Lowertown Fun [Brynn]

[Alexander]

"Ah, but who said I wanted to escape?" Alex asked her as they continued to dance. He did not know what made him say it but he didn't feel like he could help himself. The words simply came out as if they could not be held back. Alex felt his face redden slightly but hoped it was not noticeable in the dim lighting. At her small joke he uttered a low chuckle and swept her in a grand circle before again slowing to the pace of the dancers around him.

"How is that for being swept off your feet? Am I doing an adequate job?" He joked back. He noticed a few other people glance there way but couldn't really bring himself to care. A quick glance and he noticed the little kids were still fine and within a reasonable distance.

As she spoke of sneaking off to see the competition, Alex smile grew broader. He found himself unreasonably happy that he would see her tomorrow.
"Good, for if you were to have to work tomorrow, I am sure I would go and steal you away myself. Could not leave you there all on your lonesome with only your court of geese." He responded with a conspiratorial whisper. He leaned in so that she could hear it over the chatter of the people surrounding them.

He found himself more inclined to stay close to Brynn and was sure that he would be spending far more time in her company as long as he was able to do so. However, he continued to feel a bit odd and lightheaded. He told himself mentally he would have to ask Gwen's advice on it sometime the next day. He was sure that even when he left, he would not be able to pull his mind from how comfortable he felt holding Brynn. He couldn't remember ever feeling the way he did at this moment. It half frightened him that he was so thoroughly charmed by her. He was used to being the one doing the charming. To have it turned on him and for him to get a taste of his own medicine was not something he ever expected.

[Brynn Reade]

One one hand Brynn felt a little content that she now could figure out Alex’ way of speaking better than just yesterday or even minutes before, as she had already foreseen this answer in her mind. Well, she had hoped for it anyway. That he now actually voiced it left her with the other side to deal with: What could she possibly reply to that? She could not very well admit or express how her heart leapt with joy at these few simple words, and how her breath accelerated, sending a slightly rose tone on her cheeks. How could she word what she didn’t even fully understand herself? The confusion was too great, and yet…it felt so wonderfully exciting. For a moment all the other surrounding dancers and celebrating people moved into a very grey and unobtrusive background, even the music seemed to die away, crowded out by the whooshing of Brynn’s blood in her ears. The only one visible, audible and… tangible was Alex, his smiling face, the feeling of his hand around her waist…

What was happening? Panicking, Brynn jerked her head to one side to snap out of it, and it worked. Like a bubble bursting, the scene started to fall back into normal shape again and the noise washed over her like a flooding wave.
Hoping Alex would think nothing of her behaviour she finally worked up something like a reply: “Oh, well in that case…” good beginning… but how to end it? “I will be there to say I told you so when you start to complain! I can be quite the handful!”
Brynn could not help but blush again, deeply this time. What had driven her to say that?!

A sound of glee escaped Brynn’s lips as Alex spun her in that wide circle and her feet actually left the ground for a few heartbeats, the hem of her skirt fanning out in a dark red wave and her hair doing the same, looking like a whirl of fire. It was fortunate her flower wreath had been fastened to her head earlier, else she would have surely lost it with this wild spin. As they slowed down again she could feel several eyes on her back and wondered if they also belonged to her parents… what would they think of her?
“I’d say you’re doing a very good job!” she gasped, slightly out of breath, forcing herself not to care about their audience. She wasn’t doing anything wrong after all! “I might come back to you on that some other day!”

When Alex moved in to her ear, Brynn’s heart missed yet another beat and a shower of hot and cold at the same time washed down her back. This was so getting out of hand! She had never felt so flustered and at the same time so very comfortable around anyone before.“Oh, an abduction!” she chuckled lowly, feeling her face flush yet again. “How very… intriguing! Maybe it’s a good thing you don’t have though, you would have to face the wrath of many if you did! Starting only with the geese…”
Was she getting more comfortable talking to Alex, or why was it she suddenly could muster such almost flirtatious replies and thought nothing of it? Brynn honestly couldn’t tell.

