Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jun 13, 2014 22:57:07 GMT -5
Growing serious and intent, he set his bow on the floor and leaned over her, cupping her jaw in his hand as he tenderly gave her a long, sweet kiss on her forehead. He poured all of his emotions into that kiss, wishing it were on her lips, but not yet ready to take that liberty.
Olivia was still to sleepy to react properly when he leaned over and cupped her jaw. She was about to protest thinking that he was going to kiss her on the lips. It wasn't that she cared if he did, she was sick and she didn't want him to get sick. Then she closed her mouth and smiled as he kissed her forehead for a long moment. She closed her eyes and enjoyed it.
"I was so worried about you," he said huskily as he pulled back and gently stroked her cheekbone with his thumb. His eyes were moist with emotion. "Please don't ever do that to me again," he smiled.
She opened her eyes and looked at him the smile still on her lips, she placed her hand over top of his on her cheek. "Do what again? Get sick? I dunno I kind of like this." her tone was gentle and teasing her eyes shone with happiness. "I kind of like having you at my beck and call."
As he tended the fire she decided that now would be a good time to use the chamber pot. She quietly got up from her bed being as silent as any ranger and relieved herself as discreetly as she could. She sat back down on the bed as he turned back to her she traced his initials and sniffed a little then sneezed. She brought out her rather damp handkerchief and looked at it for a moment. She didn't really want to use his though he should know he was never going to get it back. She was going to keep it. Then without any alternative she blew her nose in his.
Ignoring her question, he poured her a glass of water that was now room temperature and held it out for her. "You'll be staying in bed today and I won't be accepting any arguments on the subject," he stated forcefully but in a matter-of-fact voice. It wasn't a question, or an order exactly. It was a statement of fact. He expected her to protest, but he made up his mind that no argument she could put forth would alter the fact that she was staying in the bed except for brief trips to the chamber pot behind screen in the corner.
She raised an eyebrow at him and took the cup she opened her mouth to give him a lecture but only gave a very nasty coughing fit instead. When she could breathe again she downed the contents of the cup the water felt wonderful on her parched tongue and slid blissfully down her throat. Instead of lecturing him she nodded to the pitcher. "Is there anymore water in there?" her voice was a little gravelly and soft as if she had been shouting and was losing it but much better understood for which she was very grateful.
"I was thinking we could spend the day catching up on everything since the last time we saw eachother," he suggested. "Or I could read you a book or tell you a tale perhaps. That is when you are not sleeping because that is what you should spend the day doing mostly - sleeping."
She sighed heavily at him. "Really Marcus? Really? Sleeping? All day? Thats a tad dramatic don't you think? I'm not dieing! I only have a cold for heavens sake! Do you really expect me to just lay around in bed all day?" she started coughing again.
"Oh, I checked on the horses last night and both of them are doing just fine. I had the stable boy make up a hot bran mash for them and put in extra bedding and hay. He had already groomed them and dried them off and even oiled our saddles so I gave him a handful of silver pieces to keep up the great work with them and pamper them silly,"
She nodded her head a tad impatiently. "Thats good I'm glad she is ok." She cleared her throat and got to her feet her hands on her hips head cocked to one side and looked at him. "Now I think you need to just relax. And for your information I am not staying in bed all day. I refuse to stay in bed all day I won't do it. So unless you plan on sitting on me I won't stat in this bed all day. She purposefully strode over to the window and pulled back the curtain, the sky was cloudy but the clouds were already starting to break. She waved her hand indicating the outdoors in general. "Do you honestly expect me to sit in bed like a lazy hermit on such a nice day outside? I bet the sun will come out later today what then? Am I supposed to admire it from in here while mu skin gets all pasty white? I have heard that fresh air and sunshine is good for people. Why would you deny me something that would help me get better?" Of course Olivia was tired, and she clearly overlooked the fact that she had a raging fever the past two days, but today she felt fine, well mostly, her throat still hurt and her cough was getting worse. She was also a tad shaky on her feet but she just couldn't sit here while there was sunshine outside.... and perhaps one or two messages that just might need to be delivered. It was just a cold it wasn't like she was bed ridden.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 14, 2014 19:58:54 GMT -5
She opened her eyes and looked at him the smile still on her lips, she placed her hand over top of his on her cheek. "Do what again? Get sick? I dunno I kind of like this." her tone was gentle and teasing her eyes shone with happiness. "I kind of like having you at my beck and call."
Marcus threw back his head and laughed heartily and then tweaked her nose as he stood up. "Well enjoy it while you can! I am your's to command," He gave her a bow with a flourish, "so long as you stay there and rest." He gave her a pointed look and then turned to stoke the fire.
"Is there anymore water in there?" her voice was a little gravelly and soft as if she had been shouting and was losing it but much better understood for which she was very grateful.
"Just about one more glassful," Marcus answered and poured the last of it in her mug. "I will send them to bring up more when the bring up the breakfast."
"I was thinking we could spend the day catching up on everything since the last time we saw eachother," he suggested. "Or I could read you a book or tell you a tale perhaps. That is when you are not sleeping because that is what you should spend the day doing mostly - sleeping."
She sighed heavily at him. "Really Marcus? Really? Sleeping? All day? Thats a tad dramatic don't you think? I'm not dieing! I only have a cold for heavens sake! Do you really expect me to just lay around in bed all day?" she started coughing again.
Marcus folded his arms over his chest and looked at her like she was a five-year-old throwing a fit. He raised an eyebrow when she started coughing, his mouth quirking at the corners as he tried not to laugh at how absurd she was being. "Oh yeah, you are perfectly fine. Anyone can see that. Just listen to you talk," he said calmly, then he diverted her attention before the inevitable arguement began and told her about the horses.
She nodded her head a tad impatiently. "Thats good I'm glad she is ok." She cleared her throat and got to her feet her hands on her hips head cocked to one side and looked at him. "Now I think you need to just relax. And for your information I am not staying in bed all day. I refuse to stay in bed all day I won't do it. So unless you plan on sitting on me I won't stat in this bed all day."
