Getting a Read on Things (attn: Jenn/Affie)

[Locke]

Alric [subtitle]Who is not looking forward to the winter[/subtitle]

As the oak’s leaves turned to a vibrant array of oranges, and the weather cooled, Alric and Affie turned the clearing into their primary spot for lessons. Sometimes they would read together at the tree’s base, other times sitting in the lowest branches. Eventually Alric began bringing baskets of food, so they could take their lunch beneath the oak. All the while, Affie’s ability to read and right steadily improved. If he wasn’t mistaken, she was coming to enjoy reading. He wondered how she’d feel after reading a pedantic Amadecian tome on morality or some such. Occasionally, they would lose track of time as they discussed the stories she read. Alric did his best to explain how most were supposed to be allegorical, or teach a lesson of some sort. Affie on the other hand was more curious about some of the fanciful elements such as a particular house made from gingerbread and all manner of candy. While she thought a place like that would be an excellent find, Alric contended the icing was full of dead bugs and the gingerbread would probably be stale. Sensing her disappointment, he quickly changed the subject.

One such afternoon, as the pair sat shielded from the autumn wind, Affie turned to a story “the Hundred Year Sleep” and asked him to read it to her. Alric actually recognized this story. In his studies, he’d come across several variants of this old tale. He hoped this wouldn’t be one of the versions with attempted child eating. As he found his place on the first page, something dawned on him, “Why do you want me to read it to you, Affie? These are your lessons and you’ve been coming along quite well.”

[Jenn]

Affie

Dark eyes watched Alric for a long moment before she prodded her finger against the page, glancing down at the beginning of the story. Affie fidgeted a little, pressing her back further against the rough tree bark. The small Drin didn’t answer immediately, reaching for a reddish-orange leaf instead, twirling the dried stem for moment before crumbling it between her palms.

“Get tired of reading out loud, sometimes,” she said softly, laying her hands onto her knees. “Not so good.” Her head did not move, her gaze flicking up instead to look into his eyes as she made a conscious effort to try and include pronouns. “I mean... I get tired of reading out loud, sometimes,” she repeated slowly, carefully forming each word. “Don’t want it to be all lessons all the time.” She grimaced a little and tried again. “And... I want you to read to me because I like the sound of your voice.”

The Altaran looked away suddenly, inexplicably flustered. Her face felt hot despite the crisp weather. “Is nice. Makes me feel better. Helps me concentrate.” Affie went to prod at the open page again, taking a deep breath. When she turned to face the Soldier again, her look was almost... challenging. “Read or not?”

[Locke]

Alric

Alric shifted slightly, feeling heat rising in his ears. His voice? It was an unexpected complement. It wasn’t unwelcome, he just wasn’t used to such compliments. Nor had he expected one from her. The corners of his mouth quirked up in what he hoped was a reassuring smile. The young woman seemed rather flustered by her admission.

Meeting the Drin’s determined gaze, Alric gave a small shrug and began to read. The whole endeavor felt rather awkward at first, and Alric paused occasionally glancing up at Affie. She seemed to be enjoying herself well enough. After a while, he could feel himself hitting his stride and he continued with a degree of confidence. He did his best to create unique voices for each character, the way his mother had done when reading to him as a child. His princess voice was less than convincing, but he was having fun.

When he finished the story he closed the book and looked up at her. “I was thinking about what you said, about thing’s not being all lessons all the time,” he paused, holding the book in his lap. “I think I’d like that. Instead of reading about princes who go out into the woods to kiss sleeping women, what would you rather do?” He still intended to continue their, lessons. She was making so much progress. Besides, he had a task. He was enjoying spending time with her though. Why not find out how they were together in a less formal setting?

[Jenn]

Affie

Her smile was tentative as Alric finally shrugged and began to read. He didn’t stumble or trip over the words like she did sometimes, but there was some hesitance on his part. Reluctance, maybe? Why? Reading to her, was it so bad? She read out loud to him all the time... didn’t feel so bad. But maybe this was too easy and simple for him? Bored, maybe? Affie certainly hoped that he wasn’t bored... she liked reading. Writing even, that wasn’t so bad. The only thing she didn’t really like all that much was grammar... most of those symbols were still dots and squiggly lines to her. And all the rules. And the exceptions. Why have rules in the first place if there were only going to be times when they didn’t apply?

Grammar lied worse than words did.

The small Drin listened to the rise and fall of Alric’s voice, fingers toying with the cuffs at her wrists. The moment he started pitching his voice differently, her fretting was soothed away and forgotten. Each time a new character appeared, he changed his voice. He even managed to somehow remember which voice he used for which character. She grinned outright at the princess.

It was over too soon, her smile still wide as he closed the book. She listened as he spoke, watching him from the corner of her eyes. “Don’t think there are too many wooded places for princes to kiss sleeping princesses here,” she answered slowly, Affie not entirely sure what to say next. What did she want to do? She squinted upwards a little, watching the few remaining leaves on the tree above them sway and rustle.

“I like being outside,” she began quietly, thinking out loud. “I like reading. I like being read to. I like eating. And I like you too.” She fidgeted a little before swinging her eyes back towards the Soldier again. “Could do all those things together.” At his quizzical look, she grinned a little. “A... it’s called a picnic. Never had one before, but that’s what I want to do.”