[Faolan cocks his head at her slightly, a bit of confusion and curiosity evident on his face. Wanting to spend time with him? It's obvious that the thought surprises him a little. Obvious that, aside from Lancelot, he doesn't really get a whole lot of people interested in such a thing.] I don't believe we have. Not recently, at any rate. [He gives her another searching look, as if to say "are you really sure you want to sit and talk with me?" before he steps back, running his hand through his hair once more for good measure. (His hands that, since the last time Hermione has seen him, have fully recovered. He bears no scars, but should she chance to touch them the skin is soft and smooth and delicate. It's going to take him a while to work up his callouses again, he's bemoaned on several occasions.)]
Well. I'm not going to turn you out. You're welcome here any time, especially if you're taking him for a moment. [Him being Bridei. He does calm down like this for Faolan too, but today he's been in a right state, up until she showed up.] I can't guarantee the same level of entertainment as Lancelot, but I'll do my best. Would you like anything? [She might note how at home he seems to be here in Lancelot's rooms, but then again, he does live there too, at the moment.]
Then it's about time we fixed that, isn't it? [ Hermione knows that she has spent time around Faolan, with Lancelot at their side, but she saw no reason why they couldn't spent time together and get to know each other without the Marshal around. She already cared for Faolan rather a lot, wanted to make sure he was safe and happy, and now seemed as good a time as any. If that also means she gets to spend time with the baby, giving Faolan a little bit of a break now and then, well, it's hardly a problem, is it? She's holding on to Bridei gently, tenderly, almost sisterly in her affection for him.
She shakes her head, though, smile turning a little more tender. ] I'm fine, really. Maybe a seat and a cup of tea later, but for now your company is more than enough. [ She hums, scratching at the dragon gently. ] How have you been? Not getting into too much trouble, I hope?
[Faolan isn't going to take the little dragon away from her, not when he seems content to have settled against her. In all honesty, insisting on taking him back will probably only upset him, and Faolan has enough time alone with Bridei as it is, he doesn't need to take him back from her so soon.
At her words, he shrugs slightly, unsure whether he's allowed to take a seat himself then or not, or what. He wasn't kidding when he said that he couldn't guarantee the same level of entertainment as Lancelot. It isn't as though he played host very often at all - certainly no one comes to visit him in such a way as they do to visit the other man.]
I'm. Well enough. [Better than he will be later on during the event...] Trying to avoid the trouble these days, if I can help it. I've got enough to worry about as it is. [Ah, that would be the harp music rearing its ugly head again, making him say things he would never otherwise. He takes in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.]
[ What is obvious about the way that Hermione holds the baby, gentle and careful, is how much she already adores him. She's never been given the chance to be around little things like this, babies or otherwise, and she's adopting to it a little faster than she ever imagined that she would. She adores Bridei, she adores Rizhao, a tenderness overcoming her and making her feel almost motherly. Her softness isn't reserved for them alone but at the same time it is most obvious with them, in these quiet moments.
Her eyes flick up to look at Faolan again, picking up on the slight strain of his nerves and discomfort. It's new for the both of them, getting around to being friends with each other rather than just through Lancelot, but she has a special place in her heart for this man. His dedication, his loyalty and his kindness, all of it is an inspiration to her, making her want to be a little more like him. ]
That makes a very nice chance, I can tell you that. It's good to know that I won't have to worry about you too much in the near future. [ She's teasing, of course, turning to give Bridei a look that says 'I will still worry about your other daddy, don't you worry'. ] Is there anything I can do that might be able to help?
[Faolan rolls his eyes slightly at Hermione's words and the look that she shoots Bridei, although for some reason the music has him feeling...almost warm inside? It's nice to be cared for. Nice to be worried about. He's not used to that sort of thing, not yet, but he could be, given a little more time. Lancelot has taken such good care of him, over the last few months, and Hermione has helped him in that, and he will be forever grateful to them for it.
He reaches up a hand and runs it through his hair again - it's a nervous habit, not to say that he's nervous, but he's definitely not feeling normal - raising an eyebrow at her question.] To help?
