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You say "*quietly* Cha'trez, are you up and about yet?" into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and says "Amazingly enough, yes I am. Awe and
fear of the end of the world may ensue." He chuckles sosftly, "How are you
this afternoon, my love?" in Tarrant's voice.
You say "I am just fine, and thank you for asking." And with that, she launches into a Millian rendition of Happy Birthday. It sounds like she's got a noisemaker going in the background as well, though she's trying not to laugh by the end. "Oh, dear. The poor man at the next desk is giving me the -oddest- looks. But happy birthday, love." into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and blares "*choking on a laugh* Oh dear
goodness, thank you for remembering love. And for terrifying your co-workers.
This is always a good thing." in Tarrant's voice.
You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.
You say "You are most welcome." And she finally does laugh, now. "He really is
surprised, poor man. And how could I forget? Are you free for a bit? I have
that which I would like to give you, and pausing for lunch seems like a good
idea, too." into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and says "Well -I- forgot...I am hardly going to object to the opportunity to see you love." in Tarrant's voice.
You say "I can come to you if you like? I will need a moment to extract myself from work, and then to get something from my quarters." into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and blares "Fine with me. I'm at my place." in
Tarrant's voice.
You say "All right, I will be there in a few moments." into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and announces "Wonderful, I'll be here." in
Tarrant's voice.
[Travelspam to Tarrant's room deleted.]
Corian comes lightly into the room, bearing a somewhat bulky package, wrapped in tasteful, be-confetti'd paper. "Happy birthday, cha'trez," she says, with a warm smile. "I hope it has been pleasant, so far."
Tarrant is actually standing just before the couch, having risen to be polite. He returns the smile with equal warmth, "Thank you. It has not been particularly so before, but as soon as you commed, it became wonderful."
Corianlooks rather pleased by those particular words, though there's a hint of
concern there. "I hope everything is all right? And I am glad that I was able
to make your day better." She offers the package, which is a bit heavy for
its size, and adds, "This is rather ridiculously practical, but I couldn't
resist."
Tarrant accepts the box, brows lifting a moment. "You didn't have to get me
anything, although I am by no means complaining, thank you love." He moves to
sit on the couch, "Please, have a seat." Investigating the paper he nods,
"Everything's fine. Just a new batch of research, and likely a trip offworld
in the next few days or so."
Corian perches next to you on the couch, managing not to look too disappointed
by the prospect of your trip. "I do hope that you will not have to be gone
-too- long," she replies. "And it was not a question of having to get it--I
wished to get it for you."
"A couple of days perhaps, no more." Tarrant explains, although he looks
sheepish. "Although to be honest, I'd really rather not go at all. Being here
with you's much nicer." He can't help it however, and begins tugging at the
paper.
Corian leans over to rest a hand on one of yours, though she removes it, to
avoid hindering the unwrapping. "To be honest, I would much rather have you
here. But you have to work, after all. A couple of days is not so long, in
the grand scheme of things."
Inside the box, something rather rusty-brown is revealed, though it doesn't quite seem like cloth. Further investigation will show that this is a duster, made, of course, of oilskin. The canvas has been treated so that it doesn't actually feel oily, though, instead having a texture somewhat like leather. Full-length, it will fall near to the ankles when worn. Tucked inside the coat is a liner, made of soft wool that will be warm without itching. This seems to be designed to be removeable, making the coat suitable for a variety of weather. There seems to be something in one of the oversized pockets.
Tarrant cannot help but laugh softly at the revealed present, grinning. "And now we can go out in the rain together without me making a variety of displeased remarks. It's wonderful, love. Thank you." He runs one hand lightly over the material, grinning absently. His hand hits that pocket, and he pauses, shifting the fabric aside to look inside.
Corian nods an affirmative to your words, with a quick smile. "That was what I
thought when I saw it, yes. I had hoped to find skrorg, but I believe that
there are not quite enough Edreeni here to merit its export." Her smile takes
on a hint of anticipation as you hit the pocket--inside it is a fist-sized
parcel, wrapped in bright blue tissue paper.
