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Post by Kahlan Lothair on Aug 25, 2004 20:47:13 GMT -5
(Sounds like a kids book!)
-High Queen- Kahlan Lothair Her attentions had been snatched away for the better part of the day. This was her life and her work, though it pained her to have to leave her daughter with a nanny, she couldnt very well have her in negotiations. Not that she wouldnt mind having her there, on the contrary she would love to have her around every moment of every day, such a sweet child indeed. Running the quill along the bottom of her lip she smiles absently. Her thoughts wandering to her daughter and what she might be doing right now. There was a lull in the flow of work, maybe she should call Amelia to bring the girl to her so that they could have their usual play date. A play date being scheduled every few hours or so to keep the interaction between mother and daughter very strong. Kahlan would give the <C> -High Queen- Kahlan Lothair World to Willow and everything in it if she were so asked. She adored the little girl and couldnt get enough of her presence. Children often had that effect on the old bat. She was a softy when it came to children. To have her own, that was the true joy of course. Scritch scratching a few things on parchment she sighs. Wanting more than anything to just go to Willow and bring her outside to play and maybe even teach her some things. <E>
Willow OFreiden: ~The brume, gave birth more with the sunlight beaming against it in an aggressive manner, the nanny had lost her grasp on the child once more to simple curiosity. With the small fat legs running a foul, Willow made her advantage to the sounds of a quill making its marks on rough parchment. Servants in the quarters, guests, family all that knew the young thing, and gathered that one day she would grow to have a rebellious mind, since she already gave spirit at such a young age. She had only been introduced to the world at one year already. Her maturity on the brink, her curiosity and broad humor on the rise, she would not take no for an answer, which gave her the rebellion she was already showing to the nanny. Willow OFreiden: She became familiar with the sweet, curious things. The way the suns beam would throw off of the stained windows and make sudden intricate patterns along the smooth wood. Her giggle came to life and even more so. That giggle would trap the unknowing to do her bidding, less she turn it into a disapproving scream or tearful cry. Those little legs pounded fiercely along the flooring and trapped her mother's concentration from her current work to only her. The door was open, and this was a familiar sight for her. She had gathered, in that ever developing brain of hers, that it was open for her only. Willow OFreiden: Shouldn't she be getting that attention instead of the parchment? A little fuss of a whine emerged from her and her arms opened up to her mother in desperate grabbing motions. This person, her mother, was the one source for comfort. ~
-High Queen- Kahlan Lothair A smirk spreads to those full lips as she hears the fussy whine of the child that proved to be a sweet savior from the days duties. Sliding her hand into a drawer on her desk she pulls something out and hides it within a fold of her dress. A twinkle in her eyes dances as she turns to look at her little girl. "Ah my little Aria, I see you have evaded your poor Nanny once more!" Aria was a pet name she used for the little babe she had dreamed of so long ago, ages ago it seemed. Aria is usually an Opera term but in some places, it can mean life's star. Ah but wasnt it true! The little dusty brown haired girl was her life's star. Every inch of it. Leaning forward Kahlan presses her lips to the babes forehead. On purpose she drops what she pulled out of her desk onto a fold of <C> -High Queen- Kahlan Lothair Her dress, in plain site to the little girl with such big green eyes. The treat? A fluffy teddy bear she had brought back from a recent travel. "Oh look Aria, look what was hiding in my desk. Silly bear, how do you suppose it got in there?" She asks with a smile, enthralled by the little girls actions. For such a small baby at birth she had grown so well, so much to her mothers relief. A grin spills over the top and she supresses a chuckle and the urge to pull the girl into a tight hug. She hadnt seen her baby in two days, just getting back from a short journey to some territory on the eastern fringe. <E>
