Spirits of the Earth

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Thread location: The Gardens


She should have went to the ballroom. It was prime time for any lord or lady (military or other wise) to make an appearance and shine. It was especially an important location for those who were of marrying age. She fell precisely in that category, and it was the exactly reason Gavriella Marcell avoided the ball room like the plague.

She was too confused over her own emotions about her father becoming a Duke and her entire life changing in an uncontrollable spiral that she felt was getting too far out of her control. But that was just it, wasn't it? As a woman, she couldn't be in control. Her fate was sealed the moment her mother conceived, and her father, thankfully, saw fit to wait to marry her off.

She was nineteen now, but this ball, she knew was important, and she knew, once her father found her and dragged her out- she was very well sentencing herself to whatever fate had in store for her-
And she just wasn't ready for it yet. She was still young, still naive and...
Still very much in love with with the idea she'd just live at her brother's side to help aid him rule the duchy, as if nothing else in the world would come into play and ruin that. THey had been so close.. To be married off would rip her from her best friend and break her heart.

It would take a long time for the spoiled girl to get over. She was a foolish, foolish girl, and she didn't care as she moved towards the garden walls. It appeared there was some sort of a hedge maze. She lingered at the entrance, hesitant to just lose herself within it but at the same time...
Desiring it- all of it, and to just get lost away in the night.

She didn't bother to peek behind her before slipping off into the garden maze.
If her father couldn't find her, she might not be dragged into some kind of marriage proposal. It was a silly idea, and her father would be furious...
But she couldn't stand the thought to be separated from her family.
What about her mother? She couldn't stand to consider moving away from her, too!

He really should have stayed in the ballroom. His father expected him to, even if they weren't here tonight to deal with family matters specifically.

Andreas gritted his teeth as he followed the familiar swirl of his sister's skirts out into the gardens. God, he wished they could just go home. He hated it here.

That was unfair. Reajh was perfectly lovely--the palace itself was, in fact, stunning. He just...didn't like anything that was happening. At least nothing his father had dreamed up.

"She is not an heir; this will ensure both our stability and her safety. It's for her own good."

"Shipping her off to a foreign nation in the middle of a damned war? How is that for her own good?!"

But of course his father hadn't listened. For all that he was meant to inherit the Marcells' title someday, Andreas was frequently struck by just how little anyone seemed to actually listen to him.

Well. Almost anyone.

She'd disappeared into the maze. He hovered at the entrance, hesitating. Finally, he sighed and took the first few steps inside.

"...Gavi?"

Gavriella froze at her brother's voice, carrying easily across the night air. Had he followed her? Well, that much was obvious. Thankfully, it had been him and not someone else. She didn't move from where she had disappeared around a corner, but rather, folded her arms a moment to consider a response.

He knew she was there already. Why make him wait?

"You avoiding the ball room, too?" she asked, voice carrying into the twilight.

His lips twitched up on one side as he followed the sound of her voice. He found her almost shrinking between the hedges, arms folded in that way she did when she got tense. Like an angry cat trying to make itself look bigger.

He shrugged and reached up to rub at the back of his neck, then scowled when he remembered the fancy velvet doublet limited his movement pretty significantly. "Yeah. How could you tell?" he joked quietly, but the laughter didn't quite reach his eyes.

He dropped his hand. "...You can't hide here all night, you know. You need a chaperone."

That got her to spin.
"A chaperone?" Did he honestly think her some child still?
"I just turned 19..." Did he honestly expect to still baby sit her, even here and now?

Andreas stared at her as though she were the one being ridiculous.

"Yes..." he said slowly. "I know how old you are, Gavi. Do you think that matters? That makes it worse." He huffed and glanced around, then muttered through a tight jaw, "You're...not a child anymore. If you're out here by yourself, unchaperoned, and so much as a gardener boy looks at you sidelong, people are going to talk."

It was stupid. It was stupid and he hated it, but he knew it was true. He knew she knew it too, even if she'd rather not admit it.

He huffed out another breath and glanced over his shoulder, then reached out to take her upper arm lightly, tugging her gently away from the hedge wall as he laid her hand in the crook of his elbow. "I know you hate it. Just...play nice for the evening, and we can complain about it all when we get home," he promised with an attempt at a conspiratorial smile.

Except she wasn't buying it as she glared at him.
"And who says Daddy's going to send me home?" She hissed. "This while finding s a betrothed thing.. I heard him talking about letting them keep me even before the marriage.  What if that's true and what if he sends me off eurh .. with some noble I don't know to just up and live there!?"

"Gavi, keep your voice down," Andreas hissed back, glancing around though he knew logically that no one was in earshot.

Shit. He wasn't supposed to say anything, but...

Damnit.

Swearing under his breath, Andreas caught his sister's arm and towed her deeper into the maze, until he was absolutely positive that no one would overhear, before pulling her around in front of him and taking her by the shoulders. Gently, but still firm.

"Gavriella, I need you to listen to me." His eyes searched her face, angry and sad and torn. "We are not just in Reajh for the ball and for politics. Father and Mother are meeting with--with an envoy from Serendipity tomorrow. To finalize your marriage contract."

Gavriella's eyes grew wide as she froze up like the statues behind them. Words betrayed her, logic was gone. When her lips were finally able to move she stammered, "wh... what!?"

Andreas thought he might have actually felt his heart crack down the middle. Damnit, he hated being the one to tell her this--but he thought it might be better if she was more prepared when their parents told her.

"I..." He trailed off and glanced away, unable to look at her. His baby sister. His baby sister who was certainly no longer a child, and who he couldn't actually take back home to Allar and pretend that none of this was happening. "I don't know all the details," he ground out. "But apparently...he's some minor lord, from a family with lands sort of near the border. Father hopes he can...eventually get you there. The fighting isn't dying down. He's--he's trying to keep you safe."

He didn't mention that an alliance with a Serenian noble house--minor or not--offered a certain amount of political strength. Particularly because Gavriella was a younger daughter, while her bridegroom was an heir. Apparently.

"Safe!? By sending me away?" Her voice was a bit too  loud. "Andy.. I've never been to Serendipity! And the fighting... it hasn't directly affected us at home!" That last statement was only partially true. Allar had been affected pretty deeply, and her family was lucky it was the one who snagged it's position to rule as it was the opportune moment to step forward and take the conveniently empty ruling seat. Even through that all, their family had been spoiled with remote safety, and Gavriella was too ignorant and naive.

