A Knight To Be And A Blind Beauty (Nealle)

[Geoffrey]

The bestial side of Geoffrey almost took control. He clenched two fists and gritted his teeth. But then he looked at the girl. She began to cry. If there was one thing Geoffrey was a sucker for, it was a crying girl. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and unclenched his fist and teeth. He took a few steps towards her, making sure to become cautious of anything. "Calm down, calm down." Geoffrey repeated as he kept taking steps. Geoffrey barely thought about what she said. What did she mean the humans didn't know anything about beauty? She said something about her mother telling her that, maybe her little outburst of anger was just based on a misunderstanding. He kept his eyes on Nealle, watching for anything. She looked sad and frightened. He took slow steps towards her. Nealle felt pity for her, she seemed to be following the words of her mother, not her own opinion. "Please, calm down Nealle." He said to her like she was a puppy who was afraid of a stranger. He got in arms length of her and tried comforting her by saying "Don't worry, everything will be alright. I promise." Sweat dripped from his brow, he was worried to what she would do next. He hoped she wouldn't do anything that would be considered hostile, but there was a chance of that.

[Nealle]

"Calm down, calm down." It took several seconds before the Eypharian to finally stop crying. She tried so hard not to be like those that raised her and abandoned her. They made her into a monster, then found something monstrous that they couldn't stand. She was crying because she wasn't beautiful, she may not be able to see others, inside others, or see herself, but there was something she could see. She could see inside herself, and even though she did her best to mask it, she was bitter because of her past. She was able to hear the man, he stepped closer but didn't really do anything, and when he was close enough, she grabbed him, all six of her arms wrapping around his body, two of them reaching around his neck. She brought him close and rested her never-seeing eyes on his shoulder. "I didn't mean that. I didn't mean to say that. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Her voice was only a whisper, it felt weak to her, timid. Only minutes ago she felt wonderful, strong, talking openly about Syna and Rak'keli, about her own beliefs and how Geoffrey was interesting, or in his words, not interesting. And now this, she couldn't find the strength or courage to speak up above a whisper. Her hands clenched onto the back of his shirt as she felt another wave of tears approaching, but they faded off, leaving just the eccentric Eypharian woman who could not decide if she was happy and calm, or miserable and wild. For now, it was a blend, calm yet miserable. "Being interesting isn't as interesting as being there when somebody needs you. I don't know who sent you, or what God you follow that saw me here and felt pity on me, saw inside me, but I thank them for sending you. Thank you Geoffrey. Thank you for being my Knight." A knight, surely that's something he could appreciate, even if it wasn't the official title he was striving for. Nealle's lips slowly lifted into a small smile again as she continued to bury her face into his shoulder. Once again she would say something in the Arunemic language, but it was calm this time, collected, intentional. Saying something to him or about him, but didn't want him to know what she had spoken, or maybe just not to respond to it.

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey noticed that Nealle stopped crying, then grabbed him in a way similar to a hug. She rested her head on his shoulder and apologized. "Don't worry, we all make mistakes." He said trying to make her feel better. He noticed her voice dropped to a whisper, it sounded so odd compared to the voice she was using a few moments ago before her little outburst. Geoffrey listened to the girl thank him for being there for her and called him her knight. It sounded so romantic, like something out of a story book. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her and said " What kind of knight would I be if I left a woman in her time of need? I wouldn't be the one I hope to be, I can tell you that for certain." He then heard the girl say something in a different language, he didn't understand it. But he could guess what it meant. Geoffrey thought about what he was doing, and he was proud of what he was doing. He knew the knight he served, Sir Tenner, would approve of what he was doing. He also knew, that what he was doing was the right thing to do. What kind of Syliran Knight would abandon a poor woman in her time of need?