"Oh, I'm relaxed and there is plenty of rope in my pack," he shifted his gaze from her to the dark green ranger satchel sitting on the floor at the head of her bed by his bow and arrows. Then he shifted his gaze back to her. He looked at her like he was undressing her with his eyes and said mischeviously, "I could just tie you to the bed, I don't need to sit on you all day." He licked his lips lewdly, "I must admit there is something appealing about that idea." He chuckled, teasing her. He knew that was going to infuriate her.
She purposefully strode over to the window and pulled back the curtain, the sky was cloudy but the clouds were already starting to break. She waved her hand indicating the outdoors in general. "Do you honestly expect me to sit in bed like a lazy hermit on such a nice day outside?"
Marcus glanced out the window doubtfully. It looked like it could go either way between clearing up and raining, but it was likely to be mostly overcast all day.
"I bet the sun will come out later today what then? Am I supposed to admire it from in here while my skin gets all pasty white? I have heard that fresh air and sunshine is good for people. Why would you deny me something that would help me get better?"
"I'll take that bet," Marcus answered, assessing the weather as best he could through the window as he moved over beside her to look out at the clouds. "I bet you a day's rest and pampering that it stays overcast all day." He held out his hand to her, "I win and you get to wait on me hand and foot for a whole day while I rest - after you are well. You win and I do the same for you tomorrow, and you get your fresh air for an hour - in the King's garden here at the castle."
Before she could answer there was a loud knock on the door, "Come in!" Marcus answered quickly and instead of giving her a chance to shake his hand to seal the bet, he gently cupped her elbow and guided her to the little table and pulled out the chair for her. "Please sit, if it is your wish," he invited with a wave of his hand. Then he snagged the chair by the bed with his toes and dragged it within reach, spinning it around with one hand to face the table. As he sat down he said, "Why don't we discuss it after breakfast?" he implored. "I am famished!"
"You have impeccable timing!" he said to those at the door. Two serving girls bustled in followed by the maid who had helped them the previous night. "Hello Ladies!" Marcus greeted them cheerfully. "Thank you so much! You are all so thoughtful." As they set the food on the table,he grabbed the package of herbs and showed it to Olivia. The girl placed the large mug of hot water in front of them along with the coffee mugs.
"This is the package of herbs the healer sent over last night," he told Olivia. "He said it would help keep your fever down and ease your coughing. I would like to add this which also help that scratchy throat." He placed the herbs, enclosed in their cheesecloth pouches, in the mug of hot water and swirled them around like normal tea bags. "I am afraid it is not going to taste too great, but I did add some mint to help a little bit." He pushed the mug over to her. "Drink up, it will help you feel better and then you can chase the taste away with some coffee and this wonderful breakfast." He smiled again as the girls went around the room tidying things up a bit.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jun 15, 2014 8:49:27 GMT -5
"Oh, I'm relaxed and there is plenty of rope in my pack," he shifted his gaze from her to the dark green ranger satchel sitting on the floor at the head of her bed by his bow and arrows. Then he shifted his gaze back to her. He looked at her like he was undressing her with his eyes and said mischeviously, "I could just tie you to the bed, I don't need to sit on you all day." He licked his lips lewdly, "I must admit there is something appealing about that idea." He chuckled, teasing her. He knew that was going to infuriate her.
Olivia's jaw nearly hit the floor, for several moments she was speechless and just stared at him appalled he would say such things. Slowly her face turned a crimson red all the way to the roots of her hair, a hard look came over her face as she thought that maybe she had made a mistake in continuing a personnel relationship with him. "Marcus Blackwater!! You should be ashamed of yourself! What would your mother think?! You, you." and here words failed her she was so stunned and angry he had said such a thing. She almost threw her empty mug at his head but stopped herself in time. Instead she reached back behind her and grabbed a pillow and threw it squarely at his head. "Someone ought to take soup to your mouth and wash it clean of such fowl words then maybe someone should do it to your brain." she threw another pillow at him. "How dare you even think of such things! It isn't decent you little you little you little pig!!" she threw her last pillow at him. "A grown man ought to know better!" she would have told him more and thrown more objects at him but a long chesty coughing fit stopped her and she didn't have anything else to throw other than her fists.
She purposefully strode over to the window and pulled back the curtain, the sky was cloudy but the clouds were already starting to break. She waved her hand indicating the outdoors in general. "Do you honestly expect me to sit in bed like a lazy hermit on such a nice day outside?"
Marcus glanced out the window doubtfully. It looked like it could go either way between clearing up and raining, but it was likely to be mostly overcast all day.
"I'll take that bet," Marcus answered, assessing the weather as best he could through the window as he moved over beside her to look out at the clouds. "I bet you a day's rest and pampering that it stays overcast all day." He held out his hand to her, "I win and you get to wait on me hand and foot for a whole day while I rest - after you are well. You win and I do the same for you tomorrow, and you get your fresh air for an hour - in the King's garden here at the castle." She would have replied to that the but at that moment the door opened with servants bringing in breakfast.
"You have impeccable timing!" he said to those at the door. Two serving girls bustled in followed by the maid who had helped them the previous night. "Hello Ladies!" Marcus greeted them cheerfully. "Thank you so much! You are all so thoughtful." As they set the food on the table,he grabbed the package of herbs and showed it to Olivia. The girl placed the large mug of hot water in front of them along with the coffee mugs.
"This is the package of herbs the healer sent over last night," he told Olivia. "He said it would help keep your fever down and ease your coughing. I would like to add this which also help that scratchy throat." He placed the herbs, enclosed in their cheesecloth pouches, in the mug of hot water and swirled them around like normal tea bags. "I am afraid it is not going to taste too great, but I did add some mint to help a little bit." He pushed the mug over to her. "Drink up, it will help you feel better and then you can chase the taste away with some coffee and this wonderful breakfast." He smiled again as the girls went around the room tidying things up a bit.
