ιηѕαηιту :: A 1x1 between herondale and Rivkah

[herondale.]

{I'm back. ^^}

Gideon had work quite late into the night. Bent over the documents, Gideon spent the entire night writing by candle light and the faint glow of the fire beside him. He supposed it was a shame that he wasted the night away by working and that the grounds looked quite dazzling even in the dark and he had been tempted to go for a meander but guessed that it wasn't such an intelligent idea when he had work that needed to be completed.

Making notes for the doctor, Gideon mentioned Shayna's polite behaviour, her ever-lasting smile, her gentile nature and general all-round maturity. But he also made a side-note on her view on society and how she viewed her incarciration. Even though they may mean little, Gideon knew that the doctor wanted very thorough notes on her to make sure she truly wasn't a threat to society. Gideon found himself also wondering what it must feel like, for others to question your sanity even though you believe you're in a perfectly intact frame of mind. It seemed that society truly did judge those who were deemed as different and they were dealt with in quite a severe fashion. There were many parts of society that needed rectifying but the gentleman knew he could do little about it and that saddened him to the point of despair; it was his job to make people feel better, afterall, and to know he couldn't help some people was quite the mood smotherer.

Gideon woke around eight in the morning which was usual for him since he liked to use the hour before breakfast to get dressed and do any work he'd missed or make sure everything in his notes was correct and detailed enough. Sighing, he found himself slumped over his desk again still wearing his night shirt yet wearing his normal trousers. It was his usual early morning attire and the servants saw him this way very often since he normally had no need to dress up formally. Finding that his notes were indeed correct, he removed his night shirt and swapped it for a crisp and clean every-day shirt. Since he had a guest, he needed to look presentable.

Making sure his attire was neat and presentable, Gideon ran his hands down his blazer with a muffled sigh. He heard the faint calling of the bell signalling breakfast and wondered whether Shayna was awake yet but not feeling as though he should intrude on her should she not be. He felt rather tired this morning and, as he headed out of his room and down the stairs, he ran a weary hand through his hair. It seemed work stole all the time he wanted - and needed - for relaxing.

[Rivkah]

{{ Yess ^-^ }}

Impeccable hearing picked up the faint but crisp sound of the breakfast bell. Shayna stopped in her walk around the grounds, composing herself and stepping back inside. Her flaming red hair tumbled down her shoulders, and her pale freckled face wore a gentle smile. A genuine one, no less. She seemed much healthier after her meal last night, which had been her first in more than a month. The smell of breakfast, though not part of her diet, was still delicious, and she could detect eggs, bacon, and sausage as well as tea.

Humming softly to herself, she all but waltzed gracefully into the dining room, taking the same seat as she had at dinner and smoothing the folds in her dress. Her cheerful, content mood was surely a good sign. She continued to hum as she waited for her host and the meal to come, straightening her posture. The silverware and plates were laid out, a sure sign that the food would soon be on the table.

Shayna was deep in her thoughts at the moment, even with her soft singing. She was here for observation - and as she was tired of the awkward silences between herself and Gideon, she supposed she should invite him to walk with her. It was just part of why she was here - traditionally the male invited the female to do such things, not the other way around. But she didn't care much, even though it was the purpose for her being here - she was too outspoken for society.

Yet she knew she had to break the barriers between them slightly if they both wanted to survive the two months. She'd tell him the reason she was kept with the doctor so long, and maybe share a bit of childhood - anything that would delve into her personal life without being too dark or demanding. It would definitely be much less awkward than silence at every meal. She reminded herself that even with this, she could not get attached to him. Being attached to a human was trouble, always trouble.

[herondale.]

{Might be a bit slow replying - just realised I had some homework due tomorrow that I'd forgotten about...}

It didn't take long for Gideon to make it down the stairs and into the dining room. Reaching the foot of the stairs, Gideon paused when he saw the grey shape of the cat perched at the foot of the stairs, green eyes staring up into his sea-blue ones. Gideon raised an eyebrow and chuckled as it meowed and brushed up against his legs. He reached down and stroked it under it's chin. "Not tripping anyone up today, I hope," he said idly, the cat's tail curving around his shin before it stalked off down the remainder of the corridor.

Heading into the dining room, Gideon was greeted by the strong smell wafting through the room from the ajar door leading into the kitchen. Catching sight of Shayna already seated, a smile curved his lips as usual as he headed to his usual place at the table. "Slept well, I hope?" he asked, slipping into the seat gently and quietly, gazing at the red head seated across from him.

Gideon found himself noticing slight differences. For one, her vibrant red waves were down which made her look ever so slightly more serene and younger and her skin and general aura seemed much more refreshed than the evening prior. She definately looked much better than himself, that was for certain. But it seemed that beauty was effortless for the young woman and the green gown she wore brought out the redness of her hair and the paleness of her skin. Even her freckles seemed more vibrant. She was the picture of both youth and health. Gideon, on the other hand, was remotely mediocre; he looked like any man who'd spent most of the night writing by candle light by the fire, praying that he could have an evening to relax soon.

