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Loria awakes early in the morning, sweating and shaking from the after-effects of her dream. She sighs, checks the fading lump on the back of her head and sits up. Kevil, a warm lump of blankets next to her, turns over. She takes a few sips of water from the glass at her bedside table. Quietly, trying not to wake him, she gets up, walking over to her wash basin and splashes a few handfuls of water onto her face. Looking herself in the eye in the mirror above the basin, she says softly. "Just a dream..." Kevil opens one eye at the sound of Loria's voice, then props himself up on one elbow when he realizes she is no longer in bed. "What dream, raindrop?" His voice is sleepy, but the dark circles under his eyes have mostly faded away. Loria turns towards the bed. "Oh, I'm sorry, Kevil-lin. I didn't mean to wake you. I guess," She shrugs helplessly. "I guess... I was just remembering everything. Too many people treating me like a thing to snatch away, I guess." Kevil nods sympathetically. He sits up and reaches out an arm to her, inviting her to sit with him. "I would like to snatch you away, myself," he teases, hoping to lighten her mood. Loria smiles slightly. She checks her face in the mirror again, blotting it dry with a towel. She eyes Kevil a bit hesitantly, then returns to the bed and sits down. "So, what do you think of my new..." she gropes around for a word that's not "weapons." "Equipment?" Kevil slides his arms around her, cuddling her close. "I think perhaps Lady Imp does not altogether trust me to keep you safe." He chuckles and kisses her cheek. "The equipment itself seems to be of reasonable quality... We must find someone who can teach you to use it properly, d'va?" * Loria frowns, staring moodily at her hands. "Is it hard to learn? Fighting, I mean?" <Kevil> ::considers:: I think it must vary from person to person... I always felt I must work twice as hard as some others for the same results... My mother would rather spar than dance - but my middle-older sister was all but useless in the fighting square... <Loria> ::shaking her head:: I feel like my whole life is running away with me. I... ::resting her head on her knees:: <Kevil> ::runs his fingers lightly over her back, tracing aimless swirls:: Things move too quickly? <Loria> ::nodding:: I'm not... ::looks perplexed:: I'm not really sure who I am anymore. <Kevil> Hmm. I know the feeling... What... what is changed? Or - ::he corrects himself:: - what is changed that bothers you? <Loria> I don't know, exactly... ::she twists her fingers together:: I have... maybe if things had been more busy when I was younger, I wouldn't feel... like I'm not being able to enjoy anything before being rushed on to the next thing. <Kevil> Ah... ::he considers:: I would offer to take you on a vacation, but only see how disastrous the last attempt was! ::he grins briefly, then sobers again:: She is only worried for you... <Loria> ::nodding:: I know, and it's not that I don't *want* to... I have always loved Her. Even when I was younger and knew that no one wanted me around, I knew She cared about me. ::smiles in a nostalgic way:: <Kevil> ::smiles in response to hers:: ...but you wish she had given you a few weeks or so to relax before giving you this new work to do? <Loria> ::nodding:: I feel like I have too many decisions to make all at once, and I've not got the time to feel comfortable with anything before being forced to look at the next thing... ::sighs:: <Kevil> ::pulls her into a hug:: Is there anything I can do to help? <Loria> ::considers, then says softly:: Perhaps we should... make one of those decisions now. One less to worry about? <Kevil> ::pauses, then nods, pulling back a little to look at her more easily:: If you wish... <Loria> ::looking at him earnestly:: What do *you* wish, Kevil-lin? <Kevil> I wish... ::he looks at her for a long moment:: I wish to continue loving you. I wish that you might be happy. <Loria> ::punching him in the upper arm lightly:: I meant for you... what do you want? <Kevil> ::grins:: You do not think that is a desire for my self, in earnest? ::he mock-sighs, then thinks:: <Loria> ::seriously:: I mean, it's all good and well for you to want me to be happy, don't think I don't appreciate it... but I also want you to be content. After all, we are partners, of a sort. <Kevil> ::smiles and touches her cheek:: I am glad to hear that. ::he sighs and leans back against the wall:: My circle-mother was kind enough to point out to me that - no matter your feelings in the matter, or your level of acceptance, I would be... jeopardizing your reputation if I took any lover other than you, so long as we are here. <Loria> ::blinks:: I hadn't thought about that... <Kevil> ::smiles faintly:: Of course, you are free to decide to ignore such things - but it was a thing I, also, had not considered. I thought I should mention it. <Loria> ::nodding:: What else did she say? ::grinning:: I know you said you were going to ignore it. <Kevil> ::laughs:: Well, it was before you met Missa... She thought I was being unfair to try to drag you into our ways. <Loria> Well... ::thoughtfully:: People are pretty different, where you're