Heaven Forbid || Elias

[Deleted]

It was with a sideways glance that Elias found himself becoming slowly and steadily more aware of this enchanting girl’s interest in him. For some reason, it initially hadn’t registered with him, but – perhaps with his equally growing interest in Flanna – he was rather aware of how her gentle eyes kept resting upon him. His own curiosity and, frankly, masculine nature said to observe her in return, but he couldn’t quite find it in his soul to let Flanna see his open examination of something besides her compassionate and thoughtful mind, even if it was innocently so.

Maybe it was his ever-present sense of decency around the fairer sex, or possibly his pride. Either way, Elias was going to uphold whatever sense of respectability he may be putting across. Flanna was unlike any woman he had ever met before with her sweet modesty and charmingly unforeseen astuteness, and, whilst he had known few women in any great detail, he had met hundreds from Court attendances. None were like the demure yet fascinating fox-haired girl beside him. For some reason, it seemed utterly crucial that he mustn’t make any faux pas in her presence, none at all.

On that basis, it suddenly seemed altogether more difficult to gauge his behaviour in front of her. Flanna smiled at him though, and her words were warm even if her tone remained neutrally pleasant. It set him at ease again, and only at that point was he aware of a newly acquired sensation of butterflies in the pit of his stomach. He almost laughed at himself. Had it really been that long since he had last took an interest in a woman?

“That is not up for me to judge,” he replied, an amused smile still playing at the corner of his lips. “I may study, aid, or dissect a heart, but I have no bearing on my own.”

He glanced at Flanna with a small, easy smile. He was sure that her naturally pale cheeks were steadily taking on the same red hue as her locks; it was quite endearing. And then, as she replied in much a similar manner, Elias tilted his head ever so slightly in curiosity. Heal her? Was there something ailing her? Worriedly, he was all about to open his mouth and ask when suddenly, it seemed, Flanna’s delicate fingers were lightly brushing his hair. He was sure he was rooted to the spot in sheer puzzlement of how to respond; he had expected a list of ailments to follow, something to diagnose. Not that. That was new.

He blinked then cleared his throat ever so slightly, all the better to regain his voice. Thank goodness Flanna had continued in her words, Elias was quite sure he would not have known what to do otherwise. Men were supposed to be good at this kind of thing, and here he was wishing to bury himself nose deep in a leather-bound volume of herbal medicine.

“I- I am sure there are many men who would have you.” He replied before flushing immediately, realising far too late how indecent that had sounded, at least to him. “I mean as a wife of course,” he continued hurriedly, “not that- not that that is inapplicable either. I- sorry. Ignore me. What I mean to say is, I am sure you will make someone a wonderful wife one day.”

Elias sighed almost inaudibly to himself. What an idiot. The first woman that enthrals him in years comes along and he turns into a jabbering fool. His sister would laugh herself silly at the sight. It was quite frustrating given his confidence at any other time. Nevertheless, he pulled himself together – there was no point appearing more of a fool than he probably already was. Besides, he was intrigued; few people had ever implored his trust before, not away from a medical situation.

“You can trust me, if you feel that you need to. I specialise in confidentiality after all,” He smiled lamely. Not many physicians practiced the same ethics. “But don’t feel that you have to tell me anything you do not wish to. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

[Flanna Kelly]

Flanna had been uncharacteristically bold today. It wasn't that she had never done stupid, uncalled-for things before, but there was just something about doing those things in the presence of someone she wasn't kin to that made them seem bad. This was the reason why Flanna was so shy, really. But as she looked at Elias--not catching her stares--she realized how much he tried to avoid doing the same to her. Did he dislike her? Had she done something? Shamed by her own conscience, she looked down.

Perhaps she'd read what she could read of him all wrong. He well may be married; if that were the case, then Flanna was damned and may as well throw any chance of him liking her away with the pages of crossed-out lines and monologues that she wrote so often. Why, oh why was she so awkward? She couldn't help but look up at him again. Wait; he didn't look like his disliked her. She'd seen that all wrong, again. He simply looked to be in a deep pensive state, wherein he wasn't looking at her... Maybe out of chivalry? Flanna didn't see much of that anymore. It wasn't like she'd grown up around it. But there was a benevolence in his eyes that she feared she'd missed and she apologized silently to her heart.

She was far too shy for any sort of curiosity or boldness, and that was simply the truth.

And, ah, there it was! As he spoke, she caught that smile. Oh, how she hoped he had no other in his life. She swallowed the thought, knowing she was much ahead of herself. Of course, she'd never say anything like that to his face--she was far too timid. "Elias," she said softly, "it is my opinion that yours is far more valiant than you'll allow yourself to say. Perfect, even." She wasn't aware of the smile on her own face.

She caught the questioning look in his eyes as she spoke, as her cheeks burned on the sides of her face and immediately wished she had said nothing. Timid pride had been working its way out, but she cast it once more away; she didn't have much luck in the way of pride. As soon as she saw his frozen body, too, she wondered if she had certainly taken an unprecedented liberty in her actions. She dropped her hand silently, a shy fear lighting her eyes. But her smile still refused to fade; she must admit that as much as she probably took too long a stride, she had enjoyed it. There was something in Elias' countenance that warmed her heart, that kept her from apologizing for her actions. She felt secure in a way she normally did not.

