parasol-perfectionist-blog

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

dulcefraudator

Gaius carefully considered all that Maribelle had to say. Of course she had a point, when did she not? She was a very intelligent woman; while Gaius already knew all this, it still served as a reminder to him to remain vigilant. Despite the fact they were in Ferox, anything could happen at a moment’s notice.

Wordlessly, Gaius pulled his beloved into a tight hug. He swayed on the spot for a moment, simply trying to calm Maribelle down. When he felt she’d been sufficiently calmed, the Ylissean thief’s lips would move to pepper her face in soft kisses.

“Hey,” he said. When he had her attention, he offered her a reassuring smile. “You’re forgetting something, Twinkles. The crimes we committed happened on Ylissean soil, and we just so happen to be good friends with Chrom and Lissa. If they got wind of what was happenin’ to us, I don’t doubt they’d swoop in and save us. On top of that, we got the Feroxi clan around us. They’re descended from Barbarians, if memory serves me right.”

Soothingly, Gaius’ hand rubbed at Maribelle’s back.

“Easy does it, Twinkles… we can sit here worrying about ‘what-if’ situations, but the fact is, we’re not livin’ in the future; we’re living in the present.”

He stopped rubbing her back momentarily to heave a sigh.

“I won’t deny things are bleak, but we also got plenty on our side. Besides, Maribelle, if I left you to be Theodore’s wife, you’d have been dead by now. Havin’ my kid while married to a noble like him would’ve put you on the chopping block. I don’t see a point in living if you’re not with me, to put it frankly.”

She blinked when Gaius pulled her close, a bit taken aback by his kisses. She listened to him quietly, resting her head on his shoulder again as he spoke. Admittedly, she started to calm down rather quickly as he soothed her.

Maribelle let out another sigh, closing her eyes for a moment. “..I just pray that things will get better... I don’t want our child to be afraid and carry our burden. That’s not something they should have to deal with.”

She pulled back slightly, looking to the side for a few moments. She opened her mouth to say something else, but paused, her expression suddenly changing. She seemed stunned, placing a hand slowly over her stomach. After a few more moments, she looked up at Gaius, excited.

“A kick-- I-I think I felt a kick!” Maribelle smiled, using her free hand to take hold of one of his. “Gaius-- there it was again-- Gaius, they’re kicking!”

It seemed as though suddenly all her worries had slipped away, now that there was something else for her to focus on. After a few more moments, she pulled Gaius’ hand over to rest on her abdomen, watching him expectantly. “Can you feel it?”

Counting Down the Days - Gaius & Maribelle

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

❥ It had been months since Gaius was last home. Almost immediately after setting foot in their shared room, the thief grabbed Maribelle and placed a hot, demanding kiss upon her lips. His fingers were coarse and his grip was hard upon her thighs, as if he was hungry to have more of her. "Take it off," he growled against her lips as he pulled impatiently at her blouse.

In Gaius’ absence, Maribelle often found herself cleaning or doing other little chores in order to keep her mind busy. She’d been in the process of folding some clothes when she’d heard him come in. She’d turned, ready to greet him, only to be surprised by a passionate kiss. She moved her arms around his shoulders automatically.

She couldn’t help the grin that formed from his demand. She moved to gently grasp his chin, pulling back slightly to look at him.

“Now, that’s no way to treat a lady...” She teased, keeping her grin as she pulled him back for another kiss. She took advantage of how he was clinging to her so she could back up and lead him toward the bed. She let herself fall back once they made it there, pulling the thief down with her. She pulled away from the kiss again, enough to quip something else.

“Though you’re lucky I don’t feel like playing the part today.”

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

dulcefraudator

Gaius didn’t remark on Maribelle’s comment about the cradle. Instead, the thief leaned down to press a soft kiss to Maribelle’s lips, hoping that this would be enough to calm her. When he felt she had relaxed slightly in his grip, the thief would then lay his forehead against her own and gaze into her eyes.

“…You mind tellin’ me what’s really on your mind, Twinkles?” he murmured, “I know you’re hiding something. Did something happen at the marketplace?” The idea that they’d been found remained at the forefront of his mind.

His fingers entangled themselves in Maribelle’s own and he began to sway with her in his grip.

