regency au } { of missing fathers and tent visits

[theloophole]

Ben: [he's three days late now. Father was only going to be a day behind them reaching London. He never missed a tourney, especially when Ben was participating. Something was wrong, and his mother became more nervous each day. He was now pacing, unsure what he should do. Should he leave and try to backtrack his father to the Lord he was delivering Grandfather Stilinski's correspondence to? Should he stay here and protect his mother and sister? But the Hales were here, they could protect them. What to do...]

Hope: [comes up to find him in the hall, worried] Any word?

Ben: [fiddling with his archer bracers] No, still no word. He would have sent a message if he was going to be delayed this long.

Hope: Would you like me to do a locator spell? If we can find a map I can determine how far on the road he is.

Ben: I thought you were not supposed to be using your magic.

Hope: I can make exceptions and it's a small spell. Not hard at all. I just need you and a map.

Ben: I think I have a map somewhere in my trunk. [hears the horns of the tourney starting] Shit.

Hope: I'll go find it. You go do your round and I'll find you after.

Ben: [and he will head off running]

Jason: [and he's noticed the strain on the Stilinski and Hale families, so he is snooping. So he happened to be on the other side of the tent side when they were talking. So once Ben is gone a good distance, he will slip into the tent] If you can't find Lord Stilinski's map, I have one you may borrow.

Hope: [turns, surprised, and unsure of how much he heard of that, but isn't one to argue] How detailed is it?

Jason: [and there is a smirk as he reaches into the pouch on his hip, drawing the document out.] Very. I made it myself.

Hope: [pauses for a moment, starting to reach out to take it, before drawing her hands back] I may not be returning it in mint condition.

Jason: I can make another. Finding Lord Stilinski is more important.

Hope: [nods and takes the map from him, before moving to spread it over the nearby table and taking in the details to make sure it gave them enough nuance to find him] This will do. Do you think you can find Dina?

Jason: Yes, I know where she is. [he knew where everyone was in the city, or their approximate location. It was his duty when in the city]

Hope: Then bring her here. She's the next best thing to Ben. Just tell her I'm asking for her. [if they can find Stiles before Ben even leaves the field, then she can at least greet him with good news]

Jason: As you wish, my Lady. [he will bow and duck out, heading for the audience stands where the Hales and Stilinski's sat, and looked carefully to see where Dina was]

Dina: [is with her mother, because Cora is Worried, and she's waiting for any sign of trouble to come through their bond]

Jason: [he doesn't want to worry the Lady Stilinski, so he will quickly write on a piece of paper about Lady Mikaelson's request and fold it. He will walk the aisle behind her and drop the note on her lap as he kept moving until he reached the end of the row and then back down the stairs to wait for her]

Dina: [catches his scent as he moves past her, and would have followed him were it not for the note in her lap. she glances back, before reaching down to open it and read it over. She then reaches over to squeeze her mother's hand] Hope wants my help with something. Will you be alright?

Cora: [glances over and squeezes her daughter's hand in return] I'll be fine. Is everything alright?

Dina: I'm sure it is. I'll be back shortly. [and with that, she will get up and head to find Jason]

Jason: [he is keeping himself at a place where he looks to just be standing lazily, a hand resting on his sword hilt. He will nod when he sees her coming down the steps] My lady.

Dina: What is she up to?

Jason: [he will nod for them to start working] She is working on finding your lord father's location, and said she needed you to accomplish this.

Dina: [nods as she turns that over in her head, and will just let him lead the way back to the tent, where Hope has spread the map out in front of her]

Hope: [glances up and sees them] Thank you, Lord Walters. I'll return your map once we're finished. [aka please leave because she doesn't know what you know and therefore is erring on the assumption that you know nothing]

Jason: [he will look at Dina, and then nod] As you wish. I will be right outside.

Hope: [will wait until he moves outside, before murmuring to Dina] What does he know?

Dina: [glances back as Hope takes her hand] I don't know.

Hope: Then let's err on the side of caution. [and she'll prick Dina's finger, letting the blood drip onto the map as she closes her eyes and begins to chant]

Jason: [just assume he knows everything. He will be patient, preventing anyone from interrupting the ladies]

Hope: [and after a few minutes, Dina's blood will trail across the map, following Stiles' path through the woods presumably with his captors until it comes to a stop and the spell breaks] Here. It seems they've stopped here.

Dina: [leans closer to take a look] I don't know these woods well.

Jason: [totally listening in]

Hope: [is just assuming that he's doing just that] Lord Walters, do you know these woods?

Jason: [and he will come back in, heading to the map and looking down at the spot. He will tilt his head, thinking] I do, but not intimately. That is an old duchy that's family lost their title half a century ago to the previous King. The castle was destroyed in the invasion, but parts of it remain. [he pointed at the spot the blood indicated] That's where the manor used to stand.

Hope: That also happens to be where Lord Stilinski currently resides. I'm going to guess he isn't there by choice.

Jason: Not unless he is injured and unable to ride. I've known a man or two who use the remaining keep as a place to hunt, or a shelter in bad weather or overnight

Dina: He's been gone too long for it to be waiting out the weather. He was supposed to be here days ago.

