"Just...go to her and start talking. Make an effort to learn about each other. I doubt very much she'll stab you. And as for him, just put him on the spot. Ask him why he was being an ass."
"What if I'm different? What if I can handle this...OH this is one of those things I need! Would you deny me the thing I need? Or because it isn't a cookie, I don't get it?"
"I'm not sure she knows how to take down her walls. They come and go so quickly, as of..." She pauses and frowns. "There's so much she doesn't want to feel."
She snickers and rolls her eyes. "You far travellers never take a woman at her word, so you?" she laughs. "No matter how many times we says something is all right you never believe it."
"Please tell me you mean he stinks and makes you cry so I can yell at him and call him an onion, and not that he has layers or something else thoughtful."
"Them? Who? No Aara! You can't just go and peek! Plus that's Gath's room. If that's Two and Kryn, they are living dangerously or something! I don;t want to get caught in there along with them when Gath shows up."
Biting her cheek to keep from smiling, she lets her jacket slip to the floor, revealing that her top is held together with two little ties in the back. "So come show me," she tells him over her shoulder.
She giggles and pushes him back onto the bed, kissing his throat and pulling at his clothes. "This is a birthday present worth unwrapping," she says huskily.
"Don't think I was so drunk I forgot all that," she says, pouring her tea and breathing in the steam. "Or that you rarely let me get close enough to see how amusing you are."
"Freedom doesn't come easy to me," she admits softly. "I protect and serve. Only now I'm protected and served. I don't know what I'm doing most of the time."
"It was better than what I'd had before. I wasn't a slave, but I made a promise to serve my prince all my life. Then Death Night came, and he just cut me loose. No guidance, nothing." She looks down into her cup in silence a moment. "The last time I'd made a decision on my own was when I was a child. So no," she says, looking up at him. "I don't quite know what I do anymore."
"I guess he didn't like what you did and tossed you aside? At least you had someone around to help a little." Gath decides he'd rather have his fruit in the form of wine and takes a seat once he's filled a cup. "What do you want to do?"
"I know how strangely some of you see relationships. I already had to explain to Two he had nothing to worry about. I don't want anyone getting any ideas."
"I'm not," she tells him, putting a hand on his shoulder as she goes past. "I like productive work, and avoid idleness if I can. Will you tell them where I am if they ask?"
Once he's dressed, Goddard steps out into the common room. "Lecai?" He spots Gath sitting in a chair and frowns. "Oh...it's just you..."
"And to think, you used to love having me around," Gath says. "And now you don't want me around? Should I leave? You didn't seem to like my presence much last night." Gath takes a sip of his wine.
Gath grabs Goddard by his robe and pulls him down on top of him.
With a snarl, Goddard pushes back with one hand and slaps Gath across the face with the other. "Oh..." Goddard's eyes widen and Gath stares up at him, surprised.
Goddard cringes as Gath's hand moves up around his face but it's not to hurt him. It's to pull him down for a kiss.
"What the hell was that for?" Goddard mumbles.
"This is why you hate me isn't it?"
"How'd you know?" Goddard sighs as he forces himself to move and stand up. "I'm going to find Aara."
"She's weeding or something silly." As Goddard turns to leave, Gath catches his tail and gently holds onto it. "I don't mean to upset you. I don't want to upset you."
Goddard flicks his tail away. "Well, this interaction has been pretty upsetting in multiple ways."
"I really don't think I should," she says. "I don't want to impose on such a lovely afternoon with my inevitable...mess. And I need to go train, and see Locke, and several things I've ignored the past few days."
Tallyn gives Gill a slight shake of his head when he goes to argue. "Then we'll plan something in a few days. The three of us."
"Or four!" Gill says. "Goddard wouldn't like being left out."
Tallyn smirks. "Gill, my love," he snickers. "He already has been once."
"Kryn gave me some advice and I'm trying to apply it."
"Just advice huh?"
Gath smirks. "Jealous?"
"No! You do whatever you want!" Goddard makes his way to the front door but says one more thing before he leaves. "I don't hate you, but I want to..." He shuts the door and quickly makes his way down the stairs to the garden.
"No, Tallyn, this way," Aara insists, showing him again. "If you do it that way all the flowers come unplaited."
Gill lifts up his wreath and pops it on Aara's head. "There, a pretty princess," he laughs. It's too big, and the flowers and herbs fall over one of her eyes.
