You're Hot, And I Don't Feel So Hot [Stefan]

[Claire Beauchard]

Claire was trying very hard not to show how much her body was shaking from the cold shivers she was now experiencing at King Edward's mercy meal. She had high hopes that the sickness she felt that morning would pass, but that appeared to not be the case. As the funeral had proceeded, she began to feel more and more not good. It started with a headache, and then a full-body ache by the time they went to the burial on top of her runny nose. Any onlooker would have thought her someone grieving over their loss King. On the contrary, her nose had it out for her and just decided to run none stop. She trooped on for Queen Alexandria, even if she should have left when they all migrated to the burial. Claire had been bound and determined to be there for her Queen, but now, the day was finally getting to her and she really needed to go lay down.

They'd just arrived to the dinner, everyone was sitting around chatting softly, and Claire just knew she had a fever. Why else would she be shivering so bad? She felt cold, but her skin was hot, and she just didn't feel right. As much as she didn't want to leave Alexandria's side, she had made her a pinky promise. The moment she didn't feel well, which technically had been hours ago, it had just reached the point where Claire realized she might have pushed herself too far, she would go take care of herself. She leaned in subtly to Queen Alexandria, taking a slow breath. "Um...Queen Alexandria, I...I don't feel well. I'm going to go lay down." She whispered to her. She gave her a weak smile. She knew she shouldn't feel bad, and that Alexandria had insisted earlier that she miss out on the funeral all together to rest, but that didn't stop the guilt at leaving her Queen in such a difficult time. None the less, she would do as she had promised.

She got up then, excusing herself from their table and quickly, or as quickly as she dared, made to leave the large hall. She pulled her handkerchief from her pocket and covered her mouth with it, as she felt a coughing fit coming and didn't want to disturb anyone with her loud hacking. As she walked she went from feeling very cold, to very hot, and she could feel the cold sweat break out on her skin. Not now. She thought, becoming frustrated with herself for waiting so long. The doorway was almost there, and she forced herself to take slow even breaths.

The coughing fit started just as she reached the doorway, and her pace quickened only slightly. Wanting to be far from the hall so there would be not witness's to whatever embarrassment was about to happen. She turned in on herself as her body became wracked with the coughs. She nearly ran right into some someone who was standing right out side the door. Having turned the corner too fast as she came through the doorway, she nearly fell over herself. "S-sorry!" She manged to say between coughs, but it sounded more like a wheeze. She hadn't looked at who she'd almost ran into. Everyone was taller then her, so it didn't register as to who it actually was.

One of her arms was pressed firmly against her stomach, and she began to go down the hallway and head towards her room. She got a few steps when the cough subsided and she pulled the handkerchief away, breathing in air, her chest rose and fell quickly as if she had labored breathing (which she did.) She was unaware of her surroundings as she walked a bit further down the hallway, her movements sluggish with each step she took. She really hadn't gotten that far down the hallway at all, as she grew very dizzy all of a sudden. She blinked rapidly trying to adjust her vision. "Oh no..." She muttered. Placing a hand on her forehead, she winced at how warm her skin felt to her.

Claire took another step, however, this time she stumbled. She tried to catch herself, but it was no use. Her legs didn't respond and there was suddenly a high pitched ringing in her ears as the world slowed, and spun on her. She felt like she was on a ship, among heavy ways tossing her to and fro, and she just couldn't get up no matter how hard she willed her muscles to respond. She couldn't just lay there in the middle of the hallway! Where anyone could come out and see her taking a nap on the ground! what would they think?! She knew she was on the floor from her view, but her body wouldn't respond. "Sugar snaps and fudging apples..." She whispered, as she struggled to get up once more, but she didn't even move an inch.

Stefan Gifford

[Stefan Gifford]

Stefan had been the one that she almost ran into, which immediately concerned him as he noticed something seemed off with her. But she didn't stop and kept wandering, or stumbling through the hallway. He quickly glanced into the banquet hall to check on Alexandria. She was with Aric and another one of their guards was nearby if needed for a moment. Surely Alexandria would have wanted him to help one of her ladies if they were in need. He excused himself to the other guard before he started to follow behind Claire, watching her carefully.

