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* Meghan is sitting at a desk in an office looking room. There are a few older kids sitting outside the office. The rest of the floor looks empty, there are a few doors and a stairway leading up to the second floor. The door to the office Meg is in is open and there is a woman about her age standing near the desk. <Taliesin> ::a medium sized carriage pulls up to the orphanage and Trey steps out:: I'll call back for you in about an hour or so. ::his driver nods and trots away:: <Meghan> ::Meg finishes writing on the paper in front of her and hands it to the woman:: Thanks Mary. I think that's all for today. ::Mary nods and leaves the office. She motions for the kids to follow her and the all head to the second floor:: * Taliesin walks up to the door, wearing a charcoal grey pants and coat combination, lightened some by a blue vest and cravat. He looks around for a moment uncertainly, then knocks twice. * Meghan glances up and then stands. She walks around her desk and goes to the door. As she opens it she smiles. "Well hello there." She steps back and motions for Trey to enter. <Taliesin> Good afternoon, Meg. ::he bows to her, only a little stiffly:: And how fare you this day? <Meghan> I'm well. Come in? * Taliesin steps inside, doffing his hat and tucking his gloves inside. "Thank you. The weather can't seem to make up its mind, can it? One day it is fair, the next freezing." * Meghan nods and leads him into her office. "Yes. Hopefully it will lean more towards fair soon. I'm actually done here. Would you like to come over to the house for some tea?" <Taliesin> ::smiles:: Tea would be delightful... * Meghan returns the smile. She gathers up a few pages and leaves the office, carefully closing and locking the door behind her. She then turns and offers him her arm. "Shall we?" Her eyes twinkle at him. * Taliesin bows again, and just barely rests the tips of his fingers under her elbow. "Indeed." * Meghan leads him out of the orphanage and to the next building over. After unlocking the door she leads him into the house. There is a large living room with a sofa and two chairs. There is a rather large area rug covering most of the floor and a fireplace on the far wall from the door. To the left there is a short hallway that leads to the kitchen and to the right there are two windows that are covered with burgundy colored curtains. <Taliesin> ::looks around:: Cozy... <Meghan> ::She points to the chairs and sofa:: Have a seat and I'll get the water going. ::She hangs her cloak on the pegs on the wall before heading to the kitchen:: * Taliesin removes his long coat and hangs both it and his hat on a peg. He makes no move to sit, but instead lingers near one window, twitching the curtain aside to look out. <Meghan> ::He'll see the street in front of the house and the buildings opposite the house. A moment later Meg returns and sits on the sofa:: I hope to have a nicer view someday. * Taliesin smiles and takes a seat at one of the chairs, leaning back and crossing his legs at the ankle. <Meghan> I am happy you came by. Was hoping to see you again soon. <Taliesin> ::nods:: I've been mildly occupied in looking for a house to let, but I closed with attorney this morning, and I hope to take possession by the end of next week. <Meghan> That will be nice for you. Where is it? <Taliesin> On Oaken Wheel Lane, just south of the bakery there. A nice location, and the smells coming from the bakery are nothing less than inspired. <Meghan> ::nods:: I know the bakery. Abby is very fond of the muffins they make. <Taliesin> I shall attend to that immediately upon my arrival, then. ::he smiles:: And expect you all for lunch after I move in my things. <Meghan> That would be nice ::The tea kettle whistles and Meg stands:: Excuse me a moment. ::She heads into the kitchen:: * Taliesin nods, sitting up a bit straighter and watching her go. <Meghan> ::A few minutes later she returns with a tray and a tea set for two. She places the tray on the coffee table and makes up a cup for Trey:: There is cream and sugar. ::She motions to it before making a cup for herself:: * Taliesin takes his tea with sugar but no cream and sits back again. "And where is the wee one today?" <Meghan> She's with Michelle. When I have meetings planned at the orphanage Michelle usually takes her for the day. <Taliesin> A good friend, then? Or are your meeting infrequent? ::he