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 Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 8:49 pm
Turin immediately tensed...but not for the reasons that the Queen feared. Quite honestly, he was in shock.
Eyes wide, the Aernyn Captain glanced down without moving anything but his eyes, taking in the sight of the Queen's slender back, her hair swimming gracefully in his face. Her weight rested against him, but it was a welcome one; he certainly had no complaints. In his wildest dreams, even as close as they were as friends, he'd never imagined her holding him this way, like she needed him.
Great Waters, time could freeze right now and I'd be eternally happy...
By now, the Queen had probably misunderstood his reaction, or lack thereof. She likely had the wrong idea. She'd receive another shock when, instead of pushing her away, the Aernyn Captain looped his arms around her back and held her close. He buried his face in her hair, making the most of the moment, as he knew it might shatter at any time. Even if she never embraced him again like this, he'd have this memory.
"Oh, Tari," he murmured softly, leaning back at last. He rested a hand on her cheek comfortingly. "We can't. You know that. What we can do is learn from this, and move on," he stated, stroking her cheek. Never had he dreamed of ever being so intimate with the Queen...and yet, at the moment, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Like something they both needed.
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:37 pm
Tariel sobbed. It wasn't for the hurt, but for the joy that came to her. For the relief. But it was short lived when she didn't feel Turin move at all. She'd expected to be pushed away, but the unmoving stiff-as-a-board reaction seemed to hurt a lil more than she expected. She'd just started to move away when he pulled her back.
She didn't know what was happening, but she felt a surge of true and honest peace. She knew things would get better. And she'd deny it to anyone who asked, but she felt so at home now, for the first time since leaving her real home behind to live on this island. Here in Turin's arms, she found home again, and that was worth anything she'd been through. Losing herself in the moment, she let herself linger, let herself enjoy the rare tender moment.
"What have we learned---" she began and as sudden as a flash of lightning, she figured out why she'd behaved as jealously as she had, and why her reactions were skewed from her normal ones. Everything was clear to her now. There was a sense of happiness in her revelation, but it quickly faded when fear set in.
And boy did she feel the fool.
The tears had stopped, and she'd briefly gone rigid and stiff. She swallowed hard and pulled back, not quite out of Turin's arms, but nearly. She forced herself to move and act normal. But it was darn hard, especially after this revelation. Her face flushed, as she realized the position the pair had been in. But damn if she did not enjoy those few fleeting moments. A whole new wave of awkward fell over her, because now she didn't know how to behave, or what to say. This was going to be bothersome.
She forced a smile, trying to not raise suspicion because she knew she couldn't answer for it. Not right now anyway. "I'm glad we reconciled, Turin." she squeaked. "You mean everything to me." she added in a whisper.
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 10:44 pm
It had been so nice to hold her, the feel of her form melding into his...it was no small wonder Turin felt a wave of sadness wash over him as Tari pulled away. He couldn't keep the small frown from crossing his face.
He'd felt her tense before pulling away. Had he done something wrong? Had he crossed some line? Agh, all the lines seemed faded and broken and...how was he even supposed to know anymore where they were? She seemed so rigid all of a sudden; awkward. They'd been at such peace just moments ago.
"Tari, if...if I said or did something wrong..." he started to apologize, then stopped short when she smiled at him and spoke. He was missing something here, but....what? His mind was still a bit muddled from the emotional release, and the embrace, and...he just wasn't sure anymore.
Still, he reached for her hand, taking it gently. "I'm glad too, Tari," he said, placing his other hand over hers. He....wait...did he just hear? For once, thankful for his natural coloring, Turin flushed at what he thought he had heard. No...he had to be imagining things. It was just a delusion of a hopeful, exhausted mind. Still...it made him smile slightly, even if he hadn't really heard anything.