Flanna's face dropped in confusion of his first words. She wondered how he meant that, until he continued and the hint of an amused smile graced her lips. She slowly lifted her head again to see him, and when she did, his face was as red as her own. She took it lightly, though. She knew exactly what that felt like and how terrible it was to misstep in conversation. In fact, the only people she knew that didn't mispeak were her own actors. Some people just took it better than others, and it seemed that she and Elias were not those people. With a quiet warmth, she answered, after a few silent seconds, "Thank you, Elias. You've more faith in me than I have. I just hope..." she stumbled, "I just hope that someone who believes that will make me his wife." She had made it through her doubts, and not misspoken terribly. A slight smile grew on Flanna's face.

He was so sincere, so respectful. If ever a man deserved to be trusted, Elias seemed to be him. She drew a deep breath of salty air and shifted her legs under her dress. She'd tell him. "I'm perfectly comfortable if you're here," she practically whispered, and then wished she hadn't. Continuing, "I hope you don't take me for a lesser person, then, after I tell you this but... But I am indeed someone other than who I masqerade as. My name is Flanna MacDowell, Elias. My family is cursed. My father was a very, very bad man, and he's infamous throughout the land... Alexander MacDowell. Hung a couple years ago for murder, treason, theiving, rape..." She couldn't go farther without knowing he understood. In fact, Flanna couldn't even find it in her to smile.

She wanted to lean on Elias' shoulder, but she didn't dare. Not now.

STATUS complete TAG Elias ATTIRE HERE!
LYRICS Heaven Forbid; The Fray NOTES no notes (:
COPYRIGHT Flik of Roleplaying Extras

[Deleted]

Even as he listened to Flanna, Elias could far from believe his ears. It wasn’t for lack of wishing to, or denying the lady her thoughts, but he simply couldn’t grasp how she could describe him so nobly. His heart was surely far from perfect; morally sound, maybe, but not perfect. Not after his last love affair.

Now, though? Elias had matured since then, even he could acknowledge that much. Was he really as valiant as Flanna informed him so sincerely? For sincere she was – he could tell by the humbling tone of her pretty, lilting voice and the honest smile that most certainly reached her eyes. He watched her curiously this time, unable to prevent his inquisitive eyes from roving her countenance, but the longer he did so the sooner her cheeks flushed. Then a little spark of something akin to fear or timidity wormed its way in there and Elias dropped his gaze, almost as quickly as she dropped her hand.

He wondered whether he should have tried to be more confident in the moment. Hindsight was a wonderful thing though, and now that Flanna had dropped her hand he felt it would look rather stupid to draw attention back to it. Nevertheless, the gesture had touched him in more ways than one, for Elias still found himself slightly astounded that a woman (much less a pretty woman) had wanted to touch him so; the last girl to do so had been Magrat, his youngest sister, and even that had been in pity.

When he risked another glance back at Flanna he could see she was looking as hesitant as he felt; as she spoke, however, there was hidden warmth to her voice, something that belied all the nervousness that Elias thought he had sensed.

“I am sure they will.” He replied evenly. Truth be told, Elias wasn’t entirely certain of how to reply. She was so innocent, so genuine. She could marry for love, surely? She had no one pressuring her, and there would more than definitely be a man in the region willing to marry her, Elias was certain of it. Hell, if he was of a mind to- No, those were ridiculous thoughts. Possibly. Possibly not... What are you thinking, man? You have just met the girl.

He blinked, clearing his head. He was so taken with Flanna; she was demure and delicate, and yet equally there was a peculiarly almost brazen aspect to her. Elias couldn’t put his finger on it, but it wasn’t disconcerting in the slightest. If anything, he felt it showed her natural, human side, something that presented itself to him even further with her little revelation. So, she was a MacDowell? He had heard the name, yes, most had, but he couldn’t for the life of him figure out why he would consider her a ‘lesser person’. This ’father’ she spoke of sounded like he had been little more than a waste of space. Elias knew it wasn’t his place to voice such opinions, but clearly Flanna and her father were nothing alike. He couldn’t imagine she would hurt a fly.

“I would not take you for a lesser person, no matter what you choose to tell me. I have seen enough of you to know that much,” He told her honestly, carefully studying her downcast face. “Not everyone is born to the likeness of their father. The only shame is that you no longer have one in your life.”

Elias paused, almost wishing to put his arm around Flanna in a consolatory manner. It was a rough hand of fate to lose a parent, even if they had been a hardened criminal. A part of him felt honoured that she had divulged such information with him though, especially as it had clearly been weighing on her mind.

“Thank you. For telling me. Not because it affects my opinion of you in any way, but for trusting me. I know how hard things like that can be to trust someone with...” He added quietly, his mind lingering on the affair that had nearly cost him his life.

[Flanna Kelly]

It was unlike Flanna to blatanly place herself in any situation wherein she would have to interact with someone else. Generally, aside from her direct family, her brothers and mother, she could never find the words that she needed to say. She couldn't hold an open conversation, nor could she explain why she was so timid. But in Elias's presence, she did not get overcome with that fearful feeling. She felt unnaturally eloquent, uncharacteristically open, and it was a new kind of freedom that she normally got only with Carson. It'd been months since she'd felt it, in fact, for Carson and she were worlds apart now.