He saw her collapse to the floor and wasted no time in running the rest of the distance between them. She was struggling to get up by the time he got to her and he heard her cute little curse, but it wasn't a laughing matter at the time, otherwise, he would have smiled and chuckled from her words. Stefan quickly dropped down to her side. "Lady Beauchard! Are you alright?!" Perhaps a dumb question, because it was clear enough that she did not look well, and with being close to her now, he could feel the heat radiating off of her. He frowned and without waiting for her response he scooped her up into his arms and stood up with her. "You're burning up, my lady... We need to get you to bed... And maybe call for a doctor." He knew where she was staying because it was close to Alexandria and Aric's room and he had seen Claire come out of her room several times to go to their queen.

Stefan quietly carried her through the Tresterian castle's halls until he came to her room. He kept her in his arms as he reached for the doorknob with one hand and opened the door. He brought her to the bed and carefully set her down on it. "Uhh... Is there... Uhm... Someone I can get for you to help? Besides a doctor? One of her majesty's other ladies, perhaps?"

He looked at her with concern and frowned. Something told him that he shouldn't be leaving her alone, so he held a finger up to indicate for her to hold on a moment before he moved to the door and caught another guard walking by. He instructed him to fetch a doctor. Normally, he would have called for Teagan as well, but she had stayed behind in Aralore, and he knew Cassandra had gotten close to the queen and her ladies, but she was attending the funeral matters. He asked the man to fetch Cassandra Demarais once she returned from the funeral services.  Once the guard was off to get the doctor, Stefan returned to Claire's bedside and pulled up a chair, sitting down next to her. On her nightstand, he reached into the water basin and soaked a cloth before he wrung it out and moved to place it on her forehead. "There... How is that? Can I get you anything else?"

[Claire Beauchard]

Claire was seeing things surely. Otherwise she would have definitely died of embarrassment if it really was Steffan Gifford who was suddenly filling her vision, and asking if she was okay. She must have hit her head when she fell. However, Stefan certainly looked real, and she didn’t feel like she’d entered hallucinations yet. “I’m okay.” She said softly. Not wanting anyone to worry about her, but especially Stefan if he had a job to do, like guard their queen.

She was scooped up then, and Claire was in no state to argue. She could feel his very broad chest as she rested her head again his shoulder. She dared to glance up at him, to see his frown, and then glanced ahead. Is this what people of normal height saw? Was her first fever thought. The second was that Stefan had very blue eyes, that were far more prettier this close then from where she normally would have to crane her neck up to look at him. The third thought she had was she felt like a child, and probably looked like one in his arms. Should he wish, he could probably toss her around like a rag doll as she weighed practically nothing.

“I’m okay.” she murmured again, patting his shoulder. She at least thought that was what she said. She felt her lips move, but whether or not she had actually said anything she didn’t know. When they reached her room, her eyes were drooping as she struggled to stay awake, but she knew she had too. “Cassie.” She murmured in question as to who he should get. Her body felt heavy as he laid her down, and Claire glanced at the ceiling while she took in slow breath’s. There was a bit of a wheeze with each breath, but she powered through. “No need for a doctor.” She said softly, She tried to wave at him, but her hand just fell at her side. “This happens.” Her eyes were becoming more heavy and she struggled to keep them open.

She caught movement at the bedside, and her eyes shot open, realizing Stefan was right there and she nearly fell asleep. She glanced shyly at him as he rested the wet cloth on her forehead, and she couldn’t help but sigh at the coldness of it on her hot skin. It sent a shiver down her body and she trembled. Her body feeling very cold despite how warm she was. “Cold.” She managed to say with a weak smile. “I’m okay really, I just pushed myself too hard today. This happens a lot.” She told him. Not wanting to worry him. He had a job to do! He shouldn’t be here! Alexandria was far more important, and Claire was just having a small sick episode. She started to cough then, and she struggled to pull her handkerchief out, but she managed to before she curled into a ball, facing Stefan as the heavy coughs wracked her body and left her shaking. When the fit passed she gasped for air, having to take several slow breaths. Her throat hurt and she winced. She rolled back onto her back, and rested a hand over the cloth on her forehead to keep it there. “You should be with Queen Alexandria.” She said as she glanced at him. A weak smile appearing on her face. “She needs you more then boogery ole me.” Her grin widened, and she brought her hand down to cover her mouth as she coughed again. Her eyes were getting heavy again. In fact her whole body was feeling heavy. “C-Can I have a blanket?” She murmured. “It’s really cold.” She said as her eyes drooped closed.