[Blah, sorry that was long and no good at all...]

[Alexander]

[It was fine!]

Alex took note of her pause, but tried not to read into it. He was nervous which was definitely new for him. Alex felt as though the dancers around them could stop and turn into horses and he would take no notice. How could he when all he could focus on was Brynn? Her response made him chuckle slightly and tilt his head at her.
"I would never complain. How could I when I get to spend time with you?" He said. Alex wondered if she was having the same strange emotions he was starting to feel. It left him dizzy and off-balance but pleasantly so. When she blushed, he did not tease her. He could not even think of it since he was sure he was blushing slightly as well.

He felt his own breath catch as she smiled when he spun her. He could not take his eyes off her hair and her face. He felt like a man who had wandered the desert for days and had found a spring of water. He drank in her appearance and what he felt at that moment. He did not think it was something he was likely to forget anytime soon.
"Any day, I would be glad to hear what you have to say on the matter." He said. Although in his mind he knew that he would hear what she had to say on any matter. She could regale him with tales of the weather for hours and he could not grow tired of her presence. He found these dangerous thoughts and worried that she might not think the same as he did. He had never felt so self-conscious before. He always had had ease when conversing with others. Why is it Brynn could unsettle him when no other could?

"I certainly hope that my only competition for your time will be your geese companions. I would hate to have to battle my way through suitors. Although, I would do so without hesitation." His normal flirtatious responses that came so easily to him unsettled him further when he realized he was speaking truthfully. It was one thing to say something, but another entirely to actually mean it. He blushed further and laughed nervously. He could not help it and felt a strange rush of joy at the entire situation. Perhaps being unsettled was a good thing if such pleasant emotions accompanied it.

[Brynn Reade]

Sometimes Alex’ remarks were so infuriating Brynn would have liked to hit him in anger. How dare he make her feel this way, blushing, breath catching in her throat, heartbeat stopping and all, if he maybe didn’t even mean it?! She would have liked to shout at him, demanding him to be truthful or stop it all at once. But of course she didn’t, Brynn wasn’t that kind of person. She just realised she was now rapidly falling for him, had maybe even crossed that line already, and she knew enough of that matter to know there was no turning back. Did she even want to go back? Perhaps, if she only could be sure he was only fooling her.
“Careful there, Alex!” she chose to tease him. “One might think you start to like me more than you let on!”
That was a very dangerous phrase to sound and part of Brynn wished to take it back. What possible good could come out of it? He would either deny it and hurt her that way… or he could lie and carry on with his charming act – and nothing gained.

Brynn saw the look in Alex eyes, and for a moment she forgot all that was said, almost ready to just believe her eyes, because in this split seconds their eyes met, there was no need for masking words, she thought she saw inside his soul, his feelings bare to everyone to see – and then that moment was gone. Had she imagined it all?
Still, the magic of this very moment was still so strong it took her some time to muster a reply, still looking at him in wonder. “Well, we just have to wait and find out then”
They were steering towards one of those awkward silences again, and this time there might be no circumventing it. Brynn had never been a girl of many words and so she had relied on Alex doing most of the talking… but he seemed unusually quiet around her. Did that mean he was bored? Oh, heaven prevent!

She had to laugh when he said that, oddly enough. It didn’t strike her as likely he could really mean it. Why should he? And anyway, what suitors? Brynn had never thought herself worthy of a man’s affection, aside from her father maybe, but that of course was a totally different story.“Oh, but then beware, for my suitors can be vicious!” she warned him, winking. “Particularly one of them, he’s very determined and strong – for his eight years!” Of course she meant no other than Gyrth with that and her gaze involuntarily strayed to her little brother, chasing after the two little girls around the fire, not regarding his sister at all, totally lost in his exciting game. Then she returned her attention to Alex, smiling mischieviously at him. She loved to be the one teasing HIM for a change!

