leonhenderson

[leonhenderson]

"It sounds strange to say it out in the open, but Irelia usually comes to gossip and then is on her way." Leon realized he had mentioned Irelia multiple times since the stroll into he forest, but he wasn't exactly the social type. Growing close to a princess wasn't planned, nor did he expect it to continue for so long. "You don't have to attend with her unless you're uncomfortable meeting new people. I'll let Irelia know you're interested in a family get-together." Not like his mother planned on marrying him off, she was happy knowing he was willing to speak to anything other than horses. On top of knowing how he was doing inside the walls of Strife, Leon couldn't keep any secrets as long as Irelia told his business. His hazel eyes caught a glimpse of her expression when she spoke of falling with regret. Leon was curious about what type of man could make her feel so foolish. "Why do you continue to fall dangerously? You know it'll end in regrets." His knowledge about love was limited; He never chased anyone whom he deemed unworthy, nor did his parents allow an arranged marriage. Claiming they wanted his relationship to happen naturally, like their own. "I wouldn't hesitate to be a sacrifice for the wolf as long as you're safe." Maybe his words were pitched flirtatiously, but Leon cleared his throat before any misunderstandings could be formed. "Any man would step in front of a woman." He lowered his gaze as she bent down, expression falling flat as he carefully stepped over her as if she were merely a pebble. "I almost tripped over you. Be more careful where you decide to bend down, anything below sea level is nonexistent to me." It was a joke he found hilarious. Leon couldn't help the laughter building in the back of his throat with a shake of his head. Their height was obviously one for the books, and Leon planned to take advantage of it. "I can't wrap my head around why a wolf would wander. The forest is filled with beasts, and a pack has better chances. Any ideas?"

“Irelia visits your mother?” The invitation had felt stale suddenly, Odette's gaze darting over his face in an attempt to read him, yet she clearly failed time and time again. If there was one thing she was certain she read correctly, it was his interest in Irelia, and she couldn’t fault him. She was beautiful and outspoken, and although taken, it didn’t seem to stop men from fawning over her. “I suppose I could spare an evening, perhaps one night that Irelia’s attending.” To join him alone felt like drifting aimlessly in romantic territory, certain that his mother would likely prefer to keep it to Irelia; hard to imagine anyone’s mother would pick her if a princess was another option. Falling for a man with regret had been her speciality, Odette seemed to hone in on men who had their sights elsewhere. “I think you’ll find I’m very foolish. I fall dangerously, and stupidly, and with many regrets.” She pulled her lips tight together, something about the forest air made her too honest, and she would regret it once they returned back to the castle. “If I’m running, you better hope you have enough speed to put yourself in front, because I won't hesitate to use you to slow down a wolf.” Odette laughed, although it hadn’t been in her nature to abandon someone; much more likely to accidentally sacrifice herself in an attempt to save someone else. “Oh, you’re lightheaded?” Odette’s voice rose an octave, swinging her arm and dragging his arm upwards, then tugging him. An action that brought him both closer to her and also towards the direction that he’d gestured towards, where she chose to release him and stood out in front. “Come on, climb on then.” It wasn’t the time to make jokes, not when there was a wolf to be hunted, yet Odette couldn’t deny herself an inkling of fun when most of her days were spent cooped up inside. “Any wolf would run a mile when they see my strength.” She bent her knees, not that she needed to when Leon already towered so heavily over her; he could use her as a step stool without even stumbling.

[leonhenderson]

"Are you perhaps speaking with my mother on your days off? I swear I've heard her say this to my father." Leon spoke heartily, especially when it involved his mother. A woman whom he looked up to during hard times, it wasn't to say that he didn't share the same feeling for his father, but his mother displayed a different type of love. "You should stop by for dinner." He was aware of his mother's lack of daughters, and bringing home a woman would only excite her more. It didn't have to be a potential suitor; if anything, his mother was happy with any woman who treated her son like family. "Irelia pays a visit whenever she can to keep my mother company. She has no daughters and appreciates the feminine energy that we as sons don't bring." Mentioning Irelia was an attempt to make the invitation less romantic, but Leon had no intention of making it uncomfortable between them. The minute she removed herself from his frame felt heavy, almost like he was neglecting something, but he kept those emotions tucked deeply inside of him. "You're not a foolish woman; Falling dangerously for a man would lead to many regrets." Leon guided them down the steep trail, careful not to let go of her hand without giving a warning first. "I'll take you running in heels as a sign to run as well." Honestly, Leon was a light jogger who refused to run no matter the circumstances, but if a woman in heels was running full speed, then he had evidence that danger was close by. "I have been feeling a little lightheaded lately and almost refused to come out today." If she were able to toss him over her shoulder, then Leon might as well resign, but the image of such a tiny frame carrying him was laughable. "We will take a right up here."

