Spirits of the Earth

Amelia was being dragged along to some tavern, to some business deal. As much as she protested to her father, he didn't listen to a bit of it. His goal was to get her in the public eye as much as possible to attract a suitor. The hem of her blue dress dragged at the ground as the entered a dinky tavern.

Upon arriving here, they had to pass a poorer area of the city, and it had interested Amelia, to see all the strife that was normally kept from her. Young woman or not, she was sheltered.  Her father attended to his business and she sat there bored to the point of tears. Amelia excused herself ever so politely,  and made for the door, hoping to find someone,  or something of interest.

Marick (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=17229.new#new) curses running through the street weaving his way through the people a heavy lute case knocking against his back. He was going to be late, he was always having trouble getting back in time for his show but he needed to be out scouting for work and looking or he would be stuck here. Cussing himself out under his breath he dodged and weaved through the crowd to the small warm looking inn hidden in a small loop off of the main strip. It wasn't a busy place but it was large enough and comfortable enough for him to be happy working there for the time being.

As per his usual arrival the owner, and barkeep laughed and opened the door for him to get ready, it was a normal thing for him to come in only moments before he was due to start playing looking a mess, and it had become almost a pattern that he would run in wolf down dinner faster than was healthy and then rush out onto the stage to begin playing. The regulars even used him almost like a game making bets on if he would be there on time early or late, on the rare occasion he was actually there with more than five minutes to spare the man who gambled on the odds often raked in quite a few coins compared to any other result.

Now clearing his throat and taking a drink of water Marick slipped along the back hall under the stairs and around to the side door that lead almost right to the stage, walking up briskly still panting a bit from his run he smiles and begins opening the case to his lute, it was the only thing he owned that he had earned, he had stolen nothing to buy it feeling it would be wrong to do so.  Slowly he began to pluck, the notes seemed to flow out like honey, he was good, better than most who frequented the town even in larger pubs, but the way he was he would have trouble moving any higher up or getting more for his work. Now the music was moving the pub silent as the notes slithered through the air like a charmed snake swaying and faltering gently in the room the only thing daring to pierce the song being the crackle of the fire across from the bar counter in the large stone hearth.

Amelia stopped in her tracks as the tune from a lute wrapped it's notes around her, almost like a caress. With soft steps, she moved closer to the stage, eyes glued to the performer. She sat at a small table, her red hair almost hiding her fair skinned face.  He was the best bard that Amelia had ever heard, and she was hypnotized by it.

Amelia had been searching for something interesting, and she had found it. She made a note to stop the man before he left the pub, she almost had to meet him. The sweel and fade of the notes made her mind wander to happier places, a soft smile playing across her lips. Her green eyes closed as she took in every note. How could it, a simple bard had the most talent than any other bard in the richer side of town.

With a slow soft pause he ended the song letting the note hang in the air like a heavy humidity making the air thick with tension, after a small sigh he started again, he never watched the bar as he played, he didn't know why it just didn't feel right to be looking at the people as if he would ruin their enjoyment, he strummed a few times letting small squeaking high notes fill the room, the song sped up slowly as he began to sing softly, about a small girl who loved to roam the streets, he sang about her playing and her fun the way she danced and played with the other children, but the pub seemed tense, the regulars smiling but not seeming to be fully happy about what was being played despite the up beat sounds of the song.

Then slowly it turned downwards, the girl was lost, she was hurt, she came home and no one was there, it moved down and down telling the tale of the girl who was looking for her father the warmth that had kept her safe night after night it spoke of her loneliness and then it weaved across the streets searching frantic and unsettling as she moved around day after day looking. The song was longer than the last dragging out longer than it seemed, it went through the girl being attacked by a dog on the street and he fleeing some notes almost seeming like sharp screams coming through the notes as he played fingers dancing across the neck of the lute, there was no twisting and jerking in his hand it slid across the strings like a hand dancing across a lovers hip, this was his passion and his lively hood he put everything he could into his art and he didn't care how people took it. The song wound down to the girl hiding and bandaging her wounded forearm before he faded off strumming wordlessly softer and softer until the sound faded into nothing.

Amelia watched raptly, it was as if his lute were a part of him. He moved and swayed as the notes did. IT was clear to see that this was his passion, and his solace. Not once did he glance up at his audience, his total concentration on making the notes seep into the very corners of the pub. Amelia's attention perked up as his voice filled the room, and she listened intently.

Her pale hands gripped the table as she listened, tears streaming down her face. IT was if he reached into the very core of his audiences feelings. Her heart was pounding, worried, sad, anxious. Was this some sort of magic? The way he played? It had to be, no music had ever reached to her as this did. Amelia lifted her face, her cheeks glistening as the song faded out of existence. She looked around her slowly, almost not even aware anyone else was there. The other, mostly men, of the bar seemed discontented, and Amelia could not even begin to comprehend why. His music, and voice, were breathtaking.

He paused and shifted setting the lute down in its case, he stretches seeming not at all phased by the song himself, he moved over to the stairs at the front of the stage passing by Amelia almost bumping her shoulder, he didn't even seem to look down but he left a small handkerchief on the table beside her his hand moving quickly almost unseen through her teary eyes, but he didn't even pause, moving into the middle and going over to the bar he stops and leans on it across from the barkeep sighing and smiling a bit, the man wiping his eyes shakes his head,

"G'damned it's a bit early for that one..." He mutters and shakes his head glaring at Marick who smiled softly and held his hands up in surrender,

"I thought it would be best to get it out early... I need to play it now and then... I'll keep it peppy the rest of the night don't you fret!" Marick smiles as he relaxes pulling a stool up and stretching his arms over his head as he relaxes and looks to the man who laughs and shakes his head returning to scrubbing a mug, with a grin.

"You best keep it peppy or I'll damned help you write a new sap story about your damned dinner..." He jokes and Marick laughs, he sounded no different from his music when speaking, he was loud when he needed to but often kept to softer notes, his voice was soft and kind flowing out like a fine honey mead, it wasn't long before the pub picked up again, Marick now relaxing and leaning back on the bar facing out with a small mug of a warm mead beside him, he sipped at it slowly for a little while relaxing his throat from the song and getting rested for the next as he sat back. Marick looked bright but tired, he looked over the pub just watching the people a small smile splaying out on his features, he was glad to see he hadn't ruined the mood for the night, he loved playing the song but many people disliked listening as it was rather depressing and it often pulled out emotion people didn't want to feel when out drinking. So usually he would keep it till the end of the night or when almost no one was there so he wouldn't kill the mood too much.

Amelia sat transfixed for a moment as he set his lute aside and stepped off the stage. He brushed past her, almost, but not quite bumping her slender shoulder. She looked down, and blinked with confusion, a handkerchief seemingly appeared from unseen hands. She dabbed at her eyes with it demurly, and turned to follow the bards path with her emerald eyes. It had to have been him, no one else had gotten anywhere near her.

Amelia watched him from afar for a moment, lacking the courage to speak to him. She twined a strand of red hair around her finger and sighed to herself. He wasn't an unattractive man either, and that mde it worse for her. Biting her lip softly, she finally stood, and made her way quietly to where he sat. Amelia's dress caught on a snag in the floor, and she jerked it, causing it to rip. She ignored it, and continued on her way to the bar. She hated the stupid dress anyways.

Amelia sat beside him at the bar, a place her father would hate to see her. He wasn't anywhere in sight at the moment, so she let the thought of getting caught slip from her mind. She turned and looked at Marick, and gave a soft little smile as she spoke. "That song, it was so beautiful, and so sad." She had the balled up handkerchief in her hand and she set it on the wooden bar top. "Thank you for the handkerchief, I needed it." She laughed softly, almost with embarrassment. "I can have it cleaned for you before I give it back if you want." Amelia watched him with shimmering eyes, he had yet to look at her directly, and she waited nervously for a response.

Marick relaxes against the bar a bit more drinking slowly, he smiles as he stretches out leaning back, he was glad that things were back up and moving again, he had hoped to be able to pick things up even more with his music later on maybe even get the place up and dancing if he could manage to stir the good mood up enough. He was happy seeing things up and moving so happily already.

It took a moment before he registered the girl beside him, looking over he smiles softly shutting his eyes with a soft warm smile, to her, it was reactionary now, his eyes following where she came from who she was, it took him seconds to examine and size her up. This was the small pause between his smile and him speaking,

"My my what brings such a high class lady such as yourself into this modest pub..." he smiles and flicks his foot on the hem of her dress flicking it up a bit where it was torn. He smiles and clicks his tongue, "Now now won't your mister be mad you ripped your pretty little dress?" He teases smiling, he was already well aware she wasn't married but he was trying to flatter her and get her to speak more and trust him so he needed to make some mistakes faked or not. He smiles and drinks more of his warm mead nodding. "Well the song was written to be moving... I'll take the stains as compliments..." He winks playfully and drinks a bit more smiling and patting the cloth, "No no don't worry about it, it's a handkerchief not a shirt or something it's not like I need it all that much... Keep it for when you need it." he smiles and pats it squeezing it into her hand and holding her hand through it briefly as he smiles, "Use it as you see fit, call it a gift." He smiles and finishes his drink hopping off his stool and standing with a slow stretch of his back.

Amelia couldn't help but return his smile, with her own soft smile. She watched as he sized her up, and she couldn't help but blush a little. She in turn looked him over, and found he was quite pleasing to the eyes. Amelia tucked a stray strand of curly red hair between her ears and looked away demurly.

When he finally spoke, she met his eyes with her own. Amelia could feel his foot flick her dress just so. The tear revealed in all its glory. She couldn't help but give a little smirk, though she was quick to conceal it. "I was dragged here by my father while he does business. Though, it's not as bad as I thought it would be." She looked up at the stage pointedly. Amelia blushed slightly when he winked at her, and returned it with a wicked little grin. "As for the dress, I hate the stupid thing anyways."

Amelia couldn't even possibly imagine what her father would say if he caught her sitting at the bar of all places. She found herself not really careing either. He rejected her offer to return the hankerchied, and instead, pressed it into her hand, holding it longer than what was considered polite. "A rather fine gift it is. Since I have recieved such a helpful gift from you, may I possibly know the name of the gentleman giving it to me?" Her words were honey sweet, her fiery nature flaring up past all the politness bred into her.

