[closed-ish] we live and dream in an ancient hallowed land

[eolasemah]

WHO: Sina with Nari, and with Korrin and Araceli (let me know if you want a specific starter)
WHAT: the aftermath of this thread
WHEN: the following night and a few days after
WHERE: the Dahlasanor tent, the tavern, wherever others want
NOTES:The third prompt is open to all!

Directly after her argument with Pel, Sina made a beeline for the tent she shared with Nahariel and all but dove inside, immediately flattening herself against her bedroll and burying her face in her modest pillow. Small, angry crying sounds emanated. (Nari)

The following day, Sina went to the tavern of her own volition for the first time. Not to drink, of course; perhaps it was because it was the last place anyone would look for her. She sat by a window with a cup of tea, her knees drawn up to her chest, melancholy emanating from her very being. (Korrin + Araceli)

Over the next few days, she could be found ghosting around Skyhold, avoiding most people, particularly Clan Ashara. When not out and about, she threw herself into her gardening with a tenacity unusual even to her. (errbody else)

Comments

[eolasemah]

Sina takes a seat and then gratefully takes the cup, blowing on it and then raising it to her nose so she can inhale the steam. It's a comforting thing to do, especially when one's nose and eyes are as raw as hers are.

Forgetting her manners, she sits in silence beside Bruce, enjoying the tea's scent and becoming lost in thought.

[amygdalae]

The lack of manners doesn't bother Bruce at all - it's clear that she has something on her mind and Bruce is more than willing to leave her to her thoughts if it will help her.

Once he's sure that she's settled Bruce takes a cup for himself and holds it in his hands to let it settle as well, glancing in the direction of the garden. He'll speak in a bit, but for now he can easily let her have her silence.

[eolasemah]

Sometimes, companionable silence can be the best medicine, especially beside a person with the sort of calm and stillness that Bruce has. Sina is able to space out and think for a time, sipping absently at her tea, and after several minutes have passed, she remembers that he's there. She turns to Bruce and smiles, sadly but gratefully.

[amygdalae]

The minutes pass by in comfortable silence and Bruce takes it for what it is, appreciating what it gives to him as he drinks his cooling tea and watches the gardens from where he is. After all the time and effort put into restoration after the Abomination's attack most of the damage had been recovered, and the herbs were growing well despite the cold. If anything, at least this was a good start.

He turns his gaze back towards Sina and returns her smile with his own. "Feeling better?"

[eolasemah]

It's true, the garden is doing much better. Their diligent work, along with that of Sam and Sam (there are two Sams) and all the others, has made a huge difference since the attack. The peace of the garden, the rustling of the leaves and the singing of the birds is enough to remind Sina why she's here, what she's doing.

When Bruce speaks, she nods at him, her smile growing a bit more genuine.

[amygdalae]

It's good to see that she's already feeling better, and his own smile widens in response, glad to see the improvement in her mood.

"I'm glad," he says with as much earnestness as he can manage - he truly does want the elf to know that he's glad for her feeling better. He gestures to the tea set between them and then speaks again. "Do you want more tea? I made a fair bit and it probably shouldn't go to waste."

[eolasemah]

"Thank you," Sina says quietly, and helps herself to a bit more. "The garden has really come back, from where it was." She looks out again, taking pleasure in the sight of it.

[amygdalae]

Bruce agrees with a nod, looking at the garden once more and marveling at where it's managed to get to from how it had been after the destruction wrought by the abomination.

"It's all thanks to the efforts of everyone," he returns, turning back to Sina and giving her a smile. "Especially yours. Your abilities really helped us out." He's pretty sure they couldn't get anywhere close to this now if it hadn't been for her help.

[eolasemah]

Sina didn't expect that in response, and she blushes, holding her teacup up to her mouth as though to hide it. She's been flattered into silence, but her smile says it all.

[amygdalae]

The way Sina reacts brings out a small chuckle from Bruce, but he doesn't say anything else, sipping at his tea again while the smile remains on his face. Even if it was for a little while, its good to see Sina's mood improving - it was far better than the glum expression she had from earlier.