Private No Direction Home

[Leda Elariel]

Leda smiled, a true smile, when the Baron mentioned freeing Oaken Dawn. Her cool but cordial exterior was starting to melt, to give way to her truest self. Already, she saw Barrien as a powerful ally, and perhaps more than that—a friend and confidant, at the very least.

“Yes,” she agreed. “I shall wait for that day.”

As Barrien removed his cloak, Leda automatically averted her eyes. She made herself busy trying to dust the mantle. But as she stood with her back to him, she couldn't help but steal a glance over her shoulder, covertly. Her emerald eyes took in the armor, shield, and weapon with interest. The black plate metal only added to the stately appearance, but added an ounce of powerful intimidation.

He was a gentleman, but he was also a warrior. Perhaps he truly was the key to returning home. For the first time since she'd set foot on Midvinter, she felt hopeful. Leda stepped aside as Barrien moved to the hearth, and she lingered for a moment before stepping back towards the kitchen. She paused in the doorway when he spoke.

Leda felt her face growing warm. She was flustered that she needed so much help, especially from a nobleman far above her own station. Old habits. But she was grateful, too.

“Thank you, Baron Siegfried—Barrien,” she said. If they were to share the house for the next week or beyond, she figured they ought to skip formalities. “Please call me Leda,” she added, then quickly dashed out of sight and into the kitchen to fetch the whistling kettle.

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

He was quite oblivious to her sneaking glances at him. It wasn't as if such was on his radar given he was only taking off his armor and not the rest of his clothes. He also wasn't used to such attentions as he was a pariah on their homeworld thanks to being a bastard child and since he was a Jedi he didn't draw much attention from anyone else. He also didn't go in search of attachments as some did. If such was to come to pass it would be because someone pursued him and they understood the risks of doing so.

And it wasnt that he believed she needed the help, it was that he refused not to do what he felt he should. A lady should not have to sully herself with such things. It was a gentlemans duty to see to it that she had a proper, and safe, roof over her head. Heck, if she hadn't been making tea he probably would have already gone and started working on the house. As it was he was pretty sure she wanted him to join her for tea and it wouldn't be polite to refuse.

"I will call you Leda if you promise to stop using my title," he said as he finished getting the fire going.

He had never preferred to be called by his title. It always felt formal and stuffy. People he was acquainted with were always encouraged to call him by his first name. Even among the Jedi he didn't have the padawans call him Master Siegfried or even Master Barrien. They were students, sure, but he wanted to be approachable to them. If they could fwel comfortable calling him by his first name then they would be comfortable hringing their struggles to him as well. Being a friend to people was far more powerful than being an authority figure.

"I would also like to know more about what happened to you to bring you here if you are willing to share it."

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

Coming back into the room with a wooden tray, she gripped the edges hard enough to make the teacups shake. Leda's green eyes looked down for a moment, focusing on the steam drifting up from the spout of the teapot. As she looked back to Barrien, she gave him a nod. Bringing the rustic tea service to the coffee table.

“My father, Shand Elariel, had plotted for quite some time against the Empire,” she started, and poured two cups of tea as steadily as she could. “And after a time, he conspired with others.”

Leda remembered many meetings held in the dark of night, and the heavily cloaked figures that came to visit their keep. They had not allowed Leda or her mother to attend these secret forums. They were left to imagine the whispers passed between the house lords.

She cupped her tea between pale hands, taking in the warmth. “At first, the group was quite small—but they slowly gained support from many houses, even some of the larger ones. Together, they spoke of... rebellion.”

Leda paused to take a small sip of the herbal tea. And for a moment, her mind traveled back to Oaken Dawn, back to her family's keep.

“Needless to say, word of this movement reached the Empire,” she said, and her lips pressed together. “My father arranged for the Armada to get our family off-world, but I know now that he never intended to join us. The night we were to leave, the Empire found us—my father covered my escape... and my mother refused to leave him.”

Terror still blurred the memories.

“They were killed.”

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

She walked in and he could feel the tension just as well as he could see it. His request for more information had upset her. Now he felt terrible for having asked, but he needed to know more information so that he could be accurate when he approached the governments he intended to ask for help. Of course, he hadn't known just how horrible things were for her. To lose one's family was hard. He knew a bit about it considering he had lost his mother thanks to the Imperial's as well. Not directly, but they were still the cause. He still had family, as well. She seemed to have nothing and he felt terrible for her. He let the tea cool just a bit after she poured it, and stepped over to rest a hand upon her arm. A relaxing warmth would flow through him into her.

