You forced nothing on me. Her words relieved a heaviness in his head. He was worried for a brief moment he might have gotten himself into more trouble than he bargained for (a thing Farrow has done many, many times before as it were). My wife and I are... polygamous. We share many partners and delight in our own. The news slightly surprised him. It was somewhat common for men to take multiple partners, but even less common for women to do the same. Not to say Farrow delighted nor dejected in the idea of it. He'd had his fair share of heathenous, lascivious acts enough to cause the most devout and chaste to turn ghostly pale with horror. He could hardly judge @Talisa, much less delight in the fact he could still enjoy her company without, heaven forbid, upsetting her significant other. It almost made him happier to see the girl with an emotional attachment. Farrow liked to dip his feet, but he'd always left his flings heartbroken; he never fully committed, and some lionesses did not appeal to that nature.

Such was the way of the weary traveler.

I intend to enjoy your company, Farrow. Regardless of where the end may be. Her words brought him relief. He suddenly felt more of the pressure slip away, and he soon even felt comfortable enough to dig back into the flamingo, his tense shoulders relaxing and his eyes no longer staring at the blurred sky just past her head. “Good,” he smirked, returning to his more brutish demeanor, “I was worried I'd have to keep myself from starting to like you.” It was already too late for that. But since Farrow had decided he was going to stick around Amaryllis for a while, there was no need to rush. For once, he could sit back and enjoy getting to know her better and enjoying her company more than just fervent and hasty dalliances spent desperately trying to beat the dawn, knowing he'd soon have to leave.

In his company, it was far too easy to become comfortable and want to entirely throw away the flamingo. This was a moment that she was finally getting for herself and it was hard to resist just jumping into something brand new. Just losing herself in the bliss and throes of a new romance that might be short-term or long-term, the possibilities were endless. Perhaps that was what excited her the most was not knowing whether it would be temporary or lasting.

One thing was for certain was that she felt like she was waiting on baited breath to see how he would handle her being the polygamous sort. She might have mentioned that she was, but would he as a male understand that that meant she would have multiple wives and multiple husbands? Talisa could only hope it would be assumed but hard to tell. Some men were a little less alright with that and that was fine for them, but she wasn't about to change who she was for anyone. So she hastily and hungrily watched him take a bite of the flamingo after seemingly gathering his wits. That won't be necessary, she retorts and knows without question that he did not have to hold himself back from feeling his feelings. Not with her; she wanted him to experience everything he was feeling and then some. I would love nothing more than to continue to know and get to know you, she paused and as a last second animation like a light-bulb going off, she had the idea.

It an idea that certainly didn't come up very often as it had only begun to happen recently but it was one of the best thoughts she had had in months. Even if she did doubt it would be the answer that she wanted. It would be even more beneficial if you... lived in Vermeda, with me. Talisa swallowed hard, understanding the severity of the question but given her loneliness on days that Morrigan wasn't present and in the Brook it made sense. She couldn't ask that of her wife to stay in Vermeda every second of every day but @Farrow didn't smell like any other pride and might not have the same obligations. Right?

manip & table code by k'sariya

His smile never left, content to listen to her talk about how she wanted to get to know him better and how he wanted to get to know her in turn. Farrow was delighted at the idea of coming back to find @Talisa wanting and willing to share her stories and he regale her with his whenever he returned from his journeys around Amaryllis. Even though he had planned to retire his life of adventuring beyond the peninsula behind, he still had to keep his wild ways somewhat sated, and this country was large enough for him to explore for the rest of his days. He even thought that, perhaps, he might derive joy from watching the comings and goings of prides, having never thought of stepping into political games before because Farrow had always been much better at the physical aspect of it, and never quite at the quips and strategies required of such a delicate dance.

He had somewhat of a plan. He could only hope he could settle in this place long enough to grow to love it. He had nowhere else to return to, after all, except for the nomadic life he'd lived for so long.

It would be even more beneficial if you... she began, and Farrow quirked an inquisitive, lionish brow, ...lived in Vermeda, with me. Farrow's breath hitched momentarily in his throat. Loaded question. At first, he wasn't sure how to reply. He opened his mouth, but gaped wordlessly, until he closed it shut to think a moment further. He did not want to disappoint Talisa, but was he had already spent so long resigning to living in a single place that still spanned hundreds of miles. Would he be fine tethering his loyalties to a pride, of all things? He had banded together temporarily with other mercenaries and bands of adventurers but they never lasted longer than a single job. Joining a pride was supposed to mean forever. And yet, there was a hopeful sincerity in Talisa's eyes, something Farrow would hate to crush.

Just how free are you now, Farrow?

