(before all the insanity)


It was a cool day, Ranna was just sitting idly by her bedroom window sewing something. Of course, she's having a hard time because she's blind and there's no one to help her around. Her fingertips are now pricked and small droplets of blood are now present on the cloth.

Her dog Orion, just entered the scene. The dog barked loudly as he neared the blind woman handing her his leash. "Alright, alright." She said with a smile. "I know it's time for your walk, Orion." Ranna placed the cloth and sewing materials on the table near her as she slowly stood up. The dog led the way and she followed.

She and Orion were just walking around the streets of Olencia. Ranna could hear hagglers and storekeepers. Angry mothers at their children. Horses and chickens that were making their wild sounds. The blind woman smiled at least, until...

*splat*

Orion had an "accident" and she stepped on it. Ranna frowned, Dumb dog. She almost want to kick him, but her heart forced her not to. Instead, Orion dragged her to a nearby bench. She scanned her dress for a handkerchief or a napkin at least to clean... her dog's accident up. She found none, using ingenuity... she just used friction to scrape her dog's accident... but it still smelled like dog... poop.

Hadrian was feeling edgy lately. He didn't know why. Hell, he actually felt like he wanted to make sure everything was in place. Something was up, he could feel it. To that end, he even went so far as to take a horse and go out riding. In the city. Duh. He never could leave. NOTHING BUT SOMETHING REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT COULD MAKE HIM LEAVE OLENCIA. EVER.

WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER, YEAH, MAYBE. Just around the countryside. Hee.

yeah, NOTHING WILL MAKE HIM LEAVE.

...

Meh.

So here he was, riding. Bored too. he made a few stops to make some surprise inspections (Kierav must be fuming by now) and came to a stop somewhere in the square.

When he smelled it.

Not really. sensed it, likely, kinda. It was causing horror among the citizens, terror in their eyes as they ran away from...

The poo.

GOD, WHO WAS STOOPID ENOUGH TO LEAVE THAT OUT!? THEY HAD LAWS FOR THIS KINDA THING. LAWS. Hadrian shuddered and looked somewhere for a guard.

...

Kierav~

After ordering him to go and shove the poo somewhere decent, Hadrian looked to ifnd the culprit. Aha! STILL SQUATTING. DIE.

..

Apparently, he did it on his owner too.

..

Damn, did the woman not notice!? A quick inspection revealed abused fingers and.. well... dog poo. Oh god, was she blind?

Coming closer, he realized it. Yes, yes she was.

"Excuse me? I didn't mean to pry..." YOU MEANT TO PRY. YOU DID, BECAUSE THE POO WAS KILLING YOU. "... seems you haven't had the best of days."

"Excuse me? I didn't mean to pry..." A voice said. "... seems you haven't had the best of days."

Ranna could tell the voice came from a man. "Why yes, kind sir." She replied, rather with sarcasm. The blind woman then frowned, "Gah. Being blind and you step on dog poop... doesn't really make my day even much better."

She could hear Orion whimpering, "Stupid dog." she said under her breath.

"Why yes, kind sir." She replied, rather with sarcasm. Hadrian raised an eyebrow. Oh-kay. Tempermental blind woman. The blind woman then frowned, "Gah. Being blind and you step on dog poop... doesn't really make my day even much better."

She must've said something under her breath, but Hadrian didn't pay attention.

"Ah." He said, trying to sound as if he understood. WHICH HE DID NOT. But something about her made him feel sorry when he would've laughed at them in his mind. Maybe being blind? yeah. Maybe. "Understandable, we all have our ups and downs." let'see. What to do? Blind woman. Apparently had no one to care for her. Gark.

Well, he couldn't leave her, could he? Nah, couldn't. He was, after all, a Lord. Meant he went through all those icky etiquette classes. Looks like they'll have some use after all.

"Would you like some help?" He asked, politely. Yes.

"Would you like some help?" The man again asked.

Orion was barking rather loudly at the man. "Quiet." She said to the dog, "You're making a scene!" Oh how much she wanted the gift of sight. She could see the man, probably he's handsome or what not. Hey, at least a man is talking to her despite her age. Gah. Never mind, time to shut up the dog!