Goddard takes a deep breath before he walks out into the garden. He doesn't want to go out there obviously annoyed. "Good morning lecai!" he says happily as he steps out into the garden.
"Just feeling a bit lost and confused today," he chuckles. "First Gath was being confusing, and now these two. You're not confusing. Have you had breakfast yet?"
"They're just in high spirits. Tallyn promised to take Gill to the country today- whatever that means," she laughs. "And no, I haven't. I wanted to give myself a little time before eating anything."
"Did you want to go and see? They wanted to take you? If it's the kind of country I'm imagining, and not some weird plane of light and shapes or some insanity, it'd be different. Or well...I suppose even that would be different, but...never mind." He laughs and shakes his head. "I should probably eat something."
"No. I made Gill come sit with me while I weeded. He asked some questions, and when I told him I didn't want to talk about it, started rambling about going with them today."
She squeezed his hand. "He asked about my mother, that's all. It would have led to more questions. Some days you just don't want to get wrapped up in the story, you know?"
"Daddy and Rafi think I shouldn't manipulate people based on what I read from them," she explains. "They say It's unethical. It's the one thing they agree on."
"Good. I knew one day I would."
ReplyDelete"My only hope is that one day I can win you over. Then you'll believe me."
ReplyDelete"I'll believe a lot of other things you tell me."
ReplyDelete"0h?" she asks incredulously. "Like what? I seem to spend a lot of time asking you to believe me."
ReplyDelete"If you put a pie down in front of me and tell me it's apple, I'll believe you."
ReplyDeleteShe laughs. "So you only believe things you can check on? And I would never give you something so boring as apple pie."
ReplyDelete"I also believe that."
ReplyDelete"Well there's at least one thing you'll take on faith," she grumbles with amusement.
ReplyDelete"Hmm alright. Tell me something I should do, and I'll try my best. But don't be surprised if I come back with a dagger in me."
ReplyDelete"Just...go to her and start talking. Make an effort to learn about each other. I doubt very much she'll stab you. And as for him, just put him on the spot. Ask him why he was being an ass."
ReplyDelete"Oh that sounds like fun," he chuckles. "I might confuse and frighten them both. Thank you Pinky."
ReplyDelete"The you of compromise," she laughs. "You get what you want, and you'll all get a little of what you need."
ReplyDelete"And what do I need? Love?"
ReplyDelete"If I tell you you'd know, and it would muddle everything up."
ReplyDelete"It'll be fine."
ReplyDelete"Oh no, Duckling. I know my perculiarity, and I'm not telling you. You have to figure it out for yourself."
ReplyDelete"What if I'm different? What if I can handle this...OH this is one of those things I need! Would you deny me the thing I need? Or because it isn't a cookie, I don't get it?"
ReplyDeleteShe rolls her eyes and sits up. "Now you're just mocking me."
ReplyDeleteGath snickers softly. "I'm sorry Pinky."
ReplyDeleteShe smiles at him over her shoulder and smacks him on the chest. "You are not, you...you big, mean...duck."
ReplyDelete"Mean? No one has ever called me that before," he says sarcastically.
ReplyDelete"Well you are."
ReplyDeleteGath snickers. "I can't hide anything from you."
ReplyDelete"Of course not. You don't really want to."
ReplyDelete"Even if I did want to try and hide anything, you'd see it."
ReplyDelete"Not true. If a person really wants to, they can form a wall around themselves. Rafi does it sometimes," she adds softly.
ReplyDelete"Interesting...well I don't have the patience to do anything like that."
ReplyDelete"Like I said. You don't want to."
ReplyDelete"Isn't this part of why we can talk the way we do? Imagine if Aara could do the same."
ReplyDelete"I'm not sure she knows how to take down her walls. They come and go so quickly, as of..." She pauses and frowns. "There's so much she doesn't want to feel."
ReplyDelete"Feelings can get in the way of different things. I think it's better to just be logical."
ReplyDelete"Sometimes, yes."
ReplyDeleteGath shrugs and shifts so he's more comfortable.
ReplyDeleteKryn lays her chin on his chest and looks down. "Shall I go? It's been a long trying day for you. I imagine you're tired."
ReplyDelete"Only if you want to." He wraps a piece of her hair around his finger. "I don't mind the company."
ReplyDeleteShe shrugs and doesn't move.
ReplyDelete"Are you expecting me to do something? Should I?"
ReplyDelete"If you want," she says.