Flanna wondered, though, if her comfort and growing affection were all in vain. She sensed no signs from Elias that he was as infatuated with her as she was with him, and she feared she'd been a bit too curious in her approach. With an internal shudder, Flanna feared for the worst. At least, if he wasn't interested in her in any compassionate manner, perhaps he'd admire her mind, or her writing, or something. Anything to give her the solace she wanted. If he wasn't the one, she at least wanted to offer him something. Flanna knew she was daft in thinking so, but she wanted to know, for once, that she was unalone in her feelings. Things like this didn't usually cross her mind. In fact, she habitually let her characters live for her, love for her, and be outspoken for her, so that she didn't have to do it herself. There was something about the ambiguity of being the author and not the character that she loved.

But, oh, every time he caught a glance of her, she felt hopeless, like she was surrendering a piece of herself to some unknown--her heart, in fact, was the price. She sensed some sort of undertone in his words, few though they were, and wondered if there was something in Elias that was just as desperate as she felt. If she was going to chance her own vulnerability, she had to be relatively certain. Surreptitiously, she tried to search his eyes. He'd been off in some sort of daze, for only a moment. She wanted to know what he was thinking. After but a moment's hesitation, Flanna decided she may as well speak. She'd already surrendered her heart. "Elias, pardon my regard, but may I ask if you're... involved with anyone? Married?" She sighed but didn't look away this time. She was too worried about what the answer might be to be anything but paralyzed.

Conforming to the latter conversation, she watched to see what his reaction would be. It was no great secret that her father had been a terrible use of a man. It was something she'd spent a good deal of her time quarrelling about; she should, by faith, love him as a parent, but how could she ever fall under the influence of someone who'd done such deeds?

"That's a respectable thing to say, then, Elias, as you don't know my own misdoings. In comparison with his, they are no great matter, but I live in the constant fear that one day they will escalate to some great misfortune. Sins of the father, they say." She let out a short breath, glad always that he wasn't going to criticize her. She'd never counted it as a loss, not having a father. As long as he'd been alive, he'd not been close to her, and it was no different upon his death. "I've three brothers. They take care of me in their own way, and they're nothing like my father." It was not all misfortune. In fact, the family that she chose to recognize as her own was nearly perfect. It was just that one bad vein, the one of which she was half-bourne.

"I've needed someone to trust, other than just my characters," she admitted quietly. It was so easy to tell them how she felt--they would not judge her if she so chose. They could masquerade as her, and they wouldn't know it. They got to live the tragedies she felt. Flanna looked up with a melancholy despair in her eyes. She couldn't tell what Elias was thinking, but she would try. Something there she saw told her that he was honest and good and true, that he was the right one to put her trust in. She leaned into him and laid her head on his shoulder, praying she wasn't going astray. It felt so wonderful to have a friend.

STATUS complete TAG Elias ATTIRE HERE!
LYRICS Heaven Forbid; The Fray NOTES no notes (:
COPYRIGHT Flik of Roleplaying Extras

[Deleted]

It was a strange concept to Elias to be sitting here, on the beach, idling away his time with a woman he was utterly absorbed by. Everything about it was foreign to him. And yet everything about it was utterly enjoyable too. He almost felt a little guilty for not getting on with his work but the fact of the matter was that Elias felt simply too captivated to move; who was to say when or even if he would see Flanna again if he left now? There was nothing to suggest that they might bump into each other again by chance, and he wasn’t yet a believer in Fate, despite this meeting. Elias wasn’t entirely sure why his heart was telling him so, but Flanna was too precious a soul to abandon to herb picking.

Shifting his weight on the sand, he watched her with enquiring eyes. He was curious as to what exactly did lay in that soul of hers – so careful as she was – but he couldn’t quite read her, not as he could so many of his patients. She was a mystery to his untrained heart. Elias knew he could read as many books as he liked and not one would help him with this newly acquired problem. And a problem it was – he had no idea how to behave as anything other than a well-mannered physician, and yet his warm cheeks and fluttering stomach were already telling him that this was so much more than a simple fascination. Especially when she asked (hesitantly it seemed) about the exact subject he felt so weak on.

He shook his head. “No... No I am not. Utterly unattached. My two sisters have come to the conclusion I must be some kind of eunuch... I am not,” He amended quickly, “I just find myself totally and inexplicably attached to my work. I suppose I leave myself little time for anything else.”

Elias wasn’t really sure why he was explaining himself. Probably because he knew he did indeed sound like a eunuch. The more peculiar thing to him, however, was that Flanna was even interested in such matters. Was she simply asking out of the interest of conversation, or because she genuinely desired to know? After all, she had already confessed how her own life possessed nothing in the way of romance, whereas Elias knew he had revealed very little about himself. It struck him at that moment how someone clearly less self-assured than himself was actually offering more of her heart up. It suddenly made him feel inexplicably guilty.

