Disclaimer:
I do not own Redwall.. so the areas are not mine. They belong to the genius, Brian Jacques. However, the characters ARE mine! =) Except Rosa and Jasmine belong to a friend of mine. I have her permission to use her characters."When are you going to propose Turan?" Yet another busybody of the abbey pressed one afternoon. So it was only the hundredth time-and counting- that he'd been asked this question. Seasons thank his lucky stars that he had an unsurpassable patience.
Now as he leaned upon the hilt of his sword, he looked on at Rosa, trying to hide the annoyance from his features. He knew Jasmine was at the head of all of this. That meddler of a vixen! She was putting everyone up to it.
"Rosa," he replied calmly. "I'm sure you know you aren't the first person to ask me that." Nor will she be the last. he thought bitterly. "But for lack of a nicer way to say it.. It's none of your business."
"But everybody knows you will being doing it, mon ami," Rosa argued just as softly and calmly as Turan. "So why not being doing it sooner than later, oui?"
"Rosa.." Turan said with a small sigh, lifting his sword and sheathing it, for he knew he was completely at a loss for a chance to get back to his training. "I think I can handle this decision myself. Now.. could you do me a favor and please ask Jasmine to give it a rest?"
She fixed Turan with her dark eyes for a moment. "How you being knowing mes ami Yasmin doing this?" She asked, catching on her difficult accent.
He gave a sigh. "When isn't she? I'll see you later, Rosa. I'm going to be off now. Have a good day." And with that, he slipped off into the orchard before he could be cornered again.
He walked through the orchard towards the pond. He hadn't been training with Tannia, so he wondered where she had got off to.
But perhaps he knew her too well. For by the pond he found her, picking up random stones and trying to skip them along the calm water's surface. Sadly, most of them fell pitifully short, skipping only once or twice before sliding in through the water and out of view. But it was not for lack of trying. Tannia did not seem the least put-out by it. In fact, she only faintly seemed to be paying attention to what she was doing.
Turan smilingly came forward, searching the ground. He drew up a small, flat stone and tossed it over the water. It skipped several times before sinking. Tannia blinked then turned and looked at Turan.
So many had seen it.. that quick, yet small change that overcame her at the sight of Turan. The warrior never saw it, for it was the look she always wore when he was present. But others.. they would see her smiles were just a little wider, her eyes dancing. She just looked the part of a blissful young haremaid.
"Show off," she said, but she was smiling. Why wouldn't she be smiling? Turan laughed and before another word was spared, he leaned down and kissed her. A normal greeting between the two young hares. Only if they were alone though, of course.
When he drew away, he saw Tannia let out a small breath before opening her eyes, as if slightly regretting it was over. He couldn't help but smile at it.
"So what have you been up to?" Tannia asked, taking his paw and leading him over to sit in the shade. She leaned against the tree, and slipping down to sit at its base, Turan immediately following suit. The shade was much appreciated on the warm summer afternoon.
"Nothing much," he replied casually. "Just training." His answer for everything. Well, of course, he usually was training. But he felt he needn't bring up the whole interrogation with Rosa. It was only one of many in the past couple of weeks. It was not as if he hid it from Tannia though. She knew all about it.
Unfortunately, Tannia could read those bright blue eyes like an open book. She certainly stared at them long enough and often enough. But that is irrelevant. With all the innocence and coquettishness she could muster, she said "I went and had a little chat with Jasmine today."
Oh yes. Turan saw THAT one coming a league off. "I won't even ask." He replied rather flatly. Because, really, he had no whim of knowing what was said in so-called 'little chat.'
"Good." Tannia replied with a small, forlorn sigh. She sank down a bit where she sat and laid her head against Turan's shoulder. "She just doesn't understand the phrase 'mind your own business,' does she?"
Turan gave a wry smile. Where did that sound familiar? But his voice always seemed so sure, and even so happy-go-lucky at most times. It was a comforting combination, and Tannia closed her eyes just to listen. "You aren't letting Jasmine get to you, are you Tannia?"
Oh.. now she had to talk? There was a moment of silence. "I try not to." She finally said, still not opening her eyes.
He shifted slightly, so he could put his paw to her chin and tilt her head so she was looking at him. She flicked her eyes open and looked at him, a smile crossing her lips. Oh yep. That's exactly what he was looking for. He returned the smile.
Tannia had heard about it so much. Whether from other lovesick souls, or from romance tales. That rapid beating of your heart, that feeling of weakness-like you've turned to jello; though not unpleasant at all. How did Turan do that... just by looking at her?
He held the gaze for just a moment, knowing exactly what it did to Tannia. Why not use this incredible power he had over her? Just a glance. Just a smile. It was so easy. Easy, he knew, because she trusted him so much. Then he spoke again, softly. "I don't want anyone to bother you. Don't ever be upset by such a thing. Just remember you know more about our relationship than anyone else does."
And those were the words the lingered in her mind. Words she knew she should heed. But she couldn't help but worry. Everything seemed to confuse her right now. Sometimes the other Redwallers sounded right.. there just didn't seem any logical reason why Turan had yet to propose to her. Why didn't he?
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A/N~~ I know I didn't tell you much about my characters! But it's because this story was originally for some friends who are familiar with my characters. If I get good reviews, I'll put up the rest of the story, and describe my characters better. They are both hares. They grew up from young kids together. Turan is the Redwall warrior. Tannia is also a fighter, but not with Turan's skill.
