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 Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 7:06 pm
With the memories of that one horrible night finally beginning to fade, Last has renewed his oh-so-cautious courting of the Lady Smith, as he has come to call her. He brings her breakfasts, sometimes, or leaves her presents in places he shouldn't be able to get into. One morning she'll come in and there'll be flowers already in the smithy, before she unlocks the door, with no sign of how he managed it. Another time she'll look up from her work and realize that there's a sack of food -- a hearty dinner -- on the counter, again with no hint that Last was ever there.
But today he's come in person, hoping he can coax Rosalie into taking a night off and going to a show with him. So he trotted into the smithy in high spirits, and struck up a cheerful conversation with her about doing just that, pleading playfully for her company and tipping back the black cap that he wears tilted jauntily over one eye (and not so coincidentally, the ugly scar above his brow).
" .. and there'll be a gel who bends like you wouldn't believe, and her brothers pick 'er up and throw her, likea hoop! I can even get us seats. It'd be a lively night! You can't always be working."
-----
Outside, First is waiting, as if it'd been too much to ask for him to be any farther from his brother than this. But he isn't waiting patiently -- oh no! -- he wears his dejection and annoyance like a heavy slump, the emotion dictating the slump of his shoulders and the droop of his eyelids. He sits slouched on the stoop, his own cap tilted over his head in an identical degree, so that it covers one of his eyes and the scar over his brow. This might have made him difficult to recognize, particularly considering the fact that he has his face mushed down -- if what he was leaning on was not Unwanted's side. The Guardian is standing complacently in front of him, facing sideways, and supporting First's folded arms on his back. His distinctive hide is impossible to mistake, as is the identity of the rook seated comfortably on the very top of First's stylish cap.
Somewhere along the way First has started to doze, because otherwise he would have something to say about the fact that Unwanted is very contentedly licking his brown hair. Unwelcome watches this take place with considerable interest, occasionally fluffing her feathers and suggesting a new patch of previously unslobbered hair with a conversational caw or a pointing of her beak.
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Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 7:30 pm
The night was long gone, but the nightmares still had a grip on her. The visions of spirits, wolves, and blood lurked in the back of her mind, every now and then stealing sleep from the smith, jolting her awake at the most inopportune of nights. However, it was when the favors began that she finally felt more at ease, though she questioned why someone getting in to her shop would give her such a feeling. The first time, she had just stared at it, unsure of where it had come from, though by the time it became flowers, she was more than convinced of whom it was. Secret admirer her a**, this was the work of a man worthy of her time. But she wasn't about to let him get away without something in return.
Thus, when he decided to come to finally see her, there's a tiny package set carefully aside on the table, unassuming and plain. She raises an eyebrow at his talk of actually taking time off work, though the slight smirk is enough to show she's not about to turn him down.
"Oh really now?" She starts, crossing her arms slightly, "And just what time do you need me to be cleaned up? Unless you don't mind me being covered in work." He's won, though she finally glances over to the package. "And it's time for some payback. Go on. It's yours."
As for the other two residents, Aelius damn well knows who is outside, and doesn't want to exit the building, even if the troublemaker is busy grooming the other brother. Instead, he's rather firmly planted in his corner, keeping a good eye on Last, just in case he tries anything....in which case he'll make sure to hide somewhere safer. He's more than aware what his chosen would do if offended, having seen the poker be used more than once for something other than the fire.
Shuu, on the other hand, knows there's better company outside, and takes the time to flutter out an open window, landing as elegantly as he can also takes perch upon the stylish cap. There's a slight cackle of greeting, and he preens his own feathers slightly to make for a more presentable figure to the lovely pale lady, whom he has also missed seeing.
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Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 12:00 pm
Despite the coming war and their impending demise, Rajani was in a pretty good mood. There was no logical reason for it, of course. The Warden Grounds were a busy mess. The Queen's pet spirit was suspicious in his absence. Soibhan's little project was not going at all smoothly. The bloody noble was more irritating than ever. There were reasons upon reasons for her to be in a foul temper. Somehow, despite it all, she was not. Perhaps she had simply made peace with her fate...
Yeah. Like that was going to happen.
