silversnowfall | [65][written/action]

[65][written/action]

[At last. Peaceful, mostly sunny. No sign of the moon, or masks, or costumes.

...And Nephry is moving through the plaza at the pace and with the general stiff gait of an old woman.

Fitting, she thinks.

Near the fountain she sits on a bench, opening the journal on her lap. She's never been one to make announcements too personal, or to call unnecessary attention to herself. A chill breeze lifts a few pages of the book, though, and she smiles, writing.]

Winter is coming. [a pause, and then] It's still strange to me, sometimes. Even after living here for a couple of years...I still expect the cold and snow to be a more permanent visitor.

Do you enjoy the snow? Or do you prefer warmer climates?

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[Oh don't be silly. Raine smiles and shakes her head slightly as she takes the door, indicating that Nephry step in first to seat herself instead.]

[It was worth a try. Nephry chooses a seat in an out-of-the-way corner.]

[Once she's in, Raine lets the door close behind her as she follows her over to the table. As expected, it is pretty empty in there during this time of day, at least.

Almost reminiscent of another time they were in the bakery together.]

Just make yourself comfortable.

[It was a bit wintry then, too.]

You don't need to look so worried. [Nephry is the master of a confident smile]

Hm? I'm sorry, I was just thinking of something else for a moment. Let me know when you're ready.

Should I need to prepare myself?

[That's just a little joke. She's sitting, it's hard to be more prepared than that.]

No, I suppose not. [But she'll close her eyes and concentrate, casting a spell that should hopefully bring relief to the aching bones. Or else she'll have to use the other magic, instead.]

[The main problem here is that what did all the damage is something Nephry doesn't entirely understand. She did manage to see it blast apart a tree in the same moment it threw her across the roof.

So she considers herself lucky.]

Thank you.

You can thank me once it's worked.

It does feel better.

Well, I'm glad for that, at least.

[She'll just be necessarily vague about how well it worked.

Doubtless Raine will eventually hear the details, one way or the other.]

Since we're here, would you like anything?

Hm... I hadn't really thought of it, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have a light pastry, or something along those lines.

That sounds like an excellent idea. [But getting up to order one will reveal that she's still very much not well. Hmm.]

[She's specifically keeping an eye out for that, too, so she makes no moves of yet.]

[There's nothing for it but the best effort. Nephry stands seamlessly, using just a hand for balance on the back of her chair]

What would you like?

I'm sure I can trust you to find something suitable. I don't really have a preference.

[You have to admire the way she makes it to the counter to order without so much as a flinch.

Both hands are necessary to brace herself while ordering, though. She tries to make it look as natural as she can.]

[Having become very accustomed to being in pain and being very familiar with the signs of what not wanting to allow anyone to see it looks like, it's with a rather careful eye that she watches Nephry make her order.

She won't say anything just yet. She just has a feeling that something's not quite right.]

[What she brings back to the table is a small plate with raspberry and lemon tarts on it.

And very stiffly she takes her seat again. But there is no pastry all over the floor, which was the goal in the first place.]

Here you are.

Thank you. [She hopes that they all aren't intended for her. That faintly worried expression is back, though.]

[Nephry intends to share, if it's all right with Raine. She does lift an eyebrow at that expression]

Is something on your mind?

Forgive me for pointing it out, but... you still seem to be in some pain.

[Why would you need to be forgiven for a correct observation? Nephry just smiles.]

No forgiveness is necessary. I am.

[Given the lengths Nephry was going to hide it, and the fact that her attempt hadn't gone so well, makes her think that there's all the more reason for it.]

Then... may I try something else?

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