[ All she can do is offer him a soft smile, a budding tenderness inside of her that she can't quite put words to. It's a bubbling flame of concern and care that is not just directed at the baby but also the man, the one that she has come to care about more than she had expected. She had thought that he was just stern and aloof when they had first met, dangerous and a little frightening, but she had learned her lesson. Faolan is kind and dedicated, he is strong and determined, and she respects that, all of it.
Even as she kisses the side of Breidei's had, the scales strange against her mouth, she's thinking of Faolan. ] Of course. That's what friends do - we help each other. If there's something I can do to make life easier all you have to do is tell me.
[Bridei makes a soft grumble of contentment at her affections, and Faolan finds himself strangely warmed by the sound of it. How odd, to be so happy himself, just because of another's happiness - and a dragon's no less - and yet he is.] Friends... [He echoes the word.] You are not the first person to use such a word to describe me. I'm still not certain that I know what it means, however. Or that I'm truly capable of fulfilling whatever it is that the word requires... I'm a bodyguard, Hermione. And much worse things than that. I sincerely doubt that you truly would want such a person as myself as a... A friend.
[It's almost as if the word is difficult to say, not because he dislikes the term, but because it is hard for him to understand the concept of it. Especially in the context of himself. Why would anyone want to be friends with him?]
[ For all that she might have been awkward with children at home Hermione has found that she's flourished a little, with Rizhao and now Bridei to guide her, and she cherishes that. It's not as though she had much hope of being around children or helping take care of them at school - only tutoring the younger years, which isn't the same as babysitting... Well, a baby. Nothing could prepare her for being an aunt to dragon babies either, she supposes, which isn't so much of an issue; they are still children.
When she lifts her head, though, she pauses, considering a little before she shakes her head, her eyes flicking over him. ] It's not really that simple, is it? I've - you know what I've seen, Faolan. [ When they shared the dream-vision, when she saw things. ] You are my friend. I mean that, I really do. You're already there and it's not about whether or not you fulfil a duty or something, you know. It's just a matter of being yourself.
[He does know what she's seen. He remembers it vividly. His past. His nightmare, and she was there to witness it. He supposes it does create something of a bond between them. That she has seen such a thing and forgiven him for it despite that... It either means that she is very kind, or very foolish. He's going to hope that it is the former, especially considering everything he knows of how knowledgeable she is in other areas. Of course, perhaps not, if she is insisting on being his friend, after all.]
I will never see what you see in me. Any of you. [He's not putting himself down when he says this, it's the simple truth. Lancelot's friendship makes him want to do right by the other man. Makes him want to protect him, to be better for him. To be the man that Lancelot believes him to be. He wonders what sort of changes his friendship too might enact in him. Only time will tell, he supposes. For now, he must let that thought go.]
[ She knows she is being particularly overprotective of the little dragon in her arms, smothering him gently and nuzzling at him as he clambers around and tugs at her hair. She loves him already, the same way that she feels when she looks at Rizhao, a budding familial twist that settles in her gut and makes her smile. When Faolan speaks to her she lifts her head, raising her eyebrows before she breathes out and frowns, moving closer and letting herself keep a gentle hold of Bridei. ]
I'm glad. He's really something beautiful, isn't he? Look at him. He trusts you so much, Faolan, and he sees in you the same thing that I see in you. [ Her gaze softens before she fights back her smile, adjusting Bridei in her arms before she reaches out and rubs her hand over Faolan's arm, gentle and tender, trying to offer him support even as she struggles with the soft weight in her arms. ]
You don't have to see what we see, not always. You just have to know we're here.
I APOLOGIZED IN THE OTHER TAG BUT I WILL APOLOGIZE AGAIN :(
[Faolan nods, tightly. He isn't sure he understands, and he isn't sure that he ever will, but she is right. He doesn't have to. Just has to accept her. And he's pretty sure that he can do that much, at least.
At the mention of Bridei, he glances down at the little dragon, grateful for the subject change.] He is. Beautiful. As for the trust, well. I'm told it has something to do with bonding. [He shrugs slightly.] I was there when he hatched, after all. They say that if you're there for the hatching, they form a bond with you. Of course, he's too little for that now, but. [He's going to be able to read his mind some day, for better or worse.]
