Maea
give me shelter, or show me heart
Maea was shedding her clothes, though in her case it looked more like shedding winter layers after coming inside. It lent the illusion of her shrinking, or perhaps lightening; without the black coat or the flowing cloak, with sleeves rolled up to the elbow and and her hair loosely tied into a low ponytail gathered behind the neck, her slender frame gained an entirely new kind of grace. Light on her feet she led the way into a nearby cavern and down, down into darkness. Once the ruddy light of day grew insufficient, she summoned motes of fire and set them dancing around her to light the way.
"I think you will like the hot springs, though," Maea said, smiling over her shoulder at him. "Most of this region is inhospitable to anyone without fire resistence, but Frey's Breath is an exception."
A long and winding walk later, they were rewarded for their efforts as the tunnel opened up into the large cavern. The air was heavy and close with steam; not even a minute later Maea's hair was curling up in the damp, and the cloth on their bodies began to sag, clinging to skin as fibers absorbed moisture from the air. Stepping aside so Liam could see the expanse of pools containing clear water, she observed him quietly; while they were here for lilies, Maea found she enjoyed seeing him discover new sights. It was like seeing a place for the first time all over again, letting her appreciate what had begun to seem ordinary and unremarkable.
"I think you will like the hot springs, though," Maea said, smiling over her shoulder at him. "Most of this region is inhospitable to anyone without fire resistence, but Frey's Breath is an exception."
A long and winding walk later, they were rewarded for their efforts as the tunnel opened up into the large cavern. The air was heavy and close with steam; not even a minute later Maea's hair was curling up in the damp, and the cloth on their bodies began to sag, clinging to skin as fibers absorbed moisture from the air. Stepping aside so Liam could see the expanse of pools containing clear water, she observed him quietly; while they were here for lilies, Maea found she enjoyed seeing him discover new sights. It was like seeing a place for the first time all over again, letting her appreciate what had begun to seem ordinary and unremarkable.
watch me fall apart
and I'll be yours to keep
and I'll be yours to keep