Cora: [meanwhile, as they're discussing this, the first match ends, and Cora's hand falls to her heart for a moment with a sharp gasp]

Ben: [and his head will whip around, because he knows the sound of his mother's voice, and that was pain]

Cora: [yep, nope, she doesn't look happy and is going to push herself up to try and make her way out of the stands to where no one can see her]

Ben: [and he can't leave because he's going into the next round, but will whisper softly, hoping his mother hears him] What's wrong, Mother?

Cora: [glances back as she tries to catch her breath] Nothing. I'm fine. [she doesn't want him worrying, and for the moment, she doesn't know what's wrong, exactly] I'm going to find your sister.

Ben: She is in my tent with Hope. [yes, he listened in. He's a Stilinski. They do that.]

Cora: [nods and heads in that direction] I'll be fine. Focus on the match. [and then she'll be out of earshot so do as she says, Ben]

Ben: [yes mom]

Jason: [leaning over the map, a pencil in hand drawing more detail into that area of the map to lay out how someone would get there]

Cora: [comes into the tent and is about to speak to Dina and Hope when she sees Jason there] Lord Walters. This is ... unconventional.

Jason: [stands up] I am only here to advise the young ladies on the details of the countryside. [not planning anything unproper]

Cora: [her eyes are sharp and she can tell as much before looking between the two women] What countryside?

Hope: The one Lord Stilinski seems to have found himself in.

Cora: [and that is relevant to her interests] You know where he is?

Jason: I have been there before. I was detailing the area for the ladies so that they could present it to Sir Hale.

Cora: Thank you. We should do that sooner rather than later.

Dina: [Hope looks confused, but Dina understands] Where is Uncle Derek? I'll go get him.

Cora: I think last I saw him he was with Boyd. I'll go with you. [and she'll take her daughters arm as they leave]

Jason: [and when they are gone, he will think a moment, then nod to herself] If Lady Claudia asks where I have gone, let her know I am scouting ahead to ease their journey.

Hope: [turns and looks at him] You're going alone?

Jason: It wouldn't be the first time.

Hope: You shouldn't. [because these may not be human enemies, and she feels bad about letting this guy go alone] I'll go with you.

Jason: I can take care of myself. I promise. Lord Benjamin needs you to be here when he is done with tourney.

Hope: Ben will be fine. This will go faster if you have someone to help you, and the Hales have complicated enemies.

Jason: My lady, I cannot guarantee your safety, and trying to ensure it will distract me from what needs to be done, and puts us both in jeopardy. Please, I need to go.

Hope: Let me worry about my own safety. [the wind whips around them in the tent and her eyes glow gold for a moment] And if you're about to run into there on your own, maybe you should have someone worrying about yours.

Jason: [and he is unphased] Am I supposed to quiver in fear now? I'm never sure how I am supposed to react.

Hope: Maybe you should take it for what it is and trust that I can take care of myself. I grew up on the Orleans bayous. I'm no wilting lady of the court, and .... [she pauses to take the knife she'd used earlier and slices it across her palm, showing it to him as the cut stitches back into place] I can fix myself. Can you do the same?

Jason: No, I just don't get hit. Fine, get your horse and meet me at the gates in five minutes. I will not wait for you if you are not there in time.

Hope: I'll be there. [and she will only wait long enough to scribble Ben a note to say where they're going and spell it into his pocket on the way to her horse]

Jason: [and he bought a bag of dried beef and fruit at the market, refilled his waterskin, and was on his horse ready when she arrived]

Hope: [and off they go to save the day! and Hope keeps up pretty well, given what Jason was probably expecting of her]

Jason: [he is used to moving fast and alone. Trying to keep a pace and listen to someone's needs beyond his and his horse's is frustrating, especially with the urgency, but he makes himself get over it. It isn't worth the battle]

Hope: [to be fair, Hope likely outpaces him in terms of pace, and the only time she'll really get in his way is if she hears something that might do him harm. she's also, however, super brutal in dispatching of whatever enemies get in their way, because in a lot of ways, she is her parents' daughter and neither Hayley nor Klaus had patience for lackeys]

Jason: [yeah, he is going to feel a bit emasculated in this, because he is not used to strong physical women. Intelligent women in high power, yes, but not physical. He is more graceful, moving almost like a vampire with a trained ease as he dispatches his share of enemies with a sword and dagger]

Hope: [well you better get used to it, because you're going to be courting one. That being said, she reaches the door that Stiles is behind and places an ear to it to see what she can hear, holding up one bloodied hand to him to indicate for him to hold]

Jason: [and he will guard her back in case someone dares to attack]

Stiles: [is inside, groaning. Think of the device that Sir Orrick is strapped to when he is revealed not to be a knight]

Hope: [oh that sounds fun. any other footsteps or heartbeats?]

Jason: [a few more, but they are fleeing]

Hope: [towards her or away from her?]

Jason: [away from the building into the woods before they are found]

Hope: [and she will hold up her hands, murmuring a spell under her breath to see if she can use the plant life and vines nearby to catch them]

Jason: [he'll have no idea if it worked or not. She has to roll for that one]

Hope: [she rolled an 18 so ... probably?]

Jason: [sure. presents waiting for the Hales. Meanwhile, Jason is going to go and pick the lock on the jail cell when he realizes she is focusing on something else and no one is attacking them]

Hope: [yep, he should do that, and when the spell settles she'll glance down to him] It should be just Lord Stilinski inside.