Still, it wasn’t like the pieces of history that he was willing to divulge even remotely resembled being of interest to her. Elias was quite sure he could think of nothing more likely to send Flanna to sleep, and the things of interest, well, they made him cringe in shame even now. All he found himself doing in reply to her was giving a mere shrug of his shoulders, an action he was becoming increasingly conscious of.

“No, I admit I do not, but I would feel confident in saying that if you have done no great wrong so far, then you are unlikely to now. From my humble opinion, you are most unlike your father,” He told Flanna with positivity. People could make good of their actions, whether from something they had done themselves or something that had influenced them. He could say that much of his own father – once exiled, he had turned himself around and given Elias the best possible life he could. “If all men were set in their ways, then I would be nought but a poor village farrier, and an ill-favoured one at that. It sounds like your brothers are proof enough that we make our own footprints in the sand.” He smiled, wondering how pitiable that had sounded on a scale of one to almost definitely. He was glad for Flanna, however, that she clearly had three brothers who cared for her; siblings could make all the difference, and Elias supposed that they had for her.

He felt especially glad of that as she spoke. Not having anyone to trust was just beyond all comprehension; even with few others Elias knew he could place wholehearted faith in his family. Just as he was about to turn to her and try to offer some sort of inadequate consolatory response though, he caught unmistakeable anguish sitting behind those deep, hazel-green eyes that made him instantly pause. Elias knew that nothing he could offer up would ever be ample enough to extinguish that and all of a sudden he felt an abrupt rush of compassion, so much so that he thought very little of Flanna softly laying her head upon his shoulder. It was unexpected – and utterly so – but it felt almost... natural. He couldn’t place his finger on it. As she continued to lean into him, however, he realised that this was no frivolous action on her behalf, and so as gently and gentlemanly as he could Elias lifted his arm and lightly placed it around her, his fingers hesitantly resting on the soft warmth of Flanna’s waist.

[Flanna Kelly]

The worst feeling that Flanna could fathom was losing someone she adored because of her own foolish ideas, and that was why she was so worried about maybe losing Elias to someone that he'd known much longer than herself. What if she was all wrong? With her characters, she could control how they felt, and what she put them through. She was omniscient, all-knowing, when it came to works of her own genius, but her own life was something else entirely. She could not imagine what were truths and what were her hopes.

She risked another shy glance at Elias, feeling like she was losing a little more of her restraint every time she did so. She needed to stop this; Flanna was far too timid and far too innocent to engage in society's relations, but she felt like it was... alright, at least for this time. She could feel him watching her, and she wondered what questions he was keeping behind his stare, and what ideas. Did he admire her? Think she was too shy? Was he bored by her? Och, she hoped not. Surely not. She only wanted to know how he felt about her, so that at least her mind could be put at ease from his tantalizing mystery. Her heart, if given the wrong answer, might take some time to heal, but she could go on just as she always had... alone.

In his words (in which she sensed some discomfort) she felt her heart both leap and then well up with tears. He was indeed free of all relationship bonds, but... there was something in his words that almost sounded like disinterest, as if he didn't want her like she so wanted him to. Her heart was dropping. She tried to find words to counter her despair. "I hope... Could you make time, if you ever found someone? I mean... if you ever fell in love? I mean, if you believe in love." She was stumbling terribly over her words, and she knew that Elias could hear the hope in her voice, wherein she meant herself. It was getting harder for her to keep her feelings inside--she'd done that for far too long anyway.

For too long, Flanna hadn't been able to let herself out of her shell, and some of the things she felt, she wouldn't even dare to let her characters feel. Certainly, that was unhealthy. She needed a doctor to tell her that she was going to be alright.

"You're sweet, mo ghra." Flanna smiled lightly. She didn't want to be a bad person, not if she could help it. "And I suppose I ought not dwell on my father. He's not really a part of me. You should--" she stopped herself, before she rambled. She was sidetracking herself, thinking that Elias ought to meet Carson, but she caught the rant before it went on, and flushed a deep red once more. She cast her eyes to the side, away from the glint of his own.

Flanna smiled, though, at his comment. She wondered about his past, about who he was. He'd carved his own path, too. "That's an admirable thing, Elias," she observed, loving always his name on her tongue. "Where are you from, then, if you don't mind my inquiry? I fear I've spoken too much of myself." An innocent grace lit her eyes, and her desire to know him was honest. She just wondered as an afterthought if perhaps there was a reason he didn't speak of himself. Of course, if there was anything that bad in his past... Well, she'd learned to forgive. She'd had a criminal for a father, after all.

Elias never responded, but he didn't need to. She felt the warmth of his presence and the sincerity of his friendship, and in fact, it was probably better he not answer her. Flanna, as she felt herself melt against him, couldn't help but notice how nice it felt to be this near him, though she'd never counted herself as able to trust a man so suddenly before. But she did--she trusted Elias, as little as she knew him. And when Elias slowly placed his arm around her, bringing his fingers to rest above her hip, she felt a rush of butterflies in her stomach and began to draw more jagged breaths. What was he doing to her, to make her feel like this? She closed her eyes for a moment and let herself fall into him, and his warm body.

