Lowertown Fun [Brynn]

[Alexander]

[Day two of the festivities, early evening]

Alexander tugged at his sleeves as he fidgeted with them for what felt like the one hundredth time that day. He was so used to rolling them up for work that they felt strange brushing his wrists. The bright scarlet was in theme for the day's events and Alex regretted the fact he could not pull the color off nearly so well as the family they represented. He selfishly wished at times the royal family had blue or green as their colors. Not only was that the theme for the day, but men wore fall colors and summer colors for the next two days as well. Alex suddenly felt as if someone out their secretly plotted against him and was conniving to make him look ridiculous. Any minute now they would appear to laugh at him.

In all honesty, Alex was just exaggerating. He might be silly and overly confident most of the time, but he was just as vain as anyone else. He ran a hand through his hair as he strolled from the bakery toward the area where the celebrations were going on. He had finished his promised shift for his step-father and was now free for the night. Well, mostly free. As his younger sister Lita raced out behind him and took his hand, Alex smiled at her. He may look awful in red, but he couldn't see anyone not thinking his Lita was adorable. In a scarlet dress and two thin gold ribbons in her hair she was grinning for all she was worth. It was the first year their mother was letting her go to the party with only Alex as a guardian.

She tugged him as she sped ahead, dragging him towards the sounds of people. He merely chuckled and let himself tag along behind her. Keeping an eye out around them, he made no move to enter the thick crowd that took up the center of the activities. The lights were already being lit, despite the fact the sun had not set yet. Lit and Alex stayed to the side observing the people having a good time. Alex kept an eye out for familiar faces.

[Brynn Reade]

The noises of excited, happy people, their laughter and exclamations, all that wove into a mighty symphony to Brynn’s oversensitive ears. It almost sounded like the chattering of her geese, just louder and more melodious. It had taken some time to get used to, but now Brynn was enjoying the night, the evening breeze on her face, playing with her hair and the warm glow of the just lit bonfire in her back.
This was a time for happiness and happiness was best shared with others. She had exchanged a few words with various townspeople already, and then suddenly some jugglers had appeared, striking up and calling the people to dance.

Brynn had obliged gladly, first only moving her feet to the coaxing rhythm, but soon enough she was skipping around the fire carefreely, giving herself entirely to the beat of the drums and the piercing voice of the pipes. There was nothing like dancing in her eyes. Better than that was only flying, but that was a distant dream to every human being.
A blur of red and gold moved past her whirling figure, as everyone was obliged to honor Prince Arthur today with the Pendragon colors. Brynn herself weared a new dress her mother had sown in many hard working nights especially for this occasion. It was of a dark red that gladly didn’t clash with her red blond hair which she wore down in a rare occasion, falling in slight waves down to her waist. The apron was floralwhite and new as well. The bodice was even embroidered with tiny yellow figures that roughly resembled dragons. Her mother was no master in this craft, but it still was the best dress Brynn had ever owned.

She herself had added to her appearance in a most Brynn-like way. The whole afternoon had been spent with weaving a beautiful flower wreath of red and yellow blossoms now adorning her head like a fairy crown. Elinor, also somewhere in the crowd, wore a similar wreath, smaller but still nice to look at.
Another dance came to an end, and Brynn stopped on her heels, panting a little, her cheeks flushed. She scanned the crowd for her family, but instead caught sight of a very familiar face she just had got to know yesterday. Alex, the kitchen boy!

Feeling in the mood for a bit more entertainment – and Alex was anything if not entertaining – she approached him with a bright smile. “Hey there! Enjoying the feast?”

[Alexander]

Alex watched the people dancing as Lita jumped up and down and cheered. He smiled and even tapped his foot a bit. However, he did not want to leave lita alone so he stayed to the side. He thought he saw a familiar face in the dancers, but the girl moved too much for him to get a good view. After a few minutes he caught a voice and turned to answer the person. He saw Brynn from the night before and led Lita over to her. He lifted Brynn's hand up and kissed it as Lita pulled a face at him.
"Fair Brynn, you look ever lovely." He said as he let her hand go. He nudged Lita forward, and was amused to see his younger sister sizing Brynn up speculatively. Lita even crossed her arms as she surveyed the strange girl. Alex raised an eyebrow and waited for his sister. Lita turned back and nodded very gravely. She then turned her small face back towards Brynn and smiled.

