Private Tales Near the Edge Yet Already Falling

[Quacey]

The duanann just stood there and listened. She had so much to say to him. Insults. Assumptions. Announcing he was doomed to die. Through it all he just listened to her speak no matter how much it irritated him to hear parts of it. The only reaction she would get would be a slight frown.

Once she finished he gave it a moment. He wanted to be sure she had said her peace before he said his own.

"Are you finished feeling sorry for yourself Ophelia or do you need more time?"

Quacey was very annoyed so wasn't as polite as he could have been. More blunt now than ever.

"I am still here because you need help. And yes it would seem I was waiting for you at the tavern the whole time but did not know until after you had arrived. I told you before that I help people who need it. You need it."

He knelt down in front of her. A handkerchief produced from his pocket. He gently wiped the bile from around her mouth. A look of irritation on his face.

"The only things I know about you are what you shared with me. There was no rumors. No bets. No wish to die, which I will no die despite your insistence. If I was then I would be dead by now no? I am special but the one to be saved here is you not me."

Once her face was cleaned back up, he went to get her hair and clothes straightened back out for her so she was presentable again.

"My domain is over the lost. I am drawn to people who are lost, such as yourself, as well as they to me. That is why we met at the tavern even though I was not aware of why I was waiting till you arrived. My goal is to help guide you out of your misery, if you will allow it. I apologize if my methods have caused you trouble but I could think of no better solution to get you to relax enough to tell me what your problems were than to get you to drink a bit. The game got out of hand and we ended up in bed together. I do not regret it one bit, but I do wish the circumstances could have been better for you."

He offered her his hand so they could stand up together.

"As for my family, I have none. I have not had anyone to call family since my mother died the literal day I became an adult. From a sickness brought about by her own self pity. I do not wish to see the same fate wilt away another beautiful flower such as yourself."

He looked her in the eyes. She might be able to see he was being genuine.

"Is that acceptable to you Lady Ophelia or would you rather dismiss me as your escort?'

Ophelia Eärtári

 

[Ophelia]

The audacity of someone to speak back to Ophelia. "How dare you?" She whispered, tears mixing with her mascara under her eyes. I am most definitely not finished.

He silenced her, explaining his point of view in her very one sided story all while trying his best to clean her up. Why was he so charming yet such an asshole? She fumed mentally.

"I don't need help." She crossed her arms, glaring at him as she interjected.

"My last husband took years. Fifty years and eight months." The flames began to die down above her as she spoke, her voice cold and her ruby eyes dull. "He's buried with our son."

She was helped up and straightened out, little effort from her part. She would have preferred to sit there and mope for a few more hours. Long enough for him to go away. But of course, he couldn't take a hint. Or maybe he didn't want to.

She allowed him silence once again as he told the story and clued her in to how their night had gone as well as talk of his own family.

"I'm...sorry... for your loss." She looked up at him. "I'm sorry....But what exactly do you think you can do for me?" She wiped her eyes. "I'm dangerous. I hurt people that I don't want to hurt. My own child. Please tell me you can stop me from hurting more people. Just...end it...please. That's how you can help me."

Quacey

 

[Quacey]

He heard everything she had to say. It all was clear to him now. The death of those she loved most constantly dying around her was the root of how she became lost. The cause for it seemed to be her herself. Perhaps her domain being out of control or a curse? She did not feel cursed to him however.

"I will make no promise I am not certain I can keep. You are the ruler of your own choices and fate. I am merely a guide and knight to help you find your path once more."

He offered her his arm. He was still her escort after all. The funeral was not yet over but her reactions before made more sense. She had been silent with her extended family on what all had been taking place in her life. It no doubt weighed on her heart and needed to be addressed.

"But I do give you my word that I will do what I am able to help you break this cycle you are trapped within. The first step is to finish this funeral. If you wish to tell off your family I will support that decision. If you do not then I will tell them off instead. They annoyed me before so it will be more of a pleasure than just a duty."

He smiled to her. Nothing could replace those she lost but perhaps feeling she had someone there with her would give her some strength. A way to help her takes the steps needed to get back to where she needed to be.

Ophelia Eärtári

 

[Ophelia]

"Is it your job to guide women in bed?" She grabbed onto his arm, breaking her cold stare to give him a curious look. "Forgive me, but I find it hard to believe I'm the first. Unless that is what my path is...which...I find it a bit ironic given my history."

