Closed [Markus Andres Apartment] Just visiting

[Fallon]

13th Fall 513AV
Late Morning

Fallon had been hovering there for a while now, knuckles clenched with back straight. Her hand had been poised above the hard wood, her shadow being cast upon the surface as her knocking was halted. She gave a swallow, the dulled beating of her pulse ringing in her ears. Her other hand was gripping tightly behind her back, fingers holding onto something and keeping the best she could out of sight behind her small stature. Wetting her lips, Fallon rocked upon her heels for a while unsure almost on what to exactly do. She could knock, but that was far from easy.

Of course, she could not exactly walk away either. That was the cowards way out. Chewing at her lip she swayed there for a tick, eyes narrowed, her jaw tensed slightly. Knocking was never an easy business. What if it was the wrong door? The wrong number? What if it was not where he lived? What if it was not even this day?

She drew in a deep intake of breath and clenched her fist around the object slightly tighter. Or, more correctly the gift. Words on the grape vine – courtesy of her patron of course – had suggested today was the day, and that this particular gift would be suitable for him. Fallon gave a swallow and peered over her shoulder at it. It was a dagger, nothing more, nothing less, and one that she had to beg and plead the smith to make for her. With coin of course to sweeten the deal. That of course was days ago right at the start of the season, and it was only due to fortune that she managed to get it done in good time.

It was far from anything fancy, but still, she hoped it would satisfy him. If not as a gift, then a token gesture for the other day. When the thunder screamed and the lightning roared. If he had not had stepped in, then who knows what would have happened. She gave a shudder at the thought and the returned her focus once more to the impossible task of knocking. Raising a hand she poised once more over the hard wood, her brow knitted with thought. They hovered there again one last time, and she gave a swallow. Just a simple knock, a simple tap upon its hard surface. She drew in a deep breath and rapped her knuckles upon it. Stepping back sharply from the door, she recoiled her hand and waited for a noise to emerge from within, if one would come of course.

"Hello? Ser Andres? It's uh... Squire Fallon?" she managed to speak up.

Petch. Please be the right door! Please be the right door!

receipt :

Dagger, cold iron 2gm*3=6gm
Dagger, Scabbard = 2gm
Total=8gm

[Markus Andres]

Markus was unnaturally quiet. It was one of his few days off duty and he had planned on getting some practical work done that day. Plans that he had postponed to catch an extra couple of bells sleep. Those bells had been caught and he was now in the volatile state between being asleep and being completely awake. Sitting on the bed's edge, bare feet on the cold stone floor. Looking at a rather dull room with the bare minimum amount of furniture. In fact, the room was furnished with precisely the items that had come with the apartment. Only addition was a set of armour and mail neatly placed by the wall with the door. Sword, shield, bow and quiver was also resting against the same wall, only further into the corner. There was something off-setting about the day though. Like something vital had been forgotten. Perhaps that was why he was having a hard time getting out of bed. His plan had been to get something better to store his armour and equipment in, leaving it on the ground like that, however neatly placed, seemed rather unprofessional. He really ought to get out of bed. All the way out. That was when he was given an incentive to get hit butt out bed. A knock on his door. He looked up surprised and bemused. Thinking they wanted him down at the docks for extra duty. "A moment" He responded. At the moment he only wore pants. His large torso and feet were as bare as the day he had been born. Although he didn't mind showing himself like that, it was perhaps best if he put on a shirt, at least. That was when words accompanied the knocking on the door. A female voice. A voice he recognized. Surprised he stood up and almost went directly for the door. Realizing by the cold breeze that he was still missing essential clothes. Suddenly, Markus made haste. Finding socks and a shirt. Only briefly pondering if he should open the door without a shirt. Let Fallon gawk at his upper body in awe. He stepped quickly to the door. A quick look down, his clothes matched. Well, as well as a white shirt and blue trousers could match. A quick hand through his hair made sure his hair was at least presentable. He opened the door and looked out and indeed, there she stood. Squire Skylar. A natural smile spread across his face upon seeing her again. He wanted to step right out and plant a kiss on her lips, but modesty and prudence advised against such public displays. "Fallon! What a lovely surprise!" His voice warm and a little surprised, why were she standing on his doorstep? "What brings you here? ... Not... Not that you need a reason to come visit. You can come... come by any time." - 'Bloody hell, you're a knight! Act like it!' He cleared his throat, looking at her. One arm behind her back. Piquing Markus' curiosity further. Was that the arm that she had injured? Why was it behind her back. He went up on his toes, trying to peek over her shoulder. Which just gave him a better look of the ground behind her. Which did little to sate his curiosity. " - I mean. Come in! Come in!" He stepped back and swung his arm out in a big sweeping motion, inviting her in. "I'd give you a tour of the place, but... it seems a bit redundant." Was he making a joke or was he just rambling? Markus had no idea so he just stopped talking. Hoping Fallon would fill the void. Why was he so nervous? He was trapped in a state of happiness, curiosity, surprise and nervousness. It was a rather bad combination. His eyes would be on her. Trying to see what she were hiding behind her back.

