Vulpan Keep [ACRO]

[Moofin Bard]

He could join her.

Ari giggles. What! A laugh? This cannot be!
I don't plan on staying here forever. It's nice, but I'd miss HALO too much. And now that Marle's not there anymore...

[The Bushranger]

Yes. Yes he could.

Patty grins more, glad to hear Ari giggling. Yeah. Me too. Maybe kinda shuttle back and forth, or something like that. Take a vacation in one place when the other gets too same-old-same-old?

[FireFox]

Wow, Ari is cute.


Matt shakes off the deadtime and looks around for Patty. When he sees Ari, he blinks and walks over to her.

[Moofin Bard]

Yeah she's sort of absorbed some of Patty's style. She's noticed that Matt likes that sort of stuff. Ari looks at Matt, trying hard to restrain herself. Mostly because she's unsure if she'll kiss him or hit him at the moment. Hey. Patty left me a note telling me where you guys were and how to get there so I'm here. If you don't mind of course.

[FireFox]

Yeah, I was looking for you before I decided to ask her to come with me... He also looks like he's restraining himself. I'm really glad you're here, Ari.

[Moofin Bard]

Ari seems to be at the end of her ability to restrain herself. What's it going to be? I guess that she's not really mad at him anymore because she jumps out of her chair and wraps her arms around his neck in a hug. I missed you.

[FireFox]

Matt hugs her back tightly, burying his face in her shoulder. I missed you too. He really does need her, and he relaxes when he's with her more than he does with anyone else.

[Moofin Bard]

Ari breaks away and looks into his eyes. Those orange not quite human eyes. I know I asked you this before but I don't remember the answer. And I hate to bring this up now but did you... She pauses while seeming to remember something. Do you love Marle?

[FireFox]

Matt frowns, but looks back at her eyes. Yes, I do love her. I can't help that. All I know for sure is that I love you a lot more than I do her...

[Moofin Bard]

Ari takes in a breath and lets it go. For just a second, there's a look on her face. Like she's about to hit something or someone. But then it's gone and she nods. I understand. And I can't blame you for that. She does resolve to talk to Angela as soon as she can though.

[FireFox]

Matt tries to take her hand and change the subject. So, welcome to Vulpan Keep. Have you walked around it yet?

[Moofin Bard]

Ari's hand is taken and she's grateful for the subject change. But sooner or later they're going to have to talk about some things. It's beautiful. But all I've seen is everything from the Entrance Hall to the Dining Hall.

[FireFox]

Yeah, but Matt's going to try hard to postpone that. Um, there's no real forested areas nearby, and I don't know how you feel about all this rock around us... It isn't HALO, but it's pretty nice...

[Moofin Bard]

Ari smiles softly. I think it's wonderful. And I'll be able to manage.

[FireFox]

Matt smiles, her opinion obviously meaning a lot to him. We have some time before dinner, do you want me to show you where the bedroom is and things like that?
Erm, that wasn't a come on, really.

[Moofin Bard]

Ari grins at him teasingly. She realizes it wasn't a come on but she can't resist the opportunity to make fun of him a little. What, already? I just got here. She giggles.

[FireFox]

Matt blushes, but pulls her closer with a grin. Clearly I can't resist you, sweetheart. He looks her over, still rather slow when it comes to noticing appearances, and blinks in shock. Wow. You look... wow...

[Moofin Bard]

Ari blushes and looks down. You like it? I sort of went shopping before I came here.

[FireFox]

Yeah, I do like it. He tries to kiss her cheek. You look really pretty.

[Moofin Bard]

Thanks. That reminds her of the time when she looked really pretty but he didn't notice until it was too late. She shakes the thought. So are you going to show me the rest of the place or not?

[FireFox]

Yeah. Holding her hand, he leads her through the mostly empty castle, showing her the library that is almost as large as HALO's, a large receiving room with couches and tables, a smaller den with cozy loveseats and a minibar, and finally the Royal Chambers, his bedroom.

[Moofin Bard]

And she makes the appropriate comments at the appropriate times. Until they get to his bedroom of course. Wow. It's really nice...and big.

[FireFox]

He shrugs sheepishly. They make me sleep here... One of the downsides of royalty is a lot of fancy stuff I'm uncomfortable with. At least the bed is big enough for all three of them.

[Moofin Bard]

I figured you'd say something like that. Ari notices this little detail. And the fact that Matt is uncomfortable with all the fancy stuff. She likes that. I know what you mean. I don't really enjoy the idea of having all of this fancy stuff. She squeezes his hand.

[FireFox]

He squeezes back and looks at her. We don't have to stay here if you don't want to. I just figured I should show you two the Keep... I'd rather stay in HALO with you if you want.

[Moofin Bard]

She turns to him with a smile and wraps her arms around his neck again. I would indeed rather stay in HALO. But I think Patty has her own plans. She quite likes the idea of being a princess.

[FireFox]

She certainly takes to the role well. I don't know how we're going to work everything out... He puts his hands on her hips and tries to kiss her gently.

[Moofin Bard]

She is kissed and closes her eyes. She is happy to just forget about Marle, forget about their situation, and even forget about Patty for a little while. She kisses him back after saying It doesn't matter.

[FireFox]

Matt closes his eyes and almost melts in her arms, pulling her even closer to deepen the kiss lovingly.

[Moofin Bard]

Ari tightens her grip on him, almost like she's afraid that if she lets him go, she'll lose him.