Ribbons and Curls
Who: Christer and Lindsey Where: Outside the combat ring When: Morning
Lindsey had livened up her livery that morning with ribbons. They were subtle, the same colors as in the crest, tied around wrists, elbows, and shoulders. They gave the outfit a little bit more of a feminine touch without being ridiculous. At least in her mind which was what mattered to Lindsey. She wasn't thrilled with the mostly drab clothing so she was making do and amusing herself in the process. It felt necessary anyway as a means to support her knight on the sidelines while he competed. Which was seriously exciting for Lindsey. Of course, she didn't like seeing the real danger and some of the bloody things that transpired but when it was pure action without that stuff, it was like watching a really amazing movie. Live.
She sat to the side and out of the way of the rest of the throng of onlookers in the makeshift stands. She'd seen those things being erected and she was not risking breaking her neck when they collapsed. Nope. Plus she could see better from where she sat and she was more accessible to Finn and Norman should they need her. Not that she was all that helpful at this stage. She had already lodged her dainty refusal to clean blood from swords. That should not be a girl's job, right? So it was simply time for sideline cheerleading even if she did get some strange looks.
Her ribbons catching in the breeze were what caught his eye, and Christer was able to match her livery to the handsome blonde who seemed to have no real issue with his competitors. Christer waited, eventually approaching Lindsey, quiet as always, just taking up a place next to her, watching her enthusiasm and smirking to himself.
Lindsey was alternately clapping and covering her mouth, sometimes her eyes as well. More for the sake of the other knight fighting Finn usually. He was very good and the excitement of watching him had her cheeks flushed. She almost didn't notice someone move next to her and only glanced over slightly because she assumed it was Norman. "Hey, you missed it. It looked like the other guy was dancing before!" She giggled.
Christer wondered if she knew it was him, but found himself nodding. "I think your knight is the one dancing. He moves very well," he said as Finn dodged a blow with ease and grace that didn't seem to fit with the suit of armor he was wearing.
That didn't sound at all like Norman and Lindsey turned her full attention to him, a grin on her face. "Sneaker. I thought you were Norman!" Rather than hug him, which she wanted to do immediately but which she figured could get her in trouble in this crowd, she elbowed him lightly. "He is pretty fancy with the foot work," she said, proud to be associated with someone so good with a sword.
He took the elbow graciously shrugging a little. "I wondered if you knew who it was," he teased lightly. He did that with her, teasing her, but he wasn't as ashamed of it as he'd been before. "He's fancy with everything. Very skilled."
Lindsey smiled sunnily at being teased. "I'm glad it's you. I missed you a little," she admitted and then flinched at a loud clatter that seemed like it might get the better of Finn. There was a collective gasp. But of course he was fine and so she cheered with the crowd. "Right? It's amazing to watch. I can't believe we get to see this stuff for real."
He'd missed her too and he was about to say it when there was a commotion in the ring and he let her concentrate on that instead. It was better than admitting such things wasn't it? "I would guess he's not your average knight," he said watching Finn instead of her even if he'd rather watch her. It was just hard to see that glow in her eyes directed at someone else and Christer found it easier to not look at it than wonder how deep it ran.
Lindsey was simply caught up in everything; it was so thrilling. "Nope, he's not. And it's funny because I'm not usually competitive but I am right now. My knight is going to win!" She giggled and pulled her eyes from the clashing swords to look at Christer. "What have you been up to today?"
Her knight indeed. Christer glanced back at the other man, unconsciously running one hand over his arm. Finn was younger than him, probably right around Lindsey's age, but he looked far more impressive than Christer did. Christer was actually pretty good with hand to hand combat, but not like here. He imagined the bo staff that felt comfortable in his hands wouldn't hold up against Finn's sword. When she asked him a question he shrugged, looking back at her instead. "Just working at the stables again. It's soothing."
Christer didn't seem to be enjoying all of what was happening around them and she wondered if maybe the violence bothered him for some reason. She studied his expression before he looked at her, wishing she could read his thoughts for just a second. What had him needing soothing? "Everything okay?" She unconsciously drifted closer to him a step or two, turning more toward him too. "What brought you out here?" she asked curiously.
He was surprised that she'd ask that, nodding a little and shoving his concerns down so she couldn't see them. "Everything is fine." Christer smirked slightly. "I spotted a variety of colorful ribbons and could only guess who they belonged to." He ran his fingers through the colors at her elbow, unable to help himself.
Lindsey nodded. "That's good," she said breezily. She believed him and chalked it up to maybe he just liked his quiet time. That would make sense with his reserved nature. She smiled up at him when he mentioned her ribbons and then touched them. "Oh those? They are my siren song. I was calling to you. 'Christer, come hang out with me!'" She laughed lightly.
"Works every time," he said with a smirk, knowing he'd always come when she called. "How are you holding up with being a squire? Better today?"
Lindsey laughed and nodded. It was probably a good thing for Christer that it wasn't proper for a female to be overly physical with a man in public during this era because even more than ever Lindsey wished she could just hug him. But she didn't want to embarrass Finn or draw more negative attention to herself than she did already. "Well I did everything I was asked without hurting myself or anyone else and I fluttered my eyelashes and got out of sword cleaning duty during the tournament." She grinned and glanced back to Finn briefly in time to see some awesome moves. She cheered happily. "Are you rooting for any of the knights?"