"I know--Gavi, I know--Gavi!" He grabbed her shoulders, trying to get her to focus on him rather than spiral into hysterics. He glanced around again, though they were so far into the garden's maze that there was really next to no chance of someone overhearing.

"Believe me, if I'd had any say in the matter--" He cut himself off, gritting his teeth. "Gavi, I'm telling you this so you're not blindsided later. Do you understand? I can't stop this. I've tried. I--"

His voice actually broke. Dear God, that was humiliating. He dropped his hands, stepping sharply away from her. "...I'm sorry."

She knew he was helping. She knew it. But it still hurt. And even though it seemed nothing could be done...
She up and left him, storming away deeper into the garden maze while her eyes stung with tears.

"Gavi, wait--Gavi!"

He took a few steps after her, then stopped. "Gavriella!" he tried once more. When she didn't return or answer back, he sighed and slumped against a hedge wall.

Well. That went just swimmingly.

She purposely ignored him. She knew it was childish of her, but she didn't want him to see her crying. And she made haste to turn around a few more bends in hopes to lose him in the gardens....
Although, she speculated she was a little lost herself. She didn't really care, and when she turned another bend that opened up to a small pond with a fountain in it's center, she took a moment to have a seat beside the waters, and brushed away at her tears and worked on trying to calm herself down.

It would be embarrassing to return to the ball with red, puffy eyes from tears and she sighed, wondering how much of her make up had smudged and peered down at the waters to try to use the reflection to gauge just that, as she fussed over make up and hair.

Some night this Twilight ball, or whatever it was, turned out to be!

Mikhail really hadn't planned on attending the ball tonight. The invitation was a formality more than anything else, he knew that, and he saw no reason to humor it--they'd be gone from the city soon enough anyway.

But then his sister had pointed out that his betrothed--uhg--would be there. And even if he didn't want to introduce himself, he could at least get a look at the girl.

Which, he realized as he turned a corner in the garden maze, wasn't an entirely accurate description. A young woman, but just barely, it seemed. Great.

But he knew this was her--Gavriella Marcell. No one else was out in the gardens, and the young man he'd caught a glimpse of earlier had called her name. But she'd ignored him--a brother or cousin, he assumed--and somehow he'd found himself following her rather than just introducing himself to the other Marcell.

Wait...was she crying?

Oh dear.

"Here now." Without thinking, he stepped a little closer to the pond and knelt to be closer to her level, already fishing for a handkerchief. He tried for a smile--and tried to keep a bit of his accent from his voice as he murmured, "I've always envied how most young ladies seem to cling to beauty even when weeping. But I think it's too lovely a night for that, don't you?"

Gavriella stiffened. How had she not hear someone approach!? Fear constricted her throat as she jerked away suddenly- and nearly fell into the pond as she tried to scrambled in gathering up her wits about her.

"Whoa, steady on!"

Again without thinking, Mikahil shot one arm out to grab her around the waist, standing smoothly and stepping back in the same motion to pull her away from the water.

Which resulted with him holding her against his chest. Prooooobably not very appropriate.

Well...she was quite a pretty thing, he noticed as he looked down at her, icy blue eyes a little wide. Damn. He'd been determined to dislike her on sight.

He chuckled a little sheepishly and dropped his arm, though he didn't step back. "Are you quite alright, my lady?"

How was she supposed to answer that. Once moment she was frantic and nearly tossing her own self into the pond, the next she was pressed against the man's warm chest- an intimate detail that heated her own cheeks.

She found it hard to swallow as she looked back into his blue eyes and realized she had no idea who this stranger even was. Or what he was doing out here in the gardens, but the look he was giving her....

Her face felt hotter than fire, she swore, and hoped to god he couldn't feel the heat like she could feel his through their clothing.

"I-" she stammered, still not quite sure what to say. "Th.. thank you." She guessed. That was the proper thing to say, right? But even still, a hand pressed to his chest- They were...
a bit too intimately close and...
It would be rude of her station to simply push the man that just saved her off of herself but....


He looked...
different. A little.. exotic almost. She had to wonder if he had mixed blood.

And then she realized she must be staring.

"I think I'm fine."

Well that was a lame reply. She felt...
even ashamed to reply that way.
She thought she was fine? What did that even mean!?

Mikhail's brow crinkled as he watched her. Gods but she wore her every emotion on her face; she must not come to court often.

He smiled, hoping the expression was reassuring. "You think?" he murmured, lightly teasing but with a hint of genuine concern in his voice and eyes. "My lady, if you are unwell I would be happy to escort you to..."

He trailed off, looking around, then back to her with that sheepish grin. It made him look younger, boyish. "I'm afraid I'm not quite sure where would be appropriate. Are you here with an envoy? Family?"

Stars but she really was still quite close, wasn't she? She still had her hand to his chest...

Oh. Oh no.

This...could be rather inconvenient.

Oh.

Oh he was asking who her chaperon was so he could escort her...
She grit her teeth, trying to think of a good answer (or lie...)

"I'm.. I'm perfectly well!" came her protest. "I just.. you .. you startled me is all and I.. it's why i nearly slipped and..."

Mikhail kept smiling. "You have my most sincere apologies, my lady." Finally, his brain started functioning enough to remind him to take a step back. He bowed slightly at the waist—polite, but not deferential.

"Seeing as your near-tumble was my doing, I feel responsible. Are you sure I can't escort you somewhere?"

Her cheeks were so red.
And she hated it.
She almost didn't hear what he even said.
At his words, she jerked back a little and blinked, thinking over his offer before glancing around- curious as to where her brother had gone.

She was about to call for him, but then closed her lips and looked back to Mikhail.

"You.. you could escort me to the ballroom. I... I got lost in this maze and could.. could use an escort out."

It wasn't entirely untrue.
But she could at least avoid her brother a few moments more.

"Of course." He dipped his head to her and offered his arm with the ease of someone who had done this before. Quite often. "I believe my sister is lurking about in the ballroom somewhere," he noted cheerfully as he started guiding them back through the maze. "I suppose I'd best rescue whichever poor soul she's tormenting, and this gives me an excuse to do so," he chattered on, hoping that just...talking normally would maybe help put her at ease.

"Gavi?" Andreas had forayed a little further into the maze, still frowning, as he searched for his sister. He shouldn't have said anything. He knew he shouldn't have said anything, but...