“Talk to me, angel. I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong.” He hoped that his plea would be enough to get Maribelle to open up to him. If his initial suspicious were correct, then Gaius felt he’d need to find someplace new for his growing family to live; he wasn’t about to subject them to the dangers of noble society.

Maribelle let out a sigh, moving to rest her head on Gaius’ shoulder.

“It’s not really anything of substance, darling...” She turned her gaze back to the floor, shaking her head slightly as she continued. “Lon’qu was frustrated with how lax we were, I suppose. As he said, there could be someone there at any moment, ready to strike us down.”

She pulled away from Gaius then, running a hand through her hair. “He’s right, I know, though I also know there’s some truth to what Olivia has told us as well... All the worrying and stress no longer affects just us anymore but... How can we not worry?”

Maribelle sniffed, staring down at her hands as she tightly gripped part of her dress. “We’re fugitives. Wanted. Ferox may be strong and safe, but only to an extent. And while it’s wonderful that we can finally be together, there’s still no less strain upon us. We have to watch our every move. Stay hidden yet still somehow find a way to provide for our future-- But what future would a child of ours have where they have to hide from the start? No one could know who they are, lest it put them in danger as well. And we can only reach out to our companions so much. What happens when they start to build their own lives? Start to raise their own children? What--”

Maribele flinched suddenly, stopping her rambling as she blinked and focused her gaze again. At some point in her rambling, her hand had slipped from her dress and she had instead dug her nails into her palms. The sting had startled her and brought her back to reality for a moment, where she felt tears rolling down her face.

She sniffed again, shaking her head slowly. “It just seems we’re always going to be in fear. And because of our circumstance, our child will suffer from it as well. That’s not fair to them...But we don’t have a choice...”

Counting Down the Days - Gaius & Maribelle

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

dulcefraudator

Gaius only wordlessly stared back at Maribelle. He didn’t believe her for a second and part of him worried that Maribelle had been in altercation and refused to tell him so as to not set him off. Regardless, he promised himself to drill her about it later on once they were home.

“Right, if you say so,” he replied. His eyes were filled with uncertainty and muddled with worry. If they’d been found, it would mean certain death for them both… provided the Feroxi clan were put away with, first.

Looking to Olivia, Gaius pulled his hand from Maribelle’s cheek, giving a brusque nod when Olivia voiced her opinion.

“I’ll help. I don’t think I’d want you to bother yourself with that, babe, so leave it to Mr Super Swordsman here and me.” Glancing to Lon’qu, he noted the man’s rigid posture. Gods, whatever these three were keeping from him did little to ease his anxieties.

Pulling away from his lover, Gaius headed to the crib along with his friend. The two men easily lifted it as the two women followed from behind. The trrek to their cabin wouldn’t take too long, but they would be hindered by the cradle they held.

Little did they know a pair of eyes watched the two from a shadowy corner in the marketplace…

Maribelle tried to relax on the walk back to the cabin, but the lack of conversation in the cold made it so her mind was running wild. Thankfully, the journey wasn’t too long and they were back home.

She shuffled inside and watched the two men try to find a good place to set the cradle. Once it was somewhere decent, the pair bid farewell to their friends. Olivia lingered for a moment before taking her leave with Lon’qu, shutting the door firmly behind them.

As soon as the two were gone, Maribelle let out a sigh, fidgeting with the buttons on her cloak so she could hang it and head over to sit on the bed. They hadn’t been gone long, but she felt drained.

Her gaze had been fixed on a spot on the floor until she saw Gaius approach her and looked up. She glanced over to where the crib had been set down, absently commenting on it. “It fits the room well. I think we made a good choice.”

Counting Down the Days - Gaius & Maribelle

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

dulcefraudator

When he saw the trio approaching empty handed, he felt apprehensive. He didn’t know why Maribelle hadn’t shopped to her heart’s content; had something happened? Immediately, he felt ice settle into his stomach at the idea that they’d been found out.

Pushing away from the chair he sat in, Gaius hurriedly approached Maribelle before pulling her into his grip. His hand cupped around her cheek as his sharp eyes betrayed the panic that lurked behind them.

“You alright?” he asked. Looking up to Lon’qu, he waited for an explanation. When the swordsman gave none and instead shifted awkwardly on his feet, Gaius turned to Olivia. “We’re not in danger, are we? Look, if it’s too much trouble, me and Twinkles here can leave. I reckon Blue and Princess wouldn’t mind givin’ us a place to stay.”

