The ache inside the hate / I found a way to sit and wait

[contritumella]

WHO: River Tam, Loki, Adrasteia
WHAT: A catch-all for fantasy April
WHEN: early Cloudreach
WHERE: Around the Gallows and Kirkwall
NOTES: Starters in threads. Feel free to wildcard me, or contact me on plurk or discord at spacewitchery|#9221 for something bespoke

Comments

[kantikoy]

"Nothing exciting is definitely for the best." Things are often terrible when they've entered the realm of excitement, in Adrasteia's experience; she likes when the times are a little less interesting, overall.

The touch and Sidony's smile work in tandem to set Adrasteia's features to soft smiles and warm blushing. Even though she feels a little too old for as much as she blushes around Sidony, some things can't be helped; the elf wouldn't rather change it, either, if she's being honest.

Sidony is led to the chair settled next to the bed, where Adrasteia climbs to sit with bare feet crossed over her legs and tucked into skirts. She picks up the teapot and begins warming it with her hands and a little fire magic. "What is your favorite sort of tea?"

[indissection]

"In our occupations especially so," Sidony agrees, settling down in the chair and leaning back, letting her eyes close for a moment.

It's blissful to relax, to not have to play pretend at being more than she is, more than she thinks she ought to be. No nobility, no demands, nothing more than a girl with another girl. Even that might once have left her hands shaking, so the notion of calm is one she greets readily.

Shaking herself from her thoughts, she looks over at Adrasteia and smiles.

"I like mint, usually, but anything floral or strong. I don't think I've encountered one that I truly dislike."

[kantikoy]

Watching Sidony relax is like watching Kirkwall wake up from the top of the towers. It feels like so much work and then it happens, suddenly and all at once, and Adrasteia is almost loathed to interrupt it with more talking.

They should go to a bathhouse, she thinks. Somewhere private, and nice.

"I think there's mint in this blend. ANd a few other soothing flowers. Nothing too strong for this hour. One thing with the current coffee shortage is that tea options have become more... varied, I think."

Problem is the best tea is in high town. Problem is she's an elf. Problem is she doesn't go to Hightown often but maybe she should find a proxy.

It's an idea, anyway.

The tea is poured; Adrasteia adds her sugars and gestures with the small spoon and the fancy teacup that clearly belonged to some Orlesian child in another life, silently asking if Sidony wants any.

[indissection]

It's difficult to completely turn her mind off, but she manages as she settles into a space of comfort and happiness, with no expectation other than to simply be.

It's nice, to let some of her burdens disappear, to allow herself to smile and laugh. It's not something she has felt comfortable to do beyond Byerly for some time.

"That seems well enough to me," she nods, lifting a hand to rub at her eyes. She will likely sleep well tonight, wherever her body ends up dropping. Shifting forward, she prepares her own cup - and then, deliberately, reaches out to take Adra's hand and squeeze it gently.

"Will you sit with me as we drink? Together, I mean." What she is asking for is to be held, for a little time, but the words escape her.

[kantikoy]

"Yes, of course. Come here." Patting the bedcovers next to her and setting her teacup down. It's much easier to hold and be held when there are not the arms of a chair in the way, after all.

Once Sidony is situated Adrasteia loops her arm through Sidony's, briefly, before unwinding it and wrapping it around her midsection instead. She leans her forehead against Sidony's shoulder, and sighs.