What was she supposed to say to her family beyond what she had already. Did they need to know more about the circumstances behind his mysterious death the night of his wedding? It would only bring the rumors out to the edge of Autumn court and into the next. She would keep quiet.

"I have nothing more to say to them regarding my husband." She said as they walked. "As far as telling them off, I wouldn't even know where to begin with something like that. I don't have the energy to yell so that is up to you. If you have something you wish to say to them, you have my permission to say whatever you please." She paused, squinting at him. "Within reason. No talk of whatever you remember from last night."

It was more of a joke when it came out, but she suddenly regretted allowing the words to leave her lips. He seemed to enjoy making her uncomfortable or angry with his teasing. What better opportunity to make her even more angry than telling her family the things she may have shared with him or the activities they got into.

"Please keep it brief though. The faster we leave, the faster we can fix whatever is wrong with me." She sighed before they reentered, feeling much better than she had during the first arrival. The feeling was a bit different though. Not happy...hopeful, maybe. Like there was potential for her because of this stranger who waited in a dirty tavern just to meet her and chip away at her shell.

Quacey

 

[Quacey]

Quacey went with Ophelia back to the funeral. As they walked her began to wonder just how many lovers had she lost up to this point. So far he was aware of two. Her first husband who died their wedding night and this last husband she lost along with their child. Such a sad fate for her to burden alone. No doubt it had something to do with her prickly nature. That and her family they were currently on their way to see.

"Tell me Lady Ophelia, how did your husbands die exactly? I believe you mentioned that your first husband began to cough. Is that correct or am I misremembering?"

He would quietly listen to everything she had to say to him. No interrupting just listening. When she finished he would offer her a smile and a squeeze of her hand. There would be no time for a proper response as they would arrive back at the funeral at that time.

Quacey hoped her family would remain respectful and quiet as they approached. The ceramony perhaps about to take place. He did not know their traditions. It was possible they just visited with each other and took their turns saying their goodbyes at the coffin until everyone was done or the time for the burial took place. Either way, he would hold his tongue until one of them said something to them slightly suggestive or rude.

Ophelia Eärtári

 

[Ophelia]

She looked up at him, her snowy skin seemingly more pale by his question. "Something like that." She responded, an iciness back in her voice as she recalled the night of her wedding. Cake had been cut, drinks had been poured and nobles mingled with her close friends and family. The snow white woman with the ruby eyes wore a flowing white dress speckled with pastel flowers as she danced to a waltz with her new husband.

The young couple had practiced their dance, yet still managed to step on each other's toes and laugh about it. There was one more move, he was to spin her around and lean her down, ending the song with a kiss. Only he missed a beat trying to suppress a cough. The whole thing was off, but Ophelia wasn't angry. She didn't care. She only wanted to spend the rest of the party enjoying their first moments as newlyweds. She laughed it off and left for a moment to grab another drink.

Her ear twitched and she turned to look. He was coughing again, but it was no big deal. He would be fine after another drink and more dancing with friends she thought. He was trying to enjoy the evening, but the coughs got harder and more uncontrolled. The pair left their own party after her dress had been speckled with blood from his coughing.

"I spent all night by his side, wiping the blood from his face. Helping him when he had become too weak to do anything on his own." She glanced back ahead. "He was dead before the last people had left the party. Just before the sun broke."

It was a kind gesture by Quacey, but his smile didn't bring relief to her as she reopened her old wounds.

She could feel their judgmental stares burning her skin as they made their way back over. "Oh dear Ophelia, are you alright?" The woman spoke up, placing a hand against the fae's forehead. Ophelia nodded, refusing to let anything other than a neutral expression cross her face. "Sorry, I was not feeling well. Sometimes happens at funerals." She left it at that.

The pair were fortunate that her family only held a viewing and would perform the burial privately with only the immediate family. They didn't have to spend much more time in the presence of her nosy relatives though the time they did spend would be uncomfortable as the man pressed the two for more answers that Ophelia would refuse to answer despite them being aimed more towards her.

