I only want your hand to hold

Maea

Like a moth to a flame
burned by the fire

"Maybe I remember things from too long ago," she admitted. "As I recall there was some sort of trial back when the Grounds barrier first fell, or soon after. I suppose they must have stopped holding it since." Sipping from her glass, Maea continued. "That makes it easier, for sure. As does living here in the Treehouse; Remi did build it together with the other Guardian at the time, and used it both as a house and an office. Mmmh.... but... I don't know if I love the idea of our livingroom being a public space." Angling her head back to consider the tall tree the house was built into, the wide branches and the amount of space left above and below, she shrugged lightly. "I wouldn't mind adding another extension, though. Perhaps a separate building entirely, out that way?" She pointed towards the porch to the right side of the front door, where a pair of twin branches forked out and up at a gentle angle. Adding a new platform and constructing a simple - or grand, depending on ones fancy - office space there wouldn't be too difficult.

Liam's offer was accepted with gratitude, and no small amount of relief. Maea knew she would have to find a way to overcome those issues some day, but as for how... she simply had no idea. "Thank you, Liam. We'll work together, of course; but yeah, that would probably be for the best. At least for now." Caressing his cheek with a tender expression softening the edges of her concerns, Maea leaned in to kiss him lightly. "When do you want to begin?"

That's the way love goes

Tryin' to wash away all the blood I've spilt
This lust is a burden that we both share

"Perhaps we can check in with the Fae," Liam suggested. "It may be that they don't have a strong opinion on how we go about setting things up, so long as their culture is respected by any who join us." That would be important, he realized: ensuring that their citizens understood that the forest and its Fae inhabitants were a vital part of the region, and therefore deserving of respect and understanding. As for an office space, Liam's gaze followed Maea's gesture, noting the location of the forked branches and beginning to envision what a new building might look like - and what building it might entail. "Seems doable," he agreed with a smile. "I'm with you on wanting a separate space - but I like the idea of it being close by."

The pressure of taking the lead on diplomatic matters was something that he would bear, if it meant taking some of the burden from Maea. He could understand how the actions of one's past could have consequences on one's future, and he certainly didn't want her to have to navigate that without assistance. Someday, he was sure that they would need to find a way to mend any bridges that had been unintentionally burned, but for now, perhaps they could get away with letting him be the outward face of their leadership team.

Maea leaned in to press a soft kiss to his lips, and Liam smiled as she pulled away. "We should start soon. With Stormbreak gone, we may see more people coming here. I want to be ready to welcome them, if we do."

Two sinners can't atone from a lone prayer
Souls tied, intertwined by our pride and guilt

Liam

Maea

Like a moth to a flame
burned by the fire

Nodding her agreement, Maea couldn't help a toothy little grin from starting to spread. Perhaps she had been waiting for this. Perhaps she simply relished the chance to finally try her hand at this thing she'd strived for so many times now, just to see how far she could go. If she really was as terrible at it as past failures would suggest. Here she had her chance, and a wonderful failsafe in Liam who would tell her if she wasn't doing a good job, and a whole region to pour all her passion into.

"Soon it is," she acknowledged, and wriggled out of Liam's lap. "Let me go get something to write on, and we can start making lists." From her lips it had the sound of a most wonderfully enjoyable way to spend the day, and she all but skipped across the porch, into the house and disappeared from view. There was an almighty sound of rattling pens and rustle of paper accompanying her as she returned, arms full and eyes glittering with enthusiasm and calculation. What did it actually take to assume control over a region? They'd be have to work that out before starting anything.

[FIN]

That's the way love goes