Jason: I would hope so. [and they will open the door and it will be dark, the only light from a torch on the opposite wall. Jason may not have special senses, but he can tell from the things he sees that this isn't going to be a good sight. He moves to take his cloak off] You should go up and help them find us.

Hope: [she can already smell the blood, and while she is reluctant to leave Jason alone still, she also wants to be able to prepare Ben if she can. so she nods and goes to head back to the top. And also probably tries to find somewhere to clean some of the blood off]

Jason: [and when he is alone, he is going to take his cloak and wrap it around Lord Stilinski to preserve his dignity for when others arrive] My Lord, I am an acquaintance of your daughters. Your family is on their way here. Let me help you out of this thing.

Stiles: [is barely conscious, but nods. His throat is ragged and dry so he can't speak]

Jason: [and he is going to cut Stiles free from the wooden contraption on his arms, wincing at the litany of whip marks on the Lord's back]

Hope: [and she finds a small creek to wash her hands in, though her head lifts when she hears horses coming her way. They're upwind from her, so she waits until she picks out familiar scents before getting up to wave them down]

Ben: [and he will pick up Hope's scent as the horses' buck, the scent of blood in the air] Uncle, they are here.

Derek: [and he will order his knights to dismount and start to take up position to storm the castle ruins]

Hope: [and she catches up with the two of them] There are a few entangled in the woods who were trying to escape but most of the rest are dead. Lord Walters is inside with Lord Stilinski.

Derek: Lord Walters? [what is Mercy's son doing here?]

Ben: Hope, why are you here? You should be safe in the city.

Hope: He was going to come on his own with no idea what he was walking into. I couldn't let him go alone. I sent you a note.

Ben: Did you realize you didn't know what you were walking into either? I have been worried the entire ride!

Hope: And I am fine. [simple pretty smile as she places her hands on his shoulders] And so is your father, though he has been through quite a bit.

Derek: [splits his knights up to secure the ones Hope can lead them too, and more to keep a perimeter. Then he and Ben will enter and go find Stiles]

Hope: [will go do that and will meet up with them on the other side, giving Ben some time alone with his father]

Ben: [which they will do, with Derek taking over administering first aid and Ben holding his father up in his weakened state.]

Jason: [is going to slip out and look through the dead bodies in the hallways, looking for anything that can identify who they are or where they came from. The ones Hope caught will probably not live to make it back to London.]

Hope: [likely not, no. and eventually they will pack everything up and head back to the tournament to bring Stiles back to his wife]

Stiles: [yes, bring him back to his wife. He's going to just stay passed out though because ow]

Cora: [that's fine, she's going to have him brought right to her tent so she can treat his wounds properly, no offense to Jason or her brother but she needs to see and attend to him herself, so she'll have him on his stomach on a cot, alternating between taking his pain and spreading a healing salve across his back, everyone else can wait and she'll thank them later] This is going to sting, love.

Stiles: [and he will groan, fingers clenching the edge of the cot but he refuses to scream at the pain]

Cora: [she will do as much as she can, as quickly as she can, and when she's finished she'll reach forward and take his hand, pulling whatever pain she can] That's it, all done. You'll need to stay on your stomach until I can get this wrapped.

Stiles: How bad does it look?

Cora: It's bad. But it will heal.

Stiles: [and he will take a deep breath, and then turn his head to look at her. Bruised, but those eyes are not broken.] Where are the children?

Cora: Not far. I'm sure that Ben is scolding Hope for running off without him, and Dina is waiting to be able to see you herself. [and also maybe trying to figure out how to thank Jason, because she's not good at that]

Stiles: I don't want her to see me this way. She doesn't need that image of her father.

Cora: [nods, brushing a hand against the top of his head] I'll have her go back to her tent for the night. [though she has a feeling Dina's already heard - werewolf hearing and all]

Stiles: Yes, when they can be bandaged. Give her my love.

Cora: She knows. [she glances over and Dina's heartbeat picks up just slightly, and then her footfalls move away from the tent and out of earshot] But if you think I am going to leave you, you have another thing coming.

Stiles: [chuckles softly] I know.

Cora: [continues brushing her fingers through his hair lightly, giving the salve time to set] What happened?

Stiles: I was ambushed on the road, half a day's ride from here. I was knocked from my horse, and woke up in a dungeon.

Cora: Do you know who was responsible?

Stiles: I do not recognize them, but I fear I know who ordered and paid for it.

Cora: Tell me.

Stiles: [he hates to say it but he will look her in the eye] The only person who has ever whipped me and believes he has a right to.

Cora: [and her eyes go cold for a moment, before she shakes her head] After all this time?

Stiles: No other man has reason to, and my cousin would have had me killed, not whipped.

Cora: Why would he wait so long? It doesn't make any sense.

Stiles: It may not have been his idea.

Cora: What do you mean?

Stiles: His son. Cut from the same cloth.

Cora: [exhales slowly, before leaning forward to press a kiss to his temple] Just rest. We'll figure this out when you're better.

Stiles: [kisses her back] Funny, you taking care of my injuries is how this all started between us.

Cora: [she laughs] It's not a situation I wish to keep repeating, my love.

Stiles: Neither do I.

Cora: Good. At least we're on the same page there. [brushes her fingers through his hair] Sleep.