Even if they were overwhelmed by wolves, the gypsy knew she would fight to the bitter end. It was not in her nature to give up without a fight. Oberon approved of this sentiment with a snort that somehow managed to convey both pleasure and pride.
Her musings were put on hold when she spotted a certain Grimm brother dozing in front of what appeared to be a smithy. An amused smile grew on her lips as she watched the twins' beasts tend to his hair. Oh, and there was another one joining Unwelcome. Being less than social, Hawthorn lit on a nearby sign rather than join the pair of rooks. "A new beauty treatment?" the gypsy inquired. The words were meant to be dry, but her good humor laced her voice with rare warmth.
True, she had been exceptionally furious with the Freds for a good long while. It was equally true that things were still a little...strange with First. However, even her anger had its limits. They were idiots, but she had forgiven them. In the spirit of forgiveness, she was doing her best to ignore the unidentifiable strangeness that lie between her and the elder twin.
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Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 10:26 am
"Ain't no cause for rush," he assures her, though seeing as he'd probably be pleased to have her on his arm whether she wore her smith's leather apron or whether she were dressed as a Queen -- as she'd been at the Faire -- she might have cause to take this with a grain of salt. He is grinning all the while, since until he'd come in person and seen that little smirk of hers he'd not been entirely sure how she'd taken his gifts. Many a woman would've chucked them out, and him besides! Take all the niceness that First has done for Rajani, in his attempts to make amends; that only goes to prove that womenfolk are strange and unpredictable creatures. If one's gifts are accepted, well, that's more luck than anything.
Only the mention of a gift for him changes his expression: he goes so far as to gape at her for a moment, completely taken aback. She's giving him a present? That ain't how it goes! But .. but .. well, that can only mean this is going very, very well, right? And what body don't like gifts? So his grin becomes a good bit foolish as he picks up the little package. "You didn't haveta do anything!" He tells her, playfully scolding. "You're the one that needs spoiling."
-----
Outside, Unwelcome greets Shuu with a low croon of purest pleasure, as if she had not expected to see him here; immediately she preens the feathers to one side of his face, then presents her own cheek for a similar bird-like 'kiss.' First does not even notice that the weight on his cap has just doubled --
-- not until Rajani speaks up, that is. He makes a sudden strangled noise and sits up with a jerk, so that the perch beneath the two rooks wobbles suddenly. There's a sign as he does so that the gypsy might like the look of, for even before First knows what's happened and why he's awoken, he's grabbed his cap with both hands to steady it so that Unwelcome doesn't slip off. Blinking rapidly and not seeming entirely aware of what he's done, First is slow to process the words .. but not as slow to realize that the back of his neck is damp and sticky and that his hair is sticking out in a dozen unflattering directions.
" .. aww, buggerit, ya bloody stupid deer," he tells Unwanted with a groan and very little heat. "I tol'ja my fur don't need no cleaning!" This causes the Guardian to look solemnly at him and sniff once very loudly, as if to say that he of course knows better than that.
Up on his cap, Unwelcome has recovered from the brief lurching of her perch and smoothed her feathers back down. She stretches her head forward in another croon of pleasure, chest fluffing up. "Yesraj!" comes her usual delighted greeting, and then she bunches back down to look at Shuu, as if explaining to the other bird. "Yesraj." She bounces several times to convey her excitement, then points her beak toward the gypsy. "Yesraj."
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Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 12:33 pm
"I don't rush many things, especially not my work." She gives a quick glance to the rod in the flames, making sure briefly it's not melting, before turning her attention back to him. "Though I think such an occasion is certainly worth my time cleaning up. Let me at least get this piece started, since it's just about to temperature." She doesn't even bother with the gloves for this one, removing the rod from the coolest part, setting it upon the anvil before grabbing the hammer to beat the living hell out of it.
The look on his face when she tells him about the box on the table makes her very proud, her smile growing even larger along with her pride. "Oh come on, if you're willing to somehow sneak in behind my back, you're certainly worth some of my work. Go on, open it." She gets back to her work, not exactly speeding any of it up, though it's clear she just wants it to be done to the point where it's okay to be left alone whilst she's out. "It's actually two things, but I wasn't sure how you'd take to one of them."