Smiling playfully he turns to face her and steps forwards almost pressed against her he pushes his mug back across the bar finished his drink already he smiles and then swings the leg furthest from the stage around spinning on the other foot as he laughs. Looking to her he pauses and thinks,

"How about you first then, you came over to me didn't you miss?" He smiles and walks back to the stage stretching each arm across his chest as he went up a slight swagger to his gait as he walked onto the stage again slowly and delicately lifting his lute out and running his fingers along the strings. Then it started again, swaying and bobbing the music weaved its way through the room like a shuttle through a loom it wove the threads together drawing people into singing, he played but didn't sing, an old classic drinking song letting the people rile each other up by singing together instead of just making them listen to his voice he let them fill in the blanks and have their fun, for the first time on stage he looked up and to the strange noble woman he had spoken to, winking playfully he crosses one leg over the other as he picks up the tempo of the song a bit returning his focus to his lute as the place fills with varying voices in different degrees of slurring and mumbling along with the music depending on how much the voices owner had drank.

Amelia could feel his breath on her skin as he stood so close he was almost pressing against her. Her heart gave a nervous flutter, but she squashed the feeling quickly. He pondered her for a moment, a laugh escaping his lips. He was being almost coy with her. Amelia stood as if to follow him, words tumbling from her mouth before he got too far from her. A blush seeping up her delicate neck. "I'll let you know, after you are done playing." She gave him a sweet smile, hoping to entice him into further conversation later. He was intriguing, different than the sort of people she was accustomed to.

She watched him swagger back up to the stage, a smirk touching her lips. The bartender offered her a drink, and despite herself, she took it. sipping it while watching Marick perform. He sure knew how to get a crowd excited, and she found herself laughing and smiling with all the rest.  Amelia caught his eyes with her own, a honeyed smile on her lips as he glanced at her from the stage winking ever so slightly. She didn't know the words, but she didn't have to, to enjoy the music that wafted through the rafters.

Marick smiles brightly her sweet grin lightening him up if only a little, with the song ending he stretched and then dove into the next one, it sounded like something played on a ferry floating down the river, it bobbed and shifted gently all the while picking up speed and and tempo the bobbing quickening almost like a light heartbeat. Marick was swaying to the tune of his own song now enjoying the sounds as he went.

He passes another glance at the odd little noble girl who had come up to him, he often had people doting on him for his music be it artist wanting a muse thieve wanting a helper or even just people wanting to get him drinks, but she seemed different, she has a certain air of strength and steadfast to her. It made him want to crack her shell open to see what was inside and drew him to her. So now the song was reaching its climax every few notes a higher one would call through and be held wavering at the top before the next bob of the pitch as he smiles letting his head sway to the music. As he played it tugged and pulled at the people slowly some of the more intoxicated men were on their feet and dancing and swaying holding each other up and swinging mugs to the bob and sway of the tune. The song ended on a twanging low note that shook its way through the room. A slight pause and tension filled the room and he was off again the music picking up he began to sing again.

The song was light and rather silly following a farmer and a course of events that brought him to finding moose in his wood shed and his trials to get it out. The story seemed to be something of a bed time story for children but it worked with the light and flourishing tune livening it up as people began to get into the song turning to a light jig as it went. It was about halfway by the time the men who had stood were dancing and not much longer until others were joining drunkenly doing some form or another of the jig. Marick loved it throwing his head back and laughing in between verses he kept plucking until the song came to a slow ending. He smiled and thought for a moment before suddenly starting another song this one quick and exciting, it seemed intense and suspenseful before suddenly moving out into a light cheery tune of a man coming through a city trading and his adventure bumping into a beautiful woman all across the city. Marick played and sang of the man and seeing the maid place to place by chance and how things were happening loving the song and loving getting to play for the people.

Amelia watched him play, eyes rarely wavering from him. He seemed to be enjoying himself, as much has the crowd was. She caught herself tapping along with the music, and she grinned. She hadn't had this much of a good time in a while. The songs were so upbeat and cheerful, causing laughter to bubble up as she clapped along. The drunks were swaying, and dancing, even the bartender was humming along.

Amelia sipped the ale the bartender had given her slowly, she was sort of a lightweight as it was. She had just met him, yet she felt as if there were more to him, and she wanted to find out what it was that had her so drawn to him. It was inevitable that they would speak again, he seemed just as interested as she was. Amelia felt a tap on her shoulder, an invitation to dance from one of the revelers. She laughed and allowed herself to be brought before the stage, dancing with various men in the crowd. It was exhilarating, and more fun than she could believe.

As Marick paused before the next tune, the tension was tangible, but he brought the crowd on another adventure, and the dancing began again. Amelia felt a rough hand grab her arm, and pull her around. She protested, until she saw it was her father. He had her arm tightly, and was trying to lead her away from the music and the crowd. With a yank, she wrenched her arm from him.

"What do you think you are doing girl, you're an embarrassment. Noble women don't dance with the common mongrels." Amelia glared at him, arms across her chest. "I'm a grown woman father, I'll do what I please." She saw the red of her skin and grimaced, that would be a bruise shortly enough. "You are the one that brought me here, after all." With a smirk, she turned on her heel and weaved back into the crowd to watch the bard sing again, her mood a bit soured.

Amelia glanced at the door, watching her father leave in a huff, and she allowed herself a sigh. She'd find her own way home, or maybe she would stay out all night and let her father fume. Another crowd goer grabbed her, and the music filled her ears, she let it's happiness carry her away, her body moving gracefully the the notes that cascaded around her.

Marick watched her dancing and laughing with the rest, seeing her cut loose as she was doing now was uplifting for him. She had seemed so weighted down when she came in but now she was moving and dancing with the others and cutting loose. He looked down again to focus on his playing and to lift the mood as much as he could. Humming and smiling in the parts that were without words he plays quicker and quicker, looking up he didn't see her, it took a few moments of looking as he played before he found her marching her way back to the front looking to have had her mood shaken. He pauses as the song ends then smiles to her for a moment before he resumes playing another song.

This time the song was light and jumpy but followed the story of a girl and how she loved to fiddle, it followed along her story of starting fights, and playing music all over the world. The girl was always running from something, but it wasn't a song that put the girl in any real danger or pain, it was comical and light hearted as she escaped over and over only to end up in some new form of trouble from running from a drunk to clambering up a tree to avoid a rather annoyed moose she always seemed to escape with her fiddle. The song slowly wound down and ended with her playing in a bar with a small line ending it in,

"right up till the last string snapped on that old fiddle neck of hers!" He smiles and stands up laughing as he looks at the people, he was going to be given a longer break this time, the pub often brought in guest musicians from all over the city who just wanted to be seen or needed some money or a place to play.

Marick came off the stage and suddenly took her from her partner by the hand swinging her around and spinning her before catching her in one arm, then he lets the momentum carry and dips down with her before lifting her smaller frame back up a he rose, he smiles and laughs as he  comes up launching her inwards and catching her against himself before he slipped around her, "Well shall we continue speaking and having a drink while the next performer fills the gap?"

Amelia had looked up just in time to catch his smile, sending him a bright one in return. Her arm still stung, but she ignored it. She had received plenty while training to wield a sword. As she twirled, her red hair flared behind her, and she felt free as a bird, laughter once again bubbling for from her lips. At this point, she was too caught up in keeping up with her dance partner, she hardly heard the words of the song. Something about a girl with a fiddle.

Amelia was laughing, her eyes bight not realizing he had stop playing. She gave a little gasp as he pulled her from her current dance partner, whirling her away with a pull of her hand. Before she could even react, she was pressed against him, her heart pounding with excitment. He slipped gracefully around her and she turned to face him, her fair face flushed red. "I would love that." She followed him to the bar and sat at a stool, her eyes following his every movement. "Once again, that was fantastic. I've never had so much fun in my life!"

Amelia quickly remembered that she had agreed to exchange names with him. "I'm Amelia, I promised you my name, and I am eager to learn yours." She looked down at her arm, the bruise finally showing itself, an ugly purple on her fair skin. 

Marick smiles and laughs as he looks back, "Glad to give you a good time~!" He teases laughing a bit as he dodges through the crowd and over to a table flopping into the booth with her he sways her across to the other side and sits across from her smiling. He orders a drink from the waitress and looks across to the Amelia waiting for her order. Marick sighs and relaxes listening and nodding, "Mmmm well I'm glad you remember that bit!" He laughs playfully and relaxes.

Her name rang through his head he had heard it somewhere before but he wasn't sure, smiling and nodding he laughs. "I like it... Its a nice name!" He smiles and leans back in his seat as he looks across to her, "I'm Marick, wonderful meeting you Miss Amelia..." He smiles and pauses as the drinks come, he smiles and holds it up, smiling a bit as he notices her bruise, he holds his cup up.

"Here's to enjoying our night as much as we can!" He smiles softly and looks at the other player the people dancing, Marick sips his drink and relaxes, "Something happen earlier? You disappeared for a bit then this..." he runs a finger along her arm over the bruise, "Everything okay?" He pauses and lets her take her time or even just deny it.

Amelia sat across from him, her palms resting on the cool grain of the wood. She looked shyly at the waitress and ordered ale for herself, it wasn't really something he had ever really had. Amelia was trained to steer clear of liquor, but she was ready to break from her chains and become an independent woman. Her eyes met his, and she smiled at his compliment. "Thank you, I'm pleased to have met you too Marick. You have a very handsome name." That wasn't all that was handsome about him, but she dare not think of that.

Their drinks arrived quickly, and she sipped from hers gratefully, it gave her hands something to do. Amelia laughed softly and nodded. "I'm sure you are the right person to show me how to enjoy myself!"  Amelia flinched away from his soft touch along her bruise, and then composed herself quickly.  With a sigh, she looked away from him, embarrassment coloring her face. "My father was angry I was dancing with..." She paused, not wanting to sound rude. "Someone not of my political stature. I wouldn't let him shepherd me out of here, I'm a grown woman after all." She didn't know why she was telling him all this, she shouldn't burden him with her problems. He just seemed so easy to talk to.

Marick sighs and pouts a moment shaking his head and looking at her, "So you are just going to wander the streets for the night?" He asks cocking his eyebrows up, he liked fun but hated the idea of anyone else being caught out on the streets for a night especially someone who seemed so refined as this woman the idea of her trying to keep out of trouble brought dozens of scenes through his head. He sighs and shakes his head, "You're crazy... I'm not going to stop you... I have no right to... But I have to make sure you are able to get out of it if you want to..." He mutters and sips his drink, more of the sweet honey mead, he smiles to her shaking his head.

"I can tell you're trying to stop yourself... How about after my next, and last set... We can get a bottle of wine or something and you can just vent in private..." He mutters, he was often the one people admitted things to around the place since he came through as a friendly face, he was happy with it all the same it made things easier for him and made him all the happier to help people who seemed to need it more than himself.

