[D6, MA] Consolation (Closed-ish)

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

[ooc: This thread is primarily for Corrine &
Ben, but you can ask either of us by PM for permission to join in.]

Corrine waits, seated on her flank under a shady tree for Ben to finish cleaning up from his joust, her dress skirts spread around her in a pool of apricot-coloured linen, a finely woven silk shawl around her shoulders and bare arms. While she waits, she constructs a daisy chain, occasionally glancing up to scan the people milling about.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben approaches slowly taking in every minute of watching her candidly. The way her delicate fingers twirled the daisies. Her pale blue eyes scanning the crowd. The way her full lips purse and unpurse as she concentrates on her daisy chain. The glimpse of shoulders under her shawl. Before he knows it he is standing before her, knowing she must have seen him gawking on his way over. "
My Lady, that is a lovely gown."
He bows to her. "
I am sorry you had to witness that debacle. I did you no justice. I am sorry."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She had indeed glimpsed him approaching, but had pretended not to notice. She was not sure why, it just felt playful somehow. She looks up at him and smiles with a radiant warmth, dropping the daisy chain into her lap and patting the soft grass next to her, indicating he should sit down.

"
Don't be silly, Ben. You have nothing to apologise for. I am just glad you came away safely. Ellie &
I were worried about you. I feared the kinslayer might try something underhand. I am glad he showed more honour than that."

[Benedict Marsten]

He eases himself down onto the grass with a bit of grunting and sighing. "
Yes maybe my talk helped or he is perhaps he just doesn't give a... darn about us greenlanders."
He turns to her his smile matching her own. "
Still I know I could have made a better showing than I did. It will not do for you to marry a man bested so easily. Perhaps it is my own self who is so disappointed."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She held his chin with one hand, giving him a playfully scolding look;


"
Darling, you made it to the final sixteen. That is no small feat."


Her expression turned to compassion;


"
I can understand your disappointment, but if it helps, I'm very proud of you."

[Benedict Marsten]

Her scolding look made him laugh deeply. "
I am sorry, my Lady, you are correct as always."
he says in jest.

When she turns to compassion and speaks of pride his cheek redden. "
My Lady you are to kind. Your acknowledgment and blown kiss took most of the sting from my loss. Though"
he rubs his neck with his hand. "
there is still quite a bit of soreness."
He gives a playful smile and laughs again.

"
And what does , my"
he quickly makes sure there is no one in earshot. "
lady wife have planned for today?"
He brushes his hand across hers.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She grins knowingly at him, shifting a little closer so she could kiss him. It is brief, but sweet, and she holds his hands gently. When it ends, she whispers playfully into his ear;


"
I confess I'm a little sore too, though it was worth it."


She lightly kissed his neck, just below his earlobe, the pulled back a little, a tiny laugh on her lips.

[Benedict Marsten]

He was noticeably flustered by both the word and kiss. "
I ... you can ... you are very teasing, but I hope you are well."
He looks to the ground with a blush. "
I had a hard time adjusting to the saddle today as well."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She laughed a little.

"
I am fine, my dear. It's natural to be a bit sore when learning a new sport,"
she giggled, coyly. "
I am sorry if that... erm... interfered with your jousting performance."

[Benedict Marsten]

He smiles warmly at her. "
No unlike last nights blind luck in our joust, todays was just plain bad luck. If I had to get one right I am glad it went the way it did."


He chuckles and grins.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She blushes and grins back, stroking the knuckles of his left hand with her thumb.

"
As for my plans today, I am going to the seamstress shortly, to find a suitable outfit and mask for the Mummers' show and the Bartheld's ball this evening. Will you be coming to those?"

[Benedict Marsten]

His right hand smacks his forehead. "
Yes. Ellie made me promise to take her to both. More clothes... more shopping?"
He throws his hand up in mock defeat.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She laughs heartily at his despaired flailing.

"
I'm sorry, Ben, but the look on your face was so funny! Poor soul, having to deal with unmanly things like clothing. Ellie was right, if men had their way, they'd go around in potato sacks!"


She lets herself have a giggle at him, then takes a breath to calm herself again.

"
If you really don't want to do it, I could get you both something, since I'm going anyway. I can have it all taken to your pavilion, then all you two need to do is put the clothes on and show up. Would that help?"

[Benedict Marsten]

He give an expression of mock agony. "
Is that what wives do? Had I known I may have looked into getting one sooner."
It was his turn to make lite of her.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She gave his arm a playful shove.

"
I'm afraid not all wives are so helpful, so count yourself lucky,"
she teased. "
It's a good thing I don't find potato sacks attractive, or you'd be on your own!"

[Benedict Marsten]

His smile becomes sincere and endearing. "
Yes, count myself lucky, that I have every day since you walked into that library."


"
If your offer stands I will take you up. Your choices will be ten times greater than any potato sack I pick."
He caress her shall covered shoulder.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I'd be happy to. I'll pick out something nice for Ellie too. My one condition is that, since I am going to make you look terribly dapper and dashing, you allow me to bask in your glory by attending these events on your arm."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
You drive a hard bargain."
He laughs. "
But seriously I was going to ask I just ... this is all new to me."
He takes a deep breathe and exhales. "
I pray the Gods give you strength and patience for my sake."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She looks at him with quizzical amusement.

"
You've been wonderful to me, Ben. The only patience I'm exercising is nothing to do with your social behaviour,"
she laughed. She then put her hand on his arm and addressed him with sincere kindness;


"
Honestly, Ben, it's alright. This is new to me too. But we care for eachother, so I believe it will all be fine. We will learn the things we don't know together, as a partnership."


She held his hands tightly, her eyes meeting his earnestly;


"
I know that you have not had an easy time of it in your life, so I understand that things might feel a bit overwhelming at the moment. But this, right here, is real, and I am here for you. As much as I owe many thanks to the Gods, I do not need strength from them. You give me strength."

[Benedict Marsten]

He breathes deep his heart swelling. He releases her hands to pick up her daisy chain. Then places it upon her head. "
I declare you my queen of love and beauty."


He twirls a piece of her brown hair on his finger. "
I may not be able to find the words quite like yours, but my feelings are the same."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She grins and blushes as he places the daisies on her head and makes his declaration.

"
You are ever so sweet. I am a very lucky lady. Don't worry about the words. I feel your heart through them anyway. And the eyes often say what the voice cannot."


She places a hand over his heart, feeling his steady heartbeat.

"
I am sorry that my favour did not take you as far as you would have liked."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
My lady your favor"
He pulls the braid form his belt. Staring at it admiringly. "
has taken me farther than ever I had hoped. Would that I can some day repay you."
He smiles gently placing his hand over hers on his chest.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

She smiles shyly, and kisses his cheek.

"
There is no need. You owe me nothing. Besides, you already gave me a gift. I liked wearing it yesterday. I look forward to having it made into a fine arrow, to hunt the centrepiece for our wedding feast."

[Benedict Marsten]

He laughs boisterously. "
After seeing you in action I have no doubt of that. And I do admit my heart stopped upon seeing it resting their yesterday."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I thought it would be auspicious, so I fashioned it into a wearable state myself,"
she grinned proudly.

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