"Gavriella?" he called again, turning down a path and putting up against another dead end with a low growl of frustration.

At the sound of her brother's voice, her fingernails instinctively bit into his arm and she found herself nearly tripping over his feet!

"Oh, forgive me!" How could she be so clumsy!? But she had to think fast-

She gave his arm an urgent tug, glancing just once over her shoulder.

"It's just I.. I'd hate to miss the next dance.."
They could barely hear the music out where they were, but the song was a popular one.
"It's one of my favorites."
A lie.
But she didn't hate the song.

"Would you mind helping me get back and share with me in a dance for the rest of this song?"

Anything to avoid her brother at that moment would be great!
Hopefully he'd just say yes...

Mikhail raised an eyebrow at her tugging, but allowed her to pull him along easily enough. "I would be more than happy to, my lady," he replied graciously, though his smile was less polite and more...playful. Eyes glinting, he bowed his head toward her slightly and added, "If I do, would you do me the honor of giving me your name?"

The words were entirely mundane—a reasonable enough question—but his tone turned them into...something else. Almost an invitation.

---

"Gavriella!"

Further in the maze, Andreas was starting to panic a bit. Why wouldn't she answer? She could have gotten that far away, surely...

"My name?"
Oh, so foolish of her!
"Ah, how silly of me not to introduce myself," she went on, faking her laughs along the way while also..
kinda..
trying to get him to move a lot faster towards the ball room as she did so.
She tucked back a loose strange of curly dark hair and forced her prettiest smile up at him.

"Where are my manners? I am Gavriella Marcell. And you are?"

"Enchanted," Mikhail responded smoothly, and resisted her urging him along just long enough to take her hand and feather a kiss to the back of it, his eyes never leaving hers. He smiled, straightened up, and tucked her hand back into the crook of his arm as he steered them back out of the maze and allowed her to move them toward the ballroom.

"I am...no one of much importance, here," he replied, cagey but obviously so. Baiting almost, as though refusing to give his name was a game he was coaxing her into playing. "I'm not exactly a local, you see. I doubt you'd recognize my name, Lady Marcell. Ah, here we are."

They'd reached the ballroom, and the music still played. He offered his hand with another smile. "You asked for a dance, my lady?"

For all the life of her, the way her world stopped and heart fluttered in her throat at the light, little kiss...

And she immediately felt her blushing cheeks clean to her ears.
And she closed her lips the moment she realized she was gaping.

And she wanted to speak, surely she did- but then they were at the dance floor and all she could find her brain rummaging together to say was,

"Why, yes. I'd love to dance."

Mikhail’s eyes glinted at her as he swept her forward onto the floor, her hand in his while his other settled lightly on her waist. “You do me great honor, my lady,” he teased gently. In another situation it might have been mocking, but the way he said it made it sound like she was in on the joke—like they were the only two people who were.

---

Back out in the gardens, Andreas had determined his sister was no longer in the maze. Surely she wouldn’t ignore him this determinedly? Maybe she’d gone back to the ballroom...?

That expression, oh.. whatever it was, made her heart do that strange fluttering thing up inside her throat again and she barely had a chance to calm it down once the pair were on the dance floor.
And soon she realized she was simply staring at him as they danced, nothing but him smiling at her and she...

Soon felt strangely self conscious and looked away for a brief moment.

"You dance lovely."

Small talk. Yes. Small talk was good.

Mikhail laughed, low and warm, and let his hand slide just a bit further than propriety dictated onto the small of her back. “Thank you,” he chuckled, then added sincerely, “You’re a lovely dancer yourself, Lady Gavriella.”

Which was good. At least he’d share a common interest with his future wife.

Gods. He’d been so determined to hate her, just because he was being strong armed into this by his family. But...she was too, wasn’t she? Maybe this...wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. She seemed like a perfectly lovely young woman.

He had just...never been much for the idea of settling down.

As evidenced by the fact that he just couldn’t seem to turn off the “charm mode”, even around a girl he’d told himself he was going to dislike on principle. “Are you here with your family tonight?” he asked as he guided her through a turn, then pulled her in closer for just a moment. His lips twitched and he added a little wickedly, “Or your husband, perhaps? Should I be worried?”

The hand moving just so on her back wasn't missed as she felt a zing go up her spine, tickling all over her skin to make herself shiver with goosebumps.
"Th-thank you," she said, barely catching the next set of questions about her family and...

She began to choke, having not expected that comment at all! And for the life of her she couldn't stop choking as she pulled back within his arms, flailing about and grasping at her throat.

Oh. Oh dear.

Flighty little thing, isn't she?

"Oh, goodness, my lady, let me—"

"Allow me."

Mikhail froze, gritted his teeth, and turned with Gavriella still in his arms to see a young woman with his eyes smirking at him as she held out a glass of water. "Reina. Dearest," he said through gritted teeth. "Excellent timing." Suspiciously so.

Reina just beamed at him and pressed the glass into Gavriella's hand before giving the other woman a pat on the back. "Easy, darling. My brother has this effect on most women, believe me. Just take a sip and breathe."

The Bartok siblings had managed to guide her toward the edge of the dance floor without drawing too much attention, and Reina's attention was already wandering again. She shot Mikhail a look—you've got this?—and he nodded once. She gave Gavriella another smile and urged quietly, "Sit, dear, catch your breath," before she turned and glided away back toward the veranda.

"I apologize, my lady," Mikhail said with a sigh as he guided Gavriella onto the nearest chair and half knelt in front of her. He offered a sheepish smile. "It was a joke in poor taste, I'll admit, but I didn't mean to startle you so."

Gavriella felt foolish, nodding her head between coughs as she gracefully accepted the drink and downed it all in attempts to rid herself of the god awful choking fit she had but moments ago.

Her face was still red, her eyes, still teary, as she was seated and brushing away those tears with the back of her hand. It took her a moment or two to fetch herself, and when she did, she found herself looking down at Mikhail who was practically kneeling before her.

She flushed and dropped her gaze, recalling just how they had gotten into this awkward predicament. Then she recalled- was it his sister? It must've been.. as her eyes looked away towards her fleeting form..

"Oh she.. that was your sister? I.. I didn't get a chance to thank her..."