"Forgive me Ophie," The man couldn't stop himself from pestering her. "Why would a lord from the Spring Court be acting as an escort? Is that common in his culture?" Ophelia would offer a glance upward at Quacey, allowing him to respond if he wished. "We understand if its hard to speak of Sylris' passing, but we don't expect you to remain alone because of that. You shouldn't be ashamed of having a new suitor, and one with a title especially!"

Quacey

 

[Quacey]

Already returning and her family was judging her. Quacey could tell and no doubt was not as aware of it as Ophelia. But they continued to be polite and pleasant with their words so there was nothing for him to do about it. It did not last long.

The moment the older man began to pester Ophelia, Quacey stepped into the conversation. He had a displeased look on his face. Not an act but a genuine look of being upset.

"Hold your tongue before your insults remove your own head."

The fae paused. He wanted it to sink in. A threat but one that was not undo. Insulting a Lord was not something tolerated in any of the Courts after all and always could come with punishment.

"Is there something wrong with me acting as her escort? Have I done an inadequate job at my duties as one?"

He stared her relatives down as he waited for one of them, any one of them, to say something back.

"We are at a funeral. One of your own has past away, yet instead of coming her to mourn her as Ophelia has done you are all gossiping away. She informed you that her husband, her love, has past away as well and your first thoughts are on her remarrying. Do you have no shame? Is that what accounts for mourning in the Autumn Court? A single word and then completely moving on as if they meant nothing to you? The Spring Court is about life so when one of our own passes on we mourn by remembering how they lived. Sharing of memories. Retelling their tales. Forgetting our petty feuds and ambitions for just a single day if not longer and focusing on them. Yet not a fraction of that love is present here."

The large fae sighed deeply.

"It was no wonder Ophelia was forced to ask a member of another Court to escort her to this funeral so she may mourn in peace. Clearly her own Court and family has failed her."

He turned to Ophelia. A soft smile on his face.

"My apologizes Lady Ophelia, but would it be alright to leave? I do not have the stomach to deal with the bile that is this crowd any longer."

And with that he would wait for her response. If she said she was ready to leave as well then he would not even waste his time apologizing or saying a good bye to her family. He would just walk away with her back to their inn.

Ophelia Eärtári

 

[Ophelia]

Ophelia froze in disbelief as the man actually took her up on her offer to let him tell off her extended family. Her eyes roamed to her great uncle's face, as Quacey's foul mood practically radiated off of his being. "I...I..." The older man stuttered, unsure of how to respond to the Lord. Her lips twitched into a wicked smile as she enjoyed the uncomfortable silence that followed Quacey's speech. No one had ever spoken back to that man and both of them could tell by the bright shade of red he was turning.

Quacey had a point and it was painfully obvious as soon as he stated so. There was no love in this family. Rumors and gossip kept these people going. The thrived on their status, leeching off others to gain whatever they had achieved in their long lineage. Her parents didn't even love one another, marrying for money and status to get further ahead in life. These people power hungry, gossip starved, emotionless husks.

"My apologizes Lady Ophelia, but would it be alright to leave? I do not have the stomach to deal with the bile that is this crowd any longer."

She broke her silence as he addressed her. "Yes, Lord Quacey. We may go." She nodded, glancing at the fuming man once more before turning and taking her leave.

She was quiet until about halfway back to the inn, her stubbornness trying to stop her from showing Quacey that she was grateful even after the heated discussion they had. "Thank you." She mumbled, staring at the ground as they walked. Words she was not often known to say. "I didn't think you'd actually tell them off. I appreciate it." She linked arms with him as they continued the walk.

"If you truly think you may help me, I will accept it. I may have lost the coin I brought with, but name your price and I'll have it sent to you." She looked up at him, pleading for his help. "Please, may we go now?"

Quacey

 

[Quacey]

Quacey squeezed Ophelia's arm and patted her hand when she thanked him. A smile was gifted to her. All he had done was what he had said he would do. He just spoke his mind and then left. There was no doubt in his mind they would be gossiping about him already and doing their best to slander him amongst their circles. Actions he held nothing but apathy towards.

"I gave my word to you Ophelia. I was simply keeping it. No need for you to thank me."

The plea for help in both her words and eyes did let Quacey know he was going to be busy for some time. She was willing to be helped now so that meant he could truly do something for her. She asked him to name his price, but he had none. Simply stating that was not likely to be met well. Everything had a price after all so she would likely feel more at ease having one she could understand and deliver to him.

