(no subject)

[the_lioness]

*Whistling, Alanna leans against her couch and cleans her boots with saddle soap and oil, lending the room a faint scent of tack and horses.

Next, the swords get polished. Yes, this is her idea of a quiet night in.*

Comments

[giftedthom.livejournal.com]

*Outside, someone calls* Ugh, that again? I can smell the stink from out here.

[the_lioness]

*Her head snaps up. Grinning, Alanna tosses her boot aside and runs to answer the door. In one boot.*

Thom! Goddess... come in. Please?

[giftedthom.livejournal.com]

*Thom looks at her feet.* You're clunking.

*He steps in.*

[the_lioness]

*Hopping, she hurriedly yanks off the other boot and leaves it by the door.*

Did you get my note?

[giftedthom.livejournal.com]

Yep. Another exemplary . . . example . . . of correspondance.

[the_lioness]

*Alanna beams.*

Thank you. I worked hard on it. *She chews on her thumb.* How are you?

[giftedthom.livejournal.com]

Uh . . . here.

[the_lioness]

So you are.

*Alanna watches him, hating the awkward feeling that steals over her. Clearing her throat, she pounces and wraps him up in a tight hug.*

Hullo.

[giftedthom.livejournal.com]

*Thom holds onto her like a man holds onto the jaws of a bear that he doesn't want to eat him.

Orrr something slightly less nonsensical.* Indeed.

[the_lioness]

Are you still mad at me?

*What would Thom know about that? He would be up the tree, squealing.

She pulls back, biting her lip.*

[giftedthom.livejournal.com]

*No, Thom would be dead.

He frowns.* I was mad at you?

[the_lioness]

Er... I thought so. We hadn't worked out the Roger situation, and then Adam and... *Blushing she waves her hand toward the table.*

I really wasn't aware that you could move that quickly.

[giftedthom.livejournal.com]

Oh. *Thom blushes.*

That.

[the_lioness]

Yes, that.

*Determined to brazen through, Alanna ignores her own blush.*

I'm sorry I lost my temper.

[giftedthom.livejournal.com]

*Thom shrugs.* It's really OK.

[the_lioness]

Good, I'm glad.

*That earns him a very confused look. Alanna sighs, flopping back on the sofa and covering her eyes with her hand.*

[giftedthom.livejournal.com]

*glances at her* What happened?

[the_lioness]

Oh, tons.

*Eyes closed, she twists her hands in her shirt.*

I went to London Below To help rescue Door.

*She pauses, silently reliving the fight.*

I killed a man.

[giftedthom.livejournal.com]

Oh.

[the_lioness]

*One simple word, but it manages to dent her self-control. Grumbling, she turns her face into the pillow and takes several deep breaths. It's not enough. A few tears escape anyway.*

He didn't have to die. I could have done... something.

[giftedthom.livejournal.com]

*Thom hangs back, looking uncomfortable.

After a long silence, he shrugs.*

[the_lioness]

*Face turned into the pillow, Alanna doesn't see. She doesn't have to.*

*muffled* Sit down. I know you don't want to hear about it.

[giftedthom.livejournal.com]

*hastily* I do, I just . . .

Oh, I don't know.

[the_lioness]

*Alanna lifts her head, looking at him. Her face is blotchy.*

I think maybe you do. What is it?

[giftedthom.livejournal.com]

*Thom shrugs again.* Your face is red.