Rose & Geran: An Unlikely Tale | 119 4A+
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Rose & Geran: An Unlikely Tale | 119 4A+
Location: Saldalien, Keliac, Arkandia
Time: Mid-Winter, 119 4A
Saldalien, Keliac, was warm, but no warmer than Valdell, Gemia, Rose’s hometown. Rose therefore had no trouble with the idea of wearing her bright red cloak through the town. She didn’t wear it for the warmth – it had to be at least 35 degrees outside, not to mention the humidity; but rather, it was, and had become for her over the years, a security blanket of sorts. She couldn’t remember going out much on her own before having met Holly, not that it would have been acceptable as a young girl in her society: but she did remember always being nervous about it. To this day she still didn’t know if it was meeting and befriending Holly, a young woman as looked down upon as she herself was, or the gift of the cloak, which had been her first real gift from someone other than her parents, or the freedom that wearing the cloak gave her to hide herself away from the world around her; but when she wore the cloak, she felt as close as she probably would ever feel to invincible, safe, whatever she was doing, wherever she might be.
And so, despite being in a foreign country, surrounded by a foreign race – one which she had been taught to distrust – she felt safe exploring the town with her cloak around her shoulders, covering anything she might be wearing at her waist. She did, however, keep her hood down, something she rarely did back home. She would have felt safer with it up, certainly, but she wanted her sight and hearing, which were already inferior to those around her, to remain unhindered. There was already enough to distract her.
Her goal for today was simple. Explore the market, perhaps visit some businesses, and find out what kind of things would be the most valuable for trade. Thanks to her work for her father, she had an eye and mind for numbers and economics. It was something else that had set her apart from the women of Valdell: she’d had more education than most – at least, more business education. And the sense to use it.
She had to admit, she was a bit disappointed with her initial sweep of the marketplace. It honestly looked as though all business was conducted with currency rather than through trades. She did note, however, that wherever there were actual items being sold – as opposed to food, for example – they were of incredible quality and craftsmanship. If they wanted to trade for wares, they would have to produce high quality items of their own.
She was so intent on looking at the items and transactions around her that she wasn’t paying attention to what was in front of her. A horse’s shrill whinny startled her, and suddenly she found herself on the ground, her shoulder and leg aching sharply. It was only then that she was aware of the horse running up the crowded street, sending people diving to the left and right. Its rider, Light Elven as were the rest of the people around her, brought the horse up sharply and turned it in a tight circle, spinning it almost on the spot.
Has he no intention of stopping or watching out for the people he’s plowing through? Rose wondered angrily as she pushed herself to her feet. Or even of simply making sure no one is badly hurt?
She brushed herself off and noticed with another burst of anger that there was a tear in her cloak and skirt, and that already the edges of the tear in her skirt were smudged with blood. She’d scraped her leg in her fall – yet that fact barely registered in her mind as it slowly set in that her cloak had been torn.
Her cloak was torn.
She held the material in her hands, her temper rising. It was a sizable tear, large enough to put her four fingers through. But even if the tear had been smaller, it would not have made a difference. Her cloak, her security blanket, had been damaged, and now her cocoon of safety was safe no longer.
Tears scalded her eyes and she looked forward. Holly. She had to find Holly. Holly could fix it, make it better – right?
Without watching for the horse and its reckless rider, she set off towards the tailor’s. Surely Holly would be there.
She hoped Holly would be there.
She had to be.
Time: Mid-Winter, 119 4A
Saldalien, Keliac, was warm, but no warmer than Valdell, Gemia, Rose’s hometown. Rose therefore had no trouble with the idea of wearing her bright red cloak through the town. She didn’t wear it for the warmth – it had to be at least 35 degrees outside, not to mention the humidity; but rather, it was, and had become for her over the years, a security blanket of sorts. She couldn’t remember going out much on her own before having met Holly, not that it would have been acceptable as a young girl in her society: but she did remember always being nervous about it. To this day she still didn’t know if it was meeting and befriending Holly, a young woman as looked down upon as she herself was, or the gift of the cloak, which had been her first real gift from someone other than her parents, or the freedom that wearing the cloak gave her to hide herself away from the world around her; but when she wore the cloak, she felt as close as she probably would ever feel to invincible, safe, whatever she was doing, wherever she might be.
