Private Tales Friends to Lovers?

[Alaric Wulf]

Alaric had never spent so much time on appearance Sure he was usually well dressed, and his armor was to be envied, but this was different. Standing in front of the mirror, he frowned with distaste as he once again messed with his hair. He really should have given it a cut after his last mission had him out for a while. He had intended calling on Saskia much sooner, but he had been needed for an escort. At least he had sense to shave, his scruff tended to not grow in the best and made him look like an adolescent.

With a sigh, he tousled his hair once more and turned away from his mirror. He doubted she even cared that much, but his nerves were making him incredibly sensitive to his appearance. He hoped she didn't think what he had planned was silly, romantic gestures were extremely foreign to him and he didn't know what he was doing. He had never courted anyone, and he wasn't sure if perhaps she had others call on her. Now that they had become official knights and not troublesome squires, they didn't see each other as much as they used to.

Feet hit the cobblestone of the courtyard as he made his way to the now intimidating door between him and Saskia. He stood outside her door for a few beats, gathering himself before knocking firmly on the wood. Sweat dripped down the back of his neck as he waited for her to open the door, not sure what he should expect. Hopefully she didn't tease him too badly, he didn't know if his poor nerves could take it.

Saskia Kerraelas

 

[Saskia Kerraelas]

The sound of the knock upon her door could have surely made the Shadowed Knight want to screech, to be rid of this anxious tension that filled her mind and body. Absolute panic. Saskia Kerraelas had been wrecked with it all day, so much so that the third time she had nicked her fingers cutting up potatoes earlier had been enough for Syr Cathmore to banish the dusker from sight. Even Syr Josai was tickled by Saskia's dread for the plans Alaric had made.

But Saskia had promised him that night in Valenntenia. She was dressed as the sun and he the moon, how clueless had she been when their costumes were his suggestion!

She knew screaming into a void of shadow would do very little to dampen the sound, something she had tested a couple of years ago when she had first ventured in drinking ale for the first time.

Saskia turned around and smashed her fists into her pillows, turning them all squished and out of place before standing up and taking a deep breath that burned her lungs.

Finally, she walked up to her door and opened it.

Saskia wore a nice and pretty white blouse, a blue dress reminiscent of a spring morning's sky neatly worn over it. Her pale blonde locks had been combed carefully into silky waves down her back. To finish off her hours of fussing, her right hand had been wrapped in bandages. Perhaps those cuts were not as little as she had thought them to be at the time, and perhaps Monroe's insistence she go see Josai were all reasonable...

She had been distracted, and rightly so, for Alaric's eyes fell on her the moment she went to take a breath, seeing him there...

... and immediately caused her to choke on her very own breath.

Alaric Wulf

 

[Alaric Wulf]

Alaric went from nervous and anxious to mortified and concerned when Saskia opened the door. as much as he wanted to compliment her choice of attire and how pretty she looked, he couldn't get the words out. His tongue felt thick against the roof of his mouth, sweat trickling down his neck. Saskia looked like she wanted nothing more than to disappear, and made Alaric feel about an inch tall.

Wide blue eyes fell to her bandaged hand, and he finally was able to croak out the semblance of a sentence. "Are you okay? What happened?" It was a sort of stall, his being worried. It was a way to try and sift through the awkwardness as they stood face to face for the first time since he kissed her.

He shook his head as if lifting the daze, as he held out an arm for her to take. "It's a good thing I didn't plan anything too taxing for you, it looks like you injured yourself pretty decently." His eyes skittered away from hers again, worry gnawing at his belly that this had been a terrible idea.

Saskia Kerraelas

 

[Saskia Kerraelas]

"No!" She cleared her throat once, twice. "I'm fine... just... it's been a day." Certainly did not wish to invoke Syr Monroe's name aloud in case the grouchy dawnling somehow appeared and made things worse.

Saskia cleared her throat again and gave Alaric a smile, stepping out from her doorway and closing the oaken door, hoping all the tacked notes all over it's front would distract Alaric from peering inside her room and seeing the state she left it in. It took a lot of fussing and rummaging to get ready as she was now.

Taking his offered arm, she felt the calmness she always did with her friend. She had been told it did not need to feel any different than how they were as friends, when friendship itself gave them a starting point to built upon.

"Never mind the bandages." She chuckled, knowing that was not the first time she had said such a thing to him.

Alaric Wulf

 

[Alaric Wulf]

Well, at least she seemed to be as nervous as he was, it made him feel just a tiny bit better. Maybe it had been stupid of him to think that they could be a couple, but they wouldn't know unless they tried. No one knew Alaric like Saskia did. Sure, he might have found other women attractive, but that was just on the surface. Saskia knew him on a much deeper level.

He turned to her and raised a brow as she told him not to worry, a soft chuckle on his lips. "I know you well enough to know that I should absolutely mind the bandages, but for your sake I won't prod." He gave her a smirk as he led her back outside. "You look beautiful by the way." When the sun hit her hair, he couldn't help admiring its golden glow, and the way the gold in her amber eyes shone more in the light.

