The Falls are Falling

John was not usually one to walk away from such situations, but he did respect privacy. It had seemed to him they had needed their privacy at that moment but he did wonder a little closer as his distance from Briar unsettled him. Making himself comfortable on the banking once more, he sat down and stared again at the moonlit sky. The moon.

Rose turned to look over her shoulder to John, He seemed more than awkward..Turning her head to receive a soft kiss from Tulio. Though she wondered where that somewhere was? What would be that important to leave your future wife?
Well..She would have to consider to head back soon anyway..It was already dark outside.
Though when Tulio started talking again she was pulled out of her thoughts.
''Yes? What is it?''

Tulio cleared his throat again before leading Rose further away from John. He did not want him to hear their conversation, and though they were still in sight, he made sure John was far enough away from them to hear what they said.
"It's about the girl I.. kissed..." he said softly, hoping it wouldn't hurt her too much to bring this up again.
"I recently found out it was Ping," he said, looking her in the eye as he swallowed hard. He was unsure of how to explain to her what he had seen and experienced. It was a hard concept to grasp, and he was ready for questions.

Rose in her mind smirked wickedly, But in front of Tulio she acted surprised. Little did he know, She had caused that..
''Really? No wonder..I never heard of a Mulan..'' She smiled weakly. But than became serious again.
''But what are you going to do now? After all he is or..was? Your friend? And he lied to you about being a woman?''
She whispered the last words to him. Shaking her head a little as she looked at him.
Taking his hand. ''But yet, It is your friend..Not my decision to make.''

Her reaction confused him, almost scared him.
"You knew," he stated. It was not even a question. How would she be able to know all of this if not? He had surely never told her before, he only found out recently. He tried his best not to look at her with a suspicious, stern look, but the facade was slipping.

''Eris told me.'' She answered. Looking down. Nothing more to say. She was the sister of the owner of the island.
Of course she did..Rose looked back up. ''Are you going to see her?''
She asked, Maybe it was a good idea to pay Ping back. For what she did.

He wasn't sure what to tell her. Of course he had to see her, but if the tables were turned he would surely get upset if she went to see Shan Yu again. He wasn't sure how she would react when he told her he had to.
He pulled her close, hugging her tight against his naked chest as he kissed her forehead.
"Rose, you are the sunshine in my life," he whispered softly, as he continued to hug her tight.
"Without you, my life would be an endless pursuit for reason in everlasting darkness.. I shall never love another woman the way I love you in this instant.." he sighed, having problems continue. "But Ping.. she was... you should have seen her Rose.. you might wish her pain and suffering, but what I saw in her face that day was beyond that.. I need to know she is alright."

Rose sighed. ''Okay..'' She got out of the hug, Smiling softly. ''Go find her..Help her. I will be at the tree if you need me.''
Nodding at him. If he wanted himself, Than who was she to stop him? But if Ping would touch his lips again.
She would do something far more worse than what she already had in mind. But Tulio would never know it was her who did what she would do sooner or later. For now she would just have to let him go, He was hers when she wanted to.
Let the girl have some fun for now..

"Thank you," he said the gratitude clear in his voice before he turned to walk away.
After taking a couple of steps however he turned around, brought her close and kissed her passionatly before he let go of her again. "Until next time," he said softly and kissed her nose before he once again let go of her and walked towards the tree where he thought he would find Ping.

Rose kissed him back, Laughing softly when he kissed her nose. ''Next time it is..'' As she watched him walk away.
She felt a little bit empty. Turning around she saw John who was pretty far away now.
Walking back to him, ''Eh..My excuses John. For dragging you into such a drama...''She smiled weakly.
''Do you want to go back or stay some more?''

"No worries," John smiled and shook his head in a gesture to show he did not care, even though in reality, his heart had twanged when he had seen their last embrace before he had left. He may have only known Rose a few moments, but he felt a bond with her sister and an overpowering sense of loyalty thus, to Briar. Not that it was only that, he could've sworn their was a romantic connection between them of some sort. Sighing, he decided it was really best to let it lie for now. "Perhaps we should return? I do not mind though, however late, I will escort you back." He smiled warmly at her.

Rose nodded. ''That is very kind of you, Sir Smith.'' Smiling kindly at him.
''You really don't have to waste all that energy on me though, Not that I don't appreciate it.'' She quickly added.
As if fearing to insult him, After all he had been far too kind today. And he never got anything back for that.
Normally she wouldn't even consider rewarding someone else, But John did deserve something..