[Fallon]

Thank the gods it is the right door, there was a sigh of relief. That was one less issue to worry about. There was the quiet scrabble behind the wood, the foot fall of someone moving about. There was a call, the turning of the handle and the entrance was opened. It was hard not to stare up at the towering, slightly dishevelled, giant of a man. For a chime or two she simply stood there, cheeks going a hue of pink whilst the rest of her went rigid. Still, at least he looked pleased that she was here, and that she had come. Despite his questioning. There was a falter, the first of many no doubt, before she slowly was able to make herself speak.

“I, well, you know,” She kept her hand firmly behind her back, leaning away slightly when he tried to peek behind her. He was curious she quickly noted, “I… just came to well… just visit?” He swung a mighty arm and allowed her to enter, a poor joke upon his lips as she looked around the sparse apartment. It looked largely unlived in, or more over as if he had not had it for a long period of time. She was not sure as to which one exactly, but she dared not comment on it. It was his home after all. Swallowing, she looked away from his trained eyes and sheepishly tugged at her collar. It was a strange coincidence of late that whenever Fallon was near the knight thinking became a harder past time. Her thoughts would stumble and fall; the once nervous pulse would beat harder and faster, whilst the distinct dizzying emotions rose and bubbled. She gave a swallow, her palms already growing clammy within the situation. There was a deep breath, her eyes meeting his for a tick, “I heard it was your, well, day of birth so…”

Pulling out the cold iron dagger she presented it to him in its sheath, eyes lowering and her shoulders hunching in. She felt a bit pathetic in honesty, this small gift to him when he himself as a knight and was able to gain access to such equipment in a blink of an eye. Still she had gotten it, “Well, it’s a dagger. I mean it’s nothing special. Cold iron, a slightly wide blade, curves slightly,” she gave a shrug, “Just figured you might like it. As a gift and for the other day. A thanks and well…” she passed it to him, holding the scabbard firmly and ensuring he took it, before withdrawing. She gave a pause, a hesitant step back to give space, “Sorry, if you don’t like it that is. I’m really not good when it comes to gifts.”

She licked her lips, an almost hopeful look forming in her eyes. Searching almost for a flicker of approval in whatever form it came. Nervous, stuttering, a flicker of worry growing and forming from within. Their relationship was young, fresh and uncertain, and something she was new to. No knowledge, no wisdom, no experiences, no books or papers. Gods she was lost on what to do, “So yeah, that is why I’m here. How are you… you keeping well? I mean on this day. I mean, if you’re not busy… would you like to…” she gave a gesture to the door then to the room around them, “I don’t know… do something?”

