the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

*The room is completely dark save for a bit of late afternoon sunlight making its way through the diaphanous red drapes. Alanna is curled up in a small ball near the edge of the bed, buried under every available blanket, red hair trailing across the pillow in a tangled mess.

The front door is wide open.*

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He can see her room from the hallway.

The door should not be open.

Safe as Milliways tends to be, it is completely out of character for Alanna to leave the door of her room open. His heart is thumping painfully against his ribcage and he's not sure if he's more worried that she's in there, or facing the possibilty that she's not.

He quickens his steps, till he's standing in the open doorway - and caring for neither appearances or possible danger- enters the room.

The sight of her in bed - obvious from the hair on her pillow relieves him somewhat. But only somewhat.

He drops his bag beside the door and walks over to the bed.

"Alanna?" he calls softly, touching her shoulder.

*Alanna doesn't move, not even to push at the hair in her face that surely tickles her nose. At first it might appear that she isn't breathing, but she breathes in deep and lets it out slowly.

George might find it odd that a person so given to taking up as much of the bed as possible is curled up and occupying very little of it. He would know, after all.*

Mithros bless - she's breathing.

He sends the God a silent prayer of thanks as he watches her inhale and exhale. Her breathing is slow, but steady. So she's sleeping.

But not a natural sleep - he'd stake his life on it. There is definitely sorcery at work here.

The only time he's ever seen her this soundly asleep are after times when she's overreached her Gift. He wishes he possessed the skill of being able to see another person's Gift. If he did, would he see her surrounded with a purple fire-like aura, or would he simply see her as his eyes see her now, devoid of any trace of magic?

He sits on the side of the bed next to her curled form. Even the way she's sleeping is wrong. From firsthand experience he know that Alanna is a sprawler, she often winds up taking over an entire bed. And she's a restless sleeper.

She never sleeps so still. So silently.

"Alanna..~~love~~ wake up..."

*Eventually, she opens her eyes and just stares at him. It takes a long moment to process where she is, and why George might be there. She croaks his name and clears her throat.*

George...

"Alanna I .. the Sight. Something was wrong - your door was open.." words tumble out of his mouth.

He takes a deep breath and tries again.

"You were sleeping so soundly, I was worried.."

*Without lifting her head, Alanna shifts her focus toward the door. She swallows. If truth be told, she has no idea how she made it back to her room.*

Ah. Yes. I am very tired.

*She blinks up at him, still not moving.*

He brushes her hair away from her face, and places a gentle hand on her forehead.

"You're like ice! Are you ill?"

He understands now, the reason for all the blankets.

Worry is evident on his face.

No, not ill.

*She slowly reaches up for his hand and brushes it away. Her formerly blank eyes start to regain their typical stubborn look.*

Just... did something stupid.

*That at least is true. She licks her lips and decides to stand, weaving a bit when she sits up. A wave of dizziness washes over her, and she groans.*

Goddess...

He quickly grabs a hold of her - steadying her.

"That is perhaps not the best idea right now.." he suggests.

"If not ill, what then? This is not normal for you.."

*Face pale, she looks up at him through her lashes.*

Maybe... maybe I do have a slight chill or something. It's possible.

*She grabs his hand, squeezing it as if trying ot reassure herself that he's really there. All of a sudden, her eyes cloud over with tears.*

Mithros, George... I'm so sorry.

"Here now, what are the tears for?" he asks, pulling out a handkerchief and offering it to her.

He squeezes her hand gently and shifts his free arm arm to wrap it around her shoulders.

I'm not crying.

*She insists stubbornly, taking the handkerchief and twisting it in her palm. Leaning her head on his shoulder, she lets her eyes drift shut again and goes limp.*

Not crying. *She mumbles.* I have to get up and eat. Get moving. I don't have much time. Thank you for finding me.

Typical Alanna.

He sighs and tries to reason with her.

"Lass, ~~I don't think~~ are you sure this is a good idea? Mayhap its best you stay in bed.. I could bring you something to eat here?"

No. I have things I need to do. People... I'll be fine parked at a booth for the evening. Then I'll get a good night's sleep, I promise.

*She wraps her arms around his waist and hugs him, leaning on him more than a little. She reaches inside, searching for her Gift and finding only a small flicker of magic.*

Too much of my Gift is gone, that's all. Silly of me.

Of all the pig-headed-stubborn...

He takes a deep breath and counts to ten in his head. When he reaches ten, he says calmly:

"I've no desire to fight with you over this. If you're certain. But I'm not letting you go down there alone."

*Alanna grumbles quietly and makes no move to leave; she isn't sure her legs will hold her anyway.*

If you wish, you may sit with me here for a bit. *She lifts her chin, eyes still closed.* Maybe I'm not quite ready. But later, I have a job to do.

*And I can not think this through with you hovering about. Not you. Not now. I won't let him hurt you. She sighs.*

Molified he nods. "I do wish it."

He settles himself more comforably on the side of the bed.

You're keeping secrets from me again, he thinks to himself. It troubles him.

Very well.

*Sniffing, she shifts and makes herself comfortable. In no time at all, she starts to fall asleep again.*

George. You know I'd do anything... it will be okay.

A faint smile plays on his lips.

He gently settles her back against the pillows. He then re-adjusts the blankets over her, making sure her feet are covered.

She hates having cold feet.

"Sleep. I'll stay with you for a while yet.."

Okay. Thank you.

*She smiles, squeezing his hand, and falls asleep again. For once, her sleep is completely dreamless.*

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