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Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 12:40 am
Tariel swallowed yet another lump that had formed in her throat. This was not happening, it couldn't happen, it'd complicate and mess everything up. It'd end disastrously if she acted on her feelings now. She blinked, watching him, wanting to embrace him again, but doing everything in her power to resist it. She could feel her heart beat so fast and loud, she wondered if it was echoing in the entire room, and not just her head.
"No..." she shook her head, blurting her response. "You didn't do anything wrong." She didn't know what she was going to do now. How would anything be the same now. Turin was different. She looked at him through different eyes now. She was different. So much change in so little time, but that was the nature of the Waters.
She curled her fingers around Turin's hand as he held it, giving a squeeze while she leaned forward, to give him a gentle kiss on the cheek. She smiled, letting herself linger just a moment before pulling herself back. She'd let herself have this moment, and no more.
She'd gotten the answers to the questions that had agonized her. She loved him. More than just as her bodyguard, or her friend or as a member of her Court. And that only made matters worse, because now she didn't know how she'd behave around him. And she knew this was a dangerous line to have crossed, even if her heart disagreed. She'd never let anything happen to Turin, so she couldn't even entertain the thought of him being anything more to her than he already is.
This was going to kill her inside.
She smiled, bravely for herself and to reassure Turin. She didn't know where to go from here, but she knew where she couldn't go. She covered his hand with her other one, and just let herself catch his gaze and held it. Part of her hoped he could see what was going on in her soul, but the bigger part hoped she was able to mask it enough to not raise suspicion.
"Thank you, Turin." She said quietly, a tear pooling in the corner of her eyes.
Why does this feel like goodbye, when I was home just moments ago?
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Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:02 am
As Tari leaned in, Turin flushed warmly once more and was convinced she would be able to detect the heat in his cheeks. He closed his eyes, doing his best to hide his feelings, the way his heart fluttered at the touch of her tender lips. Oh, Great Waters, all he wanted to do was take her in his arms, kiss her, tell her how much she meant to him and always would...but...he couldn't. It wasn't proper. It wasn't right. Especially when she would never feel the same way for him. He couldn't put her through that, because he knew her well enough to see how she'd take the weight of his burden. No, it was his burden to carry. Not hers. She had enough worries.
He stared into those emerald eyes, beautiful and entrancing, almost as effective as her siren's song, considering how they tugged at his heart strings. He'd have done anything for her, anything she asked; all she had to do was look at him like that. She only had to ask and he would have happily complied. And yet...all she said, was 'thank you.'
It was all he could do to try and shield the longing he felt from showing in his own gaze.
"Oh, Tari," he smiled, though his expression seemed touched by sadness. Giving in to the lesser of the many things he felt urged to do right now, he bowed slightly and lifted her hand to his lips, kissing it tenderly. It could be taken as a simple, respectful court tradition; though he may have lingered a bit long for that. "Of course. There's no need to thank me, you know. You're my friend...my best friend...and my Queen. I'm here whenever you need me for anything. You need only ask."
...and I'd have you as so much more, if only you wished it as I do...
This could have ended so much worse; he'd come here expecting fighting, tears, and everything they had all falling apart in front of his eyes. Instead, they'd reconciled, making peace, even having a quiet, precious moment together.
So why did his chest feel like he'd just impaled himself on his spear?
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Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 11:41 am
Turin's body was so warm compared to hers. She felt so cold, that she didn't want to break the physical contact as he held her hand in his. She could feel something between them, but what it was scared her so deeply. A better naiad -- a stronger naiad -- would have seized the moment, taken her love in her arms and escaped the world completely, consequences be damned.
But Tariel was who she was, and she had certain responsibilities and expectations to uphold. While in this quiet moment of contemplation, images flooded her mind, showing her memories of her past; fun, carefree moments she's shared with Turin, Sadron and Aeroniel. Turin stood out to her in all those memories, and she never knew until now why. She felt foolish and blind. But she also knew that no matter how badly she wanted it, it could never be. Not because he wasn't good enough or that she thought he didn't feel the same -- which was part of her fear -- but because all those whom she's ever loved, have been doomed.
