(no subject)

[socrowdedinhere]

Kairi: ....*tucks against Darnell's shoulder, just...clinging.*

Darnell: */hugs/ her to him* You don't have to see him if you don't want to, Kairi. I just want to give you the opportunity that I never had. But if you want to go and never see him again, never look back, all you have to do is nod your head.

Kairi: *still for a long moment........... and finally gives a single nod*

Darnell: .........all right, we'll go, Kairi. It's /over/. *will stand to leave with the other men, Kairi still cuddled to his chest and balancing his belongings on his other arm*

*The stable boy has brought out all their horses, but when he sees Darnell’s horse he’ll run to fetch Blossom too.  With all the horses out and ready the men will get their stuff packed onto their horses, Taren taking Darnell’s stuff to pack onto Blossom so Darnell doesn’t have to let go of Kairi.  And then Egan will give Darnell a hand up onto his horse, again, so he doesn’t have to let go of Kairi...well... unless he’d rather get up on his own and have Egan pass Kairi to him.  Either is possible with the big guy and he’s happy to do whatever Darnell is comfortable with.*

Comments

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *bows* Thank you. *is grinning, and will follow everyone inside - no doubt /everyone/ is hungry by now, it /is/ lunchtime after all*

[socrowdedinhere]

*They’ll head in and relax together, eat lunch. A lady will take Kairi off for another bath and to tame those wild curls of hers. When they come back Kairi is in a cute dress, her curls are glossy and lovely, and she’s got a little smile on her face... along with a soft blush as everyone compliments her.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: */grins/* Hey, look at you! You clean up pretty good when you've got someone who knows what she's doing. *gives the woman with her a grin and a shrug* All I had was basic soap.

[socrowdedinhere]

Woman: That works, but you have to put some oil back in her hair or the curls frizz.
Kairi: *will atep to Darnell, a small, but happy smile.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *takes her hands in his, looking at her* Think this'll be a good place for you, kiddo?

[socrowdedinhere]

Kairi: *nodnod* *she’ll shift to hug him.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *HUGS her back* I hope to hear your voice before I leave.

[socrowdedinhere]

Kairi: *just tucks closer.*
*later that evening, as it comes time to sleep, Kairi will be drugged to sleep and Jazira will sit by the girl and heal her of all welts and the damage to her throat. The next morning the girl will come looking for Darnell, peeking into his room.*

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *is washed and dressed and just finishing packing his belongings, looks up and grins* Kairi, good morning. How are you feeling?

[socrowdedinhere]

Kairi: *little smile. Her voice is all and delicate, just like her.* Good morning, Darnell.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: Ah! *he'd almost forgotten! he's BEAMING* Good morning, Kairi! It worked! How are you feeling?

[socrowdedinhere]

Kairi: Good. *she’ll slip in and go hug him.* Thank you for saving me.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *wraps around her* You are /so/ welcome. I'm so glad we found you. I'm only sorry you had to suffer what you have before that. But life's different now, and it'll stay so. You'll be safe and loved here.

[socrowdedinhere]

Kairi: *tears will wet his shoulder.* Thank you. S-ao much.

[neverasked4this]

Darnell: *just /holds/ her, arms tight around her* I've been there. I know. It seems too good to be true, something's going to come along and ruin it, it can't last, it's not real. But it is, I promise you. *pulls a soft breath* I was ten years old when my father tried to kill me for daring to fight him, because I tried to get him off my sister, Cat. Mom finally found the courage to leave him, and we lived on our own - Mom, my sisters, and me - for almost a year until slavers killed Mom and would have taken us if not for an amin named Terris. He took us in. He was safe. He loved us. He never hurt us or raised his voice. Even when we got in trouble, he was firm but gentle, punishing us but also teaching us. Now . . . Cat is a healer, happily married and currently with child. Lin is a strong fighter and defender, serving a household much like this one. And me? I'm a detective. Master Detective serving the king himself. *there's wonder in his voice, and gratefulness - he pushes Kairi back enough to meet her eyes* So it's real, and you never know what good will come next. *brushes her hair from her face* And you are due for /so/ much good.

*squints* It ate my tag...

[socrowdedinhere]

Kairi: *she leans back to meet his gaze, cheeks wet wirh tears* You really think so?

=/

[neverasked4this]

https://socrowdedinhere.dreamwidth.org/350345.html?thread=7894921#cmt7894921