{chapter seventeen: 6} sofya/hector
Hector: *He was going to miss baths. It was an odd sentiment, given that there were so many other aspects of his life that he should be focusing on instead, but it was just something he had picked up on during the week he had spent with the lads. Well, the lads and Sonja but she was more of an honorary lad. He thought he got dirty and gritty working at the smith, but this was a different kind of unclean. It was a bit funny, he never thought he cared about hygiene. Mia's need for cleanliness and orderliness must have rubbed off on him at the exact wrong time. And if even he couldn't stand his own smell, he wasn't going to make Sof sit through it. He had left earlier so he could wash off at the river by the spot they had agreed to meet, and yes, because he wanted to make sure he didn't lose his way given that it was the middle of the night. His uncle Mitchell had tried to talk him out of it only once, which surprised Hector considering how often he was suggesting to him to run away to Ireland and go live with Carina and her husband. What a load of bollocks. As if Hector would leave now, no! He'd help the lads get justice, clear their name, take revenge and then after it was all done, well...he'd assume he'd have to beg for mercy. He wasn't used to being on his knees, though. The river wasn't too deep, not at that spot, so he couldn't submerge entirely, but that wasn't really necessary, he just needed to wash the excess dirt off. Cupping his hands together to splash water on his face, he tried not to let his thoughts stray towards that horrible night a week ago. It was always there, creeping up on him every time he closed his eyes. The first night he didn't sleep a wink, and the second he woke up from a nightmare covered in sweat. None of them had teased him about it, just clapped him on the shoulder and gave him breakfast; they had all gone through it he realized. What a lot they all made. Hector walked out of the river once he felt a bit more clean and headed over to where he had placed his clothes, his hammer, and his sword. The sword he was training with again. He was pleased to find out that aside from his uncle, he could best the lot of them with a sword. Must have come from working as a blacksmith's apprentice. He remembered the times fondly, as if he'd lived them over half a century ago. That's why he always carried his hammer around too- hammer on his back, sword at his waist. He dried off quickly, though un-thoroughly, using his own shirt before beginning to dress. He had only managed to lace up his trousers when he heard hoofbeats. God, he really hoped that was Sof, otherwise he'd be in a load of trouble. Thankfully, it was. Grinning wide at her, the shirt lay forgotten for the moment* I was starting to think you wouldn't come. *Not really, but that sounded a lot better than 'hey'* Sofya: *It had not been an easy week for anyone in England, she assumed, but Sofya had spent the first half of the week attending to her mother and trying not to think about Hector and the other outlaws, and the second half of the week helping Adelina and actively thinking about Hector, having given up. It wasn't supposed to have been difficult to slip out, when her father had been at the court all day, and her mother had been falling asleep at eight chockful of medicine she swore she didn't need. Of course, she had not counted on the fact that Ron was staying at home now, not at court with the lads. Three guesses why that was--oh, no wait, she only needed one. Humming the only six notes from 'Carmen' she knew as she trotted Sable through the forest, she suppressed a giggle at the thought. She wasn't really upset over that of course: Carmen was really a lovely, charming person she absolutely needed to spend more time with. Maybe that would be easier if her brother would stop commandeering all of it. Her lips twitched. Yet she was frustrated he had spotted her on the way to the stables and proceeded to ask why she was wearing a silk dress to go riding in. It was a fair question. Probably a more fair question would be why she was wearing a silk dress to go into the forest in, and of course that discounted the fact she was meeting an outlaw, but she had managed to convince him she just hadn't felt like changing. Thank God her brother had not noticed she had changed silk gowns--thank God his eyes were stuck on Carmen whenever she was in the room. Three times she had changed, to be precise, and as she approached the river, she was delighted to see she was not alone in this. Momentarily stifled to see him shirtless, she turned her head to insure her cheeks didn't flush as brightly pink as they felt warm and exhaled. Oh, damn him too. Spinning around only when she was sure she could smile at him without being the color of a rose, she chuckled as she dismounted and shook her head.