Before You Hear the Rumours...

[Rosemary McIntyre]

Rosemary was glad her brother was finally coming home, as she missed his buoyant attitude and penchant for causing trouble. It was funny--when he was around, making her life more complicated, it could sometimes be exhausting, but whenever he went off to visit Aunt Beth in Tresteria, she found herself missing the vivacity that he brought. 

There was just one minor problem interrupting perfect felicity....She was currently in the middle of faking a love affair with the captain of the royal guard. Rumors were abundant, now, and only getting more intense the more time passed. She had even heard one of the maids suggesting that Rosemary might have his illegitimate child at some point. She'd nearly choked on her breakfast. 

It would hardly take twenty minutes in the castle--or, frankly, in any of their social circles--for Lucas to hear the stories. She wanted to head things off by giving him the true story. Although...she almost wondered if letting him believe she was having a romantic tryst would be more pleasant than admitting why she had ended her engagement in the first place, and how her fiance refused to believed that it had ended at all. Her stomach was choppier than the ocean waves as the ship arrived and a ramp was extended. She could already see her brother's head a few inches above the others as he waited for the ramp to be secured, then hurried down it towards her with eager bounds and a massive grin. 

Rosemary smiled and immediately tugged Lucas McIntyre towards her so she could put her arms around his neck for a hug. "Welcome home, Luc! I've missed you so." She kissed his cheek fondly before releasing him and giving him a sheepish grin. "And on the way home, I have quite a story to tell..."

[Lucas McIntyre]

Oh he already knew he and he hadn't even come to shore yet. It was probably the only thing that could dampen his current mood. Knowing his little sister certainly was not little anymore, however he  would let her explain it to him when she was ready. He wasn't going to push. Or so he told himself.... Lucas McIntyre took a deep breath of sweet Teronna air as his ship finally docked and the gang plank was brought down for passengers to unboard. He'd been away in Tresteria for a while, visiting his Aunt Beth and his uncle the Count as they all fondly called him. 

Lucas always did enjoy his visits with her. It was a nice change of pace and allowed him to get away from the pressures of home. Eventually he decided he would just get up and move one day, go start his own vineyard or see about working at the one his companions Grandson owned. Wouldn't that be fun? 

His companion had to see about her things, so he told her he'd wait for her at the bottom when he went to unboard himself. He was a tall man, and could see well over everyone else's heads, so it wasn't hard for him to pick out his sister, even more so when she ran towards him. He couldn't help his own broad smile he closed whatever other distance there was. "My sweet flower!" He cried in utter glee as he wrapped his arms around Rosie and spun her around. Holding her tight. He kept her in his tight hug for maybe longer then what was appropriate, but gods he'd missed her. And seeing what he'd seen through his scrying? Let him envision her to be smaller for a bit longer. 

His grin was dazzling as he pulled away, and then it turned a bit devilish and knowing as he fixed her with a look. "Oh I know, you have some explaining to do." He said tapping her nose lightly with an index finger. The smile soon faded away and he fixed her with a more serious look, looking at her with his dark gaze. "But I would like to hear your version of this story. When you're ready." He told her quietly, squeezing her shoulders before he pulled her back in for another hug and then kissed the top of her head. "I, also have someone for you to meet." He grinned down at her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as he stared to usher them back towards the door. "Theodora! Are you ready yet my dear?" he called. 

An older woman's voice sounded then. "Thea, Luc! How many times must I tell you..." She all but growled which caused him to chuckle. The crowed parted then as if by magic and Lucas lowered his head down so he could whisper in Rosie's ear. "I made quite an interesting friend on my travels, she's going to be staying with us."  He explained quickly. The crowd parted then to reveal a very small older woman, with white hair, and piercing blue eyes that made her sharper then she looked. She had what looked like a permanent scowl on her face and a no nonsense air about her. She was wearing a large fluffy hat and dark furs to help keep combat the cold, and had a black walking cane. She spotted Lucas and Rosemary easily enough before she came walking over. "Rosemary McIntyre, I present to you, Lady Thea, DeGrey." He said. 

