{ his mouth twitches at the nickname and his own attempt to add to the list. they'll rotate until one sticks or come back to it like bubblegum (which is usually pink! he's so clever). there's more to come on his end as well as he figures out what rolls off the tongue in the prettiest manner. eliot of course halts when he glances at hilda, and he wants to ask. it's at the tip of his tongue as the smoke disappears from the pipe and he sets it into his pocket. she is covered up. if there's something eliot knows as a fashion lover, is that he often uses clothing to emit. if his own wear is currently in tasteful muted colors, he'll just say it's to match the nocwich vibe.
he's usually good at reading people, but right now he's been attempting to run away from his own issues. it's nothing new. if he joins hilda in the pretending nothing is wrong, then let's see how far it takes them?
like he once did before while waiting upon the steps of brakebills for the new arrivals, his long body laid out, he also laid down and took most of the fountain, lazing out before properly lowering his legs to settle and reach out to hilda in a swoosh. }
A vision in person. { he winks, moving his hands to run along her arms and then giving her hands a light squeeze in greeting to her own before he leans back with a mischievous glint that settles into a smile that says he's glad to see her. } You could say that. I decided to see if I can find you with a locator spell. I got lost. And found myself at the hunting grounds. Not really my scene.
[ Pretending nothing wrong is usually best done with company because enial is more fun that way when everyone is encouraging it, right? And clearly that's what healthy coping mechanisms look like.
All of that is to say that she spots the pause and her posture stiffens just enough in anticipation for a question that she probably has an answer for - but is relieved when he doesn't. She didn't want to lie to him (little white lies and omissions of truths are things she's been putting some concentrated effort into working herself out of), but she isn't necessarily prepared to answer it either. Not when it brushes dangerously close to unpleasant things that definitely don't have a place here in Nocwich and with someone that she enjoys the company of.
She's quick to recover, eyelashes fluttering demurely at his compliment before it gives way to a little wrinkle of her nose. ]
Oh no. Definitely not mine either. The locator spell might need a little work because obviously you and I would never go there willingly. [ She gives him a fond look. tinged with some worry. ] How are you feeling?
[ Well enough to crack jokes and make it out to Nocwich obviously. But if she's going off of personal experience, that isn't a very good indicator. ]
he knows when to back off, from his years. right now they don’t need the background noise of what had clearly been a rather traumatic experience with the rifts. he’s left wondering when the next rift will occur, the next near death coming for them. it’s still better than what awaits him back home. it’s a motivator, to fall back into old habits that he enjoyed. the company alone is worth it.
eliot feigns a gasp, laying a hand over his heart dramatically. }
You wound my glittery heart. To think I’ve become a novice. I’ll have to make it up, chase you down next time. Don’t think I can sneak by into the Free Cities?
{ he teases, forgetting their limitations. then the question arrives as his fingers grip the package on his lap somewhat protectively. it becomes a silent anchor. takes a second, then his grip loosens, leaving a soft rustle of the fabric as he bumps his thigh next to hilda’s and keeps it there. }
I’m here. Good enough for me. And you? { the last bit is said in a softer tone. which is to say, he’s giving her an opening. he’s ready to pivot just in case. for good measure, he adds, } I don’t intend to become cozy with the dreadful walls of Thorne’s hospital. Too dull.
[ Before the rifts, before the creatures, death had been a closer companion than she'd like to admit. The missions the Church had dispatched them on when they were barely out of their childhood years hadn't seemed so serious at the time. At the time they had seemed so invincible. Their youth gave them that impression and death on the battlefield was several steps removed from their world.
It hadn't been until recently that she had realized how closely it entwined itself in her life, following her like a shadow, waiting to lead her to whatever lay beyond.
To that dramatic gasp she gathers the hand over his heart, peppering it with a kiss and a teasing smile. ]
If I could smuggle you back without causing another war, I'd do it. Although if there's anyone worth starting one for it's you.
[ Her teasing gives way to something softer again, mirroring his. She lets out a wistful sigh. ]
I wish I could have been there. I would have come and decorated it with colour for you. [ Hesitation reaches through her again for a brief moment. To tell or not to tell? It's no secret that she had been laid out in bed - the question is how much is she meant to tell him without causing more undue worry? Despite her light tone, the hesitant smile betrays her. ] I'm a little slower than I'd like to be. The dragon sort of took it out of me.
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no subject
he's usually good at reading people, but right now he's been attempting to run away from his own issues. it's nothing new. if he joins hilda in the pretending nothing is wrong, then let's see how far it takes them?
like he once did before while waiting upon the steps of brakebills for the new arrivals, his long body laid out, he also laid down and took most of the fountain, lazing out before properly lowering his legs to settle and reach out to hilda in a swoosh. }
A vision in person. { he winks, moving his hands to run along her arms and then giving her hands a light squeeze in greeting to her own before he leans back with a mischievous glint that settles into a smile that says he's glad to see her. } You could say that. I decided to see if I can find you with a locator spell. I got lost. And found myself at the hunting grounds. Not really my scene.
no subject
All of that is to say that she spots the pause and her posture stiffens just enough in anticipation for a question that she probably has an answer for - but is relieved when he doesn't. She didn't want to lie to him (little white lies and omissions of truths are things she's been putting some concentrated effort into working herself out of), but she isn't necessarily prepared to answer it either. Not when it brushes dangerously close to unpleasant things that definitely don't have a place here in Nocwich and with someone that she enjoys the company of.
She's quick to recover, eyelashes fluttering demurely at his compliment before it gives way to a little wrinkle of her nose. ]
Oh no. Definitely not mine either. The locator spell might need a little work because obviously you and I would never go there willingly. [ She gives him a fond look. tinged with some worry. ] How are you feeling?
[ Well enough to crack jokes and make it out to Nocwich obviously. But if she's going off of personal experience, that isn't a very good indicator. ]
no subject
he knows when to back off, from his years. right now they don’t need the background noise of what had clearly been a rather traumatic experience with the rifts. he’s left wondering when the next rift will occur, the next near death coming for them. it’s still better than what awaits him back home. it’s a motivator, to fall back into old habits that he enjoyed. the company alone is worth it.
eliot feigns a gasp, laying a hand over his heart dramatically. }
You wound my glittery heart. To think I’ve become a novice. I’ll have to make it up, chase you down next time. Don’t think I can sneak by into the Free Cities?
{ he teases, forgetting their limitations. then the question arrives as his fingers grip the package on his lap somewhat protectively. it becomes a silent anchor. takes a second, then his grip loosens, leaving a soft rustle of the fabric as he bumps his thigh next to hilda’s and keeps it there. }
I’m here. Good enough for me. And you? { the last bit is said in a softer tone. which is to say, he’s giving her an opening. he’s ready to pivot just in case. for good measure, he adds, } I don’t intend to become cozy with the dreadful walls of Thorne’s hospital. Too dull.
no subject
It hadn't been until recently that she had realized how closely it entwined itself in her life, following her like a shadow, waiting to lead her to whatever lay beyond.
To that dramatic gasp she gathers the hand over his heart, peppering it with a kiss and a teasing smile. ]
If I could smuggle you back without causing another war, I'd do it. Although if there's anyone worth starting one for it's you.
[ Her teasing gives way to something softer again, mirroring his. She lets out a wistful sigh. ]
I wish I could have been there. I would have come and decorated it with colour for you. [ Hesitation reaches through her again for a brief moment. To tell or not to tell? It's no secret that she had been laid out in bed - the question is how much is she meant to tell him without causing more undue worry? Despite her light tone, the hesitant smile betrays her. ] I'm a little slower than I'd like to be. The dragon sort of took it out of me.