Under the greenwood tree

[Anonymous]

The heir was surprised to find that the interrogation was over, and her parents were actually leaving the room. He was a little disappointed even— it would've been an excellent opportunity to test out his abilities to weave a story. She had a charming, normal family— a father who seemed to care for her (he could see that twitch in his eye, dying to question the heir), and a generous mother, who had gone through the trouble to make such a meal, only to abandon it so soon after sitting down. They did not seem like judgmental folk— wholly honest, and normal, which held a charm to it that Gemini could not seem to place a finger on. Admittedly, he found that it would be interesting to go to know them better.

However, now did not seem to be the time for chatter anyway— Evelyn was incredibly frightened, as if a monster were going to barrel into the house at any moment. A particularly loud clap of lightning sent her crawling into his lap, hugging him tightly. Again, he found himself wishing he could send away the storm. Instead, he lightly brushed locks of blue hair out of her face. "It'll be fine, doll. I'm here," he murmured, giving her a reassuring smile. "Perhaps it's time to retire from the dinner table, no? I'll take you to your room." Trying to eat dinner when she was like this didn't seem like an option at that point— while the storm would still rage on even if she was in her room, maybe moving her would take her mind off the storm temporarily.

Since she was in his lap, and was already small enough as it was, it was easy for Gemini to carry her, bridal style, out of her chair. It was only out of luck that he managed to find her room and was able to place her in her bed, giving her a worried glance. Gods, how had this evening manage to turn out this way? One minute he was just escorting her home, and the next he was eating dinner with her parents and tending to her in this vulnerable position. The storm raged outside, and the heir bit his lip.

"Will you be alright, doll? I can't stand to see you so frightened."

[Anonymous]

Gemini lifted her up and carried her, bridal style, to her room.  Huh, she thought, this must be what it's like on someone's wedding night.  An image of her and Gemini on a wedding night went through her mind.  It was an innocent image, but it still made her blush despite her fear.  Now was not the time for her to be thinking such thought, she had just pushed  the thought out her mind when Gemini entered her room and placed her down on her bed.

He looked down at her obviously worried.  She sighed, she absolutely hated showing fear but right now she couldn't help it.  Thunderstorms made her so scared that she had a hard time not showing her fear.

The storm raged outside, and the heir bit his lip.  "Will you be alright, doll? I can't stand to see you so frightened," he told her.  Evelyn looked up at Gemini, biting her lip, ad hugged me.  "Stay in here with me," Gemini," she pleaded, "please, I don't want to be alone." A part of her mind that was still thinking logically screamed at her for saying suh a thing.  If she was thinking probably she wouldn't have even said something to him.  It was far too bold for someone like her, but that was the thing about fear, it made you do stupid things.

She hugged him tightly as the storm raged outside.  Please, she kept thinking, don't leave me alone while it's storming outside, please.  She bit her lip, scared he would say no and reprimand her for asking something.  But, she had to ask him.  Despite her bad experience in the past, she trusted Gemini and she knew he was a good person.  Kia, she thought, what have you gotten me into?

[Anonymous]

Crimson eyes widened a little at her suggestion, and for once, the heir was silent for a moment. For that minute in time, not a word could come to Gemini's mind. Thunder clapped in the distance, and lightning flashed against her window— the gods' ire raining down upon their mortal subjects. He stood there, her words replaying in his head, still as a statue. It might be eerie, for someone as animated as Gemini Stone to be sucked dry of all his witticisms, but he honestly had no idea how to respond to this situation.

The fear in her eyes was as evident as his own pensiveness. "Doll..." he began, but words could not come. As the thunder roared across the hellish sky, she was clinging onto him tightly, and Gemini found his hands shaking. He looked down at them, scoffing inwardly at himself. Gemini Stone — whose hands were meant to destroy — had no right to even be here in her room, or anywhere near her bed. He drew in breath and hugged her close to him, still silent, meditative.

He took a deep breath, shaking his head. "How many times do I have to tell you, doll? I'm bad news." He shouldn't have come. Had he taken his game too far? She needed him now— he knew that, she wouldn't have asked if she didn't — but he wasn't sure if he was the right person to be with her right now. She was so vulnerable in this state— if it had been anyone else, she'd be easy to take advantage of— but he had already established that he didn't want to hurt her. Not just because he was her tutor, but because...

Gemini stroked her hair as he held her close. "Do you really want me to stay? Wouldn't you prefer your mother or father's company, as opposed to mine?" he asked, his voice a low murmur. Of course she would— he was insufferable, after all. Maybe she just hadn't thought of it. Out of fear, she was clinging to him— under normal circumstances, there was no way she would've asked this of him.

And yet, despite everything, he wished he could be here for her.