But she failed. Again.

"I'm quite alright, sir." Ranna said, tugging Orion to shut up. "I'm really sorry about my dog... he's rather sensitive to people who are approaching me."

The dog was barking rather loudly at him. "Quiet." She said to the dog, "You're making a scene!"

...

Whacky lady, but her personality pleased him. Feisty.

"I'm quite alright, sir." She said, tugging on the dog to shut up. "I'm really sorry about my dog... he's rather sensitive to people who are approaching me."

"A good thing." He noted. "These days, it is wise to be aware of your surroundings." He looked at the dog and said. "But no, I mean well." This was coupled with a smile and a slight scratch at the ears. "There now."

...

Woah. Dog. Didn't bite him. Goody. Didn't like metal, maybe.

"My name is Hadrian." he began. "And yours, my lady?"

"A good thing." He noted. "These days, it is wise to be aware of your surroundings." He looked at the dog and said. "But no, I mean well." This was coupled with a smile and a slight scratch at the ears. "There now."

Orion calmed down, he started wagging his tail. He seemed to lick the man's palm anyway. The woman smiled, "I never met someone who can calm him down while he's being agitated. How did you do it?"

"My name is Hadrian." The man asked. "And yours, my lady?"

She titled her head, "Ranna." She said simply.

She titled her head, "Ranna." She said simply.

Ranna.

...

Nice name. Really. Ranna. Kinda a musical tone to it, made him feel comfortable... kinda sleepy.

...

Ranna.

...

God. What the hell was happening to him?

...

Ranna. R-A-N-N-A.

...

JEEBUS.

"I never met someone who can calm him down while he's being agitated. How did you do it?"

"I meant well." He replied. "Animals can sense how you feel. You fear them, they will act upon it, same thing if you're angry." He shrugged and stood up. "My offer still stands." He said, grinning AND HE DIDN'T KNOW WHY HE WAS DOING THAT. "It is my job after all. Safeguar dthe citizens and whatnot... you looked like you needed help, I extend it freely."

"I meant well." He replied. "Animals can sense how you feel. You fear them, they will act upon it, same thing if you're angry."

"I guess." Ranna said, looking down.

He shrugged and stood up. "My offer still stands."

Huh?

"It is my job after all. Safeguard the citizens and whatnot... you looked like you needed help, I extend it freely."

She giggled softly. "What are you?" She asked. "I didn't mean to be rude, sir Hadrian...are you some kind of knight?"

Great. She wasn't a follower of fairy tales. Maybe this man was her knight and shining armor. MAYBE!! D:<

She giggled softly. "What are you?" She asked. "I didn't mean to be rude, sir Hadrian...are you some kind of knight?"

Hadrian laughed. Ah god, when was the last time he laughed?

..

Like.. ten years ago? I don't know. Meh. Must've been some prank he laughed at. Or was it like, years and years ago? when the prince was still a kid?

Yeah, definitely.

"A Lord." He said. "My proper title is Lord High Commander of the King's Guard." He waved a hand. "No need to use it, really. I prefer to be someone human.'

He looked at her. Yes, he could never get enough. WORSHIP HER. YOU WILL WORSHIP. YES.

"... well?"

"A Lord." He said. "My proper title is Lord High Commander of the King's Guard." He waved a hand. "No need to use it, really. I prefer to be someone human."

He laughed, she laughed with him also. It's been awhile since she laughed, maybe those pranks by her brother and Orion's silly acts.

"Bu...," She uttered. Now she was tongue tied. Blah. A peasant speaking to a lord; a lord speaking to a peasant. GOD! PEOPLE MUST THINK THEY'RE BOTH CRAZY. She blushed for a moment.

Silence.

"... well?" He asked.

She almost extended her hand, but she pulled it back. It was smelling like.. dog... poop. She stood up gingerly beside Hadrian, "I could use help." Ranna replied, looking at Hadrian even if she can't see him. "To avoid trouble." She added, pointing at the dog.

She almost extended her hand, but she pulled it back. Oh right. The circumstance of their meeting. Dog poo. God, the day would not have been any worse.