"I'm Lita. Now you better not go stealing Alex tonight, cause Mama says I can only stay out as long as Alex watches me, and I plan to stay out an awfully long time." Her young voice was strong and she left no room for any questions. As far as Lita was concerned, her word was law.
Alex chuckled and patted Lita adoringly on the head even as lita reached up to smoothe her hair back down indignantly. "This is my younger sister." He explained to Brynn. He made a note in his head, that like Lita, Brynn was the type of person who could still look pretty in red. A feat he knew not many could accomplish. He also thought the wreath on her head was a nice touch.

"We are having a wonderful time. I take it you are fareing well also?" He asked politely, while Lita turned back to watch the dancers, no longer interested in the conversation. Alex let her, but kept one of her hands in his own. Even while smiling and joking, Alex still wore the telltale signs of every protective older brother. However, at the moment he trained his attentions on Brynn.

[Brynn Reade]

Not for the first time Alex’ choice of words and his galant actions made her blush, and she hoped it was already dark enough to hide it. Oh yes, he was quite the charmer and is was sometimes hard to get used to. She would beware of reading anything into his words, but that was hard as well for a girl as unexperienced as her. However, if she wanted to keep Alex around as a friend, she might have to learn her way around him sooner or later.
“You look mighty fine yourself if I may say so”, she responded with a wink. “Red suits your outspoken nature I’d say. You should wear this color more often!”
Now that was only partly teasing. Even if he might think otherwise, Alex did look good tonight.

Only then she got aware of the little girl at Alex’ side and her facial expression grew soft and caring. She had seen this little angel from afar on some occasion and she recalled her little sister Elinor speaking of Lita. Kneeling down so her face was on the same level with the little girl she smiled at her. “Oh, who would have thought Alex has such a pretty sister! Greetings, Lita!” Brynn refrained from sounding too condescending or motherly, avoiding the ‘oh, such a cute little angel’ tone most adults adopted when talking to little children. She knew from own experience and from her siblings how most children hated to be treated that way. Instead, she spoke as if she was talking to a girl way older. “And do not worry, I won’t steal your brother from you, if that means you might have to go home!”

She looked around again for a glimpse of her family, and as if on cue, Gyrth and Elinor were racing past in a wild chasing game, laughing and screaming, weaving through the dancing and chatting people with an aptitude only children possessed.
“Oh, look!” Brynn exclaimed, getting off her knees and pointing at the boy and the girl.”These are my younger siblings. Elinor must be of your age, Lita, do you know each other well?”
Then she returned her attention towards Alex and gave a bright smile. “I am indeed faring well! This night has been perfect so far. I love dancing!”

[Alexander]

Alex almost gave a small grimace when she mentioned the red he was wearing. Although, worrying about his appearence soon took a back seat as he much preferred to admire that of his new friend. It wasn't fair that anyone could pull off such a difficult color that well. Alex may be free with praise, but when he complemented Brynn he meant it. Alex even saw Lita eyeing Brynn's dress.
"If I look mighty fine, it is merely because I stand next to your beauty." He stated with a wink.

Lita was becoming thoroughly charmed by the older girl. She wasn't as condescending as most, and so got a plus in Lita's book. There was also something pleaseant in the way Brynn spoke to her brother. Lita approved instantly of Alex's choice in friends.
"Elinor? Is she the one who is wearing the pretty leaf crown? I think she plays near my house sometimes. I should show her my doll! Then we could play." Lita said with a smile breaking across her face. She was missing a tooth and the replacement was already beginning to show. Not a week past she had been proudly proclaiming to anyone who would listen that only big girls lost teeth.

Alex listened to his sister and restrained himself from again patting her head in affection. He certainly wished all people were as kind as children were. Instead he merely bent down and looked Lita in the eye.
"Do you want to go play with them Lita? As long as you promise to stay very close and check in with me regularly I'll let you go play. Just make sure you can always see me, ok?" Alex said very seriously. Lita nodded and threw her arms around his neck briefly before running after the other children.

Alex straightened up and turned to Brynn. "You like to dance? Then please allow me the honour of a dance."

