Johanna
- Ingenious Pilot -
in the bloom of 17
Posts: 235
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A Field
Sept 30, 2008 17:29:59 GMT -5
Post by Johanna on Sept 30, 2008 17:29:59 GMT -5
*Just having returned from church, the Pontmercy family would now spend the day lolling about and doing as they pleased. Alain and David might go out riding, and Sebastien and Mireille were too young to go out but they'd amuse themselves in the drawing room with their parents, between books and conversation.*
*Johanna had picked a small meadow where the grass grew tall enough to hide her, should she be called in to socialize with callers, and pulled out a pad of paper to continue the story she'd been working on. She chewed the end of the pen, every once in a while dipping it into the inkpot she'd brought with her and making to write something, but nothing came. Just some splotches on the paper.*
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Robbie
- Ingenious Pilot -
Posts: 211
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A Field
Sept 30, 2008 17:43:37 GMT -5
Post by Robbie on Sept 30, 2008 17:43:37 GMT -5
*The milk-coloured mare walked slowly down the path and through the field. Robbie held her reins lightly in one hand--she knew where she was going and he did not much mind where. His other hand rested on the pommel, trying to ease some of the tension still present where his bound ribs were healing, the bruises having faded to splotches of yellow and pale green.*
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Johanna
- Ingenious Pilot -
in the bloom of 17
Posts: 235
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A Field
Sept 30, 2008 17:48:21 GMT -5
Post by Johanna on Sept 30, 2008 17:48:21 GMT -5
*Johanna sighed. She wasn't going to get anything done, and the skies were turning a threatening grey color. She gathered her things and stood, brushing her hair out of her face with the hand that held the ink. But when she turned... there was a horse on the other side of the field. In the path that she'd take to go home. With a person on it.*
*A person who she suddenly recognized, and subsequently felt her throat go dry and her heart leap up into it.*
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Robbie
- Ingenious Pilot -
Posts: 211
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A Field
Sept 30, 2008 17:49:55 GMT -5
Post by Robbie on Sept 30, 2008 17:49:55 GMT -5
*The horse did not quite shy, but she stopped and threw her gentle head to one side with a whicker, breaking Robbie from his reverie, his gaze falling on Johanna. He bobbed his head briefly, praying he wouldn't get harsh words for taking out one of the horses for himself.*
"...afternoon, miss."
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Johanna
- Ingenious Pilot -
in the bloom of 17
Posts: 235
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A Field
Sept 30, 2008 17:51:19 GMT -5
Post by Johanna on Sept 30, 2008 17:51:19 GMT -5
*She bit her lip.*
"Good afternoon." *She said softly.*
*She shifted on her feet, somewhat awkwardly, as the sky became ever darker.*
"I trust you... are feeling better?"
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Robbie
- Ingenious Pilot -
Posts: 211
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A Field
Sept 30, 2008 17:57:33 GMT -5
Post by Robbie on Sept 30, 2008 17:57:33 GMT -5
"Yes, thanks...t'yer kindness, miss."
*He dropped his gaze, staring intensely at the grass beneath the horse's hooves.*
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Johanna
- Ingenious Pilot -
in the bloom of 17
Posts: 235
|
A Field
Sept 30, 2008 18:00:06 GMT -5
Post by Johanna on Sept 30, 2008 18:00:06 GMT -5
*She blushed.*
"It... I was... it was nothing." *She demurred.* "I couldn't just... " *But she didn't finish, because the rain that had dropped onto the top of her head distracted her. And, of course, as soon as she looked at the sky the rain began to come down. She looked back at him, still pink.* "I should get back... before it gets too bad..."
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Robbie
- Ingenious Pilot -
Posts: 211
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A Field
Sept 30, 2008 18:02:40 GMT -5
Post by Robbie on Sept 30, 2008 18:02:40 GMT -5
*Robbie turned, looking back down the path. He shook his head.*
"Ye'll catch yer death afore ye c'n--"
*He leaned down to offer her his hand.*
"Ride back wi' me, miss."
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Johanna
- Ingenious Pilot -
in the bloom of 17
Posts: 235
|
A Field
Sept 30, 2008 18:08:52 GMT -5
Post by Johanna on Sept 30, 2008 18:08:52 GMT -5
"No, it's alright, it's just a little..." *But then the rain wasn't falling, it was pouring, and she finally just put her small hand in his.*
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Robbie
- Ingenious Pilot -
Posts: 211
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A Field
Sept 30, 2008 18:16:06 GMT -5
Post by Robbie on Sept 30, 2008 18:16:06 GMT -5
*Robbie pulled her up, helping her to mount behind him on the saddle, turning his eyes away with difficulty as her skirt rose above her ankles. His aching ribs protested enough to make his teeth jangle, but he bit back the pain for a moment until the worst had subsided, and though his lungs heaved shudderingly for air to suppress any outcry, he managed to turn the mare back down the path.*
"Hold on now, miss..." *he said softly.* "...hold on to me."
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Johanna
- Ingenious Pilot -
in the bloom of 17
Posts: 235
|
A Field
Sept 30, 2008 18:22:22 GMT -5
Post by Johanna on Sept 30, 2008 18:22:22 GMT -5
*And hold on she did, trying not to squeeze too hard for fear of pressing on his injuries. She scolded herself when she began noticing how very well-built he was, squeezing her eyes shut as if to will the little flutters in her stomach away. Unfortunately the way she was situated necessitated her entire torso being pressed against his back... and it wasn't helping matters.*
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Robbie
- Ingenious Pilot -
Posts: 211
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A Field
Sept 30, 2008 18:26:56 GMT -5
Post by Robbie on Sept 30, 2008 18:26:56 GMT -5
*Robbie rode them back towards the house as quickly as he dared with such a precious burden seated behind him, where he could not see her. Perhaps it was better that way, though--her hands felt cool yet somehow hot at the same time, pressed against him, burning through the thin, damp material of his rough shirt. He felt vaguely ashamed at how filthy he must look, how sleazy and cheap his clothes, how foul he must smell after working in the stables.
They could not reach the house fast enough, and yet, when it hove into sight, Robbie's heart beat in a queer, sick fashion.*
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Johanna
- Ingenious Pilot -
in the bloom of 17
Posts: 235
|
A Field
Sept 30, 2008 18:31:35 GMT -5
Post by Johanna on Sept 30, 2008 18:31:35 GMT -5
*It seemed like some sort of instantaneous eternity until the house came into view, far too long and at the same time altogether too short. She took her hands back and pressed them to herself again once they finally clattered to a stop in the courtyard.*
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Robbie
- Ingenious Pilot -
Posts: 211
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A Field
Sept 30, 2008 18:33:57 GMT -5
Post by Robbie on Sept 30, 2008 18:33:57 GMT -5
*Robbie jumped from the horse first, turning to offer his assistance to the young lady, holding up his arms so she could alight with more ease.*
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Johanna
- Ingenious Pilot -
in the bloom of 17
Posts: 235
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A Field
Sept 30, 2008 18:37:08 GMT -5
Post by Johanna on Sept 30, 2008 18:37:08 GMT -5
*She stepped down with his help, but only found herself right in front of him, nearly touching but not quite. She looked up at him, her heart attempting to clog her throat and fill her ears on beat at the same time.*
"Thank you." *Was all she could think of to say, and then without thinking at all she stood on tiptoe, lightly brushed his cheek with her lips and fled into the house.*
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