"Father, Lolita." Angelina stood in front of her family. "May I present lord and Lady Fabrino." she gestured at the older couple. "And their son, Sir Daniel Fabrino. Daniel was a dear friend of mine back at Blakeney, he helped me so many times with all kinds of projects." she said.
"Really?" Lolita asked and then looked at Daniel. "What kind of projects?"
"Oh you know, charity projects. When we needed to carry big box's of medicine and food unto carts the noble men from the university would be happy to help in exchange for a bite of lunch." Angelina informed. "He was always so good at helping."
"Hehe." Daniel chuckled a little awkwardly as he blushed then turned to Lolita and Francesco. "Erh, it's an honour to finally meet you. Lady and Sir Pulido." he said. "Especially you sir Pulido, Angelina has told much about you."
"Is that so?" Francesco asked.
"Oh yes, she informed me you were the best swordsman in the world. Well according to her, I will admit I didn't quite believe her the way she kept showering you with compliments. But I must assume you are at least extremely skilled." Daniel smiled a little awkwardly. "And she also liked to talk about how strong you are and well."
That made Francesco smile amused. "I see, Lord Fabrino." he turned to the old man. "It's been a while."
"Yes, it has." Lord Fabrino nodded. "So this is where you ended up, I did wonder."
Angelina blinked. "You know each other?" she asked.
"As acquaintances." Francesco said. "As we are both part of the Blakeney court we did both participate in the royal Fox hunt and its like back in the day. That was a very long time ago though, I was very young. It was even before I came to this land for the first time, I think I was sixteen the last time I was there."
"Oh I see." Angelina realised.
"Wont you come in?" Francesco then invited. "It must have been a long travel for you, you must tell us what brought you here. And well, we don't get a lot of visitors from the mainland, you must tell us how things are back at Blakeney."
Soon after they were all seated in the big living room, each sitting in their own soft chair. Fresh grapes and refreshments were served by the servants, a selection of gold vines and juices which Daniel was very eager to taste and as he did he looked up.
"Wow, you sure was right Angelina." he admitted. "This is excellent, I don't even think i've seen grapes that big before."
"Didn't I tell you? Bigger and juicier grapes than anywhere else in the world." Angelina smirked amused. "Is there more where you doubted my word? I'll be happy to show you. Perhaps you'll like a tour of the stables? You didn't believe what I said about our horses either did you?"
"Hehe.." Daniel blushed. "I'm sorry, it's just the way you made everything sound better here you can't fault me for doubting you."
"Well i'll be glad to put any of your doubts to rest now you are here." Angelina smirked.
Lolita seemed to have warmed up now as she had observed the familiarity between Daniel and Angelina.
"So, how long did you two know each other at Blakeney?" Lolita asked now genuinely interested.
"When we were both first years!" Angelina smiled. Of course, since they had shared the same class that was kind of a given, but Lolita didn't have to know that.
"Yeah." Daniel nodded. "We… erh, erhm. How did we meet exactly?" he asked in a blink.
"In one of my nursing classes." Angelina smoothly lied. "We needed volunteers to practise on when it came to making spleens and putting on bandages. And suddenly all the young men at the university was ready to help." she chuckled a girly chuckle. "Daniel was so nice to stay even after class and help cleaning up the mess."
"So you've been running around girls." Lady Fabrino frowned slightly disapproving.
"He he." Daniel blushed deeply.
"Well I suppose it's good they were at least of your own stature." Lady Fabrino commented.
"Yes Mother." Daniel exhaled in a deeply defeated tone.
"Come now, we were all young ones." Francesco then commented. "And if I know my daughter right, everything was perfectly decent."
"Goodness yes." Angelina blinked.
"Well I suppose so." Lord Fabrino commented only to get a glare from his wife and he immediately kept quiet.
"Now then, what does bring you here?" Francesco asked. "Vacation?"
"I wish." Lord Fabrino exhaled deeply. "The truth is that we need to hide for a while."
That made Angelina blink. "Hide? From who? Why?" she asked.
"The kings men." Lord Fabrino admitted making both Angelinas, Francesco and Lolitas eyes widen.
Daniel bit together. "A group of you revolutionaries whom wanted to overthrow the king started to have meetings on the land my parents own." he said. "They even went as far as setting up meetings in our own basement, it turned out one of our servants was part of the group and had let them in in secret. The group was caught and most of them executed, however now we are being blamed for being collaborators." he admitted. "We thought it was better to just get out of there and stay low for a while until we could proof our innocence, so I came with the idea of buying a smaller house at this land, and we purchased one which is a few days travels west from here. It is remote and we should be able to lay low for a while before returning home. Sir Pulido, I know this is a lot to ask. But I swear to you we are loyal to the king, will you lend us a bed for the night?" he asked.
Pulido grew a little pale as he sat back. "You are putting me in a difficult position." he admitted. "My family and I, we are not exactly in the best favor of the king anymore. It's hard to explain but… My house is sadly not that safe. I cannot be compromised any further."