[Brynn Reade]

One should think that when a guy spilled compliments everytime he opened his mouth, it should become easier after a while to just take them for granted. Not for Brynn apparently. She blushed again, deeper this time and was highly annoyed at herself. What would he think of her? She was making this more difficult for them both, wasn’t she?“Aww, now come on stop!” she laughed, shaking her head. “I didn’t come here for exeeding flattery, Alex, I just wanted to have a good time!”

Brynn nodded earnestly at Lita’s question. “Yes, that’s her. I made this wreath for her this afternoon, look, just like my own. Maybe I could make you one too one day? Too bad its to dark now to find the right flowers and they mostly are closed now anyway!”
Elinor had spotted her older sister as well and waved cheerily, poking Gyrth in the side with her other hand. Brynn’s eyes lit up in fondness for a second, then she returned her attention to Lita. “Oh yes, that sounds like a good idea to me. Have fun and don’t harass Gyrth… all that much!” she winked and waved the girl goodbye, looking after the children for a moment of idle thinking.

That was why she almost missed Alex’ reply and it made her start and stare for a few seconds, until she caught herself. Hastily she spoke, so that he would not think she was thinking him too bold or wouldn’t like to. “Oh…OH, yes… of course! I would love to! Sorry that… just came as a little bit of a surprise… I stop talking now I guess!”
Her cheeks flushed in embarassment and she was mighty glad as the jugglers started another tune. She simply extended a hand for him to grab and still felt like an utter fool. She had never felt so shorttaken in her entire life, but she wouldn’t have refused to dance with him for anything in the world!

[Alexander]

Alex chuckled at Brynn when she seemed to get flustered. He thought it was rather cute that she was embarassed over so small a thing. However, he did not dwell on it or tease her. He simply took her hand and led her into the crowd of dancing people.
"A good thing you said yes. What a fool I'd have been if I had been left to dance alone." He said with a chuckle to let her know he was kidding around with her. He left out a few of the flowery compliments he was used to giving, but he could not promise it would last the whole dance.

For a boy who had grown up in and around kitchens, Alex was very light of foot. With a good sense of rythm, he did not get lost in the dance as a few others might. He was also careful to avoid bumping into other dancing pairs and let his arms guide Brynn around any trouble areas.
Alex also made sure to keep one eye trained on the children, who he saw were off the one side practicing what he could only guess was how to run like chickens with no heads. Then again, Alex was sure there needn't be an exact structure to the games little children played. Just space in which to run.

"So how am I doing?" Alex asked, meaning his dancing skills. He notied that as it grew a bit darker outside, more lights were being lit. This at least made it harder to tell he wore red as opposed to a darker color. Although, Alex's mother said he acted like a girl when it came to his hair, Alex was quite proud of the fact that the color took firelight so well.
He was also glad the same was true for Lita. Her light hair made it much easier to pick her out of the croud and find her in a moments notice. This way he could concentrate on Brynn more and less on watching Lita like a hawk.

[Brynn Reade]

Alex friendly teasing made it easier for Brynn again to join in the light tone, leaving the awkwardness behind. She still might dance with a boy for the very first time, that is someone she only knew for such a short amount of time, but slowly the nervousness died down. Her father or her cousin Godric of course didn’t count in any way. They were family, but in secret Brynn was glad she at least had danced with a man before, which was not self-evident, loner that she was.

“Oh I quite agree”, she answered playfully, grinning. “A girl dancing alone, that’s quite alright, but a man dancing alone… that is either a jester, a juggler or a jerk who no one likes. And even if you sometimes act like the first option, I still think you are neither, right?”
And in addition to that, Brynn observed, he was quite a fine dancer. He moved with ease, adapting the rhythm as if it was another heartbeat to him, and furthermore kept Brynn herself out of harms way. That was highly appreciated, as a few people, probably already inebriated, started to turn the fiery dance into some sort of bumping action, cheering and laughing at everyone they tackled.

His question though made Brynn laugh at him the same way, a bit teasing and with an edge of meanness. “You really expect me to answer that truthfully? Beware, never fish for compliments with me around, I might just not do you the favor!”
But then she shook her head, waving her own comment aside as she did a fast spin. “Nevermind, you’re doing quite well in my eyes. Do you dance often? Once again, funny we never met before then, because I’m everywhere there’s music!”
If her mother let her, that was. Meghan Reade still saw her daughter as more of a child than she actually was and often treated her that way. Brynn, used to do what she wanted most of the days out alone, slowly began to rebel against that.

