Roleplay City
Oberon Castle => OBERON CASTLE: Drink Today, Die Tomorrow => The Palace => Topic started by: Idrial on February 13, 2008, 09:11:12 AM
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Once again she had come out on top in both archery and in the hands-free horse riding control competition events and was glad to be returning home after a long two weeks. She was looking forward to seeing her father once again and to tell him of her winnings. She slowly rode up to the house, a smile on her face. She got off her horse and motioned for him to stay; she entered the house yelling to her father.
“Father I’m ….”
She stopped and saw a dress laid out for her on the chair, it was a beautiful royal blackish blue with a low V neck cutline. The dress was flared out at the bottom giving a flowing look to it and it was also doubled layered with lighter colors. Velvet slippers lay at the bottom of the chair, the color of the bright night sky. The cloak that was neatly folded was a scarlet red and the color was adored with fur around the collar and hood. He father then came around the corner all dressed up in his best and a smile adored his face.
“What do you think beautiful is it not?”
Keara nodded and with a slight smile on her face she put her hands on her hips.
“What’s this all about? Do you have another woman in your life that you’ve been keeping form me?”
Her father came around to the table and stood on the other of it facing Keara while speaking in a joyful but serious tone towards her.
“Like every year we have been invited to the Corn Banquette and you my lady are going this year no if’s and’s or but’s. Now you have plenty of time to get ready the Banquette doesn’t start for quite sometime. I have already gotten the bath water ready and I will be upstairs if you need me.”
With a gentle kiss on her forehead he was off and bounded quickly upstairs before Keara had any chance to argue with her father. Not that it would have done her any good, he was a stubborn man and besides she did need to get out more. Though she would rather not go, her father would only brag about her accomplishments to his Ranger buddies and one of them would try to hit on her and of course it never failed.
She walked into the bathroom to start washing herself and her hair. After an hour she had scrubbed off all the dirt and grime off of her body leaving nothing but her glowing skin and gleaming tan that she had gotten over the days of working outside. She decided to leave her hair dry straight as she was not that fond of curls. Her hair shined light the sunlight and as it dried it became silky smooth and not a fly away on her head.
She then proceeded to try on the new dress that her father had given her, the dress fit like a glove. How her father knew her exact measurements she would never know. It brought out every lovely feature on her, from her slender waist all the way to her elegant yet strong arms and legs. She then put on a little make-up to enhance her lovely facial features. She truly looked like a woman and was glad that she did not have to look like this all the time, she was happy for who she was; a woman who liked to get her hands dirty in the name of the king. She then felt something against her skin and looked down to see a beautiful blue sapphire resting against her skin.
“It was your mothers, passed down from generation to generation. There are others necklaces that she had but this one I believe suits you perfectly. I am glad to see that your mothers dress fits you so well.”
Keara was stunned at her father’s words, she knew that her mother was a noble of high status but she did not know just how high of stature she had within her blood. Keara rose from the chair smiling not knowing what to say to her father. There was a lot she did not know about her mother for she had died when she was very young. She walked a little in her new dress, it flowed elegantly was almost as if she was wearing pants and not a dress. She then handed her scarlet cloak and she gently put it around her shoulders using a small clasp to fasten it together so that it would stay on her.
Her father took her by the arm and led her out to the carriage. It was a long and quiet ride, Keara was nervous about going to such an event. She did not know how she would be viewed in their eyes. She was not viewed as a lady because of her profession that she had chosen for herself and maybe they would scoff at her for entering the Corn Tournament. Although tonight she would ignore there whispers and rude comments and would have a good time, if not for herself for her fathers sake. The carriage came to a complete stop, the moment had come they had arrived. Her father got out first helping Keara out of the carriage, together they walked into the hall. In the far corner she saw her father’s buddies and they waved him over.
“Go I will be fine.”
He patted her hand gently.
“Give me the signal if anyone tries to get fresh with you.”
Keara gave a bubbly laugh.
“I can take care of myself father. Besides I do know hand to hand combat and self defense. I learned it from the best.”
He laughed as well and patted her hand again before going off to join his friends. Now she was left alone in the middle of the hall and would try to make the best of things.
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“Ah, Father, you needn’t stress yourself so!” Mal, as his friends call him, said with a grin.
“NEEDN’T STRESS MYSELF! With a son like you? I’ll kill myself from stress, you worthless BRAT!” Sir Belron yelled as if he was teaching young solders how to fight.
“Don’t worry about me, Father. I can take care of myself.” Mal, or Molly as his friends sometimes tease, tried again. He’d been saying that since he was four, but his father was still convinced that he couldn’t take care of himself! Mal didn’t understand, so what if he flirted and liked to have a little fun? It didn’t mean he was incompetent! The old fool just was too stubborn. Well, Mal could be stubborn, too!
“HAH! If you was to try an’ take care of yerself ye’d be dead or broke within the week!” Mal could tell it was time to back off, when his father started to go back to the poor grammar he had had when he grew up he was really angry.
“If you say so, Father.” He bowed his head in “shame”.
“DAMN RIGHT I SAY SO!” He yelled. “You are not to leave your room for a month!”
“But, Father! I have plans!”
“NO! No buts, that’s final!” He turned and stormed out. When he was gone Mal started to swear, he sounded a lot like his father when he did that, but he didn’t care!
There were parties, and knighting and so many social events he had to go to! He couldn’t miss them!
“You can’t control my life, Father.” He said standing tall to the man that wasn’t there. “I will control my own life from now on.” What he meant by that was that he was going to run away. He had never dreamed of doing such a thing, and maybe, in a couple years, he would visit, and his father would see that he was wrong.
That evening he dressed himself, and slipped on a black shawl that covered his entire outfit, so it would not get ruined as he snuck out. Stripping that, he wore a much more fashionable cloak. How his friends would love to hear that he actually snuck out of the house! He mightn’t even come back, it twould all depend on this evening’s goings.
In his purple doublet of the most expensive material, Malken walked into the hall of the Corn Banquette. He found his friends, but right before he scared off towards them he spotted a lovely lady, in an flowing dark blue dress, doubled layered with colors of beauty, his attention towards his friends vanished in the second.
[FONT=\'Times New Roman\'] “Good evening, my Lady, may I introduce myself?” He bowed gracefully, with an extremely charming smile across his face. “I am Lord Malken Telsen, and you are…?”[/FONT]
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Keara never did like these sorts of events, especially when her father made her wear such bright and expensive clothing. Most of these events held nothing but one purpose, to pick a lady from the bunch and try to bed her. At least that is how she looked at it, but if it would make her father happy that she was mingling with the men in the group than she would do it.
She saw many men have there eyes on her, although none were brave enough to come over at least not so far. The evening was young and it was only a matter of time before some man came over to her, then she would have to be polite unless they got fresh. She knew how to break a man\'s nose with a single thrust of her hand and more than once did it come in handy.
“Good evening, my Lady, may I introduce myself? I am Lord Malken Telsen, and you are…?”
Keara turned around with elegance and grace to see a man bow to her, with a charming smile. She could see out of the corner of her eye that her father was watching her but still talking away with his friends. She used her hand to flip her hair back, giving him the signal that she was fine. She charmily smiled towards the man, speaking in a lovely tone.
"I am Keara Oya, Daughter of Thomas Oya and Ranger for the King."
She held out her hand to the young man, he was a little taller than her which was a change. Standing at six feet it was rare for a woman to even be this height but it could happen. The young man was charming and was wearing expensive clothing that costed a pretty penny. What was more interesting in how he would react that a she was a Ranger and personally for the King as well. This night just might get a little interesting.
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His smile did not waver, his stance did not quiver, his eyes did not remove them from her, only a small casual blink was all that betrayed his shock. He took her hand and gently, barely even touching her, he kissed it.
HAH! Tell father I\'ve met the Ranger to the King! He\'ll be sorry, stupid man! He thought, but non of his actions betrayed his emotion. "An absolutely lovely name, for, if you do not mind my saying so, an absolutely lovely lady." His smile widened a little more, but not enough to make him look stupid.
"Though I\'m afraid I haven\'t such a title myself, I am a simple pauper compared to you." A slight twinkle escaped into his eyes.
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Keara smiled a little at his attempt to flatter her, she could not be easily flattered by most men. Although this was a night were a man\'s ego could be easily bruised, so her smile was yet one of her fake ones but he didn\'t need to know that much. Her father was the only one who knew what her real smiles looked like, but a fake one would do fine here.
When he gently grabbed her hand and kissed it, she could feel that his hands were as smooth as glass. This man probably had never done any sort of grievous work in his life, but that was to be expected from a lord. Although he did seem a little young and there was no question that he was the son of a lord.
Keara then withdrew her hand after he had placed his lips upon them, his smile widened but nothing more. It was of course not everyday that you met a Ranger that personally served the King and Queen of Oberon. She spoke in a rough yet soft like voice with a smile on her face.
"Why I thank you Lord Malken. Now what brings you out here on such an occasional?"
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"Well, if you must know, I am an outlaw running from my military father for sneaking away from home and stealing his most precious belongings." His face stayed straight, though he made it obvious that he was joking.
