So you think you can drink...(attn Lone)

[Eqwina]

Del had picked one of her more creative ventures in sewing to wear. It was dark blue linen that matched her eyes and clung precariously off her shoulders.  She’d originally sewn it to make her mother crazy, but she was glad that she’d kept it. It was designed to make eyes pop.

 

It had been her in that dress that tipped Ada off as to her date. He’d been sitting on the bed clamoring for details ever since. Who was he? Where were they going? What were they going to do? And every other detail he thought he could pry out of her. Shooting her brother a fierce glare in the mirror she didn’t stop pulling the brush through her hair. “Leave me be Ada. I never grilled you when you were going off too coo.” As soon she the words left her mouth she knew they’d been a mistake. She had no intention of cooing with Lone, but she’d never convince her brother of that now.

 

“Coo! Your going to coo?!?!” Her brother hooted and rolled on the bed with tears leaking from his eyes. Rounding on him she wacked him hard with her bone hairbrush. “I am not going to coo you pig brained lout!!! Say I am again and I’ll make sure that little red head knows that you are seeing her roommate.” His laughter cut off, but a smile still played on his lips. “I am just having dinner and maybe a drink…….and I may flirt a little.” Her dark frown in the mirror dared him to make fun of her, but the look that crossed his face was the last she’d expected. “My sweet Del!” Getting up from the bed he wrapped her in a hug. “I knew you’d come around eventually.” Patting her brother’s back she pulled away and turned back to brushing her hair. That had been a very strange twin moment. Could he really be so happy that she wanted to learn to flirt?

 

Giving her brother another hug she headed out in search of Lone. She had no doubt that he’d survived his meeting with Mistress Thera, though he was probably worse for the wear. Stopping and reaching behind a trough outside the barracks she pulled out a flask of brandy that she’d stashed there. A little liquid courage never hurt.

 

As she walked into the practice yards she saw Lone leaning on the same fence they’d met at earlier, watching another group spar. “Mistress Thera must have already eaten to leave you with a whole hide attached. Not bad for your first day.” Returning his smile she hopped up on the fence next to him. “If your done drooling over these boys with sticks we could take a walk. I have a little something to help take the sting out of Thera’s words.” Patting the flask at her hip she waited.; her eyes saying that she couldn’t care less if she drank the brandy with him or alone.

 

Del

 

[Lone]

Lone sighed as he was stepping out of Mistress Thera's office. It had gone better than he had originally thought. Going to his room he changed for his date that evening. He put on one of his nicer black linen sleeveless shirt, his dark gray with dark silver stitching short coat, matching pants, & dark brown boots.

 

He wasn't sure what to expect but he high hopes that he wouldn't make a complete fool of himself. He went over to the training yard to wait for Adela. Lone figured he would at least have some entertainment while he waited. It wasn't long before she got there and said “Mistress Thera must have already eaten to leave you with a whole hide attached. Not bad for your first day. If your done drooling over these boys with sticks we could take a walk. I have a little something to help take the sting out of Thera’s words.”

 

"Sounds like a plan to me," Lone said hopping down and offering his hand to her once again that day. She took it less reluctantly than he had imagined, you could almost joyfully. They walked in silence to a small peaceful stream nearby & sat down on a large flat rock jutting out over the middle of the stream. "Now that we're comfortable why don't you crack open that flask," He said taking off his jacket so he could enjoy the cool night breeze.

[Eqwina]

Del was thrilled that Lone brought up the flask so quickly. Now that they were alone she was beginning to feel a bit awkward. Pulling the flask from her belt she took a long pull and passed it his way. The dark liquid was a little bitter and it burned going down, but almost immediately she felt her nerves begin to relax. They passed the flask back and forth twice more before stoppering it and setting it aside.

 

Her whole body felt warm and she could feel a familiar tingle in her toes. Adela always felt this way when she was perfectly relaxed with drink. Leaning back on her elbow she looked out over the water and actually smiled. An unprovoked, completely relaxed smile. “I had forgotten how good it felt just to sit…to just be. I spend so many hours each day practicing and training and if I am not training I am thinking about training or dreaming about it. My whole life seems to have been consumed by it.” Rolling over so she could face him she propped her head up on her hand. “Adamin, my twin, on the other hand hasn’t seemed to change to a bit. He still finds time to get us into trouble and to cuddle and tickle with girls…. I wish I could be more like him.” Lone chuckled and Adela dislodged a pebble from the rock and threw it at him, hitting him in the arm. “I meant I wish I could be as carefree as him, you bloody goat-kisser” Her words held a sting she didn’t really feel. It must be the brandy she thought to herself as she reached for the flask again. Never was there a time that she couldn’t remember being angry at being laughed at.

