Amalia
He laughs in response to her clumsy motion, but it is good-natured, , merry, and she eases against it. He cannot know how hard she is trying, how the desires to reach out and to recoil are war within her mind. She nods, again, as he mentions the Rathskeller, and wonders if the friend is Rexanna, the woman from the board. Probably not- there are so many Outlanders now, it seems foolish to believe they all know each other, have already built a community in her home. And yet it feels that way, sometimes.
A twinge of envy. He already has friends.
Us and them. You can never belong.
She pushes the thought away, but cannot banish it.
It surprises her when he brings up the weather, the piercing chill which pervades the season, gnawing and gnashing at sinew and bone. Yes, she nods again, she is cold. "It feels as though I have never not been cold," Amalia answers wryly, tucking her arms against her chest for defense. The offer to return is unexpected but not unwelcome, though she turns to the luxere first, reaching out one last time to stroke the beast. "You'll protect the Rathskeller this year, hmm? Look after our new friend?" She does not look at Seiji as she straightens, but a flush rises up her cheeks. Our new friend.
A hopeful, hopeless slip.
Amalia starts along the path, expecting him to fall in step. "I can give you some rolls and tea," she offers as they walk, looking sidelong at Seiji. "When we get back. Or... To take with you." Another shrug, but it's accompanied by a smile. She is trying. It feels good.
A twinge of envy. He already has friends.
Us and them. You can never belong.
She pushes the thought away, but cannot banish it.
It surprises her when he brings up the weather, the piercing chill which pervades the season, gnawing and gnashing at sinew and bone. Yes, she nods again, she is cold. "It feels as though I have never not been cold," Amalia answers wryly, tucking her arms against her chest for defense. The offer to return is unexpected but not unwelcome, though she turns to the luxere first, reaching out one last time to stroke the beast. "You'll protect the Rathskeller this year, hmm? Look after our new friend?" She does not look at Seiji as she straightens, but a flush rises up her cheeks. Our new friend.
A hopeful, hopeless slip.
Amalia starts along the path, expecting him to fall in step. "I can give you some rolls and tea," she offers as they walk, looking sidelong at Seiji. "When we get back. Or... To take with you." Another shrug, but it's accompanied by a smile. She is trying. It feels good.
