Orion
27
Unavailable
Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Aug 4, 2020 16:53:34 GMT -5
Sebastian didn't know what to do with those "mushy feelings." He certainly was immune to emotions by any means, but he'd been taught to channel himself less as a person and more as a tool. Tools didn't need to deal with emotions and stress. Tools just let that sort of thing flow past them like the air around a swinging sword. But after the mountain five years ago and as a captain of the guard, people kept stepping up to him and standing in the way. He didn't question his feelings so much as...look at them more.
Sometimes. Now was not one of those times. Pleasant conversation was one thing, a dance was one thing, but a gift was a physical exchange of...something and he felt obligated to return that and he wasn't sure he could. Wasn't sure he should. Best to just move on like usual and not let it bother him. But...was it bothering him?
"Gwen," he replied simply. He likely would recognize the woman if she was a usual maid. Bastian spent a lot of time studying people as a guard. But he doubted he could have guessed the girl's name. When Rosemary left, he settled himself against the wall, folding his arms over his chest and avoiding touching the one where he'd been bitten. He hadn't actually managed to use any more of the salve she had given him and it was still rather sore.
He couldn't help the slight amusement at Rosemary's words as she led the girl inside. Just like she had done when she drugged him. She was a bit of a viper herself. Obvious or not, it had worked.
Sebastian didn't move when the door was close, but Gwen jumped slightly. "Captain!" Gwen glanced from the door to the guard and then to Rosemary, clearly identifying with the woman in the room. She seemed nervous, but not the immediate sort of spill her guts sort of nervous. "Milady! I didn't...what's going on?" she clearly wasn't sure what to make of the man or of the lady confessing to lying to her. Spooked, but clearly more afraid of something else.
The guard continued to lean against the wall, clearly content to let Rosemary answer.
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Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Aug 5, 2020 15:26:22 GMT -5
Rosemary wrapped her arms around herself in a poor attempt at self-comfort as the maid spotted the captain and began to panic. Perhaps she shouldn't feel as guilty, seeing as the maid had sold her out in the first place, but she still didn't feel right about this. With the tea it had been different--she'd been trying to protect Sebastian, not harm him. This, on the other hand, felt selfish and vindictive. She didn't feel like she had any right to be making this young woman feel cornered like this. Perhaps they should have just approached her directly and asked to speak with her. She should have thought of that sooner, instead of just following Sebastian's orders. She should be softening this, somehow. But it was too late, and she was just going to have to move forward.
When the girl turned back to her, blonde curls whipping along with her head, Rosemary looked at Sebastian, expecting him to be the one to start things. But he was just waiting expectantly for her to respond. A brief expression of irritation crossed her face, one her elder brother was all too familiar with, but she set it aside for one of grim determination instead, although it was still clear that she was displeased. She hadn't anticipated this in the least, but she told herself again that there was no turning back now.
"Gwen, I really do apologize for bringing you here under false pretenses, but we need to speak with you. You've been letting someone into my room, haven't you? To leave notes and things?" She adjusted her arms so that they were folded a bit more determinedly, and gave Gwen a stern look normally reserved for her siblings when they were being insufferable. She hoped that being a bit more forceful would lead to an answer, although she had the feeling she looked more like a disappointed mother than any kind of threat.
The servant girl looked guilty for an instant, before she straightened her face and rapidly shook her head, blonde curls flying again with the motion. "I'm sure don't know what you mean, Miss. I left an envelope here earlier, that someone asked me to, but that's just doin' my job, Miss."
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Orion
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Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Aug 5, 2020 21:50:45 GMT -5
This wasn't an interrogation. Sebastian wasn't trying to harm the maid or do anything other than keep her in a room with them for a moment. It was also why he preferred Rosemary start.
At Rosemary's clear irritation, he made no indication he recognized it. He had his reasons. And he wasn't about to do all of her dirty work. She could have asked the maid in the hall. But she hadn't. So here they were.
Leading questions. Already accusing the woman. Splendid. This was why he had Baird do this sort of thing. Since Rosemary had taken the aggressive direct approach, he changed tactics. "You're right, miss, and you do a splendid job despite all the demands," he said to the maid with a knowing nod. Rosemary might be a polite lady but she was still nobility. And it was nobility who had asked her about the note. Nobility caused most of the trouble and drama in the lives of commoners like her and him just trying to do their job. "Who gave you the note?" Bastian asked.