[Stefan Gifford]

Stefan heard Claire's mumbled words about her being ok and to get Cassie and a doctor wasn't needed because this sort of thing happened. But he ignored all of it, except to ask for Cassie. He had already asked for a doctor before she said there was no need. He figured it wouldn't hurt to be checked out anyway.

He offered her a smile as she tried to explain why she wasn't feeling well. "Just take it easy now...Rest." He kept the cool wet cloth on her forehead until she went into a coughing fit. He frowned and pet her back, trying to console her in her coughing fit. He reached for a glass of water on the nightstand and held it out to her. "Here... Have some water." He would help her by bringing the glass to her lips and holding it for her, tipping it gently so the liquid would fall into her mouth until she motioned she had enough. He set the glass back down as she was suggesting he should be with the queen.

He smiled and chuckled at her words, as she called herself boogery. "She is with King Aric and the others--I think she will be fine. There are other guards nearby if needed." He gently explained. "I couldn't very well just leave you laying on the floor like you were... I do not think our queen would have appreciated that of me... I am sure she would be happy knowing I am here helping you."

Stefan nodded and stood up, glancing around the room until he spotted a heavier blanket at the bottom of the bed. He spread the blanket open before gently setting it down over her. He tucked her in and rubbed her shoulder gently. "Sleep. You will feel better." He sat back in the chair beside the bed to watch over her. At least until the doctor or Cassie got there.

[Claire Beauchard]

Claire wanted to argue with. To tell him that those guards weren't him. Not that she didn't think Alexandria's other guards couldn't protect her, it was just that Stefan had already shown himself a worthy protector. Willing to do what was needed to protect his queen. It would make Claire feel loads better with him watching over Alexandria since she couldn't be there with her. But that would take energy, and she was quickly losing hers. She barely had enough to move her hands if she was being honest.  He had a point too. She didn't want Alexandria to worry about her at all, and if she found out, or heaven forbid found Claire herself, laying on the ground she'd never hear the end of it. She was supposed it was a good thing Stefan had found her. 

She held very still when he placed the blanket on her and tucked it in. His hand felt like ice on her shoulder, and she wondered for a moment how bad her fever was. Was she going to get fever dreams? She tried to remember the last time she had one of those, but her mind was beginning to get hazy and the room was spinning again. She closed her eyes mostly to try and stop the feeling, but she felt like she was rocking all over the place. "I'll try." She mumbled. Her brows furrowed slightly she shivered under the blanket. "What made you want to be a guard?' She asked quietly. Wanting something to focus on that would act as a distraction  to the spinning room, and that might sooth her to sleep. 

[Stefan Gifford]

Stefan kept a concerned expression the whole time. The girl was burning up, yet she was a shivering mess. He knew that she'd need to sweat out the fever, but if she got too hot, it could make her worse. He tried to help make her as comfortable and warm as he could, making sure she was tucked in and there were no gaps that were allowing air underneath the blanket.

Once he was confident that she was comfortable (or as comfortable as she could be), was when he had sat back down. He had told her to sleep and she ensured him she would try, yet she was already asking him questions. He chuckled softly and shook his head, almost deciding not to answer so that she would focus more on sleeping rather than socializing. But then he wondered if she needed the distraction, the sound of his voice, maybe, to help lull her to sleep. So as he answered her, he spoke in a quiet tone, his voice soft and deep. "I don't really know...I just thought I would be good at it, with my strength and size... I have good defense skills. I am a protector at heart." He smiled slightly. He had always protected his mother from his father, and perhaps that's why he felt so overprotective of the queen, as well. She was the mother to all of Aralore. He was about to ask her why she had chosen to be a lady to the queen but refrained. He did not want to make her talk if she did not need to.

