[D4 LA] A Gem Among Roses

[Mariessa Tremaine]

Her chuckle joined with his. "Ah, perhaps? Though you would probably win now if we were to have a rematch... even if I am fiercely stubborn."

Walking beside him, arm-in-arm, she could smell the pleasant scent of him even more noticeably than she had the day before. "This might sound strange, but this is all very, hm, nostalgic, for lack of a better word."

[Ser Harben Varner]

It was not the answer he was looking for, and Harben assumed that Mariessa was deflecting the question, and that in turn led to further assumptions. The rain had brought out the scents of the garden, the soil and leaves and flowers, and that mingled with his warm, summer scent, but the young knight missed the implication of her comment. "It is, rather, it feels like such a long time since we last saw- since we were children," he corrected himself.

[Mariessa Tremaine]

"Since we were children," she nodded in agreement, but... didn't quite feel like dropping the subject there. "Even so... I feel it isn't that long ago since the last time. Maybe," Mari blushed, "it's just something that reminds me of you, but there is something that makes me feel like it's only been a few years..."

[Ser Harben Varner]

A troubled frown creased Harben’s youthful brow, “you don’t remember,” and I can’t forget.

[Mariessa Tremaine]

Mari looked at him with some confusion, not sure if she should push further, or if he didn't want her to with that statement.

"... It was you, wasn't it?" she murmured quietly, not wanting the septa to hear. Her hold on his arm tightened slightly. "My mystery knight?"

[Ser Harben Varner]

“Mystery..?” At first, Harben was confused, but the pieces all fell into place, a flash of understanding like summer lightning. He nodded, “yes,” the word came out as a breathy sigh.

[Mariessa Tremaine]

Mari's brows furrowed slightly at first, as she wanted to punch him in the side for being all secretive about it.

She eased it away with a sigh. "Why didn't you tell me?"

[Ser Harben Varner]

“Tell you?” the young knight was genuinely confused. “Mari,” he stumbled over his words for a few moments, “you know I’ve been staying at Grassfield Keep these last few years, mostly helping Ser Rychard apprehend poachers and bandits. Brigands like the fellows who...” he trailed off, awkwardly. “I’d been trailing them for almost a week, until... until i caught up to them. It was fortunate I found myself in the wrong place, at the right time.”

[Mariessa Tremaine]

That left her confused and blushing with embarrassement. "But..."

She didn't remember his face... it had been concealed, right? She didn't remember him saying anything that told her it was him, and then... then he had been gone?

"... I'm sorry," she murmured, a little flustered. "There's a lot I don't remember, or the memories are fuzzy. I... it was a difficult time then. I wasn't even supposed to be out there alone..."

[Ser Harben Varner]

“Mari...” he gently took her hand, “I never want to embarrass you.” Ignoring the Septa’s disapproving look, Harben gently brushed Mariessa’s cheek with the back of one hand, “you said my name, I thought you knew. I was wearing a kerchief over my mouth, but my hood got brushed back.” He groaned and turned away, “I knew I should have escorted you home.”