"But excuse my joking, for twas bad mannors, shall you ever foregive me?" He bowed slightly. "I am here to enjoy myself, such as most. And must I say, they my entire effort of getting here," he didn\'t mention exactly how much effort it took. "Was completely overlooked when spying your beauty, if I am not to bold to say so.
"And you, my Lady, what is the reason of your blessing to show yourself to us humble people?"
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Keara almost went into Ranger mode when he told him that he was an outlaw, only to see that he was just kidding. She then quickly replaced her face with a smile. You could never truly trust people these days, even her father had said to her that the crimes committed in this day and age were more sinister than when he started out as a Ranger. Indeed times were changing and Keara could never be too careful.
The Lord bowed slightly, she had never seen someone bow to her so many times in a night. She was use to people just nodding thier heads, she was not use to this sort of bowing for everything little thing. It was a nice change for her, she spoke in confident voice.
"All Is forgiven Lord Malken, as for the blessing of showing myself to you humble people is a bit of an over statement. I am just as humbled by your presence as you are with mine. As for appearing tonight my Father made me come, I am not usually one who comes to such events like these. But I love him and I would do what he asks, plus I always keep telling myself I need to get out more."
She smiled and looked over to her side to see three yound men staring at her, one of them pursed his lips towards her in a most unpleasent manner. She glared at the man with her periceing eyes, before looking back at Lord Malken.
"The nerve of some men. Would you mind if we continued this conversation in the Royal Gardens. There should be next to no people their and I won\'t be stared at like a piece of eye candy either."
She then looked over her shoulder again to see that the man was still making rude and sexual gestures towards her, each time she came to such an event it never failed. She then looked back at Lord Malken and smiled a little while placing her arm outwards so that could take it into his own arm and lead her to the gardens.
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"Truly." He agreed with her comment about some men. "And I would be delighted to join you, in the Gardens, if it twould make you more comfortable." He added a slight, modest and kind twinkle to enter his eyes.
She came here because her father asked her to? Oh, the differences between us! Doesn\'t matter, she truly is lovely. He thought, keeping it from his face.
He smiled even more charmingly as he offered his arm. "May I?" He said tilting his head slightly. He would have bowed, but he couldn\'t do so without moving his offered arm.
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Keara gladly took his arm into her own; he was a charming young man she had to admit to herself. She was grateful that she had met such a man this night that had the word manners in there vocabulary. She smiled towards him once more before speaking.
"You are gentlemen Lord Malken. Would you mind leading me to the Royal Gardens?"
She smiled once more towards him; she had to admit to herself that luck must have been on her side tonight. She could not wait to get out to the gardens, they were suppose to be beautiful this time of year.
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"You flater me, my lady." He made himself blush modestly, and lead them to the gardens.
When he got there he decided to go get some drinks. "I shall return shortly, Lady. And when I do I shalt bring a glass of wine for you and myself." He bowed and lightly left.
He bragged to his friends as he walked swiftly to get drinks. But the doors opened before the doorman could announce his name, when he turned he saw hiw father.
"Telon curse the man." He whispered and quickly left. He entered the garden and spotted Keara.
He really should go, he\'s left other women before like this, but for some reason he didn\'t want to.
He walked outside and spotted her and watched her for a moment, he had no doubt she could see him .
They had both because of their fathers, but she was so much better than him. He had come because his father had justfully punished him, she had come because her father had asked her to. It made him feel ashamed.
He had met many nobles in his life, but never had he met a young lady(or gentlemen) that was not a brat. But she was... Nice, she was kind, and caring and she... Shamed him. That was what he felt, and he knew it. He felt shamed.
He sighed and walked forward.
"I hath brought thee a drink, Madam." He smiled with his(only slight) mock charm, and bowed deeply.
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She was lead to the Gardens and just as she had predicted they were beautiful this time of year. The flowers were giving off there bright colors for the last time before the cold weather would come. They then stopped by a bench before he ran off to get them both a drink but not before bowing once more.
She took a seat on the bench and began to play with the sappire that was hung around her neck. She then stopped and let it lay in her hand as she looked at it, she wondered what else her mother had that she didn\'t know. How many more things that was left for her, she missed her mother but the memories would alwasy be there and would never be forgotten.
"I hath brought thee a drink, Madam."
She looked up quickly letting the Sapphire fall against her skin once more before taking the drink from his hand. She smiled at him and patted her hand beside her, inviting him to sit.
"Thank-you Lord Malken."
She looked on his face, to see something that was missing.
"Is something on your mind Lord Malken?"
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He bowed slightly and took his seat.
"Is something on your mind Lord Malken?"
He sighed dramaticaly. "Indeed there is, my lady. I\'m afraid that I shalt have to leave your side soon. When my father finds me here, we have some unfinished business at home. I came here to try and ease my mind of them, but I shalt have to leave soon." He looked mornful and he skillfully lied.
The trick, he had found out a long time ago, in a lie is to tell the truth along with it. For he did have unfinished business at home, and he had come to ease his mind of it. He just didn\'t say that he had been a brat and ran away.
He forced the thought away, for he still felt ashamed from that, and consentrated on his conversation with Keara.
"But I shall try to enjoy myself before the time comes when I must tear myself from your side." He smiled, charmingly.
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She listened as he explained his situation to her; she studied his face as he spoke towards her with kind words. She could see that he was troubled but it was not because of him having too leave so soon, no this was a classic class of defying authority. She had seen it all too often and had head about it as well; she took a sip of her wine. She was not fond of alcoholic beverages but this was good wine.
"But I shall try to enjoy myself before the time comes when I must tear myself from your side."
He smiled at her charmingly, wanting to forget about the situation that had now come to hand. Keara was not one that simply forgot about things, she smiled at him while resting her hand on his lightly. It was a kind a simple gesture and not at all of one of a sexual nature. She spoke in a kind and low voice.
"Lord Malken, I know that what you speak is not entirely true. If I would put my money on it and in which I would. I would say that this is a case were you defied your fathers orders, when you should have stayed at home."
She took another sip of her wine before continuing to speak.
"It is not something that we should be ashamed of, not everyone is perfect in this life and if they were it be a boring life. I myself have defied my father and I still do, why just last month I was punished and confirmed to my room. Instead I snuck out of my room and rode my horse all night. Well all do it, even noble Rangers like me.”
She smiled at this hoping this would make him feel better.
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Her comment made him loose his gentleman "act" slightly and he let out a laugh, he couldn\'t help it. He lifted her hand and kissed it, like her act, it had no sexual(or charming) intentions.
"My dear lady, I\'m afraid you are correct, but \'tis of a much more serious matter. I have left my home." Not to say run away. "Because I... Defied some of my father\'s will. Twas a stupid act, but grave nontheless. I shall not give more detials than that, except that when my father does finally find me I\'m afraid I shall get a fair and unjust punishment." Meaning it would be a well deserved extreme "punishment", which probably meant beatings, sword practice and many other small and big tribulations. For his father had no doubt found out about how grave his small act earlier that day and been.
"But, no more thoughts, for I shall enjoy your company, and you, hopefully, shall enjoy mine. He raised his glass in a toast, and drunk the entire thing in one gulp wishing it wasn\'t watered down.
((I\'ll tell you what that grave matter is when I make it up. lol!))
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He laughed at her as he lifted her hand and kissed it. It was charming really, she listened as he spoke of what he had done. She smiled at this, it was nice to to hear a man speak of his flaws. That did not happen very often as most men liked to brag and hid thier flaws.
No matter she would let the subject go for now anyways, she watched as he raised his glass in a toast only to drain it in one gulp. She laughed a good harty laugh, she hadn\'t had this much fun in a long time. She raised her glass as well and drained it in one gulp.
"Your not the only one who drain a glass in one gulp without choking on it."
She smiled at him, she was glad that her father made her come. For once in her life.
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He looked down at his glass and let out a small laugh. "I usually don\'t drain my glass. Terrible manners." He smiled again. He really enjoyed her company. She wasn’t a light fuddle-headed giggling lady, but a true lady. Polite, sensible, smart and didn’t expect him to be perfect or anything.
He heard his father in the distance and winced slightly, thanking the darkness for hiding his troubled expression.
“If you don’t mind my saying so, you are the most sensible and beautiful lady I’ve seen in… Ever.” He changed “in a long time” to “eve” for that was the truth.
He spoke praying his father didn’t break anything. That usually meant that rough times were ahead at home.
[FONT=\'Times New Roman\'] He contained his sigh at the thought of what would happen at home. It truly wasn’t going to be pleasant.[/FONT]
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He let out a small laugh as he looked down at his glass; he then apologized once again towards her. She enjoyed his company dearly this night, she would be sad to too see him go. She smiled and politely waved a hand towards his apology, it was not that she was being rude it just that he expected a Lord to have fun in his life.
“Please don’t apologize Lord Malken, we only live once and she would be able to do the things we please at one point or another. Besides I don’t think its very lady like of me to just gulp down a glass of wine. Mind you I’m not like other woman.”