[Claire Beauchard]

Claire focused on his quiet laughter. It was certainly a nice sound, and kept her from thinking to much on the spinning of the room, and the feeling that she was spinning and falling over despite the fact she was perfectly safe in bed. For a brief second she wondered if he wasn't going to answer her question. That he would just ignore her, or for a moment of panic she hadn't even asked like she thought she had. She was certainly turning loopy from the fever, and she felt very sluggish. But- He was speaking. Ah! There he was. Her head turned slightly in the direction of his voice, and she struggled to pry her eyes open once more so she could look at him.

"You're very good at what you do..." She found herself whispering. "Queen Alexandria is very lucky to have you protecting her." She told him. And she meant it full heartedly. Claire couldn't think of anyone other than maybe scary and terrifying Lord Orin who she thought was best suited to protect their beloved queen. Her eyes fluttered shut and for a moment it was almost as if she'd fallen asleep but she let a small sigh out before she began to ramble. "Thank you for protecting her, it really meant a lot to me. With the-" her brows furrowed slightly as she shifted, trying to get more comfortable. "You know. What you did, it says a lot about you." She mumbled quietly. "Do you ever braid your hair?" she asked abruptly, trying to open her eyes again. "You have very nice hair. It looks very fluffy, not right now obviously because I can't see, but you know-" She waved her hand at him from under the blanket. "Soft fluff." She whispered. "You should put flowers in it one day. It'd look very pretty..." She trailed off. Again looking like she'd finally fallen asleep, when she pried those eyes open again. He was blurry, and there were double of him, but she tried to focus as well as she could. "Pink would bring out your eyes I think. Or yellow." She gave a slight nod and then her eyes drifted closed. This time, actually falling asleep. 

[Stefan Gifford]

Stefan smiled at Claire's compliment. He liked to think that he was good at what he did, but he wouldn't go as far as to say that Queen Alexandria was lucky to have him protecting her. But he did the best he could to ensure their queen would be safe. Orin had seen something in him, and to trust him with his sister's life meant a great deal to Stefan. He would honor and take the job extremely seriously.

"Thank you," he said softly, as not to startle her as she seemed to be slowly drifting off. He nodded at her appreciation for what he had done to stop King Edward on that horrible night. He was just glad that he had been able to. If he hadn't, he wasn't sure he would have been able to live with himself. But he imagined because of that night, Orin had given him the position to be with Alexandria as her personal guard.

But then Claire was suddenly going on about his hair, asking if he braided it, telling him to put flowers in it. He laughed softly and shook his head, not commenting because she was quite literally talking herself to sleep. He grinned and leaned back in the chair, waiting quietly until either the doctor or Cassandra came to take over for him.

[Cassandra Demarais]

She didn't bother to attend the gathering after the party. It wasn't that she didn't wish to spend time with her family because she had indeed missed them all, but Henry needed her. The trip from Aralore had done a number on him, and in truth, Cassandra was frantically worried about him. She worried that if she was away from him for too long that he would slip away and she'd not be there with him.

And that was the least she could do.

Even still, every time she looked at the poor man she felt guilty. A part of her wondered if he knew she hadn't been faithful, like he knew that at one point she would stray. After all, their marriage wasn't really one, despite how much he cared for her and she cared for him in return. It was more of a friendship than anything else, and she would forever be grateful to him.

So it was as she was leaving her husband's rooms, one of the guards was rushing up to her. By his panting, he had been running for a few minutes, eventually stammering on about Lady Claire and not feeling well. The girl seemed to always be unwell these days. Concern contorting her features, she was quick to follow him back to that particular room, opening the door without even knocking. Immediately, she was a bit taken aback and surprised to see Stefan there, seated by Claire's bedside.

"What has happened? What's wrong?" she asked, trying not to sound panicked as she rushed over to the other side of the bed. "Claire, sweetheart, you feeling sick again, hmm?" She pressed the back of her hand against the girl's forehead.