[Alexander]

She spoke and he almost froze. Only the music he was following so carefully kept him from mistep. He went on dancing as calmly as he could even while fretting in his mind. How could she have possibly known what he himself was just recognizing? He let the panic fade from his chest almost as quickly as it was upon him. His smile only faltered for the briefest spot in time before it was back again, almost as if it had been there the whole time.

"Then let that one think, and gossip, and wonder away. For it is not them who hold my attention." He said in a way that circumvented the real question. He did not know how else to answer for he himself was frightened of what he might say. He hoped that when he had his emotions settled he would be able to give her a more satisfactory answer. For now he took the cowardly path.
Indeed he would wait to find out if her feelings were the same. He couldn't help but hope he indeed could manage to sweep her off her feet (not in the literal sense, as he was sure he had already done that). He simply chuckled at her comment and nodded. Alex inwardly reflected that if he had to wait to long to find out if he was successful he might implode from anxiety. She had for a moment looked at him and Alex had felt only the weight of her gaze. He did not think anything was hidden to her in that moment and he broke the eye contact. He felt silly for doing so and let his eyes turn to her again, this time hesitantly. As she spoke again he almost sighed at the joking reprise from the dangerous topics they had lingered on.

"Ah, another seeks to keep you all to himself!" He said again adopting a slightly melodramatic tone. He for a second actually felt a spark of worry before realizing who she was talking about. His own watchful stare turned to check the kids again and he found himself no less amused then before with their antics. Lita had no aura of shyness around her and was perfectly able to slip herself right into the other kids group. It made Alex feel a bit more secure knowing his sister was doing well.
"Perhaps I can attain help from my little mischief maker to distract your suitor long enough for me to steal you. Although I fear, she will be demanding in her terms. So young and she already bargains like a professional. If you aren't careful she'll cheat you out of every sweet you posses."

[Brynn Reade]

She shouldn’t have said it. She shouldn’t have said anything along that line. Maybe she shouldn’t even have said anything at all. Why hadn’t she just kept her mouth shut? It wasn’t her nature to speak like that anyway and look where it got them! What was gained now? Both were about to lose the thread of the conversation and Brynn herself had never felt as awkward in her whole life!
She shouldn’t have said it…. A definite no…. How could she have been so stupid?! No what? What could she possibly reply to that that didn’t sound wooden and awkward?
“I see”, she began and forced her smile to stay in place. “A good plan for now I’d say. After all, we agreed on having a night off, right? So… we should just have that!”

As if it wasn’t her OWN concern what he thought about her! Was he really that blind? Then again, didn’t she hope with all her might he would be? Or was he seeing through her demise already, wanting to point out softly with this… circumvental comment that she should bury her high hopes? He was too nice to tell her off more rudely, so that might just be his way of saying he was not interested…
Heaven and hell she was already making plans, if she now had to dimiss them! That could never turn out well! She should simply stop thinking about him now – even if that was a little difficult seeing as she still was dancing with him. But she had made it past the stage of crushing, now she didn’t want to be just one other for him… she had never felt like this before, yet she was able to analyze her feelings surprisingly well. Maybe that was due to her being a very thoughtful person in general?

Gladly they seemed to have found another base of talking, returning to the light innocent teasing of before. How could she ever have felt awkward around THAT? Brynn wondered numbly. She hadn’t known the real extent of awkward as it seemed…
“Awww, I am sure Gyrth would simply love that!” she laughed. “And don’t worry I might have different ways to convince Lita to help us! I’ll just make her a flower wreath that will make her the prettiest little girl of whole Camelot and possibly the five kingdoms!” Just a second later she realized she hadn’t even objected to the term ‘stealing’. Should she add something more? “If you’re going to steal me…will someone have to pay ransom? And what would that be?”