The woman turned her attention to the captain when he spoke. She wasn't comfortable with him, but she kept her mouth shut, looking at him nervously. If everything was okay, the woman had no reason to be nervous. And she had to know Bastian wasn't about to do anything to her. He was intimidating, sure, but he was the guard. Something was going on.
Sebastian continued, proving that he cpuld indeed talk a lot. "The individual who gave you that note threatened the Lady here. And myself. And Guardsman Baird's children. And you, perhaps?" Ideally, at least one of those hit home for her, hopefully more. "It doesn't matter who that person is, I'll make sure they answer for it. Help me do my job. Help me help you."
Gwen seemed mildly appalled by each accusation. He wasn't sure what ultimately changed her mind vut it was likely the children. Kids got people like that. "Lord Bournemouth," she said quitely.
Sebastian nodded as if he didn't already know. But that wasn't the point.
"Has he ever touched you? Threatened you? Did he offer you payment?"
She seemed unconfortable by the questions but she didn't outright deny anything so he moved on. Her gaze shifted to Rosemary and then to the floor ant that was enough for the guard.
A few threatening notes were incriminating but not enough to do anything. Bastian could only ensure Rosemary was safe and prepared until Magnus slipped up enough to incriminate hinself further. Now that Baird and some of the other guard knew him... Or, if he ruined another bed for Sebastian, he would arrest the man himself, noble or not. "Would you be comfortable continuing to work for him? Simply report to me if he ever asks you to deliver anything else? I'll make sure the guard keep an eye on you."
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Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Aug 5, 2020 22:53:31 GMT -5
Rosemary almost huffed in frustration as Sebastian took over the questioning. She knew she hadn't done well, but she hadn't really been prepared at all. She knew it wasn't fair to be frustrated with him, really, and honestly, she wasn't mad at him, she was angry with herself. She just wanted to be useful and do well, and no matter what she tried to do, somehow it all fell to pieces in the end. She felt positively useless.
Resigned to her fate, she dropped her arms and clasped her hands behind her back instead as she listened to the direction things were taking. There went all her frustration--the girl looked positively horrified. She wished that the maid hadn't been caught up in this at all, that none of them had. Would it really have been better if she'd never left Magnus? She began to chew on her lower lip, peeling off layers until it was close to bleeding.
The young woman hesitated at Sebastian's suggestion of playing double agent, one of her hands travelling to her mouth so that she could chew on her thumbnail. "I don't want to cause any trouble, Sir, but I don't think I can tell him no, either..." she glanced at Rosemary for a moment, then back at him. "He frightens me."
It was almost a yes; she hadn't promised to share information, but she hadn't said no, either. Rosemary looked at the back of the girl's head with pleading eyes, willing her to agree. If they were all on the same side, surely they stood a better chance? She took a deep breath, then stepped forward and took the girl's free hand in both of her own.
"I'm sorry you got pulled into all this, Gwen," she told her sincerely as the blonde turned to meet her eyes. "And I'm sorry for scolding you...I..." she hesitated, feeling ashamed of herself as tears pricked at her eyes, then blurted out all in one breath, "I'm frightened too. He's been frightening me for an awfully long time, long before he ever pulled any of you into this, and I'd like very much for none of us to have to deal with that any more. Nobody should have to live in fear."
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Orion
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Unavailable
Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Aug 6, 2020 1:22:10 GMT -5
Sebastian had sort of made Rosemary out to be the bad guy, if just for a moment. She was within her right to be mad. But it was just a way to talk to people. To make Gwen feel comfortable with at least one of them. But ultimately, he had reminded her who the problem was and it wasn't any of them in this room.
The potential maybe was all he was asking for. Gwen's gaze never left Rosemary once she took her hands.
"I'm not asking you to cause trouble or tell him no. I'm letting you know I promise to be there whatever happens." And hopefully, that would give her some confidence to be there for him. Even if she didn't give him any information. Just knowing something was usuful. Not to mention he had wanted to confirm if she was a willing accomplice or not. "If you like, I can keep you somewhere safe for a while instead?"
She seemed more convinced by Rosemary's empathy and than Bastian's reassurance. Emotions were like that. Gwen shook her head at his offer for somewhere and Bastian pushed himself away from the wall and began pulling back the bedding. She couldn't leave empty handed. Best not to keep her unless there was something else Rosemary wanted with the maid
He meant what he said. But he didn't apologize or touch her or tear up or even sound like he was upset. Not because he wasn't upset. Just in control, maybe too much.
