[Right. Uh. If you couldn't stomach the Kender/Whisper mush from earlier, you might just want to skip this one, kids. Oh yeah.]

<TIAMAT> *It's the day after Kender's group had breakfast at the Rustling Ghost and Genoa ran off on them. Whisper did, of course, give her hell when she saw her later that day, but that's quite beside the point, now.

<TIAMAT> *Evening is fast approaching, and Whisper is getting ready for a date when we find Teal standing outside her and Genoa's door at the Blue Heron, silently asking himself if he knows just what he's doing.

<JETMODE> *Genoa, on the other hand, is ignoring Whisper and has her nose buried deep in one of her books. Exam tomorrow, or so she claims.

<TIAMAT> *There's a sudden knock at the door. Whisper flashes Genoa a sweet smile before responding, "It's open, Kender dearest!"

<TIAMAT> *Teal stares blankly.

<JETMODE> *Genoa makes a disgusted noise and attempts to burrow even deeper in the book, though it's hardly possible.

<TIAMAT> *Teal glances around to see if Kender really is approaching, then turns back toward the door uncomfortably. He's just about to knock again when it opens. "You could have come in, you kn--" Whisper stops very abruptly when she sees who it is, blinking in surprise. A slow smile twitches at the corners of her mouth. "Why, Baron Teal, what a ... pleasant surprise."

<JETMODE> *There's a loud thud from inside the room. That was Genoa dropping her book.

<TIAMAT> *Teal clears his throat uncomfortably. "Er, Whisper. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt--"

<JETMODE> *If Whisper should happen to glance back at her roommate, she'd note that the usually calm girl is shaking her head frantically.

<JETMODE> *And mouthing protests.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper does indeed glance back at Genoa, giving her a considerbly wicked grin before turning back to Teal. "Oh no, not at all, Baron. Please, come in." She steps aside, smiling sweetly, and he clears his throat again and takes an almost hesitant step in after her.

<TIAMAT> *His hair is ponytailed this time, but he's not in uniform.

<JETMODE> *Genoa composes herself as rapidly as she can, but she's tensed as if to run, staring at Teal much like she can't believe he's there.

<TIAMAT> *Teal glances at Genoa, locking eyes with her for a moment, before turning back to Whisper. "Ah..."

<TIAMAT> *Whisper glances between the two, trying to contain a gleeful snicker. "Oh, I was just on my way out. We'll probably be out for a while, Genoa, dear, so don't wait up for me!" She gives a quick wave as she trots out the door, closing it quietly behind her.

<JETMODE> *Genoa makes a small noise of protest, for all the good it's going to do her.

<TIAMAT> *Teal watches as Whisper disappears, then slowly turns back to Genoa. "... Genoa."

<JETMODE> *Genoa brings her hands up to her face, shaking. "I.. please.."

<TIAMAT> *Teal looks a little guilty at that -- he certainly didn't want to make her cry. He goes over to her, kneeling in front of her and taking her hands in his gently. "I didn't come here to hurt you."

<JETMODE> *She wasn't quite crying, but close. Her gaze darts from one side, to the other, to her lap and back again. Anywhere but right at him. "I.." She bows her head. ".. why?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal smiles a little sadly at her. "We can't keep this up forever...these games we play. At least...I can't. *he pauses, takes a deep breath* If there's nothing between us...if you don't want there to be...then I'll understand. But we can't go on like this."

<JETMODE> *She looks up from her lap, finally, and for a long moment simply stares at him, eyes desperate. "You.." Her hands clench. "Damn you.." She looks down again, continuing to speak much as if someone opened up a great floodgate. "I can't.. I can't.. when you're gone.. its like I'm missing half of myself, and when you're near, I.. I.."

<TIAMAT> *Teal leans over to her very suddenly, closing his eyes and cutting her abruptly off with a kiss.

<JETMODE> *Genoa makes a startled sound, color flying into her cheeks. After a moment, though, she responds, hesitant, but warm.

<JETMODE> *After several moments of this, Genoa pulls away, looking dazed. "I.. we.. can't." She puts one hand to her forehead, shaking. "I'm.. I'm the disgraced daughter of a minor house. I --"

<TIAMAT> *Teal takes her hand in his, raising her chin with his other until they're eye to eye. "Really, do you think something like that is going to change anything? *he smiles a bit.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> I.. *swallows* ... *shoulders droop* I would.. hope not.

<JETMODE> *She smiles a little guiltily, lifting her hand to touch his face hesitantly. "I.. I am sorry. I.. have been a little lost lately."

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Ah, Genoa... *he shakes his head a little. "You have no idea. There's no need to apologize. *hesitates* Ever since...the temple...I...*he closes his eyes, trailing off.

<JETMODE> *Genoa leans over and kisses him gently. "I missed you," she murmurs. "Terribly."

<TIAMAT> *Teal: As did I... *he takes her face in his hands, running his fingers through her hair gently as he returns the kiss, then smiles. "I couldn't bear not seeing you--"

<JETMODE> <Genoa> I -- I don't think I can stand being without you -- *hoarse again* Teal, I.. I mean..

<TIAMAT> *Teal laughs a little at this, though certainly not at her. "Devan," he says, brushing a lock of her hair out of her face. "My name is Devan. And...*faint smile* *softly* There's really no use fighting it, now, is there?"

<JETMODE> *Genoa murmurs the name, trying it out. "Devan.." She tilts her head against his hand, closing her eyes. "There's nothing left in me to fight at all."

<TIAMAT> *Devan pulls himself up to sit next to her on her bed. "Then don't. *he wraps his arms around her, pulling her into a gentle embrace.

<JETMODE> *Genoa draws in a soft breath, leaning against him and pulling him tightly to her. "I won't."