Willow OFreiden: ~The bear her mother presented in front of her became a tease. Her mother's voice was more comforting than the gift she gave her. Her babbles became incoherent and than recognizable in some short terms. Her word "Bahr" was quit clear that she was satisfied with the gift. That soft fuzzy being would never bring as much comfort as a cuddle or soft kiss from her mother's lips. She gathered the toy in her arms and clutched onto the thing for life. Almost showing protest that it would have to be pried from her very body, the child was even more curious that her mother had done such an amazing trick as to pull it from her skirt. Now she will always think that is where her presents come from. Willow OFreiden: The nickname 'Aria' brought another familiar sense and with that name being called to her brought a simple grin that matched her mothers. The bear was now her ******er and her babbles would not cease. The excitement grew the moment she had 'invaded' the study room. Footsteps could be heard down the corridors. Her nanny was gaining, and the child's ears had learned to distinguish those footfalls from her friendly mother's. For now, her concentration was on the new friend her mother had given her and the presence of her. ~
-High Queen- Kahlan Lothair Laughing she scoops Willow up and hugs her tight while keeping the child in her lap. "Im very glad you like the present Aria. It begged for a good home with a good little girl. I trust you havent given your Nanny much trouble?" As she says this, Amelia walks in out of breath and staggers over to Kahlan. "M'lady, Im sorry, she got away from me again. It wont happen anymore I promise." Kahlan laughs and runs her fingers through the thin golden brown fly away curls and kisses the top of her daughters head. "Im happy to hear that Amelia, but I am even happier she found me. I was bored to tears until she came in." Grinning brightly she hugs her daughter and holding her with one arm, making sure her bear doesnt happen to fall, she gets up and shifts her weight so that Willow is <C> -High Queen- Kahlan Lothair On her right hip. A few whisps of Kahlan's fiery gold hair dance free of their confinement to brush a silky sun kissed cheek. "Amelia you are relieved of your duties for the rest of the day, I intend to spend it with my daughter." Then as an afterthought she adds, "Make sure everyone that comes seeking me is told that I will not be available for the rest of the day." Then she smiles to Willow. "Say, shall we go outside Aria? What do you think, does that sound fun?" <E>
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Post by Kahlan Lothair on Aug 25, 2004 21:13:03 GMT -5
Willow OFreiden: ~Whatever words her mother was spilling out to her held no real meaning. A few concepts and ideas became noticeable by her constant expressions. Her giggles became louder. The teddy wouldn't dare fall from her grasp. He was held in a strangle-hold. The thin smiles became broader, and turned into open laughter. The sight of her worn nanny caused this to happen. She knew she had done something wrong, but her mind couldn't conceive exactly what, at this age. Her mother's voice caused her head to turn sharply, she began to gum on the bear's innocent right ear. That became a favorite spot. Gurgling sounds happened and the comfort level rose, so that she agreed to with whatever her mother was supposedly suggesting to her. Willow OFreiden: She giggled each time the name 'Aria' broke out in the conversation they were having together. Her mothers soft caress made her cuddle to her chest for that extra comfort. The smell of her mother, that familiar smell calmed her some. Just being held brought her at more ease and she had soon forgotten her plan to 'evade the nanny.' Her teddy became a pacifier and pillow against her mother. Soft sounds, happy sounds, encouraged her mother's question to become reality. ~
-High Queen- Kahlan Lothair She chuckles and hugs her daughter again before walking out of her Study and toward the back doors leading into the courtyard where they could both play without being gawked at by peasants or badgered by the aristorcracy or anyone else for that matter. On the way she stops a few complaints by simply raising a hand to silence them. They finally break through the small throng of people that show up to ask her about this and that, and through the back doors they go into the mellow sunshine and delicate mist. A mist that seems to settle on her lashes and in her hair, mirroring where she usually wears a coronet, only this coronet is made of little droplets of water caught up in a shaft of sunlight. Stopping at a particularly sunny spot she settles down, her dark green dress accenting <C> -High Queen- Kahlan Lothair The red undertones of her hair, while the sunlight brings out the gold of her hair. "I see that you like your bear Aria. So what shall we do?" Just as she says this a beautiful butterfly flutters by and lands on a white flower nearby. The butterfly is a decadent shade of blue mottled here and there with green and just a smudge of yellow. Quicking putting her finger to her lips she winks to Willow, as if to say watch this! Extending her hands slowly, very slowly, she reaches out and quickly cups the flower with the butterfly on it. A moment later the butterfly comes crawling from between her hands without letting its wings touch her hand for it has them flattened out and she moves her hand slightly. Then it proceeds to walk along her hand. Kahlan brings her hand toward Willow<C> -High Queen- Kahlan Lothair Close enough to show her but far enough away to keep her from snatching at the butterfly and harming it. "Look at this Aria! Isnt it beautiful? Its a butterfly, can you say that for mum?" She asks with a smile as the Butterfly opens and closes its wings contentedly. <E>
