For a Cup of Tea

[Lady Rosalind Avalle]

I'm a new soul
I came to this strange world
Hoping I could learn a bit 'bout how to give and take
But since I came here, felt the joy and the fear
Finding myself making every possible mistake

Peregrine: The castle was all but sleeping with the buzz of Spring. The personnel of the matters were busy with their cleaning. Though it was too soon for fresh flowers to fill the halls, there was promise with new decor. Children could be heard then passing through the halls with rushing laughter as ever room seemed to be so much brighter. As the maids would pass the doors of the Lady in Waiting, they would pass glances back and forth of eyes that would betray their Duchess, and silent conversations about the drama this woman had brought upon the castle. Her husband had turned up dead, he beat her, the clansmen had found her in the hills with a Gypsy. Did he use magic on her? If so..did the spell remain? "Ladies.." The pirate had them in a gasp as they rounded the corner to come face to face with their accused. Both would pass weary glances, but it would be youngest of the two to bat her lash. It was no mystery why he captured the heart of many, as their was almost a celestial beauty about him--an ageless face that held only laugh lines. Eye level with most, he would drop his in a bow of dipped chin, and bending hip. However, no matter the admiration in the youngest servant, the older of the pair looked weary. "Ye' be not started no more trouble, aye, Captain?" Her aged eyes narrowed on him, and the bouquet of flowers not yet in bloom...where did he get such a treasure? It was clear, the look she gave and for this his own would fall to the younger more impressionable woman, "Define, trouble hmm?" He winked at the starstruck maiden and pressed past them both. "I'll behave." His voice followed as he ventured on coming to stand before the door of the Lady. He would knock softly knowing that it was perhaps time for a child to be asleep.

Rosalind: It always amused Rosalind to hear such rumors. For anyone who met the woman had to understand, if anyone was immune to magic, it was the Lady Inveryne. She made the rules that governed her world. Infallible and indestructible, she had survived this long, despite any nasty stories or jokes. She knew them all. There was a particular blessing in having her own apartments away from such nonsense, and behind those doors, her world reigned over all else, as it should be. With Aldric asleep, she had just finished boiling water for a tissane, and the sweet, herbal smell of lavender and chamomile wafted from the teapot resting on the stones near the hearth. Rosalind, finished with public appearances for the day, had removed her wimple and traded the stiff brocade for a softer dress in a mossy shade of green, cinched at the waist, where the long, thick braid of her hair trailed past. She set down the book she had found at the library, carefully placing a marker between delicate pages, and went to the door. Her handmaid Annabella was off for the evening, and for this, Rosalind was glad. She so rarely had any privacy. She cracked open the door. Her expression was impossible to decode, but neither did the door budge any further open. She didn't slam it, though.

Peregrine: "You know..you really have become talk of the town." He was very clear on the fact she did not invite him..or even truly react to the sight. "Perhaps we will auction of your hand to replace the entire Griffin Fleet with new ships, No?" Leaning against the door frame with his shoulder he extended his little offer...of peace? "Are you going to be mad with me forever?" A darker shade of blue, had seen so many things, broken thousands of hearts, but never in his past had he stood at the door of another with flowers in hand. Of course she would never know this, as Peregrine had always been a bit shallow..and never needed to.

Rosalind: "No," she admitted truthfully. "It is not in my nature to hold grudges." His behavior left her head spinning. No wonder she didn't invite him in. But as she studied his face, she saw that today, at least, he was perfectly sober. He wasn't calling her 'Your Majesty' or distancing himself by wild behavior. He was just Peregrine, someone she had come to care very deeply about. "I try not to be the talk of anything, but it happens. Rumors will die, as they always do, if they are given no more fuel." If he stood at her door much longer, she would not simply be giving rumors fuel, but fanning the flames. So she let him in, and only then spotted the flowers. She smiled a bit, then turned her gaze back to him. "What are these for?"

Peregrine: Dressed in his normal attire, fabrics that did not match and would never go together--needing hemmed and repaired, but somehow he pulled it off. All the shades of black had been replaced for deep browns and earthy greens, the wood elf he had always seemed to be--before. If she thought him standing at her door would start the talk all over again, it would be his entrance into the room that would have a buzz. Stepping in he let his eyes follow through the lines of the new decorations..curtains..bed clothes, and for this he felt himself warm. Good for her. Once inside he would face her with a grin, "Thought you could use some color, but I see that I'm a bit too late. You've let down your hair, next time we'll avoid all the talk and have you just hang it out the window..I'll climb that way." Blue eyes would chase the room looking for signs of a active son, but found himself coming up short. "Where is the Slayer? I have heard he has saved this castle many times, I have a Goblin problem at home. I need his advise." He spoke oh so serious..as why would he not be?"

Rosalind: Rosalind went to the hearth and picked up her usual cup. Everything in these apartments had changed. There was not a single sign of what had happened before, no inkling that any but she had ever resided here. The scent was uniquely hers. The colors, chosen by her own hand. The dried herbs hanging behind the curtains in a nod to superstition, but also to warm as the sun tracked across the sky and flood the room with the scents of her childhood -- of French lavender and sweet basil, a touch of bay, the sweetness of chamomile. It was earthy and home-like, and it suited her. She filled up the cup and offered another to him. "He has had such a day of wild adventures, that any hero would require a few hours of sleep that he may live to fight tomorrow."

