Slow Steps to Each Other

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 10th April 2013

Characters: Karhal, Loella
Description: The courting begins
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 13, day 21 of Turn 6

Karhal

Loella

Karhal barely made a sound as he strode quietly through the Hold's
main courtyard, Livie trailing at his side like a constant shadow. It
was part of his regular routine, checking on the guards stationed at
their posts and hearing their brief reports; it was quiet. He did nod
to a few passing residents, some he knew well, others only by sight.
He spoke to a few about concerns they had, but they had been mostly
minor for the day; but little things mattered. He made mental
notations for solutions to a myriad of problems, resolving to write
them down as soon as he returned to his office.

Loella peered around the corner of the building where she watched
Karhal on his way back toward his office. He was his usual friendly
self with those that approached him. She'd done this for so many turns
that it had just become a habit but this time she did something very
different and stepped out of the shadows.

"Good afternoon," she said quietly.

Livie greeted her with a soft 'woof' and Karhal's head turned at the
sound of her soft voice. "Loella." He stopped and for a moment,
he didn't say anything at all; then his lips lifted slightly in
greeting. There was a moment when it seemed as if he was
mulling over something in his mind, his eyes never leaving her.
A determined glint appeared in his eyes as he unexpectedly
offered his arm. "Care to walk with me for a bit?"

Loella smiled at Livie's greeting but wasn't sure if she should pet
the canine or not. She stopped when he stopped and just stood quietly
trying not to fidget. "Um.. sure," she answered his invitation and
took his arm. Her blood was roaring so loud in her ears she was
certain he could hear it.

A pale brow quirked upwards at her hesitation. It wasn't like her
to be timid and he figured she was just as nervous. Knowing that
he wasn't the only one uncertain actually made him relax a
little bit more as he guided her through the courtyard along with
him. Feeling them being watched by others in the courtyard, he
hid a rueful smile; his intentions were being made public, but
perhaps it was best that way. He glanced down at Loella and
spoke quietly. "I spoke to your father yesterday."

She let out a slow breath. "You did?" She didn't want to think the
worst but her father was a hard man at times. "And what did he say?"

"He had some questions, but he gave his blessing." Her mother
had been thrilled, her father had taken him aside and had
quietly spoken to him about his fears of Loella being a bit
similar to her sister in some respects. It was a thought that
lingered.

She could only imagine the kind of questions he might have had. But
she'd never told a soul about her true feelings for Karhal. Then she
focused on his first words. "He gave his blessing?"

Crossing his other arm over to lay his hand lightly on her own,
he nodded. "Yes." He offered a light smile. "He did. I'm afraid
that you're rather stuck with me as a suitor now."

"Promise?" she reiterated something she'd said to him fairly recently
and the corner of her mouth tilted up. A spark of the old Loella lit
in her eyes.

One lip corner curling up, Karhal lifted her hand in his and brushed
his lips gently over the knuckles. "Yes."

That sent an involuntary shiver up her spine. For all her bravado with
him previously, she really was an innocent even if she was past the
usual marriage age. She knew generally of course but the experience of
his warm lips on her hand was a different thing entirely.

"I promise not to try and run you off," she said in what she hoped was
a light tone.

One brow quirked upwards and Karhal's expression warmed. "Do you
think you'd be able to?" He gave a light chuckle and continued walking
with her. "I was thinking...perhaps we should start taking dinner
together a few times a week. Or perhaps lunches when you have
time."

She started to feel a little more at ease and chuckled. "I think so,"
she said and lowered her eyes to the ground ahead of them while they
walked. "I'd like that very much," she said and squeezed his arm
lightly.

"So have dinner with me tonight then." He stopped and turned
to her. "You've never been afraid of looking me in the eye
before, so why start now?"

She turned her eyes back up to his. "I'd love to have dinner with you
tonight. And as to your other question... I guess I've been watching
you for so long without you seeing me that it just feels odd to have
you watching me back." She smiled and tilted her head. "Odd, but not
bad. In fact, I kind of like it."

That surprised him; he'd never considered that he'd been watched
more than usual. "I've never ignored you, Loella." His voice softened
"But you're right. I've never really _seen_ you have I?"

"I don't think you have," she smiled to take the sting out of the
words. "But I'm glad you do now."

Last updated on the May 1st 2013

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Slow Steps to Each Other