He missed the sea. The sounds of the ocean, the kiss of the waves turning to foam at your feet against the wet, warm sands. And the skies... how they burned with color when sunsets rippled against the ocean's body, moved in endless sparkles, in endless waves. It was an expanse so massive, it seemed possible that it could consume the world. Yes, the power of the ocean. It always made him feel powerful. It always made him feel free. It made him feel at home, even when it was thousands of miles out, and thousands of miles deep. But here Gherrick found himself, merely a petty pirate having driven himself back onto land, longing to see the stone grave erected in her name....
Serrah.
He could hardly believe it had been only a few months, half a year, since she had been buried. Digging his teeth into his finger nails, he raked a hand through his wet, red hair while small droplets of water fell off and trickled down his cheek.
Dead. She was dead.
A corpse in the ground. Cold and rotting, never to be held in his arms again- to share gentle kisses beneath the willows, their umbrella for when they took their kisses outside of the rain.
And he would never know the truth, never know why she had been taken from him. Who could have done this to such a beautiful woman?
Staring over her grave, his blue eyes stared endlessly through the stone as he bent down, resting a single, red rose across the grave.
And as he turned to leave, soft droplets of rain began to fall. Cold, tiny, minute, crashing around him into the mushy ground. It had rained so much that week that it was ironic the rains had held off for his journey inland, to where she was buried high up on the cliffs in her family's graveyard. But it was as he was leaving that he paused beneath a great tree..
Recalling in sadness the ghosted memories of their past.
Of their love.
Of his pride.
Of her inspiration.
The very last thing the mourner expected -- or, likely, wanted -- was to be interrupted, to be torn from his reverie by quite another woman and the guards pursuing her.
Had Eliana known the man stood on the other side, she might have chosen a different tree to rest beneath, even if it was for just a moment. Approaching from the opposite direction, however, she could see nothing but the thick trunk of the tree and the dry ring of earth at its base. It made little difference, sadly; thanks to her dash in the rainstorm, her hair was already sodden and clinging to her face, while her clothes clung to her feminine curves in a most immodest fashion. Her fingers pressed against the cool bark of the trees as she paused, her eyes turning to the sloped ground behind her in search of her pursuers.
The men had yet to break through the copse of trees, but she could hear the sounds of their horses and their calls to one another.
Damn it. Damn it, damn it! Her fingers burrowed into the cracks in the bark, fingernails piercing the spongy surface. She didn't even notice when one of her finely-manicured and brightly painted nails snapped off in the bark as she spun away.
Hopefully, there was a way to get down on the other side!
She circled around the tree trunk, eyes still over her shoulder -- and released a surprised squeak when she collided with the man standing on the other side.
The one minute he was down. The next minute he was... down in the literal sense as something rounded the tree, something slammed into him and now that something, or someone, was lying ontop of him as his back side was soaking up the pool of cool rain water at the base of the tree. He was surprised to realize, as his mind caught up to his blue eyes that he was staring back at blue eyes; the very blue and frightened eyes of a very pretty, rain soaked girl.
Had it been any other time, the charmer would have done his duty, but his eyes were stunted and glittering off the remnants of his tears and his voice had become swollen and locked within his throat. And had he not been so wrapped up in his memories, he might have heard the guards shouting, the woman running, the braying of hounds, the thunder of horse hooves. Or, he might even have noticed the condition of her dress, but for now, he was stunned, the breath knocked out of him as a woman appeared and fell quite literally into his lap.
"Are.. are you alright?" he asked, finally finding his voice. But then the sharp bark of a dog had his startled as Gherrick jerked from where he lay, leg kicking over his red bo staff from where it was leaning against the tree's trunk, quickly falling towards them. In a swift movement, he jerked forward, woman still in arms as he caught the staff before it thwarted either of them upon the head, and in doing so, he had to pause, realizing his own face almost had collided with hers.
And again he was found in a moment where his breath was caught in the bowels of his throat.
Eliana was rarely at a loss for words -- but falling, literally, into the arms of a man like this was...well...it was difficult to explain her position. Anyway, he would see for himself soon enough, wouldn't he?
"I..." she began, flinching dramatically at the bay of a hound somewhere nearby, and the silent swearing began in her head again instead. "I'm sorry," she finished hurriedly, pushing herself away from him to stand. She risked a peek around the corner of the tree, then whirled on the poor bystander that she was about to bring into this.
There wasn't time to run. If she ran now, there was no way they would not see her... "There are some men following me," she began, her voice level and calm in spite of the panicked look in her eyes. She felt cornered -- and she hated feeling that way. "I can give you whatever you want if you give me a boost into this tree and misdirect them. Gold. Jewels. Or...anything." She hoped she didn't need to spell it out...
...And prayed that this man's loyalty to Connlaoth could be bought.
Gherrick raised himself to his feet now, using the bo staff to leverage himself. He watched her, he listened to the men approach and bristled himself. He wasn't exactly the best man to avert attention, considering his current growing status and fame of who he was...
But he wasn't one to deny helping a stranger, so he afforded her an easy smile, his blue eyes friendly.
"I would never ask for a fee to help a lady," he said, bowing as if he were a prince, dark red hair falling over his eyes. "But if you want, we could discuss a kiss later." he said, pointing to his lips with a grin- a far too natural response for the flirt. "But I'm not sure how hiding in the tree will help. I'm not, er, exactly the best man to be found by the guards.." he continued. "I'm sort of a wanted criminal." But then he gave her an easy grin. "Though it's not to say the guards are very bright. They might not even know who I am. So, we could go with your proposed plan and see how it goes." He shrugged. "And if it goes terribly, well, I do have my bo staff." he pointed out, leaning it towards her before resting it again at his side. "But it's up to you, I never turn down the pleas from those who need help, especially from those suffering under injustices." Then he scratched his nose, considering. "Or, a smarter idea might be to have them be alerted to my presence over yours. After all, I can bring in a pretty hefty some of money. They might find me more monetarily satisfying to chase."
That was a mixed bag of nuts, wasn't it?
She scarcely paused for a moment at the mention of either the kiss or his status as a criminal. She only nodded once, taking everything he said in stride.
Her only comment to his suggestion was to clarify her own situation. "I would be happy to extol my innocence," she murmured, fighting the urge to peek around the trunk again. "Later. Boost me up."
Only once he had begun to lift her up to the lowest branch, she said, "If you have not wronged the Duke of Merula, I suspect my pursuers will have little reason to recognize you, sir." Her speech paused as she grasped the branch, easily pulling herself up into the tree. She would have to go higher if she wanted to remain hidden, but for now, she had a few more words to share with the helpful man beneath her. "It is the Duke's personal guard behind me -- and, as far as I know, that is all."
So saying, with a nimble grace, she began to climb higher into the tall tree, all-but vanishing into the limbs.
Gherrick watched her disappear. The horses, the riders were nearing. He drew in a breath, a soft, rainy wind rustlign through his hair and at his blue, silk clothes. Stepping outside from the tree trunk, he paused, studying as the men approached, surrounding half the tree as the dogs brayed at him, their calls forthing from their black lips.
