* Tarri is sitting beside Sanriel's bed, her hands full of sewing as she watches him doze.

* Sanriel stirs and quietly opens his eyes, his breathing only barely changing. He slowly looks automatically to Tarri's chair and smiles.

<Sanriel> ::softly:: Tarri... ::smiles::

<Tarri> ::looks up and smiles:: I'm here, sweetling. How are you feeling?

<Sanriel> tired.. a little weak.. but better

<Sanriel> ::grins a little:: I even feel like I could get up and walk around a bit.

<Tarri> ::carefully folds her sewing - apparently she's trying to mend San's shirt - into her workbasket.:: You said that *yesterday*, and you didn't get as far as the sideboard.

<Sanriel> ::blushes a little:: I feel a little better than yesterday, though.

<Tarri> ::stands:: All right, let's give it a try, then.

<Sanriel> ::smiles and nods:: Okay!

* Sanriel swings back the covers and sits up slowly, then swings his legs over the side of the bed. He scootches over to put his feet on the floor, then begins carefully levelling himself up to his feet.

* Tarri hovers nearby, ready to help if Sanriel gets dizzy or weak.

* Sanriel manages to stand and picks up the tower from nearby, blushing a little as he wraps it around his waist. He takes a deep breath and nods, then takes a couple of shaky steps.

* Sanriel keeps a hand on the bed to steady himself a little, but continues another couple of steps, moving a little more confidently, but very slowly.

* Tarri continues to hover, one hand half-extended...

<Sanriel> ::smiles at Tarri, breathing a little harder:: Definitely better than yesterday..

<Tarri> ::smiles encouragingly:: Yes, I see. How's your leg feel?

<Sanriel> ::winces a little:: Still really stiff. It hurts a little to put weight on it, but it's holding pretty well... ::shifts his weight experimentally::

<Tarri> ::watching anxiously:: I want to look at it when you're done walking around and make sure you haven't opened it back up.

<Sanriel> ::nods:: I'm being careful, sweetheart. ::smiles and takes a couple more steps, walking towards Tarri now, and keeping his balance fairly well::

* Tarri grins and takes a couple of steps backwards, watching him closely.

<Sanriel> ::grins and walks slowly after her, his left legs moving very gingerly:: I'll catch you eventually. ::a laughing and determined gleam in his eyes::

<Tarri> ::laughs softly and takes another step backwards:: I certainly hope so.

<Sanriel> ::breathing a bit harder from the effort, but smiling as he relentlessly continues his slow progress:: Me, too!

* Sanriel stops for a moment, leaning over a little and catching his breath.

* Tarri pauses, a hand stretched out to, but not quite touching, his arm. "Take your time, sweetling."

<Sanriel> ::nods quietly, then wipes his forehead and smiles at her:: I'm being careful... ::blushes a little:: When did you start calling me sweetling? I like it... ::smiles::

<Tarri> ::blushes slightly, then takes another careful step backwards:: While you were... unconscious. It's... ::she blushes harder:: It's what Mama used to call me when I was sick.

<Sanriel> oh... ::blushes even more:: thank you, Tarri. ::smiles at her lovingly:: I like it even more, now.

* Sanriel gets a determined look again and straightens up, walking again in his slow, awkward shuffle towards his love.

<Tarri> ::smiles:: I'm glad you like it... ::she steps carefully backward, slowly leading Sanriel across the room::

* Tarri backs into the sideboard where the bandages and other supplies are kept. "Oops!" She glances back to make sure she hasn't upset anything, then leans against it and waits for Sanriel to catch up with her, smiling.

<Sanriel> ::giggles a little:: You need to be careful too, Tarri. I feel like a little toddler just learning to walk... except I don't think it was quite this hard that first time around.. ::pants softly and gets within a couple of feet::

<Tarri> Well, I assume when you first learned to walk you weren't injured. ::she smiles encouragingly::

<Sanriel> ::giggle:: I don't.. think so. ::drags himself forward and throws his arms around Tarri, leaning a bit on her and sighing::: made it...

* Tarri wraps her arms carefully around Sanriel. "So you did." She kisses his cheek. "I'm proud of you!"

<Sanriel> ::catching his breath:: Thank you, dearest Tarri... ::kisses her cheek in return, blushing slightly, but smiling like a loon::

<Tarri> ::hugs him gently:: Do you want me to help you back, or do you want to try it on your own?

<Sanriel> umm... I think help. I don't wanna push too hard.

* Tarri nods. "Okay. Catch your breath first, and then we'll go back."