Amelia gave Marick a warm smile. It was nice of him to be so concerned for her safety. After all, dressed as she was, she would stick out like a sore thumb on the dark streets of the city. "I guess I hadn't thought it through all the way, I just know I don't want to go home right now." She sipped her ale, actually quite liking it's taste. The girl had never been drunk before, let alone left within the company of strange men.

"It's nice of you to want to look after me, if I had my sword, I wouldn't worry so much." She laughed softly as Marick shook his head at her. "How do I know that you won't get me in to trouble yourself?" She gave him a sly grin, drinking her mug down to the halfway point. "I can't wait to hear you play again Marick. As for venting, I'll take the wine, but I won't make you suffer a noble's suffering. It is not so big a deal. I would rather spend my time getting to know you better."

Marick smiles and cocks his brow up on the left letting her realize the fault in her plan. One of many but he didn't want to keep jabbing at her. He sighs and smiles turning and sitting sideways with one leg up and out across the booth's bench the other splayed out to the side comfortably under the table. He miles and thinks rubbing along his chin.

"How will I know that I won't get you in more trouble..." he mutters and thinks tapping his hand on his ear as he holds his head up with his fore arm his elbow leaned on the table. He smiles playfully and looks to her, "Well now..." he whispers to her leaning across, "You stumped me... At least so far I've been fun." He smiles and leans back sitting with his back against the wall. He looks across to her looking a bit more serious now squinting a bit at her "Do you really think me to be the type to take advantage of you?" he glares lightly wondering if she actually thought him to be so low.

Amelia noticed that he noticed that she had put herself in a bad position. As of right now, she didn't really care. She downed the rest of her ale, and smiled as he lounged comfortably. Amelia was tense, she probably shouldn't trust him, but her head was already buzzing lightly with the warm ale. He knew his way around, and she didn't. She twined a red curl around her finger in thought as he spoke again.

Amelia gave him a soft chiming laugh as he leaned closer to her. "You have been very fun, I've decided that I quite like your company." She gave him an amused smile, that quickly turned to a frown as he shot a glare her way at the teasing comment she had made. Amelia's eyes widened with shock, and she shook her head vigorously. "That's not at all what I meant, I'm so sorry if I've offended you." She looked down and bit her lip softly, feeling awful.

He smiles and puts a finger to her lip and runs it down as she tries apologizing, he runs it down off her lip freeing it from her biting down on it as he relaxes. "Mmmm I'm not offended... I've heard much worse..." he smiles and stretches taking back his finger as he leans back again. He couldn't help but laugh at how worried she had been. "Don't worry it will take something much much worse to drive me off... Be that an upside or downside is up to you..." He teases more smiling and finishing his drink he gets another drinking it right as it arrives, he seemed to be waiting for something sitting quietly for a few moments.

He finished the drink and a slight red tint coloured his cheeks as he smiles giddy and slightly tipsy, it was lucky he was only the opening act of the pub because it would be a while before he could play right tonight. He stops and smiles walking over to the bar and ordering the bottle for his room he comes back, "Mmmm we should retire..." He helps Amelia up and pulls her through the room holding her hand tight as if he would lose her in the crowd.

He stopped suddenly from his quick pace stumbling as the song changed. It was a quick jig, he smiles turning to her and letting go he holds a hand up smiling playfully. "Mmmm Madameouusal can I hav'b this dance?" He smiles just as tipsy as she was if not more from the drinks he had had.

Amelia couldn't help but smile as he freed her lip from her teeth. "I'm glad I didn't offend you." Marick leaned back and her cheeks burned from his familiarity, and the ale. "I have no intention on driving you off, I should consider myself lucky to be sitting next to one as handsome and talented as you." Amelia couldn't stop the words bubbling forth from her mouth, the ale running rampant through her veins. She covered her mouth in embarrassment, before a giggle escaped her lips.

Amelia protested as he stood, thinking he was leaving her behind. He was back in a flash though, bottle of wine in hand. She nodded as he suggested the go elsewhere. Marick helped pull the now drunk and giggly girl from the booth. He held her hand tightly as they weaved through the crowd. Marick stopped suddenly, and Amelia almost fell, a laugh escaping her as she found that she had caught herself somehow.

Amelia curtsied to him as he held out his hand to her. "Why of course Monsieur!"  He seemed as drunk as she was, and she stifled another laugh, what a pair they made. "Just don't let me fall!" She grinned at him, with almost child like innocence in her drunken state.

He puts the bottle on a table and comes back taking her hand and laughing as she took the formal route with it. He leans in and twirls her almost tipping over before he catches her smiling and pulling her in close. He playfully grins as she comments on dropping her, he sways a bit and holds on so they could help each other keep standing.

"Mmmm if we go down I'll make sure you're on top..." He smiled and then began to laugh a bit, he was barely able to hide innuendo now when talking, he couldn't help but be a flirt with anything willing to talk to him when drunk. He smiles and takes her hands spinning her playfully and then catching her with one hand holding hers still the other on her hip as he walks in a circle swaying with her, usually he would be dancing a flamingo or something else more full of a noble or skill based dance to help show off with her, but now he was too tipsy to care.

He sways to the upbeat song with her like an awkward pair of teens at their first high-school dance. He smiles looking at her and laughing softly "Mmmm sorry about this... My feet are being stubborn..." He laughs softly swaying with her to the song his face bright red from the strong mead.

Amelia laughed as he twirled her, managing to stay on her feet. Marick pulled her in close, their bodies pressed together, closer than she had ever been to anyone. A blush spread across her fair cheeks as they  swayed, balancing each other carefully. Amelia looked up at him, eyes shimmering with happiness.

Marick made quite the innuendo, and she laughed softly. "I don't think I would mind that at all, I'm tempted to take a spill now."  They were both well intoxicated, and that made her bold. Amelia din't mind the flirting one bit, it was rather flattering. Marick spun her playfully, and a smile lit her face, he pulled her in again, and the hand on her hip was warm and more familiar than she was used to. They circled slowly in place and she smiled lazily up at him.

Amelia smiled as they made their slow circle once again, and she rested her cheek on his chest. That was something she would have never done sober, but it felt nice. "I don't mind, I don't have to worry about falling as much." Amelia looked up at him, he was smiling and red faced, and she suddenly felt the urge to kiss him. She looked him in the eyes and smiled. " It think...I want to kiss you." She stood on tip toe, placing a cool hand on his cheek as she leaned in.

Marick smiles and laughs softly as he puts his other arm around behind her back as he holds her smiling as he looks down into her eyes as they moved. He was smiling a bit drunkenly as he moved with her slowly.

Marick laughs with her and tightens his grip on her as if she was serious about the fall. He smiles "Mmmm I'd prefer to keep it standing... Its a bit public here..." He mumbles down at her smiling as her head rested on his chest. It leans his head down letting it sit on top of her head his chin on her hair. With a deep breath he bites his lip listening to her talking "Mmm falling how?" He questions "I'd say us on the floor right now would be a spill more than a fall since we don't really get any lower..." He mumbles almost incoherently.

Listening to her talking about kissing he swayed still but stiffened a bit. With a low chuckle he looks down. "Mmm you do? That's quite the chain of thoughts..." He whispers and then leans forwards his chin dropping onto her shoulder as he slides right past her attempt to kiss. "Mmmm that's no fun... Songs over..." He mutters and then smiles. "Lets go have that talk..." Moving he keeps his arm around her waist and leaning on her obviously the mead hitting his thin frame quickly.

Marick tightened his grip around Amelia, bringing them even closer. She laughed softly as he reminded her that they were very much in public. She had almost forgotten, she felt as if they were in their own world. "I suppose you are right, wouldn't want anyone to get jealous." Amelia grinned, she couldn't help it. She was giddy with happiness, and drunk on ale. She felt his chin rest softly on her hair and she sighed contentedly.

Amelia felt him stiffen as she attempted her drunken kiss, almost stung by his reaction. His chin resting against her shoulder now. She should know better, they did just meet after all. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that." Marick was quick to distract from the awkwardness of rejection, and he led her off the dance floor, arm around her waist. She tried to keep her poise, but stumbled a little as he led her along. "Talking is nice, and I wouldn't mind some of that wine you promised." Marick leaned against her for support, and she was silently glad she had some muscle strength to her. He would have collapsed her otherwise. "Lead on, I'll follow you anywhere."

He smiles softly and pauses to snatch the wine bottle off the table he had left it on. Bumping his hip into hers as he walks with her he sighs. "Never be sorry unless you hurt the person... Saying sorry for what you do like that is the same as being ashamed of yourself..." He smiles softly to her as he reaches the stairs walking up them with her help and helping her as much as he could Marick had not been this tipsy in a long while and it showed.

As he brought her up to the main hallway with all the rooms he went straight forwards and opened the door to a closet. Jumping up he pulls on a rope and a steep set of stairs almost a ladder rattles its way down from above. Marick quickly climbs up seeming to have forgotten his intoxication as he scurries up in seconds. Waiting at the top he takes Amelia's hand and pulls her up one arm holding her around the waist half to keep her froms tumbling into the trap door half to keep himself stable. Pulling on the rope again the entire thing slide back up and he sets up the door again with the release. Marick smiles to her winking once as he looks around.

"This used to be an upper class area but maintenance on it stopped... So I convinced him to let me live up here..." He explains smiling to her, the room was the length of the building, which was short since it was downtown. It was three to four times the size of a normal room there was a massive aging four poster bed, the mattress on which seemed new and replaced. He smiles "welcome to my home..."

Amelia pondered his advice, and nodded. It seemed to make sense to her, though apologizing was her first instinct. They trudged up the stairs together, holding each other up. She giggled softly as they made their stumbling journey, she had never been drunk, but she was definitely  enjoying the experience.

Amelia looked at Marick, a puzzled expression as he opened a closet. She let out a small gasp as a set of stairs clattered down. He scampered up quickly, but she looked up apprehensively. She did not trust her balance one bit. Amelia was relieved when he pulled her up with steady arms. AS she reached the top, the stairs slid back into place, and it was if they never existed. Marick winked  and she had to conceal a blush.

Amelia clutched his arm in balance and took a good look around. She loved the space immediately. She let go of Marick and walked to the center of the room, she spun in a circle and laughed. "This is amazing!" She walked over to the bed, tracing the wood with a delicate finger. She sat upon the mattress and beckoned him to her. "Come, share that wine with me!"

Marick smiles and laughs as he walks over putting the bottle in her lap, he stumbles forwards getting close before catchign himself using the top of the bed his nose so close it almost touched hers. Pausing and looking her in the eyes a moment he pulls back clearing his throat as he walks over to the table lighting some candles in the pitch black room. Slowly he circled the room lighting all the candles so that the room was lit well enough. Suddenly a gust of wind picks up blowing them out, he bites his lip and laughs.