She stood up gingerly beside him, "I could use help." Ranna replied, looking at Hadrian even if she can't see him. "To avoid trouble." She added, pointing at the dog.

"Of course." he said, laughing again. "Where were you planning on going to after walking the dog?" He asked, looking at her. "... your finger." He suddenly put in. "What happened?"

Cough.

"Where were you planning on going to after walking the dog?" He asked her.

"Home?" She said raising a brow. "Doing nothing, probably fix dinner. Maybe a bath." (eesh, she smelled so bad) Ranna added. Given the fact the house is still standing due to my EXTREME clumsiness.

"... your finger." He suddenly put in. "What happened?"

"I pricked myself with a needle." She said flatly. "Several times I must say."

"Home?" She said raising a brow. "Doing nothing, probably fix dinner. Maybe a bath." Ranna added. "I pricked myself with a needle." She said flatly. "Several times I must say."

Hadrian raised an eyebrow at that. Blind. Pricking herself with a needle. WAS SHE DOING SUICIDE? SLOWLY? ... oh wait, no she was just sewing. Ah.

"We should bandage that up..." He began. Where the hell was that first aid kit!? ... Oh here it was. Hadrian took it out of his belt pouch and leaned over and when that didn't suffice, kneeled with a tiny chink coming from his armor. Okay, so more proximity for dog poo, but he could bear it.

Could bear it. For her.

...

What was he thinking again? Oh right. Poo.

Yes. He could bear it.

Hadrian had the injury bandaged up in less than a minute. Thank god for first aid training. Getting up, he stowed the kit back into his pouch.

"Home it is then." He said cheerily. "Which part of the city?"

"We should bandage that up..." He said, as she felt the bandage wrapping her fingers; Hadrian just finished wrapping her finger with a bandage in an instant. "Thank you." She said softly.

Things just crept her mind. People could be staring at them, a Lord like him with a name helping a low-life like her. She didn't react, of course she didn't give a damn for now. Hadrian is a knight, willing to serve anyone.

"Home it is then." He said cheerily. "Which part of the city?"

"East." Ranna spoke. "My house is the lone bakery there."

"East." Ranna spoke. "My house is the lone bakery there."

"East?' He asked, raised an eyebrow. "The bakery, you say? I used to go there when I was a recruit." Well, kinda sorta. To get some food before going to the fort, yeah. "But I haven't come since the beker's wife left him." he shrugged and began to walk. "So you own the shop? Interesting."

...

Baker's daughter? Probably.

"You're his daughter then? I've heard... things." well, let's not get into that, shall we?

"The bakery, you say? I used to go there when I was a recruit." Hadrian spoke sternly.

Ranna took a deep breath and sighed silently, her eyes soften a bit. "I see." She replied.
The woman was never fond of war; she was raised that way. "But I haven't come since the baker's wife left him." he shrugged and began to walk. "So you own the shop? Interesting."

Mother. She stiffened. "Yes, I do own the shop. It's the only inheritance I got." Ranna replied as she heard Hadrian's armor moving. She heard Orion whimper, "It's alright, boy." Ranna said to the dog with a weak smile.

"You're his daughter then? I've heard... things." Hadrian spoke, but the man didn't continue.

She just nodded as they were walking. Her eyes just narrowed, the thought of her makes her irk.

"I thank you for your kindness again." She quipped.

"Yes, I do own the shop. It's the only inheritance I got." Ranna replied, "It's alright, boy." Ranna said to the dog with a weak smile. She just nodded as they were walking. Her eyes just narrowed, Hadrian didn't know why, but obviously she didn't like SOMETHING.

"I thank you for your kindness again." She quipped.

Oh yay. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Wait, what?

...

O_O

"Not a problem." He replied. "Not a problem at all." They continued in silence, and then Hadrian began again. "My father taught me. Etiquette and all that. Said it would do me good. I really didn't know what he meant until I met you."

...

Woo. Let'see... Wait, how'd that go again? Honor... something... oh right. Would like it very much if...