Peregrine: "And what of you?" Taking the cup he looked at it at first, wondering if she had planned on killing him..it had been years since the last he had ever had such a drink, or even one that was not at least 50% going to kill him someday. Do you see yourself sleeping tonight?" He would replace the flowers on the table but keep the warm cup in his hands, as it was a treat to have them warmed. "In all my own duties I've not really checked on you..made sure that you are in fact doing ok..on your own. Does your heart heal?"

Rosalind: She glanced down at her cup of tea. "I have told you the truth always, Peregrine. I told you I have entrusted you with all that was important to me. It is true. You know everything there is to know about me, and I am happy with this. You wish to know more of me? You wish me to admit all my fears to you? Why?" She set the cup down, no longer interested. "You tell me nothing of yourself. You do not even let me worry about you. Do you see this as fair? Is this an arrangement you are agreeable to? I am getting better day by day, and I have you to thank for that, and I do not know why." Her words sounded firm, but her expression was not -- concern laced her words, concern for him. She did not wish to push any of her ghosts off to him. It was not her goal to pull him into this darkness and leave him there, that she might have a chance at freedom. That was not how things worked in her world.

Peregrine: She could pull him anywhere she so desired, but he would forever find his way out. Pere' was the master at his trade, blending into the background with ease. However it was in moments like this that he stood out the most For what kind of self proclaimed scoundrel would care so greatly for another. "The only thing I can ask of your Rosalind, is that you find yourself." And what did that mean? "How long has it been since you stood on your own? Or was given the freedom to do as you pleased? Do you not think it is time you took what you wanted instead of waiting for it to come to you?" He narrowed his eyes in question, "You make yourself see reason, you see duty..but what do you see in yourself next? What would you have happen? Tell me your wishes, little girl..and I'll see they come true." His promise, why? Because if not he? Then who?

Rosalind: "I do not know what I want to have happen," she admitted. "I rather like the freedom of not knowing. I do not know what will happen tomorrow or next week." She smiled. "And that is not a bad thing. Like you say, I have not been on my own in a long time. All my life I have been dependent on someone. I am not anymore, and that is a strange thing to me. While I would like to tell you what my wishes are, I won't be dependent on you, either. Is it enough, just to tell you, that I ... " she shrugged, turned slightly away, and contemplated the fire licking away at the wood. She thought she knew what she wanted. She had been so certain in the moment, when she pulled him aside at the market, when the silly desire just to be held by him hadn't been realized until he stepped back. She glanced at him. "I want you to be there, whatever comes. I am not certain I wish you there only as a friend. Is this what you want? If it is not, tell me so. I will tell my heart to stop twisting itself into knots on your behalf."

Peregrine: There had been an eternal warmth about him all his life, for every moment something in him shifted like sands in an hour glass he waited to be turned. Little by little time would pass, and though deep inside his eyes he knew well that there would forever be an timeless exhale of his true emotions. Peregrine was torn, by more then just the wish of the woman before him. He had been handed an opportunity, one that he could not pass..yet where would she fit in? Rosalind just came from a life of lies and unlawful men..would she be so willing to be thrust into another? Her lover was back, this Colban--he would make her a good life as she had no clue what she was getting in with this one. "I will not be going anywhere, I've made up my mind that here is where I will make my stay. I have much to figure out in my own life..as so do you, and for now I will be honored to hold your hand through this. You have a clan to keep..as do I, but for now Rosalind, let us accept the fact we must remain as this..." Lord it hurt him to even say it, but he would find her hand with his, warmed by the cup his fingers curled around her own pulling her closer for just a moment, while the other came to brush the soft skin of her cheek. "You are so precious, let me not ruin another? Let me get my feet so that I can stand beside you, not just behind you no?"

Rosalind: She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, willing herself to feel assured by this. She touched her hand to his, pulling it between them for just a moment. Her lids lowered, but she nodded. Ah, if only he would voice his concerns, if only he would let her soothe away some of those worries and dark thoughts! She would always love Colban, yes, for he was the father of her child. But loving and living with were two different games. She was old and wise enough to know the difference. She was not so cruel that she would keep Colban's heart for herself when she knew she did not return his love with the same passion. Their story had ended. Why should she let Peregrine end what was between them, when he would not voice it? She pressed her lips to his cheek. "I am stubborn, Perry. Do not tell me not to wait for you, for I will only take it as a challenge." I will wait for you. Give me a reason to hope. It was Rosalind's turn to step back first, to let him go. "I should put your flowers in water."

Peregrine: "You returned..that kiss I have you so long ago." He would smile, as to say 'bout time.' However it was time for him to get going, and his back would be given only for him to stop. "I am in the market for some real estate..we go tomorrow to look. You should come too? Bring your son, tell him of my problem, and we will see if he is fit for the Army of Skye?" An open invitation to what, hell he wasn't even certain.

(lyrics are from "New Soul," by Yael Naim)