Cold and Rainy Days (Jamie)

[Grath]

The wind blew cold outside the mountain, howling across the beach off the water. It was a wet, miserable day, but indoors, with lanterns and lamps lit to chase away the gloom, and window shutters closed to block the wind, the mountain was warm and cozy.

Roseleaf’s infirmary was one of the few places where windows were made of rare and expensive glass, but it did little to alleviate the gloom. With the sun hiding behind clouds, even the early afternoon took on a twilight feel. She went around the room, checking seals and ensuring the few creatures were warm and comfortable. A fire roared in the fireplace as she put an extra blanket over one recruit with pneumonia. Fortunately he wasn’t contagious anymore, but she was still concerned about the gurgling in his lungs.

She tucked the blanket under; then retreated to her preparation area to finish off a potion she had made for his cough. Something to help clear the congestion from his lungs. She hummed to herself as she returned and helped him drink it.

“Here, Berry. Drink this.” She couldn’t help but smile at his frown of distaste. He lay back down, looking sleepy again. “When ye wake up, you can have some soup.” She promised, then left him alone. She needed to clean up and put away the medicines she’d made that morning. Some would have to simmer longer, but for the most part she was done for the day. She couldn’t wait for spring to come—it would give her the chance to stock up on herbs and plants she was running low on.

“Hmm hm…” She hummed an aimless little tune.

[Tracy]

It had been the first true journey the young lieutenant had taken away from Salamandastron in over a year, and it had not been an easy one. The weather had been almost endlessly rotten for him and the diminutive mouse he'd had in his charge. But they were both safe and sound and he was glad he'd be able to report as much back to his Badger Lord, who'd grown overly fond of the little Vicky since her appearance at the mountain.

As Jamie made his way through the gate, hood held over his head, he had to laugh. He'd left in a freezing snowstorm, and was returning in a gloomy deluge. Not even the approaching spring was going to give the travel-weary soldier a reprieve. The joy at being home was immediate and overwhelming though. A trip was nice once in awhile, but this hare was made to be home, with family and friends. Looking around at the cozy inside of his mountain home, he soon turned and ran up a set of stairs. His debriefing would have to wait.