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Well. I'm not going to turn you out. You're welcome here any time, especially if you're taking him for a moment. [Him being Bridei. He does calm down like this for Faolan too, but today he's been in a right state, up until she showed up.] I can't guarantee the same level of entertainment as Lancelot, but I'll do my best. Would you like anything? [She might note how at home he seems to be here in Lancelot's rooms, but then again, he does live there too, at the moment.]
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She shakes her head, though, smile turning a little more tender. ] I'm fine, really. Maybe a seat and a cup of tea later, but for now your company is more than enough. [ She hums, scratching at the dragon gently. ] How have you been? Not getting into too much trouble, I hope?
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At her words, he shrugs slightly, unsure whether he's allowed to take a seat himself then or not, or what. He wasn't kidding when he said that he couldn't guarantee the same level of entertainment as Lancelot. It isn't as though he played host very often at all - certainly no one comes to visit him in such a way as they do to visit the other man.]
I'm. Well enough. [Better than he will be later on during the event...] Trying to avoid the trouble these days, if I can help it. I've got enough to worry about as it is. [Ah, that would be the harp music rearing its ugly head again, making him say things he would never otherwise. He takes in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.]
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Her eyes flick up to look at Faolan again, picking up on the slight strain of his nerves and discomfort. It's new for the both of them, getting around to being friends with each other rather than just through Lancelot, but she has a special place in her heart for this man. His dedication, his loyalty and his kindness, all of it is an inspiration to her, making her want to be a little more like him. ]
That makes a very nice chance, I can tell you that. It's good to know that I won't have to worry about you too much in the near future. [ She's teasing, of course, turning to give Bridei a look that says 'I will still worry about your other daddy, don't you worry'. ] Is there anything I can do that might be able to help?
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He reaches up a hand and runs it through his hair again - it's a nervous habit, not to say that he's nervous, but he's definitely not feeling normal - raising an eyebrow at her question.] To help?
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Even as she kisses the side of Breidei's had, the scales strange against her mouth, she's thinking of Faolan. ] Of course. That's what friends do - we help each other. If there's something I can do to make life easier all you have to do is tell me.
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[It's almost as if the word is difficult to say, not because he dislikes the term, but because it is hard for him to understand the concept of it. Especially in the context of himself. Why would anyone want to be friends with him?]
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When she lifts her head, though, she pauses, considering a little before she shakes her head, her eyes flicking over him. ] It's not really that simple, is it? I've - you know what I've seen, Faolan. [ When they shared the dream-vision, when she saw things. ] You are my friend. I mean that, I really do. You're already there and it's not about whether or not you fulfil a duty or something, you know. It's just a matter of being yourself.
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I will never see what you see in me. Any of you. [He's not putting himself down when he says this, it's the simple truth. Lancelot's friendship makes him want to do right by the other man. Makes him want to protect him, to be better for him. To be the man that Lancelot believes him to be. He wonders what sort of changes his friendship too might enact in him. Only time will tell, he supposes. For now, he must let that thought go.]
He likes you. Bridei, I mean.
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I'm glad. He's really something beautiful, isn't he? Look at him. He trusts you so much, Faolan, and he sees in you the same thing that I see in you. [ Her gaze softens before she fights back her smile, adjusting Bridei in her arms before she reaches out and rubs her hand over Faolan's arm, gentle and tender, trying to offer him support even as she struggles with the soft weight in her arms. ]
You don't have to see what we see, not always. You just have to know we're here.
I APOLOGIZED IN THE OTHER TAG BUT I WILL APOLOGIZE AGAIN :(
At the mention of Bridei, he glances down at the little dragon, grateful for the subject change.] He is. Beautiful. As for the trust, well. I'm told it has something to do with bonding. [He shrugs slightly.] I was there when he hatched, after all. They say that if you're there for the hatching, they form a bond with you. Of course, he's too little for that now, but. [He's going to be able to read his mind some day, for better or worse.]