regency au } { of unexpected courtships and quiet evenings

[vampireboulevard]

Tyler: [and yes, his dad is PISSED at him. So much so that they had words that afternoon and Tyler is still reeling from them as he waits for Caroline to arrive]

Caroline: [arrived with Derek and Elena who went directly inside, but she smiles when she sees Tyler, making her way to meet him with a small smile] Sir Lockwood.

Tyler: [and the weight on his shoulders fade away as he sees her face] Lady Caroline. You're looking beautiful today.

Caroline: Thank you. You are looking very handsome yourself.

Tyler: Well, I try. [holds out his arm] Mask ready?

Caroline: [nods as she holds up the gold mask with a smile] Ready.

Tyler: Good. [and in they will go into the swirl of people]

Caroline: [and she will stick close to her arm, but she feels almost normal again and it shows on her face]

Tyler: [and they will go to walk around, getting drinks and mingling. He steers her away from the Mystic Falls people for the most part beyond their friends. Wolf noses help in these moments]

Caroline: [yes they do. And for the most part she's happy to just mingle and dance, which they hopefully will]

Tyler: [oh, and yes they will dance. And Tyler has a 13 so he will be fine with his dancing]

Caroline: [And Caroline got a 15 so they're about the same. And it's all too easy to pretend that she's supposed to be here and she hasn't been ruined in any way. In fact, she doesn't even think about the eyes on her from the Mystic Falls side of the room]

Tyler: [and he is going to keep her mind occupied with other things anyway so that she doesn't notice them]

Caroline: [which she appreciates very much, eventually letting her head rest against his shoulder when they dance to a slower song]

Tyler: [he smiles, just taking in her scent and holding her gently] Are you enjoying the night?

Caroline: [she nods with a small smile] I am. Are you?

Tyler: Very much.

Caroline: Good. It would seem a waste if you weren't enjoying yourself as well.

Tyler: I already knew I was going to enjoy myself when you said yes to letting me escort you.

Caroline: So you are clairvoyant?

Tyler: Maybe?

Caroline: It means you can tell the future.

Tyler: Well, no. I just knew I was going to be with you. That was all the hint I needed.

Caroline: [she smiles widely and her head ducks a bit] I had no idea I was such excellent company.

Tyler: Well, to me you are.

Caroline: [her smile brightens as she straightens to meet her eyes again] Thank you for this, Tyler. Really.

Tyler: You're welcome. I'm just glad you were able to enjoy it.

Caroline: I am. I'm enjoying it a lot.

Tyler: And I noticed that you are making a few new friends as well.

Caroline: Lady Lydia is a friend of the Argents who are friends of the Hales. She's lovely.

Tyler: She sounds very intelligent, that's for sure.

Caroline: She is. She's very dedicated to mathematics.

Tyler: She should try and teach at the university. If they would allow her to, that is.

Caroline: I'm sure she would if she could. Right now she's simply trying to avoid a marriage that wouldn't allow her to study as well.

Tyler: The man who denies her that is a fool.

Caroline: I couldn't agree more.

Tyler: You know, Jeremy could use a strong woman like that at his side.

Caroline: Do you think he would be interested?

Tyler: That I don't know. He's still young and I think he is worried about taking over the family responsibilities when he is wed.

Caroline: Well, he has time to determine that. I don't think she's looking to get married soon either.

Tyler: Another reason for it being a potential match. Perhaps you could introduce them one day?

Caroline: He already knows of Lady Argent. I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult to arrange the rest.

Tyler: So not much of a challenge. And his sister will put in a few good words, I'm sure.

Caroline: I'm sure. It's simply a matter of placing the two of them together at the right time.

Tyler: He will always be in need of escorts at tourney.

Caroline: That is true. [there's a pause] Do you think he can handle her?

Tyler: That I don't know. I don't know if he can handle a real woman at all, to be honest. He's still a pup.

Caroline: Then ... I suppose we'll have to rely on baby steps.

Tyler: Probably for the best.

Caroline: [nods, going through a few more steps, before she looks up at him again] Has your father attempted to marry you off yet?

Tyler: He is attempting to. Though I'm not really interested in any of the prospects he lines up for me.

Caroline: Why not?

Tyler: Because I really don't care to be married off to increase his power.

