Sanctuary
Tia gathers herself at the edge of the water, peeking her head out and assessing the cave before reverting back. Al has made himself comfortable in a nook set aside for reading, so comfortable he's fallen asleep. Tia grins, emerging from the water as quietly as she can manage. She tip toes towards him, looming for a moment and watching him. Stifling a giggle, Tia flicks water onto his face. |
Wha- Aldric shoots up, gasping and glancing about wildly. Tia bursts into laughter while Aldric's face heats, almost pouting as he speaks to her and dries his face I almost thought you weren't going to show up! |
Sorry Tia's laughter tapers down I had a bit of trouble getting out. |
Really? Al questions as Tia perches on the same flattened stalagmite I didn't run into any trouble. |
I... Tia is hesitant to admit but speaks hurriedly once she begins Might've spaced out during orientation and missed the bit on how we can leave? |
Aldric tries to stifle his laughter, almost deferring to the dignified "prince" persona, but as Tia chuckles at herself he reminds himself he doesn't need to, allowing himself to laugh freely. |
So, Al Tia offers him a smile Where's this map you promised? |
Right Aldric answers and begins digging through his bag, plucking out a map and rolling it out over his little shelf The procession will head west first, through the canyon complex. |
Aldric points first to their current location in the valley before dragging his finger along a path marked in red into the canyon. It is a stark surface on the map with a web of wiggling paths guided forward by branches of an immense river system. |
The mesa is riddled with caves and mines but if you follow this river to its source above... Aldric points to the lip of the mesa which is marked with a red circle
There's a cave behind this waterfall, too close to the top for most to attempt exploration. Al's attention departs from his hideout and instead he taps a mark just easat of the capital of Flumen Pontem, Centrum. And this is where the compound is located... not too far. |
Tia scans the rest of the map to find several locations and pathways have been circled with handwritten directions scribbled carefully along the margins. |
Wow, this must've taken you forever! Tia chuckles It almost looks like a treasure map... How did you find all of these? |
Well Aldric answers, surprised by her analogy, and his eyes graze over each location I was always looking for somewhere to get away. These were my little sanctuaries. |
It really is a treasure map then Tia speaks softly, tracing her fingers over the marks as if she could feel his fond nostalgia in the ink itself |
Tia lifts her gaze to find Aldric blinking in surprise, a cold panic gripping her stomach as she scrambles to rectify her seeming blunder. |
S-sorry Tia blurts into his silence I can be a little... um... weird sometimes. |
No, you're fine Aldric tries to reassure her I'm just... I'm not used to people... he stammers, trying to find the right words I'm not used to people being sentimental around me. But I'd gladly take your awkward candor over flattery, pandering and manipulation any day! |
Awkward candor Tia sounds with bright laughter, offering him a grin Well I've got plenty more awkward left to offer if it doesn't bother you! |
Both find themselves cracking up, the carefree laughter jostling their shoulders. Tia sighs as they quiet down, sliding herself down a wall and sitting on the cave floor. Her fatigue spills out with her sudden calm as she finally feels she can relax. |
Flattery and manipulation though? Tia remarks with a grimace That's a bit over my head |
People just... they all want something and I'm a tool for them to reach it. Aldric complains, imitating Tia's motion and they both sit on the cave floor, staring into the water When they talk, they aren't speaking to me. They're speaking to the keystone of their aspirations! They'Il only ever show me the person they think I want them to be. And I always have to keep that in the back of my mind. |
That sounds exhausting Tia answers, stifling a yawn |
You were right! Aldric chuckles, his expression softening This... arrangement... it does make it easier to talk about this stuff. |
Right! Tia laughs, her chest puffing and then deflating with a fervent sigh I really missed this. I wish everyone was this easy to talk to...! |
Still figuring things out with your roommate? Aldric questions, glancing over at her |
Things still don't feel right Tia admits with a shrug We had to fight during that sparring session but we haven't really talked yet. Tia bursts with a sudden, self-depreciating laugh I still can't believe I even made it through that whole fight, let alone winning! |
You're surprised you won? Aldric asks, raising a brow at her |
Very Tia emphasizes, yawning again She is so much stronger than I am. I kinda just... stumbled my way through the fight somehow? The others did all the work. |
At least you can rely on your unit Aldric answers quietly but optimistically Mine just... let me win. How am I supposed to get stronger or even know how strong I am if everyone lets me win? |
Aldric glances to Tia when she doesn't respond and finds her dozing. Aldric rises, Tia jumping awake after hearing him shuffle about. |
S-sumimasen! Tia gasps and scrambles to her feet before being rendered speechless |
As Tia's eyes finds him, she sees Aldric has cleared off his reading nook and laid a mess of blankets overtop. |
It-It's not much Aldric stutters, suddenly self-conscious But you are welcome to sleep here if your room isn't an option. |
I... Tia sucks in a breath and gasps, Al wincing and wondering if he overstepped. But as Tia approaches the makeshift bed her eyes are dusted with budding tears and her tone is emphatic Thank you, Al! Tia turns to him, her lips twisting into a mischievious smirk But I better not find you creeping on me in my sleep! |
Absolutely not! Aldric denies vehemently I would never! |
Oh, man Tia snickers and snorts while Aldric flips around to hide his embarrassment, shoulders raised and ears flushed You're face is so red! |
Goodnight! Aldric blurts discordantly, stomping into the water before fading into the pool |
Tia gratefully slinks between the blankets, finally succumbing to restful sleep |
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