[Alexander]

"A night off is definitely what we need. As do most everyone who works in the castle." Alex said lightly. He tried very hard not to stare at her every time she spoke, but that was easier said then done. He couldn't help but watch every expression as it ghosted over her face. He let the awkwardness pass and tried not to linger on the thought that perhaps the shared awkwardness was due to shared feelings. However, he reminded himself that they had only met the day before and that she could not possibly feel that way for him. It would simply be too good to be true. As cliche as that phrase sounded.

"Lita will forever adore you I believe." He wasn't lying. He was almost positive that Lita would try to latch onto Brynn. He knew that he could not think of a better role model for his younger sister. It was not often Lita was treated so kindly by older girls. Other then their mother, Lita had spent most of her time with Alex, and there was only so much time that Alex could spend playing 'tea party'. Alex also did not have any of the insight to the girlier things Lita liked. If she wanted cake that was fine, but show Alex a doll and he wouldn't know what to do with it. He just hoped Brynn wouldn't feel imposed upon if Lita took a liking to her.

"How could I ask for ransom? Placing a value on you would be too difficult. And when I finally thought of a price suitable I doubt any mortal could pay so high a figure. So I fear that once i steal you I shall have to keep you forever." Alex spoke shrugging slightly. He let his slightly ridiculous logic unfold as he went. At least he found that he could still make coherent sentences. Although if Brynn kept smiling he wasn't sure how long that coherency would even last.

[Brynn Reade]

“You couldn’t be more right! And how gracious to allow us such a night, even if there should be so much been done right now! Long live Camelot!” Brynn exclaimed, and she meant it. There was no sarcasm hidden in her words; however harsh King Uther could be, however merciless especially when it came to sorcery, a night such as this showed how very well off the citizens of Camelot actually were. Even though the nobles had their own feast right now, the servants and citizens were allowed a night off to celebrate the glorious occasion of re-crowning Prince Arthur the future King of Camelot.
Still, that thought did only distract her so much from the actual scenery she had to deal with right now. They could talk over inanities and commonplaces the whole night, and yet there was something in the air Brynn didn’t quite dare to define.

Brynn’s gaze lingered on Lita for a while, and a smile crossed her face. From the moment she had first met the girl she had stolen her heart. In some ways she seemed to be like Elinor, in some other she was clearly taking after her elder brother – which made her all the more likeable in Brynn’s eyes.
“To be admired by such a darling is an honor indeed!” she adjudged, nodding to herself. “I will hope to find myself worthy of this admiration!” Was she now picking up Alex’ way of speeking? And if so, was that a bad thing? It didn’t sound all that bad after all… and maybe he would like her better if she did? Oh, don’t be ridiculous!

Alex next comment was again very well suited to make her blush, and she was sure it showed this time. How could he make her feel this way, he was only joking after all, right? And hadn’t her cousin sounded similar things in jest once? Back then she hadn’t blushed at all! But then again, this was not her cousin Godric, this was Alex… and Alex just possessed this special key to her emotions… however annoying that could prove sometimes, she wouldn’t trade this night and this dance for anything in the world!“Oh, my father has assigned a price to me before, he seems to know very well what he would trade me for!” she joked, remembering an evening long ago, when Elinor had not even been born, as her father had snatched her while she was running from him, calling back to Meghan, how he would rather have two horses and a non-leaking cooking pot instead of this little wildcat. But she had seen the loving gleaming in his eyes and had known he was only joking.

[Alexander]

"Long live Camelot!" Alex answered her call. A few people around hem gave a few cheers in response as the dance continued. Alex did not think he would want to live anywhere else. Even if there were the occasional creatures and enemies who seemed to always pop up at inopportune times. However, Alex knew that the people here were a lot better off then they were in other places. It would be silly to take what they had here for granted. Alex also knew that Brynn would not be anywhere else. That definitely went down as a pro on Alex's list.