* Are you admitting to a moment of doubt, Hector? *Her lips flick.* How humble of you. *She couldn't help her eyes from trailing down his chest, but she made them jump back to hold his own a moment later, untying her own cloak: it was warm.* I am glad to see you. Hector: *Well, he hadn't expected for her to turn up in a silk dress but he couldn't say that he didn't enjoy the view. He was exceptionally glad that he had decided to wash then. He was also exceptionally pleased when he noticed her eyes trail over his chest. He certainly wasn't putting on the shirt though, was he? No reason not to show off the fruit of his labors. He grinned and then shrugged in exaggeration, taking a step towards her as she stepped off her horse.* I 'ave a couple of humble moments here and there. *his lips twitch before he grins and then nods* It's good to see you too. *He didn't notice how incredibly honest that sounded like, otherwise he might have actually taken some time to he embarrassed about it. Instead, he only smiled wide, easier than he had since he had last seen her to say the truth. Or think the truth. Well, he might as well just say it out loud then.* I thought about you. A lot. *He was behaving a lot more honestly than usual, so he felt the need to add a joke; jokes were always good right?* Just letting you know that it's okay to admit you were doing the same about me. *He nodded, grinning again* Sofya: *Her smile spreading in delight, she immediately teased as he seemed to puff up his chest,* I didn't exactly expect to see so much of you, but I can't complain. Though you should know, it is very improper. *She winked, as she tied Sable off to the tree -- reaching into the saddle bag to fetch a snack for him and take the bit from his mouth -- there was no reason he should have to be uncomfortable now. Glad she could still see despite the lateness of the hour, she realized the moon above was near full. Tucking red behind her ear, she grinned with genuine happiness -- he had?-- at the remark, nodding before laughing.* Hmm. I might have thought about you. Once or twice. *Or the entire week, but did she have to reveal that? Her lips flicked again, now drawing off Sable's back snacks for them, saying lightly,* I brought a few things to eat. I ... thought you might be hungry, so. *She held the basket, and then lowered it as she realized the cork on the bottle of wine was visible and just grinned at him.* Hector: *he scoffed, and he would have crossed his arms in front of his chest but that would mean covering it up and why should he when she was clearly enjoying the sight of it?* I'd say you crave a little improper in your life, really. *It's true. Otherwise why would she be here? Actually, he could take it back a lot farther than that. Otherwise why would she have kissed him? Come looking for him to see if he was alright? Dance with him? Not sell him out to her uncle on the day of the robbery? Though, she had slapped and teased him, so he supposed there was some sort of balance there.* Oh? Only, once or twice? *he sniffs* I'm insulted. *Haa, as if he could be really. Grinning softly as he saw her take a basket out* You kidding? I'm always hungry. *he chuckled and then wiggled his eyebrows as he saw the wine bottle* Incredibly thirsty too. *He stepped closer to her, grinning* You didn't have to, you know. Sofya: Impropriety. Crave a little impro--never mind. *She spent too much time with her mother, clearly. To think she was now correcting his grammar-- as if she didn't like the rough, honest way he spoke, as if she didn't prefer it, the thought made her blush. She waved her hand, brightening at the thought and admitting,* I may. I never realized I did before, but. *She was there, was she not? Though she thought that was more...well, she liked him, he made her laugh, and after everything he'd gone through...she couldn't say why exactly, she just wanted to be there for him. She didn't think on this too much. Her lips flick again.* I am sure. *He wasn't insulted in the slightest. Of course, he also clearly knew she had lied. Smile softening as he continued she took a few steps towards him, opening the basket and pulling out the blanket first--because of course she brought a blanket, it was silk.* I know. I wanted to. *She looks back up.* Just like I wanted to come. Even if technically...