ReplyDelete"I don't want a certain someone to get the wrong the idea," he snickers as he runs a finger up and down her arm.
ReplyDelete"I'm sure the Sheik won't mind."
ReplyDelete"That is not who I mean," he grumbles and rolls over, putting his arms around her and attempting to tickle her.
ReplyDeleteShe snickers and rolls her eyes. "You far travellers never take a woman at her word, so you?" she laughs. "No matter how many times we says something is all right you never believe it."
ReplyDelete"I only need to ask once. Just to be sure," Gath grins as he begins to kiss Kryn's neck.
ReplyDelete"Good," she gasps, "I don't want to have to repeat myself..."
ReplyDelete"I'm not sure you'll be able to say much of anything for the rest of our night together..."
ReplyDelete"Oh? How delightful."
ReplyDeleteGoddard wakes up with a groan and looks around. "Lecai? We should go to bed," he mumbles. "I think I hurt my back laying here."
ReplyDeleteAara stretches and rolls off him, landing hard on the paving stones. "Damn, Tallyn needs to replace this bed," she mumbles. "It's hard as a rock."
ReplyDelete"It is a rock. Are you alright? That sounded like it hurt."
ReplyDeleteShe opens her eyes and looks down. "Huh. You're right, it is a rock." Aara sits up and rubs her hip. "It did hurt."
ReplyDelete"My poor lecai. Let's get you to your soft bed." He helps her to her feet as best he can. "This may take a while...but we'll make it."
ReplyDelete"Wait!" she lurches toward the table piled with presents and pulls Two's camel and Goddard's pen out and hugs them close. "Alright."
ReplyDeleteGoddard chuckles and puts an arm around her to keep them both steady. "I'm really impressed by that camel. Who knew Two could do...well...anything."
ReplyDelete"Two is an onion," she says, cuddling the camel as they move through the quiet bar.
ReplyDelete"Please tell me you mean he stinks and makes you cry so I can yell at him and call him an onion, and not that he has layers or something else thoughtful."
ReplyDelete"The layers one," she giggles.
ReplyDelete"Ah well that's no fun. But I'm glad he planned this out for you. He'll get a pass on the name calling for a few days."
ReplyDelete"It was sweet. And unexpected. I didn't know I had a birthday anymore!" she laughs.
ReplyDelete"You do. It just gets a little ridiculous after one hundred...two hundred..."
ReplyDelete"That sounds reasonabible."
ReplyDeleteGoddard laughs. "We're almost up the stairs and then you won't have to worry about your words making sense."
ReplyDelete"I like your words," she hiccups, holding onto the wall for balance. "The sweet ones."
ReplyDelete"About how beautiful you are? How roses don't compare to you? They aren't as soft. They don't smell as sweet. They aren't as dangerous."
ReplyDeleteShe giggles again. "Those ones. I like being your exotic flower." Aara pushes him against the wall, raising on the tips of her toes to kiss him.
ReplyDeleteGoddard grins and kisses her back. "We should really get to bed before we end up falling back down the stairs. We're almost there."
ReplyDeleteShe makes an agreeable sound and follows him up the stairs. "Bed is good."
ReplyDeleteThey enter the apartment and Goddard has a moment a pause, confused not by the sounds he's hearing, but by where they seem to be coming from.
ReplyDeleteAara claps a hand over her mouth to silence her giggles. "It's them!" she whispers. "Oh let's go peek!"
ReplyDelete"Them? Who? No Aara! You can't just go and peek! Plus that's Gath's room. If that's Two and Kryn, they are living dangerously or something! I don;t want to get caught in there along with them when Gath shows up."
ReplyDelete"Shhh," she giggles, setting her camel and pen down and creeping over to the door. "It's Gath and Kryn."
ReplyDeleteGoddard throws his hands over his mouth to keep from yelling out 'what'. "How? Why?" he whispers harshly.
ReplyDelete"Come see!" Aara puts out the lights and silently creeps over the door. She waves Goddard over, a hand on the doorknob.
ReplyDelete"No! I don't want to see that! Why do you want to see that?"
ReplyDeleteShe giggles and puts her ear to the door. After a moment of listening, she goes over to Two's room and opens his door.
ReplyDelete"He's snoring," she laughs, opening it wide. "Oh. He's naked," she adds, tilting her head.
"I'm going to tell you all about this in the morning when you're sober so you can blush yourself as red as a cherry."
ReplyDelete"What if I don't?" she asks playfully, looking at him over her shoulder.
