Kit
Squire
Duchess of Emelan
Posts: 1,151
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Post by Kit on Feb 22, 2010 13:41:15 GMT 10
Title: Searching Rating: PG Length: 250 Competitor: Baird Round: 1/D Summary: A tiny continuation of 'Looming'. Kel and Baird dance.
In his arms, with steps to concentrate upon and air moving about her face, the hall was quieter. She could breathe, a little. Enough air to calm her face and heart, and provoke Baird to laugher as they made a corner turn.
“What is it?”
“You didn’t look overly uncomfortable, but now—well.”
Kel raised her eyebrows. “It’s rather gratifying to feel you relax in my arms.”
“Ah.”
“Not, of course, that I’m the direct cause—you could be dancing with Alanna and you’d probably relax.”
A quarter turn. Trill. Half smile. “Are you calling me easy, Your Grace?”
That made him laugh again. “My son is right,” he said. “For someone so still, you have unending surprise.”
“Oh, dear.”
This was not, not quite, flirting. Not quite old friends talking, because they weren’t. Baird had seen Kel cry. Seen her broken and covered in mud. Read all the details into the words, “Sir, I fell down,” but he was not a friend. He was the friendly figure, keeping Neal calm, occasionally drifting into New Hope or Steadfast with the gossip of other friends safely kept inside him. He had been the youngest chief healer under any King. He had been old in ten-year-old-Kel’s eyes. Now, her hair was whiter than his and she shivered, just a little, at the confidence and weight behind the hand at her waist, her lower back. Lighter than she, he led.
And, through all the smoke and sound and banter, she did not know where.
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Post by journeycat on Feb 22, 2010 13:58:54 GMT 10
I just adore this piece - I love the last line, and their not quite but almost flirting, and I like that they're so at ease with each other.
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Post by ubiquitous on Feb 22, 2010 14:11:35 GMT 10
This is lovely. I adore the ending.
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Post by Lisa on Feb 22, 2010 14:13:10 GMT 10
I'm attempting not to swoon. It's quite difficult - even her analysis of their relationship and their "not quite flirting" was swoon-worthy.
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Post by PeroxidePirate on Feb 22, 2010 14:16:22 GMT 10
Oh, dear. I have a feeling I'll end up kind of shipping this, too, once I catch up on reading. This is lovely!
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Kit
Squire
Duchess of Emelan
Posts: 1,151
|
Post by Kit on Feb 22, 2010 14:37:24 GMT 10
Thank you all so much!
(Lisa...forgive the Paladar chanelling. It's all I can do not to start throwing other people's quatrains all over the place. Any minute now, there'll be chess playing.)
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Post by Lisa on Feb 22, 2010 14:42:01 GMT 10
(I like how you cite Paladar-chanelling like it's a BAD thing. Just be sure to have lots of oils/lotions and poetry when they finally have sex.)
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Post by jazzyjess on Feb 22, 2010 15:23:39 GMT 10
Their not-such-a-relationship attitude in this is very intoxicating. The more I read, the more I convert.
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