*She presses her lips together, asking hesitantly,* Have you..I don't know what you know about the new security measures. *She bites her lip together.* So called. They frankly beg defiance. *In her opinion, for it bothered her incredibly how much others were not only following them, but pleased by them at court.* Hector: *he waves her correction off* You know what I meant. *The correcting might have grown to be annoying for some but Hector was rather glad just to have her for company. Though, that didn't mean he wouldn't start getting annoyed if she were to make it a habit. It's not like he didn't know the proper way, he just chose to ignore it because his way was faster. His eyebrows raised as she took out a blanket made from the same, or similar, material her dress was made out of he was sure. It looked so fragile. He rubbed the blanket between two fingers, marveling at how soft it was. He looked back up at her and then frowned at the reminder, nodding his head to show he knew what she was referring to* I know enough. *But that he didn't want to focus on, so instead he grinned* So not only do you crave -impropriety-, you're indulging in a little law-breaking as well. *he smirks* Does that red hair just fill you with a fire you can't snuff out? Sofya: *Pausing as she watches him take a corner of the blanket, she said calmly,* You could keep this too really. *She had plenty of blankets on her bed -- too many, in truth, considering it was getting warmer every day, and while not as comfortable as a mattress, there had to be something she could do to help. Taking the corner herself and setting the basket down, she nodded at him to step back so they could lay the blanket out so they could sit. Chuckling at his question, she looked back up at him.* That might be the case actually. I haven't settled since I learned to walk. *She shakes her head back to shake the hair out--she couldn't help it, she was proud of it, and then grinned again.* If I remember right, *she winked* we're meant to learn new things about each other, Hector Stone, blacksmith's apprentice. *Her lips flicked.* And considering how we met, you already knew I wasn't exactly adverse to a little law-breaking. *She dropped her hand and looked at him stubbornly, going to sit on the blanket once she'd put the basket on it, asking casually,* So...what is your favorite hobby? Besides turning weapons to acorns. *She wiggled her brows at him.* Hector: *He smiled and shook his head* Oh no, I couldn't. Anything this fine deserves more than a dirty grim forest. *he chuckles and then wrinkles his nose* It could actually rip pretty easily too. *He stepped back when she urged, placing the blanket down on the ground, not being able to tear his gaze away from her for too long. Laughing once as she shook out her hair, he really did love that hair, his lips twitched and then he nodded* Fair enough. *he goes to sit down when she does, grinning at her tease* Well, I like playing cards. It's a Stone thing, you see. But I do, or well I did, spend a lot of the time at the forge even when i weren't being paid. *he shrugs* It's fun. Bring my hammer with me everywhere. *his lips twitch and he gestures to it sitting against the tree* My real hammer too. *he grins* What about yours? *teasing* Brushing your hair? Sofya: *She chuckles, a wide smile crossing her lips and she shakes her head, lifting a corner of the blanket and pulling it between her thumb and forefinger, saying easily* It has an unbreakable charm. But all right. *Dropping it, she laid her legs out, brushing the skirt over them and leaned back on her hands, smile flicking up* Cards? Really? I love playing cards. Although I'm a bit more partial to .. well, horse racing, in the gambling arena. *She follows his gaze for only a moment, taking the opportunity as he looks away from her to look at him again and then meets his gaze when he turns back, lips pressed in a coy, 'aha how funny are you' smirk* It's impressive. *She nods at the hammer, and teases* No...is your other hobby not wearing a shirt? *Okay, she actually did like brushing her hair, and braiding it, and finding new styles with it but it wasn't like it was her -favorite- hobby. She paused, thinking and said slowly,* Well, besides horseback riding...I like drawing. I'm nowhere near as good a painter as my aunt, but sketching I'm not half bad at. Hector: *Of course it did. He wondered why he was so surprised about it, actually. He grinned as she admitted to love playing cards as well. He knew there was a less superficial reason for why he liked her. Granted, he wouldn't say that out loud.