The Story of A Ball

Chapter Three: Of Hands, and the Bad and Wonderful Things that can Happen to Them.  And How, When Looked at Correctly, the Bad Might be the Best

"Where's Frostpine?" asked Daja as they entered the forge. 

"He said he might not be able to stay, he had some work to do around the town.  I can show you what to do though."

Daja's heart stopped.  She was going to be alone with Kirel for who knows how long.  Your acting silly, Daja told herself.  It's not like anything would happen.  Not that I wouldn't want it to, she added as an after thought. 

"So," said Daja trying to keep the dying conversation going, "What are we going to be doing?  Something exciting? Not making nails I hope…"  No matter how powerful of a mage she was, she still had to do the tedious jobs of a normal metal worker, which unfortunately included crafting nails. 

"Actually…"started Kirel

"You're kidding me right? Nails?!  Geesh, isn't there anything better for me to do around here? What a waste…"

Daja's rambling was stopped, along with her heart, when she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder. 

"Think of it this way," Kirel remarked cheerfully, "This way we can talk and catch up."

"That's true; well I guess this won't be too bad.  Really, it will be quite nice…"  Daja said the last part under her breath, but unknown to her the man standing in the forge with her had overheard and he smiled. 

"Glad to be of service" said Kirel.  "Now how bout we get started?"
            Kirel and Daja were having a wonderful time, talking and laughing together and catching up on all the time they had missed.  Both of them were especially happy to be spending the day together, even if they were both a little awkward around each other.  But the peacefulness was shattered when Daja erupted with a loud "OW!"

"What is it?" Kirel questioned, his concern obvious. 
            "Oh, nothing, I just hit my thumb by accident…"

"Wow Daja, your not one to make mistakes in the forge"

Yeah, you're right. Daja thought.  Too bad I was thinking about how cute you looked with you hair spilling onto your face a few minutes ago…

"Here, let me see it."  With that Kirel came over and lightly took her hand in his.  Daja felt a tingle start on her fingertips when Kirel touched her, and the tingle spread throughout her body until she was completely filled with the warmth. 

"Well, it doesn't look too bad." Kirel remarked.  "But I don't think you should use your hand anymore today, you should go home and put some ice on it, that should help the swelling."  As Kirel told her this, he absentmindedly ran his thumb over her injured hand.  When Daja realized what he was doing she looked down at their hands in amazement.  When Kirel saw what she was looking at he blushed slightly but did not remove his hand, in fact he placed his other hand on top of hers as well. 

Kirel took a deep breath and lifted his head to look at Daja; he seemed about to say something but then stopped.  He then said "Come on, I'll walk you home."

Daja started to protest, wanting to know what he had been going to say, but Kirel was already lightly pulling her out into the fresh afternoon air.  And When Daja realized that Kirel still had his hand clasped with hers, she decided the warm feeling she was receiving from her hand being in his was better than anything he could have had to say to her. 

As Daja and Kirel walked down the street hand in hand Daja thought that slamming her hand with a hammer was the best thing that had ever happened to her. 

A/N: Oh, I just love fluff…hehe I try my best to make it fluffy.  Thanks to all the reviews! They inspired me to start writing the next chapter!

Crazylittlekiwifruit: Glad you liked it! I try to update fast so as to not keep people waiting!

Zurizip-Thanks!

Lady Wolfspeaker- Thanks! Yes, I'm looking forward to writing the ball chapter!

Artemisofthehunt- Yes, there definitely aren't enough D/K out there…or Tris and Keth ones! I'm planning to write one of them next!

Miamouse- Glad you liked it! Don't worry, more is on the way.

Dragon Girl Revlis-Yay! Thanks! I hope you like the rest just as much!

Gwen Lyon-I'm glad you like it!  As I said above, I'm thinking about writing a Keth/Tris story later!  However, I don't think I'm going to include the other mages in this story!

Review Please!!