The men exchanged glances before addressing Gherrick. One of hte men leaning forward, clearing his throat.
"Sir, have you see a woman pass through here?"
Gherrick simply stared, eyeing up each man slowly before turning his blue eyes back to the one that spoke.
"A woman?" he said, smiling and leaning casually against his bo staff. "Hrm, can't say I really saw anyone. I was visiting the graves."
The man's face fell only slightly, his eye going to the red rose on a nearby grave, then back to Gherrick as his brows furrowed questionably. "A friend of the family?" he asked, suspiciously.
Gherrick shrugged. "You could say that."
The man went quiet, but the dogs did not, continuing to bray. His eyes furrowed as he grew annoyed. They could obviously smell her.
"Are you sure you hadn't seen a woman?" the man pressed, growing impatient as he tensed his grip upon the reigns.
Gherrick stared at him, then simply nodded.
"Someone may have passed, but I wasn't paying much attention until I heard the sound of your hounds and horses."
The man leaned back in his saddle, chin going high as he contemplated what to make of this man. His dress was interesting. Perhaps he was a nobleman visiting the area.
"My dogs seem to think differently," the man accused.
Gherrick only gave a rude smile.
"Naturally. I've got meat on me. They probably smell it."
The man narrowed his gaze on Gherrick, not liking the way he suddenly seemed to have an attitude. Was that arrogance he smelled!?
"You know messing with the affairs of a nobleman could get you into a lot of trouble. Are you sure you haven't seen the woman?"
One of hte men got smart and decided to look up into the tree, curious of what he could see there. Gherrick didn't miss it, and found himself sweating a little, and was thankful for the cold drizzle of the rain. He looked from that man back to the one who kept addressing him.
"I am mostly certainly well aware," Gherrick replied, seemingly unenthused he would use such a card against him. Really, who did they think he was? So he simply smiled and watched the other man from the corner of his eye, hoping they would leave him alone and not spot the woman in the tree above...
But as luck would have it, it seemed the men did.
"Hey- is that.."
Gherrick almost cursed between his teeth, and when the man on the horse before him turned to look- Gherrick's bo staff swung out, a red blur before it connected with the man's head.
With a terrible 'crack'! the man went down, crumpling with a painful groan onto the floor. And jus as the other man began to realize what just happened, Gherrick was already twirling his staff about with effortless grace, before taking only but a single step forward and thrusting the bo staff forward- knocking it into the other man's chest, and dehorsing him painfully int he process as well.
The first man began to rise, and the other 2 who hand't been harmed began to draw their blades.
Thankfully his bo staff was easy to manuever, as was his foot, as a swift kick came to the man's head before him, rendering him unconscious from the blow before he took to the air, smashing the end of his bo staff to the ground and launching himself clean over his now unconscious body-
and his foot kicked out in midair, body as a graceful spear and smashed it into a horse's side, startlign the beast and forcing it to kick off it's rider, which spooked the other animal who was the only one left with a rider.
"After him!" that man called, sword in hand as he pressed it heavily into the horses side and made pursuit.
All of this for a pretty face, Gherrick thought, dashing madly away.
There were only two men left, and the one who ws on the ground gave a growl and released the hounds as they began to tear off after the blue silk dressed man.
SOon both men were on horses and quickly advancing, but Gherrick new this land well, he just needed to plan everything just right and..
His feet skirted past a sink hole from a freshly dug grave that was half covered in mud-
moving lightly, he knew he would barely disrrupt the surface..
but when the riders came by, the ground collapsed beneath them, sending them into a bowl of mud and bones with dogs crying, horses on their back ides and men crying ut as their own horses were crushing their legs.
Gherrick paused and turned back, panting as he smirked at the men now trapped inside that hole.
"It's a pity we couldn't be friends," he said, bowing before them before grinning over at the tree, mud now staining his face, rain slicking his hair against this cheeks and blue eyes dancing.
He was quick to make his way back to the tree. One horse was still left.
He called up to the woman with urgency, offering a hand, "Take my hand! We've got to get away! Come on! While the guards are preoccupied!"
In spite of what some claimed about the thief, she truly didn't care for people to be hurt -- and, in particular, not those who were helping her. She had gasped softly when the soldiers recognized the criminal and a scuffle broke out -- but, true to her nature, she was already thinking how to use the situation to her advantage and had begun her descent.
Gherrick returned just as she made it to the lower branch. She blinked at his hand a moment in surprise, then nodded and did simply as she was told.
"Thank you," she murmured, unable to voice how truly appreciative she was for his aid. Some part of her considered the reward for which he would ask...but, in honesty, she didn't even care at the moment. She would live to see another day.
They were soon on the horse and headed away from the guards and dogs alike. It didn't take her long to begin shivering in small bursts; she didn't want to look so weak and vulnerable, but there was little help for it. She was cold and wet, and, now that the adrenaline from the chase was beginning to fade, the rain was soaking her to the very bone.
"Go west," she advised softly. "That's where I was headed before..." Well, before the guards had caught up to her...
Gherrick simply nodded, pressing himself low against the horse as he gave it a heavy kick. And so they would head west, the horse leaping over a fallen log and storming across the hills, leaving the valley and the cliffs of the graveyard to all but fade behind them.
They entered into a wide expanse of land before a treed path swiftly consumed them beneath it's shade, keeping some of the mist from finding them as they stormed through- and eventually the path emptied out onto a quiet, meandering road beside a stream. The horse's hooves clomped over a stone bridge as they pressed onward, a farm house coming into view.
"We could hide up ahead. I know these people. The place should be vacant. They are away in mourning for the day. We can stay in the bar until nightfall. Then I can take you where you need to be." He peered back at her, the rain's once again having found them as he stared back at her, studying her for only a moment before tearing his blue eyed gaze away and focusing on the road ahead.
Eliana, not really in the mood for idle chatter for too many reasons to count, simply nodded slightly. If that was what he wished to do, who would she be to stop him after all he had done for her?
The woman held her tongue until they reached the barn. She glanced around at the straw and various farm implements. Although more accustomed to comfortable surroundings and living arrangements, it was at least somewhat warm, and it certainly protected them from the wind and the rain outside.
She let Gherrick tend to the horse and moved away several paces, wringing out her clothes and hair as she moved. Although she felt like a drowned rat, there was a melancholy sort of beauty about her with her large eyes, pale skin, and dark hair. She seemed as unconcerned about the state of her dress now as she had out in the rain, and she patiently waited for Gherrick to finish with the horse before speaking.
"Thank you," she said softly, her gratitude genuine. It would be no exaggeration to say he had saved her life... "I'm Eliana."
Stepping into the barn, the horse hidden well and feeding off some of the hay stashed around back, he wiped the back of his hand across his brow, smearing the sweat and rain away while droplets of water still dribbled off the heavy bangs of his hair. He peered over at the woman as she spoke, nodding her to lightly while wiping off the water droplets from his nose against his blue sleeve, then he stepped forward, bowing lightly.
