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 Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 7:54 pm
"I like to think I am a finest ....'specimen' for the kind of man I am." That had been the word used at clubs sometimes with Mia. People of either gender would wave hands at the whole package for the Amazon or for himself and call them 'specimen.' "If you like heavy and tall. " Heavy was probably a generous word for anyone at the camps, but stylistically it was true. It wasn't fashionable compared with skinny jeans and emo hair. But Ida's blushes confirmed she didn't mind a more classical approach to the human form when considering it outside of wholly medical necessity. Herger gave a cheery nod, having permission, and turned to set to work on harvesting some of the things for their meal. Tomatoes, another cucumber, some of the snow peas, and sweet corn still in its husk, as well as as many strawberries as could be found ripe and threatening to go to waste in the time between visits. "I know that the corn is put to heat still in its husk. It is soaked for about half an hour and then we place it on a fire or coals...or whatever is for use. If we turn it often it won't burn the husks. They cook for 20-30 minutes?" In matter of bringing home supplies and allowing the transcended members to recoup, there was really no great rush for getting back to camp as long as the supply did actually make it. And the transcended did release their energy and feel better. The camp stove could provide for the corn. Maybe she had knives for the rest? If not, he wasn't attached to the trappings of manners where they had no viability. Food was exciting for itself, in the end. " I can try to cook and cut all of this, if you want? " At the least, he started looking and gathering the supplies for either of them to do so, or to do so together. The meantime of cooking could go to weeding and choosing out the extra supply to go in the shirt-bag to be provided to the camp with all the apples. The melons, pumpkin and corn were especially attractive as lasting without preservation techniques. Not that anything lasted very long- it was all needed. There were so many so underfed. His mind dwelt there a while, quiet in the meantime of preparations and doings, until their small meal was nearly finished. Herger finally offered a quiet suggestion, "You could take some of this that we bring back and make a fresh blend of berries and melons...you could take it as a gift for Hvergelmir? She could use to eat more, and something so fresh would be a treat. Your tent tonight would be lonely compared to sharing with hers?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2015 8:57 pm
Ida ducked her head as she smiled.
"You are a very fine 'specimen', and I do like heavy and tall... though, really, I like a great many things, with the person behind the face being more attractive than the face alone." She hurried to tag the last on there, trying to smooth away the fact that she'd admitted to finding him attractive. It wasn't like it was much of a secret, but putting it to words made her nervous. There was too much possibility in it of putting a strain on friendship she cared too much to lose. "The way it usually happens is that the more I care for someone, the more attractive I find them. I guess that's probably true of everyone, though."
As he moved between the beds, she followed along behind with the bag cradled in her arms, accepting what he collected for them with nods of approval.
"The corn is a good idea. There should be sweet potatoes too, which could be wrapped in the corn leaves and roasted, I think?" This could prove to be quite a spread, if they managed it right.
She let him take care of the corn as she retrieved a plank of wood from the stores to serve as cutting board and make-shift plates. With it came a decent sized knife (at least for her hand), which she set aside for him should he want it. For the first time since arriving, Ida powered down and sat in the grass in her jeans with her legs crossed, pulling a knife from her pocket to serve a more utilitarian function than it's appearance suggested. A small click and the switchblade sprang to life in her hand, the steel blade gleaming and sharp despite the worn and pitted black lacquer of the handle. It fit comfortably in her hand with the ease of long years of use, among them times like this when there was food to be dealt with.
She was carefully cutting the stems off the strawberries to preserve as much of the fruit as possible when he spoke again, bringing up taking the fruit home with them. She had already planned to take home as much as they could carry, but it was even more appealing to add the cosmos knight into the consideration. Mashed fruit was easy to swallow, delicious besides, and it always seemed needful to ply their friend with food these days as full curves grew slender below her twisted smile.
"I would be very happy to take something to Hver from our trip, but won't you or Kai be sharing her tent?" She said as she set down the fruit and reached for another, careful to maneuver the blade around her fingers. It seemed strange that he should bring up her empty tent. "I'm used to sleeping alone, anyway. There's no one to disturb if I come in late or someone has to come get me in the middle of the night."
No one to wake up with her nightmares when they came, but also no arms to curl into to soothe away the phantom flames from Idan trees on fire. She'd learned how to sooth herself, over the years, and accept her empty bed. Hver deserved a better night's sleep than she'd get with Ida taking up valuable space in her tent.
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 9:08 pm
"I will go to duty, probably. Lord Kairatos hunts with the Compact for a few days on, I think? It would not be something that blocked you, though. Unless you disapprove. Lady Hvergelmir's heart and arms are wide and have much to give. We do not own her, or forbid her from the paths of her heart ? And there is much that you could share with her. I am not envious, jealous, or possessive. Lord Kairatos is not either. We are both honored to share hers and each other's company and time....to grow with what we can offer each other. " "If I was wanted there as well, it would be an honor...whether your preference or for support. Or hers. If not, it doesn't hurt me. It....is like the knotwork of my halls. Many branches coming together to create beautiful patterns that one or two trees alone could not. There was a word for it...I do not remember it. She could write it for you, I think. " "You would be very fair together." He said the last softly. It was a private admission, laced with admiration, hopes, and fears of suggesting too much. Even in the modern era, there was a great deal of stigma for anything out side of the pair-bonding norm. Most of the camp just never talked about it, whether in support or detraction. Everyone was far too busy to care who was in who's tent, usually. Invitations of hearts are invitations of scorn, though. I have overstepped, maybe, in courting on Lady Hvergelmir's behalf. She would know what to say or do. A knight is supposed to court on their Lord or Lady's honor sometimes- they used to take paintings and play games with possible suitors. I hope I have not lost this one for her. Silently, he set two opened, steaming corn ear husks near her for consumption, then some sweet potatoes that had been wrapped in other husks taken from unused corn ears.
