The Hopeful And The Hopeless

[Alistair]

He knew that he had little choice in the matter for now. He could not get up and walk away when even moving his one hand up to his face caused him to see dark shadows around his vision. Yet he knew she was asking about longer; staying until he was healed all the way. "I am unuse to the still." He told her; not making it a yes but implying it. He did not wish to lie to her in the face of her kindness.

So he would stay until he could no longer do so. Being locked to a bed by his own weakness would make him ill tempered; which was why he felt the need to explain and apologize before he no longer cared. "Idle hours are not good on the mind." He did not wish to hurt her feelings by being rude later when he grew annoyed at him self and restless. He was used to fighting; hunting; moving where he wanted when he wanted.

[Maeve]

Maeve softly smiled, her features relaxing when he said that he was not used to such... relaxing conditions. It only meant that she would have to find something to help keep him busy. Rather than only raise his discomfort by forcing him to do nothing that he was used to. There was however, tremendous relief in his words. That she would not have to worry for his departure from here. Until he was properly recovered. Then we will ensure that your time here is not idle, she told him. She wanted to find that compromise. For she did not wish for him to feel as a hostage in her home. She did not wish for him to feel so uncomfortable with new surroundings. Unfamiliar ones and thus, finding no way to occupy his time.

She then began to gently stroke his forehead, more in a maternal fashion than a romantic one. For Maeve was used to being rather touchy. Knowing some were not in favor of him, and would withdraw her touch if it was such with Alistair. I do not want you to feel helpless. That was not her intent. Do you like to read dear Alistair? We have a wide variety of books here. Perhaps that would be a way to keep your mind working, for it will fill with more knowledge. Until he fully regained his strength.

[Alistair]

When she touched his face; Alistair's hand came up to wrap around her small wrist and hold her back. He was unusded to touching; and even less use to the soft sort of touches that women gave men the liked. Though Maeve's touched left no aroused feelings; he still doubted that she would touch every lost soul she found. What sort of woman was that open to risk of getting caught and used the wrong way.

Slowly he let her wrist go so he did not injure her; and lowered his hand. He would not speak on why he'd done it; but if she continued he would not stop her. With Maeve it was oddly comforting in a way. He felt protective of her; grateful for her help; and there was something else. He wasn't sure what it was; but her kindness made him not want to be as distant with her. Which annoyed him; but he didn't want to show it. Which only annoyed him more.

"I can not read. Not in my language and not in the English." He's never been taught; and when he was of age to know he should learn then he never wanted to admit to anyone of a weakness. Vaughn had picked up on it; and taught him a few words for the purpose of being able to get word to each other while working jobs. Not enough he could write; but enough that when he saw it; he knew what he saw. "I thought I heard your friend speak another language. What tongue was that?"

[Maeve]

Maeve gave a slight, almost inaudible gasp when he grabbed her wrist... but her entire demeanor and expression remained calm. For she felt no threat from him. Only the unexpected action of... perhaps discouraging her from offering him comfort. Yet the emotions she felt from him seemed to suggest otherwise. So when he released his hold on her, she paused for a moment, before continuing her previous actions as she listened to his response to her offer... and well as pose another question. She did not find it odd or sad that he did not know how to read. After having visited the other realm many times, it was something she had grown to learn, that not everyone possessed the ability to read. Would you like me to teach you?

She asked softly, rather than assume he would want her help. We have many books of many cultures here. Including ones in written in the language of the druids. I can teach you how to read your language, if you so wish. Because ones culture, beliefs, values... all those things was what molded a person to be who they were. She wanted him to have that. That solid connection so that he could read and write anything written in his language. He was forever connected to the druids with such a strong bond and this would only strengthen it. It is Mabonian, the language of my realm. A language that she used only with Haldir, as sometimes when traveling out of Mabon... he liked to pretend that he did not speak English. So he would not be forced to interact with others.