She gave a small laugh at this for it was the truth; she was not like other woman of her stature. She was not prissy or snooty like other girls that were nobles her age. In fact they looked down at her for choosing to work such a dangerous and tedious job, but it was her life and she did not care what they thought. She spoke in a kind voice.
“I must say Malken that I have enjoyed this evening very much, especially with you as my company. I don’t think I would have asked for a better night.”
She then realized that she did not call him Lord Malken. It was too late to change what she said without making herself look like a fool, she hoped he didn’t hear her mistake. Although what she had seen tonight from him he was much to smart for that, hopefully he would not mind.
“Do you own a horse? It would be a pleasure for me to take you riding in area\'s that only Rangers are permitted to go and there guests that they bring. As payment in showing me what a lovely evening this has been.”
She looked at him with a smile on her face, it was the truth she would like to go riding with the man sometime.
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He had noticed her slip but did not point it out. He actually rather enjoyed the "Lord" being cut out.
"I indeed do own a horse, Keara," he tested to see how she reacted to his calling her by her name instead of "my lady" as he usually did. "But I\'m afraid I shain\'t be able to ride one for a while." He said meaning the well deserved beatings that was coming his way, as apposed to a house bounding.(grounding)
"But as soon as I can I shall ask permission from your father to call upon you to go riding." He smiled charmingly, he liked this girl. She was actually a female he could befriend, that was a new and interesting thing.
Sir Belron was told that Malken was out in the gardens talking with Lady Ranger Keara.
"Damn!" He swore. Though most royalty did not swear like that, he was in heart, a military man. He was thinking of how his son had probably annoyed or horrors, offended her! Great Talon save him! Damn boy\'s going to get himself arrested and think that he was going to save his sorry ass!
When he walked out and heard a laugh. He saw his son and the ranger talking, but she didn\'t look upset or annoyed, she actually looked like she was enjoying herself with his son. He smiled slightly.
Finally a friend(or maybe more) that would be good for him to befriend. He would still be punished when he got home, but he would give his son the night, if it meant that he would befriend a better friend than the one he\'s got.
((OOC: Sorry I had had a better post I have some other things I have to do and I couldn\'t consentrate))
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Keara smiled as he didn\'t call her "My Lady" it was nice a change for someone to call her by her name that wasn’t her father or a Ranger. It was obvious that he did not mind her slip up at all, in fact it looked like her enjoyed not being called Lord Malken. Though she was happy to hear that he owned a horse but not so happy to hear that he wouldn\'t be able to ride for a while.
Her father did not believe in beating a child at least not since she was seventeen. He now knew that it didn\'t do anything for the child except build hatred towards the parent or parents. Her father had beat her when she a child. The last beating she got was when she was seventeen with a whip. He was in a rage and her back still bared some of the scars, he had almost lost her after a nasty infection had set in her wounds.
He vowed never to beat her again that badly and he never did except for the occasional slap when she stepped out of line. But now she had grown out of most of her mischievous ways. She touched his hand lightly looking into his eyes with compassion in her voice.
"I can see that you are strong individual Malken, it will take more than a beating to break your spirit and soul. Just one word of advice, do not fight what comes your way, it only makes it worse in the end. Besides they only do what\'s seems best for us whether it be in our best interests or in punishment and always out of love, never out of hate."
She smiled slightly towards him; she knew what it was like to be beaten. It was never a pleasant experience for anyone. She then gave his hand a little squeeze with a little wider smile. She changed the subject to a more pleasant subject.
"Now as for my father he\'s a little protective of me since my mother died. But he\'s a good and honest man. He is one person that I know will judge a person fairly and once he likes you, he is your ally and friend for life. He is also a little rusty on his skills of stealth as well."
She spoke the last part a little loudly looked towards a bush to see his bright red boot sticking out from a bush only for it to disappear slowly. She laughed out loud and heard him walk away; she shook her head not out of spite but out of love for her father being protective of her.
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Malken chuckled slightly as she talked of the beatings. He didn\'t reply at first, her words of a parent\'s love were like a dagger, he didn\'t even notice when she talked of her father being there.
Not saying anything he thought of his own mother and how she had died. "My father\'s a military man, so he has a hard time showing his love. Especiall-" He cut himself off. Not that he minded talking of his mother to his new found friend, he just never could talk about her. It was never mentioned at home and he had grown used to cutting himself off when his words steered towards him because he knew how it hurt his father.
"He will mostly just try to teach me to use a sword again." He continued quickly to try and cover up his almost slip, but he had found out that nothing slipped past her.
"After tonight I will probably learn this time!" He chuckled, but his mind elsewhere. He shook his head and came back to the present. He closed his mouth and waited for her to say something, hoping that he did not have to conitnue.
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She heard him stop in his sentence; she had heard him talk about his father but what about a mother unless she died when he was young as well. She pretended not to notice his slip up as she did not want him to talk about something painful in his life. Keara could only mention her mother’s death but not really talk about it. She was close to her and still missed her very much after all these years.
She smiled as he talked about his father being a military man. He father was a military man in his actions and words but would always be a Ranger at heart. Finally maybe her father would have a friend outside those that were Rangers, not that she objected it just when they got together they got a little carried away some days.
“We all learn someday, it’s just some take longer than others.”
She was excited when she heard that he was into swordplay and that his father was an expert on the subject. She was looking for someone to practice with and for someone to give her pointers as well. She could see a man staring at them and she had noticed it for a while, maybe that was Malken’s father that was watching them. This would be the perfect moment to bring up her looking for someone to practice swords with. She spoke in an excited voice, though not too excited to make her look like an idiot.
“You indulge in swords play? I would not have guess it by looking at you, I do as well though I only know the basic’s but I have that down to an art and I was looking for someone to practice with and as well as someone to give me pointers.”
Keara then flicked her eyes towards where she saw the man; he was still standing there with a delightful look on his face. She the continued to speak in a kind voice.
“Since your father is an expert in the subject due to his back ground and you already know how to handle a sword. Maybe I could ask him and I could be part of the punishment. It would a lot more enjoyable would it not? Plus I think he is the one it Garden doorway staring at us, maybe should introduce me to the man, if you like.”
She wouldn’t mind in meeting his father but then again she was content in staying where she was, and talking to Malken.
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"... Here?" Malken silently cursed. "Um..." He gulped. "If you wish, my lady." He replied falling back into his safest ground. Manners.
"I believe I have been caught." A rough and rusty voice came from the doorway and a large man stepped forward. Around seven feet a scarred face looked down at the two. There was not a man he had ever met that he didn\'t look down to.
Though you could tell a rough manner had been beat into him long ago, he was much more comfortable ordering men around and beating them when they failed. In almost every aspect, one could tell, he was different from his son. Except the eyes, which were the same.
"Good evening, my lady," his rusty voice strangely soft. "I hope my... mischievous son hasn\'t been too hard to handle."
"Hello, Father." Malken got oddly stiff, but still kept his light smile to try and ease his stiff manner.
"I would be delighted to teach you in the art of swordplay, but I\'m afraid my son over exaggerates. He just refuses to learn, I think he\'s afraid it will harden his lady-like hands."
"Lady-like," Malken snorted softly. "Tis not my hands that doesn\'t wish to learn. But, that is a conversation for a later date." He smiled at his father.
"Indeed." Their eyes locked and each had a slight coldness in them.
"Now, if you wish to continue to talk, I can most certainly try and survive a formal occasion. Tis good to be seen now and then." His smile seemed awfully familiar to those who knew Malken, as he made a mock face of a tortured man.
Though in many aspects different, though occasionly slightly similar, the father and his son did not get along very well.
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Keara smiled brightly towards the man, she could not believe the size of the man either. His face and hands were worn down by over the years of military service and he proudly wore then with the utmost pride. She could feel the tension between them but she ignored it for now and spoke in a pleasant voice towards the man.
“I believe you have, it is pleasure to meet you Sir Belron. Your son hasn’t been too hard to handle, a ranger can handle almost anything that comes there way. He’s actually shown me a very good time.”
She could see that Malken seemed a little tense around his father, it was obvious that they did not have the best relationship but she had seem that this was very common in-between fathers and their sons. She listened intently and was delighted to hear that he would be delighted in teaching her the ways of the sword. She made a small laugh towards his comment about his son’s lady like hands.
“I do thank you Sir Belron, it would be an honor in learning the ways of the sword from an expert such as you. I can help and cure that fear of maintaining his lady like hands; I use certain oil on my hands after a hard day of work from using my bow. It can do a lot on my hands, but one application my hands are as smooth as a new piece of leather. I shall bring it over when I have my first lesson. Hopefully I won’t beat your son too badly.”
She laughed a little; her father always said that she had a gift with words. Malken locked eyes with his father, it was rather a cold stare but probably due to what he knew what was coming when he went home. None the less she ignored this as well, she curtsied a little as Sir Belron politely made his leave. She looked towards Malken and smiled a little as she spoke.
“It was nice meeting your father; I can see that he is a military man through and through. Lady like hands.”
She then laughed a little, it was wonderful meeting new people and she was sure that her father would be delighted to hear that she had found someone to tutor in her swords play and have someone to practice with as well who was close to her age. This was a grand night indeed.
