[SE]Rock me, Amadeus

Tal just shrugged and grinned at her glare, not entirely convinced but willing to play along. When she asked about memory snow he answered, figuring if she'd already known about it she wouldn't have phrased it as a question.

He picked up another rock, turning it over with a slight frown but slanting a slightly disbelieving glance at her claim to 'quick learning' of ice skating. But if she had... His estimation of her reluctantly went up another notch. "Yeah? Well... you should come skating in Halo sometime. I can show you some cool tricks." A carefully offhand offer, the pretense of casual impulse perhaps betrayed by the second glance he snuck up at her higher vantage.

Just in time to make a grab for the rocks she sent skittering down the slope towards him, dropping the one he'd been considering in an effort to catch those the admitted geology connoisseur recommended. "H-hey!" Holding the rocky remnants to his chest he scowled after her - and at himself.

"Mel-- wait. I... If you want, you can borrow my coat." Not the most gracious offer, and the courier's ears were burning as he looked awkwardly down at his feet.

Melita

they should have checked the ashes
of the women they burned alive

Melita’s estimations of her ice-skating prowess were certainly far more than anyone else would confess – mostly blustering for the sake of it. But she wasn’t going to share that with the courier, nor take up the invitation without the same wrinkle to her nose or the blasé turn of head over her shoulder. “Maybe,” which could mean anything, and she skipped further along the stones and snow, intending to rid herself of the cold and forge deeper into blankets or by the fire until all of this weird shit passed.

Her brows furrowed at his offer, perhaps too little too late. And she was a proud, independent dumbass – so the refusal bit behind her teeth in a notion of stubbornness that truly bent towards headstrong, obstinate stupidity. “No thanks,” before she persisted, continuing on her way. “Good luck with your rocks.”

because it takes a single wild ember
to bring a whole wildfire to life

'Maybe' wasn't 'no,' and Tal looked hopeful - and a little sly - at the possibility of finally being able to show off in front of the standoffish honeybee girl. 'Sure," was all he said, not pushing his luck any further when he had a handful of new rocks to add to his bag and the promise of future Deepfrosts not trapped in the Citadel to think about instead.

He wasn't sure if he felt relieved or disappointed that she turned down his offered coat. It was probably a bit of both, but he wasn't bothering overly much with introspection today. The cooler Torchline Flowerbirth was deliciously comfortable to his Halo-bred hide and he was determined to enjoy it, even if Mel didn't. "Oh... okay. Thanks," he called after her retreating back, before turning and hiking up higher to snag a last few pebbles from the summit.

~Fin~