Although he felt he should go to his family first, he knew they were busy at this hour anyway. His little sister would be finishing up her final lessons before being let out and his mother was busy teaching her own lessons. There was only one other creature he really wanted to see now, and although sure she was busy, he didn't feel as hesitant about disrupting her.

~~~~~~

He'd run all the way up the stairs and down the hallway, but now paused just outside the door of the infirmary. Taking a quick moment to catch his breath, he opened the door and peeked in his head. He opened his mouth to speak, but came up short of anything to immediately say when he saw her back behind the counter, cleaning up. Gods he missed her.

Any cute comment or quip he'd prepared was forgotten as he stepped in and slipped off his wet cloak, hanging it up on the coatrack by the door. He was still in full uniform beneath, saber at his hip. Fortunately the already-lean hare had not grown any thinner on his journey. Although it had been a tough trip in freezing temperatures, a couple weeks at Redwall had been more than enough to keep the meat on his bones.

The hare who always had something to say still wasn't quite sure what to say. I'm back was pointless. I missed you wasn't enough. Instead, he just strode across the room, moved around the counter to her. Without a word, he took her in his arms, pulled her close and kissed her.

[Grath]

Roseleaf hummed and occasionally muttered to herself as the clutter slowly disappeared from her counters. She was bent, writing out a label to place on a jar, her concentration total as she muttered what she was writing in an attempt to double-check her work.

Healing Balm; to be used on small wounds and scrapes to get rid of infection and protect against—

Suddenly, arms encircled her waist, pulling her backwards and leaving a long, inky smear across the paper before she dropped the quill and swung around, trying to break free. “Hey! How dare—” She caught it right before she saw her captor, her sensitive nose suddenly quivering. Instead of pulling away she suddenly threw her arms around the other hare.

“Jamie!” She hugged him tight, nose pressing into the join of shoulder and neck. She leaned back, tilting her head up to kiss him. “I missed you…”

[Tracy]

Jamie was sure Roseleaf, who tended to be pretty vigilant, had heard him enter the room. So her startled response when he grabbed her surprised him. At her exclamation, he almost moved back, but the haremaid realized her error quickly enough, throwing her arms around him. His clothes and fur were still damp from the rain, but his cloak had taken the brunt of it, and it was now hanging on the coatrack, dripping wet still. It was clear he'd come straight to the infirmary upon arriving back to Salamandastron.

He could feel the warmth of the crackling fire nearby, and thought how wonderful it would be to change into dry clothes and sit in front of a fire with something hot to drink. Especially if he could bring this haremaid along. "I missed you, too," he answered before kissing her again. The words seemed hollow, as they had in his head moments before. It wasn't in his nature to express affection with words, anyway. He slid his arms down around her waist, adjusting to kiss her again, but instead leaned away from it. They were in the middle of the infirmary and there were patients about. He'd have her alone soon enough, he was sure.

"Sorry I startled you," he finally said, laughing a little as he slid his arms along her arms to link his paws with hers. It was then he noticed the ink that dotted her paws and had dripped into his own grey fur when she'd dropped the quill. "Gosh, you're just a mess," he teased.

He leaned his forehead down to hers momentarily, looking into her eyes. For over a year, he'd seen her every day, and many of those days for many hours. Now it'd been months, and it hit him again, and not for the last time that night, how much he'd missed her. Looking past her, and the work he'd interrupted, he grinned. "Now that doesn't even look remotely important. I'm certain we could find something better to do with your time."

[Grath]

Jamie's fur and uniform was damp, and he smelled of wet wool and rain, but Roseleaf didn't really mind. He was home. She hadn't realized how much she would miss having him around when he'd left. But he'd been gone for almost two months, and she had come to miss him more than she would care to admit.

She linked her fingers with his, suddenly hot under her fur with discomfiture when she realized she'd been making out with Jamie in the middle of her infirmary. She just knew her ears were quivering and flushed, just as she felt the heat across her face. She stepped back a little, but kept her hands in his.

"Gosh, you're just a mess," he teased.

"Well, someone snuck up behind me and made me spill the ink in my quill." She shot back, eyes sparking. She looked down at the last few jars sitting on the counter. It wasn't really all that important. She broke away from him, placing a cork in the inkwell. "Really? Sounds like you have an idea?" She said over her shoulder as she replaced the inkwell in its spot on the shelf. "So." She turned around and regarded him with a raised brow.

