Maea
And time it waits for no one
It heals them when you die
It heals them when you die
He did not ask for help, and she did not offer it. Maea merely watched as the man got to his feet and painstakingly made his way to the Infirmary to wash up. Perhaps that made her uncaring. She had learned from experience, however, that some things could not be given from others. To count, they were best taken with your own hands, wrenched and wrestled into being with no interference. Hope, was one such thing. Perseverence, in the face of crippling aimlessness. You could lead a horse to water but not make it drink, and in the same spirit, she could dress a man like this in silver and silk, fill his plate and cup to overflowing - and he would still question her reasons and his own appetite in a year, ten years. Perhaps even as he finally left this life for Mort's embrace.
So Maea waited, lingering in the Temple until the injured man returned. Rising from the pew she had returned to, she strolled across the floor with hands in deep pockets, the same feline grace in her stride but casual now, and with a goal in mind.
"I did indeed. Come along. It's not far."
Opening the door to the Temple to the brilliant day beyond and holding it for the man to exit ahead of her, Maea picked the shortest route to the Last Whisper. People milled through the streets along the way, busily going about their own lives. No one looked twice when they rounded a corner and descended down a flight of steps into the underground bazaar. The air down there was close with the scent of food and spices, stale drinks and perfume. At this time of day the brothels and taverns were only sparsly visited, but restaurants conversely seemed to boom with activity.
Considering the options with a swift once over, Maea nudged her chin to a smaller establishment and ushered her guest inside. While crowded, there were comfortable seats available and enough separation between tables that they could talk. Or at least hear their own thoughts.
"Order what you want. You can pay me back some other time." Slipping into a seat, the Ancient leaned back and waved for a waiter to come attend them.
So Maea waited, lingering in the Temple until the injured man returned. Rising from the pew she had returned to, she strolled across the floor with hands in deep pockets, the same feline grace in her stride but casual now, and with a goal in mind.
"I did indeed. Come along. It's not far."
Opening the door to the Temple to the brilliant day beyond and holding it for the man to exit ahead of her, Maea picked the shortest route to the Last Whisper. People milled through the streets along the way, busily going about their own lives. No one looked twice when they rounded a corner and descended down a flight of steps into the underground bazaar. The air down there was close with the scent of food and spices, stale drinks and perfume. At this time of day the brothels and taverns were only sparsly visited, but restaurants conversely seemed to boom with activity.
Considering the options with a swift once over, Maea nudged her chin to a smaller establishment and ushered her guest inside. While crowded, there were comfortable seats available and enough separation between tables that they could talk. Or at least hear their own thoughts.
"Order what you want. You can pay me back some other time." Slipping into a seat, the Ancient leaned back and waved for a waiter to come attend them.
And soon you are forgotten
A whisper within a sigh
A whisper within a sigh
