Lunch Under The Tree (Madelyn)

[Shin Daisuke]

Shin jogged along the hallways at a decent pace, headed for the cafeteria to meet with Madelyn for lunch. He had just briefly met a strange new woman and her monkey, and was still thinking about the strange fellow who appeared to have several people living in the one body. It was a strange and new concept to Shin, and he couldn’t help but wonder whether or not it had something to do with the students Mana. Perhaps it had been corrupted, and created several different mage’s within the one body. It was all a very interesting subject for him to consider.

Before long, he came upon the cafeteria, and Shin slipped inside, ignoring the line for the food as Madelyn had told him that she would be bringing a meal that she had prepared herself. He smiled at the concept of this, deciding that instead of eating it there in the overcrowded room he now stood in, he would take Madelyn to the tree he had mentioned earlier that morning and they would eat under its shade instead. He looked about the room, taking in the masses as he looked for the small girl, but he soon realized that he wouldn’t find her as she was not yet there.

He breathed a sigh of relief as he took a seat near the door, waiting for her arrival. He had really hoped she would not arrive before him as he didn’t want her to have to wait. They had only met the night before, but he already knew that he wanted to be with her. She was beautiful and pure, something he could not say for most people in the world. From what he heard from his grandfather and the spirits, everyone has a tarnish that they have put upon themselves. A sin they have committed. Even he had let Ihriel tear the heart from that monster. But Madelyn wasn’t like that. Even her magic was used only to heal and to make things come alive. There was no hate in her heart, and this made her untarnished. He soon realized that he had been thinking about her for some time now, and knew that he was looking forward to seeing her, now more than ever.

[madelyn]

Madelyn had just finished putting the finishing touches on a rather large picnic lunch for the two of them. She couldn't wait to share it with him. A soft blanket to sit on underneath the tree he had promised to eat with her under. She had drinks and food to share. She packed it all in a basket for them and clipped her flute on her waste as normal. Still dressed in the soft sky blue maternity shirt and her blue jeans Madelyn had pulled her hair up with a blue ribbon that matched her shirt. Smiling she kissed Jonathan's picture like always and smiled telling him all silently about how she had met someone to take care of her for now.

Setting it down she looked at the time and picked up the blanket and the basket. She smiled as she headed out walking towards the cafeteria. Madelyn had never eaten in the cafeteria she had always made her own lunch and now she could share it with Shin. She headed to the lunch room bustling with people like it always was the shy little girl stepped into the busy room. her eyes looked around for Shin and she spotted him day dreaming. He was so cute the way he was staring off into space she wondered what he was thinking about.

She went over to him and kissed him gently on the forehead. He seemed to come back to reality and she smiled holding up the rather large basket she had brought for them. She smiled as she held out her hand for him so he could take it and get up leading her to where he wanted to have lunch. Her eyes told him that she had missed him this morning. But had kept herself busy cleaning the rooms and planning dinner for them. Also cooking lunch. She smiled because he was so nice and there was just that connection that they had with each other. A near instantaneous reaction between the two.

She nodded to the courtyard ready to go. The smile never leaving her face.

[Shin Daisuke]

Suddenly, Shin felt the soft tender kiss of Madelyn’s lips upon his forehead and he was brought back to reality instantly. Madelyn smiled and held up the picnic basket showing him that she had prepared a tasty meal for them to share. Shin smiled as he took her hand gently in his and stood up, stepping close to her and giving her a gentle kiss to her own forehead, grinning as he did so. Her eyes told him that she had missed him dearly during the day, and that she had cleaned the rooms and gotten things ready for dinner. It occurred to him that she probably only had afternoon classes that day, and he felt a little bad about leaving her that morning.

She nodded in the direction of the courtyard, and he nodded in agreement. He let go of her hand, but then quickly linked his arm through hers, holding her close as they walked out into the open area. It was pretty sparsely populated at the time, leaving the two free to enjoy their time together in private mostly. He carefully lead the young girl over to a large tree with a grove in it’s roots that looked to be the perfect shape for someone of Shin’s size to fit into. He walked over to it, sitting on the grass in the grove, his back against the trunk and the roots making it seem almost like an armchair. He then gently tapped his lap, indicating that he wanted the small girl to place herself onto him as she seemed to enjoy when they sat together that morning. Once she seated herself, Shin kissed her neck gently, and then looked down at the basket with a grin. “So my dear… What have we got here?” He asked playfully as he looked back up at Madelyn with a genuinely happy smile.

