// I tried to scream but my head was underwater //
"Alrigh, I appreciate that. Don't force yourself, though." Maea was intrigued enough for the both of them, and fully intent on keeping the conversation light and easy. She didn't know exactly what was bringing Tal's mood down, but whatever it was didn't need any help from her.
Balancing the plate and a cup of strong tea to cut the sweetness, she made herself comfortable by the table Talyson picked out. Without hesitation Maea dug her spoon into a jiggly bit of food, bringing it to her mouth; and hummed in mingled delight and consternation. It was good, but weird. The texture slipped over her tongue, a bit chewwy, a bit melty, cool and yet not... It was definitely an experience. The hype made sense now.
"The Climb, mostly," she replied, reaching for another bite, this time trying it with some of the cream. "I needed some time to myself... though I realize I should have let people know. I'm sorry for not staying in touch." Savoring the treat, Maea regarded her friend across the table. "I heard from Alys about her companion... How are you both holding up? And Boreal... can't be easy for her either." There was more than sympathy and support in her gaze; Maea knew from experience how difficult it was to move on from that kind of loss. Watching a loved one go through that - the notion alone was awful.
Balancing the plate and a cup of strong tea to cut the sweetness, she made herself comfortable by the table Talyson picked out. Without hesitation Maea dug her spoon into a jiggly bit of food, bringing it to her mouth; and hummed in mingled delight and consternation. It was good, but weird. The texture slipped over her tongue, a bit chewwy, a bit melty, cool and yet not... It was definitely an experience. The hype made sense now.
"The Climb, mostly," she replied, reaching for another bite, this time trying it with some of the cream. "I needed some time to myself... though I realize I should have let people know. I'm sorry for not staying in touch." Savoring the treat, Maea regarded her friend across the table. "I heard from Alys about her companion... How are you both holding up? And Boreal... can't be easy for her either." There was more than sympathy and support in her gaze; Maea knew from experience how difficult it was to move on from that kind of loss. Watching a loved one go through that - the notion alone was awful.
Maea
// They called me weak, like I'm not just somebody's daughter //