Then he noticed Olivia throwing a look at Lon’qu, causing Gaius to falter in his words. Had something happened between them?

“Er…” Looking back and forth between his friends, he asked, “am I intrudin’ on anything?” Still, that didn’t explain Maribelle’s sullen look. The trio had barely been gone for even ten minutes until they sauntered back to him.

Looking back to Maribelle, he looked for any sign that she’d been harmed. To say Gaius was a doting lover would be an understatement; he cared more for Maribelle than he did for anyone else in his life.

Maribelle almost visibly jumped when Gaius rushed toward her, blinking when he started rattling on. When he was finally done talking she reached up to place her hand over his, smiling softly, though it didn’t reach her eyes. 

“I’m alright, darling, just tired...”

Olivia patted her shoulder gently, giving Lon’qu another look before turning her gaze to Gaius. “Everything’s fine. We should bring the crib back to your cottage so you two can relax.” The dancer shook her head slightly before her expression turned more serious. “All this stress isn’t good for anyone. And it’s even more important that you be careful with a child on the way. I know it’s difficult with all you’ve been through, but we promised to keep you safe here in Ferox. You need to think about what’s ahead, and how to prepare for what’s certain, rather than worry over countless possibilities.”

She let her hand fall from Maribelle’s shoulder, looking over to Lon’qu now. “We’ve been through war together... And I feel we should all have a little more faith in one another. Yes, there could be enemies at any turn, but that doesn’t mean they’ll get the best of us so easily.”

Counting Down the Days - Gaius & Maribelle

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

dulcefraudator

Gaius tried to smile in response to Maribelle’s soft chiding, though it admittedly looked strained. His eyes lingered on her form when she turned and had Olivia lead the way through the masses. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Lon’qu making to follow them as well, albeit from a sizable distance.

With a sigh, the Ylissean thief crossed his arms and took a seat upon one of the many chairs that lined the hall. He supposed he could force himself to remain calm; what chance did any of their enemies have of finding them in a nation as strong as Ferox’s?

Meanwhile, Lon’qu awkwardly tagged along the two women as they shopped for baby accessories. The blush on his face never left and every time Olivia came forward to show him booties or something similar, he would hurriedly scamper backward. He blamed Gaius for putting him in this predicament.

“Do not be so lax!” he chided the women, “there is no telling who might be around the corner looking to assassinate you.” Even now, Lon’qu found it prudent to be rude and unapproachable. He couldn’t help the fact women put him on edge, especially when he had to act as a personal bodyguard.

Maribelle followed Olivia, though she was a bit reluctant to leave Gaius. Her mind was plagued with worries as they walked, though as Olivia showed her a stand that had tiny accessories for a baby, they faded away for a moment.

She chuckled as Olivia excitedly showed Lon’qu some of the things that they were finding, glad that she was trying to keep him included. Maribelle had been inspecting a tiny hat when she heard Lon’qu snap at them. Looking up, she saw Olivia’s expression fall. The dancer faltered for a moment before glowering at the swordsman, turning away and returning to Maribelle’s side.

After a few moments of silence, Olivia shook her head and gave a sigh. “Don’t mind him.” She looked up, managing to give a small smile. “There’s no use in being stressed all the time... It’s true that there’s potential danger, but it’s not healthy to constantly worry.”

Maribelle took a deep breath, smiling back at her friend. “I know. But with all that’s happened, it’s still hard to keep myself from getting worked up...”

She sighed, setting down the hat she’d been holding. While getting out of the house was nice, she suddenly felt like that was the only place she wanted to be-- hidden away from the rest of the world.

“Let’s go. I don’t want to keep Gaius waiting too long.” She saw Olivia’s frown as she turned away, but the dancer still put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, leading her back the way they came, and almost making a point to ignore Lon’qu on the way back. 

Counting Down the Days - Gaius & Maribelle

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

My muse is feeling touch-starved.

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

dulcefraudator

At Maribelle’s teasing comment, Gaius would laugh loudly at Lon’qu’s expense, causing the Myrmidon to go red and bark, “BE QUIET! Nobody asked you!” Turning back to Maribelle, Lon’qu struggled to choke out, “t-that’s… I didn’t say you are not capable of doing things. However, brute force does not fit a woman of your st-station.”