"Sounds like you're managing well enough then." Christer wanted to indulge, touch her more, but he held back. They'd said things, but he wasn't sure if those were things that he really should give in to. "I'm just hoping no one accidentally dies," he said.
Lindsey giggled. "I've never been happier to be a girl, that's for sure." She shifted on her feet, fidgeting with both the excitement of the tournament and because she was happy to be near Christer. She frowned and chewed her lip. "Yeah I don't think I have the stomach to see that." It would probably give her nightmares for ages if someone died while she was watching.
"That sounds like cheating a little," Christer said but his eyes were smiling with it. "You wouldn't be the only one who wouldn't like it. I just know that it has to be a common occurrence. I'm sure even your knight will need patching up afterwards. Maybe that'll be your next job."
Lindsey nodded slowly, smiling. "Of course it's cheating. That it worked is the best part." She looked out at the knights and thought about what Christer said. It sounded kind of romantic to patch up a knight after battle. In theory. In reality it could turn out to be pretty gross. "Probably. That sounds like a girl's job that I shouldn't try to get out of, huh?" she asked thoughtfully.
He shook his head. "No. And I imagine you have a better bedside manner than Norman." Christer knew if he needed to be patched up, he would want it to be Lindsey. "I think he'd appreciate it. I would."
"I don't know. Norman might be great at it. He's kind of funny." She couldn't help herself then, she slid her arm through his and gave it a squeeze. "I'm really glad you're not out there. As exciting as it is I'd be so worried I couldn't watch."
"Funny how?" Christer asked, thinking that was an interesting way of looking at someone. He watched the knights for a moment and shook his head. "As equipped as I am, it's a defensive way of doing things. I don't think I'd be able to win."
"Like he keeps things light. Or at least he did when we first met. I think he might be very reassuring as a nursemaid," she said and giggled lightly. She looked between Finn and Christer, catching a few disapproving stares as she did. "Then I'm even more glad you're right here and not out there," she said quietly.
So actually funny. That made more sense. "I think a good knight would prefer a pretty girl doing that though." He paused for a moment, then tilted his head. "Unless..." He supposed it wasn't out of the question for a knight to have those sort of interests. "I'll be safe right here."
Lindsey shrugged and shook her red curls back with a sigh. "Poor Finn. I'll have to do," she said seriously though her eyes were amused. They turned a little more serious at the idea Finn might prefer guys. She supposed it was possible. "He might. I dunno. Guess we'll see who he requests for bandaging," she said lightly. She gave Christer's arm another little squeeze then let it go. "You're safe."
"I imagine he'd request you unless he gets hurt somewhere embarrassing," Christer said, not wanting to start rumors around her knight when he was such a good one. He hated that she let go of him, but understood. "Promise. And you do the same for me okay?"
"I deserve to have to do something I guess. I can't make Norman do it all. That's kind of rude." She laughed when he asked her to promise. "Could you really see me out there trying to wield one of those massive beasts? They are really heavy." Her voice trailed away as she was momentarily captivated by the moves Finn was making. "Wow."
"I think there's plenty of other ways for you to get hurt," he reminded her, but then her attention was on Finn and he swallowed that jealousy again. "I should probably go," he said.
Lindsey nodded. "That's true. I promise I will be safe," she told him with a small smile. She tore her eyes from the tournament when he said he should go. "Why? Do you have to?" She looked hopeful that he didn't and wouldn't.
"Thank you. That's what I want to hear," he said twirling his fingers around her ribbons again. "You have a knight to cheer for. And I have stables to get back to. Carry on m'lady."
Lindsey watched his fingers play with her ribbons, feeling almost thr same way about that as when he had been touching her hand the day before. She bit her lower lip unconsciously. When he confirmed he had to leave she looked disappointed and she stepped away a little so she wasn't quite so in his space. "Okay." It didn't feel like long enough and she felt like clinging to him. "See you at the banquet tonight perhaps?"
He liked the way she bit her lower lip, his eyes lingering on her mouth for a moment before pulling away, wrapping his arms around himself. "Definitely," he said before he could stop himself. "You'll see me tonight for sure." He wanted to see her now, but she had a job to do and he was fighting a bad bit of jealousy.
She would have liked to have given him one of her ribbons but he'd sort of closed in. There was at least some progress here even though Lindsey was disappointed. She at least didn't feel like it was her fault for simply being herself anymore. And she knew she'd see him again. She smiled, pleased he'd agreed. "Okay then. Definitely later."
"Definitely," Christer agreed, taking a step back before he did more than he should. "Cheer your knight on," he said nodding towards the tournament. "I think he's going to win again." With a final smile he turned away headed back towards the stables.
Lindsey brightened with renewed competitive excitement. "Yes, yes he is!" She continued to smile as she watched Christer until she couldn't see him anymore. Then she sighed, still smiling, and turned her attention back to Finn, letting the thrilling dance of swords distract her entirely.