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<Jewel> ::sitting on the mats, stretching out after her evening exercise:: Bastian? <Angel> ::makes a show of looking up from his papers, as if he has not been watching her all along:: Yes, my lady? <Jewel> ::drawing up her knees and leaning her arms on them, frowning thoughtfully:: I have a favor to ask. I think. If... that is, I'm not certain it's... something that can be done. <Angel> ::raises one eyebrow:: Be sure and let me know when you get to it, then. <Jewel> ::sticks her tongue out at him:: Well... at Sylvie's, when we were descending the stairs, and earlier at Tower's estate... and, well... you do it to *me* often enough, evil man! ::smiles a little:: What I mean to say is, you're... so quiet, when you move. ::makes a bit of a face:: I felt like a dancing owlbear, following you. <Jewel> Is that... just *you*? Or is that something you might be able to teach me? <Jewel> ::blushing a little:: What I'm saying is... I'd like to learn how to be sneaky. If I can. <Angel> ::blinks at her:: It certainly is *not* just me, my lady. Have you ever tried to follow Bienca? <Jewel> ::blinks in return:: ...oh. No, not when she was working, I haven't. She's very graceful, but, well, I can at least *hear* her, when she's escorted me places. <Angel> ::nods:: She does that on purpose. So she doesn't startle people. ::he half-smiles:: I've been told I have a dubious sense of humor, my lady. <Jewel> ::grins:: I like your sense of humor. ::ducking her head a little:: I *might* even like it when you sneak up on me, but of course you'd never catch me admitting as much to *you*! <Angel> ::almost completes his smile:: I shall remember that, my lady. <Jewel> ::widening her eyes innocently:: Remember what? ::a touch smugly:: *I* admitted nothing! <Angel> Indeed. But I shall recall it, nonetheless. <Jewel> Hmmmm... ::cocking her head to one side as she studies him:: All the more reason, perhaps, for me to learn your secrets. So... if it is *not* "just you"-- is it the sort of thing that can be taught? "Movement for Malefactors 101"? Or is it simply a matter of experience? The ones who don't get caught get really good at not getting caught? <Angel> It is many things, but it can be taught. To some degree. Some people are better than others. <Jewel> ::unfolds her arms and offers him a florid bow from the floor:: You, my lord, are most certainly better than me. Do you think I could learn? Could you teach me? ::looking hopeful:: <Angel> ::delicately:: I have had practice, my lady. And practice and practice, and more practice. And I still cannot do the bells, my lady. <Jewel> ::rests her arms on her knees again and waves a hand dismissively:: Pah. I don't expect to get like *you.* I just hope to sound like a smaller herd of cattle on a staircase than I currently do. ::frowns a little:: "The bells?" <Angel> ::nods:: It is considered the pinnacle of stealth, my lady. The tester binds seven bells to his - or her - clothing and attempts to cross a series of obstacles. Without a single chime heard from the observers who sit with their back to the obstacles. <Jewel> ::eyes wide:: And... I suppose cheating is not allowed? Do you know anyone who *can* "do the bells"? Can Bienca? <Angel> ::seriously:: Bienca did the bells with her life at stake. Each observer held a crossbow, and did they hear her, they would have turned and shot her. ::he shakes his head:: I have heard there are others who can, but she's the only one I know personally. <Jewel> ::swallows:: ...why? Was it... some sort of competition? Gods... forget the bells, they would hear my *knees.