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 Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 10:22 pm
Not in Oldcastle? Wait...so there was someone? Caroline's body warmed uncomfortably, and her hands slowed to a stop. So...she was from Palisade? Likely. How often did he travel to Palisade, that he had met this woman? Or...did she travel to Oldcastle for him? There was an odd pain in her chest, like someone had curled their fingers around her heart, and squeezed. She must have been special...someone important to him. Were they...involved, or was it just someone Thorne fancied from afar? The fingers around her heart squeezed tighter. Whoever she was, she hoped this 'mystery woman' didn't return his feelings. She imagined them together; cuddled by his hearth, lying out under the stars, his fingers, caressing this other woman's hair...A part of her had hoped that perhaps this could be their clearing in the forest, that perhaps their time spent together had been special...But now, it all felt like a lie, like something he wished to instead play out with his mystery sweetheart.
His shoulder moved under her hands, popping, and she jumped, startled. Harshly, she was brought out of her thoughts, eyes focusing. Slowly, she dropped her hands to rest limply in her lap, and subtly shook her head. Ridiculous...she was being ridiculous. Thorne was a free man, and she...was not. She would marry Lawrence, and Thorne could love any woman he wished. For her to be so...so...What was it she felt? Jealous? It was nearly a foreign emotion, but yes...jealous. At least, that's what she thought it was...Regardless, it was a wasted emotion. She was just...afraid. She valued their friendship, and she didn't want to loose it. Or, so she told herself.
Though the pain in her chest dimmed, it did not vanish completely, and it brought tears to her eyes, it was so intense. Inhaling deeply, she quickly wiped at her eyes, and then, so he wouldn't notice her pained expression, she leaned back, lying against the grass, so that she could stare up at the sky instead. In case Thorne looked down at her, she forced a small smile, struggling to keep her expression smooth and serene. "I see." Was all she said, voice cracking ever so slightly. This was unacceptable; she had no reason to be so upset. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Caroline turned her head away from Thorne to stare at the flowers near her head. Reaching out, she picked a small handful, and rested them neatly on her chest. Picking a few, she hummed softly to herself, and began weaving the stems together.
"When I was little..." She started, voice barely above a whisper. "My governess would take me out into the fields to pick flowers. She was a gentle woman, kind and patient. She taught me, well...everything. But also, to make jewelry from flowers." She smiled fondly at the memory. "My mother thought it trivial, but I found they made jewelry far more beautiful than any gem or metal." Her fingers worked quickly, expertly and gracefully weaving the blue and white flowers together, until they formed an intricate crown of stem and petal. Leisurely, she sat up, and reached up to place the crown on Thorne's head. Her fingers lingered, gaze thoughtful, before she slowly pulled her hand back, and finally, looked him in the eye. She was sure her anguish would be visible, should he care to notice, but right then, she couldn't find the energy to care. Part of her still refused to admit she even felt any pain. "What did your mother teach you?" She asked softly. The question might have seemed sudden, but it had been one on her mind for some time.
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Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 11:59 am
Although Thorne lamented the loss of her touch, he wasn't quite good enough at social cues to catch the hurt in her voice. He turned himself around after a moment so he could actually look at her, expression mellow as he listened to her voice. A smile curled at just the edge of his mouth, eyes watching her fingers as she delicately worked with each stem and flower. A fond memory to keep, he pondered, and inwardly he felt some sort of relief that Caroline had been able to experience something so unlike the rest of her life. He tried to imagine a younger girl in the fields of the Atwood estate, flowers in hand despite her mother's disapproval. He dipped his head for her to lay the complete wreath on top, catching the expression in her eyes. His brow furrowed, and he had been about to open his mouth to speak when she asked a different question instead.
"My mother." he stated again, as if confirming her question for himself. He thought hard, pondering silently for a moment. Thorne hadn't known her, but his father's stories of her love for the two of them and her gentle stature certainly hadn't gone unheard. He fought with himself internally, trying to sort out how to word it without making Caroline feel badly for asking.
"I suppose she taught me that fate has a funny way," he continued, voice soft, "And if you hold true, eventually it will come through for you." His gaze flickered to her briefly as he paused, sort of distant sadness in his eyes. "Although... I can't say I remember her. She's been gone since before I actually remember."
Valerian stirred, half dozing in the sun. Thorne settled his eyes on him, eyes softening and expression settling into a small smile. "It used to upset me when I was little, but... not any more." The deer cracked an eye at him, and wiggled before settling back down again. "I know she would be happy to see me now, that's all that matters."
