The Guilt of a Widower

[Xander Andaris]

The way Gennadiya squeezed his arms was nice, the gentle touch of a woman soothing even with everything he had been through. He could feel guilty and suffer with the pain of the loss of his wife but he was still a human with normal human needs. This included social interaction and the comforting feeling of being held and touched, especially when it was to provide him with comfort as he was sure was Gennadiya's intention.

The pleasantries were all exchanged and he proceeded along with his companion for the evening to sit beside the dance floor. Pulling out a seat the nobleman offered her the chair to sit, remembering his manners as he smiled and pushed the chair under her and the round table as she sat. Taking a seat to her right angled to face both her and the makeshift dancefloor.

Sitting he watched as the hosts went about their business setting up food and the band began to take their seats. It hadn't occured to him what it was like to eat at an event where men and women dressed in identical clothes wouldn't walk around bearing strange and normally unsatisfying bite sized foods. The nobleman was actually looking forward to experiencing the home cooked food.

Looking back to his date as she began to speak the father thought of all the home cooked food his children would never get. Growing up as a noble had its benefits but some things like that he wondered how his life would have differed had he experienced them. "Unfortunately for my waist size I do enjoy food, perhaps a little too much." Of course the young father never showed it in his physique, looking after three kids and rigorous training helped to keep the weight off but if his father was of any indication for what his future held then that would not be the case forever.

Of course Xander was clueless about his true heritage and the irony of the idea of him ever ending up like his father would be lost on him if ever presented. "At least you can cook, boiling an egg is about the extent of my skills in the kitchen." Xander chuckled as he too leaned in towards Gennadiya, looking at her and being fully distracted from the struggles of being a single father for a while. "Maybe I should learn a few recipes some time."

Noticing as more people began to enter the stable and all the seats of the band seemed to be taken up he shrugged to her question. "I don't know." He watched as people mingled and stood many in pairs already waiting for the music to start. "Maybe we would be best to watch and see what they all do?" Xander looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Or we could just risk embarassment and do whatever we know how too?" He smirked, well aware of his lack of dancing prowess.

"Your hair is quite unique, is it a family trait?" His question was somewhat out of the blue, mostly because he was unsure how to approach complimenting the womans appearance. Things had been simpler when you were arranged to marry someone, Xander had never developed a relationship with anyone as organically as this one.

[Gennadiya Arishina]

With a similar grace the young Lysorian woman took the offered chair, and spread her skirts so they weren’t bunched up. Gennadiya grinned at Xander’s joke about how much he like to eat and how it went to his waist. She had been around the nobleman enough to know that his waist wasn’t expanding, and that his figure was excellent and proportionate. Her experience told her that quantity of food was a small factor as compared to types of food, and age. “You have come to the right place then. I once heard a father give his some wisdom.” Gennadiya took on a serious face and attempted to deepen her voice. “ ’Son pick a wife from a family who clearly enjoy their food. Her looks will fade but her cooking will only get better.’ Of course then the father noticed me standing right there.” The young woman chuckled. “These woman take pride in their skills and these gatherings are as much to show off their cooking as it is to get their young people together, and we get to benefit.” She said her expression happy, and even pleased.

Gennadiya felt a tingle as a very faint blush came to her face as they talked about her cooking, and more importantly as he looked at her. It was a pleasant way to be looked at, and a expression few men really gave her. Her smile didn’t falter under his gaze. She felt herself wanting to open up to this man, and wanted to learn more about him. “I think we could teach you some other items to cook. What is your favorite dish for lunch, its always best to start with something you like.” Her return gaze seemed changed a bit, there was a relaxed air to her gaze that you wouldn’t normally have noticed wasn’t there.

As the party and conversation moved on Gennadiya’s smile turned into a grin and her eyes flashed with amusement when he admitted ignorance of the local dances. “Oh be prepared for the embarrassment.” She looked around her not feeling all that worried, even if she didn’t know the dances affairs like this had simpler dances that you could usually pick up if you paid attention, and Gennadiya was to worried that anyone would judge two foreigners who were honestly trying to learn.

Adiya was very surprised by the question about her hair, and her expression showed the surprise for a moment before she smile. “Yes and no. My father has hair almost as fair as mine, my mothers hair was blond but not as pale. My hair coloring was slightly altered when Ymiden gave me his mark. Mostly it gave it a kind of soft radiance.”

[Xander Andaris]

The noble smiled and laughed softly at the quote his female companion spoke, a shake of his head as he thought of the amount of times nobles would say things like that about prospective brides. Still as she explained the functions of these gatherings and spoke of the women and how they cared about their craft he nodded. "It is at times like these that I realise how much I missed growing up the way I did, its a shame really." The nobleman settled into his chair more and brushed his hair back off his forehead.

