Hoping and waiting ((invite only))

[Kailyn]

An alluring assortment of colors spanned across the greenery in an array of shapes and sizes as a faint breeze passed through the inner garden carrying with it the individual scents of thousands of blooming flowers. Adorned in a light blue sundress, the elven woman was kneeling next to a flower bed tending to her chores as the soft aroma of freshly cut grass arose from underfoot.

With the gentle wind brushing through her long dark hair she took a moment to breath deeply while she raised her chin slightly and closed her eyes. Kailyn could feel the clean air rushing through her body, soothing her tension.

She was feeling nervous, stress had been building up inside her for the past few days now. Knowing she had to press forward, knowing she had to talk with him.

Getting back to her chores, she kept the conversation she had with Kalista close in mind. Thoughts raced through her head as to how she could posibly accomplish the task she had set before herself. She knew that if he passed through today, she did not have much time left to collect her thoughts. He would surely be here shortly.

So, not far from the aged cobblestone path that lead through the vast inner garden, she continued her work as she hoped and waited for the General.

[Cassius Ado Virtus]

The sound of steel on stone rang throughout the gardens, as a tall and heavy set figure clad from head to toe in ornate armour strode along the cobbled path. He walked with measured, military pace, proudly holding his head high as he passed through the heavily scented and vibrantly coloured gardens of the keep. He carried an upturned helm of the same design as the armour that he wore in the crook of his left arm, and a great broadsword hung at his side. A long orange cape hung about his shoulders, dancing lazily as it trailed along behind him, as if to the constant rhythm of his heavy steps. He wore an expression of mild happiness, a thin smile resting delicately upon his lips, as if a slight knock might displace it.
General Cassius was on his way into the keep in search of the queen, not that she was likely to be there. Lately, even in such dangerous times, she had taken to 'wandering'. Though peril awaited at every turn, and doom lay behind each corner she was still content to roam the city freely. Cassius sighed mentally, before he caught sight of Kailyn as she was working in the gardens. It had only been a recent event, that Cassius had begun to see the beauty of the gardens. Their alluring colours and intense scents were almost paralysing, where they had been but simple plants to him before. He blamed Kiara for all of it.

[Kailyn]

Her heart was beating faster and faster as the sound of his armor making contact with the gardens path rang out, nearing her position. She kept to her work while she watched him from the corner of her eyes as he made his way over. The manner and rate at which his feet hit the ground let her know that he was here on business as usual, though there was something different about him.

A soft smile resided on his features and she was overcome with emotions and thoughts as they flooded through her. 'He's so handsom when he smiles. But he almost never smiles.... There is a war at hand here. What happened that could overtake him like that? Did he come across some important intel? Did something happen that could bring Karador's side a decent advantage? Did he already have someone in mind? Has he already started to court someone?....' The thoughts continued to twist and turn as they raced through her mind, she needed to calm her nerves or she'd never be able to go through with anything.

Taking a short pause from her work yet again, she breathed deeply, the scents of the flowers from all around her invaded, starting to relax her tensed muscles.

Hoping the general did not notice how stressed she presently was, she got up from her position among the flowers and brushed herself off, a few strands of grass falling gently to the ground. Not being able to prevent it every time she looked directly at him, she smilled brightly, though this time her heart pounded faster than normal, anticipating the outcome of the conversation to follow.

“Good day to you Cassius.” Kailyn's beautiful smile continued to grace her face as she noded in respect for the great man before her and taking a few steps forward. For a moment she forgot why she was so stressed and her heart took over. “It's nice to see you smilling. It looks good on you.” As soon as the words came out of her mouth she smacked herself mentally hoping he'd not see right through it. Trying to recover she continued, “Some good news on the war?”

The general always did enjoy talking about Karador's situation. So she hoped to get a nice conversation going with him as they did every so often before she asked the questions that really weighed on her mind.

[Cassius Ado Virtus]

Cassius stopped walking and turned to meet Kailyn's gaze as she stood, coming over to him. "A good day? I suppose it could be construed as such, in such dark times a day that does not grow darker is a good day, and I suppose that today is one of those days." Cassius replied, greeting her with one of his new smiles.
"Smiling is contagious apparently, I seem to have caught something or other. It's good to hear that it doesn't diminish me in any way." Cassius chuckled to himself, looking about the gardens with an interest that verged on wonder clearly visible in his eyes. "It never changes, you know, but i think I have. I've come to realise that I enjoy being here. These gardens are. . . nice." Cassius floundered for the right word to describe the place - a place that had meant little to him before. Now though, he could see the beauty of the gardens, and appreciate all that she did, "Thank you for tending to them Kailyn." He said simply.

[Kailyn]

The general continued smiling as he spoke unto her, she could feel her heart racing even more. To her he was already beautiful in every way, and with his smile, he was even more so. So with that, she could not help but return a smile to him as she responded, “It's good to know that this day is not getting darker. It gives us time to prepare more, though it's to be assumed that they are doing the same.” She frowned at the thought, she did not like the fact that Karador was basically under seige but it was to be expected.

Releived that he did not seem to notice anything about the compliment she gave him, she continued, her smile returning, “I have to agree with that. I find it hard not to smile when someone else is even when I feel down.”

Kailyn watched the general with admiration, respect and wonder in her eyes as he looked about the garden. The look she had in her eyes remained there as he spoke and the comment he made just then made her flush. She had been told often how beautifully she kept the garden but never by him. This would be a moment she would never forget. “Thank-you for noticing. It means a lot to me.”