“It would be hard to tie a man like me down,” he admitted, but his tone was warm and he wore a small smile, “I've spent my entire life living from one place to the next.” He looked away briefly, before returning his gaze back to her. “But I admire your boldness,” he relented, “and I want you to be happy. Perhaps, for now, I could live near the border while I get used to such a new way of life?” He was certain her pride would not let a stranger mingle among them without first committing to their pride, but he was certain he could get away with lingering just outside of its walls. It wasn't a rejection, but rather something that could help ease Farrow; he had, after all, never been tied to one person, one place; but the idea of it did not entirely frighten him away.

There was so much to unwrap in Talisa's mind that she hadn't a clue where all this straight-forward no-nonsense had come from. The disastrous part of her knew that asking like she was was dangerous to her, her family, and her pride but there was desperation hidden under all that kindness. A part of her that longed to be smothered and to smother, even if it was with the right intentions.

The heiress expected his answer and knew that it would likely be met with rejection but she wasn't expecting the calm and collected rejection that she got. Something about it seemed genuine and not something that was said just to alleviate the pain she might have felt at his denial. The last thing she wanted to do was capture him but that was, essentially, what she was doing. The very thing she didn't want to do to Morrigan and refused to do, but was openly doing it to @Farrow. She felt some shame in the act, though tried her best not to act disappointed or hurt. In the very least, he offered up a medium but she didn't exactly need a medium did she? Morrigan was in the Brook as often as she could but that sometimes didn't feel like enough.

I won't make you do that. She confided, relented, knowing that she couldn't force him to live near the borders of a pride he was unfamiliar with for a woman that he was only beginning to like. Talisa couldn't be certain how far that likeness went; though, given how he hadn't been frightened away by her tenacity, perhaps he liked her more than she even realized. Tell me of your journey of finding me the perfect flamingo, she said it as coyly as she could - knowing full-well that he had not spent months looking for a flamingo but she was happy to play along. Perhaps of the places you've been, as well? Wanting nothing more than to divert herself away from her desperate attempt at solidified company within Vermeda.

manip & table code by k'sariya

@Talisa seemed disappointed, and Farrow suddenly felt bad at his reluctance. Clearly, she put a lot of weight on presence, and he had dashed what hopes she had of his fealty, his daring into a life he'd never quite experienced. I won't make you do that, she said finally, and suddenly all of his joy was sapped out of him. He was suddenly beating himself up. Can't you stay put for more than a day at a time? he criticized himself silently, You've felled beasts, fought in wars you did not start, tangled with death multiple times and won each and every one of them. What was so hard about this particular beast? “Tali,” he breathed, before she started speaking again, “if it would make you happy for me to be with you in Vermeda, then that is what I want to do.” And he wouldn't take no for an answer. If he really could not settle down in a pride, he would figure something out. However, so long as Farrow could disappear for a few days every now and then to explore and hunt and get out his cooped up restlessness, he was certain he could figure it out. Perhaps there would be enough joy in a stationary life that he wouldn't have as much desire to fill it with epic battles and adventure.

Tell me of your journey of finding me the perfect flamingo, she began again, and Farrow finally relented. Perhaps it would be far more fitting to regale her with the tales of his latest journey. “I'll tell you everything you want to know,” he began, allowing his small smirk to flitter across his face once more, “on the way to your place, yeah?” There. Now she couldn't refuse.

There was just the most heavy and pregnant pause that there ever could be between them as he sudden seemed to recant his earlier rejection. Deeming that if it would make her happy, then he would do it but it wouldn't make her happy if he was doing it just for that sole reason. Talisa didn't want to force his hand into it just to appease her because she wanted him to want it all on his own. Ugh. The Heiress struggled now internally. Knowing she should've just kept her mouth closed and let him come to the idea on his own terms. Perhaps led him to think it had been his idea, maybe, or Talisa having pulled him by an invisible rope little by little until he made the decision himself. @Farrow... I -- she didn't know what she wanted to say or how she wanted to say it. All she knew was that she was in a tough mental and emotional place now. I'll.. show you my place but I think.. it should be your decision. I don't want you to choose my home because I guilted you into it. Talisa all but choked, feeling like she was getting a large bout of whiplash given to her by herself so she could only imagine how the handsome brute might feel now. Plus, I've got the kids. I don't even know if you like kids or not.. because there would likely come a time where he would run into one. Talisa would hate for him to not like children and then be pressured to be around them when there was no choice.

