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Post by Kelathi on Jul 2, 2019 20:59:48 GMT
As Ciaran pulled away, Rhea had followed for a breath, automatically drawn to his lips, so it took her a moment to realise he was withdrawing and not just taking a moment to breathe before resuming the kiss. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she looked both confused and disappointed at the loss of contact, as she pulled away too, but slowly and reluctantly. At his words, however, she paused in her retreat, and her expression melted into a look of surprise. For one thing, she was surprised to hear such sincerity from one whom was normally so evasive, and who normally offered up very little information about himself. But besides that, his declaration… was surprising in itself.
Leaning in again, Rhea brought up her hand to cup the side of Ciaran’s face. She was calm now and completely at odds to how she had been just a few moments before, trying to catch his gaze with her own. It was ironic, that only seconds ago he had been comforting her, and now circumstances called for the other way round. “Well, you don’t seem like you don’t know what you’re doing.” She spoke softly, with a coy smile. There was no teasing, and no attempt to press for more information.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jul 6, 2019 1:10:14 GMT
It was Ciaran’s turn for his gaze to be brought sharply back up, having paused at feeling Rhea’s hand cupping his face. Even though her words were an attempt to comfort, the way his gaze quickly dropped down again spoke of inexperience and uncharacteristic shyness. Ciaran had no idea what to say to her words, but it was telling how it was several moments after his gaze dropped that he finally pulled away from her hand, bringing his own up to rub at his face. He muttered into his hands with a sigh, quite clearly intended for only his own ears, but what he said was just this side of discernible.
"God… Narisse just told me what to do…”
Another deep breath, and Ciaran was obviously ready to move onto another topic. He reached out, gently but with perhaps more purpose than was necessary, and brushed her hair aside to show the abrasion on her forehead, obviously not forgetting it even through the awkward silence of her tending his own injury.
“Do we get to handle this now?” he asked, his voice still determined to move topics, not unlike how a child might stubbornly refuse to talk about a topic they were uncomfortable with.
Cathal’s instincts were good, and as Rhea had initially begun to apologize, he had twisted around, providing privacy and a watchful eye on the forest surrounding them. But he had stilled at hearing the barely whispered words, one ear flicked back as he considered all those nightmares where her name was mentioned, all those times of pushing others away… a connection was beginning to take form, one that explained so, so much.
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Post by Kelathi on Jul 20, 2019 22:39:00 GMT
Ciaran’s next words were not commented upon, although they were certainly taken in, Rhea’s expression turning thoughtful for a moment. Who’d have thought, that the cagey, stoic assassin could have relied so much on a woman? It seemed extremely odd to Rhea, who was used to men being mastered only by themselves. Who was this mysterious Narisse, who had made such an impression on Ciaran that he evidently still often considered her? Of course, Rhea was oblivious to the fact that it was her very presence that was reminding Ciaran so much of the woman…
As Ciaran’s hand came up, Rhea’s gaze refocused, and she found the urge to just crash her lips against his again, resurface. How was it that just a gentle, casual touch like that, was suddenly eliciting such a response from her? Not long ago, they had just been captor and captive! However, her expression soon changed from one of thoughtfulness to an almost comical distaste, her nose literally scrunching up on one side- as if she had just tasted something bitter. “If you must.” She responded, perhaps surprisingly considering how reluctant she had been. Evidently, she was becoming aware of just how stubborn the assassin could be, something only rivalled by her own. “It’s really nothing, though. It doesn’t even hurt.” Whilst the latter was not entirely true, it certainly wasn't an injury she thought required any special attention, and she wasn't too thrilled with the idea of the man tending to her, despite the fact that she was happy to tend to him.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jul 28, 2019 15:12:57 GMT
Rhea’s own distaste of being tended to seemed to settle Ciaran a little at least, as his expression moved into one of patience, all the way through the raised eyebrow as if silently asking, “really?” He ignored her argument completely, not even voicing a counter as if it wasn’t worth acknowledging. Something that might have been frustrating, even infuriating… were it not for what he was trying to do.
