The Northwatch Nightwatch [Goblin]

[Juno]

Relieved that she hadn't offended him like she'd thought Kai relaxed back into their easy conversation. It wasn't surprising to hear that he liked to build, but she hadn't missed the innuendo that had her cheeks turning a bit more flush. She doubted it was made on purpose, though, because he didn't seem to notice. "I doubt slower is the right word," she corrected him, frowning slightly as she drew a bit closer to him. "Everyone likes different things and building is perfectly fine and a wonderful talent to have," she praised, hoping he might understand that it didn't make her see him as any lesser for it. "Can I ask what sorts of things you build?" she wondered. "Or is that a secret?"

[GoblinFae]

"Oh just about anything," Oliver declared quite proudly, forgetting that he was supposed to be the shyer, more humble Donovan instead of his usually proud self. Oliver loved what his brother did and wished his twin would be more outgoing about it rather than so reserved. "I prefer to work with wood but I build anything from small figurines and things for children or homes to furniture. There's this rocking chair my brother is helping me make for our mom but shh, can't tell her that," he told her in a mock-whisper with a wink. "She's always wanted one," he added quietly with a softness in his voice of fondness.

[Juno]

"Well that's just adorable," she admired. She wondered what the woman, their mother, was like. To ask such a thing would be to admit an interest in the family, though, a thought that left her a little flustered and shy. She was young and they were young. Kai should have just been content to get to know them in the moment to enjoy the whims of courtship. Youth held so much uncertainty, or at least her sister had been trying to teach her so.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't dare say a word," she added after a pause, her tone decidedly distracted as she tried to recover. "If you've ever a spare moment I think I'd like to trouble you for a...personal little carving. Oh I would pay for your time and resources of course, though," she added quickly, hoping he would not take offense to someone of her station asking for such a thing, especially when she did not mean for it to be free.

[GoblinFae]

He smiled in return at her words. It might not have been him that was actually making the gift for their mother, Oliver was more the hands-off one in such projects, but her words warmed him nonetheless. He would have to be sure to pass them onto Donovan, the true artist. Her desire for a personal item though certainly peaked his interest. Had he been portraying himself he would have been teasing her left and right. Unfortunately he did not have such privileges at the moment and needed to remain boringly humble and shy.

"A personal carving? Is there um something in particular you'd be wanting milady? Someone you wish to give it to perhaps? A gentleman friend perhaps?" he dared to be so bold to ask a question he knew Donovan would never have the balls to ask in the same situation.

[Juno]

Truthfully the young woman could hardly remember the specific mannerisms of each twin from their initial encounters besides that Donovan had been the superior dance partner and a good bit more shy than his brother, but she gasped and blushed fiercely for the forwardness of the question anyway. "Forgive me, I- I didn't mean it as a gift for anyone else," Kai tried to explain hurriedly, embarrassed that he might have assumed so.

"I'm sorry, I'd assumed your brother might have explained, but... Forgive me, I really should have made it clear to each of you. This is my wrongdoing," she apologized sincerely, feeling awful that she'd depended upon who she assumed was his brother to relay information that was entirely hers to give. It was not fair to assume they might have talked of her in such detail simply because they lived and worked together.

"Truly I do not have any...'gentlemen friends,' as you say," Kai corrected him sheepishly. "But I would accept anything you wish to make, anything at all. Interest and passion would create the best art anyway, wouldn't they?

"Besides... I trust your judgment after what I saw of your work earlier," she praised shyly, the color of her cheeks remaining in a way she had not yet noticed. "So you can surprise me, if you would prefer."

[GoblinFae]

"Forgive me, forgive me," Oliver hurried to beg, stumbling over his words and blushing just for extra measure. "I didn't mean to imply anything. I just uh, was uh, asking," he trailed off to muttering in the end, unable to look her in the eyes even as he internally cheered over such news. "It just helps to know whom a carving is for as each is special and unique. Would you be wanting something on the small side or bigger? I would hate to disappoint you with a surprise that was not befitting such a lovely lady."

[Juno]

Relieved but feeling a little foolish for blurting out so much to him Kai could only nod in understanding as the heat cooled. Focusing on his other questions she chewed her lip a bit in thought, reflecting back on what she remembered from the shop.

"Small. Small, I think," she finally answered. It was as much to hide from Eyla as it was to be able to keep such a thing close. "I did like your bird. If you aren't sure maybe something like that? A hummingbird with a flower for something a little different?" She smiled encouragingly, hoping he would not feel obligated to do anything too elaborate.

[GoblinFae]

Oliver nodded his head, feeling quite pleased with himself as he retained the knowledge to share later with his twin who would do the actual carving. "That sounds lovely. You like hummingbirds then do you milady? Have you seen very many of them then? I've heard tell they're very fond of pretty things, pretty people," he added the second one more softly, his head lowered and cheeks aflame. Oliver would have liked to say more but knew Donovan would kill him later for the transgressions of his character that he had already made. "I will certainly do my best to give you the perfect carving. The wood is in good hands!" Donovan was definitely going to kill him later for the outing.