He was thin, but not overly so. Clearly the travel hadn't taken that strong a toll on him, and in fact he had a sparkle in his eyes that said travel had instead been exactly what he'd needed.

[Tracy]

Jamie eyed Roseleaf, who'd clearly grown a bit bashful all of a sudden. It wasn't much like her to get embarrassed so easily, but he thought she might be a little hesitant about the public display of affection, which is why he'd backed off initially. He took a glance around the room, however. There were only a couple beasts even conscious, and they were at least pretending not to pay any attention to them.

“Really? Sounds like you have an idea?”

When she looked back over at him, Jamie was quiet for a moment, his tongue in his cheek. He watched her, briefly imagining pulling her away to her office in the back. He very nearly acted on the impulse, before suddenly remembering his little sister, and how she had burst into tears when he told her he was leaving. That was the last time he'd seen her. Making a bit of a face, he glanced with resignation back to the hallway that held Roseleaf's office.

Turning back to the haremaid, he shook his head a little. "I need to tell my sister and mother I'm home safe, and get cleaned up..." He couldn't very well turn right back around and not have supper with his family then. "Have dinner with us," he added suddenly. "Come up to my family's room and have dinner with us."

At that point, he wouldn't have to feel guilty for getting away to be alone with Roseleaf. "We can have dessert just the two of us," he added quietly. Although he didn't say so, it was clear from his expression what he wanted for dessert.

[Grath]

Roseleaf leaned against the counter, crossing her arms as she waited for Jamie to speak. His gaze was intent, and for a moment she tried to hold it, but had to drop her eyes. Usually the fiery haremaid could hold her own in a staring contest, but something in Jamie’s eyes made her look away. She smiled slightly at his expression, tilting her head slightly to observe him. He was a complicated hare, she was always learning little bits and bobs here and there.

“Dinner?” She pondered the thought for only a moment. She loved Keely, the little lass was almost like the little sister she’d never had, and Dahlia was always willing to extend a warm welcome. She’d gotten to know them better over the winter during Jamie’s absence. “That sounds nice.” She smiled, reaching forward to take his paw.

"We can have dessert just the two of us,"

Roseleaf almost froze in her tracks, ears quivering softly, uncertainty and unknown emotions flooding her. But she corrected almost immediately, taking his paw with an almost imperceptible pause. “Shall we go?” She asked lightly, stealing a glance up at him. Did he mean what she thought he did? Did she want him to mean it?

[Tracy]

Jamie thought he sensed some hesitation from her, and perhaps a slightly alarmed look on her face, but it was gone so fast he felt he must've imagined it. He was more reassured when Roseleaf took his paw to head out. He met her gaze when she looked up at him. She had a bit of a questioning look to her face, but after a moment's thought, figured it must just her being sure he was ready to go.

"Yes, let's go," he said eagerly. Nothing, NOTHING, sounded better right now than a home-cooked meal in front of a fireplace, preferably after a good bath. Leading her out of the infirmary, he almost grabbed his wet coat, but decided to leave it. He could use it as an excuse to drop by in the next day. Not that he really needed a reason.

He meandered through the hallways toward his family's place, purposefully avoiding the busier corridors, and steering well clear of the messhall. Dinner was a good hour or two off yet, but that didn't stop the young hares from milling about for some early bites and prime seating. They were up in the family units, getting close to the room when a high-pitched squeal rent through the corridor. "JAMIEEEEEE!"

Turning, Jamie saw the little Keely, books in her arms dropped to the floor and forgotten, bolt down the hallway toward him. Launching herself up into his arms, her own thin, little arms were tossed possessively about his neck. "I missed you I missed you I missed I missed you!" she jabbered excitedly, clinging to him.

Jamie laughed, holding his little sister as she continued to express the degree to which she had missed him. Keely missed him more than anyone in the whole wide world, and Roseleaf would do well not to think otherwise. "I missed you, too," he assured her, giving her a big kiss on the cheek. When the little maid showed no sign of letting go, Jamie glanced sideways at Roseleaf, smiling and winking at her before speaking quietly to Keely. "You should probably go pick up your books."

"No, they're stupid," she mumbled into his shoulder.

Jamie laughed, then playfully blew a raspberry into the little maid's neck. Keely shrieked and giggled, wiggling free from Jamie's grasp. When he set her down, she trotted back to get her books before skipping back up to the pair. "Mom's still in lessons, but she said I could come back 'cause dad's here," she explained, as she lead them on a bit further, before turning and letting herself into an unlocked door.