"I give you my word that I will offer you all the help I can."

He squeezed her arm again.

"As for a price, I have no need for coin nor wealth. I prefer more personal forms of repayment. Perhaps something that could be as enjoyable to the both of us as last night was."

A smirk was directed her way.

"And yes, we may go. If you wish we could provide you that help at my home. I can get us there in a few days and we can work on your issues. To this end I must ask, what is your domain Ophelia?"

Ophelia Eärtári

 

[Ophelia]

"No one has ever said anything like that to my family before. It deserves a thanks." She doubled down on her words as he squeezed her arm. "I have never seen him look so flustered. It was beautiful. You've done the world a favor, believe me."

A nod came form her as he named his price. An enjoyable time for the both of them? Something about last night again. "Quacey?" Concern clearly in her voice as she stopped walking. "Could you tell me exactly what happened between us last night?" She let out a sigh. "I am worried. I was not joking when I told you everyone I've been with has passed. I do not wish you to suffer the same fate as them."

She didn't smile back, her eyebrows raised as her words sped up. She was nervous. "I would feel very bad. I mean I do feel bad for them...but they were all...the same. You have been kind to me as far as I remember. It would be a shame to take a decent being out of the world."

Her expressions softened as he agreed they could go. "Yes, please. Leaving immediately would be best. I would appreciate being able to resume my life." Find a decent man of my choice and start a family. She added in her head.

Another pause. "My domain? Well...I suppose it must have something to do with my god awful luck. Everything that can go wrong will go wrong. I presume you've seen it first hand last night and today."

Quacey

 

[Quacey]

The fae looked at her with a bit of a raised brow. She did not remember what they had done the night before. Was that a good sign or a bad one? He was unsure. She was very drunk after all. Perhaps drunker than he realized. Not that he was in the state of clarity himself to notice.

"Let me see if I can bring some of those memories back." Quacey would say to her before placing a hand on the side of her head. Magic would flow and with it images in her mind. What she would see exactly he would not know. He was not reading her mind after all or even showing her an illusion. He was simply trying to shake the memories loose as one might a tree to get an apple to fall.

"Pack up your belongs when we return and we may set out as soon as you are done. For your domain, that will be what we begin to figure out at my home. It may be the key to your troubles and how to fix them. Often they are for all of our kind."

Quacey wondered what all Ophelia would remember. His magic was just an aid after all. It could bring forth memories lost or buried deep in the mind but it could not spring to life ones that never were. If she had even the smallest fragment of a memory of the night then it would likely return. If she did not then it would forever remain a blank void as it currently was.

Ophelia Eärtári

 

[Ophelia]

"You could just tell me what happened. You know that, right?" She commented as he placed a hand on her head. She went quiet, her face red with embarrassment, flickering through several emotions as she relived most of their last night. Embarrassed. Horrified. Worried. The end. "Oh no." How could I be so irresponsible? She raised her eyebrows, looking back at him for a moment. She grabbed his wrist, looking for a pulse. "Are you sure you are alive?"

She continued walking, too mortified by her own behavior to look him in the eye. She looked like she had enjoyed her evening, but what was he thinking after all of that. Surely he remembered.

"My domain?" She raised an eyebrow, scoffing as she did so. "That's easy. I'm unlucky. That is it. Nothing more, nothing less. Everything that can go wrong will go wrong with me. Now, if you'd excuse me I'll go grab my case and we can be on our way." With that, she took her leave to gather her belongings and have a moment alone to talk herself down from how badly she had fucked things up in a single day.

For the most part, she was already packed and ready to go. She only had the one bag with some clothes in it and a few stray coins. She just needed a moment alone to pace back and forth. "How could I be so fucking stupid?" She asked herself out loud, still reliving the memories. Why did she allow herself to play games with a stranger with a punishment of drinking when she knew she had terrible luck? Why did she ask him to join her in bed knowing everything she did about herself? She was a danger and he was only looking to help her.

"Ready." She re-emerged in the entryway after about fifteen minutes, carrying the case.

---

The few hours they had been walking had been pleasant. Ophelia and Quacey had more to talk about than she previously thought they would. She found him much more interesting and less irritating as the hangover wore off, often asking about his poetry, hobbies, and details about his home.

Of course, Ophelia could only be pleasant for so long.

