Ah, Sweet Sound

[Celvi Gray]

Maybe she shouldn't have mentioned Princess Christabel, she thought uneasily. Now it sounded almost like she complained about her, and what would Chase think of her then, being so close to the queen and all. Of course she didn't believe the rumours of him and her being… but that was mostly due to to self-protection. The sheer thought was unbearable!

Him asking further, wanting to know the reason of why she hadn't gone down to the river was no small surprise. Just why would he be interested? Or did he just feel committed to show interest, because he was still afraid she might change her mind and tell on him?
Why did things have to be so complicated? Was Runnori in a joking mood today?
"Well, Artano, my horse had an injured leg, nothing serious but I thought I'd better not ride him."she told him nevertheless. "Of course I could have taken a different horse, but… it would not have been the same", she finished, not quite knowing how to explain that if she had taken a horse from the stables, she would have taken the palace sort of with her to the river. Artano belonged to her and to no one else, only with him she could feel free.

“It is a grand and lovely place. I’d even prefer it over the city on some days.”
To that she gave a surprised smile and a nod. Really, he was constantly revealing new sides of himself. Who would have thought he also liked the calamity and coeval majesty of Ryum, where one felt so free and small compared to nature?

And now, with his statement about whom he gave the money to, he surprised her even further. Well, she had guessed something similar, but hearing him actually voice it was something completely different…
He hestitates, as if unsure how she would react to that. A good question actually…

Then she decided to ease his discomfort at a bit, by teasing him in a friendly way.
"Ah, I should have guessed anyway, you look like a phony hero to me", she grinned, but then waved her own comment aside. "Nah. Honestly, I wouldn't have thought of it myself, but now that you tell me it makes perfect sense. You know, my kind doesn't think about the people here below all too much" she confessed, and even looked a bit abashed.

"And I don't think you're a loon for trying to make your people benefit from the luck you had", she added in a voice so low she wasn't sure it had even been audible. And maybe it would be better that way, for this confession made her cheek colour again just the tiniest bit. No, he was anything but a loon in her eyes…

[Chase Cantwell]

To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable.”

Have you ever noticed horses always seem to know when you wish to go some where and turn up lame” he joked with a humorous tone. A playful grin spread on his lips momentarily after his words were voiced. It was true, at least to him. When ever he must journey particularly far, his trusted bay gelding always ended up lame by some means or another. Chase constantly swore the lazy beast was acting, just to get out of having to work.
“I can understand that, there is a certain difference when riding horse that isn’t your own” he added, as she faltered in explaining why she hadn’t continued on to riding to the river. He hated riding other horses, its not that he didn’t get along with them or personally disliked them. Its just he and his personal mount had a bond where they understood each other than when first meeting a foreign equine.

“Ah, I’ve been working hard on perfecting my phony hero act” he laughed, giving a theatrical bow enjoying the comic relief after struggling on how to explain himself. Straightening his posture, he nodded to her words, completely agreeing that the people of the Court hardly ever take notice of what goes on beyond what concerns their own well being. That had to be the biggest reason why he disliked the high court life so much. The people didn’t, or seemingly didn’t care for what happened to the working class who grew the food which High society ate, or the fact the majority of products they used were made by the lower class.

It finally dawned on Chase that he had little reason to fear this girl, sure he may be assuming the better of what could be the worst of this Noble woman. In the short time of conversing with her, he had made the quick assumption, She was perfectly wonderful. Celvi thought in the similar way he did and even bashed a bit on her own society ranking, by agreeing with the fact that Nobles don’t honestly care about the common people. She was someone who was like him, in a place they didn’t feel they belonged yet put on charades to not raise any suspicion to those around them.
Every doubtful thought he had ever considered thinking about her, was now washed away. He had changed his entire outlook on Celvi. He was now more positive on any subject concerning her that wandered his mind.

A slight coloration of her cheeks followed something inaudible she had spoken, or so he was certain. He hadn’t caught the exact words, so it could be very possibly that he had imagined any words coming from her mouth in the first place. Sighing slightly, he concluded he had heard things when lost in thought about how great of person this Celvi Gray was.

Wait! Was he falling slightly in the way of thinking fondly of this girl. This noblewoman to make matter worse. He shuddered mentally, quickly making everything he had ever thought of her neutral, in attempt to squash any rising feelings he may have toward her. He would be hanged for sure if any relationship was to be developed with her. Rumors would be spread and disastrous the outcome of that. He took another half step backwards, nonchalantly fiddling with the flute case and his flute, feeling very jittery.

[Celvi Gray]

Celvi gave a light amused chuckle at Chase's words. So he seemed to have experience with lame horses a lot. It was actually no big surprise, he had to take messages everywhere the queen wanted them, and better five minutes ago.
"Artano never did that before, but maybe he's picking up bad manners from your mount, eh?" she accused him jokingly.
She actually started to feel like she was floating a few inches off the ground. Who would ever thought her wildest dreams might come true, that she could stand here, cracking jokes with the man she loved, like they were the closest of friends and these were not the first words they spoke to one another in their entire lives.

And they seemed so alike! How come he understood every single one of her concerns and quirks (for quirks they were in the eyes of the others)?
She was so overwhelmed by that new revellation, all she could do was give a nod at his statement.