[Juno]

"Oh, only a handful of times. It's a bit cold for them here," she pointed out, frowning a little as she tried to remember the last time she'd seen one in the summertime. It had been so small and delicate-looking but endlessly beautiful with its shimmering feathers of bright green.

Kai smiled knowingly for the way he blushed, her own cheeks still feeling so warm for his roundabout compliment. "Thank you, truly. It's not very often I can say I know the artist personally. And I'm very happy to know this one." Feeling a bit bold the noblewoman leaned closer to press the briefest kiss to his cheek before turning away entirely.

She wasn't sorry, but her heart gave the most confusing thumping she'd ever felt in her life. Even with how pleased she was she'd had the courage she also felt the most terrible guilt as a few flashing memories came to mind of the kiss she'd shared with his more energetic brother. "Forgive me," she finally sighed, peeking at him out of the corner of her eye. "That was a little forward of me, Mister Cabello."

[GoblinFae]

Oliver was moments away from responded to her when he was suddenly silenced by the barest and sweetest of pecks to his cheek. He was completely stunned and flabbergasted. The wannabe soldier had always been the first one to make a move on a lady in his life. Never had he been so upstaged and it actually made him blush just as it would his twin. There was no need to act now, he truly was feeling a bit bashful.

"There is nothing to forgive, sweet lady. Your humble servant is honored with such a favor," he breathed, bowing slightly before her. "But please just Oliver and Donovan. We're already too alike without having the same name," Oliver continued, giving her a wink and playful chuckle. "May I be the forward one now and escort you home?"

[Juno]

Kai made a bit of a face. She definitely didn't want him to think of himself as a servant. He already was so much more than that even if he did technically work for the House.

"You may, Donovan," she corrected herself with a pleased smile, so sure she had him pinned correctly by what few mannerisms she'd remembered between them both. "I do apologize again for just...springing this on you. Perhaps we could schedule something properly when you're next free?" With a shy smile she also added, "Please extend the same offer to your brother. I really would love to see you both again soon."

[GoblinFae]

With a short bow, Oliver offered her his arm before moving in close to begin leading her slowly back home. "On the contrary, we were quite pleased with your sweet and lovely appearance in our humble little store. You are more than welcome to visit any time you like. I'm sure our parents would be happy with your patronage," he joked with a playful wink. "I speak for both of us when I say this. You never need worrying about scheduling things. We understand your time is more limited than ours and we will always make time for you."

[Juno]

Kai took up his arm happily, leaning in close as they walked along. She was careful to guide their journey so that she might spend as much time with him as possible, not really wanting to return home so suddenly.

"Oh nonsense. I'm not juggling two different jobs, I promise I'm more than capable of being accommodating." More than anything, though, she was worried she might not see them much between their busy lives if she did not assert herself somehow. "But...I'll come by as often as I'm able. It is just rare for me to get more than a few moments away here and there." That was a bit of a lie, but she really didn't want Eyla's suspicion if she suddenly started distancing herself out of the blue.

[GoblinFae]

"Ah but is not the sweet lady the humble servant of our great and wise High Lady? I believe out of all of us you have the more trying position with the least amount of flexibility. Nevertheless we are eternally grateful for whatever time you find yourself able to spare on our unworthy souls. You are truly a treat to spend time with, if that isn't too bold of me to say," Oliver mumbled looking off to the side self-consciously. "You are far too kind to my brother and me. I hope you understand that."

[Juno]

Kai frowned at that, hating that he referenced them as unworthy or lesser in any way. It was a habit she was going to have to break them of if she was going to be around them very much. "Not unworthy," she muttered, hanging her head slightly in defeat as she had no idea how to sway him other than saying it simply wasn't so.

"I'm no more kind to you than you are to me. It's been far too long since anyone has given me any sort of...special attention," she admitted, cheeks warming again as she knew it was probably a little too forward for someone of her position.

As the fortified house came into clearer view, though, she was careful not to approach the front gates with her guest and instead led him around to the servant's entrance at the side where she'd met his brother before. "If you ever have the need you can meet me here," she explained gently, pointing up towards a window a few floors up and a few rooms to the left. "And that's my room, so... If I'm there and you call for me I'm sure I'd hear it. Or mention to someone hanging around here that you're looking for me... That would be fine, too." She shook her head, certain she was rambling far too much for him and released him with a gentle pat to his arm.

"Thank you." She bowed her head to him. "I really enjoyed seeing you today."

[GoblinFae]

Oliver listened quietly all the while completely disagreeing with her. He found it hard to believe that someone as sweet and attractive as her was not getting any special attention. But then if what she said was true then he truly pitied her. For a moment the twin wondered if it was possible that working for the High Lady meant that her ladies were left overshadowed and therefore not as eagerly attended to. His roguish heart had a moment of glee knowing that he would soon be fixing that problem for at least one lady in the near future.

"Your room eh," he asked, looking up to where she pointed with a hand shielding his eyes from the sun. Already Oliver was imagining ways to serenade her in the night or sneak her out for moonlit trysts. "Looks like it'd have a nice view," he commented though hoping that he sounded enough like Donovan to not pass as out of character.