“Crivens, Mr Super Swordsman. Keep talkin’ and I might mistake you for a ladies man,” Gaius quipped sarcastically. At this, Lon’qu whipped his head back in the direction of Gaius only to glower balefully at his friend. However, Gaius ignored the swordsman to instead focus on Maribelle and Olivia.

A frown spread across his face, though he tried to keep his expression unreadable when Maribelle turned around to ask if he would be alright with his letting her shop on her own. Truthfully, he didn’t like the idea one bit; there was no telling if there were any spies in the throngs of people. Maribelle was unarmed, and on top of that, she was pregnant. He didn’t want her to get into an altercation should it arise.

“…Tell you what, Twinkles. You take Lon’qu here with you two.” At her expression, Gaius sighed and muttered, “please, Maribelle. You don’t see me beggin’ often, but… it’ll help keep me happy.” He didn’t want to elude to the idea that the pair might be watched.

“Hmm? You do not trust the Feroxi to keep her safe?” Lon’qu spoke up, raising a brow at his redheaded friend.

“Not a question if I don’t trust you lot. I don’t trust the saps back home, though. Who knows who we can trust out here? I’d feel better if she had you tailin’ her from a distance. Look, I’ll make it up to you in someway, Lon’qu, but–”

“Save your breath. I already told you, a warrior’s honor is insulted the moment you bring up payment.” But with a sigh, Lon’qu dropped what he was doing and made to get closer to Maribelle and Olivia… which was hardly close at all.

“Right, I appreciate it.” Green eyes looking back to his beloved, Gaius gave Maribelle an uneasy smile before saying, “just keep your wits about you. Get what you need and I’ll be right here waitin’ for you three to come back.”

Maribelle chuckled at Lon’qu, who’d turned about as red as Gaius’ hair. “I appreciate the sentiment, though I’m not sure the station you speak of holds anymore, even if it meant something here to begin with...” Her expression faltered for a moment, turning more solemn, shaking it off and turning to Gaius when he spoke up.

She faltered again at his suggestion, frowning. Though as he continued, she figured it would be best not to protest. She continued to listen to the exchange between the two men and gave a sigh. It made sense to continue to be cautious when they were out like this. They may no longer be in Ylisse, but that didn’t mean someone couldn’t come find them.

“I suppose that’s alright... We won’t be long then. I’m sure Olivia knows exactly where to go.” When the dancer nodded in response, Maribelle smiled back at Gaius, reaching out to hold his hand for a moment. “It’ll all be okay, darling. I’m sure this would be the last place they’d think to look for us.”

She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze before letting go and turning back to Olivia, gesturing to her to lead the way.

Counting Down the Days - Gaius & Maribelle

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

dulcefraudator

“Heh, you know I’m only kidding around, baby. No need to worry about it.” With that said, Gaius gave the dancer a teasing wink, earning a soft sigh from the myrmidon nearby. He knew Lon’qu didn’t always approve of Gaius’ swashbuckling personality, but he also knew the swordsman didn’t resent him for it.

“Hmph, Olivia speaks truth. We volunteered, but rest assured, we have no desire to hang onto your every word.” Chancing a look to Maribelle, Lon’qu visibly tensed before choking out, “O-Olivia is right… once the child is born, you would… do well to keep it swaddled at all hours of the day.”

“Right, duly noted, Mr Super Swordsman. Crivens, you look as if you wouldn’t mind if the ground swallowed you whole,” Gaius quipped nonchalantly. Before Lon’qu could snap back a retort, Gaius turned on his heel to address Maribelle when she pulled on his sleeve.

Looking to his beloved, he followed her gaze to another cradle. He drank in the simple design and muted colors before he felt a smile slowly spread across his face. It was perfect, and it suited the warm colors of their own home rather well. Besides, this one looked as if it could fight off the biting cold better than the sleek one they had eyed previously.

Glancing to the merchant, Gaius pointed at the cradle and asked, “how much?”

The woman looked over her shoulder, giving a smile as she headed over to the couple. Eyes focusing on the bump in Maribelle’s coat, she said, “first child, aye? As for price… two thousand bullion. But… I’ll give a discount just this once for the pair of ye. Good friends of the Khans, eh? One thousand for you both.”

“Wouldn’t say good friends, but… you got yourself a deal.” Fishing in his pocket, Gaius extracted the money and handed it to her.