* Gambling on horse races? *he wiggles his eyebrows* That's ladylike. *he grins and then wiggles his eyebrows at her own joke and then sniffs, turning his nose up in the air* And if it is? *It wasn't, obviously, but it was a joke. He smiled* Wicked. Sketch anything you're immensely proud of? Sofya: *Wiggling an eyebrow, she nods with a shrug.* True. I usually have to get my brother to bring me to bet with him. *Her lips flick* But after I was proven right in two races in a row, the boys stopped griping about my being there and started craving my advice...can you imagine? *She grinned as he sniffed and shrugged a shoulder, saying innocently,* Nothing, I can't say I don't approve. *Her lips flick, adding* Though you really are making the word ostentatious apply to you more and more. *Her smile softens and she reaches for the basket, going to pull out the plates (and napkins, just because it was a picnic at midnight didn't mean she had to forgo all manners) before the cheese and bread. She chuckled.* Sable. But I bet you could have guessed that. *Her lips twitch.* What about you--particularly memorable Stone family card-playing victory? Hector: I'm shocked. *He chuckled, wondering briefly what going to a horse race would be like. Can't imagine it would smell very pleasantly. The stables were a right stench all the time. He didn't know how Lucy put up with it.* You taught me what that word means before, I know it, don't tell me *he snapped his fingers, trying to recall the definition of the word.* Something something...it means I'm being an obnoxious prat. *That was probably it. His lips flicked as she took out utensils. Wow, he hadn't used a napkin in...well, best not to say. He didn't have sleeves to use anyways, so. He tore off a piece of bread and took a bite, wondering how it managed to stay so warm. He chuckled after he swallowed and nodded* I had a feeling, eh. Well, it was recently really. Nearly all of us got together at my grandparents' house when we met Alec and Blair. And we got to just me and my aunt Beatrice, everyone else folded, and then she revealed it: a straight in diamonds. -Everyone- thought I was going to lose and then just like that I throw my cards down: royal flush. *he grins at the memory* You know I never did get all that money....we were already starting to get drunk, so. *his lips twitch* Sofya: *She chuckles as he starts trying to remember, nodding at his conclusion.* Well, blunt, forward, presumptuous, utterly without shame..*Nodding with each word as she pops a piece of cheese in her mouth, she chuckles as he continues. Oh, of course, Alec and Blair...she'd only met them once, and was more amused with her father teasing Uncle Damocles that they were 'kind of' his children too considering he had loved Rowland. Honestly, she wished she could have met Rowland, considering how often he, Aunt Maeve and even Aunt Abira mentioned him ----but she tuned back into the story, more focused on Hector now. Beaming, she laughed out as he said he had a royal flush, and she shook her head.* That's insane. I think I have seen one royal flush in my life. Not counting the time Ronald cheated of course, made me think I had it legitimately and then confessed he actually had one too because he'd arranged them that way. *She wrinkled her nose, and then chuckles.* Leigh was more upset though, somehow he'd actually been dealt a full house and probably would have won if Ron hadn't been messing around. *She grins and then holds up her hand at his last remark.* Ah, speaking of drinks...*She pulls out the bottle of wine, saying apologetically,* It was the only thing I could steal, so... Hector: *He tilted his head and then he nodded, liking the sound of that very much. Yes, that was him. He grinned at her laugh, rather liking it and nodded* Yeah, I've never had one in my life before then. Probably never will again. *He chuckled and then listened to her own story, laughing once* I'd be mad too! Card games are no joke, you know. *He smirked as she brought out the bottle, popping another piece of bread in his mouth.* Don't apologize. It's probably fancier than anything I'll ever have. *he grins and then taps the bottle twice to make the cork pop out, laughing once* Party trick. Brought glasses or no? Sofya: *Giggling again, she presses her hand over her heart and nods a solemn vow,* Oh, I told Ron so, made him swear never to do anything of the sort again. *She grins remembering the rest of the story,* And then he got up to get us drinks, and when he came back he had been dealt a straight in hearts, and he was convinced Leigh had put it there, so he started saying how 'oh no. no, stop messing with me.', and laid it down and insisted we deal again. Of course, we hadn't done that to him, he just gave away a straight... *Hearing that she chuckled only once and said lightly,* Well, actually I was apologizing it wasn't liquor. *Her wink became a rapid blink as she watched the cork fly out, and brightened instantly.