Willow OFreiden: ~The simple insect was caught, and held captive for only a moment, a moment, in which a mother and daughter shared. The babe eyed the creature and made incoherent gurgling. A trill from her sounded the once peaceful scene and she suddenly reached for the delicate looking thing. It would be her first encounter with a butterfly, and her mind knew that it was something important. Otherwise, her mother wouldn't be showing her such a curious thing. She quieted herself, and her voice became only above a whisper, so much was her concentration spent on the insect. "Budherfeh perffy! .." Willow OFreiden: Willow could only mimic the sounds her mother gave. It would be awhile before she spoke decent sentences and actually understood fully what she was saying or those around her. She gave a sudden run, a jolt towards the insect. She wanted to touch it for herself and feel what her mother was feeling. The butterfly became a quest now, her eyes forever locked on the tiny being that happily spread its paper-thin wings. Greedy, chubby fists grabbed for the innocent butterfly. Luckily, the mother was bent on protecting the butterfly from her carefree daughter.~
-High Queen- Kahlan Lothair She chuckles and takes Willow into her lap. "Easy Aria! Its just a little thing. You have to be gentle. Okay be still. Ill let it crawl on you." She holds Willow's hand still and lets the critter crawl off her fingertip and onto the back of Willow's hand while she holds it. She watches her daughters reaction to the touch of the bug and grins. "It tickles, doesnt it my dear? This beautiful butterfly has six legs and he uses them to drink from flowers. Isnt that exciting? Im sure he is hungry my darling, we should let him go." And almost as if an invisible leash had been released from around the neck of the butterfly, it takes off and flutters among the flowers once again. She smiles to Willow and watches her a moment longer before getting that mischevious twinkle in her <C> -High Queen- Kahlan Lothair Eye. "That did tickle didnt it, but probably not as much as...this!" and she begins to tickle Willow's sides. Enjoying her daughters gleeful laugh and her sweet smell. She did love her little star so much. Laughing herself, she continues to tickle the little girl. <E>
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Post by Theoren Roullier on Aug 25, 2004 23:30:55 GMT -5
Always watching, always. He was charged with her safety, after all. But he knew better than to get involved. One look at Kahlan's face could tell him just how much she missed Willow's father. Still as the girl grew so did Kahlan away from that heartache. Perhaps someday Willow would have a father figure. All he could provide was a silent non presence in her life. For now, for now.
He sat in a tree not far off letting one leg dangle down from the high branch. Kahlan did so like her oak trees. He supposed it was only fitting. Watching her play with her daughter made him whimsicle, almost jealous and pondering hiw own offspring. The thoughts always did come and go with him, to have a son or even better a daughter. He would have no problem as a family man, none at all. But his fate was different. Always watching. Always at arms length.
He did wonder about Willow, however. She was like Kahlan. She was like him. One day she would have to be told, have to be taught in ways other than those of the humans. He pondered her physiology. How much of her mother did little Willow get? He couldn't be sure, not at this stage. Perhaps one day he would get closer. Perhaps one day he could play the doting uncle who spoiled a little niece when her mother wasn't looking. For now his hands were tied. He could only pray that from his own experience, that Willow had her father's genes.
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Lady Aerillia Khisu
Citizen
My wounds cry for the grave--My soul cries for deliverance
Posts: 35
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Post by Lady Aerillia Khisu on Aug 26, 2004 11:57:02 GMT -5
Time had taken her from the sea's side to the Castle of Emain. A light smile plays over her features as she stalks the shadows, not unlike a wraith mixed into the mist of the Irish afternoon. Her vision is taken by the sight of Kahlan and her daughter together. Had it truely been so long? The child had grown, and grown well. She did have the heart of her mother and that would serve her well in times of great need. Why was she set at stalking the shadows? Lurking in the mist away from the eyes of a casual onlooker? Kahlan had understood when she spoke with her only a few days before. In all intents and purposes she was a fugitive from Avalon without any real evidence to claim otherwise. Unlike Theo she could not claim protection from Kahlan even though she knew Kahlan would give it to her if she asked it.