ReplyDelete"Then I would be incredibly surprised."
ReplyDelete"Are we that loud?" she asks in annoyance, glaring at Gath's door.
ReplyDeleteGoddard shrugs. "You'd have to ask one of them but one is asleep and the other two are occupied."
ReplyDeleteAara grins wickedly. "Let's see if we can out shout them!" she suggests, grabbing his hand.
ReplyDelete"Like they would even care," Goddard mumbles.
ReplyDeleteAara frowns and drops his hand. "Gee that was enthusiastic," she mutters and walls off to her room.
ReplyDelete"Oh lecai! I'm sorry! I didn't mean...we'll make them care. Come on."
ReplyDelete"Oh no," she says, hiding a grin behind her hand. "You don't want to."
ReplyDelete"I do! I never said I didn't"
ReplyDeleteBiting her cheek to keep from smiling, she lets her jacket slip to the floor, revealing that her top is held together with two little ties in the back. "So come show me," she tells him over her shoulder.
ReplyDeleteResisting the urge to snap the thin ties with his claws and ruin her new dress, Godard moves toward Aara and slowly undoes each tie.
ReplyDeleteShe giggles and pushes him back onto the bed, kissing his throat and pulling at his clothes. "This is a birthday present worth unwrapping," she says huskily.
ReplyDelete"I didn't even need to get the pen," he chuckles.
ReplyDeleteAara gets up early, as always, and as soon as she's dressed starts brewing a tea for her hangover and closing all the curtains in the common room.
ReplyDelete"I know you can see in the dark but is this necessary?" Gath asks, stepping out into the common room.
ReplyDelete"Yes," she groans, running some peppermint oil between her fingers and massaging her neck and temples.
ReplyDelete"Had a bit much to drink? When will you learn it doesn't agree with you?"
ReplyDelete"It certainly makes you amusing," she mumbles.
ReplyDelete"Makes me amusing?" Gath chuckles. "I knew you'd sober up and find your normal feelings toward me."
ReplyDelete"Don't think I was so drunk I forgot all that," she says, pouring her tea and breathing in the steam. "Or that you rarely let me get close enough to see how amusing you are."
ReplyDeleteGath shrugs. "You're the one who backs away. You keep yourself far enough."
ReplyDelete"You don't exactly seem to enjoy my company."
ReplyDelete"When was the last time I said I didn't? You're just making assumptions."
ReplyDelete"It seems pretty obvious. You come around, tease me or say something mean, then wander off."
ReplyDelete"And? You could just follow me."
ReplyDeleteShe laughs into her cup. "And do what then?"
ReplyDelete"Keep talking? Sit quietly? The possibilities are endless."
ReplyDelete"I'll keep that in mind."
ReplyDelete"See? You're not as correct as you think you are," he snickers.
ReplyDelete"I rarely think I'm correct," she snorts. "I'm certain I'm wrong all the time."
ReplyDelete"Really? Interesting."
ReplyDeleteShe shrugs. "It wasn't my job to be right; I never got into the habit of it."
ReplyDelete"You always talk about your past and how everything used to be, what about now? What sorts of things do you actually do now?"
ReplyDeleteShe shrugs again. "I'm still figuring that part out."
ReplyDeleteHow am I supposed to do this when she has nothing to say? He runs a hand through his hair with a sigh then walks over to where the bowl of fruit is.
ReplyDelete"Freedom doesn't come easy to me," she admits softly. "I protect and serve. Only now I'm protected and served. I don't know what I'm doing most of the time."
ReplyDelete"I find that strange. Did you ever want freedom? Or is your service different from what I'm used to seeing and it wasn't something you thought about?"
ReplyDelete"It was better than what I'd had before. I wasn't a slave, but I made a promise to serve my prince all my life. Then Death Night came, and he just cut me loose. No guidance, nothing." She looks down into her cup in silence a moment. "The last time I'd made a decision on my own was when I was a child. So no," she says, looking up at him. "I don't quite know what I do anymore."
ReplyDelete"I guess he didn't like what you did and tossed you aside? At least you had someone around to help a little." Gath decides he'd rather have his fruit in the form of wine and takes a seat once he's filled a cup. "What do you want to do?"
ReplyDelete"He didn't want me going to my death as a servant of I got caught."
ReplyDelete"Then why bring up the lack of guidance and such? You felt abandoned? Is that why you're afraid of people leaving?"
ReplyDelete"Yes."
