[Stone Gardens] Walking Amongst the Stones (Open)

by **Ash'eny** on February 11th, 2011, 8:45 pm

Ash'eny smirked, catching himself speaking often, quickly, and with with many sentences, where Jaelyn seemed a little more quiet, reluctant to speak so openly. It was probably wise. Woman couldn't trust men so easily (especially not Ash'eny), as any man with charm or flattery could just as easily be a deviant or worse. Ash'eny lightly scratched at the sandpaper-like chin of his before letting his smile fade slowly. He noticed that she did not mention on his little compliment. Perhaps she wasn't as centered on appearance as most women. That was good, they tended to be shallower when they were.

"Most people think that. But it's not true. There is organization, there is law. It's not... 'lawful' per say. Gangs, a few powerful figures, typical ruffians, they make the rules, the laws. They are the organizations that dominate the city. It's chaotic, violent, definitely those things. But not anarchistic. Not quite." Ash'eny tossed another smirk at Jaelyn as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Lived there almost my whole life." Ash'eny nodded to himself as if he needed his own confirmation on his history.

"What about you? I mean, I hope I don't seem rude for being interested. I like to know a little about my friends, where they're from, what they like to eat, how old they are. You didn't seem like the type to just straight out talk to me though. You don't need to answer of course, I'll take no offense if you don't."

by **Jaelyn Baroth** on February 14th, 2011, 6:40 am

Jaelyn gave a small nod as she listened to Tolby describe Sunberth. She had to admit, now that she thought of it, that it certainly made more sense that way. If there was no organization than such a place would fall apart in the harshness that was Mizahar.

When Tolby mentioned that he had spent most of his life there Jaelyn's eyes widened slightly in surprise. Even though Tolby was a bit on the... unruly side she had certainly not imagined he would come from Sunberth, "I... I suppose what you say makes sense," she said after a moment, "Even though it is not as bad as I imagined it could not have been an easy or pleasant place to live."

Perhaps that might explain why his view of the Gardens was different than Jaelyns, but before she could think long on that Tolby was asking of her. She gave a faint smile to him as she replied, "There is no rudeness in asking such simple questions. I am from Syliras myself, and have lived here all my life. As for food," she paused for a moment to think, "I do like a good stew, and I have 16 years, and will soon be 17," giving a small nod to Tolby as she finished she gave a soft smile again, "Is there anything else I can answer for you?"

by **Ash'eny** on February 25th, 2011, 8:23 pm

Ash'eny smirked, nodding slowly to Jaelyn. "Yes, the city is something else for sure. It's a difficult life for many, especially those without a family to care for them or show them what motherly or fatherly love is. Sometimes I wonder if Sunberth would have been better off if it truly was lawless, not even the corrupt to control the masses." Ash'eny nodded again, though his eyes seemed to fade out of focus somewhere along his shortened monologue. The thief did not say such things without meaning. Sunberth had taken a toll on him, and even now, after he had spent several seasons in Syliras trying to shift his tainted soul and life a cleaner more honest life, he still felt the scars of that place. Oddly enough, he felt he was Sunberth, like it was the way it was because he was there, lived there, became one of them, and his presence carried Sunberth with him wherever he went. Ash'eny blinked, and as if that simple common motion pulled him from his thought, his eyes jerked back to Jaelyn's eyes. He grinned.

"I honestly hope I never see it again." Ash'eny smiled and listened to her answers with only half interest. To be honest, he had no desire to know what she liked to eat or where she lived. To be even more honest, he didn't even know why he was bothering to talk to her. He had something he needed to do, a mission one could say. He had to find someone that was mentioned to him. He was certain he'd know her when he saw her, or at least met her, but still he felt a need to search. "Hah, not even a grown woman yet. Could have fooled me. You look well above your age, mature I mean. No offense intended."

by **Jaelyn Baroth** on March 5th, 2011, 9:20 am

Jaelyn blinked at Tolby's comment about her looking older. It was not something she had really heard before, but she did not know how she felt about it. The most her age had mattered to her really was in her progress on the path to become a Knight, and for that it mattered little what age she looked. By Tolby's words though it was something some people would be offended at, and so she gave a reassuring smile and shook her head, "No offense taken."