Olivia was still miffed at him but decided she would deal with him later. When she had something solid to throw at him. Like a boot or a shoe. Maybe a chair. She looked at the tea and sniffed a little she could smell the mint among many others, she blew on it and took a sip making a face. "I've had worse." she blew and sipped some more a bigger gulp this time. The sooner it was gone the sooner she could have wonderful sweet amazing coffee.She put a bite of food in her mouth before taking another sip. She did it that way until the tea was all gone,then she reached for the coffee. She was one of the few people outside of the ranger corps who absolutely loved coffee. She drank it everyday sometimes twice a day she made sure she had some when she was travelling she never left without it.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 15, 2014 22:04:17 GMT -5
Olivia's jaw nearly hit the floor, for several moments she was speechless and just stared at him appalled he would say such things. Slowly her face turned a crimson red all the way to the roots of her hair, a hard look came over her face as she thought that maybe she had made a mistake in continuing a personnel relationship with him. "Marcus Blackwater!! You should be ashamed of yourself! What would your mother think?! You, you." and here words failed her she was so stunned and angry he had said such a thing.
Marcus watched her turn red and speechless and grinned. "My mother would-"
She almost threw her empty mug at his head but stopped herself in time. Instead she reached back behind her and grabbed a pillow and threw it squarely at his head. "Someone ought to take soup to your mouth and wash it clean of such fowl words then maybe someone should do it to your brain."
He ducked the pillow, just barely and burst out laughing.
she threw another pillow at him. "How dare you even think of such things! It isn't decent you little you little you little pig!!"
He was laughing so hard he didn't see the second pillow until it hit him square in the face and dropped to the floor. "Ouch!, what are-"
she threw her last pillow at him. "A grown man ought to know better!" she would have told him more and thrown more objects at him but a long chesty coughing fit stopped her and she didn't have anything else to throw other than her fists.
He caught the third pillow and managed to bring his laughter under control. As she was coughing he smoothed his face to a look of innocence, "Why Olivia, whatever are you alluding to? I was just talking about how to keep you resting all day." He shook his finger at her, "Just where is your mind going?" He played innocent, but it was hard to keep a straight face.
Olivia was still miffed at him but decided she would deal with him later. When she had something solid to throw at him. Like a boot or a shoe. Maybe a chair.
Marcus watched her carefully, hoping she was done throwing things. He probably sholdn't have upset her like that, but he couldn't help it. The comment just kind of slipped out of his mouth - gone before he could stop it or even filter it. His best hope was in playing dumb, but he knew she wouldn't fall for it.
She looked at the tea and sniffed a little she could smell the mint among many others, she blew on it and took a sip making a face. "I've had worse." she blew and sipped some more a bigger gulp this time. The sooner it was gone the sooner she could have wonderful sweet amazing coffee.She put a bite of food in her mouth before taking another sip. She did it that way until the tea was all gone,then she reached for the coffee. She was one of the few people outside of the ranger corps who absolutely loved coffee. She drank it everyday sometimes twice a day she made sure she had some when she was travelling she never left without it.
Marcus quickly ate his breakfast, up until the blueberry tart. He savored that pastry as long as he could, but it was gone all too soon. He was going to have to snag some more of those before the day was out. He watched Olivia as she ate, noting how much she was eating. If the cook had followed his instructions, she should be getting very drousy about a half hour after she finished her tea.
"Oh yeah, the healer said to tell you that those herbs might make you a bit drowsy or dizzy so you should stay off the stairs and not go driving any carraiges until the effects wear off," Marcus said. He set his empty plate back on the table and leaned back in his chair to examine her. "So, I believe there is a bet on the table," he rminded. "Do you accept?"
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jun 17, 2014 10:34:54 GMT -5
He caught the third pillow and managed to bring his laughter under control. As she was coughing he smoothed his face to a look of innocence, "Why Olivia, whatever are you alluding to? I was just talking about how to keep you resting all day." He shook his finger at her, "Just where is your mind going?" He played innocent, but it was hard to keep a straight face.
Olivia said nothing she just stared at him long and hard her eyes penetrating into his very soul. She didn't have to say anything her eyes did it for her, she simply raised one elegant eyebrow she wasn't buying is innocence at all. He was the worst actor ever. "Oh don't you start that with me Marcus Blackwater, you are every ounce guilty and no ta single ounce of innocence. I might be sick but I'm still a courier and as such I have the uncanny ability to tell one someone is putting up a fake front or simply lying."
"Oh yeah, the healer said to tell you that those herbs might make you a bit drowsy or dizzy so you should stay off the stairs and not go driving any carraiges until the effects wear off," Marcus said. He set his empty plate back on the table and leaned back in his chair to examine her. "So, I believe there is a bet on the table," he reminded. "Do you accept?"
She looked up from her breakfast. "I will keep that in mind." she said neither saying she would rest but neither saying that she wouldn't. She shrugged and sipped at her coffee. Her plate was only half gone, she pushed her blueberry tart at him. "You can have mine I'm to full." she sat back in the chair slouching comfortably the coffee mug clasped in her hands. Olivia pretended to think about it. "Nope I don't. I don't take bets, especially from rangers. Some rangers are most sinister in character, how do I know that you aren't one of them? Either way it might be safe to just decline." she gave him a sly wink, that was the closest apology he was ever going to get from her. Of course she mused it wasn't even an apology but he was smart he would figure it out.... eventually..... maybe. She finished the rest of her coffee and stood to her feet stretching a little. She she walked over to her desk feeling a little sleepy but ignoring it, she sat down in her chair fixed the mess from last night then picked up her quill and began to write.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 18, 2014 21:12:31 GMT -5
"So, I believe there is a bet on the table," he reminded. "Do you accept?"
She looked up from her breakfast. "I will keep that in mind." she said neither saying she would rest but neither saying that she wouldn't. She shrugged and sipped at her coffee. Her plate was only half gone, she pushed her blueberry tart at him. "You can have mine I'm to full." she sat back in the chair slouching comfortably the coffee mug clasped in her hands.