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 7:12 am
Ida's mouth worked as her color rose, but could find no words to give him in response. She had only brushed the surface of 'share her tent' as she'd trotted out the usual 'safe' reasons for why she slept alone, but he'd jumped in with both feet, taking the conversation out of the vague area where it was easy to pretend someone meant something other than what their words implied. He talked about a relationship and reminded her that his and Kai's with Hver was open, even... even stating he'd join the two of them if they wanted him.
In the face of such honesty she had no easy dismissal and she floundered for legitimate reasons why she couldn't just go to Hver and seek out something more than their close friendship. Because she couldn't... She couldn't.
Pain blossomed sharp and Orah gasped as she dropped the strawberry she held between her crossed legs. Blood sprang up from the slice across side of her thumb to run down into her palm and the young woman held her hand away from her clothes as she set the knife down and rolled on to her knees.
"s**t..." She swore as she pushed herself up onto her feet with her good hand. The med kit was with the other supplies and she hurried to find it, stupidly glad for the moment that she had a reason for not answering him.
God, what was she supposed to say to him? She dug the plastic case out and popped the latches, digging inside for the gauze pads. Ripped out of their packages, she knelt as she pressed them to the cut to stop the bleeding. He was so earnest... She couldn't laugh it off as a joke, that would be cruel and dismissive to feelings honestly meant. He thought her worth it, he'd said so, so bringing up the long list of her short comings and flaws wouldn't convince him of anything. Orah sighed as her shoulders sagged.
Why do I really not consider seeing if she wants more from me than friendship? What keeps stopping me?
Orah used a bottle of water to wash away the blood and inspected the cut. It wasn't bad... Not deep or long. A bandaid from the kit served well enough to bind it as she turned and slowly headed back to where he waited. Rather than take the seat she'd risen from, she joined him instead and sank down on her knees at his side. Leaning, she pressed herself lightly against his side and let her head come to rest against his shoulder.
"I'm scared." Orah said finally, private admission given in return.
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 3:00 pm
Blood flowed, and she beat a hasty and mostly wordless retreat away. Herger frowned, but waited without moving from his spot. The instinct to flee seemed very ingrained in most of the Senshi and Knights that he'd met- flee before themselves, others, whatever faced them that wasn't easy. He felt the want. Having done wrong by her, part of him wished to get up and leave the area and let her be alone as she so stalwartly made herself. She'd cut herself on account of her displeasure. Herger remained, knelt and sitting on his feet with allowances for muscle mass. It was never particularly comfortable to do so, but there weren't stumps or rocks for sitting. He remained still when she returned, letting her lean with no protests or sudden moves. Leaving to some other place would be pointless. The world is her, and I cannot truly leave without her action. It would be cowardly. I must face my own councils. If I was bold enough to speak, then I am bold enough to pick up the pieces. "Fear lets us know that something is worth it. In us and out of us." "You will know what is right for you. I am sorry I hurt you. It was not my hope. It is easy for me to step wrong. Will you forgive me? " Too little understanding in my head for greater things, or more complicated ones.
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 4:30 pm
Orah straightened up as he spoke and she leaned forward to take his big hand, wrapping both of hers around his.
"You are forgiven for being kind and wanting to help me, and for speaking honestly." She said as she stroked his knuckles, soothing them both with the motions. "I'm sorry for reacting poorly. This is why I feel like I'm not suitable for Hver, or you, or anyone. Its not that I don't want to be, but I think she deserves better. I care about her a lot, more than I've cared about anyone, probably, but I'm sure I'm going to do something wrong and ruin this friendship that means so much to me. I would rather stay her friend than risk losing her."
It was more honesty than she'd even admitted to herself and he deserved it, even if it didn't do much to lift her own mood. This feeling was horrible and self-perpetuating... she was scared she wasn't good enough and then felt worse because she was scared and not brave like they deserved.
"I want, and give permission, for you to always speak your mind to me, no matter what it is and whether or not I might want to hear it at the time. I know you'll always be honest with me and say it because you care about me. I promise to work harder at listening and that even if I get scared, I'll come back. Please be patient with me... I don't want to lose your friendship either."
That would be as bad as losing Hver, and all because of her own insecurities hurting the people she cared about. She hated that she was this way, but she'd never been able to change it. It was easier when people didn't care so much, but if she wanted to have what she wanted so badly, then she would have to work to be better.
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 5:21 pm
Herger leaned over a little, taking his hand back momentarily. If she was saddened, it wasn't even a breath for the purpose to be revealed- he put a hand on either side of her hips and lifted her to be on his knelt thighs, sitting with his body as a backrest and large arms wrapped around her. "I will not be faithless, a friend driven away by trouble like autumn leaves in wind. I will do as you bade me. I am your friend, Lady Ida. As long as you are willing to speak with me in honesty, and wish me near, you will find me. " "Trust in my heart, Nærøyfjord unbowed to hate, As long as I stand, Unbroken by fate. I offer all that I am to those I love, every strength I have to the last." "And I will trust you."
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 6:10 pm
He moved to pick her up and she let him, finding herself on his lap and her back to his chest. This was a familiar pose with his arms around her waist. Orah relaxed into it, settling her arms on top of his, and took comfort in being close to him.
"Thank you." She said as she stroked his bare arm gently. The food was going to get cold, but this was nice... almost as nice as feeling Ida's sun on her skin. It was worth cold food. "I trust you too."
There was plenty of time to eat, to pick more food and return home. They didn't have to rush.
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