Tarrant can't help but hum a few bars of 'Raindrops keep falling on my head',
although he gives the package a look and then a glance to you, questioning,
as if to ask if he should open it.
Corian chuckles very quietly at the whistling. "I decided against a hat--you
seem to manage those quite well on your own." The questioning look gets a nod
in response, and a quick widening of her smile.
Tarrant nods in return, grinning absently. He tugs at the blue paper gently. "Hats are required. I just need to remember to wear mine more often."
Corian inclines her head. "If you wish to, yes. Your hat does suit you,
though--like the spurs." She falls silent to watch the unwrapping, though she
adds, a bit sheepishly, "I know this isn't especially original, but I thought
that you might like it.".
Unwrapped, the parcel is seen to be a fist-sized, oval-shaped box. Yes, it's another puzzle-box. In this case, several different types of wood have been used, though it still looks as if it has been carved from one piece, so smooth is the woodworking. Teak and rosewood and ironwood and ebony all blend together to form the box, the swirling patterns intricate and reminscent of wind and waves. It is a puzzle, it is a game, but also, obviously, it is art. Of course, the different shades of wood will make solving the puzzle easier. This is good, as there's a soft rattling when the box is shaken. The date has been inscribed on the underside of the box--Kalimbesque 7, 2804.
Tarrant cannot resist a soft whistle of awe as the small box is unwrapped, fingers carefully tracing one wood seam. "It's gorgeous, love." It's also a puzzle though, and he can't help but shift fingers to begin attempting to solve it. "Thank you, oh goodness... Can't go wrong with a puzzle."
From Corian's smile, solving the puzzle is just what she expected you to do, or
hoped, or perhaps both. "You are most welcome. Father is really quite
brilliant." She takes up a bit of the blue paper, absently folding it as she
watches you.
"He is indeed," Tarrant replies softly, as if afraid he'll spoil the beautiful
box by speaking too loudly in its presence. His fingers are deft, but
reverentially careful as they set about attempting to solve the dilemna of an
un-worked puzzle. It takes him a few moments, but at last, and with a
delighted grin, he works the puzzle to completion.
Inside the box is... another box! No, actually, it's a very small heart, about
as wide as the first joint of a pinkie finger. Appropriately enough, it is
made of purple heartwood, lovingly polished to a rich gloss. A tiny lotus has
been etched on one side.
"You already hold my heart," Corian says softly, with a smile. "And now I give
it to you again."
Tarrant is simply silent a moment, staring at the tiny thing with an awed smile. Shifting, he moves to attempt to claim a hug and hide a quiet sniffle. "Love I...I cannot find words great enough to thank you."
Corian is more than happy to return the hug, and, in fact, doesn't release you
when it ends, remaining close to you. "You already have," she replies, "When
you asked me to marry you."
You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.
Tarrant doesn't seem adverse to the concept of you staying close. Carefully he
rubs at the surface of the tiny heart with one thumb, just regarding it in
bemused wonder. "Thank you love, for everything, this has turned out to be a
wonderful birthday. I had not thought anything could top the last, but you
managed it neatly."
Corian shifts enough that you can see her face, and the smile there. "I certainly did not intend to do that, but I am glad that that is the case." After a brief pause, she adds, "I do not know how feasible it is, but... well, there is a way that we could possibly make it better still."
Tarrant's brows lift at that, and a bemused grin crosses his face. "I don't know if that's possible, but I'm more than willing to try..."
Corian, with a tentative little smile, suggests slowly, "We could get married?
There is a place on the islands that caters to marriages on short notice, and
that would be near water--though not in a tree house, I am afraid. I just...
with your trip, would there be time?"
"Okay," Tarrant replies with a delighted grin, "That would do it, yes." Not to
mention make the anniversary easy to remember, always a plus for males. "I
can make time for that, I promise."
Not to mention a plus for players. Corian looks utterly thrilled, hugging you closer for a moment. "How wonderful, thank you, cha'trez! There is paperwork, of course," she adds, "But it will not take very long to complete."