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Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Aug 6, 2020 2:28:38 GMT -5
Rosemary squeezed the maid's hand gently and did her best to smile. "Thank you. Truly. He's right, too, you don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with." The younger girl nodded.
Sebastian's movement caught her attention, though, and she looked at him with surprise as he started to undo the bedding. It took her a moment to understand--she'd called Gwen here to help with the bedding, so of course she needed the sheets! Without thinking, Rosemary was immediately in motion.
"Here, let me help with that," she scolded softly, moving to the opposite corner from him so they could bundle the sheets down the bed. The maid looked at them as if they'd grown extra heads, for a moment, then shook her head as if giving up on understanding either of them. She seemed to decide to stick to what she knew, and she moved to take the pillows from the bed, and began to strip their pillow cases. She didn't even bother trying to argue with the noble and the captain as they moved to do her job for her.
If Sebastian looked up at her, Rosemary would smile warmly. She may have been scolding about him doing the work on his own, but more in an affectionate way--this, at least, was something she could help with. It was funny, she wasn't sure exactly when she'd decided that Sebastian was a friend, but she found herself thinking well that's what friends are for.
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Orion
27
Unavailable
Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Aug 7, 2020 0:38:33 GMT -5
As a mostly common soldier, Bastian actual did most of his chores. Not the washing or cooking proper perhaps, but enough. He certainly didn't have servants waiting on him. He stripped his own bed (well, normally, they weren't usually drenched in blood to the point of needing a new mattress) and took his own bedding and clothes to be washed. He might not cook his meals, but he didn't have a table set for him or food brought to him, he had to go get it. But Rosemary was a noble. Gwen's look was most certainly directed at the noblewoman.
Bastian actually stopped what he was doing to look at Rosemary with the same bewilderment when she scolded him and joined in. The look he gave her was...well bewilderment was the right word, actually. Confused surprise. He knew she wasn't great at being a noble but...manual labor? The terrarium and the gardening was one thing, a pastime, but he was mostly positive she did not enjoy laundry as a pastime. The affection was mostly lost on him and the smile only...more confusing. After a momentary pause, he resumed helping, but he decided he would refrain from such in her presence ever again, since it seemed to bother her.
His point with fulfilling the task Rosemary had lied about was that if Gwen was question about what she was doing here, it gave truth to the lie. They already knew Magnus had more than one set of eyes in the palace. But likely those eyes didn't know about each other. Regardless, it would be strange for the woman to leave with nothing.
Bedding removed and bundled in Gwen's arms, the maid gave quick bows and excused herself from the room. She didn't commit to anything, but clearly she was a bit less nervous and he could tell she was being sincere with the little she said. Hopefully she believed him too. That was arguably more important. As for next steps...he'd thought of a good use for his snake. In the meantime, he resumed his spot against the wall, rubbing his sore left arm absently. He would have to wait out the maid for a while. Maybe even use the window.
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Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Aug 10, 2020 20:01:24 GMT -5
Rosemary sighed softly as she watched the maid depart, and sat down on the bare mattress. She hoped that Gwen would be alright--she didn't seem like a bad person, although she'd been pushed into cooperating with someone who was. She looked at the door for a while longer, although her mind began to wander. Once again she wondered at how fast things were happening. Her world felt like it had changed overnight.
After a quiet moment, she seemed to wake from her trance with a start and looked over at Sebastian. When she caught him rubbing his arm, she frowned. "You haven't been using the salve." It wasn't a question--if he'd used it, the swelling would still be going down, and the wound shouldn't be bothering him. Her frown went from stern concern to almost hurt in a moment, then guilt, matching her train of thought. He wasn't using it so he was in pain: Concern. Why wasn't he using it? He didn't trust her: hurt. Why didn't he trust her? Because she'd tricked him before: Guilt. It was her fault he was hurting, then. By trying to force him to rest the night before, she'd also made sure he wouldn't trust any other remedy from her. It was a side-effect she hadn't thought about, in the moment. She looked away from him, down at her feet, and wished for a moment that the floor would swallow her up so she could quit making a fool of herself today.
But no, that was no good. She couldn't just wallow in self pity, she needed to make sure that he would be alright, even if he didn't trust her. She forced herself to look up and did her best to keep her expression serious but relatively neutral. Despite her worries, her voice was relatively firm as she spoke up.
"You should go see a real healer, if you don't want to use something from me. You shouldn't let it fester."
