An Invitation.

Writers: Leigh M-F., Avery
Date Posted: 25th November 2017

Characters: Nohria, Corran
Description: The lovers discuss future plans, some coming sooner than others.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 2 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Jisalle, Zathris

Corran had suggested he and Nohria take a walk around the Hold. It was too nice a day to spend time inside, as far as he was concerned.

"Did you see that the sign-up list for the competitions at the upcoming Gather got posted today?" he asked.

Nohria stretched her arms and shoulders briefly before she answered, thinking it was rather nice to be able to grab breaks when she needed them. Jisalle was quite reasonable about that. "Yes, I did. I'm wondering how many more might be added before the day."

"I hope there won't be too many new events added I want to compete in. I know I'll have to work guard duty for a significant part of the Gather, I was told that the Lord will want extra security for the event. But I did sign up for the hand-to-hand competitions. So did a few other guards," he mentioned.

Nohria found herself wishing she could enter a knife-throwing contest. She may have been rusty, but she could take a prize or two. But if she couldn't do that, maybe there were other competitions she could try? "Would you like to go with me when your shift is over?" she asked hopefully.

"Around the Gather? Of course I would," he said, beaming at her. He had hoped she'd be okay with that.

"I'm looking forward to it already, then," Nohria said, and wondered if she could nick a few small-denomination Marks from somewhere. She should at least cover her own food and drink this time.

"I hope you'll be free for a decent amount of it, and that perhaps you'll see my match," he added hopefully.

"I would be glad to watch your bout," Nohria promised. Her lover, shirtless and grappling with another opponent? Yes please.

"Hopefully I won't lose too embarrassingly, and forever ruin my reputation in your eyes."

"That could never happen," the herbalist said bluntly. "I haven't seen you work before, but you must be good at it; I've never seen you with work-related injuries." Aside from the concussion she must have given him, that is.

"I've had a few sprains and a concussion but I've never broken anything," he said.

"Well, that's something." Nohria looped her arm through his and leaned a little closer.

"I hear the Vintner Hall is having something going on as well. No competitions in that one, but there'd be some tastings and such. Were you interested?"

The herbalist paused to consider that. She'd never been near the Vinter Hall, just the tavern. It hadn't been considered a priority. But if she could look the place over as best she could, maybe she could find a way to tell her fellow bandits where they could replenish their stock of wines for cooking, drinking, and sterilizing tools. "I've never been to a tasting before. Are they nice?"

"I think they're interesting. You don't always like everything you taste, but it's a chance to experience something new and see if you do like it."

"That does sound fun. When should we plan on going?"

"I have a morning guard shift, so perhaps in the late afternoon or evening? When will you be free?"

"Whenever it's most convenient for you, I'll be free," Nohria vowed. If she had to pick up some extra candlemarks in order to be that available, she would.

"How about around dusk, then? The schedule says they'd still be running."

"That would be lovely. I'll meet you at the main entrance just a little before," Nohria said. "I'm looking forward to this already."

"I look forward to any time we get to spend together at an activity. I mean, not that I don't like just seeing you," he added rapidly, in case she got the wrong impression from him. "But having an event to go to special is nice, you know?"

"It is," the drudge agreed. "I can definitely appreciate them more with you. Ardihan was good to me, but we could never really go out and attend Gathers; there was always so much work to do." Which was true enough. "The chance to share them with you makes me so happy." Which was very true.

He turned and kissed her on the cheek. "They make me happy as well."

Nohria hesitated for a few minutes. "Will you- Will you tell me how else I could make you happy?" she asked at last, finding she wanted to do well by Corran before the inevitable.

The guard gave it thoughtful consideration. He enjoyed being around her. No, more - he was falling in love with her. They'd been actually seeing each other for a short time, but he could see himself courting her for another Turn or so and then asking her to get engaged. And then marriage, and starting a family, and...

And none of those were anything Nohria wanted in _her_ life, she'd told him that. He'd gone into being physical with her knowing that.

So it didn't matter that he felt that way. If he expressed to her how he wanted that kind of life with her now, wouldn't it scare her off and end what they were enjoying together faster? If she ever changed her mind on it, it would have to be her choice and her words to him, not him pressuring her into anything she'd regret.

So the guard worked his jaw slightly to clear his throat so his voice wouldn't have suspicious emotion, and he said, "I'm happy by the times we have together. Though I wouldn't mind if we could contrive a way to sneak off for a whole night…"

Nohria was silent for a while, turning that over in her mind. "How heavily guarded are the barns?" she finally inquired.

IF he'd been thinking more clearly and remembering the recent problems, he wouldn't have said what he did. But he was still caught up in his emotions. "Depends on which ones. The prize runner ones more so, but all get looked in on lately."

"Hm. So much for a literal roll in the hay," the herbalist remarked. "Perhaps one of the storage areas?"

"Those or some guest cots could work." He mused.

The guest cots, that was perfect. "Which one has been cleaned the most recently?"

"Uh, probably the farther one that's about a 15 minute walk, but you might be able to check better."

"Perfect. I'll give it a look tonight and then meet you there tomorrow after dusk," Nohria said, leering at him in playful anticipation.

"I'll meet you there then."

Last updated on the December 21st 2017

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An Invitation.