In stark contrast to his appearance, his touch was gentle, but the uncertain way he maneuvered around Rhea was spot on for most of his more intimate interactions with her. On her head there was little he could do but clean it up, still bracing on his injured arm to let his other hand remain free, coming in close enough to tend to her… and only letting his gaze drift down from where he was working a few times, still obviously uncertain about the changes to their relationship.
Rhea might marvel at how he could have had so little experience with a woman, or need one to tell him what to do and how to do it. He’d learned how to fight, to kill, to hide all emotion during his years in the army, in the Black Wolves… but never how to be anything else. Many of the others had been similar, if not so controlled in expressing emotion, but compassion was not a virtue in their eyes or experience. As well trained as he was, Ciaran hadn’t been able to help his moral code, which had led him eventually to leave his pack. Narisse had seemed drawn to that side of him. And as Ciaran finished cleaning away the blood and finally withdrew his hand, the thought occurred to him that Rhea too might be drawn to whatever it was about him that had attracted Narisse. Something he didn’t understand, never learned enough about to understand. Maybe that was partly why she seemed so reminiscent of Narisse…
Or was it just because she was the first since that had made him feel this way?
“There,” he noted, sounding satisfied, not letting the circling thoughts show on his face. Then, with nothing else to do, he reached out to grab his shirt and tunic, pulling them on and preparing to move. Lingering on emotions was trained out of him, and he was ready to consider the next step in the plan. Get back to the room, get the tiara, deliver to the castle… then find some way to get whatever it was that Rhea needed from the castle once the guards’ attention was distracted.
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Post by Kelathi on Jul 28, 2019 20:10:22 GMT
Rhea looked perhaps as uncomfortable as Ciaran had felt whilst she had tended to him. Although his gaze strayed a few times from what he was doing to her face, she was looking pretty much anywhere but at him, feeling awkward being in such a position, despite how she had forced him into this exact same position only moments before by insisting she take care of his wound. She was relieved when he was done, the awkwardness evaporating, as he pulled away and redressed. As he began to get up, however, Rhea suddenly reached for his arm, tugging a little on his sleeve. “Wait!’ She had sounded urgent, but as he paused, uncertainty flashed across her face, and she looked a little embarrassed, cheeks colouring lightly. “I just wanted to say… thank you, for coming for me. You didn’t have to.” She'd already thanked Cathal, whispering her gratitude into his ear as they had embraced. With the assassin, it had not been so easy to broach the subject, but it needed to be said.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jul 28, 2019 20:41:35 GMT
Rhea’s tug cut through Ciaran’s plans, making him pause before turning to face her, his face managing to reclaim some of its anonymity as he looked her over. Had he forgotten something again? Her hands were unbound, unlike the last time he had felt her touch on his arm… and with her urgent tone, he had assumed something had gone wrong. Was there something he missed? Did she need something else tended to that she hadn’t mentioned until now?
His surprise was only eclipsed by his confusion at her words of gratitude for his help, or rather, her admission that he hadn’t needed to provide said help. The mask of stillness shifted subtly, and a look reminiscent of another crossed his features for a few moments. The same look of being caught without an answer. Lost. The last time he had that expression, Rhea had asked him why he was still helping her. Cathal had saved him from trying to answer.
She wasn’t asking a question this time, at least. Simply stating that he hadn’t had to go after her. This was what he clung to as he replied, taking a few moments to formulate his reply, accidentally revealing more than intended with his voice soft rather than placid.
“Of course I had to.”
As if there had been no other option. No obligation, no annoyance or frustration, simply that there had been no choice. Rather than ponder on all of the what ifs and whys, Ciaran offered a hand down to Rhea to help her to her feet, not without a small degree of awkwardness given how the conversation had shifted.