When the sale was final, Lon’qu approached the couple with Olivia, remarking, “right. In that case, you and I will bring it back to your home. Olivia will keep Maribelle company, I see no reason to involve women in activities like this. You could also stand to make yourself useful, Gaius.”

“Tch, ever the gentleman, huh? Well, guess I can’t argue with that,” Gaius replied easily.

Maribelle smiled warmly at the merchant when she approached. Since she was showing more now, she still wasn’t quite used to the way other people looked at her. Sure, she was no stranger to attention being a noble daughter, but that usually got her either looks of admiration or disgust depending on the person. Now, where people barely knew who she was, they just looked at her warmly and wished her well. For a moment she wondered how her father would feel, and how he might have looked at her now.

She quickly pulled herself out of her thoughts, catching the end of the transaction and watching Lon’qu approach. She couldn’t help but chuckle at his comments.

“Oh, dear, how chivalrous. While I’m sure our dear Olivia can pull her own weight, I’m glad you’ve left her with me rather than drag her along for the heavy work.” She kept a light, teasing tone to her voice. While she watched Lon’qu fluster a bit from her simply talking to him, she noticed she’d gained a small smiled from the dancer out of the corner of her eye.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll find something useful to do ourselves.” Maribelle quipped as she glanced at Gaius, reaching over to hold his hand for a moment and squeeze it.

Suddenly, Olivia perked up. “Oh, yes! Maribelle, we can look at baby clothes-- I don’t think there’s much here today, but I’m sure we’ll find something nice. I’ve been trying to figure out a gift, anyway. I suppose getting something to help start you off would be good.”

“Well, I suppose I’ll have you lead the way then, my friend. I’m still not quite sure how all is organized here at your market. I’m sure you could also point me toward where to find some decent yarn or fabric-- I need to make a hat for Gaius.”

Olivia’s immediate response was “Of course!” and then suddenly the two women were off in their own world, chatting away to each other for a moment. After a bit, Maribelle paused to look back at Gaius.

“Will you be alright, darling? Is there anything else we should look for before you two get ready to go? Are there things I should find? Or should I simply leave the groceries up to you. I must admit, you know quite a bit more than I do when it comes to culinary arts...”

Counting Down the Days - Gaius & Maribelle

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

I dare you to make my muse happy.

The “break my muse” stuff gets old. Make them smile.

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

dulcefraudator

He couldn’t help the amused snort that blew past him. Stepping up to the cradle with Maribelle by his side, Gaius’ green eyes toured the slim design and rather posh looking exterior. Inside, he noted the plush pillows and sheets that lined it.

“Huh. You sure about this, Twinkles? Well, unless you can find another, then sure.” He didn’t want to think about the price of this item; it looked fancy enough to decorate the interior of noble houses.

Casting his gaze to her belly that protruded against her cloak, he felt a small smile pull at his lips. They were going to be a family, and even now, Gaius found it hard to believe this was his life now. What did he do to deserve one as loving as Maribelle?

His hand moved to trail along her cheek.

“Tell you what: you pick out somethin’ for our kid and I’ll find us a quilt and a few groceries. How’s that sound, beautiful?” he said.

“Hmph, and you’re going to leave her to her own devices, then?” a brusque voice spoke up. When Gaius looked away from Maribelle, he noticed Lon’qu and Olivia approaching the pair.

“Crivens, spying on us now, Mr Super Swordsman?” Gaius quipped sarcastically.

“Don’t flatter yourself. I have orders from the Khans to keep my eye on you two. You’re fugitives–Flavia and Basilio would rather not have anything happen to you both.”

“Right,” Gaius replied, “I’m well aware, thanks. Didn’t think we needed an overbearing babysitter, yet here we are, eh?”

Before Maribelle could respond, she was interrupted by a familiar voice. She blinked and turned to the pair that approachd them, smiling at Olivia. For a moment, she didn’t quite recognize the other woman, as she was in a more casual attire rather than her usual costume.

At Gaius’ comment, Olivia shifted slightly, folding her arms over her stomach as she glanced to the side. “I wouldn’t say we’re overbearing, just checking in... And at least the khans assigned the task to us-- not that we didn’t volunteer to begin with, but it could be worse.”

