Completed Training the Squire for war [Fallon]

[Markus Andres]

The young knight had it reconfirmed that she was okay. Did not hold a grudge against him and judging from the tender way she was moving about him and kissing him only solidified that notion. Looking at her burning red cheeks as she moved away again had the small smile return to his lips. He found her irresistibly cute when her cheeks burned and her shyness so clearly expressed on her beautiful face. His own cheeks began to get a small tinge of colour. He was about to lean in closer and pull her in for a passionate kiss when her words stopped him. Her question surprised Markus and stopped his plans, he did not find the moment appropriate for discussions of previous lovers and he did tangle a little with how to respond to her question without bragging nor dismissing her question as absurd. It did bring a similar red burning colour to his cheeks that Fallon sported. Thinking back on previous lovers while being intimate with Fallon was terribly rude and briefly he was glad she could not read his mind. But she provided him with a distraction that drew his thoughts away from previous tender moments to the present one. The squire suddenly hiding her face in her hands. She herself found the question out of place. Or perhaps too intimate? His mind was a swirl of heat and lust as he gazed upon his girlfriend and desire drove him forward. "Fallon." He spoke softly as his large hands moved up her arms and gently moved them away from her face and over to his shoulders. Hands once again moving down her arms and resting against her sides. "You're doing great." He said leaning in and kissed her deeply on the lips. Consumed by her he pulled her closer to him and he felt her naked frame against his again.

[Fallon]

The world muted to Fallon, creeping insecurities milling about and smothering that sense. Lips twitched, soundless in noise, a tremble of her form as she looked upon him. But unlike him there was no pleasure, there was no desire or lust. Instead there was restriction, a stiffening and rebelling of muscles. Her throat gave a tighten, unable to respond back to him and his soft words. Anxiety plagued her, even as she was reeled in close and escape prevented. She gave a shake, heart racing and her breaths labouring. But not out of desire, but that distinct trembling fear. Hands slipped down from his shoulders and to his chest, palms pressing against it as she forced movement. Her form arched away, eyes screwing shut as she fought for some level of control. The darkness consumed her mind, it blinded her as she felt the memories of then play back through, bright, searing, and painful. She gave a push away once, firmer and harder with an whisper upon her lips, "Stop."

"Stop!" She repeated herself, louder, clearer, her head snapping away and her focus on making space. Her internal walls were once more thrown up, the urge to get away and escape ensnaring her senses. That scene played in her head once more, the torture, the repeat, the dulled grunts and groans within her ears. The cruel inability to escape no matter what she tried. Fallon raised her hands up defensively between them once more, that terrified expression on her face, eyes wide but blinking as she wiggled free to retreat across to the other side of the private bath.

No, she was not doing great. She was haunted by that, even if she tried to bury it deeply beneath other such things. The chest laboured, her arms wrapping up around her as she reduced herself down into a ball. The barrier between her and him was once more made, even in their states within the water. She reduced herself, mind screaming to disappear and vanish as she simply curled up. With her forehead pressing against her knees, and the eyes returning to sealing shut she barely let out that low, whining mumble, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

[Markus Andres]

Lost in his own lust for the beautiful lady before him, Markus did not realize the stiffness. The off-putting way that Fallon carried herself in his arms. Those tense muscles and barely moving lips. The infatuation blinded him to her suffering. He thought she playfully broke the kiss to draw him in closer. But her mouth spoke a single word. Not in a tender and soft voice, but rather a shaking command carried in a broken spirit. A whisper that connected somewhere in his mind, but was refused. He could not readily believe it. But the repetition struck harder. Forced the knight to open his eyes and realize just how the lady squire was reliving a personal hell. As she fled from him, he followed her. Surprised by the one of voice. The fear inherent. His mouth hanging slightly agape. Everything had been going so well and now he was standing there in the hot water looking at his girlfriend and now definitely not-about-to-be lover. Watching her cower before him as he was the bastard who hurt her in the first place. The view tore away at him. Words were spoken, lost to his ears as she curled up into a ball to hide from the world. Hide from those who had wronged her. To hide from him. ... Him who made her relive that night. Even though he had tried. Tried to not push himself onto her. Force her into a position where she would feel captured. He had come on too strongly. He stretched a hand out toward her, but did not approach. He did not want to freak her out. Make matters worse by approaching her. His voice was an attempt to be soft, but he was feeling the stress and tension in him and the voice was strained. "Fallon... I... It is okay Fallon... It is okay. Look at me. It is me Fallon... please look at me~" He pleaded the woman. "Please." The voice was not soothing nor was it comforting. It was a young man afraid of what he had done to a young woman. Fearing the future. Unsure of what was to come. Most of all. Clueless as to how to fix the situation.