Tariel believed her heart was a curse, and to give it away meant damning that poor soul to death. It was safer to keep her heart to herself, and just give her affections instead.Interrupting the quiet reverie, Tua, the queen's Aquatl tutor who served to teach her about life on Telrunya, and life as the naiad queen, zipped into the room. "Your Magesty, important news has been received from Telrunya City. There's a hurricane approaching and they need your input."
The unwelcome interruption caused the queen to lower her head, and she tried to not yell at her mellon. She waved off the aquatl fairie, dismissing him with a flourish or her hand. "Thank you, Tua, I will deal with it when I am finished." Finished ... she considered what it must look like, to see the queen and the Captain on the floor of her bedroom, so close, holding hands. Her cheeks flushed and she looked to Turin. She brought a hand up, gently placing it on the side of his face and she smiled. Her heart was screaming to be released from the prison she'd locked it in years ago.
She slowly let her hand slide, reluctant to break contact, and pulled her other hand from his as she rose up off the floor. "Whatever happens to us, whatever Fate has decided for us, I always want you by my side, Turin." She knew dark times lay ahead for them, and she wanted to offer some form of comfort, not only to him, but for herself. "I'll protect you." Those three words carried a lot of weight, and she hoped that someday, he'd know of her sacrifice and not think of her as only the impetuous queen of the naiads, but think of her fondly, and know that she loved him. Someday. But not this day.
She straightened her crown, brushed her hands down her side to compose herself a little. She sniffled, wiped away the remnants of the tears under her eyes that the waters had not washed away and took a deep breath to put herself back into queen-mode. "I have to tend to this, and see why a hurricane warning even affects us here."
She extended a hand down to Turin, to help him up, if he wanted it. "If we can't go back to yesterday, we have to make the most of tomorrow. Things will be alright." She smiled, but the manner in which she so easily switched off her emotional vulnerability only served as evidence she'd just locked something away within herself.
"I will apologize to Kelebek."
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Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:24 am
Normally, Turin thought little about the little Aquatl tutor who assisted the Queen; meaning, he knew Tua was knowledgeable and an important asset to the Queen and her rule. However, he didn't have much personal experience with the Aquatl nor any feelings regarding his presence.
He was mildly startled and alarmed by some of the violent thoughts that ran through his mind at Tua's interruption.
Squashing such dark thoughts to the back of his mind, Turin kept his expression neutral as the exchange took place, taking the time to reconstruct his own composure.
And then Tari had to touch his cheek once more, smiling at him with those sad eyes. The wall representing his resistance to give in to his instincts threatened to crumble. He looked up at her, reaching for her hand as he rose from the floor. He didn't need the assistance; he'd just take whatever opportunity he could to keep contact between them as long as possible.
"Of course, my Queen," he agreed, slipping back into proper Court etiquette now that they had an audience. "All we can do is move forward. No matter what Fate throws our way, you know I'll always remain at your side." He then bowed slightly, pasting a smile on his face as he attempted to lighten the heavy mood that had fallen over the room. "However, shouldn't I be protecting you, Your Majesty? Otherwise, your bodyguard won't have much of a job to do. Just think of the talk if the Queen begins taking over security as well."
Even if my position was taken from me, I'd still watch over you, Tari. As long as there is life in this body, I'll watch over you...
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:50 pm
Turin's words brought a genuinely heartfelt smile to the stoic expression she had donned. "Well then, we'll have each other's backs," she said softly.
On an impulse, and before the rational part of her brain could protest, she kissed Turin's cheek tenderly before turning to follow Tua. She left the room before Turin could speak or react, and most importantly, before she decided to throw caution to the wind and follow her heart. A decision she rarely ever makes, but this time, it was different.
As she swam down the wide hallway, she wondered if things would ever really be the same between them.
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