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Post by Lady Lee-o on Nov 9, 2019 21:01:18 GMT -8
"You should definitely be thanking Ida for our lunch, I made the soup and the bread." Philip smiled and went right for the bread, breaking a piece to dip into the soup.
"Well, in that case-" Taking a bite he closed his eyes, chewing and drawing it out. Opening his eyes he let a smile escape, "Delightful," Taking a spoonful of soup, he blew on it and took another bite. "Ida should hire you for all the cooking."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Nov 17, 2019 14:34:29 GMT -8
Rose watched expectantly as he chewed the dipped bread, putting so much stock into what he thought of it. The bit of worry that had crept up to start her fretting over the thought he might not like it was quickly quashed with that smile and compliment.
She ducked her head at the warm blush the compliment had given her. "I would very much have liked that," she confessed quietly into her soup before taking up a spoonful herself. There was so much more in that confession. A wish that things were different. That she could remain here, with him. Her working in the tavern and he doing whatever it was that he did, both contributing to a simple life that would hold riches of happiness and joy that no amount of coin could measure up to.
The reminder that she did not know much about him, even the simplest detail of what his trade was, was the reminder that they both had obstacles that prevented the simple dream from being a reality. She knew he held secrets as well. It was the only reason why he didn't dare ask her why she couldn't stay and why they couldn't be together, for asking would open the door to her asking the same question in return.
And so they shared a silent understanding that though they both wanted the same thing, circumstances were against them. Despite it all, she felt him holding on to the same spark of hope that perhaps with time, those circumstances could be overcome.
~*~*~*~*~*~
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Dec 1, 2019 20:59:08 GMT -8
[Temp-play by Lee-o]
The next morning, Philip woke with a heavy heart. Today was the day he would say goodbye and go back to his life as a prince. His usual pep was all but gone as he washed and got ready for the day. Once he was dressed he went out to feed his horse, who seemed as sad as he was. "I know, I know." He patted the horse's face before heading back inside to have some breakfast.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Dec 13, 2019 21:12:06 GMT -8
Rose stood at the tub in the kitchen, endlessly scrubbing the same plate. Ida returned to the kitchen and paused, taking in the young lady's sullen expression, miles away in thought. She tisked sadly and made her way over, placing more dirty dishes to the side of the tub.
"Rose, dear, he's returned from the stables. He's waiting for you."
Rose looked up from the plate, silent as her mind caught up with what Ida was saying. She looked back at the pile of dirty breakfast dishes but Ida butted in before Rose could say anything.
Ida gently took the scrubbed-to-death plate from Rose's hands. "Go to him," she said, putting a towel in Rose's hand.
Rose gave a sad smile of appreciation and dried her hands. She poured two bowls of steaming breakfast porridge, sweetened with sugar and honey, and made her way out to the dining area.
She paused before clearing the back and took a breath, putting on a smile and trying to hide her sadness. She couldn't hide it from those clear, honest eyes of hers though.
"Good morning," she said, placing a plate in front of him before settling herself across from him. "How is Samson?" she asked. Rose would also miss Phillip's horse. Such a sweet, handsome animal.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Dec 29, 2019 7:49:28 GMT -8
[Temp-play by Lee-o]
Philip found a seat, staring off into space. "Good morning," Philip looked up, trying to keep a smile on his face. Even the company and the food couldn't keep the smile. Standing up, he pulled out her chair for her to sit and helped scoot her forward."How is Samson?"
"Ooh, he's a bit moody this morning." Samson was just as sad to be leaving. He got to enjoy the company of Rose and her sweetness. "Thank you," He smiled and took a bite, it was delicious. He would miss the morning breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. "Today my heart is heavy, as I must go."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jan 24, 2020 21:37:27 GMT -8
"Ooh, he's a bit moody this morning."
Rose gave a sad smile. "I will miss him as well." She understood the feeling all too well. Though hers was more sorrowful than moody. She'd sulked about her room whilst getting ready for the day but did not procrastinate for it would only mean less time spent with Phillip.
"Thank you,"
"You're welcome," she said softly, taking the time to simply watch him for a little before taking up a spoon of her own. Rose spent more time pushing the porridge around the bowl than eating, stealing glances to fill her memories, though he was already forever burned into them. And into her heart as well.
"Today my heart is heavy, as I must go."
Rose looked up from the swirls she was making in her porridge and gave him a warm smile tinged with sorrow. "As is mine and as must I." She should have left long ago, but she did not voice that.
They both knew there were many things they were not confessing, not in an attempt to deceive the other, but more in an attempt to deceive themselves. There seemed to be an unspoken understanding that they were living out a fantasy that could not be. Memories of a short time when things were so perfect, so very right, that they could hold onto while living out the rest of their days in an imperfect reality.