“If you sit around waiting to be saved, it’s giving someone a chance to slit your throat.” Odette had met many damsels, those who preferred to cry it out and wait for another to save her. She had been raised to survive by all means necessary, to grit her teeth and take each blow as it comes. If he hadn’t been there, she would have been left with more than a nasty bruise, however, she hadn’t expected him to sweep her into his hold. It caught her off guard, although so had his choice of words. Was that flirtation? Her fingers flexed between his, her other hand finding a home on his shoulder, her index finger crooked underneath his collar. “Where’s the fun in falling safely?” It was toeing on the line, out of the safety of the walls that she’d so often throw up and towards accepting an attraction. The musk of leather and sandalwood drew her into him, her eyes locked on his chest, and it was difficult to pull herself away from him, not when she was breathing him in. “If I want to fall dangerously for a man, that’s my prerogative.” Her eyes tore away from his chest to tilt her head back to catch his eye, although for a beat her gaze lingered on his mouth before fleeting upwards. The line verbally crossed even if she shifted her frame out of his hold, unwinding herself from the hold on her waist, and regretfully so, missing the heat of his hand instantaneously. “Don’t worry, I’ve run from worse than wolves in heels.” Her fingers remained threaded with his, turning her focus back to their descent to the forest floor, using brute force to create new footholds. “But if you need to be carried, let me know.” She risked a turn of her head to flash him a smile, aware that even an attempt to carry him on her back would result in him being dragged home rather than carried.

[leonhenderson]

"You'd be a horrible damsel in distress, respectfully." Leon had enough knowledge about women to know when they preferred to be saved by a knight or cut the ropes themselves. He was well aware of her ability to save herself from dangerous situations, maybe he caught a glimpse of her here and there from afar, to notice these things. "You don't strike me as a woman who likes to be saved unless it's your only option, but even then, you'll hate to see a man riding his horse over to you." If anything, Leon found this attractive, enjoyed it when a woman knew how to stand her ground, and when she needed, he'd come prancing in to help. His mind wandered to the depths he decided to close off years ago, only taking a brush of her fingers on his skin to reconsider his thoughts on affection. "Whoa," Leon didn't have time to dwell, an arm naturally swooping in around her waist as his feet dug into the ground, making him a steady pillar. His fingers tensed across the dip of her waist, practically balancing her with one arm while his arm became her crane. "Falling for me already?" A chuckle fled his lips, swiping her up with ease and pulling her up against his chest with a courteous smile. "I would prefer if you fell for me somewhere safe." The unexpected close proximity caught him off guard. Leon put himself in the situation, yet he found it difficult to pull away from it. "Are you going to be alright? Heels and all? It only gets steeper from here on out." He tried to convince himself that any man would be distressed; this was normal behavior, except his lips were nearly an inch from her forehead, and he had put them in a very intimate position. "I'm going to let you go now. Be careful, if I have to carry you, then let me know now."

“Do you need to play damsel in distress?” Odette decided to ignore the worry in his voice; if Leon was concerned, then it was enough to rattle her when he often seemed much more composed than most. “Plop me on a tree stump and wait for the wolf to try to eat me?” Albeit, she didn’t enjoy the premise of being a sitting duck, or in any form a damsel that required someone else to pull her out of danger. “Hm, you’ve been looking a touch too closely if you know I have a knife.” There was a lilt of playfulness in her voice, aware of the cool metal that was pressed against her leg; never uncertain that someone in the house would turn on her or her hidden life would catch up to her. Odette's gaze darted to the forest floor that was bordering on being at least six feet below on the steep decline to the hand that had been offered to her. Fingers half-heartedly gripping as they wrapped around his hand, the warmth that radiated from his skin made her shudder, a feeling stirring at the base of her spine and flourishing across her back. She tried to ignore it by taking a step forward, although her foot instantly slid on the undergrowth, and the seconds slipped by for what felt like an eternity as she tried to right herself. She slid the guts of ten centimetres but managed to lodge the heel of her boot on an aerial root to stop herself; along with the sudden rush to rearrange her hand in his, fingers locking between his as her arm went taut. “Heels are practical for something at least.” She chose not to acknowledge that she was practically hanging her weight on him, shimmying her leg to dislodge her foot from the overgrowth. Although she had been silently cursing Irelia for her lack of warning to dress somewhat practically.

