Mint and Honey

[KieranSoares]

"It's not just sheep, it's anything that grazes on the shoreline," Alex murmured until he heard Francesca. He sighed and nodded to her. "Alright, love. I'm sorry." Even among family, work was always on Alex's mind. Healers like him were also occasional caretakers of sick animals when the experienced farmers failed, so the issue of roaming livestock animals getting sick, especially in winter, was definitely on his mind.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Mama, when can we open our presents?" Ruari asked, too excited to even think about touching his food.

"When everyone is finished, bambino. It's rude to start any sooner." Valentina said, turning her attentions towards her youngest son.

"The axemen can help with a burn. We are on light duty until the Solstice ends." Yasmine commented, glancing towards Alex. "It would be a nice change of pace from our normal training."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'd certainly appreciate the help," Alex nodded with a small smile.

Once everyone was finished, the older children were allowed to pass out the gifts. Everyone, family or not, received something. It was Jan's cub Soli who brought Yasmine a gift from Brogan's family. "Are you Miss Yasmine?" Soli asked politely with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I am. Aren't you a lovely little wolf." Yasmine said with a smile towards the young girl as she offered her the gift. "Thank you, my dear."

The entire hall was filled with people genuinely happy to be with one another. Yasmine glanced over towards Boar's family, smiling as Jamie and Lynn unwrapped wooden swords. She grinned as the little boys looked at one another with excitement. Kayla laughed softly, content to watch as her boys nearly burst with joy. She gave her father a look and received a simple shrug of his shoulders in return.

The scene was repeated all around the hall as each member got something from another and gave something in return. Yasmine glanced down at her gift and carefully unwrapped it, wondering what she had been given.

 

[KieranSoares]

Seeing as the Ghis hadn't gotten a chance to know her terribly well, Brogan had chosen something useful that he knew an Axeman could use. Inside the box, Yasmine found a fine new dagger with the symbol of the Axemen- a double-bit axe over a teardrop shield- embossed into the base of the blade. And with it was a set of oils and sharpening stones and soft cloths for taking care of weapons and armor. It was practical, and it was a set that was rather expensive for a recruit's pay.

 

[heartofcourage]

It was perhaps the loveliest thing that had ever been given to her and Yasmine smiled as she stared down at the dagger. She would put it to good use and cherish it for a long time to come. Glancing up towards the king and his family, they all seemed to be in good spirits.

Heather had made a cloak for Faust with Justin's help and she smiled so broadly as her teacher unwrapped the present and looked over the fine details.

 

[KieranSoares]

Faust gladly wrapped the cloak around himself, his wings folding close beneath it. "It's beautiful, Heather," he said softly, hugging the little girl close.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Justin helped me make it. He and his Ma taught me how to sew." Heathrr said as Faust hugged her tightly against his side.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I brought you a little something too," he told her, setting a little package in her hands. Faust knew that there wasn't much the Ghis couldn't get hold of if Heather needed it, so he'd chosen to get her a little leather collar for Sunny as well as a book full of painted pictures that were made in such a way that Heather could feel the lines and detail and be able to envision the pictures. It was a book of stories so she could enjoy it with her family reading to her.

 

[heartofcourage]

Heather felt around the leather collar, a smal grin on her face. "It has Sunny's name on it." She could feel each individual letter on the surface.

She then moved on to the book and she was amazed that these could feel each line and detail of the artwork inside. Julia watched the both of them with a smile, knowing that Faust had opened up so much in Heather's dark world.

"And of course, we have gifts for you as well." Julia said, handing packages to him and his two children.

They politely thanked Julia and opened them. Koralo had been given a leather belt, one that he could add pouches and weapons to if he wished. It had been Ashelin's suggestion for the dragon that she considered a good friend. Fiera was given a beautiful stuffed dragon that was the same color as her.

"It looks like Mama." Fiera said softly, showing her father what she had gotten.

 

[KieranSoares]

Faust smiled down at his daughter and gave her a gentle nuzzle. "It does. She would've wanted you to know she's still looking after you."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiera nuzzled him back, holding her new doll close. She had never really known her Ma but her father made sure that she had some idea how much the woman had loved her little ones.

Soon enough, Mako helped put together a makeshift band and escorted his Ma onto the floor. He always had the first and last dance with her and all of his cousins in between.

"Are you going to dance or hide away?" Valentina teased Alex, kissing his cheek before Theo pulled her out onto the floor.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Probably hide," Alex murmured, watching his mother go. He never liked the attention of dancing, and though he was a fine dancer thanks to his grandmother especially and he enjoyed dancing, he had never really found a recurring partner.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine watched everyone begin to find a partner and start moving to the music. It was lively and laughter filled the air. She smiled as she watched all the different figures moving. Will and Lucy made a lovely little couple while David and Annie seemed so in love with one another. Kayla and Aleister sat on the side, but she was bright and loving as she watched the rest of her family enjoy themselves.

Yasmine then noticed that the healer was sitting all by himself, watching everything around him with weary eyes. Chuckling to herself, she stood and made her way towards him, holding out her hand as she stood in front of him.

"Come on. We're dancing." She murmured.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Uh... no," Alex shook his head. "I'd really rather not." Though not shy any longer, Alex certainly didn't like to draw any attention. And his family seeing him dance in front of a group for the first time in months would definitely draw attention.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You can't sit on the sidelines your entire life." Yasmine said simply as she reached down and took his hand, not giving him a chance to say no as she pulled him towards the dance floor.

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex grew suddenly nervous and uncomfortable out in the middle of his family, dancing with a woman he'd only just met. He was beginning to wonder what they'd think, if they'd get ideas. But being the disciplined man he was, he quickly quieted those thoughts and focused as he often would when too much was on his mind and he was working. Much like many of the Ghis, he had impeccable form and he could lead or follow beautifully.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine tried her hardest not to laugh at the lost look in the healer's gaze before he schooled his features and took her hands. She allowed him to lead, wishing to see what he would do when he took charge of a situation.

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex had always learned from his family how to show off his partner while dancing, his style very similar to Brogan's. He eventually cracked a small smile as he and Yasmine learned each other's style quickly and worked almost flawlessly.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine found that he actually knew how to dance. It was surprising to say the least. He was confident in his movements, showing her off to the best of her own abilities. She had learned how to dance during her training. It helped for a fighter to be naturally light on their feet and to follow someone's lead easily. It all came back to her as they danced on the floor of the long house.

 

[KieranSoares]

When the first song came to an end and partners switched up, Alex was quickly stolen away by Viola who wasn't going to miss the chance to dance with him, and it was Theo who came to offer a dance to Yasmine after handing Valentina off to her father.

"Hiya, lass," Theo spoke kindly with a smile, offering her his hand. "D'ya mind dancin' with an old man?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're certainly not old." Yasmine said with a grin as Theo came up to her, offering her a dance. "Especially considering the way that you've been dancing with your wife around this place. No old man can move like that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Old enough compared t'some o' you kids." Theo had a completely different style from Alex, but he was perhaps even more graceful despite his size. "I'm curious about you. Y'seem t'find Alex pretty interesting."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's a mystery to me. I've never met a man as serious as your son." Yasmine admitted. "And I've always been the kind of woman to enjoy a challenge."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Alex 'as been deadly serious since th'moment Val an' I met 'im." Theo smiled toward his son. "More'n twenty years later an' 'e still doesn' ever get into mischief 'r lose 'is temper fer anythin'. He 'as a good sense o' humor when 'e's not workin', though."