Brienna was rushing to the apple orchard just a mile outside of the castle. One of the local farmers had dropped her off to hasten her trip. Why in the world was Elizabeth being so adamant that the apples come from this orchard when she already knew how much she had given Brienna to do? Brienna would normally assign the job to one of the boys to do but they were currently all doing some big project for the party.

Hurrying up to the door she was surprised when an old woman answered it before she could knock. "Excuse me ma'am I need a basket of apples. Is there someone that can pick them for me?" Brienna asked. The old woman chuckled while shaking her delicate head no. Brienna could see that the woman had lost almost all of her teeth and the couple that were left were in serious peril of falling out. She walked with a limp and her shoulders were hunched over slightly. Brienna was positive that a strong wind would carry the woman away.

"Do you mind if I pick them then?" Brienna asked. The old woman shook her head and Brienna handed her two coins and the woman nearly jumped for joy. "The queen sends her thanks ma'am."

In a raspy voice the old woman thanked her and Brienna smiled as she turned to the orchard and started walking. She looked at the trees and found one that she thought she could get some perfect apples from. Brienna looked around to make sure nobody could see what she was about to do then she hiked her skirts up to her knees and tied the bottom of the dress around her waist so she could climb the tree without tripping on it.

"Oh Elizabeth, the things I do for you" She murmured to herself. Brienna had not climbed a tree in ages but after two failed attempts a broken fingernail and a couple of deep slivers in her hand she got up there. Satisfied with herself she started pitching apples into the basket that she had wedged onto a lower branch.

@Joker892

"Jason! Jason hold up!" Emily, Jasons youngest little sister at the age of ten shouted for him as he leaped over a small creak bed. A smile came to Jason's face as he looked back to his sister and chuckled.

"Come on Em, we just got started!" he grinned as his sister barely made it over the break. Jason had to catch her half way and hoisted her back onto her feet with a chuckle. His sister puffed up her cheeks and glared at her brother.

"We've been out here for hours Jason, what else is there to see?" she questioned while brushing any dirt that had got onto her knees. Jason jabbed his thumb behind him.

"Something real cool I found when I was your age, but before I show ya it you gotta promise not to tell anyone. Okay?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. Emily was silent for a few seconds before finally nodding her head.

"Fine, but it better not be anything gross," Jason chuckled and held up his hand while crossing his heart. Emily slightly smiled and followed her brother over a small hill. As they reached the top Jason pointed towards a large boulder and grinned.

"Emily, this is Old Rocky! My very first discovery from adventuring through the woods," Jason's little sisters eyes widened with shock at the large boulder that sat alone within a open clearing. It had strange carvings and symbols in its surface and seemed to have been here for a long time. Jason chuckled at his sisters expression and patted her on the shoulder. "Come on, lets get a closer look," he said and walked forward towards Old Rocky. His sister quickly followed him, but stopped halfway as she spotted something flash from one of the symbols on the boulders surface.

"Uh, Jason, what was that?" she asked. He looked back with a raised eyebrow.

"What was wha-" he was cut off as a flash of green lightening shot from the ground near him and connected with boulder. He jumped back in shock and looked to the boulder with wide eyes as it began to glow green. He felt the earth below him shake and felt his heart drop. He snapped his head back to his sister with a worried look as he began to run towards her. "Get back now!" he shouted before a green vortex appeared before the boulder. Jason was half way to his sister before he felt his legs come out from under him and fell to the ground with a grunt. He then was yanked towards the vortex with violent winds blowing through the air. He bared his teeth as he attempted to grasp the earth before him, but he was met with his body being brought into the air and his head slammed into the boulder. His vision was blurry and his ears rang, but before he was consumed by darkness he saw his sister with tears in her eyes while screaming for him to come back.

All Jason could do was pray he would come out of this alive as he traveled through a tunnel of green mist and lightening. After what felt like hours he saw a light at the end of the tunnel. Soon enough he reached the light and was met with an oncoming tree. He was to weak to act thanks to the blow to the head, but he was able to mumble a few words before falling into the trees branches. "Damn you lady luck," and with that he slammed into the branches, catching a few apples to the face and branches tearing and scratching at him. He grunted and cringed from the impact, but before he could fully fall through the tree a thick branch caught his leg and stopped him from plummeting into the earth below. He hung from the apple trees branch and felt his mind slowly shut down from the lack of energy. He felt his warm blood trail down the side of his face and looked around with blurry vision for anyone that could help him. As his world grew ever more dark he spotted a hard to see figure in a neighboring apple tree and held his hand out towards them. He was unable to speak, but he was able to mouth the words, "Help," before being fully consumed by the darkness.