ReplyDeleteIs then when normal beings give hugs? Gath quietly sips his wine, not wanting to say anything more and potentially upsetting her.
ReplyDeleteAara keeps her eyes on her cup. "So this is uncomfortable," she laughs nervously.
ReplyDelete"Why?"
ReplyDelete"I was taught not to discuss my feelings. It's a weakness."
ReplyDelete"Do you think I'm a potential enemy you shouldn't have this sort of discussion with?"
ReplyDelete"No. Why are you interested?"
ReplyDelete"Interested in what? You seeing me as an enemy? Because I find it strange that you'd act the way you did last night but see me an enemy."
ReplyDelete"No you ass. I don't think you're an enemy. Why are you interested in me?"
ReplyDelete"So now you don't want us to talk and be friends? Wow, make up your mind..." Gath drinks from his cup and watches Aara over the top of it.
ReplyDelete"You're an ass," she laughs, rubbing her neck. "I tried all this at Kryn's, and you wait two days to reciprocate."
ReplyDelete"Better late than never? She convinced me to say more than ten words."
ReplyDelete"You like her a lot, don't you?"
ReplyDeleteGath raises a brow. "What exactly do you mean by that?"
ReplyDelete"You like her. You're friends. Why are you suspicious?"
ReplyDelete"I know how strangely some of you see relationships. I already had to explain to Two he had nothing to worry about. I don't want anyone getting any ideas."
ReplyDelete"So you're friends," she says with a shrug. "Good for you."
ReplyDelete"Yes," he mumbles into his cup.
ReplyDelete"Well, this was awkward," she says, getting to her feet. "I'm going downstairs to help clean up."
ReplyDelete"If they didn't already take care of it. They pay people to do that don't they?"
ReplyDelete"Maybe I'll just do some weeding."
ReplyDelete"You don't have to make up tasks to do to get away from me," he snickers. "I won't feel bad if you just want to escape."
ReplyDelete"I'm not," she tells him, putting a hand on his shoulder as she goes past. "I like productive work, and avoid idleness if I can. Will you tell them where I am if they ask?"
ReplyDelete"Are you saying I'm idle?"
ReplyDelete"Always quick to assume the worst," she chuckles. "No, Gath. I'm saying my adorable wizard in the next room is."
ReplyDelete"That's just a lazy pile of nonsense," he snorts.
ReplyDelete"Yes, he is," she laughs, squeezing his shoulder. "Would you like me to send anything special up for breakfast?"
ReplyDeleteGath shakes his head. "I'm fine. For now anyway."
ReplyDelete"All right." She nods and heads downstairs.
ReplyDeleteWhat in seven hells was that? Kryn must have some intense powers of persuasion.
"Lecai?" Goddard mumbles as he feels around the empty bed for her. He sits up with a loud groan and stretches.
ReplyDeleteAara chuckles at Gill, practically laying on the bar and nursing a foul looking drink. "Hungover?"
ReplyDelete"Gods yes. How are you even walking?"
"Tea cures all your ails."
"You're a witch, aren't you?"
Once he's dressed, Goddard steps out into the common room. "Lecai?" He spots Gath sitting in a chair and frowns. "Oh...it's just you..."
ReplyDelete"And to think, you used to love having me around," Gath says. "And now you don't want me around? Should I leave? You didn't seem to like my presence much last night." Gath takes a sip of his wine.
Aara laughs. "A cunning woman, maybe. Come outside and help me clean up."
ReplyDelete"It's done, your gifts are in the office."
"Then come weed with me."
Gill raises his head and frowns at her. "Excuse me? Aara I don't weed."
She pulls in his arm until he's standing. "Maybe you should."
Goddard stares silently, shocked at this early morning attack.
ReplyDelete"Go on. Tell me."
"You're an ass!" Goddard snaps.
"Old news. She's already said that multiple times today. Is that all?"
Goddard makes his way across the room toward Gath. "What did you say to her? Where is she? Did you upset her?"
Gath raises a brow. "I asked about your hostility toward me. This doesn't have anything to do with her...or..."
"No," Gill moans as they step outside. "Aara, please."
ReplyDeleteShe laughs and leads him over to the herb bed. "Come on. It's good for you."
"It does. That's why I get mad. I want her to be happy and you make it...difficult..."
ReplyDeleteGath shrugs. "Well then, if you want her happy, I guess I'm staying."
"Wait what!?" Goddard gasps.