Maribelle chuckled at her friend before giving a slight not. “That’s true... We’re very lucky the khans were so willing to help. Had it not been for their kindness, I’ve no doubt we’d still be on the run...” She sighed, turning her attention back to the quilts and cradles she and Gaius had been looking at.

Shifting her weight again, Olivia moved to stand by Maribelle, glancing over the wares with her. “Oh, right, you must be preparing for your new arrival already... There’s quite a selection, isn’t there?” The dancer smiled, looking at the couple. “Just make sure you keep them plenty warm. I know it’s a given, but it’s also much easier for babies to get cold since they’re so small... Many Feroxi women don’t even bring their child out of the home for at least a few months, you know.”

“Noted.” Muttered Maribelle absently, pulling on Gaius’ sleeve as she spotted a cradle that intrigued her. It was a much more simple one, with darker blankets inside. It seemed as if there was even a tiny quilt. How quaint.

“What do you think of that one, darling? I don’t know much about cradles, but that one looks sturdy and warm, at least.” She paused. “Cozy...” The word was more of a whisper this time, and she looked lost in thought for a moment.

Counting Down the Days - Gaius & Maribelle

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

dulcefraudator

“Muh? N-new merchants, eh? W-well, why not? So long as they got some new sweets, I’m all over the idea, Twinkles.” Rounding a corner, Gaius ventured into the looming fortress with Maribelle’s hand on his arm. “And a hat? Heh, not sure it’ll help m-much in this weather, but it’ll be something.”

Once they had stepped foot into the Feroxi fortress, Gaius’ green eyes combed the bustling marketplace. In his mind, he went through the things they needed while trying to ignore the delicious aromas wafting towards him from the neighboring stands. Chocolates, baked goods, fruity drinks… gods, it was almost too much to handle.

Pulling Maribelle by her hand, the thief moved past the throngs of people, coming to a vendor who sold heavy quilts and other necessities to fight off the bitter cold.

“Take a gander at these, Twinkles.” Fishing in his pocket, he extracted the bullion he’d earned from his odd jobs around the realm. As he made to ask the vendor about a warm quilt hanging behind the stand, his eye suddenly caught the sight of frills. When he turned, he noticed that the item in question was a cradle.

He grimaced. Gods, they were expecting their first child in only a few months and it hadn’t occurred to him to stock up on things for the newborn. Had he really been so excited to spend his earnings on sweets when there were more pressing matters at hand?

“Hey, angel. How about that over there?” he asked, jutting his chin out towards the frilly ensemble.

“Well, you know quite a bit of heat escapes the body through your head, right? Besides, it could help to protect your ears...”

Her attention was pulled away by the bustling of the fortress. Despite her many visits to the place, she was still amazed by its size. She glanced at the different stands they passed as Gaius lead her to look at some quilts.

“Oh, they’re all rather lovely...” Maribelle had never really had a quilt before, as they were never necessary in Ylisse’s warmer climate. Something so heavy wasn’t even needed in their winter, so she wasn’t quite sure how to pick one out.

She blinked and glanced back up when Gaius directed her attention to what had caught his eye. It took her a moment to find it, but her gaze soon landed on the cradle as well. Absently placing a hand on her stomach, she muttered. “Oh, that’s precious...”

Maribelle turned back to Gaius with a grin. “It is nice, but... A bit much for what we need, I suppose.” She paused, glancing to the side again. “..Also it wouldn’t quite match the rest of our home with that color.”

Counting Down the Days - Gaius & Maribelle

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

dulcefraudator

“Elicia, eh? Not a bad name at all, Twinkles.” He wondered if they should have a daughter what his relationship would be to her. Would they be close, or would she prefer Maribelle over himself? The same questions rattled in his skull when he considered the fact they might have a boy.

He watched as Maribelle finished her meal before taking the empty plates and moving to clean them. Once that was done, Gaius picked himself up from his seat to throw his fur coat over his body. The Feroxi weather was something he still couldn’t get himself used to.

“Ready as I’ll ever be, baby. I take it breakfast agreed with you, then?” With a teasing grin, he playfully ribbed his fiancee. She practically scarfed down what he’d made for her. It was the highest compliment to him.

Holding out her coat to her, he waited for Maribelle to take it. When she did and got dressed, he’d hold out his arm for her to take. When the two were ready, Gaius opened the heavy wooden door of the cabin and traversed out to the blistering cold of Ferox. Within minutes, his teeth were chattering as the pair trudged through the snow.