Stiles: Yes, my love. [and his eyes will drift closed, but it will take awhile before he can be comfortable enough to drift off]

Cora: [that's fine, she'll keep taking his pain, repeating the soothing gesture in his hair until he falls asleep]

Dina: [and while he's resting, Claudia will be moving between tents, not entirely sure where she's going but heading in Jason's direction]

Jason: [and he will be brushing down his horse, lost in thought. He's seen a lot in his days, done a lot, but seeing someone like Hope being so bloodthirsty, or seeing a Lord that he admired beaten so badly had him off guard. So he focused instead on his horse as he sorted out the thoughts in his head and put them into their little boxes in the back of his mind]

Dina: [she hesitates in approaching him for a moment, unsure what she is even going to say, but eventually she decides to just wing it and takes a step closer] Jason? ... I mean, Lord Walters.

Jason: [He shouldn't be surprised that she would come looking for him. His hand hesitates a moment before he starts another long brush along the horse's hind quarters] Lady Stilinski.

Dina: ... I'm glad to see you made it out of the ordeal unharmed. [and the words die on her tongue again, not sure if "thank you" is adequate for what he did - it doesn't feel like it's enough, so she stops, trying to see if she can navigate her way to the right words.]

Jason: [chuckles] I hardly did anything. Lady Mikaelson is who you should thank.

Dina: You went when you had no reason to otherwise. [if she sounds confused it's because she is, she thinks that the act of doing something is worth the gratitude, he could have very easily done nothing at all]

Jason: I had reason. Lord Stilinski is a good man, and he was in trouble.

Dina: Not many would consider that reason enough. [she pauses for a moment] It meant a great deal to me, at least.

Jason: [and he will turn to face her at that, a small smile on his face. He will nod to her] You are welcome then, my Lady.

Dina: [she nods for a moment, and it still doesn't feel like enough, so she steps forward again] If there is anything I can ever do for you, please ask. [she would be more than happy to return the favor. And she'll take another step closer, pushing herself up on her toes to kiss his cheek, though if he happens to read it as something else then ....]

Jason: [he isn't expecting that, but he does read it as something else and will turn his head to meet her lips in the kiss with his own]

Dina: [it catches her by surprise, but she doesn't pull away at first. In fact, part of her melts into it, her eyes closing as she leans into him, her hands coming to his shoulders to keep herself steady]

Jason: [and he will wrap one arm around her waist to keep her close, the other still on the horse and helping keep their balance as he closes his eyes and deepens the kiss]

Dina: [has never actually kissed anyone before, so she mostly follows his lead and hopes that this isn't coming off as too innocent to the point where it isn't enjoyable. she's not sure why she's concerned with that, but she is all the same]

Jason: [it isn't. But he is going to pull back after a moment to breathe as well as remaining proper. He will just look into her eyes, searching them a moment]

Dina: [she meets his gaze for a moment, unsure of what any of this means. She knows she should probably pull away and give them some space, say that that wasn't what she intended and leave it at that. But she also rolled a 6 on her will save so instead of doing the respectable thing, she will lean closer again, this time kissing him intentionally and of her own accord]

Jason: [mmm, he likes that. The horse brush will be tossed to the floor and he will hold her to him with both hands on her waist, really kissing her this time.]

Dina: [yes, this is ... yes. Her insides feel a bit molten from the intensity of it, so she winds her arms around his neck to keep herself upright, just leaning into his kiss and trusting to hold her up, should her knees go weak beneath her]

Jason: [he totally can hold her up, though he's going to need someone to hold him up soon. Or somewhere to sit]

Dina: [well, she's continuing to roll poor will saves, so with that 5 she will go wherever he leads her so long as he doesn't stop kissing her]

Jason: [well, there is a nice bale of hay that he will walk them back towards, and slowly sit down, guiding her to sit across his lap. Straddling it would be too improper]

Dina: [yes, that works. she will settle where he leads her easily, her hands coming up a bit to brush against his cheeks as she continues to kiss him, adjusting to the change in angle]

Jason: [and now that he doesn't have to support her, his hands can do a bit of exploring. Starting simple with going up her back, fingers teasing the edges of her curls]

Dina: [she shivers in response, her hands moving to his shoulders and fisting the material there gently]

Jason: [and if she doesn't complain, his other hand will slide down along her dress covered leg, featherlight touches]

Dina: [nope, he's still over clothes and his touch feels good, so it's not enough to take her out of things yet]

Jason: [and he is content with just this, for now. They are not in any rush]

Dina: [and eventually she will feel a little too breathless and will finally break the kiss, but she doesn't pull away completely, lingering in the moment for a little while longer]

Jason: [well, he doesn't really want to stop, so while he catches her breath, he is going to kiss along her jaw, then to her shoulder]

Dina: [her eyes close at the touch, her head tipping back and tries her best not to react too visibly when his lips find That Spot on her neck that is sensitive for all werewolves, even if she does melt a little bit more when they press against her]

Jason: [and after a moment longer] I know that it's improper to ask, but would you come back to my tent with me. Just to talk more? [or do this]

Dina: [she shouldn't. It is improper to ask, and she should say no, and return to her own tent to deal with these feelings he's stirring on her on her own. But at the same time, where does she really have to go? Her father doesn't want her there, and she doesn't feel like being alone with her thoughts] Just to talk. [though they'll see how her will power holds up as they go]

Jason: Just to talk. [he will gently slide her off his lap, lead his horse back to the stable quickly, and then hold his hand out to her]

Dina: [and she takes his hand and lets him lead the way, glancing around to make sure no one is around to see this and cause trouble]

Jason: [he is good at moving through the shadows so they will not be seen by anyone if his 17 sneak roll can count for them both]

Dina: [that works, she'll just follow his lead until they reach the safety of his tent]

Jason: [and once they are there, he will motion for her to take a seat in the pile of pillows that served as his gathering area within the tent] Would you like some tea?