"Ah damned sorry the window is usually open because I like the breeze..." He smiles and lights one covering it with a glass tube before setting it on the bedside table. Walking over he digs in a cupboard plucking out two wine glasses. He comes back and sits beside her handing her the glasses he sets the bottle down. "Mmmm jeez I need to change the sheets..." He mutters and bites his lip as he goes to stand again to get more.

Marick placed the bottle in her lap, and she looked at up at him eyes widening as he stumbled forward. He caught him self, nose almost grazing her face. Amelia trembled and fought the urge to try and kiss him again, her heart thumping erratically. Her eyes met his, her lips parted slightly. The magic was quickly broken, however, when he turned from her, awkwardness obvious in his stature. Marick lit several candles, but the wind from an open window thwarted his efforts. Amelia laughed softly with him. "I don't mind the dark, so long as I have you here to protect me."

Marick had set up a candle in a glass cylinder however, and she contended herself to watch him. He handed her a couple of glasses, and made to walk away again. Amelia grabbed his arm softly and pulled him back. "Why did you decide to allow me into your little world?"

He stopped as she grabbed him, he didn't fight her grip and after a second just sat again his arm on the bed behind her. He pauses and then listens to her question, he didn't know what to say, he sat quietly beside her a moment thinking of what he could say. He didn't have a specific reason it just felt right to him...

He smiles and looks up at her, "Honestly... You just gave me a feeling... I don't know what it was but it drew me to you... You are so may things I'm not... You are so kind and regal... Well mannered and beautiful..." He stops and then smiles. "Honestly you seem like an angel..." he smiles shyly and stand quickly going over into a dresser he heaves the heavy drawer open and takes out sheets and a blanket. Smiling to her he walks over and pauses. "Go on the sofa and get comfy while I make up the bed for you?" He asks her smiling a light red shade still plastering his face. He seemed to be enjoying himself but looked as if this was an area he hadn't experienced before and so he was trying to keep himself afloat in his drunken swirl.

Marick strips the bed down and stretches the sheets over them deftly folding and tucking them tight. Laying the fresh blanket over it he smiles and pauses looking at the two pillows. He smiles and plucks one up carrying the other blanket with him. Dropping them onto the chair he drops down next to her as he smiles and pulls the small table over in front of them pouring the glasses he lays back into the couch next to her. "Sorry well we are all set up now... so we can drink till we need to crawl our way there..." he jokes and sips his wine looking at her.

Amelia looked into his eyes as he spoke, a blush creeping across her face. "I'm..thank you. I'm glad that we met. The minute I heard you play, I had to know you." She took his hand in hers softly. He pulled away, too quickly for her liking. "I don't feel like I'm all those things, but I think you are sweet."

Marick retrieved the sheets and a blanket, and obeys his command quietly. Amelia sat on the sofa, watching him, deep in thought. "If I'm an angel, you must be my salvation." She smiled at him, waiting for him to come back to her. "You saved me from a parade of suitors, and an incredibly lonely time." She was making him nervous, she was nervous too. This was all new to her as well as him.

Amelia sipped the wine he had poured. "I shall enjoy every second of it." She met his gaze and smiled wickedly. "We are going to share the bed, aren't we?" She tipped her glass to her lips and raised a challenging eyebrow at him.

Marick smiles and blushes as she takes his hand, he shifted in his seat but didn't pull away this time. He nods and smile. "I'm your hero now?" He teases and smiles softly as he relaxes thinking about how bad it must have been for her with a parade of suitors that large.

He laughs softly shaking his head at her comment. "My my aren't we a bold angel... With such a..." He pauses thinking of the right word to use before grinning and continuing, "Such a dirty... Mind..." he pauses wondering still if it was the right way to put it. He laughs and sips more wine leaning his shoulder into hers. He smiles patting the couch. "I'm letting you sleep on the bed, I'll be here... I'm drunk anyways so I won't notice anything about this..." He explains slowly.

Marick shifts his hand and then pours himself another glass, it was a sort of vicious cycle for him, he poured her more as well but the cycle for him continued. The more he drank the more of his composure he lost and the more nervous he got. So the more he drank to try to hide it only making it all the worse with each cycle.

Marick didn't pull his hand from hers, and she smiled. His skin felt good against hers. "Being my hero will be easy, I promise." She enjoyed his teasing, it made her smile. Amelia looked at him, her heart giving a little flutter. He made her feel safe and warm...and nervous.

Amelia grinned at him and sipped her wine. "I wouldn't say dirty, more adventurous." He leaned into her, and she touched his cheek gently. "I really don't mind. I don't want to put you out of your bed. Besides, it's big enough to avoid touching if that's what you want." In all honesty, she was actually afraid of sleeping in a strange place alone. She had always slept in the same feather bed all her life.

Amelia sipped down the wine he poured for her. She grew bolder with each sip. He seemed so nervous around her. She leaned towards him. "Don't be nervous, it's okay" She leaned in even more and kissed his cheek softly.

Marick laughs as she corrects him on her mindset, she was right it was a better term for it... He smiles to her a moment before biting his lip and looking away with a blush as she tries to convince him to do things normally, he nods a bit and shrugs.

"I guess we can share a bed it you're that insistent on it... But no touching!" He teases partially as he leans his head back on the top of the sofa a minute before smiling and nudging her playfully. "I was going to be stiff from this damned thing in the morning anyways... I guess I should be more grateful you are so kind... But still ever so bold for a girl of your standings..." He jokes and smiles softly.

Hearing her telling him something and feeling her pressing into him he turned to face her quickly. "Don't be nervous ab-" He started to question her but he had timed it perfectly to no fault of his own. He had been in the middle of his B his lips puckered a bit when she leaned in. He kissed her on the lips a moment, his whole head and neck went deep red quickly and he stammered. "I-I'm sorry I-I didn't know you were uh... I uh" He stumbles through his words not knowing what to say.

Amelia smiled happily as Marick teased her. "Well, I'm glad you changed your mind, I wouldn't want you to be stiff in the morning." He nudged her playfully, and she grinned. "I'm not your typical noble woman, I promise you that." He was teasing her again, and she blushed in response to the jests. "I won't touch you, unless you ask me nicely." Amelia laughed softly and smiled. It was her turn to do the teasing.

Marick turned towards he quickly, about to ask her a question, when their lips met in a delicate kiss. He pulled away from her, stuttering and trying to find words. Amelia blushed and looked down shyly. She had never kissed anyone before, ans she seemed to be at a loss of words for a moment. "Don't be sorry, it's more my fault than it is yours. I'm not sorry it happened." Amelia looked at Marick and smiled softly. She took his hand again and rested her head against his shoulder. "It was a nice feeling, actually. I wouldn't mind trying that again." She smiled up at him, face still red from blushing.

Amelia sat up and grabbed her glass, draining it's contents in a few sips. She licked her lips and rested against him once more. "Please don't be upset with me, if you want, I can leave. I'm sure a guard can escort me. I would rather not though. I really enjoy your company, even if I never get to kiss you again." She hoped Marick would kiss her again, but he seemed to be holding himself back. She realized that he might feel as if he were taking advantage of her, but she didn't care about that.

Marick didn't know how to respond, but she seemed to be taking the lead here and she spoke quite quickly, something pinged with what she said at first, she wasn't sorry, it was what he had been saying earlier to her about just that. He blushes and smiles a bit, as she snuggles up into his shoulder he shifts and leans his ear on the top of her head a moment before lifting it when she moved. He looks down at her and goes deeper red than before shifting his fingers wiggling a bit in her hand as he gets his hand comfortable.

"You say that like its a nice wine... I'm not sure how to feel... We haven't even started on the talking short of whats actually happened here..." He mutters a bit softly as he leans his shoulder against hers and his head onto hers. He was embarrassed beyond belief about a lot of this but it didn't feel wrong, to him it just felt right to be here talking or not with her he jut felt warmer, like he didn't need to show himself as a performer but could just laugh and joke with her as long as he wanted to. It was late for sure the tavern below going rather quiet most people heading to bed or home.

Marick shifts and puts his forehead on the top of her head whispering a bit into her ear. "I'm not upset... Don't go..." He whispers, "I don't care who escorts you in the morning... I'll even do it myself... But tonight your blushing stumbling drunken self is my problem..." He mutters gently his lips almost right against her ear as he till holds onto her hand. It was so odd to him that this girl was causing him so much unease in the best of ways. He wished he could sit like this for the rest of the night.

Shifting he bites his lip and sighs, "Jeez... I'll be back... We need to go to bed soon anyways... I need the privy so you can get yourself changed and in the bed before I get back... We can have our talk laying down so we can just pass out whenever... I'll be back..." He slips free of her hand standing only to catch himself on a stool. Falling forwards he catches himself but ends up atop her, his hands, one on her hip the other her shoulder pinning her to the couch his knee between her knees he blushes. "Jeez I'm clumsy as hell when I'm drunk like this..." He mutters looking down at her to apologize something stopping him.

Amelia enjoyed the warmth of him next to her, his shoulder resting against hers, his head resting on her curls. She realized that no, they haven't talked much, but that didn't seem to matter. What they had been doing was a natural feeling to her, and it didn't feel wrong to her. She felt happier and more free than she had ever felt before. "Ah, but your lips do taste of the wine." She smiled softly, green eyes half closed in contentment. "I'm not sure how I feel, all I know is that I have enjoyed every minute of the time we have spent together, talking or not."

Amelia shivered slightly as he spoke softly in her ear. He pleaded with her not to go, and she felt a sort of pleasure in that. His lips almost touched her ear as he whispered gently to her, and it took all her strength not to turn and kiss him again. Amelia felt butterflies in her stomach, and her heart nearly pounded out of her chest. "I won't leave, I promise. I'll stay here with you for as long as you want me to." She whispered softly, as her small frame trembled beside him. She felt more alive than she could remember.

Amelia protested softly, she didn't want him to move from her. In a swift moment, he was pulling away from her again. Marick stood, stumbling as he did so. One second, he was standing above her, the next he was atop her. Amelia gasped softly, eyes wide. He pinned her with a firm grip, and she found herself filled with a desire she had never felt before. He spoke, but she hardly heard him. She twined her fingers in his hair, and leaned up to kiss him with a passion she couldn't express in words.

