* Tarri walks with Sanriel in contemplative silence, not paying much attention to where they're going.

<Sanriel> ::continues holding Tarri's hand tightly, walking along:: How are you..? ::gently::

<Tarri> ::shakily:: Scared. ::she glances up at Sanriel with a quick smile:: I'm sorry, San. Please don't be mad at me.

<Sanriel> Mad? Tarri... why would I be mad? ::a little surprised::

<Tarri> I... ::she looks down:: I know you didn't want me to volunteer.

<Sanriel> no...

<Tarri> ::swallows:: I just... don't want you to be upset with me for it.

<Sanriel> But.. I can't tell you what to do, Tarri. No, I *don't* want you to do this, but.. that's me being worried. I don't like the idea of you being in danger...

<Tarri> ::looks back up, smiling faintly:: That wouldn't stop a lot of people from being pretty mad... ::she stops suddenly and throws her arms around him tightly:: Oh, Sanriel, I love you so much...

<Sanriel> ::hugs her back quickly:: I love you too... I'm just scared for you, beloved...

<Tarri> I'm scared, too. ::she holds on, hiding her face in his shoulder again:: I'm *terrified*. But... but I couldn't *not* help...

<Sanriel> ::quieter:: I know... I know how strongly you feel about this. ::kisses her hair gently:: I do, too. ::sighs::

* Tarri stands for a moment shivering silently in Sanriel's arms.

<Sanriel> ::trying to sound more positive:: Lady Quel'Shu and her husband will be there, though... they can both teleport and get you out if things get bad..

<Sanriel> And that other lady... she was wearing a sword, she probably can help out too...

<Tarri> ::nods:: I'll be in good hands...

<Sanriel> I almost wish I could be there. ::small sigh:: I know they're all much more experienced than I am, but I'd still feel better if I could be there, just in case.

<Tarri> ::looks up at him with a smile, and gently caresses his cheek:: I think I would, too.

<Sanriel> ::a small smile forms and he kisses Tarri lightly:: You have to promise me, though... that you'll be careful.

<Tarri> ::laughs, almost hysterically:: Of course I will. ::she kisses Sanriel with a hint of desperation::

<Sanriel> ::almost shivers for a moment, then pets Tarri's hair slowly:: It'll be okay... ::voice slightly strained:: It *has* to be. Oh Tarri... if you're too scared, you don't have to. That other lady will be going.. ::hesitate a moment:: they still have someone to help.

<Tarri> ::shivers, but shakes her head:: If I back out now, I think I'd always... regret not doing everything I could. ::she smiles up at Sanriel, a little tremulously:: All I have to do is be scared, after all.

<Sanriel> ::blushes a little:: I'm sorry... that was selfish.

<Sanriel> I *do* understand what you mean, Tarri... ::small sigh::

<Tarri> It's okay, San. I know you're worried. I'd probably be upset if you *weren't* worried. ::she smiles a little wider::

<Sanriel> ::smiles back a little weakly::

<Tarri> ::hugs him tightly:: I love you.

<Sanriel> I love you. ::the words spill forth forcefully::

<Sanriel> ::sighs again:: I just... I don't know what to *say*. ::slightly frustrated:: I can't wish for you to fight well, because you don't, and you shouldn't...

<Sanriel> You're not even supposed to be acting, you're just supposed to go because you are who you are. Scared, pretty... ::frowns and whispers in quiet anger:: what kind of people *are* these?

<Tarri> ::pulls Sanriel close again:: Evil people, San. They're evil. ::she hugs him tightly:: I'm not going to fight. I promise. If it comes to fighting, I'll let Tyl and Jelarthna and even that other woman... Dulcea? I'll let them fight, and I'll run, San, I promise, I'll run faster than I've ever run before.

