Post by Rolf Sigurd on Dec 31, 2010 14:44:53 GMT -5
Rolf's dark eyes remained serious after he spoke, but they did briefly flicker to Thorn as she began to choke into her cup. The gaze did not last long, however, as his eyes were dragged away by Erik's hand. He stared at the hulking Viking as he laughed, the others joining in, their mirth echoing around the mess hall and heightening his humiliation. Really he should have seen this reaction coming, but he had foolishly ignored his head and followed his heart for the first time in his life.
At Erik's word, Rolf nodded his head, expression neutral and serious. At the man's comment on proving himself, the beginnings of a smirk spread across his face, his mouth opening, but he was cut off. Thorn stood then, reassuring him that there was no need for it. Curious eyes followed her as she whispered her choice to her Father, and by the way she avoided his eyes, he knew it wasn't good news.
At the announcement Rolf' whole body turned to stone. His muscles tensed, his lungs seemed to seize up, and his heart broke... But outwardly there was no shift, no sign that anything was amiss. Not that anyone noticed, the cheering drowning out everything else, the collected Village already celebrating the upcoming wedding, too engrossed to even notice the orphan boy, now publicly humiliated.
Rolf's looked to Thorn, feeling her eyes on him, and noticed the sad smile. He felt like screaming, like shouting at her, like crying his eyes out until the hole inside was a little bit mended... but he couldn't. No matter what, he knew that he loved her now, and so couldn't be angry. But at that moment the hurt consumed everything. There was no half-smile, not even a twitch of the lips to signal his emotions to her. Instead his eyes hardened, almost as if a wall was built up, trying to keep him together. The young man turned back to Erik, too busy cheering, and nodded respectfully before turning on his heels.
He grabbed a tankard of ale from the serving girl, downing half of it before moving to the corner of the room, shrugging off the hand Elrunguard placed on his shoulder, before throwing himself down on an empty bench, ignoring the glances of those closest to him. He would have left, but he knew he would only disgrace himself further. And so Rolf sat and drank, fully prepared to 'celebrate' the event.
At Erik's word, Rolf nodded his head, expression neutral and serious. At the man's comment on proving himself, the beginnings of a smirk spread across his face, his mouth opening, but he was cut off. Thorn stood then, reassuring him that there was no need for it. Curious eyes followed her as she whispered her choice to her Father, and by the way she avoided his eyes, he knew it wasn't good news.
At the announcement Rolf' whole body turned to stone. His muscles tensed, his lungs seemed to seize up, and his heart broke... But outwardly there was no shift, no sign that anything was amiss. Not that anyone noticed, the cheering drowning out everything else, the collected Village already celebrating the upcoming wedding, too engrossed to even notice the orphan boy, now publicly humiliated.
Rolf's looked to Thorn, feeling her eyes on him, and noticed the sad smile. He felt like screaming, like shouting at her, like crying his eyes out until the hole inside was a little bit mended... but he couldn't. No matter what, he knew that he loved her now, and so couldn't be angry. But at that moment the hurt consumed everything. There was no half-smile, not even a twitch of the lips to signal his emotions to her. Instead his eyes hardened, almost as if a wall was built up, trying to keep him together. The young man turned back to Erik, too busy cheering, and nodded respectfully before turning on his heels.
He grabbed a tankard of ale from the serving girl, downing half of it before moving to the corner of the room, shrugging off the hand Elrunguard placed on his shoulder, before throwing himself down on an empty bench, ignoring the glances of those closest to him. He would have left, but he knew he would only disgrace himself further. And so Rolf sat and drank, fully prepared to 'celebrate' the event.