“She is.” Mikhail pulled a face. “Reina. And I wouldn’t worry overmuch about that—I’m sure you’ll have another chance.” Probably sooner than later. They would be in-laws, after all.

Now that Gavriella seemed to have calmed a bit, Mikhail let some of the tension drop from his shoulders. He gave her that sheepish, boyish smile again. “I truly do apologize for startling you my lady,” he murmured. And without really thinking it through—or considering the fact that they were still in a large ballroom, despite the fact that no one was paying them too much attention—he reached up to drag his thumb lightly across her cheek, under her eye, to catch an errant tear.

“And here I’d been hoping to distract you from your weeping,” he murmured, almost more to himself.

Across the room, Andreas had made it back inside. He searched the dance floor from his place by the door, growing steadily more agitated with each passing moment. Where on earth—ah! That was her dress, wasn’t it? He started to make his way across the floor, dodging dancing couples with the ease of a practiced fencer.

“Gavi—“ he started, relieved, then drew up short when he realized she wasn’t alone.

Ah. His sister. She wished she could have properly introduced herself, especially since she had been so kind as fl help her out.

"Yes, but I do feel foolish for not getting a proper introduction or atleast a proper thank you."

But then he moved to wipe a tear and she felt herself tense and her all over body blush return. 

"Truly, don't worry yourself." Mikhail smiled at her again and let his thumb skate along her cheekbone once more. How easy it was to earn that blush was oddly fascinating. "I'd be happy to pass along your thanks, if you like—"

A brisk clearing of someone's throat cut him off and he straightened up quickly, turning to see the young man from the garden standing and glaring at him. "Ah. I assume you're the Marcell heir?" Mikhail "guessed" with a crooked grin. He glanced back and forth between Gavriella and the young man. "The two of you are far too similar to be unrelated."

Andreas tried for a smile but really just managed a grimace and gritted out. "Yes. Andreas Marcell. Pleased to meet you." His eyes flicked to his sister and immediately softened. "Gavi, you alright? What happened?"

He shot Mikhail a suspicious look as he asked the question, but the other nobleman just continued smiling at him blithely.

Gavriella's color drained the moment her brother showed up. She moved uncomfortably, sparing a small smile to her brother.
"Yes, yes, I'm just fine," she insisted, voice still a bit croaky after her coughing fit. She attempted to clear her throat and gave her brother a look.
" I had just been enjoying a very lovely dance "

And avoiding her brother, but she wouldn't outwardly admit that.

"I see." Andreas looked between the two of them, his frown deepening. "Well. Seeing as the dance seems to be over—" A pointed look at Mikhail, which he returned with an utterly innocent grin— "Perhaps we'd best be finding Mother and Father, Gavriella?"

Mikhail decided that was his cue. "I'm sure the two of you don't want me lingering." He nodded to Andreas, then gave a half bow to Gavriella, reaching out to take her hand and brush another light kiss to the backs of her fingers. "It was lovely to meet you, young Lady Marcell," he murmured, eyes glinting at her. "I...hope to see more of you in the future."

"Yes. Well." Andreas inserted himself between the two as Mikhail straightened up. "A pleasure and all that. Thank you for...looking after my sister."

Mikhail nodded, gave him a polite smile, gave Gavriella a slightly warmer one, and breezed away to find his sister in the crowd.

Andreas exhaled sharply and spun to face his sister, eyes flicking over her with concern. "You're sure you're alright? Who was that?"

She wasn't sure she liked how her heart skipped a beat every time the man kissed the top of her hand, but she also wasn't sure she hated it, either.
Nodding politely to Mikhail's disappearing form, she was finally tugged back into reality when she turned to look at her brother.

She rubbed uneasily at her arm now to look away from him at the thought of meeting up with their parents. Her eyes fell upon a couple not too far away- a known couple where a young lady, barely older than herself, had been married off to a man well older than her own father!

What if that's what her parents had in store for her?

She almost didn't hear Andreas words of inquiry, as to who her dancing partner had been.

And then she found herself realizing....

"I don't believe I caught his name."

"Hmmm..."

If she hadn't caught it, that was because he hadn't given it. Which was suspicious. Surely his sister wouldn't have been scatterbrained enough to miss such information. Although...she did seem a little vague where this strange young man was concerned. That could be...concerning.

"God." Andreas dragged a hand down his face, looked around, then exhaled sharply. "Look." He glanced back to Gavi and curled his lips in a tired half smile. "Do you want to get out of here? We could go back to the townhouse—before Mother and Father leave. Have a few hours to ourselves for once?"

Sure, it might be seen as a little rude, but they could always claim Gavi had been feeling unwell and he'd had to escort her home or something.

Gavriella's expression brightened.

"Really?" She was trying not to sound TOO enthusiastic. But she was. "You wouldn't mind missing some of the ball...?"

And their parents...
Well, for a small amount of time it couldn't hurt to step away.

But why did her eyes suddenly seek out to where her unnamed dance partner had gone?

"Quite the opposite," Andreas said with a relieved smile of his own. He extended a hand to help her up. "Come on, let's go find the carriage."

He didn't miss the way her eyes flickered over the ballroom. Keeping his tone nonchalant, he asked, "Looking for someone in particular, sister mine?"

Gavriella flushed and returned her gaze to her brother.
"Oh, I uhh... no one in particular, that is to say."
She frowned.
She didn't have a name for him anyway.
"Let's just be on our way before fate pulls us back to the party prematurely?" She gave a shrug and small smile to her brother before moving to loop her arm with his.

"Mmm." He debated silently for a moment, but didn't press her. When she linked her arm with his he gave her a smile and leaned over to kiss the top of her head quickly, pulling her in tighter to his side as he guided them back toward the front entrance where dozens of families' coaches were waiting.

"What do you think the chances are the housekeeper left the kitchen unlocked?" he mused as he led her down the stairs. The levity in his voice was perhaps a little forced, but he hoped she wouldn't notice. They could go back to their duties as the children of a duke tomorrow.

Maybe tonight they could just relax.

Gavriella was all smiles at him, shaking her head at his question and giving a playful roll of her eyes.
"Locked or not, that never stopped you before from sneaking your way into a kitchen for a freshly baked pie."

"I have no idea to what you could possibly be referring," Andreas replied with theatrical innocence. Dropping the act, he flicked a lock of hair that hung by her ear and added playfully, "Besides, I seem to recall someone taking advantage of any doors I left open to sneak some pie for herself."