"I would like it..." He said slowly. What's next? Oh right. The honor bit. "... very much indeed, if you would honor me with your presence tonight. Of course, you can refuse." He said quickly. "I would understand. Really."

...

No you WON'T. You idiot. You'd go and bang your head into the wall, WOULDN'T YOU!? YES YOU WOULD. GO AND FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE.

"My father taught me. Etiquette and all that. Said it would do me good. I really didn't know what he meant until I met you." Hadrian spoke, sheepishly.

Excuse me, sire?

Wait... what?

Ranna continued on with the silence, she was still pondering about Hadrian said earlier.

O_Oa

The eerie silence just filled the air again; but Orion was barking on some stray cat. The woman just pulled the leash to calm the dog.

"I would like it..." Hadrian said slowly. Liiiiiiiiiiiiiikeeeeee?

The man paused for a moment. Ranna just paused for a moment, "What is it?" She asks.

Hadrian continued, "... very much indeed, if you would honor me with your presence tonight. Of course, you can refuse."

Kweh? O___O;;

Oh. my. apple. pie. He. was. asking. her. out.

A. Lord. Was. Asking. Her.Out.

Ranna felt her soul escaped from her body and just kahooted itself to the heavenly bodies. Of course, she's concerned about BAJILLIONS of things. Like social statues, he's a high ranking official and she's just a normal woman living her miserable life alone. For all she knows he has fashion sense, and she has nada, zit, nil... zero.

She shook her head, Take it or leave it. Maybe this is only a one time chance. And at least you won't cook dinner Her heart was racing, but she smiled. "I would love to."

Geeze, all that drama for four measly worlds.

She shook her head, and Hadrian stiffened.

OH MY GOD, SHE REFUSED. GACK. HE WANTED TO DIE. er, maybe. Well, he FELT SAD. SAD, SAD, SAD.

...

GOD, THE INNER TURMOIL.

And THEN she smiled. "I would love to."

...

CLOUD NINE, BABY. CLOUD NINE. He let out a breath. Oh thank GOD. Yay! One small step for.. uh.... yeah. Yes. That. The thing that starts with an H and ends with an R.

FATHER YOU WILL BE PROUD.

Face breaking out in a smile, he nodded. "I'll see you later then." He said, seeing as they've arrived outside the bakery. "The door is right in front of you." He said. "To your... bakery, I mean." He said hastily. "Really. I'll pick you up tonight, I promise."

"I'll see you later then." The man spoke stiffly."The door is right in front of you." He said. "To your... bakery, I mean." He said hastily

"See you later then." Ranna replied. She curtsied, then turned her back yanking the door open. Orion just rushed to his doggie bed and she took her walking stick that is by the door. She entered the bakery, but...

"Really. I'll pick you up tonight, I promise." Hadrian added.

"I'm sure you will." Ranna replied. She gave a soft wave of goodbye and closed the door.

Let'see. Overcoat? check. Horse? he turned. Right outside. Goody. He swept a hand through his hair. Sword? Right-o.

Right now? No armor, although he wore a leather breastplate somewhere beneath the overcoat. Hey, it was HABIT. Checking the mirror one LAST TIME, THE VERY LAST TIME, I SWEAR, Hadrian moved a lock of hair, pronounced himself as 'ideal material' despite the fact the woman was BLIND and went outside to mount the horse.

A few minutes later, Hadrian stopped right outside. Okay. Brace yourself. BRACE YOURSELF.

Raising a leather gloved hand, the High Commander knocked on the door.

Ranna was still busy running around like the house like an idiot. She looked like a NERVOUS WRECK. She cursed the fact she was blind, OH GOD. SHE DOESN'T KNOW IF SHE LOOKS DECENT OR NOT.

One of her female employees gladly helped her on picking a dress and making her pretty, make-up, jewelry... the works.

Her employee dressed her up in a simple white dress and a pair of sandals that was her mother's (not her step-mom). She kept her long hair loose, it was just perfect the way it is. And a pearl necklace which she inherited from her grandmother.

Orion, was sleeping. She couldn't bring the dog... it'll cause MORE trouble. So instead, she opted for her handy-dandy walking stick.