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Orion
27
Unavailable
Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Aug 10, 2020 21:21:54 GMT -5
Bastian looked over at Rosemary's factual statement and then down at his arm. Part of it was that he had largely forgotten. He'd woken up in a foreign bed with a near stranger, realized she'd drugged him, and then prepared for his day only to find his room had been the target of vandalism. Not to mention he had never been bit by a snake before and hardly understood the repercussions of that.
But yes. She'd lied to him once and he hadn't even bothered to ask. Fool him once, sort of thing. He'd tried blind trust once and while yes, he had slept better than usual, being made to do something was still aggravating. Though it was more...instinct than conscious thought.
Bastian tensed at the word healer. It wasn't that he disliked doctors or blood or even that he would rather insist he was fine. It was the recognition that she was probably right. He consciously pulled his hand away from his arm. "I will later. I have work to do." He'd spent enough time here as it was. He could certainly afford to skip sparring, but he did have t check in with patrols and he wanted to talk to Cian and his brother. But the castle was busy preparing for the coming party so he wasn't sure when he would have time.
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Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Aug 10, 2020 21:44:53 GMT -5
Rosemary's frown returned, more determined than before as she crossed her arms. "That won't do. You need to do something about it. Using what I gave you would be fastest, but I understand why you'd be reluctant." Guilt flashed across her face for a moment, but she continued.
"If you're unwilling, then you need to see someone else, or at least get some other yarrow based salve from someone. And I'd recommend more marigold, but again..." she sighed and ran a hand through her hair.
"I did this to myself," she muttered as she got to her feet and went looking for a hair tie again. When she got agitated, the extra input of her hair flying around and being in her face or touching her neck was one thing too many. Thankfully she found one on the vanity, and she used her mouth to hold it as she worked with jerky movements to gather her hair into a bundle at the back of her head. Once that was done, she plucked it back out of her mouth and began to wrap the ponytail.
"I know I don't have any right to be upset, or boss you around, but you're far too sensible to ignore something like this. I hope you wouldn't do that just out of frustration with me." She told him, glancing his direction as she worked. "Your health is worth making a priority."
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Orion
27
Unavailable
Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Aug 10, 2020 22:12:03 GMT -5
The captain wasn't sure exactly what had emboldened Rosemary to take his health and life into her own hands, but considering she had been doing so since yesterday, Bastian wasn't surprised to hear it. She did seem to understand at least. And understand well enough to know it was her own fault.
He sighed, watching her fix her hair, clearly anxious or frustrated. "If you have someone else in mind, then?" While he might not say it out loud, he did agree more marigold might be good. He hadn't felt entirely himself all day and while he might be able to ignore his arm, anything that made his breathing feel awkward was a warning sign he took seriously.
"'Your health is worth making a priority,' huh?" He smirked. It was...a little melodramatic if he did say so himself. But he didn't dare put it that way. "Fine. I need to check in with Baird at his home anyway." He didn't bother explaining why right now.
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Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Aug 11, 2020 21:31:35 GMT -5
What had emboldened her? The man had gotten bitten by a snake intended for her, and then insisted on helping her with the problem. Rosemary had decided from then on that making sure he recovered from that bite was her responsibility. And of course, it didn't help that it was just in her nature to be a bit of a worrier--she would hound her family similarly if they were the ones hurt.
She wished he hadn't still insisted on seeing someone else, and she sighed heavily. "I do know someone else, yes. She's got a shop in town, Moonflower. Honestly, she's much more expert than me, so you might even find that it helps speed your recovery." She smiled, although it still seemed a touch sad.
She blushed slightly at his smirk. She knew it was dramatic, but it was the truth. The remark about Baird, though, surprised her. First off, she hadn't realized he lived outside the castle, which made her realize that making him stay overnight there had been terribly rude. Her stomach sank. But wait. Why was he at home now, during the day? Had something happened? "Baird? Is he alright? Does he need anything?"
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Orion
27
Unavailable
Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Aug 12, 2020 15:43:12 GMT -5
He'd heard of the Moonflower in passing, though had never been and knew nothing more, even about what sort of shop it was. Maybe it was along the way to the tavern and that was why he knew it. "Very well," he said. He certainly hoped that if someome owned a shop dedicated to plants that they were at least 'more expert' than a noble lady who had made gardening her hobby. That was not to say Rosemary was not an expert. Simply that one who had to make money in the field ought to be even more practiced. He hoped.