[madelyn]

Shin gently took her hand giving her a warm smile. He always seemed to smile and she smiled back. He had that effect on her smiling and laughter things she hadn't really felt much of since Jonathan's death. But she was happy now that she had indeed found someone that she could confide in that could read her soul and understood what was going on with her. She didn't have to be afraid anymore to let someone in, because he was in and she didn't even have to speak she could just be herself and that was all he was asking for now.

Gently, he led her outside of the bustling cafeteria. It was cold out and so not many people wanted to be outside. But it was much quieter out here and instantly Madelyn felt a bit of releif here. She smiled softly as he sat down in the grove between two roots and she placed the basket down getting out the warm quilt she had brought for them. He patted his lap and she giggled sitting eagerly in his warm arms and she blushed when his lips touched the soft sensitive skin of her neck. His voice asked her what she had brought for them and she smiled brightly having worked hard to make him something good but nutritious as well.

Opening the basket she began pulling out her tupperware containers. She was like a little mom already. They were labeled with tape and sharpy markers little happy faces on the tape as well. She smiled as she pulled out ones labeled: Roast beef, steamed potatoes and carrots, fresh bread. She opened them all the steam rising softly into the cool air as she pulled out silver ware and handed him a set as she made his plate for him before handing it to him. She blushed and smiled as she kissed his cheek gently and then got her own plate out putting more vegetables than meat on her plate before sitting back and eating slowly her eyes looked silently up to the sky watching the clouds go by.

-How was your morning?-

[Shin Daisuke]

Madelyn pulled out a collection of clearly marked containers, each containing its own warm food for them to eat. Shin smiled as he looked down at the little girl in his lap. She had worked so hard to make such a nice meal for them to share, and he couldn’t help himself as he wrapped his arms around her chest and held her closely, pressing his lips against the back of her head. “You are just too perfect Madelyn…” He whispered as she filled his plate with food and set it next to her so that he could grab it.

“Thank you for lunch love” He said gently as he poked a slice of roast with his fork and popped it into his mouth. The meat was still tender and juicy, melting in his mouth as he chewed it. It was delicious, something he hadn’t tasted before. He let his touch convey his approval of the meal as he stroked her arm gently, his taste buds enjoying themselves greatly.

She wondered how his morning had been, and he placed down his fork a little reluctantly, though with a smile. “It was a fine first day… I learned a few things… Met a few people…” He gently rolled the tip of his finger over her button nose with a smile. “But I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I had been able to stay the whole morning with you” He said gently. He took a bite of his vegetables and smiled through their taste, enjoying the whole meal greatly. “And what about your morning? You didn’t spend the whole time cleaning and making this did you?” He asked as he looked gently into her eyes.

[madelyn]

Madelyn smiled as Shin hugged her tightly to him kissing the back of her head in her hair softly. She had been called many things in her life but perfect had never been one of them. A bright red blush came up and crossed her pale features as he told her this. She smiled softly and looked away showing her embarassment but her joy for him saying that to her. She leaned back against him gently her eyes looking around the courtyard. Madelyn was the kind of girl that found so many things to love about life. The subtle things. The way the wind might move a flower to and fro, the way the leaves fall in the fall or the way snow gently glides down to the ground.

He began to tell her a bit about her morning. Telling her that he had met knew people. Her eyes were curious as to whom he had met but she wasn't going to ask nor pry. She didn't need to know every aspect of his life. He said he loved her and she had to believe in that. He went back to eating as did she. Madelyn took little bites. The twins by now had settled down but she found that eating too fast or too much tended to get them all excited again and she didn't need that. She was due relatively soon, within the next few months and she was ready to meet her children, and ready for Shin to meet them as well. He asked about her day and she smiled when he was so sure she hadn't spent the morning only cooking and cleaning. Her eyes looked up at him.

-When you left I cleaned up the breakfast dishes and then went out to feed the birds on the balcony like always. They like bread so I buy extra just for them. Then I started lunch because it would take a while and I wanted it to be ready for you. While it cooked I cleaned house that took a while. When that was done but lunch wasn't I practiced my music until the timer went off and then I packed everything up and came to meet you.- she explained to him.