There was knocking on the door. Probably it was Hadrian. She went to the door with nervousness and she opened it,

"Good...Evening?" She greeted.

"Good...Evening?"

Oh gawd, pretty. The crickets chirped, the birds well, were asleep, and it took a little more time before he caught himself and closed his mouth. Yes. First date in your entire freaking life, Lord High Commander, and your jaw drops as if you were still SIXTEEN.

SHAME ON YOU. SHAME.

"You look positively radiant." Hadrian automatically spoke up. Yes. Etiquette lessons were THAT engraved into him. He was halfway into a bow when he realized she didn't see, and when he froze, realized only then did he look oh-so-stupid freezing up in mid-bow. Yes. He finished up and hurriedly straightened before settling on something else and moving a stray lock of her hair aside, allowing his hand to brush her face as per etiquette lessons while nervously running his other hand through his own black hair.

SHAME ON YOU. YOU'RE NOT SIXTEEN ANYMORE. STOP ACTING LIKE IT.

...

YOU'RE SAYING I'M OLD!? I'M NOT OLD! DAMMIT! TAKE IT BACK! ARRRGH!

...

Wait. Schedule. Take her WHERE? How about home? Yeah. Or not. Might creep her out, but then Olencia's grapevines were far more potent than any other cities', 'cept for Gayth, damn plotters.

He coughed to clear his throat. "I was thinking of dinner.... at my home." He spoke up. "Of course, if you want to dine somewhere else I can arrange it..." HELL YEAH I CAN.

Somewhere, the horse nickered, the insects chirped, and part of his mind was curled up in a corner and screaming in denial that he was NOT old.

"You look positively radiant." Hadrian automatically spoke up.

She blinked a few times. First date of her life, and she was ready for a nervous break down. Calm down, calm down.

She was about to say something, oh yeah... regarding Hadrian's compliment. "Thank you." Ranna said simply, looking down, fiddling her fingers.

Eeesh... it was like she was sixteen again. Wait, she is not that old. But she did feel like a teenager again. You can really feel the adrenaline rushing to your veins and your heart pumping; not to mention the noisy crickets and their serenades.

Ranna would like to offer a compliment also, but yeah, she's blind and the poor thing can't see a thing. "I'm sure you look nice also." The woman complimented.

"I was thinking of dinner.... at my home." He spoke up. "Of course, if you want to dine somewhere else I can arrange it..."

The woman stiffened for a bit, "Home would be... nice." She uttered. Clutching her walking stick tightly, she was planning on giving him also, but what. Ah yes, a nice big apple pie that was on the table beside her. She looked for it by touching the table, and she picked the box up and gave it to Hadrian.

"For you." She said flatly, yet with embarrassment. "It's just a thank you gift for being so kind."

"Thank you." Ranna said simply, looking down, fiddling her fingers. Oh, the lav. so warm and fuzzy.... Hadrian nearly sneezed from all the LAV.

"I'm sure you look nice also." The woman complimented. Do I? Hadrian ran a hand through his hair again. FOCUS. FOCUS. BREATHE. In. OUT. IN. OUT. OKAY, WHAT NEXT!?

"Home would be... nice." She uttered. Oh joy. The wonders of saving MONEY. He nodded silently, reaching out for the reins of the horse.

She looked for something by touching the table, and she picked the box up and gave it to him. "For you." She said flatly, yet with embarrassment. "It's just a thank you gift for being so kind."

A gift? Nobody ever gave him gifts before. Well, outside the family that is. The new recruits were all afraid nowadays... smelled like... he took a whiff.

...

Apple... Another whiff. Starch. Bread.

...


Oh thank the HEAVENS, PIE! PIE! PIE! Nodding again, he smiled. "Thank you." Bobbing his head, he tugged on the reins as the horse came nearer.

...

OKAY, WHAT'LL YOU GIVE HER!? Let'see.... he turned, put the pie on the saddle and rummaged around. Uh. sword? Nah. If he gave his signet ring that would be like screaming 'OMGMARRYME'. Nope. Nothing, nada, zilch.

...

Must see if there are any priceless heirlooms back home.