[Fallon]

Fallon did not think, or - more correctly - could not think in a clear logical fashion. Her mind became a blur, plagued with emotions and blinded by her fear. Each breath grew tighter, each moment the pressure of the world closed in. She gave a wince, tight, frightened, her own flesh cocooning her. It was the same wall that separated her from the world, one created to protect and allow stillness. She could not shout, she could not scream and express - it was improper to do so. No, the knighthood causes her to simply buckle and focus upon her duty, her task, something that was quickly turning more into a hollow belief.

She gave a shudder, followed by a squirm as she blocked off the collapsing world around her. There was only a peak between her arms, a shudder of a look with those large, hesitant eyes. Her lips gave only a tremble, the last croak of her voice cracking and falling into silence. Words left her, that nervous energy surrounding her more than apparent. Even when he leaned out to touch, did once more she recoil. Deeper within her mind and out of sight - it was safe there, no one could chase her that far. All they could do was rap their knuckles upon the physical. But there, in the safety of her thoughts and imagination, none could enter.

It was regression that controlled her, that unwavering fear that steeled the mind and turned it cold. She still continued her wild quivering, the form fragile in its shaking - almost as if she would shatter with a single touch. But that was now how she worked, on how she kept things bottled up and sealed shut; burn off the energy elsewhere - it was for the best. Fallon did not mean to make him worry, no if anything she wanted the opposite - she did not want the concern of others, the guilty feeling she was weighing them down and little more than a liability. The knights did not want that sort of squire. But she continued her looking, those eyes meeting the request of Markus. It was warped however to that of an order; a leader to the follower. Not that it was clear. The girl hunched her shoulders in, but her eyes looked onwards - ripped and torn with those distressing emotions.

[Markus Andres]

”... please...” The broken voice of a knight trailed off as he saw his girlfriend flinch from his extended hand. It wounded him deeply to see her be fearful of his extended hand. Hurt him deeper than he thought it would. Never had he thought he would hurt her, but twice in the same day with barely half a bell between. Dark green eyes staring at the pale creamy coloured skin of the squire. Somehow trying to make head and tail of it all. Pushing for an answer to the problem. But his mind rode in rings between guilt and helplessness. Unable to comprehend what was going on, unable to help. He hated that feeling. As he had felt when the Lagool broke through the water near Sahova. The feeling of being unable to do anything. Thoughts screaming at him, telling him to do something to relieve the pain Fallon felt. Help her through whatever was wrong. But there he stood. Naked in the warm waters of Syliras. Feeling as helpless as if Rhysol himself cursed him. The torture Markus felt watching Fallon like that, was perhaps only a fraction of what she felt, yet he could not bear to watch it anymore. Anything was better than watching her like this. Unbridled anger. Hateful eyes glaring with death. Anything... His movements were slow as he came closer to her, right knee bending and he reached out to touch her shoulders. Grab them lightly and green eyes focused upon her eyes. ”Fallon... Please...” Attempt to reach her without hurting or aggravating the situation. He just wanted the real Fallon back. The girl who was not afraid of letting her mouth run when speaking to a higher ranking knight. He shook her lithe frame a little. ”Fallon, snap out of it!” His voice finally got some strength and firmness back. ”Fallon...” He repeated her name several times, each time in a more pleading tone of voice. Trying to get her to open up again. Trust him. He felt like slapping her to attempt to snap her out of it, but despite his mounting desperation, he could not bring himself to hurt her. Not for a third time on the same day. "Fallon! Darling? Please listen to me. I beg you, look at me and breathe."

[Fallon]

She gave a jerk, a long stare as she snapped her eyes up at him. Her lip gave a tremble, the whites of her orbs large and rounded. For a moment she curled up tighter, shoulders shrugging inwards as the knight shook her. Swallowing, the squire forced a blink at his sudden firmness, his words registering in her mind. They opened, a moment of struggle to form something coherent outside of simple stammering noise. Her hands splayed out, a hesitant reach out to him to touch. Instruction clear she kept her gaze upon him, despite her seemingly shrinking nature. Chest rising and falling, she obeyed - the long sucking of the air and the laboured breaths as she fought for calm. It was Markus, he would not do anything to her - he would not force anything. Would he?