manip & table code by k'sariya

Farrow appreciated the simplicity of his life. Anytime someone offered him some sort of reward, he'd go and take care of their problem. He'd get to eat, sleep, entertain the company of fellow travelers and pretty women, and see brand new places that others could only dream of beholding. He'd never had to watch his words, or become concerned about other's feelings. Not to say he didn't ever grow fond of someone; there had been many times where a young Farrow might have considered himself in love, or when he'd grown particularly close to one of his companions during a long journey, and dreaded as he'd watch them part for newer adventures at the conclusion, their parting of crossroads. He couldn't have felt worse about the expression on @Talisa's face, changing as if she was fighting her own emotions and thoughts and struggling to hide it underneath a steeled exterior. A softness much unlike his usual demeanor took hold, and he reached forward boldly, hoping to press the brunt of his forehead against the crook of her neck where it met her jaw and her throat. “I'm not guilted easily,” he reassured, “if I don't want to do something, I'll let you know.” He was not one to beat around the bush, and even if he was hesitant about something, he was certain to not tread into territory he didn't think he could handle.

He wanted to tell her that it was okay to be selfish sometimes. It was okay for her to want him to live with her, and to not feel ashamed that she'd asked. But the words didn't quite seem to come out just yet.

Plus, I've got the kids. I don't even know if you like kids or not.. Farrow admittedly had sparse experience with kids, but when he did, he usually found delight in the way their faces lit up at his stories. There were few better listeners than the cubs peering wide-eyed and wild as they visualized his tales, and he'd often embellish them purposefully. Farrow had never considered having kids of his own as a possibility, but he'd always been fond of those he'd come across. “No worries, I love kids,” he answered honestly, pulling back so she could see his soft smile.

The brutish barbarian certainly did see right through the struggle in the heiress' facade. The great war that took hold of her as she struggled to reign in her selfish desires as they had never had any place within her. Yet here she was wrestling with those demons and trying to face them head-on and losing miserably. Perhaps it was this way because she knew that with Morrigan, she couldn't bring herself to do that to her but Farrow was still so fresh on her plate that she still had a chance to mold something since he was a Rogue. Talisa didn't want to take away from his grand plans but she wanted to fit him into hers, and it didn't seem to matter that the box she was trying to fit him into wasn't quite his size.

So, as one could imagine, she was enlightened by the touch to her neck as he pushed his crown against it. Comforting her with the pressure of his skull in admitting that one: she was good at guilting, pretty much. and two? that he was going to be open and honest and tell her straight forward if he didn't want something. That was good because there would likely come a lot of things that he would need to decide if he wanted or not. One of them being an important factor which was her kids -- Morrigan was an adult and could decide for herself whether @Farrow was a good addition but her children wouldn't quite have the same abilities. Morrigan could protect herself but the babies were still getting used to their feet.

At his quick admission that he loved kids, her paws seemed to spring up from the ground as her whole body shook with excitement. A man who likes kids, and suddenly all the wheels began turning again and she felt like the little girl in the candy shop getting exactly what she wanted with her hard earned summer chores money. Turning her head slightly so as to give him a kiss right on the cheek and surpassing his eye. I am one happy woman, and he hadn't even taken her to bed yet.

manip & table code by k'sariya

The sudden shift in her demeanor at his words caused all of Farrow's fears and reservations to slip away all at once. He'd only ever had to rely on his sharp-witted humor and a couple of embellished stories to get a girl to swoon; never before had he considered that an appeal to a more domestic lifestyle such as liking kids would be enough to cause her to melt, but Gods did he love it. She was positively adorable being so giddy and excited, and Farrow couldn't help but return her smile. The hurried kiss she planted on his cheek caused his cheeks to flush and warm, blinking his eyes in pleasant surprise, before resting back into a more warm appearance. “I like it when you're happy,” he purred, but betwixt it lay a clever, suggestive growl.

Eventually, he got to his paws, and motioned his head in the direction @Talisa had come from, remembering vaguely the general location of her pride and hoping he was heading the right way. He would let her take the lead, however, though he could not deny how eager he was to see her place and all of the wives and kids and family and Gods and whatever else Talisa had hidden and waiting to be discovered.

exit w Tali

Was it love? Hard to say, but she certainly felt something for the feathered brute. A budding romance that was beginning to take flight as she now envisioned exactly what you would think Talisa Valour would see. A picturesque moment where she, Morrigan and @Farrow were wandering through the meadows with not just her three children but three more that looked a lot like the three of them combined. Now, wouldn't that be magical? Talisa so lost in her own mind that she snapped back with his baritone words. Soaking into them like a fine wine as she positively melted with his purr and suggestive growl. Talisa was beginning to truly consider herself a very lucky woman. Instantaneously moving towards the Brook with a readied step, her heartbeat skipping along as she was brought her newest love interest to the very confines of Vermeda where she hoped he would come to see that the water was fine and so are the ladies. exit talisa

manip & table code by k'sariya