---
Shuu is more than happy to reciprocate the preening, though fluffs up and complains as soon as First is startled by the woman's words. He flaps, trying to keep his balance, and in a rather upset tone, finally--
"GET OUT OR BE WHEELED OUT."
He gives a rather intense glare down to First, even giving a single, light peck to one of his fingers as he steadies the object atop his head, before puffing up more. Though as soon as the hat is steadied again, he unpuffs and takes to watching Unwelcome bounce about, before finally mimicking, looking over to the lady the greeting is meant for.
"Yesraj."
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Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 7:13 pm
The gypsy laughed at the lot of them. If Unwelcome had anything to say about it, all the rooks in Sunderland would be both eager to please her and hard on the twins. If it weren't so amusing, she might pity First his misfortune. Well, that was alright. He needed a strong, feminine influence around to keep him in line, even if that female were a bird.
"Hello, darling," she said to the rook. "I see you found yourself a handsome friend." If Hawthorn were the jealous type, he might take exception to that sentiment; however, he was more stoic than most and Rajani didn't really mean anything by it anyway. Oberon simply felt no need to be threatened by birds.
"I don't know," she told First, a wicked glint in her eyes. "It might be an improvement." Regardless, this did seem a rather unusual place to find him loitering - and only animals for company at that. "What brings you here?"
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Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 7:46 pm
Pretty Miss Rosalie may not mean it that way, but that first line of hers -- I don't rush many things -- is one that will be staying with poor Last for quite a while. It may be that as a young lad his mind is too often turned to things of a certain nature, and it could be that he's reading to much into unlike things. But it comes to him just then that while it's all to the good that Rosalie don't have a father to see that she don't get in trouble before she's wed, she may not need one, either .. he swallows, carefully, and silently alters his plans for the evening.
It's hard for him to pay attention when she's working: he's watching her with his mouth slightly open, plainly entranced. Aren't many women with that kind of strength, with that kind of certainty in every move they make. She has to know where every blow must fall, has to know that each blow will fall at precisely the right angle, and has to do it right every single time. It's a strength and a skill that means when she does pause to speak again, he has to swallow and clear his throat and pretend that he hasn't just been gaping at her like a fool.
"If it's sommat you made, can't imagine I wouldn't take to it!" He tells her a bit hoarsely, looking down to finally open the package, a welcome distraction in comparison to his embarrassment.
-----
"Ow! Damned chickens!" First jerks both his hands back down when Shuu gives him that warning n**, sucking resentfully on his fingers and doing his able best not to move again. As pleasant as it is to hear Rajani laugh, for just once he'd like it if that laughter were not directed at him -- his cheeks are a bit hot, particularly with all the YesRaj's echoing in his ears. "Hoy, Welly, gerroff!" The elder twin gives his head an abrupt shake, giving Unwelcome cause to flap her wings for balance once more. She seems to take the hint, gliding down from First's head to sit on the stoop beside him, waiting patiently for Shuu to follow after.
With his burden at least halved, First glances up to the gypsy, realizing in a sudden burst of inspiration that there's a possible source of amusement for Rajani very close by. "Oh, you ain't heard? Why, Last's been making mooncalf eyes at some lady smith -- he's come by to ask her to a show."
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Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 8:00 pm
Whilst she was distracted by the forging of the sword, it finally gave some time for Last to take a look at what she'd made him. Indeed, the box had a slight weight to it, though not at all to heavy, and inside was a rather delicate necklace, on which was the head of a buck, with the cutout of a doe on the other end. Perhaps it had a partner to it, looked that way at least. Where it was for the moment would remain a mystery, as the smith was quite busy flinging sparks of ember with every strike. In addition, a sheathed dagger sat at the bottom, and when he finally picked it up, it seemed far lighter than any others he might have held.
"It'll move faster since it's lighter." She called back at him, not even bringing up her eyes for the moment. "Take a look at the blade too, I don't just leave things plain you know." Indeed, a light design of loops and knots dances upon the surface, clearly a mark of good craftsman ship. She gives a few particularly heavy blows to the glowing, now flattened, rod, before giving it a dunk in the water, trying to wipe the sweat from her brow. "There. Now I have time to spare."