Casting a quick glance around, Brynn still found her siblings and Lita close by, now also attempting to dance. Reassured, she returned her attention towards Alex. Sometimes she really would have liked to not be the keeper of the littles ones to lighten her mother’s burden.

[Alexander]

Alex was glad she felt comfortable enough to talk. He merely shrugged to her first question. He choose to smile and leave it to her to figure out what he would make of it. He quite liked the jester persona. Then again, it was hardly practical for work or in situations that called for seriousness. Alex also made sure to take extra care among the more rowdy people who were dancing as well.

"I'm doing quite well? From an angel such as yourself, I am quite honored of this praise." Alex said. Back was the over flowery speech, but this time he was merely using it to tease. He hardly meant to be over flattering to cause her annoyance. It was all in good humor. He also saw that Brynn herself was a good dancer. Although, since she was apparently an avid dancer it was no wonder why.
"I dance at the festivals, but i'm usually watching my sister or working. In fact, I don't get out as much as I would like. It's hard with my jobs. Although, when I do get time off I love to dance. It's a great way to have fun and pass the time."

Alex made a sharp turn just in time to avoid a particularly reckless couple who swung by. He looked at them and chuckled. He returned his attention to Brynn and bowed his head slightly in apology for the quick movement and the lack of warning.
"It seems like this is becoming dangerous for a dance."

[Brynn Reade]

Again Alex speech took up words of flattery, but this time Brynn was able to shrug it off. What was the use in getting all wound up about something meant to be funny? The way he voiced his compliments made more than clear he just said them for the fun of it, and that was alright with the girl. These festivities were out of the usual time and space, some kind of heterotopia. What happened there was of no effect for everday life, or at least that was what Brynn thought.

“Angel? Oh now come on!” she laughed, tipping her head back. “I’m sure if I ever happen upon one he or she will not have rough servant’s hands or grass stains all over. You’d have to look for some noble woman if you want to see something angelic.” This she said without the slightest tint of envy, as much as she might dream, Brynn was quite content with who she was.

With interest she listened to his explanation, feeling quite safe from any collisions in his apt hands. He seemed to have quite a good overview over the dancing couples and simply anticipated where this or that couple would turn the next second or what move they planned. Godric had never been so foresighted, she owned a good few bruises from the last feast they had attended together.
“I see. Looking after little siblings can be very time-consuming, I agree. All the more lovely to have at least a half way night off. We should milk that to the last drop!”

Before she could say more, she felt being lightly tackled from behind by a giggling woman who was being spun around crazily by an equally reckless partner. But Alex reacted promptly, swinging her out of harms way, but it happened too quickly for Brynn to adapt to the sudden change of direction, so her shoulder bumped into Alex’s chest and she staggered, losing the rhy, gasping in surprise. Never say never…
“Goodness, sorry for that! I hope I didn’t hurt you with my protruding collarbone… and yeah, the more people seem to drink the less graceful they get!”
Just as she had finished her sentence, a sudden pain belatedly flamed up in her ankle and she gasped once again. She must have twisted it somehow during the rash move.

[Alexander]

Alex smiled andleaned a bit closer so his voice could be heard above the growing noise of the other dancers. He tilted his head so that he spoke towards her ear.
"Ah, but there is the key! I do believe that that is exactly what an angel might appear as. For would she not have grass stains after her fall from the heavens? And rough hands from her desent as well? Those noble ladies lack the charms you have without a doubt. Not all are so entranced by their high and mighty behaviour." He said quite seriously with the hint of humor still lingering. He was not being entirely in jest. He did believe everything he said. He also kept his eyes from her neck as she laughed. He was afterall trying to keep with his good intentions.

He stopped the moment her realized something was not quite right. She seemed to favor one ankle as she gasped and stumbled. He immediatly swept her away from the revlers to the side where they would not get trampled. He waved away her comment about bumping into him and found a small stool for her to rest on.
"Forgiveness is not required for it was not you who drunkenly stumbled into us. Are you alright?" He asked with a hint of concern in his voice. He reached for her ankle but made sure to do so slowly. He did not wish to overstep his bounds. He just wanted to see if there was anything he could do to help. He was quite used to careing for sprains. Lita was always getting them in her little run abouts. Alex merely wanted to assure that she was not injured too much.

