So I'm sorry I did the very thing I struggle with in people re-writing my posts for me. *L* However, I swear Bess was just insistent on having her say. I think we often settle our characters in with words, when they have a good solid structure we can then begin to pare off extraneous descriptions. I find I'm just now getting a handle on Bess. Hopefully she'd do better than gape about like a silly chit and start to interact some more.

That was a gorgeous post, by the way. The ride had a life of its own. Very nicely done!

Oh, wow. I'm rather glad Bess insisted, that was well done! But how badly is it going to break her heart to find out he's just as human as she is?

I think he's never going to be human to her. Not really. She's a young girl and she's just had her taste of the magic of it all.

I do think, though - that you're right and that reality will crash in. I'm sure she'll still remain twitterpated, but the let-down is going to be a proving ground for her character and I'm looking forward to using it. heh. It may be that she's been living in this fantasy world to some extent with her hidden hollow in the early mornings and that ought to help keep her head in the clouds somewhat. She won't crash so horribly that she's no longer a good character for the story.

Oh, I'm not worried about that! I think Bess is too tough a character to become useless. I think the Highwayman will stretch things out for a while, wanting to give her what seems to please her most for as long as he can. But as events unfold, the revelation that he is merely mortal will be tempered with his growing affection and respect for her.

It's really sweet... and then reality crashes into MY world and a tiny voice in the back of my head goes "Don't get toooo attached, heh heh heh."

I've never done anything like this before and it's amazing writers pull it off so often. Creating a personality which will then be .... erk! Promise not to get prissy about it, but no promises to not moan at the oncoming trainwreck. (It would be fun to create a psychic who can't change the future they see. What kind of personality could pull that off on a day to day basis?)

And done! A bit of a double entendre at the end there, granted, but it was unintentional. Well, mostly unintentional. And he's given her an easy out to speak her mind to him, too.

For the future of the story, Fanny is supposed to arrive soon is she not? What if Reynard accosts and robs her coach, she complains to the Captain when she reaches their home, and the hunt for the Highwayman begins? How will Diana react when she sees her beloved husband come alive to the call for action, I wonder?

Hmm... that sounds like a fabulous idea. Fanny would love to put on some appropriate histrionics. And yes - I'd like to see how Diana and her husband get along. I almost feel like they're the real story, against the backdrop of this great romance.

A gorgeous post, by the way.

Oh, they have a great romance of their own, I think. It just needs to be rekindled. (Laughing) And somehow, I don't really see Fanny helping that much!

Oh no.. I'm sure you are right and Fanny will be a deterrent. However, sometimes deterrents can be quite effective catalysts (or in this case, I hope she proves to be).

Also - terribly sorry for the lag in that reply. I kept being called away by the day. Sun was out - there is just so much to do!

That was a lag??

I love Bess's honesty right now, it's like she's let a guard down so he can actually see something of who she really is. Won't be able to post for a few hours, but I think Reynard has a way of answering her questions without giving away the game.

Oh take your time....

And I felt it was a lag as I was set to "online" which I try not to do unless I can devote the time to sitting. Unfortunately, I'm coming to the conclusion that I might be a bit bad at sitting in one place for long.

Anyhow - yes! I'm starting to really like her, thank heavens! She's got the fire I had hoped she'd develop. And he is just fabulous. I love that he has a hidden story which Bess (and I) has no idea about. It makes him just perfect. Thanks for taking me along for this ride. It's fabulous.

My pleasure! Thank you for navigating!

Yes, Reynard's backstory took some time for me to settle in my mind, but I think I have it now. Although I fear I won't get to post until tomorrow sometime, I'm a bit more tired than I thought I would be.

Oh please... rest! No rush in any way on this, eh? The wonderful thing about being on forum is there is no real time line on when your next bit of writing shows up. It's at your convenience.

Yes, but... co-writing with you excites me! Inspires me! If I wasn't careful (and I'm being honest here) I could easily stay up all night RPing this with you. But even though I'm off of work tomorrow, I do have other obligations to attend to. Reality is the harshest and most unforgiving of mistresses.

Heh - nothing like knowing I'm not alone. It is a very good game and I'm lucky to have found one more amazing writer on here! It's always a breath of fresh air when things just click, ya?

So I've tomorrow off as well (am on vacation at HOME this time, thank heavens) and while it is Independence day and therefore requisite fireworks and frightened dogs trying to burst out of houses and run down roads are in my foreseeable future, I will be dinking around a bit. I'll do my best to respond better than twenty four hours next time. :) I'll also start looking at just what Mistress Fanny is going to be like. "Lor' but she's a keen'un, she is!" She's bound to turn it all round in a snap! I'm caught between lots and lots of ruffles and pink cheeks, or a rather rotund woman with the grace of a battle axe and the power to prove it. :) We'll see how she shapes up when she has to go head to head with our M. Reynard.

(On a side-note, M. Reynard is a nickname for one of my owd dogs. He's ruddy and flashy as a fox, though he's not half so smart, he is one of my "gentlemen" [a pair of brothers who always give at the gate and are quick to do whatever they are asked to]. He's the gentle one and when I do talks at the local school, he is my ambassador - wanting a hug and to be petted by the kids.)

By your description, it sounds like Mssr. Reynard is well named!

I'll be somewhat busy for part of the night as well. Personal fireworks are illegal in my state, so I'll no doubt be taking the family out to find a suitable show. Sadly, the best one in the area also has the worst traffic to be dealt with afterwards. On the upside, it gives me an additional reason to drink when I get home! (No more than a single bottle of hard cider or dark ale, however, as I don't drink very often.)

I am so sorry.. I am about to go pick up one of the youngest of my family who will be hanging with her auntie, the dogs and horsies. It is a gorgeous post, as usual, and I shan`t be available for a bit of time yet.

:) Had a moment of precious time...

Oh, that was sweet... They're starting to fall in love not just with each other, but with their shared dream.

Hmmm... I'm debating on whether or not to close this scene to move back to our other characters briefly.

Not too much longer, though, we should have Reynard hold up Fanny's carriage.