-
"I have heard of the Ranger\'s endurance, but I am surprised even a Ranger could handle my son." Belron chuckle softly and bowed slightly, respectfully and turned and left.
Walking into the hall he couldn\'t help but smile. Maybe she could help his son grow up finally. Belron liked her and believed she would be very good for his son.
"Lady-like hands." Malken snorted softly. "Great." He turned towards Keara and skillfully hid his sour anger at his father. How was it that every time that man appeared he could changed Malken\'s feelings entirely. Happy before he came, now Mal was fighting to keep a smile on.
And now he would have to endure fighting! Damn him! For Malken could not argue with his father in front of a lady, but he would not learn swordplay! He would not join the military, and most of all he would NOT learn how to kill people!
"Well, I\'m glad you enjoy his company." He said, falling back into his gentleman\'s role. "But, and I enjoy seeing if someone can teach me swordplay." He lied. Though, he indeed did not want to loose the tenderness of his skin, that wasn\'t the reason he didn\'t fight.
Having a military parent can one of two things to their children, they grow up military or they grow up hating fighting. Malken chose the latter. He despised fighting, and hated killing more so.
"My father is indeed military, I am quite certain he finds more joy in ordering his solders around than anything else." Especially since his mother had died.
"So now I must sparr with my lady as well as ride, my luck truly is turning for the better." He smiled, shoving his thoughts of family aside.
-
Keara smiled at Malken, it was a clear sign on his face that he did not indulge in sword fighting, whether he be he simply did not like it or was too lazy to practice such a hard and demanding art she could not tell. She then felt the muscles in his arm that she was holding onto ease up a little which was a good sign. She patted his arm gently with the other hand before speaking towards him.
"You know what helped me through my years of training, I didn\'t think of it as grueling and hard work. I thought of it more like a game, a game that was to better myself each and everyday. With every quiet step as I followed an enemy, with every shot of my bow and to make my father proud. I chose the life of a Ranger for it was my decision not my fathers. You don not have to be a Military man like your father for it is your life. I\'m sure that sparring with you will be enjoyable."
She smiled at him politely, it was true tha his luck was turning to the better as well as Keara\'s. For once in her life she had made a friend outside of the Ranger group. For this she was grateful.
"Besides if wouldn\'t hurt to know how to handle a sword with some skill, There are more criminals out there than you think and most are down right dangerous and some would kill you in a flash."
She patted his arm once more with a bright smile on her face; she looked up towards the sky. The stars were shining brightly tonight and the moon was full but it seemed closer to earth.
“Shall we walk around the gardens Malken?”
-
Malken smiled warmly and his new found friend. "My dear lady," he started thickly. "It is not the hard work that I detest. I have a hard time with a thought of killing. And I am afraid that my father made is extremely clear to me as a young boy that I was not to view such things as a game. Though I shall try to enjoy myself in your company."
He took his other hand and raised it an almost shrug-like manner, but not quite. "Though you are correct in that manner, but if I have such a lady as you, my Rangerous friend," he teased. "I do not believe criminals would dare harm me!" His eyes twinkled with humor and his smile twitched of hidden laughter.
He patted the hand on his arm and nodded. "I would love to take a walk with you." He said. Malken had relaxed greatly from his father\'s leave.
He had once hoped that they would get along as Malken got older, now he no longer cared. When he was able he would move from his father\'s estate and find a place for himself somewhere.
He gently started to turn and start the graden walk.
-
Keara gave him a serious nod; Malken had a very good point. Killing was not something that was to be considered a game; it was cruel and hard fact in this life. You either lived or died, for life as her father taught her was always borrowed from the goddess. It also could be taken away at any time either through natural death or from your own accord of actions.
"Your father is right, killing is not a game. Although sometimes we must do things in this life that do not like. Besides you may hate it now but over time maybe with me as your sparring partner you might become to like it. Not the killing I do suppose but just the way the sword feels in your hands as you move elegantly through each and every movement."
She then gave him a hearty laugh and shook her head a little but with a smile on her face, she spoke still laughing a little.
"I would hope not, through some criminals are stupid enough to try and harm a person when a Ranger is around. Although I must say once you declare war on a Ranger or the person they are protecting or having fun with, we do everything we can to bring that person down. Most die in trying to kill us to escape but in rare cases some surrender and go to trial. I don\'t know how many times criminals have tried to kill me in order to escape."
She then started to move with him, her skirts elegantly flowing underneath her and not hindering her stride at all. It was a very nice night for a walk.
-
Malken smiled and looked out, absently watching the flowers and such as they slowly passed them.
As Keara spoke he turned to look back at her. She must be the fairest lady he had ever met. He thought lightly.
"I do not think that it will be the sword\'s company I shall enjoy, but rather the lady\'s. It would be frightfully inpolite for me to enjoy a sword\'s company more than the lady I am sparring with, wouldn\'t you think?" He asked, not wanting to be serious, but rather, like he always has been, light and carefree.
"If anyone is stupid enough to try and fight a lady, let alone a lady Ranger, they deserve to be trailed and sentenced! If only for their lack of manners! Even criminals should have enough manners not to attack a lady." Malken shook his head in a serious manner, not letting on for an instance that he was joking in the slightest bit.
-
Keara nodded at him in agreement, she would enjoy his company probably more than the sword play but that did not mean that she wasn’t going to try. It just wasn’t like her; she could enjoy things while still giving her best performance that she possibility could.
His tone then turned serious instead of his light and humorous voice that she had experienced all evening. It was nice to know that he had a serious side to him. She listened intently to him as how it was bad manners to attack a lady. He probably didn’t know what a ranger of the female variety wore. She spoke lightly towards him but with some seriousness in her voice.
"I agree it is rude to attack a lady, but you see a Ranger whether you be male or female we wear the same thing. Our uniforms I guess you could call them consist of Light but sturdy leather boots, Wool like pants on the more expensive side and a tunic. Which all these are dyed and made into earth like colors. Oh and we have a cloak as well which is green and a gray mix with a large hood hides our faces. So you see no one can tell that I am a Lady Ranger from far away, it is only when I get up close and personal do they really see that I am a lady."
She smiled at him a little just to show him that she was serious on the subject as well.
"When they do see that I am a lady they automatically think that I will go eaiser on them, with me that is not the case. I can be just as hard on a criminal as any man could be without my emotions getting in the way. Some of the Rangers tease me saying that, The female is the deadlier of the species so watch your step and don\'t piss her off boys or she might be found on a pike in the kings forest. Of course they laugh and so do I, I\'ve gotten use to the how the Ranger use that sort of dark humor to tease one another."
-
Malken listened to what Keara said about Rangers all dressing the same, when she had ended he paused his walk. He lifted her hand off his arm and said, "my lady, it twoud be impossible to not tell you as one, for you are way too beautiful to be mistaken for anything else." He lifted her hand and ever-so-lightly kissed it, then placed it back on his arm and continued the walk.
He went back to listening to what she said, images of grave battles of dozens of rangers with Keara in head entered his mind, he mentally shook his head at his childish imagination.
"I have no doubt that the female is the deadlier of the two, even outside the rangers. For once you get past the trained timidness, they are quite dangerous. I had only to know my mother to know that." He grinned. He was taking in what Keara said, but he had always had an almost childish few on humor.
Only occasionally would he act serious, but that didn\'t mean he didn\'t listen nor remember all that was said.
-
Malken paused on his walk and complimented her on her beauty and kissed her hand lightly before directing her hand back to his arm. She listened as he talked about the female being deadlier than the male; she spoke in a neutral tone towards him.
"Yes well males can be just as deadly I\'ve learned. They can use there charm for bad instead of good which can get a woman in a trouble. But you are very sweet and use charm for good. By the way you look very handsome in those bright colors that you are wearing tonight. Brings out your eyes."
She grinned at him and kept walking; she then noticed that there was next to no people within this part of the garden. It was semi-dark within this part, it did not bother Keara. In fact she had always liked the dark better than the light. She looked up at the stars and smiled.
"They\'re beautiful aren’t they Malken."
-
Malken chuckled slightly at her comments about men. "Trust me, my lady, men are but humble servants to the whims of ladies. Thank you for you kind complement." He smiled brightly. A complement from a Ranger to the King was no small thing.
He blinked a couple times, confused be her comment. Then noticed she was looking up, so he, too, looked up. "That they are, Keara. My mother used to say that they were gifts given by the gods. That both worked together, Dark and Light, to create them." Then shaking his head slightly, he patted her hand.
"Now, shall we continue?" He asked, he hid the plea from his voice. He hadn\'t looked at the stars in a long time, they were one of his mother\'s favorite things, and he did not like to dwell on the thought of his mother for very long.
-
Keara still stared at the stars as Malken spoke; his mother seemed to be a woman full of wisdom beyond her years. She wondered what it would be like if her mother was still alive today, would she be leading the life she had now or would it be totally different. Would she have little brothers or sisters to play with, all these questions would never be answered. Her father made a vow not to re-marry and he had kept his vow.
She looked down from the bright stars as Malken patted her arm once again. She gave him a little smile; it was more a mischievous smile than anything else. No one was around in this part in the garden, if fact they were all alone. Why not make the best of the situation; she spoke in a playful voice.