"I hope you are alright. I would hate to have lured you into such a dangerous situation such as dancing at the festival. I do not think my honor could withstand such a blow!" He kidded, trying to draw her mind off of the pain. Alex was familiar with trying to take people's mind off of things. For once his humor was actually relevent.

[Brynn Reade]

It was the most natural thing to lean closer to someone’s ear when wanting to talk over a noise like was around them with all the music and laughing people. Still, Brynn couldn’t deny that this simple action had quite an unexpected effect on her. His warm breath tickled her ear and she felt a shiver run down her spine that didn’t come from the night air.
“Interesting way to put it, for sure”, she said, cocking her head and smiling up at him. “So, given I was an angel. What do you think why I fell?”

It was nothing but a friendly banter, she simply loved to hear another of his stories that he seemingly could come up with as he went. He was nothing if not entertaining. And yet… hadn’t she caught him looking somewhere else just as her gaze had focused on him again? And if yes, what did that mean? Goodness gracious, she was not good with any of this! Just too unexperienced to tell flirting from meaning, or friendly interest from… something else. How could she possibly think of dealing with that sort of confusion for a whole evening? But backing out, of course was out of question!

Brynn had hoped Alex would not realise what was going on with her, but sadly that proved to be a major misconception. She gritted her teeth as she more hobbled than walked over to the deserted stool a few paces away from the dancing ground. “I’m quite fine, nothing to worry about!” she tried to play it down. “It will die down in just a second, I’m sure. Maybe then we can continue dancing?”
When Alex touched her ankle she gasped, but not only with pain. She hadn’t been expecting that! But, now that she thought about it, there was nothing to it, was there? Maybe he knew a few things about twisted ankles?

To distract herself, she quickly scanned the crowd for any signs of her mother, hoping she would not show up now of all times. If anything, Brynn hated to be fussed over, and Meghan Reade was guaranteed to do just that.
She chuckled, in quite good spirits again now that she didn’t have to put weight on her ankle again. “Awww, well then I have to get well twice as fast, to not damage your precious honor all too much. And like you just said to me, it wasn’t your fault. You even prevented worse from happening!”

[Alexander]

Alex felt the area around the ankle gently making sure not to place too much pressure. he didn't want to cause any more pain. He checked for swelling and any other damage, but so far it was minimal.
"Angel's only fall because fools like me wish for them." He said with a light chuckle. His eyes didn't meet hers. He kept his gaze at her ankle where he was less likely to show any bashfulness. It wasn't like him to worry so much about what he said and if she would take it the wrong way. Alex chose not to dwell on this fact.

"We can continue as soon as you are sure you will be ok. A dance is a small thing to sacrifice for your comfort." He said quietly. Now that they were off to one side, there was less need to talk loudly. In truth, the passerby did not spare them more then a glance. Alex didn't want her to feel bad for cutting the dance short. He was more then happy to simply be in her company.
A quick side look showed the kids still near bye so Alex again put his mind at ease. He was not worried about parents showing up since his step-father had used the kid free night to make his mother dinner. It was rather sweet in a 'Alex doesn't want to hear about it later' way.

"I would gladly protect you from harm any day, fair lady." Alex said in a gallant voice he conjured up. He fell back into the light banter easily. He placed her ankle down lightly after assuring it was a simple twist and nothing more. She would be up and about in no time.
He raised his eyes to meet hers now and smiled. It was not his usual big grin, but one that was more sincere. No laughter burst forth as he observed Brynn quietly from where he knelt in front of her.

[Brynn Reade]

His cool hand on her ankle was like a refreshment to her slightly heated skin. It didn’t hurt all that much, so Brynn was quite reassured it was nothing too serious. It was not like she hadn’t twisted her ankle before, wild child that she had been. No tree too high, no slope too steep. Gyrth and Elinor were quite following in her footsteps concerning that matter, and sometimes Brynn pitied her mother for having to go through rascal times three times in a row.
But it was not her mother who was the dominant thought in her mind right now…
Alex comment, with his voice a bit further from his usual teasing tone made her face flush like never before. “Oh, so you are to blame!” she exclaimed, trying to work around her anewed confusion. “It’s a bold act for sure, calling an angel down to earth. I might ask for recompense or any justification for your action!”

