Magical Bonds

@ BearGirl

Esther frowned as she listened to him, opening her mouth to say something before he started to walk away. He hesitated, looking at the maid worriedly for a moment before rushing after him, taking his hand to stop him, looking up at him with worried eyes.

"I... I love you too." she murmured softly, giving his hand a worried squeeze as she blushed brightly, glancing nervously back toward the maid who was waiting for her. "I'm sorry.. About everything.." She repeated guiltily, releasing his hand to turn to go back to the maid, feeling bad about causing such a big mess. But she felt it had been important for him to know that she'd heard what he'd said earlier and not only believed him but that she also returned those feelings.

@ katahdin

The man took a moment to watch Esther walk off before he turned and headed to his own room. Esther's words were repeating in his head, trying to decide how much the girl meant it - or if she was just saying it because he saved her from her brother. Only time would be able to tell but Blaise did hope that it was true. He had liked her for some time now so he wanted it to be the case.

After a very long shower and some food, Blaise made his way to his family. It was important for them to know what had occurred just a few hours ago. They were going to need to prepare for the attack that was sure to occur. There was no doubt that they would be furious but Blaise also believed that they would understand once everything was on the table.

@ BearGirl

Esther followed the maid to a spare room where she was able to take a long bath and change her clothes, although she was unsure where the maid had gotten the clean clothes from, or what she did with her dirty ones. She was happy to sit and relax in the tub for an hour or so as it felt nice on all of her bruises and burns, but eventually she climbed out and dressed, braiding her hair quickly before she snuck downstairs while the maid was gone, making her way to his family's greenhouse, that being the only room beside Blaise's study that she was really familiar with.

She hoped that Blaise understood that she had meant what she said about loving him, just like she hoped he'd meant it when he killed her brother, although she kind of knew he wouldn't have done it if he hadn't. She took a seat on the floor in her favorite part of the greenhouse, the floor covered in moss and ferns, and it was the perfect spot to lay down and hide when she wanted to think, staring up through the fronds at the plants above, although her feet often stuck out into the path nearby which gave away where she was.

She tried to wrap her brain around what had happened. She wondered what was going to happen with her apartment. Would she get her plants and her clothes back? What about the little business she'd set up for herself? Would she see her little knick knacks and souvenirs again? All of the little gifts and pictures Blaise had given her and taken with her over the past year when they'd been hanging out? She'd hate to lose everything, especially the things she loved.

@ katahdin

It was a long conversation with his parents before Blaise was able to leave and go up to his room. At first they were furious over what he had done. It really did seem like he had made a bunch of decisions that only an idiot would make. Though, as he began to explain more of it, giving them more details on the situation and how he felt towards Esther, they started to become quiet and calm. That was also a bit... odd but it seemed better than the anger. By the end, they seemed exhausted but willing to work with both Esther and himself. They were on his side, they always would be.

Blaise then headed up to his bedroom to sleep for as long as he possibly could. His mother had given him some magical tea to help him calm down, so it wasn't long before Blaise was out of it for the rest of the day. Only until late morning did Blaise get up on his feet and start looking around for Esther. They really did need to talk and now he felt like he had his head on straight enough to do so.

@ BearGirl

Esther had fallen asleep in the greenhouse the night before, having not been able to remember the way back to the room the maid had showed her, besides feeling more at ease surrounded by the plants. It wasn't the best sleep she'd ever gotten, and she was rather sore, but it was better than nothing. Even if she had slept in a bed, her dreams still would have been filled with her brother hurting and threatening her, the nightmares having interupted her sleep quite a few times.

By the time he came looking for her she was awake and sitting up, her head and the tops of her shoulders visible through the ferns as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. There were a few bits of moss and foliage stuck in her hair that she didn't seem to notice or care about, and she looked rather exhausted despite sleeping about as long as he had. When she heard someone coming she instinctively ducked back down to hide under the ferns, although her feet were still visible out on the path and the ferns swayed a bit whenever she moved.

@ katahdin

Blaise stopped as he saw the feet from the path in the greenhouse. He raised an eyebrow before heading closer and pushing the ferns apartment. His eyes landed on Esther, who looked like she had fallen asleep there. "Did you sleep here?" He asked, his head tilting a bit as he did so. He was hoping that the girl did not, as they did have extra bedrooms and areas that were much more comfortable than the greenhouse.

He reached a hand out, offering to assist Esther up onto her feet. "I would like to talk to you now. Is that okay?" Blaise asked her softly, his head down a bit. It would be understandable if she didn't, or if she was mad at him or scared. After all, Blaise had killed her brother. It was in order to protect her, but nonetheless, it would make sense.

@ BearGirl

Esther looked up at Blaise sheepishly when he pushed back the ferns, nodding a little when he asked if she'd slept here. "Yes.. I was feeling anxious so I came here to calm down, and by the time I was tired enough to sleep I couldn't remember the way back to the room the maid had shown me too, and I didn't know where anywhere else was, so I just stayed here.." she admitted softly, taking his hand when he offered it and stood, brushing the dirt from her pants, looking up at him when he asked if she wanted to talk now, nodding a little.