Despite the lack of appetite, Rose pushed herself to eat. She had a long journey ahead and never knew when she'd have another opportunity for a decent meal in a decent place. Willing herself to cheer up during these last moments with him, Rose pulled herself from her sad hunch and sat up straight, smiling as she chewed and watched him, enjoying the quiet company. A ship waited at the ready to take her on as a passenger. The captain had assured her that she could take her time and that they were in no hurry, but she did not wish to take too much advantage of their kindness. Nor should she continue to prolong the inevitable. It only became increasingly more difficult.
After a couple more bites, she spoke again. "I would very much like to say my goodbyes to Samson and to see you safely off." She didn't want to part ways in a tavern full of people. As sad as it would be to watch him riding away, she wanted their last moments to be just them.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Mar 22, 2020 20:08:13 GMT -8
[Temp-play by Lee-o]
"As is mine and as must I." Philip didn't realize that Rose would also be leaving. It was foolish of him to think she would stay forever. A part of him hoped she'd be here when he returned one day. "I would very much like to say my goodbyes to Samson and to see you safely off." Philip nodded, Samson would love to say goodbye to her. He really did take to her, "Make sure you bring his favorite snack, will soften the goodbye."
When the meal was done, Philip went off to pack his things. Soon he would be back to his father's castle, getting ready to take his place as future king. He had done the party boy thing, lived free and now it was time to go home.
He took his time and at the very last minute he brought his things out to where Samson was. "Time to say goodbye, boy." He gave his boy and pat and scratched his head.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Mar 29, 2020 21:37:19 GMT -8
Rose stood in the doorway of the small stable provided for the horses of the tavern's patrons. She watched the gentle, loving way he interacted with Samson, putting this moment to memory.
Unable to stand even the small distance between them any longer, she finally moved forward. She looped the strap of her satchel on a stable post and retrieved an apple from within. Rose settled beside Phillip, also showering Samson with affection. "I'm going to miss you, handsome," she said, holding the apple out for him.
Rose used her free hand to continue stroking Samson's nose. She looked up at Phillip, her heart in her eyes. "I'm going to miss you, too," she said with a slight hitch in her voice. She swallowed the sadness, not wanting tears to be a part of their goodbye. There would be plenty of time for tears and sadness once he'd disappeared into the distance.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Apr 2, 2020 19:40:27 GMT -8
Philip watched as she had her moment with Samson, saying she would miss him. He enjoyed the apple and ate it in just a few bites. "He could eat a dozen of those and still want more." He joked.
"I'm going to miss you, too," Philip turned to face her and took her hand, kissing it.
"I will miss you more than words can express, dear Rose." She had brought such a light he didn't know existed. He would remember her always and hoped he'd return to see her one day. "Hrm," perhaps he could see her one day? "Let us make a promise to return here within a time. A year or so?" A year would be hard but it would give him something to look forward too.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 25, 2020 13:20:48 GMT -8
"I will miss you more than words can express, dear Rose."
Emotions lodged in her throat, making it impossible to talk. Rose was overwhelm with heartbreaking sadness over the thought of never seeing him again. She could see the same sadness in his eyes. But then a small light of hope overcame his features and Rose watched him expectantly, wishing very much to feel some of that hope. Anything but this overwhelming sadness.
"Hrm," "Let us make a promise to return here within a time. A year or so?"
"I--" The idea caught her off guard and she had no idea how to respond. Rose took a moment to think it through. She glanced off to the side, her always open and readable features clearly showing she was taking serious thought. Common sense told her it wouldn't be a good idea to ever return to a place so near her father's kingdom; a place she never should have come to in the first place, but her heart was shouting out 'Yes, a thousand times yes!' She had to allow her mind and heart to work together on a compromise.
A year. She'd always sworn to never allow herself to be locked away again, but when it came to Phillip, she would easily and happily give another year of her life to isolation. If she kept herself far from here, put a pause on her exploring and laid low for a year in a well hidden away place, perhaps her father and his men would have given up their search. Months flying by with no traces, no tips, no sightings, by a year's time, surely they would have given up altogether on the search.
Rose looked back at him, hope lighting up her face as she happily nodded. "Exactly one year to this day, we'll meet here, at this tavern."
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Apr 26, 2020 8:59:39 GMT -8
[Temp-play By Lee-o]
Philip could see she was thinking about it at the very least. He just hoped she would agree to meet back here, he did not want to go the rest of his life without seeing her again. He had no idea where he would be in a year, what would happen once he went back. "Exactly one year to this day, we'll meet here, at this tavern." Her agreement made him want to jump for joy but he held back, smirking his usual smile.
"Then I will see you in a years time," He took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles, letting it linger for a short time. Before pulling away, "You have changed me for the better, Miss Rose, always remember that." He wanted to kiss her but part of him wasn't ready for it, which was a strange turn of events. He let her speak her peace before getting on Samson and riding away, his men would meet him half way- as he sent word of his return.
