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* Orlann keeps his arm around Tarri the entire way back to her flat. His steps are hurried and he watches the streets warily. * Tarri is almost panting from Orlann's hurried pace by the time they reach her home. "Orlann, they're not *here*..." <Orlann> ::shudders and slows his pace:: I... sorry. <Tarri> ::tightens her arm around his waist:: It's okay. I understand... ::she shivers:: <Orlann> ::shakes his head:: I don't... I can't even *imagine* the size of the force that must be in Arabel... <Tarri> ::nods:: It must be... Mother help us all. ::her hands shake as she unlocks the door to the apartment:: <Orlann> ::locks the door behind them after they enter:: Do you carry a dagger with you, darling? <Tarri> ::shakes her head:: Not usually. I've got a set of healer's knives, but a scalpel blade isn't long enough to do much good, and a bone-saw is a little awkward to keep handy. * Orlann takes both her hands in his. His fingers are cold. "I'd feel better if you had one." * Tarri meets his eyes solemnly. "If it'll make you feel better... I... Lisl's trained me mostly unarmed, or with a staff, though." She nearly smiles. "Terror of the squirrels." <Orlann> ::nods:: I know... but a good dagger, sheathed on your arm... I just want you to have some protection, in case... <Tarri> ::stands up on her toes to kiss his cheek:: Whatever you say. * Orlann leads her over to the small sofa. "Are you... all right?" <Tarri> I'm shocked and scared, but I guess I'll be okay... ::she sits down and curls up against him:: I'm... I'm glad you're not going to go. It's selfish of me, but... ::she shrugs:: <Orlann> ::shakes his head:: I... damn, I'm scared, too. I don't want anything to happen to you, and I'd just... I'd rather stay and help here. <Tarri> ::nods:: You know if you enlist, we won't really be together so much. You'll have your duty, and I'll have to be helping Master Bran... <Orlann> ::nods slowly:: I... can't do *nothing*... I'm sorry. <Tarri> I know. I am, too... ::she hugs him tighter:: I just... I pray it doesn't come here. <Orlann> We should know, I reckon... there's quite a bit of land between here and Arabel, and other cities. They'd be right simple to leave a hostile town behind them to march here. <Tarri> ::nods:: Just... don't go doing anything foolish, Orlann. ::she looks up at him with a hint of fire in her eyes:: Don't go getting yourself killed trying to be a hero. <Orlann> ::looks mildly hurt:: I don't plan on it.. <Tarri> Good. ::she kisses him, briefly and fiercely:: I want you to be one of the rare soldiers who gets to retire and die old and toothless in bed. <Orlann> I c'n do my best, darling... ::he taps her nose:: <Tarri> ::gives him a hint of mischievous smile:: I'll make it worth your while. * Orlann leans forward slightly. "A bribe?" <Tarri> Whatever works... ::she flashes the smile again:: * Orlann kisses her lightly. "Fair warning, darling, I always take what I'm owed..." <Tarri> ::wraps her arms around his neck:: I'll give it to you willingly enough, if you've earned it. <Orlann> ::laughs:: You're a bad woman, darling... ::kisses her again:: <Tarri> Yessir... ::she puts on an absurdly exaggerated look of chagrin:: <Orlann> Tease... ::looks at her seriously for a moment:: News don't always spread so fast... Did you maybe want to write to your father? <Tarri> ::bites her lip:: I expect Lady Nacheyla will make sure Khymrych gets the news... But I should write him anyway. He'll worry if he doesn't hear from me soon. <Orlann> ::a little nervously:: You don't necessarily need to be mentioning that I'm staying with you. <Tarri> ::the impish smile returns:: No? You don't think I should be a good girl and tell my Papa everything? <Orlann> I'd feel right awful if he felt like he needed to shoot me, you know... <Tarri> ::giggles:: Papa only ever laid a hand on one boy, and he was being... rude. Long as he thinks I'm happy, he won't do more than glower. <Orlann> ::touches her cheek:: Are you? <Tarri> ::puts her hand over his:: Silly man. Of course I am. * Orlann takes a deep breath and gathers her into his arms. "I... damn, I'm so scared, darling. To find you, after everything... I don't want to lose you now." <Tarri> ::holds him tight:: You're not losing me, Orlann. <Orlann> ::gruffly:: No, I ain't... <Tarri> ::pulls back a little to look into his eyes and brush her fingers over his cheek:: I don't want to lose you, either. <Orlann> ::a bit ruefully:: I seem a bit damn hard to lose... Don't you worry none. I'll take care. <Tarri> See that you do. ::kisses him:: <Orlann> Yes'm... my Tarri... ::he sifts her hair through his fingers:: Such pretty hair... <Tarri> ::smiles:: Thank you... It used to be long. Down to my knees, almost. <Orlann> ::curious:: Why'd you cut it? <Tarri> I didn't. ::she blushes faintly:: It burned off. <Orlann> ::blinks:: Good lord, darling! * Tarri blushes harder. "It