[Nealle]

Nealle slowly released her embrace from the young squire. It probably wasn't the most appropriate thing to do, but she felt like she needed to brace herself. Her blind eyes, for once, peered wearily into Geoffrey's own eyes, they of course didn't see anything, but for a brief moment it would have appeared as if she was looking straight at him. It was then that Nealle felt genuinely exhausted. She needed to lie down, to eat a little, and most of all, she wanted to disappear from the public. It would take her a long time to walk blindly through the streets though. "Geoffrey, would you mind escorting me to my home? It is a little hassle for me to try to find my own way through town." Nealle nodded faintly as her smile faded. That outburst took an abnormal amount of energy from her. "I feel weak." OOCSorry for the short post, couldn't think of anything.

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey watched as Nealle let go of him, and, what looked like, she was looking him the eyes. He looked her in the eyes. He then heard her ask him if he would escort her to her home. "I would love to my lady, where do you live Nealle?" He then heard her say she felt very weak. He put his arm around her neck. "Come on, you'll feel better once you get home." HE suggested. The area was getting dark, the sun had set and the moon was beginning to show. People were leaving the area and getting to their homes. The moon seemed so mystical today. Geoffrey thought it would be a good time for him to get home too. He never liked staying around Syliras after the sun had set. Geoffrey looked at the sky and stared at the stars. "They stars sure are beautiful." He muttered. Geoffrey thought about this whole event where he met Nealle. He would remember it for a long time, he knew it he would. The discussion between the gods, talking about wether he was interesting or not, the outburst, and mainly everything that took place after. He hoped Nealle would remember this day too. It was a good day. A very good day.

[Nealle]

Nealle felt a bit stronger with his arm around her, but she needed rest, she felt like she could sleep for a week, if not longer. This weakness seemed unnatural, but it was there, not so bad she couldn't stand or walk or make it home, but enough to concern her. She reached up to his hand, and lightly grasped it in her own, unwound his arm from around her, and smiled. "Lead me to Stormhold please. I have a small room there." A room, she failed to mention, that she did not particularly adore. It had no sunlight to warm the skin, few visitors that came to greet her, and was quiet, so very quiet. "Thank you." Nealle whispered faintly as they walked, Geoffrey leading her through the streets, and she trusted him. She may know very little about the knights, but she knew that he was trustworthy, enough to lead her home. As they walked, it had become clear to her that time had passed, the sun had fallen considerably in the sky, the air was somewhat cooler. The light wasn't completely gone, but it was darker to those that could see. "That's what I've heard. I'd like to see them myself someday." That would be great, wouldn't it? To be blind since birth and have the stars be your first real image. She prayed Syna would bring that someday. It was true, as Geoffrey thought. The day, what short time they spent together, was eventful. It was mostly enjoyable, but there was one thing that bothered her so much that she would sleep little the next night. She was forced to reveal her face, and even though he assured her that she was beautiful, his words triggered a trap, a mental block in her head that caused her to snap. The instant flooding of past memories, all the lies she was led to believe as a child and even well into her late teenage years, all of them swelling in her head and forcing her emotions to explode like a cannon. That action caused a tremendous amount of pain in her chest, but there was one thing she knew, the day would not be forgotten, not the bad, and especially not the knight in shining armor. The walk, though long, felt shorter than she expected. There was the still unnatural feeling of being inside Stormhall, the corridors that all residents resided in. It felt so strange still, though it was her second or third day here, it was bound to feel that way. Nealle's hand still rested in Geoffrey's as they stopped outside her apartment. The small place, if exposed to his eyes, would obviously conflict with her elegant appearance, her fine dress, her once royal appearance. She had been embarrassed enough this day, so she decided he could see the place... another day. For now, she wanted to sleep, and would settle for nothing else, not more, not less. "Geoffrey, you may come by anytime you are off duty and visit me. I feel much better and safer moving through Syliras with a hand to guide me than walking alone."

