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 Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 12:13 pm
Taijana lifted her hand, and hesitated. If what he was saying was true, then...but what if they became so involved that he used her, just like her mother had? She always spoke with sweet words too.
But Kieran wasn't like that; he wasn't a user and - "D-does that mean that you love me or that you just want me around, because I-I-I-" She didn't want to read too much into this if it wasn't what she was hoping for, and honestly having her dreams dashed at the last moment would be worse than just having them killed now instead of -
Taijana took a deep breath and waited.
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Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 12:36 pm
Kieran reached out for her hand and gently held it in his own, "Tai." Her question made him pause and the man actually seemed surprised at it, "Love you?" The question alone was like shifting a puzzle piece into place. All of his worrying over her, wanting to keep in touch with her, seeing her on the shoreline that day, all of those mixed emotions....those were a part of love? Kieran looked up and studied her thoughtfully, "Is that what this is?" He found himself asking in a whisper. Or at least it felt like a whisper compared to the pounding of his heart in his ears.
"I just wanted to protect you this whole time and seeing you always makes me happy." He admitted with a small, sheepish smile. "Even when you pass out it's become quite endearing to me." Like a little trademark or like one of those creatures he had once seen play dead before, "But I always thought of you as a dear friend." The statement came with a long pause before he took a deep breath, "I guess I was wrong."
"Could I love you, Tai? Would that be alright?" He found himself asking as he finally glanced up into her gaze, "I've never truly allowed myself to love or even let someone close to me after losing my mother all those years ago, but I think if it's you I feel like I could take the risk." He would protect her and make certain no harm came to her. Even if they had to rely on letters he would show her that exciting world over and over again while working to keep her safe. If she wanted him that was. Right now he was a mess of confusion and fears but one thing was certain - he truly cared deeply for the woman before him.
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Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 12:44 pm
His hesitation scared her. She knew what she felt in her heart, try as she might to cover it up or store it away, but Taijana had no idea how he felt towards her. In that moment everything seemed to come to a stand still, all waiting on what he would do next.
A dear friend? That coupled with the pause made her want to flee. This was too much, it was all becoming so overwhelming and at any moment she was going to pass out or run-
"Yes," She gasped, nearly out of breath simply due to her anxiety levels. "I-I think I knew how I felt before I left for the mainland, b-bu-but I never wanted to tell you, in case you didn't feel the same way.." She was crying now, very openly and absolutely ruining her eye makeup but Taijana didn't care. She was crying and smiling and feeling oh so jittery!
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Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 1:37 pm
And there was her response. Immediately all of the knots in Kieran's stomach seemed to unfurl into a rather warm feeling. So...she loved him? This whole time? Oh, what a fool he had been! All this trouble for him while he had been as dense as a wall! A tintural probably would have crossed the island a hundred times by the time he had realized his own feelings.
"It seems we were both foolish." Replied Kieran with a small laugh, "Me for not realizing what I was feeling this entire time and you for holding back such feelings for fear." The Yaeli found himself reaching for the petite woman, "Tai, shh. If they hear you they'll think I did something horrible and truly your sister will have my hide hanging up on the wall then." Kieran chuckled as he scooted closer to her and raised a hand to wipe away some of the tears, "May I?" He held out his arms for a hug, "Seems rather appropriate for the situation, right?" He teased lightly though honestly he was almost ready to cry as well. She was this happy that he loved her? The man couldn't be any luckier or more relieved.
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Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2017 8:12 pm
"I'm sorry, I can't help it." She laughed a little, but the tears didn't seem to want to stop. Taijana's speech was choked up because of it, a little hiccup slipping in between the little smile she put on for him.
Just having his hands on her cheek was enough to cause her heart to nearly burst and then he wanted to...to...Bravely, Taijana nodded her head and hesitantly, cautiously, entered the security of his arms and slipped her own around his waist.
"I can hear your heart," With her head pressed so close to his chest she could hear what beat so loudly for her and it calmed her. "This is worth any two headed child I have."
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:58 am
Kieran smiled as she bravely allowed herself to enter his arms. Holding her close the Yaeli chuckled quietly at her statement, "I'm glad to hear that." This was a big step and he was proud of her. Even though they had been side by side so many times throughout their travels this was the first time that Taijana had willingly just gotten close to him physically. And admittedly it did make his heart race just a little, "How is it that we avoid those again?" He asked quietly, a faint teasing look in his eye. "Honestly I think the spirits won't get after you for this, especially if we were to begin courting perhaps?" He asked it rather innocent as he glanced about the room before finally looking down at the petite woman in his arms, "What would you think about that Tai?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 7:20 pm
As nice as it felt, being this close to him was also extremely awkward for her and Taijana felt herself straightening after a while. It would take some time to get used to; and hopefully with time she would feel more comfortable wrapped up in his arms. She stayed close, holding his hands with her own though, a little smile on her face.