"I am sorry that you have lost your family and your home," he said with sincere sadness ringing in his voice. "I can only partially understand your pain as I lost my mother to an illness brought to our world by the Empire. It is hard to deal with such a loss, but we must remember that our family wants us to survive and to live, which is why we are where we are."

To wallow in loss was to lose one's self. He had seen it happen before. This was a fate he did not want for her, and he suspected that she wouldn't allow herself to fall into that trap. She was a strong woman and she was more than capable of taking care of herself. If anything she would thrive on Midvinter and become a vibrant part of the community until Oaken Dawn was freed and they were able to return to the world they had called home. He would do everything he could to see that happen.

For now he reached for his cup of tea and quietly lifted it to his lips for a gentle sip. Those few moments of waiting had allowed the tea to cool to the perfect temperature where it was warm but not so hot that it burned the tongue. He was able to allow it to sit on his tongue and enjoy the flavor of it before swallowing. It was quite good tea. Refreshing after a long day of walking the market and helping her with her shopping. The next day would be more tiring, however, as he would begin working on the outside of her house. It was essential that he get it watertight as quickly as possible to ensure that she would not have to endure the elements.

"This tea is delicious, thank you."

He pulled a chair out at the table for her, not willing to sit before she did.

"You should sit for a bit and relax. It's been a long day."

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

Leda glanced at his hand upon her arm and, to her surprise, she did not shy away. Rather, she found herself relaxing slightly with his touch. And though the pain would be slow to fade, his words were a balm to the wound. She did not like to speak of her feelings, and Leda locked up—lips closed tight, but she attempted a slight smile of appreciation.

When Barrien pulled out a chair, she stepped away. Indeed it had been a long day, but it was not over yet. And Leda was not the sort to sit idly by and watch it be wasted.

“No,” she said gently, “I couldn't possibly.”

Sitting and relaxing meant worrying. And it also meant she'd be left with her feelings without anything to distract from them. No, it was much better to keep busy—to keep her focus on other things.

After another hasty sip of tea, she set the cup down on the tray where it would sit and get cold. With the fire in the hearth, the house would soon warm to a pleasant temperature—enough to get them through the chilly night, if they kept it going. Leda finally removed her cloak, set it over the back of the chair that Barrien had pulled out for her, and traded it for an apron.

Her dress and blouse were simple cotton, more akin to the under-layers that would be worn beneath lavish gowns. But she'd escaped with only a few garments, and she would make do until she had the time to sew more. And she pulled her fiery hair into a bun at the nape of her neck and tamed it all under a kerchief she tied beneath her chin. Now, she was no longer the daughter of House Elariel, she was but a simple woman.

“I shall begin preparing supper, and then I will clean up the spare room,” she said, eager to get started.

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

A frown creased his brow when she didn't sit. Instead she insisted upon working, much as one who hid in their work would do. Much as he used to do, except he was hiding in his studies rather than doing chores. It wasn't healthy. It was also what he had done when he lived on Oaken Dawn and it resulted in a chaotic explosion where he killed an Imperial. It was a large part of why he had left Oaken Dawn. He didn't want to be killed for what he had done.

He left the chair as it was since she had put her cloak on it before donning an apron. It seemed she was eager to cook and clean. If that was the case, he would get to work on the house. So, he too left his cup of tea to grow cold.

"In that case I should like to start on your roof," he said, heading for the door without his cloak. "After I look around to see what I have to work with."

It wasn't that he wanted to escape her company, but he did not want to distract her from her chores, and he had promised to work on her house. There were a few hours of daylight remaining so he might as well make use of them.

Outside he rummaged through her stockpile of materials. There was an old, rusty hammer and some crude nails, though not enough to do everything. Instead, he set about gathering some water, straw, and dirt and created a paste that would dry solid and hold down just about anything, sort of like a glue. Next he sorted through the wooden shingles until he found some acceptable ones. When he had what he needed, he scaled the outside kf the house by jumping first to the stable roof, then to the higher roof. The Force was useful.

It was a long job, fixing all the roof tiles, and even though it was cold out he worked up quite the sweat and had to remove his shirt to avoid soiling it so greatly he wouldn't be able to wear it in polite company. At least he sas able to fix the leaky holes in her roof. That was good progress.

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

Leda nodded when Barrien went outside to work on the roof. And she sighed, exhaling a breath that she didn't even realize she'd been holding onto for so long.