"The name's Gherrick. And don't worry about thanking me. It's sort of the thing I do for a living anyways," he said with a light chuckle and shrug, then folded his arms over his chest, studying her andr ealizing.. oh my.. how immodest her dress was in the way the rain soaked through it and nonchalantly, he turned away, crossing one boot over the other and looked across the room on um.. something else. Clearing his throat, he recomposed himself and smiled back at her, one of those boyish grins he always wore. Too bad it would be hard to hide his blush...
"Guess it was your lucky day I happened to be around and it was my pleasure to help. Besides, I didn't have anything better to do."
He supposed a short adventure was better than remaining in a state of mourning-
It had been such a long time.. but not long enough. It would take a while to get over her. She just had been too young.
Unsure of what his flippant comments meant -- and either unaware of her state of dress or simply unconcerned -- she made no reply, nor did she attempt to discern his identity. Instead, after an awkward moment, she sank down onto a wooden footstool.
She wished this place had a fireplace... Instead, she had to make due with the small amount of friction she could generate by rubbing her hands over her arms.
"I owe you an explanation," she said simply. "And your payment." Words of thanks, after all, were hardly what the man was likely after...
"The guards are searching for me, because I killed three of their comrades." It wasn't exactly a plea of innocence... Her words were flat and delivered without flourish; she was simply giving him the facts without asking for him to understand... "They accused me of stealing from...the Duke's son." Even now, she couldn't bring herself to say his name. Her fingers reflexively crinkled the fabric of her dress, then worked to smooth it back out as she spoke. "But they were gifts..."
Now, she really had stolen them...and she meant to sell everything once she reached Serendipity again. Bastard...
He shook his head at her offer of payment, but said nothing, keeping his arms folded over his chest as she talked.
He still said nothing, blue eyes wavering only slightly at the mention of murder. He hated killing, and tried his damnedest to never let it happen, but even his hands were not clean. ANd he was not here to judge. Then at the mention of stealing and royalty, his eyes softened.
For someone to come out so openly on what she did, she was obviously grieving over the matter and brutal honesty was a fine trait. SHe could have just as well lied to him and he would't have known better.
Then he took off his blue silken tunic, so that all he wore was the rain soaked white collared shirt beneath, and moved beside her and draped it over her shoulders.
"Here, it's still a little damp, but the silk will dry quicker, and can hopefully keep you at least a little warm."
"And don't worry about payment," he laughed lightly and took a seat against hte hay, leaning into it and interlocking his hands behind his head. "You just stay safe and I'll see to it you escape from those guards." He paused to think, having grabbed a piece of hay and was chewing on the ends of it before he turned to look at her, studying her quietly.
"Where are you headed? I could take you as far as the boarder, if you'd like. Or even to the sea. I have a lot of connections there."
And it wasn't like he had much of a plan for himself while he was here.
He had been thinking of Serrah, and found his mind having all but forgot about her to help this woman in her plight.
"Just say the word, Eliana and I'd be more than willing to help." and here he sat up a little in the hay, realizing how warm the haystack was compared to the cold air inside the barn and how cold she might still be and patted a spot beside him.
"Here, if you'd like, you can sit beside me. We could keep each other warm until the rain let's up. Then we can considering our options. Besides, if a man accuses a woman of stealing things that were gifts, I might want to pay him a little visit. That's not a way to treat a lady." and here he paused, turning to the straw for a moment and examining it before taking up a few pieces and busying himself with weaving something in his hand. Then, turning to her, he offered her a small, make shift, twisted piece of straw- one that now looked (somewhat) like a flower.
"Here. It's a gift. And you don't have to keep it, but I won't ever ask for it back. Just keep it as a reminder that Seven-er .. Gherrick helped you out." He smiled at her, the hay still extended out for her to take between two pinched fingers. "The sea has endless possibilities." And he was beginning to miss the taste of the salt, the warm rush of the air and the crashing sound of the waves against the shore. Even the call of gulls were missed, even though the last time he was there, one pooped- right on his head! Damn birds!
Eliana made no move to refuse the tunic, nor to accept his offer. She looked somewhat puzzled, as though confronted with something so extraordinarily rare that she wasn't sure how to react. She looked from the flower to Gherrick, then slowly rose to pluck the flower from his hand. Settling down beside him, she turned it over between her fingers, then looked to him curiously.
"So," she murmured, the faintest smile touching the corners of her lips. "You're Seven. You're famous, you know." But, of course he would know that... "They say you take from the rich and give to the poor."
Which was all sort of silly, really. Who had ever heard of a thief with morals?
"I'm afraid you've caught me at a bit of a disadvantage. I'm not usually quite so..." Her slender shoulders lifted in a slight shrug. "Glum. I'm usually quite the charmer."
Gherrick blushed and turned away with a smile at her response to his name, rubbing at the back of his neck.
"I don't know about famous, but I suppose fame comes when you've got a price on your head." he told her, leaning casually back again within the hay. Staring up at the ceiling, he sighed. But his smile slowly faded as she mentioned on being glum, and he turned to her, examining her for a moment.
"Yeah, I'm more of a charmer myself," he admitted, the blush keeping steady on his cheeks as a short breathy laugh and smile cut a dimple to his left cheek. He took another piece of straw and began to twirl it. "If I wasn't so glum. I only came back here to visit the graveyard." He wasn't sure why he wanted to admit that to her. It came out, or rather, seemed to just come out naturally off his tongue. He wasn't a man to reserve things, or have others worry about himself. Perhaps he hoped she'd find comfort she wasn't the only one suffering under similar conditions- though they both had pessimistic emotions for very different reasons.
"I suppose," she said slowly, "I should be honest with you... More honest than I've been, at any rate." Eliana's attention naturally fell to the straw flower she held. She turned it about in her hands, watching the changes in its shape as it spun. "What I told you is true. They've accused me of stealing from the Duke, though I'm innocent of that crime." For once.
"But I am a thief. I left Serendipity only because I've conned one too many men out of their coin there. It's amazing how far a pretty smile will take a woman..."
Sadly, it wasn't far enough...
"So I'm not entirely an innocent victim here." She swallowed, then looked at him with a wilted smile. "And I'm sorry I interrupted your visit."
Gherrick kept his eyes fastened on the ceiling, listening to her story in silence but when she went to apologize he sat up and smiled.
"You don't need to apologize to me. Cheating duke's and noblemen of their petty cash and thwarting their plans seems to be what I do best." He shook his head, still smiling. "So if anything, you might have been lucky to run into the right man." He scooted closer to her in the hay, taking another few pieces and making another flower before he handed her the second one.
"Well, we've got all night to wait this out. Maybe by then I can make you a bouquet?"
You know, of straw-flowers.
"And if you want to talk about it, it's fine. Most people feel better after they vent over this sort of thing. I'm rather used to hearing thee sorts of stories," he afforded her a softer grin. "Or we could um, make straw flowers together?" He really had no idea and was winging this one-
Oh yes, Seven was quite the charmer.
"What did they accuse you of stealing? If you don't mind me asking."
"There isn't much to say," she answered, genuinely grateful for the offer. Her smile widened a little more, and, although she was a long way from feeling better, she was beginning to feel safer than she had in days. She had always hated having to rely on others for anything -- for coin, for work, for protection...but, if he hadn't been there...
Besides, his company wasn't bad at all.