 

“I have always been the serious one and the responsible one, and Adamin has always been….well Adamin. I envy his lackadaisical attitude.” Light!! Why was she spilling her guts to a stranger? Is this what being around the opposite sex did? Adela couldn’t picture Ada being so free with his tongue, he always said very little and still managed to reel them in. Deciding to turn the conversation away from her, she set to grilling Lone about his past.

 

“So, I know about your family and their…motto..tell me something I don’t know. What do you do for fun? Did you leave a lady love at home? Do you have a large family or small? Anything you want, but make it interesting.”

 

[Lone]

"I have never been one for conversation so if I begin to bore you please stop me in whatever way you see fit. I'll start by answering the questions you just mentioned first. My immediate family consists of just my mother,father, & me. If you go further down my mother's side you will find that I was linked to the Queen of Kandor ,and had my mother not married my father, on my way to being the Swordbearer of Kandor, the Queen's high ranking general & bodyguard. But my grandfather disowned my mother for marrying below her, so that is never to be. As for love left behind, I hold no regrets for saying no, there is no one waiting for me to return except my parents. My fun consisted of training, if that even surprises you. Since I was fifteen, that is what I would do if I wasn't working or sleeping."

 

Lone paused holding his hand out for the flask so could build up a little liquid courage before continuing. Adela handed it to him, he took a quick swig, & handed it back. He looked out over the stream and let effects of the drink do its work. He used this time to think of what to say next. He hadn't realized until how seemingly uneventful his life had been up to this point. He wasn't entirely sure how to continue. He thought he would try & bait her into giving him something to work with.

 

"You know what you said about you wish you could be more like your brother? I would just like to inform you that I am complete willing to help you with that in any way you may need." He couldn't believe he just said that to having only known her a day. He braced himself for possible lip lashing he would most likely be getting in a moment.

[Eqwina]

Kicking off her boots Adela scooted closer to the edge of the rock and stuck her feet into the cool rushing water. Even with the cool breeze the brandy had made her flushed.  Of course it was only the brandy; it had nothing to do with Lone’s suggestive comment. Looking down into the slowly moving water Del took a few deep breaths and tried to wish the red from her face. When she finally looked up Lone had come over to join her at the water’s edge.

 

Summoning courage she reached out and caressed his cheek as she’d seen her brother do a thousand times. Smiling slowly she looked up at him through long lashes and let out a slow breath. Tangling her hands in his hair she leaned in until she could feel his warm breath on her lips. She sensed him start to move towards her and with a firm grip she held him still, moving even closer until their lips were a hairsbreadth from touching. With a tiny moan she puckered her lips…...........................................

 

Using her upper body strength and the slight leverage she’d gained by leaning onto him she heaved him towards the slowly rushing water. It was only waist deep but he hit with a splash and came up spitting water. Trying to appear completely innocent Del opened her eyes wide and spoke in a breathless whisper. “Oh my! Is that not how kissing is done? You will have to forgive me, I am only a novice at it after all.” Smiling openly she pulled out the flask and took another long pull. 

 

Adela

*amused*

 

 

 

 

[Lone]

In a the matter of seconds it took to be launched off the rock into the stream, regain his footing, & Adela make her falsely innocent comment; Lone had already devised his revenge. If he was going to get wet, so was she. He waded back to the rock & made it look like he going to pull himself back up. In the middle of his lift Lone quickly swept around Adela waist just barely getting her as he had excepted she knew he would try , pushed off with his feet, & drug her back down with him.

 

This time they both came sputtering water and soaking to the bone. Lone still had his arm around her waist and said,"Now I may be a novice too, but I believe this is how it done." Delicately cupping Adela cheek, Lone slowly brought face closer to her's. She backed her head at first as if she wasn't sure she wanted to, so Lone paused to give her a chance stop him if that were the case. Doing something like that was a line he would never cross.