She shook her head, the sensation of the flicked lock tickled- much like an insect wing buzzing against her skin.

"Well it would have only been fair.." she admitted in nonchalance. "But you could hardly say I was guilty by association. I do recall you bringing some pie to me." And on more than one occasion!

It was then she realized, again, the severity of her intended marriage and couldn't help but frown as she stared at her brother. If she was to be betrothed and married off soon....

It would mean no more antics with her brother. No more time spent with her family. No more laughing in the back lawn.

“Well of course,” he laughed, taking her hand to help her step up into the carriage. “You never would have left me in peace if I hadn’t.”

Some of the playfulness faded from his eyes as he took in her expression. Settling into the seat across from her, he leaned forward a bit. “Gavi? You alright?”

Maybe it was a stupid question, but it was an impulse to ask all the same. He felt like he was overcompensating--trying to get in a last few hours of being her big brother--but he couldn't seem to stop himself.

---

Story continues here (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=26759.0)

OOC: And in enters Kentamin and his lady friend :D From this (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=23655.msg387037#msg387037) thread.

-------------
The wide, winding, stone staircase down to the gardens was exquisite, with ornate carvings vining throughout. And it was solid, not creaky nor flimsy like some of the make shift ones in the barracks Kentamin had grown accustomed to. How he had missed this life.

As he guided the pair out into the gardens, he paused before a three tiered fountain to check on his guest.

"The gardens here are exceptional. Even at night, the flowers bloom."

Lily was looking around with unabashed wonder, her eyes the same silver-bright of the gentle starlight above them rather than the meek, slate gray they had been when they’d first spoken earlier that evening.

“They’re lovely,” she enthused quietly. Her grip on Kentamin’s arm tightened a bit without her noticing. “I’ve always loved the grounds at our country estate, but this…this is something else entirely.” She seemed to catch herself and laughed lightly, shaking her head. “I mean, of course it is, it’s the palace, I just…”

She trailed off with a light flush and shook her head again, then glanced up at him, expression bright and bashful. “Thank you. For walking with me. I…did not realize how much I needed the reprieve, and these gardens are truly gorgeous.”

Kentamin's smile was genuinely warm. It even felt strange to him. Normally he was all frowns and his smiles... felt fake... forced.

"Sometimes it's good to get away, just to listen to everything else but us." He commented idly, eyes roaming the gardens as a few fireflies caught his attention that flew up and twinkled against the stars.

"It is nice, isn't it?"  Her own gaze was drawn to the fireflies, then drifted slowly to her companion's face. She dropped her eyes again quickly, though she was smiling a bit as she clasped her hands in front of her skirts.

"I'll admit, I—i so rarely have a chance to enjoy the fresh air like this. I was hardly expecting to do so at such an event, however," she laughed lightly with a little shrug.

Kentamin took a moment to digest her words. Poor girl was too sheltered.

"Then come, let us wall through the gardens where it is most appropriate. There is still much to see." He gestured down the open, wide path of cobblestone that was lit brightly by ornate torches and the moon.

Lily smiled at him again and took his arm, still looking around eagerly with each curve in the garden path that brought them to new clusters of plants.

"Are you familiar with these gardens?" she asked when she realized that they had been wandering the paths and she had absolutely no idea where it was they led to. She found she wasn't all that concerned about it either way—in fact, the idea of some sort of discovery, even as small as it may be, was rather exciting to her.

"Very little, I'm afraid. I've only had the pleasure to walk about but once or twice before." And it felt ages ago. Where has all the time gone? Most of it was sucked into the war.

"Do you have your own garden? A favorite plant?"

"Oh, well." She flushed and reached up as though to tug on a dark curl, then seemed to realize what she was doing and quickly dropped her hand again. "I don't have my own garden, no, though I rather liked the idea of one as a child." Before every step she took outdoors was watched with the eyes of a hawk.

Blush deepening a few shades, she ducked her eyes and admitted with a small, self-conscious little laugh, "I have to admit—and believe me, I know how vain this sounds—but I do rather like river lilies." She smiled at the ground a bit. "They're always hardier than people expect. And I've seen some blossom in the most striking shades of red and pink. Delicate, but still so full of life..."

Trailing off, she cleared her throat and shook her head with another little laugh. "Forgive me, silly sentimentality. Is gardening a preferred hobby of yours at all?"

"Not in the slightest. But I had a hunch it was something you'd fancy."

For some reason that made her blush return. She twirled a finger absently in one of her curls, smiling softly at the ground.

"Do you...have any hobbies then?" she asked after a moment, glancing up at him. "I imagine you have hardly had much free time lately, but... Well, if balls are not exactly your preferred pastime, what is?"

Kentamin went quiet. No one had ever really asked him that. Did he even know the answer himself? He rubbed at the back of his neck in thought.
"I suppose... this," he went on with a shrug. "Just a quiet walk... having time to just simply..." he shrugged again as he thought over the word. "I also used to enjoy reading. I read a lot of novels growing up instead of sleeping. " He smiled fondly at the memory,  almost sadly.

Lily looked up at him again, suddenly with a new brightness in the star-silver of her eyes. She hesitated though when she caught the edge of sadness to his smile, but still proceeded cautiously, “Me too.”

She looked down again, smiling just a bit. “Books were really the only adventure I’ve ever been allowed. “ She carefully adjusted her hand on his arm as she stepped around a small dip in the path, inadvertently drawing herself closer to his side. “Do you have a favorite?”

"When I was young.. I truly enjoyed the Elk Hunter series. A part of me even wanted to travel to Hyoite and become an elk Hunter myself. " He smiled at the memory. "The mind of a youth is innocently foolish."

“Not foolish,” Lily protested gently. Then she gave a wry smile. “Or at least, if it’s a comfort, there will always be someone more foolish. I rather wanted to be a warrior princess when I was a child.”

She laughed lightly at herself as the garden path wound around a fountain to reveal an ivy covered bench.

Kentamin smiled,  genuinely so at her admittance.
"Like the warrior princess from Essyrian tales?" He had to ask.  "They were some of my favorites as a child." His eyes danced a little as he observed her and imagined this frail girl in such a position. It made him chuckle softly.

A hint of color rose to Lily's cheeks again, but she giggled and nodded in response. "Yes, something like that I suppose."

She glanced up at him and found her smile widening, color in her cheeks deepening slightly, as she caught the sincerity in his expression.