"I just don't know if I'm the right guy to play this role, doll," he finally confessed, because while he was so many things, he had promised he wasn't going to hurt her. And to be this close— so soon— Petronel help him! But he found himself wishing he could be the one to be here for her on this stormy night— if only it wasn't a far off dream.

Something inside of him was breaking.

[Anonymous]

"I just don't know if I'm the right guy to play this role, doll," he finally told her."

She loosened her grip on him, looking up at him.  That's it, she thought, she was tired of this man thinking so bad of himself. She let go of Gemini and stood up on the bed, eye to eye to him. Despite her fear, she suddenly felt confident.  She was going to get this point through this insufferable man's head.  "Listen here," she started, "regardless of what you think, I think you are a good person and you need to get that through your dang head.  So yes, I am choosing you, Gemini Stone, to stay here with me.  Regardless of what you think or anyone else does, I'm choosing you cause I want to so deal with that.  Also, you are a good man.  How many times do I have to tell you that?" she flopped down on the bed, worn out.  She felt proud of herself for saying what she had been thinking this whole time, but she was still scared.

  She glanced over at Gemini.  Only one way to get him to stay with her.  Evelyn grabbed his wrist and pulled him onto the bed with her.  "There," she said, scooting closer to him, "you made up your mind." She inwardly sighed, she knew if he wanted to get up and leave he still could, she knew that.  Evelyn had to hope, though.  She needed this insufferable heir right now, regardless of what he thought.  Fear, it could definitely be a pain in the butt sometimes.

A loud clap of thunder rang through the house again, and Evelyn burrowed herself under the blanket, whimpering.  Stupid storm, stupid.  She hated showing weakness like this to anyone, but she couldn't help it when she was scared of things.  Fear makes it hard to not show your weaknesses sometimes.  She sighed, glancing over at Gemini.  He'll probably leave, she thought, who would want to comfort such a boring  and plain girl like her?  She reprimanded herself, she couldn't think like that.  She was trying not to think like that, but sometimes she couldn't help it.  

Evelyn dragged herself, blanket and all over to Gemini.  "I'm sorry for putting you in this situation right now." She really did feel bad about doing this.  She had asked him to lie for her and now here she was begging him to stay with her during the storm.  She leaned forward, kissing his cheek, "Sorry Gemini." She scooted back to her side of the bed, glancing down at the ground.  Evelyn didn't want him to leave, but she wouldn't stop him if he did even if it killed her.  It was his choice, and she would respect it.

[Anonymous]

Out of nowhere, Evelyn rose up, reprimanding him for thinking negatively of himself. Despite the storm, despite the thunder that crashed like cymbals above the clouds, she was giving him her usual smoldering glare, assuring him that she did want him there. Taken aback, Gemini found himself lost for words once again, at a loss as to what to say to her. To be frank, he had never started questioning himself until he had met her this afternoon. He was the heartbreaker heir and he had been fine with that, but he didn't want to hurt her, of all people, like destiny preordained he would. Despite how easy it would be, especially in this situation, Gemini had to constantly reign himself in when he was around her. It was because of her vulnerability that he was not a good match for this situation.

"Evelyn—" he began, in an attempt to try and level with her, but she had grabbed his wrist and pulled him in bed with her. The heir's heart was beating fast as she did it— which was a rare event in itself— and he couldn't help but wonder how in Petronel's name had he gotten into this situation. Did he have to ramble off a list of all the girls whose hearts he had broken? All of the girls he had used and tossed aside, all of the girls whose mouths he kept shut about their tryst with a bag full of a coin? Maybe that would make things clear. He would've done it too, but he didn't remember any of their names, so there went that idea.

"There, you've made up your mind."

A bed was not a platonic place to be in for Gemini Stone, and the heir had some trouble processing how exactly he should act. His own silence, however, was broken by another rush of thunder booming against the clouds, which made Evelyn crawl under the covers again. Truly, this had been an innocent gesture, and it was selfish of him to keep bringing himself into the picture. If Evelyn needed him right now— then he would be there for her. Hadn't he told her that he would be right here for her, before? Had that been a lie?

She kissed his cheek, apologizing for bringing him into this situation. It was insane, how the simplest and most innocent of gestures made his heart beat so quickly, and yet broke something inside of him at the same time. Finally, after spending an eternity looking dazed and confused, he smiled warmly at her, wrapping his arms around her and bringing her closer to him. "Don't apologize, doll, of all things," he murmured, laughing a little. It was what he had told her before. "I'll be right here for you, if you need someone to hold." He kissed the base of her neck, softly, smiling. She was too much for him to handle, truly!

She was so innocent and vulnerable in this state, but he would shield her from the world, if he could. Was that a foolish thing to think? Was it even possible, for Gemini Stone to be someone's knight? Impossible, maybe— the thought was merely a fairy tale dream that eluded his grasp, riding on wispy, impalpable clouds.

