nexus_sages | made waves with some friends I know

If he's lost anything more than the privilege of minding her legs and feet tonight, it would be deeply regrettable. Most of the time they are good together and better than they ought to be, all things considered. Her a good influence on him as well.

His apology that seemed to offend them both despite it not coming out in spite or mockery was the result of conditioning. When you step out of line, especially around your betters, you need to smooth things over. He'd been taught that lesson by stern hands from an early age. Sometimes, he was even smooth enough in his words to put things back to right before everything got too off course, but not this time, apparently ...

Trust that it lacked the passion and recognizable sarcasm of a proper Han Solo insult. The Captain is many things, but subtle is a fairly infrequent occurrence for him.

The thief did learn something about Brienne of Tarth, though, just now. More than just that she's from a backwater place where they didn't yet possess the technology that was so wide spread in his galaxy. Just as well that she has nothing to say to Han because he's starting to think that he might not have much left to say to her either.

"Never, ever again, Frea."

Edited 2016-06-12 07:01 (UTC)

Kindly as a person, not a figure. She deserves that. And more. Much more. And while Frea is miraculous in many ways it is a good thing that she is lacking in the mind reading. Han and Brienne are not at their personal bests.

The patting motion of her hand means that not all is lost. There is mercy. Brienne lightly nods and her lips press together as though she'll say something. An apology anyway. Or another oath. Instead the arm around her tenses to pull Frea closer.

Brienne is born and raised in the dark-like ages that they cringe about. And while she has the body of some kind of giant warrior, she has the heart of a maiden.

"That sounds like a fair way to make amends," she comments lightly.

Every figurehead, every leader, every plaster saint on a plinth, was a person once upon a time. She's not quite ready to fade into legends. Or memories, though she'd been hoping tonight would be one worth remembering. Perhaps it's not unsalvageable.

"Thank you, Han." He can have a little smile now. It's not as big and bright as usual, but it's not nothing. All hope is not lost. She might even let him come to her this time, if he's feeling daring.

That said, she'll be cozying into the hold Brienne's got on her for now. They both know how quickly she gets cold at night, and with the breeze coming over the water, is it any surprise she's eager for warmth and a windbreak? A drink would be nice, too. But that requires getting up. Hmm.

She wants something brought to her, does she? How fortunate then that Han, seeing Frea sink deeper into Brienne's hold and knowing that he's in the dog house, is ready to go for the walk that will fetch them something. Although since he's not a mind reader, he doesn't know that she's thirsty. His intent was to go questing for s'mores ingredients ...

"So, those s'more things you were talking about before, Frea ..." He begins. "I think I'll nominate myself to get up and get the components for that, unless either of you ladies has an objection."

Besides, he wanted to find Barton at some point anyway. Might as well be now. He can tell him what the hell makes up a s'more too.

Being as good as legends and stories has always been a notion to Brienne. She is working to shake it. What helps is to be close to Frea. You can't hold a saint or a myth. Chances are their laughs and smiles would never feel how they do here and now. Cozy and warm here. And Brienne is usually very warm with some to spare.

"I hold no objection. ...I thought the s'mores were unfamiliar to you?" What is the scoundrel up to.

"That'd be nice, thank you. I think everything's in the blue cartons. Remember to get sticks to toast the marshmallows on." This smile is more like the ones he's used to getting. Not much of a dog house, with her, is it? She's determined to be in a good mood as much as possible, which means she's quick to forgive the little things. Frea reaches over to brush a hand down his arm, to further reassure him everything's okay. "Would you bring me some lemonade, too, please?"

Brienne is so delightfully warm and cozy. The way she tries to live up to storybook notions is charming to Frea. She does such a fine job of it. But being the sort of person Brienne thinks she has to be isn't a very fun life, is it?

"They are." Han confirms to the knights question. "But I can walk up to some of the people I know here, strike up a brief conversation and sneak in an 'oh by the way, the girls were talking about s'mores, what are they and where do grab the stuff from'?"

Mingling Brienne. You don't have to be as sly as Han to be able to pull something like this off. Especially when the hosts have basically laid everything out for people and have been more or less encouraging a 'help yourself' philosophy.

Even the guy he hadn't met (... Matt? The one with vision problems ...) before seemed amiable enough, though it hasn't dawned on the Captain that he was the host. He blames Verity for this, actually.

At Frea's touch, Han seems to do nothing for about two beats. It's difficult to tell if it's a delayed reaction or if short hesitation, but he ultimately does look up and smile at her. And it's a smile with all the usual Solo charm that he bestows upon her. "Lemonade, blue crates and don't forget the sticks."

Have no fear, ladies, he's got this. Han stands, glances around, and then goes off to accomplish his task.

Fetching not only the ingredients but sticks to cook their s'mores is the most gentlemanly thing that Han has done yet. His methods make sense. It seems he's more gifted in natural social graces than she is even with courtly upbringing. Sly or not, her approach is usually direct. "I suppose that is so." Brienne mentally wishes him luck all the same. Timeliness will determine the success of his plan. (Spoiler: probably won't take long.)

