When to release the Void [Attn: Bella/Gareth]

[Roan]

Riahana laughed softly as she settled her blue-eyes on Gareth, “I caught myself wondering the other day if our learning ranks are more delicate than we were when I was a Drin’ and Ji’. The very thought made me feel . . .old, especially given our children are not really. . .children anymore.” The fond smile couldn’t be helped, though it quickly turned to a smirk, “So I put the very thought out of my mind, because despite having grown children, I cannot be old.

Reaching across the table, she took his hand in hers, “And neither can you, m’dear. I certainly do not feel old, especially tonight.” The smirk grew, “Having said that, I am all for conspiring to find inventive ways to lure us out of our ‘offices,’ such as they may be. Though one or two ideas have popped to mind that I might just keep to myself so that I might have the rare chance of surprising you.”

Before anything more could be said, one of the serving girls was beside their table, ready for their drink order and going over the dinner special (venison steak with roasted vegetables). Ria didn’t have to think twice about what she was having for dinner, and neither did Gareth, it seemed, as both opted for the special, along with the tavern ale.

Once the serving girl was gone, and the two were more or less alone, Ria’s smirk was back, “So tell me, Gareth Asha’man. How would you lure your wife away from her office if she became too engrossed in her work?”

[Bella]

Such matters as meals were always easily seen to for Gareth. His appetite was not insignificant, but his tastes were easily satisfied. He was not unknown for missing meals entirely while working in the Infirmary, and then just eating whatever he could find or whatever might somehow be placed in front of him. (There had been jokes on occasion about how easy it would be to poison him if he didn't start paying attention.)

Thus when the serving girls came by to ask what they wanted, it took no time at all. It seemed his wife shared his similar ease. Meals were always easy affairs for this family, always had been, and the trait seemed to now continue.

Gareth smiled crooked once they were alone again and she posed her question. He was not, in most things, a subtle man. He could weave most delicately and Heal the most intricate of wounds, or be inconspicuous despite his size in other situations, but he did not tend to think he needed subtlety. To him, the lure most effective would be direct: stop by, send her a note, put a messenger into service.

However, straight forward might not quite be the right tone for their evening tonight. Thus, he just looked at her with his pale grey eyes for several moments before saying. "I'd probably just show up, throw you over my shoulder, and make off with you." Well, if straight forward doesn't work and subtlety doesn't suit? Run past straight forward into blunt.

[Roan]

Blue eyes stared into pale grey, and both seemed to twinkle with anticipated mischievousness. Riahana licked, and then ran her teeth over her lower lip before she finally let go the soft laugh she could no longer contain. “There is no beating around the bush with you, is there?” She smirked, “I would imagine Ravak and Yani would be more than a little amused by such a site, but then. . .it might compromise my reputation with the rest of the learning ranks.”

The soft laugh continued for a few brief seconds before biting the corner of her lip once again, “Though, I might have to admit a certain thrill at the idea even if it lies outside of...propriety.” She held a hint of a suggestive smirk before she took a sip of ale, not letting her eyes off of his, “If I had to lure you, dearest husband of mine, I might be a bit more subtle.”

Leaning back in her seat as she set her mug of ale down, she rubbed her cheek as she shared her own method for pulling Gareth from the Infirmary, “It would start with something as simple as a note with my seal on it. The note would contain a location and a time. Nothing more. The location would be...someplace secluded. And when you turned up. . .well, I don’t want to give it all away.” Ria didn’t even try to help the shameless smirk she flashed.

“Or, perhaps I would do something completely different,” she added with a laugh and a shrug. “I could always try coming into the infirmary and tossing you over my shoulder to make off with you, though it might prove a bit awkward for both of us,” she teased. Years of training had her in prime physical shape, but she was not so foolish to think tossing her husband over her shoulder was something she could do with any kind of style and grace

[Bella]

The first image she painted was enough to force him to hoarsely clear his throat just to wrangle his thoughts away from enacting his own idea of just tossing her over his shoulder and making a break for it... He didn't want (yes, he did) to end their evening of revelry that soon and not get to enjoy their dinner and the dancing.

Her second idea, however, made him laugh. (His throat was still slightly hoarse.) "While I have absolutely no doubt that you could throw me over your shoulder, I find doubt that you could carry me anywhere." He smirked again. "I don't think your lovely back could take it, although lucky for you, rumor has it that I'm a very talented healer."

[Roan]

Ria laughed softly, “To be honest, I think I prefer my initial idea. I might even have to make it a reality one of these days.” She almost purred at the suggestion, but anything else she might say was interrupted as their dinner arrived. Each plate held a warm, just baked dinner roll dripping with butter. Ria picked hers up and took a bite, not once taking her eyes off of her husband as her thoughts ran amok. At the rate they were going, they’d be rushing through the meal before rushing off to find somewhere a bit more secluded.

Not that an evening of dancing with her husband wasn’t appealing, as it had been far too long since the couple had been out dancing just for the fun of it. “I’d suggest we both eat up. . .I have a feeling we will need the fuel for the night ahead of us,” she said, flashing an unabashed smirk.