Caroline: And what if one of those women happened to be your true love?

Tyler: Impossible.

Caroline: And why is that?

Tyler: Because I have an idea already on who that may be.

Caroline: [her eyebrows go up as though to ask the silent question of "who?"]

Tyler: [he just grins back, because he was looking right at her]

Caroline: [it takes her a moment to realize before her eyes widen and she glances away with a blush]

Tyler: [chuckles, just dancing a moment] You act so surprised.

Caroline: [she closes her eyes before shaking her head] I just ... I'm sure there are better matches.

Tyler: That would come down to another person's definition of better.

Caroline: Perhaps like your father's?

Tyler: [snorts] My father and I have never had the same opinions on anything.

Caroline: But your father has the final say, doesn't he?

Tyler: Only if I let him. I'm not really all that interested in taking over his position in the city, to be honest.

Caroline: Then what will you do?

Tyler: I enjoy being a knight. I don't really see any reason to look for more.

Caroline: No one is a knight forever.

Tyler: Well, the dead knights are, but I'm not planning on being that either. [but he's being a smartass and pointing it out]

Caroline: [and she will give him a look because that's not what she meant]

Tyler: There are areas where the manor is lacking experienced knights to protect their towns. It would be a good life, and one that would be mine, and not another.

Caroline: But it wouldn't be a safe one.

Tyler: Depends on the town.

Caroline: Is there a town you had in mind?

Tyler: I had been talking with Lord Stilinski, actually. His uncle sent him to the Hales to learn from Derek on how to be a knight because their knights are older men who aren't used to doing much. Not that there is a lot to do in Austria, but that also means if something were to happen, they would become easy targets.

Caroline: So you're thinking of joining him?

Tyler: It is a thought. It's not as though my uncle Mason would take my place. In fact, Mason I think would be better for the city than I.

Caroline: Why is that?

Tyler: My father would have less control over him. He would be able to make things better.

Caroline: And you don't think you could do that on your own?

Tyler: If my father lives when I am ruling, it would never be own.

Caroline: Why not? You stood up to him for me.

Tyler: [he took a deep breath, before looking at Caroline] Because he also my alpha.

Caroline: [her eyes widen a bit at that and she nods] Oh.

Tyler: [nods] I had been meaning to tell you that. It's not something we speak of in Mystic Falls.

Caroline: No, it's fine. Lady Hale explained why they keep it secret.

Tyler: I am technically the next alpha in our family. That I can't change. But I don't have to be the next Lockwood town leader.

Caroline: And what about when you become the alpha?

Tyler: That will be a long time from now. And the pack is only myself, my father and uncle. We don't have many others. When my uncle has children, and when I do... that will change the dynamics. But it's a thing that is a far time off from happening.

Caroline: [she nods] I'm sure it's merely another thing that I will not help.

Tyler: How is that?

Caroline: If you want me, your father is one of my biggest critics. I'm sure he would do anything to discredit me which will only make things harder for you.

Tyler: Which gives me all the more reason to be away from him.

Caroline: [she glances up, watching his face for a moment, before leaning closer and dropping her voice] And it doesn't bother you. That I'm not ... [a virgin]

Tyler: [he smiled a bit, and shook his head] I'm not wanting to court you for what it between your legs, m'lady. I am after your heart.

Caroline: [her eyes go up and she glances away] Most men assume they're one in the same. Or that one negates the other.

Tyler: I am not most men. I may have been a jerk when I was younger, m'lady, but now that I spend time outside of the town on tourney, I have seen more in life than those wished me to.

Caroline: And what is so special about my heart?

Tyler: It is a nice one. You care for people a lot. I see how you are with the other ladies and you are a very dedicated friend. That is a very admirable quality.

Caroline: Some would also say it's naive and foolish and too easily given away.

Tyler: And again, I am not most people. I prefer to form my own opinions, and not believe idle gossip from those without anything better to do than throw stones when they themselves are not free of sin.

Caroline: [closes her eyes for a moment, leaning into him] I suppose I am still at a point where I am not sure if I'm worth the risk.

Tyler: Then let me be the judge of what is worth my risks? [he held her close] Because I like to think you are. I just need to prove it to you.