Brynn nodded earnestly to his remark, giving him a sweet smile. Under all his slightly cocky demeanour, there truly was a heart of gold hidden, a soul that cared for his fellow people. It was sweet how he seemed to care, it was in a totally different kind of way than Brynn was used to. More subtle, not that mother-hen act her mother put on daily.
“Let me try!” she suggested and extended a hand for him to take so he could steady her should the experiment go wrong. Tentatively putting weight on the sore foot she tested its stability. It hurt still, but was not unbearable. She could manage! After all, they had only danced for a short few minutes and she would not let that evening be spoilt by something as petty as a twisted ankle!

“Maybe a slow dance?” she concluded with a little wink and a smile. “So we won’t get jostled by some overeager couples. Let’s just wait until they change their tune.”
Brynn really wouldn’t mind if they had to stand like that for quite some time. She might be addicted to dancing, but she was more than sure simply talking to Alex could prove as fun. His whole presence was so refreshing to be around, Brynn actually wondered why they hadn’t come across each other before. But things like that just happened.

She had to laugh when he did that overly curteous speech. Truly, some parts of him were still close to a jester, and this teasing manner she could deal with far better than with the behaviour she had glimpsed at upon him just seconds ago. “That might just be an offer I won’t be able to refuse – beware!” she teased and cocked her head, examining him. “Do you really know what you sign yourself up for with being my bodyguard? I am constantly surrounded by vicious beasts!” With that she meant her geese of course. They could be very grumpy at times, hissing and attacking visitors at random. Only her they had never attacked before.
Her eyes met his for a split second and she felt an odd queasy feeling inside her stomach as she saw his sincere smile. Not really sure how to react to this, she returned it with a tentative one of her own, not wanting to look away.

[Alexander]

"Alas, anything I can do to make up for my error. Just say the word and it is done." He said. Alex let his arm encircle her waist to offer support. He knew she was most likely fine, but he still wanted to be sure. Alex made a mockingly repentant face and shrugged once to elaborate on his feigned regret.
As she stood, Alex watched carefully while he masked it with another smile. Whether he was any good at pretending not to care was up for debate. He did not hide concern, or anything else for that matter, well.

"I would love to dance again. As soon as the music slows, we may be out amongst our fellow people once more." He spoke airily. He glanced at the crowd once more, and resolved to keep an eye out for any more accident prone moments. As the music slowed he decided it would be much easier and less rowdy. Plus, he did not object in the slightest to his prolonged contact with Brynn. He found himself growing more fond of her by the minute.
"Fear not, fair one. I could hardly ever become one of those overeager fellows. For how could one be overeager to dance? Would that not lead to it being over quite soon? I would not wish to end our time together so quickly." Alex said as his flowery language returned in full force. He returned Brynn's wink and gazed over at the dancers, noticing the dance was coming to an end.

Alex was not surprised that they had not met before the festivities. At the beginning of his employment he was often running errands or delivering or storing supplies. He did not get out of the kitchens often. Seeing that Brynn was often outside with her geese, they had probably never had much opportunity to run into each other. Even if they had seen each other, they might have been to busy to fully notice the other. Although now it was getting hard for Alex to not notice Brynn in any way.

"Vicious beasts beware. I shall not let any near you. They will fall in your name. Let all know that the fair Brynn shall come to no harm whilst I am around." He replied to her teasing. Alex let his smile grow as she returned his smile. He heard the music start to fade as one song ended. The tune that began again was calmer and with a steady pace that left the frenzy of before to fade. The dancers slowed and the movements became more organized. Alex gestured toward them with the arm not supporting Brynn.
"Shall we dance?"

[Brynn Reade]

Instead of simply taking her hand, Alex’ arm was suddenly around her waist and so she stood very close to him, almost leaning on him for the first attempt on getting to her feet. That might be completely harmless of course, but for Brynn it wasn’t… not that much anyway. Of course they had been close while dancing before, but in the girl’s eyes a dancing posture was a completely different pretext to start with. This could be seen with the pretext of getting her safely to her feet and yet… there was something else about it, and as unexperienced as Brynn was in such things, she was more confused again than anything.
But she didn’t inch away from him in any way, not even when her footing was half way secure. His concern he tried so obviously to hide sent a warm shiver down her spine.