@Wick

Brienna had just reached for the last apple and was getting ready to start her climb down when the sky over the orchard turned greenish and a crackle of lightning and a thunderous boom shook the ground. Grabbing the tree branch harder she watched as a body flew out of the sky and landed precariously in the tree next to the one she was currently perched in. The man was hanging upside down. Brienna scrambled down and ran over to his tree and got a better look at him. He was about four feet off of the ground. She walked closer to him as the sky returned to normal.

"Hello?" Brienna hesitated and then touched his face to make sure he was real. He certainly didn't look like the men around there. He was wearing some kind of blue material that she had never seen before and a cotton shirt with the most perfect buttons she had ever seen. Realizing that he was still alive and very real she looked around and put her arms around him and pulled him to the ground cradling his head and neck as she did.

Once she had him on the ground she took a good look at his face and thought that he was handsome. She blushed to herself and wondered where he came from. She looked over at her basket of apples and back at the young man. She needed to go but how could she just leave this man here like this?

"Wake up, are you alright?" She asked. The more she looked at him the stranger he became to her. He was wearing some kind of shoe that she had never seen before. Brienna glanced up at the innocent looking sky and furrowed her brow.

@Joker892

Warmness? That was the first though that had come to Jason's mind as he heard a soft voice echoed throughout his mind. As tried to figure out the owner of the voice he felt several sharp pains erupt from his body and cringed as his head began to pulse. He groaned and attempted to open his eyes, but found that it was difficult to even twitch a finger. He saw a liver of light and a blurry figure, but nothing else. "E-Emily?" he managed to ask out of worry for his sister. He managed to move his hand up from the ground and gently touched whoever was holding him gently. It was clearly not his sister, but Jason didn't care, he needed help. But first, he need water for his dry throat. "W-water," he pleaded with a raspy voice.

@Wick

Brienna reached into the pocket of her twisted skirt looking for the bottle of water that she carried with her. She was slightly surprised it had not leaked all over her dress by now. Opening it she held it to his lips for him as she tilted him upwards so he wouldn't choke on it. Watching as he guzzled the water she asked him curiously, "Who is Emily?"

As his breathing evened out she realized she had been stroking his hair absentmindedly. She stopped that. "Who are you and where did you come from? You can't be from around here. Your clothes are...well, they are not made from anything I've ever seen before."

Brienna suddenly worried if he was from another world and she started to worry that he might hurt her. Carefully she removed herself from under him. "How is it that you literally fell out of the sky? I saw it with my own eyes."

@Joker892

Jason groaned as the stranger let him down the ground and pushed himself up on shaking arms. He took a few seconds to compose himself and opened his eyes to see a young lady who seemed to be slightly worried. As he inspected her he had to admit she was a looker and he didn't mind the bit of leg she was showing. He shook his head from the gutters and cringed from the headache that was assaulting his brain. She had asked many questions as he worked to build his energy back up and cleared his throat one last time before speaking. "First, Emily is my sister. Second, my names Jason and I'm from Texas. And finally third if I knew how I freaking fell from the sky I would tell ya, but I'm as lost as you are honey," he mumbled with a bit of annoyance from his current situation. He sighed and placed his hand onto the side of his head, but froze as he felt a warm wet liquid. He took his hand away and frowned at the sight of blood. He then remembered his head hitting the boulder before coming here and groaned. "Why can't I get a break," he looked back to the girl and pushed himself to his feet, stumbling a bit, but he quickly managed to keep himself stable. "Anyway, sorry if I freaked ya out, I'm just having a real bad day."

@Wick

Brienna watched as he got to his feet and realized his head was bleeding. Nervously she bit her lip and asked him "What is Texas and what kind of falling is freaking? I'm not sure what you mean but we should get your head taken care of. You are not making a lot of sense. Come with me and I'll get you taken care of. I have to get back to the castle. I'm really late."

She turned his head gently with her hand and she looked at the bleeding. "You should be alright." Realizing her dress was still tied up she let the knot out and her dress fell to the ground covering every inch of her skin. "My name is Brienna. I'm sorry about the impropriety. I was climbing an apple tree."

Brienna picked up her basket and called back to him. "Come on Jason. We have to hurry."

