silversnowfall

[69]

[It was almost a relief, to hear about so many people going home recently, even as more were due to arrive.

It was too sad to mention, knowing that one of those people was Professor Nebilim. That she wasn't really returning to anything. Just to the completion of a sad tale of a boy who thought he should be able to do everything.

And now Nephry is lonely. She has been, off and on, for a while; she feels it especially strongly today. At first she tried cleaning the kitchen but now she's sitting there, chin against her hands, staring at the table. With almost half of the house away or out of commission...things are quiet.

In the silence, she turns to her journal for a while.]

What do you believe happens...when you die?

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[She's gone for quite a while, actually, because no dinner with the Emperor can ever be a simple affair. When she does get back to her journal, she isn't sure if Raine will even be there to answer.]

Would tomorrow morning be all right, instead?

[She's not going to sit there all night and wait for her to come back, obviously. But she does do a routine check of her pings, so it won't take her too long to get back to the other woman.]

That sounds good to me.

Let's have breakfast, then. You are welcome to come here, or we can make plans for somewhere else.

Would you prefer to have brunch somewhere? I... I wouldn't want to impose on your household. [Because she knows how large it is.]

[A few of them are away, actually, kidnapped or on missions or just off somewhere.]

You wouldn't be imposing. I can't guarantee you any sort of privacy while you're here, though. [Peony, especially, will stick his nose into everything for a pretty lady.]

[There's a pause before she answers; mostly considers things. She hasn't been to House 1 since returning to normal... and perhaps that wasn't fair, either. Hm.]

It's all right. Perhaps we could take a walk, after, if it helps.

I'll see you for breakfast, then?

I'm looking forward to it.

... all right. So I'll see you then.

[Having a guest for late breakfast is nothing really new. What's new is that it's not Luke or one of Ion's friends looking around for food. It's Raine.

And things in the village changed a lot two days ago.

So Nephry puts a bit more effort than usual into making something excellent for breakfast.]

[It's a fair walk across and through the village to House 1, but it's all well and good. The weather is for the moment still mostly clear, save the hint of clouds on the horizon for the next few days to come. Some morning coolness, but nothing uncomfortable. It's perfect thinking and walking weather.

Eventually she reaches the door, knocks, and waits. Raine of course hasn't come all the way here empty handed.]

[It takes Nephry a minute to get to the door, but there's a smile on her face when she does.]

Good morning Raine. It's nice to see you.

It is good to see you. [The smile she returns is genuine.] It has been a little while.

Mm. I thought you might...have felt strange, coming here, after you spent so much time here as a child.

[A soft, nervous laugh.] You wouldn't be incorrect.

Goodness, I hope the residents of this house didn't leave that bad of an impression on you.

Edited 2012-05-22 00:32 (UTC)

... it's not that any of you have left a bad impression.

[But of course Nephry would know that; she was obviously teasing.] In any case, I'm here now.

And I shouldn't make you stand in the doorway. Please come in.

[The house has undergone some changes since Raine was last a guest. It feels larger...and, to Nephry at least, a great deal more welcoming.]

Everything is ready in the kitchen.

Thank you. [It had already felt large to Raine the last time she was here, but that was because she was a child. It's a little strange to still get that impression even as an adult.

Still, the feeling upon stepping in is strange, almost nostalgic, as if it was a place she hadn't seen in many years... and in some ways, it was.]

The house seems different somehow. [Quieter? No, that wasn't it either.] Did you do some renovating?

Yes, it's much larger now. We were getting a bit too crowded to handle everyone and...the changes they wanted to make.

[And they had only one bathroom.]

I'm glad that you were able to have that worked out.

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