Marcus eyed the pie for a moment debating if he had room for it but in the end decided he didn't want to feel that full. He was tired enough and a bulging stomach would likely push him over the edge right into dreamland. And then where would Olivia be when he woke up? Half way to Araluen, he was betting.
"We'll save it for later," he suggested. "You hardly ate anything." he said with concern, looking at her half empty plate. "I guess the cold is affecting your appetite a bit, isn't it?"
Olivia pretended to think about it. "Nope I don't. I don't take bets, especially from rangers."
"Don't you mean strangers?" Marcus asked helpfully, biting the corner of his mouth to keep from grinning at her.
"Some rangers are most sinister in character,[apparently not, Marcus thought] how do I know that you aren't one of them? Either way it might be safe to just decline." she gave him a sly wink, that was the closest apology he was ever going to get from her. Of course she mused it wasn't even an apology but he was smart he would figure it out.... eventually..... maybe.
Marcus chuckled, "Chicken," he goaded her. "You must be ill because I don't believe I have ever seen you back down from a challenge before."
She finished the rest of her coffee and stood to her feet stretching a little. She she walked over to her desk feeling a little sleepy but ignoring it, she sat down in her chair fixed the mess from last night then picked up her quill and began to write.
Marcus leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee and watched her for several minutes. He felt the fatigue of the last few days creeping back up on him, but he was content to just sit and stare at her. He loved how the morning light made her hair sparkle and the curve of her cheek bones. He wondered what life would be like with her as his wife. He'd contemplated the idea many times in the last few months since he'd met her.
She was impossibly stubborn and it seemed like they spent half their time argueing, but he wanted to spend every minute with her, regardless if she were mad at him or not. He wondered if she felt the same. She was so guarded most of the time, but last night she'd made that comment and he was pretty sure she had meant it at the time. Would she remember it now? Would she feel the same way now when her guard was up?
"Did you mean it?" The words were out before Marcus could stop them. He hadn't meant to ask what was on his mind. He flushed and quickly dropped his eyes to contemplate his boots, working up his courage for a moment. The cat was out of the bag now, though, as they say, so he plunged on ahead, "Did you mean it when you said last night that you love me?" He asked in a voice so soft, he almost sounded like a child, soul bared and vulnerable.
He was putting her on the spot and he hadn't intended to do that, but he couldn't help himself. He had to know. He had reached the conclusion a long time ago that he was in love with her. He wanted to court her, but it seemed that something was always popping up to interfere whenever he plucked up the courage to ask.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jun 19, 2014 11:29:00 GMT -5
"We'll save it for later," he suggested. "You hardly ate anything." he said with concern, looking at her half empty plate. "I guess the cold is affecting your appetite a bit, isn't it?"
She sipped her coffee. "Yes i guess it is, I just don't feel very hungry." she shrugged a little. Normally Olivia would have eaten all of her plate without a second thought but she just didn't feel very hungry right now.
"Don't you mean strangers?" Marcus asked helpfully, biting the corner of his mouth to keep from grinning at her.
"Nope i do mean Rangers. You lot are to devious and cunning for your own good. I wouldn't be surprised if you cheated all the time."
Marcus chuckled, "Chicken," he goaded her. "You must be ill because I don't believe I have ever seen you back down from a challenge before."
Olivia rolled her eyes she knew he was trying to bait her and she was to experienced to let him. She smiled to herself t he poor man he had no idea who he was up against. "Marcus you must be tired because that was the worst attempt to bait me I have ever heard. And trust me I have heard of a lot."
"Did you mean it?" The words were out before Marcus could stop them. He hadn't meant to ask what was on his mind. He flushed and quickly dropped his eyes to contemplate his boots, working up his courage for a moment. The cat was out of the bag now, though, as they say, so he plunged on ahead, "Did you mean it when you said last night that you love me?" He asked in a voice so soft, he almost sounded like a child, soul bared and vulnerable.
Olivia's pen had stopped moving, slowly she set it down and folded her hands in her lap. She didn't turn around she wanted to think seriously think and search her heart before she answered him. She hadn't known him for very long it was true, but she had found herself doing girlish things such as at night when she was lonely sometimes she would bunch up a blanket and hold it pretending she was holding him. There had been a few men in her life she had to admit that but everyone of them had wanted her to give up her life as a courier to stay at home and raise kids. It wasn't that she was opposed to the idea she loved children and always wanted to be there for them like her mother had been certainly. She did hold an affection for him beyond just a simple friendship she had to admit that she would have been an idiot not to. She saw in him everything she had ever wanted in a man and that counted all of his various faults to. She dimly remembered saying love, of course she knew he loved her he wouldn't of brought it up if he didn't. He also wouldn't have ridden here to make sure she was all right if he didn't simple friends didn't really do that. She turned around to face him her expression was soft and gentle and replied in the most simple way she could. "Yes I did."
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 19, 2014 21:41:25 GMT -5
"Did you mean it when you said last night that you love me?" He asked in a voice so soft, he almost sounded like a child, soul bared and vulnerable.
Olivia's pen had stopped moving, slowly she set it down and folded her hands in her lap.
Marcus looked up from his feet when he heard the pen stop scratching on parchment. He held his breath. What if she said she had only been teasing? He didn't think he could take that. It would be easier if she simply denied remembering she'd said anything.
He watched her carefully as she searched her feelings or debated on her reply, he wasn't sure which. Finally she turned around to face him her expression was soft and gentle and replied in the most simple way she could. "Yes I did."
Astonishment broke across Marcus's face. He had hoped, of course, but how could she possibly be in love with him? Maybe the old story-tellers were right and there was such a thing as love at first sight. He let out the breath he didn't even know he was holding as he realized that she was serious and had just confirmed his greatest desire. She loved him!