"He gave me things. Jewelry, mostly. And coin. He did think I was a courtesan, after all." There was no shame in the statement; what on earth would she have to be ashamed of? It was the trade she had grown up in, and she did enjoy some aspects of it, after all. "Somehow they found out who I was."
She shook her head ruefully. "It's not even a very exciting story."
When her 'secret' was revealed, the red-haired man blinked.
"Oh." he simply replied, staring at her for a time. He wasn't exactly prepared to hear that sort of confession. But as he thought about it, it unfortunately made sense due to her scenario.
"I'm sorry." he said after a time, blushing lightly over the idea. "I didn't mean to press the issue but it does explain a lot." His eyes went to her clothes, then away. NOW his face was blushing. What on earth- why did his eyes travel to-
BA-DUM.
His heart thumped loudly within his chest.
Thankfully his silk tunic made her more modest, or else he would have gotten an eyeful, and part of him worried that he had wanted to get an eyeful, which was rather uncharacteristic of him. He would never think to take advantage of a woman, and a poor woman who was running away from a life as a courtesan! The poor thing...
"Are you comfortable?" he inquired, realizing she must be chilly. "I'm sorry I can't afford you much more for warmth aside from the tunic, unless you um, want to nestle yourself inside the hay stack," he suggested sheepishly as he remained seated, rubbing at the back of his neck
The lady thief blinked at the man, then covered her mouth lightly as a laugh escaped. "Is that a blush?" she asked with a hidden grin. "Because I'm a whore?" Of all the ridiculous ways for a man to react! Although she was grateful for the chance to laugh; it helped her shake a little bit of her unhappiness away... "And you're a pirate..."
Her eyes shone as she considered him. The poor boy!
"You needn't feel sorry for me on that account," she murmured, expression still amused. "I chose the work. And I worked for myself, which means I chose my clients and my rates." Her smile returned as she added, "It was more honest than the work I'm used to. And more enjoyable at times, too."
Reclining back against the hay again, she said, "And I'm fine. I will be, anyway. Thank you."
Well, wasn't that awkward! Though his face fell at first, he too, was smiling, even laughing at himself as he tossed his head back, closing his blue eyes briefly.
"Pirate and thief," Gherrick corrected. "But it doesn't mean I have to think or treat women any differently. Despite what some tales may claim, I grew up learning to treat women, no matter the variety, with respect, to be cordial." He nodded towards her, a gesture with his head and presented her with yet another straw-made flower. "And you know, I did hear somewhere they like flowers." He gave her a leftward grin, though the blush was still evident on his cheeks.
"Whore or other wise, all women should be treated as Goddesses. Well.." he leaned back as he thought over his comment. "Until they prove they can kick my ass, then I have to be doubly courteous." he added with a wink. He watched her for a time as she reclined in the hay, then stared upwards towards the roof of the barn. There was only a single, vented window and he could still hear the rain.
"I'm going to take a look out the window." he gave a shrug. "You know, to ensure we haven't yet been followed."
Moving away, he climbed up a nearby wooden latter to the wooden lattice work, and made his way over towards the window, where there, he leaned against the frame, pressing his forehead to it as his blue eyes scanned the valley.
The valley was beautiful in the rain,a nd he took a moment to admire it as his eyes swept across it. It was vacant. No one had come, though his eyes remained steady on the crest of the hill.
"Where was it that you said you were headed again?" he peered back down at her from where he was perched, feeling, somewhat safer at this distance and better now that the colder winds coming in through the window slats were cooling off his face. He was still blushing, after all, and well, the climb also added some flushed exertion to his face.
What a strange man...
Eliana blinked up at him, curious, trying to decide what to make of him. How fascinating to have met such a man... In her experience, men -- all men -- regarded women as something to be used. But, then, everyone -- man, woman, and child -- regarded everyone else in that light...
Not that there was anything wrong with that...
As he considered the view, Eliana reached upwards in a stretch. Her muscles felt knotted from top to bottom, and she wished fervently for a hot bath to soak in... Perhaps, when she reached her destination...
"West. And from there, eventually, Serendipity. It's where I'm from, and I've been gone long enough that most should have forgotten me." She smiled lightly at that. Assuming she hadn't done her job a bit too well, anyway... "And what direction are you headed in?"
"Ah, Serendipity," he said thoughtfully, his eyes leaving hers as he glanced back out the window. Still no sign of pursuit. He listened to what else she said, and turned to her with a smirk.
"So are you claiming to be an outlaw of two lands?" he asked the question, seeming most amused, his blue eyes sparkling as he moved back towards the wooden ladder and began to descend. "Well, my fair lady," he said, once he was back on the ground and at her level. Taking her hand, he pressed his lips ontop of it. "If you would like an escort, I have no prior obligations. I would not mind seeing you to the boarder, if you so desire." He had asked earlier, but well, the conversation went elsewhere. He gave her an easy grin, one that made him appear mischievous and innocent all at once. "Besides, if you refuse, you'll have to deal with the fact I'll be back here in Connlaoth, itching with worry if that mysterious girl had ever gotten home."
"And you an outlaw as well," Mai answered with an easy smile, looking to be quite amused by the discussion. "But while even the poor folk in the streets know your name, only my victims know mine." And their guards, unfortunately... "And all of my victims are very, very rich." Why bother with the poor? They had so little to give!
"Once I escape my current pursuers, I should be safe enough." Her smile turned shy, then, and she looked down again to fiddle with the straw flowers he had gifted to her. "But, in all honesty, I would welcome the company. I feel..." She hesitated a brief second, then said, "...More like myself than I have in days."
Gherrick smiled about her quip about them both being outlaws.
"Yeah, I tend to go for rich victims myself and those poor folk.. well, let's just say they become the beneficiaries of such a tryst." Then nodded at what else she had to say, a smile itching across his lips until settled more leftward than right.
"Perhaps you're more at home running away criminals than playing games with them? Though I must say, it is sometimes fun to play with them at their games." He thought it over, eyeing her up, then to the straw flowers and picked up more straw and went about making another one before the distant sound of hooves caught his attention. Stiffening, Gherrick moved back up the ladder swiftly and peered out the window and held his breath.
"There are armed men coming this way."
Shit.
He gestured for her to remain quiet, his eyes upon them- but it seemed they simply rode past the house.
Phew.
Sighing, he glanced back down at Eliana.
"Hey, you want to come up here and check out the view? the valley is quite lovely from up here."
Eliana smiled faintly at him as he peered out the window in worry, but her smile grew when he asked her up. "Is there room for both of us up there?" she asked brightly and not entirely without concern. After all, she wouldn't want to knock him down going up!
"I had expected to retire from a life of crime here in Connlaoth," she admitted. "I thought I had found a good man who would keep me happy and satisfied -- and it did help quite a lot that he was rich, I suppose." But the money wasn't all of it. She had loved him...and he had loved her, once upon a time.
"Do you think you'll ever give up the life?"
"There's enough space if you want to perch beside me. That is, " he continued with a bit of a laugh. "If you don't mind being so close beside me."
Though his grin began to fade as she went over her story, and he felt bad for flirting and simply nodded his head and let her continue to explain. Then at her last question, he forced another smile for her and looked down.