STATUS complete TAG Elias ATTIRE HERE!
LYRICS Heaven Forbid; The Fray NOTES no notes (:
COPYRIGHT Flik of Roleplaying Extras

[Deleted]

There was this unusual and distant sense of a long-forgotten feeling in Elias’ heart, something that had been absent for many years past and yet suddenly it appeared to have been conjured out of nowhere, and all by Flanna. It was peculiar to him; an emotion that had once so abundant in his younger self had been reignited by all but the chanciest of meetings.

As he alternated glances between the lapping waves and the flame-haired woman who had caused him such sensation, Elias considered for a brief second whether he had made a mistake in never seeking out a relationship, instead wholeheartedly favouring his career. She made him realise how he had once felt about someone, and yet – in actuality – he barely knew Flanna. He knew in his heart of hearts that, for such feelings to overcome him like this, however, she must truly be something special. No one else had stolen his attention in such simple, innocent gestures. Even the soft tone of her voice and the words that came tumbling out so awkwardly from her lips softened his normally so resolved manner.

She sounded so hopeful, so wistful. Elias now really did wonder her motive for enquiring as to his attachment (or rather, lack of) to anyone; no one had ever taken such an interest in his own life, not recently. It – he almost laughed to himself – it almost sounded as though she were curious on her own behalf, but that was silly, he thought.

He smiled gently, tracing faint circles in the sand before him with his index finger. “I believe if I was lucky enough to fall in love again, then yes, I would make time. Truth be told, I overwork myself, probably to compensate.”

Yes, maybe that was half of the reason why he had yet to settle or marry. With nothing else to occupy his time, Elias knew that he did indeed do more work than required of him. Then again, it was the mistake of having a love affair that had pushed him to concentrate so hard on his profession in the first place; it seemed to him that balancing his life had gradually become a rather vicious circle with distinctly blurred boundaries.

He was relieved that Flanna should think him sweet and not at all intrusive for his remark to her. It was a trait he had never labelled himself before, but it somewhat pleased him that she should see him as such. Clearly he was doing the right thing. He did not understand her following words but he supposed they must have been in her Irish tongue, and whatever they were he was sure they could not mean anything bad, not after her compliment. Nevertheless, he found himself caught up on her own interruption, at which point her skin had once again taken on a very noticeable red hue. “I should...?” Elias softly wondered aloud to her.

He did not pursue Flanna though, it was not in his interest to put her at discomfort, and besides, he felt himself begin to flush ever so slightly at the thought of talking about his own life. The trick of being a physician was getting others to open up, never himself. Still, it was of no consequence – it wasn’t as though he had a lot to hide, if anything at all, and anything he did was more from his own personal guilt than any other reason.

“Well, I live in Avonderre at the moment. I’m originally from a local village though – Queenhithe. I do not know if you have ever been there, but it’s not far from here, and it’s pleasant. My family are still there themselves.” He replied easily enough. Perhaps it was the added confidence of having Flanna’s head resting gently upon his shoulder that instilled him with easy words, otherwise he feared he may have struggled, what with the rapidly shuffling mess of thoughts whirling through his mind. Flanna seemed to equally both calm and fluster him. “I suppose you live nearby also, do you?” Elias asked her, subtly attempting to garner whether (or maybe even when) he may see her after this day was over. Little else was beginning to go through his mind; he was hopelessly and utterly lost in the warm sensation of Flanna’s body so comfortably dissolving against his own. It ignited a curious thrill within his core, a tingle across his skin, and a tender warmth within his heart. So desperately did he wish to remain here all day with Flanna like this, his arm around her waist in a gesture so spontaneously unlike himself.

[Flanna Kelly]

Flanna had an inexplicably hard time communicating with others. Her introverted nature did not allow for her to undestand complicated social cues or fashions, and she had always embraced that she was never meant to be more than a quiet woman, who listened, who heard, but who never answered. Playwriting changed that, in a sense, for it gained her the voice she'd never acquired. She could speak, on anything in society or life that bothered her, and she would still be the quiet nobody that everyone ignored. Her opinions were voiced silently. And since three years ago, when she'd come to love the art, Flanna had not suffered from an inadequate way to release her feelings.

But something was tugging on her heart now, telling her that she could not live this way forever, either, and that maybe she could develop the ability to let someone into her life, besides herself and Carson. Dear boy, he was her foil, her opposite--her brother was perfect and outgoing. He knew everyone and he wasn't afraid of his heritage, because he knew it did not define him. Flanna wasn't like that. Flanna cared. She cared too much, in fact, and that was why she had chosen to change her surname to one that wasn't associated with her father. But now, she'd told. Someone knew who she really was, and it almost scared her to know that Elias knew the deepest part of her.

But she knew, somewhere within her, that there was a reason she trusted Elias with this piece of knowledge. He was safe. And that was part of the reason that Flanna was falling hopelessly in love with him... or so she thought. But she didn't have a good grip on the nature of love; she didn't know honestly if she was now or ever had been in love. It was just a guess. As Elias spoke, he traced circles in the sand. Never beginning, never ending; such was the nature of the circle.

She could only hope he fell in love again. With her. But she was dumbfounded and didn't know how to respond to his words, so she stared at him stupidly for a minute, thinking on her words. She wasn't nearly brave enough to say what was really on her mind. "You ought to stop overworking yourself, Elias, and use your resources to... to find someone. Someone you love." She wanted desperately to tell him she felt something in her heart for him, but she could never do that. Flanna was far too shy.