[Rivkah]

A broad, sweet smile spread across her face infectiously as he came in and spoke to her, pulling her out of her thoughts. "Oh very much so, thank you," she said cheerfully, sitting back slightly and relaxing, though she kept her posture. Shayna had to admit, she was a bit more tolerant than the night before, and much less focused on having people blunder about clumsily for her amusement. Her attention shifted as the food came, the good smells overwhelming her senses.

Indeed, it was much easier to appreciate human food when she had just had a proper meal the night prior. Though one thing she did notice was that Gideon seemed much less than well-rested. "And you, are you well?" she asked in return, true concern actually appearing in her voice. Ah, what a concept. Shayna, concerned? Well, there was a first time for everything. As she was served, she picked up her cutlery, beginning to eat.

She had to admit, the food was tasty. Or perhaps it was just her good mood saying that. She ate slowly, though normally she would eat faster. It was just etiquette... Even if it was one she didn't particularly enjoy. She would every so often glance at Gideon, awaiting his replies and wondering vaguely what he had been doing to prohibit himself sleep. After all, humans were so dependent upon sleep. She merely did it by choice; her kind were rarely tired. She had little doubt that it had something to do with her file, and the fact he was reporting back to the doctor. Which made her all the more suspicious, but ah well...

{{ And now you remind me of my projects. xD }}

[herondale.]

{Hahah! I'd totally forgotten about it. I hate filling out these darn booklets.. especially since it's history... and I'm terrible at note-taking.}

Gideon awaited Shayna's reply and smiled meekly at her cheerful response. She most definately seemed much more chipper and bright this morning. Gideon blamed it on the change of scenery and her settling that explained her slightly uncomfortable demeanor yesterday. But she never failed to have that smile on her face, even if her mood did sour when she spoke about her incarciration in the doctors home. Also, she never failed to make his lips curve into that wistful smile. Afterall, it wasn't everyday you were in the company of a woman as unusually beautiful and elegant as Shayna. Of course, he was professional enough to keep such thoughts to himself and simply let his smiles be as far as he went in his thoughts of her.

Gideon hadn't at all expected Shayna to notice his slightly less-than-great appearence this morning and he wondered if he truly did look like the mess he felt he was. He'd stayed up for long nights multiple times in a row before but last night seemed especially sleep-enducing. He was remotely surprised to wake up in bed and not slumped down over his desk with ink splotches all over his cheeks. He managed to chuckle, internally wincing at the slightly exhausted tilt to it. "I'm fine, thank you for inquiring," he replied softly, glancing down at the food set before him before looking up at Shayna once more, "I didn't have a brilliant nights sleep is all. Don't let it trouble you." He'd noticed her generally concerned tone and couldn't help but feel slightly better at the sound of it. It wasn't every day that a young woman cared about a strangers well-being.

Turning his attention to the food infront of him, Gideon began to eat quietly and slowly in hopes of his mood being lifted even more. The food most definately tasted as good as always and the servants reappeared a few moments later to fill their glasses with orange juice and also presenting a tea pot for when they had finished their breakfasts. They disappeared once more after that and the two of them ate in silence once more. Gideon always found himself at a loss for what to say but, somehow, the silence seemed somewhat less thick and heavy than it had done the night prior.

[Rivkah]

Shayna listened calmly, nodded as he told her not to worry about it. "Ah, alright. I do hope your sleep is better in the future." She focused on her eating, and though the silence was still unnerving, it was a more comfortable silence this time. As she finally hit her max, as she could only take so much mundane food, she set down her silverware and slowly got to her feet as she saw him finish as well.

Tilting her head, she asked politely, "Care to accompany me for a walk around the grounds?" Better now than later. She was in fact worried about his reply, but either way she wanted some fresh air. In fact, she could hardly get enough of it. After three years of not seeing the sky, it was most definitely understandable for the Irish lass.

In retrospect, most people could not survive three years with no sunshine. It actually was not healthy. Some humans even died that way. She was lucky that she was not human. Vampires were weakened by the sun, but unless it was direct sun-poisioning, basically sunburn, they could not get seriously injured. Sighing inaudibly, Shayna pushed herself out of her thoughts and watched Gideon.

[herondale.]

At Shayna's response to his answer, Gideon smiled. He glanced up at her with a warm gaze before lowering his eyes back to his breakfast. Eating a piece of crisp bacon, Gideon trained his eyes on the table cloth to keep his gaze from wandering to Shayna. He was still unable to associate the young woman with the woman in the documents. Even the image didn't seem like the Shayna he saw before him. It had been a cold image, the lack of colour and vibrancing not assisting it in the slightest; it did not do her beauty justice yet, even in such a bland image, there was something about her appearence that seemed unconventional and unlike anything his eyes had over laid their sights upon. She was an unusual woman in the fact that she was head-strong and uncaring of whether her opinions upset society. It was her ability to speak out against an otherwise biased society that had Gideon warming to her; she didn't allow herself to be constrained without overstepping what was expected of a woman. Not many, if any, females Gideon had witnessed in London - or anywhere else for that matter - dared do such a thing. She was brave.