“Who said it was an error!” she protested lightheartedly and shook her head. “I might have been angry in the first place, but I think I like it here. So, in fact, you might have done me a favor!” Then she overthought her words once again and wrinked her nose. “And with that I just rid myself of the perfect opportunity to demand whatever I want from you… way to go Brynn Reade!” she mockingly lauded herself and sighed.

Alex’ next comment was once again the perfect example of confusing courteous speech. Did he listen to too many nobles from afar or why was he able to pick up their embellished way to talk so well? Was this all coming from inside him? And what about it was truth, what just words?
“Uh, ah… I’d say I quite agree, but I’d need to comprehend that sentence first!” she teased him and winked. “But let’s see… if I discount two third of the words and halve the meaning, then it would bring me to… yes, I agree! The slower we dance the less time will pass!”
That of course did imply she didn’t want to leave his side all that soon, either, even if he most likely had been only joking. For her this slowly started to work past a joke… and the thought scared her.

“Nah, don’t you dare do anything to them!” she threatened him with mockingly furrowed brows. “I never said they were vicious to me… just to people they don’t know. Maybe my gander would feel provoked by your presence because you nearly chatter as much as him?” she suggested and couldn’t refrain from nudging him playfully. So maybe it was lame to constantly tease him about his big mouth, but Brynn was far from an expert on such kind of talk. And with Alex she would never be able to keep up anyway!
But her eyes lighted up visibly, when he asked her for another dance. Beaming, she agreed: “Yes, let’s dance again! And I promise I’ll be careful this time!”

[Alexander]

Alex laughed at her reply and inclined his head toward her. He again tried to look contrite, but the grin quite ruined it. So instead he settled on a teasing glance as he spoke again.

"Ah, I see I can do no right! However, I allow you to make any demand of me that you should wish. Far be it from me to deny an Angel. Fallen or otherwise." He said. He honestly did not mind continuing to support her, even though he realized she was probably stable by now. He felt odd as he wondered why he seemed to be a bit off-balance with Brynn. It left him a bit confused, but he was careful not to show that. He carefully hid it with his smiles.

He liked that she didn't seem bothered by his ornate way of speaking. His mother had always told him exasperatedly that he should have been a word smith. Alex figured it was most likely something he had picked up along his childhood. Perhaps it was from the nobles he often delivered the bakery's bread too. Or he could just be a bit eccentric. Anything was possible. However, it had become almost an identifying mark, and now people associated Alex with his over flowery remarks. However, with Brynn he found that they were less teasing and more sincere. It was a situation he was not all too familiar with.

"Well, I will make sure there is no need to be careful. No harm will come to you this dance." He spoke and whirled her out amongst the other dancers. He kept his arms firm so as to keep his support steady. He was also more careful to avoid the other dancers as they moved throughout the crowd. He let his smile fade into a smaller more serene look. He continued to contemplate his emotions carefully

[Brynn Reade]

Why was it the thought of having a demand free of him sent a warm shiver down her spine again? What was it about Alex that made her react this way? Oh yes, he was a hopeless charmer and probably didn’t mean half the words he said…but what about the other half? And all that being put aside, what about her own demand? What could she possibly demand of him? Didn’t she have everything she wanted? But maybe there would be something in the future? Many things could happen and one day she might need his help.

“Be sure I will remember that!” she nodded, and added jokingly: “I will strike when you last expect it and then…”
Then what? It was never good to let a sentence trail off without knowing what should have come next. That did not carry any hidden meaning or even flirty equivocalness, that was simply lame! Somehow Brynn felt very self-conscious around Alex ever since she had found him to be a master of words. Her own attempts were so feeble it deeply embarassed her, and she partly hoped he would not comment on that at all!

She smiled sincerely at him when he gave that promise, feeling quite safe in his company. It was wrong of him to blame himself for the previous incident, well, ever assumed he did. No one could have forseen this clumsy other couple and after all Brynn had to admit she didn’t bother all that much. No damage had been done and Alex… well, hadn’t he been a gentleman there? A saying echoed in her mind, stuck in her mind with indeterminable source. ‘To taste the sweet, I faced the pain’… Brynn blushed at her own thoughts. Was that really how she thought? Hadn’t she gone far too far already here? No good could come of… whatever it was!

