the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

Alanna has made this journey -- through the bar, up the stairs, down the hall -- so many times over the last week that it's starting to feel like part of a routine. A habit. Also almost habitual is the way she will speak to Thom when she arrives, cautiously avoiding all mentions of babies or Adam.

They spend time together now, but it's still not easy.

She knocks on his door: three short raps, just like always.

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*Thom jerks open the door, composed. Smiles*

Sister.

"Brother," she says evenly.

With a small, absent smile, she presses a new book into his hand as she enters.

"I thought you might like that one."

*He takes it carefully: both hands.*

Thank you.

"You're very welcome," is her automatic response.

Looking around the room, Alanna wonders how he stands to spend so much time here, alone.

*Thom wonders that, too.*

Is something . . . wrong?

"Not a thing."

She grins at him, taking a seat while doing her best not to call attention to her stomach.

Oh. Good.

*He moves away, organizing the book into a small pile on his desk.*

Watching him, she takes a deep breath and tries to get more comfortable.

"Have you read the others?"

*easily, his voice softening* Yep. Some more than once.

"You always did read faster than me. When it came to that stuff."

A book on battle strategies she will read in one sitting.

That's because you could never sit still.

"Point taken," she snickers.

Shoving her hair over her shoulder, she proves his point further by wandering over to the desk and poking at a stack of papers.

*Thom grins.* See?

Alanna makes a face.

"I've been doing far too much sitting still recently." She looks up, hastily adding, "paperwork."

Another of your less-than-strengths.

"And people say you have no sense of humor," she counters. "Have you been working on anything interesting?"

Who says that?

*Thom shrugs.* No.

"People," she repeats unhelpfully. "Nothing at all?"

The desk gets a skeptical glance before she returns to her chair, legs shifting restlessly: ankles crossed, foot over knee, splayed out to the sides like a man.

"If you aren't, you should come outside more."

I do. It isn't that much more exciting.

*He sits down on top of his desk, legs swinging idly, like a child's.*

"Talked to Raguel recently?"

It's not what she wants to ask or say, but it seems safe, and safety seems to be the order of the day. Of the week, really.

Not especially. You?

"I have, actually," she tells him. "He's going to look for Aziraphael."

He's going to tell him Adam and I have news we'd like to share, Alanna doesn't say.

She stands again, uncomfortable, and unconsciously rubs her back.

Oh, that's right . . . he said he was going away.

"Raguel or Aziraphael?" She turns around quickly, eyes bright.

Raguel. Aziraphael doesn't like me.