Marick was too close to avoid it as she kissed him again, he didn't fight, there was no return at first as he sat shocked slowly he began to move a bit in return, he shifted his hand now on her leg holding it gently his hand sliding off her shoulder over her neck and through her hair. He closed his eyes a moment as he let this go on, he shifted his lips again and again as if trying to pull hers into his own. He broke it a moment to breath and to allow her the same luxury but this time he dove back in after a few breaths. He took the lead this time pushing in and pinning her gently with his lips another long kiss went on before he pulled back panting.

"Gods above..." He mutters looking down into Amelia's eyes a bit of subconscious guilt hitting him, he was drunk as all hell he doubted he would even remember past the first glass of wine, he felt like he was going to be missing out on this when he came back sober. kissing her forehead he shifts off of her and picks her up smiling as he carries her, he was a bit thin in frame but didn't seem to have troubles carrying the shorter girl in his arms moving her to the bed he sits her down on the side and kisses her cheek,

"I wasn't making an excuse earlier... I really do need to go..." He bites his lip and rushes through the trap door the long delay making him all the more desperate to get to the privy on time. As he had told her earlier that he was allowing her this time to change and get herself into sleeping clothing or what ever she would wear.

As his shock dissipated, he returned her kiss softly at first, Marick's hand slid through her hair, his other gently holding her leg. Amelia couldn't think, she could only react, their lips meeting again and again. She was swept up in the passion, softly moaning in protest as he pulled away. It was only a moment, and their lips met in a deep, long kiss. He broke away again, and her panting met his and she smiled up at him.

Amelia met his violet eyes with her emerald ones. She laughed softly as he cursed. She hoped she would remember this in the morning, his taste, and his passion. Desire coursed through her veins, but she continued to lay back, contentment in her eyes. Marick kissed her forehead, standing and picking her up in one smooth motion. Amelia laughed softly, resting her head against him, arms around his neck. He set her down gently, kissing her cheek.

Amelia watched him dash off, a small laugh escaping her. She had forgotten where Marick had said he needed to go in the first place. She felt a little bad, but at the same time she couldn't help but feel good about what they had done.

Amelia stood, and undid the laces on her dress, letting it fall to the wooden floor. She didn't have any other clothes, but a silken white slip covered her athletic frame. She tossed the torn, and wrinkled dress onto the couch with some distaste and sat upon the bed again, waiting for Marick to come back. She hummed softly, running her fingers through her curls.

Marick walked back slowly his heart still pounding hard in his chest as he walked back. running a finger across his lips he pauses then drops his hand biting his lip gently, he had never felt so warm, he didn't know if it was the alcohol or what was making him feel so fuzzy. Walking into the closet he leans on the wall not pulling the ladder down just trying to clear his alcohol filled mind as he leans on the wall his head tilted back, he tried to think but all he could see was her puckers lips her vibrant eyes and her blushing wanting face. Shaking his head he tried to get it clear but it wouldn't leave, the face she had made when he pulled out of the kiss for a breath and when he had ended it send shivers up his spine.

He came back up the ladder and yawned softly rubbing his eyes, even drunk he knew the layot of the room well enough to traverse it eyes closed. He did so rather slowly now to make sure he didn't hit anything. As he comes over to the bed he looks at her, it was even more stunning, the small Camisole hanging loosely on her shoulders, the way the light reflected off the pale skin of her thighs and arms. He went deep red before clearing his throat and grabbing a change of clothes of his own out of the bedside table. He smiles shyly and move over pulling a curtain in the back corner.

He came back out with just a pair of thin loose sleeping pant, very light and almost not even there to him they were virtually for modesty's sake alone. He moves over sitting on the side of the bed before he slides himself under the covers still a bit red in the face from her and the alcohol. He blows out the candle and looks over to her, the moonlight did her more justice than any candle ever would, the way it made her pale skin shimmer made his heard pick up and his cheeks redden.

Amelia felt her eyes start to grow heavy as she waited patiently for Marick to return. She lay on her side facing the entrance of the trap door. She couldn't believe what had happened, but it felt so good, so right. It was fate that drew them together, she could feel it. She smiled softly to herself, Marick had created feelings in her she had never felt before. Amelia pressed a cool hand to her forehead, feeling numb and fuzzy.

Amelia sat up a little as Marick finally returned, and she smiled at him happily. Her eyes traveled him up and down, a blush gracing her face as they looked upon each other. Her eyes came to rest on his handsome face, and she resisted the urge to kiss him again, feeling as if it were best left alone for now. He seemed just as enthralled by her as she was of him. Marick cleared his throat and vanished behind a curtain with a change of clothes. Amelia licked her lips, and smiled as she remembered the taste of his mouth on hers, and she lay back again.

Amelia had not bothered to cover herself with blankets, the alcohol making her almost hot. Marick came back, wearing only a pair a pants. Amelia bit her lip as she watched him slide into bed. Goosebumps traveled across her body, she wanted to touch him. Moonlight filtered through the room as he blew the candle out, and she turned to face him. Amelia reached out slowly and placed a soft hand on his chest, hesitant in her movements. "I know I said no touching, but I can't help but want to lay close to you."

Marick saw the heat on her, he could see along her neck and her legs the way she sweated ever so slightly. He smiles and takes the blanket folding it back so it only covered their feet. He smiles to her as he lays beside her blushing as she places a hand on his bare chest. He looks back at her a bit more red in the face by the second, he was glad he had removed the blanket now. It was embarrassing to be so uncovered when with someone especially for someone like him who knew how easy it was to get on roof tops and move around unheard, so it made him shy and he deep down hoped it would hold him back.

Marick shifts a bit as he runs a finger across the back of her hand thinking for a moment. He looks up as his hand traces up her arm caressing up across her arm and slender shoulder. He runs his hand up onto her neck letting it rest right at her jaw his thumb pushing her hair back.

"I guess we can change the rules... One last time no more changes... I'll say nothing crosses clothing boundaries... light touching nothing heavy..." He mutters as if working out how he wanted his breakfast made slow deliberate and deep in unnecessary thought. Marick smiles to her and yawns a bit, "We should be sleeping...  And talking... So... I think we were going to talk about..." He drags on still rambling but unable to remember what they had planned to talk about. Soon he was snuggled into the blanket and sheets his hand still holding hers to his chest he pulls the sheets up and smiles softly. "Mmmm we should probably leave a note for sober us... So we don't get the wrong idea about all this..." He chuckles and rolls over rooting blindly through the drawer he takes out a pad of paper and smiles "Mmmm can you write like this?" He asks holding the paper and charcoal curious if she could in this state or not.

Marick drunk was almost a totally different person, he was full of convoluted plans, his charisma went out the window he was nervous all the time. But Amelia was still here through him sober and drunk she seemed to enjoy his company and deep down it made both sides of him elated to know that there were people out there that could deal with someone as high maintenance as he was. At least so far she could handle his little quirks and problems.

Amelia looked Marick over, a blush creeping across her cheeks. She couldn't believe the things she had done with him tonight. It was the most excitement she had ever felt before, it made everything seem so new to her. Marick had removed the heavy blanket, and she couldn't help but admire his physique.

Marick was caressing her gently,  and she couldn't help but shiver.  It was like fire coursing through her. Amelia dare not move as he rested his hand along her jaw, she didn't want him to pull away again. "Okay,  I promise to behave now. " She frowned a little at his rules, but she would do her best to abide by them.

Amelia mimicked his yawn with her own, and laughed softly. "To be honest, I can't really remember what we were supposed to be talking about either." Amelia smiled as she snuggled closer, his hand holding hers in place.  His skin felt warm against hers,  and she had to quickly squash her temptations. 

In the next instant, Marick said something about writing,  and pulled paper and charcoal from his nightstand.  Amelia quickly grasped what he was asking,  and nodded,  taking the writing tools from him. "And what would this wrong idea be?" Amelia was worried that he might consider this some sort of drunken fluke,  and part of it was. There was raw emotion though, it wasn't just because they were drunk,  there was a connection.

Marick shifts and smiles kissing her hand and smiling letting her write, as he lays back and relaxs on his back now his hand sliding off her chin as he moves back. Marick looks to her and laughs softly.

"I didn't mean the emotion... We need to leave one note for each of us to remember some things and oen between us so we know that we haven't been intimate... You know what I mean? Because waking up all like this and hungover will make us both really embarrassed... So we can make sure when we wake up we know we didn't do anything bad..." He rants a bit embarrassed already he writes himself a note and folds it putting it on the table with his name then he takes hers once shes done doing the same but with her name. He smiles and moves closer. "Mmmm for the join one mention about how clothes stayed on and that we were just drunk flirting..." He offers.

As soon as he said it it came back to sit in his stomach like a rock, just drunk flirting he had described it as, he felt bad, he knew it was more but he didn't know what to say sitting shocked a moment next to her not knowing how to correct himself.

Amelia smiled as he kissed her hand, her heart aflutter again. As he lay back, she sighed softly, their physical anchor gone. Amelia picked up the charcoal, and nodded as he spoke. "I suppose that's not a bad idea. I'll do it because you ask, though I'm pretty sure I would know if anything like that had happened." She was still a virgin, and she had heard the stories of what would happen had she found herself deflowered someday, but she would not cause embarassment over something like that.

As Amelia finished writing the letter to her self, full of the passion and the happiness she had shared with Marick, she handed it to him. He put them together on the table and as he spoke again, she frowned. She felt as it she had been smacked, and she pulled sharply away from him. "Is that all it was? You felt nothing then? I was a fool to think you had." Her chest felt tight, and she restrained herself of the tears wanting to spill down her fair cheeks. How could he say that?

Amelia lay as far as possible from him, wiping a tear away stubbornly. She turned her back to him, and pulled the blanket up to her chin. Amelia intended to leave first thing in the morning, her pride very injured.

Marick sat still a moment then reached back snatching something off the bedside table. Moving up closer he puts a hand on her shoulder shifting closer. "Amelia I didn't mean it... I put it the wrong way... He mutters moving closer and pulling on her shoulder.

"I felt just as strongly as you did! I put it the wrong way okay..." he tries to argue knowing he was still in the wrong, he spoke like a moron when he was drunk and now he was trying to get her attention and to prove it to her that he felt more than just like she was something to keep him busy for a night. Marick forces her to roll over pulling her and pinning her he holds her wrists down as he looks down at her biting his lip and blushing.

Marick sits over her a moment before snapping out of it, "Don't think I'm that shallow... I know what I said was stupid but I promise you that you are more than some game to me!" He bites his lip and then sighs rolls off holding up one hand with a new slightly crumpled piece of paper. Marick flips it up between two fingers like he was handing over money sighing.