Tarrant attempts to thieve a kiss, as obviously delighted as it gets. He nods
to that, "Paperwork can be completed, then we can vanish off into the sunset
to be married. It sounds absolutely perfect."
Oh, no! A stolen kiss, Corian will just have to get it back from you.
"Perfect," she echoes softly. "It will be wonderful, cha'trez. Will you be
able to get away from work, though, really?"
"I will manage it," Tarrant nods emphatically. "If I can just have a few moments to go down and explain it in person, it can be arranged."
Corian considers for a moment, then says, with a put-upon sigh that is clearly feigned, "I -suppose- I can part with you for a few moments--but no longer."
Tarrant laughs softly, reaching up gentle fingers to brush down along your hair. "I will not be gone overly long, I promise. And if I am, you can come in there after me, they're more afraid of you than they are of me."
There's the briefest of shivers from Corian at the hair-brushing gesture, but
then she pauses a beat, puzzled. "Are they really?" she inquires. "Goodness,
that is rather odd."
Looking slightly sheepish, Tarrant pulls back his hand, murmuring a soft
apology. He nods to the question however, grinning. "They're used to
dangerous people with pointed objects, but people furious at them, that
they're not so accustomed to."
Corian makes a brief, dismissive gesture at the apology. "It is not unpleasant,
love, it just feels a bit odd. And... hmm, that is a fascinating revelation.
I will certainly have to remember it." And, briefly, she looks like the
sneaky evil woman that she is.
Tarrant stifles a quiet chuckle, shaking his head in wry amusement at the look.
"They oughta' be quaking in their boots. Shall we part ways for the moment
then? And meet at a chosen place and time so we can elope?" He pauses,
grinning a moment, "Should I bring the ladder to your window, careful that
your parents don't hear?"
Corian laughs quietly at that last. "As I do not have a window, that would
certainly be a neat trick. But, yes, meeting sounds like an excellent idea.
How long will you need, do you think?"
"I could bring a ladder and a reciprocating saw?" Tarrant suggests innocently,
"Then you could have a window?" He pauses to consider, "An hour...Ahh,
perhaps two? That way I can make sure to cover everything. How long do we
intend to be gone?"
Corian lifts a hand to her face at your first suggestion, to hide her
expression. "As you would have to cut through my neighbors' quarters, I think
that we should perhaps give that a miss. And two hours will give me time to
finish up a bit of work and take care of some of that paperwork as well. I
could locate a place for us to stay overnight, if you like? I am not certain
about your travel plans, you see."
"My travel plans be-dammned," Tarrant replies with a rueful chuckle. "This is our wedding. It's a lot more important. Overnight sounds like a good idea, give us some time to ourselves. And besides, overnight, and near water, means moonlit beaches, one of the finer inventions under this sun or any other."
Corian brightens just a bit at that. "I will make arrangements for overnight, then--I just do not wish for you to have trouble with your job."
"They won't trouble me overmuch, they'd have to find a new would-be lunatic if they did, and they don't want that." Tarrant explains with a grin. "This will be wonderful, don't worry about the little things like that."
Corian claims a final hug before she gets to her feet. "I will not worry, then," she replies, with a smile. "I will just go and make the arrangements, and let you take care of your own. So... in two hours? Where shall we meet?"
"At your quarters?" Tarrant suggests with an amused grin. "Even without a
reciprocating saw, perhaps tradition should be obeyed. I can abduct you even
without ladder or window."
Corian inclines her head to that, a gleam of amused anticipation in her eyes. "I will await my abduction, then, cha'trez. Until then." She's given you official permission to abduct her, foolish woman. She doesn't seem to realize her peril, though--just a little peril!--as she heads for the exit.
You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.
"Until then, my life's star, until then." Tarrant climbs to his feet as you leave, bowing in a florid fashion with an impish grin.
Corian, with a beam more suited to a sun than to a star, returns the bow, then
ducks out of the room to start making arrangements.