Falkreath: The Stone Orc Settlement

Daris watches Dura's spectacle a little confused. What had gotten into her? She had just been holding his hand, then bam she was just jumping. He scratched the back of his head. She had been holding his hand. It was a simple friendly gesture he gave to all his opponents. Why did it suddenly feel like a big deal.

"What we did today should be what you do tomorrow. Start with running, then practice forms, then spar with me. When you improve, you can join the sparring with the other warriors. Once you are that far you will no longer need to run. Tomorrow I will teach you another kata. For now I must spar with others. I cannot afford to fall behind in my own training. I will be in the outskirts when I finish should you need me."

With that Daris heads to the ring. Just as yesterday, many are eager to test themselves against the young warrior.

Surprising many Daris called his sparring early today. He just could not focus on the fights. His performance was less than the best he could do. That was not enough for the young warrior. Why were his thoughts so scattered? It was a silly questions the answer was obvious. He dwells on it, as he heads to the outskirts. He takes a seat on a flat rock and tries to meditate.

Daris head lands on the rock with a thud. It was no use. Thoughts of her plagued him, breaking his normally crystalline focus. He shouldn't be surprised. Other warriors his age were like this. Allowing thoughts of girls distract them from duty. He had always been immune though. Perhaps because he had only ever cared about one girl. One girl who hadn't even seemed to know he existed.

Dura, he could not deny she knew he existed now. She was talking to him, laughing with him, helping him, asking him for help. He knew she just thought of him as a friend. He should not expect more. Yet he could not help but wish, and dream. He could help but imagine teaching her bare handed combat. Of pinning her to the ground. Of leaning into her, of... Daris smashed his head against the stone, hard. Such thoughts were inappropriate. He should not entertain them. He just wished he had someone to talk to. Someone who could tell how to rid himself of this impossible desire.

Daris had been lost in thought. Somewhere between misery and excitement. Plagued by thoughts of Dura. Thoughts that he knew to be wrong, but felt right. He had come to no conclusions. Perhaps he should return to the training yards. Maybe having some sense beaten into him would help. Surely one of the older warriors could accommodate him. He was about to get up when he felt her. She was there drawing in mana, and just staring at him. She wasn't getting any closer, he could not read her expression. There was something in her gaze. Perhaps it was real, perhaps it was imagined. It felts like she wanted something from him. Like she was judging him assessing him, demanding something from him. He could not continue as he was. He had never shied from the truth in his life. It was time to speak it and live with the consequences.

"My gaze is one you Zar'Dura. I am sorry."

There it was he had just ruined their friendship. Better this than living a lie. Better she break Daris's heart now. He could move on after she rejected him. He could return to his training. He could return to his life. His life without her, just as before. Only more hollow. He once again allowed his head to thunk back into the stone.

Darus was surprised. Dura did not immediately leave. Instead she just stood there, not moving. Was she just that stunned by his revelation? He guessed she must be. She would process what he had said, and then she would leave. Except she didn't she walked over to him. Then growling at him she grabbed him by the shirt. At first he thought she was going to attack him. In fact she almost did, so forcefully did she press her forehead to his. Yet that was all she did. Their foreheads touching, a sign of great affection. Yet she seemed angry at the same time. He was not sure what was happening. At a loss, confusion writ large on his face, he queries her.

"Dura?"

He doesn't notice that he shortened her name for the question.

Daris for as dense and oblivious as he was, wasn't that bad. Even he, was able to piece together what Dura's actions and words meant. His affection was returned. His heart swells with Joy. He suddenly realizes he does not know what to do. It was one thing to have a crush. Now that he had acted on it he was at a loss. If she had rejected him he would know what to do. That she had accepted him left him with no ideas.

"Oh. Well I do not feel sorry now. Though I am not sure what to do next."

Daris stares at Dura. His expression does not quite mirror her own. After all he doesn't have an image of her bathing herself in his head. Still he proximity was enough to make him blush. Well continue blushing, at any rate. Indeed after his initial shock it had set in quite nicely. He ponders the issue they face. Neither having the experience or knowledge to act appropriately.

"I suppose we will just have to learn together then. Perhaps I should ask one of the older warriors. Or my cousin."

Daris lets out a little contended sigh. This was an odd turn of events. It was a turn he was grateful for. Years of silent admiration, and adoration finally over. It was as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He leans right back into her, enjoying her warmth.

"I would very much enjoy just sitting with you."

How long did the two stay sitting in silence? Hours at the very least. Though Daris did not feel like it had been. It was odd, to suddenly realize the sun was dipping below the horizon. Yet there it was, just going down. At some point he had laid his hand around her shoulder. Drawing her in just a little closer. He looked down at her. Still not quite believing what had happened. He would find out what was involved in courting. He would apply himself to it with the same dedication he applied to everything.

"We should return to the village. It is getting dark. People will be worrying."

Daris take her hand. Clambering to his feet slowly. He does not immediately let go. Slowly running his thumb over the smooth skin on the back of her hand. Slowly, reluctantly he lets go. He gives her his easy going smile, though it is tinged with something else. Affection beyond what he normally shows.

"If I am given any say, then yes you will. May I escort you home?"

Her house was on the other end of town from his. Still spending a few extra minutes with her was worth it. Assuming she said yes he would begin the walk. Tomorrow he would speak to Thorok. His cousin would know best how to proceed.