“C-Crivens, doubt I’ll ever g-get used to this…!” he said.

“Yes, it was lovely.” She smiled at him, taking her coat and quickly shrugging it on. She fumbled with the buttons for a moment but managed to get it done. There was a bit of an adjustment with such a vast change in wardrobe, but she was getting better at figuring it out.

She’d moved to take Gaius arm, stepping out into the cold with him. When he spoke, she gently pat his arm, chuckling slightly.

“It’s definitely a big adjustment, but I’m sure we’ll both adapt...” Maribelle wasn’t particularly a fan of the cold herself, but she wasn’t going to complain if they were going to be safe.

Trying to get their mind off the cold, she decided to try and strike up a bit of conversation as they walked.

“What do you think we should try to find today? I know Olivia has mentioned the trade goods will be changing soon... I believe she said something about squash coming in. Another cloth merchant will be back as well-- perhaps I could try to find something warm to make a hat for you.”

Counting Down the Days - Gaius & Maribelle

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

iroburinga

Did he dislike her already? Definitely. He didn’t know who that blonde girl was but he certainly was ready to get rid of her. Even faceless would be better than having to deal with that attitude. Alright maybe he wasn’t technically without his weapons, there were the blades of his ninja gaunlets but he never used those unless for self-defense. That would be a first.

“Crimeny….”

The girl seemed to think she still had the upper hand so he would keep like that until he got tired of that game and decided to cut himself loose. It was incredible how much people could talk when they thought they had the advantage.

“How about this, since you are a lady, why don’t you go back to wherever ladies go and order other people around while drinking tea with your pinkie raised or something?” Asugi replied. “Seriously, let me down. I don’t even know where I am.”

Maribelle kept turning the knife over, seemingly disinterested in the boy now.

“Well, you either want me to leave because you’re having some sort of tantrum, or you wish for me to help you.” She glanced up, giving a long sigh. “Though I suppose I could assist, as long as you don’t try anything.” She gave a more stern expression. “As a Shepherd it’s my duty to help others, but I won’t hesitate to strike down anyone who threatens Chrom in the slightest.”

With that, she moved to untie the part of the trap attached to the tree, letting the boy fall unceremoniously onto the forest floor. She continued to eye him warily, keeping a distance and his kunai tight in her grip.

“Now, if you don’t mind, what exactly were you doing wandering out here?”

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

dulcefraudator

Once the breakfast was done, Gaius slid the plates onto the small table. Then he’d pull a seat out for Maribelle before taking his own opposite of her. He waited for her to seat herself, though while he waited, he didn’t mind watching her get dressed. His eyes zoned in on the obvious bump in her abdomen, a flutter in his chest overtaking him at the sight.

Without answering right away, Gaius got up from his seat, slowly meandering his way over to his fiancee. Taking her face in his hands, the thief sweetly kissed the noblewoman, his lips lingering upon her own. When he pulled away, he gave her a warm and loving smile as his fingers lightly grazed her belly.

“We can visit ‘em later. Right now, eat your share. I have to at least pretend I’m chivalrous, right?” With that teasing quip out of the way, the thief’s hand moved to press lightly against her abdomen.

“…Got any names picked out, yet?” he asked.

His mind traveled. What if it was a boy? The name ‘Brady’ seemed to crop up in his mind, though he wondered if Maribelle would agree to it. He didn’t doubt his future wife would see the name as too plain. Knowing her, she would want something that would be impossible to pronounce.

“I’m thinkin’ Brady if it’s a boy. As for a girl… huh, how about you tell me instead, Twinkles? I can’t do all the thinking, can I?” Though if their child was to be a girl, Gaius wondered how he’d bond with it. He didn’t know how he’d connect with a potential daughter; wouldn’t any daughter of Maribelle fancy make-up, clothes, and whatever the hell else Maribelle liked to busy herself with?

He heaved a sigh. There was also the fact that regardless of the gender, Gaius didn’t know how he’d hold up as a father. He barely remembered his own; he was very much his own parent while growing up. What if he blundered along the way?

“Anyway, you hungry? Food’s gonna go cold.”

