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Post by Guest on Sept 29, 2015 21:22:12 GMT
Moonlight filtered into the bathing facility through large marble columns. The decorative red cloth that hung from the ceiling fell into the path of the light and appeared striped in pale blues. Late hours hosted little to no activity from the public. Except for Willem the only bodies present were those of the burners. He didn't mind. He enjoyed it. Parading around in layers of armour through a crowded kingdom weighed a man down in more ways than one. A warm bath at the end of a long shift was paradise compared to that!
After stripping down to his braies Willem descended slowly into the bath. Each step created another rippled that would dance slowly outward across the glassy surface. A satisfied sigh escaped the man's lips before he cared enough to stop it. The water only reached his knees. To fully embrace the solitude Willem took a seat at the corner of the pool, hidden in the shadow of a column so nobody could find him. The steam rose up in thin whispy arcs from the water that pooled around his chest. Paradise..
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The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
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Post by Leb on Sept 30, 2015 1:53:34 GMT
The night was cool as the warmer season had begun to transition over to the colder one. The nights already came faster and stayed longer. And on this night where the moon hung low shining light upon the kingdom below, a young girl walked the streets alone with a sheepskin cloak hung on her shoulders. She entered a large building on the edge of the middle district and met with the hot moistened air of the public bathhouse. The large bath was empty from what she could see and she began to disrobe taking care to fold her clothes neatly in a pile beside her leaving only her linen undergarment. She lowered herself, dipping feet first as she slowly made her descent into the warm water. As she waded deeper into the bath she made care to keep an eye on her belongings. At the center of the bath where the water level was high enough to reach her waist, she submerged herself whole letting her hair soak and soften.
Bursting out of the water, she gasped softly and sighed, her hair no longer curled and clung to her bare torso. It was then that Loretta felt odd, as if someone was there. Even with the glow of the moon, she could not see anything within the moving shadows that danced on the waters' surface. Instead she hugged herself and looked around the large bath once over. She called almost in a whisper.
"H-hello?"
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Post by Guest on Sept 30, 2015 2:39:07 GMT
Willem saw Loretta as soon as she walked in. He silently cursed whatever had drawn her there at such a late hour. The warm embrace of solitude was only enjoyable if others weren't around! Don't misunderstand. Willem was more approachable than most people and he didn't shy away from interactions with others. Carrying on about the weather in nothing but your undergarments was a different thing entirely. He didn't enjoy the idea of bodies being on display for others to see.. not that bare skin made him uncomfortable. But making a spectacle out of personal hygiene seemed inappropriate and even a little loose. The sense of community he could appreciate but-
"H-hello?"
Shit. He'd been so focused on his thoughts and not breathing that he didn't even realize she'd submerged herself. Now she was looking at him! Not AT him but at the darkness he was hiding in. Her hair was the only thing protecting the exposed skin from his gaze. Redness stained his cheeks and he hoped the steam would hide it. A half-naked woman was just standing in front of him for Den's sake! This was the real reason he could never share a bath with the other citizens. Chivalrous code.
Still looking away he replied, "Evening ma'am."
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The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
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August 2015
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Post by Leb on Sept 30, 2015 3:55:37 GMT
At first there was nothing, but then there was movement causing ripples. Loretta stepped away as a deep voice responded. "Evening ma'am." Her face reddened in realization that she had shared the bath with a man alone in the night. How scandalous! And just as quickly as she realized that, she dropped down into the water her head being the only visible part above water. Further away she slowly waded backwards distancing the two. It’s not that she didn’t trust the man, it’s just that she couldn’t trust anyone alone in a bath at night.
“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was still in the bath..” Loretta looked anywhere but where the man sat. She was embarrassed enough as it was. She didn’t need another to cause a fainting spell, especially when in water… and indecent.
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Post by Guest on Oct 1, 2015 3:57:24 GMT
Willem shifted into the light with wet palms upward to make himself know. "The fault is mine, miss. Please, don't apologize."
Now that the girl's body was hidden he felt comfortable enough to look her way. He dared not bring his eyes away from hers once they met. Any hint of straying could paint a lecherous portrait in the woman's mind that he'd rather not be a part of. She had a nice face so it wasn't too difficult to focus on. Inch by inch the uncomfortable wall of a man tried to make his way to the other end of the bath without exposing himself. He'd left his clothes there..
"I, uh.. I think it's improper for an unpromised couple to share..space..like this so," he said, "I think I'll take my leave."
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The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
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August 2015
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Post by Leb on Oct 1, 2015 8:02:33 GMT
"I, uh.. I think it's improper for an unpromised couple to share..space..like this so," Willem began, "I think I'll take my leave."
