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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Funeris" data-source="post: 2662970" data-attributes="member: 22792">Update!  A Kiss...Okay...I know I have to get back to the Lost interlude...unfortunately, I've been the victim of writer's block for about 8 days now....gah!  Maybe I'll reorder this bit of it when I get around to pdf-ing this interlude chapter....I think it may be passing though.  As evidence, I offer this story hour sacrifice to the dark, pagan moderator gods.  Bless the sacrifice with the blood of virgins and all that other good stuff....and now that I've scared a few away...here you go!  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D"  data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" />~Fune-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A KISSHendrick plunged ahead, his arm extended to his friend. He closed his fingers tightly, drawing the cloak of the girl backward, lessening her speed.  Suddenly, she stopped and pivoted ninety degrees.  As Hendrick stumbled to not slam into her, she flicked the catch of the cloak.  The unforeseen movements, despite his feet scampering to change direction and only managing to increase his acceleration across the slick ice, threw Young Master Balsoon’s balance.  He slammed powerfully into the solid ice, skidding unceremoniously away from his friend in a heap.Cassie giggled uncontrollably, plopping down on the frozen pond still quite a distance from Morgan’s son.  Her bright, blonde curls bobbed and weaved just above her shoulders along with the laughter.Hendrick groaned, trying to lift himself from the freezing surface.  The cloak had somehow managed to twist around the boy, confining his movements.  Gingerly, he rolled slowly from the cloak and pressing his hands firmly against the ice, rose to a crouch.“You never could catch me Hendrick!” Cassie shouted across.  “I guess those that have regular dealings with nobles are as lazy as the commoners say.”  She grinned mischievously, spinning away to begin the chase anew.However, Hendrick was the first to move.  He tossed the cloak forward and leapt.  Bringing his weight and agility to bear on the cloak, the heavy cloth sped toward Cassie.  He bellowed a challenge, drawing her eyes away from her own route and fully distracting her for a moment.  That moment was all he needed.When she turned forward, her own feet betrayed her progress.  She slipped backward and Hendrick plowed into her.  They tumbled across the last few feet of ice, landing in a deep snowdrift.For several moments, nothing but the drifting, late winter snows stirred.  Silence crept across the landscape, broken by Cassie’s grunt.Hendrick pushed away, placing some space between their awkward bodies.  “Caught you,” he grunted breathlessly.  Cassie smirked.Then she wrapped her tiny arms tightly around Hendrick’s waist, drawing his body closer to hers.  He felt compelled to stare deeply into the pure, crystal blue of her shining eyes.  Carefully, he stroked a stray strand of golden hair away from her eyes.  This was his best friend, the baker’s daughter.  This was the girl he had spent the entirety of his young life playing beside.  And now, as his hand passed gently over her cheek, maybe she was more than just a friend.Both leaned forward, their lips gently brushing for the barest moment of bliss.  Each felt the increased rush of blood, hearts breaking into thundering rhythms as of a stampede of wild horses across an empty field.They leaned closer but Hendrick was tugged backward by a firm grip around the collar of his wool cloak.  “What do you think you’re doing Cassock!”  Terwin shouted, his long brown hair sweeping around his fae-kissed ears.  “Damned pointer,” Morgan’s son grunted.  Sudden shock slapped the child.  His eyes filled with loss as he he turned toward his half-elf friend.  “Wait.  What did you call me?!”“You’re lucky I don’t strike you down with a spell.  If you weren’t Morrick’s son, Cassock, know that I would.”  With a wide grin, the Terwin turned and ran toward the cottage.  “But that won’t stop me from telling your father of your foul curse!”  he screamed back as he fled.Cassock stared dumbly after the half-elf, confusion setting in...The cleric grumbled and opened his eyes.  He was covered in a foul sweat, allowing the cold to seep into his body and through his bones.  “Terwin?  Cassie?” he whispered, wiping the beads of moisture from his brow.  The priest noted half-elven eyes staring at him.  Before he slipped back into the dream, he realized the eyes were Aramil’s.  Still the half-elf’s eyes were rimmed red with loss; a cynical smirk carved into his face.“It’s finally stopped raining,” the rogue mechanically responded to the interruption.  “But now, instead of the torrents of water, snow is falling.  We’re only half way through the fall and already there are several inches of snow upon the ground.”  The half-elf paused and when Cassock did not interject, continued, “It will be a harsh winter.“If you’d like to rest a bit more, priest,” the tone was in no way respectful from the embittered half-elf, “your shift does not start for another hour or so yet.  I will wake you when it is time.”  Aramil rolled a dagger between his fingers, the soft silver reflecting what little light survived the dark night.Cassock rolled onto his side, trying to find a place of comfort.  As his lids succumbed to the sandman’s whims, he uttered, “Cassie.”</blockquote>

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