[Anonymous]

Gemini smiled warmly at her, wrapping his arms around her and bringing her closer to him. "Don't apologize, doll, of all things," he murmured, laughing a little. "I'll be right here for you, if you need someone to hold." He kissed the base of her neck, softly, smiling.  

Evelyn blushed, how could one simple gesture make her heart beat so fast?  He probably didn't even mean anything romantic by it too.  It was simply just a sweet, comforting gesture, but she still couldn't help but blush.  She looked up at him, slightly leaning up and kissed his neck in return.  She immediately looked down, burying her face in his chest.  What was she doing tonight?  Pulling him onto the bed with her, kissing his cheek, and now kissing his neck?  Who was this new bold girl she had turned into?  She shook her head, must be the effect of this stupid storm.

Evelyn was truly glad he had decided to stay with her.  She was terrified he would leave her alone.  She nuzzled her head into his chest, wrapping her arms more tightly around him.  She sighed, "Ah, this is nice and comfortable.  You're more comfy then the bed, Gemini." Evelyn lifted her head up, smiling at him.  He really was comfy, she didn't know why, he just was.  She sighed content, this was nice.  This must be how couples felt all the time when they were in each other's arms.  Evelyn was terrified she would never truly had that.  She was too plain looking and too hot-tempered for any man to want her to be their bride.  She could hope, though.  Maybe one day some man would like her and want to marry her.

She looked up at Gemini.  She couldn't hate him despite what she had heard about him.  She still believed he was a good man.  Evelyn bit her lip, "Gemini," she whispered, "thanks for staying with me.  It means a lot to me." She leaned up and kissed his cheek again, blushing.  She would be lying if she said she didn't like kissing his cheek, because she did.  Very much so, but she wouldn't ever admit that.  It would be too embarrassing. She wrapped the blanket around Gemini too, "Are you cold?" She didn't want him to get sick.  After all, he was staying by her side during this storm.

[Anonymous]

Comfy, was he? Gemini had been called many things in his life, but comfy was not one of them. He chuckled, amused. "I'm just glad to see you're in higher spirits," he noted, preferring it when she had a smile on her face.

"Gemini, thanks for staying with me.  It means a lot to me."

"No need to thank me, doll," he dismissed, like he'd done before. "I'm only..." He stopped, biting his lip. The heir had planned to say, I'm only doing my job, but it definitely wasn't in the job description to comfort his pupils as a storm raged outside. He had never been this personal with his other wards before— sure, he'd taught them, maybe fraternized with them, maybe went a little too far— but this closeness was something different than all that.

The heir realized that he had left his sentence hanging in the air. He laughed a little at himself, and how he had somehow landed in a situation that was almost out of his element. "I'm only keeping my promise," he finally finished, and found that to be more accurate. It hadn't been much of a promise, it had been something he had said to calm her down— I'll be right here if you need me. Gemini Stone didn't often extend such offers to his pupils, but if he did, he would be sure to keep his word golden.

She asked if he was cold while wrapping the blanket around the both of them, to which Gemini shook his head. "Not at all," he reassured— the truth of it was, her closeness was keeping him quite warm. She kissed him on the cheek again, and Gemini held her a little closer as she did, as if he were afraid that she'd slip out of his grasp. This kind of closeness was foreign to the heir, and there was something more fulfilling, more desirable in this innocent display.

"You should get some rest, doll. I've got a big day planned for us tomorrow," he murmured, smiling. "I can't tell you just what I've got planned— it's a surprise, after all— but you'll love it, I'm sure." The heir was not someone who was ever truly idle— even in a situation like this, he could plan out tomorrow accordingly with efficiency.

[Anonymous]

Gemini held her closer after she kissed his cheek.  She couldn't help but blush, it felt nice being in his arms.  She didn't know why she felt like that, but she did.  She even wasn't as scared as she was before. Of course, she was still shaking a bit but not as much as before.  Being in Gemini's arms made her less scared of the storm.  It was nice having someone there with her while the storm raged on outside.  She was glad he was here tonight.  Evelyn didn't know what she would do if he hadn't been here tonight.  She probably would have ended up crying under the blankets, shaking from fear.  She sighed, she hated her stupid fear of thunderstorms.

"You should get some rest, doll. I've got a big day planned for us tomorrow," he murmured, smiling. "I can't tell you just what I've got planned— it's a surprise, after all— but you'll love it, I'm sure." She pouted, she didn't want to go to sleep yet.