Gideon had finished his breakfast at roughly the same time as Shayna and, as he saw her getting up, he placed down his cutlery and looked up to watch her. He hadn't expected her to turn round and ask him to walk with her. Gideon didn't reply for a few moments, ever so slightly surprised, before his mind started to tick again and he smiled. "Of course, I'd love to," he replied in a similarly polite tone. He rose to his feet carefully and quietly before heading towards her. Since he'd worked so late into the night prior, he had caught up with the work he had missed and was, infact, ahead with it. Of course, he had studying to do but what harm could it do to have a mid-morning walk with a beautiful guest; only a fool would say not.

{Sorry for the smallness! Again!}

[Rivkah]

{{ Don't worry bout it ^-^ As long as it's a paragraph at the very least, I'm fine with it. }}

A genuine smile spread across her lips as he accepted her offer. "Wonderful," Shayna said simply, her smile never faltering as she slipped away from the table. In proper society, they'd demand her to be locked up again for so much as boldly inviting him. Men were the one who asked the women to accompany them; as she was not asking him to be an escort, but merely to walk with her in a friendly way, it would have been considered insane. Hence the reason why she was in this mess to begin with.

Don't get me wrong, Shayna wanted to be civil; being proper kept her head and reminded her that she was not the monster the storybooks said she was. But when things got too strict, she rebelled... with this result. It would be a recurring pattern if she didn't start acting completely like a proper lady, but she never would. Pushing a few strands of red hair out of her eyes, she pushed the doors open for him, even though in culture it was the opposite. But then Shayna was too impatient to follow every curtsy, bow, and etiquette that was in the book. It was too annoying. She took a deep breath as the crisp air hit her face, and she felt refreshed once more. She would never, not ever get tired of the outdoors.

[herondale.]

{Okay, so... my laptop is being weird. It's working again now but I think it's because I'm sat right next to the wifi box as opposed to my room. Hrm. Don't know what's wrong with it but it's happened before.}

Seeing that genuine curve of her lips, perfect teeth on show, Gideon felt his own lips peal back in response. Before he'd set eyes on her - and perhaps even a little bit after then - he'd been concerned over whether she would hold a grudge against him, believing him to be as severe as the doctor and that he was just as shameful to keep her couped up on the estate. If he was honest, Gideon found himself thinking of himself that way ever since the idea had popped into his head despite the fact that it did not appear to be the case. Shayna seemed to be much more a woman than he had expected and he mentally scolded himself for thinking so low of her. It may be their second day in eachothers company but Gideon felt as though he had part of Shayna's character made out in his mind. Whether what he thought of her was truly her intentions, he'd have to wait and see.

Gideon did feel slightly odd at the fact that he'd been asked by a woman to accompany her rather than him asking her and he made a mental note to request her company at a later date to almost even out the score. She was making an effort to know him, it would seem, and so he wanted to do the same favour for her.

Pushing open the doors ahead of him, Gideon watched with a bemused expression as Shayna led the way, not waiting for the servants - or even himself - to open the doors. He stayed silent on the matter, however, just linking it to her not-so-conventional nature and smiled ever so slightly to himself before matching his stride with hers. Seeing her inhaling so deeply, Gideon chuckled quietly. "I suppose you've missed the morning air after being kept out of sight for so long," he commented idly.

[Rivkah]

{{ Mine is much worse. Aggravation. ._. }}

She glanced at him with an innocent grin. "Oh yes. I'm afraid it's horribly stuffy at the doctor's." She grimaced, gripping her skirt slightly so it would not get stained from the dewy grass. She stared at the ground for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts so that she could approach this delicately. This time, her exhale was simply an inaudible sigh. She was a mess, she knew she was... Turning her attention back to Gideon, she tilted her head slightly as she matched his pace.

Chewing on her lip, she cleared her throat, smiling weakly. "About that, Mister Gideon..." she started slowly, a bit pained at even remembering what got her into this mess. "As I've told you before, my mind is in perfect health." She touched her temple absentmindedly, her teeth now sinking into the inside of her cheek. This was such a dainty matter... She couldn't be curt. "I was not punished for a good reason; the women of my community deemed me dangerous because..." she started, though felt her words catching in her throat. The looks of disgust had nearly driven her mad in itself as she had been carted off to the doctor. She finally finished, "Because I was too outspoken to be 'healthy'."

Looking at him gravely, and with every ounce of seriousness, she sighed, heaving a more weighted one this time. "I have perfect knowledge of etiquette. But I would much rather chart my own life than wait for a man to do it for me," she said crisply, looking at him levelly and calmly before adding quietly, "No offense meant, of course." She turned her head away from it, shielded by a curtain of red curls.