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Post by Kelathi on Feb 26, 2020 19:32:47 GMT
Again, Rhea found herself taken aback by Ciaran’s response, although she schooled her expression as she accepted his hand, allowing him to help her up. She was eager, too, to move on, so this time she raised her voice, setting her attention onto Cathal. “Cathal, have you scented anyone on the wind?” She asked, more as a way to divert the conversation than anything, as she was perfectly aware that he would have said so if he had. She had so much to ponder on now… and just like Ciaran, she was unsure of how to handle the developments between herself and her companion.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Mar 19, 2020 2:52:41 GMT
Rhea might not have realized how grateful Ciaran was at her change of topic, at least if she hadn’t seen the way his shoulders actually relaxed as he wasn’t pressed further. She had a way of not being satisfied with his answers to things, good or bad, and he had worried about her doing so again.
Ciaran’s method for handling the developments between them was breathlessly simple, if utterly useless long term; ignore them until they went away. This was the only reason he had such an easy time swapping to the new line of conversation, looking to Cathal as they waited for an answer. The tiger, for once, missed the subtle shifts, only seeming momentarily confused before accepting at face value. “No one to be concerned about,” he confirmed, although a look from his cub earned a soft huff.
“I can scent three humans, but I hardly think the bandits would have a boy and girl of that age traveling with them.”
With a knowing raise of an eyebrow, Ciaran considered Cathal’s description cautiously, although he trusted the cat’s senses. Given the type of town that was nearby, it was as likely to be learning how to hunt as it was a family outing. Speaking of the town, they had left their horses and belongings long enough.
Unfortunately, however, Cathal came upon the same idea, and easily stepped into the role of guide, as much tracing their own scent as he was their steps. This left both humans trailing behind, and Ciaran’s momentary glare indicated he didn’t fully believe that the opportunity to be more alone together was unintentional.
Damned if he’d start the conversation, though…
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Post by Kelathi on Feb 8, 2021 1:14:44 GMT
Alone together again, it seemed, Cathal keeping distance by being within sight up ahead, but seemingly not within earshot. Rhea was beginning to wonder if the tiger was doing this purposely. Like with Ciaran, it wasn’t a move particularly welcomed by her. Of course, on the one hand she craved to be alone with the man, but on the other, well. To be alone meant further conversation. It also meant further opportunity for her to make a fool of herself, which she felt she’d already done enough of to last her a lifetime. In the space of just a few days she’d kissed Ciaran twice, and revealed so much of herself. She felt awkward, unsure of how to proceed.
And a little fearful.
Of course, he had revealed a lot, too. He’d shown that he was inexperienced, and seemed in many ways to be as wary of her as she was of him. He’d mentioned his past, however briefly. He had been in the army. There had been a woman named Narisse.
None of this, she thought, he would be pleased for her to bring up. Yet, she did ponder on these aspects of him, learning more about the assassin she travelled with the longer they spent time together, despite his desire to stay an enigma.
So, feeling that the stretching silence was eventually going to kill her, it was Rhea who first broke it.
“So… your arm. Is it hurting?”
An innocent-enough question, one she was pretty sure Ciaran would probably dismiss. Even so, she watched his face, looking intently for signs that he was in pain.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Feb 11, 2021 3:39:03 GMT
The last thing Ciaran wanted was to be left alone with Rhea. At least, that was what he was telling himself, preferring to have another to hold her attention and keep questions away. Keep those damn feelings away… But, predictably, Cathal was now well ahead of them, leaving Ciaran to watch Rhea and make sure her footing was still steady.
As before, Ciaran moved his arm without expecting to feel anything as he glanced at it, and his lip twitched in the slightest wince at the gesture. He hadn’t even noticed it, assuming his neutral mask was still in place. “It’s fine,” he said, as expected, but oddly enough he continued, if only for a moment.
“Still isn’t going to ‘drop off.’”
The way Ciaran kept walking, not even hesitating, suggested he wasn’t in fact one of the least likely individuals to make a joke, even as he referred to Rhea’s own argument against him earlier. The tone was deadpan, perhaps less from intentionality than it was simply Ciaran the one who was saying it. Or had it not been a joke after all, and he was simply reaffirming his situation despite her fears?