"But Gemini," she continued pouting, looking up at him, "I don't want to go to sleep yet." She hurumphed, acting like he was being incredibly unreasonable.  She poked his cheek, "And why can't you tell me  the plan for tomorrow? I want to know." She gave Gemini her best puppy dog eyes, hoping he would give in and tell her tomorrow's plans.  She had a feeling he wouldn't, but she had to at least try. "And, you can't make me go to sleep," she stuck her tongue out at him.  She silently laughed, glad she could still tease him during the storm.  Suddenly another loud clap of thunder was heard outside, and Evelyn jumped.  She tightened her hold on Gemini immediately, quietly whimpering.  So much for not being afraid anymore, she thought. 

Evelyn traced the patterns on his robes, trying to distract herself from the storm again.  She was shaking more furiously again.  Why couldn't she just keep her mind off the storm for a while?  Even teasing Gemini couldn't keep the storm off her mind for long.  This was difficult, she thought while continuing to trace his robe's patterns.

Evelyn smirked, an idea suddenly forming.  She looked up at Gemini, pouting again, "Please tell me the plans for tomorrow, Gemini.  I really want to know, and I'm not going to sleep until you tell me." She stuck her tonics out at him again.  There, that kept her mind off of the storm.  She smirked, now just to get him to tell her his secret plans for tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Oh gods, not the puppy dog eyes! Why was she torturing him so? Gemini chuckled, wondering how long his immunity to such a face would last. "I can't tell you because it's a surprise, doll. Don't you like surprises?" Honestly, good things came to those who knew how to wait! It would be easy to tell her just to satiate her curiosity, but he'd rather her find out in the morning. It wasn't often Gemini was able to surprise people, but she was making it very difficult to do so.

As she jumped again, he silently held her a little closer. He was no good with words in this kind of situation, which was strange, seeing as how Gemini had felt he had something to say for all occasions. He had never been someone's anchor before — instead, he was the one who sank ships, turning away as the wreckage washed up on the shore. While the storm shook onwards outside, the din of noise colliding with his eardrums, he remained a silent knight.

"Please tell me the plans for tomorrow, Gemini. I really want to know, and I'm not going to sleep until you tell me."

"That's fine with me," he said with a smirk. "Stay up all night if you wish — my lips will still be sealed."

He didn't blame her for being curious, though. After a beat, he offered, "What if I give you a hint? Just one hint, and nothing more." Otherwise he'd just spill out everything and give it all away. "I can tell you this — we'll be getting out of the city for a few days, to see water in a much more natural setting. Rivers, streams, waterfalls..." He caught himself, biting his lip. "Ah, I've said too much already! At this rate, I'll give it away." He laughed a little. "Does that satisfy your curiosity?"

[Anonymous]

"That's fine with me," he said with a smirk. "Stay up all night if you wish — my lips will still be sealed."

She kept smiling up at him.  He would give in, she knew he would give in.  She smirked, this was just too easy for him.  Gemini Stone was going to tell her what he had planned for tomorrow.  She would pull out the puppy dog eyes again if she had to.  She would.  She silently laughed, tightening her grip on him some more as the storm continued to rage outside.  After a beat, he offered, "What if I give you a hint? Just one hint, and nothing more."  Yes, she she smiled, she knew he would give in eventually.  It was the puppy dog eyes, they worked everytime.  "I can tell you this — we'll be getting out of the city for a few days, to see water in a much more natural setting. Rivers, streams, waterfalls..." He caught himself, biting his lip. "Ah, I've said too much already! At this rate, I'll give it away." He laughed a little. "Does that satisfy your curiosity?"  Evelyn tweaked her nose, looking up at him.  "No," she wiggled around, pouting, "I want to hear all of your plans for tomorrow."  

She leaned up until she was close to his eye level, giving him puppy dog eyes again, "Are you sure you can't tell me your full plans for tomorrow?"  She inwardly smirked, come on Gemini, she thought, just tell me your plans for tomorrow then we will both be happy.  Well, okay, mostly only she would be happy.  She thought back to what he said, pondering on what he might mean.  I can tell you this — we'll be getting out of the city for a few days.....getting out of the city for a few days...a few days.  She playfully gasped at Gemini, "My goodness Gemini, are you trying to get me away from the city so you can have your way with me?"  She winked at him before starting to laugh.  She couldn't help but say that.  It was just too easy after all.  She looked up at him again, "Seriously though, if we are going to be away for a couple days in a place away from the city then where are we supposed to stay?"  She bit her lip, she didn't really care where they did stay.  She was simply just curious.  

Suddenly a light bulb went off in Evelyn's mind, she had an idea.  Maybe not the best of ideas in the world, but an idea none the less.  Curiousity, it never led to smart ideas, she thought.  She looked up at Gemini, biting her lip, she wondered what would happen if she did something a bit out of character for her.  She shook her head, silently laughing at herself, this stupid storm was making her do all sorts of out of character things tonight.  She suddenly positioned her arms on his chest and pushed him down on the bed.  Evelyn quickly scurried on top of him and laid down, nuzzling her head into his chest.  She looked up at him, smiling, "I thought this would be a more comfy postion to sleep in."  She started rolling around on top of him, pouting, "It's too hard to go to sleep with it storming outside, though." She sighed, she could never get to sleep with a storm raging outside.  Most of the time she just stayed awake until the storm past.  Hm, she thought, maybe this time would be different since Gemini was here with her, and he was quite comfy after all.