Drifting from behind the oak tree she lays a hand upon it. My didnt she look the sight? Long black hair fell in delicate curls about her face and down her back, mingling with that of the grey cloak she wears. Her form is outlined by a tight black corset and a pair of tight black pants. The sword ever at her side, would look not to unlike the one that Kahlan carries, from the outside anyway. The cloak is pushed over one shoulder as she leans upon the tree that as of yet she doesnt know Theo is in.
Not even he would think she was here, he had no reason to think her to be anywhere but in her room in Ayenee City. Yet she was a swift traveler when the thought provoked her. She had promised to follow up with Kahlan and the baby, and so far this was the only time she had managed. Her unmistakable and dreamy desert scent would eventually waft up to him, but before he would even be able to smell it she reaches out from behind the tree and latches long delicate fingers around the ankle of his boot. "Do you enjoy stalking, Theo, or is it simply the hunt that excites you?" A gentle chuckle falls from those full lips as her desert accent passes gently over the spoken words. Her eyes are underlined with what can best be described as a black pencil. The underlining is all that she needs to make the eyes, already so riveting and haunting, stand out even more. In more ways that one she might even appear to be an apparaition to him.
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Post by Theoren Roullier on Aug 27, 2004 23:33:29 GMT -5
The hand around his boot startled him. He reached behind him as if to draw a blade, but the scent of the desert spice stayed his hand. A smile crossed him and he looked down to Aerillia with a soft chuckle. "Ms. Khisu, it ain't nice t'sneak up on people like dat." he said, sliding down from the branch and scooping her up as he did so. He leaned on the tree trunk , kissed her once, and then turned his head back to watch Kahlan and Willow together in the darkness.
"Jus' catchin' up on some work I couldn' 'sactly bring back t'de office, n'est ce pas?" He didn't know if she was aware of Kahlan's charge on him, but he was sure she would figure it out. He was very glad, however, that she had chosen to come along. Perhaps she even came to see him. Either way they were alone and shrouded by darkness, able to relax with one another. It was a shame to keep such a thing secret, but both of them knew what reprocussions a blase sort of attitude would bring down on them as well as the Guild.
"She's growin' fast, ain't she?" He was amazed himself. It seemed like only yesterday that he had delivered the little girl into her mother's waiting arms that stormy night in Avalon. He wondered if little Willow would ever remember him, or if Kahlan would remember what a risk he had taken for her family. But even if she did not, what was done was done. He would never have had things go any way other than the way they had. Kahlan was happy. Her lost husband's only breath of life now thrived along side her. Theo knew what it was like to lose what was dear to him. Willow, beautiful little girl that she was looked so much like Jacquline as she played with her mother.
He was quiet for a long time, thinking back to a time that was perhaps simpler and more innocent for him. He spoke naught a word, but held Aerillia steady as always as they watched the heir to a great kingdom enjoy what neither of them had ever been priviledge to- her youth.
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Lady Aerillia Khisu
Citizen
My wounds cry for the grave--My soul cries for deliverance
Posts: 35
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Post by Lady Aerillia Khisu on Aug 28, 2004 1:08:56 GMT -5
She smiled, nodded, and listened to the gentle rumble of his accent and voice. She could hardly say she didnt enjoy the sound of his voice. In the moment they had found themselves allowed to be together she rests her head against his chest. A show of respect and a show of a measure of trust in the man pegged as a ruthless killer and her kidnapper.
"Shes a big girl now. Just as beautiful as I had ever imagined her to be." In so many ways she found the cute girl fascinating. The mirror of so many children Aerillia had been priviledged to see. None of which were her own. On some level she wanted one, and hoped to have one some day, but who knew how life could be? Aerillia also envied the child her childhood. She wished she had been allowed to just be a child, something that was a grace but never seemed to happen in the desert. Everyone pulled their weight or everything went crazy.