"Olivia!" he breathed her name as he took two steps to bridge the distance between them. He scooped her out of the chair, heedless of it toppling over backwards, and hugged Her tight as he twirled her around. "Olivia, I love you too!" He set her feet back on the floor and kissed her forehead once again.
He felt like every nerve in his body was vibrating. Her three simple words resonated through his entire being. She loved him! He was estactic, exhilerated and felt like he was going to burst out of his skin, he was so excited. He slid his hand down her arm and clasped her long slender fingers in his rather rough ranger hand as he dropped to one knee.
"This may be a bit premature, but I don't want to waste our lives waiting on ancient protocol," Marcus looked up into her eyes. He swallowed and ran his other hand through his blond hair, as he always did when he was nervous. "Olivia, would you do me the great honor of allowing me to court you for the purpose of eventually being wed?"
He waited nervously for her reply, hoping she didn't think he was moving too fast. He was moving too fast, but he didn't care as long as he didn't scare her away. They both led dangerous lives and he felt life was too short to waste any time when they could be together. With their jobs, their moments living together would be far too few even if they were to begin it immediately.
But did she feel the urgency like he did? Olivia was by nature cautious and deliberate, weighing her options before she acted, though she could make up her mind with amazing swiftness. She wasn't likely to jump into anything with him. Marcus considered what her objections might be and began to formulate arguments to combat them as he waited, once again holding his breath as he looked up into her lovely, mesmerizing eyes.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jun 20, 2014 19:41:50 GMT -5
"Olivia!" he breathed her name as he took two steps to bridge the distance between them. He scooped her out of the chair, heedless of it toppling over backwards, and hugged Her tight as he twirled her around. "Olivia, I love you too!" He set her feet back on the floor and kissed her forehead once again.
She grinned at him and smiled up at him she was happy that she had made him so happy. "I know you do." She leaned up on tip toes and kissed his cheek. "I just hope you don't get sick form being around me so much." She leaned way away from him and covered her mouth with her elbow and coughed for a good solid 30 seconds.
He felt like every nerve in his body was vibrating. Her three simple words resonated through his entire being. She loved him! He was estactic, exhilerated and felt like he was going to burst out of his skin, he was so excited. He slid his hand down her arm and clasped her long slender fingers in his rather rough ranger hand as he dropped to one knee.
"This may be a bit premature, but I don't want to waste our lives waiting on ancient protocol," Marcus looked up into her eyes. He swallowed and ran his other hand through his blond hair, as he always did when he was nervous. "Olivia, would you do me the great honor of allowing me to court you for the purpose of eventually being wed?"
She blinked at him several times surprise was clearly all over her face. Then slowly a smiled crept over her face followed by a girlish blush. She looked at him shyly HER Olivia looked shy! Her heart was thumping loudly in her chest she wondered if he could hear it. "Actually I thought you'd never ask." She cleared her throat a little. "But lets not get to ahead of ourselves. I'd have to meet your family and you'd have to meet mine. My youngest brother Victor will love you he's a;ways running around pretending to be a ranger. But," she took her hands and straitened out his shirt collar. "You'll have to impress my mother. And of course your family might not even like me. How about we just take it once step at a time and see where it goes?" she rested her hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes. "And course we'll have to wait until I ma better and then of course we'll have to try to arrange a date between our work schedules." she stopped and yawned feeling tired. "But we can do that later i tall just sounds tiring at the moment." she leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder and put her arms around him. "Right now I think I'll take that nap."
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 21, 2014 21:13:05 GMT -5
She leaned up on tip toes and kissed his cheek. "I just hope you don't get sick form being around me so much." She leaned way away from him and covered her mouth with her elbow and coughed for a good solid 30 seconds.
Marcus flushed as she kissed his cheek. He was so focused on it, that he almost didn't hear her say something about getting sick. "Don't worry about it," he dismissed her concerns, "I hardly ever get sick." That was true, but on the few occasions when he had gotten sick, he had been very ill. Generally, though, he rarely caught any of the sicknesses that were afflicting people left and right in a fief. That was one reason he was probably a little more reckless around plague-hit areas than he should be.
"Olivia, would you do me the great honor of allowing me to court you for the purpose of eventually being wed?"
She blinked at him several times surprise was clearly all over her face. Then slowly a smiled crept over her face followed by a girlish blush. She looked at him shyly HER Olivia looked shy! Her heart was thumping loudly in her chest she wondered if he could hear it. "Actually I thought you'd never ask."
"Yes!" Marcus whooped loud enough for the entire wing of the castle to hear him.
"But lets not get to ahead of ourselves." Marcus's jumping for joy heart skipped a beat. She was making conditions? He looked at her, puzzled.
"I'd have to meet your family and you'd have to meet mine." she explained.
"Oh! Yeah, I suppose we do need to do that first," Marcus agreed, relieved she wasn't asking for the impossible, whatever that might be.
"My youngest brother Victor will love you he's a;ways running around pretending to be a ranger. But," she took her hands and straitened out his shirt collar. "You'll have to impress my mother."
"Of course," Marcus agreed, intent on her hands. Suddenly it occured to him he had better pay attention. "Wait! Do you think that will be a problem?" He had always made good first impressions. Surely her mother would be charmed by him - with any luck and a bit of work, he vowed.
"And of course your family might not even like me."
"Oh they will love you. I have already written to Mother about you," Marcus grinned. "She's been dying to meet you!"
"How about we just take it once step at a time and see where it goes?" she rested her hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes. "And course we'll have to wait until I am better and then of course we'll have to try to arrange a date between our work schedules."
Her touch set every nerve in his body tingling. He wrapped his arms around her slender waist and cradled her against him. He nodded, "Sure, My Love. You are the sensible one of the lot of us." He smiled. "Oh, I concur, you don't need to be going anywhere until you are well and rested." But then she came to the sticky part - the main problem with their relationship and their future together; their work schedules.
"I've gotta teach you how to take time off when you want it while making your boss think it was her idea," Marcus grinned. "Trust me, its an art!" It was an art he'd been practicing his entire life starting in his father's workshop, continueing with Rick as his apprentice and even with Crowley now that he was a ranger. A case in point was his current expedition here to see Olivia.