Dina: [she shakes her head as she goes and gently lowers herself onto the pillows] No, thank you.

Jason: [he will nod and then go to sit next to her, his hand going to take hers gently] So, how are you doing? [because he knows she has to be dealing with all of this just as much as any other member of her family]

Dina: [lets him, her fingers brushing gently against his] I'm fine. I haven't seen him yet. He needed to rest. [and also he didn't want to see her, but that's not Jason's problem, so she'll keep that to herself]

Jason: I can understand the need. They were not kind to him.

Dina: No, they were not. [even if she wasn't able to see him, she could feel his pain. It wasn't the kind you could hide]

Jason: He will be okay, though. He is a very strong man.

Dina: I know he will. It's just ... difficult. He can't withstand as much as the rest of us can. [she never thinks of her father as fragile, but it's moments like this that remind her that he is]

Jason: No, physically he cannot. But your father's inner strength knows no bounds, if the stories I have heard about him are true.

Dina: I know he can. I just want him to be safe.

Jason: He is now.

Dina: [she nods, her eyes drawn to where he's still holding her hand, unsure of what really to say]

Jason: [he will look to where her eyes are, and then seeing their hands, he will gently run his thumb along her palm.] I will do my best to find out who did this to him and bring them to justice, my Lady.

Dina: [turns her palm towards his touch] I think he already knows.

Jason: Then I will offer him my services to hunt them down.

Dina: [it might be more complicated than that, but ...] I will keep that in mind.

Jason: [and he will inch forward a bit] What can I do for you though, my lady?

Dina: [her head ducks a bit as he gets closer] I'm not sure. I mostly didn't want to be alone with my thoughts.

Jason: You don't have to be alone. If you don't want to.

Dina: [glances up again, curious] What would you recommend?

Jason: We could talk, as I said. About whatever you'd like.

Dina: [her head tips to the side] I'm not really sure what I'd like to talk about.

Jason: Well, what about this then? [and he will lean in to kiss her gently]

Dina: [she closes her eyes into the kiss, her free hand coming up to brush against his cheek] That is very distracting.

Jason: And it seemed like you need a distraction.

Dina: I would be very grateful for one.

Jason: Good. [smiles and leans in to kiss her again]

Dina: [sighs softly as she kisses him back, inching a bit closer so she can lean into him]

Jason: [which he will be all the happier to take, continuing to kiss her as he leans them back on the pillows]

Dina: [she follows the lead, feeling the warmth of his body against hers and doing her best to settle comfortably so that she can keep kissing him easily]

Jason: [and since he has already explored a bit with his hands, he will get back to that, his fingers slid along her arm]

Dina: [and she melts a bit into his touch, unsure what to do with her own hands, so just keeping them against his shoulders]

Jason: [and he will slide up to her hand and guide her hand to run along his chest, hoping she will explore on her own]

Dina: [she many, tentatively. She lets her fingers brush over his chest, down his arm, against his back, but not swing too low they'd be venturing into uncomfortable areas]

Jason: [well, his hand may run up along her ribs, not touching her breasts but unconsciously testing his limits on where he can get her to go]

Dina: [she definitely is not thinking about that right now, and arches up into the press of his hands, almost as though she's pushing those parts of her towards his curious fingers]

Jason: [well, if she insists. He will be gentle at first, though, exploring and easing her into the more intimate touching over her clothing]

Dina: [she crit failed her will save so she is so caught up in the moment, she's not thinking about propriety in terms of where he should be touching. His hand slides over her breast, even over her clothing, and she gasps, then moans, still pushing herself closer to him]

Jason: [and he is going to shift them, rolling Dina onto her back, deepening the kiss before letting both hands slide along her body, and then massage her breasts.]

Dina: [the weight of him above her changes things slightly, but it feels good, and she doesn't want to push it away quite yet. It makes her feel wanted, which she knows is a silly reason to indulge like this, to take this kind of risk, but she trusts Jason to stop if she stops him. so she arches up into his touch, soft sounds muffled against his lips as she tries to hold on to the kiss]

Jason: [he had his own lines, things he would not do without her permission. Things like removing her clothing, settling between her legs, and especially not making love to her. He was well aware that this was a moment full of emotional avoidance and he was good with just being a distraction, focusing on her. Showing her some of the affection he has developed of her over the last few months of watching her. He wanted to do this right, and not like one of the women in the brothel he would visit to satisfy his needs.]

Dina: [and she soaks it up like a sponge, her hands taking advantage of the new angle with him above her to slide over the planes of his back as her head falls back finally, trying to catch her breath as her cheek tips forward to brush against his]

Jason: [and he will press against her cheek, lips gently kissing along her neck. He didn't want to say anything to break the spell that was over them.]