smiles, teasing:: <Meghan> ::Smiles:: She is a good friend. We were very close for a period of time, living together when Abby was born and for almost a year after. She is like a second mother to Abby so they enjoy spending time together. <Taliesin> Well, that must be agreeable to them both, then. Am I intruding then? Does she expect you soon? <Meghan> Not at all. I believe she was planning on keeping Abby for the evening. It's been a while since she had the chance, and I enjoy having the house to myself every now and again. <Taliesin> ::nods:: And it is just you here, and the wee one? It is not too lonely for you, I hope. * Meghan looks down into her teacup for a moment before looking back to Trey with a bit of a forced smile. "Not usually. But there are times" <Taliesin> Of course there are... we, none of us, are well suited to being alone. ::he looks at her seriously:: For as long as I remain here in Marsember, you may feel free to call upon me at my residence, whenever you have need. <Meghan> ::she smiles a bit more softly and nods:: As are you welcome here any time you would like. I greatly enjoy your company. <Taliesin> I am glad to hear it. You are, I daresay, exaggerating, but it does me good to hear it anyway. ::he smiles:: <Meghan> Not at all ::she grins:: I find myself looking forward to your company and thinking often about you when you are not around. * Taliesin takes another sip of his tea. "You must have a great deal of empty hours then, to be so dulled..." He winks at her over the rim of the cup. * Meghan laughs and tucks her feet up under her. She sips her tea and then looks thoughtfully to Trey. "I do enjoy time we have been spending together, and I am looking forward to getting to know you better. There is something I would like to share with you about myself." * Taliesin raises one eyebrow curiously. "This can hardly fail to be intriguing." * Meghan places down her cup. For a moment she looks in thought and then back to Trey. "Well very simply put I am empathic. It's not something I share with many people so I would ask that you keep it in confidence." <Taliesin> ::stares at her blankly:: I fear I don't even know the word you are asking me not to repeat to anyone. <Meghan> Empathic? It means that I can read peoples feelings if I choose to. Also that I can share mine in a more...mm intimate way I guess you could say. <Taliesin> And do you choose to do this often? ::the slight click of cup against saucer betrays his apprehension, and he sets the cup down hastily:: <Meghan> ::Shakes her head:: I have not found reason to do it at all since I learned how to control it. I would never do it without first asking, so you need not worry ::she smiles softly:: <Taliesin> I can see where this would not be something you wished discussed at evening parties... ::he mused, looking thoughtfully down at his long fingers:: * Meghan nods and tilts her head slightly, watching him. "Penny for your thoughts." <Taliesin> If you haven't got a penny, then a hal'penny will do? ::he looks up at her:: <Meghan> ::chuckles:: a hal'penny? <Taliesin> Half a penny... ::he shrugs:: It is an old song, my grandmother used to sing for me sometimes. I've forgotten the whole of it. <Meghan> Ah ::she nods:: Well I happen to know that I do have a penny and I will very gladly give it to you if you share your thoughts with me. * Taliesin looks at her seriously. "There are many thoughts that people have, my dear, and I believe in some of the darkest corners of our minds, we are all still rather primitive beasts who search for the next sharp rock to use against our foes." He smiles thinly. "It occurred to me that there would be many uses for such an ability, another reason, I suspect, not to mention it to many." * Meghan nods looking thoughtful. She then looks back to him. "Once I had to use it against someone. It's somewhat a long story. But I would hope that you would not be worried I would try and read you without you knowing. I would never. Since that one time I have never had to use it for anything more than some close interaction with Abby. To be honest I hope to never have to for anything other than a willing partner." <Taliesin> I can imagine that another's emotions might not always be the most pleasant of things to examine. I find that I push aside some of my own. And without the context of thought - ::he pauses to glance at her:: - that is true, is it not? <Meghan> ::she