Rumor, Rumor | Saoirse & Aoife
"Aoife!" hissed Saoirse, poking her head out a nearby window of Castle Lorcan. She'd spotted the blonde walking below and had, right off, recognized her from above.
In truth, Saoirse had been eager to see her friend again, for personal reasons, but these had become even more pronounced with the revelation of a certain rumor which had reached her ears. Saoirse didn't wish to jump to any conclusions, but she did wish to get to the truth and quickly -- before Ronan heard it and formed opinions of his own.
"Aoife! Wait there! I'm coming down!"
Trundling down the winding steps as fast as her legs would carry her (which was remarkably fast, really, for circular stairs as Saoirse had a great deal of experience chasing her mischievous little charges up and down it when an escape attempt was occasionally made), she half-flew to the base and flung herself out the nearest postern door, by Aoife's side, huffing and puffing slightly.
"Aoife!" A long pause as she drew her breath and, laughing, drew her into a wide hug. "Oh, I'm--" heavy breathing -- "So glad to--to see you. Oof! I'm going to have to look out next time your littlest--littlest cousin goes running away!"
Finally recovering her breath, she laughed, pressing her palm flat against her stomach. "Now, come along, as much as I want to do the usual catching up, I'm loathe to say that I have heard a...a rumor about you...and your sisters and," she took Aoife's hand in both hers. "I want to say that, whatever the truth, I love you very much, and I am here for you, I do not judge you, and I shall help you in every way that I can, and any way that you wish, but..." she bit her lip. "Is it true?"
She paused, seeing confusion dawning across Aoife's face, and realized she'd not heard. "Oh, Aoife, I'm so, so sorry to be the one to tell you, but...There's a rumor that...that you and...Sebastian Varmont were..." she flushed. "Were caught...you know....together...in...in public? I mean!" she added, hurriedly, knowing how profoundly humiliated Aoife must even now be feeling, and squeezing her hand reassuringly. "I'm sure, as is everyone who knows either of you, that there's a misunderstanding, that's hardly...in character, is it? I just meant...Is it based on anything at all, or is it all just...malicious gossip? Only...I see the way he looks at you...and its not as if his brothers haven't each been known to entertain your sisters, so I wouldn't blame you if there were some truth to it."
Her eyes widened as she realized how that might sound. "Not that you were publically, um, exploring those feelings! But that maybe..." She exhaled slowly, pinched her nose. "Aoife, is there an understanding between the two of you? I just -- I want to be sure that the truth gets out there."
To Ronan, specifically, she thought. Before he finds Sebastian somewhere and tries to kill him!
"This isn't the sort of rumor I imagine you want circulating uncontested..." she paused. "Because...because there is," she sucked in a deep breath. "There is a spot more to the rumor, I'm afraid..."