She asked him his favourite food to eat for lunch and the nobleman faultered, it had never occurred to him to decide what meals he desired most before. Furrowing his brow for a moment he thought about what he would answer. "That is a hard question." Leaning back in his chair with a humm of thought he looked at, she seemed comfortable with his presence and that made him happy. "I'd never really considered it but if I had to choose..I might say some sort of cured meats with a hearty bread, maybe some cheese and a chutney." Xander shrugged slightly struggling to think of a real meal on the spot.

The shieldbearer watched as the music finally began to play and people slowly approached the dancefloor, young couples flitting about waiting for their respective partner to invite them out onto the dance floor. Xander watched them with interest, remembering his own youth, it had never been as light hearted as this. Now he was an adult, thrust into responsibility and fatherhood and while he wondered what it was like to live without a care in the world he wouldn't trade what he had for it.

Returning his attention to Gennadiya he awaited her answer, fidgeting slightly and sitting forward placing his hand onto the table and toying with a loose thread in the cloth. "Well, I can't speak for divine power altering it but it is honestly a pleasure to behold." Blushing slightly the nobleman watched to see her response to his compliment before standing and offering his hand.

"I think the young gentlemen are worried about being first to ask their partners, perhaps they need some encouragement." Bowing quite formerly and offering his hand Xander winked at Gennadiya with a chuckle. "Would you do me the honour of this dance my lady?" He waited there for her to accept or potentially decline his offer.

[Gennadiya Arishina]

Gennadiya tilted her head and listened as Xander answered her question about his favorite lunch. She smiled inwardly as he spoke. It was a nice lunch for sure but it was also fairly hearty but she was sure that she could teaching him how too passingly cook them. Well except the cured meats. That was something you got from the butcher. The healer suspected that some people cured their own meats but her mother hadn’t ever known how to do that.

They watched the music begin and the youth looking awkwardly at each other waiting for someone to start the dance. Gennadiya was more focused on their conversation though and noticed Xander fiddling with the tablecloth as she talked. She meet his gaze as he complimented her hair. She felt her self blush at that moment and said simply “Thank you.”

She was again surprised as he stood up and proposed that they start the dance. Her sapphire blue eyes looked in surprise and the pleasure broke out on her face as took his hand. Her delicate hand rest in his larger hand as they walked towards the floor. They certainly were a different image. Neither of them were fresh faced youths who had no clue who they were. Together they made a handsome couple and moved with a grace that could only be taught.

As they came to floor Gennadiya recognized that music a having the beat of a polka weather or not it was polka was anyone’s guess but it would work. Gennadiya places her right arm Xander’s left arm positioning her hand so that rested just above his bicep in the little indent. Her left hand took his right and she waited for him to put his hand on her shoulder blade.

Even as the got in to position she quietly spoke. “Follow my led. Just remember to bounce with each step.” Once they were ready she listened to the beat and then breaking the number one rule of dancing she led. The polka was fairly fun dance. The bouncing movement was combined with a fast paced spread. Every couple steps the couple would turn with each other so the partner on the inside would then be on the outside. Gennadiya wasn’t a stickler for technique and so enjoyed the dance even as they slaughtered foot work.

Weather they knew the dance or not soon other adventures youths were joining the circle and the floor became a swirl of colors. Once the dance ended Genna stepped back from Xander and curtsied before straightening and taking his hand again.

“That wasn’t so bad.” She said with a smile and a laugh once they had returned to their seats. They settled down to participate in the festivities, including food and more dancing. As the evening wore on Gennadiya realizes she hadn't had this much fun in arcs and found her self smiling fondly at Xander in gratitude

[Xander Andaris]

Xander was glad to see that Gennadiya accepted his invitation to dance and in some ways was even more relieved when she said she'd lead. The nobleman wasn't exactly known for his dancing prowess, in fact he had a long way to go to even be considered a reasonable dancer. Fortunately his ettiquite training and attendance at a fair few balls had taught him the basics. "I'll try not to step on your toes." He said quietly as he placed his hand upon her shoulder blade. Allowing her to guide him around the dancefloor the noble did his best to copy her movement, staying light on his feet and trying his best to follow the rythm of the music.

In some ways dancing was a little like training with a sword. You'd flow through a series of movements, staying light on your feet and allowing your body to move in whatever direction was necessary for the next step. It was also more tiring than the noble remembered it, standing straight and moving with grace used muscles that he often neglected in his own training. Perhaps it would be useful for him to begin dancing, Xander doubted it could do him any harm after all.