"How much longer?" She slowed her pace, heading off the path towards a large tree. "My feet hurt. Can we take a break? Just for a bit, please!" She whined as she took a seat on a rock and patted the spot next to her.

Quacey

 

[Quacey]

They had left the inn in good spirits. Quacey had spoken about his poetry, collection of books, and how he wished to go hunting again some time. He told her how his home was high in the mountains and was connected to a network of tunnels and caves inside of said mountain. How the light of the moons so easily shown within.

And then after only a few hours, Ophelia suddenly began to complain. About her feet. How long it was taking. If they could have a break. Was she so unuse to walking? Did she just take a carriage everywhere? He could still keep going, for days if need be, but if she needed the break then he would give it to her.

Quacey helped Ophelia to the large tree and then found her a rock to sit on. Already he knew she would refuse to sit on the ground. Then he got himself sat down next to her.

"Your feet. Please remove them from your shoes and set them across my lap."

If she complied then what she would be greeted with was a foot massage of the both of them. It was to get the pain out of her feet and hopefully keep her walking longer. He really didn't feel like dealing with none stop complaints the entire way to his home. A trip he could take by his own methods in days instead of the mortal weeks. But with her it might just take that mortal time if he didn't help her.

Ophelia Eärtári

 

[Ophelia]

"My what?" She looked toward Quacey, "What an odd request to give to a noblewoman...but alright. I'll bite." She laughed, slipping off the heels she foolishly wore to travel. Its not like she had anything else, though. She would sooner be caught dead than in a pair of gross old boots.

"It's actually quite lovely out today even though it's cold, don't you reckon?" She placed her feet in his lap like instructed and allowed him to massage her, staring up at the bright sky as he did so. She was incredibly ticklish, causing many laughs between the two of them until it died down and the pressure became stronger and the massage more enjoyable. "Mmmm...That feels nice..." She cooed, leaning against the tree.

"Could I ask you something?" She opened one eye to look at his face. "Can you do that to my back and hips as well? They are still aching from..." Her cheeks went pink. Everything we did last night. "Walking. I don't think my muscles are used to it." Not a lie, but not what she wanted to say.

Climbing into his lap, she pulled her cloak off and faced away, not really giving him the chance to turn down her request before she started talking again. "I think...I recall most, if not all, of what we did last night." She took advantage of the fact that she was facing away to embarrass herself. "And if you are sure you are not dead and had a good night, perhaps we could try it again. Sober, though!" She could feel the heat radiating off her body as she attempted to ask the man for sex. She was mortified. Never in her one thousand, five hundred-forty eight years did she think she would ever have to ask someone for that. Yet here she was, longing for someone to satiate her that wouldn't perish within a day or so.

Quacey

 

[Quacey]

Ophelia seemed a little cautious and awkward after they had stopped. Part of it had to do with him giving her that foot massage to help her hurt feet. Something that made sense now that he was aware she had heels on this entire time. It was a wonder she had yet to snap her neck from tripping. They were responsible for their slower pace as well. He needed to do something after all to speed them up.

She had made an attempt at small talk at first but that changed. She suddenly asked to have her back and hips massaged as well because of the walking. Those heels were doing her no favors. But the part that took him a bit by surprise was she just sat in his lap before he answered.

He went about giving her what she asked for by placing his hands on her back and began to massage. Up and down firmly. Over her hips then back to her back.

Suddenly she brought up another subject. She brought up the night before and all but asked him for sex. Sex while sober. He wasn't sure what to say. She seemed hesitant and as if she regretted the night before. Was that not the case?

"What was your feelings about last night Ophelia? Before I give you my answer I would like to hear your own."

Ophelia Eärtári

 

[Ophelia]

She leaned forward, resting her arms in the grass to give him more room to work with her body. Her ear twitched in his direction. "You want to know my feelings?" No one had ever asked her for her feelings on something like that before. Not that she could remember at least. "If you remember the things I do, I think I was pretty clear."

A short laugh escaped her mouth. "But if you must know, I think it was rather enjoyable. I mean it was a terrible idea at the time...but I had fun. It was incredibly irresponsible and we should strive to be more careful if we are to do this again." She hoped her honesty wasn't off-putting. "It has been too long since I had someone by my side at night. I miss it. Sometimes you never truly get used to being so alone."