* How did you do that? *Remembering briefly what Leah had said once, about muggleborns being actually more accomplished at magic by now because they did it wandlessly, she nodded and took out the wine glasses, eyes still fixed on his.* Seriously though- *She held the glass out for him to pour,* How did you do that?! Hector: *he laughs heartily* Good! Serves him right, really. *he nodded, thinking about his own family members back in simpler times. Hard to believe that had only been a week ago. *He smirked, 'ahhing' in understanding, his lips twisting* Well, got plenty of that already. *His smirk softened as she seemed impressed with his spellwork and then chuckled, pouring the wine into the glass and then shrugging, answering easily * I concentrated. Sofya: *Laughing, she nods.* I thought it did. *As she laughs, her mouth opens, her tongue flicks across her bottom lip and she pops another piece of cheese in: truthfully, she wasn't that hungry, but she wasn't going to pass up on either bread cheese and wine, nor the opportunity to bring the outlaws something to eat.* Oh do you? *Amused, she tilts her head at him, asking teasingly* And who exactly is bringing you liquor? Who should I know is also visiting you? *Taking the glass from him, she takes a brief, ladylike sip, the rich taste of grapes still not perfectly to her liking, but it was warm and wet her dry throat.* You concentrated. I wish I could concentrate like that. Hector: *he chuckles, shaking his head* No, no one visits little old me. *His lips twitched at the technical truth of his words; if anything Leah visited Mitchell above all* Well, except you of course. *he winked and began to pour himself a glass, though really the bottle would have sufficed* The lads...acquired it. *Nicked it, during the ball actually, well, before things turned to shit. He picked up his glass and took a lengthier sip than hers, watching her mouth for a small moment* You could, if you practiced. *he grins again, shrugging* But I suspect you'd have gotten used to your wand by this time. Sofya: *About to tease 'so she was 'no-one' hm,' she only grinned as he corrected himself. Actually quite pleased with the response selfishly, she still said gentler, teasingly,* Oh..well then I suppose I shall just have to come more often, insure you don't get lonely. *Setting her glass on her knee, she was careful not to spill over her dress, and said amused,* Well, we were just starting wandless magic when I came home...I could try. I wouldn't mind being less reliant on my wand. *She shrugged a shoulder.* Even if it 'does' supposed offer more control and everything. *But she paused at saying that, realizing the 'everything' part was actually inclusive with what they would sometimes say of muggleborns: that they had no control over their magic. Except clearly Hector had more control than she did, and well, weren't they the ones refusing them wands? She pursed her lips, realizing the more she thought about it, the more she wanted to help all of them, not just Hector. Although admittedly, at that moment...her mind was on Hector.* Hector: *The thought of her visiting him for more often made him actually quite happy, despite knowing she was teasing. Besides, he knew she shouldn't that something could go wrong, that she could get caught or followed and whoops, there went his neck if it did happen. So instead he simply replied* Well, I definitely won't complain. *he put a slice of cheese in his mouth instead, having to hold back a snort, and he hadn't been too successful.* Control is learned too. I guess it's a just a little more...explosive, I suppose. *he shrugs and then smiles* So, I remember I was going to tell you about being born of the dragon. Sofya: *A genuine soft smile flit across her lips as she saw how happy the thought of her coming again had made him for the split second he let it show.* Explosive? *She grinned, an eyebrow arching skeptically* Are you sure you're not just saying that to impress me? *Reaching for the bread and wiping her hands off, over the ground so as not to splatter dress of blanket with crumbs, she laughs and nods.* Yeah, that's right, you did. Did it have anything to do with the dragon that attacked the town? I still think this is an odd thing to say about your mother, but. *She wiggled her eyebrows*