"Yeah, that's fine.." she murmured softly, hesitantly stepping toward nervously when she noticed how he was acting, wrapping her arms around him in a hug, tucking her face into his chest. "..I'm not upset with you, Blaise... It's all my fault, please don't be mad at yourself, be mad at me for putting you in that situation.." She knew he wasn't really big on physical affection, or affection of any kind, really, but she didn't know how else to comfort him or show him that she wasn't angry, and she figured that if he didn't want her hugging him he'd let her know.

@ katahdin

Blaise's body started to relax as she wrapped her arms around him. The man hesitated for a few moments before slowly wrapping his arms around her, pulling her close to him. He closed his eyes and laid his head on top of her. Despite having slept for a while, he had still been feeling worn down. But hearing Esther tell him that meant it a lot. It calmed his soul quite a bit.

"I am not mad at you and I am not going to be mad at you either." He whispered to her after letting out a small sigh. Blaise's arms wrapped around her tighter, pulling her in more so before continuing on. "I was just scared that you would be upset or would look at my different. I... I know that this was probably not what you wanted but it wasn't what I wanted either. I just wanted to keep you safe and I didn't know how else to do it."

@ BearGirl

Esther was a bit surprised as he not only wrapped his arms around her but pulled her closer, letting out a little sigh of relief as her arms tightened around him a bit tighter. She nestled her head in against his chest comfortably as he rested his head over hers, her fingers lightly gripping his shirt as she listened to him speak, relieved that he wasn't mad at her. She looked up at him as he continued, shaking her head a little as she shifted a bit in her arms so she could rest a hand against his cheek reassuringly.

"I wouldn't think differently of you.. It was my fault you were in that situation, it wasn't fair of me to put you in that position.." she let out a little sigh, moving her hand to rest it against his chest as she tucked her head back into his chest. "... You shouldn't have done it.. I'm glad that you did, but you shouldn't have done it.." she murmured softly.

@ katahdin

"It wasn't an option for me. I knew I had to do it. It was either his life or yours and I wasn't going to let it be yours." Blaise whispered as he held onto her tighter. He knew that he was probably hugging her a bit too hard now, maybe even to the point where it was a little difficult for Esther to breathe. Though he had just been so scared of losing her that it was too hard to lighten up or to let go.

The man stayed like that for a couple of minutes before he finally released Esther. He had needed that moment to calm down, to find his balance again. Blaise let out a small breath of air as his hands slid down and moved onto her arms, still holding her but now having some room in between them. "There is still a lot we need to talk about." Blaise whispered to her. "We should go sit down somewhere... maybe get something to eat from the kitchen."

@ BearGirl

Esther was having a tiny bit of trouble breathing as he squeezed her in his arms, but she wasn't about to say anything about it, not after how worried he'd been about her. Her arms moved to wrap around his neck tightly as he pulled her closer, tucking her face into the crook of his neck after pressing a small kiss to his cheek. "I know, and it's alright, we're both safe now." She reassured, holding onto him tightly.

She slowly released him when he moved back, looking up at him worriedly to make sure that he was alright, nodding a little when he told her that they needed to talk, giving his hands a gentle squeeze. "Alright.. That sounds ok.." she murmured, still a bit nervous about what he wanted to talk about."

@ katahdin

Blaise slid an arm around her waist loosely before he started to lead her to the kitchen. Once there, he got one of their servants to cook the two of them breakfast. Just something easy and quick. As the plates were finished, Blaise picked them up and lead Esther to a small dining room. It was a round dining table, only big enough for five. He set the plates down before sitting down in a chair across from Esther.

The man took a few bites of his food before clearing his throat and starting to speak. "I spoke to my parents about what happened last night. They aren't too thrilled about what occurred last night." He told her. "But after I explained everything, they understood. And they are preparing for what is sure to come, a retaliation from your parents.... That being said, it is important that we all get ready, including you... my parents would also like to meet you. It is a formal request but at this point, you can't really deny them that. They want to have dinner with you tonight."

@ BearGirl

Esther blushed as he wrapped his arm around her waist while they walked to the kitchen, her heart beating wildly in her chest. Once seated she quickly dug into her meal, having not eaten much at dinner the night before. She looked up when he began to speak, frowning nervously as he spoke about his parents and their reaction to the news that their son had started a war because of her, her eyes widening a bit and the poor girl nearly choking on her mouthful of eggs when he mentioned that they wanted to meet with her.

"They want to meet me..? Are you sure that they're not mad? That they're not just going to give me to my parents and tell them it was me who killed my brother and not you? Because that's what I would do in their situation.." she frowned, looking around the little dining room, wondering how many other rooms in his house she'd get to see.