[leonhenderson]

"Smart-ass." Leon responded in the same teasing tone, and if he were honest about the matter, he'd say two is better than one because the forest played tricks. Trees had ears, loyal to the houses, and animals were aggressive further into the grove. "Speaking of the wolf, I've learned from my days in hunting that wolves never hunt alone." A worrying tone, calculating ahead in case of unforeseen danger. Wolves were pack hunters; if one had been rejected, then the chances of survival were slim, and Leon feared this wolf was smarter than the rest. "I'm concerned there's something else going on here. Wolves are very intelligent creatures, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was already stalking us." It took less than a second to catch up to her. Height was a wonderful thing, especially when women walked away. "I know you carry a knife because you seem like a woman who would choose to fight. I do want you to stay close to me, okay?" The wind whistled through the forest, birds chirping seemed endless as he took a couple of steps before holding his hand out to her. "It's steep, watch your step." Leon was starting to understand why Irelia put this plan in motion.

 “Are you serious? Telling me you can’t leave me out here alone, but the trail’s ten minutes that way.” Odette gestured with her thumb over her shoulder to the beaten path that would take her back to the nagging rounds of the day. “Yeah, right. What if I get torn to shreds by the wolf on the way home and you’re out here hoffing daisies?” A hint of teasing rose in her voice, turning only briefly towards him to roll her eyes before taking a step forward and placing herself a beat ahead of him. The forest didn’t scare her, and she failed to understand what made others so on edge amongst the wildflowers and the sound of birdsong. Her hands came to rest behind her back, threading her fingers together as she kicked through the grass. “Plus, you’re going to need someone to take back a pinky finger to Irelia as a token of bravery.” Odette still had failed to see Irelia’s true reasoning for her request that she accompany Leon, but who was she to deny Orion’s wife's requests? More likely that she would lose her head if he caught wind of a refusal, no matter how mundane.

[leonhenderson]

It was a simple task for Leon; hunting was his second nature, while his first was caring for the stables. All he needed was confirmation from Irelia about the wolf eating the animals on the land, but what he didn't expect was having company. "You had every right to say no." He spoke under his breath, with slight annoyance on his tongue. Why would Irelia suggest the greenhouse come along? "My orders are to find the wolf, then head back. I suggest if you're not comfortable being out here then the trail is only ten minutes away." He adjusted the bow on his back, stepping off the footed path and heading into the forest. Hunting was a particular skill that his father taught him when he was younger, but it was rigorous training for hours, and most nights were spent outdoors. "Unfortunately, you seem like the stubborn type, and I can't leave you out here alone." Leon brushed his fingertips allow the moist soil, rubbing them together to get a taste of what lay ahead before turning to face her with a smile. "What are you planning to do? Stay? Leave?"

[leonhenderson]

THE WHEEL OF TIME 1x01: “Leavetaking”

#rand al’thor: proud ‘former’ sap

[leonhenderson]

His approach seemed normal to him, as he had done it many times to his siblings and even his mother while she was cooking a meal, but it hadn’t crossed his mind how startling it might be for a stranger to have him leaning over their shoulder. Leon parted his mouth in hopes of response until her hands fell against his chest, lowering his eyes towards the woman as he realized their size difference almost immediately. His hand moved to the back of his head, rubbing the area as he waited for his chance to speak. “You were looking at the women’s gowns? Sexually or admiringly?” Leon said calmly, turning his attention to the dark curtain as flickers of lights peeked through the gaps before returning his gaze to her. This was no time for him to admire the unique beauty she carried because the sooner he returned her, the sooner he could sleep. “Odette, right?” It was strange for him to remember a name; Leon always had trouble remembering the names and faces of people whom he just met unless it was a horse. “You’re bold, I’ll give you that much, but I–” His voice was swiftly cut off by a guard member, walking towards them with intent on catching the ‘peeping tom’ through black curtains. “What are you two doing here?” Leon shut his eyes momentarily, sighing, knowing this situation would last longer than intended. “I asked a question, commoner.” His fingers wrapped around her wrist almost instinctively, carefully pulling her towards his side before gathering the proper tone to respond. “We got word of someone attempting to look under women’s gowns and gave us this location as a possible hideout.” The best part of his height was guards refused to step forward. Leon understood that having such height was a privilege for a low-class man. The clear of the man’s throat meant the two were free to go quickly before he continued asking more questions. A swift bow as Leon walked in the opposite direction, heading towards the nearest as fast as he could without looking back. His fingers, once around her wrist, had fallen to his side as he stopped near the kitchen quarters, catching his breath from the sudden brisk walk, and without showing aggravation, he expressed. There was no reason for him to be upset at the woman; Leon had chosen to fetch her as a favor, and being upset with her would be unfair. “You do realize that we have no power? What the hell were you thinking sneaking around to look at gowns? What would you have done if I wasn't there? You're a very, very bold yet crazy woman.”