He continued to lead her, unsure of what to say, the silence was becoming unbearable though, and something needed to be done. "I'm sorry it took me so long to arrange this, I hadn't expected to be sent out again so soon."

Saskia Kerraelas

 

[Saskia Kerraelas]

Saskia snorted, giving him a smirking side glance. "You look like you've gotten a bit more sun after Valenntenia." Naturally, she reached a hand to pinch his cheeks. "I bet there are five new freckles on your face, Wulfy!"

Perhaps Faramund's advice came in handy... although she could not quite recall any of it after she realised she had pinched Alaric's cheek.

That was natural! She had done that plenty of times as friends!

What are they now? Were they still friends? What was this? Where were they going? What would Faramund say?

"RIGHT!" Saskia plastered on a smile, a little strained given her derailing monologue in her mind, but she nudged Alaric. "What is it that you arranged, Wulfy? I hope it isn't just going to the Knoll... or perhaps the wishing well?"

Alaric Wulf

 

[Alaric Wulf]

He had been concentrating on one foot in front of the other, regretting his choice of romantic gesture the closer they got to their destination. She surprised him, how natural she made this all seem. Saskia was her normal teasing self, and the little red mark she left on his cheek when she pinched it was evidence enough. "Dare I say there might even be six if you look close enough." He couldn't help but shrug off some of his shyness after that, she made it too easy to fall into familiarity.

She questioned him about what he had planned, and he could feel his face heat once more. "Well, I kinda set up a picnic down by the lake. I figured we could maybe take one of the boats out or walk the shoreline..." His words trailed off as he looked down. "I hope you don't think it's too dull." He looked at her carefully, trying to discern her thoughts before she spoke them.

Saskia Kerraelas

 

[Saskia Kerraelas]

Saskia shot Alaric a look, mildly offended that he doubted she would enjoy a picnic.

"Wulfy," the Dusker scoffed, looking forward, "you think I am going to hate the idea of food?" Did he think he went to a lot of the festivals and parties open to the Knights with someone other than Saskia? That it was someone else that without a doubt, always dragged him to peruse the food selection before drinks?

"I will hate a picnic if it is just a salad you prepared and nothing else." She snorted.

Alaric Wulf

 

[Alaric Wulf]

Alaric laughed, a real one that didn't have awkwardness behind it. Saskia did love food, though he had never teased her on it too badly, what woman wants to be teased on her choice of food anyways? He was at least smart enough in that regard. "I just mean, I don't know what people normally do when they're you know..courting or whatever. I'm kind of flying blind here."

It was true, he really had no idea what normal people did, not that he wasn't normal, it's just that usually the Order came first, and he really never entertained the thoughts of being with a girl. He felt he was bound by duty, and that anything outside of the was frivolous. He was learning that wasn't how one was supposed to live though, Saskia had been saying it all along. It just took him a long time to realize she was right.

"I promise there is more than just salad. Did you want to eat first, or go out on the water?"

Saskia Kerraelas

 

[Saskia Kerraelas]

"Eat first." Came the answer quickly, a face thrown his way as if he was crazy for even asking the question.

"And, you know," she started to say after clearing her throat, "I don't think you need to change all that much. It shouldn't be a difficult thing, no? And... well, I like you for being you."

Ugh! Her cheeks were warm!

"I say to trust your instincts on this, Wulfy. You know me well by now to know what I feel and think. At least, I hope so. I don't think I have changed all that much."

Except for her being aware of feelings between the two of them. Saskia was willing to give this a shot, especially after Faramund telling her to not let opportunity slip her by. He was right, but she supposed that was to be expected of someone as old as him. He probably had shit luck with women, but Saskia at least knew he'd probably say something she wanted to hear.

Because she ought to give this a shot.

 

[Alaric Wulf]

Alaric caught the look and gave a sheepish grin. He should have known that it was Saskia after all. He was just glad things were feeling more natural, with just a slight hiccup here and there. As he guided her to an old and gnarled willow tree, he mused over what she said.

"You're right, we both got here just by us being ourselves. It really should be just another day for us, right? Though, things have changed with us, as we've grown." It seemed that just in the last year alone, he himself had changed, become more his own man, proud and strong in his thoughts and beliefs.

Though she might not see it, Saskia had grown too. He saw her pal around a lot more than when they had been younger, when they were still green on the field. It seemed that she and Faramund had grown close, as well as others. He was slower in this, he found it hard to get close to anyone, and the fact that he had been so forward with her was proof of how he too was learning to be bold.

he pulled back the hanging branches of the willow, and between its gnarled root, a blanket was laid out. Not one but two baskets sat waiting to be unpacked, and a bottle of wine wrapped in cloth lay between them. He motioned her forward. It seemed as if time had stopped as soon as the branches were back in place. There was a calm stillness in the air, the space felt as if it were hundreds of years old, and perhaps it was. Light filtered in with soft fluttering winds, and crickets sang with the wind. He could feel his heart quicken as he watched Saskia walk before him. Now that he had truly seen her, all he would ever know was her beauty.