[Anonymous]

Why couldn't a hint be enough to feed her curiosity? She was killing him, really — the heir was bad at managing surprises and it was enough to make him want to spoil it all, just to see her smile. Granted, it would be much more satisfying if he could actually manage to surprise her, he was sure. He bit his lip, legitimately having a hard time with keeping the information a secret.

"Are you sure you can't tell me your full plans for tomorrow?"

"I'm positive, doll, positive," Gemini replied, exasperated. "Honestly, it would be so much better if you just let it be a surprise." Granted, at this rate, the heir was sure that she would find some way to pry the truth from his lips, but he was determined not to give in.

 "My goodness Gemini, are you trying to get me away from the city so you can have your way with me?"

The heir's eyes widened at the suggestion. "Absolutely not," he replied, defensive. "I wouldn't take advantage of you in such a manner." He had answered her question with complete seriousness, and it took him a moment to realize that she had been merely kidding around. The suggestion had enacted a reflex reaction from the heir — but he regained his cool slowly, pushing his own past precedents out of his mind.

At her question as to where they would say, he laughed a little. "I'm Gemini Stone, remember? I've got a plan for everything, including where we'll stay. But if I tell you, it might not be as exciting for you when we get there." He saw where she was coming from — perhaps she just wanted to be prepared — but the heir would not let this surprise be ruined, not even once. "You'll love it though, I promise. It's a quaint—" He cut himself off. "You'll have to see it for yourself, but trust me on this, doll."

Evelyn was quite the squirmy sleeper — she had pushed him down on the bed, sleeping literally on top of him and rolling around restlessly. The heir winced at the gesture, placing his hand on her hips as a means to keep her still. "You may not be tired, but I would love to get some sleep," Gemini laughed, but he was being serious. After a day of leveling with the Dean, going through orders upon orders of new books written for the restricted tomes, and finally teaching her, he was dead tired.

"It's too hard to go to sleep with it storming outside, though."

"Just think of waterfalls, love," he murmured with a yawn. "Slowly cascading waterfalls."

He was drifting off, dreaming.

[Anonymous]

She looked at him, pursing her lips.  Fine, she would let him have his surprise.  Maybe it would turn out fun being surprised.  She shrugged, maybe.  She frowned when he got all defensive about her saying he would have his way with her.  Would it really be that bad to kiss her or sleep with her?  She knew she was looking too much into it, but she couldn't help it.  Maybe it was cause she was self-conscious that she looked at what he said that way, she wasn't quite sure. 

"I'm Gemini Stone, remember? I've got a plan for everything, including where we'll stay. But if I tell you, it might not be as exciting for you when we get there," he told her.  Ah, that's right, she thought.  He was still the insufferable Gemini Stone.  She didn't think that would ever change that, but she didn't mind.  She liked him as the insufferable Gemini Stone.  She looked up at him, smiling, while pondering what he meant by quaint.  A quaint tent perhaps, she guessed, inwardly laughing.  No, no, that definitely wasn't it.  Hm, she tapped her cheek, a quaint cottage.  Yes, she thought, that must be it.  She looked up at him, I won't tell him my guess, though.  I'll let him have his surprise.  She smiled, proud that she had possibly guessed part of the surprise right.

Gemini winced at the gesture, placing his hand on her hips, "You may not be tired, but I would love to get some sleep," Gemini laughed, sounding serious.  She blushed when he grabbed her hips.  The position had grown rather intimate.  If someone came in an saw them in this position, they would definitely think something was going on.  

She rolled off of him, scooting closer to him again and wrapping her arms around him.  "Fine," she sighed, "I'll try to get to sleep.  Just to warn you though, I move around a lot when I sleep." She looked up at him, smirking.  Of course, she would try to keep still tonight but she couldn't help it if she did move. "Just think of waterfalls, love," he murmured with a yawn. "Slowly cascading waterfalls." Evelyn yawned, picturing waterfalls in her head.  Maybe this would help her sleep.  Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, she whispered something,"Would it really be so bad to sleep with me, Gemini?" Yes, that thought was still on here mind.  Maybe she would forget it while sleeping though, she thought.  Maybe.  He probably didn't even hear what she said anyways.

[Anonymous]

Her whispered query barely reached his conscious mind, but somehow, it had managed to permeate his dreams. His arms wrapped around her a little tighter as she said it, as if it was his way of reassuring himself, while dreaming, that she was still there. To lose her, and to lose this closeness, was unimaginable to him.