"Daddy, Jamie's back!" she announced to the room at large, before ever seeing anyone.

Jamie held the door open, beckoning Roseleaf in before him. Inside was a cozy, yet spacious enough living space for the small family. The door opened into a serviceable kitchen, a small dining area off to the left. Further to the left was a comfy family space, with large, cushioned furniture all pointed toward a fireplace.

[Grath]

They took an indirect route through the mountain, walking as if in no particular hurry. Roseleaf certainly wasn’t in a rush, she enjoyed just being near Jamie. It was a comfortable feeling she had come to miss. They were nearly to his family’s rooms when an ear-splitting yell sounded through the corridor.

"JAMIEEEEEE!"

Roseleaf smiled, standing back with a smile as the siblings reunited. It was touching, seeing how much Keely adored her big brother. She clung to his neck and chattered to him about how much he’d been missed and what had happened to her over the winter. Finally, Jamie managed to detach himself, sending her to retrieve her book as they finally reached their destination.

She entered at Jamie’s motion, looking around the cozy flat curiously. It wasn’t enormous, and truth be told, it was probably nearly the same as every other flat in the mountain. The fortress was not built for luxury, it was built for function.

[Tracy]

Keely marched into the room, tossing her books on the dining table. A moment later an older male came up from the back hallway where the bedrooms were situated. He and Keely bore a strong resemblance, in fur-color and in their bright blue eyes. "Got out of lessons early today, did you?" he asked the little haremaid, dropping a kiss onto the top of her head as he walked past her.

He then looked over at Jamie and grinned. "A little bird told me you'd come back," he said, as if Keely had not shouted it the moment she walked in.

"Nuh-uh, I did, I told you," Keely corrected, not understanding.

Laughing and shaking his head, he walked over and embraced Jamie. "Good to have you back and well!"

"It's good to be back," Jamie answered sincerely.

Keely wandered back over to her brother slipping her little paw into his, apparently loathe to be apart from him for too long. Besides, if she let him out of his sight, be might do something silly like run off from Salamandastron again. That was unacceptable. Keeping a tight hold on Jamie's paw, she shifted her attention to Roseleaf, who'd she unwittingly ignored until now. Letting her dimples pop into her cheeks, she waved with her free paw. "Hi Roseleaf! How are you? How come you're here? Have you ever been here? I can show you around." She gasped, struck with realization. "I can show you my room!"

Jamie twirled Keely around like a little dancer, turning her away from Roseleaf as he laughed. "All right Keely, take a breath! Don't bother her, she's had a long day at work."

Jamie's stepfather, Jack, nodded over at Roseleaf. "Good to see you, how are you tonight?" He walked around into the kitchen, going through their cupboards. He went on, to Jamie. "Your mother was going to make a big turnip and potato pie tomorrow night for supper while we ate in the hall tonight, but I think she'll change her mind with you home..." He was pulling out the necessary vegetables to get it started.

Keely popped up. "Can I help? I can help."

Jack set the vegetables up and filled a basin with water. "Wash these for me and I'll go get a fire started for everyone."

Jamie turned to Roseleaf and scooped her paw up, giving it a light kiss. "I'm going to go get cleaned up. Make yourself comfortable."

"Roseleaf can help me!" Keely enthused.

Jamie offered Roseleaf the tiniest apologetic smile before slipping off into the hallway to clean up and change.

[Grath]

Roseleaf hung back slightly, as usual slipping into the background. A force to be reckoned with on her own turf, or when she wished to put forth her opinion, Roseleaf preferred to sit back and watch during any social interaction. She preferred people watching to being the center of attention when she wasn’t ruling over her infirmary. So she stood slightly behind Jamie's shoulder, off to one side, until Keely finally noticed her.

"Hi Roseleaf! How are you? How come you're here? Have you ever been here? I can show you around." She gasped, struck with realization. "I can show you my room!"

"Hi Keely." Roseleaf said with some amusement. Keely chattered without much room for anyone to jump in, so the haremaid just let her talk.

Jamie twirled Keely around like a little dancer, turning her away from Roseleaf as he laughed. "All right Keely, take a breath! Don't bother her, she's had a long day at work."

Jamie's stepfather, Jack, nodded over at Roseleaf. "Good to see you, how are you tonight?"

"I’m good." Roseleaf was looking around the room, so warm and welcoming, as opposed to her own quarters. Maybe she should decorate a little more… She was startled out of her musings when Jamie dropped a light kiss on her paw. She nodded in response to his request, feeling slightly awkward in the strange setting. Her own parents had died of age, and she and Aidan weren’t the type for cozy family nights by the fire.