Her tongue darted out, a quick wet of her lips as she forced out words. A tumble came, broken, trembling, her head shaking as she tried to make some form of sense of the situation. Focus, form, control, a nervous hand reached tips barely touching his skin before darting back. Speak, announce the thoughts. Help yourself by helping him.

"I," her voice gave a crack, a sharp intake of breath, "I... I got scared."

Good. More, her fingers went in for a second touch, longer this time but still buzzing with that nervous and worried energy, "Not ready. Too fast." Swallowing she turned her eyes up to him, a flicker of confusion resting upon her brow. Her lip continued to tremble however, uncertain on what to actually do. There was a pause, a moment of stillness upon her face - deep and full of sombre - before she simply found her brow creasing. Head bowing she leaned to him, and promptly clung.

Only for an instant however. It was as if she suddenly remembered the indecent state of both of them. So, instead she pressed her back against the side of the bath, her neck shrinking into her shoulders as she looked at him - still cocooned but attentive to him. For the most part at least. And then, she released a squeak. Barely a noise within the silence and the gentle swishing of the waters, to be followed by a sniff, "You called me darling...?"

[Markus Andres]

Markus felt useless and demoralized as he looked at Fallon barely respond to his panicked calls at her. But he kept at it, kept trying to get her to return to him. He knew not what else to do. His mind wandered, was it a divine curse? Was it foul and dark magic? What could have caused this affliction to her, but always his mind returned to the same answer. It was him. His heart sank once more as it beat harder and harder in his chest. Desperate for a solution~ Then he saw a sliver of Priskil's majestic realm. Hope. Her eyes appeared more focused. Fixed on him. He was reaching her? She were returning to him? He clung to that hope. Wished dearly that it was so. He saw her tongue flicker out briefly. Taken a back by this serpent like motion. Her head shaking, hand touching him. All signs pointing to her returning to him. He was too enthralled with all the minor movements that he did not consider taking a step back, giving her space. But a word. A sound. Escaped her lips. Markus knew he adored the woman when she finally spoke those words. Her hand touched him again and he made a move to touch it tenderly. But her words stopped him. "Thank the gods you're okay, Fall-" When she moved to cling to him he stopped talking. The impulsive action stunned him. Fallon was definitely recovering. Barely had she come out of her cocooned state and she were already able to keep him surprised with her actions. She released him quickly and he just looked at her with tears forming at the corners of his eyes. Surely the squire would not see them as tears of worry and guilt, just water from the bath in his eyes. She went back into her cocoon, but much more attentive and less scared. Just aware of her naked frame. Releasing all the tension Markus had felt building up inside of him as the situation had deteriorated, Markus chuckled at her question and a big wide smile appeared on his lips. "By the gods you're cute~ Yes, I did call you darling. I hope you're okay with that, darling." He said as he gently reached out and stroked her cheek fondly. "I am sorry Fallon, I should have known better than to push for it... I can wait until you are ready to take the next step."

[Fallon]

There was laughter, a release of the nervous and worried energy disbursing into the air. It was hard not to react when the hand caressed her face, a gentle lean forward and the reaching up with her digits. For a moment she held it, a sheepish gaze up to him that smothered down behind a red blush. And whilst she did not move, she did managed to utter a few words from behind her knees, "Thank you. For... uh... waiting. It means a lot."
Eyes stole a glance, and then averted down and away. Even as she gave a sheepish swallow, followed by a weak point, "You're um... thingie is suggesting something else though."

Clearing her throat, the squire stuck her gaze firmly at the rippling surface of the water. Fingers swished across the surface, her weight shifting as she held him in regard for a moment. There was no rush, no immediate panic to escape this situation. It had calmed considerably after all, and with those passing ticks turning to chimes she uncurled from her state to watch him. A flicker of a smile rested there, a steady blush of red upon her cheeks. Gentle as it was, the girl finally shuffled her way back over to him - careful and watching. Or at least until she pecked him on the cheek, fleeting and sweet. He was safe, she knew that, and it quickly became more apparent that this was the case. She could be honest with him, possibly even open up in time. But right now? Well who knew.