[Markus Andres]

The first thing Markus noticed, and it was hard not to, was the nervousness painted upon the squire's face and body language. It was the same nervousness that he felt shake his foundations. But he was trying to look beyond her, look to whatever she were hiding behind her back. For she seemed intent to keep it hidden from him. Even as she moved past him into the one room apartment she kept it hidden. Markus closed the door after her. She were of few words today, stating no real reason for visiting him. Just... to see him. As much as he wished that was the simple truth and heart warming as he would find it, he didn't believe that was the whole truth. She had a reason for coming by. He did not pressure her right away. He did not want to come off as brutish and demanding. The next sentence caught him completely off guard. To Markus his birthday had almost never been a cause for celebration. It was any day like any of the other days. Only days he celebrated were the festivals to the goodly gods of the world. His birthday's only function was to remind him that he was a year older. A day like any other. The only gift he even remembered that was somewhat related to his birthday was the Bastard and that had been because his father just happened to be in Syliras at the time of his squirehood. Coincidentally the last time he had seen that bastard. That was almost a decade ago now. Markus stood there, struck by awe at the words that escaped the squire's lips. Looking at the dagger in her hand. A gift. For him. His right hand locked around the hilt of the dagger, left hand the scabbard. A new important day had manifested itself on his yearly schedule. Somewhere in the distance, the steady thudding of his heart increased in rate as his eyes rested upon her. The casual smile that often resided on his lips, frozen there as a permafrost. He pulled the dagger out of the scabbard. Looked at it. His own new dagger. A gift from Fallon. She had come for his birthday to give him a gift. The deadly cold iron moulded into a killing weapon. His thumb gracing the edge. It was strange that being gifted a weapon to end life with, elicited such joy from him. It was sharp. Quite sharp. A little more pressure and he could pierce the skin. He refrained from such masochist actions, besides, might wake him from this dream. He raised the blade. Admiring the craftsmanship. The lightly curved blade. He had never been one for curved weapons. It was a fine dagger. He felt the balance, it was excellent. Fit well in his hand. Her next words finally sparked his mind to work again. His frozen appearance must have been read as dismissal of her gift. For she sounded doubtful of her own wonderful gift. She did not realize the profound effect she had had on him. That his lack of words were not because he dismissed her gift, but because it had left him at an utter loss of words. He did not want to hurt her with silence. But what words would convey how he felt the best. "No, no... I mean... Yes, I'd like to do something and no.. don't be sorry. I... Thank you... Thank you Fallon. It is a wonderful gift, I've actually been wanting my own dagger for a long time now, but never got around to getting one made." Markus said and as he finished the dagger was sheathed. A pair of green eyes moving up from the dagger to the squire's eyes. A soft smile appearing on his lips watching her intelligent eyes observing him. "It is a fine dagger." Markus stepped forth and let a hand slip behind the smaller frame of the woman. A hand resting against her back before gently pulling her closer to him and his other hand joining the first hand on her back. Trapping the small squire between his arms in a loose embrace. His own heart rate sky-rocketed and he had to focus to not simply dissolve into a blabbering fool. Looking down into her green and blue eyes. "I had planned on going to the bazaar and buying some furniture for this impersonal place. Get it a bit more like a place someone lives in. I know it sounds very... dull." A mischievous smile crossed his lips, a smile that she would probably recognize. "But with you here. And us alone. Let me thank you properly for the gift..." A coy smile crossed his lips. The kisses the two had shared in the past had been at a heightened emotional state. Markus being filled with anger and a profound regret. Now the feelings were a more calm and positive vibe. Unless of course she pulled away when he leant in to press his lips against hers.

[Fallon]

He analysed it. Studied it, testing its suitability almost as a weapon. She did not know of what joy it brought, what happiness came from him to be given such an item. His touch however caused such thoughts to pause. Fallon was trapped. An arm wrapped around her, his lips having parted into a fixed smile. His head leaned down close as he tried to steel his mind into focusing, his breath gently caressing her cheek. He may have said something, she was not quite sure. Her mind was wiped clean the moment he leaned in and kissed her. For a tick or two she was still, barely breathing as she froze up – almost surprised that he had done such a thing.