After reliving the terror of leaving Oaken Dawn, even if only in retelling, she felt drained. But she powered through, ignoring the exhaustion in favor of chores. Walking up the stairs, she paused by a closet to retrieve a set of sheets and clean blankets. She'd done a good share of laundry upon her arrival, and it had kept her well busy during her very first days on Midvinter.

She entered the bedroom that sat across the hall from her own and spread the sheets onto the mattress. Her palms smoothed down the cotton fabric and then covered it with a heavy blanket of wool and topped it off with a quilt. Then, Leda had a seat and sat in silence for the longest while.

Barrien's presence reminded her of home – in a way that was both comforting and painful. But she knew, the pain would pass in time. And when that time came, she wanted to make sure that their connection remained intact. If nothing else, they could join together in the quest to free their home-world.

And Leda made a quiet vow of loyalty.

After leaving the room, she busied herself in the kitchen. The chicken was stewing in a heavy pot, and her vegetables were roasting in the oven. She needed only to slice the bread and pour the mead, but that could wait. Grabbing a shawl, she wrapped the knitted fabric around her shoulders and stepped outside to check on Barrien. Her emerald eyes widened at the progress that had been made—and his shirtless form.

“Dinner should be ready soon,” she called up.

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

He was just finishing up the last of the patching when he heard her voice call out to him that dinner was just about ready.

"Good timing," he called as he affixed the last shingle. "I'm just about done up here. The roof wasn't as bad as it appeared."

He glanced down at her and smiled before he made sure the shingle was nice and tight. Qorking on her house sas actually rather enjoyable to him. He felt like he was being of some use to his home world if only by proxy. Having an ally, someone on the outside like hum that knew what it was like, would make it much easier for him to approach the Silver government for assistance in dealing with the Imperials on their homeworld. Not to mention it was nice to have someone to talk to who understood him.

When he was satisfied, he walked to the edge of the roof and jumped down, using the Force to cushion his fall so he wouldn't hurt himself. This was second nature for him, but it would probably surprise her. There wasn't a propensity for people like him to showcase their abilities on Oaken Dawn. The Force was mistrusted and frowned upon, even by his people. The Imperials seemed to single out those who could use it and abscond with them. He suspected they were being used.

"Let me wash up and I will be right in," he said, heading for the well.

There he pumped out some water and used it to wash his hands, arms, torso and head. Wouldn't do to be all grimy and smelly while enjoying the dinner she had prepared for them.

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

Leda craned her neck to see the work Barrien had completed, and she was very relieved that she wouldn't have to set out pots and pans to catch the rain. She watched as he stepped to the edge of the roof – and jumped down. Her mouth dropped open into a gasp, and her hand went to clutch the front of her apron.

But much to her surprise, Barrien did not fall hard to the ground – but landed softly.

Standing there stunned, she could only nod as he made for the well. Her eyes lingered on his shoulders as he pumped some water from the well, and then she abruptly averted her eyes as she turned towards the house.

“I shall set the table,” she said, walking briskly back into the kitchen.

Back inside, Leda bustled about getting the meal ready to serve. She lit a couple candles and set them upon the rustic dining table, set out some stoneware cups and plates that matched – all of which had been thankfully left behind by the former owner of the house. Last, she hung up the apron, set the kerchief on the counter, and ran her fingers through her red locks.

By the time he would enter, there would be a platter of chicken, roasted vegetables, and freshly-poured mead. Outside the kitchen window, she could see the sun dipping behind the mountains in the distance. Night would fall swiftly upon Midvinter now, and she was very thankful for a warm meal, a toasty fire, and someone to share it with.

“Hungry?” she asked? Gesturing for him to help himself.

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

If she watched him he didn't notice. Barrien, as always, was oblivious to such things. Instead he finished washing up and looked off towards the distant star which gave the planet just enough warmth for life to survive. He waited a minute for the water to mostly slick off of him and then put his shirt back on. It wouldn't do to go in to a well-prepared dinner with nothing on but his trousers and boots. That was not proper when entering the house of a Lady.

When he did walk iin the smell of chicken and fresh vegetables was enough to make his mouth water and his stomach grumble. The aromas were pleasing, to say the least. He walked over and examined the spread. It looked quite delicious.

"Thank you for preparing this meal, Leda," he said as he sat down opposite her. "It looks and smells wonderful."

