{— Gentle smile pressed forth upon fair features, head bowing in respect. It had seemed like ages since she had last been within Dale, been within his presence; another life time ago. When pain still etched into the landscape and blood ran freely; tainting the once beautiful scents of nature. “I would.” Tauriel finally spoke, “But only if it poses no trouble to yourself.” After all, this was his house; she would follow his rules and abide by them.
Singular brow dared to arch, smirk all but twitching across her mouth at his words. “No.” The female shook her head in slight. “I will not burden you with such things. I am more than capable of spending a night beneath the stars, I assure you.” Another pause. “Nay, my business lies with you.”}
( Curiosity bled in his veins. What business she spoke of, he did not know, but would love to know for the morning after. She may be tired and she may not, for those Elves always seemed so tireless. In fact, it was likely he who held more yawn in his throat than Tauriel. For it was late into the eve, and he grew tired as the skies darkened. )
"It is no trouble, not at all. Tauriel, come. I’ve always a place for you, and even if I did not, I would make room.“
(What business with him would she have? He had not seen her in a lengthy time. He hoped whatever news she brought forth, it would not be negative, as he had heard many whispers already, of darkness, growing evil, all which he did not know if it would come to pass in his mere lifetime. )
{— With another nod of her head Tasha let out a sigh she’d been unaware she was holding, brows furrowing moments after. “That’s the point, Bard. I’m good at my job, if I wasn’t…well, I’d probably be riddled with bullets by now.” Cringing the brunette shifted a little. “Not exactly.” Or rather, yes exactly. It was her job to get in and get out just as quickly, if the mission called for it; but part of her wanted to believe she would have said her goodbyes. If it’d been safe to do so. }
“Yeah, I know. Stating the obvious here. Undercover. Got to be sneaky. Don’t think I could ever do it, but that’s why I’m your ordinary technician around here. Nothing special, nothin’ fancy. Not like you, Tash.” She’s probably wondering how she even knows him at this point, with the words spilling out of his mouth rather lacking glamour. Though it’s quite terrifying, that Tasha’s name might not even – be Tasha. He didn’t know anything anymore.
{— Gentle laughter escaped her as she took a step forward, hand branching out to reach his shoulder in clasp. “No it’s not, but I understand where you’re coming from.” As long as he’d been around guns, she could manage. A few short lessons and he’d be up to snuff, it didn’t take much. Aim, squeeze trigger, shoot. What really mattered was your timing. If you were quick, you had nothing to worry about.
“Tomorrow night, then.” She gave a nod. “Gun range.”}
“If you’re positive, I’m game.”
If anything, he was just thankful that she wasn’t leaving him in the dust, that she entrusted him with this. Bard smiled, turning to her straight on, shaking his head. “Undercover. Would not have suspected it at all. And what? If you’d never said anything, would you just have disappeared in a day, without a trace?"
{— He was right, of course. They were not strangers to one another, not anymore. Long had the awkward tension passed between them; in favor of formalities. Though she supposed there would always be a sense of formality, at least upon her part. “Aye.” There had been no need for companions on this journey.
Hand rose to dismiss the offer of a drink, before coming back to settle with her other, clasped behind her back tightly. “I’m glad.” Lips twitched upward, offering a smile in turn. Tauriel hadn’t returned since the battle, but she had heard the stories of Dale’s rebuild; and she was pleased to see the truth behind them. “I must admit, I have missed them.”}
“They will likely come around soon. They’ve not yet gone to bed, still frolicking about, but only if you wish to see them.” Tilda spoke of wanting her hair in braids for ages just like ‘the pretty elves’ and began growing her hair out long to the day. Unfortunately to Bard’s demise, his fingers unable to replicate.
“A lengthy journey, yes. Have you planned for a stay here? We can have a room prepared for you. Or have you elsewhere to go in the morning?"