was an accident... I probably deserved it, to tell the truth." <Orlann> ::raises one eyebrow, touching one finger to her flaming cheek:: What happened? <Tarri> I... Has anyone told you about the psionics school, yet? <Orlann> ::shakes his head:: No, I don't recollect so. <Tarri> Okay... Psionics is... kind of like magic, only all their power to do things comes from inside. I don't really understand it, but that's the best I can explain it. There's a school for it, here in Marsember. <Orlann> ::nods:: I don't understand much magic anyrate... <Tarri> So anyway, I was about sixteen or so... I'd been walking out with this boy for half a year or so, and he still hadn't spoken to my father. I thought... ::she blushes again:: I thought, he was honorable... If I seduced him, he'd have to marry me. <Orlann> ::blinks:: You... loved him? <Tarri> ::sighs:: Not really... But I liked him well enough, and there wasn't anyone else in Khymrych that I thought I'd want to be with. <Tarri> And he *hates* sheep. I figured if he married me, then he'd come into town and be my Papa's apprentice, and I wouldn't have to move out to one of the farms... <Orlann> ::laughs a bit hesitantly:: And you said Khymrych was mostly sheep farms... <Tarri> ::nods, half-smiling but not quite looking at him:: We snuck out to his Da's barn... Things were going along pretty well... But he... No one knew, not even him. He's a psionic. His best talent is... fires. And we were in a barn full of hay. We got out without getting too hurt, but all my hair burned off, and it scared me half to death... <Orlann> I'll bet... ::fingers her short locks:: An accident? <Tarri> ::nods:: He didn't know, either. We were just... ::she shrugs, still blushing:: He got excited, and suddenly everything was on fire. I'd have thought we'd knocked over the lantern, except I *saw* it still upright. <Orlann> Your poor hair... ::leans over to kiss her cheek:: I'm right glad you weren't hurt. <Tarri> ::gives him a quick smile:: Me, too. Took me more than a year before I dared to talk to him again, though, he'd scared me so... Though as I said, I probably deserved it... ::she laughs faintly:: Learned my lesson, anyway... I'll never do anything like that again. <Orlann> I don't reckon you did, darling. ::looks at her curiously:: What won't you do again? <Tarri> Try to... to trap someone. To sell myself like that. It was *wrong*. * Orlann looks slightly relieved. "You were only a girl..." <Tarri> ::smiles wryly:: And in a hurry to grow up, I guess... My best friend, growing up, she'd been married the year before and was already getting big with child. Most of my other friends were married or planning their weddings... I was afraid I'd be left behind. <Orlann> ::teasing:: And here, you're so ancient and withered... and still unwed... <Tarri> ::laughs softly:: If I hadn't left Khymrych, I'd be an old maid. I'm... almost glad it happened, awful as it was. Or I'd never have left. Never have come here and learned that I had more of a choice. ::touches his face:: Never met you. <Orlann> ::kisses her palm:: An' I'm even older than *you* are, darling. You'll be forced to feed me m'gruel... <Tarri> ::giggles:: Now, now. I'm a better cook than that. Mashed turnips, anyway. ::cocks her head curiously:: How old *are* you? <Orlann> I'll have twenty-nine years, in Eleint... somewhere around the 7th. Mother doesn't rightly remember. <Tarri> ::rounds her eyes at him:: So old... Shall we wrap you in blankets and set you before the fire? <Orlann> S'long as you sit with me, darling. <Tarri> ::laughs and snuggles against him:: * Orlann holds her, listening to her breathing, lightly running one hand up and down her arm. * Tarri shivers slightly at his touch. "When... when are you going to go talk to the Lieutenant again?" <Orlann> ::sighs:: A few days, I guess... After the bulk of the regulars have marched out. <Tarri> ::nods:: Why'd you ask Lord Malkier to come by? <Orlann> I want to know what they find, if anything... wasn't nothing there last week, I don't reckon much's changed... but they might find something. * Tarri nods and sighs as she snuggles against him again. "Just when things were starting to look up..." * Orlann shrugs. "Ain't always good times, but it ain't always black, either. We'll make it through." <Tarri> I guess so. ::she yawns:: I'm not looking forward to trying to sleep tonight... * Orlann nods. "No, me either... " He sighs. <Tarri> Maybe if... ::she bites her lip:: Would you stay with me? I won't be bad, I promise. I just... don't want to let you go. * Orlann shivers against her. "I... if you want me to. I'd... feel comforted, I think." <Tarri> ::nods:: Me, too... * Orlann stands up and offers her a hand up. His fingers are shaking slightly. * Tarri takes his hand and twines her fingers with his. She looks at him for a moment, then turns to lead him into her room. |
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