Spying the young Musketeer sitting by himself looking like a lonely puppy Kyrielle makes her way over to d'Artagnan's side "Mind if I join you?" She quietly asks.
Without turning from his deep contemplation of his half full goblet of wine the Gascon nods his head minutely.
Pouring herself a drink from the bottle on the table the Musketeerette takes a fortifying sip before deciding to take the plunge and bring up a touchy subject.
"d'Artagnan" she begins quietly "I've noticed recently that you've been not quite yourself and on occasion I've seen an extremely sad look briefly cross your face as you've glanced in Athos' direction." Pausing for a second Kyrielle waits to see if the young man will say anything, when he doesn't she hesitantly continues "I hope you know that if you wish to talk I'm here to listen... and I swear to you that if what you say has anything to do with Athos I would not break your confidence and tell him, unless you want me too." Moving her hand forward she gently places it on d'Artagnan's forearm.
Dropping his chin to his chest d'Artagnan seems to take a moment to get his thoughts in order, having come to a decision he places his own hand atop the one laying on his arm as he lifts his head and turns his sad eyes towards the young lady sitting next to him.
"Firstly" he rasps "I want to thank you for the fact that you not only noticed my behaviour, but also that you took the time to show concern for me, even if it might be your man that I am having a problem with." Without letting Kyrielle's hand go or even removing it from his arm d'Artagnan raises the cup to his lips and finishes what's left in one big gulp.
"Secondly, yes, I think I would like to confide in you" giving a small smile which fades quickly as d'Artagnan mutters to himself "at least you are showing interest unlike my own Musketeerette."
Pretending that she didn't hear that last part Kyrielle gives his arm a gentle squeeze in encouragement.
"I've been thinking a lot lately about my mother" d'Artagnan begins, "she died when I was eight and... and I didn't cope very well" stopping briefly the young man takes a shuddering breath, "my father was also consumed by his grief and we did not know how to support each other, our housekeeper, who'd been with our family since before I was born, thought that it might do me good to get out of Lupiac for a time. So she requested and was given permission to take me on a visit to the estate where her sister worked as a housekeeper." Closing his eyes briefly d'Artagnan takes a deep breath before continuing "Her heart was in the right place, but leaving my home with all the memories of my mother was not something I wanted to do."
Picking up the wine bottle Kyrielle slowly fills d'Artagnan's cup giving the young man a chance to get his emotions under control.
"Although the house we went to was peaceful and in beautiful countryside I... I just couldn't get past the sadness I felt to really appreciate it." Sighing d'Artagnan removes his hand from Kyrielle's only long enough to run his fingers through his hair before returning it to its previous position.
"I could tell that my housekeeper and her sister were worried about me, but nothing could penetrate the dense fog that I felt had surrounded me, until..." looking into the Musketeerette's eyes d'Artagnan continues in a whisper "I met the eldest son of the family who owned the house we were staying in."
Realising what d'Artagnan is saying Kyrielle gasps "Do you mean...?"
"The kindness Athos showed me back then helped me so much, and I... I know it's been many years since then but it's just starting to get to me that he doesn't remember our having met previously."
"I haven't forgotten" Athos quietly says from behind them causing Kyrielle and d'Artagnan to jump slightly.
"Wha... what?" d'Artagnan stutters.
Taking a seat next to his Musketeerette Athos repeats what he'd already said "I do remember our previous meeting, d'Artagnan."
"But... but... you never mentioned anything."
Nodding in agreement the swordsman explains "It was the grief I saw in your eyes when you challenged me to a duel, and considering the events that led up to you storming into the garrison I didn't think it would be wise to bring up how we had met before."
"So... so you really did remember me?" d'Artagnan asks uncertainly.
"Of course I did!"
The smile that spreads over the young man's face at this statement shone brighter than the sun.