Saskia Kerraelas

 

[Saskia Kerraelas]

Saskia had been all smiles and shyness before he pulled back the curtain of weeping leaves, allowing her to breeze past him and take in the serenity he had found and captured for their shared picnic. Instantly, she came to fall on her knees on the blanket and smooth the skirts to her dress so they did not crinkle.

"Wine? Good thing your father isn't around!" She grinned, turning her head to shoot him a winning smile. Her light blonde hair curled in lovely locks, some ringlets bouncing as her head moved, but she had meticulously planned how she would look for this day. For him. Despite her teasing, her banter with him that went unchanged, this was her way of showing Alaric that she too made the effort for this chance.

Of course, she loved to dress up, to play with her hair and use a little cosmetics, but the way she presented herself was just for Alaric. Even he cleaned up well for this outing.

"Right, reveal to me the secrets inside these baskets!"

Alaric Wulf

 

[Alaric Wulf]

Alaric was quick to follow Saskia to the blanket he had laid out, hesitating only a moment before sinking to his knees. He grinned sheepishly as he gazed at the girl in front of him. He was enamored, and soon found himself staring just a little too long. He looked away hastily, clearing his throat as he first revealed the wine. He had found a merchant carrying various bottle of Alwin wine, and Anirian brand that didn't often make its way into their pantry. It was known as very rich in flavor, and expensive to boot.

"I probably went a little overboard, but I wanted to make sure I had plenty of things for you to choose from." He opened one of the wicker baskets to reveal the more savory snacks he had packed. It had meats and cheeses of various kinds, bread, crackers, and jars of jelly and even one of honey. The second basket he was more excited to show her. It was filled with all of her favorite pastries and tarts, and even some of those lemons she and Roki had tried at the festival. Once revealed, he sat back to await her judgments.

Saskia Kerraelas

 

[Saskia Kerraelas]

Saskia leaned forward to see Alaric open the baskets, absolutely curious to see what her friend had been planning for their day. The assortment on offer made her grin, which only grew as she gasped and hovered too close to the second basket as he began lifting out sweet pastries and other goodies. Her head had been dangerously close to knocking with his own, but Saskia leaned back onto her legs as she settled back in her own spot upon the blanket.

"Goodness me." Like a child waking up at Yuletide, she was too eager to begin eating. Of course, she had broken her fast this morning, but she could always eat a little more. "I don't know where to begin!"

A lie, and one Alaric would know. How many times did she insist they start on the sweets whenever food was offered freely at parties?

 

[Alaric Wulf]

She was so close to him, their hands nearly touching. Alaric's heart beat like a hummingbird inside his chest, he thought he was going to keel over from it. He lifted his head slowly as the heat of her excited breath ruffled his hair. He could have kissed her right then, but he was being a big chicken about pushing things, afraid he'd really scare her off. She had already moved by the time he had even finished the thought anyways, saving him from looking like a fool.

He couldn't help but hold would what probably looked like a goofy smile on his lips, seeing how happy she was with what he had brought. It was a warm feeling, that spread from his gut and causing his cheeks to flush. Boy, he really was in trouble if she ended up rejecting him. "Lucky for you, I do know where to start." He gave her a confident wink, more confident than how he actually felt as he dug out plates and utensils.

With a flourish, he poured them each a glass of wine. He was glad he didn't seem as shaky in confidence as he felt, gaining strength in her smiles. Once the wine was poured, he reached once more into the dessert basket, pulling out two decadent chocolate pastries, fresh raspberries decorating the top. He would never admit to her how he had practiced making this himself in the kitchen for hours and hours, just to make her something with his own two scarred and bruised hands. He hoped she liked it, and he had specifically chosen their wine to go with this particular dessert. "Dessert first?"

Saskia Kerraelas

 

[Saskia Kerraelas]

Saskia answered him with a large grin.

It was natural of her to regard him in this way, for he knew her best. A constant over the years, that Saskia often found herself missing him when they were apart. And to have him here, now, despite the shift in their relationship, Saskia was glad it was with him that she got to spend all that time with.

"Dessert sounds lovely." She beamed, taking the wine and giving it a sip. It was rich, very smooth, and the Shadow Knight reached for the bottle to read the tag tied to the neck.

The pastries were divine, a sentiment she was not shy to make known with each bite. He knew her, knew what sweets she would reach for. The picnic was not just a show of making things romantic, but in fact proof that if there was anyone she would settle down with, Alaric should always be on the top of that list.

Her amber eyes looked to him softly, listening intently to him speak, but her eyes gazed to his lips. She forgot what he said, now remembering how the kiss left her touching her bottom lip all evening after the Masquerade Ball.

Alaric Wulf