For as long as he could, he was determined to protect her, especially from himself.

[center:vpweoger]______[/center:vpweoger]
Gemini Stone was an early riser — before dawn had even broke, he had laid awake in bed, a mana ring on his right hand glowing a light lavender purple. His crimson eyes stared off in the distance, opened wide, seeing into a space that was not this room. One hand was wrapped protectively around Evelyn, while the other was kept at the side of his head, a single ring with a purple glow adorned the finger that he kept pressed to his temple.

Originally, he had planned to never tell Evelyn about their excursion, but he just had to give away bits and pieces last night. He also hadn't planned on staying over, and would've been spending this morning in the House, getting things ready for the morning ahead. Instead, he was contacting servants to have the horses ready, and having them pack his things. Truly, a servant of the House was not free from Gemini's orders even when he was away.

There seemed to be almost no remnants of the storm that had ravaged the land last night. The sun shone optimistically in the sky, as if to brush away all traces of the chaos that had rained down on them before. He looked towards Evelyn, lightly brushing her blue locks away from her eyes, glad to see she had slept soundly. She looked so peaceful there — delicate, even — that he couldn't bring himself to wake her up. Instead, he kissed her forehead gently, smiling softly at her sleeping form.

[Anonymous]

Evelyn felt something gently touch her forehead, as she started to wake up.  She looked up, noticing Gemini was already awake.  She rubbed the sleepiness from her eyes, looking up at him,"Good morning, Gemini.  Did you sleep well?  I tried not to move around a lot last night." At least, she tried as much as a sleeping person could.  She yawned, scooting over and laying her head on his chest.  She really had gotten a good night's sleep last night, despite the storm.  Usually she can't sleep when it's storming but last night she was able to.  Maybe it was cause Gemini was there with her.

"You sure are an early riser, Gemini," she laughed, "I can't ever imagine getting up super early." She looked up at him, poking his cheek. Heh, his cheek was squishy. She inwardly laughed, she must still be half asleep, she thought.  It usually took her a minute to wake up all the way.  She blushed, she couldn't believe she and Gemini had slept in the same bed together last night.  It's true that they hadn't done anything last night, but it still made her blush. She hadn't ever slept in the same bed as a man before.  This was definitely a first for here, she bit her lip.

She suddenly remembered that she and Gemini were leaving today.  She still didn't know where they were going, but she wad excited to find out.  She was glad she hadn't asked him anymore about it.  It would be fun for her to be surprised for once. Evelyn hugged Gemini, smiling,"So, when are we leaving for your surprise? I can't wait to see what it is." Evelyn smiled, she really was excited about the surprise.  Usually most people gave in and told her their surprise, not Gemini though.  She was glad he didn't, actually.  She couldn't wait to see his surprise, she thought while tightening her grip on him.

[Anonymous]

He hadn't meant to, but it seemed like his kiss had roused Evelyn from her slumber.

"Good morning, doll," he greeted. "I slept rather well, actually — I barely felt you squirming around at all." He grinned, merely teasing.

When she commented on how early he had awakened, Gemini laughed a little. He had never really given it much thought, but he supposed he did have a tendency to wake up earlier than most. "It's a bad habit I've picked up," was his excuse to such a behavior — referring to it as "bad" only because it was something knighthood training had instilled in him, something he still couldn't shake off.

She hugged him suddenly, asking when they'd leave, and Gemini grinned. "Ah, you're quite eager, aren't you?" he teased. "We can leave now, if you're so eager," he sat up, running a hand through his messy locks and wrinkled clothes — ahh, he was a disaster! In fact, he was quite certain that he had never let a girl look at him when he looked so absolutely tousled and, for lack of a better word, imperfect! Catastrophe beyond all catastrophes!

He froze for a second, obviously unnerved by this situation, but then, as usual, regained his cool.  

"Is there anything you wish to take care of before we head off?" he asked. "Maybe writing a note to your parents to let them know I haven't kidnapped you would be a good idea." The last thing Gemini needed was for her parents to assume that he had just kidnapped her and had ran off with her somewhere in the countryside. There was a difference between people gossiping about him and people assuming that he was a prodigal son turned kidnapper.

[Anonymous]

Evelyn smiled, she was glad he had slept well.  She would have felt bad if he hadn't.  After all, it was her fault that he had slept in her bed last night.  She blushed, what had she been thinking last night, asking a man to sleep in the same bed with her?  She scoffed, she wasn't thinking, that's what.  She looked over at Gemini.  Evelyn trusted him, though.  She hadn't been worried about him trying anything.  Even if he had, well, she shook her head.  Stupid silly morning thoughts, she thought while rolling around on the bed.

"Ah, you're quite eager, aren't you?" he teased. "We can leave now, if you're so eager," he sat up, running a hand through his hair.  

