[SE] cut from marble

Maea

I feel it in the wind, my dear
The sun is gonna reappear

"I don't mind being at the bar," she responded, perhaps a little too quickly. The idea of being alone with him in his very private room had her feeling uncomfortable. "I'll just fetch my mug."

It was a quick thing, to dart in and return with her hands clasping the drinkware as though it was a lifeline. A fleeting smile was her attempt at returning to the normal tone they'd shared before; of easy conversation void of strain or pretense. Unfortunately, knowing that she was being silly didn't help her relax much. Her shoulders remained tense even as they returned into the bustling atmosphere, surrounded by music and voices and debauchery everywhere one looked. Enough to turn cheeks red and the gaze wandering somewhere up around the ceiling.

But no one was approaching her. No one tried to touch her, or intrude on her space. That had to be better. Surely.

Waving over a bartender, Maea requested a fruit plate to go with the second mug of mulled wine. She would honestly have preferred tea, but she knew better than to ask for that; last time it had earned her such a look of suffering - and pity - that she'd left mere minutes later.

Good days are gonna come along
Hold on, hold on!