#datenight

"No, though it may come to that," A thought occurs, "Illia, what oaths have you taken? Fealty? "

"Fealty, at my saining. Like most do. But to the Prince. As is the way on the Hill." Said softy. "And I do seek to keep him safe. He was not there when the sickness hit. But if it happens again. He might be there."

"So you are not defying HIS orders if you refuse to marry, or if you refuse to kidnap Jeremy?"

"No not his. This is from my betters and elders within the hold. The Prince is often busy with other things. I have not spoken with him since my saining." Her head tilts to one side as she watches Piotr. "His highness has better things to do than be concerned about me."

A nod, and he gets up and paces, then looks at her, "Then, what is to stop you from simply saying 'no'?" A twitch of his lips, "What is to prevent you from telling your betters and elders 'I think you rush and press, and it is too soon. I have more to do and see. Wait, or go on without me?' for that matter, What is to keep you from defying this marriage offer or insisting on at least an inventory on how it aids you? You maybe Seelie, but I suspect most of them are not. Surely they'll understand Passion before Duty?"

"They are of higher rank than I." Said softly. "And my elders." She takes a deep breath. "I could try." She does not seem so sure, but then she gives a nod and seems to straighten in her seat. "I can try. But still, in the end. If I don't try then they will just send someone else, who will follow orders. Who will take who ever they please."

"Yes, I am not saying now is the time to pull that out, I am simply saying it is an option, you are an attractive young woman Illia, but that is not -all- you are," Firmly, "And whatever your rank or title, I am sure many a holding would be happy to take you in. IF it came to that. But whenever tells you your choice is 'A or B'...continue down the alphabet...most binary choices are an illusion, a tangle to trap you in the patterns of others. I think perhaps I may visit this Jerod. Are you familiar with Chronos?"

She gives a slight nod of her head. "Chornos? Yes, I have studied it a little." And then she smiles slightly. "I am an Baroness. My land I do not have until I marry. It is why the Balor is so eager." Then she reaches within the folds of her dress, to a hidden pocket. She pulls out a white business card. "This is the hospital Jarrod is at." She offers it.

He takes it, nods, "Is he endanger of being undone there while he waits?" then looks at her wistfully, "Our House can not swear truehearts..sluagh from a long time ago saw to that." Pained, "But just because we can never give the fullest of our hearts does not mean we should treat them unkindly. Illia, you are skilled at blade, charming and kind, as well as beautiful. I do not know who has planted in your head that you are somehow less ... but they either seek to deceive you or are profoundly blind. You do yourself and the world no favor by shining less than you are meant to." Piotr takes her hand and kisses it if she allows, "You seek to do what is right even when it may hurt and undermine you. That courage is worthy of admiration all on its own. I will try to help you in this, though I am not sure fully how. But if I can do one thing, let it be to remind you of your own strength. Those who tell the cat its claws cannot cut are often the ones most afraid it will pop them to test."

"I think he is okay for now. I have been visiting him with tokens of glamour." Said softly. Then she is back to her soft flush. The pink color dapples across her cheeks. With the kiss he picks up a hint of strawberry and the clean taste of soap. Here she does not wear her gloves. Not like when she is in the hold. "I'll do my best to delay. Perhaps together we will find a better plan. I do hate lying to those that I have befriended. But I understand the need." Her eyes meet his once more. Now they are tear bright making them shimmer like polished gold. "Jarrod is a sucker for flattery." Said with a small almost wise smile.

"Who would not be bespelled by flattery from you, Illia?" He says after the brief kiss to her dainty hand is done, "Or were you suggesting I flatter him when I see him? Shall I talk of his eyes having a glow while secretly thinking of yours?" A touch of mischief.

She watches him through shyly lowered lashes. "I am afraid I will never be able to keep up with you word wise. Perhaps I should play more attention to some of my mentors instead of thinking of my next fencing lesson." She smiles then, soft pink lips turning up at the corners. "But with Jarrod, he glows when he is flattered or admired, it does not matter the source."

"Since you think so highly of my skill with words, I shall try not to overdo it, lest you return to find he and I on a honeymoon," An offer, "In the mean time, you are welcome to visit here again if you wish it, lady. A haven where you can be openly Varich yet not feel subject to too many House intrigues, or so I hope?"

"I would like that, thank you very much m'lord. I would like to be able to come and see you again, perhaps visit the forest?" Then she blinks, having nearly forgot. She offers the prettily wrapped parcel to Piotr. "Sorry." She looks almost shame faced. "It is for you and your hold."

"Oh?" He takes the parcel, "Should I open it now? And... of course, though you'll want to be armed in this place. Baywood is less banal than it was in some places, but nightmares persist in others. For all it's beauty, it is wilderness to fae."

She nods. "Please. I was hoping you and your parents would enjoy it." She grins then. "I brought my sabre, though I am not bad with bow and arrow also. Though not nearly as good as I am with a blade."

He opens it carefully, trying to preserve the paper as he does so.

-Once the ribbon is untied and the box is opened. Piotr can see the top of what seems to be a golden egg sitting on top of a music box stand. It has polished black, curling, designs lacing up the sides of it. If the music box key is turned, the egg seems to bloom, hidden within it is a spinning golden sun. The tune is lovely, harp like, softly romantic and classical in nature.-

Only Illia herself has mesmerized him more, "It's magnificent."

"The music is my own. So please forgive me if it is not perfect, I am still learning. But the egg is from a boggan in the mother land." Said softly. "I thought you might enjoy it."

"you wrote the music?" And now he stares at her with wonder anew, "is there nothing you cannot do, Illia?" Perhaps not the first time he has asked her that.

She blinks and blushes. "I did not write it, no. I simply played it. In truth it is a practice piece." She states honestly. "I just wanted a piece of me in the gift."

"Ah, " He says almost with relief, "I was beginning to fear I had dreamed you up and was deep in the most wonderful Bedlam ever..." A look back the music box as it plays once more, then once more his eyes sweep to her, "I'm still not sure I'm not to be honest." A blush, "I have no gift prepared for you."

"I was visiting you. It seems only right to offer a gift to the hold. Besides you have given me a gift already Piotr. Hope." She stands then, gracefully, fluidly. "Please don't think me to forward." Then she leans forward, brushing a warm kiss across his cheek if allowed. Before stepping demurely back. "Thank you."

He glows for a moment and touches where she kissed with a free hand, "And now this music box is the second greatest gift you have graced me with today," A smile, "But you are most welcome, and free to repeat that as often as you like if it please you, lady." An offer, "Allow me to put this in a place of honor, and then, I simply must either feed you or talk you on a walk about the land. Which ever you prefer."

She smiles. "A walk would be lovely. Thank you." Then she pauses again. "It is okay if I call you Piotr here? Yes?" Stated in that refined accent of hers. "I like how it feels on the tongue."

"Please, I welcome it," A chuckle, "Not that I object to Peter, or even Pete that much, but it is nice to be me, you know?" A bow and he withdraws long enough to place the object carefully deeper in the hold, and then he returns to Illia, and offers his arm, "Let us be off then. Ours is not the prettiest Barony nor the safest, but there is much to love in it still."

She nods. "Do not worry m'lord, I will keep you safe." Said almost teasingly as she rests her hand lightly upon his arm.

A throaty chuckle, but she notices he does come armed with a hunting knife and blade as they head out, "I shall endeavor not to bleed too embarrassingly." And out they go.

-end scene?-

End Scene.. so lurkers will never know of the amazing discovery they make in act 2.5!

((Poor lurkers!))