing, she had no claim to this man, save she liked him very much. "Besides I'll be verra put out wit'cha iffin I goes through an cook a dinner an ya ain'ts dere ta eats it. " She let out a sigh end looked back up at him. A daughter of one that had gone into more wars and battles... she knew he didn't need that sort of guilt or pressure on him.
“M’Lady… I am sure that the Gryphon Army shall return before yer vegetables even begin to wilt…” winking at her.
The bright gaze just rested on him now, the smile a bit distant as she sighed softly, bleh the logical side of her was coming up and rearing its ugly little head. "I suppose we oughts start headin back... else folks be wonderin whut cames o' us." she was reluctant to even say the words.
Looking around, not realizing the shadows had moved so far… “Da… it seems we have dallied long enough ta get both of us in trouble… The shadows have begun to elongated. But to say it true, I feel it is worth it… to be here with someone special…” his hand at her face, their eyes already evaluating one another… his fingers slide behind her to her neck, and pulls her head slowly to him… his eyes open… open until her lips touch his, then the lids close as he gently kisses her for the first time.
There was a soft tingling sensation that passed along the skin beneath his fingers. As though tiny butterflies brushed their warm wings against her skin. When his gently guided her closer to him, part of her was hesitant, she had never kissed anyone... save the chaste kisses given to her Father's cheek. The thought caused her to tremble just slightly beneath that touch of his as she closed her eyes and the first feel of a man's lips were placed against her own.
Honestly... to kiss a man after talking to him for just one day... seemed a bit quick, though she had no way of explaining how it felt as though she had known him so much longer. Her breath caught in her throat for that first sweet kiss. It was not crushing or demanding, but feather light, the other hand lifted to rest just lightly along his forearm.
It was brief, though she found herself partially wishing for more... though the other part of her was absolutely terrified if anything more did occur! The blush once more came to her cheeks as she slipped back away from him slowly. The glimpse of blue came from beneath the lashes as she lowered her face from his. She felt the warming sensation that seemed to burst from her core... as she slowly looked up at him. What did one say... was there anything to say... it didn't seem right to say anything at all. So... for now she would simply look at him.
Experience… fast-paced life for a young man… rogue… warrior… lover… a hard case with a steel heart… whatever he had, whatever he was called… gave him the strength to be tender with the right person. Was it her first kiss to make her quiver? This lass did not deserve a timid, scared boy to guide her… she needed a man… one that would love her as Lord Adam loves his wife… undyingly. This is what went thru his mind as he looked upon the girl from the wall. To some, a simple but tender kiss as they shared would be considered wimpy, but she was no harlot… not to be taken without care. The thoughts were amuck in his mind…but only, he smiled.
“We must go M’Lady…” he whispered. Dmitrii guided this new interest in his life. But now more than an interest as she too responded to the kiss, instead of shooing him away, or balking at the attempt. As he stood, he offered her his hand, helping her up. Collecting the waterskin, jerky pouch and long coat they shared as a blanket, he escorted her back to the animals.
Willa finally managed to will the cheeks to not burn quite so brightly as she looked up at him and his whispered words. The small nod came as she slipped back away from him a bit further. She'd given a coin or three to know what went through his mind. As for her own, she chastised herself for the kiss, wanted or no... how would he view her now? For all the education the little farm girl may have gotten... this simply wasn't part of it.
Once he had stood up, her hand lifted to rest lightly in his own. The rise came as she stepped off the coat, she made sure of the wrinkles and such in the skirts for having sit so long were brushed out while he collected the items. For the time she felt somewhat awkward, nervous would have been far more the word as she walked beside him to the horses.
At the horses, he attached the skin and pouch and quickly rolled coat putting it in its place on the saddle. She patiently waited for his to return to her. Then as he faced her, he smiled gently, his hands upon her waist. Lifting her with ease up to the saddle, his arm muscles bulging at the material. Tiptoed, he kissed her hand, then handed her the reins.
She waited for him, why? Because it seemed the proper thing to do. She had been raised a farmer's daughter... well somewhat at any rate. As he stepped up and placed his hands at her hips she offered a bashful smile. As he lifted her again with that subtle ease up into the saddle she situated herself to ensure that nothing so unseemly as an ankle or otherwise could be spotted. The soft whisper of thanks was given as the small smile appeared again for the gentle kiss to the top of her hand. The reply to that was a gentle squeeze of his before he released to offer her the reigns.
Quickly saddling upon the brown horse, he reined it toward the castle… the shadows now almost at their apex in length before succumbing to the evening. Once they returned to the Castle, their ride would be over…. For now.
It was a strange ride back for her, thoughts and feelings... emotions seemed to clash against one another as they appeared at the edge of the city and the castle itself loomed before them. Her first sight of the castle had excited her to no end, but now it seemed... to mark the end of their day together.
The sun had offered another lovely sunset as she rode quietly at his side. There was a small quiver of fear to lace its way down into her belly and most certainly into her young heart. How often had her own mother felt this way when knowing it was but a short time before he would ride away... and she would be left waiting and hoping for a safe return. The young woman looked in his direction... watching the last of the light of the sun cast shadows across his features. The unruly dark curls... framing the Lord's face.
For all that had happened... for the stern words she would likely get once again in the castle as the others had arrived several hours before her… the scolding would be absolutely worth it.
He escorted her thru the Castle gates, to the Main building, and around back to the kitchen... Once again he had dismounted and assisted her to the ground... this time keeping a more distanced space between them as to manage rumor control...
As she smiled to him, he wanted to hold her hand, to kiss her good night... but again, propriety would reign... His soft steel grey eyes would bid her good night, and his actions would be as a knight escorting a Lady home to safe keeping.
Turning away would be hard to do... and by the time her horse was groomed and put away, he had to return to the Vanguard in the fields.
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