Heavy lashes and lids closed over blue eyes that danced like two sprites held captive inside the body of this desert woman. Her head rested easily against Theo's chest, snagging some time alone with him was like snagging some time alone with Kahlan. If it happened, something was up or they managed to sneak away from it all. "Surprised to see me then, Theo?" She asked with the ever flippiant tone of voice, rather glad to have caught him and to be spending what time they could, alone with him.
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Post by Theoren Roullier on Aug 28, 2004 1:25:20 GMT -5
He smiled and cupped her face, giving her another, this time longer kiss. "Non... jus' happy t'see you. I gave up tryin' t'expect t'ings outta you ten years ago." He chuckled and ran a hand through her hair. He almost felt.. normal. For just a moment, sitting in the dark on a warm summer night with his girl just living how he pleased. And then suddenly, he felt old, as if all fifty three of his years were weighing on him. Fifty three. He could scarcely believe it himself. He ran his hand down through her soft black curls again, watching her watch Willow in silent contentment.
"Speakin' of people who have grown up t'be beautiful..." he started, a more dapper smile crossing his face, small laugh lines creasing up here and there alon the sides of his mouth. The look in his eyes seemed more patient, wiser than it had ten years ago. But strangely, even though no one had said anything about it, he looked even younger now than he had before he had left for the Luminatti lands by more than a few years. An early twenties face had replaced it, fewer creases, less scars, a brighter zest to him had come with him back from the forests beyond Ayenee City. "You really did grow up well." He said, moving some hair from her pretty face.
That strange old feeling came back to him again. It was always hard for a mentor to look at a student in such a light, but he did care for her a great deal. He could only wonder how it felt for her to be so involved with a man that was her teacher and the target of her passionate hatred for a decade or so. He wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. Time had been good to them both, whatever time even was.
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Lady Aerillia Khisu
Citizen
My wounds cry for the grave--My soul cries for deliverance
Posts: 35
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Post by Lady Aerillia Khisu on Aug 28, 2004 1:42:55 GMT -5
Growing up. Now that was something that few could boast. Growing up to most meant getting older, growing up to her meant just what it was. Knowledge gained with age. She looked up and into his eyes, over his face, before planting a soft kiss on his lips. "If I have grown up, consider it a new change." She says with a smile. Those elusive ever haunting eyes seem so alive tonight. So vibrant. In many ways they seem to mirror his own. She was roughly Fourty Three years old. How could she tell him such a thing? To her he only seemed to be in his twenties. Strangely younger looking of late, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Come now, could the desert rose be so unobservant? No, but shes twisted up in her own idea of herself. To her, she was hiding something from him, something that could potentially be explosive if given the chance. For the most part she felt he was mortal, she didnt have any reason to think otherwise. Mortal men eventually die, ah but the desert rose, she wouldnt die any time soon, in fact she had a good hundred and ten years to go before she even thought about getting over the hill.
"Theo..." She starts. Not truely wanting to tell him here, but having no other time or place to really tell him. "We have to talk. Its about me." She says. Her accent lifting her words and her scent a decadence otherwise unknown.
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Post by Theoren Roullier on Aug 28, 2004 1:52:23 GMT -5
He squeezed her shoulder lightly and looked down at her. "Ah, my favorite subject!: he joked in a soft tone, and though it was a joke he wasn't exactly lying either. He could tell the seriousness of her voice, however, and he slid his back down the tree, taking her with him into a nice sitting position. He let her lay across him and put her head on his chest. "It's ok, chere. You talk. I'll listen." A simple way of saying she could tell him anything she wanted to, but he was not so naive as to think that whatever it was she had to tell him was simple at all. He knew better. Nothing was ever that simple.
they were such a strange pair, the outlaw thief and the desert nomad. Who would have ever thought that would have found solace in one another. If someone had told him ten years ago that he would be holding a beautiful and fully gorwn Aerillia Khisu in his arms and thinking some of the most deviously impure thoughts about her at the same time, he would have told them that they were crazy. Still, crazy as it sounded to him even now, it was all true, right down to the impure thoughts, but that was just naturally expected and something he knew well enough to just keep to himself.