from. ::with emphasis:: Very different. <Kevil> ::draws up with mock hauteur:: It is *your* kind who are "different", I believe. ::he leans back again and grins:: * Loria sticks her tongue out at him. <Loria> I'm serious about that... very friendly... ::looks a bit wistful:: Open and honest and accepting. I've never met people like that... <Kevil> ::smiles:: Ah, well, in part it is because I introduced you to the people I like best - who are friendly and open and honest and accepting. As with any people, there are Alani who are not so noble. ::he shrugs:: But I must agree that in general, Alanis is a far friendlier, more open place than most I have been. <Loria> ::lightly:: I don't know that I could have felt... for Missa, I mean... if she'd not been... so much like you. ::quickly:: I don't mean that she's a substitute for you, or that I'm projecting you onto her, or anything. But... ::shrugging:: <Kevil> ::grins:: No; I know what you mean. ::he considers her for a moment, hesitating:: We... we could go back... <Loria> ::touching her amulet hesitantly:: I don't think so, Kevil... I... not permanently. <Kevil> ::sighs slightly, but smiles:: I did not really think it would be possible... <Loria> ::seriously:: Do you wish to? I mean, maybe spend half the year there, and half here? <Kevil> I... ::he ponders it:: Perhaps. ::he smiles:: I have friends here, also. But... it may be a thing to consider... when Lady Imp has decreed your training complete. <Kevil> ::seriously:: What is it that you wish, Loria? <Loria> ::uncertainly:: I don't know... to say what I wish... I... ::looks at him seriously:: I don't want for you to feel pressured, or obligated or anything... <Kevil> ::nods:: I understand. But if I may not answer that I wish you to be happy, then you may not answer that you wish not to pressure me. ::he smiles faintly:: What do *you* want, Lori-love? <Loria> ::almost defiantly:: I wish... for us to be a family. For you to stay here or, we could get a larger house, perhaps? <Kevil> ::blinks in surprise:: Truly? <Loria> ::in a very small voice:: Well. Yes. * Kevil leans forward and takes her face in his hands, kissing her thoroughly. <Loria> ::kissing him back, she laughs:: What sort of answer is that? <Kevil> ::grins, then laughs himself before kissing her again:: Loria... n'shava, you make me so happy... ::he picks up her hand and kisses each knuckle:: I would be... happy to do this. * Loria hugs him tightly, burying her head in his neck, she sniffles. <Kevil> ::wraps his arms around her tightly, stroking her hair:: Ah, what is this, now? <Loria> ::looking up at him, she smiles through her tears:: I'm just happy... ::wiping at her eyes:: <Kevil> Good. ::he smiles and kisses her again:: <Loria> ::snuggles against him:: So... one down, nine hundred to go. <Kevil> So many? ::he shifts her slightly, then wraps his arms around her:: Are there any more I can help with? <Loria> ::ticking off on her fingers:: I have to learn to fight... the Blessed Mother said something about a "quest"... whatever that means. :;sounding vaguely worried:: I need to go home and talk with St. Greyson. ::she rolls her eyes:: <Kevil> ::grins:: Ah, I may in fact help somewhat on all of those. Lady Imp directed me to assist you in locating a teacher... And I am certainly not about to let you traipse off on a quest by yourself. And since you were so brave as to come to meet *my* family, it would only be fair to return the favor... <Kevil> ::grins a little wider:: Especially if I may have the opportunity to, ah, tweak your elder brother... <Loria> ::laughing:: You're going to just hate my father... <Kevil> ::snorts:: I might have guessed that... ::raises an eyebrow:: Is there an inn? Or must we rely upon the dubious hospitality of your parents? <Loria> ::lifting her chin:: I'm a Priestess of Nacheyla. I can stay at Her house. <Kevil> ::chuckles:: May you have a guest? Or should I supplicate myself and sleep upon the grass outside your window? <Loria> ::laughing:: I'm sure She won't mind if you stay... you are one of Her friends, after all... <Kevil> ::mutters:: Well, but the things I've heard of certain of the populace... Perhaps I should ask her for a note? <Loria> ::punching him in the shoulder again:: It's not so bad... mostly. I hope you can put up with lovesick little girls though. I expect Polla will take a fancy to you. <Kevil> ::laughs:: It would not be the first time... ::he twists around sideways and lays down again, across the bed, putting his hands behind his bed.:: <Loria> ::poking him in the stomach:: You will *not* take up with my little sister... definitely out of the question... <Kevil> ::twitches slightly as she pokes him:: I was not planning on it, n'shava. <Loria> ::raises an eyebrow and pokes him again:: Planning? *You*? <Kevil> ::jumps slightly, and grins:: Are you provoking me? <Loria> ::giggling:: Well, as I'm already awake... <Kevil> I see... ::he eyes her briefly, then suddenly lunges up and tickles her:: <Loria> EEEEEEEp! ::giggles, she falls onto her back, looking up at him:: I do love you. <Kevil> ::laughs, stretching out beside her:: You are cheating... but I love you, too. ::he kisses her:: |
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