<Sanriel> Just make sure you know where you're running to... don't just run blindly. ::blinks hard, his eye glittering wetly in the light of the street lamps::

<Tarri> ::nods and looks up at him seriously:: I'll make Lady Quel'shu tell me that when she tells me her plan - what to do, where to go, if things go wrong... ::she bites her lip, then sets her jaw:: But they won't go wrong. Lady Quel'shu is smarter than them, and they'll fall into her trap, and we'll all come back safe. I'm sure of it. ::she speaks firmly, trying to convince herself as much as San::

<Sanriel> Yeah... yeah, of course. ::takes a deep breath and wipes his eyes:: They know what they're doing. And I've heard stories about some of the things they've been through around the school, and from Val.

<Tarri> ::nods:: And she said Master Kevil was coming, too, didn't she? He's... Glossaria told me once that he used to fight slavers where he's from.

<Sanriel> Really? That helps a little to know, I think...

<Tarri> ::smiles faintly:: See? So I'm sure it will be okay. ::she takes a deep breath:: And I'll feel like I've done *something* useful...

<Sanriel> ::quickly:: *Tarri* You haven't been useless.

<Tarri> ::looks down and away:: I haven't done anything to help.

<Sanriel> Don't ever think that... you already know far more about how to keep someone alive than I've ever seen before. That's *so* important.

<Sanriel> You helped keep me alive.. you took care of me.

<Tarri> ::bites her lip:: I got you hurt, too.

<Sanriel> ::shakes his head:: I thought we'd been through this? ::smiles a little:: You shouldn't blame yourself for that, it's no one's fault... except those people. And either way, I did make it through *because* you were there.

<Sanriel> And you did help out when Meghan was having her baby...

<Tarri> ::sighs and rests her head on his shoulder:: I still can't help but feel a little responsible... And I didn't do much for Meghan. I mostly just stood there and watched and fetched things. Anyone could have done that.

<Sanriel> Maybe.. but you were the one doing it, so you were helping, right? ::grins a little:: And you were one of the only other women there that night, if I remember right. Men aren't allowed in for births, so you helped out when no one else could.. you offered right away, you weren't asked.

<Tarri> ::smiles at the memory:: Master Kevil was there. Goody Bea tried to make him leave, but he said he'd helped with his sisters, and he stayed. ::she giggles faintly:: I think she was a little grumpy about it.

* Sanriel gently pets her short hair for a moment, then twirls a finger in it.

<Sanriel> ::grins a little:: Oh yeah... well, no *other* men would have been allowed in.

<Tarri> ::giggles again, then sighs, snuggling against him:: I know healing is important, San, and I... I love it, it's wonderful. But... I keep thinking that I can't really ask you, or Lisl, or... or *any*one, to go into danger to protect me, unless I'm willing to face it myself. I don't know if that makes sense...

<Sanriel> ::nods slowly:: I think it's incredibly brave. ::small grin, holding Tarri close and rubbing her back gently:: I'm tempted to say braver than I *want* you to be...

<Sanriel> But that's part of who you are, and I love you *for* who you are.

<Tarri> ::shivers briefly:: I don't *feel* very brave. I feel like a rabbit staring into a snake's eyes. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that you'll be waiting for me to get back.

<Sanriel> That's what brave is, Tarri. You're doing it, because you know it's right, even though you're scared. You know you can help.

<Tarri> ::smiles a little and cuddles closer:: I guess... I've heard that before, but I never thought I'd be on the receiving end of it.

<Sanriel> ::squeezes Tarri tighter, then leans back a little to look in her eyes:: You're probably braver than everyone else going, because you know you won't be able to do anything but hide or run if something happens.

<Tarri> ::grins a little:: Well... Lisl wants to make sure I can do a *little* more than that...

<Sanriel> ::small laugh:: That's probably a good idea. I didn't think I'd so suddenly be *glad* you were getting those lessons.

<Tarri> ::laughs a little:: Me, either. I didn't expect to have to use them so soon... ::she shivers and shakes her head:: I won't be using them. Everything will go smoothly.

<Sanriel> But you'll know a little, just in case. That helps a little. But it'll all be fine. It *will*.

<Tarri> ::nods firmly::

* Sanriel smiles a little and leans in to lightly kiss Tarri.