Since she gestured for him to help himself he did so, taking some of the chicken and the vegetables and placing them upon his plate. He started with the chicken, as he had always preferred meat over vegetables. It was delicious. The vegetables were as well when he dug into them. Even the mead was spectacular. He couldn't remember how long it had been since he'd had a good tankard of mead. It wasn't exactly galactic standard for drinks, after all.

"You are an excellent cook. Thank you."

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

Seating herself after Barrien, Leda moved a few small pieces of chicken onto her plate, followed by a larger helping of vegetables – and a very healthy helping of mead. While he began eating, she merely watched for a moment or two. It was felt like ages since she'd shared a meal with someone, even if it had only been a few weeks ago. But she was pleased that he enjoyed her cooking.

“Thank you,” she said, smiling and looking down. “Though, our chef back home was unmatched.”

It was with a bit of sadness that she realized he had likely suffered the same untimely demise as her parents did. She pushed some roasted veggies around her plate with her fork and then set the fork down altogether. Instead, she reached for the cup of mead and took a rather large sip. The honeyed liquid was soothing.

She glanced across the table at Barrien; the firelight flickering across his face. Leda needed something—anything—to take her mind away from the gloomy thoughts.

“Please,” she began. “Tell me your favorite meal—so I may learn to cook it well. It is the least I can do to repay you for the hard work.”

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

"My favorite meal?" he asked, a little surprised to be asked. "I don't really know. I've never particularly favored anything over another."

He had to stop and think for a moment. There had been a lot of different meals he had after leaving Oaken Dawn behind, but none of them were of particular import to him. Even the meals he'd had at home were so long forgotten that he wasn't sure if he had favored any of them. Try as he might he could barely remember any of the meals that were traditional to his homeworld other than roasted meats. He didn't think those were all that special. There was one meal that popped into his head, though.

"I remember a meal comprised of meats and veggies beneath a layer of mashed root potatoes. I do recall liking it."

Despite this he couldn't remember the name of the dish no katter how hard he tried. It wasn't as if he had spent a lot of time in the kitchen or anything. In fact he rarely had gone into it. Most of the time he had been forced to take meals outside because his family did not particularly like him. This was, of course, due to his grandfathers decision and had little to do with anyone else. Some of his cousins had always been indifferent about his status as a bastard child.

But then she had seemed suddenly gloomy before asking his favorite meal. Perhaps she was thinking of home again?

"Is there anything I can do to help you feel more at ease?"

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

Leda could tell that she'd caught him off guard, but she was relieved when he answered. She imagined the meal in her mind. Yes, she'd had this before. “A shepherd's pie,” she said with a nod. “I can give that a try.” A faint smile lit up her face for a moment, but she continued to prod her food without taking a bite of it.

She lifted her cup for another hearty sip before answering his question.

“Your company,” she started, making eye contact with him from across the candlelit table. “It means more to me than you could know.” The words were spoken without thought, only feeling. With her stomach quite empty, the mead worked to loosen her tongue and noticeably soften her expression.

Her emerald gaze had a sultry glint in the dim light, and they held a sudden longing for closeness. But she blinked and let her eyes rush back to the plate before her. They'd just met. What kind of woman was she? Leda certainly did not want to sully the Baron's image of her, she wasn't a woman of ill-reputation. But she was, at times, driven by her emotions. And now, with her world upside down... she looked only for something familiar.

“I should like it if you will tell me stories by the fire tonight,” she said, looking sheepish. “Tell me of your travels.”

Though she had very little interest in exploring the galaxy herself, perhaps she could do it – through him.

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

"Yes, that was the name, I think," Barrien said before taking a drink of mead.

He hadn't a reason for remembering the name before and so it had slipped into the furthest reaches of his mond where it was locked away. When she mentioned the name it rushed back to him as if it had been there all along. Memories were fuckle like that. Some things one coukd remember with ease and others just hid away from you. That could be good or bad depending on what the memory was of. He didn't like to bottle up emotions and feelings because he felt thst was dangerous.

The picking at her plate of food was noticed. She was conflicted over something and he could also tell she was just beginning to recover from loneliness. Didbshe long for affection? Losing the people that freely offered it each day could do that to you. He remembered how alone he had felt when his mother died. While he hadn't sought attachment he had still found the company of others and delighted in the spirit of comraderie. She seemed more solitary than that, however.

"I would be happy to tell you of my travels. There are some interesting stories to tell."