"I don't know. It's hard to say. I almost feel obligated not to." He tilted his head to one side. "After all, I don't do this for myself. I do what I can to help others. It just so happens I have to steal in order to get the desired results. Though I hardly feel guilty for it. I've done enough research before each heist to know who and what I'm dealing with, and most of these men are scum." He turned away, looking back out the window. It looked like it had begun to rain again.
"You'll get no argument from me on that account," Eliana agreed with a slight nod. She settled down beside him, eyes too turning towards the rain outside.
Silence fell between them, heavy with emotion but not uncomfortable. Eliana was lost in her own thoughts, as she imagined the man beside her was as well.
"I didn't expect to ever encounter you, to be honest," she said with a curious tilt of her head and a glance in his direction. "I'm not one to enjoy the open seas, I'm afraid. I prefer the stability of land. And the option to run should I have the need."
At her words, Gherrick chuckled.
"Do I look like I'm out on the seas?" He sighed and leaned his head back, staring up at the ceiling, studying the support beams as his eyes flickered about, as if reading them. Then he narrowed his gaze, blue eyes settling upon something before he made a soft noise and turned to her, glancing over at his shoulder, since his two hands rested at his sides while two feet dangled over the edge of the loft.
"I'm starting to come in land, myself." He sighed, kicking his legs idly as he held a breath, then turned to her, cheeks a bit puffed before he exhaled. "But don't worry. When I said I can help you travel, I do have connections on land, rather than by ship." His grin grew a bit, blue eyes shining. "I don't intend to kidnap you and take you away out into the ocean. But I know people here and there. They can help us and I can get you well across the boarder. Then you'll be safe."
Well, safer than here. Anywhere can be dangerous, it all just depended. But he didn't let his mind think over it. Despite how over active his own mind could be, he was always able to remain positive. At least, he kept up a front that way.
"How would you fair on a ship anyhow? Ever been out on the ocean?" he asked, figuring on changing the subject.
"Once," Eliana admitted with a faint smile. That had been a particularly...interesting...heist. "We didn't go very far, and, I'm sorry to say, I didn't enjoy it very much. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to seduce a man when you are feeling sick to your stomach? And when your legs feel like rubber?"
She laughed at the memory, a cheerful, ringing sound that made her eyes sparkle good-naturedly. Yes, interesting indeed... And what a shame that was, because what else was there to do on a ship?
"Did you have women aboard your ship?" she added, curious once again.
Gherrick laughed at her story, but it was laced a little with a nervousness. He was a gentleman, so the idea of the poor woman seducing the man while sea sick was charming, but also made him blush.
"Not really. I wouldn't allow for that. I'd be too afraid to put a lady in harm's way." He gave a shrug at the idea. "What we did was rather stupid and dangerous, purposely seeking out royal ships to loot and all. Canon fire blowing up bits of your ship, although it might seem quite romantic, is rather a dangerous business. I don't think I could forgive myself if I brought a lady along and she would have gotten harmed."
"You're quite the gentleman," she answered with a soft laugh, leaning forward slightly to dangle a hand over the ledge of the window. "Trying to protect the fairer sex from harm..." But, of course, wasn't that the reason he was here with her now? Wasn't that the reason she was still free and alive, rather than captured and, possibly, dead? Of course it was.
And she always found the men who saved her life charming...
"I suppose I should really thank you for that, instead of laughing. If we ever see one another again after this, I'll owe you a drink."
Gherrick turned to her with a smile and a nod.
"But of course, and I'd make sure to order the finest of wines." Then glancing back out the window, he asked,
"Are you ready to head out? I think it's safe enough to travel now."
His eyes searched the interior before glancing back to her with a leftward grin.
OOC: Sorry it's short D: I figure once they're all good and ready, we can get them on the road FOR MOAR ADVENTURES (and if you want, I could just edit this post and fast forward it to that but just let me know. Or if you want, you can do so in your next post :3 )
(OOC: As you know, plague happens... I'll go ahead and do some fast-forwarding!)
Eliana found herself a bit disappointed that it was time to go, but she understood the need to keep moving -- every bit as well as he did, she supposed. This was, after all, what outlaws did when they'd been discovered...
The rain fell on and off as they made their way towards the border. The road seemed largely deserted, although they had to take refuge behind some shrubbery on a handful of occasions when the thunder of hooves reached their ear. By nightfall, the rain had finally decided to let loose and to empty over the countryside in heavy, freezing drops driven by gales of wind.
Damned Connlaothian rainstorms!
"Are you familiar enough with these lands to find us somewhere to rest?" she inquired, barely suppressing the shiver that seemed to run through her entire being. "There are lights up ahead there! If you can't, I can work some magic!"
OOC: It's ok! Sorry it took me a few days to reply myself! I was busy and was trying to get my muse together for a post to help transition them into the town :3
----------
"Well," Gherrick began, speaking over the down pouring rain as he leaned in real close to her, shivering lightly as well. "I do not like to advertise this, but I do keep a fair amount of coin on my person for this just occasion. Let us go into town," and he found himself shivering again, rain droplets rivering down his face and dripping off the ends of his nose and chin, as well as his red hair, which was now a handsome but unruly mess about his face, covering just one blue eye of his.
"I can use that money to get us a room. Then hey, if you'd like, perhaps a warm drink and some food for our bellies!" and he laughed, then gestured forward "Ladies first," as the pair of them made their way into town. They must have looked like a pair of drowned rats by the time they made it to any sort of Inn, and the name of the place, The Grey Oyster, was a strange one indeed. But they were nearing the seaside boarder now, but not in an ocean dwelling town, for even Gherrick knew the oceans were still but another town or so off from here. Though it seemed the Grey Oyster's claim to fame were oyster meals and fish, so when asked, after the two had been shown a seat, Gherrick gave an uneven grin towards his lady friend.
"I think whatever the house special is would suffice, and perhaps an inquiry to a pair of rooms?" Gherrick said.
"We've only got but one room available for the night. Would you like it?"
Gherrick hesitated, but only briefly before smiling. "Why, yes. We'll take the last one." It was better than nothign as he shuffled uneasily about upon the wooden chair and leaned forward on his elbows to glance at Eliana.
"Hope you don't mind. Seems we might have to share one for the night. Though early tomorrow morning we can get back onto the road. Maybe these rains will clear and if you'd like, I can get you to a port town. Then you can leave this country by ship or caravan going over the mountains. ANd I Know a few friends who might be able to help you with either method of travel that you prefer."
And it was by then the barmaid had returned and Gherrick looked up at her with a grin.
"So what sort of drinks will you be having?" she asked, her fat arms ready to scribble down the order.
"Yes, er.. um..." Gherrick thought it over. "Just something warm would be nice! Though, dare I ask if you have anything without alcohol?" Though at his question, the lady gave him a stare, and Gherrick only smiled as he shrugged. "Though alcoholic would be fine. So long as it's warm." HE wasn't a man to drink, so he was undeniably a light weight. He'd just would have to watch his intake. But a warm drink was all that he needed.
The barmaid then turned to Eliana, looking her over with a scrutinizing gaze. "And for you?"