"Here, let me help you." He began, moving forward. Okay. Remember what those bastards at etiquette told you what to do. He offered an arm, making sure to make contact with her own arm so she'd know.

The woman stepped outside and locked the door. She crossed her fingers that no one was around or too busy to see the Officer and her together. That would bring CHAOS to all.

"Here, let me help you." Hadrian said. The woman held up her arm and she felt his hand and clutched. Inside she frowned, her hands were rough and calloused due to work. His was smooth, like silk... etch, he's nobility what can you expect?

She sniffed the air for a moment. It smelled like Orion, but her dog was inside. A horse. She never rode a horse before. All she can remember of horses was the horse-drawn carriage that her grandfather owned. But she never, ever rode a horse...since that incident happened. But hey, she's a risk taker.

Okay. Well. He expected the arm but apparently she liked the hand. Goody. Let'see... it was currently an hour or so before sundown, sooo... the horse was quicker. Definitely. Home was all the way over past the Western Quadrant. But if he went for his family retreat, that was a lot closer.

...

Retreat it is! Clucking his tongue so the horse could start moving, he began to walk. Oh, how WEIRD this must look like, but hey, he didn't care. She wasn't snobby, she didn't care about riches (apparently) and she was pretty. End of story.

NERVOUS SILENCE, MY GOD.

Well, she was there... on the horse; having a hard time keeping her balance due to the horse's prancing. Cripes, she was scared to the death- but she did not want to worry him. Horses gave her a trauma due to a certain prank that her brother did back when they were children.

But... she tend to forget that. She just gritted her teeth at that thought.

The wind was blowing, she can feel her hair softly whipping her face. Where are they going? She bit her lip, "Where are we going, sir?" she said. "I'm sorry, I mean, Hadrian."

Formalities, she likes formalities. Respect everyone as her Grandmother told her to do so.

"Where are we going, sir?" she said. "I'm sorry, I mean, Hadrian."

He slowed the horse down. Already, it was what...? At a mere canter. Any slower, they might as well be walking.... Oh, choices, choices.

"My family retreat." He began. "Just a few more minutes ride and we'll reach the cobblestone pathway. There are only a few people in the area, so any chance we'll be seen or discovered is next to nothing." The horse slowed to a walk again.

"Listen... if you're afraid, just lean forward." Well, HE WAS TRYING. Listening to something else usually calms down the new recruits back in the Fort, so let's try an experiment. "Listen to my heartbeat, it'll calm you down. Really."

...

BRAVE WORDS, CHILD.

"My family retreat." He began. "Just a few more minutes ride and we'll reach the cobblestone pathway. There are only a few people in the area, so any chance we'll be seen or discovered is next to nothing."

She let out a sigh of relief. Yay, no controversy matters and whatnots. The woman pictured the High Commander's retreat in her mind, because she can't see it with her eyes. It was grand, of course. With roses and hydrengias plotted all around. Ewww... girly. Well, she can't think anyway... all she thought of the abode was big and it was nothing compared to her bakery-slash-house.

"Listen... if you're afraid, just lean forward." Hadrian said. Lean FORWARD? I will probably fall down?!

"Listen to my heartbeat, it'll calm you down. Really."

"I... uh," She stammered. Ranna just closed her eyes, and listened to his heartbeat. He was right, it did calm her down. Memories, just plain memories of her mother just flashed into her; she was like an infant child again. "...thanks... again."
***
(OoC: Sorry, for the sort of rushed reply. @__@ I'm at school. I'll reply as soon as I get home)

Well for one he was thankful she WAS blind. The retreat had fallen into some disrepair now. A little grass slowly overcoming the walkway... but really that was ALL THERE WAS TO IT. Windows were polished up nicely, the walkways were clean...

Seriously. NOTHING BUT MEAGER GRASS ESCAPES HIS ALMIGHTY NOTICE.

...

I'll cut it tomorrow. I swear to god grass will not escape.

The horse entered the cobblestone pathway. Right on the mark. He Slowed down, or else they'd bump into some rock... gates. Up ahead. Oh yay. He slowed the horse down completely and directed it over to the bar. Tugging on the reins, he took hold of the bar, since it was the only thing holding the gates closed and pulled as the horse walked backwards.

