the_lioness | (no subject)

*Adam hesitates just a moment before heading over. It's almost peaceful to watch her sit that way.*

*Eyes still closed, Alanna recognizes him by his stride. He has a way of moving that's all his own, and his shoes make a soft sound as he moves from dirt to grass and back again. She smiles slowly.*

Hullo.

*Lifting a hand to shield her eyes, she grins up at him.*

*He settles on the ground next to her, and kisses her head.*

Hey you.

*Smiling, she leans against him with a soft sigh of contentment. Mithros lifts his head and whickers softly at Adam, quickly returning his attention to grazing.*

He likes you.

*He smiles, and wraps his arm around her.*

Really? I'm glad. For a while I thought he maybe just liked the idea of me for lunch.

*She laughs, shifting so she can wrap her arms around him too. Shivering slightly, she hugs him close.*

S'cold. No, Mithros would never confuse you with one of his basic food groups: hay, grass or my hair.

*Turning her head, she presses her cold nose to his neck, kissing the chilled spot a moment later.*

How are you?

*He shivers at the cold, and leans back into her lips.*

I'm fine. Missed you, though.

I missed you too. Quite a lot. *Biting her lip, she pulls back and stares at the lake, one hand gently rubbing his back.* I haven't... *Alanna takes a deep breath, forcing herself to speak; after all, she had told him she would tell him things.* The dreams are back again. Stronger than before. Different.

*He schools his face into a tight, emotionless line.*

How long.

*Shifting uncomfortably, she lets her hand drop, but scoots even closer to him, bumping his shoulder with her own. She needs some contact, or she might lose her nerve.*

I had a really bad one Wednesday night. *She swallows.* You were there, and somehow I managed not to wake you up.

That's why I left.

*He nods, and moves closer also, she's almost in his lap.*

Why didn't you tell me?

I'm not sure. *Rubbing her cheek absently, she stares off at nothing at all, but she sees plenty. Roger, to be exact - Roger with Ingress, Roger with George, and Roger with Adam. She lifts her chin.* Maybe... I wasn't thinking straight. Maybe because I thought talking about would make it reality. Somehow.

I didn't want to upset you. They are just dreams, like all the others before.

*He kisses her forehead and leans back, reaching up to trace the line of her cheek.*

Anything I can do?

*Alanna swallows, turning to kiss his hand.*

If they get worse, Adam... I'd let you see. Maybe there is some clue I'm missing. Some trigger. I don't know.

*She searches his eyes, fingers lacing through his. Her dislike for such things isn't exactly a secret, but she trusts him.*

*He shrugs, and looks away.*

Only if you-

only if they get worse.

*He turns back and pulls her to him, not making eye contact.*

You been sleeping at all, then?

A little bit, in fits here and there. Some in the bar, some in the office.

*Blinking, she gently turns his face toward her and kisses him.*

Does it bother you that I said that? I'd only... obviously, only if you wanted to see.

I know. No. I mean.

*He shakes his head and laughs.*

I'm not sure what I mean.

You need to sleep.

Okay, Adam. We'll figure it out, right? We're smart.

*She smiles at his laugh, nodding.*

I'm actually rather wide awake and happy to see you. I'll sleep eventually.

Eventually.

*He smiles, trying to push the dreams to the back of his mind.*

What else have I missed, then?

Not much, actually. Granted, I've been keeping mostly to myself. *She blinks.* Did you hear that Meg's back? Also, I talked to Barty.

You, too, huh?

*He frowns, confused.*

I didn't hear that Meg was back.

But she... died, here.

Yes, he told me that you two had met. Actually, it was a remarkably decent conversation. I'm going to lend him some books. *She swallows.* If he makes her happy, then... that's good. Happy is good.

*She bites her lip, glancing toward the greenhouse.*

Aye. I do not quite understand it myself, but she has returned. I have not yet spoken with her. Perhaps it's like Delia's return? It's possible, I suppose.

Happy is good.

*He doesn't seem quite entirely content with that, though.*

I wonder.

I'm glad she's back, though. For everybody that missed her.

Yes. I wonder if Mordred knows.

*Alanna nods, swirling her finger through the dirt at her side. A slight tilt of her head, and her hair falls over her shoulder and hides her face. She could push it back, but she doesn't. Not yet.*

Happy given everything else is especially good. She showed me, Adam. She showed me what she sees.

*A grim smile crosses his face at the idea of Mordred finding out.*

She showed you-

what?