He was such an odd man! Eliana stared at him, her expression matching the barmaid's so perfectly they could have been twins for just a moment. "I'll have a warm brandy, please." Despite looking a bit like a drowned rat, her smile was pretty enough -- and, somehow, innocent enough -- to set the barmaid back at ease.
Once the girl had left, she turned that smile back on her companion. "You are a very strange fellow. I've never met a man quite like you." Especially not one who was a professional thief...
"And one room will be fine, Gherrick. I've told you that you need to relax. And since you're being so kind, I could hardly turn you down."
Though she was glad he was a gentleman... She needed that just now...
Gherrick gave a sheepish rub to the back of his head and a shrug.
"I never claimed to be normal." Giving her another lopsided grin, he nodded, and was surprised the bar maid returned so quickly with a pair of warm brandy for the two of them. Lifting up his glass, he cleared his throat and gave a polite nod to the woman.
"The food will be out in a bit. Cook's makin' it now."
"Ah, lovely. Thanks, my good lady."
And the barmaid gave him another look before leaving them be. Gherrick just shrugged after the woman before tipping his glass to his lips and taking a few gulps down.
Light weight was an understatement. Being as thirsty as he was, the warmed alcohol was already going straight to his brain, and making him feel nice and bubbly inside as he relaxed into his chair.
"So... got anymore interesting stories to share?"
"My stories would make you blush," Eliana answered, only partly teasing because, she thought, they really would.
"I feel bad spending your money like this. I'll return the favor someday, if you visit me in Serendipity. With interest." Her smile had lost none of its conviction, but it had lost some of its cheer. She gave the brandy a slight sip, seeming to enjoy the warmth as it spread throughout her body.
Silence lapsed between them for a moment, and then, softly, she asked, "Why *are* you so nervous around me? Are you gay?" Not that she was judging -- she had seen the worst and best of humanity, after all.
At first, Gherrick hadn't caught the claim, still smiling dopily over the drink. But once the comment caught up with him, his eyes went wide. But then he laughed.
"Hardly, it's just I've been raised to treat women to be as valuable as gold. And well, er, if you must know, I'm still uneasy around women who are so.... direct." He gave a nervous smile, the blush ever there, but the drink kept him in good spirits as he drank down a little more than intended.
He also wasn't going to publicize his prudency, or the fact he was still a virgin at his age (considering if anyone would actually BELIEVE his true age); let alone the mysterious myth of where he was from. But the point of the matter was he was saving himself for the one night he could give himself wholly to his wife....
Where ever or who ever she ought to be....
"Dear, sweet boy," Eliana responded with a chuckle. "I have not been direct." Well, maybe a little...but she could certainly have been more-so had the mood been upon her...and a lot more difficult for him to resist.
Settling her chin in the palm of her hand, she added, "There's nothing wrong with that, though. Especially here in Connlaoth. You've little fear of being harassed by bold women while you're here." Connlaothian women were a dull lot, by and large -- and, for some reason, that was how their men liked them. For a woman accustomed to wielding sex as a weapon, it made for an odd change...
Her eyes flickered to the door as it opened, and, almost immediately, she whispered a curse. "Damn it all, Gherrick... The patrol backtracked!"
Gherrick spit his drink out onto the table. With a cringe, he turned towards her.
"So.. what say you and I head up to that room a little early. I'm sure the waitress might understand?" After all, most men and women of their age.. well, you know. And well, as he grabbed onto her hand, he made quick to disappear into the back, snatching up their key before he and Eliana disappeared into their room.
Though he hadn't lit a candle, so it was black as pitch when he closed the door.
"Do you think they saw us?" he asked through a breath.
Unlike Gherrick, whose instinct was to spit his brandy out on the table, Eliana's instinct was to down her glass with gusto. No sense in letting good brandy go to waste!
Following Gherrick upstairs, she strained her ears then slowly shook her head. "There are no boots on the stairs." If they happened to ask the waitress, however...
"We were too suspicious downstairs." She exhaled softly. It would be easier to pretend to be someone else alone...but Gherrick was a part of this. She looked him over critically, then said, decidedly, "If the serving girl fails to send them upstairs, we should have to make some changes come morning...beginning with our cover story."
She settled down on the bed, momentarily alarmed when it shifted unsteadily beneath her. Well, tonight was going to be cozy...
"A war-bride," she decided. In the darkness of the room, he would hear the rustle of cloth as she began to peel away her wet clothing. He may not like it, but sleeping in soaked clothing would lead to a cold or worse. "From the border of Serendipity. You're bringing me home to meet your parents." Such clothing was common enough and should be easy to acquire... "You hardly look Connlaothian, but it's the best we can do, given the circumstances."
Gherrick nodded, but then stiffened at the sounds of her removing her clothes. Good thing she couldn't see his hot pink cheeks. Then at her suggestions of a plan, it took some time for his mind to catch up to him before he muttered, "Unless we duck out and escape through the window." He smirked, though she probably couldn't see it too well in the dark, even as his eyes began to adjust and he began to see... her.
"And likely into the arms of the waiting patrol?" Eliana asked with another shake of her head. "No, thank you." Rising, she draped her clothing over a chair, then sank back onto the mattress and, soon enough, beneath the covers. She had left on her underthings, wet though they were, in an effort to be, just a bit, decent. The thin material should dry quickly enough...
"I'm not going to bite, Gherrick. Do you not trust me to behave?"
Gherrick was still staring at her before he blinked himself back into reality.
"W-what do you mean?"
Eliana exhaled quietly. That poor boy...! Were she feeling more like herself, she would have left him little choice in the matter...and, perhaps, the memory would have served him well in the future...
"I mean that I will not take advantage of you as sleep. In any way." Patiently, she smoothed the covers around her as she peered at his outline. "So, take your clothes off and come to bed. We shall have to get to work early tomorrow."
Really! That boy!
Half-heartedly, she said, "It's a very big bed, Gherrick." It really wasn't... "There will be plenty of room for each of us to have a little privacy." Well, not so much, really...
Gherrick stared.
And stared and stared as he could now fully see her in the dark. Thankfully, the darkness was still enough to mask his blush as he gave a nervous smile and rub at the back of his head.
"I-I-I couldn't possibly. Really, I can sleep well enough on the floor." Though discarding his clothing seemed like a good option, he wasn't about ready to abandon his silks just yet.
"You'll get splinters," she answered him knowingly. "And I'm certainly not sharing my blanket." As uncomfortable as it was! "Besides, we'll both be much warmer if we share the bed."
It was a question of comfort and practicality -- not of decency!
Stifling a yawn, she threw back the covers and swung her legs out of bed, already noting the chill in the air. Reaching for his arm, she caught his sleeve and moved down to find his hand.
"Come," she urged with a little tug. "To bed."
"Splinters? Nonsense! You're t-talking to a pirate! I'm used to sleeping on planks!" Gherrick tried to protest, but when her hand caught his, he froze and stiffened, and the little tug caught him off guard. Little tug or not, Gherrick lost his footing with a yelp and found himself landing, face first in her chest.
OOC: loooooooool
Eliana looked down at him with a sigh, then gave her head a little shake. He was being such a baby, and now look what happened!