And so, despite being in a foreign country, surrounded by a foreign race – one which she had been taught to distrust – she felt safe exploring the town with her cloak around her shoulders, covering anything she might be wearing at her waist. She did, however, keep her hood down, something she rarely did back home. She would have felt safer with it up, certainly, but she wanted her sight and hearing, which were already inferior to those around her, to remain unhindered. There was already enough to distract her.
Her goal for today was simple. Explore the market, perhaps visit some businesses, and find out what kind of things would be the most valuable for trade. Thanks to her work for her father, she had an eye and mind for numbers and economics. It was something else that had set her apart from the women of Valdell: she’d had more education than most – at least, more business education. And the sense to use it.
She had to admit, she was a bit disappointed with her initial sweep of the marketplace. It honestly looked as though all business was conducted with currency rather than through trades. She did note, however, that wherever there were actual items being sold – as opposed to food, for example – they were of incredible quality and craftsmanship. If they wanted to trade for wares, they would have to produce high quality items of their own.
She was so intent on looking at the items and transactions around her that she wasn’t paying attention to what was in front of her. A horse’s shrill whinny startled her, and suddenly she found herself on the ground, her shoulder and leg aching sharply. It was only then that she was aware of the horse running up the crowded street, sending people diving to the left and right. Its rider, Light Elven as were the rest of the people around her, brought the horse up sharply and turned it in a tight circle, spinning it almost on the spot.
Has he no intention of stopping or watching out for the people he’s plowing through? Rose wondered angrily as she pushed herself to her feet. Or even of simply making sure no one is badly hurt?
She brushed herself off and noticed with another burst of anger that there was a tear in her cloak and skirt, and that already the edges of the tear in her skirt were smudged with blood. She’d scraped her leg in her fall – yet that fact barely registered in her mind as it slowly set in that her cloak had been torn.
Her cloak was torn.
She held the material in her hands, her temper rising. It was a sizable tear, large enough to put her four fingers through. But even if the tear had been smaller, it would not have made a difference. Her cloak, her security blanket, had been damaged, and now her cocoon of safety was safe no longer.
Tears scalded her eyes and she looked forward. Holly. She had to find Holly. Holly could fix it, make it better – right?
Without watching for the horse and its reckless rider, she set off towards the tailor’s. Surely Holly would be there.
She hoped Holly would be there.
She had to be.
Re: Rose & Geran: An Unlikely Tale | 119 4A+
Location: Saldalien, Keliac, Arkandia
Time: Mid-Winter, 119 4A
The only time Geran had ever had trouble sleeping was when he had been only three and four years old, when he had first come to live with Kallie after his parents had been killed. Since then, his life had been peaceful. Serene. Uncomplicated. Stress- and worry-free.
Until now.
Now, suddenly, he found himself totally unable to sleep. He could tell by the movement of the stars outside his window that the hours were passing, but as much as he tried, he couldn’t drift off. His mind was simply too busy. There was no questioning why. Since his first encounter with Rose, she had been on his mind. The night before, he had been excited, looking forward to having her for dinner so that Kallie could meet her and get to know her a bit. But now …
Now he had even more to think about. She had not rejected his interest, which had been surprising enough. But then she had told him she wasn’t even elven, but human.
Human.
He sighed and turned over onto his stomach. She was human. That should have been the end of it, shouldn’t it? After all, elves should marry elves. To do anything else was ridiculous.
Wasn’t it?
So why couldn’t he stop thinking about her?
He closed his eyes, and once more the scene played out in front of him. How with a wave of Shiro’s hand, Rose’s appearance had changed. Her hair had grown darker, her eyes lighter. It had been such a shock to see. If he were honest with himself, his first reaction – after the shock – had been revulsion. It was ingrained into him. Humans had killed his parents. Humans were pathetic. Weak. Ugly. Magicless. Unintelligent. Without much skill. Without morals. Without mercy.
But the more he thought about it, the less Rose filled that description. She was polite. Kind. Honest. Strong. Funny. Beautiful. Very smart. Yes, she had been disguised when he had met her, and the two days they’d been together afterwards. But it had not been out of a desire to trick people. She had simply wanted to travel unharassed. There was nothing wrong with that. And when it had become important, she had been honest with him and told him the truth. That had required courage.
And would still. If they were going to try for a relationship, it would be hard on both of them. They would face prejudice and ridicule wherever they went, of that he was certain.
Suddenly he realized the implication of his thoughts. Was he … actually considering this?