Perhaps learning more of the big galaxy they lived in would awake a curiosity within her. Someday he would get her to travel to other places. It was a beautiful galaxy, for the most part. As with all things there was a level of darkness to be found out there, but if one was careful it was easy to avoid it.

He finished esting and took his tankard in hand before going over to sit on the floor near to the fire. If she wasn't going to eat much, perhaps he could fill her with story.

"Would you prefer a tale of battle or something about my training?"

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

Leda took a couple bites of potato, but ended up setting her fork down once more. However, her expression brightened slightly when Barrien agreed to regale her with tales. Her emerald eyes trailed after him as he took his tankard to the fire and had a seat. And so, she did the same—after quickly downing what remained and tipping more mead into hers.

Cupping her tankard between both hands, she stood and made her way to the living room. She lowered herself to the floor next to Barrien and sat close enough that her shoulder gently brushed his. As she cast him in a sidelong glance, she wondered if they would have met on Oaken Dawn.

He was a much higher station than she, and his house was prominent while her own was not. Perhaps, in some twisted way, this pain and grief brought them together now. A fate or will. The thought lingered in her mind until he gently broke the silence between them.

Her brows arched for a moment in thought. “A tale of battle,” she murmured. What better stories were there for a night by the fire? The heat emanating from the glowing hearth felt wonderful, and the warmth of the Baron at her side was even more welcome. And the swirl of mead had loosened some tension that wound her shoulders tight, it had worked to thaw the slight chill in her fair countenance. So that when she looked at Barrien, her eyes were softer around the edges.

"Do you not use a sword?" she asked, remembering the weapon he'd left by the door. And she nodded in that direction. "Is it a weapon of... the Jedi?"

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

When she came over and sat down he DID notice how close she sat to him. Their shoulders brushed though he ignored the pleasing situation it sent through him. After all thst could have been a coincidental touch and he wasn't going tobassume she was looking for affection of that sort. He did not believe her the type to throw herself at just anyone, so if she did make a move it would be for cause, and he was certain it would be more overt. At which point he would have to give her his spiel and who knew how that would go.

For now, though, she seemed to be content with a story, starting first with his choice of weapon. Reaching his hand out, he grabbed the lance with the Force and brought it to his grasp. He laid it in his lap, and across hers because of length, and activated the blade. A short, blue blade thrummed to life on the end nearest him. Safety firdt and all.

"I was never very interested in swords," he explained. "Polearms called to me. This is what is known as a saber lance. It is similar to a lance we might use at home, but the blade is not always there and is much stronger and much more dangerous. The blade cuts ehatever it touches, unlike what we use where we have to cut with the correct part of the blade."

He deactivated the blade and offered it to her to examine, which she could do while he talked.

"Several years ago there a as a government called the Galactic Republic. They intended to be a power for good. I served as a Jedi of the Republic and my master, my teacher, was the leader of all the Jedi, Grandmaster Corvus Raaf. I was able to harness my abilities with her instruction. Well, one day some of our territory was attacked by Mandalorians and others. Many of us rushed to intervene. The place they were attacking was the Roche asteroid belt. Giant floating rocks in space, essentially.

"I arrived, along with a few others, and we split up to try and see what we could do to stop the fighting. While this was going on, something terrible happened. A member of the Republic's command forces opened the bangar bays of the station built into the asteroid, and thousands of people, including aother Jedi, were sent to their deaths in space. They suffocated, essentially. The government and people I had sworn to protect had failed in their duties.

"I still intended to try and be of use, to try and save who I could, so I continued through the facility when I suddenly came across my sister. Now I should explain that my sister is very powerful and was the queen of the Echani. She is a twin to Aston, my brother. Well, when she saw me, she attacked me. She though, because of the resemblance, that I was our father, who she detests. I refused to fight her back, and she expressed disdain when she eventually stopped attacking. She does not believe we are related, or refuses to accept that we are.

"She didn't hurt me physically, but to this day she will not speak with me and I think she hates me. But she left and told me to fix the Republic. I tried to do this, but Grandmaster Rasf disappeared, and a large portion of the Republic defected as a result of this event and others. The Republic eventually collapsed as a result, leaving me to drift between worlds."

Now thst he thougjt about it, it really wasn't much of a battle story. He hadn't done any fighting to speak of. In fact, sense leaving Oaken Dawn he couldn't think of a time where he had done any real combat save for when he was protecting Beth.

"Guess it wasn't much of a war story. I apologize. We did manage to save some people, however. Not everyone perished."