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey felt Nealle removed his arm away from her shoulder, and she grasped his hand as they walked to Stormhold. He took note of the fact she lived in Stormhold, the same place he lived. It was good to know he could see her often. He heard her thank him. "Think nothing of it Nealle." He said. They walked to Stormhold castle, hand in hand, the area seemed so peaceful now. Geoffrey had forgotten she was blind when he said the stars were beautiful. "I'm sorry, I forgot you were blind." He apologized. He called himself stupid under his breath. He thought about what made him forget. Was it the fact he didn't want her blind? Or did he just lose himself in the moment? Or was it something else? Either way, he hoped it wouldn't happen again. Geoffrey stopped along with Nealle outside the apartments. He listened to Nealle say he can visit her any time. This was good to know. "I will Nealle, I promise." He replied. He also listened to the girl say how she liked having someone with her to help her. "I will do my best to guide you, to protect you from danger, and to help you with any problems you may encounter. Well I guess this is goodbye Nealle..."

[Nealle]

"So be it Sir Knight. If you command it, I'll think no more of your kindness as nothing more than the obligations of your sought-after title." Nealle giggled faintly as she lowered her head, smiling. She had made a miraculous recovery from her little moment of insanity. Beauty can do that to a person. "Please do not apologize for admiring the stars Sir. I would be sincerely insulted if you refused to acknowledge beauty just because you were blessed with sight and I was not. There is a reason you are allowed to gaze upon the stars, and a reason why I am not. For me, please gaze upon them more often, and describe it when you have nothing else to do, but talk." It was an odd request, but when Nealle faced him, there was no smile of mockery or jest, she was serious. She would seriously hate this man if he regretted having his sight merely because she had none. They stood outside of her apartment for several moments, exchanging promises to meet again, but not really promising any loving relationship, or at least Nealle did not intend on it. She was unfamiliar with the customs of humans, or how things are felt by them. She didn't even consider that she could have been manipulating him. Whether manipulation had happened, she honestly had no intention to do so. Nealle pulled her hand from his and moved it to his left cheek, another hand resting on his right, she brought her face close to his, much like a human would to kiss on the lips, but she stopped short. Instead of kissing him, she brought their faces close, about two inches apart, nose from nose, and the sniffed lightly. It was one way for her to recognize him later on, she smiled. Two other arms, while she registered his scent, got to work pulling off one of her two rings, both were worn on the same hand, and both meant very much to her. She took the ring and picked up his hand, and placed the golden rimmed band, gemless ring, on his pinkie finger, which was too loose to wear it, but he could move it later. "I want this ring back. It's my favorite." Nealle smiled as she completely released the young man, after feeling his face and finding little to no signs of aging, as well as no extreme scents of alcohol, grease, or excessive sweat, she inferred something quite shocking. Well, it could be addressed later as well, for now, she was going to retire for the night. "Dream well Sir Knight." Nealle slipped into her apartment and closed the door behind her softly. From the outside, a single bolt could be heard locking, then silence.

[Geoffrey]

Geoffrey heard Nealle explain how she wanted him to tell her about the stars some time. He first thought it was a joke but when he looked at her, she was dead serious. She seemed she really wanted to know about the stars. "I will, my lady." He promised. He had many promises today, and he would do his best to keep them. Every single one. He then watched as Nealle leaned in, as if to kiss him but then stopped before she could. They exchanged a sniff of each other, which was odd. Geoffrey never noticed this, but she smelled very nice. He then noticed she took off a band off one of her hands and put it on Geoffrey's hand and made sure to tell him to return it to her. "I swear, on my knightly honor, you will get this band."He said. Then Nealle slipped into her room, said her goodbyes to Geoffrey. Geoffrey left as he heard a bolt locking, he went to find his own room. It had been a good day. Geoffrey was going to relax, and go find Sir Tenner to see if he had any tasks for him. Geoffrey hoped he could retire for the night. He didn't want anything to happen that would change his memory of this day. Fin

[Tabarnac]

XP Award! Geoffrey XP Award: Philosophy +2; Rhetoric +2; Seduction +2; Disguise +1 Lore Award: Eypharian culture (basic) Finances: - 1 gm to the fountain Nealle XP Award: Philosophy +2; Rhetoric +2; Seduction +3 Lore Award: Syliran culture (basic) Additional Note An interesting take on a knight and damsel in distress, you two! I’m interested to see if a courtly love develops. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or concerns. Keep writing!