For a moment there was silence, and Jaelyn wondered what to speak of. She didn't want to appear rude, but she was not particularly good at speaking with others. After a few breaths she asked, "Might I ask what brings you to the Stone Gardens? Surely it was not just for the hope that you'd find someone to discuss your feelings on the Garden with," she gave a smile with her last words to show she was being sincere with what she said.

by **Ash'eny** on March 5th, 2011, 5:03 pm

Ash'eny grinned as she questioned him about his reasons for being here. "I'll tell you a lie if you'd like any story, but the truth is a secret." Ash'eny winked, then fell to one in one dramatic swoop. "No! I cannot lie to you my Sweet! I have come in search for you! It is your eyes that I have longed to hold in my gaze, your vivid hair to fall leisurely through the palms of my worn and scarred hands. I have fallen for you, heart and soul before I even knew your name, and giving me that, Jaelyn, has only made my mind crave you ever more! I have not slept in days just for the premonition of meeting you has infected my every thought, my every waking hour, and even that of sleep and slumber. Without you here, I would not be here." Ash'eny was grinning the entire time that he sat there on his knee, pretending to serenade the young woman before him. It was a little comical, at least to him it was.

Ash'eny couldn't admit the truth. He would sound crazy. 'I'm following the instructions of a ghost from Kova's Well to find some woman that needs my assistance, so yeah, I'm looking for that woman.' This wasn't an age for heroes and such, and Ash'eny was about as far from that as could be, not to mention following the orders of the dead was just strange in itself. Lying, however, had become natural for him. Such as giving a false name as his own. He had told his name as Tolby so often he had even gotten used to reply to it. Ash'eny held who he really was, Tolby was an escape.

by **Jaelyn Baroth** on March 7th, 2011, 8:29 pm

Jaelyn was sure that Tolby was teasing her judging by his grin and wink when he responded, but even knowing that she couldn't keep a brilliant blush from sprouting on her cheeks at his dramatic and flowery proclamation. Turning to the side in embarrassment as he finished she focused on a tree that was a ways away as she responded, "You are just teasing me now, are you not? A simple reply would have been more than enough..."

Truth be told a small part of her would not be unhappy if those pretty words were true. Even though Tolby looked to be more man than boy the thought of someone finding her attractive and wanting to romance her was appealing. Even as she thought such things though she chastised herself for them. She had much more important things to focus on, and flights of fancy would only hinder her.

Clenching her jaw ever so slightly she pushed such silly little feelings down, took a few slow breaths, and then turned back to face Tolby with a small smile and a fading blush, "If you do not want to share then I will respect your desire. I do not think you would intend anything harmful, and you are certainly entitled to your privacy."

by **Ash'eny** on March 12th, 2011, 7:08 am

Ash'eny lifted a hand to his chest, the palm resting gently over where his heart was makeshift beating madly in love for this woman that he had just met. Very dramatic indeed. "Teasing? My girl, you wound me. I mean no less that certain honesty. For you I would wrestle bears! For you I would thrust a knife into my own chest in proclamation of my love! For you I would kiss the very ground you have blessed with your strides! For you, I would do anything you ask!" Ash'eny had fallen onto both his knees at this point, looking up at Jaelyn in the mocking pathetic pose that could resemble that of a beggar asking for coin, a slave begging for mercy, or in this case, a lovestruck boy unable to live without certainty he was adored as much as the woman he couldn't live without. His hand remained on his chest while the other reached outwards, as if actually waiting for her to accept.

Ash'eny was able to catch the blushing as well. The girl, like so many, thought of love, dreamed of it like it was flawless, without remorse or repercussion. It was something she hadn't experienced, but to her it was a perfect idea. "I wish to share this night with you. Perhaps, if your beauty cannot be tainted by my presence, you will honor me with such a request. I wish only to gaze upon you as one might watch the stars, to feel the warmth of your hand in my palm. If I would admit to be dying, and for that to be my only cure, would you save me?" Ash'eny, if he wasn't being watched in his horrible cheesy acting, would have burst into tears of laughter. He knew he was no actor, despite having a trick or two he picked up, still though, such a thing was fun.

by **Jaelyn Baroth** on March 16th, 2011, 5:38 pm

Confusion was obvious on Jaelyn's face as Tolby insisted that he was being honest with her. As he continued to speak of his overwhelming feelings for her, along with his dramatic posing, she could feel her cheeks again burning with embarrassment. This whole situation was starting to remind her of a story she had heard once about a woman and the man who loved her with all his heart.