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

Another gasp escaped Leda as Barrien pulled the weapon to him with that strange power, the force. With the lance across their laps, she watched as the blue blade ignited. Her eyes widened, the blue-hued light spreading across their faces. She could not sense the force like he could, but she could almost feel the hum of energy emanating from the lance. And she listened as the Baron explained his fondness for this weapon. Once the blue-lighted tip was extinguished, she held the pole arm in her hands as he spoke.

She listened, trying her best to imagine the details in her mind. And she leaned forward in anticipation when he mentioned an attack by Mandalorians. But she could not imagine the setting... giant floating rocks? Leda found her grip on the weapon tightening instinctively when Barrien mentioned that many had lost their lives there.

Her eyes softened when he mentioned his sister. It was a strange notion—to strike against a sibling. Though, she realized that there were such rivalries even on Oaken Dawn. Power went to those willing to take it, especially by force. But she admired the fact that he himself had not engaged in this fight, and she felt for him.

Another few sips of mead, the sweet liquor filled her with warmth.

“It has given me a better idea of the Jedi,” she said with a nod that made her head feel light. And for a moment, Leda leaned in closer—almost as if being pulled by some invisible thread.

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

"Well, that is good," he said, as she leanes towards him.

For a moment he didn't even realize that zhe was leaning towards him. His eyes weere lost on the fire as he remembered that time on Roche, when so many had been lost, including the master of his master. It had been a very hard day for him as he had so looked forward to meeting his sister. But that was life and it was far in the past, now. Now he was on Oaken Dawn, sitting in front of a fire and telling another Dawnite stories of his exploits since had left their home.

When he looked away from the fire and to her, he could see she was leaning towards him, so he scooted a little closer to her to shore her up. After all, he didn't want her to fall over and hurt herself after drinking all the mead that she had.

"Are you alright, Leda? You seem to have lost your balance."

Ever the naive and oblivious one.

Leda Elariel

 

[Leda Elariel]

As Leda leaned in further, she took in Barrien's presence. There was warmth, there was strength, and there was a stoic calm to him. And she was curious. She wanted this chance to know him even better. But at the moment, the tipsy woman felt that a kiss might satisfy her curiosity.

Then, he spoke.

Her eyes opened, mere inches from him. Leda blinked. It was then she realized just how close they were. Part of her wanted to keep falling into his arms, into safety. But she suddenly pulled away, a hand went to her chest. “I-I'm sorry,” she stammered, setting the mug of mead down. Her gaze shifted down to the floor, elusive again. He was too kind to reject her outright, that was it.

Feeling hot-faced and sheepish, she stood.

“I'm quite tired,” she started, trying to re-gain some of her composure. “As are you, I'm sure. Good night, Barrien... I shall see you on the morrow.”

She offered a bit of a stiff nod and disappeared up the stairs to her room, to patch up her wounded pride.

Barrien Siegfried

 

[Barrien Siegfried]

He watched her go, a frown creasing his brow.

"Good night," he called after her.

When she had disappeared, he stood and took to the table, cleaning up from their dinner. He disposed of that whicj wouldn't keep and returned the rest to the kitchen. He even cleaned their dishes. Though he was certtain that Leda would be upset with him for doing so, he felt he should do it. Though he was a guest in her home he would not allow her to wait on him hand and foot, nor would he see a mess left for her in the morning. It just wasn't polite.

When he finished, he retired to his room with his things, and had stripped down to just his pants before realization hit him. You see, Barrien was often oblivious to romantic intentions because he had vowed not to approzch such things himself. So, when others expressed tnem towards him, he did not recognize them for what they were. But then, standing next to his bed, he realized that what Leda had wanted was more than just company, but she desired the physical affection of a kiss.

He wasn't stupid, just oblivious.

He also wasn't without emotion himself.

It had been ten years since he had seen someone from Oaken Dawn, and here he was sharing a home with her. Not only that, but she was a strong and beautiful woman, and he realized he held affections for her. It would be hard not to. He also didn't want her to be upset, as he realized she was given her actions and what she had said before disappearing.

And so, he left his room and went to her door, offering a light knock. If she was asleep he did not wish to wake her.

"Leda?" he called softly.

If she answered the door and opened it, he would step to her, gently lift her chin, and kiss her deeply. He would give her his spiel in the morning. If she didn't answer the door, he would simply return to his room to get some rest.

Leda Elariel