Dina: [she doesn't want to break it either, and she turns her head, brushing her lips against his jaw as her fingers curled against his shoulders]

Jason: [but eventually he will turn to face her, just taking in the soft contours of her face as his fingers run along her hairline, pushing loose hairs off her face with a smile]

Dina: [glances up at him and smiles as well, her hands coming to rest against his shoulders] Hello.

Jason: Hello. [he will lean in to give her a small kiss before lifting his head again]

Dina: I'll admit, I didn't expect it to feel like this.

Jason: [he is a bit confused at that] Expect what?

Dina: It ... to feel good.

Jason: My kissing you?

Dina: [she nods]

Jason: It only feels good when the two people kissing mean it.

Dina: I suppose. I've never ... really done this with anyone else.

Jason: Well, I couldn't tell. You are a wonderful kisser.

Dina: [and she blushes] Thank you?

Jason: No, thank you. [his thumb will run along her cheek before he leans down to kiss her again]

Dina: [and she kisses him back, relaxing more under his touch and curling one leg up against his]

Jason: [and when he pulls back again] I don't want to go further without your consent, my lady.

Dina: [she glances up at him for a moment and while part of her wants to give it ... a large part of her ... at the same time, Ben and her mother would easily pick it up on her if they were caught. She needs to be smart. She doesn't really want to be] ... I ... my mother and brother will know.

Jason: And they would not approve.

Dina: Not particularly no. I mean, I could ... unceremoniously throw myself into the lake on my way home, but they may find that suspicious as well.

Jason: [chuckles] And I would not like for you to risk illness or drowning just to cover a scent they would disapprove of.

Dina: Well, illness no. My kind doesn't get sick.

Jason: Yes, but you still could drown.

Dina: That is true, if the lake is deep enough.

Jason: And then I would have to jump in after to rescue you, and I can become ill.

Dina: Probably best we avoid it all together.

Jason: And we should probably see you back home before your family comes looking.

Dina: [sighs] Perhaps. [she doesn't believe they're actually looking, but she should probably go back all the same]

Jason: [and he will lean down again to kiss her; a longer, gentle kiss meant for lovers, not passionate heated moments]

Dina: [and she kisses him back in kind, one hand coming up to rest against the side of his face]

Jason: [and when he pulls back after a long time] So would you approve of me asking permission to court you? [because he wants so much more of her]

Dina: [she looks up at him for a moment before nodding] Yes.

Jason: [smiles and kisses her again, happy scents!]

Dina: [yes, and that does make her happy, smiling a bit into the kiss]

Jason: [and eventually he will help her up so they can walk her back, his fingers intertwined with hers]

Dina: [and they will reach her tent and she will pull away with a small smile] Goodnight, Lord Walters.

Jason: [and he will lift her hand to his lips and kiss them] Sleep well, Lady Stilinski.

Dina: [nods with a smile and goes to slip back into her tent]

Jason: [and he will leave to do a quick recon around their camping place, making sure there is nothing coming to bother them before he heads off]

Dina: [and she will fall asleep with a smile, and hopefully be able to see her father in the morning]

Stiles: [he will, because hopefully his wounds are now bandaged and he is rested. plus pillows are good to rest upon. His face will be bruised though, and he will hide most of his injuries in his robe and blankets]

Dina: [she pokes her head inside with a smile, trying not to flinch at the bruises] I brought you some breakfast, if you're hungry.

Stiles: [and he will give her as much of a smile as he can] I would love some. Will you eat with me?

Dina: Of course. [and she'll bring in the tray of fruit and other breakfast options, before moving to sit on the cot next to him] How are you feeling?

Stiles: Like I am the ground of a jousting arena.

Dina: [frowns] You seem to be healing well, at least.

Stiles: Your mother has gentle hands. I am sorry about not letting you visit last night. I was not in a state I wished for you to see.

Dina: [she shakes her head] I just wanted to be sure you were alright.

Stiles: I know, and I will be. It may take some time, but I will be.

Dina: I know. [reaches over to give his hand a small squeeze]

Stiles: [he squeezes it back weakly, trying not to show how sore and pained he is] So tell me what I've missed.

Dina: Not a great deal. Ben did well in the archery rounds.

Stiles: Good, he has been working hard at that. What have you been up to?

Dina: [small shrug] Mostly watching. There hasn't really been anyone interesting.

Stiles: [looks at his daughter a moment] Anything or anyone? [he has a feeling she chose the later for a reason]

Dina: [frowns at the confusion] In the tournament.

Stiles: [just nods, and he will reach slowly for his breakfast, trying not to whimper in pain]

Dina: [and she will reach forward, placing her hand on his arm gently to pull some of the pain]

Stiles: [and his eyes will flutter closed a moment, feeling that. It's something only Cora has ever done for him] Thank you.

Dina: Of course. [it was likely because they were too young and Cora didn't want them to overdo it, but his daughter is a werewolf too, and she wants to help]

Stiles: [and he will try and reach for his food again, and manage to get a drink and a few bites before he is exhausted and leans back again]

Dina: [and when she sees that, she gathers what's left and moves it to the side] Do you want me to leave this for you for later?

Stiles: No, I don't think I can eat much more. I will probably fall back asleep soon.