* <Angel> ::shrugs:: She was young, and foolish. And she was made a bet. The bettor expected her to back down. She didn't. <Jewel> ::snorts:: Aye, that sounds like Bie. ::shakes her head:: <Angel> It was masterful... <Jewel> ::looks up at him and catching her breath, her eyes narrowing slightly in thought:: You... held one of the crossbows. <Angel> ::nods slowly:: I did. <Jewel> ::narrowing her eyes a little more, considering:: ...what did you lose? <Angel> ::looks at her seriously:: I don't know, my lady. She's never claimed her favor. Although, my lady, she claimed Bear's life, for his doubting her. ::winces:: It was a very messy job, too. <Jewel> ::eyebrows climbing to her hairline:: You promised her a favor to be named later? ::quirks a smile:: *You* must have been somewhat young and foolish, too. Or smitten. <Angel> ::gives her a quick, fleeting smile:: If she could actually do it, I considered it a bet well placed. <Jewel> ::laughs:: Alright. So-- given that I have no intention of being so foolish as to try the bells under duress-- are you saying I should ask Bie for lessons? <Angel> I am saying that Bienca is the best. Whether she is a good teacher or not remains to be seen. But you might... inquire. * Jewel nods. "My lord-- is this alright with you? My trying to learn this, I mean." <Angel> ::blinks:: Why would I mind, my lady? * Jewel shrugs a shoulder. "Well... you're my bodyguard." She grins a little. "Being sneakier is bound to get me into trouble." <Angel> ::raises both eyebrows:: At this rate, my lady, there is no such thing as 'more trouble' than we've had. <Jewel> Ha! I suppose you're right. I... well, in a way, I'm still waiting for the shoe to drop, I suppose. <Angel> ::takes her hand and kisses her fingers:: I'm not waiting, my lady. What will come, will come. Too much anticipation gives me a headache. <Jewel> ::grins wryly:: That wasn't exactly what I meant. ::looking up at him through her eyelashes:: How... how much of Tower's estate, and your illness afterwards, do you remember, my lord? <Angel> ::tilts his head:: Most, I think. I get a little scrambled around the time I got stabbed for the eighth time. <Jewel> ::blinks:: Really? I-- I thought the smoke and the drug had addled you. <Jewel> ::lowering her eyes:: I mean... ::sighs:: That came out badly. I... in your condition, I wasn't certain... you remembered much. <Angel> I remember most... at least until we managed down the rope. After that, things got quite muddled. <Jewel> ::nods and bites her lip:: I'm not surprised. I... sort of expected you to be angry with me, once you'd had time to think about it. That was my other shoe. <Angel> ::raises both eyebrows:: Angry, my lady? Why should I be? <Jewel> ::setting her chin on her arms:: You've... generally been none too pleased when I take foolish risks. <Angel> ::gently:: My lady, should you have done nothing, we all would have died. Even I would not be so cruel as to call them foolish risks. <Jewel> ::swallows hard:: My lord, you have *never* been cruel to me. But... I know how you hate being placed in such a situation, choosing between the safety of one or another... I'm sorry. <Angel> ::touches her cheek lightly:: You have done nothing to draw scorn, or an apology for. You acted well, and bravely. Many were saved, who would otherwise have perished. That I could wish for nothing beyond your well-being is... seemingly beyond our means, my lady. I will be content with a partner who is capable. <Jewel> Thank you, love. ::smiling a little, a wry quirk to her lips:: As I told you once... I believe I'm *still* the least offensively-capable person I know. ::takes his hand and kisses it:: Not that *you* don't more than make up for my lack. But... ::thoughtfully:: I'm still... discovering new things. There are a few... hm. Well, I'll have to experiment. But perhaps I *can* be more useful to you-- and the Guild-- in some ways. <Angel> ::pulling her suddenly into his lap:: As long as we discover them together... <Jewel> ::small squeal of surprise:: You, sir, are insatiable. ::grins and leans her head back against his shoulder:: And *I* am not going anywhere. <Angel> ::nuzzles at her neck:: With you to tempt me, can you wonder at my appetite? ::he leans back to look at her, granting her a rare smile:: <Jewel> ::arches her back, half-turning in his lap to regard him out of the side of her eyes, laughing delightedly and reaching a hand towards his face to lightly trace his smiling lips:: Good thing I'm not fattening, hmmm? ::winks:: |
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