-Shin, you said you won't leave me. And you'll stay the night.. so I don't have nightmares. Does this mean... you are moving in with me?- she asked softly a bit nervously as she ate another carrot and looked at him with that same quiet innocence she always had about her.

[Shin Daisuke]

Madelyn told Shin all about her day so far, explaining that she had indeed spent most of it cleaning and cooking. Shin felt a bit bad for that, wishing she could have enjoyed an easier day, but said nothing, opting instead to merely enjoy the meal she had so lovingly prepared for them. She was the one thing that seemed to matter to Shin now. All worries and cares about his parents and his destiny forgotten in amongst his time with her. It was as though she simply made it all just melt away, and left him feeling light and happy about it. He could just relax with her, knowing that she needed him to be close to her was enough for him, and he was more than happy to oblige her.

Suddenly, her thoughts changed, and Shin felt her body tense up as she worried about something… She was nervous, but her heart told him what she wanted to ask. There was the sharp sound of metal tapping lightly onto clay, and the warmth of Shins lips covered Madelyn’s a few moments. He gently broke off and slid his finger under the small girl’s chin. “If you want me to be there for you always, then that is what I’ll do… And if that means moving into your dorm, then I will be more than happy to, as long as you wish it” He told her sweetly. He didn’t mind where he lived, as long as he was close to her, and if she would have him, he would have his things moved to her room that very night.

[madelyn]

Madelyn heard the sound of his silverware hitting his plate and she looked up at him. Afraid he might be angry with her for asking such a question. But soon she found his lips had caught hers in a kiss and she smiled though the kiss and in her heart as she kissed him back softly. Her violet blue eyes closing as she ran her hand up to his cheek and cupped it gently. The kiss broke and his finger went underneath her chin. He seemed to like to do that. It was the second time he had to her and it wasn't that she minded at all, in fact she liked it.

He told her that if she wanted him to he would move in with her. He didn't mind at all, he would come and stay with her nightly. She smiled brightly her eyes and her face lighting up in her happiness as she gasped excitedly and moved in clasping his head between her two small hands she proceeded to rain down little kisses all over his face giggling softly as she did so all over stopping once at the tip of his nose, and then moving to his lips where she kissed him with her loving feelings softly letting their lips meet together. She pulled back and smiled brightly.

"I want you!" she said excitedly. The blushed. "To.. move in with me." she finished with a deep red blush on her face knowing exactly how that might have been misconstrued had she not fixed it.

She giggled and hid her face in the crook of his neck closing her eyes her pale long lashes brushing the skin of his neck as she lay against him. Picking at her lunch eating a carrot or a potato but mostly just being in his arms. She could eat later. She just wanted him to eat and she wanted to enjoy their lunch together before they had class again and they had to be seperated once more. She didn't like being seperated from Shin allready.

-Do you ever visit home? You're family?-

[Shin Daisuke]

Madelyn returned his kiss, and when he told her his answer, she seemed to become very excited by what he told her, and she kissed him over and over, dotting her affection across his entire face, then slowing to gently caress his nose with her lips, and finally kissing him softly, pressing her lips against his. He loved that she was not afraid to show him affection, and he was more than happy to return the displays. She suddenly shouted something that caused his face to turn to that of shock, and she turned red, realizing the implication, and so finished her sentence. Shin’s shock slowly melted into a warm smile. “Then that is what I’ll do love” He told her as she carefully hid her face in the crook of his neck.

He took the last bite of his roast and returned his arms to cradle his small girlfriend. It was strange, but the way that she was so small, and had lived such a life… Shin felt like he was so lucky to have met her, and yet she still seemed to feel that she wasn’t quite as he told her. She hadn’t said it, but he knew her feelings… Her scars made her feel ugly, but he didn’t think so. He believed that they were simply what they were… Scars from her past, and that they could not damage her anymore. It was there and then that he decided that when the sun came to set, he would ease her worries about them…

Suddenly, she asked him about his family. He gently placed his hand on her stomach, as his mind flickered a moment on the topic. A quick thought passed his mind… Would he be able to call her and her children family? The thought was dismissed as quickly as he had thought it, and he answered her question. “Grandpa will probably visit me around the holidays… But I’m not supposed to leave the school. Apparently my father said that I had to stay here until I finished my education so that I could become as good a mage as my name insinuates…” He held her a little closer as he mentioned his father. He held no bad feelings about him… But he had barely ever met him. He didn’t want to be that kind of person… He didn’t want to leave Madelyn and her children for any reason. “I’ve never really met my mother… And father only shows up when he has important family business to discuss with Grandfather.” He said slowly, resting his own head against Madelyn’s. He dared not mention her family. He knew it wasn’t a very nice topic to bring up at all…