But she wanted to fill that time, the time he spent overworking. At this thought, her cheeks turned violently red again, and she knew she had to force something of an explanation... or he might suspect her feelings. "I mean, in your own time. I'm not very good at encouraging things, am I?" She let out what slightly resembled a laugh, though it was flustered and frustrated. She didn't know if she'd be able to communicate the way she felt right now, or if she even wanted to. Some things were better kept inside, but was this one of them? It would embarass her something terrible to tell Elias that she thought she had stirrings for him.

And she ought to speak more clearly. She felt herself make a realization as she caught the very slight confusion in his face. She'd spoken in Irish, and her subconscience had somehow known that he wouldn't understand her words of affection if she said them in another language, and so she was safe. But she'd called him her love, and she had hoped he wouldn't question it, else she'd probably lie. But she did feel sort of bad for not explaining herself. The change in topic was welcome. "I was just rambling. Pardon me. It was just to say you should meet my brother Carson... he is a... an incredible person. You remind me of him," she said, the last phrase coming quietly as she blushed again. She wished sometimes that she wasn't so awkward.

Ah, Elias was not from so far away, as she had thought. In fact, he probably did not live too far from her, as her residence was above one of the shops in the center of town. Of course, she never went out, so she likely had never seen him around. And according to himself, he was involved ofttimes in his work. She worked up a small smile and answered, "I live in Avonderre as well. Just above the glassblower's shop, in fact. I do not know if I have been to Queenhithe; I am not particularly good at remembering how I made it from Cavan to Avonderre." Her voice began to trail in a shy fit of shame. She wondered absently and then with her heart if she was far from Elias. Maybe he would be the reason for her to come out of her room more.

For a little while, Flanna was only conscious of the surrounding warmth of Elias' body, and she kept feeling a peculiar sensation in her stomach. What was this? Was this.... dare she think it--love? She sat for a quiet moment in the scent of him, holding it in her nose, trying to remember it, for it was so welcoming. For a split second, she wondered if he felt this way too, and then she made another daring move, slight and slow though it was. She moved a hand across her body to where Elias' hand rested at her waist, placing her fingers gently between his and moving them nearer his hand slowly. Her fingers moved slightly atop his hand and she stroked it gently, wanting almost for him to hold her hand as he held her.

STATUS complete TAG Elias ATTIRE HERE!
LYRICS Heaven Forbid; The Fray NOTES no notes (:
COPYRIGHT Flik of Roleplaying Extras

[Deleted]

A part of Elias felt totally lost in this sea of tumbling feelings. There was a newfound sense of care and emotion that he harboured for Flanna and it felt all the world to him like the beginnings of love, but he wanted to be sure. She came across so fragile, so insecure, the last thing Elias wanted to do was shatter her. And nor himself. He was far from fragile – the exact opposite, in fact – but it had been a long time since he had put his heart on the line.

He wondered what was going through her mind as he felt her eyes stare back at him. For a second he even wondered if he had said something wrong, or offensive, maybe even foolish; his thoughts were such a haze that Elias couldn’t recall what he had said all but a minute ago. It came as quite a relief when she did reply to him, although it gave him pause to think. He had not for one second ever considered trying to find love in that way, although now he was beginning to think he need look no further than the girl whose head was so gently resting upon his shoulder.

After a while, he found his voice. “Maybe I’m closer than I think.”

It was rather daring for him, he supposed. He had always been concise and to the point but he was no fool, he did not keep his heart on his sleeve. Nevertheless, Elias didn’t think his growing feelings would be able to remain a secret only to him for very much longer, not with his hand tenderly around her waist and such a fluttering in his heart that it gave him cause to think his very heartbeat was audible to the ears. He was never this affectionate, not anymore.

When he caught Flanna’s own very red cheeks and subsequent laugh at her explanation, he smiled in amusement and inclined his head ever so slightly to one side. You encourage many things, was all he dearly wanted to say, friendship, affection. Love. His lips wouldn’t allow him to though – that was too bold, even for him. “You are, but I am equally stubborn at doing the things that should come so naturally.”

It was as much of an answer as he found himself able to provide, especially as she told him of her brother and their apparent similarity. There was no way in which Elias would ever consider the use of his own name and the word incredible in the same sentence, not even within his profession. He was just... good. He was probably confusing himself though, getting ahead of things, he doubted Flanna had meant that at all about him; her brother was one thing and he was another. Enough; his mind was rambling.

“I am sure he is a much better man than I. Does he live with you? Or nearby for you?” Elias voiced aloud, curious as to if she was as alone around here as it seemed. “And above the glassblowers’? I know that shop well, I have often frequented it. I admit my head is in the clouds when I am looking for something though.” He smiled in genuine interest at the notion that he may have seen her before and that he may too see her again, all so easily. Elias had assumed with his luck that she would live miles away, but no, the woman who had so innocently stolen his breath lived all but down the street from him. The thought sent him a little giddy. He felt ridiculous, and yet, as Flanna took him by surprise and gently came to rest her fingers overtop of his own, he knew there was something more to what was coursing through his veins than just a keen flattery or base desire. Slowly and softly he laced his fingers between her own and came to rest his thumb upon hers. Her skin was so smooth and warm to the touch, it was almost as he had imagined, and it caused him to wonder if her cheeks and – dare he think it – her lips were just as soft. A strong part of Elias wished to go further, to push himself slightly, but he didn’t know how, not without making an improper fool of himself.