"I-we enjoyed seeing you today too. I hope to see you soon. And um no need to thank me. I'm the grateful one." Oliver flushed and dug the toe of his boot into the ground shyly, cringing at his own show of awkwardness as much as he did when he saw Donovan display the same.

[Juno]

"Very nice," she agreed, smiling warmly. She wrung her hands slowly, not quite ready to part ways even though they'd already more or less said their goodbyes.

"But I thank you all the same," she insisted gently. "And I'd love to see you more often. That is, of course, if your schedule allows for it. You are both very welcome here."

With a sigh Kai tilted her head to look towards the windows she knew to be part of her sister's suite. She felt a little guilty inviting them, but the prospect of having closer friends or even a suitor was far too much excitement for the young noblewoman to contain and worth the risk in her mind.

"I suppose this is goodbye for now." She offered a shy smile and leaned closer to press a quick kiss to his cheek. "Until next we meet. Safe journey, Donovan," she bid him.

[GoblinFae]

The man grinned like a loon at the chaste kiss before quickly dropping his head to hide his excitement from her. Donovan would have been more shocked and as such Oliver fought to create a slight bumbling stutter into his voice. "M-m-my thanks, milady! Until next time indeed. Have a lovely morning! I mean evening! I mean day. I'll just be um going then. Goodbye!" Oliver gave a nervous wave of his hand before bowing a bit awkwardly and dashing back towards home.

[Juno]

Kai giggled quietly, watching him fondly until he was no longer in sight and she was getting quiet grumblings for standing around the door but not going through it.

Mumbling her apologies to their staff she turned quickly and rushed upstairs. Her mind whirled with excuses she hoped she wouldn't need to use as she reached the main floor and hurried to the stairs that would take her up to the wing shared between herself and the High Lady. Ideally she would be "found" quiet and unassuming in her bedroom when her sister might need her assistance next.

As she rounded the final banister, though, her foot slipped on the last step and she found herself stumbling quite gracelessly. She recovered quickly but it was already too late, the noise alerting Eyla and the door to her study flinging open as Kai was rushing past.

The young woman froze, eyes widening with guilt for a moment as she turned to face her elder sister who was looking at her with concern. "Are you alright? Sounded like you tripped," she mumbled, looking Kai up and down and raising a brow pointedly at the sight of her scuffed slipper.

Kai nodded eagerly, struggling to look put-together and unsuspicious as she smoothed out her skirts. "Just a little, I'm alright. Wandering mind," she giggled, tapping her head and smiling like it should have been expected of her. "Sorry to disturb you."

Eyla shrugged, though Kai noticed how her posture slumped a little. Upon further inspection she realized how tired she looked, the normal sharpness in her eyes seeming a bit dulled. The High Lady was quick to mask it, though, a carefree smile on her face as she reached out to smooth back an out of place strand of her sister's hair. "You never disturb me, Kai. I was just worried you'd fallen on your way in. You've been gone nearly half the day."

Eyla frowned slightly at that, Kai wincing that it was a fact she couldn't hide and something she'd known probably for much of the time she'd been away. "Yeah, just some shopping in town," she offered innocently, knowing it wasn't a complete lie.

"I was going to rest for a little and then...maybe I could join you for dinner downstairs?" Kai offered.

Eyla rolled her eyes at the odd formality her sister was taking with her. It was clear there was something she was keeping from her but she thought too much of her sister to suspect there was anything less than innocent going on. "It would be my honor, Lady Riordan," she teased, pulling her sister in close for a moment and dropping a quick peck atop her head before releasing her, pushing her gently back towards the hall.

"Freshen up first, you smell like...wood shavings," Eyla chastised gently, wrinkling her nose a bit. Kai made an affirmative squeak as she hurried to hide away in her rooms for a bit, silently thanking the Gods that was all her sister could smell on her.

[GoblinFae]

There was a definite spring in Oliver's step as he whistled his way home. She was such a delightful woman to spend time with and it had his heart soaring in ways no other woman had ever done before. For a moment he wondered if his twin felt the same but quickly brushed the thought aside. Of course, Donovan did. They were twins in everything, love interest would be no different.

He returned to find his brother sweeping once more. "She likes your wood," Oliver purred with a waggle of his brows that made Donovan blush and roll his eyes. "Don't be crass," the other man muttered, giving his pile of dust a rather vicious swipe. "She's a lady and deserves better than your lewd suggestions, Oliver."

"Alright, alright, keep your trousers on," the lazier blonde said as he threw himself into a chair and reclined across the arms of it. "She wants you to make a wood carving. Says she likes hummingbirds. I'm sure you'll think of something though," he added with a wave of his hand.

Mention of carving gave Donovan pause though as ideas already began to bloom in his head. Unconsciously a smile began to light up his face as he thrust the broom into his brother's lap. "Do some work for once. There's a lady who needs a gift from us and I don't see you working on it." Oliver groaned but got up, an answering smile also forming on his own lips as he got to work and thought of the woman who had put it there.