Stopping at the top of the road, he looked back to see her still standing there. He wasn't sure what happened but he felt that tightness in his chest, his stomach in knots, he wasn't ready to leave. "Back Samson," He galloped full speed back towards her, practically leaping off Samson. He did not stop, he did not hesitate as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her in for a kiss. When he felt no resistance, he continued as his other hand went to the back of her neck and brought her in.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 2, 2020 13:01:25 GMT -8
"Then I will see you in a years time,"
Rose watched as he kissed her hand, their eyes hardly leaving each other since she'd walked in. She longed for him to follow the gesture by pulling her closer and guiding her hand to around his neck as he transferred that lingering kiss from her hand to her lips.
"You have changed me for the better, Miss Rose, always remember that."
He spoke again, breaking through her daydream. How easy it was to get lost in those amazing blue eyes. His confession filled her with a warmth that filled her smile. It was the best kind of compliment, though she saw the good man he was when they'd first laid eyes on each other. The man he truly was had been in the forefront when they'd first laid eyes on each other. Love at first sight. She'd always believed in it but never dreamt that she'd be one of the lucky ones to experience it. He'd hidden behind his rakish façade once they'd recovered from being blindsided by their own hearts, but slowly, he'd lowered that shield and his true self shone through, completely and utterly taking claim of Rose's heart.
All in so short a time. How funny that it felt as if they'd known each other a life time. "You have brought a happiness and joy to my life far behind anything I thought possible," she added softly, gazing up at him.
It was one of several occasions they found themselves longingly gazing at each other, both knowing giving in would make their inevitable parting even more difficult than it already would be. Each instance had been harder to pull away from and this one, their last for a full year, was the hardest.
But once again, both stepped away, resisting the magnetic pull. The rest had gone in silence, Rose too choked up with emotion to speak, afraid she wouldn't be able to hold back her tears. Rose lovingly ran a hand over Samson's nose as Phillip settled into the saddle. She handed him the reigns, their hands lingering in each others, then Phillip was off.
Rose watched him riding away, regret starting to grow with every foot that separated them. She should have kissed him. It would have made parting more difficult but to be able to close her eyes and have the memory of that kiss would make the entire year's wait much more bearable. What if their plan didn't work out? What if, in a year's time, one or both of them were unable to make it back here? She'd have lost out on her one chance of true love's kiss. Full regret washed over her and his image blurring with the tears that were finally winning out. Looking as if the blur had stopped, Rose quickly swiped away the tears, hope lighting up her face. Indeed, he had stopped. He looked back and Rose's heart nearly burst with joy. The same regret must have hit him for suddenly, he was galloping back to her. A happy giggle bubbled up as she took a couple running steps forward.
Phillip had reached her in seconds and in one smooth motion had dismounted and reached for her. Rose smiled up at him, all the love shining in her eyes. She immediately flowed right into his embrace, her arms wrapping around his neck as his wrapped around her waist, rising to her toes as his hand went to the back of her neck, pulling her lips toward him just as her hands pulled his toward hers.
Finally, after long last, their lips met and everything else fell away. Time, their surroundings, the reality that this was goodbye... everything. All that existed was this magical moment of being wrapped in Phillip's arms as they shared true love's kiss. It filled her with a love and joy and hope that would give her the strength she needed to get passed this next year.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on May 22, 2020 19:16:15 GMT -8
[Temp-play By Lee-o]
Philip could see the love in her eyes, and he made the right choice to ride back. Her touch, her smile, those eyes- it gave him what he needed just to kiss her and not think about any consequence. Time slipped away as they share this moment, her love and happiness showed brightly, and he hoped she could feel his.
This next year would be hard to get through, but this kiss would tide him over.
Philip pulled back, his hand resting against her chin as his thumb grazed her cheek. "I could not leave you before I stole one kiss." He smiled down at her and just stared into her eyes, his heart hammering in his chest. "One year, I will return and tell you everything I wish I could now. My Rose, you will never be far from my thoughts."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 31, 2020 19:51:47 GMT -8
"I could not leave you before I stole one kiss."
Rose chuckled happily. "It was yours to take." All her kisses belonged to him. She couldn't imagine another ever coming along that she would give them to for her heart was his.
They simply stood there and let the love speak itself their eyes.
"One year, I will return and tell you everything I wish I could now.
"I have much to tell you as well," she confessed. She was happy he'd returned. The kiss and this moment had helped lessen her fear that he would not want anything to do with her once he learned who she was the daughter of.
My Rose, you will never be far from my thoughts."
She loved the feeling of his hand on her cheek. She turned her face to place a kiss in his palm. "Nor you from mine." Rose moved forward and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head against his shoulder and just absorbing the feeling of holding him and being held by him. This was the moment she would look back on a million times over the agonizing wait of an entire year.
And once again, she found herself standing by as he mounted his horse and watched as he rode away. The sadness was less this time and the hope greater. She could not wait for the year to pass and was determined to use that time to come up with as many plans as she could for how they could be together. At least one of them was bound to work out with her own problem as well as the mysterious one that was holding him back.
*****
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