"If you don't believe me read this... I wrote it before I said that... It was meant for only me to read... I made sure I was detailed because I have a terrible drunk memory... So... Well Just read it, it has no excuses just how I actually feel if it will prove to you that you are more than something to mess around with to me..." He blushes knowing it was going to expose quite a bit about him that he hadn't talked to her about yet. He didn't take it back he just held it up for her to look at as he bites his lip.

Amelia heard Marick move, but she lay still. She felt the warmth of his skin on her shoulder, but she didn't even flinch. He was trying to undo the hurt he caused her, but she couldn't bring herself to face him yet. Her face was hidden by curls, and all she could think of was the passionate kisses they had shared, and how he could just play it off.

With a small gasp, she was forced to turn on her back by Marick. Amelia looked up at him, he really was trying to right his wrong. She didn't want to forgive him yet, it was too easy. He had her pinned, her wrists in his firm but gently grasp, his body straddling hers. Amelia couldn't help the thumping of her heart, and the blush that flooded across her cheeks. She would have touched him reflexively it she had been able.

Marick released her and rolled off her with a sigh, and she sat up, turning her body towards him. He had a piece of paper in his hand, and she quickly realized what it was before he spoke. He held it up for her and she read it without a sound. Amelia felt the heat of her blush returning, and looked down at her hands before speaking.

"I'm sorry for being so childish Marick, I suppose drinking doesn't really help either of us." Amelia took his and traced it with a delicate fingertip before bringing it to her lips. She kissed his hand and then let it rest back on the bed. "I forgive you Marick, I understand how you feel now." Amelia leaned over him and retrieved her own note, presenting it to him when she had returned to her place in the bed. "It is only fair that you read mine, I would feel bad if I didn't share my own feelings as well." Her letter was full of gushing detail on the man she was spending the night with. The only man that she knew that could make her feel alive and beautiful. Her letter was all passion and desire, and it revealed much on how she felt of him. It was a bit premature, but if love at first sight existed, Marick would be the one.

Amelia blushed and looked away in deep embarrassment. Maybe now he would understand why she had reacted the way she did. It was just as much her fault as it was his. Who was she to assume he had the same desires as she did. It made her feel foolish, but also glad that they could be honest with one another.

Marick smiled watching her read his letter to himself. It rambled a bit but it still seemed to stumble on the topic of her the whole way through making sure he remembered the things about her that made her so enticing to him. It wrote about how his throat went tight and his heart thundered in his chest with the slightest brush against her. He couldn't stand it she was amazing in every way.

The note ended in saying how she would be the one to help him to free himself and to escape the city. Marick the whole time sat silently watching her as he blushes. Taking it back and putting it on the table he turns back and looks at her, he bites his lip and takes hers reading it slowly and carefully making sure he took in every single little detail.

He smiles and moves over on top of her again to put hers back on the table, he stops above her as she speaks. He shifts back off and lays down close to her blushing as she kisses his hand, he smiles and nods thinking a moment.

"Mmm I'm no better than you are don't worry... And How about we just blame the mistakes on the booze and fall asleep together on a good note..." He smiles softly and kisses her cheek then her chin and then her lips his arms wrapping around her gently as a breeze kicks up sending a chill through the room. He sits up taking her with him as he holds the kiss grabbing the blankets and sheets and yanking them up over them both as he keeps lightly kissing her holding one arm around her waist the other on her hip as his heart thunders in his chest. Pulling away from the kiss a bit a small strand of their mixed saliva hanging between their lips. Marick blushes and puts his forehead to hers sighing softly.

He smiles blushing a bit more. "Mmmm sorry about jumping on you like that... I just thought I owed you one... I need to seal the deal don't I?" He coos and grins playfully his arm around her waist the other on the opposite hip as he holds her close his feet bumping against hers.

They would save each other, it was fate that drew them together. He talked of leaving, of her helping him to do that. He would save her from a life she never wanted. It was poetry and the stars at their finest. When Marick touched her, she felt weightless, she felt fire in her veins.

Amelia watched him, riveted to him, as he read her note. She felt nervous, and happy, and terrified all at once. She didn't know how he would react. Marick finished, and leaned over to put the note back, and she returned his smile as he lay facing her with a shy one of her own. "I have to agree with you, blaming the booze is the safest course of action." She laughed softly, but stopped short as he kissed her from cheek, to chin, to lips.

Amelia returned his kiss tentatively, then grew bolder as his arms wrapped around her. She shivered softly, but it wasn't the breeze that made her. Still kissing him passionately, she was drawn up with him as he retrieved the blankets. His hands  were warm on her skin, her heart matching his in their excited drumbeat of emotion. Marick pulled away from her, and rested his forehead against hers. Amelia placed a hand on his cheek and smiled, using her other hand to brush a finger across his lips.

"Please, please don't apologize for that." Amelia kissed him again softly, emotions clear on her face and in her eyes. Amelia blushed and smiled shyly at his grin. Oh but he was a smooth talker, and she loved it. She leaned up and whispered softly into his ear. "I'm yours Marick."

Marick smiles softly as she touches his lips, he kisses the finger tip gently and intertwines feet with her smiling softly and nipping at her lips gently. He holds her close his hand coming off her hip and up to rest on the hand on his cheek. It was maddening how much could do to him with such simple innocent actions it made him shiver.

He kisses her back tenderly pulling her in close making sure to be slow and gentle this time his hand wandering down her arm and along the side of her frame before resting just below her hip on her leg not moving just sitting there as they kissed. Marick shifts back a bit and smiles moving himself up onto the pillows he smiles and curls up with her hugging her in close so he could sleep like this with her.

"On that note... We should sleep... We can piece things together and resume in the morning if we remember enough... I know I'm gonna remember all about how I feel I promise..." He whispers kissing her forehead and cuddling up with her in the war bed trying to fall asleep his heart racing.

His kisses were sweet, Amelia didn't want them to end. His wandering hands made her shiver, and desire trilled through her body. She resisted the urges, enjoying the gentleness of his touch. Inevitably, he pulled away and curled up beside her, holding her in his embrace. She was about to agree, when a yawn escaped her lips.

Amelia snuggled into Marick, it made her feel safe, and warm. She smiled softly, though he could not see it. How could a man she had met just hours ago, make her feel so...loved? "I won't forget either, how could I?" He kissed her forehead, at she lay there in thought. Soon enough, the quiet made her eyes grow heavy. "Goodnight Marick." It was so soft she doubted he would hear it, but before she could concern herself, she was asleep.

Marick slowly drifted off and just as he was passing between sleep and awake he heard her voice and he responded seemingly reflexively "Good night Amelia..." And then he was gone into the blackness of his own sleep too drunk to care or even remember his dreams.

The next day's sun came through the window striking off the large mirror and shining over the bed, it was at first their feet then as it rose higher and higher more sun filtered in and soon the whole bed was alight with the sun. It was a picturesque scene of the bed lit by the sun off of the mirror blanketing the young pair in bright light like something out of a romance novel.

Then Marick woke up, groaning and sitting up his arm still under her, he catches and falls back to the bed squinting through the light he looks at the open curtains and curses softly looking at the girl next to him. He sighs not wanting to jolt her awake but the light being too much. He reaches over picking up and paper and opening it to cover his face, that's when he saw the writing and it all hit him like a freight train. Looking to her he yawns and smiles pushing the hair away from her sleeping face he smiles softly, she seemed everything he remembered and more.

Marick sighs laying down next to her on his back squinting through the light he relaxes knowing now even more so he couldn't shock her awake. Smiling and sighing he tries to remember more detail, he remembered the emotion and how he felt, he remembered her voice echoing through his head good night and he even remembered everything up until they started the wine then it became a blur... As far as Marick now sober and hungover knew they had never done anything more than dance and cuddle.

Amelia did not wake to the light at first. She smiled in her sleep, the warmth of the sun making her curl her toes. Finally, slowly, she opened her eyes. She hadn't even felt Marick move, not did she fully comprehend where she was at first. She sat up and looked around wide eyed for a moment, catching sight of Marick.

"Hey, good morning." Amelia rubbed sleep from her eyes, and realized that they must have shared a bed together, and they were both wearing next to nothing. She remembered dancing, and singing, and wine. I fact, she was pretty sure she had wine, because her head was killing her. Amelia rubbed her temples and looked at the handsome man she had apparently shared a bed with. Marick was bathed in sunlight, and she thought he looked like a god. She dared not say that though, she had no idea what could have happened last night. She felt a pang of desire, like a left over emotion. "So, um, we shared a bed. Do you know what happened exactly? It all seems so jumbled."

She burrowed back into the blankets and lay facing him. She wanted to touch him, but wasn't sure if he would let her do such a thing. "Do you feel as if your head is going to split open to, because I think I'm dying." She laughed softly, wanting to kiss his lips, yet not exactly knowing the reason why it seemed like such a familiar action.

Marick smiles and looks at the table on her side laughing softly he reaches across her still not wearing a shirt, he comes back handing her the letter she had wrote, "I found my own one that one I assume is yours..." he smiles and sighs finding a third on top of the head board. He reads through it slowly and smiles. "Mmm this is for both of us..."

He smiles and sighs as he looks at her smiling and looking at how sheepish she was, it was cute as all hell seeing her so flustered like she was. Marick smiles and reads over the note again biting his lip. "It says this... 'after we came upstairs we talked all the way up until we passed out, we got closer and snuggled up for more than half of it before finally getting in bed and drifting off. Nothing past snuggling and light touching of legs happened' Seems a bit hurried and messy... But we were drunk so I'd believe it..." He smiles and laughs softly looking to her. "And its my handwriting... So it has to be true..." He smiles and laughs softly.

Marick bites his lip blushing a bit. "So uh...we should probably..." He pauses and smiles softly. "Well I think we should sit and have a talk again to get to now each other personally... I know I have feelings for you strong ones at that... But we should get to know each other well..."

Amelia took the note he handed her, opening it delicately. Hers seemed to be a bit more detailed than what the note he was reading to her made it sound like. The memories were still foggy, but her desire for him was still strong. She now knew that they hadn't done too much, but they had done enough for her to feel so strongly for him.

Amelia folded her note back up, and smiled at him. "Sounds like we had a wonderful night." She wanted to tell him what her note had said, but he seemed to rather accept that all they did was cuddle. She didn't want to ruin that for him, or for her. She bit her lip and nodded as he spoke, not quite meeting his eyes.

Amelia smiled as Marick blushed, finally blocking the note from her thoughts for now. "I would love to get to know you on a personal level." She didn't think you could get more personal than locking lips, but again, she remained silent. "I have to admit, my feelings for you are very strong as well. We must have had quite a night." Amelia turned so that she was facing him, and smiled. "Alright handsome, ask me any question that pops into your mind, and I will answer honestly."

