* 76 * 3/5/13, 3/8/13

When Casavir entered his room after Lily, Lily stared at him, feeling she knew what this was about.

"I am glad to see you are all right, my lady, please do not doubt this," he started, immediately delving into the point. "But, I must ask... Why did you go into the woods...that night?" In his concern, some of his politeness vanished. There was no "my lady" here.

Lily had a feeling he would ask this, but she still hadn't worked out how she'd respond in her mind. Should she tell him about her discontent at seeing Bishop and Elanee? She knew that would hurt him, but it was the honest truth. Then again, what was the point in telling him the truth? The truth involved Bishop, a person who was a terrible choice of company, first off, one that she really shouldn't get too involved with. Especially now, she had little interest in associating with him, let alone allowing issues involving him to bother Casavir.

"I don't know."

Casavir gave her a worried look. That was hardly an answer. However, perhaps now was not the time to ask her. She didn't seem completely back to normal.

What could have happened that would make her stray into the pouring rain in the middle of the night? he wondered. The only thing he recalled being special about that day was the unusual amount of attention she had given him, massaging his shoulders and giving him ample affection. He had even dozed off from it.

But that couldn't be related, could it? Did she have any regrets about it?

He had to clear the air to satisfy his mind, however. "May I ask if your meeting with me that night had anything to do with it?" He looked hurt, and his melancholy, unsettled tone only implied it further.

Lily gasped at the implication. She hadn't even thought of that, of what had happened right before she went to talk with Bishop, let alone what running off like that would make the paladin feel. Her mind was still a bit hazy, but now she recalled having met with Casavir in his quarters that night before going back to her room to...take care of some unfinished business. Only after that had she gone to Bishop's room.

"Casavir, no, not at all," she reassured him, shaking her head fervently. Her look was sincere. "That's not...how it was at all."

The paladin regained some of his strong, solid composure, but he was still noticeably dejected. She either had had regrets about that night, or she wasn't telling him something. Both possibilities made him dour.

Noting his still-downtrodden demeanor, Lily moved close to him, looked up into his face from her height.

"I'll tell you, Casavir... I just don't feel comfortable quite yet. Please wait a little longer." Her bright green eyes traced all over his face, concern lining her own features. He really was handsome, even when frowning. She didn't want to make him frown and etch such immovable lines deeper into such a face.

"I understand, my lady," he returned, brightening up and regaining much of himself at her sincere explanation. If she just didn't feel comfortable telling him yet, he wasn't hurt. He could tell her mind was still a bit out of sorts. It made sense to him.

As if to prove this, Lily did something a bit out of the ordinary: she hugged him. Not because she was crying this time, or even in greeting. This was a real hug, one of reassurance and true friendship.

Casavir was taken aback, but pleased to be receptive to her sudden act. He remembered back to being in the Temple of Tyr with her, and how it had felt to be alone with her there. Emboldened, he wrapped his arms lightly but securely around her waist. At this, his whole body felt like melting; he was finally holding her again, alone. This time, his armor didn't mar his ability to feel her form pressed against him for a lasting time, and his every muscle was soothed by her proximity.

Lily rested there, content, at least for the moment.

How do I feel? she wondered blankly.

I feel in need... she admitted. But of what?

Whatever it was, Casavir's warm, tender, and wholesome embrace seemed to be pretty good at satisfying it.

Lily broke away from him, suddenly taking her right leg and leisurely closing the door behind her with it. Casavir watched blankly. When the door was closed, his eyes questioned her.

"Lily?" he mouthed softly, curiously.

A breath.

Something overcame Lily in that moment, hearing him say her actual name that way instead of a formal title, having him be so concerned about her, feeling so confused and...lonely, ever since she woke up.

"Casavir..." she returned breathlessly, leaning up on her toes to reach him and pressing her lips against his.