NEPHELE
Nephele is not unaware of Naavi's loss. She kindly averts her eyes from the flush on the older Fae's cheeks, both to assist in the two of them avoiding this...whatever it is that always exists between them, and to avoid having to think how flattering it is. "We could bake it, in a kiln of sorts. I'm sure we could find a way to do it." Her tongue falters and seizes before she can end that sentence with 'together'. It's an implication she can't afford to make.
"I'd not make you come with me into assured battle," she denies quietly as Naavi settles beside her. "You are...to kind, for the things I am tasked to do." And what does that say about Nephele? That she has forsaken so much in this last ditch attempt to save her people? That she has strayed so far from the girl she once was? It only further reminds her that she's not worthy of Naavi's affections, if they were available in the first place.
Even still, she's helpless but to accept the proffered hand. Letting it pull her up and only giving the slightest wince as her wound pulls beneath the poultice. "If it won't interrupt your harvesting," Nephele agrees, not wanting to burden the other Fae but willing to spend more time together if the opportunity was available.
"I'd not make you come with me into assured battle," she denies quietly as Naavi settles beside her. "You are...to kind, for the things I am tasked to do." And what does that say about Nephele? That she has forsaken so much in this last ditch attempt to save her people? That she has strayed so far from the girl she once was? It only further reminds her that she's not worthy of Naavi's affections, if they were available in the first place.
Even still, she's helpless but to accept the proffered hand. Letting it pull her up and only giving the slightest wince as her wound pulls beneath the poultice. "If it won't interrupt your harvesting," Nephele agrees, not wanting to burden the other Fae but willing to spend more time together if the opportunity was available.
and I stood there waiting
even as the first drop fell
wondering why the water burned