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Post by Kelathi on Feb 12, 2021 1:51:12 GMT
Rhea smiled at Ciaran’s reference to her rant earlier, even if the initial ‘it’s fine’ comment had irked her, as it always did. He seemed to be avoiding her gaze, or, he was simply trying to avoid conversation. As usual. Often, she would be happy to let the silence stretch on, but with recent events, Rhea was starting to be concerned that her questions may never be answered if she waited too long.
“If your arm did drop off, you’d lose your precious tattoo.” She teased. “What does it mean, anyway? And if you just say ‘it’s army’ again I might just have to lop your arm off myself.”
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Feb 12, 2021 2:20:58 GMT
As much as he was eager to literally move on from the conversation floating about him, Rhea again insisted on hearing more. Her topic earned a pause in step, glancing at her from the corner of his eye, as if gauging how honestly she meant her remark.
So it was finally with a deep, soft sigh, Ciaran finally relented, glancing down at the arm where the tattoo was currently hidden beneath the sleeve.
“It’s the mark of the Black Wolves.”
Black Wolves… many believed they were just a rumor, and that the army didn’t have such an elite squad, because that meant that such a threat existed.
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Post by Kelathi on Feb 12, 2021 2:24:10 GMT
The name meant nothing to her, but the haunted way in which Ciaran spoke of these 'Black Wolves' chilled her somewhat. Even so, her eyes seemed to light up with interest, her gaze studying his face, and thus his response, closely.
"What are the Black Wolves?" She pressed, curiously, wondering if this would be one of those rare times when Ciaran actually answered properly, instead of brushing off her questions.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Feb 12, 2021 2:31:39 GMT
Ciaran glanced at Rhea again, although this time an eyebrow had raised. She hadn’t heard of them? Usually mentioning their name was enough to earn a scoff of disbelief, or sudden space if he was believed.
“They’re a special order within the national army,” he began, reluctantly, still walking as if silently insisting that they still head back towards town. “We had special training… special missions. Things the rest of the army couldn’t do. Made me what I am.”
For a moment, he glanced way, that haunted look taking him over again. But ironically, explaining even this little about his past enabled him to explain something else.
“That was… how I first encountered magic. Used on… prisoners of war.” A quick glance at Rhea moments before picking up his pace a little, but not before he added softly, “Didn’t think it could do anything else.”
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Post by Kelathi on Feb 12, 2021 2:50:24 GMT
Rhea was loathe to interrupt, in case breaking Ciaran's flow may disrupt his telling of this all together. Even so, his explanation only gave rise to more questions. When had he been in this army? What had made him join? Why, and how had he left? What sort of things was he asked to do, that others couldn't?
She was glad she stayed her tongue, as he ended up revealing some things she had questioned, herself, in the past. Only now could she understand why he was so averse to magic, even when his own life had been in danger, and the very magic he despised had been the only thing keeping him from the afterlife. She grew silent as he finished, noticing how his pace had picked up, and for once, not pressing him for more answers. She had much to mull on, but her silence did not mean she did not intend to ask further questions later.
**
The group had managed to collect their things with little interference, and were now on the move again. Conversation had been light since then, all three of them avoiding touching on sensitive topics. If one ignores where they were going, and the recent events that had come to pass- it could have been regarded an enjoyable afternoon.
As evening wore on, it had been unanimously decided that they should stop, as only Cathal's eyes were any good at this time. They had been travelling along an expanse of wide open, green plains, with not a cave in sight. In the end, they had decided to take refuge in a small thicket, the few trees offering them a little protection, and helping them not to feel so exposed. The moon shone brightly above, illuminating the broad swathes of countryside, so that even without Cathal's superior sense of smell, they would know long before of anyone's approach.
A small fire kept them warm, and the glow of the embers painted their faces pleasingly. The ambience was peaceful, but Rhea was on edge, knowing that soon the pain would be upon her again. Having nothing to do but wait for it to arrive, she grew steadily more anxious, even as she tried to hide the fact. Even worse were the occasional worried glances from her companions, their unspoken fears she tried to dispel by appearing nonchalant.
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