@Joker892

Jason groaned and cracked his back as he began to follow the strange girl now named Brienna. He was nothing but confused by now, Brienna kept talking with a strange fashion and said something about a castle. He shook his head lightly and sighed as he followed her. He might as well go along with it for now until he can get some proper answers. As he reached her side he looked around their surroundings with a bit of confusion mixed with wonder. Everything seemed do different for some reason, even Brienna looked a tad strange with her appearance. She herself was beautiful, but her clothing screamed medieval. He cleared his throat and spoke. "Um, Brienna, mind telling me where we are? Actually while your at it what's the date?" he asked.

@Wick

Brienna stopped when he asked her the date. They were in the middle of the road. "You are in England and the year is 1562. Queen Elizabeth reigns over the land with an iron fist so let's not dawdle lest I lose my head." She said looking down the road at a cart coming up the road. "Why? What was the date before you plummeted into the tree next to mine?"

@Joker892

Jason just stared at Brienna to see if she was joking, but after a full minute of silence it was clear she wasn't. He shook his head and scoffed. "No way, no way is this actually happening," he muttered to himself. "You're just screwing with me right? We're in America and it's 2017, come on I'm seriously not in the mood for games darling," he chuckled, but stopped as the rest of his memories began to replay the entire incident in his head. His breathing became more heavy as he felt his already pounding head increase in pressure. This was actually happening. He looked to Brienna with a worried look before burying his head into his hands. "This is really happening," he mumbled with defeat.

@Wick

Brienna put the basket of apples down and reached out touching his arm. "Your year was 2017?" She suddenly felt a little ill and excited at the same time. No wonder his clothing was so different. She had so much to ask him about the future. Brienna was slightly in shock. She didn't even remember to hail the cart driver as he passed them. She slid her arms around Jason and thought about what others would do if she let him tell them he was from the future.

"We have to get you some clothes. You can't tell anyone where you came from. You'd either be hung for being a witch or you would be imprisoned." Hearing the cart rolling away in the wrong direction she let go of him and ran after the cart and hailed the man driving it. She spoke with the driver a moment and returned to Jason with a long cloak.

"Here, put this on and roll up your pants legs and take those shoes off." She wrapped the cloak around him and fastened it in front. "Are you alright?" She looked at him very worried about what could happen to him.

@Joker892

Jason was a bit taken back by here sudden worry for his well being, but he nodded and did as she instructed. He rolled up his pants and took off his shoes with haste. He looked himself up and down and sighed. He's gonna have to get use to the look. He looked back to Brienna and spoke. "What am I suppose to do now? I have no idea what in the hell I'm gonna even do in this time period," he said with worry filling his heart. "Ya gotta help me," he pleaded.

@Wick

Picking up the apples she hurried him towards the castle gates and once inside she handed the basket to one of the young men there and told him to take it to the kitchens. Making sure to keep Jason directly behind her so he would be less visible to prying eyes she took him into the castle through the servants entrance and pulled a pair of pants off of the laundry line on her way through. Handing him the pants she continued up the stairs and down a beautifully decorated hallway to her own rooms. She ushered him inside and shut the door leaning against it.

She had not realized that she was so tense but a rush of relief overcame her and she heard a knock at her door. Opening it a smidge she answered and gave orders to the young woman who handed her a gown. Closing the door she looked at Jason and wondered what she was going to do with him. She had to go to the party tonight, at least to make an appearance.

"I'll do my best to help you. I'll even find you a job here at the castle but you can't tell anyone that you are from the future or you will be killed." She set about her room awkwardly. She turned away from him. "Please change into the pants I gave you."

@Joker892

Jason looked to his new pair of pants and back to Brienna with slightly warm cheeks before giving a sheepish smile. "Right," he said before unbuttoning his jeans and quickly slipped his new pants on. He cringed at the slightly uncomfortable feeling and sighed as he tried to get use to it. He looked down to his jacket and back to Brienna. "How about a new shirt? Don't ya think that would go with my disguise?" he asked as he readied himself to take of his shirt off, revealing his firm stomach. If he was to hide any evidence of his involvement with the future he wanted to make sure it was hidden well.

@Wick

@Joker892


Brienna stayed turned away until he sounded like he was done changing into the pants. She blushed furiously as she saw his stomach and part of his chest. "I will but first, I need to change for the party. Can you stay over there? I'll change behind the screens."

She picked up the dress the girl had brought her and she took it behind a screen that was taller than Brienna was and she removed her dress and pulled the new one over her head. After she put it on she realized that she would need help doing up the laces in the back. She muttered something under her breath and came out from behind the screen and while holding up her bodice turned about three shades of red as she asked him, "Could you help me with the laces in back?"

