Far From a Cinderella Story (Roselle)

[Ivy]

"You know... People don't really talk like that," she pointed out with a bit of a smirk. Her own brown eyes held steady contact with his until he looked away, the smirk on her face only growing larger at that. It was an interesting change of pace to go from someone like T'ri to someone like M'gnum. When he began to pick at his tunic - what he was picking at she couldn't quite tell since she didn't see anything there - she sat back and yawned a bit.

"So what is it you do for fun M'gnum? Other than be a bronzerider, since I am sure that is just thrilling." Her voice held a hint of sarcasm and she grinned before adding in a completely serious tone, "And if you want to kiss me you should just do it. Your shy and serious act is cute and all, but I don't play games."

There was no blush to her cheeks and her eyes were locked onto his, even if he was currently busy looking elsewhere. Either he'd get flustered and probably apologize or he'd actually man up and do it - hopefully she'd read his body language right and he actually did want to kiss her, or else she'd just made a huge ass of herself.

[Aftershock]

When she showed no discomfort or offense at his admission, M'gnum looked back up at Roselle, his smile returning as he replied jokingly, "But obviously I speak this way... does that mean I am not a person? What, then, am I?"

He couldn't help but notice, as he looked back into Roselle's eyes, that she was staring right back into his, and he almost felt an electric current in the air between them as he listened to her speak. He was about to reply to her question when she suddenly derailed his train of thought with her second statement, and M'gnum couldn't hide the look of surprise on his face, quickly followed by a large grin. His voice lowered an octave or two due to arousal, M'gnum rumbled, "I will be glad to answer your question, my dear, but obviously more important things have come up that need to be taken care of..."

Moving his free hand up to grab Roselle's far shoulder, M'gnum leaned forward slightly as he gently tugged Roselle's upper body towards him, capturing her lips with his own as he kissed her deeply and firmly. Breaking the kiss after a few heated moments, M'gnum looked into Roselle's eyes once more and said quietly, "Do not mistake my chivalry for shyness, my dear. I simply do not wish to force my attentions where they are not desired."

[Ivy]

To say the greenrider was surprised at his reaction would be an understatement. Eyes widened, giving her a doe like appearance as he leaned in and pulled her towards him. When their lips met her body shook in a light shiver and eyes half-lidded. Once the kiss was over she just sat there looking at him in surprise, blinking rapidly and unable to form any kind of cohesive response for a few minutes.

Finally she found her voice, "I... I didn't expect that."

Now she blushed ever so slightly before leaning in to kiss him back briefly. "This is an interesting turn of events for sure." She muttered against his lips before pulling away and sitting back. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes for a moment and then, "So. What is it you do for fun?"

[Aftershock]

M'gnum laughed, and the second kiss, initiated this time by Roselle, melted away the last of the lingering tension he had felt since deciding to approach Roselle to return her boot. Roselle's reaction was unsurprising... she wouldn't be the first woman to have been confused or intimidated by his lack of crude innuendo or aggressive flirting, and M'gnum took the opportunity to tell her so.

Though still sitting naturally straight-backed due to personal preference, the stiffness in his manner had vanished, and M'gnum's hand slipped down from Roselle's shoulder to rest loosely on her knee closest to M'gnum as he continued with, "As for what I do for fun, it depends on the day. My duties as a senior bronzerider take up much of my free time, but when the time presents itself, I spend time telling stories to the children in the creche, sparring with friends, or keeping myself fit and alert." His strong fingers tickled lightly along Roselle's knee for a moment before he asked, "How about yourself? What leisure activities do you pursue when duty does not call?"

[Ivy]

"None of those sound like much fun, to be honest. You should be exploring or on some grand adventure." Even as she spoke she realized he didn't seem like the adventurous sort. Definitely not spontaneous and reckless like T'ri had been. She glanced to his hand on her knee but did not make a move to dislodge it.

"As for myself... I don't do much. I used to spend my free time with Cairenn but... Well she spends her free time with someone else now." She couldn't help but frown at this, realizing she hadn't really spoken to her niece since the Gather. Sure they'd exchanged pleasantries in the hall when they ran into each other but they hadn't had a heart to heart or talked about what happened. She couldn't tell if Cairenn was avoiding her on purpose or if A'nd had suggested she keep a low profile from her aunt for awhile. Either way, it hurt.

A soft sigh came from the greenrider and she moved to run a hand over his briefly. "I used to spend my time exploring Burimyu when we were there... I've already told you about my jewelry making. I used to Search as well - when it was needed. Now that its not... I oil my flight leathers, play with daggers, and keep to myself. I guess I don't do anything all that exciting either."

[Aftershock]

M'gnum listened to Roselle speak in silence, squeezing her knee in a supportive gesture when her mood drooped in response to speaking of her lessened relationship with her niece. He smiled once more as her small hand slipped over his, and he placed his other hand atop it, sandwiching her fingers in his firm, but gentle grasp. "Well, it's not all for fun," he admitted, a wry twist to his smile. "But when the Turns begin to pile on, one must spend more time keeping themselves fit and healthy, or else one can easily end up a feeble, hobbling old man who would need some pretty young lady to nursemaid him," he added, chuckling and squeezing Roselle's hands between his own.