The gates opened silently. Oh joy. SEE. NOTHING ESCAPED HIS NOTICE. EXCEPT FOR THE GRASS, WHICH HE WOULD CUT DOWN TOMORROW FOR GREAT JUSTICE.

He got off first and offered a hand.

I suppose I SHOULD tell you what it looks like... Okay. How to describe the place you've always taken for granted... "It has a stone wall for a perimeter...." Oh smart. ARMY terms. "... iron gates." He shrugged. "Your average kind of place, I suppose. Oh, and grass. Stone pathways. A two story house of stone and wood."

Silence.

"Do you see it? In your mind, I mean."

The horse's hooves seemed to walk into a cobble-stone path, from what she hears; and they seem to slow down. Of course, the woman wanted to see what it looks like. She just raised a brow for curiosity.

The horse became lighter all of a sudden, Hadrian probably got off.

"It has a stone wall for a perimeter...." He said. "... iron gates." He shrugged. "Your average kind of place, I suppose. Oh, and grass. Stone pathways. A two story house of stone and wood."

"I see." Ranna said wistfully as she extended her hand to his. Then she got off also, and she kept her balance. Whoo-hoo!

A silence followed.

"Do you see it? In your mind, I mean." He asked her. Being blind, she had a vivid imagination of course. She just smiled and said, "Of course. Pretty interesting place you've got here. I wish I could see it."

She just smiled and said, "Of course. Pretty interesting place you've got here. I wish I could see it."

Made him twitch a little. But he stopped and led her over the DANGEROUSLY OVERGROWN GRASS and stopped at the double doors. Okay. The key was in his pocket somewhere... There. A slight chink to herald its appearance, and the keys were there.

Oh screw it, KEYS!?

Damn! He poked through the key ring. His office... no...

"Tell me about yourself." He said smoothly. Let'see... armory key... nope, not this one...

"Tell me about yourself." He said smoothly. She heard sounds also, keys probably... my he has A LOT of keys. She has two, no wait four... two originals and two duplicates. One for her room and one for the bakery door.

Okay, myself. Thirty-five. Pisces. Single. Hardworking. Has fetishes for sweets. Loves dogs. And I like walks by the beach.

"Me?" Ranna said, pointing to herself. "There's nothing really interesting about me."

Ah what the heck.

"Well, I'm thirty-five." She said, and SHE'S NOT OLD. "And, I have an obsession with sweets. I've been living alone with the dog for five years ever since my father died." The woman added, scratching her cheek. "To tell you the truth, I'm a boring person to be with."

"Me?" Ranna said, pointing to herself. "There's nothing really interesting about me.

Pause. Hadrian skipped the cell door keys.

"Well, I'm thirty-five." She said. OMG YAY, FELLOW SINGLE... PERSON... THiNG.

"And, I have an obsession with sweets. I've been living alone with the dog for five years ever since my father died." The woman added, scratching her cheek. "To tell you the truth, I'm a boring person to be with."

NO YOU ARE NOT.

"You're not THAT boring." He replied encouragingly. Anteroom... Kitchen... oh thank god, front doors. He singled it out and slotted it in the keyhole. Now the tricky part. Let'see.... jingle it a bit... damn rust... "I'm 40." YOU CALL ME OLD YOU DIE MISERABLY. "I like... horses, I guess, dogs. Oh, and pie."

Fanatically loyal. Eager to help. Dutiful. Will not have an affair, ever.

Clink.

THERE WE GO. Hadrian yanked the key out of its slot and tried the door. Opened silently, like a FREAKING GHOST SHOULD. OH, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU.

"Stairs to your immediate front." He warned. "Oh, and watch out for Fode and Beed, although they should be outside at this time..." He closed the door. "Need a tour?"

"You're not THAT boring." He replied encouragingly.

Really now? Prove me that, Mister Smarty-pants, she thought. Ranna just let out a soft laugh to what Hadrian had said.

"I'm 40". He said.

"Forty?" Ranna said with an eyebrow arched. "You don't sound forty."

HA. COMPLIMENT.

