Eleventh Snowfall: [text]

[towerlocked]

[she feels foolish for being captured. Of course she is grateful for the rescue, but the fact that it was needed at all makes her realize just how much she's been neglecting training]

Now that we are back in the port, I wonder if there are any swordsmen willing to teach me their skills? I am a willing student and will learn quickly.

[private to Chris Halliwell]
I have heard of this beverage called "coffee" but have never tried it. Would you like to accompany me as I do so?

Comments

[charmedson]

You should be. It takes forever to get around this way. [Not that he seems to mind spending more time with her]

[towerlocked]

Orbs are indeed quicker, but I think you miss much along the way.

[charmedson]

That's possible.

We used to take family vacations by orb.

[towerlocked]

[she watches his face, hoping to see a smile as he relives these memories]

Where would you go on these vacations?

[charmedson]

All over the world really.

[towerlocked]

You forget I know little of the world, Chris. Please, share your sights with me.

[charmedson]

[Chris shifts a little uncomfortably for a moment, because it's just not easy to talk about those early days of his childhood when they had been a happy family.]

We went to Italy once. I was pretty young, but I remember the buildings. They were all so beautiful. And the food. It was the most delicious food you could imagine.

[towerlocked]

[she frowns, now worried she was wrong to ask for these memories]

My father often spoke highly of the Italians.

[charmedson]

My mother died when I was 14, but the trips had stopped before then. My dad had to stay away a lot and my brother... [He shrugs] He started to go crazy.

I miss traveling though.

[towerlocked]

[oh crud it was wrong to bring this up. She feels really bad now]

Forgive me, I didn't know.

[charmedson]

No, it's okay. You were curious.

I like that about you.

[towerlocked]

Your kindness is what I like best about you. [she smiles then]

[charmedson]

[he smiles back]

Sometimes I think I'm only kind around you.

[towerlocked]

[she drops her head, shyly clasping his hand in both of hers]

If that is so, I am fortunate.

[charmedson]

I'm glad you think so. I think it might be a burden.

[towerlocked]

A burden I am capable of bearing, I assure you. [she realizes she may be acting too boldly and puts a bit of distance between them]

[charmedson]

[Chris considers her a moment and then, slowly in case she wants to stay away, closes the distance again]

Yeah, I think you are.

[towerlocked]

[her experience with men has been minimal at best. Experience with men she's attracted to was pretty much zero, thus the uncertainty and awkwardness. But she also feels safe with him, so she leans into him]

I wouldn't mind... if you wished to orb.

[charmedson]

I like walking with you too.

[towerlocked]

[she smiles at that] I'm glad.

[charmedson]

I just also like the idea of showing you the good that magic can do.

[towerlocked]

You have shown me that. I wish I could show you the good magic in my world, the fairies and the white hart.

[charmedson]

The white hart?

[towerlocked]

Yes. He was a beautiful beast that came before me. He and the fairies are part of the good magic that inhabits my world. The dwarves said his appearance was a blessing.

[charmedson]

What does he look like?