Watching him retreat from the firelight she sighs and settles a little closer to Frea. She believes she is doing what should be done. It feels right to conduct herself as a considerate protector and ...friend. Brienne preens this identity in a way a fair maiden would her hair or self.

"You make friends so easily," is her soft observation. "Do you like him?"

"Thank you," she calls after. Frea gives him a smile to match his, and will enjoy watching him go. It's just. It's a nice view, okay? And she's neither dead nor chaste, as he well knows.

She doesn't look away until Brienne shifts, which causes her to look up at her friend. Brienne gets that smile now and a nod. "I'm fortunate to make friends," she agrees, "and such good ones." Now she'll shift, settling easily into Brienne's hold.

"I do," she admits with a touch of blushing. "He's good company, and he listens to me."

Han's parents didn't leave him with much, but they did pass along some good genes. Broad shoulders. Lean waist. The kind of face that will let him get away with all manner of stupid things he'll say to people. He could have faired far worse in the genetic lotto.

If they care to look, they'll see him mingling. He doesn't look nervous or seem to be having a hard time with the act of it. Though, he is trying to chat for a reasonably polite amount of time before he gets to what he wants, so, the ladies might be on their own for a couple of minutes.

One would think she'd feel a little more at ease now that the interloper is at a distance. Brienne finds that she is feeling close to the same. Still so very relaxed with Frea and still uncertain of what is lingering in the air. The Captain is undeniably handsome.

"You say things that are worth listening to Frea." The color is so very lovely in her cheeks, like flowers blooming below the skin. Brienne's eyes look from her to the fire.

"Is he trustworthy? I do not know him well enough to leave you alone with him unless you wish me to."

Poor Brienne. It's called 'lust'. It can be quite pleasant. She may want to give it a try sometime.

"But that doesn't mean people will always listen." It's a sad thing, but a true one, and one she can't wish away or ignore. The color continues to grow in her cheeks while it's being observed.

"I trust him." It's not quite the same thing. She knows that, and she knows Brienne knows that. "He's always trusted me, and I should return the favor. And I think he's a better man than you want to give him credit for."

Frea pulls away then, turning so she can look up at Brienne properly. "What's wrong, dearest?"

What's going on between the two ladies seems so much more significant than trying to keep an eye on a shifty space pirate. If he was trying to pull of fast one on anybody, now would be the time. He isn't. At any rate, he seems to have changed locations, but hasn't yet returned.

And for what it's worth, were he there to catch the fond things that Frea was saying about him, he'd be inwardly pleased and outwardly trying to downplay the compliments.

Edited 2016-06-16 04:35 (UTC)

It's called many things. And much of it emotions she has neglected herself to recognize in herself. There is far much more work to be done for Brienne of Tarth.

"I listen," she softly asserts. Though it seems that is not what was required or asked for. And so often we so wish to be heard from more than one person.

"You fancy him?" Why it is a question, she isn't sure. Brienne already believes it. Feeling Frea pull back causes an unexpected, heavy weight drop onto her shoulders. Frea's movements and words make her look up from the fire into her face.

Her tongue feels thick and words too clumsy. She has never been eloquent or soft spoken. Brienne reaches for Frea's hands. "I...do not wish to ever do a thing to deny you happiness or harm you. I--" she clenches her hands in frustration at herself. "That is to say that I do not want to give reasons for you to have to choose or feel you must choose my company or Lord Captain Solo's." Is it really a choice at all? She doesn't seem to think so.

"I know you do. I appreciate that." Has she failed to make that clear? She'll have to do better. "I meant other people. Not us." There's still a 'them', surely. She hopes.

"I do. I like him very much. He's not usually like this. Not with me."

Frea's hands are easy for Brienne to find and close around hers to hold them tight. "I know. I want you to be happy, too." The clenched hands barely make her expression flicker. "There's plenty of hours in the day to have more than one friend, surely? It's not so dire as all that. Nothing has changed between us."

Poor Han, having to live with being out of sight and out of mind.

Out of mindness is debatable. There has been significant talking about Han Solo in his absence, after all.

Though, he's no fool. He knows what can happen when you walk away at the wrong time. Someone else swoops in and makes a move or two of their own. A dirty trick. One he's pulled often enough on other people to be aware that it can happen to him too. Truthfully, he doesn't know what kind sort of attraction is happening between the two womenfolk, but he's considered the possibility that there's more than platonic feelings between them.

He's glancing over at them now. Because, he's interested to observe what might be happening. He's also assembling all the stuff together and deciding if he needs to make two trips.

Well, if he were capable of reading minds Brienne is sure he will be back at any moment. That sure does add urgency to the time the two women have together.

She swallows and nods. "Yes, yes, you're right. There's no real reason for me to be--to be like this." And yet she is. Through no fault of Frea's whatsoever. Nor of Captain Solo himself. They have no knowing of her other than any behavior she's shown. Brienne has just known that if she cared for anyone at all it would be best to keep it to herself for fear of laughter. The May Queen is not like that. There is no joke here.

Why is it much easier to conduct herself as though on the field of battle?

"Forgive me."

