CLOSED | The Mortification of the Flesh

[mythalenaste]

WHO: Cyril, Merrick, and Pel
WHAT: Cyril and Merrick give Pel a day of rest and recuperation.
WHEN: Harvestmere 8-ish
WHERE: Cyril and Merrick's quarters in Skyhold
NOTES: This post and its comments will refer to blunt trauma violence and aftermath. Also, the quote for the cut text comes from Call the Midwife.

The body is an extraordinary thing.

Healers have worked her broken nose back into place every time they have healed it, and every time, it has been agony. Her wrist and hand have undergone similar treatment, but will take even longer to heal. The bruising on her face isn't nearly as bad as it was a few days ago, but she still doesn't like to go out. She doesn't like people to see her like this.

The baby, for all she can tell, has no idea anything has changed. All reports from Anders have been that it is healthy and thriving and about the size of a kumquat. So she did it. She and her child survived their first existential crisis and she protected it. Him. Her.

Cyril has invited her to his room and has made no secret that he is going to treat her somehow. She arrives in comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Her baby bump is small, but mostly she wants to be comfortable. Cyril will hear a knock at his door.

Comments

[dalishious]

"It's for Pel," Merrick had scowled at his brother, but accepts Pel's decision to hand it over even if he's a bit cranky about it. This is about Pel. He can muss up Cyril's hair something fierce later.

For now, he takes his instrument in hand, just strumming a gentle tune while he gnaws on the strip of meat in his mouth.

[samahl]

Cyril doesn't eat it right away to give Pel time to change her mind. He had asked if there was more than one just in case he could have one, not to take the only one. FOr now, though, he can settle in with her and listen to Merrick play.

"You earned it too," Cyril points out. "For all we know, you grew a tiny elven foot or a hand today. That's more impressive than doing nails."

[mythalenaste]

A bubble of laughter, but if Merrick insists it's for her, she won't refuse. That would be unacceptably rude. So she picks up the cake and bites off half of it, slowly, luxuriously. As she chews, she holds the rest out to Cyril.

[dalishious]

Merrick continues to play, keeping the tunes soft and gentle. His eyes settle softly on Pel, his gaze wandering to her slightly swollen belly.

"Do you think it can hear?" he wonders aloud. He has no idea what babies are like in the womb. Could it be listening?