“Ah, I’ve been working hard on perfecting my phony hero act”
Celvi clapped her hands thrice in a mocking manner. "Bravo! I daresay it is perfected, even though bows and words don't make up for deeds in the long run", she challenged him to walk the talk.
But the very next second her courage fell, and the real world started to demand her attention once again. What was she doing? She couldn't just forget who she was and live a dream that was so unbefitting for a woman of her rank. Alright, she was lower nobility, and by no means related to the royal family, but she was still a Lady!
She had been living in this kind of happy bubble long enough, it was time to burst it – if need be once and for all. But there she stood, unable to work up the courage to do so and face reality.

It was Chase who seemed to be more couragious on that part. Suddenly he took another step back and started to fiddle with his flute.
Celvi's stomach gave a lurch. So he had understood what she had been saying, and this was his way of showing her her limits? Of course, how could she ever have assumed he was starting to grow attached to her?! What a laugh!
She was too troubled, to think up a way to back out gracefully, and so all that left her mouth was a stammered: "Well… I…erm…well…"

Helpless as she felt, she fiddled with a strand of her hair, waiting for something sensible to cross both mind and mouth. To no avail. Runnori help, what must he think of her now?

[Chase Cantwell]

To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable.”

As Celvi clapped her hands in amusement, a sincere grin danced on his lips, his eyes glittering with a sheer giddy emotion. He was enjoying this conversation very much, even with a small nagging voice in the back of his head screaming at him to take his leave now or face the consequences in the future. “Ah, really? I really thought my bowing sealed the deal every time” he laughed softly, still enjoying the conversation but trying to keep the volume down so no unneeded attention was brought their way.

What would people think if they noticed a wealthy appearing woman talking with this common bred boy? Would they think nothing of, perhaps assuming he worked for her or would rumors start up about an affair between social classes. He cringed mentally as a horrific thought struck him. What if someone recognized him like Celvi had? What would the Queen say if she caught word of a rumor of her beloved Messenger speaking with a unknown girl of unmistakable wealth?

He began imaging being confronted by his employer. He couldn’t deny it, for with the years of working for the ruler of Lamora, had come the ability upon her to detect his lies. Would she sentence him to death? Or simply dismiss him from her employment. Or would she force him to enroll into the army where certain death faced him.
These frightening thoughts, scared him witless. He couldn’t describe the unnerving emotions he felt at the thought of having to fight in the war. He would much rather flee the country then be sentenced to fight. He wasn’t hinting at that he couldn’t hold his own in battle, just he feared death and never being able to see his family again.

Celvi’s stammering, made him squirm. Had she caught onto his uneasy mood, or was she bored with this conversation? His gaze hit the ground respectfully, sensing their familiarity toward each other was loss and all formality was back on. He looked up at the positioning at the sky and was slightly relieved to see it was about the time he returned back to the palace, the Queen would be expecting him now. “I must take my leave now” he started, stepping backward turning stopping and adding with a gentle smile “I’ll see you around sometime.”

[Celvi Gray]

Celvi saw that wonderful glittering in Chase's eyes, and felt her heart leap. Could it be he enjoyed this banter as much as she was?
She gave another grin at his words and answered: "Well, not with me. You live and learn."
This was maybe all too bold for coming from a Lady's mouth, what with indicating she might be different or even better than others. A lady didn't boast, and she was modest enough to try and appear humble, even talking her abilities down…

Then Celvi observed his eyes straying towards the surroundings, and she was immediately reminded of the risk they both were taking. She might not been recognized as Lady Celvi Gray, but she appeared a wealthy woman and here she was talking to a man who looked entirely common, if not even poor. Weren't they pushing their luck far too far?
And – a horrifying thought crossed her mind – what if it was not only about her own reputation, but Chase's as well?

The worst thing that could happen to Celvi would be a dressing down by her aunt and maybe a bit of house arrest. But Chase? He was a mere servant, and his presumption might cost him dearly! What if he was banned from the palace, what if she never would be able to see him again, just because she had given in to this weakness once?
No, she had to end this now, if only to save him! Maybe there was the tiniest bit of a chance they might walk into each other again where there was no nosy crowd about? Ah, high hopes! Better not start to entertain them!

Whatever might have happened in between, the end of their conversation seemed to be just like the beginning: Nervouseness, unease, and respectful distance.
Celvi had to bite her lip hard to not cry out with devastation as he told her he had to leave.
"Yeah, sometimes", she grinded out, and tried a smile, but failed considerably. Once in a while, in the palace, surrounded by prying and observant eyes...
Mentally kicking herself she watched him turn away, walking a few steps, and then suddenly she couldn't hold back. This shouldn't end on such a sour note!
"Chase!" she called after him in a low cry to not alarm the passing crowds further.

"It was very nice talking to you, though. And I will keep your secret!"

[Chase Cantwell]

To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable.”

He continued on walking, his farewell said and his distaste of leaving her company strong. He hated to entertain the thought of never being able to speak to her in depth again, nearly enough to turn back around and begin speaking again. But he didn’t. He kept placing one foot in front of another, one blasted step after another farther away from his new found fondness of this young Lady. She had melted a soft spot in his guarded heart, as a friend most certainly. But perhaps something more, who knew.

At the calling of his name, he wheeled around in surprise. A promise to keep his secrete and the confirmation of enjoying their conversation brought a grin to his lips as he nodded in response. He gave one last theatrical bow, his left hand tucking near his torso and his right thrusting outward past his side, before he straightened quickly. A simple gesture of thanks and acknowledgement, with a touch of his own amusing twist. With a turn on his heel, he jogged off disappearing into the sea of people still out and about in the Square.

and that is the end... for now at least