Out of Otherways

[the_lioness]

*Alanna strolls along a narrow path, swinging her shoes and digging her toes into the dirt. Whenever possible, she abandons the path, loving how the grass feels cool under her feet despite the warmth of the late afternoon sun. The palace gardens are her sanctuary at this time of day, when the older court ladies use the ladies' solar and sewing as thinly veiled excuses to dissect current marriage prospects. She makes a face at the thought and rounds a bend, stopping momentarily to admire a rosebush that had begun blooming early. The roses had been out for several weeks now, and she tries not to wonder whether or not that means they will die before the others.

Shaking herself, she moves on. It really is a lovely day, and she is outside, thus far undetected. There are worse ways to spend an afternoon.*

Comments

[ahsatan-natasha.livejournal.com]

She is probably not anticipating her immediate encounter with the chest of someone who is standing quite close, having been watching her admiration of the roses.

[the_lioness]

*Cursing, Alanna lifts a hand to said chest in order to steady herself and rubs her forehead with the other.*

Why don't you watch where you are going, lackwit? You aren't the only person using this path, you know. *Alanna looks up, her mouth opening and closing several times before she can finally sputter.*

You... Grace?

*Her mouth falls open again.*

[ahsatan-natasha.livejournal.com]

He looks down at her hand on his chest, and then up at her, smirking just a bit.

"Come now, cherie, surely you can be more creative with your insults than that...?"

[the_lioness]

*She continues to gape.*

Grace? You're... here. How?

*Pausing, she glances behind her.*

Why? Am I dreaming? Or dead?

[ahsatan-natasha.livejournal.com]

He grins.

"Why, do you think you are? Have the roses cast such a spell on you as this, cherie?"

Naughty man, he seems to be having fun teasing her.

[the_lioness]

*Scowling, Alanna draws back and squints at him.*

No, you are real enough.

*She shades her eyes, smiling despite herself. After a moment, she rushes forward and hugs him. Grace is here. In Tortall, in her garden. As previously mentioned, there are far worse ways to spend a lovely spring day.*

You're truly here.

[ahsatan-natasha.livejournal.com]

He smirks again, even though his arms have wrapped around her for the moment, and he's pressed a quick kiss to her hair before pulling back and offering her his arm, instead.

"Would you show me your garden, then, ma chere Lionne? It would seem that Alex has found himself busier than he had thought, with his meetings, and I find that I'm at loose ends. I was hoping to find you."

[the_lioness]

Were you really? *She smiles up at him, taking his arm quickly as if he were an old family friend.* I imagine Alex is busy, returning from the ranks of the missing in action that way. I know the King and Court will welcome him home.

*Biting her lip, she twists her head this way and that to make sure they are alone.*

It's not my garden, of course, but I am rather protective of it, especially at this time of year when the hedges grow high.

[ahsatan-natasha.livejournal.com]

"Yes, he... has been distracted of late, I suppose, since we've been here, although I find I cannot blame him."

It is possible that he is, in fact, an old family friend. Old, certainly, and a friend of both Alanna and Thom, after all.

"You will tell me why, won't you, instead of teasing me so?"

[the_lioness]

How long have you been here? *Alanna frowns.* I've been avoiding the bar... *She trails off, squinting further down the trail.* Oh, the hedges? High hedges mean less prying eyes, of course. It is easier to hide.

[ahsatan-natasha.livejournal.com]

"A few days, only, cherie. We left... perhaps a week, I think it was, after you fulfilled your part of the bargain, and I, part of mine. I admit I have not as of yet picked a second day, as you did after all fail to specify one."

Another smirk, as they wander down the path, his hand covering hers on his arm.

[the_lioness]

Yes, I did. That makes things interesting. *Smiling, she pats his hand with her free one.* I hope I didn't offend you two with the... petting. I didn't realize. It fascinated me, that's all.

*Mostly. She pauses, quirking an eyebrow as a cat races across the path before them.*

It's a shame, however, that you were not correct about George.

[ahsatan-natasha.livejournal.com]

"Not offend, non, cherie, and rather less of a trouble than I've found myself in before, even so."

He smiles again, half for the cat and half for her, leaning down to leave a kiss in her hair again.

"Am I so wrong, then?"

[the_lioness]

You were. *She scowls again, her temper getting the better of her.* I all but threw myself at him, and nothing. *Kicking the dirt, she lengthens her stride, hoping he won't notice the blush.*

[ahsatan-natasha.livejournal.com]

He notices it anyway, but doesn't comment on it.

"Nothing at all, cherie?"

[the_lioness]

Nothing. *Said petulantly, and not without a little bit of hurt.* Well, he barely kissed me, said he wanted me too and set me aside like yesterday's laundry.

I do not understand. At all.

[ahsatan-natasha.livejournal.com]

He mostly hides his smirk.

"It is perhaps possible that he was trying to be proper about things, I suppose."

[the_lioness]

Proper? *Alanna snorts.* How many days did you say you have been here?

*Still, this gives her pause, and she paces back and forth before him for a moment.*

I've ruined everything, haven't I? I knew it. This is why I was avoiding him. I knew I wouldn't be able to help myself, and that I'd prove myself unworthy... *Confused, she blinks at him.* But why? Why be proper? It's not like he's ever going to marry me or anything.

[ahsatan-natasha.livejournal.com]

"Why wouldn't he?"

[the_lioness]

Because of my position... *She pales. A lot.* He doesn't want to, I know that. He said so.

[ahsatan-natasha.livejournal.com]

"Which position would that be, ma cherie? I fail to see the problem, I'm afraid."

[the_lioness]

Trebond being Trebond, and him being a lesser noble, of course. *Perhaps Alanna will tell him George isn't really a noble, but she won't do so here. She smiles brightly and takes his arm again.* My apologies for losing my temper.

[ahsatan-natasha.livejournal.com]

He is rather less of a noble, and hardly noble anyway.

He leans over, and whispers to her quietly.

"Cherie, I am not without my gifts, for all that they are not the same as your own. You may speak as freely with me here as you might speak with me elsewhere, after all."

He smiles again, as he straightens.

"Now. I admit that I've failed previously to ask you to explain about Trebond, as to be fair up until recently it was perhaps unlikely I would have a need to know, but I confess I find myself to be curious, this afternoon."

[the_lioness]

*Alanna glances around nervously.*

Let's just say that things are not always what we are led to believe. George is special.

*She shrugs.*

There's nothing much to explain. It's a medium sized fief, but in a good position. The land is desirable. I am expected to marry someone appropriate.

You see, I think I'm a bit of a commodity.

[ahsatan-natasha.livejournal.com]

He nods, a little.

"I am sure he must be, that he found his way to our home, after all."

And he smiles down at her again.

"And who is it, do you think, who is expecting you to marry so?"