"I like... horses, I guess, dogs. Oh, and pie." He added.

"Oh, I'm sure Orion will be good friends with you." Ranna added, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. "And I'm pretty sure you're glad I gave you apple pie. It was a bit rushed though, but I'm pretty sure it's still good."

"Stairs to your immediate front." He instructed. She tapped the floor with her walking stick, she felt the stairs also. Ranna just descended on one of the steps. And she felt happy that she didn't trip. YES, SHE'S MISS CLUMSY.

"Oh, and watch out for Fode and Beed, although they should be outside at this time..." He closed the door. "Need a tour?"

"No need for the tour." Ranna replied. "Who's Fode and Beed?"

"Forty?" Ranna said with an eyebrow arched. "You don't sound forty."

THE WORDS BRING TEARS TO MY EYES. ;o;

"Oh, I'm sure Orion will be good friends with you." Ranna added, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. "And I'm pretty sure you're glad I gave you apple pie. It was a bit rushed though, but I'm pretty sure it's still good."

OH YES, PIE. PIE. PIE. THE LOVE.

"No need for the tour." Ranna replied. "Who's Fode and Beed?"

"Dogs." He said. "Only people around here are the servants... some two or three in number. He frowned slightly. "Which means only one person left in the house, since two people are needed if Fode and Beed need a walk..." He shrugged.

Hm. Well, sh doesn't know what you really look like. Kinda plus. She won't uh... see how plain you look, you sorry excuse of a freaking Lord.

"Well then." He said cheerily. "Dining room to the right."

"Dogs." He said. "Only people around here are the servants... some two or three in number. He frowned slightly. "Which means only one person left in the house, since two people are needed if Fode and Beed need a walk..." He shrugged.

She nodded. After all, she cannot understand servant thing... yeah. Ranna cleared her throat.

"Well then." He said cheerily. "Dining room to the right."

She nodded, and turned to her right. "Lead the way." She said.

After that, there was a deafening silence. All now she was thinking, of what her host looks like. Well, again... IMAGINATION is the key.

Well, the Silence is now getting on her nerves. "Hadrian," She quipped. "Can I ask you something?"

Okay here it goes.

"Why are you so nice to me?" She asks. "I mean, you only met me a few hours ago... and now you're inviting me to your abode. No one has been this nice to me; of course family's an exemption."

She nodded, and turned to her right. "Lead the way." She said. He went forward to lead her when something caught his eye.

Just a second. Trying to see what the hell is on that freaking tapestry. IS THAT A SPIDER MONKEY? No? Oh right. Dog. GOD ONLY KNEW WHY HIS ANCESTORS WANTED A SPIDER MONKEY dog on the family tapestry.

Well, the Silence is now getting on her nerves. "Hadrian," She quipped. "Can I ask you something?"

Eh?

"Why are you so nice to me?" She asks. "I mean, you only met me a few hours ago... and now you're inviting me to your abode. No one has been this nice to me; of course family's an exemption."

...

Spider... monkey...on... the tapestry...

Okay, stop the freaking excuses. WHAT DO YOU SAY IN THIS KIND OF AWESOMELY AWKWARD SITUATION? WHAT DO YOU SAY!?

...

D:

"..." Say it. Cough. SAY IT. "I uh..." SAY IT YOU GODFORSAKEN HOMO SAPIEN. "..." ARE YOU MUTE? "I..." FOR SHAME, HIGH COMMANDER, FOR SHAME. "I like you." He said.

....

OMFG YOU ACTUALLY DID IT. SO PROUD NOW. TEARS OF JOY STREAM DOWN MY MENTAL FACE!

;o;

"Don't get me wrong." He said quickly. OMG PLEASE DON'T RUN AWAY AND TURN THIS INTO ONE OF THOSE FREAKY FAIRY TALES. "You're different." Hell yeah. "Not like the others. They only cared whether or not I had a title or something, I don't know what they wanted, but with YOU..."

...

Cough. Hel-lo. TALK. NOW.

"... make me feel like a human being. With emotions."

silence.

"I'm sorry if I've offended you or anything. Please, you can leave anytime you wish if that were so."