{— With his approval she rose in stance, grin spreading across her fair features after a moment of pause. “You should know by now, my kin are very accustom to formalities.” None the less the former Captain offered yet another bow of her head this time, out of respect for the man. Bard had proven himself to be a great warrior and a remarkable man. Tauriel had come upon business via her King, but still she found herself asking of personal matters.
“Your children - are they well?”}
“And that, I cannot disagree with. But we are not strangers to one another, Tauriel. Come. Have you come without company?” The table is in a minor disarray, and Bard wonders who has been tardy, but no matter. He knows where everything is and can fetch it himself. “Water? Wine?”
"Ah yes, the children are fine. We just had supper.“ Despite everything that had changed, Bard did his best to maintain the familial bonds, not wanting to become a house divided within.
{— The fact that he was so ready to jump on board, no matter how dangerous it may be; said a lot. “There’s another office undercover but he’s not as deep as I am.” To risk bringing in the other officer could blow the entire operation. “It would.” She gave a nod, sigh following suit. For a long moment she simply remained silent, thinking over the situation and how to possibly explain this to her commanding officer when she reported back at the end of the week.
“How good of a shot, are you?”}
Eyes moving upwards in thought, Bard had not neared a gun range in quite a fair time. He avoided that ‘nonsense’ after one close to him perished from a drive-by. Contrarily, he could have easily edged to the other side to protect himself from further harm by studying his marksmanship a tad better.
"I’m not horrible– that’s not very convincing is it? I’ve practiced before, but it’s been at least a year since I’ve done so.“
{— Months had come to pass since the battle had taken place and though nothing had been forgotten, most was left unsaid. Slowly she had earned the trust of her King once more, and thankfully he’d given her permission to venture out to Dale; with word to the new master of the city. Which is exactly why she now found herself within the great hall, offering bow in respect.
“I’m glad to see you well, Bard.”}
Having not expected guests this day, the Man of Dale turned, however where the voice sounded familiar, his tension lessened.
Ah, a pleasant surprise, not one that would make his head ache nor grays multiply further. Bard smiled at her, arms in welcome.
{— The brunette gave a shake of her head, rubbing the palms of her hands against the butt of her jeans. “Don’t be. I get it.” She’d just clued him into her profession, obviously he’d jump to conclusions. It wasn’t every day that a friend announced they were a Police officer. Licking at her bottom lip Tasha glanced back at him, slight smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “And that’s super sweet of you…to want to help.”
And here came the but.
He was too good a person to be dragged down into this, even if he was already involved. “But, I don’t want to see you get hurt.”}
“It’s bad, isn;t it? Are you alone? Do you have backup?"
He’d watched some of these undercover heists on television, but CSI:Miami hardly stood for reality. Even so, it was only undercover never a safe task and now his brow furrowed with concern.
"If I’m already involved, then so be it. Would it not be suspicious if I disappeared now?"
{— Again her jaw squared and a heavy sigh fell forth, earning the woman to shift in stance; fingers itching at her side. “No, you’re not.” If he was going to be arrested, it would have already happened; and frankly she would have gotten someone else to do it. “I’m telling you because I value our friendship, Bard. Because I don’t want you to get dragged into this mess, you deserve better than that.”}
“Oh. Oh. ” He felt a little stupid, at his rash assumption. “I’m sorry, Tash." It was a warning she was giving him, not an accusation. And he’d been so improperly rude just due to his own cautious walls.
"But if I’m already dragged into it, isn’t it better that I stick around and try to help you? You don’t have to do this alone.”
{— Tossing the lighter down beside her Tasha adjusted her position, fidgeting to herself. It wasn’t supposed to end up like this, but she supposed she could have seen it coming - if she’d truly looked. “I’m a cop.” If that hadn’t been obvious prior. “I’ve been undercover for six months now.”}
He feigns, plays nonchalance.
“Am I being ar-rested for anything?"
Tasha had seemed to be a good acquaintance. Friend. But now his eyes narrowed. He did not know necessarily how to react, what to say. Bard stiffened, arms crossed.