<Sanriel> mmm-hmmm. ::holds onto Tarri tightly for a couple of minutes::

<Tarri> ::smiles up at him:: You're recovering fast, sweetling.

<Sanriel> ::smiles lovingly back:: I have good reason to... my wonderful inspiration.

<Tarri> ::blushes:: I'm just... trying to take care of you as best I can.

<Sanriel> you *are*... and doing such a great job!

<Tarri> ::smiles shyly:: I'm glad I can do something to help you.

<Sanriel> You help me all the time, sweetheart. ::kisses her forehead gently::

<Tarri> ::smiles and rests her head briefly on his shoulder::

<Sanriel> ::sighs happily:: I love you.

<Tarri> ::looks back up at him, smiling:: I love you, too.

<Sanriel> ::smiles and looks in her eyes for a long moment:: Help me back to the bed, now?

<Tarri> ::nods and turns, sliding her arm around his waist to help support him:: You set the pace, then. I'm just here for support.

<Sanriel> ::nods:: Okay. ::smiles and sets a slow pace, leaning firmly but not too heavily on Tarri::

* Tarri helps Sanriel back across the room to his bed.

<Sanriel> ::sits heavily on the bed and smiles:: that was *much* easier with your help,

<Sanriel> with your help, Tarri. [oops ;) ]

<Tarri> ::looks discreetly away while Sanriel drops his towel and climbs back under the covers.:: I'm glad I could help. ::she smiles::

<Sanriel> ::pulls the covers up and lays back, sighing:: Wow... it's going to be a lot of work to get back into shape.

<Tarri> ::nods:: You were hurt pretty badly, and you lost a lot of blood, so you'll be weak for a while. But you're recovering so fast already, I'm sure you'll be back to normal soon!

<Sanriel> I sure hope so! ::smiles::

<Sanriel> Oh, did you want to check my leg again..? It feels alright.

<Tarri> ::nods:: Just to be sure. The infection *just* cleared up; I want to make sure it doesn't come back.

<Sanriel> ::smiles:: Okay. I definitely don't want it getting infected again, either! ::works his injured leg free and rests it out to be more easily accessible::

<Tarri> ::smiles reassuringly:: This shouldn't hurt. ::she begins to carefully peel away the bandages::

<Sanriel> ::stiffens just a little, but makes no noise:: That wasn't too bad...

<Tarri> ::shakes her head as she very carefully probes around the stitches:: It's stopped sticking to the bandages. That's good. ::She looks up at him:: How about food? Are you hungry?

<Sanriel> ::shakes his head:: Not right now, no. A little thirsty, though. ::smiles a little::

<Tarri> Okay. ::she finishes checking, smears some more salve over the cut, and re-bandages it before pouring him a glass of water:: It looks like your little jaunt didn't hurt anything. ::she smiles::

<Sanriel> ::beams:: I was trying to be careful... ::takes the water and drains the glass gratefully:: Ahhh. Thank you.

<Tarri> ::sets the glass aside when he finishes:: You're welcome. ::she softly strokes his brow:: I'm glad you're feeling better.

<Sanriel> mmm... ::closes his eyes and relaxes, sighing happily at the gentle stroking:: much better...

<Tarri> ::continues the caresses, watching him with a contented smile::

<Tarri> ::quietly:: I love you.

<Sanriel> mmmm.... ::soft smile:: love you, too... precious Tarri. ::opens his eyes for a moment to look up at her, tired and loving::

<Tarri> ::smiles at him for a moment, then leans down to kiss him:: My sweet Sanriel... Tired, sweetling?

<Sanriel> ::blushes a little and nods:: Yeah, a little. That walk took more out of me than I thought.

<Tarri> ::nods:: It's okay. Take another little nap. I'll be right here when you wake up.

<Sanriel> ::sighs softly:: thank you, Tarri...

<Tarri> ::looks a little surprised, then smiles and kisses his brow:: Just rest.

<Sanriel> ::little smile:: can I have something else before I go to sleep again..? ::blushes a little::

<Tarri> What?

<Sanriel> a little kiss? I dreamed about it... ::blushes even more and looks up at her hopefully::

<Tarri> ::blushes:: Of course! ::She leans down and kisses him softly::

<Sanriel> ::returns the kiss, then smiles and settles in comfortably:: Thank you, my love...

<Tarri> ::smiles:: You're welcome, sweetling.

* Sanriel smiles up at Tarri, then slowly closes his eyes and drifts back to sleep.

* Tarri sits back in her chair, smiling fondly at Sanriel's sleeping form for a long moment before sighing happily and picking up her workbasket.