Post mostly for Sir Andrew Ffoulkes, but otherwise open

[suziedetournay]

Suzanne is sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard below her window, stitching away at a tapestry, with a basket of thread at her feet, humming one of the songs Marguerite used to like to sing.

Comments

[ffolksyromance]

*walks up slowly and stands behind the bench, pausing just to listen and watch her for a moment*

[suziedetournay]

*keeps stitching and humming, a small smile on her lips, not having yet noticed his approach*

[ffolksyromance]

*leans in and speaks so as not to startle her* Am I allowed to know what you are smiling about so prettily?

[suziedetournay]

*gives a little start and tiny little "Oh!" of a gasp anyway, as still hasn't quite recovered from the timidness she fell into while he was away, but it's quickly replaced by a radiant smile* You mustn't startle me like that, you awful man *gives his hand a little tap that's more like the bat of a kitten's paw* I was thinking, c'est tout.

[ffolksyromance]

*catches hand that batted him and gently squeezes it before letting go*
I'm terribly sorry. You mustn't let me interrupt you. *sits down anyway, a small smile playing on his lips* How has life treated you, since I've been away? *pause* For my part, I missed you terribly.

OOC: I'm sorry for the delay, RL conquers all.

[suziedetournay]

*smiles sadly* I have missed you also, Andrew. It was so hard, and right after you asked me if I would... *eyes fill with a terrible worry and she speaks in a tiny voice* Do you still want me as your wife? It has been so long, and if not, I would understand...

Typist: Not a problem. RL has a tendency of doing that.

[ffolksyromance]

*takes her hand properly this time, heart tearing at the sight of her sadness* By God...I'm a wretch! What I have done to you. *looks her straight in the eyes* Don't doubt me for a moment longer, my Suzanne. I could never change my heart about you.

[suziedetournay]

*her gaze softens, and she smiles again, warmly, fingers curling gently, sweetly around his* Forgive me, mon cher. I couldn't truly doubt you, and I swear I never shall again. I just... had to hear it. From you. You understand, do you not? *eyes meet his, pleading*

[ffolksyromance]

*laughs softly and very wistfully* I think the wrong person is asking for forgiveness here. Of course I understand, though I wish I had never made you feel the need. You shall not again, I swear it.

[suziedetournay]

*smiles* You have done nothing wrong, mon amour.

But we must not dwell on such things. Let me show you what I've *as she turns her gaze back to the embroidery, her brow creases in consternation* Odd's fish. *the expression sounds odd with her strong accent*

[ffolksyromance]

*laughs outright at this sudden change of tone, but attempts to stifle it a little lest she get offended. He remains as close to her as he too peers at the embroidery* ...What?

[suziedetournay]

My needle. I must have dropped it. *flashes him a not unkind glance* And this is what happens when I am startled while sewing. *peers on the ground at her feet, trying to spot the glint of sunlight on metal*

[ffolksyromance]

*leans down himself, rather undignified, but patting the ground in an effort to help her* I fear you must resign yourself to a lifetime of being startled whilst you are sewing. *peers and picks something up* My lady. *presents rather dusty needle, wiping it with rather dusty fingers*

[suziedetournay]

*attempts to take it suitably gravely, only to laugh as her own fingers become dusty to match* I think perhaps I should put away my sewing or it will be soiled. *folds it, careful not to smear it with dirt, and returns it to the basket*

But I forget myself. Surely you had a purpose in coming out here. I must not distract you from it.

[ffolksyromance]

But of course you must. If I had no distractions, I would most likely drift haphazardly through my life, the terrible scoundrel that I am. *nods mock-seriously*

[suziedetournay]

*laughs delightedly* Oh, how terrible that would be! I must do my best, then, to define your path. *springs to her feet* Shall we start, then, by taking to the path?