---
Shuu cackles more as First nurses his finger, though shrieks more as the hat becomes an unsteady perch again, taking to the windowsill of the forge for safety, glaring down at the elder twin. However, at the mere patience of his lady, he is quick to join her, quick to preen her feathers and chirp at her.
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Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 8:26 pm
At first, the gypsy could only stare. "Really?" she said, barely able to believe it. Oh, the twins were prize flirts, to be sure, but this? Last going dreamy-eyed over a woman? It was practically unheard of. A slow smile spread across her lips. This, she had to see.
"You were asleep on your feet," she observed in a seemingly abrupt turn of topic. "Your brother must have been in there a while, now." Her brilliant, green eyes slid over to the door before looking back at First. "Shall we see what's keeping him?" Her intentions, of course, were far from benign. Not that she intended to sabotage his chances, but she had a familial duty to not only tease him mercilessly, but also embarrass the life out of him in front of his would-be girl.
Oberon was equally eager to take advantage of this opportunity. Not that he would ever miss a chance to irritate one of the brothers Grimm. His long tail swished back and forth in wicked delight. If nothing else, he could certainly rub salt in any wounds his lady inflicted.
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Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 8:59 pm
Last stares down at the necklace, his mouth hanging open as images of a terrifying future flit through his thoughts. It's .. jewelry. From a woman. No, she doesn't need a father to protect her -- she's more than fearsome enough on her own! Jewelry's for them as wants something from someone .. or for them as is laying a claim! Even the dagger seems almost worrisome, and he examines it careful-like, just in case there's some kind of branding on there, too.
But it just proves to be a fine weapon of fine make, and he balances it in one hand with a bemused expression. "Small gods theyselves couldn't make finer," he tells her, and if his voice is a bit hoarse, maybe it's just the smoke. He blinks at her, the dagger in one hand, the necklace in the other as if he doesn't know what to do with either of them, he is so shocked. All he brought her was flowers and food; these gifts are much too fine!
-----
The smile that creeps across Rajani's face is more than enough to make First grin, finally dragging his hand through the damp whorls of his mussed hair. He nudges Unwanted gently to one side so that he can stand, dusting off his breeches and bowing charmingly to the gypsy. "Might be best," he tells her agreeably, as if the both of them are idly considering the weather -- and not tormenting his twinsib. "Could be he's taken ill in the heat of the forge. Seems to me it's our duty to make sure that ain't the case."
He climbs up the last few steps to the door just behind where he's been sitting, sweeping off his hat with one hand and holding it to his heart. With his free hand he opens the door, gesturing Rajani inside, though he means to be just half a step behind her. He wouldn't miss the look on his brother's face for all the world!
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Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 9:20 pm
After putting her tools in order, she catches glimpse of his face, and worries the slightest bit, though tries to keep herself busy cleaning up until he finally speaks. Perhaps it was a little much, now that she thought of it. But, it was what she was good at, and she had thought for so long about what sort of thing might suit him best. When he finally speaks, she feels relieved, and laughs the slightest.
"I'm glad you like it. I think it's some of my better work...." She takes the moment to pull out the other half out from under her clothes, tucked away to keep it from being damaged whilst she worked. "Here, let me help you with it." Oh this wasn't something most girls did, no. But she took the necklace carefully from him, and managed to get the clasp open, leaning forward just the slightest bit to reach behind his neck and latch it closed. "There we go..." She breathed, taking perhaps just a little bit too long to pull away. "Not too girly for you I hope?"
Aelius isn't sure what to think of all this. He doesn't know whether this is good or bad, and there's just something about that smirk on his chosen's face that makes him feel...wary. But perhaps that's just because he's noticed Unwanted outside the door, and some woman coming in along with the elder twin. He gives a snort, standing up to show that he's not afraid of this thing that has come back to haunt him. Thing being Unwanted.
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Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 10:02 pm
"Just so," she agreed, innocent as can be, before sweeping up the stairs and through the door ahead of the flamboyantly gallant Friedrich -
- just in time to see a pretty young woman linger over a certain Grimm's shoulder. My, my. What have we here? She stepped slightly to the side so that more of their party could get through the door.