[Flanna Kelly]

She did not quite know what it was that enchanted her about this man beside her, but something was drawing her in to his presence. She questioned her attraction, very sudden in its nature, but realized that honestly, it did not matter. Flanna was simply glad to be with him right here and now. She could not imagine what would have become of her afternoon had he not been here--she was out of muse and out of words for her plays, and nothing would have gotten finished anyway. Yet now her heart was ablaze with feelings she had never tasted before, and she was utterly curious.

He had set her to work now. To work on his heart. To see if she could win him over--but she was too shy to step out and speak, and she was afraid of rejection and of the power of men (her father was to thank for the latter). Flanna was not a strong woman, in her opinion. Intelligent, perhaps, or poetic--but never strong. That was something she left to the men, like her brothers and... well, Elias.

Flanna was bitterly afraid that she'd said too much and that Elias was not going to answer her. She held her breath and hoped that she hadn't been wrong in her choice of words, and the seconds passed with an awful drag. But she let out the slightest sigh of relief when he did speak, and she could not believe what she heard from his lips. What? Did he mean what she was hoping he meant? If he was accepting that she could be something in his life... Och! If only.

She chose her words carefully, stepping gently around his words, just in case he had meant something less than she hoped. "You never know when you'll meet who you love." She smiled with her words, in hope that he understood and that she was the one he was thinking of. With her head against his chest, Flanna could hear Elias' heart, and she hoped with a poetic sense of romance that she was the source of its sound, for now at least. She smiled once more to herself, trying to reassure her flustered heart that she would be alright tomorrow, if he had feelings toward her or not, for she had a way of getting along in her day by day without giving a thought to herself. She would put before her either God or her work or her brothers or anything that would keep her thoughts from her own self.

Cheeks still flaming like her hair, she let herself look up at him--into those dark, mysterious eyes and into a barrier that she could not get behind. He had locked up his thoughts, and Flanna wanted to know what they were. His words were coated with something, and they were more cryptic than she would have liked. "You're a good man," she said. It was all that she could get out. She wanted to kick herself for how stupid it sounded for all her grace with words.

She was a bit annoyed by his passive dissuasion and diversion from her speaking. She had meant to compliment him, and it seemed he did not want to take the praise... She would have to try otherwise. What would make him so modest, so humble? It only made Flanna admire him more, that was certain, and she was more and more convinced that she could not hold back the river of affection for much longer without telling him. "I'm sure that you're the most humble man I've met, Elias. No, my brother lives in Cavan, but that's no matter. You... you discount yourself too much, I think." She frowned in contemplation. What she'd said, she had meant, but perhaps she'd been too forward or too cold in saying it? Oh, no. She'd not meant it in those ways. She unthinkingly pushed herself closer to his body to assure him that she was still pleasantly admiring him.

"You must visit, then," she said, very quietly and almost inaudibly. She was afraid to say too much now, as close as they were. If he left... well, she didn't care to think of that.

Her heart was pounding and Flanna felt herself relax only a little when she was put at ease by his hand over her own. She savored the moment, feeling suddenly the rush of his warm hand upon her own, and she caught her breath the slightest bit. Something in her chest felt on the brink of explosion, as if it would destroy her if she didn't let her feelings show. No, she had absolutely never felt this way before. In the silence of the moment, she was poised to speak, but she could not find words. Nothing would say how she felt. Elias was making her mind spin and her heart race, and she needed to tell him before he left--she couldn't bear to see him leave. Softly, in a voice that she could barely even hear, Flanna told him what came from her heart, because she could no longer keep it to herself. "Elias, I... I love this... and you."

STATUS complete TAG Elias ATTIRE HERE!
LYRICS Heaven Forbid; The Fray NOTES no notes (:
COPYRIGHT Flik of Roleplaying Extras

[Deleted]

A feeling residing deep in Elias told him this was foolish, rushing in, and yet an even deeper sensation that now governed and tightly gripped his heart was instructing him that this was the right way to feel. That Flanna was the right one. Everything about her was appealing and sweet and guileless. Elias thought it no wonder that his heart had surrendered itself so quickly to the flame-haired enchantress beside him; she brought out an array of emotions in him that he hadn’t considered alive for quite some time.

His own feelings may have been moving rapidly, but alas he still wasn’t sure over Flanna’s own. He dearly hoped that he wasn’t getting drawn into an unrequited passion. Elias wasn’t sure what he would do if he was – it was like being a youth all over again. Innocent and unknowing. Admittedly he was a bit wiser this time, but not by much. As it was, he couldn’t decipher Flanna’s words to him, but he knew he should have expected such with his own reply to her, dancing around how he truly felt. Her smile gave him the promise of hope though, and with her head against his chest he felt assured that he could not be the only one with a racing heart.