She stopped rolling and looked at Gemini, stunned that he still looked amazing even when he just woke up.  She ran a hand through her hair, she probably looked awful.  She sighed, why was it guys could roll out of bed and look amazing, but girls couldn't?  She smiled, "I'm just excited to see what your surprise is, tis all," she paused, burying her self under a blanket, "I want to leave but I don't want to get up." She laughed, she could definitely be lazy sometimes, especially in the morning.  She crawled under the blanket and started moving towards Gemini, suddenly popping up on the other end of the blanket and kissing his cheek, laughing.  "You are messing with your hair and clothes more than I am, Gemini," she unconsciously starting fixing his shirt for him, "you look fine, relax." Evelyn smiled up at him.  He really did look fine.  She didn't know how he did it.

Suddenly he said something that made her remember she had to tell her parents about their trip.  "Is there anything you wish to take care of before we head off?" he asked. "Maybe writing a note to your parents to let them know I haven't kidnapped you would be a good idea." 

She pursed her lips, getting up and looking around her room for some paper.  Aha, she thought as she found some paper on her desk.  She quickly scribbled down a quick note to her parents.  She turned around, waving the paper in her face,"Done with that now." It was right after she did that she suddenly noticed that her dress had risen up to her thighs in the middle of the night.  She blushed a dark red, quickly pulling her dress back down.  She crawled back under her blankets, embarrassed.  "I'm just going to stay under here now," she attempted a small laugh,"don't mind me." Why couldn't she have noticed that earlier, she groaned.

[Anonymous]

His disheveled appearance was still a cause for concern. Evelyn had crawled over toward him, kissing him on the cheek quickly, and adjusted his shirt for him, and seemed to believe that he looked just fine. The heir looked at her blankly at her claim, unable to understand how such a thing could be true. Eventually, he grinned a little, shaking his head. "You're too kind, doll," he admitted — her sincerity was something he was still getting used to. Still, he thought he was a wreck, and it was something he should probably fix as soon as possible.

As she sprang up from bed, scrambling around looking for paper, Gemini got out of her bed as well, taking a quick look around her room. Everything was so normal here, compared to the House — there were no illusions of grandeur, but it was incredibly charming to him nonetheless. His examination of her room was cut short, however, as she waved her note in front of his face. Ah, that was quick! If there was nothing else, she needed to do, then they could—

Before he could suggest that they leave, however, she had blushed a dark red, pulling down her dress, which had rose up to her thighs. He shook his head at her, laughing— honestly, he hadn't even noticed. As she pulled the covers back over her head, Gemini placed a hand on his hip, smirking down at her. "Honestly, dear, it's my job to 'mind' you," he informed.

"Plus, I can't very well show you the surprise if you're under the covers, now, can I?" he asked, smirking. "I'll give you a minute to pack your things, or take care of any miscellaneous tasks - meet me in your living room when you're ready to leave, doll." Plus, if she wanted to change or something, she couldn't very well do so if he was hanging around like this.

With that, he snapped his fingers — and as he did so, his purple mana ring glowed once again, and the heir had vanished into thin air. He had teleported back to the House for a brief moment, so he could have his hair neatly done, his robes changed - into his silver and purple set, which were more practical for travelling - and he looked overall more presentable, like a brand new heir. He reappeared back in her living room, near the front door of her house, waiting for her to catch up.

[Anonymous]

Evelyn gaped as Gemini disappeared into thin air.  She stared at the spot where he had disappeared, astonished.  Where had he gone, she thought.  Just as she was about to start freaking out from worrying about where he went, he showed back up.  She sat there, absolutely astonished.  How had he done that?  She hadn't ever seen anyone disappear and then show back up looking like they had cleaned up.  She bit her lip, realization dawning on her, he had teleported back to his house.  She didn't even know people could do that.  Just as she was about to ask him how he did that he took off downstairs.

"I can't very well show you the surprise if you're under the covers, now, can I?" he asked, smirking. "But, if you insist, I guess I'll just leave you there..." he told her.  Evelyn gaped, quickly getting up and throwing some stuff into a backpack.  She knew he wouldn't leave her behind, but that didn't stop her from rushing through her morning routine.  She quickly changed her clothes, threw her backpack over her shoulder, set her note down on her parent's bed side table, and ran downstairs.

 "Wait," she yelled to Gemini, "don't leave without me!" She finally made it downstairs, huffing and puffing from rushing through everything.  "I'm here...I'm here," she managed to get out between breaths.  After she caught her breath, she re-adjusted her backpack on her shoulder, smiling.  That was the quickest she had ever gotten ready.  She didn't know how men could get ready so fast.  