"Kissing before marriage will almost certainly lead to a two headed child. You do not wish to know what...what...intercourse would do." She shivered; a visible one, from her head to her toes. "I think a courtship would be...good. I think the Gods would like that."
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Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 7:22 pm
Kieran was happy that Taijana had decided to stay in his arms. He knew it was tough for her, but at the same time the Yaeli wanted to be greedy. Now that he had realized his feelings for the girl the man was intent upon spending as much time as possible with her. But he was also a very patient man so that was why Kieran didn't push for more as they sat there. His gaze did light up though as Taijana held his hands, "Perhaps a two-headed child would be adorable." He teased lightly before slowly nodding, "But I will behave myself so courtship it is." The Yaeli smiled before blinking towards Taijana, "Forgive me for asking, but what exactly do we do then? I spent so much of my time underground and alone that I honestly don't know much about this aspect of things."
His cheeks burned a bit at the admission, "I suppose it would require taking you out for dinner and maybe on a walk after. We could also go to any festival if there are some and I can show you a few more of my childhood spots. I did enjoy our first meeting in that crystal cave...if you enjoyed it as well then we could always go to someplace similar again." He smiled sheepishly, "I'll try to limit how many keldari we find next time as well." But it was true - a picnic seemed nice. Just relaxing with Taijana in general sounded good. They had spent so long travelling, him especially, that Kieran had forgotten almost what it was like to just simply sit and relax.
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Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 11:31 am
Taijana squeaked, "You mustn't talk like that." Even if he was teasing, she wouldn't chance it. "Well, when you...court someone you get to know them; what they like and don't like, their special places, their families and friends."
Not that they hadn't accomplished a lot of that already. All he really needed to do was get to know her family on a more personable level. She hoped to be able to introduce him to her father sometime soon, but the chances of her mother being around were just too high for that.
"Perhaps we could go see the limbara? I've always loved them, but they're a little intimidating and I don't like getting too close." They were the one beast she could never manage to hunt; mostly because she didn't want to. Her brother had taken down his fair share, but she loved the creatures too much to hurt them.
"But first...we really should get back down before someone comes up here to get us."
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Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 12:54 pm
Kieran smirked, "What? I would love any child of ours no matter how strange." It was a sincere statement, but he turned his gaze away with a light flush, "Not that I'm eager for anything like that, but just so you know. I'm dedicated and very willing to do what I can for you, Taijana." The Yaeli glanced back towards her sheepishly, "I hope you can believe in that." They had already been through so much together after all. Had it started at the mainland? Seeing someone care enough to face her fears just to come find him? Or had his feelings always been there just waiting to bloom? Ever since she passed out at the sight of a keldari in that cave or at first sight when she nearly caused him to fall to his death by trying to stop him from falling in the first place?
His thoughts stilled at the mention of family, "I think I've got enough knowledge of your family from the last encounter downstairs. Doesn't that count as enough?" He teased lightly before rubbing the back of his neck, "If that was their greeting for a friend I'm fearful of how they react to someone that's courting you."
Kieran's expression softened at the suggestion, "Certainly. I've been needing to look into the limbara. I've lived here all my life, but never have spent much time with them." He smiled, "You sure you're up for the challenge, Taijana?" He would be bold enough to get close, but what of her? If she was intimidated did that mean he would have to be prepared to help carry her along? The thought made him grin slightly before her next comment quickly caused the man to let go of her and stand.
"Yes, I suppose we should go back before they catch us. I would like to leave here alive after all."
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Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2017 10:18 am
"I do believe it, Kieran. I really do." Though her voice was quiet, barely a whisper, Taijana was smiling. She had comeplete faith that no matter what were happen he would stand by her. If he'd come this far just to say how he felt, then why would she ever doubt him?
"If only that were true." She wrung his hands out in the cloth above her lap, and inhaled shakily. "You've yet to meet my aunt, my father...and mother." Taijana would only imagine what her mother's reaction would be to all of this. She'd raged when Tri had married out of the blue, claiming that the young woman was a stupid harlot who couldn't keep her legs closed long enough to know a guy, let alone care for him enough to marry him.
Tri was strong; she had withstood their mothers scrutiny and come out stronger for it.
Tai didn't know if she had that in her.
"I think...that I would very much like to see them. They're...kind of my favorite." They were large, slow beasts that couldn't charge like some of the mainland creatures, but they were fearsome beasts. "They used to scare me, when I was little, but I rescued one from poachers with a friend and I've gotten sort of attached."
She reached for his hand and as she rose from the bed, Taijana pulled him along with her. Even if Taijana didn't entirely know what awaited them in the future, she was ready to walk towards it with her head held high, so long as Kieran was by her side.
(Fin?)
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