"Roseleaf can help me!" Keely enthused.

Wait, what? Roseleaf’s eyes widened slightly at Keely's casual volunteering of her services. With a slight sigh and a rueful smile, she turned to the leveret. "Help you with wot?"

[Tracy]

As Jack got the fire going in the sitting room, Keely used a small stool to properly work at the counter. Tugging the basin of water closer, she used it to scrub clean the vegetables her father had found in the cupboard. There were a couple large potatoes and a healthy portion of turnips and carrots, along with a pawful of leafy green herbs for flavor.

Keely looks over her shoulder at Roseleaf, not noticing in the least that the situation was awkward or unusual for the older haremaid. After all, for Keely, this was just an ordinary night for her in her family's home, why should that be strange for Roseleaf? "Ya wanna chop the stuff I clean? I'm not supposed to use the knives."

Jack looked over into the kitchen from where he was fanning the flames he'd sparked in their fireplace. "Keely, Roseleaf is a guest, don't make her cook for us," he said with a small laugh, glancing apologetically at his stepson's sweetheart.

The little haremaid's ears swiveled back and she sighed with a reluctant shrug. "Okay."

She hopped off the stool and went back to a low cupboard, digging out some more supplies. "Turnip and potato pie is Jamie's favorite," she explained. "An' he likes lots an' lotsa coriander." Obligingly, Keely dug out another pawful of the leafy green herb, bringing it back to her station to clean. "What's your favorite? Maybe we can make it next time."

A few moments later, the door opened and the mountain's musical instructor walked in, looking tired, but in a pleasant enough mood. Dahlia was rarely much less than pleasant, though. "Oh, hi Roseleaf!" she said, surprised, though her look of confusion quickly transformed to one of realization. "Oh, does that mean-"

"Jamie's home!" Keely headed her off, throwing her paws into the air with the announcement.

The hare mother removed a bag from around her neck, laying it against the wall next to the door. "That's wonderful! Where-"

"He's gone t'get all cleaned up," Keely interrupted again, still working away at the vegetables.

Walking over, Dahlia stooped and wrapped her arms affectionately around her little daughter, kissing her cheek. "So we're going to have dinner in the room tonight? A lovely idea, baby girl."

Jack, having got the fire started and covered with the screen, walked over and gave his wife a quick kiss. "Welcome home. Have a good day?"

"I did." Dahlia smiled. "And it's getting better!"

She turned to Roseleaf then, giving the haremaid a hug in greeting. "And how are you doing tonight, sweetheart?"

[Grath]

Roseleaf was saved by Jack’s admonishing his daughter that she shouldn’t task the guests with chores. Keely was really a very sweet child, but she sometimes caught on to an idea and ran away with it. Not knowing what else to do, the haremaid moved into the living space, sitting on the edge of one of the chairs.

"I did." Dahlia smiled. "And it's getting better!"

She turned to Roseleaf then, giving the haremaid a hug in greeting. "And how are you doing tonight, sweetheart?"

Roseleaf still wasn’t used to Dahlia’s hugs. The harewife was fond of hugging. Roseleaf was slowly learning to be better about them—though she still didn’t like hugs all that much. She patted Dahlia’s back a little gingerly and smiled. Still, she was a dear. Very friendly… and very willing to provide tales about Jamie. She wondered how long that fact would occur to Jamie.

“I’m doing pretty well, thank you.” She said politely.

[Tracy]

Dahlia moved back into the kitchen, tying on an apron as she took over the cooking. "Thanks for your help, sweetie. Do you have any work to do?"

Keely's shoulders slumped. "Have to write sentences," she answered. So while her mother got dinner cooking, the little maid was at the table, sitting on her knees as she huddled over her schoolwork.

Jack took a carafe and a few plain goblets down from a cabinet, pouring some dark red wine into the cups. Twirling one of the goblets, he took a sip from it before walking over to Roseleaf and handing her another.

Soon, Jamie was back out, clean and changed. He looked even more tired than before, but more satisfied now, clean and in some fresh, dry clothes. Hovering just at the entrance of the hallway for a moment, he watched Roseleaf and couldn't help but smile. What sort of creature commanded her own infirmary without batting an eye, but sat in his family's living room looking that uncomfortable and out of place? He knew his family was a bit overwhelming for her, but he also knew that wasn't going to stop him from bringing her around them. It was important.

"Jamie!" Dahlia exclaimed. Wiping her paws on a cloth, she moved around out of the kitchen. "I'm so glad you're home safe." She put her paws on Jamie's cheeks and brought his face down so she could kiss his forehead.

Jamie laughed a little, wrapping his mother in an enthusiastic hug. "Me, too."

"We're making your favorite!" Keely announced, looking up from her homework.