She sighed for a moment, letting him continue the massage. "I guess that is how I would describe my feelings. It was nice, but I'd like to experience it again without having you use some magic to put my memories back into place the next day. I just want one fond memory I can take back with me after all of this." She swiveled around to face him, placing her lips on his for a few moments before pulling away.

"Just one more time....please," Her morbid sense of humor crept into her words accompanied by a mischievous grin. "I mean if you die now, its only a few hours back to the inn. I can just pretend none of this ever happened and leave you for someone else to discover. Not like it would be a bad way to go for you anyway. I'd love to die at the hands of such an attractive person if given the opportunity."

Quacey

 

[Quacey]

Whatever hesitation she felt before did not last long. He had asked how she felt and she told him. She told him all of it. A nice change of pace and it made it hard to not answer her back on seriousness.

"I understand your feelings about all of this. We were both drunk and made a decision best saved for today. I did worry you regretted last night, especially after your memories were returned."

He went silent as he just kept up the massage. Was it less about the walking pain and more an attempt to sway his decision to her current question? Hard to say yet.

"You still seem certain of my demise but also willing and not regretting our night together. I can not say no to you. If you want to have sex just ask. But let me finish your massage first. Sore muscles will only be made worse otherwise."

Ophelia Eärtári

 

[Ophelia]

"I would not say I regretted it at all." She said, taking a moment to look at his face. She wanted to know how he was feeling. The things people didn't say out loud were often clearly painted on their faces. She couldn't make out what he was feeling though. Perhaps he didn't feel the same as her after the last night, especially with the silence he offered as he continued to massage her.

"I'm only certain because I have not been failed yet." She put her chin on his shoulder, letting out a long sigh as her arms wrapped around him. Vulnerability didn't suit her and she wouldn't let him see the look on her face as she continued to overshare.

"Fair enough...you may finish." She didn't move from his shoulder. She was comfortable holding onto him with her eyes shut. "But as soon as you are done," She placed her lips on his neck, not finishing her thought as she kissed him gently and let him continue his massage.

Quacey

 

[Quacey]

Ophelia made what she wanted clear to him. They would enjoy each other's company like they had last night. But she was also making it hard for him to actually finish that massage. There was no way for him to properly do it with her in his lap and wrapped around him the way she was. The kisses on his neck did not help either.

He attempted it for a time. He tried to finish that massage he had started. She needed it for one reason or another since she had gone out of her way to ask for it. But it was proving to be not worth the effort. Any progress he made would just be lost. So he decided to give up. He called it done and time to move on.

So he picked her up as he got to his feet with her still clinging to him. He pinned her against the tree behind them. A kiss was planted on her neck.

"Ready Ophelia? Ready to get what you wanted?"

He didn't wait for a response. He knew what it would be already. Instead he just started the process of beginning their next round of carnal fun together. This time outside under this large tree.

Ophelia Eärtári

 

[Ophelia]

Ophelia was getting used to what she wanted when she wanted, but still Quacey's swift movements surprised her. She hadn't really meant for them to do this right here, right now. As soon as he made the move, she melted in his arms.

She was satisfied for now, laying at the base of the tree wrapped in his arms breathing quietly. As she recovered. He may have been annoyed that they made very little progress since leaving the inn, but for the short time being Ophelia was content.

That was, until she stretched and ran her fingers through her hair. Huh? She pulled at something that was stuck, breaking a piece off. "Ew!" She jumped up suddenly. "Get it out! Get. It. Out!" She brushed her hands all over her in an attempt to get the dirt, grass and leaves off. "Ew ew ew ew ew. Please tell me there's a bath where we are going or I'm going to kill you." She gagged at the dirt on her hands. Perhaps it was time for them to hurry along on their way.

Quacey

 

[Quacey]

Ophelia was freaking out. A bit of dirt, grass, and leaves was expected when being active outdoors. Yet here she was freaking out. He just watched her as she did. After everything he still needed that break and she was proving to be entertain. Like his own personal actress starring in a comedy written solely for his amusement.

He chuckled at her, but after a bit began to help her get everything off of her.

"Calm down. It won't hurt you. I probably made you dirtier than any of this did." He kept patting her down.