She moved toward the bench and shifted her skirts so she could perch on the edge of it, then nodded to the place beside her. "Look at the fountain in the starlight," she murmured almost wistfully. "It makes the water liquid silver, doesn't it?"

Kentamin paused at her side but hadn't moved to take a seat. His eyes were thoughtfully upon the fountain.

"An interesting observation. Is that to change the subject, warrior princess?" he teased, finally taking a seat beside her as he smiled,  eyes still on the fountain.

Lily laughed again, startled, and gave him a crooked smile. "Could you blame me if it was?" she chuckled as she leaned back, bracing one hand on the back of the stone bench and tilting her head back so the hair that wasn't piled in braids around her crown spilled down her back. "It is hardly the most dignified of fantasies to admit to, is it?"

Kentamin smiled at the stars.
'There are worse," he said, and grew quiet.

She looked at him, tilting her head slightly to the side, and was quiet for a long moment.

Then she looked back up with a small sigh, letting her eyes slide closed for a moment. "Yes. I suppose there are."

She let the quiet reign a little longer, then glanced toward him again. "...Thank you. For stepping out with me. I'm sure there's plenty more people back in the ballroom who would be happy to claim your attention. I...appreciate your company."

Kentamin smiled at her words.
"I wish that were so. I have been away for so long, I feel a lot more awkward at these sort of events than I used to." He chuckled a little. "I wish I could say I am feeling too old for my age but..."
At times, he kind of did. Even still... growing up in this war.. being so entangled in this war...

It was dizzying, maddening...
and to be at such a simple ball...
Grounding in it's own right.

He sighed while seated and looked up at the stars and murmured, "They're lucky the Starball came on such a calm and unclouded night."

Lily listened to him speak--actually listened, because as often as she'd be taught good manners growing up, she'd noticed that only rarely did the gentry actually care to hear one another when they spoke--and then tipped her head back when he did to look at the stars once again.

"Truly," she agreed quietly. Glancing at him sidelong, she risked leaning a little closer and pointed up at a bright star several handspans from the moon. "See that one? I was obsessed with the constellations as a child, but terrible at actually finding them. So I made some up--that one is the start of a waterfall, see?"

She traced the slightly dimmer "falling" of stars that streaked away from the first, smiling to herself a bit.

Kentamin's eyes followed hers as best he could.
"I think I see it," he murmured softly, eyes tracing, following her fingers towards the shape and edge of the 'waterfall'- not realizing how close he had to lean in order to do it. Or maybe being so far away witht he war he forgot what propriety dictated. And strangely, he felt comfortable beside this girl.

Lily stilled for a moment as he leaned a little closer, only realizing then just how far out of the bounds of propriety she had leaned, but then she flashed him a quick smile and traced another constellation across the sky.

"That one's a stag. Not very creative, I know, but in my defense I was seven, and those seven stars just there really do look like antlers, don't they?" she said with a small laugh, allowing herself to take a slightly illicit moment to just...enjoy being close to someone, comfortable, without her family hovering and worrying to constantly make her second-guess her every word and action.

"I can't say I ever claimed the stars, " he went on studying them with interest. "And I'd be lying if I said planned on studying them tonight," he looked at her with a grin. "Even with this being the Starball."

She grinned back, eyes glinting like miniature stars themselves. “I’d hardly call this studying, me showing you the pictures I drew in the sky as a child,” she laughed lightly, and let her shoulder tap against his once gently, edging toward playful.

When she did that,  he jumped,  but not because of that.  He was on his feet now and a servant was approaching, a tray full of drinks.
"A drink for the lord and his lady?"

Kentamin gave a nervous smile, nodded and accepted, taking two and...
Was surprised when the waiter turned to Lily.
"An extra drink for her?" He teased professionally and extended the tray.

"Oh!" Lily was quick to get to her feet as well, taking a sharp step to the side to reestablish a "proper distance" between herself and Kentamin when the server approached. She smiled and inclined her head in thanks—then found herself with one hand extended to take a drink before she realized Kentamin had taken two.

"Ah, goodness." She laughed and drew her hand back, flushing slightly. "No, no extras for me, I think. Somehow I'm sure the rumor would start that I'm some sort of lush."

The servant winked and set one beside her with a wink.
"No one will judge. "

And with that he left.

Kentamin was flushed, and glad that this event was taking place at night. He turned to her with regards and laughed 

"A toast? " He said, offering her the second cup.

Lily laughed, a little flushed herself, and raised her own glass. “What are we toasting?” she asked with a chuckle, parting at her skirts to persuade them to lay flat as she edged a little closer to him now that no one was around to be judging her propriety.

Kentamin smiled.
"To two and a half cups of wine beneath the stars "

She laughed again. She couldn't remember the last time she'd laughed so much. "Two and a half?" She quirked an eyebrow as she tapped her glass against his and took a sip. "Hm. Scandalous." Her smile showed around the edges of the glass, and her eyes were bright as she looked up at him through her lashes.

Taking a drink,  Kentamin offered her his arm.
"Shall we walk through the garden maze as we drink?" He offered,  suddenly feeling the need to walk off the jump scare from the drink carrying servant.  Walks helped when he was anxious.

"I'd be delighted." She took the arm her offered, glancing at him sidelong.

She thought she might understand...not the why, but certainly the reaction. Having spent most of her life as an overly sheltered wallflower, she was prone to bouts of anxiety herself, often prompted by minor triggers.

She didn't want to pry though, so she glanced at the hedge maze they approached and mused, "Is this thing kept up all year, do you think?"

He was pulled from his own thoughts at her question and turned to regard her as he nodded.
"That's a more obvious confirmation than it should be. Someone that has the money to own such a garden and throw such lavish parties can spare the change to upkeep."

"A fair point," she chuckled. "And I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. My parents devote quite a bit of resources to upkeeping the grounds at our country estate—or at least they have been since we've been living there almost full time."

Her mouth twisted a little sourly around the words, the reminder that she was the reason her family kept themselves separate from most of high society. But she shook her head quickly, not wanting to linger on the thought.

Kentamin paused at the first cross roads and turned to ask Lily, "Left or right?"

Lily had been walking with the fingers of her right hand dragging lightly over the right hand wall, and answered quickly, "Right."

She looked up at him and smiled a little sheepishly. "I, ah, read once that if you follow the right wall through a maze, you'll always be able to find the exit."

