Sage shrieked, laughing, when she grabbed him, and groaned playfully. "Yeah, you did," he groaned. He tried to catch his breath while she held him still. She was close enough that he could feel her rapid heartbeat and heavy breathing. So they were both getting tired. Ok, they're a bit old. Kind of. When he released him he turned around and ran towards her again with a cackle, hoping that the tint of red blush on his cheeks from the close contact would pass of as something from him running around. He didn't get red in the face from running, but she wouldn't have noticed the difference, would she? He ran after her happily, thinking that they were acting like foals in a pasture, just a little bit. It was nice to act like a young child that could run and play without worries or responsibilities.

Anya let out a clamor as she turned her heel and sprinted a few strides away from him before glancing back with a bright grin, her eyes full of childish joy. It was almost like she had lost a few years as they messed about. Unlike Sage, the girl had always looked a little younger than her actual age, with her freckles and eyes. But while playing this little game of tag, she looked even younger. Like the child within her had come out to enjoy herself a bit. She couldn't help but wish she had met Sage sooner... when they were Lizzie's age, perhaps. She was sure they would have gotten along well... made each other's childhood a bit less dark and lonely. Although, back then, Anya was a little less modest. She would have fit right into what society expected a spoilt royal to act like.

Sage grinned back at her and pushed himself faster, only a few inches behind the girl. He was enjoying himself a lot, and wished that he had met someone like Anya, or even Anya herself, a long time ago. It would have probably helped with a lot of things. But whatever the case, ha had her now, and he was grateful. He leapt towards her and grabbed her by the shoulders with a victorious yell. "Ha! Caught ya," he giggled and lept away as she turned towards him again. They were both breathing heavily, panting, by now, but it seemed as though neither of them wanted to stop playing. They were having too much fun for that.

The girl yelped as he grabbed her, not quite expecting to be caught quite so soon. She let out a sigh in defeat before turning back towards him, breathing heavily but with an unwavering grin plastered on her face as she sprinted forwards, trying to get just a tiny bit faster. God, what would her mother say? Probably something about how unladylike she was being, or that she needed to act her age... but Anya had been acting her age since the time she was nine. Everyone needed to let go every once and a while, and right now, with Sage, she could do that, without being afraid of being judged or ridiculed. The girl put on a playfully determined face as she reached out and grabbed his lower arm before letting out a joyful squeak at catching him. She didn't let go for a short moment, trying to catch her breath a bit. They hadn't spoken much... they didn't need to. Anya wondered how you could enjoy someone's company so much without even really talking to them, but somehow, they had managed it. She gave the boy a teasing smirk, "You know," She started before quietly letting go of his arm. "I never thought that I'd be chasing after any boy before." She joked with a mocking chortle.

Sage snorted out a laugh, which didn't exactly help him catch his breath. "I never thought I'd be running away from some high life girl," he pointed out teasingly, not meaning any of that as an insult. He flopped over onto the grass, and pulled Anya down with him since she was still holding onto his arm. Whoops. Neither of them were hurt though, so he could forget it. "You win," he groaned with a slight laugh, still gasping slightly for air. "I've ran around quite a bit today I think," he giggled. It had been fun, though, and he would definitely be there to chase after her any time. Lizzie was great, but he enjoyed it just the two of them more. He stared up at the stars, thinking about how Anya had kind of become a star in his sky, and then chuckled at his own rediculous thought.

Anya grinned proudly when he let her win before flopping back on the grass, taking in a long breath as she tried to steady her breathing. The girl tilted her head to the side to look Sage over for a moment, a content smile taking over her childish grin. He looked so at ease... happy, was maybe a better way to put it. Either way, it filled Anya with a warm feeling. It was like she was meant to be there, right there and then, rather than up in the castle where she was expected to be. The girl closed her eyes for a moment before looking up. "There are much scarier things in life than me, and you're probably more used to getting chased about by an old granny with a slipper than some princess." Anya chuckled lightly, her breathing finally starting to settle as she relaxed a little.

Sage laughed and shrugged. "You're not completely wrong there. That has happened to me before." He grinned over at her widely. "Slippers hurt more than I first expected," he giggled. He looked back up at the sky with a soft sigh. He never got to relax like this ... But even though Anya wasn't protection or anything, he felt much more at ease with her than without her. It was odd...how one person could seem like his world. And then have Lizzie who also seemed like his whole world. Crushing on someone, love if he could admit it, was weird. But good. He had decided it was definitely good. He just wished he had a chance to explore it more

Anya chuckled slightly and rolled onto her side, using her elbow to prop herself up a little. "What did you expect? I light beating? You know what old maids are like, when you exist they get all upset." She teased, rolling her eyes almost to herself. The girl thought for a moment, realizing what she had said wasn't exactly sensitive, especially considering she might have had a thing for the boy. For a moment, she wanted something more than his friendship. It was a selfish thought really... even if he felt the same and they could be something more, she would still end up marrying Luther, and she couldn't do that to Sage. It would destroy him, and her for that matter, and she never wanted to hurt him like that.

Sage chuckled and nodded. "tell me about it. Old women can be cranky," he chuckled. He gave her a look that was like a playful warning. "Tip number one of you don't wanna get whacked with a slipper. Don't mess with their laundry or steal their food from the windowsill," he laughed lightly. He snorted out another laugh. "That's why when there's any old ladies at the tavern I take the cleaning duty as fast as I can." If staying in a room with someone was bad already, doing it with a cranky old lady would be even worse

Anya nodded with a slight smile, wrinkling her nose slightly. "Oh, I'll make sure to think twice before nicking any old woman's dinner." The girl joked before poking his side mockingly. "I think we're both too old to be beaten with a slipper now." She murmured with a soft pout before rolling over again. She gave a little thought to what he had said about dish duty, finding herself sorry for him. Of course, she knew that he worked rooms, but she had forgotten he didn't get a chance to say no to anyone. She let out a soft breath, trying hard not to think about it, though, she wasn't doing an overly good job. "Do you still workrooms during the day as well? Or was it just at night?" She grumbled, almost as though she didn't mean for it to slip out.