Jason had already taken off his jacket, not noticing Brienna's red face as she asked him to help lace up her dress. He nodded before walking over to her and grabbing the laces. He then began to attempt to properly lace up her outfit, but he fumbled and cursed a few mistakes before he was able to finally finish it off. He sighed and inspected his hard work. "Even in the old days women wear complicated outfits," he chuckled before catching glimpse of a rather unpleasant sight on the right side of his chest. He frowned slightly as he glanced at a small scar and shook his head before looking back to Brienna. "So, can ya hook me up with that shirt now? Getting chilly in hear for some reason," he joked before giving a slight shutter.

@Wick

Brienna was shocked at the tingling she felt as his fingers touched her back while getting the laces straightened and tightened into place. She was very aware that he was shirtless and murmured thanks to him. Clearing her throat she stepped away from him and said, "I'll get you a shirt. I'll be right back. Please stay here."

Brienna left the room and shut her door. She hurried down the hall and she almost ran into William. Grabbing his arm she pulled him to the side and said, "I need a favor. A big one." William had always been a little bit taken with Brienna nodded.

"Of course, what do you need?"

Unsure of what she wanted to tell him exactly she took him into her room. The look on William's face became one of shock when he saw a half naked man in her room.

"It's not what you think. I met him today. He is a friend and he is not from around here. He needs a shirt and shoes and a place to stay. I brought him here because I had nowhere to take him. He fell out of a tree and he still needs his head wound cleaned up. I have to get to Elizabeth or she might come looking for me."

William understood the situation better now and was very accomodating. "I see and yes. You go on ahead."

Brienna slipped into her shoes and pulled her hair to the side. Looking at Jason she said, "Remember what I told you earlier. William will help you. I'll come find you later tonight." Brienna all but ran out of the room and down to the queen's chambers.

William looked at him and motioned. "Come, we shouldn't be found in here."

Jason gave a quick nod and followed William out of Briennas chambers. He sighed as they made their way through the castles hallways and made sure to stay by Williams side. He glanced over to his left and saw a few other servants walk by, all giving him strange looks. He looked himself up and down and smiled sheepishly. He really needed that shirt. He looked over to William and spoke. "So, uh, William... I dont think I told ya my name right? Names Jason and thanks for the help, today has not been my lucky day," he chuckled while rubbing the back of his. He cringed at the sharp pain from the side of his head and mumbled small curses to his luck. There was no possible way this day could get any worse.

He was quickly proven wrong as his stomach violently growled from its lack of attention. Jason groaned and rubbed his stomach with annoyance. "Maybe I should have eaten before I headed out like Emily said," he mumbled with a pinch of regret. He looked to William and chuckled nervously. "Hey, you think you can add a small meal in on the list, haven't eaten anything all day," he admitted with embarrassment.

William listened to the newcomer and walked out of the castle and down to his own home. Once inside he motioned for him to sit and he disappeared into his bedroom and returned with shoes and a shirt. Then he walked over to the kitchen water handle and pumped water into a bowl. Grabbing a small sewing kit and cloth he stood next to his patient and looked at his head. "It's only going to take a couple of stitches. You'll be fine. Take a swig of this and hold still."

He handed Jason a cup of ale and pulled out a needle of sorts. William would take care of this man for Brienna and he would look after him because he didn't trust newcomers. This one was both young and good looking according to the stares of the youg ladies who saw him on the way here he thought.

"So how did you meet Brienna?" He said with thread sticking out of his mouth as he threaded the needle.

Jason chuckled nervously as he took a swig of ale and coughed from its hard hit. He wasnt use to such strong drinks, but he didnt have time for that now, he had to answer Williams question without revealing the truth. He thought for a moment and shrugged. Wing it. He glanced up at him and smiled. "Oh ya know, the classic stranger hanging from an apple tree while slightly injured, thirsty and hungry. Its very common where I come from, trust me," he said with a faint chuckle. He never did like lying, but he had a reputation of being good at it. "But in all seriousness I got blacked out drunk last night and woke up with her tending to me like a lost puppy. Very sweet woman," he said before taking another sip of ale. He cringed from the drink, but he was more prepared for it. He thought for a moment and looked down into his cup.

"Ya know if she is seeing anyone?" he asked with a slight smirk.

William had to listen carefully to figure out what the young man was saying. As he realized he was asking if Brienna was spoken for he guided the needle into his head a little less carefully than he had to causing Jason's head to jerk involuntarily just a little. "No, Brienna is not spoken for. She is one of the queen's personal lady's maids. They are almost like a royal themselves. They wouldn't give you a second glance because you are less than nobility." He kept working on the stitches. "Do yourself a favor and don't look at her as anything but a friend or you will be disappointed."