“I’m sure it will be fine!” she agreed, relaxing into the slower rhythm of the dance, still gritting her teeth occasionally, but the pain died down more and more. “What are your plans for the following days?” she asked to distract both him and her from a very meaningful silence that she feared would soon settle on them. A slow dance was a dangerous dance indeed, at least for a girl who should be careful not to set her heart upon something as… unreliable as this situation. But she wondered how long she could keep this up until Alex noticed something. As good as Brynn usually was in hiding things and concealing her thoughts, as bad she was tonight!

[Alexander]

Alex smiled at her response. She had let her sentence trail off and Alex wasted no time in finishing it.
"And then I shall be a puppet in your lovely hands." He said smoothly. He felt himself lighten and he swept them through the other dancers easily. Alex picked up on he hesitant steps, and realised she must still feel her ankle. He did not speak on it, but simply let his arms lift her slightly to take most of the weight off her injury. Alex was no stranger to lifting things due to his job, so it didn't even faze him. He was doing it to help her. That was his story and he was sticking with it.

"I might go see the competitions tommorrow. I have some time off during the festivities during the day. It's only the nighttime feasts that get the kitchens really busy. During the day, most of the nobles are taking lunch outside." He spoke. His calm and even tone did not betray the slightly erratic way his heart beat. Nor did it give away the way his thoughts raced at what seemed like a mile per minute.

As he thought on the next few days, he was gladdened by the thought of having time off. It was not often the kitchens did not need to be fully staffed during the days. In fact, Alex did not remember the last time he had had so much time to himself consecutively. Not to mention it meant he could spend more time with certain people.

Not that that was all he thought about. In fact, he was sure there were plenty of other things to do. Like walking in the meadows to get fresh air, or going to the dance event in the lower towns or... Alex decided to abandon that train of thought as it only seemed to lead down a dangerous track that he was unwilling to explore when any minute he felt his face would turn bright red and he would say something stupid.

For a man of words, Brynn left him with very few.

[Brynn Reade]

Trust Alex to have a remark to everything she threw at him, and with her open sentence she had litterally called for it. And the actual thing he said proved to be quite amusing again. He, a puppet in her hands? Rather the other way round – not that she would mind! There was a time for freedom, and there was a time of being… led, like for example in this dance. That was all there was to it, right? She better kept a leash on her thoughts as well as her words tonight!“
Quite so!” she nodded earnestly, but then broke out into a light chuckle. “I can try at least, not sure how good I am in this particular craft. There might be ample time for you to escape, not to worry!”

She felt Alex’s arm tighten around her waist and suddenly was aware her feet were barely touching the ground as he spun her in slow circles. Good gods, he was strong! And it felt so… good to be held that way, it was the utmost feeling of safety, like way back when she had been held by her father’s strong arms, thoroughly sure no harm could ever reach her there – but of course this was nothing like a child being held by its father, and that was what added this darned feeling of confusion to it all that made her blush slightly. Why was he doing that? Only to release the pressure on her sore ankle? Or was there more? And if yes, what was it?
Still, after a while she relaxed into his hold, even finding it in her to crack a halfway decent joke. “So much for being swept off your feet!”

Brynn’s eyes lit up as Alex talked about what he intended to do the following day. Exactly that had been her plan! If only to accompany her little brother who could not be kept away from swordfight and jousting if his life depended on it. The sweet one, still full of dreams and illusions. The excitement bubbling up inside her was quickly soused though by a reminder echoing inside her head.
“No holiday for the geese though”, she admitted with a crestfallen apologetic smile. “They still need to be brought out to the meadows. However…” she trailed off, searching inside her for the courage to voice the next few words. What if he got them wrong… or right for that matter? “If you swear not to tell anyone, I will confess one of my gravest secrets: I sneaked away before, to watch the knights fight. And on a day such as this, with the feast and all, and the competition to boot – I would be a fool not to!”

There was something else to it, of course. Now that she knew Alex would be there as well, everything in Brynn craved to take chances. Watching the competition in his company, that would be thrice the fun!