the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

*A few hours after her sparring match with Mordred, Alanna has yet to go indoors. Perhaps it's an exercise in endurance or merely a need for wide open spaces, but today, the cold air feels far less stifling than the heat inside. She sits near the paddock, watching Mithros cavort in the snow. He's had far too much energy as of late, and she's starting to wonder about the wisdom of bringing him here.*

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

*Behind her, Thom says* Beastly, isn't it.

The weather or the horse?

*Alanna pulls her knees up and hugs them, her tone carefully light.*

That's the joke, you see.

I frequently miss the punchline, it seems. Perhaps I'm too serious. *She looks up with a small smile.* Have a seat.

*Thom flops to a seat, long sleeves damp with snow.* OK.

Hullo. *She watches him.* I wasn't expecting this.

Expecting what?

*Breathing in, she stares at her hands and shrugs.*

This. You coming to talk to me. I'm sorry about the other day. I was... uncomfortable.

*Thom shrugs.* I can't stay away forever.

Can't? No. I would hope you wouldn't want to, either.

It's not that I don't want to talk to you, Thom. I haven't been avoiding you. Not really.

I just don't know what to say.

I don't expect you to have anything to say to me.

Don't you? *She smiles sadly.* I'm your sister.

I know.

But I . . .

But you?

*It's like an old, familiar game.*

*Thom shrugs, flushing slightly.

He seems to find his hands very intriguing.*

*Don't pry, change the subject, squeeze his hand lest he get mad and do something stupid or leave... no. New rules.

She takes a deep breath.*

We did talk. If- I won't thank you for what you did. Ever, if for no other reason than I'll likely never forget the image.

But.

We talked. And maybe I understand why you did it.

*softly* Is that so.

Maybe. *She sounds less certain now.* Maybe not.

*Thom shrugs, still looking at his hands.*

You could tell me why you did it. *Now she's looking at them to. She knows it's futile, but has to at least try.*

Yes. I could.

I thought as much. *She smiles wryly.*

*Thom just turns pinker and won't meet her eyes.*

So.

What do we do now?

It's completely up to you.