William looked at his handiwork and started putting things away and handed him the shirt and shoes. "You should stay here til she comes to see you. She will come here to find you. You should probably not speak to anyone. Your language is very odd."

Walking over to the fire he poured some stew into a bowl and put it in front of Jason with a wooden spoon.

Jason frowned at Williams less then kind start at patching up his head, but his annoyance was quickly killed off by a very appealing smell. A smiled crawled onto his face as a bowl of stew was planted in front of Jasons reach. He felt a sliver of drool escape his mouth as he picked up the spoon and directed a spoon full of stew into his mouth. Fireworks exploded inside of Jason's tastebuds as he savored his meal. He quickly continued to dig in with all of his delight. "Dear god man this is good! Never knew food was this good here," he chuckled before driving another spoon full into his mouth. As he continued to eat his meal he began to think about what William was saying about Brienna. He said he would be disappointed if he tried anything, but he just shook his head. How could he be disappointed? She seemed like a nice girl and Jason enjoyed her company and help. Though, she may think of him as William had said, lesser than nobility and just wanted to do her good deed of the day.

He let out a sigh and shook his head. No point in worrying about it now, he should just wait until he gets settled in before trying any type of relationship with her. As for now though, his current goal was to make this bowl of stew disappear.
@Joker892

Brienna tended to Elizabeth and then finished her own appearance. She made her appearance at dinner and then she stayed for half of the dancing and mingling before she begged off to take care of a personal matter. Elizabeth didn't look happy but agreed to allow Lillian to tend her the rest of the evening. Brienna went to find the head of the guard who was not too terribly far from Elizabeth. After convincing him to put Jason to work as a castle guard she headed to the guard's quarters to get his room set up for him.

Still hearing the music she had a little skip in her step. She really liked the dancing part of the evening. Sighing she resigned herself to missing that part. Humming she walked down to William's house and knocked on the door.

William answered the door and his breath stopped as he looked at her. Brienna had such a glow about her that she literally took his breath away. "Is everything alright?" She was asking about Jason and William nodded as his lungs filled with air very slowly.

"You look absolutely beautiful this evening Brienna." William said already knowing what her response would be.

"Why thank you as always William." She knew he was taken with her and she tried never to encourage the attention from William. She felt bad having asked him to take care of Jason for her. Seeing Jason she smiled. "I've found a place for you. Come and I'll take you there."

"William please take this as payment for the clothes and shoes. I'll not hear a word about it." She said pushing coins into his hand. "Thank you. You've no idea how much you have helped me this evening." William nodded.

She handed Jason the cloak he had left in her room. "You should put this on it's a bit chilled tonight."

Leaving William's house they walked back towards the castle. William closed the door and watched as they walked back towards the castle through the window and he was very unhappy about the favor Brienna showed the young stranger. He wondered where he had come from and decided he would find out.
@Joker892

Jason let out a heavy sigh as he walked by Brienna's side and rubbed his newly patch up head. He winced at the slightest touch and kept the cloaks hood down to insure it didn't rub against it. "Your friend's nice, but he need to learn to be more careful when it comes to driving a needle into someone's head," he mumbled and looked to Brienna with a smile. "Great cook though," he chuckled before falling short of his jokes once he fully got a clear view of his companions appearance. He had heard William say something about her looking beautiful, but he was to busy devouring his meal to notice. Now that he looks at her, she was absolutely stunning. Jason felt his cheeks warm up, but looked away while clearing his throat. "A-anyways, you said you found a place for me to crash right? Where is it?" he asked while still avoiding eye contact with her.

@Wick

Brienna winced. She had momentarily forgotten about his head injury. "I'm sorry that he wasn't more careful. I try not to ask too many favors from William but I really had little choice. I should have done it myself." She smiled at his comment about William's cooking.

"I hope you don't mind but I got you a job as a castle guard. You will protect the castle and you will have your own room. It's small but you will have your own bed, some prestige, respect and some coin for your work. You will also be close at hand in case you need my help with anything." She added this last part and blushed. She was thankful that the light was dim and he would not likely see her reddened cheeks.

Once inside the castle she heard the music and was quick to smile. "The head guard's name is Samuel. He is the one you need to speak to but right now he is guarding the queen at the party." She stopped and looked out the window, down the hall from the party. There were fireworks of a sort being set off and she smiled brilliantly at the pretty colors lighting up the night sky.

"Jason do they still do this where you come from?" She whispered close to his ear while looking out the window.
@Joker892