[o] [SE] longneck, ice cold beer never broke my heart

Iskra

BREATHE IT IN, IT'S JUST SNOW, WE'RE JUST FALLING
WE WON'T ALWAYS FREE FALL BACK TO NOTHING

He studied her for a moment. His motions stilled, and his smile vanished, serious as his gaze narrowed. After a few moments, his stoicism cracked, a toothy grin revealed with a laugh as he wagged an accusing finger at the space between them. "Ahhh, I couldn't tell if you were joking or not at first, and I started to wonder what to do when the therapist needs a therapist." A joke set with a theatrical flourish of false seriousness, one that had sputtered out rapidly under the humor that cracked his actor's facade. If he was ever meant for the stage, it was surely as nothing more than some opening act of a jestor, not the leading act sweeping through a broad range of emotions with expert finesse.

He paused again though, in actuality this time, hanging onto her next words as she spoke about her own chaos. He subconsciously leaned forward, eager to hear the words she readied on her tongue as she tucked her hair behind her ear. Surprise stole across his face at her admission, "What!?" His hands gripped the table, as if seeking extra support as Iskra gaped. "A giant viper? Whatever did you do to end up in that situation? How big?" He did not think her incapable. Most residents of Caido had a trick or a dagger tucked up their sleeve, and the wilds were not kind. However the scene was a bit at odds with the woman who needed her fireplace well stocked to stay warm, and who helped people navigate their bullshit.

I'M JUST STARTING TO LEARN
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CHASING GHOSTS