nods:: Very true. I can't always push aside my emotions, not like I used to. I usually am more aware of others feeling than one without empathic abilities might be too. It's easier for me to read a persons face, so often my first thoughts of them when I see them is how they are feeling. <Taliesin> ::lifts his teacup again:: I imagine it's a difficult thing for you. <Meghan> Sometimes more than others, yes. <Taliesin> Is Abby your heir in this ability, my dear? Does it pass from mother to child like brown hair or blue eyes? <Meghan> ::she nods:: I believe she is. But Abby is much stronger than I am, and I think she has many more abilities than I do. Because of her father. <Taliesin> ::he clenches his jaw for just a moment:: You needn't speak of that, if you do not wish to. * Meghan gives him a questioning look. <Taliesin> ::shakes his head:: You have said before that the child's father was not your friend... * Meghan nods and looks down, an expression of pain quickly passing over her face. "Maybe another time," she says softly. * Taliesin puts his cup down and moves to her side, on one knee on the floor in front of her. "Meg." He puts one finger under her chin to tilt her face up so he can look at her. "You need never speak of it again. I will not ask. It is not required of you to suffer it again, through reliving." * Meghan nods and smiles a bit to him "Thank you." She reaches to touch his cheek lightly. "Not everyone would be as understanding as you have been." * Taliesin holds her hand to his face a moment, then kisses her palm. "Forgive me, for having reminded you." * Meghan smiles and leans close to him "You are forgiven" She leans closer and kisses him gently. * Taliesin closes his eyes, barely daring to move. "Be warned, my dear... with forgiveness like that, I may become more tempted to offend, just to be forgiven." He winks at her before pulling back. * Meghan laughs softly and leans back as well. "I suppose this means I'll have to think of other reasons to prompt you to kiss me then." <Taliesin> ::raises one eyebrow:: I thought we weren't going there, my dear? You cannot say my charm, substantial as it is, has won you over so soon? <Meghan> ::smiles:: Let's just say I have done some thinking on it and maybe I reacted a bit too strong the other day. I was surprised. <Taliesin> ::shivers:: Then perhaps we should back up in time a moment, so that I might get the kiss right? * Meghan smiles "I would welcome the opportunity." * Taliesin hesitantly puts his hands on her shoulders and draws her to him, covering her mouth with his. * Meghan leans close, returning the kiss as deeply as he gives it. <Taliesin> ::after a long moment, he pulls back to look at her:: What changed your mind, dear Meg? <Meghan> I thought about what you said, about leaping from affection to matrimony so quickly. I realized that I wanted to get to know you better, to be able to enjoy flirtations and kisses with you. If we come to find that a deeper relationship develops we will figure out how to deal with it then. In the mean time I want to enjoy your company as much as I can. <Meghan> ::she brushes a bit of hair from his face:: I'm often much to serious for my own good, and don't nearly have as much fun as I should. I am hoping you'll help me fix that. ::She smiles and kisses his nose:: <Taliesin> ::laughs lightly:: It's what I'm best at, my dear. I fear I've only two or three serious bones in my entire body, so they are extremely outnumbered. <Meghan> ::laughs:: We'll balance each other well then. <Taliesin> That would be the general idea, I believe. ::he smiles and stands up, offering her his hand:: To that end, might I take you to dinner, this evening. Since you are already imposing on your dear friend? <Meghan> I have a better idea ::She smiles and takes his hand as she stands:: Might I cook dinner for you? It would be much nicer to stay in than venture out in the cold. <Taliesin> ::twirls her around once as she stands:: That would be delightful. Would you mind dreadfully if I watch you while you cook? <Meghan> ;:Smirks as she comes to a stop facing him:: Not at all. I might even employ you to help. ::she winks before heading to the kitchen, keeping hold of Trey's hand:: * Taliesin follows her willingly enough. "I hope you've a great deal of patience, my dear." <Meghan> ::laughs:: I have a toddler. Patience is my middle name. |
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