The regret in her sigh and the sad smile were rather apparent. He was very tempted to lay it out for her exactly, since it wasn't an emotional choice to avoid her medication, but a logical one. Had she been doing what she thought was best? Yes. Had she asked him? Not directly about lacing his drink so he would sleep. If he had done such a thing to her, Bastian could only imagine she would have been tereified and alarmed and angry and violated and wouldn't want to be anywhere near him for what he confessed to doing to her. Not to mention wonder what else he didn't remember than she might have done to him while he slept. So she could be sad, but he had a right to be wary of her.
"He hadn't been home last night. Your stalker spoke to him today about his family. I sent him home to them." Where, ideally, the guardsmen was enjoying a suddent bu pleasant day off with his wife, daughter and son. The man didn't need to lose anymore children. As for if he knew Baird needed anything...Bastian shook his head uncertainly and shrugged.
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Magpie
23
Noble
L.I.W to Princess Cera
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Post by Rosemary McIntyre on Aug 20, 2020 19:00:15 GMT -5
(Quick warning for suicidal thoughts in this post.)
Spoken to? What a calm way of saying that a madman had threatened the guard's family. And it was her fault.
Rosemary sat down hard on the bed, horror written all over her face as she stared at her hands where they now rested in her lap. Cold washed over her, and tears already threatened. First Sebastian, then the maid, and now Baird too? How many people had been caught up in Magnus's insanity? She swallowed hard, shut her eyes, and pressed her lips into a thin line, willing her tears away. She wouldn't do that. She wouldn't be helpless. That was how they'd all gotten here in the first place.
She had to take a deep breath before she could look back at the captain. "Will you...Will you let me know if there's anything I can do for them? This never should have had anything to do with them. I should have--" Should have what? Let him kill her? Perhaps so. Perhaps all of them would be better off without her. Her mother would throw a grand funeral, to be sure, and they'd all go on with their lives as if she had never--no! Shame and pain flashed across her face with the thoughts.
She pressed a hand to her forehead and dropped her gaze again as she tried to push the haunted thoughts from her mind. She couldn't think that way. She mustn't. She didn't want to die, not really, but sometimes it just seemed so much easier. It frightened her, sometimes, how simple it would be. Just down the bottle of sleeping draught instead of a few drops, and she'd never even know the difference between sleep and death. She'd just be swallowed up by the darkness, and everything would stop.
But it wouldn't would it? She'd be gone, and Magnus would find some other woman to torture. It wouldn't end unless he was truly caught, or dead. There was no changing the past. But perhaps she could see to it that no one else was hurt, somehow. She couldn't do that if she were dead.
"Nevermind," she muttered, then spoke up louder. "The shop you need is Moonflower, owned by Pandora Valis. And please do let me know if there's anything I can do to be useful. I...I want to help, somehow."
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Orion
27
Unavailable
Guard Captain (Warden Inquisitor)
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Post by Sebastian Arcturis on Aug 20, 2020 20:18:18 GMT -5
It was an almost hilariously calm way to suggest a madman had threatened the lives of two small children. Sebastian was aware. But he wasn't the sort to over dramatize something and he hadn't exactly wanted to tell the woman in the first place. If he could say calmly, maybe she wouldn't break out into hysterics. It wasn't something she needed to worry about.
And clearly she was worrying about it. Her request caught him off guard but he was quick to finish her sentence for her. "You should have not had to deal with this, Rosemary." He study her for a long moment with dark eyes. He could tell there was something she wasn't saying. Something that had her more choked up than just what the captain had said. But he didn't know what. Even had he been good at reading people, he likely wouldn't have understood.
When she dropped her gaze, it had been awkwardly silent long enough that the captain stepped away from the wall and pressed a hand to the side of her shoulder. The intent was to be supportive, comforting, to remind her someone was at least attempting to pay attention.
"Thank you," he said gently when she resupplied the shop name and the owner as well. And here he'd been worried should would drag him. Rosemary didn't seem in the state of mind to go anywhere. Which was all the better for him because he wasn't interested in visiting the place anyway.
He moved toward the door then, certain he had overstayed his welcome, though he paused and glanced at the terrarium again. "I'll have someone pick that up. Do you have need of anything else?" It took most of his will not to add 'my lady' to the end of most of his sentences. He looked back at the young woman and then pointedly at the bed she was sitting on before abruptly offering, "I'd very much like you to sleep and feel safe. Whatever I can do."
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