"Father." Angelina then looked up. "No one has to know they are even here, and when things settle down in Blakeney. They can put in a good word for us, we help them, they help us."
Francesco frowned lightly then turned to Lolita. "What do you think Lolita?" he asked.
"Well." Lolita bit her lip. "If the Captain captures wind that we are housing refuges, people whom are right now considered enemies of the king. It'll give him just the excuse he needs to do who knows what. The governor as well, he is just looking for the right excuse to seize our home. This would be far to easy for him." she admitted. "But, Angelina has a good point. We could really need a good word put in for us at the Blakeney court and well… Daniel Fabrino is Angelinas friend." she then said looking up. "We can't turn down friends of the family. Can we?" she asked. "What if it was one of your friends or one of mine?"
And Francesco nodded as he smiled. "You're right." he said then turned to the Fabrinos. "Our doors will be open to you and you can stay for as long as you need, i'll help you find passage to your new house as well if you'll like."
And you could clearly see the relief on all the Fabrinos faces.
"Thank you sir Pulido! Thank you so much!" Lord Fabrino exclaimed.
"We will never forget your kindness!" Lady Fabrino added as well.
Daniel smiled amused. "Thank you sir Pulido, you are being very generous. And I know you are putting your own name on the line to do this. We will not forget your kindness. I swear to you! When we get back to Blakeney i'll speak to the court myself. We'll spread the words about how loyal you are."
"Well." Francesco exhaled deeply. "Please, just stay low. Stay in the area of my estate until your departure. The kings soldiers should not come around here."
"We understand." Lord Fabrino nodded. "Thank you sir Pulido."
"Wow." Daniel commented as he and Angelina was walking in the garden. "You are wasted as a noble, you should have been a actress." he commented. "Or an undercover agent, you just made up lies as if it was nothing."
Angelina pouted as she looked away. "It's not that I like lying to my family." she muttered.
"Ah yeah." Daniel blinked. "This… Must be pretty difficult for you." he commented. "Having to act like someone you're not."
"Well, a delicate lady is much more desirable among nobles isn't it?" Angelina asked.
"Pff, I like the real you a lot better." Daniel rolled his eyes. "Aw man! I had really looked forward to have a sword duel with you again!" he stated. "I have really been improving lately!"
"Have you now?" Angelina asked amused. "You think you can beat me?"
"Definitely." Daniel stated as he crossed his arms. "I told you a million times, someday I will beat you! No matter what!" and then he halted. "Oh… I guess, that's out of the question now." he muttered sounding genuinly extremely dissapointed.
"Not necessarily." Angelina commented thoughtfully.
"Oh?" Daniel asked.
"I have an idea!" Angelina grinned. "Come on this way, follow me!" she gestured and lead Daniel back to the estate where she went to her room fetching Bernadette on the way. "Hey Bernadette, it's a case two situation." she said. "would you mind?"
And Bernadette blinked but then nodded her understanding. "Great, thanks!" Angelina grinned.
"Case two situation?" Daniel asked.
"I'll be out of the house but only for a couple of hours, Bernadette will stand in for me. She'll stay in my room and if anyone knocks on the door jump into my bed and pretend to be me sleeping." Angelina said as she headed to the wall with the hidden passage and opened it up. "In here." she said as she disappeared inside.
Daniel blinked but finally followed and then followed Angelina down the narrow passageways that soon became much larger tunnels and finally ended up into a giant lair. And in the lair was a lot of dusty shelfs with boxes on them, but also shelfs that seemed like they were being used far more often with blank weapons laid out on them ready for use. "Wow." he blinked as he looked around. "What's this? Your secret hidout?" he asked.
"Yup!" Angelina beamed. "The exit is right over there, would you mind waiting for me outside?" she asked.
"Huh?" Daniel asked.
"I have to change to clothes." Angelina explained impatiently.
"OH! Sure! Of course!" Daniel exclaimed his face turning red but he headed to the exit, except ones he reached the exit he was being blocked by a massive beast! A huge red stallion getting in his way and huffed at him angrily. "ARGH!" Daniel screamed as he jumped up then wide-eyed he looked up at the horse. The horse did not look happy to see him, foam was forming around its mouth, its eyes looked genuinely angry. "Ah… Ah… Ah.." Daniel shivered as he stepped backwards. "An.. Angelina!" he called. "ANGELINA!"
"What is it?" Angelinas voice responded.
"There-theres a horse!" Daniel stammered. "It looks mad!"
"That's just Firestorm, he doesn't like people." Angelinas voice responded back very casually. "Just don't look him in the eyes, you'll be fine."
"Oh that's all." Daniel muttered under his breath. "Eh… Nice horse." he swallowed. "Ni-nice horse." he shivered and the horse huffed.
Then finally a woman came running, though now she was wearing practical brown fighting pants, long shafted leather boots, a white short and her dark hair was tied up in a horsetail. She though headed straight for the horse and embraced his mule. "FIRESTORM!" she cheered happily. "Thank you for trying to protect the cave, it's okay though Daniel is a friend!" she beamed.