Dina: Alright. Then I'll take this back to the food tents. [she makes her way closer and kisses his cheek softly] I'm sure Mother will be back to check on you soon.

Stiles: You don't have to leave. [he doesn't want her to think he is dismissing her]

Dina: [confused] You need to rest.

Stiles: I know, but You can stay...

Dina: [surprised but nods] Alright. [and she'll move to sit next to him]

Stiles: [and he will reach to take her hand, holding it gently] You know I love you, Claudia.

Dina: I do. I love you too.

Stiles: Good. Good. [and he will relax back into the pillows more] Did you hear that Lord Walters and Lady Mikaelson were the ones who found me?

Dina: I did. But I also helped. Hope used me to cast the locator spell.

Stiles: [chuckles] I'm glad to see her going against her family wishes on doing magic just to save my life.

Dina: I think she thought it was worth doing.

Stiles: I agree with her.

Dina: So do I.

Stiles: I don't understand how Lord Walters got caught up in this though.

Dina: He offered his map? By the time Mother and I went to get Derek he and Hope were gone.

Stiles: I see. Well, I owe him a great debt.

Dina: I don't think he sees it that way. He's told me he admires you.

Stiles: [surprised] He does?

Dina: That's what he said.

Stiles: [and he will think on that for awhile] What do you think of him?

Dina: [well, that's a loaded question] I think he ... sees more than people give him credit for.

Stiles: Is that good or bad?

Dina: I think that depends on who's being watched.

Stiles: True. [and he will nod to himself and close his eyes again]

Dina: [reaches over and squeezes his hand] Rest. Worry about Lord Walters when you wake.

Stiles: Yes. I think I will do just that. Help me lay back a bit more, darling.

Dina: [and she will get up to help him do that, adjusting the pillows so that he can lay down]

Stiles: [and he will thank her, and he is exhausted from trying to stay awake and not act like he's hurting, and he will pass out quickly]

Dina: [and she will just sit with him until her mother or her brother comes to trade off]

Ben: [which will be him since their mother is still off doing stuff]

Dina: [glances up] Morning.

Ben: Morning, Claudia.

Dina: He was up for a little while and had some breakfast, before he went back to sleep. The rest is over there, if you're hungry.

Ben: Thanks. [and he will go to look at Stiles' desk, seeing if anything needs attention]

Dina: [will just wait for him to tell her to go or ask her any more questions]

Ben: [and he will lick his lips, because he does want to ask her opinion on something, but he doesn't know how to ask it]

Dina: [and she will just wait because he knows her brother well enough to know there's something on his mind]

Ben: [finally he asks softly] Am I wrong to be angry at Hope and how she went off to save father with only Lord Walters? [not him]

Dina: [she tips her head to the side] That depends on why you're angry.

Ben: Because she ran off into a situation she knew nothing about without waiting for the rest of us, putting herself in harm's way [and then giving into her inner beast, but he leaves that unspoken]

Dina: Did you ask her why she did that?

Ben: I've been too angry to. I don't want to talk to her about it until I have my anger controlled.

Dina: [sighs] I don't think Hope is that reckless. She did send you the note, didn't she? I have a feeling it was more she didn't want Jason to do the same completely alone.

Ben: [and he huffs, because he is also cautious about Lord Walters] Don't get me started on him.

Dina: [her eyebrows go up] Don't get you started?

Ben: Not even going into the fact he has been stalking our family, but then he allows my intended to accompany him, without me, into a dangerous situation that could have gotten her or our father killed.

Dina: I'm not saying that was a wise choice, but Hope can take care of herself.

Ben: I know, but she also let her beast free. You didn't see the carnage she left behind, Dina.

Dina: To save our father.

Ben: They were running away. Or prisoners.

Dina: When has our family ever taken prisoners?

Ben: We don't kill people who surrender, Dina.

Dina: How do you know they surrendered?

Ben: When we arrived, they were being held in vines. We were bringing them back to London for trial.

Dina: If you already had them then why did she kill them? [that doesn't seem like Hope]

Ben: I don't know, but I can't ignore that, Dina. I love her, but she scares me when she does things like this.

Dina: Then you should be telling this to her, not me. I can't answer these questions for you.

Ben: [sighs, nodding] Yes, I should. I just don't know how.

Dina: [sighs as well] Just be honest with her. And try not to be so judgmental. Remember that she came from a different place than we did, and if you truly do want to understand you'll listen to her, not just assume that you have all the answers.

Ben: I'm more worried about not being able to control my anger. [he has problems with that]

Dina: I think that's something that Hope understands. Try ... taking a breath before you talk. Give what she's saying a chance to sink in. I know she can be rash, but at the end of the day, she loves you too.

Ben: [nods, and takes a deep breath] Okay, I will try.

Dina: Good. If you want to go now, I can stay with Father.

Ben: Okay. But come for me if you are in need of me.

Dina: I will. Go.

Ben: [and he will go, hunting for where Hope may be]

Hope: [and she's out by the lake, watching the water and trying not to worry because Ben has been distant and that's not good]

Ben: [and he will approach, taking a moment to focus his breathing before he called out her name] Hope?

Hope: [turns towards his voice and smiles] How is your father doing?

Ben: He is. It will take him awhile to heal, but he is pushing through it to make us not worry over him so much.