… he was.
He rolled onto his back and rubbed his eyes. He was considering it. A relationship with a human girl. Either he had lost his mind, or …
He sat up and moved to the window, still wide awake. Or maybe, his mind reasoned, just maybe … it wasn’t a bad thing.
Now that was a strange thought.
He considered it. Clearly, Rose was willing to entertain the idea. So she didn’t think it was a bad thing. Shiro and Holly hadn’t shown any negativity to the idea, so they didn’t think it was a bad thing. And they were traveling with another human woman – and considering how boldly she walked around the town, he had a feeling she wouldn’t care, either. So what about the rest of their group?
A slow smile spread over his face, and for the first time all night, his heart stopped racing so quickly. It was a crazy thing. The strangest thing he would ever have imagined himself doing. But he was going to do it. Valar help him, he was going to give it a try.
This time, when he lay down and closed his eyes, he saw Rose as she truly was: a beautiful brunette with a smile that, for better or for worse, had touched his heart.
Time: Mid-Winter, 119 4A
The only time Geran had ever had trouble sleeping was when he had been only three and four years old, when he had first come to live with Kallie after his parents had been killed. Since then, his life had been peaceful. Serene. Uncomplicated. Stress- and worry-free.
Until now.
Now, suddenly, he found himself totally unable to sleep. He could tell by the movement of the stars outside his window that the hours were passing, but as much as he tried, he couldn’t drift off. His mind was simply too busy. There was no questioning why. Since his first encounter with Rose, she had been on his mind. The night before, he had been excited, looking forward to having her for dinner so that Kallie could meet her and get to know her a bit. But now …
Now he had even more to think about. She had not rejected his interest, which had been surprising enough. But then she had told him she wasn’t even elven, but human.
Human.
He sighed and turned over onto his stomach. She was human. That should have been the end of it, shouldn’t it? After all, elves should marry elves. To do anything else was ridiculous.
Wasn’t it?
So why couldn’t he stop thinking about her?
He closed his eyes, and once more the scene played out in front of him. How with a wave of Shiro’s hand, Rose’s appearance had changed. Her hair had grown darker, her eyes lighter. It had been such a shock to see. If he were honest with himself, his first reaction – after the shock – had been revulsion. It was ingrained into him. Humans had killed his parents. Humans were pathetic. Weak. Ugly. Magicless. Unintelligent. Without much skill. Without morals. Without mercy.
But the more he thought about it, the less Rose filled that description. She was polite. Kind. Honest. Strong. Funny. Beautiful. Very smart. Yes, she had been disguised when he had met her, and the two days they’d been together afterwards. But it had not been out of a desire to trick people. She had simply wanted to travel unharassed. There was nothing wrong with that. And when it had become important, she had been honest with him and told him the truth. That had required courage.
And would still. If they were going to try for a relationship, it would be hard on both of them. They would face prejudice and ridicule wherever they went, of that he was certain.
Suddenly he realized the implication of his thoughts. Was he … actually considering this?
… he was.
He rolled onto his back and rubbed his eyes. He was considering it. A relationship with a human girl. Either he had lost his mind, or …
He sat up and moved to the window, still wide awake. Or maybe, his mind reasoned, just maybe … it wasn’t a bad thing.
Now that was a strange thought.
He considered it. Clearly, Rose was willing to entertain the idea. So she didn’t think it was a bad thing. Shiro and Holly hadn’t shown any negativity to the idea, so they didn’t think it was a bad thing. And they were traveling with another human woman – and considering how boldly she walked around the town, he had a feeling she wouldn’t care, either. So what about the rest of their group?
A slow smile spread over his face, and for the first time all night, his heart stopped racing so quickly. It was a crazy thing. The strangest thing he would ever have imagined himself doing. But he was going to do it. Valar help him, he was going to give it a try.
This time, when he lay down and closed his eyes, he saw Rose as she truly was: a beautiful brunette with a smile that, for better or for worse, had touched his heart.
Re: Rose & Geran: An Unlikely Tale | 119 4A+
Location: Saldalien, Keliac, Arkandia
Time: Mid-Winter, 119 4A
When Geran arrived home after visiting the tent, Kallie was in the kitchen, arranging flowers in multiple vases.
“Welcome back,” she smiled at him, her eyes bright, as he passed through the kitchen.
“Thanks,” he grinned back at her.