"Y-yes uhm.. please don't leave at my account." Loretta apologized with pink tinged cheeks. "You were here first and I can come back a different night." She continued and waded over to where her clothes laid in a neat pile. She thought it unfair for the man to give up a soothing bath because she didn't check properly if anyone was there to begin with. She felt it was the least she could do for disturbing his solitude. However, she forgot the one detail about the bath shape. The closer to the edge you get, the lower the water recedes.
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Post by Guest on Oct 5, 2015 15:00:30 GMT
The woman started to float toward the edge of the pool at the same time Willem did with water trickling down her arm and collarbone. She was farther in and submerged which was the only saving grace of her nakedness. But if she ventured any closer to the edge it would be all too easy for Willem to see something he shouldn't. Women.. Why can't they just let men do what they're supposed to sometimes?! He turned abruptly toward her with one arm pointed in her direction like a command.
"Miss, please," he started sternly carrying a gentle undertone. "Your body is far more sacred than mine. Do not risk to show it so easily. Be still."
He didn't get a chance to clean his hair while he soaked. For a quick fix he decided to dunk his head backward and wet it with his hands. Around the edge of the pool Willem had to crouch to keep himself covered, so after wetting his hair he slowly stood to his full height. Thin vein-like streams arched over his muscles in bright curves under the moonlight and droplets hung from the tips of his hair, nose and chin. The water fell like rain into the rippling water around his calves and then puddled on the smooth floors that he stepped out onto. A thin linen towel was the first thing he grabbed. And the first thing he did was bury his face into it for a few moments. Sure, he was in a bit of a rush to clothe himself but some comforts just couldn't be skipped. Willem hated walking around in wet clothes.
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The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
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Post by Leb on Oct 5, 2015 21:46:34 GMT
Loretta, who had been looking elsewhere- mostly away from the man, finally looked up at him from the sounds of abrupt movements that caused water to splash. She stared wide-eyed at the man across her, frightened as he pointed his arm at her. She held herself tightly scared of what he might do.
"Miss, please," his voice held an authoritative seriousness tone yet there was a kindness to it, which reminded Loretta of how a parent would speak to a child who had misbehaved themselves.
"I'm sorry?" Loretta blurted out an apology that sounded more question than anything and clamped her mouth shut after, before she blurted something silly.
"Your body is far more sacred than mine. Do not risk to show it so easily. Be still."
Be still? Do not risk to show it to easily? Did he mean..? It suddenly dawned on her that the closer she got to the edge, the more she risked herself seen in front of him! Her body warmed as her skin flushed a bright red. How could she be so foolish as to not have seen it that way? As Loretta continued to berate herself for her moronic tendencies she hadn't noticed that Willem stood up, his body no longer shielded. Another splash of water brought Loretta to the present, away from her thoughts, and caught a glimpse of him by accident. The soft glow of the moon on his muscular frame highlighted by the beads of water still on his skin as he stepped out of the bath. And just like a child, she quickly covered her eyes with her hands and turned away in shame. She had seen him and did not mean to. She tried to apologize only to get tongue-tied in her embarrassment. Instead she shied away and lowered herself into the water. How could she do that to him after he was so courteous to her?
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Post by Guest on Oct 6, 2015 20:24:27 GMT
Willem could hear the girl sloshing about in the water and couldn't help rolling his eyes. Didn't he tell her not to move? She'd probably caught a glimpse of something she didn't want to see. Willem didn't mind. He'd openly confessed that his body was not sacred. He was confident that she would move on from the incident just fine.. Quickly and quietly he finished drying his legs and arms. All was moving along until he realized that his shirt was soaked on one side. There must've been a puddle where he set it down before. Great! At least his trousers were on and dry. The towel and shirt would just have to be thrown over his shoulders.
"Where do you live, miss? Do you have someone waiting to walk you home?" Willem asked while keeping his sights fixed away from her. There didn't seem to be anyone waiting from where he stood. What was a woman her age doing out so late alone? Was she asking for trouble? If she was truly as naive and jumpy as she appeared.. No. He'd wait until she answered to draw any conclusions.
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The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
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August 2015
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Post by Leb on Oct 6, 2015 23:58:42 GMT
While Loretta kept to the bath she decided to at least take advantage while she still had the chance to be in the soothing waters. Her back faced Willem as she tried not to think about him being there as she rubbed her hands over her skin and scrubbed her face. However she couldn't bring herself to go any further past her collar. Instead she worked through the knots and tangles of her hair as she ran her fingers through her soaked locks.
"Where do you live, miss? Do you have someone waiting to walk you home?"
"Rural district, the Authern Homestead.." Loretta answered. However she stayed silent at the second question. She mulled over the fact of answering truthfully, but her silence was answer enough. "I.. I've always walked home alone.." It was true. For as long as she could remember since she had been work-able, she had always walked home alone in the dark hours. Perhaps she had been lucky that nothing had happened to her in those years. Bathing in the bathhouse however, was a rarity for Loretta as she was not comfortable bathing in front of others. She only took comfort when alone hence why she'd come so late to avoid others. Unfortunately tonight was not the case.