[madelyn]

Madelyn sat cradled in Shin's lap and arms. The soft warm arms around her kept her safe from danger and the chill in the air. She was happy now for the first time after months of depression and solitude. She felt like maybe this was her new angel God had known she would need someone and he had sent Shin to her, to help her live a life that would be happy and pleasant. His hand lay on her stomach and while most people would have found her running away from them, she didn't mind Shin touching her stomach.

He spoke of his family and she listened. It seemed that he wasn't close to his actual parents and that only his grandfather seemed like real family. She hoped that maybe with her he could become new family. They could have their own. Her children, Shin and Madelyn, all four of them would make a happy family. He was already willing to take her children like his own and make her happy in the mean time. He wasn't afraid of being a father, because he already knew that for her children to grow up with him they would end up calling him father if he stuck around. She would make sure her children knew who their real father was and what he was like, but she wasn't going to deny them the happiness of having a father that was alive and could play with them, fix their scraped knees, and read them bedtime stories.

Madelyn looked up at him softly seeing what he was wondering about. Her own family. A pained look crossed her face as she put her head back down to his shoulder. She hadn't even told Jonathan the whole story of what happened to her. Just that her uncle was the cause of the wounds and scars on her body. That was all. He didn't know why she was placed in her uncles' care or that her parents had died when she was just five years old. That the last thing she said was 'mommy?' and then she found her parents both dead. Killed by the men that had not sparred enough time to find her, after she had hidden. Madelyn sighed softly as she thought about how different her life might have been had they either just killed her or if her parents had lived. It wasn't fair, she had never had a mother and father, she didn't even know how to act like a mom. She only had one memory of her mother alive, and that had come only recently.

Madelyn looked up at Shin and tried to smile but failed miserably as she closed her small violet blue eyes and lay there in his arms. It was where she felt safe. The only place now. -We.. can be a family, right?- she asked him as she nuzzled into his neck again settling down and she placed her hand on top of his that was on top of her stomach gently stroking the back of his hand. She loved him, truth was she never thought she would find love again after Jonathan, and she was shocked when it had happened with Shin, so quicky but a bond just snapped into place and she wasn't going to let it go, not now. Not ever.

[Shin Daisuke]

Shin only caught snippets of Madelyn’s thoughts as he did not wish to invade her privacy. She seemed to hold him tighter as she thought of her family, but he refused to intrude, waiting for her small hands to loosen before returning his mind to what she though, not wanting to miss something she wished to say. She thought of them as a family. Him and her, with the children as well… She feared that she wouldn’t know how to be a mum, and stroked his hand as it lay on her stomach.

She tried to smile at Shin, but he could see through it easily. She pulled herself back into him and he cradled her as though she were the most precious thing in the world. He kissed her hair softly and let her small figure bunch up into him. She seemed to feel safe in his arms, and he wanted to give her that safety whenever she needed it. He held her lovingly, keeping his lips pressed softly against her head as she asked him something…

She wanted him to reassure her. That they could be a family, and that they could all be together… Shin stroked her exposed arm gently as he pulled his lips back. “We will be a family Madelyn… I will stay with you forever, loving you, and caring for your children… I will be the best father and husband that I can be… Because I want us to be able to live like that… Together, raising the twins with equal love as we have for each other…” He leant down and gently kissed her closed eyes, pulling the salty tears that had started to form away from her fair skin.

He held her softly against his chest as he gently curled his fingers around her small hand. He loved Madelyn with all his heart, and he wanted them to become a family just as much as she did. He wanted to share the good times and the bad times, helping her children grow up, and spending time alone with just her. He loved the small girl too much to do any less.

[madelyn]

It seemed to the young girl that Shin had all the right answers and all the ones that she wanted to hear. He truly was a god send. A man that kept her happy regardless of when and how, he seemed to always know the right thing to say and how to hold her so that she felt not only comfortable but safe. Madelyn closed her small eyes and let her body lay there in his arms as he stroked her arm and promised that he wasn't going anywhere that he was going to be a good father and a good husband to her and he would be by her side forever if he would let her. Madelyn couldn't help but smile softly and nod.