It was too bad she hadn't come prepared for this little adventure. She would have drugged him just to get him comfortable and put in bed...because of it was this much of a fight to get him into the bed, how on earth was she going to convince him to at least, partially, undress??
"If I didn't know any better, I'd almost say that was deliberate," she said, her amusement plain. "Do you want to keep this up, or are you going to settle down and go to sleep?"
Red faced, Gherrick could not help himself but laugh.
"Alright, alright. I concede! I concede!" and he bowed his head to her, raising from the bed and began to untie his pants.
"And er.. sorry about that," he said, his cheeks still burning as his pants dropped to the ground, his back towards her as he worked at removing his shirt; and the 'gold' embroidered Seven was now replaced with a scared back and a black tattoo of it.
"It was an accident, wasn't it?" she inquired, settling back beneath the scratchy blanket that covered the bed. It wasn't much warmer there, but it was, at least, better than sitting out in the cold with no protection at all! "So there's no reason to apologize."
Of course, even if it hadn't been an accident, there was no reason to apologize, either!
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you'd never shared a bed with a woman before." She yawned prettily, focusing on plumping her pillow.
Now mostly undressed, Gherrick turned around, ready to finally commit himself over to the bed, when he paused in mid-stride, his eyes going wide, face pinker by her statement.
"That's because I have not," he told her, truthfully.
Eliana stared at him -- and made no secert of the fact she was doing so.
She was tempted to ask again if he was gay, but that, she felt, might be going too far.
Instead, she pulled back the covers invitingly, patiently holding them open so that he could join her. Only once he had settled down beside her did she tuck the covers around him with the attention of a mother.
"Even three days ago," she murmured, purposefully taking no notice of whether her proximity to him was making him uncomfortable, "I would have considered that to be a challenge." In spite of her promises about how large the bed and blanket were, she seemed in no hurry to test them; instead, she snuggled up against his lean body with her cheek against his shoulder. There was nothing sexual -- intentional or otherwise -- in the action; she was simply seeking the comfort and warmth of another.
Her eyes closed lightly against her cheeks, and she added with a soft smile, "But if you ever want to do more than sleep..." Well, she wouldn't be opposed to the idea. At all.
He really was making her feel better!
More...
than...
sleep?
His mind froze at the words, his body growing rigid as she nestled into him. But even still, he couldn't help himself but sigh through his nose, smirk with flat lips and blow some of his loose red hair from his eyes.
"A gentleman would never take advantage of a woman. Each one should be treated as a goddess in her own right."
And if she heard him carefully, he would noticed him whispering a soft, silent prayer in another tongue. But it was so brief and airy, it might also have been disguised as sounding like something else.
"But I lied when I said I never shared a bed with a woman. I had a sister once. We had nestled in like this when I was younger. BUt now that I am older, I know it is not a proper thing to do with a woman whom a man is not wed. Call me a prude or what you will, I'll treat you as delicate and sweet as a flower, for all women deserve that."
Then his smile continued leftward as he shrugged.
"Though I suppose one nice thing about sharing a bed like this is that it is a bit warmer now with two people." Though he shivered, recallign the cold, and his hair was damp, after all. But again,t he smile was kept as he glanced her over, before he nestled into the bed.
"But yes, for now, all I wnat to think about is sleep."
And not the fact he had a beautiful women nestled against him.
He was a man, after all, but he ignored anything stirring inside him as he closed his eyes.
Thankfully there was a blanket...
and the rest of her body not pressed up that closed to his.
"I think I will call you a prude," she answered, smile stretching into a smirk. Her voice was already beginning to drift away, however, carried by the gentle dreams that flowed into her. "I've..." And here the statement was interrupted by a yawn. "...Never met a prude before. Makes you special."
Morning came soon enough. Eliana had slipped out of the room early in order to do some shopping. When she returned mid-morning, she looked like a different girl altogether. Her hair had been bleached, erasing all trace of the blue-black of before, and had been neatly braided in the Connlaothian style. Her own clothing were gone, replaced, instead, with a simple outfit befitting a country girl. Even her skin had been lightened by a trick with make-up, and as long as it didn't rain...
"Sorry to keep you waiting," she apologized, even as she tossed a bundle over to her partner in crime. "It took me a little longer than I would have liked, but you should look dashing, I imagine. You should be able to fool...most everybody, I think." She grinned cheekily. "How much do you know about the military?"
Gherrick had slept in longer than he had liked, and would dare not admit sleeping beside the warmth of another human was actually.. comforting. It did a number on his spirits (amongst other things) and he was glad to have some time to himself in the morning But when she returned, he stared at her, outh gaping like a fish at her blonde hair as he caught the bundle.
"You've dyed your hair." He blinked, smirking lightly as he raised his brows. "But why blonde? I heard red is a fancy color," he teased.
"I'm not trying to be fancy," she answered with a laugh, throwing herself down onto the bed and watching Gherrick closely. "I don't think the guards got a very good look at you, so between the outfit and the hair and the con, we should be safe enough."
This outfit was much more modest...almost suffocatingly so... Once back in Serendipity, the first thing she was going to do would be to buy herself a nice dress so that she could breathe again!
"Do you think you can pretend to be a newly-wed, Gherrick? Just until we reach the coast?"
Gherrick blinked at the question, raising his brows some more.
"Eh? I.. I guess so." he gave a smirk, though it was a nervous one, and a laugh, then looked down at the sack and observed...
"WHere did you get this?" Really, how was she able to acquire such armor? And all while he was asleep!
"Well, we are in Connlaoth, are we not? Men are soldiers here, and that is all." She smiled lazily. "And they are men. Not everyone is capable of your restraint." And even that restraint, she thought, would crumble if she so desired it...
It wasn't that she had a big ego; she just knew that she was beautiful, and she was good at what she did. Men...were men, and thank God they were.
"I also found a few loose coins. Do you mind riding? I imagine you don't often have the opportunity to practice..."
Gherrick blushed and rubbed at the back of his head.
"I was never good at playing pretend, but I'll see what I can do." Then he gave a sheepish look her way, but that melted into a more genuine smile at the mention of a horse.
"I'm an expert rider," he admitted. "Even though I own no steed."
"That shouldn't be a problem..." Fishing a coin purse out from between her breasts (because where else would a sensible girl keep such a thing?) she tossed it down onto the floor between them. It thudded heavily against the wood, causing her to flash him a smile.
"If it's any comfort, I think you'll make a wonderful husband." Perhaps a bit boring for one like her, but for the right girl... "And everyone in Connlaoth is a prude, so you'll fit in nicely, I think." She paused, then pushed herself onto her feet to cross the small room. Her fingers slid over the fabric of his top. "This, I'm afraid, will have to go. Simple soldiers do not dress like nobility."
Gherrick blushed as her hands swept across his clothes.
"Nobility?" his voice cracked as he laughed. He smiled and shook it away.
"Hardly." Even though he was. "But it's in a name." And a title, though no one knew the side of him that was a true prince. Shaking his head, he looked down. "I suppose it's time for a change of costume?" Though he hesitated as he looked at the pile of worn leather.