"Markus... I like you, a lot. Possibly even... love," she gave a blush and averted her gaze, "Don't forget that. Just... be gentle with me. I'm still healing." With that she pulled away, and begun to slide her way to the edge to make her escape, "Let's make a move. Shall we?"

[Markus Andres]

The young knight nodded as she thanked him. It hardly felt like something she would have to thank him. But he still accepted it without a protest. It hardly seemed like the time and place to discuss the merits of gratitude. It was good to see some life back in her face, even if it was one marred with confusion and doubt, but he saw the warmth return. The caring eyes land on him from time to time and seeing the trust that slowly built. He laughed when she pointed out the obvious culprit that was indeed pointing back at her and he shrugged sheepishly. "Do not mind him, he does not know what is good for him." The knight joked with a gleam in his eyes. Always ready to forget any bad things that happened in his life. Ready to move on with a terrible joke and just bury the parts he did not enjoy. In retrospect, he never really did remember any of his own jokes. Might be something there for him to reflect on. It was discipline that made him not kiss Fallon as she looked at him shyly, for she looked irresistible the way her eyes flickered to his. The almost smile on her lips. Everything she did made his heart beat faster and his desire and infatuation with her grew. Her innocent peck on his cheek was the hardest one not to follow up with rough kisses and a close embrace. But although in the mood to forget her broken state just moments earlier, he still recalled the moment and would not want to provoke another panic attack. His right hand felt otherwise and reached out and his fingers slid through her wet hair. His own cheeks burning red in a blush. The four letters had Markus look at her as his heart skipped a beat. Mouth slightly agape. Her averted gaze saved his pride as he recovered from her revelation. She had just told him she might love him. He certainly was in love with her, had fallen for her deeply. He gently shook his head when she pulled away and prepared to leave the water. His left hand caught her right and he gently tugged her back to face him. "Not so quick, darling." He would press his lips against her forehead. "You can't just say that and leave. For I feel very strongly about you too and I am almost certain it is love." He would flick aside some of her wet her and reveal her pretty face. "And I promise I will be gentle." The young knight spoke before kneeling and getting a hand against her legs and lifting her in the water. "So, what is it with you and me always getting wet when we are together?" Markus asked innocently with a warm smile as he made his way to the edge of the pool where he would put down his chosen one.

[Fallon]

Fallon was never good at expression, or more over things when it was an emotional level. Hard facts, common sense words, that was the way she was worked - so coming out and admitting such a thing was difficult. So when the knight closed in on her, smiles and grins as he came in close. Her face of course was still glowing, her eyes averting and not quite sure where to focus upon. That gentle touch, that lure into security, he would not do anything apart from his rather controlled graces. Lips twitched, her eyes flickering up to his for a tick as she let him lift her free of the water. Obviously he was just trying to be chivalrous - least that was what she told herself.

"Too late, I just did leave," she managed to crack a tease. Her mind buzzed, her eyes staring into his. Gentle, thoughtful, his question on their present state and a reoccurring habit. Chewing at her lip she gave a blink, her hands reaching up to touch his face, and cupping it. She gave a shrug, her hand reaching back and fumbling for a towel, "I don't know, maybe you just like getting wet."

So many thoughts, so many ideas. But even she knew she was far from ready for such things. It would have been destructive, and a potential cause of ruin. And even she should not submit him to such a torment. Exhaling she met his eye and pulled the rough fabric of the towel around her. It was her shield against his gaze, his eyes that stared and studied her form. She flicked him away, "Stop staring, it's rude."

Pulling away the squire let herself get dry, her eyes only occasionally turning to Markus. Guarded almost, and waiting for him to try something else. But this was no time to dally, not in such a public place as this. Another time, another place, then perhaps they could enjoy the moment of bliss alone and without rush. Besides, she still had to shake off the blush and sense of nerves. Even if he did request her not to be so quick, there was no way she was waiting around in the chilled air for him to say something. After all, some things were not quite calm yet. Clearing her throat she grabbed her shirt and promptly wriggled into it, hiding the pale skin and secrets from view. With an approving nod she quickly found the rest of her clothing, and promptly threw the towel at Markus, "Come on, you'll get prunes for fingers if you stay in there any longer."