{ CLOSED } If I just breathe

[aceso]

WHO: Christine and her closest friends
WHAT: A birthday picnic.
WHEN: Bloomingtide 13th
WHERE: the foothills of the Vimmarks, an hour NW of Kirkwall

As with most things, Christine overplans for her picnic. She studies maps and speaks with the locals about the safest areas outside Kirkwall and finds that heading towards the foothills of the mountains around mid-morning is probably her safest bet. She invites those nearest and dearest to her to join her for a birthday celebration, though it's by no means fancy. There will be plenty of food, drink, and activities to be had, but the part she's most excited about is just leaving Kirkwall. To breathe fresh air and see some greenery again. The brief respite she had for Aleron and Bethany's wedding made her crave this outing all the more.

On the day, they load up their mounts with the supplies and head out. The trip only takes around an hour and the path is well kept, so when she spots the large maple tree and stream cutting through that a local told her about, she knows they've reached the picnic spot. It's a wide, mostly flat field that starts to rise towards the north. To the east at the end of the field, it rises more sharply, the hills dotted with heavy stones. To the west is the path they've veered off, the large tree, and the stream that keeps going west under a short wooden bridge. And to the south is the view. Green hills descend before them, and while there's a hint of Kirkwall's Hightown within sight, what they can see beyond is the shimmer of sunlight on the Waking Sea. Now it's time to set out the blankets, let the mounts graze and lap water from the stream, and relax. Oh, and release the hounds, cats, and fox. Some of them brought their pets.

Comments

[lionheartedman]

"You look very beautiful." He doesn't say it with any agenda, no favour he wants, no past idiocy he's trying to atone for. It's just the truth. Her hair is a striking contrast to the dark leather and wood, her cheeks pink and her eyes are bright when she's happy, and she really does look lovely. One lock of her hair loops up slightly out of place, a small problem that Cullen is unaware is almost universal among women with long hair, and he reaches up to twist and tuck it down, back into place. "Perfect," he declares, smiling. "I didn't know birds were a bittersweet memory for you. I hope-- that your life now is something closer to the life you wanted back then."

[aceso]

Well, Christine could always see what others saw in the Commander since he's easy on the eyes, but the compliment said honestly and without fluster is making her understand the attraction even more. But she's taken and he's married to his work anyway, so this is nothing more than a passing thought in her head.

"Ah, thank you," she says with a chuckle, holding still as he fixes her hair. If this life of leading troops doesn't work out for him, he could always do the hair of noble Orlesian ladies.

"It is. Very much so. Despite the location we are currently in, and all the trials that I endured after leaving the Circle, I can say that this is honestly what I wish to be doing right now. The future is so uncertain, but whatever happens, I am determined to be free." She wants a future where she can still be a healer and can also have children without the fear they'll be taken away. If that means living among the Avvar in the mountains, then she is more than okay with that. She's been offered a place already, and she has so much more to learn about their relationship with spirits.

"And you? Are you happy with how things are for you now?"

[lionheartedman]

Oh, that is a loaded question. With a little more reflection, Cullen might have anticipated that it's only logical of her to ask it, the give and take of friendship being what it is, and he does consider her a friend. "I will be happier when this business with the rifts has been resolved. It's difficult to... to think of life beyond the conflict, at the moment, beyond all the trouble it stirs up. Especially when so much of that trouble crosses my desk at some point." There. It isn't a lie, and he doesn't want her to worry. Especially when there's nothing she can do to help. So hopefully that will satisfy her.

[aceso]

Cullen, Christine is Queen of the Worrywarts. And now you're stuck with her, just like everybody else. So while she does accept his answer, she does note that there's a bit of deflection here. He doesn't answer her about his personal happiness, but equates happiness to his job and having it go well. She supposes she can relate; she's quite the workaholic herself.

"I am sure many are willing to help you shoulder that burden. Have you taken on an assistant yet?"

[lionheartedman]

Yet another complicated question. Though, to be fair, it's only complicated because he knows she probably won't like the answer. "In a manner. Hermione has been a great help with organizing my new space. I have quite a few friends who are taking on responsibilities in the short term. Filling the position permanently is proving slightly more difficult, however." Don't be mad, Christine. He's trying. He promises.

[aceso]

She's not mad. She's just disappointed. Her lips purse as she gives him a significant look. A look that probably says more than words ever could. And yet she's never one to keep silent if she wants her opinion known.

"Do you wish to discuss it?" she asks instead of scolding him. If this is proving difficult, she'd like to know what the issue is so she can help brainstorm a solution.

[lionheartedman]

"Not on your birthday." Which is, strictly speaking, true. Of course, the thought that goes unsaid is 'not ever,' because the whole endeavour of attempting to find someone suited to the finicky clerical work he needs doing is only serving to highlight his inadequacies for him. Sword in hand, men to lead, Cullen knows exactly where he stands. Behind a desk with the sun slowly being blotted out by piles of paperwork? Not so much.

[aceso]

Damn, that is such a good excuse and even if she says she doesn't mind, he probably won't tell her. A soft sigh of defeat escapes her, shoulders slumping too.

"Very well," she concedes, but only for a moment. When Christine gets determined, she gets very stubborn. Straightening her spine, she points a finger at him.

"Tomorrow, then."

[lionheartedman]

“Tomorrow,” he agrees, because he knows better than to argue with her. She will find him, force him to eat, take a break, walk the dogs, whatever excuse she can use. She will fuss at him until he talks. She’s incredibly good at it.

Of course, that doesn’t mean he has to make it easy on her. Christine should not be shocked to find Cullen unusually difficult to locate, come tomorrow. Not that he’s going to tell her that. He’s reckless, not stupid. “For today, enough of that. What would you like to do? How can we make your birthday better than it already is?”

[aceso]

"Oh, Cullen," she begins with a mild shake of her head. "Just being here and enjoying yourself is what I call a very good birthday." People like Christine -- those who weren't an Orlesian noble's pet mage -- never received birthday gifts or were allowed to take a trip outside the Circle. This trip has already made it a more special occasion than it ever would have been in the Circle.

"But I do believe the rifters are going to teach us a game soon. Volleyball, it is called. Perhaps you would join in?"

[lionheartedman]

"Volleyball," he repeats. He has no idea what that is, but if it's going to distract Christine from what she wants to talk to him about, even temporarily? Yes. It's his new favourite game. "Of course I will play, if you want me to." He stands, before she can change her mind, and holds his hand down to help her to her feet. "Shall we?" Because if he's playing, so is she. Right?