"Would you like some help?" she offered readily, and, surprisingly, quite genuinely. Off-handedly, with a smile, she added, "Believe it or not, I've helped a lot of men with their clothes over the years..." And, here in Connlaoth anyway, most had been soldiers!
"Anyway, I'm willing to bet you aren't as weak as you look. Leather should be no trouble for you." She poked his chest playfully.
(OOC: WOW. I put, "I'm willing to bed you." Freudian slip much, El?)
ooc: XD lol
Gherrick looked up from the clothes, and at her offer, he smiled and afforded her a soft laugh.
"I am no stranger to armor. I just prefer my silks." Then, clearing his throat, he looked her over after he began to lay out each piece upon the bed. "There's quite a lot here..." he began to say, lifting up a single gauntlet, then looking back down at the pile.
"And what do you mean 'as weak as I look'?" he said, tossing her a playful smirk. "Do I seem so helpless?"
Then again, this was the man who 'hadn't shared a bed with a woman' asking, here!
"As a newborn kitten," the thief returned readily, smiling as she said it. Of course, she knew otherwise, and she had a feeling he would be a dangerous man if cornered.
She leaned forward far enough to lift a simple tunic and pants from the pile of items. "You start with these," she reminded him, as if he needed instruction. She wasn't entirely sure he was as familiar with armor as he claimed... This was a simple soldier's uniform and standard issue, or so she assumed; it was a far cry from those worn by the upper class of any society practiced in the art of war.
"And we shall have to come up with names..." The sentence trailed off, and she looked up at him with something akin to suspicion...because this was Gherrick, after all. "How are you at lying, anyway?"
"I can twist the truth," he told her truthfully, pulling on the tunic over his head. THe clothing seemed as if it might be snug, but then as it fell over his form, it was evidently loose. He began to reach for the armor, putting on the half-chest plate first before he glanced back up to her.
"Twisting could work, can it not? And I'm rather good at rambling..."
Yeah. That just meant he was a terrible liar.
That's what she was afraid of...
A troubled frown graced her lips, turning into a bit of a pout as she thought it over. Well, obviously, they were going to have to start from the beginning...
"Well, the first rule is... Don't over-act. Just act normal, Gherrick, like you have every right to be doing what you're doing. If you over-act, people take notice and get suspicious. The story is for emergencies only, understand? Most people won't ask -- but if they do..."
Well, he had better be ready!
"Well, I guess you could twist the truth..." At least partly!
Gherrick gave a laugh as he sat down, slipping on his boots. "Do you think I'll blow our cover?" he asked, peering up at her through a layer of red hair. "And what's wrong with over acting?" his grin grew wider at the question as he began to tighten the laces.
Sitting up, Eliana scooted over to sit beside him. Rather than answering his questions -- which she was sure he was asking just to barb her a bit -- she decided to address the next concern...
Fortunately, they were in Connlaoth. Connlaothians and their damned rules of etiquette and modesty might just rescue them...
As he concentrated on his shoe strings, she prowled nearer and nearer to him until her side pressed lightly against his. It wasn't indecent -- but it was certainly beyond friendly. Her hand fell to his, and her fingers wound through his as she set a kiss to his cheek.
"We're supposed to be newlyweds," she said with a coy smile. "And we can't be proper newlyweds if we never touch."
Gherrick nearly jumped out of his skin at her contact. His blue eyes were wide as saucer's as he moved to pull away, but froze awkwardly in mid-motion to stare at her. His face was about as red as his air as he gave a nervous laugh.
"Well, no one ever said holding hands was illegal!" he said, though it was evident in his voice it made him a bit uneasy.
Well, she had rather expected him to run screaming from the room! She smiled at him, looking like the cat that had caught the canary.
"It's practice, Gherrick. We aren't doing anything wrong -- even by Connlaothian standards." And that, to her, was really saying something! "Come here. You need to learn to look less uncomfortable around me."
Her hand was still in his -- something she had done in the first place to ensure he couldn't escape too far -- and so she pulled gently on it now. "Come on and sit down."
Practice? So far they were only holding hands, and he got a kiss to the cheek, but what did she mean by practice? He felt his palms grow sweaty as he gave a nervous smile.
"But what's wrong with standing?"
Standing meant he'd be a little bit safer from that look she was giving him, and part of him had to wonder what sort of girl had he saved?
"Honestly! If you're going to act like this every time I lean against you, what are people going to think?"
He should know precisely the type of woman he had saved... She had told him outright, after all!
With a slightly annoyed, impatient look, she said, "I'm going to do no worse than we did last night, Gherrick. Except our clothes are on this time."
What the hell was his deal, anyway!
"Yes, but I don't see the reason we need to practice," he said, hesitantly, giving a nervous grin as he realized he was making her upset. And he was never a fan to make a woman angry, so with a sigh, he nodded his head, rubbed at the back of his skull and took an uncomfortable seat beside her.
Eliana looked pleased as he settled back down beside her, like a cat who had just gotten away with cleaning out the cream.
"Because," she said pointedly, "You're shy. We want to be invisible." Scooting back over to him, she lifted his arm to wrap around her, letting him decide just where he wanted his hand to end up. "And a man who runs away from his wife is a man people will remember and talk about, Gherrick."
Once his arm was settled around her, she snuggled into his side with her cheek against his shoulder.
"This isn't so bad, is it?"
His hands fell naturally into the position of a dancer, and after she nestled in and he was rigid, he stared down at her with a blink. With his cheeks still flushed, his lips gave a nervous, twitchy smile as he sighed, relaxing only just a bit against her.
"No, but I somehow get the feeling you're enjoying this a bit more than you ought to," he said, giving her a playful and challenging stare, but one still reserved in modesty.
Eliana's laugh was soft as she allowed her eyes to fall closed. "Why do you think it's so wrong to enjoy human contact? What did some evil woman do to you to make you believe that?"
Because if he wasn't gay, there could only be one other option!
"Besides," she murmured, sounding, perhaps, just a little more serious. "Sometimes it's nice to just be held. Without expectation. Without wondering how you're going to get at his purse and without having to look for a dagger in your back."
Ah, she certainly lived a glamorous life...
At her words, he became humbled and stared down at her face, naturally leaning into her as he breathed a softer sigh through his nose.
"I... I'm sorry you've ever had to experience that," he told her, truthfully, soft blue eyes looking into hers. ANd he then afforded her a small grin. "But you're right. It is rather nice to just be close to someone."
Without expectation.
Without worrying they were the ones to put a noose around your neck.
Without worrying the guards would be there.
Without worrying... she'd want more.
But even still, part of him was warming up to her. A girl like this....
He was just glad to have gotten to know her.
Eliana cherished the moment, pretending, for just a minute, that she had found peace at last...
...But that was, simply, not to be. It was important to be a realist, to know what lay ahead and to stop looking at what lay behind.
"I think you've got the hang of it," she murmured approvingly. Even so, she lingered a moment more before pulling away from him. "We should go, before it's too late to start out."
With a laugh, she added, "And, besides, we still need to buy a horse."
(OOC: Unless you have more antics, I think we can fast forward five years...either in this thread or in another!)