The Band of Brothers often hired bands of musicians to entertain their patrons, and tonight was no different. The small group that was performing tonight consisted of two men and two women. One of the women was a singer, the other played fiddle, while one of the men had a bodhran, and the last played a lute. The music started off light and unobtrusive, providing a nice atmosphere to the Inn as Ria and Gareth ate their meal, sharing the occasional comment or observation here and there.

The couple both had fair appetites, and demolished their meals. The server didn’t take long to come collect the plates, leaving the pair with a clean table and their mugs of ale. Ria took a long pull from her ale as she settled back into her chair, content after a big meal, “I forget how good the food can be here, sometimes.” Despite the casual comment, part of Ria’s mind was still running through their very suggestive conversation prior to dinner, and the potential possibilities.

[Bella]

Food? Right, we just ate... His mind hadn't exactly been on his meal, but her words had run true enough that he made sure to eat what was in front of him anyways. Gareth wasn't even sure he had tasted any of it, except that he knew it didn't taste bad. And he did feel like he had consumed food, so felt more...fueled.

"Yes," he finally said. "The...food is good." He smiled crookedly.

As the meal hour was finishing up, the tune of the musicians was starting to pick up and scattered couples were making their way out onto the floor. Gareth watched them, his grey eyes managing to be intent and yet without focus at the same time. Inwardly, he was debating dancing versus just making an escape.

It was clear that other things were on her mind as well, so perhaps she would forgive him if he elected to push their dancing (vertically, at least) to another night. Then, an idea came to him.

Stifling the wicked smile that wanted free, he watched the dancers for a time longer. Then he turned to her with an apologetic smile. "If you'll excuse me for just a moment, my lovely wife," he said, getting to his feet. He kissed the top of her head on the way by and then moved towards the back, where the inn mistress could be found.

After speaking with her for a time, he vanished from sight entirely. Just a few moments later, the serving girl showed up at Riahana's table with a smile that suggested she was pleased to be in on a secret as she handed the warder a note, and a key. The note just had a number on it, the number corresponding to the tag on the key.

For one of the small number of bedrooms available on the second floor.

[Roan]

Riahana looked up to meet the serving girl’s eyes, and saw the amusement in them as she handed the note and the key. Looking down at first the note, and then the key, Riahana laughed softly as she shook her head. In an instant, she finished her ale, and departed the table and common room before making her way upstairs. The room number indicated on the key was for one of the rooms at the other end of the hallway, and Ria’s long strides had her standing before the closed door in no time.

The giddiness and anticipation Ria felt was palpable, yet she didn't open the door immediately. The bundle of the bond within her mind seemed to hum, and the man behind its hum was on the other side of the door. She let her imagination run as she stared at the door intently for several seconds before slotting the key into the keyhole, unlocking and then opening the door. She couldn't help the smirk as she took a step in, though Gareth couldn't see it.

Ria’s eyes went wide for the briefest of seconds as she was treated with a view of her husband’s bare back while he stood facing the window. Ever observant, she noticed his jacket and shirt folded over the back of a chair in the corner of the room, though she turned her attention back to him and his broad, muscular back. Without taking her eyes from of her man, she closed the door behind her, making sure to lock it. . .she had no desire of being disturbed for the remainder of the evening.

If Ria could purr, she would have. The room was not large, thus two slow deliberate steps had her standing behind her man, and she slowly slid her hands up his back, “I see you have a different definition for dancing tonight, hmm?” He towered over her by about seven inches, thus when she kissed his back, she kissed him right between his shoulder blades.

[Bella]

The truth of it all was that Gareth was not a man prone to spontaneity. It was perhaps akin to speed, which was something else he wasn't very good at. The only time he was all that swift was when working in the Infirmary, and then it was mitigated by determination and very precise movements; when a life was at stake, he moved with no hesitation.

So it was that his idea tonight was a surprise, even to him, but after the evening so far... Well, he couldn't resist.

The small knot in the back of his head drew nearer. He smiled as he gazed out the window, overlooking Hama Valon at night. So much had changed here since he'd first come as a young man. The door unlocked, opened, shut, locked. She came closer and his smile grew, though he did not turn. A shiver raced along his skin as she touched him.

"Some beautiful woman put too many thoughts in my head," he rumbled with amusement. "I hope that she does not dislike my idea." He knew already that she didn't, but he'd play the game.

[Roan]

One by one, the cares of the day seemed to slip away from the Gaidar as she ran her hands along Gareth’s shoulders, realizing she missed such quiet and intimate moments shared between them. It is a good thing we’ve resolved not to work so hard going forward. . .or at least make an effort to take time for ourselves, she thought to herself.

Gareth had been a blacksmith before he joined the Tower and became an Asha’man of the Yellow. HIs broad build still gave away his former life to any who noticed, and despite no longer working the forge, he was still muscular as the first day they met. The room seemed to be bathed in candlelight, and the flickering light seemed to highlight Gareth’s form. Slowly, Ria traced each outline of each muscle, from shoulder to neck, and down along his back. Her intent was to savour every single moment they shared together this night, and she hoped her husband would indulge her.

“Mmm. . .Was it that some beautiful lass put too many thoughts in your head, or perhaps you corrupted said lass by putting such ideas to her, hmm?” she teased. “Though, for the record? She does not dislike your idea in the least, and is curious to see what might come next.” She couldn’t help herself as she kissed him between the shoulder blades once again.

[Bella]

To Be Continued...