Every whiskey that you're drinking
Charlie nods along with that, slow and thoughtful, the motion easy rather than solemn. "It really is," she agrees gently. "And as much as it can be frustrating, it’s usually better to accept that other people will never fully understand what you tried to do, or how much effort you poured into something." Her shoulders lift in a small shrug as she continues stirring, fire steady and obedient beneath the vat. "That’s where being truly confident in who you are matters most, because then you don’t feel like you’re constantly on trial, having to justify yourself when things don’t turn out the way you hoped." She smiles then, soft and knowing. "That said," she adds lightly, "I’m very aware that it’s much harder to do than it is to say."
Her gaze flicks up just in time to catch the genuine smile that shadows Thal’s lips, and Charlie’s own brightens in response, something quietly radiant blooming there as she treasures the expression without comment. It’s the sort of look she files away, not to use, but simply to remember.
A chuckle slips free of her as she returns her focus to the candle, smoothing the final layer of tallow into place with practiced ease. When Thal sighs and accuses her of being too good at this, Charlie lifts her brows and nods once, accepting it without deflection. "Thank you," she says sincerely, the words warm and unguarded. "I'm happy to chat anytime you want."
With a final flourish, she lifts her hands away from the finished candle and beams. "Tadaaa," she announces, delight ringing through her voice as the piece settles into its completed shape. Then she glances toward the doorway, tail swishing in an inviting arc. "Can you help me bring them into the main room?" So saying the priestess will rise, now covered in tallow as well as blood, but looking at all the more Charlie for it, before nodding gathering up two of the candles and waiting for Thal to do the same before leading the way back out toward the shrine.
~FIN
Her gaze flicks up just in time to catch the genuine smile that shadows Thal’s lips, and Charlie’s own brightens in response, something quietly radiant blooming there as she treasures the expression without comment. It’s the sort of look she files away, not to use, but simply to remember.
A chuckle slips free of her as she returns her focus to the candle, smoothing the final layer of tallow into place with practiced ease. When Thal sighs and accuses her of being too good at this, Charlie lifts her brows and nods once, accepting it without deflection. "Thank you," she says sincerely, the words warm and unguarded. "I'm happy to chat anytime you want."
With a final flourish, she lifts her hands away from the finished candle and beams. "Tadaaa," she announces, delight ringing through her voice as the piece settles into its completed shape. Then she glances toward the doorway, tail swishing in an inviting arc. "Can you help me bring them into the main room?" So saying the priestess will rise, now covered in tallow as well as blood, but looking at all the more Charlie for it, before nodding gathering up two of the candles and waiting for Thal to do the same before leading the way back out toward the shrine.
~FIN
Charlie
You'll be thinking how I burn like that
Hella golden retriever energy. Small unrefined horns made of ruby. Regular spade-shaped tail.