[Eqwina]

Adela was wary, knowing that he would try and extract his revenge, but for all that she was alert she was not fast enough. He managed to hook her waist and even the slightly pitted surface of the rock did not provide a finger hold. She came up shivering and red faced; thinking he would do it and him doing it were very different matters. She was prepared to drub him with her fists if need be, when the moment turned to something more tender.

 

His hand on her cheek felt like fire hot enough to burn and she recoiled back, though not as sharply as she’d thought she would. Many men had admired her, and many had tried what Lone was trying, and always she had refused. Her interests lied in more unconventional paths, in things that most girls considered too dirty, or “man’s work”.

 

Del’s mind flashed to the last man who’d grabbed her in such a way, and she saw the mess she and Ada had made of his face. Still, Lone was waiting, not pushing……

 

Her teeth were beginning to chatter from the cold, and goose bumps decorated every bit of her exposed, but she wasn’t thinking about that as he once again bent his head to hers. This time she did not flinch or pull away, but she was stiff as a board as his lips pressed to hers. And just like that it was over…he pulled away after only a moment and smiled down at her. Her mind reeled with thought of how soft his lips had been, and how warm against her cold skin. Perhaps there was something to kissing after all.

 

“I..d-d..” What she had been about to say was lost as Lone grabbed her waist once again and set her back up on the rock. She eyed him like some strange creature as he pulled himself out behind her. “I c-c-could have d-done that v-v-very well m-m-myself thank y-you. I am not a porcelain d-doll.” Her voice was hard as ever, but it did not carry as much weight with her teeth chattering. Thankful for the warmth that was left in the air she scooted back away from the water, and into a small spot of sun. It bloomed on her skin and she closed her eyes for a moment to soak it all in. Brandy.. The thought came and she fumbled for the flask and took a long pull. Her dip in the water had sobered her some, and had the sudden desire to become juicy than a tinker on Sunday.

 

Passing the flask to Lone, she didn’t say a word. Was it supposed to be like this after a kiss? Silent?..Awkward? With him preoccupied she stood up and was horrified to realize that the fabric of her dress was stretching from the added moisture. Too much longer and it could be stretched for good. Without thinking she reached up and undid the laces and stepped out of it. She had it laid in the sun before she realized that she was standing before him only in her breaches and short shift. Looking at his eyes she glared. “Just because you kissed me does not mean you have the right to stare at me like a piece of meat!” With her fists on her hips she managed a fierce stare in spite of her drenched state.

 

[Lone]

Lone couldn't help but begin to laugh. Adela was giving him a stare that screamed "I'll kill you if your eyes go any lower than my chin," but in her sopping wet state, he couldn't take her seriously. Reaching for his coat, he stood and handed it to her. "Now, I know you hate my chivalry, but we don't need you catching a cold. Would please put it on?" He gave her his best pleading expression and held it open for her to put on.

 

With a reluctant smile, Adela stepped into the coat and slipped her arms through the sleeves. "Now that your warming up, we should probably head back so we can change into something a little more dry. Oh, here let me get your dress." They walked back to the rooms occasionally brushing shoulders, not saying much. When they arrived at Adela's door, Lone leaned against the door frame and gave her big grin. "I guess this is your stop."

[Eqwina]

Adela took his coat with a small smile. “I do not hate your chivalry Lone. I simply…..am not used to it.” Looking up at him as she stood at the door to her room she had the overwhelming desire to kiss him again. She knew that her cheeks had heated and Lone looked at her questioningly.

 

Glancing at the door she wondered if Adamin or Davel were on the other side. It was not likely that her twin had come home so early, but then again he was always doing what she least expected. Pushing off her door frame she took and step farther back and pulled Lone with her. If she was going to shed her old ways she may as well start being bold.

 

Looking up at him through long lashes she smiled slowly, and with flushed cheeks. “I was just considering what it would be like to kiss you again. I think I may like to find out.” Lone’s own smile grew and he started to move in for a kiss. With fast reflexes that had always served her well Adela stepped aside. “I said I would like to find out, but I did not say right now.” Grinning at him she winked and ducked into her room before he could say a word.

 

“Always leave ‘em wanting more.” She said to an empty room. Repeating a phrase Adamin had said what felt like a thousand times.

 

[Elgee]

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