~~~~~

As everyone finished eating, Jamie sat back and finished his second cup of wine. "Thank you for dinner," he said with a smile. "It was delicious." He stood and gathered the plates, even as his mother protested. "The least I can do is clean up," he laughed.

When he was finished clearing the table, he walked behind the seated Roseleaf, laying his paws on her shoulders. "Well, we should get going."

"Awww," Keely whined. "I thought you were gonna stay. We can play a game."

"Next time, Keels," Jamie said. "I'm really tired, I'm sorry. You know, I have nothing t'do tomorrow, so we'll do something then, okay?"

"Ooh yes! Tomorrow's a half-day of lessons, too!"

"Fantastic," Jamie smiled. "I'll see you all tomorrow then." He dropped a kiss onto Keely's forehead, then kissed his mother's cheek. "Have a good night you all. Love you."

He opened the door and held a paw out for Roseleaf, beckoning her out with him.

[Grath]

Roseleaf accepted the wine from Jack, taking a few rather large sips she felt herself relax. It wasn’t so bad here. The fire was warm and the people were friendly. She looked up and caught Jamie’s eye. And Jamie was here.

--

"Well, we should get going."

Roseleaf smiled up at Jamie, her ears a little lopsided and her nose flushed from the wine. She was definitely feeling those three glasses. She really shouldn’t had finished that first one so quickly, but she was just glad she’d had a meal, or she’d really be reeling right now. Instead she just smiled slightly goofily up at Jamie. He really was very handsome.

“Thank you for your hospitality.” She turned a warm, less goofy smile on the rest of the family. After all she wasn’t in love with them. She got up from the table and moved her chair back into position. “Good night.” She headed for the door, taking Jamie’s paw.

[Tracy]

Jamie kept an eye on Roseleaf as they left the room. He wasn't sure what the motivation was behind the three glasses of wine; if he should be pleased she was taking the opportunity to relax and unwind, or concerned that she was so nervous around his family. At first, he hadn't given it much thought. He'd seen plenty of haremaids in the Patrol drink that and more without being much affected, but the wine seemed to have gone straight to Roseleaf's head. It was rather strong, he had to admit. He'd had only two glasses, and it had served to make him just a bit sleepier than he already was.

Still, whatever the situation was, she seemed happy and relaxed now. His family had been well-behaved during dinner, not that he'd been too worried about them. Even Keely had made a concerted effort not to dominate every moment of conversation.

It still wasn't very late. The hallway and apartments around them were largely quiet, most beasts still in the midst of dinner down in the big mess hall. When the door clicked shut behind them, Jamie took a quick glance up and down the hallway. Empty.

Quickly, Jamie turned and pressed Roseleaf up against the wall. It had taken all of the hare's self-control to keep his paws off her during dinner, but he'd been good. He'd bided his time. Now he had both his paws up against the wall on either side of Roseleaf, pinning her between his arms. Jamie kissed her; not softly or sweetly. Passionately. He was pressed close to her, but still kept his palms against the wall, as if he didn't quite trust himself to touch her.