Kentamin smiled and took a sip.
"Then should we go left and get lost intentionally?"

She blinked at him, a little startled. No one in her life would ever have suggested such a thing, especially not to her.

A grin stole across her face, and she dropped her hand from the wall to instead wrap both hands around his arm.

"I do believe we should."

Kentamin's smile grew and he nodded and raised his glass to hers.
"A toast to getting lost?"

"I suppose we must," Lily chuckled, tapping her glass against his again and taking a small sip and they turned down the left hand path. She was quiet for a few moments, glancing up at her companion sidelong every so often.

Finally, she asked carefully, "Ser Kentamin, why...why are you out here with me? I know you said the party isn't exactly to your taste but...surely you could have toured the gardens yourself, if you'd only wanted some quiet and fresh air." Her lips twisted into a wry smile and she added with a small chuckle, "You didn't have to take pity on me."

He didn't consider she'd ask him that. Infact, he himself, wasn't entirely sure he knew the answer. It had been so long since he'd been at a ball yet....
Somehow he craved something that wasn't just the dance.

His expression faltered briefly before he smiled.
"Is it that hard to believe a man simply craves company? Dances are fine and well... but it's been a while since I coukd..could... speak to anyone.. outside of war and propriety. " he dipped his head low and away.
"I.. I'm sorry if I've kept you from the dance. We could return."

“Oh, no! No, that isn’t what I meant at all, I’m sorry if I implied—“ Lily cut herself off, clearing her throat and flushing once again. “I’m quite enjoying our walk. Truly. I just…” She bit her lip and glanced down, then chuckled almost sheepishly and shook her head at herself. “I am unused to such attention, that is all. I suppose I was just… confused.”

She cut her eyes up at him and offered a small smile. “If you’d like to continue talking, I’m more than happy to listen.”

Kentamin turned his gaze to her, genuinely curious and returned her smile with a small one of his own. Then he looked away, sighing. When had he gotten... or just felt so... old? He wasn't old by any means but with the events of the war...

No, many had faired worse than he. But even still...
He couldn't stop thinking about that time in the snow with that one mage....

Damn it all! Why were those thoughts coming up now? He hoped his expression didn't portray the thoughts he was shaking off now as he turned to her.

"I could use a drink."

"Oh, um, of course..." Lily gave him a smile and a nod back toward the light and music spilling out into the garden from the windows and doors of the palace. "Shall we brave the ballroom again then?" she offered in a rather faint attempt at humor. God she was so not used to these sorts of interactions.

Kentamin gave a small smile. He hated this feeling. He used to feel so youthful, so ignorant...
But war, as it was foretold, never made a man sunnier.
"I suppose we should. Shall we?" he offered out his arm, when he tensed suddenly, and jerked in the direction of the noise, then whispered.
"I think someone's coming.."
And then he realized the pair were unchaperoned- both youths, man and woman...
And the scandle it could cause for them both.

Lily's eyes widened even as she reached to take his arm and her head snapped toward the sound of footsteps.

"Oh dear," she whispered, frozen. She'd never been in a situation like this before—she had absolutely no idea what to do. Hiding would only make them seem guilty if they were found anayway—and there was no reason, it wasn't as if they were doing anything wrong—but society rarely cared about what had actually happened. A good scandal was all that mattered.

Kentamin turned from the noise and jerked her along, whispering, "Stay silent and close." He pulled her with him as he slipped behind a wall, staying out of sight but listening intently.

"Oh—" Lily had to clap a hand over her mouth to stifle the instinctive squeak, and she nearly stumbled as she followed along where Kentamin led. There wasn't much space behind the hedge wall he'd chosen, and she found herself pressed close against his side as they both waited, listening. Her heart thundered in her ears, and her own breath seemed absurdly loud, no matter what she did to try and quiet it.

Somewhere in the depths of herself, something stirred. She was tense, not yet frightened but creeping ever closer, and something dormant was waking up.

He could hear the footsteps in the soft grass on the opposing side of the wall. He held his breath, heart hammering inside his ears as he strained to listen. Then the footsteps just.. stopped.  It was hard to tell if they were one or two pairs of boots that had been walking, but a sudden giggle made Kentamin jump a little and pull Lily closer.

Then he heard heavy breathing and another laugh.

"Quick, behind the garden wall before someone sees us." Whispered a woman's voice from the other side. Kentamin paled.

Shit.

Assuming the couple on the other side would come the same way as Lily and he, he pulled the girl closer and Whispered,"Move fast and stay close." Before he all but leapt into a series of thick bushes nearby.

Well, what else she could do? Swallowing down a squeak, Lily allowed him to drag her after him into the bushes, focusing all her attention on not tripping over her own skirts as she attempted to squirm her way into the tiny space afforded beside him in the foliage.

Her heart was racing. She was getting dizzy. She was afraid, and excited, and—

Oh not now, please please not now...

The last thing she needed was one of her fainting spells.

As the pair pressed in awkwardly close, the other couple behind the wall were getting a lot more heated in their minstrations.. so much so that Kentamin's ears were so red he was certain they'd fall off. He looked sympathetically towards Lily, who looked extra pale. He frowned and nudged her gently before whispering., "Hey.. you alright?"

"I...I'm...fine," Lily panted, struggling to control her breathing. Why was her heartbeat so loud? Her stomach lurched, the sickeningly familiar swooping sensation that usually prefaced a swoon.

"I'm...sorry," she whispered, her lashes fluttering against her cheeks. "I--I can't..."

Her eyes rolled back and a pulse of magic thundered beneath her skin, lighting up her veins with a brief, faint glow. With no danger to protect her from, her magic quickly subsided, so subtle it could have been considered a trick of the starlight as she fainted dead away against Kentamin's shoulder.

Kentamin gasped, catching the feinting woman as he drew her in closer. Thankfully the other couple nearby hadn't heard the pair moving about in the bushes as Kentamin dropped to his knees and craddled Lily's form. He grit his teeth, panicking over what to do. Did he try to wake her? And if so, would she just swoon again?

Damn it.
He couldn't just let her lay there...
Gently, he began to shake her, not thinking twice he may have 'seen' something when she fell- her body had seemed oddily.. glittering? He wasn't sure what to call it, clearly a trick of his mind in his own frantic state... so there wasn't much to reflect on.