She laughed, turning back to her flower arrangements. “Am I to guess by that goofy grin of yours that you’re going to be going with them?”
Geran paused in the doorway. “I … am,” he murmured, his heart pounding even as he said it. He didn’t even mind – or notice, for that matter – the way she was teasing him. “It’s … difficult to wrap my head around. I can’t imagine being anywhere other than here.”
“Well,” Kallie smiled, sliding a final flower into a vase and turning to face him, “you’re about to face that reality. As much as I’m going to miss you, I am excited on your behalf. You do realize,” she added, approaching him and reaching up to smooth out his collar, “that however this turns out, you’re not going to be so easily rid of me.”
He blinked, confused. “Huh?”
With a soft laugh, she slapped his cheek gently – almost more of a tap. “And here I thought I’d taught you to respond better than that.”
Geran’s cheeks grew warm. He had been taller than Kallie since his eleventh year, but even now she managed to make him feel so small. “S-sorry,” he stuttered. “I-I just didn’t know what you meant-”
“Well,” she interrupted him, her eyes dancing with laughter, “if things don’t work out between you, then I fully expect you’ll be returning here. Maybe not to stay, but at least to inform me and for a shoulder to cry on. But if things do work out for you, then you’ll find a way to let me know, as well as let me know where you settle eventually so that I can come see you.”
She paused then, chewing the inside of her cheek, her brow furrowing ever so slightly. “Though … I must admit, it would be nice if you might settle here …”
Geran sighed and lowered his gaze. “I told you,” he murmured. “It wouldn’t work.”
“Because she’s human, I know.” Kallie waved away the comment. “All because people can be real jerks.”
Geran had told her that morning, when he had made his decision, that Rose was human. Despite his promise to Rose not to tell others about her race, Kallie was the one person he could not keep it from. She meant too much to him, and he owed her an explanation of why he would not be able to stay here with Rose someday. As he had hoped, she had not become angry with him, nor had she discouraged him from following his heart.
She truly was one of a kind.
“But my expectation holds,” she repeated, wagging a finger in his face. “If you two do settle down somewhere – or even if you don’t – you send word back so that I know. Understood?”
Geran smiled and put his arms around her. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he murmured.
Kallie returned the embrace, and when she stepped back again, there were tears in the corners of her eyes. “Now go get packed,” she told him, still smiling. “You don’t want to keep them waiting tomorrow when they come for you.”
As Geran turned to do as he was told, out of the corner of his eye he saw Kallie reach up and wipe her cheek with the back of one hand.
Time: Mid-Winter, 119 4A
When Geran arrived home after visiting the tent, Kallie was in the kitchen, arranging flowers in multiple vases.
“Welcome back,” she smiled at him, her eyes bright, as he passed through the kitchen.
“Thanks,” he grinned back at her.
She laughed, turning back to her flower arrangements. “Am I to guess by that goofy grin of yours that you’re going to be going with them?”
Geran paused in the doorway. “I … am,” he murmured, his heart pounding even as he said it. He didn’t even mind – or notice, for that matter – the way she was teasing him. “It’s … difficult to wrap my head around. I can’t imagine being anywhere other than here.”
“Well,” Kallie smiled, sliding a final flower into a vase and turning to face him, “you’re about to face that reality. As much as I’m going to miss you, I am excited on your behalf. You do realize,” she added, approaching him and reaching up to smooth out his collar, “that however this turns out, you’re not going to be so easily rid of me.”
He blinked, confused. “Huh?”
With a soft laugh, she slapped his cheek gently – almost more of a tap. “And here I thought I’d taught you to respond better than that.”
Geran’s cheeks grew warm. He had been taller than Kallie since his eleventh year, but even now she managed to make him feel so small. “S-sorry,” he stuttered. “I-I just didn’t know what you meant-”
“Well,” she interrupted him, her eyes dancing with laughter, “if things don’t work out between you, then I fully expect you’ll be returning here. Maybe not to stay, but at least to inform me and for a shoulder to cry on. But if things do work out for you, then you’ll find a way to let me know, as well as let me know where you settle eventually so that I can come see you.”
She paused then, chewing the inside of her cheek, her brow furrowing ever so slightly. “Though … I must admit, it would be nice if you might settle here …”
Geran sighed and lowered his gaze. “I told you,” he murmured. “It wouldn’t work.”
“Because she’s human, I know.” Kallie waved away the comment. “All because people can be real jerks.”