Okay, it's a fair cop, he's still on Frea's mind. He's rarely far from it. Isn't it nice to be absent but always in everyone's thoughts?

"There's nothing to forgive." Not what she's apologizing for, at least. But there's something wrong and she isn't telling and that's not good. Frea gives her hands an affectionate squeeze before releasing one to reach up and touch Brienne's cheek. "Please tell me what's wrong?"

Brienne should know by now that Frea would never laugh at her, or her feelings. She's seen how Frea tries so hard to be gentle and kind to everyone; can she really believe she won't be given the same courtesy?

Oh, he's just fine with being present in her thoughts even if he's not present in front of her. Matter of fact, it would be his preference to have it that way. That he's so fond of the May Queen himself does make him want her to be fond of him in turn.

Captain Solo has opted to make two trips, it wouldn't do to try to grab it all once and end up dropping everything, he figures. He is heading back toward the threesome's spot by the fire with roasting sticks and Frea's drink. The crate of s'mores things will be in the next go.

As it is, since he is heading back toward them, he is very likely to see what happens next, even if they're so wrapped up in each other that they don't see him.

So fond, so fast. That's how emotions work. They're dizzying and powerful things. That is the ground where both the knight of old and the space man stand.

Two trips and time is growing shorter. Brienne chews her bottom lip a moment and lifts her eyes. The touch on her cheek makes her face about set on fire. "I," her voice has become softer. "I fancy you, my lady."

And it's not a song or a story. There's no great proclamation in the heat of battle, great victory or loss. It just comes tumbling out in a mellow moment at a party.

Emotions are scary as heck. That isn't something that should change no matter how far away you run, through time or through space. But they can be a lot of fun, too.

Frea had been expecting something like that to come up eventually, but not just yet. Not at a party surrounded by people, anyway. Brienne is usually more private than that. This is not to say she minds. It may not be a story or a song yet, but it's a good reason for hugging.

It'd be a non-answer, an infuriating one, of she left it there. But she's never been keen on secrets, so: "I like you too."

There's going to be so much to think about and talk about, later. She hopes it'll suffice for now. There's a kiss for Brienne's cheek before she sits back again, and then oh hey Han is back. He gets a smile and she reaches out to take the drink and toasting sticks from him. "Thank you."

There are benefits to being quick on the draw. No doubt about that. Han himself would sooner be too familiar too fast and take a slap to the face, then walk away without knowing where he stood with the object of his affections.

He saw the hug and the kiss on the cheek. From the distance he was at, the blushing was missed and he wasn't privy to the dialogue, but he's always payed attention to body language. When you lived by the way of the gun, you needed to, after all. There was something exchanged - not anything to panic over, so far as he can tell, but something ...

"Oh good." He says with a little smile. "I see Frea was able to keep Brianne safe." He's not trying to tease or poke fun as much as trying to be somewhat involved in the goings on here. And while the knight probably sees herself in fealty to the Queen of Spring, Han suspects that the lady herself has enough magic to make herself pretty handy in a fight.

So very many benefits for being quick on the draw, for being quick period. Brienne has not yet thought that they were observed. Not when there is so much activity and not when her whole attention was wrapped into this moment where time, gravity and the rest of the world ceased to be.

One press of Frea's lips and the warm, strong embrace and all the unsettled, fearful flutterings in her heart stop. Brienne reaches back and holds her tight just that one perfect moment. So much to think about, so much to talk and feel through. For now it is like the sprawling issue has been wound up like yarn to be in one piece to unknot later.

And then Captain Han Solo returns.

"Captain," is how she greets him again. "All went well on your mission?"

No reason for anyone to panic. Hugs are good things and will be shared around. Right now, it's Brienne's turn for hugs. A good hug is a world unto itself, and it's one in which Frea is happy to dwell for as long as possible. And when she has to leave she knows she can go back later. It's a lovely thought.

"Of course. As if I'd allow my friends to be hurt." Frea smirks up at Han before pointing at him with the toasting sticks. "You promised you'd bring me chocolate. A man should never break promises about chocolate."

"So far so good, Lady Brienne." Though the task is a little on the incomplete side. Han did all the leg work and took inventory of what needed to be brought back and forth so, he's completed two very important aspects of the job. He just hasn't finished carrying it all over yet.

Which ... Frea is content to bust his chops over, isn't she? He's getting pointed at as well as getting the smirk. For some reason, in that moment, the idea comes into his head that she would have made a good smuggler in another life. That's obviously not and never going to be her destiny, but something about the way she carries herself makes him think that she could have been. The thought makes him smile. Not to mention he finds it fetching when a woman will give him a little bit of attitude.

It goes without saying there's a fine line between the right amount and too much snark, though, right? He's been guilty of taking it too far himself.

He takes a few steps nearer to her and looks down at the Queen of May. He regards her with a look of interest, pleasure and bemusement. It's a good look, but like most of the looks he tends to offer, it's a bit of a smoldering one. "You wound me when you go implying that I'm a man that doesn't deliver what he says he will." As if he doesn't get enough of that back home.

Edited 2016-06-20 02:52 (UTC)

made waves with some friends I know

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