thequeensown | [Commentlog] The morning after the stocks (Open)

[Talia was exhausted and her reaction headache wasn't getting any better. She'd tried to eat something a short while ago but her stomach had rebelled shortly after. She hadn't slept all night, keeping close to Kevas and making certain he was well after she'd knocked him out. She'd been forced to do the same to Isabella after escorting the young girl to her room, knowing full well her intent on sneaking back to the stocks as soon as things were quiet.

She couldn't risk the girl getting herself punished in a similar manner, so she'd done the same and knocked her out. The girl had been tormented by nightmares on and off during the evening and the Herald had done her best to soothe them.

Her headache had increased twofold and she couldn't get rid of it. There was no cure for a reaction headache save for plenty of rest, and she wasn't able to get that within the Keep walls.

Shields up or not, the residents were tense and she herself was reactionary as a result.

So, after breakfast failed and she'd found Kevas gone from his quarters, she'd made her way to the stables. The minds of the animals there were soothing in comparison and few, if any, ever came this way.

She walks past the stalls, ignoring even the mooses' curious (and not angry) snort as she moves past. She finds an empty stall in the middle of the horses and steps in. She releases a slow breath, just letting the silence surround her, before sinking back against the wall of the stall to the floor. Once there she hugs her knees to her chest and rests her forehead to her knees.]

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[She feels those conflicting emotions within him and understands .. How could she not? She knew full well what he'd intended to try and how hard he'd try to accomplish it. She knew well how Kevas set his mind to things and became intent in delivering justice for his family and friends. She swallows thickly and leans into him as he settles down next to her in the cool and quiet of the stall.]

I know only that that creature is capable of far more than we've yet seen. I've no doubt of it .. I know that you fight to the death when the cause is just; when it's for the blood of friend or family. [She rolls her gaze to his, a hand reaching to cup his cheek.] I know that you've not yet recovered from the Tower expedition and that the copy of that creature injured you further while you fought it.

I know that you would try you mightiest to defeat it and that you would fight until you were no longer capable of it. I know that we need to know more about what the Headsman is capable of. [She exhales shakily, a knot in her throat.] I know that you were thinking about your pain and anger .. about Nel .. and not those you'd leave behind or that would be hurt to see you injured or killed.

[She's completely open to him, mind and soul, and while it might sound it to someone listening, she isn't trying to guilt him or make him feel badly. She is simply answering him with the open honesty she always grants him; showing him another side of his actions.]

[Kevas remains silent as he listens and when she's finished he still doesn't say a word. The message sounds the same, despite it coming from a different person this time. Both Joe and Sollux told him the same thing.

Family comes first. It's what he's always telling himself. His family must always come first, but he's starting to wonder if he actually believes it himself. When Willow was hurt and probably needed him most he left her with his brother to track down the one that did it. He never saw her again.

When Nel died all he wanted was revenge against that thing for taking the first real friend he's had in years. What the others thought never even made it into the equation. It was what he wanted. That's not exactly putting his family first. How many times has he done something for himself in the guise of doing it for his family?

Suddenly Kevas looks very tired.]

Guess I messed up huh?

[He is silent for a good while, but Talia can feel the array of emotions moving through his mind. She did not question why he had done what he had done, because she understood the 'why' of it. Nel was family to Kevas and he had acted with his heart rather than his mind.

She could not fault such a thing, not really. Although it made her briefly want to give his ear one hell of a twisting.

He looks suddenly tired as her words sink in and she finds his hand beneath the blanket, the other still resting on his cheek.]

I did not tell you this so you would feel badly, my love. You acted bravely and passionately, but I think this place .. these people .. require more thought than that. [She did not yet lump ALL the staff in the same boat, but she certainly had an opinion of Isabel and the Lord of the Keep. Even the Headsman seemed to do only what it was he was told to do.

But she will not blame her husband for acting with his heart, when his intentions were well intended if not well executed.]

I love you, Kevas. I'll never fault you for acting with your heart, as too few do so these days. Only think the matter through thoroughly .. there are ways to play this system as there were on the Elegante. We've only a need to figure them out and take advantage of them.

[She looks at him meaningfully. No, she wasn't letting him do this alone. Yes, she knew he wanted the Headsman dead; but she wanted him to be smart about it.

After a moment of those thoughts passing, her expression softens and she searches his eyes.]

How's your head?

[He wraps his hand around hers and squeezes. If he really wants to care for his family then he needs put aside his wants and his revenge aside and start putting the well-being and needs of those he cares about at the forefront. He's been selfish far more than the cares to admit. It's time for that to stop for his mate, his friends, and those idiot kids.

Still, if he ever gets his chance against the Headsman he's going to take it. He'll just need to play it smart.]

Bravery be all well as long as joo end up keeping joor head on joor shouldahs.

[Kevas holds her gaze and he smiles. It's small but it's there.]

I love joo too, and I know dat my life ain't just be belongin' to me anymore. I'll start usin' it more wisely.

[He remembers back to the Elegante when he made his silent promise to his daughter just before those damnable birds arrived. He wanted to be a mon that she could be proud of and he still does, but now he knows that means so much more than just being "good".]

Like I be havin' da worst hangovah of my life.

[His reply eases the last of the tension from her shoulders although his ill favor toward the Headsman remains. She cannot truthfully fault him this, knowing that she will help him in any way she can should it come to it.

Ahh, love!

At his reply to her question, her lips actually quirk and she tries her best to sound apologetic. She even almost achieves it .. almost. She pats his arm gently, a soothing caress of her mind on his to ease the damage she left behind. This dies nothing for her own headache, which will only lessen if she stops using her Gifts for a while, but that will be seen to. After all, she was directly responsible for his headache and really did feel badly.]

I am sorry, beloved. I regret that the effect was so strong without any of the pleasure in acheiving it.

Edited 2011-06-21 23:31 (UTC)

[She gets a small chuckle out of him and he snakes his arm around her waist giving her a small hug. Of course should he find out that all she's doing is worsening her own headache then he'll carry her back to his room and force her to get some much needed rest. Don't even think he won't.]

Da day still be young. I could always clear a shelf or two from da bar a pretend dat be where I got da headache.

[That's if he can even still think by the time he's done.]

What about joo?

[He'd have to be blind to not notice she's not feeling well either.]

[She smiles and scoots in closer to him as his arm moves around her waist, finding comfort in his touch. She snorts softly in amusement as he quips about drinking, lips quirking slightly.]

Far be it from me to prevent you with such, darling mine. haven knows a drink would be well enough received just now.

[Then she pulls a face and shakes her head.]

Reaction headache .. I did the same thing to Isabella when she made it clear that she would only stay in her room until the Keep had fallen quiet. She was going to sneak out to the stocks and I couldn't have her try something foolish ..

[She gives his hand a squeeze, head resting on his shoulder.]

I'll be fine with a bit of rest; just overextended myself a bit.

It would but den' I'd haftah get up and walk all da way ovah dere and it just be too much trouble.

[So she hurt herself saving him? Wonderful. He's just doing a fantastic job of keeping everyone safe. No more of that. It's time for him to take care of her.]

Den rest. I'll be right here fuh joo.

[He rest his head against hers and gently moves the hand on her waist up and down.]

[Commentlog] The morning after the stocks (Open)

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