"As for adventures," he continued, "I feel as if those are things I should leave to the younger knights... my participation in the fighting, and end, of the Dragon Wars was my grand adventure... it's time to let the next generation make their mark on the world, I feel, and concentrate myself on the less glamorous job of keeping the world safe for them to be able to grow up and have such adventures in the first place." Sighing a bit wistfully, he added, "Though that does not mean I do not miss it sometimes... the ability to simply mount Higginth or a runner with nothing but my clothes on my back and my blade on my hip, and see where the winds or paths would take me."

His wistful expression suddenly hardened, and he squeezed Roselle's hand firmly between his own as he suddenly said, "Perhaps it's high time for me to have another adventure, eh, for old time's sake? Show those young men how it's done, hmm?" Smiling boldly at Roselle, he looked deep into her eyes as he asked, "Would you honor me by joining me in this adventure, my dear?"

[Ivy]

"You have a flair for the dramatic it seems, you talk as if you have one foot in the grave already. You are a bit older than me, sure, but you can't be that old." Roselle teased softly as he held her hand in his, giving it the occasional squeeze as he spoke. To his question she couldn't help but arch a brow, "And what such adventure did you have in mind? Nothing that will throw you off track from your goals of becoming the next Weyrleader I hope."

Her fingers curled against the back of his hand gently and she gave a short roll of her eyes, "Besides it isn't as if I can really do much adventuring as is, hurt ankle remember?"

In her mind she picked back over the conversation and everything he'd said until finally she added, "So you like reading to the creche children... are any of them, yours?" She did her best to word the question delicately, though there really was no delicate way to ask someone if they had any bastard children.

[Aftershock]

M'gnum grinned once more at Roselle, replying, "Well, my dear, I did mention I put quite a bit of effort into maintaining my health. A man my age who did less would likely show his age much more than I do." Winking, he added, "If you wish to know, this August will see me having observed 38 Turns on this earth, Faranth willing."

He listened to her doubts of being able to participate due to her ankle, and he squeezed her hands reassuringly and said, "If you desire, you can still participate... riding a runner side-saddle behind me, or coming along on a flight with Higginth should not strain your ankle at all, I would think. I'm an accomplished runnerman and rider, and will make sure to control our mount so as to avoid maneuvers or movements that would cause unnecessary strain on your injury. The choice is still yours, however, of course," he added, giving a smile of understanding.

To her final question, M'gnum seemed to have a bit of a wistful quality to his voice as he said, "No, I cannot say any of the children in the creche are mine... at least, to my knowledge, since Flightlust and Flightmoths leave no guarantees to a rider that he has never fathered a child unknowingly. However, Higginth's overall avoidance of Flights beyond Goldflights, and my salamandyr Shekinah's loose Impression preventing Runlust from overtaking me when she Runs, has definitely assisted in the chances being lower than for an average rider, I'd think."

His smile twisting a bit ruefully, he continued, "As you yourself have witnessed, many women have trouble interpreting my signs of affection, and those few I have had interactions with outside of Flights have always been other riders who have betweened due to their regular duties after our encounters, or have simply not become with child. I had always dreamed of being a father, but as the Turns pass me by with no serious relationship on the horizon, the chance of that occurring seems to be falling by the day." He sighed after he finished speaking, looking down thoughtfully, then took a deep breath and put a smile back on his face, looking back into Roselle's eyes.

[Ivy]

"There are drudges and other weyrfolk who don't between at all - one of them could safely carry a child for you." Her voice was quiet as she pointed out the obvious answer to his dilemma.

Looking thoughtful for a long moment she nodded a bit, "I suppose as long as I wasn't running around on my injury I should be fine to go 'adventuring' with you. Though I must admit, I've never really ridden a runner. I always meant to, but never got the chance. I've been around them - been in carts pulled by them, just never on one itself." A smile softened her features for a moment. Reaching down she rubbed over her ankle and cringed a bit. "I think its time for me to re-wrap it, if you wouldn't mind grabbing the bandages from the desk?"

[Aftershock]

M'gnum smiled at Roselle as she spoke, and replied, "Well, my dear, that is true, but as I said, all of the weyrfolk or drudges I've been with have not conceived. It does not matter, though... I wish to be a father not just because I wish to spread my seed, but because I wish to be a FATHER... I wish to help raise the child, not just create it, and that would require a longer-term relationship than I have been able to find..."

Glad for the change of subject, M'gnum's forlorn expression returned to a smile as she agreed to adventure with him, and spoke of never being on a runner, and he replied, "Oh, then a runner is definitely what we should take, so you can experience it. It's an incredibly different experience than being on dragonback, and I would honestly say that each are equal in terms of the enjoyment I get from them, in their own way."

