675-05-24 - Twisted Riddles
Twisted Riddles | |||||||
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Summary: Baldwin has two odd conversations with his sister. | |||||||
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Livessa walks into his room, she had been not sleeping much. She actually has been down stairs in the inn making sure that Rayne does not get to see her brother at all. This time she will stop her.
Walking to the area she shares with Baldwin she knocks on his door "Baldwin?" she calls in and enters. He can see the tired lines in her face, her eyes do not shine with life or happiness, they are nearly dead. "Marcus left for that city.to look to prove Rayns innocence in killing that man." she says her voice cracks with consern before she leans against the wall.
Livessa looks as if she could fall over any moment really.
Baldwin is up and it seems as if he is about to go out. He has put on his chainmail and the tabard of yellow and green. Almost fully recovered from his wounds, and it is known he has already been out of the inn recently. When Livessa enters he looks up, surprised to see her, and maybe even to see her in this state. "What is it sister. You look... exhausted." The mention of Marcus has his gaze cloud a little, and even moreso the mention of Rayne. "Her innocence will be proven, certainly. She did not do it."
Livessa says, "what if she did?" she says "I know she has stolen valuables in the past, what if she is linked to the dissapearance of the painting and the death of this man. It happened right .here." she says and that concern touches her voice again "I ...I dont want you seeing her." she says her eyes turn away from her brother then. She stumbles slightly and slinks down the wall."
"She did not!", Baldwin retorts with some firmness to his voice. "How could you even think she did. So you know her even? Have you spoken to her, even at some point?" The accusation of theivery does take him by surprise however. Raising a brow towards his sister, he enquires: "She has what? Stolen valuables in the past? Now where did you get information... Wait, what is it, sister." Jumping to Livessa's aid as she collapses. Frowning at the request. "Why would you ask such a thing of me. I promised to help her. And I'll keep my word."
Livessa says, "please... brother do not... please." her words shake and she lowers her head into her arms.. the weight of her body taking over and she slips a little further down his wall. Too many days laying awake trying her best to stop any of this from happening. She breathes softly though she dose not answer much of what Rayne has stolen or how she got the information. "Marcus and Ottis are doing enough.." she says softly and then... she murmers "Baldwin... I..." she says weakly before she finally falls limp on his floor."
A good thing for her that her brother is such a strong knight, gifted with swift reflexes. Having already put his arm about her, he'll do his best to steady her and when that fails, he'll pick her up and carry her over to his bed, placing her gently there, but wincing as he straightens again. Damned by the almost ehaled wound in his side, that gives him some discomfort there. Concern flickering in his grey blue gaze, as well as a bit of a stubborn expression. "No... you will not make me break my word of honour." Said firmly but in a gentle tone. "Just why... would you concern yourself with this, anyway." He shakes his head, not comprehending the twisted ways of thinking of his sister.
Livessa breathes as he layes her down and she mutters incoherent words. They are all slewn together ...."no....steal...my..." she closes her eyes and she repeats the words /my/ until sleep claims her. The guard will tell him she has been awake for nearly three days without rest.
That slightly irritated frown will fade slowly when Livessa seems to fall asleep. But that concerned look will remain. Baldwin pats Livessa's cheek gently and pushes a strand of hair from her forehead. A sigh leaves him when he moves to the door to call for his sister's maid. "Pray, look after Lady Livessa, she seems to be unwell..." A last worried glance towards that form on his bed befor the knight leaves the room, a casual wave given to his shadow. This guard follows, while the other will stay.
Some time has passed, when Baldwin finally returns to the inn. After a quick meal downstairs in the common room, he will go upstairs to check if his sister is still where he has left her. Asleep in his bed. Inclining his head to the guard, he'll pause before entering, giving the man the chance to give a brief report. His own shadow is still there, and the knight shoots him a quick glance over his shoulder as if to assure himself of the man's presence. Then he'll enter, after a knock to the door if Livessa should indeed still be there.
She is there not alseep as she was before, it seems the few hours of time alone was all she needed ... but still she is pushing herself and the strain of it shows. She moves to get some food in her and then slowly she turns with a muffin in her hand "Brother," she says softly though there is no warmth in her tone.
"You have gotten some rest, do you feel better now?", Baldwin inquires, shooting her a concerned glance. "I feel there is something amiss between us two. Maybe we should talk about it. And don't tell me this is because you worry that I might not know what is expected of me." He studies her thoughtfully, before adding: "We both know you have given much more reason for concern so far, to our parents."
Livessa turns to look at you and her eyes flicker a bit. "I did what I did to get you to come home." She says plainly, admitting all her miss behavior was to get him home. "I thought it would bring us closer." She shakes her head, "it has not". She looks to her maiden then to his guard, "you do not need to shadow him anymore" she welcomes him back into her own watch.
"You did what?" Baldwin inquires raising a brow, his tone is gentle but he does not seem to comprehend his sister, that's all. "Provide me with a shadow? To get me home? To make me respect you more? I was concerned for you, that much is true. I'm glad you're feeling better now." A faint smile there. "As for the guard..." He waves the man back. "He's to stay. I have nothing to hide, and have no objections to him watching my steps, sister." Once that's settled he steps closer towards Livessa, brushing a strand of her hair aside in a gentle gesture. "I feel we have grown apart, in away. I felt like I didn't know you, when I found out about the gambling. You sneaking off, over and over again. There's a deep rift between us, sister. A painful rift. I only wish we can find ways to rebuild the trust we had. I am willing to. But are you...?"
She sighs and shifts to look at you. "Baldwin, I only started to gamble to get you to come home..."
"Home? Like... Home to Athereyne?" Baldwin stares at his sister, as some kind of realization seems to dawn on him. "It was not my choice to squire at Granville. It was father's decision, you know that!", he says, frowning.
Your sister just looks at you then she turns away. "I knew if I resisted father you would come home for me, and you did".
Baldwin looks even more baffled now. "I came home, yes. After I was knighted. After my knight died. It wasn't really because what happened at home, Livessa. I had no idea. Not the slightest clue about what was going on a thome, when... what I had to witness in Granville,... the famine, the revolts... you know. The plague. Burning piles of dead bodies..." His words seem to fail him at the memory and he lowers his gaze, inhaling deeply. "You have no idea! None of that was happening at home."
Livessa looks to you and she shakes her head then turning away, it really didn't matter much now did it. She was still younger then he and still in a way more rebelous. She just nods her head and sighs. "Thank you for checking on me." she says softly then she sighs "I want to go home." she looks out the window then back to her brother.
Baldwin frowns, maybe this rebellious way of the teenager is not something he is good at dealing with. "Um, sure... You know... I know I'm no way like father,... But in a way, I want to protect you, that's why I insisted on those guards, sister. You may be angry at me at the moment, probably you'd like to pay me back. Just talk to me."
He pauses, and a mirthless chuckle leaves his lips. "Don't you think I want to go home too? I've been through a lot over here, I've had my share of The Isles. And you should know that."
Li looks to him and she bites her lips shaking her head slowly. "I love you, Baldwin". She says softly "I do not need guards when you are near, I am not going to ever, ever .... betray you. Everything I have ever done has been... for you." She moves slowly then leans in to kiss his cheek, and she moves to the door appearently just wanting to be done with the conversation. "Remember that."
A bit of air leaves Baldwin's nose, when he hears Livessa's statement about never betraying him, as if he were not so ready to believe her. Shooting her a bewildered glance as she gives him that kiss to his cheek, and watches her move to the door. "Sister." Muttered to himself as well as offered to her in goodbye. He still needs to figure her out. Women. Sisters. Twisted riddles, in his humble opinion.