Caroline: [watches him carefully for a moment before nodding, returning her head to his shoulder again]

Tyler: [and he is just going to smile to himself, enjoying the dance and gently nuzzling her cheek a bit]

Caroline: [she closes her eyes, relaxing into him. She doesn't recognize the sign of affection as she does it, but she likes it, and she might even push back a bit]

Tyler: [there is a soft sigh at that, closing his eyes. Best slow dance ever]

Caroline: [and eventually the room will be too much, so as the song ends, she'll pull away] Perhaps we could go for a walk?

Tyler: [nods] I would like that.

Caroline: [nods and glances up to try and find the entrance to the gardens]

Tyler: [he will just go where she wants to lead them.]

Caroline: [and she will head out to one of the more private gardens, sitting on a bench in the grove where they're fairly isolated from the rest of the group]

Tyler: [goes to sit next to her. Good, because they didn't need Stiles or Isaac stumbling on them] Are you cold?

Caroline: [shakes her head with a smile] No. It was quiet warm in there, I should be fine - at least for a little while.

Tyler: Well, if you do get cold, let me know.

Caroline: [nods as she turns to him with a smile] I will.

Tyler: So your mother mentioned that she was going to spend the winter with you at the Hale Manor?

Caroline: [brightens a bit] Yes. She's going to come with Jeremy.

Tyler: Good. I know you've been missing each other.

Caroline: A great deal. It will be good to see her.

Tyler: I've actually been thinking of being their guard on the trip.

Caroline: Really?

Tyler: It would get me away for a while. Matt has been taking more responsibility as being in charge of the guard, so they would not miss me.

Caroline: It would be good to see you.

Tyler: You would be stuck with me all winter.

Caroline: I can't say I would mind.

Tyler: Then I will make arrangements with Sir Derek to have room in the knights housing for the winter.

Caroline: Good. I will look forward to it.

Tyler: [looks at her a moment, his head tilted in thought] I guess I do need to ask you though, m'lady, if you wish to be courted by me. I would understand if it is too soon.

Caroline: [pauses for a moment, before glancing down at their hands next to each other] If you don't mind moving slowly. Or my ... getting skittish about certain things.

Tyler: I don't mind at all.

Caroline: Then yes. I would like that.

Tyler: [he grins] Thank you.

Caroline: Thank you. For giving me a chance.

Tyler: No problem.

Caroline: [she sighs] Do you want to just stay here for the rest of the evening? I think we have a few hours before the Hales leave.

Tyler: We can.

Caroline: [she smiles again, before shifting closer and letting her head rest against his shoulder] Good.

Tyler: [and his arm will just go gently around her waist, keeping her close and giving her a bit of his body warmth]

Caroline: [and they will sit there for the rest of the night, enjoying each other's company and not worrying about everyone else.]

Tyler: [and he doesn't try to make a move on her, just his fingers making patterns on her hip]

Caroline: [which she appreciates so much. As much as she may want him to kiss her]

Tyler: [he just doesn't want to be presumptuous]

Caroline: [no, they're supposed to be taking it slow. And she's not sure she's ready for it either. But right now, they can just enjoy the evening together.]

Richard: [and then he will appear at the entrance to the garden, seeing them and his spine stiffening] Tyler, we're leaving.

Caroline: [her head picks up and she straightens a bit, pulling away so that Tyler can go.]

Tyler: [sighs, looking at him and nodding, then back to Caroline] I guess it's time to go.

Caroline: [she nods] Thank you for escorting me.

Tyler: I enjoyed it. Thank you. May I have one kiss before I go?

Richard: [alpha voice] Tyler, now.

Caroline: [her eyes dart between him and his father, Richard's tone making her tense more than anything. It reminds her of the tone Damon would use on her when he wasn't pleased with her and she can't meet his eyes. So she just glances back to Tyler, before leaning in and giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek]

Tyler: [he will take that, and then smile] I'll see you again soon. Have a safe trip. [and he will turn and go, brushing past Richard]

Richard: Don't get your hopes up, Lady Forbes. You may try to use your wiles on my son, but you will not dishonor my family. I will see to that. [and he will turn and go]

Caroline: [will keep her face steady until she's sure they're gone before her face crumples, and she lowers herself back onto the bench again]