[Rosemary McIntyre]

Rosemary squealed as she was spun around in her brother's arms, feeling like a little girl again. It made her positively radiate joy for a moment, and she sighed happily as she gave him an extra squeeze before he let her go. She'd missed him. Just that one hug and she was already feeling better--at least until he answered her.

Explaining to do? Oh no. Her mirror. It was right across from the bed. She'd completely forgotten that her brother would be able to see anything that happened in her bedroom--including any visitors she might have had. Especially one in particular two nights in a row... Rosemary blanched, and the world around her seemed to blur for a moment of utter panic. His addition, that he wanted to hear her side of the story, was enough to steady her a little, although it was the second hug that sealed the deal. Gods, she'd needed that. She was so glad to have him back.

The next moment, though, she was utterly baffled. What in the world?

Apparently, her brother had adopted a rather adorable, if grumpy looking, grandmother. Their own grandparents weren't around, and frankly, their parents were no support either, but it was still making her head spin a little to see her normally rather er… aesthetically inclined… brother choosing someone so unusual to focus his attention on. But then, he was always a magnet for trouble and interesting people…

Rosemary did her best to wipe the bewilderment from her face with a smile and curtsied low to the woman. "Lovely to meet you, Lady Thea. I'm sure any friend of Luc's is a friend of mine." It wasn't just pretty words, either; if Lucas trusted Thea deGrey, then so did she. "But please, Rosie will do just fine for me. Lady Rose if you must use a title."

She gestured up the street, away from the crush of people. "The carriage is waiting, if you'd like to get out of the cold...?"

[Lucas McIntyre]

Lucas was quite amused. Theadora deGrey was certainly a woman not to be trifled with even in her age, and he'd instantly grown a liking to her when they found themselves on the same ship. The woman was originally from Tresteria, but often traveled. Not wanting to sit still in her old age.

He watched as Thea narrowed her eyes slightly at Rosie, before she bowed her head in greeting. Given her old body, curtsying was not something she could do so easily anymore. Her eyes flickered up to Lucas's then. "This the one?" She asked, and he grinned and nodded in confirmation. "Yes, My Lady." He said, glancing sidelong at Rosie. Thea nodded and then stepped forward, her whole demeanor suddenly changing, as she smiled up at Rosie. "Rosie it is dear, and please. Thea, I've heard so much about you!" Thea reached up with her aged hand to gently pat Rosie's cheek. "We'll get on just fine dear." She told her, and then took Rosie's hand in her own, putting it on her arm. "Lucas tells me you have quite the green thumb!" She went on to say, beginning to walk towards the carriage, and Lucas began to chuckle, as he fell in behind the two women. "Thea has Grandsons and only one Granddaughter, She's quite excited for more female company." He spoke.

"Being on a ship stuck with you certainly does make me want female company dear." The old woman fired back at him. "An old heart can only take so much flattery." She explained to Rosie, which cause Lucas to laugh.

[Rosemary McIntyre]

Rosemary blinked, her mouth falling open slightly as Thea became completely different. No longer did she seem so intimidating--her smile was positively sweet. Thea quickly attached herself to the still-startled young lady, and before Rosemary entirely knew what was happening, they were walking toward the carriage.

"Lucas tells me you have quite the green thumb!"

Rosemary glanced at her brother with panicked eyes, but he only chuckled softly at their guest's antics. Rosemary did her best to calm down, but she was still a bit off balance. She stayed quiet, a frazzled smile on her lips as she listened to the two bantering.

"He is quite a flirt, isn't he?" she contributed softly, a more genuine smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "But don't let his wild ways fool you; he's a gentleman at heart. He'd never let anything happen to either of us." She winked at her brother as the coachman hopped down to give Thea a hand climbing into the carriage. She followed soon after and chose to sit next to Thea. She rather thought she was going to like this newly adopted grandmother of theirs.

"As for my 'green thumb,' I'll happily give you a tour of my greenhouse, Thea, if you're interested. There's plenty growing there, even in this nasty weather."