Geran had told her that morning, when he had made his decision, that Rose was human. Despite his promise to Rose not to tell others about her race, Kallie was the one person he could not keep it from. She meant too much to him, and he owed her an explanation of why he would not be able to stay here with Rose someday. As he had hoped, she had not become angry with him, nor had she discouraged him from following his heart.
She truly was one of a kind.
“But my expectation holds,” she repeated, wagging a finger in his face. “If you two do settle down somewhere – or even if you don’t – you send word back so that I know. Understood?”
Geran smiled and put his arms around her. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he murmured.
Kallie returned the embrace, and when she stepped back again, there were tears in the corners of her eyes. “Now go get packed,” she told him, still smiling. “You don’t want to keep them waiting tomorrow when they come for you.”
As Geran turned to do as he was told, out of the corner of his eye he saw Kallie reach up and wipe her cheek with the back of one hand.
Re: Rose & Geran: An Unlikely Tale | 119 4A+
Location: Makshim, Shiezin, Arkandia
Time: Early Stirring, 119 4A
Several weeks had passed since Geran had joined the group of travelers, but with so many people living in one tent, it was hard for him and Rose to find some time alone together. Not that they really sought it out, since they were just beginning to get to know each other, but Rose had the feeling that Geran was trying for it. So when he suggested that she come with him on a walk through the town in search of livestock for sale, she agreed and went in search of her favourite red cloak. It was still quite cool outside, after all – still around the freezing point.
“As amazing as the tent is,” Geran commented, holding out his arm to Rose as they started off, “I think I like this weather the best of all that I’ve seen.”
His breath left his mouth in white puffs, and the cold air brushed his cheeks with a rosy hue. Even his eyes were brighter than Rose had seen them.
Rose herself was feeling quite chilled, but it felt good in her lungs. “It is rather pleasant,” she agreed. “It reminds me of one of the gardens.”
“But fresher,” Geran murmured with a smile.
Rose had to concede that, but she also had to pull her hood over her head and hair to protect her ears rom the cold. She was used to tropical temperatures, so this was far from her comfortable range. She had made sure to put on some extra layers of clothing, however, and she was already glad of it.
Suddenly Geran seemed hesitant, and he looked at the ground for a few seconds before speaking. “Rose … I … wanted to speak with you. About … things … about … us …”
Rose bit her lower lip and turned her gaze away from him. “Geran, what is there to say? We’ve only known each other a matter of weeks – not even a full season.” How could anyone know whether they loved someone or not in such a short time?
“I know – I know …”
Geran fell quiet, and when Rose looked at him, he was the one who was now biting his lip and looking quite anxious. She remained silent, waiting for him to speak. A few times, he inhaled sharply and opened his mouth as if to speak, but each time, he stopped himself.
“It’s just-”
She looked over at him again when he cut himself off, and nodded for him to continue. “It’s just …?” she prodded him.
He looked at her, and there was a look in his eye that she couldn’t quite pin down. Whatever it was, it was strong.
“I can’t explain it,” he said quietly. “Honestly, I can’t. But I feel as if there isn’t anything in the world I wouldn’t do for you.”
Rose felt heat rising in her cheeks. “Geran …”
He blew out his cheeks. “I’m sorry. I must be making you dreadfully uncomfortable.” He smiled at her, trying to make light of himself, though his cheeks were also bright. “So much for no pressure.”
The comment made her smile despite herself.
“Are all humans so slow in realizing their emotions?” he teased her.
She giggled and elbowed him. “Are all elves so quick to jump to conclusions?” she countered. “Honestly, with your lifespan, you’ve got the time to make sure you’re going to marry the right person.”
“And with a human lifespan, why take so long and waste what time you have?” Geran quipped right back.
Rose sighed, and her giggles faded into a smile. “Because I’ve seen what happens when a woman plunges into a marriage she’s not certain about. It almost always leads to regret. You’re right – with our lifespan, we haven’t time to waste. And when it is wasted by rushing decisions – as this would be if I were to give a decision now, or for that matter, in the next few seasons – there is no getting that time back. No second chances. We don’t get to die and be reborn and live a new and fresh life. What we have here and now, that’s all we get.”
As much as he tried to hide it, she could see that Geran was disappointed.