Every time a female’s disappearance grew a weight on her chest, Odette’s eyes found another to give her heart to; dresses of the richest fabrics and intricate designs making her wish for a moment she could reach out. A tragedy that she was supposed to hate these people and all that they stood for and she was brought up to bask in their downfall, but they truly knew how to dress. “Oh holy hell!” There was barely a beat between the voice and her own, her nose brushing another’s while her eyes snapped to the face of the intruder and her body flung into action. A jerk of her arm and a fist that was never going to land when her flight instinct took in. She stepped forward through the drapes, a brief encounter with the light that had her scurrying back into the shadows and to the male that had caught her by surprise. “Where in Ares’ bloody earth did you come from?” This time, her hands landed and her palms were firmly pressed on his chest, pushing with all her might away from the curtains that still bustled from her unannounced, and drastically unwanted, entrance. Afraid that a guest or guard would have spotted her and sought out the intruder, whether to confirm they weren’t hallucinating or to string her as part of the decorations. “I was, uh…” She had kept her head turned to the space where she had stood moments ago, confirming that she was safe before she set her gaze back on the male; a face that was familiar yet she struggled to place him in her frenzy. Eyes travelling from his face to the placement of her hands and as if he was molten, she snatched them away and back to her sides. “I was looking.” Her eyes hadn’t lifted, tacked where her hands once rested and focused much too heavily on the breadth of his chest to the muscular stretch of his shoulders. “Respectfully. I mean, I was looking respectfully at the dresses, the gowns, and I was going to punch you.” A tremble ate at her voice, and gasping by the time she had reached the final word; her eyes finally shifting upwards and keeping themselves stationed at the point between his brows. 

[leonhenderson]

Leon was conscious of the countless activities occurring tonight, the yearly ball would always be an annoyance for him as the horses he looked after would attempt to free themselves because of the loud noises. It was an exhausting night for him, calming down horses was his talent, and putting them to sleep was the devil reincarnated because horses refused to be put to bed during festivities “Gale, my beautiful horse, you need to calm down. Go on, get to your stable, pretty please?” Leon understood why his mother would arrange meetings for him to find a potential suitor, spending time with horses changed his perspective on love. Why would he need to find love when his horses loved him endlessly? “Thank you, beauty. I’ll see you tomorrow, alright?” Leon favored one horse, Gale, he watched her birth and then trained her every day until she became the ideal horse. She was coated in a pearl white which shimmered as the sun rose, making her seem too real to be a normal horse, and every day when Leon arrived she’d stomp her hooves with excitement. She was the only woman in his life who was happy to see him; It took a couple of hours for him to close the stables, Leon brushed his hands together before making his way towards the side doors where only workers had access. “Leon, Leon!” His head turned to view Maybeth who seemed anxious and considered her next words carefully as he began to pat his hands dry. “What is it?” Maybeth grabbed both of his hands, squeezing gently in an attempt to bribe him with her next sentence. “Odette went to view the royal ball and I’m afraid she may be caught by some unhinged royal who will hurt her–” That’s all he needed as he sighed, gingerly setting her hands back into the original position. “You want me to go fetch and bring her back?” Nods around the kitchen, faces lit up with joy as he agreed to help find this woman who was preventing him from having dinner at home. As he left the kitchen, Leon wandered the empty halls until he reached the edge of the ball. Finding her was easier than he anticipated, no compliments were found on his end as he slowly approached the woman with curiosity. Leon carefully leaned down, chin inches away from her shoulder as he watched her face gleam, and it caused his eyes to follow whatever object or human she was so interested in. “What are we doing?”

The head modiste had dismissed Odette the moment her needle finalised the hem of Irelia’s gown, still kneeling on the floor beneath the mannequin when Strife’s royalty was ushered through the door and given no opportunity to fight her case. She had hoped to see the dress that she had laboured over day and night on its intended owner yet she was swept out of the room and ordered to return to her quarters. An order that she would eventually heed, the distraction of such a night made it surprisingly easy to manoeuvre the hallways. The west wing was enveloped in darkness save for the light that trickled from the adjacent room, the corridor that followed the length of the main ballroom. Odette drew a deep breath at the rising buzz that flittered from beyond the curtained walls and nerves bundled in the pit of her stomach. “Five minutes, that’s it.” She spoke only to herself as she drew back dark satin an inch, just enough for her to peer into a world beyond and she was greeted by a flurry of colour. “Oh, that’s - oh, that’s incredible.” She clutched the drape with such vigour that she threatened it to pucker under her weight, her eyes struggling to take in the endless sea of gowns, each more astounding than the next. Fabrics that she could only dream of running through her fingers and embellishments that could dull the beauty of Aphrodite herself, shining and exquisitely laced and pinned across various bodices. “Please don’t go.” On the verge of a whine, her whispered call to a female who drifted by with iridescent tails and ruffles, and she was raising onto the balls of her feet to keep her in her sights.

[leonhenderson]