"She'd be sad if I left. So you'll have to deal with me."
Gill plops down on the ground beside her as Aara starts weeding. "I'll just sit here and look adorable."
ReplyDeleteShe laughs. "Well you're a master at that. Here, put the under your tongue, it'll help with the hangover."
"How'd you learn to do that?" he asks, doing as she says.
"My mother was a cunning woman. Herbs and teas and such. I learned a little from her before I left."
Goddard crosses his arms. "How do you know this? And how can I even believe you?"
ReplyDelete"We communicate. Or something like that. And you should to. So just get it off your chest. Tell me why you hate me."
"I don't hate you! Well...I do! But..."
Gath snickers.
"Left?"
ReplyDeleteAara doesn't look at him, but keeps working. "I ran away when I was eight. I don't really want to talk about it right now."
Gill nods. "Tallyn promised to take me to the country today. I'm having a picnic lunch packed with cold chicken, paté, and maybe a cucumber salad..."
"Don't laugh at me," Goddard growls. "I hate that the most. You're stupid laugh and your stupid face and..."
ReplyDeleteGath laughs a little more.
"You should come!" Gill suggests. "Get away from the boys, they're stressful."
ReplyDeleteAara tosses another weed between them. "Maybe."
Gath grins. I shouldn't...
ReplyDelete"What now?" Goddard snorts.
"Good morning, Gillyfish."
ReplyDeleteGill lifts his head for a kiss. "Good morning, my love. Aara is making me weed."
She snorts as Tallyn kisses the top of her head. "You aren't even doing anything."
"But I'm doing it so well."
Gath grabs Goddard by his robe and pulls him down on top of him.
ReplyDeleteWith a snarl, Goddard pushes back with one hand and slaps Gath across the face with the other. "Oh..." Goddard's eyes widen and Gath stares up at him, surprised.
Tallyn eyes her a moment. "I see. Are you trying to convince her to go with us?"
ReplyDelete"Yes!"
Goddard cringes as Gath's hand moves up around his face but it's not to hurt him. It's to pull him down for a kiss.
ReplyDelete"What the hell was that for?" Goddard mumbles.
"This is why you hate me isn't it?"
"How'd you know?" Goddard sighs as he forces himself to move and stand up. "I'm going to find Aara."
"She's weeding or something silly." As Goddard turns to leave, Gath catches his tail and gently holds onto it. "I don't mean to upset you. I don't want to upset you."
Goddard flicks his tail away. "Well, this interaction has been pretty upsetting in multiple ways."
"I really don't think I should," she says. "I don't want to impose on such a lovely afternoon with my inevitable...mess. And I need to go train, and see Locke, and several things I've ignored the past few days."
ReplyDeleteTallyn gives Gill a slight shake of his head when he goes to argue. "Then we'll plan something in a few days. The three of us."
"Or four!" Gill says. "Goddard wouldn't like being left out."
Tallyn smirks. "Gill, my love," he snickers. "He already has been once."
Gill laughs. "Oh you're rude."
"What was going on last night?"
ReplyDelete"Why do you care?" Goddard huffs.
"Kryn gave me some advice and I'm trying to apply it."
"Just advice huh?"
Gath smirks. "Jealous?"
"No! You do whatever you want!" Goddard makes his way to the front door but says one more thing before he leaves. "I don't hate you, but I want to..." He shuts the door and quickly makes his way down the stairs to the garden.
"No, Tallyn, this way," Aara insists, showing him again. "If you do it that way all the flowers come unplaited."
ReplyDeleteGill lifts up his wreath and pops it on Aara's head. "There, a pretty princess," he laughs. It's too big, and the flowers and herbs fall over one of her eyes.
Goddard takes a deep breath before he walks out into the garden. He doesn't want to go out there obviously annoyed. "Good morning lecai!" he says happily as he steps out into the garden.
ReplyDeleteAara laughs at Tallyn making a mess of flowers and herbs. "Good morning, Nuur'eni," she says, lifting her face for a kiss. "Did you sleep well?"
ReplyDeleteGoddard gives Aara a kiss before he settles beside her. "I slept well," he smiles. "How could I not when I'm next to you?"
ReplyDeleteTallyn snorts, Gill giggles, and Aara smiles. "Any plans for today?"
ReplyDelete"Whatever you want to do lecai, unless, you think I should get back to studying. I hope father lets us know soon about visiting him too."