“Hm...” Maribelle paused to think for a moment. “Well, Brady does sound like a fine name for a young man... Though, for a girl I’d say Elicia would be lovely.” She picked a bit at her food before starting to actually eat. it still amazed her how Gaius was so good of a cook, even better than most of the staff she’d known at home at times.

When Gaius sighed, she looked up again and raised a brow. “What’s wrong, darling?” She hesitated before continuing. “I know you’re worried, but that’s natural... I’m sure every new parent feels unsure about how things will be.”

She gave him a reassuring smile, reaching over to place her hand on one of his for a moment. “It’ll all be alright, you’ll see...” She brought her hand back so she could continue eating.

Once the two were done with their meal, she pushed herself back up and started to gather the plates, kissing Gaius on the cheek when she reached for his. She carried them over to set them in the small sink to quickly clean them before setting them aside to dry. She wiped her hands on a cloth on the counter before turning back to Gaius and smiling again.

“Right, then. Are you all ready to go, darling?”

Counting Down the Days - Gaius & Maribelle

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

“You built me palaces out of paragraphs…”

Independent rp blog for Rinea from Fire Emblem: Echoes

Semi-selective

5+ years of rp experience

[parasol-perfectionist-blog]

dulcefraudator

The weeks passed by quietly with little problems. Life in Ferox was peaceful, despite the blistering cold weather. Every day, Gaius would find some job that the Khans would bestow upon him or he would venture into another village to pilfer whenever he felt his pockets weren’t lined sufficiently.

Today, however, he was free of his responsibilities. So when light shone through the windows of the cabin, he was the first to stir to greet the morning. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes then turned to look at his slumbering lover near him. With a smile, Gaius’ fingers trailed in Maribelle’s hair, entangling her golden tresses through his digits.

He leaned down to place a soft kiss upon the woman’s brow, pulling away after he lingered for a moment. Tossing the sheets from his body, the thief got dressed and immediately began to bustle about as he prepared breakfast. The sounds of a boiling kettle and the smells of cooking eggs and bacon filled the cabin. He only stopped when he felt a pair of eyes upon him.

Turning, Gaius flashed Maribelle a wide grin along with a wink, saying, “slept well, beautiful? Heh, even if your hair resembles a bird nest, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look more like the definition of gorgeous.” Dry and sarcastic comments, though he did find her alluring when she wasn’t as prim and proper like she usually was.

“Get dressed, baby. I thought maybe you’d like to head out and grab a few groceries. They got a vendor’s hall in the fortress and I’ve got enough to stock our wares again. Maybe we’ll see our pals? Drop by for a visit? Er… probably not for Lon’qu but I reckon Olivia would be happy to see us.”

Maribelle had felt like she slept better than she ever had here in Ferox. Though there was still some aspect of keeping things secretive when communicating outside of Ferox, she’d felt more safe and relaxed than any other time in her life, and the fact that she was able to spend her time with Gaius each day without having to hide it made everything that much better. 

Due to all this as well, she slept more heavily than she usually did. Before, she’d normally be the one to wake up first, or at least be disturbed were Gaius ever to get up at some point in the night. Now, she often found herself waking up after her beloved, much like today, as he was bustling about and preparing for the day.

As she slowly drifted into consciousness, she pawed at the bed next to her. After a few moments, she realized Gaius had already gotten up and rolled over, rubbing sleep out of her eyes as she drowsily focused on him across the room, watching him quietly.

She couldn’t help but chuckle at his comment when he noticed her, yawning as she pushed herself up into a sitting position. That was another thing that had been a bit of an adjustment for her here in Ferox. While she was no stranger to keeping up with her own looks, she’d found makeup wasn’t something very common among Feroxi women, unless they were a performer of some sort. 

Maribelle stretched before swinging her legs over the side of the bed so she could begin to dress herself, talking to the thief across the room as she did so. “Well I certainly wouldn’t mind getting out for a bit. The markets here are always fairly entertaining.” She smoothed down the top layer of the dress she’d put on, trying to get it to settle over the others before moving to quickly run a brush through her hair to tame it. Once she was done getting ready, she wandered over to see what Gaius had been cooking. 

“I don’t think Lon’qu would mind your company, at least. Maybe you could visit him while I’m with Olivia for a bit. I have been wanting to talk to her about possibly being part of the wedding party... And I believe she seemed alright with the idea of performing something for us.”

Counting Down the Days - Gaius & Maribelle