Maea
Rest against my pillow
like the aging winter sun
like the aging winter sun
It was not without trepidation that Maea joined in with the festival. While not exactly ashamed of her choices during the recent masquerade, she did regret forcing Ludo to step in, and felt bad for those she had frightened. Initially intending to sit out on the festival and stay home, in the end she chose to bring more than just lanterns. A big basket filled with jars of dried mushrooms, jam, berry pies and refreshing rowanberry cordial dragged on her arm, as she headed towards the laden tables. Adding the fruits of her labour to the already heaping amounts of food and drink, she hoped that it would benefit someone else; to fill out a larder just a little extra, add a touch of lightness and comfort in the cold season to come. Finally, a handful of little Ludo plushies were left where the tumbling children could find them; fashioned from the silk of her masquerade outfit, complete with masks that could be reversed to reveal different expressions for each doll. Happy Ludo's and mischievous Ludo's, stern and sad and every expression she could express through needle and thread - they had been the labor of many a long evening since she came home, and Maea was quietly proud of how well they had turned out.
Only when she was satisfied that everything had been properly set out did she return to Liam. Taking her lanterns that she'd asked him to hold, she thanked him with a light kiss to his cheek. The will-o-wisp drifting along beside her cast a faint blueish light upon her cheek as she smiled faintly at her partner. "All done. You were right, I do feel better now. How are you holding up? Would you like to eat something?" The event always had a way of bringing back the past, as rememberance always did. She had plenty of ghosts she wished to see again; her lantern this year was fashioned of frosted glass, etched with snowflakes in honor of an old acquaintance she never got to know as well as she would have liked. Neron came to mind more frequently whenever Deepfrost neared, often accompanied by a craving for apple cider. She had brought a bottle, just in case; unsure of spirits could drink, but willing to take a chance in case she was lucky enough to see him again tonight.
For Liam, though, it must surely be harder. Maea stayed close to him, offering what support she could; quietly nervous about the prospect of seeing his wife or children but just as hopeful that he might experience that kind of closure.
Maea brings a lantern forNeron.
Only when she was satisfied that everything had been properly set out did she return to Liam. Taking her lanterns that she'd asked him to hold, she thanked him with a light kiss to his cheek. The will-o-wisp drifting along beside her cast a faint blueish light upon her cheek as she smiled faintly at her partner. "All done. You were right, I do feel better now. How are you holding up? Would you like to eat something?" The event always had a way of bringing back the past, as rememberance always did. She had plenty of ghosts she wished to see again; her lantern this year was fashioned of frosted glass, etched with snowflakes in honor of an old acquaintance she never got to know as well as she would have liked. Neron came to mind more frequently whenever Deepfrost neared, often accompanied by a craving for apple cider. She had brought a bottle, just in case; unsure of spirits could drink, but willing to take a chance in case she was lucky enough to see him again tonight.
For Liam, though, it must surely be harder. Maea stayed close to him, offering what support she could; quietly nervous about the prospect of seeing his wife or children but just as hopeful that he might experience that kind of closure.
Maea brings a lantern for
Only wake each morning to
remember that you're gone
remember that you're gone