For now he'd just listen. She had something, he guaged it, very important to tell him, and he was more than willing to squander all the free nights he had listening to whatever in the world she wanted to tell him.
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Lady Aerillia Khisu
Citizen
My wounds cry for the grave--My soul cries for deliverance
Posts: 35
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Post by Lady Aerillia Khisu on Aug 28, 2004 2:05:52 GMT -5
A thousand ways this could be started, and a thousand more it could be ended. She ponders the weight of her situation and turns slightly to look at him. "Theo, please take what I have to say with an open mind." She didnt beg, she didnt plead, she didnt even whimper. Such strength for the Desert Rose, the Caged Bird.
"Im not as I seem." She says, which to her ears sounds so lame that she almost wishes she could take it back. Of course she didnt. He wouldnt know that. "I, well, I am older than I might seem." She says, slightly stumbling over what shes actually trying to say. Finally she sighs and looks into his eyes. "Im Fourty Three years old, Theo. The sword and the element I am tied to, Air, as the case is, give me abnormally long life." She winces slightly at the sound of it, so far from what she thought she might say to him. "I understand if you are angry at me for not saying something to you before. Yet I can do no better than cringe at the thought. I still have so long to live, Theo. More than one hundred and ten years if everything goes alright." She sighs gently and waits for him to yell or push her away as if she were nothing more than a strange freak of nature. In most cases, she was.
A soft gust of breeze pushes her hair around so that it falls over part of her face in a tantalzing manner, making her mysterious in one aspect and breath taking in another. Theo had her respect, something most men, hell most of humanity, couldnt acquire.
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Post by Theoren Roullier on Aug 28, 2004 2:14:10 GMT -5
Take it with an open mind. A smirk slowly twitcheda t the corners of his mouth and before he could contain it, laughter broke free. He chuckled and smoothed her hair, put a hand on her worried, pretty face and kissed her forehead. "Well, what a relief!" He chuckled more at the thought of it. Here he had been so worried. "Ya had me over here t'inkin' I was old enough t'be your father!" He laughed a little more out loud, but not at her. Not at all.
He looked down into her eyes. "I'm well inta my fifties, girl." He smiled, totally astounded that she hadn't pieced that together by now. "What, you t'ink I age or somet'in? C'mon chere. I look de same now as I did when I first picked you up off dat coastal village." Well, he hadn't said anything, sure enough, but then again, she had never asked, now had she?
The hard part would come with explaining it. She explained hers, she was an elemental foothold. Ok. Well he couldn't just come out and tell her he was half planar with an evil entity bound into his soul that ressurected him ever fifty years if he didn't get his ass killed in between. He was already on his third body. Or was it fourth? It was getting hard to remember now adays. "Let's jus' say I got some special genetics, eh?" He said, caressing her arm and shoulder with another sweet kind of smile. 'And you have your own personal guardian angel', he thought to himself, though he would never dare say it aloud.
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Lady Aerillia Khisu
Citizen
My wounds cry for the grave--My soul cries for deliverance
Posts: 35
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Post by Lady Aerillia Khisu on Aug 28, 2004 2:21:58 GMT -5
Relief flooded her features and she rests her head on his chest once more. Then she gives him a good swat to the chest. "Dont ever let me do that again!" She says with a smirk before kissing him gently, letting it linger a little longer that possibly it should. She smelled of spice and the sea, a new theme to her, but one she loved.
Well into his fifties eh? Of course he had been, but she was at the time more worried about what he would think of her versus thinking anything of him. Greedy of the warmth that he could give, she rests close against him and sighs softly. Well that part was over. The ever present kink in her thoughts. God, but how it had plagued her to think she was kissing a man half her age! Grandma indeed. This makes her laugh aloud, though not at him. Waving her hand she tries to stop her laughter but cannot. Simply thinking Grandma and having pictured Theo as a grandfather.
"So my dear..." She says with a light laugh dancing over her words, "Whats next? The sky, or the depths of the sea?" One and the same in some context. Together they had literally been to the bottom of the sea. Something genuinely interesting for a first date, dont you think?
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