Not that she was exactly complaining. It stopped her thinking, and left her in a state of euphoria. A strange bubbling feeling that grew and bloomed within. Uncontrollable and unconceivable to her, it was something that ensnared her and forced her to grow weak. It was something she could not describe in this warm, lasting silence.

She gave a tremble and responded back after that, a gentle press of lips before finally she withdrew. A blush fixed itself upon her face, her eyes partially glazed as thoughts simply flooded from her. The heart beat quickened her throat constricting. Her lips gave a twitch, parting slightly as she tried to form words to communicate and properly – not that she succeeded. Fallon gave a swallow, eyes staring up at his own green orbs a flash of almost vulnerability rising up there. She did not have a clue on what to do. Thought slowly begun to creep its way back in, a gentle trickle of knowledge filling up the void of her mind. Sheepishly she raised herself up onto her toes and pecked him gently on the cheek, before responding to his thanks, “I’m glad you like it. Maybe next year I'll get you a stone so you can keep it sharp.”

Withdrawing from her kiss she remained in his arms, her mind slowly turning over. Relieved that he liked the gift, the squire relaxed her shoulders a smile forming on her own face. Everything was calm, everything was fine, there was no stresses or strains, no life threats or dangerous conditions. It was just her, him and no one else. Savouring the moment for as long as she could. Her own arms weaved their way around him, her hands barely meeting around his giant form. Her cheek ended up pressed against him, a gentle squeeze before she pulled away. Her attention turned to that of the room about them, the strange bareness that held it and the lacking that the knight had described a mere few chimes before.

Eyes drifted, a gaze set wandering to what he did have. Armour discarded, a slight clutter of what he did have, but nothing really that marked it as his. Where all the rooms of the knights like this, bare and lacking personality? Her eyebrows met as they creased with thought, before; at last she gave a definite nod, “I don’t mind helping you out if you want to sort out your place, give it personality. Make it more like home to you,” she released him, taking several steps away to study the space, “Get me to do all your heavy lifting.” There was a wink, followed by the curl of lips, “But seriously. I don’t mind. This is your day after all. So… well let’s make it a good one, yes?”

Fallon was willing to make it a good day for him, or at least as close as possible. She wanted to put the effort in, if he would let her of course.

[Markus Andres]

It was night and day between the two kisses they had shared. The first was Markus infuriated by his own ineptitude and foolishness. This was affectionate and soft. A true display of affection born out of care for the woman held in his close embrace. Their relationship was still in its infancy, simple and fragile, but he was not about to throw it away for anything. When she broke the kiss and her soft lips distanced themselves from his. A smirk crossed his lips and her partly opened mouth had his eyes sparkling with joy. She were at a loss for words. He patiently waited for her thoughts to straighten out, for her mind to recuperate from the shock. He was surprised when she pecked him on the cheek and a blush appeared on his lips. How could she make such innocent actions so endearing. The sheepish look on her face widened his smile. "Wow, a stone? I... I don't think I can wait so long for such a wondrous gift." He squeezed Fallon a little as the words escaped his lips. Markus was rarely the man to think in the long term. But her words, although jesting had implied a next year in their relationship, the unmistakeable feeling that he was grasping at straws appeared. He was looking for meaning where none had been implied. Her arms wrapped around him and he felt her head against his chest. Her warmth seeping through the clothing her wore. He closed his eyes and his right hand moved up her back and softly stroked the back of her head. It had already been Markus' best birthday in well over a decade. He let her go when her arms let go and she moved away. Her eyes looking at the room. It took a moment before he realized she were speaking, too taken by her appearance. He caught on just to hear her joke and heard her agree to helping him. "Well, of course. You don't expect me." With a hand touching and pointing to his own chest had looked at her incredulously. "To lift something on my birthday. Tch. Above such manual labour, we got squires for that!" He let a laughter escape his lips and his own terrible performance. He moved over behind her, hands placed on her shoulders. "Bad jokes aside. I was thinking to first find a place for my armour. A stand or something where I can put it after duty. Better than the current solution, in either case." He left hand pointing to the armour. He turned Fallon gently to face the direction of the hearth and a hand pointing over her shoulder. "Then I was thinking a place to study over here. Although I rarely read, I think investing some time and energy into books, would be a good idea if I want to realize my goal of advancing to sergeant." Markus let a moment or two pass, let the squire picture his idea. "Of course, if your female intuition has a better suggestion, I am all ears." A hand still resting on her shoulder. Looking over her head at the bare walls. Perhaps some paintings or a banner like Imass had. Markus gulped at the memory of the long lost knight.