"We'll work it out," he assured her. Nothing was going to stand in his way now that he knew for sure what her feelings toward him are.
She stopped and yawned feeling tired. "But we can do that later i tall just sounds tiring at the moment." she leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder and put her arms around him. "Right now I think I'll take that nap."
Marcus rested his cheek against the top of her head and gripped her waist a bit tighter, afraid she might just be falling asleep on her feet. He wanted to stand there holding her all day, but he too was feeling horribly sleepy. "That rotten cook!" he muttered, barely audible. "I bet he drugged both our meals!"
He picked her up once more, somehow managing to stay on his feet and swayed over to her bed, placing her gently upon it. He clutched the headboard, nearly falling on top of her as dizziness swept over him. 'Yep, definately drugged,' he thought but didn't say anything. He'd felt the effects before. Olivia seemed no better off than he. He would never make it across the hall, so he dragged Emily's former bed over and pushed it up against Olvia's bed. One by itself was far two narrow for the two of them, besides it would be very poor of him and unkind to her reputation if he were to attempt to lie in the same bed with her.
Instead, he pushed the beds so closely together they almost formed one bed, but there was still a crack down the middle. He lay down on the bed, in a mostly sitting position and leaned back against the headboard. He placed a pillow behind his head and then gently pulled Olivia against him so she could rest her head on his chest.
"Forgive me, Love, but I just want to hold you until you fall asleep," he said softly as he settled into a comfortable position.
Soon he was fast asleep, the drugs in the food both of them ate breaking down the last of his willpower to stay awake. His last thought was that he hoped she would not wake up first and decide to leave him sleeping there. No, his very last thought was that he was going to have a long talk to that cook about not following instructions.
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Kallie
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Post by Kallie on Jun 23, 2014 15:53:38 GMT -5
"Yes!" Marcus whooped loud enough for the entire wing of the castle to hear him.
Olivia bit her lip to keep from laughing and simply raised one delicate eyebrow he was so cute when he was excited it was hard not to love him.
Of course," Marcus agreed, intent on her hands. Suddenly it occured to him he had better pay attention. "Wait! Do you think that will be a problem?" He had always made good first impressions. Surely her mother would be charmed by him - with any luck and a bit of work, he vowed.
"Oh I don't think it will be a problem I'm sure she's got the whole suitor thing down. Lots of young boys used to come ask her about me all the time. Now if she doesn't like the look if then she just hits them over the head with a broom and sweeps them into the street." she said it seriously, even though it wasn't exactly true.
"Oh they will love you. I have already written to Mother about you," Marcus grinned. "She's been dying to meet you!"
Olivia's eyes widened at that and she felt a tad uncomfortable she wasn't quite sure she liked the fact that he wrote about her to his family.
Her touch set every nerve in his body tingling. He wrapped his arms around her slender waist and cradled her against him. He nodded, "Sure, My Love. You are the sensible one of the lot of us." He smiled. "Oh, I concur, you don't need to be going anywhere until you are well and rested." But then she came to the sticky part - the main problem with their relationship and their future together; their work schedules.
"I've gotta teach you how to take time off when you want it while making your boss think it was her idea," Marcus grinned. "Trust me, its an art!" It was an art he'd been practicing his entire life starting in his father's workshop, continuing with Rick as his apprentice and even with Crowley now that he was a ranger. A case in point was his current expedition here to see Olivia.
"We'll work it out," he assured her. Nothing was going to stand in his way now that he knew for sure what her feelings toward him are.
"I have to be the sensible one 'cause you certainly aren't. Aww you used concur! I remember tea hing that word to you I'm so proud. You even used it right. I remember when you thought it meant flower in gallican. But what if I don't want time off? I like my job." She poked him in the shoulder. "I'm not a lazy bum like you."
"Forgive me, Love, but I just want to hold you until you fall asleep," he said softly as he settled into a comfortable position.
Soon he was fast asleep, the drugs in the food both of them ate breaking down the last of his willpower to stay awake. His last thought was that he hoped she would not wake up first and decide to leave him sleeping there. No, his very last thought was that he was going to have a long talk to that cook about not following instructions.
Olivia barely realized that she had moved at all. Her head flopped onto his chest with a little thud out cold.
Four hours later Olivia woke up and opened her eyes peering at the world around her in a daze. She yawned and closed her eyes snuggling up against her pillows. That was odd her pillow was a bit hard, almost like a bone. Weird. Her pillow was also moving she opened her eyes again and looked down, nope that definitely wasn't a pillow it was definitely a person. She twisted her head and looked at the head the body belonged to and saw that it was Marcus. She shook her head and rolled her eyes, Marcus she might have known. She searched for a handkerchief and quietly blew her nose. Then grabbed a pillow and smothered a coughing fit in it. She glanced at Marcus who was still out cold. She silently and carefully got out of bed without disturbing him. She and her sister had shared a bed so she was pretty good at not jostling people. She grabbed a clean dress from her bag and ducked behind the screen. She changed and put her nightgown on her desk chair then she took a pillow and placed it next to Marcus putting his arm around it, then quietly exited the room. The door made a little click as it closed behind her, she had been right the day was bright and gorgeous but she didn't head outside nope she made her way into the library first. She wanted to pick a good book to read while relaxing outside in the garden.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 24, 2014 11:41:12 GMT -5
But what if I don't want time off? I like my job." She poked him in the shoulder. "I'm not a lazy bum like you."
"Hey! I'm not a lazy bum," he said defensively. "I am just a creature of opportunity!" he winked at her and grinned, rubbing his shoulder where she'd poked him. "By the way, that hurt!" he wined.
