Halt glanced over at Pauline somewhat shyly. Thank God his cowl shadowed his expression; someone may have noticed the almost love-sick expression he'd pulled. Striding over to her, she jumped when he cleared his throat.
"Oh! It's just you, Halt. You scared me for a moment!" She quickly laughed off her surprise and smiled at the grim Ranger.
"I gathered that much…" Come on! Just tell her for God's sake! You're as bad as those kids running around here! "But, um, anyways I was wondering if you, uh…" losing his usually powerful air of confidence as he spoke, he wondered how to explain how he felt.
"If I…?" Pauline replied pleasantly. He was lost for words for a moment and wondered what he should say. He could ask her to accompany him for dinner, to walk with him, or to even just talk. But how would he ask her? He wasn't good with being romantic; he was Halt, the Halt. He'd led a cavalry against Morgarath and the wargals! Even Kalkara couldn't scare him!
After a few moments hesitation, he answered lamely, "If you knew which merchant sold the best coffee?" Seeing the confusion on her face he added, "The last couple times I didn't get the best quality…" Halt, if he wasn't the stoic, self-controlled, shameless Ranger he was, could have slammed his head into the nearest wall. I should write a book, he thought, "How to not be Romantic: A Guide by Halt O'Carrick.
"Oh… I mean, Master Chubb buys the entire castle's from Miss Sarah Grechen. You should see if she has any today." Walking away after bidding Halt goodbye, Pauline sighed. Halt can be so dense sometimes!
Meanwhile, with our favorite, recently embarrassed Ranger…
YOU IDIOT. "Oh, why hello, Pauline! I was just wondering if you knew which merchant sells the best coffee beans! Oh? Sarah, you say? I'll be sure to drop by, thank you, and good afternoon!", why would you do that! Halt berated himself mentally as he rode back to the cabin on the edge of the woods. He'd just messed up a perfect opportunity to express his feelings to Lady Pauline, and it had just burst in to flames!
Dismounting and unsaddling Abelard Halt was arguing with his equine companion.
You're pathetic, kids can say "I love you" easier!
"Please, it's not like she'd actually return those type of feelings!"
Yeah? Well you certainly tried back there. "Oh hello Pauline, I lo- I mean isn't it a lovely day?" Halt could have sworn Abelard would have been laughing if he were human.
"Well good-night to you too…" Halt grumbled. Walking back inside, Halt couldn't help but wonder if his horse was right, after all, it's not like she'd turn him down by saying "Ew! No! You're a grizzly black-sorcerer, why would I like you?"
Shaking his head Halt began preparing his dinner, still berating himself on what he could have done.
What's done is done, not like I can change anything now. Halt thought as he stirred the broth.