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Post by Guest on Oct 7, 2015 19:05:05 GMT
"Not tonight," he said as matter-of-fact. "I'll be walking you home."
With that said he planted himself against a marble pillar next to the entrance to wait. His back was still facing Loretta but his eyes had a new objective. They watched the streets to search for any sign of suspicious movement or danger. In the background water splashed and cool wind whistled carelessly through the bathhouse.. it was nice. If he closed his eyes he could imagine himself at home where the bird bath sat out front. They made similar sounds as their wings sloshed the water. But when he thought of home he couldn't place Loretta's face with any of the neighbors. His family lived in the Rural District but they had never met? Perhaps they had but in a moment that wasn't remembered, a time that blurred together in their histories. Her mannerisms and logical didn't feel country-bred either. Shouldn't she know that bandits and no-goods claim their stake at night?
"You should be more careful in the future, miss. Traveling this far without an escort or guardian is foolish at night."
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The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
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Post by Leb on Oct 7, 2015 19:57:19 GMT
As he spoke of walking her home tonight, Loretta looked over to him and spotted him waiting beside a pillar that bordered the entrance. She wondered if he too lived in the rural districts and if they had met before. As she finished her soaking, Loretta clambered out of the bath and sat on the edge where she leaned in to wring out her hair. Droplets of water ceased to drip from her now dampened hair. She reached for the towel and began to dry her body before the cool air would have her sick. She stood after she was dried from the knees up and quickly pulled her loose blouse over. She dried her legs off before stepping into her red skirt, hoisting it up to her thin waist and pulled the drawstrings tight. She fastened her underbust vest before stepping into her ankle boots and collected her sheepskin cloak and towel. She wringed the towel free of water and held it over her arm while she donned her cloak.
"You should be more careful in the future, miss. Traveling this far without an escort or guardian is foolish at night."
"Loretta.. My name is Loretta." she spoke and walked over to the man. "I- yes.. very foolish of me.." she mumbled the last part as she admonished herself. "And may I ask who will be escorting me home, sir?"
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Post by Guest on Oct 7, 2015 23:33:39 GMT
Loretta's footfalls grew closer but Willem dare not turn to face her. Who knows what could be seen? It was already apparent that the night couldn't be trusted with keeping things proper. When she walked in front of him he was a little surprised. She was nearly a head smaller than he and so small. Perception must've played tricks with his eyes when he saw her from the corner of the bath. Full-bodied locks clung to her rosy cheeks and other full-bodied things with their moisture. A beautiful girl indeed.. far more sacred than he was. Lovely name, too. Why could't his shirt dry faster?
"Forgive me," he said hoping his brief pause wasn't off-putting. "Willem.. Willem DeCarlisle, at your service." After a casual bow he started to follow the steps out of the bathhouse. Once on the cobblestone of the city streets he turned to her again. "I live in the Rural District also."
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The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
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August 2015
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Post by Leb on Oct 8, 2015 0:28:00 GMT
He didn't speak at first even after she had walked passed him. She turned to face him slightly and waited patiently for him to walk with her. She noticed he was still shirtless and her cheeks tinged pink before she looked away respectfully. "Forgive me," he started. "Willem.. Willem DeCarlisle, at your service." Loretta glanced over her shoulder and matched his bow with a curtsey and smile of her own.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Willem." she politely greeted Willem in a way to start things over and more or less to forget the way they met in the bath together.
"I live in the Rural District also."
"I see, so I won't be too out of your way then." She walked in tandem beside Willem as they strode through the cobbled streets of the Middle district. A chilly wind blew through her curls and Loretta wrapped her cloak tightly around her. But if she was cold with what she wore, what of Willem? She was sure he felt the cold more than she. "Willem?" She called with worry evident in her tone. "Will you be alright? It's awfully cold.. and you might get sick."
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Post by Guest on Oct 9, 2015 0:04:00 GMT
A lengthy pause followed the two through silent streets before one decided to speak again. They'd come to the lower edge of the Middle District by that time. It would only be another half hour or so before the first farmhouse came into view. Less buildings crowded near each other and lamplight started to come and go in longer increments. The wind was also more biting with fewer buildings to buffer them from the cold.
"Willem? Will you be alright? It's awfully cold.. and you might get sick."
Honestly he hadn't even noticed. Like most men of his size and nature there was hardly a shortage of body heat. His father was the same way. Mother always talked about the man like he was some kind of walking hearth.. Loretta's question mixed with his far off memory made him chuckle aloud.
"No. I have too much body to be cold," he told her jokingly. It was a hint at his size.. one that had been made most of his life. He wasn't portly - mind you! Big and tall. That's what Willem was. He couldn't afford to be portly when employed with the guard anyway. "Are you cold? I have heat to spare if you need it." That was heavy-handed! "Forgive me. I mean't nothing improper by that."
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