[Fallon]

There was a sniff, followed by a smirk, “You’re asking a traveller on advice on how to decorate?”

Shaking her head she looked around the room, a smirk on her face. She tried to imagine the room and how it would look, and with his guiding and pointing gestures. There was a pause, eyes drifting over the empty space. Lips pursed to the thoughts of books, something that she found appealing. You could indeed learn a lot through them, and through that endless questions and ideals would bloom – all waiting to be discovered. She herself had no further comments to make about what he wanted to do with the room. She rubbed at her chin, eyes glancing firstly to his hand then up to his face, eyes narrowing down upon his face. He was thinking about something, his eyes drifting around the bare walls. Her ears gave a twitch, and she gave a gentle squeeze on his hand. There was a brief, questioning look on her face, before she returned her mind to the task.

“Sounds like you have some good ideas,” she gave a glance down to the floor, “As for my input, well… you could get a rug I guess. Keep your feet off the cold floor if you’re barefoot. As for the armour… Well you could always get a wall mount for the sword and shield. Don’t know, it’s just an idea.”

Pulling away she gave a wander around, eyes looking at the dead space and thinking about how it could be filled. There was not a lot of room after all, but there was still that distinct feel of the need of personality there. And a way almost to differ it from its original state. She pivoted round, then took a few hesitant steps to take things into better view, she gave a few thoughtful points, almost as if measuring up sizes before stopping, “Could put something on the walls… unless the knights have a strange hatred for people putting up pictures in their rooms,” Fallon rocked on her heels, hands resting in her pockets for a while, “I can help you with the books bit. Got a good eye for them, so I’ll keep a watch there. You got any sort of books in mind though? I mean, I know you said the entire sergeant bit but… well there must be something specific, right?” There was a pause, a gentle look of thought on her face as she gave a hum, “Could always have stuff ready for the winter I guess. Stuff to keep you warm. Less you’re not into that sort of thing.”

Extending a hand to him she gave a gesture to the door with the other, “Shall we? I’ll follow you and be a good squire when it comes to the lifting.”

[Markus Andres]