And the horse bowed his head to sniff at her pockets.
"Oh al right, here's your carrot." Angelina grinned as she pulled out a carrot and gave it to the horse whom ate it immediately and then turned around and quietly walked away.
Wide-eyed Daniel looked after the big red horse and Angelina exhaled deeply.
"Isn't he the most beautiful horse you have ever seen?" Angelina asked in a enthralled voice.
"Horse?!" Daniel asked. "That's not a horse that's a beast!" he exclaimed turning to Angelina and then he halted as his eyes widened.
Angelina frowned as she looked at him. "What?" she asked.
"SORRY!" Daniel asked. "I just.. erhm, you erh." he swallowed. "That clothe suits you." he finally muttered under his breath.
Angelina blinked. "It's just old rags." she pointed out.
"Ah yes, of course." Daniel said. "It just… It suits you with the, erhm. Shirt and erh, hair and. I mean, I.."
Angelina looked stunned at Daniel as well, then she felt her cheeks heating up and she looked away. "It's just clothes." she said again. "So! Do you want to fight or what?" she asked picking up a sword. "And I have you know, if you hold back on me i'm going to be insulted!"
"Dude seriously?" Daniel asked. "I never held back on you before and you ALWAYS won!" he exclaimed. "I'm not going to loose this time. To bad you're probably rusty, I wanted to win fairly."
"HAHAHAHA!" Angelina laughed loudly. "Don't get to full of yourself, come on. Outside is best." she said heading outside and Daniel smiled as he followed her.
Outside on the field, they both took position. They each made a salute. "So." Daniel smirked. "You got the pants on, but there is no beams for you to crawl around on monkey."
"Don't need them." Angelina replied. "Let me tell you now, if you want to win you better put your all into this!" she stated.
And Daniel smirked and he launched.
It took no time at all before it suddenly seemed like old times again. Everything about secrets and hidings were forgotten, and they both laughed and cheered as they threw insults at each other while jumping around. Angelina easily climbed up on cliffs and jumped down, showing off with her backflips and Daniel was not late to remind her that she was a monkey.
They ran across the field, they laughed so much. For this time there was nothing but just them and their play and then finally they both fell down in exhaustion leaning up against each other as they laughed.
"God… Dammit." Daniel gasped deeply. "You're not rusty at all, you learned new tricks!" he stated.
"You learned some new tricks to." Angelina smirked. "Keep it up, you may still be able to beat me one day."
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Daniel laughed loudly. "Definitely!" he stated. "One day, i'll beat you for sure. Fair and square." he smirked. "You know, i'm really relieved." he said.
"Relieved about what?" Angelina asked.
"Well, when I realized you were a woman earlier today. I was kind of confused." Daniel admitted. "I wondered if you could really still be the same, if you would still be the friend I remember. But you totally are!" he grinned. "That's such a relief."
Angelina smiled lightly. "So well yeah, i'm a woman. Whom really likes to sword fight, to go on adventure. Remember when we broke into the museum in the middle of the night? Just so we could get a peak on that chinese armour before everyone else."
"Yeah, you crawled in through the window and unlocked the door for the rest of us. Of course you would be the one climbing up the wall through the window." Daniel chuckled.
"I don't even think it's the armor that mattered so much, we just liked the challenge." Angelina smirked amused. "The excitement, we sure were dumb that night."
"We were idiots." Daniel nodded. "But we sure had fun afterwards ones we managed to outrun the guards. You enjoyed that chase way to much!"
"Yeah, I did." Angelina admitted in a smirk then she turned to Daniel and they looked at each other. "So, you're really not mad?" she asked. "About me being a woman?"
Daniel shook his head. "No." he said. "In fact I… I'm really impressed." he admitted. "You're so strong, I never met anyone else like you. Man or woman!" he said. "And now you walk around having to hide your true self, that's so sad." he said. "Everyone should see you for who you are, you are amazing."
And Angelina lost her breath. "You really think so?" she asked.
"Uhu." Daniel nodded. "I… Think you are." and as he spoked he started to lean over, Angelina as well started to lean over as a great surge went through her stomach and her heart was beating so loudly. "I think you are." Daniel breathed again as they were suddenly so very close to each other.
"Just shut up." Angelina said and then leaned the last little bit forward so their lips met and they deeply kissed each other. It was like a whirl storm in Angelinas stomach, it was like her heart exploded and only to soon did they break apart.
Daniel breathed deeply as he looked at her. "Wow."
Angelina was blushing deeply as she looked away, her heart hammering so loudly. Then she glanced at Daniel, and saw his eyes looking at her. Filled with adoration.
It was difficult to put words on, somehow it just made Angelina feel so good and as Daniel guided her mouth to his she let her.
There were only a few pestilence thoughts in her mind that this was a really bad idea, but those thoughts were easily swept aside by the pure excitement in that kiss.
Right now, in that very moment. Only that kiss seemed to matter.