Marcus liked his job as a ranger. He wouldn't have been happy doing anything else. But he also liked to sit back and take time to observe the world in action. One couldn't do that if he were running pell mell all over the country intent on a specific mission, not that Olivia did that. It was more like she was intent on about 8 or 10 missions all at the same time. He admired her for being able to handle so many things at once, but it was a bit too hectic pace of life for his tastes. Rangers tended to have large periods of somewhat tedious duties while circuiting their fief which were interupted by intense flurries of action when it was required. That suited Marcus perfectly. He just liked to take advantage of the slow times and pursue some of his personal interestes when he could. 'There's nothing wrong with that, is there?' he thought to himself.
He had expected her to protest as he settled in next to her to sleep, but she was already snoozing. He finally gave in to the drugs the cook must have put in both their plates of food and fell deeply asleep.
Five hours later he awoke to the sounds of giggling and a pillow stuffed under his arm. Years of ranger training allowed him to come immediately alert and take in the situation in seconds. There were two young girls cleaning out the fireplace ashes and the chamber pot while whispering to eachother, shooting covert looks at Marcus. Their giggling is what awoke him, but the lack of Olivia by his side caused him to lurch out of bed suddenly with a low growl eminating from his throat.
One of the girls shreiked in terror and ran from the room, leaving her companion and a spinning chamberpot behind. Marcus looked at the other girl who was staring at him, her eyes wide with fear. "Do you know where the Lady Olivia went?" Marcus asked her, controlling his ire with difficulty. The girl shook her head, seemingly unable to speak. "Grrrr, that woman!" Marcus pulled on his soft leather boots and grabbed his pack and weapons, noting that Olivia had left all her possessions behind. "Well she must be around here somewhere then. If she'd gone off to deliver a message she would have taken her writing supplies at least," he reasoned and set his own pack back on the floor. He retained his bow and arrows, however, slinging them across his back, and then strode from the room in search of Olivia. The servant squeeked in fright and cowered next to the hearth until he was out of the room.
Marcus went first to the kitchen to see if she perhaps got something to eat or if any of the staff there had seen her. No one had. So his next stop was the stables, just to make sure her horse was there.
Spirit whinnied when he strode into the cool barn and pawed at the door of his stall. Marcus took a moment to pet his nose and neck and gave him a small chunk of cinnamon stick from the bottom of his belt pouch. He had been groomed, watered and fed this morning and it appeared that his stall had been cleaned. Sea Spirit was probably ready to go outside and certainly looked fit and rested. Marcus patted him affectionately, "Not yet, Boy, we have to find a certain woman who seems intent on making me insane."
He glanced into the stall where Olivia's horse was housed and saw that her mare was still there, but she didn't look as good as Spirit. She was standing against the back wall with her head down, barely inches off the floor and had a dazed look in her eyes. She didn't move when Marcus entered the stall, talking softly to her.
Marcus gently touched her neck, which felt cool and then rubbed his way up to her ears. They were very hot, as was her nose and her mouth was rather dry. There was fresh water in the bucket and it looked like she hadn't touched much of her grain. Her breathing was a bit fast, almost like she was panting.
The stable boy he had talked to the previous night strode up to the stall and shook his head, "I dunno what ta do, Mr. Ranger. I tried everthing ta git her ta eat an drink, but she jest stands there. I tried ta come tell ya, but the house staff wouldna let me in ta see ya. They say I smell bad." he sniffed his armpits. "No idea what they is talkin 'bout. I smell jest same as always."
Marcus pulled the mare's halter off the peg outside the stall and slipped it on to her head. She barely reacted, only minimally aware that Marcus was there. "We need to get her moving around, she seems to have a fever and may be about to go down." Marcus told him as he tugged on the mare's halter to get her to move. She resisted at first, seemingly not understanding what he wanted of her, then she took a step, and then another toward the stall door.
"That's my girl," coaxed Marcus. "Come on, now," he said as he led her out of the stall and toward the courtyard.
He glanced at the stable boy, "This is the Baronial stables, surely His Excellency has a horse master experienced in doctoring horses?"
The boy nodded, "Yeah, tis Master Mariadoc, but-"
"Go get him right now. I don't care what he is doing or where he is. Tell him Ranger Marcus needs his expertise immediately. It's very urgent!" He pinned the boy with a stare, "You understand?" The boy nodded again and set off at a run toward the guard house.
He led the mare around the courtyard and up to the front doors which were always guarded these days. "You two!" he addressed the guards, "One of you go fetch the Chatelaine or Mistress of Servants immediately."
The guards looked at him for a moment like they were going to object but one of them glanced from his silver oak leaf to his bow and nodded, "Right away, Ranger."
When he came back the Baron's Chatelaine was following at a brisk pace. He looked worried, "What seems to be the trouble, Sir?"
"I need you to find the courier, Lady Olivia, immediately." Marcus answered. "Her horse is ill and she needs to come to the stableyard now." He informed the man. "Oh and I don't think you will find her in her room where she should be." The chatelaine nodded and turned back to the castle, hollering for servants as he entered the door.
Marcus looked back at the mare and patted her shoulder, "She'll be here soon," he assured her and led her back around to the stable yard, keeping her moving until the Horse Master, Mariadoc, showed up. He knew the Chatelaine would have the whole castle turned inside out with every available servant looking for Olivia in a matter of minutes.
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Kallie
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Post by Kallie on Jun 25, 2014 17:55:10 GMT -5
One of the servants finally found Olivia in a cool part of the garden. Her nose stuck deep in a book , in a matter of minutes the book was left on the ground and Olivia was flying over the ground toward the stables.