Markus just shook his head a little when he saw her questioning look and returned his focus on the task ahead. Hearing her talk had him realize it had been a great idea to ask her for advice. Her mind churning out ideas that Markus had frankly not yet even considered. A rug was a good idea, a wall mount for his shield and sword would look neat. He noted that down mentally to look for something like that to mount on his wall. A rug would also be a nice addition for the cold winter mornings to come. Perhaps place the armour near the hearth so it may absorb some of the heat so it wasn't so darned cold in the morning hours. "We loathe it." Markus answered dryly to her rhetoric question as a smirk was drawn on his lips. "Take a knight's horse, just don't touch his walls." Markus let his humour subside and let her continue. Books. Name books he wanted. She must have overestimated the amount of time he spent looking at book covers. He preferred hearing a good tale over reading it himself. But he was not to read the tales of the past, he was to read the tactics and knowledge of the past. But specific subjects. Flux came to mind, but there was no way he could tell her that without arousing her suspicion to the fact that he was a secret mage. Not that he considered himself a mage, more that he just occasionally used magic. "Books on small units tactics and tactics in general I suppose." Markus shrugged. "My current tactical expertise relies on personal tactics and how to ride into an army of Yukmen." - He intentionally left it there to intrigue her curiosity. Her next words, however had a flirtatious smile cross his lips and when she extended her hand to him, he took it in his and gently pulled her in close to him. His left arm slid down to her lower back, pulling her a little closer to him. "I think I might already have found something to keep me warm this winter." His intense eyes looking into hers, focus shifting between her eyes. The flirtatious smile on his lips. "Follow me? I'd prefer you walked by my side, we're off duty." He leant down and placed a brief kiss on her lips. "Well. Until it comes to lifting things, then suddenly, on duty." The familiar smirk appeared on his lips and he winked to her and moved his hand from her back, still holding her hand in his. Despite his best efforts, his cheeks had the hint of a strong red colour appearing. "Let us go, before I change my mind and spend the day with you here." He grabbed a pouch filled with mizas, the majority of his not-so-vast-fortune was in the chest at the end of his bed. But he figured this would be enough for today. If not, no harm. He moved to leave the room, Fallon in tow and then close and lock the door after him. "You know, for a traveller, you did have a lot of ideas." He looked over to her as they walked. "How did you get Orvin, by the way? Find him on one of your travels?" - For despite dating this lovely lady for a while, he knew surprisingly little about her. He didn't know her birthday, which he would have to find out somehow. Either Natasha or Kreig ought to know.

[Fallon]

“You’ll have to share that tale with me at some point,” There was only a brief snigger before Fallon scratched her brow, “Tactics? I’ll see what I can do.”

She could not really think of any books by title, but at least she had an idea on where to start looking. If she was released from him that was. He reeled her in, a firm pull and hold in place. Even as the hand pressed against the small of her back did her thoughts on books and other such articles vanish from thought. There was a pause, the pulling close, the touch of lips and words simply uttered. And just as quickly was she pulled in, was she released once more and the knight, her knight, was making his way to the door.

Wait, what just happened?

There was an element of surprise on her face as she was lead out, a blink as she tried to compose herself. The door to his apartment was locked the moment she stepped outside, and the grin upon his face. Despite his words he still lead the way, Fallon was still trying to process exactly what he had said. There was a second blink, followed by the shake of a head. A flirtatious comment? Most probably. She felt her cheeks burn for a chime, her footfall echoing his as she forced herself to keep pace with him.

“I do?” she sounded almost surprised by his comment, her fingers still held tightly in his hand. Her fingers gave a squirm and worked their way round, lacing between his. Eyes averted, unable almost to meet his gaze. She was not embarrassed, but had instead simply turned shy. She was never one for expressing herself that well – or at least, not until someone pushed her too far. The dulled beat quickened, a moment of nerves taking over as she felt his gaze upon her, before finally his question came.

“Orvin?” there was a moment of fluster as she forced words out, “Yes, yes I found him on my travels. Or more… he found me. Managed to climb into my bag when he was a tiny little thing. Ate half my dried meat too. Greedy pup,” she shook her head and gave a snort, “Either way, before I realised the tiny critter had managed to get in there and had fallen asleep… well I was a day’s travel away. Then the little basta-“ She cleared her throat, “Well. I got him out and then he just kept on following me. Day in, day out. Whining and snivelling… Persistent critter if I’d ever seen one. And well, the rest is history.” She gave only a glance up at him, before snatching her eyes away once more, “Why do you ask?”

Petch! Pull yourself together Fallon!

“I mean,” she gave a stumble of words, “I don’t mind you asking, I’m just wondering well… why?” there was a sheepish smile, “You trying to get all the tales and secrets out of me?” She could not help but feel nervous at her own words. What if he was? Was he trying to lead her into a false sense of security? He was doing a good job if he was. She gave a tug at her collar, before being straight with him, “Why me? Out of all the women in Syliras?”