She squeezed his arm lightly. “I’m not telling you to give up,” she assured him. “When you asked if you could join us, I told you that I was willing to give this – us – a try, to see if it might work out. At the time, I was flattered, though I felt no actual emotion. How could I? I had known you but a few days, and I knew so little about you. I feel like I’ve gotten to know you a bit in these weeks … not a lot, but a bit … and I do like you. And I respect you, and that’s more than I can say about any other man who has shown an interest in courting me.”
Geran chuckled softly, and his cheeks flushed brighter.
“So just give it time,” she concluded. “Give me time.”
He nodded and smiled. “As long as it takes,” he murmured.
Time: Early Stirring, 119 4A
Several weeks had passed since Geran had joined the group of travelers, but with so many people living in one tent, it was hard for him and Rose to find some time alone together. Not that they really sought it out, since they were just beginning to get to know each other, but Rose had the feeling that Geran was trying for it. So when he suggested that she come with him on a walk through the town in search of livestock for sale, she agreed and went in search of her favourite red cloak. It was still quite cool outside, after all – still around the freezing point.
“As amazing as the tent is,” Geran commented, holding out his arm to Rose as they started off, “I think I like this weather the best of all that I’ve seen.”
His breath left his mouth in white puffs, and the cold air brushed his cheeks with a rosy hue. Even his eyes were brighter than Rose had seen them.
Rose herself was feeling quite chilled, but it felt good in her lungs. “It is rather pleasant,” she agreed. “It reminds me of one of the gardens.”
“But fresher,” Geran murmured with a smile.
Rose had to concede that, but she also had to pull her hood over her head and hair to protect her ears rom the cold. She was used to tropical temperatures, so this was far from her comfortable range. She had made sure to put on some extra layers of clothing, however, and she was already glad of it.
Suddenly Geran seemed hesitant, and he looked at the ground for a few seconds before speaking. “Rose … I … wanted to speak with you. About … things … about … us …”
Rose bit her lower lip and turned her gaze away from him. “Geran, what is there to say? We’ve only known each other a matter of weeks – not even a full season.” How could anyone know whether they loved someone or not in such a short time?
“I know – I know …”
Geran fell quiet, and when Rose looked at him, he was the one who was now biting his lip and looking quite anxious. She remained silent, waiting for him to speak. A few times, he inhaled sharply and opened his mouth as if to speak, but each time, he stopped himself.
“It’s just-”
She looked over at him again when he cut himself off, and nodded for him to continue. “It’s just …?” she prodded him.
He looked at her, and there was a look in his eye that she couldn’t quite pin down. Whatever it was, it was strong.
“I can’t explain it,” he said quietly. “Honestly, I can’t. But I feel as if there isn’t anything in the world I wouldn’t do for you.”
Rose felt heat rising in her cheeks. “Geran …”
He blew out his cheeks. “I’m sorry. I must be making you dreadfully uncomfortable.” He smiled at her, trying to make light of himself, though his cheeks were also bright. “So much for no pressure.”
The comment made her smile despite herself.
“Are all humans so slow in realizing their emotions?” he teased her.
She giggled and elbowed him. “Are all elves so quick to jump to conclusions?” she countered. “Honestly, with your lifespan, you’ve got the time to make sure you’re going to marry the right person.”
“And with a human lifespan, why take so long and waste what time you have?” Geran quipped right back.
Rose sighed, and her giggles faded into a smile. “Because I’ve seen what happens when a woman plunges into a marriage she’s not certain about. It almost always leads to regret. You’re right – with our lifespan, we haven’t time to waste. And when it is wasted by rushing decisions – as this would be if I were to give a decision now, or for that matter, in the next few seasons – there is no getting that time back. No second chances. We don’t get to die and be reborn and live a new and fresh life. What we have here and now, that’s all we get.”
As much as he tried to hide it, she could see that Geran was disappointed.
She squeezed his arm lightly. “I’m not telling you to give up,” she assured him. “When you asked if you could join us, I told you that I was willing to give this – us – a try, to see if it might work out. At the time, I was flattered, though I felt no actual emotion. How could I? I had known you but a few days, and I knew so little about you. I feel like I’ve gotten to know you a bit in these weeks … not a lot, but a bit … and I do like you. And I respect you, and that’s more than I can say about any other man who has shown an interest in courting me.”
Geran chuckled softly, and his cheeks flushed brighter.
“So just give it time,” she concluded. “Give me time.”
He nodded and smiled. “As long as it takes,” he murmured.
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