Brow arched and lips curled up in a smirk that said she held many secrets and had just gained a few more, Rajani crossed her arms and simply looked at the pair of them, wondering how long it would take for one or the other to notice that they had company - Guardian notwithstanding.
Oberon shoved Unwanted to the side so that he could get through the door first. This was a show he was unwilling to miss.
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Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 6:52 pm
Last can't rightly help it, his free hand coming up to rest lightly on Rosalie's hip to support her as she reaches up. It's .. instinct, is what it is, a gentlemanly instinct, just in case she loses her balance somehow despite the fact that she's doing nothing more strenuous than stand just in front of him. This means she's close enough to see that he's gone red under his freckles at her closeness, close enough that he's breathing a 'no' that she can almost hear before his eyes slide past her and all color drains from his face.
Oh no.
No no no.
Anything -- anyone -- but this!
He does his best to try and recover, sliding his hand as gentle as he can on Rosalie's side, so that he can loom protectively beside her .. in the hopes that Rajani will remember there's innocents here, and not to let it get too bloody.
"Hiya Raj," he manages, through clenched teeth. "Fancy seeing you here."
First, coming to stand just beside Rajani, has a hard time fighting back a grin. It's nice to see someone else take the fall for once, it really is! He doesn't even bother to say anything, he just basks in the moment.
Outside, Unwanted snorts at Oberon as he passes, evidencing surprisingly little interest in watching his Chosen get taken down several pegs. He stays where he is, scratching the side of his head on a post and looking with interest at Oberon. Unwelcome is plainly busy, flirting her feathers at the other rook; maybe Hawthorne will lead him to some food, like Unwelcome sometimes does.
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Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 7:55 pm
It was nice for the moment. She definitely hadn't expected the hand on her hip, though it is a pleasant surprise, judging by the way she smiles the slightest bit more. The red looks nice on his cheeks, well, until he looks near death. And 'no'..? She turns, back to being flat footed, following his gaze to the door.
Oh.
That wasn't meant to happen.
However embarrassed she might be, it's hidden rather easily, covered instead by her mere shock that he's still keeping his hand there. Not that it's unwelcome. After the tenseness fades the slightest bit, she chooses to look the new face over. As long as she wasn't being played, there was no need to be rude...And even then she would surely not blame it on this 'Raj'. Though it's First's barely restrained grin that causes her cheeks to go aflame even more, and she takes the moment to inch a little closer to Last for a bit of security. The air feels like you could cut it with a knife, but the silence is going to be unnerving unless...
"Hello." Rosalie manages. If it's a friend of the twins, she can't be that bad, can she? Then her eyes catch Oberon, and she's tenses a little bit more. Oh, another larger one. So it happened to bucks too.
Aelius was also having a stare down with the group at the door, though he's not too sure he's happy with his chosen being touched. But she's not reacting badly to it, so he has nothing to fear. Giving himself a few seconds, he trots right up to Oberon and noses him slightly, curious about this guest. Maybe friends? Maybe? Rosalie wasn't reaching for the poker. Friends?
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Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 5:27 pm
Well, now. Wasn't that a delightfully ridiculous reaction. If Rajani did not know any better, she would have thought death himself had appeared before the younger Grimm twin. If the force of his shock weren't so amusing, she might find it a little insulting. Honestly. Just what did he take her for?
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself," she informed Last. "Courting a lady in secret, and for the first time, too. Here, you didn't even come to me for advise. I'm wounded, Last." She shook her head despondently before sliding her piercing green eyes over to the lady in question and offering a smile - it was pleasant enough, but the twins had known her long enough to recognize the subtle glint in her eye. Rosalie might not be in trouble, but Last was surely going to regret his very existance by the time she was through.
"Hello," she replied to the other woman. "Last has failed to mention you, but I'm sure we will have plenty of time to get properly acquainted. I'm Rajani, and this great beast is Oberon."
Oberon was infinitely more interested in Last's extremely awkward predicament than he was in making friends. However, he did deign to sniff at the stranger if only to make certain that he was not a potential threat to his chosen. He was clearly less than impressed by Rajani's description of him, but he did stare at the unknown woman with great interest.
Hawthorn, for his part, showed minimal interest in the other animals, though he did flutter down so that he might perch upon the younger buck. The better to keep an eye on things.
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