Thinking back on their conversation so far only confused Jaelyn even more. Tolby had certainly not seemed that smitten with her when they first met, and she couldn't imagine what had happened so far that would have brought this about. Yet she could not imagine why he would want to pretend such a thing was real. Unless... did he enjoy teasing people? He had mentioned that he disgusted people before...

Whether he was playing or not he was waiting for an answer, and Jaelyn could only think of being honest in response. Her lips curled into an embarrassed smile as she reached her hand out and lightly touched Tolby's outstretched palm, "If my touch would save you from dying then I would certainly offer it. I am honored by your feelings, and certainly unworthy of such words. My devotion is to my training, and will be for some time. It will be over a year until I become a Knight. Not that romance is forbidden, but until I am a Knight much of my time will be spent training and working to prepare for my quest," realizing that she had started to ramble she stopped, gave a soft sigh, and then took a deep breath.

Releasing the breath she gave another smile to Tolby, "I am saying much that is unneeded. What I mean to say is thank you for your beautiful words, and if you wish for me to reply with similar feelings it is certainly possible, but not until I am a Knight. If you can not wait until then though I am sorry, but my focus must be on my training."

by **Ash'eny** on March 21st, 2011, 2:43 am

If you were to ask Ash'eny at a later date why he even did what he was doing, or even why he went as far as he did, he probably wouldn't have been able to tell you. He enjoyed the reactions he often got, and this girl was giving him exactly what he wanted. A damsel more than willing to think beautiful things of beautifully crafted words. It was cute, reminded him of the innocence he never truly had, and in that thought, it almost made him wonder if what he was doing was actually going to wound the poor girl. He had done worse, much much worse, but still, it was almost making him feel guilty. It wasn't until Ash'eny heard Jaelyn admit to being a knight, or at least in training to be one. He felt his subtle, fragment of guilt fade. Knights were a touchy subject for Ash'eny, both righteous and self-righteous they were. "Beauty and strength. My girl, is there no gift you don't possess? I came here, only taking by complete and utter surprise and hungering for your beauty, but now I know that you are more than just a pretty face and intelligent mind. You are both kind, and strong, fierce, yet just. My heart, it breaks just knowing I have spent so many years without knowing who you are. Now, I can die a man, happy in all that has come across his path, regardless of the pains he has suffered."

When Jaelyn admitted that she could offer the same feelings he offered her, he conjured up the strangest of images. A rogue and a knight, how strange would it be if this situation of mock-love were to become real. The polar opposites of the world, close to each other. It was almost enough to make Ash'eny blurt out into laughter. Of course, she didn't know what Ash'eny did, even though he now knew just about everything about her that he could care about. "Then, then you'll have me? If I am patient and kind, supportive in everything you do, then you would hold your hands to these cheeks and bless me with the joys that no god or goddess could offer? Tolby has never been a patient man, active in all he does, but for you, a year is nothing. Two years can pass without consequence, and a third is hardly to be noticed. If it is possible that you could feel the same as I feel for you, then I will return to your side when you are ready and your duty permits." Ash'eny smiled as he stood back up again, he was standing closer now, his brown, dark irises looking down at her, lustfully taking in all her eyes offered before him. If she knew who she was standing next to, she would probably have panicked, or even tried to take him down as the aspiring young knight-to-be that she was. But what did she know?

He was a man with a dark past and beautiful words.

by **Jaelyn Baroth** on March 29th, 2011, 6:52 pm

As Jaelyn listened to Tolby's words she could feel her cheeks continuing to burn in embarrassment at his beautiful prose. He was being much too kind to her, of course there were gifts she did not possess. She knew of womanly skills; cooking, cleaning, crafting, and the like, but she was certainly not skilled in them, or anything artistic. It gave Tolby's words that much more of a feeling that they came from a story, and it all was starting to make Jaelyn feel almost as if she was in a dream. The thought crossed her mind to pinch herself, but that would probably look silly, and it was not like she was prone to day dreams.

Tolby's next questions pushed the dream-like feeling away with a bit of worry. Had she said something to give him the impression that she was his in a year? Not wanting to give the wrong impression she spoke quickly as he finished speaking, "It is possible, but I can not promise anything. I do not know you very well and... I... ," as Tolby stood up and gazed down at her her voice trailed off, and she felt her heart pounding in her chest. She had never seen anyone look at her like that before, and his gaze made her both stunned and nervous.

After a few moments she glanced away, and stumbled over her thoughts and words once more, "I... would like to get to know you better..." she fell silent again, struggling to regain control of her emotions and thoughts. Was this what love felt like?