For a while Xander couldn't stop himself from looking down at his feet, the constant concern of stepping on his partners foot in his mind. However, as the dancing went on the Shieldbearer forgot about his feet and found himself looking at his partner with the type of smile that rarely graced his lips these days. There was a sliver of dissapointment when the dance came to an end, the nobleman slightly reluctant to let go of the woman before him. Still he did, stepping back and bowing in response to her curtsy.

The widower allowed himself to be lead back to the chairs where they had been before, sitting with his date and enjoying everything the party had to offer. The food had been delicious and the company even better and while Xander was aware of his own enjoyment, he was even more aware of the fond smile that graced Gennadiya's face. It was the kind he had only seen once before.


Xander had escorted Gennadiya back through the city once the later breaks had come around and the other couples had also started to depart. They were once again outside the familiar doors of the Order where his children slept inside. Standing before the medic Xander took her hands in his. He wanted to kiss her, the primal drive to do so wasa there and so was the emotional but deep down inside he felt sick with himself at the idea. The nobleman looked at Gennadiya with a wince as he remembered why he had been apprehensive to ask her to begin with.

"Thank you for a wonderful night." Xander kept hold of her hands and smiled gently, his eyes locked with hers. His breath forming small clouds in the air as he struggled to decide what to do or say, he'd enjoyed his time with her and for a while he had forgotten the anguish that had been plaguing him. Now he stood before a woman that had made him smile for the first time in seasons and he was frozen with indecision, as iff the frigidness of the Cylus night had crept into his soul.

[Gennadiya Arishina]

Gennadiya had a fantastic evening but the one thing that continued to stay in her mind was the moment when she had looked into Xander’s face and seen it. A real smile that seemed to have lightened up his features. The sapphire eyed woman had seen him smile but it never reached the corners of his mouth nor his eyes. Sorrow haunted his gaze. It was gone and his eyes were filled with excitement. There was a secret she learned to dancing long ago just do it and have fun. Xander had allowed the fun and enjoyment to come out.

Despite all that she saw she missed some critical things. The young woman missed the look on her own face. She was smiling but more importantly was that her sapphire eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked at her date.

Eventually they found themselves outside of the clinic where Xander’s girls were sleeping and where Gennadiya’s own rooms where located. Now they stood out in cold looking at each other and each spoke to the other in that ancient language that requires no sound. Gennadiya stood as they held hands, looking up at Xander and she was sure that he wanted to kiss her, but was hesitant to do so. She wasn’t sure what was the reason holding him back.

Finally for the first time that night she began too understand her own response and was surprised when honesty let her know she wanted to be kissed. At the same time there was the concern that he was still morning his beloved wife. Gennadiya wasn’t one of those idealist who thought you should have only one love in your life. Especially since she had a father who still mourned his wife. She also knew thought that healing took time and should be allowed to process. It was a delicate process and she wasn’t really sure where Xander was on that processes.

Her gaze continued to hold his as he expressed appreciation for the evening. Her smile turned into a grin and she spoke. “I also had a wonderful time. Thank you.” Now was that final moment. Totally unaware Gennadiya had titled her face upward her body language inviting a evening kiss. Her face was turned slightly indicating that if he felt more comfortable her check was also available. She was prepared for any possible response and would receive any happily.

[Doran]

Gennadiya:

Knowledge:
Skill:
Dance: Rharne Polka.
Dance: Following along with a group.
Surgery: Grasping the edge of the sliver to extract it.
Surgery: Understanding swellings reaction time a sliver.
Surgery: Tweezer can be used in surgery.
Caregiving: Keeping sick people away from the cold.
Caregiving: Providing an activity for someone who needs something to focus on.
Psychology: A widower will think about his wife while on the date.

Non-Skill:
Xander - Life History
Xander - enjoys food a lot
Xander - can't cook
Xander - willing to have fun with regular people

Loot: -
Wealth: -
Injuries: -
Renown: -
Magic XP: -
Skill Review: Appropriate to level.
Points: 15

Xander:

Knowledge: -
Loot: -
Wealth: -
Injuries: -
Renown: -
Magic XP: -
Skill Review: -
Points: 15

- - -

Comments: I don’t think I’ve read a lot of Gennadiya threads yet. I enjoyed getting to know your PC a bit better!

I like how calm and caring Gennadiya is in this thread. She seems like a good doctor – and a good person.

I enjoyed reading the conversation with Xander, and I wish the thread would have been finished.

They seem as if they would have made a good couple!

Anyway, great job, and enjoy your rewards!

P.S.: Xander, if you come back and want knowledges for this thread, PM me, and I'll edit my review!