Marick smiles and laughs as he nods laying back and stretchng out with his arms spread out one beside her one off the bed he nods. "Sounds like it was a wonderful night indeed..." he mutters grinning and letting his head sink into the pillow before looking over at her smiling playfully and nodding to her.

"mmm well we already know we just need to refresh ourselves... And add some more..." he smiles and looks at her moving closer and biting his lip as she offers to answer anything. He smiles and relaxes thinking, that was rather broad for him to figure out what to ask. He stayed silent a moment in thought about what to say to her as he thinks.

"Well Amy..." He pauses purposely getting her name wrong to see if she would react, he liked teasing, he was well aware her actual name but wanted to see what would happen if he teased her more. So he went on, "I think I'd like to hear it from you how you feel..." He moves putting a hand int he way so she couldn't wiggle away having a feeling she might try to before he could tell her it was a joke, it was a bit mean but it was something he just couldn't help but do.

Amelia lay back down, facing him, the bed really was very comfortable after all. Marick moved closer, and Amelia resisted the urge to touch him. She wasn't near as forward as she was when she had been drunk. She pulled the blankets up, now well aware how much skin she was actually showing, her skin flushing pink with a blush.

Amelia playfully smacked his arm, as he attempted to stop her from moving away. She was a little put off at being called a name that was not her own, but she realized how much of a trickster he was being. "Alright, Micheal, I'll tell you how I feel." She jested back with him, but her lips turned from a smile to a small frown of concentration. "I think I feel, passionate towards you. I think we shared some intense moments last night, because I have a lingering desire to kiss you. Even when you tease me." She bit her lip, looking away from him. "Bottom line, I think we do have some sort of connection, and I wouldn't be put off if we explored it."

It was kind of a detached way of saying it, but that was a hard question to answer. It's not like she could blurt out she had feelings of love for him after one night they could hardly remember. She didn't know what she even meant to him. Was she a challenge, or was he genuinely interested in her. "Tell me something about yourself, your feelings, your childhood..anything. There is so much I want to know about you." Amelia wanted to get close to him, but she was almost afraid to, she didn't want to get hurt.

Marick smiles and laughs as he snuggles up with her smiling as she tries to put things as formally as she could dancing around the topic he smiles taking one of her hands in his other free arm going around her and pulling her in close so they were pressed in close not taking no for an answer here he kisses her forehead and smiles softly.

"Mmmm you think we should explore a connection?" He teases mocking her formality a bit as he smiles and moves in close nipping her neck and sighing as he thinks a moment listening to her talk about the desire to kiss she had made him smile softly as he runs a finger along her arm smiling. "mmmm thats quite the desire you have there..." he mutters smiling as he finally clues in a bit smiling as he lays on his back letting her away and to have some space again he thinks of how to answer her question as she left it rather broad for him to answer.

"How about I tell you about how I grew up then lady Amelia?" He teases and nips her ear gently laying on his side to face her, he didn't know why but he just felt like cuddling up and playing around like this while she was still here. He thinks and smiles to her, "I grew up in a small apothecary on the far side of town just between the ghetto and low class... I was brought up knowing not to waste anything and to be kind to people... I learned basic salves and healing mixtures as well as medicine and such... My mother ran the place my father was never around... When I was young just turning into a tween my mother disappeared one day while I was out buying bread from the local baker... I haven't seen her since... I want o save up get some things and then travel looking for my parents... I know they're out there somewhere... I just need to go look..." He smiles softly still holding her hand. "And you?"

It was easy to be formal, it came naturally. It was like a defense, it helped control her emotions. Marick was not going to accept it, it seemed. He pulled her tightly to him, and she couldn't help but blush as he kissed her forehead. Amelia nestled against him, despite her better judgement. "Hey, don't tease me, it's all in the breeding!" She laughed and held back a gasp, trembling a little as he ran his finger down her arm, his lips and teeth gently nipping her neck. "All that teasing makes me want to even more."

Amelia rested her head against his shoulder, pressing her lips to his skin delicately. Amelia wasn't all to sure on the questions she should ask, and she realized that the ones she did pose, might be a bit difficult to answer. She couldn't help but scoff as he called her lady. "Don't call me that, it sounds wrong coming from you." They were face to face now, and she listened intently as he spoke. She it bit her lip, her eyes misting a little. Poor Marick had not had his parents around when he needed them. He spoke of leaving, and it felt as if she had swallowed a boulder. She didn't want him to leave.

Amelia realized she was probably gripping his hand too tightly, and she pulled from his grasp. She looked at him, brushing a light finger across his chest. "My upbringing was all about training me to be a proper lady. To wear dresses, talk properly." She sighed softly. "I hated every minute of it. I actually sought out a trainer to teach me how to fight. My greatsword was sadly left behind." She smiled a bit, remembering the feel of steel in her hands. "My father tried to marry me off, arranged of course. I fought him tooth and nail over it. I guess he gave up when I broke the grooms nose." She smiled in satisfaction, remembering the look on the mans face. "Now, I just get paraded around. My father hopes I will find a wealthy, utterly boring man to marry." She didn't voice it, but she thought she had found the man that would actually keep her happy. "Am I allowed to kiss you now?" She laughed softly, teasing him just a little. It couldn't hurt after all.

As her lips brushed along the skin of his shoulder he smiled and bit his lip pulling her in more blushing. "You flirt..." He mutters kissing along behind her ear a few times before moving back and looking at her across the pillow blushing lightly as he looks at her. He couldn't stand some of the things she did to him now they drove him mad and he was close to her now snuggling up with her a bit shy about it but quite enticed by her.

Marick kept a hand in hers not letting her pull away, he had felt her squeezing and he knew something was wrong so he looked her in the eyes and smiled a she spoke listening to each word intently he smiled and relaxed feeling more calm than he had in a long while when this close to her. He smiles and bites his lip hard as he laughs. "Mmmm wrong eh? I'm glad you think so because it just left a bad taste in my mouth...I like just calling you Amelia..." He smiles and nips at her neck smirking softly. "mm sounds like quite the upbringing..." He puts a hand on her hip and bites his lip blushing softly, he was chewing his lip steady now as he looked at her listening to her question with a chuckle.

Marick didn't say anything, shifting and looking down awkwardly he pauses and then his hand tightens around hers holding it tight he shifts and his hand moves off her hip and up to her neck and jaw holding it gently he guides her up a bit and leans in wordlessly, he answers her question finally as he gently slides into a kiss his lips tugging at hers as he holds her gently blushing as he kisses her nipping at her lip a few times as he kisses her gently blushing and pulling back he pants pausing and looking at her.

Amelia was enjoying being close to him. She hadn't felt this at peace in a long time. She felt as if time had frozen the two of them in a bubble. She was grinning like a little girl, and she couldn't stop. He made her feel so light and happy, she barely even took notice of her blushing anymore. It was the happiest she had ever been, and she hoped that her father wouldn't come searching for her, especially since the two of them had barely any clothes on between them.

Marick's skin felt good against hers, his nips sending her into a cluster of emotions. He didn't seem off put by her question, in fact it seemed to make him bolder. His hand moved from her hip to her face, and she almost couldn't breathe. He spoke not a word before their lips met in a gentle touch. She felt fire in her blood, but she quelled it. Amelia enjoyed the moment, but Marick pulled away so they could catch their breath. She touched two fingers to her lips, smiling behind them.

"That was...breathtaking. I don't know if I'm supposed to thank you." She laughed softly in embarrassment. Her lips tingled, and the little nips he gave her excited her. "Please tell me we can stay here all day, and enjoy each other. I don't want to go back to the real world yet." Amelia snuggled against him, her ear against his chest. She could hear the steady thump of his heart, and it calmed her. She could spend eternity in his arms, without a care in the world.

Marick smiles and sighs as he watches her reaction to the kiss afterwards, smiling and snuggling up close he takes her hand again and leans in his forehead against hers a moment before she began moving again, he didn't stop or hinder her letting her move to where she was comfortable. As she cuddles into his chest he smiles and runs a hand through her hair gently pulling her in closer and smiling brighter by the moment.

As she offers to thank him he smiles and laughs softly. "Mmmm You kissed me back didn't you? You didn't push me away that's thank you enough..." He teases and smiles playfully as he cuddles with her close. "Then stay... I have nothing to do until later in the afternoon so we can jut sit curled up like this until we care to go get food water or for a break..." He smiles softly and sighs, "We could go get some things for breakfast and walk back here to nibble on them while chatting..." He smiles and runs a finger slowly and gently down her back.

"We didn't do much talking after I so rudely interrupted you..." He teases and lays there comfortable how he was not caring to move or do anything else for the time being he just cradled her his heart beating slow and strong in his chest.

(Sorry, I couldn't get my stupid internet to work)

Amelia shivered as he ran his finger down her back, it was almost calming the way he did it. His hand passed through her hair, and she sighed contentedly. She was happy he wasn't going to send her away. Her father would no doubt be looking for her, but he would be hard pressed to find her here. She doubted anyone in the tavern would rat Marick out. The thought made her smile, Marick was well liked.

"I wouldn't consider that a rude interruption at all." She grinned and traced patterns on his chest. He made her feel comfortable, safe. Amelia felt she could tell him anything, she didn't have to guard her tongue at all. She felt her stomach give a little rumble, but she ignored it. She didn't want to move just yet.

Amelia knew that they probably had a lot more to discuss, but she was so comfortable. They didn't know each other that well, yet she felt like she had known him forever. She pressed her lips to his chest and kissed his skin gently. Her belly gave another rumble, and she groaned. :I don't want to be hungry, it means I have to move!" She pouted a little, burrowing her face against his chest.

Marick smiles and sighs as he runs his finger along her chin smiling. "Mmmm I'll keep that in mind~" He mutters snuggling up to her as she leans into his chest more. He grins and bites his lip stroking a hand through her hair as they lay entwined, he kisses the top of her head as he relaxes more against her.

"Mmmm come on then..." He laughs and shifts pulling her along as he shifts himself wiggling his way still holding her to the side of the bed. He laughs and smiles softly. "Mmmm come on we'll get up and then we can walk over to the bakery... we can get something to eat and then walk down my the river while we eat..." He smiles proposing his idea for a little breakfast or in this case brunch, date. Marick teases running his hand through her hair his other hand around behind her back so he could pull her along.

Marick not paying attention moved back over the edge of the bed, with a cry he toppled off onto the floor dragging her with him. He catches her on top of himself as he looks up at her he laughs and bites his lip. "Mmmm this I remember about last night... I guess I'm keeping that promise aren't I?" He laughs and holds his arms around behind her crossed and hugging her around her waist as he smiles softly.