ReplyDelete"See? You should come," Gill says. "Goddard do you want to come to the country today?"
ReplyDelete"No, Gill," she insists. "I told you."
"You are no fun."
Aara pouts and Tallyn chuckles and puts his arms around her. "Now, Gill," he laughs, "our sweetheart has spent days away from her work."
"Goddard tell her you'll come."
Goddard looks at them all, confused. He finally rests his eyes on Aara. "What's this all about? Is everyone going crazy today?"
ReplyDeleteAara untangles herself from Tallyn. "Go away," she tells them. "Don't you two have an inn to run?"
ReplyDeleteTallyn climbs to his feet, scattering flowers, and pulls Gill up. "Some other time, Fish," he promises him and ruffles Aara's hair as they leave.
Alone, she turns her attention to Goddard. "Is something wrong, Nuur'eni?"
"Just feeling a bit lost and confused today," he chuckles. "First Gath was being confusing, and now these two. You're not confusing. Have you had breakfast yet?"
ReplyDelete"They're just in high spirits. Tallyn promised to take Gill to the country today- whatever that means," she laughs. "And no, I haven't. I wanted to give myself a little time before eating anything."
ReplyDelete"Did you want to go and see? They wanted to take you? If it's the kind of country I'm imagining, and not some weird plane of light and shapes or some insanity, it'd be different. Or well...I suppose even that would be different, but...never mind." He laughs and shakes his head. "I should probably eat something."
ReplyDelete"No, I don't want to go. Let's go get breakfast."
ReplyDeleteWith a nod, Goddard leads the way. "Were they bothering you? They can be pushy sometimes."
ReplyDelete"No. I made Gill come sit with me while I weeded. He asked some questions, and when I told him I didn't want to talk about it, started rambling about going with them today."
ReplyDeleteGoddard frowns. "What did he ask? Unless...you don't want to tell me either..."
ReplyDeleteShe squeezed his hand. "He asked about my mother, that's all. It would have led to more questions. Some days you just don't want to get wrapped up in the story, you know?"
ReplyDeleteGoddard nods in agreement and thinks about what he should order.
ReplyDelete----
I don't think I did what Kryn suggested correctly. Gath snorts and takes a sip of his wine.
Two leaves his room, chuckling, with Kryn draped across his arms. "You're pitiful," he laughs.
ReplyDelete"No I'm exhausted," she claims melodramatically.
"And spoiled."
"Positively rotten," she agrees as he sits her gently on the couch. "Good morning Duckling."
"Good morning Pinky. Did you over do it?"
ReplyDelete"Just lazy," Two mumbles, bandjbg her coffee.
ReplyDelete"I had a long, hard night," Kryn says with a grin. "And some more this morning."
Two sits down, covering his face and laughing.
"I see..." Gath finishes off his wine and moves to get another glass. "I tried to follow your advice, but I don't think it went so well."
ReplyDelete"What happened?"
ReplyDelete"Advice?" Two asks. "Kryn, we talked about this..."
"I didn't do it," she insists. "It wasn't that anyway, so shut up."
Gath raises a brow and looks at Two. "You know something I don't? Should I not be following Pinky's advice?"
ReplyDelete"It's nothing," she insists.
ReplyDelete"She's just nosey," Two explains. "I've told her to stay out of it, that you don't want help."
"What would you know about what I wanted? Can you read minds too?"
ReplyDeleteTwo laughs. "Or do you need It?"
ReplyDelete"See what you've done?" Kryn mutters. "Bringing up something I didn't even do."
"Ask her. She knows."
ReplyDeleteTwo looks back and forth between them.
ReplyDelete"I didn't, Rafi," she insists. "And that's between me and Duckling."
"Fine," he sighs, throwing his hands up. "Fine."
"I am definitely missing something," Gath mumbles, "And one of you are going to tell me."
ReplyDelete"Daddy and Rafi think I shouldn't manipulate people based on what I read from them," she explains. "They say It's unethical. It's the one thing they agree on."
ReplyDelete"It's not the only thing."
Gath clenches his jaw. "What else?"
ReplyDelete"That we agree on?"
ReplyDelete"Don't look like that Duckling. I said I didn't."
"Is there anything else that is...unethical..."
ReplyDeleteKryn looks hurt and gets to her feet. "The other thing they agree on is that Rafiq doesn't deserve me," she says coldly before going to Two's room.
ReplyDelete"Damn," Two mutters, flinching when she slams the door. "I've done it now.