"Let us continue then Malken. Care to play a little game while were out here by ourselves in this part of the garden?"
She looked at him with playful eyes, and gave a small mischievous smile.
-
Noticed the mischief in Keara\'s eyes and gave a mock sign of suspicion. This was a very interesting lady, he thought. She had a strange mixture of many different aspects. An almost child-like joy, wariness, confidence, and a number of other things.
His mock suspicion got sharper as she asked if he would like to play a game. "It twould depend on the game my lady has in mind." He cocked a single eyebrow in question. "But I have little doubt that I will enjoy anything you have in mind." He added.
-
Keara unhooked her arm from his and walked backwards a couple of paces, with a bright smile on her face. There was a clear sign on his face that he was a little suspicious of her and that did not surprise her at all. Most people were suspicious when a Ranger asked someone to play a sort of game with them.
"Ever heard of the game hide and seek Malken?"
A simple yet fun game, she wasn\'t going to play anything that would put any mistrust towards Malken. After all she was beginning to like the man, and wanted to keep him as a friend rather than doing something that would scare him off.
-
Malken couldn\'t help but chuckle when she mentioned his childhood game. "I haven\'t played that since I was a young boy." He smiled. "But if my lady wishes, I shall indulge myself." He bowed slightly mockingly, but his smile was not hidden.
"Shall I hide and you seek, or do you wish it the other way, Keara?"
-
Keara smiled at him before speaking.
"I think I should hide and you should seek, don’t think it would be a fair advantage if I was looking for you. I was trained in tracking after all. Now no peeking... Let’s say you count to thirty."
She lifted her skirts and swiftly started down the long pathway before taking a sharp turn to the right. Out of sight out of mind, her eyes dodged back and forth looking for a place to hide. After many twists and turns she finally found a suitable spot, a bare spot within the hedges and she quickly climbed in. She then pushed the branches together so that she would not be seen so easily.
“Now we play the waiting game.”
She looked inbetween the branches keeping a look out for Malken.
-
Malken couldn\'t help but laugh softly as she ran to find a good hiding place. Slowly he counted to thirty than went on a search for her.
She would probably make it easy(compared to her standards) for him to find her, but that didn\'t mean it\'d be easy. Slowly he checked in every hedge and every tree.
About twenty minutes, he was actually starting to get really into it, it was almost as much fun as when he had played it with his childhood friend and his mother. She had been the kidn of tomboy, which was probably why he liked Keara. She was like his mother in some aspects, but completely different in others.
A good ten minutes later he finally had a bit of luck, the colors on her dress were not the best for hide and seek, he separated the hedge and smiled at Keara. "Thank for making it easy, Keara." He smiled. If she hadn\'t, it would have been a lot harder to find her.
-
She did know how long she was in the small and cramped space before she heard footsteps. At first they were far off in the distance, over time they became closer and closer to where she was hiding. She slowed her breathing not wanting him to hear her, even if her breathing didn\'t give her away the dress surely would.
Suddenly the branches of the hedge parted and there stood Malken with a smile on his face, she laughed and pulled herself out of her hiding place.
"Who said I was trying to make it easy. Now your turn."
She turned her back towards him and began counting, she hadn\'t remembered a time when she had this much fun.
-
He walked first, back to the main walkway, that would make it harder for her to track him.
Then, staying on the main track, trying to make a little prints as possible by stepping on rocks and such, he found a tree and climbed the near the top.
He knew it would be easy for her to find him, but it was still fun to try. He couldn\'t help but smile and waited...
-
Keara finally reached counting to thirty and swiftly turned around looking for any sort of sign of which way he would have headed. She looked carefully on the ground and found a very light dust print and smiled and started to walk north. Her heels were making noise against the stones and she silently slipped them off, only her skirts swished silently against her legs as she looked for Malken.
She was then lead towards the main walkway, she smiled and put her hands on her hips. He was a clever boy indeed; there was many footprints within the dirt. She kneeled on her knees and examined the dozens of footprints that were imbedded with the pathway. She looked for the freshest ones and began eliminating them one by one, after several minutes she spotted his footprint, only half of the print was there and she set off eastwards.
She walked slowly keeping her head on the ground, at first she could see no footprints what so ever on this pathway and wondered if she had gotten it wrong. She turned to go back when she saw a footprint on the rock and smiled broadly. So that is how he did it, instead of walking on the path he used the rocks. She whispered to herself with a smile.
"Clever Boy."
She looked along the side finding a footprint here and there till they simply vanished from the rocks. She screwed up her face a little and began looking around the surrounding area, nothing could be found and she placed her hands on her hips and began to think. She then slowly turned around with a smile on her face and looked towards the tree.
"Oh your a very clever boy aren’t you Malken, Come down here before you break you neck."
She was smiling at him as she spoke.
-
"Clever?" Malken asked he slowly stood on his strong branch. He jumped down, landing on his feet as he had done a boy. "That is one word that has not been used in a sentence regard myself in a while. I am flatter that you think I am clever." He smiled and noticed she had disgarded her shoes.
"You had better not loose your shoes, Keara. I do not think your maid would approve of that." He joked. He would have said her father, but her being a ranger, he was mostly likely one himself and that would mean he actually mightn\'t have minded it at all. So he joked of the maid instead.
-
Keara looked down at her feet; she had totally forgotten that she had taken off her shoes. She shrugged it off as nothing with a broad smile on her face. She put her hands up high in a sort of shrug and spoke to him a playful voice.
"Oh well and besides I don\'t have a maid."
She walked towards him with a smile on her face, as she got closer to him her foot got caught on the edge of a stone that was sticking out, she tripped and fell right into Malken’s chest. Her arms in instinct wrapped around his neck so that she wouldn\'t fall any further. She looked up into his eyes with a neutral expression on her face. She gave a small smile and looked downwards for she was blushing a little, not being able to say anything.
-
Malken smiled at her playful tone. He was about to reply when she tripped over the upright root and fell on him.
He quicly grabbed her as he was pushed back a couple of steps. He helped her stand up again, "you alright?" He asked, his arms still around around, and would probably stay so until she removed her.
"For a Ranger you\'re an awful cluts." He joked, finding the silence slightly disturbing, but he couldn\'t but smile a little when she looked downwards, that usually meant she was blushing.
-
She looked up at him and smiled for she was no longer blushing.
"Yes I\'m fine thank you; usually I\'m not this big of klutz."
His arms were still around her, it was a very nice feeling and she had no intention of telling Malken to remove them at least not yet. She looked deeply into his eyes with a slight smile still on her face.
-
She looked up and smile at him for she was no longer blushing.
"Yes I\'m fine thank you Malken; Usually I\'m not this big of a Klutz."
His arms were still around her, it was a nice feeling and she had no intetion of telling Malken to remove them, at least not quite yet. She looked deeply into his eyes with a slight smile on her face.
(Out of Charater - Kiss the girl already LOL JK JK)
-
Malken smiled down at Keara when she looked up. He noticed that she hadn\'t removed her arms, and she didn\'t plan to either.
Started to get uncomfortable again, but couldn\'t think of anything to say, nor did he really want to.
He noticed something, Keara was very beautiful by the moonlight. He removed his hand to push aside a piece of hair that had fallen loose during her trip, and placed it behind her ear, then he leaned forward and gently placed is lips on her.
((OOC: Happy? lol))
-
He gently pushed his hand against her face, cathcing a peice of her hair and putting it behind her ear. She smiled, he leaned and gently kissed her on the lips. At first she was surprised that he did such a thing, but then she slowly accpected it and kissed him back. Before slowly moviing away with a smile on her face.
"That -That was nice ... Your my first."
She smiled a little broader towards Malken. Who would have thought that she met a man like Malken and be kissed until the full moon.
(Out Of Charater- Yes I am LOL)
-
Malken cocked his head in mock. "First?" He asked. "You have spent way too much time in the field." He shook his head lightly.
"You know... You\'re very beautiful by moonlight." He couldn\'t help by comment as his smile turned less mocking. He had flirted with many ladies, even kissed a few when their father\'s weren\'t around, but never before had he met a lady like her.
Then he, a little less gently, kissed her again, sliding his hand behind her head.
He pulled back and smiled. "Come, we must continue our game." He smiled sweetly.
-
Keara laughed, in a way Malken was right she had been spending to much time in the field. She couldn\'t remember when the last time she set time aside for herself was. He then gently kissed her again, putting his hand behind her head and she gladly accepted it. She spoke in a playful voice.
"Okay ... But I\'m not going to make it so easy this time."
She then let go up his hand started to run around the nearest corner, not without giving him another glance before she disappear all together. She took several twist and turns. She looked for a hard place to hide and finally came across one. She ran over to it only to stop and place one of her shoes near a hedge, she made it stick out just slightly before tying her dress around her legs like pants and climbing high up in the tree. She looked down and could no longer see the ground.
She peeked through the branches and watched for Malken.
-
Malken smiled as he watched as Keara glanced back before she turned. He leaned back against the tree he had just resently climbed and closed his eyes, slowly counting.