Hm, she smirked, suddenly feeling like teasing the heir.  "So, Gemini," she asked, circling him,"are you sure you are the heartbreaker heir? I mean, you didn't do anything to me at all last night.  Or am I just too plain looking for you?" She laughed, clearly teasing him.  He had teased her, so she could tease him back.  It was only fair.  She grabbed his hand and started tugging him out the door.  "Let's go, Gemini," she shouted over her shoulder, "adventure awaits!"

[Anonymous]

She had managed to get ready quite quickly, which surprised him, actually. Most women he knew would normally take forever in readying themselves, but she seemed radiant even without taking years to prepare herself for the trip. It was refreshing, to see how energetic she was, even though it was still quite early in the morning — but that was great, because he wasn't sure if he could stand being around anyone who'd be grumpy around this time of the day.

"Are you sure you are the heartbreaker heir? I mean, you didn't do anything to me at all last night.  Or am I just too plain looking for you?"

Oh gods, this again — she really seemed to have no idea the affect she had on him, did she? It would've been so easy for him to take advantage of her in that situation, and yet— how could he? He was a gentleman, she was in a vulnerable situation... Plus, he didn't want... He didn't want to hurt her, heavens no, he promised himself that he wouldn't. Gemini was silent a moment, but then raised a slender brow at her accusation, smirking a little. "Doll, you do yourself a disservice. You call yourself plain, but in reality, you are quite striking— perhaps more than you realize." He had purposely skirted around the question, but hopefully wouldn't be called out on it.

Evelyn was practically tugged him out the door, to which Gemini laughed, taking hold of her hand. "Alright, we're going, love! But first, before we walk out the door, I want you to close your eyes, okay? I trust you won't peek." He looked down at her, making sure her eyes were closed, before holding her hand, leading her out the door, shutting it with a wave of his hand as they exited her house.

"Okay, open your eyes."

Gemini had spent all morning telepathically communicating with his trusted servant to get this ready. Before them stood a small silver and purple carriage, adorned with the insignia of House Stone emblazoned upon it (two silver rapiers, adorned with roses, crossed in an X formation). Drawing the carriage was a single dapple grey horse who whinnied at the two, as if to greet them. A servant stepped down from the driver's seat, bowing briefly to the twosome.

"Our method of transportation for the day, love. I trust it isn't too flashy?" He bit his lip — honestly, he had been expecting his servant to use the smaller carriage, and to bring one with more muted tones in its color scheme, but he supposed this would do.

[Anonymous]

Evelyn tilted her head to the side, wondering why he had avoided her question.  He couldn't truly be a heartbreaker heir, could he? No, she shook her head, she wouldn't ever think of him that way.  She truly wondered why he wouldn't answer her question though, but she wasn't going to pester him about it.  When he wanted to tell her about it, he would.  Till then, she would wait.  

She blushed dark red at Gemini's next comment though, she couldn't help it.  "Doll, you do yourself a disservice. You call yourself plain, but in reality, you are quite striking— perhaps more than you realize." She smiled up at him, no one had ever called her striking before.  Well, she frowned, her parents had, but parents always say that.  Was it possible that she was pretty?  She shook her head, tightening her hood over her head, yeah right.  If she was pretty, she would have had some men knocking on her door by now, right?  She shook her head, banishing all thoughts from her mind.  She was not going to think so pessimisticly on a day like this.

Gemini laughed as she continued tugging him out the door, taking hold of her hand. "Alright, we're going, love! But first, before we walk out the door, I want you to close your eyes, okay? I trust you won't peek." 

She smiled, loving that he always called her doll, and now love.  No one had ever called her by that.  Evelyn quickly closed her eyes at his command, eager to see what awaited her.  Usually, she would try and peek but she didn't want to ruin his surprise.  So, she didn't peek, like a good little girl.  As soon as she closed her eyes, she was soon able to open.  What she saw when she opened her eyes made her gasp.  In front of her stood one of the House Stone carriages, pulled by one of the most beautiful horses she had ever seen.  She couldn't believe Gemini would do something like this for her.  It was silly, but riding in a horse drawn carriage had always been one of her dreams and now here it was being fulfilled.  She was absolutely stunned.

"Our method of transportation for the day, love. I trust it isn't too flashy?" she heard him say, biting his lip.  She turned around and faced him, a huge smile on her.  She immediately hugged him tightly, probably prohibiting his air,"Thank you so much, Gemini! Thank you! Thank you!  I absolutely love it and it's not flashy at all." She leaned up, kissing his cheek in thanks.  She continued hugging him, deliriously happy at what he had done.  She looked up at him, smiling.  "Thank you so much!," she winked at him, "I can't wait to see what the rest of the surprise is." Even if the rest of the surprise wasn't anything amazing, she wouldn't care.  She already felt super grateful for what he had done. She knew it, she smiled, Gemini Stone truly was a good man.