Shin leaned down and kissed her small eyelids and a blush crossed her face as when he backed away her violet blue eyes opened gently and she looked up at him with a soft smile that this time did go all the way to her eyes. Reaching up she touched his cheek fondly definatly in love with this man, it was in her eyes if nothing else gave it away. He could read her, she didn't even have to write what she wanted to say he just knew and that meant so much to her. Not only that but he knew what a fragile soul she had, strong yes but it was still fragile. Like an egg. Hold it in your fist and squeeze and nothing will happen, but tap it in that one spot and it would crack spilling the secrets locked up inside.

Madelyn moved up softly and kissed Shin gently on the lips her soft pale pink lips matched his own soft lips in a gentle and loving kiss. Her fingers gently stroked his cheek as she held it there, she knew that lunch would be coming to a close as much as she hated it. So she was going to make the most of her last few minutes. It wasn't a very passionate kiss, though Madelyn knew how to give one she wasn't quite ready yet for that, right now she wanted to show him her feelings. Gently she broke it and blushed smiling softly as she ruffled his hair and giggled softly. It was nice being with Shin he didn't expect her to change, he loved her for who she was and that meant more to her than she could ever say.

-We should do something special tonight. The sunset, will you watch it with me?- she asked him softly as she looked into his eyes still and then let herself fall back into his arms snuggling up getting the last bit of Shin she could. Even letting her nose find the crook in his neck and inahle his soft scent.

[Shin Daisuke]

Her small tender hand caressed his cheek softly, and Shin smiled. He loved the subtle touches they shared… Just to softly caress her skin, and have her lay on him, these things made him feel loved by Madelyn. Slowly, she brushed his lips with her own in that way… Her light kiss making him feel elated as her fingers caressed his cheek. He too ran his thumb across her cheek as he returned her soft kiss. And soon, she hid her face in the nook of his neck. It was a security thing that she had taken to, and he didn’t mind at all. He simply stroked her soft arm as he felt her breath on his neck.

She asked if he would watch the sun set upon the horizon with her. He smiled and hugged her softly, letting his hand find hers and gently wrapping around it, letting his larger palm warm her fingers. “I would love to watch the sunset with you Madelyn… And I will read you whatever you would like too” He told her, adding something else he had thought of so as to allow him to speak to her all the more, as she seemed to enjoy it when he did so.

And all too soon, the sound of the school bell chiming resonated through the stone structure and out into the courtyard. Shin cursed its timing mentally as he continued to hold Madelyn for a few seconds longer… “It seems that the fates conspire to cut out time together short love…” He said softly as he helped her sit up straight, and slowly stand. He gathered his plate and utensils, and nearly stacked them with Madelyn’s, putting them back in the bag. He then helped the small girl pack away the rest of the containers before standing up straight and sighing heavily. He hated that the school was doing this to them.

“I promise you Madelyn… I will share the sunset with you by the words of your favorite book… And then I will stay with you through the night…” He kissed her softly on the lips one final time and then smiled. “See you after class love” He said as he was forced to dash off in the opposite direction to the dorms, knowing that if he didn’t make a move, he would be late for class. And in Arcane Academy, that meant you became the class’s test subject.

[madelyn]

The sunset and her favorite book. Madelyn couldn't wait already she had a book in mind that she wanted to bring and read together. A poetry book that had been given to her that she held dear to her heart. And so she would prepare that all for them because the last thing she wanted in this world was a night without Shin. Being able to watch the sunset with him would be wonderful, she couldn't wait. But all too soon the school bell rang and Madelyn winced. It meant that Shin was going to go now and she would be stuck here without him, going back to her dorm to get ready for the evening times and let her mind sit and think about him while they were seperated.

He helped her get up and she watched as he packed everything back into the basket and hand it to her. She blushed softly as she looked up at him and kissed him gently back when he came down to kiss her goodbye. She didn't want to seperate. She quickly caught his hand before he dashed off and kissed the back of it gently and ran it over her cheek one last time before she finally let him go. she watched him run off and felt so alone in that moment without his warm arms around her she was alone. She bit her lower lip as she headed back to her dorm room to prepare for the night ahead of watching the sunset and reading poetry.

Madelyn's new life was just beginning and she was interested to see where it went.