Slowly walking, checking everywhere, but not without a smile, Malken looked for his hiding companion. As half an hour came he was actually trying, she was indeed hard to find. Looking up trees, in hedges, bushes, and other such places where the strange, yet wonderful young lady could have hidden.
Finally, after a while, though he was not counting time, he looked in a tree to see a glitter of a dress, he smiled charming up at Keara.
"If I may request the audience of my lady?" He called up to her.
-
She did not know how long she was in the tree before she heard Malken’s voice from down below, calling for her company. She couldn’t do anything but smile, if she was in her ranger garb it would be a lot harder for him to find her. The color red stuck out like a sore thumb, she quickly descended down the tree with little trouble. She swung from one branch and gracefully landed on the ground, untying her skirts around her legs.
“Bloody hell, if I was in my Ranger garb you would have a hell of a time trying to find me then.”
She grabbed her shoes form the hedge with a quick swipe of her hand. She straightened up and walked towards him with a bright smile on her face, only to quickly swipe his hat from the top of his head. She ran just out of his reach and tauntingly spoke to him.
“Catch me if you can Malken.”
She started to run a little but not so much as to lose him in the gardens.
-
Malken laughed a loudly when she made her challenge and ran after her, his laughter slowing him down. But eventually he got into the chase, his feet carrying him as they had when he had run as a child, but he hadn\'t run in a while, it was consider demeaning.
Save his energy, but still putting on a chase he ran after the trained Ranger. Oh, Talon... Help. He pleaded silently into the night as his side started to ache. But soon his long legs made up for his lack of practice and he reached out to grab Keara\'s arm.
He wrapped his hand around her\'s and spun her to face him, causing a slightly thump between the two. "Let\'s... Not play that one... Again." He said, his face serious, as he fought to catch his breath. But he couldn\'t help but laugh after saying that, and looked down at the lady as his breath slowly returned.
-
She could hear his feet behind her pounding on the hard marbled stone that was beneath them, taking many twists and turns through the garden. She had a bright smile on her face and kept looking backwards as if to tease him. Not knowing that she was leading them deeper and deeper into the heart of the garden, which were famous for there secluded privacy and affections between two people.
She tried to run as fast as she could without tripping on her dress while maintaining a steady speed. She then made a sharp turn off the path and onto the soft green grass that tickled her legs. She suddenly felt a tight grip on her arm and was swirled around only to crash into his chest; he was out of breath and had a serious look on his face when he spoke. Only for it to turn into laughter in which she laughed as well. She took her free arm and gently placed his hat on his head.
“Alright we won’t then Malken.”
She gently brushed her lips with his before pulling away a little, her lisp still very close to his and with a slight smile on her face.
-
Malken was about to say something when her lips brushed his own. He looked down through small slits in his eyes to see her smile matched his own.
Many a-times had he flirted with ladies, but never before was any as... Beautiful as Keara.
He licked his lips, for the felt dry from nerves. "Keara, I..." He started to say something, but was at an utter loss for words. So, instead he pressed his lips against hers, letting slip the passion he felt from the moment.
((OOC: Sorry so short, but that\'s as long as I can get "he kissed her". lol))
-
She saw him lick his lips, she smiled a little wider. It was obvious that he was nervous from being so close to her, but this was a different nervous that she was encountering. Usually men that were around her were nervous that she would get hurt in her profession because she was a woman. Time after time she proved them wrong, showing them she was capable of doing her profession just as well as a man; and even sometimes better.
He started to speak in a nervous voice, stopping in mid sentence before kissing her back passionately. She liked the feeling of his lips pressed onto her own, it was a feeling that she had never experienced before in her life time. She wrapped her arms around his neck, stroking the back of it with her gentle touch. She pulled away a little resting her forehead on his forehead.
“What is it you wanted to say Malken?”
She gently kissed him again before once again resting her forehead on his once more. Her arms still warpped around his soft and strong neck.
-
Malken laughed nervously when she asked him, but he sighed happily after she had kissed him. He wished she would do it again, but he had to answer the lady\'s question.
"I don\'t know." He snorted. "I don\'t think I could find words." So he kissed her again, even more passionatly. But eventually he pulled and brushed his unto the side of her face, his flat palm on her cheek.
He considered asking her to call him by his nickname, but decided he liked it when she called him Malken more than he would if she called him anything else, so he didn\'t say anything after that, mearly content with her in his arms.
-
She smiled lightly towards him; he once again kissed her so delicately on her lips. There was so much passion in his kisses that Keara had to do everything in her power not to fall off of her feet. His soft hand adorned her cheek; she reached up with her own hand and placed it over his own. She stroked the back of his hand before lightly putting her head on his chest.
She was relaxed just being in his arms with her head against his chest. She felt like she could for once in her life relax without worrying about anything. She closed her eyes a little and let out a soft exhale from her lips.
-
A smile grew upon Malken\'s lips. He felt like... Like nothing he had ever felt like before. He smiled down at her as she leaned her head against his chest. She really was an extremely beautiful woman, he gently kissed the top of her head.
He slowly slid his arms down so one was wrapped tightly around her waist and the other was placed on her back, his hand held her tight. He opened his mouth to say something but only a satisfied sighed escaped his lips. He closed his eyes lightly and leaned his cheek on the top of her head.
-
Keara felt the kiss on the top and she smiled warmly, no words could express what she was feeling in this moment. She had a strong urge to just fall asleep in his strong arms, her eyes slowly closed so that they were only half open. She felt his cheek rest on the top of her head; she wrapped her arms loosely around his waist. In this moment time stood still, she was not even aware that her father was watching her at this very moment.
Thomas stood far away from the two with a slight smile on his face. His daughter looked truly happy with the young boy who he believed was a son to the Sir Belron. A fine military man for had seen many of his military formations and such. He son though was famous for being a bit of a spoiled kid, though he would never tell Sir Belron that directly for he believed the man already subconsciously knew that. He smiled a little as he crept backwards from the hedge he was hiding behind he hurried as fast as he could to locate the man.
He looked back and forth for the man, he was not a hard man to miss as there were very few within Oberon that could match the man’s height, and luckily Thomas was his height. He waited until the man was alone before approaching him.
“Sir Belron, My name is Thomas the father of Ranger Keara. I believe you have already met her tonight. I believe there is something you should see with you own eyes. If you would be so kind as to follow me for there is no time to explain.”
Thomas turned on his heel and began his way back form where he came taking the man through the gardens. For a man his size her truly was light on his feet, he hoped they were still in the same position or else he would have made a fool of himself. He stopped suddenly at the hedge that he was hiding behind before; he carefully grabbed the branch and slowly pulled it back. They were still in the same position when he had left.
“Now what do think of that sight, truly your son is a gentleman. Not once since I have been following them has he tried to take advantage of her. You’ve raised him well.”
Thomas smiled towards the man before once again looking back towards her daughter embraced in the arms of a man. A man who had no sexual intentions involved of any sort towards his daughter.
-
Malken looked up slightly at the sound of a soft rustle but shrugged it off as an animal(metaphorically speaking, he didn\'t want to move an inch right then) and moved his head slightly to kiss her on the top of her head again. He really liked her smell, but he had a thought that it was more than that that he liked... No, not a thought, a feeling.
He still felt as if there was something he should be saying right then, but could think of no words. Almost as if his knowledge to speak had vanished, but if didn\'t matter, as long as he was with Keara right then and didn\'t have to move ever again.
"Good evening." Sir Belron replied to Thomas\'s greeting than tilted his head into his hands. "What has he done this time? I swear that boy gets into more trouble than he\'s worth!" He growled. Stupid brat, why can\'t he just learn to do something not childish? He thought to himself but did not say it aloud.
He quickly, and more than a little nervously, followed Thomas to the gardens. He shouldn\'t have left him with her. Never before had a father of one of the young ladies Malken wooed had behaved in such a manner, he prayed to both gods that his son hadn\'t done something so idiotic that he could not get out of.
But he stopped dead at the sight of his son with the girl, his mouth dropping at the words of Thomas. "M-my son? A gentleman?" He stammered quietly, not wanting them to overhead his words. "There has got to be some mistake." He said. "I couldn\'t raise that boy right if I had a whip!" He stood up straight and stared at something that wasn\'t there.
"This is the most shocking thing I\'ve ever seen. My son, my son behaving well! " He had to really force to keep his voice down. He wanted to hug this man and dance. Make him a general, but most of all he wanted to rush out there and take that girl and hug her and just praise her until he died from wear. She had done it! Finally he had grown up, he probably still needed to work out some kinks here and there but finally the stupid brat had grown up!
"Unbelievable." He crossed his arms and grinned. He motioned for Thomas to follow out of earshot of the couple. "My son was the most unruley boy I ever met. Would absolutely refuse to grow up, and now, suddenly within a single night. Not even a night, your daughter has stunned me beyond doubt. I don\'t know how it happened, but my son is finally growing up. Took him damn long enough, too, if you ask me." He chuckled slightly, and smiled for the first time in years. For the first time since his wife had died.