Marick was steadily guiding them to the edge of the bed, and she couldn't help but giggle. "That sounds like a great idea!" She smiled, enjoying the feeling of his hand in her hair. She liked his teasing, and his playfulness. It definitely kept the mood light. "Mmm, breakfast." She giggled again as her stomach gave a quiet rumble. She felt light as air around him.

He continued to pull her gently along, when Marick fell off the bed. Amelia yelped, but was caught somewhat by Marick. She was sitting astride him, a blush covering her cheeks. He hugged her around the waist, and she smiled, regaining her confidence. She leaned down, and pressed her lips to his softly. She didn't hold the kiss long, she didn't want them to get too distracted again. "You are irresistible." She tucked a strand of stray hair behind her ear, still looking down at him. "I didn't think you would neglect such a promise in the first place." She returned his smile and took his hands from around her waist. She let them rest on her hips for just a moment, and then released them, letting them fall.

Amelia stood gracefully, and offered a hand to help Marick up. He distracted her so easily, if it hadn't been for the knaw of hunger, she would have forgotten the plans they had just made.  After helping Marick up, though he didn't really need it, she walked to where her dress lay across the couch. She sighed at the tattered thing, and decided that she had no choice but to wear it. "Maybe you can help me find some real clothing after breakfast, something I can actually move in!" She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Mhm, leather would be nice. Now, if only I had my sword." She looked over at Marick mischieviously, she wanted to see the world through his eyes.

Marick holds her still as they kiss again his body tingling as he sits up a it pushing into it deeper, as his hands are guided he smiles softly and pants a bit from the kiss grinning to her and biting his lip. "Jeez..." He mutters and grins before his hands slide off of her and he pushes himself fully to sitting looking at her with a twinkle in his eyes.

Standing with her help he laughs and puts an arm around her spinning her around and moving over towards the dress he smiles and lets her go to get dressed, "Go over behind the divider... I'll get dressed out here... Don't come out until I say so okay~!" He laughs and waits for her to go over before he goes and gets his own clots getting dressed quickly he hums and gathers clothes for the day. Marick was moving a mile a minute his head racing as he daydreamed and got his things together laughing to himself a bit.

Marick began to get dressed slowly being as fussy as he pleased with his clothes assuming it would take her a bit to get into her dress.

Amelia laughed as he spun her, and she scooped up the heavy fabric of her dress with a flourish. "I wouldn't dream of peeking!" She giggled and made for the divider. "I am a lady after all!" She laughed again, and slid behind the cover of the divider. She was sure Marick would have been just as tempted as her to peek, but she wouldn't let temptation get the best of her. Amelia sighed as she inspected her dress. It was torn and wrinkled, smelling of the smokey tavern. She didn't even like the damn thing.

With a huff, she slipped into her dress, pulling her arms through the sleeves. It was easier when she had the help of her maids, but obviously, they weren't here. It wouldn't have been so bad, but the fabric was heavy. She managed to get it on without too much trouble, smirking as she spoke. "This thing was so much easier to take off." She figured he would get the hint, and said no more, waiting patiently for him to give the word that he was covered appropriately.

Marick taking the hint she was dressed finishes getting dressed and slips his danger under his shirt with a strap holding it in place. He smiles and comes around the divider sweeping her up laughing and smiling as he grins.

"Lady yes, but your mind is just as easy to wander and want~" He smiles leaning in putting his forehead to hers as he holds her in his arms smiling. "And from what I've seen you are quite forwards..." Marick teases and smiles walking over to the trap door he smiles and laughs, "Mmmm so who goes first me or you?" He teases and opens it smiling and waiting for her to go down or to answer.

Marick was in the clouds he couldn't believe this was all happening it was so new to him to have this much emotion invested in such a short time. He bit his lip and went down quickly sighing softly.

Amelia laughed as he swept her up, his smile infectious. He rested his forehead against hers, and she smiled softly as he held her. "Yes, I'm already undressing you with my eyes." She laughed and followed him to the door. "I know what I want, I prefer determined." She was teasing him, she couldn't help it. She gave him a little wink, followed by a devious smile.

Marick opened the door, his question making her smile. "I think I'll head down first, my dress is likely to get caught in the door." It was sad but true, though she made her way down gracefully despite the awkwardness of it. She waited patiently at the bottom for him, still smiling.

Amelia didn't stop to ponder what anyone would say about her and Marick reappearing together after last night. She didn't really care, all she knew was that she loved spending her time with Marick. She wondered if he had any other plans after breakfast, and she worried a little before speaking again. "I'm not keeping you from anything, am I? I don't want to be a burden." She but her lip hard in worry, really not wanting to keep him from anything he had planned for himself.

Marick laughs and smiles as he follows her down and then pulls her out smiling as they crossed the hall and went down the stairs. Marick was loving this, he runs down the stairs and into the main room pulling her along before stopping. He winks and walks through with her holding her hand gently at his side as he smiles, leading her through the room shoulder to shoulder smiling.

As they came outside the sun was already up and bright in late morning, Marick smiles and yawns. "mmmm I know the owner of the bakery we can get some thing nice and warm to fill our stomachs... then go sit on the side of the river and watch boats go by..." Marick couldn't help but smile as he thinks. "Or we could get you something new to wear first..." Marick smiles and squeezes her hand smiling.

Remembering the gnawing in her stomach he nudges her around a corner and then sharply into a small bakery that smelled strongly of fresh baked break. Smiling and walking to the counter he waits and smiles as the baker comes out. The man was short and scrawny with a black apron covered in flour. Marick and him greet each other quickly with a small wave as Marick leans across and pays him. "Could I get two of the usual brunch then Hank?" He asks and smiles. The man rolls his eyes. "Fine fine but you'll need to wait I only ever make up one... Just give me a few moments..."

Amelia was pulled along, a smile on her lips. She blushed a little as he winked at her, his hand holding hers gently. They walked through the dining room, and she tried not to feel paranoid at the stares they may or may not be getting. Amelia probably looked pretty shabby, but that wasn't what had her on edge. She was worried her father might be looking for her, and she didn't want to cause problems for Marick.

Amelia was about to respond to him, but it seemed as if he had already decided on a course of action. "He pulled her into a bakery, the smell of fresh bread making her stomach gurgle. She waited quietly behind him as he spoke to the baker. She listened, and couldn't help but smile to herself. It seemed Marick didn't normally have girls stay with him.

Amelia took his hand again, and smiled. "I would love to watch the boats, I haven't done that since I was young." The smell of bread was so enticing, that it nearly clouded all other though. Amelia hadn't eaten since yesterday morning, so she was a bit overdue. She had thought about offering to pay for her own breakfast, but she thought that may be rude so she stayed quiet. When it came to the leathers she was going to buy later, well he better not try to pay for that. She wouldn't allow it. She hummed softly as they waited, and tried not to star at Marick as much as possible. Her eyes were drawn to him, like a moth to flame. "I'm sorry I'm going to be dragging you to the armorer later, he usually has what I need though. It shouldn't take too long, I promise." She wondered what Marick thought about her wearing armor, and wielding a sword, she hoped it didn't put him off too much. It was more comfortable to her than a dress, however.

Marick smiles to the man and then back to Amelia as they waited, he sighs and holds both of her hands lightly below the level of the counter smiling to her. Marick takes the bag as the food is finished and then pays the man smiling.

"See you tomorrow then Hank..." He waves and then swaps the bag hands so he could carry the food all the while still holding her hand as much as he could. Marick smiles to Amelia as they walk out and across the street towards the river down by the entry to the city. "You know it's been a long time since I've watched them myself..." Marick smiles walking close with her. He was rather quiet on the way there but once they got there he dropped down sitting on the side of the stone wall on the sides of the river so things could be built near it. He sits and smiles to Amelia, "Come on then get comfy then we can eat watch and talk..." Marick teases and holds his hand up to help her sit knowing it must be a pain in the dress.

Moving over a bit he opens the bag and hands her her half of the food, a fresh warm flat loaf of bread with some eggs and bacon cupped in it, cheese melted on top and other toppings the whole thing like a small bowl holding all the food. Marick takes his out eating a few bites before looking to Amelia, he nudges his shoulder to hers and then takes her hand again. "Seems like things are going so fast wouldn't you say..." He blushes a bit and pulls himself closer so that they were hip to hip his shoulder cocked back so she was on the inside of the way he was sitting his hand on her back instead of holding her hand. He smiles half to himself this time, "But I don't even care if it went fast... It just feels right..." He mutters leaning his cheek to the top of her head.

Marick made her feel light as a feather as the left the bakery, making certain he could still hold her hand. They made their way to the riverside, both contentedly quiet. She hadn't felt this at peace in a while. Once they reached the stone wall, Marick helped her climb up and sit comfortably. She couldn't help but laugh, she was sure she looked ridiculous. Amelia looked at the water, glimmering in the sunlight. She couldn't help but smile as a cool breeze kissed her face.

Hearing the rustle of the bag, she returned er gaze to Marick and took her portion, holding it almost gently. She nibbled quietly, stopping only as he adjusted beside her. She blushed and kept her gaze on the water. Amelia pondered what he had said for a moment, it had seemed like they were swept up in passion, a lasting one she hoped. "I agree, I'm not complaining though." She grinned at him, and took another bite, chewing it thoughtfully. Amelia swallowed and spoke again quietly.

"I know I would like to spend a lot more time with you, and I know that you make me happy. We don't know each other well, but I feel as if I've known you forever." She grew quiet and stared absently at the water again, she didn't know how to explain it better. She knew she didn't want to be apart from him, but she knew it would be inevitable. Her father would come looking, it was just a matter of time.

Marick smiles and laughs as he eats as he snuggles up close to her an arm tight around her waist as he pulls her into his chest a bit, Marick bites his lip and smiles hopping down and cradling her as he lands on the ground off the wall, he smiles and sighs as he stands beside the water with her in his arms nipping at her neck before sitting down with her in his lap. He smiles and sighs softly laughing as he leans in and nips her neck more, he finally settles in with one arm around her as he nibbles on the food.

Marick bites his lip looking at her, "Sorry wanted to be closer to the water... And we're more out of sight here..." He smiles lifting his knees a bit to keep her off the ground as he relaxes. Marick smiles and leans back eating his food, he relaxes into the wall behind him, he didn't know for sure why but he couldn't stamp down the butterflies in his stomach being this close to her, he ate more of the food hoping to drown them out some but couldn't manage to do anything about them his blush deepening more and more