He shook her again, whispering..
"Lily.. please... wake up."

Without a surge of magic to keep her unconscious, Lily was surprisingly easy to rouse. It took almost a minute, but eventually her lashes fluttered against her cheeks and she gave a soft, sleepy sound of protest, turning her face away from Kentamin.

"M'fine, Jorris, you don't have to..."

Her eyes actually opened and she blinked, completely taken aback. She was so used to coming out of one of her spells with her older brother hovering over her that to see someone else struck her momentarily speechless.

"Ah...I... My apologies, ser, I—thank you," she stammered out eventually.

Kentamin put his finger to his lip.
"We're.. still hiding in the bushes, " he Whispered, giving her a sheepish smile. "How are you feeling? You fainted.."

"Oh goodness, I—I'm so sorry," Lily babbled in a hushed whisper, face heating with embarrassment. "I never... Oh dear." She sighed and raised a hand to her temple, trying both to reorient herself with the situation and do her best not to seem like the fainting waif he must now think her. "I...feel fine, thank you. This just....happens. Sometimes."

Kentamin frowned.
"I can't say I wasn't warned." He tried to smile but he was too worried about her for it to take shape.
"Are you alright?" he continued to whisper. "Once.. the others are gone. Let me walk you back to the party. Were you with someone this evening? Shall I call for them once we are inside?"

"Oh, that..."

Lily visibly deflated, though she tried to hide it. "That is...kind of you. Thank you. But I'll be alright." She hesitated, then admitted with a soft sigh, "I came with my parents and siblings. This...it's the first ball my younger brother and sister have really been able to attend. Because of me. I can't—I don't want to worry my mother, she'll just force us all to go home..."

"Then shall I escort you to a room here to rest?" He suggested. "That is, if your family seems still held captive by the event."

Lily's cheeks went pink. Technically there was nothing improper about the suggestion—at least no more improper than touring the gardens unchaperoned had been—but for some reason the idea of him showing her a room made her think of every decorum lesson she'd ever had.

Not that the out of doors couldn't be used for such things of course, as their rather noisy neighbors had proven, and seeing as he'd been nothing but a gentleman all night, she saw no reason why he shouldn't.

Besides, she just...didn't want to worry her family.

Clearing her throat quietly, she nodded and murmured, "That would be very kind, thank you. I truly am sorry for the inconvenience..."

Kentamin nodded. There was no doubt rooms with feinting couches strewn about somewhere. Now if only they could get to them...
It seemed the lovers out in the garden were getting... very, very carried away. Kentamin was glad it was dark, sans the moonlight, anyhow, because his cheeks were positively pink. And he was pretty sure the cold night air wasn't going to cool off this heat.

"Er.. perhaps we should.. try to make our leave.. discretely," Kentamin suggested, voice low. However, leaving would be problematic. But.. perhaps the lovers nearby might not notice or pay any mind. After all... they were being far more scandalous than the lady and templar.

Her cheeks went a little pinker as she tried valiantly and vainly to block out the sounds of the amorous couple. "Yes, ah...perhaps we should."

She glanced at her companion, then the currently clear path. If they were quick and quiet...

She looked back to Kentamin. "Erm—lead the way?"

And he did.  Kentamin had taken her hand into his larger, warmer one and took off, outside of the bushes and backs as best he could to the amorous couple they left behind. And once they were in the clear, nearly back to the palace he couldn't help it and began to laugh.

"Oh!" Lily stumbled along behind him for the first few steps, but then she managed to grab her skirts up in her free hand and began to run after him—and then he was laughing, and she was laughing too, breathless and flushed, eyes sparkling up at him with the surge of energy and the thrill of doing something she knew she wasn't supposed to.

"Well, that—that was—" She broke off into giggles, panting lightly. "Oh God, I can't believe—they were so loud!" She clapped a hand over her mouth in an effort to stifle the laughter, shoulders shaking gently.

As they neared the staircase,  Kentamin slowed his pace and allowed himself a moment to fuss over his clothes,  brushing off some hedge leaves and not realizing a few ones stuck out of his yellow hair.

"Well, we're nearly safe now, " he murmured, offering a smile her way. He noted a few hedge leaves in her hair and asked. "Err. May I?" And gestured towards her head,  leaning in closely. "You have a few leaves stuck in your hair."

"Oh, of course."

Lily held very still and allowed him to brush the leaves from her hair. But her mouth was still curved on one side in a silent laugh and she found herself half-whispering, "Might I be permitted to return the favor, serrah?"

Kentamin's cheeks pinked lightly in turn as he gently lowered his head, a smirk drawing up leftward om his lips as he waited for her to retrieve it.

"Do you think we're presentable now?" He asked, a new warmth about him.

Her own cheeks coloring, Lily reached up to pluck the few leaves from his hair and let them flutter to the ground.

"Better," she murmured in reply, eyes reflecting the starlight again as she smiled at him. Her hand dropped back down to her side, fingers curled in tight toward her palm. She found herself wishing foolishly that she could touch his hair again. It was...surprisingly soft.

His cheeks still held the gentle heat as he smiled.
"Shall we return?" He asked, offering out his arm for her.

She took his arm delicately, a hint of color still warming her cheeks. "I suppose we should," she murmured, not realizing until after she'd said it quite how reluctant she'd sounded.

In an effort to cover the slip, she hurriedly added with her best attempt at a bright smile, "Thank you for getting some air with me, truly. I appreciate the company."

He nodded and guided her back towards the party. He felt some reluctance with his steps but tried not to let it show.
"No need to thank me. I appreciated being the company."

She smiled a little shyly, some of her earlier hesitation reinstating itself the closer they came to the music and light of the wider party.

"I'm glad," she murmured. "I am...very glad met you tonight, Ser Kentamin."

He studied the woman on his arm for a long moment as he smiled.
"As am I. Even if this was just a brief moment from my life.. I'm glad to have met you, Lily." He wasn't sure when he'd ever, or IF he'd ever be at such an event again but.. it was refreshing and nice and a break from the chaos of the war.

He halted to where it seemed appropriate a place to leave her and bent down his head in a polite bow.
"I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening, my lady."

Lily took a polite step back and dipped into a shallow curtesy, bobbing her head to him as well. "And i you, Kentamin. Enjoy your evening."

She lifted her head to give him a smile, then turned and made her way back to the ballroom where her family was waiting.