* Tarri closes her eyes to return the kiss, twining her fingers into Sanriel's hair.

* Sanriel runs his hands up and down her sides and back slowly, holding Tarri close in their kiss for a long time.

<Tarri> ::slowly, Tarri begins to relax. She runs her hands lightly over Sanriel's shoulders and back::

<Sanriel> ::sighs softly, also a bit more relaxed, and finally breaks away somewhat reluctantly:: We should get you home...

<Tarri> ::sighs and bites her lip:: I... I guess so.

<Sanriel> ::presses his forehead to Tarri's, lightly:: It's safer there than on the street. We can talk a little more, if you want. Just.. be close a little longer. I don't think I could sleep yet.

<Tarri> ::nods:: I'd like you to stay with me... a little while, anyway.

<Sanriel> I'm glad. I don't want to be anywhere away from you just now, my sweet, brave Princess. ::slides his hands over Tarri's shoulders and down her arms, taking her hands and smiling a little::

* Sanriel releases one hand and begins leading Tarri along the street again, glancing around a bit, but looking at her often

* Tarri walks close to Sanriel, resting her head on his shoulder occasionally.

<Sanriel> I don't remember.. when did Lady Quel'Shu say you were going to go, again?

<Tarri> Um... I'll stop by tomorrow to talk about the plans, and then we'll go the night after. ::she shivers again::

<Sanriel> ::squeezes Tarri's hand:: That.. that means it'll be over soon, then.

<Tarri> ::nods:: Yeah. I won't have to worry about it for too long.

<Sanriel> ::softly, with firm conviction:: No, not too long. And then you'll come back to me, and everything will be okay.

<Tarri> ::looks up at him:: Yes. I'll come back to you, and you'll put your arms around me and it will all be fine.

<Sanriel> ::smiles back at Tarri, eyes glittering again:: Definitely.

* Sanriel stops, looking almost surprised that they stand in front of the Bluestar estate.

<Tarri> ::looks up at the house, blinking:: Oh. Here we are.

<Sanriel> ::softly:: We're here... ::slowly walking up to the door with Tarri:: They won't mind if I stay with you a while, right?

<Tarri> ::with a shaky smile:: I don't care if they mind. I *need* you to stay with me for a while.

<Sanriel> ::pulls Tarri close and nods firmly several times, taking a deep breath:: And I need to be with you. I.. I can't imagine .. ::sighs::

<Tarri> Shh... ::she puts a finger over his lips:: Don't borrow trouble, sweetling.

* Sanriel nods and kisses Tarri's finger, falling silent.

* Tarri smiles and takes Sanriel's hand, leading him into the house. For once, Ingaliese is not waiting in the hallway, and Tarri takes Sanriel all the way back to the quiet nursery.

* Sanriel follows quietly, looking around at the quiet house, and looking perhaps a little surprised at Ingaliese's absence.

* Tarri peeks into Corri's cradle, absently smoothing the sleeping baby's soft fuzz of hair before sitting on the couch.

<Sanriel> ::smiles down at Corri, then settles close beside Tarri on the couch, then puts his arms around her and pulls her tightly into him:: I love you, Tarri. I need you. ::whispering::

* Tarri wraps her arms around Sanriel and holds him tightly. "I love you, I need you too, San..."

* Sanriel sighs softly and presses his lips to Tarri's hair in a soft kiss, leaving them planted there for a long moment.

* Tarri takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "I want to be in your arms forever..."

<Sanriel> always... oh, beloved.. ::lets out a long, unsteady breath::

<Tarri> ::hugs him tightly::

<Sanriel> I'll be happy, as long as my Princess.. as long as *you*, always come back to me. ::breaths deeply lays his head gently on Tarri's::

<Tarri> ::sighs:: I will, San. I'll come back. I'll always come back to you.

* Sanriel relaxes a little and closes his eyes.

* Tarri relaxes as Sanriel does, shifting slightly in his arms for a more comfortable position.