"I'm just that sort of guy," John winked and joked. "At least I think I am from what I can remember." He let out a brisk and manly laugh, before he allowed his face to relax into a genuine smile. "I do not mind Briar, I just care for your wellbeing. If you would like to head back now, I shall go with you, or if later, I shall make sure you are home safe, it is no issue." John nodded politely, he had not taken offence, he was happy to help her. She was helping him after all with his memories and she was keeping him company.

Rose smiled softly at his wink and joke. ''You are really far too kind, Thank you.'' She nodded.
She stepped a little bit closer, Hugging him softly in a friendly way. ''Really thank you.''
She smiled again as she let go. Walking towards the edge off the water, She pulled up her dress to slide her lower legs into the water. ''You would not mind staying some more...Would you?'' She did not really want to return back to the tree.
When Tulio would be there with Ping..

"Of course not," John smiled and followed her into the water. "How about a midnight dip instead?" He suggested, gesturing outwards at the expanse of water that looked so pleasant and mysterious under the moonlight. "Obviously as friends, no skinny dipping." He added quickly with a light laugh at the end before taking off his top to reveal his muscled build and travelling a little further into the water.

Rose smiled, ''Well I won't I don't want my dress to become wet. That is not much of a Lady like behavior.'' She nodded.
She could not help but glance at his naked upper body in the moonlight.
Men liked to show what they got didn't they? She quickly looked away, Clearing her throat.
''So do you, Like the island so far?'' She asked looking up to the sky, As the moon was very bright.

"I do not mind if in my company you relax your 'lady-like' mannered behaviour and come swim with me," John smiled and ducked further down into the water, it was really rather refreshing. "Live a little?" John winked playfully with a grin. "Oh, I love the island." He nodded. "The sights, I think I used to like being outdoors, clearly a trait I still possess."

"Live a little?" And the wink..It reminded her so much about Tulio, Which made her smile a bit dreamy.
As she remembered when he pulled her into the water..She than was shaken out of her thoughts.
''I am glad you enjoy the island..'' She nodded and smiled again.
''But no thank you, I am rather relaxed here..'' Smirking a little. As she looked up again.

"Relaxed? In my company?" John smirked playfully. "We can't have that now, can we?" He laughed and pulled her closer to him, before throwing himself backwards and safely pulling her into the water with him. There was a splash and he laughed a little after looking to check she was okay as they stood below the falls. She was beautiful, he sighed and laughed before splashing her playfully a little with water. "Still feeling relaxed?!" John joked.

Rose gasped when he suddenly pulled her closer to him, Pulling her into the water. As he reminded her once again about Tulio.
What was he? Tulio's secret brother? Though she couldn't help but laugh a little when he splashed water at her.
''That is not fair..Look what a mess you made..My dress is wet now.'' Trying to sound serious and disappointed in him,
But she couldn't help the smile that he painted on her face.
Clearing her throat..She was about to swim away back to the edge again.

"Oh no you don't Miss Briar!" John laughed and pulled her further in, locking his arms around her waist so she couldn't escape but he made sure she didn't go under water. "You wouldn't leave me in the water alone like this would you?" He spun her around to face him and pulled a mock-pouting face. "Would you?" He teased, tickling her sides a little.

Rose laughed softly as he tickled her. ''Stop it!'' She tried. Taking his hand off her waist. Clearing her throat once again.
''Okay..That has been enough fun for eh..today..'' She smiled softly, As she swam back to the edge, Lifting herself out of the water.
She shook her head a little to get the most water out of it. ''I would..But you promised to escort me home..So I am sure you will get out eventually.'' She smiled.

John was smart enough to know that she should be teased no more and they both should probably be heading back to the tree and getting dry. "Am I still sharing your room, or have I been kicked out?" John joked as he swam and climbed out of the water after her. It was only then he realised things could be awkward with Tulio, but at least he could be close to Briar. "Of course I shall escort you home Miss, what do you take me for?" John smirked and jokingly gave her a small bow.

Rose smiled, ''Of course you are. You would be lost without me.'' She nodded at him. As she couldn't help but smile.
Though thinking about going back, She couldn't help but wonder...Would Tulio still be with Ping? Or would he be in their room?
This made her smile go away slightly, She couldn't help but the bitterness..And the anger in herself..
Looking down the slightest. And he was jealous? Than why would he even leave? If he was that jealous?
Though she couldn't help but laugh softly at his joke and bow.
''I take you as a man, Sir Smith.'' She bowed back at him. Smiling brightly,

"I definately would," John paused for a moment of sincerity, so far she had been the core of his existence, since he had only existed for today and she had been the one to brighten it. Trying not to be too serious, he once again turned to the more light-hearted conversation.
"Gentleman Miss," John corrected her with a wink and a smile. "Or for the most part gentle at least," He laughed, glad she seemed happy enough in his company.