@ katahdin
"I am sure that they aren't angry," Blaise reassured her, a little frown growing along his features. "They are not going to give you back to your parents. They aren't going to lie about who killed your brother. They are not going to sell you out. My family is not like that. I told them what happened and I asked them for help. They were willing to give it. We all knew that this war was going to happen once the truce was dissolved, we just didn't know when or how. Now we know that and we have to move forward."

The man glanced down at his meal and took a few bites before he continued on. "It really won't be as bad as you are thinking. They just want you meet you, that is all. And they want to ask you a couple of questions that will help us win the war in the end." Blaise looked up at Esther, curious to see her reaction. 

@ BearGirl

Esther frowned a little as he spoke but nodded, feeling better knowing that they weren't angry with her and weren't going to sell her out to her family. That was the last thing she wanted. Her frowned deepened though and she gave him a worried look when he mentioned wanting to question her to help them win the war he was talking about, setting her fork down as she looked at him.

"What do you mean..? What kind of questions?" She asked worriedly. If the questions would help them win this war he was talking about she doubted they were going to be asking her about her favorite color or what she did for work.

@ katahdin
"Just questions about your parents. I can see that you are worrying but I assure you there is nothing to worry about. They just want to meet you and understand your family better so we can win. My family needs to win this and you need us to win it as well." Blaise glanced over at her for a moment before his attention moved back to the food in front of him. 

It was clear that Esther was beginning to panic a bit about the dinner tonight. Though he wished she wouldn't. He knew that things were going to be fine. His family just wanted to meet her, and ask some questions. They were reasonable people and this wasn't going to be an interrogation or anything similar. They should be kind to her and give Esther the space that she needed if she got overwhelmed for any reason. 

@ BearGirl

Esther frowned a bit as he spoke, grabbing her fork again to eat a few more bites before she looked at him again. "What does winning mean, Blaise?" She asked hesitantly, worried she already knew what the answer would be. More than likely winning meant that the rest of her family would end up dead, but that didn't sit well with her. Her father and her brother were the worst offenders, but her mother and her little sister weren't bad people, they were just terrified of her father and so they did what he ordered. They didn't deserve to die.

She shook her head a little after a moment, deciding that she should probably change the subject. "If I'm having dinner with your parents, I should probably go to the apartment and get a nice change of clothes... If I can, that is.." she asked, looking across the table at him.

@ katahdin

Blaise was quiet for a long moment at both of her questions. He didn't really want to answer either of them, as he was sure that the full true answers would upset her. So, instead, Blaise cleared his throat a bit before giving her the best response without getting himself into a world of trouble. "There are several ways to win the war, but the most likely ones are either your family surrendering or dying. Do you think it is likely that any of them would surrender?" He asked her. Blaise doubted that her father would, from what he heard of him. Though he knew little of her sister and mother. It was possible that were more reasonable but they were fire types still...

He then continued on. "All of your things have been brought here. You can't go back to the apartment while they're trying to hunt you." It was the truth. Blaise did get all of her things brought to the house. But the man didn't want to tell her that he had already sold the apartment.

@ BearGirl

Esther nodded a little when he finally spoke, biting her lip in thought. "My father would never surrender.. Especially not to your family. But my mother is only a Pruitt by marriage, and little sister doesn't even have her powers yet, it wouldn't be fair to hurt them just because they have my last name and a different magic.." she frowned as she looked at him. "I.. I know you and your family hate my family because of their magic, but just because they have Fire magic doesn't mean they should die. What if you and I had a child and they had Fire magic, would you kill them?" She asked with a little frown. She knew it was silly to bring up them having children, but she wanted to make a point. Possessing Fire magic didn't make someone inherently bad.

She was relieved to hear that her stuff was already here, glad that she wouldn't have to go all the way across town to get it, although she wondered how he'd gotten everything here so quickly, and hadn't left the non-essentials at the apartment. "Oh, thank you for bringing it.. But you didn't have to bring everything here, I don't want to impose and have my stuff cluttering up your house."

@ katahdin

"My family and I don't want to have to kill anyone if we can avoid it." Blaise told her. "But we will if it is a them vs us scenario. But if you think that your mother and sister will surrender, then we will work something out with them." The man then proceeded to let out a sigh as he shook his head. "For us, this is not about the type of magic they have. It is about who they are and what they did to our family. I think fire users are hot headed and their need to fight constantly is exhausting. But I understand their importance in our society. All magics have a use. Would your family say the same? Also, you shouldn't be bringing in our imaginary children into this."

Blaise stood up from the table, picking up his plate. If he was honest, he was beginning to get a bit annoyed with Esther's assumption. His family was nothing like hers. "You won't be able to go back to the apartment so I wanted to make sure you had everything." He told her, keeping his voice soft. He was feeling bad about his rather rash decision, it wasn't like him to do so. Though he had been trying to avoid a fight with her family, which was now happening anyways.