-
Keara felt Malken move his cheek from her head, it seemed like forever when he returned her head with a kiss before laying his cheek back on her head. She thought it was just her that had heard something but no he had heard something too within the gardens. She had a strange and eerie feeling they were no longer alone, her eyes still against his chest scanned the gardens as much as they possibly could without moving her head. Her hand slid carefully away from Malken’s waist and gripped the knife that was tucked away with her. She whispered quietly towards Malken.
“There is someone here, whatever you don’t move stay as you are.”
With a swift and quick movement, she pushed herself from Malken and threw her knife at the hedges that was only ten feet away from them. She fashioned another knife from the folds of her skirts almost as quickly and she had it ready in her hand to be thrown.
“Show yourself now … The next time I won’t bloody miss.”
Thomas peered around the hedges with her knife in his hand; he had a smile on his face and one that she did not like. He walked towards her throwing the knife up and down in his hand. She spoke with a sort of amusement and rage in her voice towards her father.
“You know you ruined a perfect moment father. Hope you’re happy.”
“Well what you think we weren’t enjoying the moment as well, you kids looked so dare cute cuddled together.”
He laughed loudly as he handed the knife back to Keara; she swiftly took it from his hand once again hiding them in the folds of her dress. Careful not to cut the dress in any sort of way. She looked up to see Sir Belron for the first time, that’s what he meant by we. She didn’t know whether to be embarrassed or just be modest.
“Jesus father I could have killed one of you and then what?”
“Then we’d be dead.”
Thomas laughed and she threw he arms up in the air and turned her back on her father and walked towards Malken still muttering under her as she approached him. She leaned up against him with a scowl on her face towards her father. He stopped laughing
“Oh Keara I’m only kidding … So when do we tie the knot between you and Malken?”
“FATHER!”
He started to laugh again this time with tears in his eyes. She looked up at Malken with a smile towards him, she was not angry at him just her father for embarrassing her in front of Malken.
“He’s having a little too much fun with this.”
“I’m sorry but how could I not Keara. Okay I’ll stop now.”
Keara sniffed at him then stuck out her tongue only for it to be replaced with a smile towards him. She knew he meant well but he could go a little overboard some days and this was one of them.
-
Malken felt a blush slowly creep to his cheeks as Keara\'s father showed himself. He nodded slightly, heading back into his gentleman\'s manners. "Good evening, sir." He greeted.
He didn\'t say anything as daughter and father spoke, instead he just listened and tried not to blush a couple times. Until his father appeared than his smile vanished and he stood awfully rigid. "Good evening, Father." He greeted again.
Sir Belron had an awfully big grin on his face as he walked forward. "I believe we were caught." He joked. Malken noticed that he was in an good mood. Which usually meant trouble for him.
He would have probably snapped at him, even in front of Thomas, but not in front of Keara. He would save that for later, which seemed bloody close at the minute.
"To what do I owe your company?" He asked his father in a polite manner. Translating to "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I was told by Thomas that a real gentleman had made friends with his daughter. He was awfully pleased about this gentleman and said he was my son. That I had to see to believe, and I do." The older man\'s grin turned into a smile, and a thought entered Malken\'s now-confused head.
Was he... Was he proud of Malken? Actually proud of him? Malken stared at his father in shock, but he quickly controled himself and shut his open mouth. He opened it again to reply to his father\'s comment but because he was almost completely positive that whatever he was going to say wouldn\'t have been nice he shut his mouth and simply gave a court nod. He was still trying to grasp the thought of his father actually being proud of him.
Sir Belron\'s smile slowly vanished as he saw the slight stiffness in his son\'s manner. He wanted to go up and hug him and tell him he was proud, but that would have to wait until later, if it happened at all. Malken might be finally growing up but he still had a lot of work to do.
No pleasant words were really passed between the two as they had been between Keara and her father, Malken absently noticed. He turned his attention back to her, hearing the last bit of her conversation.
He wanted to ask her what he was having too much fun at but he probably would have known if he had listened to the conversation between the two, and because he didn\'t he didn\'t know what he was having too much fun at.
"What do you expect, Keara." He allowed a joking twinkle to into his eyes. "He is onyl a father after all." He gently teased the other man, completely ignoring his own.
-
Keara looked towards Sir Belron as he spoke towards her; she still had a light scowl on her face. Which turned into a small smile but it was not much of one. She was still leaning on Malken in which she was not about to move from his side. That was until it was time to leave; she spoke towards in a sweet voice.
“Yes a he is my father who sometimes acts like a childish boy some day’s. My father couldn’t be serious to save his own life.”
Thomas took his finger and shook it at her with a smile on his face. He was trying to be serious but he just couldn’t hold a straight tonight. It was obvious as he stuck a hand on his hip and stuck out his tongue before speaking to her.
“Now that is not true Keara, I know how to punish you properly. Remember when you had a fascination with the well. I told you countless times to stay away as a child. I snuck up on her one day and picked her up and dunked her in. Cured her of that problem, you never went near it again.”
Keara blushed a little; she had always hated that story. She smiled wickedly towards her father before speaking to him.
“Yes and mother waited till you got in to tan your hide, didn’t she hit you over the head with a frying pan. I believe her exact words were, Fool of a took throw yourself in next time and rid of us of your stupidity you could have given the child pneumonia. I’d wish she would strike you down with a lightening bolt from the heavens right now.”
“Think I still have that scar on the back of my head … Besides she wouldn’t strike me she probably laughing right now at this. Bless her soul.”
“Or someone is holding her back from striking you.”
“Well then my blessings go out to whoever is holding her back. Means I get to live another day to bug the hell out of you.”
Keara stuck her tongue at him, she loved her father but some day’s he was just plain annoying rather than being funny.
“You better sleep with one eye open tonight or frying pan might come flying your way.”
Thomas stuck out his tongue at her, he loved her daughter for he could see so much of his wife within her.
-
Malken held Keara a little tighter and wanted to swing her up and kiss her, but that would probably be a mistake in front of her father. He was still ignoring his own.
He couldn\'t help but laugh at Thomas\'s solution to Keara\'s well problem, but he laughed even harder about the frying pan. "You have a very interesting family, Keara, I must say." He said jokingly and kissed the top of her head again, not caring what his father would say later.
He couldn\'t help but wish somebody would strike the down, that way his father would just leave the alone. He was enjoying his time without the two men there. But that would have to wait, since they appeared not to be leaving any time soon.
"Your methods are strange," Sir Belron started, with a serious but humerous expression on his face. "But effective. I approve. Next time my son does something childish I shall throw in the well." He chuckled slightly at the idea.
"Like to see you try." Malken breathed lightly, so his father wouldn\'t hear his comment. His father had found plenty enough punishments for his son over the years, all they did was make him want to defy him more. But right now he would do anythign for his father if he just wasn\'t there.
He believed that feeling had more to do with the confusion of his father actually being proud of him, and had he seen an actualy smile just a minute ago? This was too much for Malken, and it would probably end up in a fight if he tried to sort it out. He really didn\'t want to fight with his father in front of Keara.
-
Keara smiled as Malken once again kissed her on the forehead, her father once again began laughing. He approved of the boy indeed and would be welcome in his home anytime. Keara swiftly took off her shoe and threw it at her father; he ducked with out a second to spare.
“There’s plenty more were that came from … Old Man.”
His smile faded as he walked towards her daughter, his steps light on the grass below him. His hands to his sides, his eyes locked on his daughter. Keara was not in the least bit worried she could out run her father even in a dress. He was now very close to her when he spoke
“Would an old man be able to do this…”
He swiftly tore her from Malken’s side and swung her over his shoulder, Keara was shocked by the action. He started to walk away a little from Malken before standing a few feet away from Malken with her, a smile adorned his face. She pounded her fists on her fathers back yelling in a shocked voice.
“Father put me down this instant! Put me down … I hope you screw up your back you fool now put me down … Malken!”
Thomas laughed as her daughter screamed for Malken.
“You heard the lady come and get her Lord Malken.”
He smiled at the boy.
-
Malken couldn\'t help but laugh as her father picked her off the ground. But he did however, stop when she called out to him, though a slight grin remained. "Why don\'t you put her down?" He asked the older man, politely. He didn\'t think he would attack, it was just playful horsing around, plus it might hurt Keara.
Sir Belron watched to see what his son would do, for he was extremely interested on how far his feelings for the lady went, and depending on what he did would determine the extent if just that.
-
Thomas promptly put Keara down; she stared at him with cold eyes and kicked him hard in the shin. He yelped in pain as she ran towards Malken and hid behind him with a slight smile on her face. He father looked at her with a smile on his face, surely this would pain him for the rest of the bloody evening but it was nice to know that for once Keara had found someone that might actually last. He tried to stand up as straight as possible on his bruised shin.
“I think I know when to take my leave, Keara we shall be leaving at midnight. And you’ll be tending to my leg when you get home child.”
“Don’t count on it.”
Thomas laughed before leaving with a slight limp. He would be walking like this for the next two or three days. A slight inconvenience but he could handle it, he rounded the corner and Keara waited until she couldn’t hear his footsteps no more. She gave a sigh of relief and walked away from Malken and lay on the nearest hammock.