"No other could be worthier." Alex replied with a light teasing tone. He was very glad that Lita and Brynn seemed to like each other. If Lita liked seeing Brynn it would give him an excuse to see Brynn. He knew that Lita tended to be quite like him at times, so if Brynn liked Lita it gave Alex an embarrassing surge of hope that she liked him as well.
He already made up in his mind that he would tell Lita to be his little spy. That way she could find out more about the things Brynn liked. Alex was not above giving himself an edge over whatever his competition would be. Although when his mind started thinking about that he nearly kicked himself. What competition was he even considering? He didn't even know the extent of his feelings and already he was plotting against any others who could try for Brynn's attentions. Alex's quick rise in emotions was an unfamiliar and uncomfortable tide. He felt a bit worried that he was liking her quite too much so soon. He was unaware that that could even happen so quickly. However, he found it not altogether unpleasant.

He caught her blush and before he really thought it through he commented on it.
"With that blush, perhaps it is you who should be careful that others will think you like me too much." He said with a chuckle. However, the laugh was merely to disguise the fact that he sincerely wished that he was indeed the cause of her blush. He looked away briefly to gather his thoughts. When he looked back he was trying to digest her last comment. A price already? He was sure it was in jest for Brynn smiled, but he did not want to assume anything.

"A price? Haven't all parents? I believe my mother once said I was worth little more then the cake batter I ate while she wasn't looking." Alex joked. He remembered quite well his mother's smug grin when he had felt nauseous for the rest of the day. His ten year old self had learned to never eat uncooked batter ever again. Feeling sick was part of the reason, but mostly it was the fact that his mother had been completely right about the whole thing and for a young boy that was not something the pride recovered from quickly.

[Brynn Reade]

Alex’s teasing tone made it a bit easier to shrug his comment off as something normal and not in the least meant… differently. What he actually said was too good to be true, but it most likely was just another of his charming come-ons, Alex seemed to extract the gist of everything she said and turned it into the most charming way it could be replied to. That was a simple concept yet very effective. And it surely didn’t help with keeping a clear head around him. Because there was a very prominent part of Brynn’s mind actually hoping he meant everything he said – or if that was too much to ask for, perhaps some things?
“Well, I only hope your sister shares that high opinion of me!” she said lightly, managing a carefree grin. “At least she doesn’t object to me stealing you away for this night any longer. I would hate to see her disappointed!”

That was true. Brynn needed to stay on Lita’s good side, if she ever wanted to found a base of friendship between her and the little girl. Well, whatever sort of a friendship there could be between two girls of such an age difference. But staying around Lita meant staying around Alex in the end, as the two of them seemed as inseperable for the moment as brother and sister ever could be, and there was nothing Brynn would have liked more than that. Even if staying around him meant to be constantly on the edge of the literal seat, it was truly worth it all. No one had ever made her feel this way, as if the world was turning too fast to keep up with and then stopped randomly, sending your head into a loop. She might feel all awkward about it now, but Brynn knew herself good enough to already know she would most likely be daydreaming about this night for quite some time to come.

Brynn had to surpress a gasp as Alex, this impossible guy, got his sweet revenge. Alright, she guessed she deserved that somehow, and it was typical of him to get her that good! Now she was the one in the tight spot and had to get out of it somehow, without causing irrevocable damage. Nice one, Brynn, you should know nothing goes without consequences in this world!
“Ah, nah!” she tried to ward it off with another joke. “They most likely will think it’s the heat of the fire and think nothing about it.”
After all, Brynn was not known for exeeding blushing. She still wondered what would happen should her parents happen upon the two dancing. Not that they would actually make a scene, but there might be some questions later.

The talk about prices was a welcome distraction, and Brynn wasted no time revealing her own little story to that particular matter.
“Wow, that’s even less than my father thought of. He said once he’d rather have two horses and a non-leaking cooking pot for my mother than a girl such as me.” She chuckled. “I wonder if he ever changed his mind about that!”