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Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 12:22 pm
Given that Thorne never spoke of his mother, she had assumed she was dead, hence why it had taken her so long to ask the question. But she hadn't expected for Thorne to reveal that he had never known the woman that had given him life. Caroline simply couldn't imagine. Her mother infuriated her at times, and she certainly never wanted to be like her mother, but she could never say she didn't love her, or that she wished her gone. Tentatively, she reached out, and gently placed her hand over Thorne's. The knowledge of the mystery woman flashed through her mind once again, but she did not move her hand away. They were friends; friends could touch, and she merely meant to comfort.
"I am sure she would be proud." She whispered, giving his hand a soft squeeze. Caroline had a sense that she must of been a lovely and kind woman. She hadn't known his father either, but Thorne always had praise. A shame they had both left this world, and too soon; Caroline only hoped Thorne wouldn't follow, and would surpass their years. But with the war...Caroline shook her head. Enough. She wouldn't allow the thought to finish. She wouldn't allow her concerns and negativity to pollute this memory of their time together.
So she changed the tone of the moment. Smiling, she released his hand to reach up and straighten his crown of flowers, patting locks of dark hair down so the flowers sat right. "Do you like it?" She inquired playfully. "I think it suits you; really brings out your eyes." She giggled, dropping her hand, glancing over at Valerian. "Perhaps I shall make one for Valerian as well; you can match, as you hunt." The thought brought out another laugh, and behind her Elowen snorted, a smile in her eyes.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 10:57 am
Thorne ran his thumb over the back of her hand at her touch; her words brought an odd sense of comfort, and although he had comes to term with the loss of his mother years ago it soothed the lingering bitterness that stuck below the surface. He dreaded the day that one of Caroline's parents passed. It was not something he would wish on even an enemy.
Her movement almost startled him, but when she fiddled around with the ring of flowers and his hair he relaxed again, grinning at her. "I love it," he laughed, "Perhaps I'll keep it." What he meant is that he would definitely keep it; if he dried the flowers like herbs they would keep for many years. Thorne was not one for hoarding tiny trinkets and keepsakes, but he could make an exception here.
Valerian seemed to stir again when Caroline mentioned him, eyes half-lidded and staring lazily at her. Underneath him the end of his tail wiggled.
"I think he'd like that," Thorne said, chuckling, "You can tuck it right in behind his ears."
L ii a t h (( I'm so sorry Lii work swallowed me whole ;o; <3 ))
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 7:00 pm
Capricorn Sunchai Don't worry about it at all! Life hasn't been all that nice to be lately either haha
Caroline felt as though she might explode, with all of the warmth that filled her. His smile was dazzling, regardless of how many times she saw it, and she was elated to hear that he loved her gift - as simple as it was. It was one of the reasons she enjoyed his company so immensely - other men might have seen the flower crown as silly, but with him, she didn't, not even for a second, fear he might have rejected it. Rather, he had accepted it as if it were something he had been longing to have; something he desired, and cherished. Laughing softly, she blushed, ducking her head, ginger curls tumbling forward over her shoulders. She focused her gaze on the back of her hand, the skin he had run his finger over still tingling.
She laughed again, softer still, and looked up over at Valerian. Though Thorne assured her, Caroline wasn't entirely convinced. Elowen didn't particularly enjoy the flowers Caroline tucked behind her ears, and so Caroline doubted Valerian would be any more receptive. Still, it likely wouldn't stop her from trying, if only for the amusement.
Her fingers inched toward the flowers in the grass, ready to pluck and weave, but it was then she caught sight of the sky, and the position of the sun. Time had passed quickly in their time together, and late afternoon was swiftly. If she was going to make it back home in time, she would need to head out. Her smile faltered at the realization; leaving was the last thing she wanted to do. But knowing she would see him again comforted her. Slowly, she glanced over at him, her smile sad. "Perhaps next time; I fear I must be departing now." She said, voice low.
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Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:22 am
Thorne glanced to the sky after she spoke, brow furrowed. She was right, of course; Caroline needed plenty of time to return home if she wanted to avoid her parent's suspicion, and he certainly didn't want her traveling back in the dark. He gently bumped her with his arm, managing to keep a small smile on his face. They'd certainly see each other again soon. He'd make sure of that.
"I'll go with you to town then," he replied, hauling himself to his feet and offering her his hand to help her up, "It's the least I can do."
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Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 1:23 pm
Leaving Thorne was never something she wanted to do, but she knew it wasn't goodbye forever. With the solstice right around the corner, she knew that neither of them would be willing to remain parted for long, if only to ensure one another's well being. And in the meantime, she would write to him. Smiling softly, she reached up to take his hand, and allowed him to pull her to her feet. After gathering their things, the pair traveled into town on foot, the back of her hand occasionally brushing against his. Whatever came their way this solstice, at least she would have these moment to cherish.
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