[Markus Andres]

Markus just nodded to her surprised 'I do?' outburst. Finding it cute and humorous. He felt her fingers lazed in with his own at it brought a simple happy shy smile to his lips. It felt good. It felt right to proudly show the world that he and Fallon were dating. He looked down to their intertwined hands, his large hand almost swallowing hers whole, still, he wouldn't have it any other way. Despite his ambitious nature Markus felt the opposite there as he stepped through the hallways of Syliras, hearing her voice tell the history of her and Orvin. Content. Happy with where he was in life. There was trouble behind him and there was undoubtedly trouble before him. But today he wanted to live in the now. Not worry about Rhysol planning to unleash an army of darkness upon the world, or missing squires and everything. He would be a selfish prick that day and spend it with the squire he had fallen for. Markus could hardly picture Orvin as a small pup small enough to fit in Fallon's backpack. The dog today was as large as most war dogs and probably weighed as much as the squire he was holding hands with, a very big dog. If not wolf, Markus had never found out about that. Another reminder to himself. But her tale stopped and Markus nodded, he did not know why Orvin would have had to trail her for days before she picked him up. Markus would have adopted him within the second of noticing him in the backpack. Yet he laughed a little when she told of finding the pup, he assumed, in her backpack. But the relaxed smile on his lips lightened a little when he saw her glance in his direction with a very direct question. He turned his head with a raised brow. Surprised a little by her question, but the squire was quicker than he to act on the situation. Quick to explain. Try and defuse the situation. Markus thought he had gotten used to this protective quirk of hers. More so, he thought she had let him inside and trusted him. But apparently not. There he had deluded himself. Pondering why he was so distrustful of him. The situation. Reminiscent in theory of him when he had been younger with a konti lady named Airil. How his juvenile reaction then had been to pound a stone wall with his fist in sheer frustration. Unleash his pent up anger upon the solid walls of Syliras. He would have laughed derisively at his younger self was it not for the words of his female companion anchored him in this reality, in the present that he had been so content with just moments earlier. Why her...? A part of him wished he had just offhandedly responded with some silly thing like 'because you are who you are' or 'Why not?' or any similarly inane sentence. But he didn't. There was the gap between her question and when he actually spoke that announced to his female companion that these were words he had considered. Weighed against other words. The conclusion surprised him. "Why you?... I... don't know..." Markus finally responded in honesty. He turned to look his girlfriend in the eyes. His mind churning out one hopelessly lame romantic bullshyke line after another before he simply stopped and just spoke directly from his organized mess of a mind. "I really... can't put my finger on what it is about you that makes my heart race.... I.. I could copy a thousand lacking poets and say it was your unmatched beauty." His free hand moved up and brushed back her hair on the side of her head and looked into her wonderful eyes. "Or I could be filled with hubris and compare your intelligence to that of Eyris... But then Tyveth would frown upon me for lying." Realizing his implied meaning, a warmth rose in his cheeks as he shook his head lightly. Smooth one, Markus. "Oh, oh, no no no, don't get me wrong, you are amazing. Beautiful as you are brilliant. The way your quick witted retorts has my mind reeling for a response when I tease you, stuns me. How you took a simple gander at my room and knew of great additions to the place. Perhaps it is because your mischievous way of improving a date is by pushing me into a lake... Or perhaps it is the enigma of you asking me this, when it was you who came to me today?" A smirk kept his lips parted at the rhetorical question. His hand moved to trail her jawline gently stroking it affectionately and tilting her head up should she have averted her gaze. His own green eyes looking down into her mix of green and blue as he took a small step nearer to her. "But mainly... it is the way your cheeks get this wonderful rosy colour whenever we get close to like this... drives me absolutely wild." He finished softly. Giving her hand still trapped in his a light squeeze. His own cheeks warm as they had turned a warm red colour. Although the desire to break the air between them and kiss her was great, Markus did not, he resisted the temptation. For a part of him felt that it needed to be her who initiated it, that she was convinced that he was not speaking ill. That he war not a charlatan.