Squeezing Roselle's hand once again, he continued, "Luckily one of the gifts my family at Telgar gave me in an attempt to get me on their side was a thoroughbred runner... I had one when I was at Fort, but I could not take him with me when I moved to Selenitas, and I have no idea what became of him, as I could not find him after the battle at Fort. The runner is a fine mare named Mersalla, and I'm sure she would be happy to meet you."

When Roselle asked him to fetch the bandages for re-wrapping her ankle, M'gnum squeezed her hand once more between his before releasing it to stand and move to the indicated desk, finding the bandages in short order. Returning to Roselle, he did not return to his seat beside her... instead, he went to one knee in front of her, gently taking the leg with her injured ankle on it into his hands and supporting her bare calf on his lifted knee, looking up into her eyes for permission before slowly and carefully removing her current wrapping. Once her injured ankle was bare, M'gnum took the new wrapping and carefully wrapped it around Roselle's ankle, his strong hands surprisingly gentle as he did as he saw Erilena do at the Ice Maze, applying enough pressure to keep the ankle still while not wrapping it too tightly and causing pain or cutting off circulation.

After finishing with her ankle, M'gnum looked down at the smooth, pale flesh of Roselle's shin exposed by her mid-calf skirt sliding away due to her calf resting upon his knee, and without a word bent down to deposit a light kiss upon it. He then moved up to push her skirt slightly higher, placing a kiss gently upon her now-exposed knee. Looking up at Roselle's face once more, grinning, he asked in a playful tone, "Is there anything else you'd like me to take care of while I'm still down here, my dear?"

[Ivy]

A slight nod was given as the bronzerider took a knee before her and began to unwrap her ankle for her. She was far too tired to insist he let her do it herself, though she hated the idea he might think she was so helpless that she needed him to do it for her. Laying her head back against the top of the couch she sighed as she let him take care of her immediate needs. Once he was done she expected to feel the couch shift as he sat back beside her - instead she felt soft lips press to her leg.

Head snapped back up as she felt his lips travel further up her bare leg, his tender fingers caressing her soft skin - pale for lack of being out in the sun without cover - and then her cheeks tinged a deep red at his question. "N-no. I think I'm f-fine, but thank you."

Her voice shook, both from nervousness and a hint of arousal. It had been since Tserieth's last flight since she'd been with a man and his closeness was beginning to have an effect on her. Averting her gaze from him she bit her bottom lip gently, "W-when did you plan on going on this 'adventure' of yours?"

[Aftershock]

M'gnum smiled back up at Roselle as her cheeks reddened, and he couldn't help but hear the small undercurrent of arousal in her voice as she denied needing him for anything else below her waist. Taking her foot and placing it carefully back upon the floor, M'gnum stood in a smooth motion and resumed his place beside Roselle on the couch, though he sat slightly closer than he had before.

He casually took Roselle's hand back between his, unless she pulled or shied away, and responded to her question with, "I'm not really sure when, to be honest... I'm not generally a man of rash decisions." He shrugged a bit then, and added, "Though I do have a runner and a beautiful companion to join me... I'm certain I could find an open spot in my schedule to arrange some time to do it, if you believe you could. I know you didn't wish me to speak to your Wingleader on your account, but I'm sure we could find time for both of us to get away soon, since you said yourself you don't have much occupying your time these days."

[Ivy]

Offering a somewhat shy smile to him she let him take her hand in his as he sat back down next to her. Nodding a bit she yawned, moving to cover the yawn with her free hand. "That sounds nice, as long as you promise not to get so busy you forget about me."

Another yawn took over her features and she looked towards the door leading to her bedroom, "I think I should get some rest for now though..."

[Aftershock]

M'gnum smiled warmly at Roselle, quickly responding, "Forget about you, my dear? Impossible. That kiss alone will keep you in my mind for a long time to come." As he spoke, he squeezed her hand affectionately once again, and moved his face forward to give her another light kiss on the lips, unless she moved her face aside or pulled away.

Seeing her yawn once again, he nodded and replied, "Of course, my dear... allow me." Releasing her hand, he scooped one hand behind Roselle's back and another beneath her knees, smoothly standing as he picked her up once again like he did back in the Ice Maze, her weight seeming negligible to the broad-shouldered bronzer. Striding smoothly to her bedroom, he deposited her gently on to her bed, and still bent over at the waist with his arms beneath her, his face stooped close to hers, he then asked quietly, "Is there anything else you would ask of me, or would you wish me to leave you to your sleep alone at this time?"

[Ivy]

Ask Higginth's to stay. The soft voice of the green perched on the weyr's ledge floated through Roselle's mind, causing the greenrider to blush lightly as she looked up at the bronzerider.

Shaking her head a bit she avoided his gaze as he stood over her, "I... I don't know. I don't want to be alone, but I do need sleep..."

Her voice was quiet and unsure, definitely not hinting at anything other than what she was saying as she didn't want him to get the wrong idea. Sighing she shifted a bit on the bed.