“Indeed you do not, and seemingly in the most unexpected of places.” He mused quietly. Being beside the shoreline was always one of those fabled spots for love, but for Elias it had long been a place simply for collecting herbs. Perhaps not anymore, he considered as he gazed down at Flanna with a small smile; it wasn’t only the warm sun melting his resolve. Nevertheless he still couldn’t find it within his capability to accept her seeming admiration of him, but he wouldn’t argue against her. “I do not feel like one, but thank you... Too much- too much has happened in the past, but I suppose that is where it belongs.” As he caught the signs of a little frown creasing her forehead, he carefully added, “I do not mean to disregard you, I am just unused to hearing personal praise.”

Elias bit his lower lip in thought, silently contemplating whether he just shouldn’t speak, lest he offend her. But then he felt Flanna gently push herself closer to his body. He relaxed in an instant, if relaxed was the right turn of phrase for his pulse kicking up a notch at the swelling within his chest. Visit? Yes, he ought to. He should. And he would. Perhaps... Spur of the moment was talking to him and Elias wasn’t sure if he would have the steel to see it through after today. He sincerely hoped he would.

“I will,” he replied equally quietly, softly brushing his thumb against hers. He tried to speak further but the words would not come and instead he found himself sighing quietly, content in the warmth and soft pressure of Flanna’s body against his own. He thought he heard her sigh too, but, after a couple of seconds passed, the barely audible noise redrew itself in his mind as something rather different. Elias blinked. She couldn’t have possibly said what he thought she had. His imagination had to be inventing what he wanted to hear, surely...

Suddenly his chest felt tight. This was madness. Wonderful madness, but... Either his mind or ears had to be deceiving him, no fair woman such as Flanna would declare her love for him, Elias, so spur of the moment. “You... love me?” He sounded out awkwardly, hoping she hadn’t said something entirely different. He was quite certain that Flanna was the loveliest girl he had ever met and it would buoy him so much if that was what he truly had heard, otherwise Elias felt quite certain he would be sorely disappointed and inexplicably lost.

[Flanna Kelly]

Flanna's heart had all to quickly and surely settled on Elias Drogo. She was enamored by the way laying so near him made her feel, with her head on his chest and her ear next to the comforting beat of his heart--that sound that she kept wishing was just for her. There was something about being so close to a man that she was so infatuated with, though she had met him naught but a half hour prior, and it made Flanna's own heart beat wildly, as if it would flutter out of her chest, and she wondered if Elias could feel it.

But Flanna durst not be reckless with her emotion. While it felt so wonderful to be so near Elias and feel the warmth of his body around her, she needed to recall to mind that Elias hadn't yet told her what he was feeling, and she worried that he did not understand and share those emotions that raged rampid through her small frame. She sighed very timidly. Oh, how she wanted to tell him her thoughts, her heart!

She caught the hint of optimism in Elias' voice, and held onto it for dear life, hoping desperately that he meant what she wanted him to mean. Timidly, she responded. "Unexpected indeed," she agreed with an airy voice, nearly a whisper that blended with the crashing of low tide. She loved to hear Elias speak. His voice was like music to her ears, a smooth and even slightly seductive tone that played her heart like a lyre. She knew that no actor in her plays could ever make her feel as he did, or sound as he did. He was a special man, and she knew at that moment that she could not let him go. Flanna let her fingers, twined so comfortably with his, grow ever so slightly closer to his own, a silent promise to not let go.

Flanna caught his nervous smile and the skepticism written on his face, and she knew that he still was not convinced. What in his past could be so bad? Nothing, she deduced, that could make her leave his side right now. "Believe me, Elias, please," she nearly begged. "I think you're a good man... and that's all that matters to me." It was true. Given the father she'd grown up with, any man that was like Elias was a gift from the heavens. Elias was an angel.

She watched more as he thought; Flanna liked to watch him think. Something captivated her about his face and his mysterious aura, about the way he was so meticulously careful. But something finally connected on his face and he answered her, an answer that filled her heart with warmth and joy--hope that perhaps Elias had the same feelings for her. She was almost amazed. Had he said that? "You will?" she asked suddenly, her voice probably too enthused for the quiet conversation. Flanna's cheeks flushed once more red and she turned her eyes down, but she could not help but hide her radiant smile. She was infatuated.

Elias tensed beneath her body and she frowned. Was that too bold a statement? Did he even believe her? Flanna let out a short, bitter breath, afraid that Elias was going to move from where he was and leave her alone on the beach with her unfinished plays, those that she no longer saw beauty in.

Elias sounded unsure in his words, as if he did not understand what she had said, but he did not sound unhappy. Flanna relaxed as much as she would allow herself and whispered back, suddenly aware of how tightly she was holding his hand. "I love you," she repeated, and then added carefully, "If you'll allow me." She smiled and looked up at him to meet his dark, austere eyes. He was absolutely handsome, absolutely the object of her desire. And her body and heart were now one in wanting him to love her in return.

STATUS complete TAG Elias ATTIRE HERE!
LYRICS Heaven Forbid; The Fray NOTES no notes (:
COPYRIGHT Flik of Roleplaying Extras