Sage nodded slowly and then grinned. "Its better than hating each other," he joked lightly, then sombered up again. "I haven't felt like this either. But I do think that's it a good thing, like you said." He shrugged. "But it doesn't matter what I feel, you already have Luther and your own life. Neither of us can change that, so we just have to accept it." He tried to say that lightly, even though the words seemed bitter in his mouth. Luther. Seemed strange to hate and envy someone he didn't even know.

The girl almost scoffed at the thought. Luther. She didn't have the man. Nor did he have her. She didn't even think she'd have him when they were married. The only reason she had accepted the fact they were going to be together was because it was what right for the kingdom. To be joined to another, there for gaining more power and protection. It was what was right, and she would marry him for the people, but now, looking at Sage, the last thing Anya wanted was to be with Luther. The girl groaned slightly, "Of course it matters how you feel. Luther does whatever he wants, and until we're married, then so can I," she almost chuckled at that. That wasn't how it worked, and both Sage and Anya knew that. "But you do have a point. We do need to accept the inevitable." A lump caught in her throat as she said that. It wasn't exactly an ideal reality, but they would just have to deal with it.

Sage gave her a questioning look. She had a point, but that didn't mean much. Even if she wanted to be with him, of all people, they'd have to leave eachother eventually. The thought hurt ...he wasn't sure he would want to feel it in the actual time it came. He took a slow breath and shook his head slowly. "Anya...were close, and sure you can do what you want, but....I'm still just the tavern boy," he said carefully. "Maybe...maybe you should just treat me like what I am. A guide. And leave it at that. Maybe it would be better that way." He didn't really want her to, but it was something. He really was just a guide. A servant, if you will. He wasn't much compared to Anya, and maybe if she treated him like what he was her positive feelings to him might ebb a bit.

Anya kind of just stared at him for a moment. What? Was that really his solution? Just to act like some spoilt royal bossing her servant around? Surely Sage got enough of that sort of treatment in the tavern. Moreover, Anya didn't want to treat him like that. She thought it over though. Maybe that was the right move. Notwithstanding that it did hurt a little. It would mean that she would just call on him whenever she pleased, just to have him drag her around where ever she so wanted. She took a small breath before her jaw tensed. "Is that what you want?" She asked quietly, her heart dropping slightly. God, it had been a night. It was almost scary how quickly things had gone. If that was what Sage wanted, then that's what would happen, as long as things would calm down a bit.

Sage glanced over at Anya, wondering. Was it what he wanted? It was what he was used to, sure, but it wasn't something he really liked, per say. He sighed and curled his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around his legs. "I don't know that either," he murmured, looking back at the fire. "It's what I'm used to. It's what I know. But I guess it's up to you how you want to view me." It really was. What would be easiest for her? Would she choose to keep him at an arms length? Or would she continue to treat h like a friend? He didn't know. He supposed it would hurt a bit either way.

Anya shrugged slightly, covering her face with her hands. Why was this so damn hard? She sighed softly before peaking through her fingers. "I'd rather stop seeing you than look at you like some servant boy." Well, that slipped out. It was true though. Anya pretty much did that all day. Sage, he didn't need that. Not from her, not after a whole day of being pushed about, not like he let that happen though. Maybe... just maybe it'd be a good idea for them just to stop seeing each other for a while. Anya could still send him cash, or he could come and get it from her up at the castle... she was sure he could find a way to climb up. "Perhaps we should do that... stop seeing each other," she almost whispered. "I could still bring you money, clothes... whatever you need."

Sage pinched his lips together and nodded slowly. He understood it, at least the part of not seeing eachother for a bit. He didn't see why it would be so hard for her to see him as a servant, though. "Maybe," he muttered. "But you don't have to send us things if I'm not doing anything for you," he pointed out. Her money was helpful, but they could go back to what it was before. He would work, and alizzie would spend her days searching the forest for food and water. Their father would drink, and sage would pretty much live in the tavern. Things wouldn't change all that much. The thought of not seeing Anya pretty much tore his heart open, but it would be worse if things got any more...intimate. was that the right word? He didn't really understand why Anya liked him so much in the first place.

Anya looked down at the ground, silent for a moment. She enjoyed helping Sage... not just him, but Lizzie too. It gave her something to feel good about, but she also supposed that they didn't need her pity. "That's fair," she muttered quietly, nodding as she thought things over. The girl glanced up from the ground and back to Sage, trying to read his face. The idea of not coming out every evening, of not seeing Sage, almost physically hurt. But it would be worse than if things went any further between the two... She just wondered how he felt about it. They could still go see each other if they needed to... and, at this point, she didn't need to see anything else anyway, so she didn't need to be out every night.

Sage nodded. So it seemed to be settled. She would leave and not come back after tonight. Whether she would come back at all, or just came every other day or whatever would be up to her. "Well, you'd know where to find me I suppose," he murmured. If she wanted to come back, she would. And if she felt it was better to stay at the castle, then that was up to her. He didn't get a say in that.

(I'm thinking after this little bit we keep them apart do a skip into the depths of winter where Lizzie starts to get sick, then we bring them back together then?)

Anya nodded and pursed her lips slightly. "The same goes for you. If you ever need anything, you can always find your way into the castle. The guards probably wouldn't take any notice," she laughed a little at that. That a simple tavern boy would be able to get into a whole castle. But was that it? She had no doubt they would see each other again, whether it'd be out on the streets or by choice, there was no way they would be able to just stop. Maybe if they just stopped both of their feelings would subside.