Ashley was in her element, playing witty verbal games as she sat, prettily dressed, in a fancy parlor. She wielded a small fan as a tool of distraction as well as a hiding place for the occasion when she might blush. It was mesmerizing. She habitually threw Riley off balance with her direct yet obscured comments, and he found it a challenge to keep pace.
In the army, he had the home field advantage. This world was hers, and he wasn't sure of all the rules here.
"I'm sure the bear you spoke of would be honored to have the attention of the most beautiful lady in Klain." Riley spoke at last, unwilling to take the subject head-on.
"The attention is easily given," She ignored the compliment, "It is affection which is harder to acquire."
"Surely a ravenous, surly bear could not hope for that." He searched her eyes for answers.
"Hope is what builds the world. Without it, nothing is accomplished," She lowered her gaze and then looked up at him through her thick eyelashes.
"So you would recommend hope to that poor, starving bear?"
Riley's question hung in the air between them. Ashley's eyes were serious, and her heart was beating rapidly.
She'd let the conversation get away from her. It had started as lighthearted teasing but quickly turned into something she didn't know how to steer. Normally, she was a master of parlor conversation due to extensive tutoring by her former chaperone and hours of pretend tea parties with her dolls.
Riley, however, was something different. He played the game, but his strategy was both more and less direct than she expected. She fanned herself gently, though the room was cool, while he waited for an answer.
"I would recommend hope to all who have none," Her voice came out softly, just above a whisper. Riley's expression fell, and she wondered if her answer was wrong. She had been teasing and flirting, and was now in over her head.
She didn't want to discourage him at all. Was that the same as wanting to encourage his attention? She enjoyed being around him a great deal, and thought perhaps he needed a pleasant distraction from pining over Finn.
In her finery, she could provide that distraction more than amply. But then, she found she didn't desire his affection merely as a response to Finn's rejection. She wanted it freely given.
"However," She amended, "I think the bear's hopes were crushed before, and would understand caution before he dared to hope again."
"Those wounds are old now, and healed." Riley assured.
"Then perhaps hope is an option for him after all," She bit her lip, hoping that wasn't too forward.
"I'm sure that hope will sustain him for the coming struggles." His expression tightened, struggling between focusing on the moment and looking ahead to the imminent war.
"Now, now. Didn't I say it was my responsibility to cheer you up? And here you are all morose once again. Alas, I have failed!" She sighed dramatically.
"Not at all, your company has made me the most cheerful I've been all day." He supplied.
"Then I pity the poor subordinates who were under your imposing, cheerless command." She shook her head sadly.
"Fortunately, or perhaps tragically, you are no longer one of them." His deadpan response gave no hint as to which opinion he held.
"Fortunately for you, and tragically for me?" She smiled playfully, "Do not count your blessings just yet. You will always be Supreme Officer Corporal Riley in my eyes." She saluted him.
"Does that mean you'll follow orders?" He responded mischievously.
"Did I ever?" Her eyes widened, and he laughed.
"Perhaps not. Will you now?"
"I suppose it's highly dependent on the order given. What is your command, Sir?" She sat up straighter, rigidly like a soldier.
He stared at her silently for a long time. Long enough to make her a little self-conscious, despite her usual confidence. He seemed as though a thousand thoughts ran through his mind, but none found their way to be voiced.
The lamp nearest to her in the room flickered, throwing her features into sharp, beautiful relief. He blinked and looked away, lest he be drawn in further.
"It's getting late," He regretted admitting it, "and I have to help search under the city early tomorrow for some clue as to Roland's prophecy... but might I hope to invade your solitude tomorrow after my duties?"
"Please do," She smiled, "Solitude is overrated, and someone has forbidden me to walk around the city unaccompanied from now on. I should like an outing now and then."
She walked him to the front door, and he hesitated before leaving. Yesterday a servant had shown him out, and there was no real call for a formal goodbye. Did one bow to a lady? Shake her hand?
Suddenly, she hugged him around the waist, like she did that time in the alley. This time his arms came around her easily, though she felt quite a bit different in his embrace with the carefully draped, flattering fabric of the dress and the soft floral scent from a rose which adorned her hair.
"Thank you for coming to check on me again," She whispered. "I know you're being subtle about it, but it's nice that you care enough to still make sure I'm all right." She pulled away and he reluctantly released her.
"Goodnight, Bear. I hope I get to see you tomorrow." She blushed as she gently lingered on the word 'hope.'
"I hope so too."
________________
Roland woke early and sighed, knowing that today he would need to go back in search of Rhone. The thought of leaving Finn behind was not a pleasant one, but he would rather have her relatively safe here than with him, where Titania's schemes could more easily strike her down.
The family ate breakfast with gusto, Roland greatly enjoying the taste of home. Victoria's chirping stories of the latest schoolyard intrigues kept everyone entertained.
After one last trip to the General's home for a final exchange of intelligence and instruction, Roland admitted to himself it was time to leave. He packed a few simple foods, and his Rhone uniform. He had decided to leave the city in Klain clothes to not arouse suspicion, and then change outside the city before ditching them.
There was no way of knowing how Titania had received the news of his mission, and the less marks he bore of Klain when he returned, the better he thought it would be.
As he flung the pack on his back and entered the central living area of the home, each person bid him yet another farewell. Mrs. Sherman's was the most tearful, though she tried her best to hold it back. Getting her son back from the dead just to send him off again into danger was heavy on her heart.
Mayra gave him a sisterly hug, and Roland lifted Victoria high in the air to make her giggle. Dr. Sherman gave him a manly handshake and a firm nod.
"I need to go saddle the horse," Roland said after all the goodbyes, save one, were complete.
"I'll go with you," Finn volunteered, though her voice squeaked and her face flamed. Everyone politely ignored the emotion on her face, although the older married couple exchanged an amused look.
"Thank you, Serafina, I could use the help," Roland replied graciously, suppressing a grin that might embarrass Finn further.
In the barn, he did work diligently at the task, and she stood off to the side.
"This feels familiar," He tossed her a teasing glance.
"Yes, it does," She said nervously, "and then you rode off and I didn't see you again until after I got news of your death." She felt a lump form in her throat as she recalled.
Suddenly his arms were around her, holding her close to his chest.
"Rumors of my death were greatly exaggerated," He teased, trying to lighten her mood. She laughed, but a tear escaped anyway. He kissed it and gazed into her face. "I can't promise nothing bad will happen this time."
"I know," She choked out, and he hugged her tighter. Her tears wet his shirt, and he mourned with her a moment. He knew her grief must have been intense, and the threat of its return couldn't be an easy thing to bear.
"But," He said, "I can promise that I will do everything in my power to get back and marry you as soon as I'm able. I'd marry you now if you'd let me."
That earned him a small smile through a shuddering breath.
"For the moment, however," He said, "Let's forget about the leaving part and relive a little of what happened just before that."
Finn's eyes widened and her heart took off like a racehorse.
"I'm not sure I remember it all that clearly," she whispered with a little smile. "It all happened so quickly."
"Well let me remind you," he whispered back as he lowered his lips to hers.