"And yes. My home does have a bath in it. One large enough to fit two people in fact. I checked. Now, how are you feeling? Body feeling any better or do I need to carry you the whole way there?"

Ophelia Eärtári

 

[Ophelia]

She turned towards him as she begged for his help to clean her up and punched him on the arm playfully, but hard. "It may not hurt me, but it is disgusting. I am not some type of swine that rolls around in this filth all day." She groaned, wiping at a spot of dirt that wasn't coming out of her dress. "This dress was such an expensive gift from my husband."

"You checked?" A sly smile on her face. "So I was right! You do sleep with all of those poor lost souls, don't you! Oh and I thought I was special." A dramatically loud sigh left her mouth. "Its either that or you have a wife. For your sake, I hope the first one was correct. I would have hated to find out my husband was out galivanting with other women so...carelessly. I'd have both of their heads above my fireplace if I found out he was running around creating little heirs."

Her honesty, once again, may have been overstepping a little too much. She would share her thoughts and make it very clear that some things were unforgiveable in her eyes. They were two different people though, and it wasn't her job to dictate how he should live his life just because she longed to be able to settle down with one partner. She only hoped that with his help she could do that one last time.

"I'll be honest, I think I may be more sore." Her mood shifted back to a more relaxed one after she finished her previous rant. "I would prefer if you carried me. I can tell I'm holding you back from moving as quickly as you'd like. In my defense, I had no idea I'd be on a hiking trip. I would have packed a lower heel if you would have sent me a letter before spending god knows how long waiting for me in that tavern."

Quacey

 

[Quacey]

"I do not bed all of those who are lost. I only bed those I wish to, which until recently has been none of them. You are the second person I have been with, so you are still special Ophelia. Also I am not married. If I was then I would never have bedded you in the first place."

And she relaxed enough to begin complaining. Her issues were now his fault yet again and not the fact she never packed proper footwear because she got a carriage everywhere instead of walking. But it was something he already expected and planned to do.

"I already planned to carry you. Where are you things? I will get them dealt with first then we can get going. I have a method of increasing our travel speed once you are in my arms."

And then he waited for her. How many bags did she have? How much was she about to exhaust him? There was sure to be no more breaks to bed her until they arrived at his home. He wouldn't have the energy or the desire after the toll his spell would take with her in his arms the whole way there.

Ophelia Eärtári

 

[Ophelia]

"The second person...so that implies there will be more?" She winked at him. "Tell me about the first one. Was she your first ever?" Though she came across as vain, uninterested in hearing about anyone but herself, she was rather interested in his life. Well, his previous encounter mostly. She was not fond of being second at anything. "Was she pretty?"

A hint of insecurity tainted her voice as she turned to go and grab her bag. She could hide many emotions, however jealousy and insecurity were the two that always managed to creep up and take over her expressions. Part of her wanted him to say she was ugly, but that only worried her. Was he only interested in unattractive women? That would mean he found her unattractive as well, right?

On the other hand, if he were to rave about how she was 'the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen'....Ophelia might as well turn around and continue on in her path of destruction and heartbreak. It was on him to tell her the truth or dance around it. Either way, Ophelia would try her best to hold her tongue for the duration of their trip.

"It's just the one bag. Nothing too heavy." She handed him the bag and waited for him to pick her up so they could finally be on their way.

Quacey

 

[Quacey]

For such a gloomy dressed woman, Ophelia was proving to be far more chatty and energetic than you might think. It was good. At least it was good to Quacey. Often those in such drawn out mourning as her would make for the worst company. Even if she was strong willed and needy, she was entertaining company.

"She was pretty. Very pretty. Same as you Ophelia. I do have good taste in women you know."

He started to reach for her bag. "And no. It wasn't my first time ever. Just my first time in millennia."

He took it and got it tied securely with his own belongings. Now his hands would be free. Well not free but devoted completely to her. So he made sure everything was secure on himself then walked over to her. He scooped her up into his arms and held tight. A smile was directed to her.

"I'm about to cast a spell. If it bothers you just rest your face in my chest."

Then with that he made the poetic chant as he got himself stepped into the shadows. Once there the spell was finished and he began to walk. Each step seemed to carry them much, much further then it should have. Like this he strode with her in his arms as the distance just seemed to slip by in a blur. He never walked out of the shadows and into the light the entire time.

Ophelia Eärtári