“Why do I even put up with the man … I swear Malken he lives to embarrass me.”
-
Sir Belron left with Thomas with a smile on his face. A curious thought had entered his mind as he walked off. He turned to his fellow father and debated telling him his believed discovery. "I believe my son has fallen in love with your daughter." He said when they were out of earshot of the two.
"Well, he hasn\'t change my opinion of you. You\'re a lot prettier than he is." He joked and kissed her again, lightly. "No matter how embarrassing he might be, you\'re still the most beautiful person I\'ve yet to meet." He leaned forward to wrap his arms around her in a hug. He still felt like he should say something, but for life of him he couldn\'t hink of what it was. No matter. He thought as he kissed her again.
-
Thomas smiled at Sir Belron’s comment; it wouldn\'t put it past him that Keara had fallen in love with his son. He spoke in a amused voice towards the man.
"I believe my daughter has fallen in love with your son ... Like I keep telling her she needs someone other than me in her life. Now I believe she has found that someone."
A slight twinkle emerged in his eye, Keara’s mother would be proud of her for finally finding someone after all these years.
Keara laughed out loud at Malken’s remark about her father. He gently kissed her once again and she kissed him back, it was finally to nice to be alone once again without there both there fathers being there, watching over them like a couple of hawks.
“I should hope I’m prettier than my father … And you’re the definition of a gentleman Malken.”
He wrapped his arms around her and lightly kissed her again. She returned the kiss before resting her head on his chest. She could have stayed like this forever with Malken and she would hate to leave when the time came.
-
Malken laughed, too, and sighed contently as she placed her head on his shoulder. "Keara," he started. "There\'s something I want to tell you, but I just don\'t know what it is. That doesn\'t make much sense, but... I don\'t know." He kissed her head again, and rested his cheek on it. "I\'ve really loved being here with you."
As soon as the word was spoken he felt a small tingle run through his body as he realized that was exactly what he wanted to say. How could he not have seen it before? He pulled back so that he could look her in the eye when he told her this. "I-I love you." He stammered slightly as he spoke. But the words felt right.
-
She listened as Malken spoke towards her in a sort of confused voice. It made her smile that a man who knew exactly what to say all evening was now lost for words. She felt him kiss her on the head and lightly place his cheek against the top of her head; her eyes were half closed as she was ready to go to sleep in the hammock with him wrapped around her. She was confused when he pulled back and looked her in the eyes, only to say that he loved her.
She was speechless at his words for they hit like an arrow deep in her heart, no one but her father said those words to her. She reached up an cradled his cheek with her soft and delicate hands, she lightly kissed him on the lips before pulling back and whispering to him in a delicate voice.
“And I love you … Malken.”
She lightly kissed him again before setting her head against his shoulder once more, she wrapped her arms around his waist and let out a very happy sigh.
-
Kelon\'s arms squeezed her tightly, her words made his smile spread wide. He felt his hand start to rub her back, just so he could feel her under his fingers.
"That\'s good." He said quietly. "That makes this night perfect." he wanted to kiss her again as he licked his dry lips.
He closed his eyes and let the moment surround him in happiness. He had believed he had fallen in love several times in his life, especially during his younger years, but never once had he felt like this. He knew that this was what love really was. "Gods, I wish this night could last forever." He said mostly to himself... And whichever god happened to be listening at the moment.
-
She lightly closed her eyes as Malken began to gently rub her back, she snuggled closer to him for she didn’t want to leave this spot for as long as time would allow. She nodded her head as he asked the gods to let this night last forever for she too felt the same way. She gently reached up and kissed him before settling her head back on his shoulder.
She started to nod off slowly in his arms, she tried to stay awake but something about Malken lulled her to sleep in his arms. The night air was not to cold or too hot and she slowly lost sound of all that was around her except Malken. She finally fell asleep in his arms not wanting to be awakened by anyone from this perfect moment.
-
((OOC: She fell asleep standing up? Or did they sit down sometime... lol))
Malken looked around as she fell asleep in his arms. He saw a bench nearby and genlty picked her up, careful not to wake her up, and walked towards the bench. Sitting down he sat her in his lap and held her close, not wanting to let go, and tried to keep her warm.
"I love you." He whispered to her again, and kissed her lips once more before settling down to just watch her as she gently slept.
-
((Out of Character: She fell asleep sitting but NM this works too lol.))
Thomas looked at the moons angle several times in the last hour; he wondered what the hell was keeping her so long. From what her had seen from Sir Belron’s son he knew better than to take advantage of Keara and especially of a daughter that belonged to an Ex Ranger. He finally got impatient and looked towards Sir Belron.
“Let’s go see what those two are up too; I’m getting impatient waiting for that girl.”
He started to walk briskly towards the gardens, thoughts raced through his head on what he would find. Would he find his innocent daughter naked and embraced with a boy she had barely met yet seemed crazy for or would he find them innocently talking. He did not know but he braced himself for the worst and hoped it would not come. He kept his composer calm and collected as her round the corner of the hedge.
A huge relief washed over him as he only found the boy holding onto his daughter in his lap while she slept. That was the reason she was late she was sleeping in her lovers arms, Malken’s back was towards Thomas and he silently walked towards the boy getting as close as he could without alerting the boy of his presence. He had a wide smile on his face; he sat down on the bench far away from the two. He kept his voice low as he spoke to Sir Belron.
“There you have it my daughter and your son have fallen in love. Maybe now my daughter will have a life outside of work for once.”
He gave out a low chuckle. He would stay in this spot until the boy noticed his presence as well as his fathers, however long that would be.
-
Sir Belron, too, had gotten scared as the two young adults were late... He didn\'t think his son had taken advantage of her, only that he had done something to ruin the whole night. What, he didn\'t even try to imagine. "Yes, lets."
He was a little less sneaky, but his half-asleep son did not notice him until Thomas spoke, then he jumped nearly knocked Keara off his lap. "S-Sorry." He stuttered lightly with shock.
Malken turned to the sky to see the time(He was not pleased with his discovery), but his head sharply turned back down to Thomas as his words hit surface. "I\'m sorry, I didn\'t want to wake her." He replied, almost absently and he gently stroked a strand of hair that had fallen in front of her face.
"Though, I can now if you wish it." He said, still not wanting to wake her, but her father had final say on that.
-
Thomas smiled at the boy; at least he didn\'t take advantage of his daughter. If he did he would have had his head on a platter. The boy looked up at the sky before turning his gaze back to Thomas; he was an honest boy with innocent intentions. He new a liar when he saw one or even heard one speak but Malken was not of the sort which was good for him.
“No I will wake her … Keara time to get up.”
Keara felt a light tugging on her arm, she batted the hand away. Only too feel it tug on her once more. She was in a deep sleep not realizing that she was on Malken lap but thought she was at home.
“Five more minute’s father … Then I’ll go and feed the stupid pigs.”
“Keara you’re not at home … And we haven’t had pigs since you where ten.”
Her eyes opened instantly and she looked upwards to see that she was sitting in Malken’s lap, she must have fallen asleep standing up. Her father gave a slight chuckle and shook his head. She gave a slight smile towards Malken before getting off his lap and onto her feet. Thomas stood there waiting for his daughter, Keara started to walk towards him before going back and kissing Malken lightly on the cheek.
“Bye Malken, Bye Sir Belron … I look forward in my sword lessons next week.”
She went towards her father but not before giving a look back at Malken, her smile wide before she turned her head forwards. Thomas waved good-bye to both of them before leading her daughter back to the carriage they had came in, Keara hopped in beside her father and leaned her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her and spoke quietly.
“Seems like a nice you’ve reeled in Keara, finally you have some in your life that is outside of work and me. Just be careful alright.”
“Don’t worry I will father, I’m saving that for my wedding day or till I know that he truly loves me.”
Thomas kissed her daughter on the head, she was a smart girl and he knew she wouldn’t do such a thing. Keara nodded off in the carriage once again and Thomas had to carry her to her room and gently tucked her into bed with the dress still on. He lightly kissed her on the forehead. He smiled slightly before shutting the door and retiring to bed himself.
-
Malken was smiling after Keara had long gone, he knew his father was standing behind him, he felt that unease he always felt around his father. "She truly is a beautiful woman." He said dreamily.
"Indeed, that she is." Sir Belron replied. "A fine lady... But is she fine enough for you?" Malken\'s head spun back, anger in his eyes.
"She\'s fine enough for anyone." He said denfensly.
Belron smiled. "Indeed... Come, it is long since time for us to be heading home. You have a long day tomorrow, you have to invite Lady Keara to sword practice and you have to actually use the damned thing!"
Malken leaned back, the dreamy look still in his eyes. "Yes, Father. It is time to head home." He stood up slowly and walked out and walked to their carriaage, surprising the man who had been driving it. Usually he was supposed to bring it to them.
Without a word he entered the carriage, his father soon after and they were on their way back to Belron\'s estate. He went to his room without saying anything to his father, not out of anger, but his mind was still in the garden with Keara. He had no sleep that night.
((OOC: Do you want to continue on to tomorrow that the sowrd practices?))