"MARA!!!" totally ignoring Marcus deep lines of worry all over her face she came at her horse. She skidded to a stop and placed her arms around Mara's neck. "Oh Mara my sweet precious Mara!" she stroked her horses mane, Mara lowered her head along Olivia's back. Her ears twitched weakly as Olivia spoke. "Oh Mara sweetheart I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry girl this, this is all my fault." She took in a shuddering breath. It was all she could do not to burst into tears at that moment. She coughed chestily into her horses neck. She didn't want Mara to die, she didn't know how she would handle that. She had cried for a week straight when the family cow had died of old age she had cried for two weeks and wouldn't get out of bed when her cat had died. Mara had been with her for three years now and she had belonged to another courier who had retired but wanted to give Mara a good home. Mara was getting on in years, she felt her horses hot nose on her back and could feel her panting Olivia swore she felt her heart crack. She pulled away from Mara and held her face Mara blinked dazedly at her in return there was something in those eyes. Was Mara giving up on her? 'No! Please don't give up!' Olivia pleaded silently. Mara took a shuddering breath then slowly laid down on the ground with a soft whiny. The poor thing was just to weak to stand any longer, Olivia's knelt next to her and stroked her nose right between her eyes like the horse loved, Mara half closed her eyes in pleasure. A tear slipped down Olivia's cheek and her bottom lip quivered. No it wasn't fair no no no this wasn't fair this couldn't be happening. She suddenly launched herself into Marcus's chest wrapping arms tightly around him and sobbed heartily into his chest. "t-t-this is a-a-ll my fault." big shuddering breath and more sobbing. "I-i-if I h-h-hadn't of g-g-gone through that s-s-stupid rainstorm t-t-this n-never." another shuddering breath more tears. "w-w-would of happened. I-i-i-m the worst p-p-p-person ever!" she started to sob even harder. The courier part of her was yelling at her to just shut up and put on a brave face. Her logical side told her this was a fact of life and get over it, Mara was old yes but that was no reason to assume the worst. Her imagination flashed her pictures from the previous animals she had lost and images of Mara lying dead. Her emotional side said to cry like she was the one dying. They all battled inside her Imagination and emotion won by a landslide. "S-s-s-she's going to d-d-die and its all m-m-my f-f-f-f-fault!" Olivia was to busy crying to noticed a disgruntled man approach them, he looked at distaste at the crying girl, women! Why do they always have to cry at everything? He hadn't appreciated being disturbed from his afternoon reading and nap session. But since a ranger was involved he had decided he should have a look at the very least. It didn't pay to make rangers angry they were the sort of lot who would go after you if you did. He had no desire to have a ranger come into his room and drag him to the stable by the scruff of his neck or by the point of an arrow. At first glance the horse looked to be dead but then he saw her breathing and knelt down to do his job.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 27, 2014 21:51:42 GMT -5
Marcus held Olivia and stroked her hair and back, trying to sooth her. He knew exactly how she felt. He'd been there before, but fortunately Spirit had survived Marcus' stupidity. He let her vent for a few minutes as he had a conversation with the Horse Master over her head.
"We need to get her back on her feet and get some medicine in her," Master Mariadoc said. "I am going to go mix it up. We'll have to force feed it to her."
Marcus nodded, "She ate some of the herbs I gave her last night in her mash, but not everything." He explained what he'd used and Mariadoc nodded.
"You probably saved her life." He looked at Olivia weeping in Marcus' arms and shook his head in pity. "Pull it together, My Lady," Mariadoc said, rather harshly. "Your horse needs you right now."
Marcus rubbed the tears off Olivia's face with his thumbs and forced her to look at him. "Don't give up on Mara yet. She just has a cold and if we can get her back on her feet and get that medicine in her she will probably be fine." He held her by the chin, tipping her head back so she would look at him. "She needs you to believe in her and encourage her. You are going to have to coax her to her feet while I push." He kissed the tears away from her eyes with a gently kiss on each eyelid. "Don't worry, she is going to be fine. She just needs a bit of rest."
Mariadoc turned back to Mara after creating a large, thick, green potion. He held smelling salts under Mara's nose and said, "this ought to get her on her feet. It's a bit unorthodox, but it almost always works." He then got his hands under Mara's butt, opposite of whee Marcus as pushing and they told Olivia to start tugging on the halter.
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Kallie
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Post by Kallie on Jun 30, 2014 12:24:46 GMT -5
Marcus rubbed the tears off Olivia's face with his thumbs and forced her to look at him. "Don't give up on Mara yet. She just has a cold and if we can get her back on her feet and get that medicine in her she will probably be fine." He held her by the chin, tipping her head back so she would look at him. "She needs you to believe in her and encourage her. You are going to have to coax her to her feet while I push." He kissed the tears away from her eyes with a gently kiss on each eyelid. "Don't worry, she is going to be fine. She just needs a bit of rest."
Olivia nodded tears still leaking out of her eyes, she took a shuddering breath that seemed to shake her whole body and walked over to Mara stroking her soft ears just the way Mara liked. Her ears twitched a little , she knew that touch as well as her own tail, she loved that touch.
Mariadoc turned back to Mara after creating a large, thick, green potion. He held smelling salts under Mara's nose and said, "this ought to get her on her feet. It's a bit unorthodox, but it almost always works." He then got his hands under Mara's butt, opposite of where Marcus as pushing and they told Olivia to start tugging on the halter.
With shaking fingers Olivia took her halter and tugged gently. "Come on girl come on." she clicked her tongue in a coaxing manner. "Come you can do it, come on Mara girl up on your feet. Come on where's that firey spirit?" Mara refused to move then Olivia had an idea. No matter how sick tired, or mood her horse was there was =always one way to get her to cooperate. "Come on girl I'll give you a carrot." Despite how sick and weak the horse was her ears twitched forward and back and she shifted a little. "That's right girl a nice big orange juicy carrot." Mara shook her head a little almost dislodging Olivia s hand then got to her feet her nostrils flaring. her eyes looked at Olivia and she snorted a little. "Thats my girl!" she stepped forward and hugged Mara around her neck, Mara nosed her back as if to say 'where is my carrot?' Olivia smiled despite the tears leaking from her eyes. "You'll get your carrot I promise but you have to eat this first." she stepped back and held her hand out for the medicine. "She won't eat it if you do it. But she'll eat it if I do it. Mara is picky about the people she lets touch her. Shes a bit stubborn," she turned back to Mara ans stroked her nose. "Aren't you girl? Yes, you are, my beautiful stubborn girl."
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