Hope: I doubt that will stop your mother. [and she inches over on the bench so he can sit next to her]

Ben: No, it won't. I foresee her remaining at his side until he is healed.

Hope: As any good mate should.

Ben: [nods] Yes, as any good mate should. [he echoes softly, going to sit beside her]

Hope: [watches him for a moment as she sits, before reaching for his hand slowly] Is everything alright?

Ben: [he looks at their hands, and squeezes it gently] No. I'm concerned about you, Hope.

Hope: Concerned why?

Ben: [and he will look up at her] I saw the bodies at the abandoned dungeon, Hope.

Hope: They were torturing your father.

Ben: Yes, but you outpowered them tenfold. You could have disabled them, allowed my uncle to interrogate them to find out who hired them. But you didn't. You didn't even wait for me, or any of us.

Hope: Lord Walters was going to go off on his own. I couldn't let him go alone. And I didn't kill all of them. I don't know how the ones caught in the vines died, the spell was designed to restrain not kill.

Ben: You could have restrained him if you wanted to make him wait.

Hope: Yes, because that's the right way to treat someone who is trying to help us. Kidnap them. [her face looks almost apologetic as soon as she says it] We didn't know how much time we had. We didn't know what they were doing to him. We were both fine.

Ben: You didn't know what you were running into. Yes, you were fine, but you didn't know. You could have been hurt. Killed. You are not invincible, Hope. Do you think my father would have wanted you to put yourself in harm’s way for him?

Hope: He would have done the same for me. Why would I do less for him?

Ben: [he grits his jaw, taking a deep breath] He would have waited for Uncle Derek.

Hope: Maybe he would have. But I'm not him. And I may not be invincible, but I am going to have to be an alpha one day. Which means I have to fight for my pack and the people that I love, and protect those who need it. And you are one of those people and ... [she pauses for a moment, before looking out at the water again, her hand still tight in his] ... I know what it's like to lose your father. I didn't want that to happen to you and I couldn't let Jason go alone.

Ben: [licks his lips, looking out over the water] I don't want to lose my father, but do you understand that I could have lost you and my father if you walked into a trap. You gave me no chance to even join you.

Hope: Lord Walters gave me no time. He barely gave me enough time to get a horse. I did tell you where I was going though? [do her magic notes count for anything?]

Ben: Yes, you did, but it was still reckless. You talk about being an alpha, and fighting for your pack. For me. But no matter the best of intentions, you were reckless, Hope. You could have gotten hurt, or killed. And if we were mates, you would have killed me too.

Hope: I could have, but I didn't. I understand that you were worried about me, and I love you for that. And maybe I was reckless. But ... there also has to come a point where you'll need to trust me too. Trust me that I can take care of myself, and that I will do whatever it takes to protect you. Especially if we're mates.

Ben: That's the problem, Hope. It's not just you. It's supposed to be US. That's what being mates means. [he's struggling to keep his voice down, his hands in fists.] And every choice you make is for yourself. I love you, I do, but I can't ignore the fact that I constantly feel that you look down on me... that you don't need me.

Hope: [she turns and stares at him for a moment, before releasing his hand] Is that really what you think of me? That I'm that selfish?

Ben: I don't want to, but lately you are making it so. And I'm trying really hard not to be angry about it. [she knows him enough to know how hard he is working to keep his anger back by now]. I don't know what else to do?

Hope: [and she doesn't know what to tell him. because every decision she makes is for him, to make sure that he doesn't lose his family, to protect him. Ben is one of the most important people in her world, and she thought she was conveying that, that she needs him more than anyone else, but apparently that's not coming through. That's not making him happy. She looks down at her hands for a moment, before brushing one thumb over the other] That wasn't my intention. [a pause] Perhaps it would be better if I went home for the holidays early. [it feels like running away, but at the moment she doesn't know how to make this better, and she thinks that maybe if they have some space to consider it, things will be clearer]

Ben: [he can smell the sadness coming off her and he closes his eyes] I know it wasn't your intention, Hope. I know it's not even intentional at all. But I can't not say anything at all. [he sighs] If you want to go home early, I can arrange an escort to take you. Whatever you wish.

Hope: I don't know. [she pauses for a moment, before looking up at him again] Ben, everything I do is for you.

Ben: I know. [he looks over at her, giving her a small smile] I know, my love. But that isn't fair for you or me. It should be about us, together, as a team.

Hope: I know I'm not good at it, but I can try to do better. [she doesn't know what to do, but she can try]

Ben: [he nods. He can't really expect much more than that. He was angry, but he wasn't going to give up on her either] That's all I can ask.

Hope: [it's probably going to be a game of her doing too much followed by doing too little until they find a good rhythm, but she knows how to be proactive about these things] If I get it wrong, please tell me? I'll try and ... course correct. [she's not going to get it right on the first try and she knows it]

Ben: [he smiles and then nods] Of course.

Hope: Good. [she smiles as she leans in to kiss him softly] I'm sorry I worried you.

Ben: [he will kiss her back his fingers tracing along her cheek] I know.

Hope: Is there anything I can do to help right now?

Ben: No, I need to go run. I have too much pent up that I need to get rid of.

Hope: [nods] I'll go check on your father. See if there's anything I can do to ease his pain.

Ben: Just don't hover. He doesn't like it when people hover over him.

Hope: I won't.