[Eleven's smile is quick, knowing well that Lan Wangji would have good grounds to disagree. But the meditation has helped, and Lily herself, too.
He meets her eyes and lets her query wash over him a moment, then follows suit in peering out the window. He's yet a touch distracted by the warmth of her leg]
[ She moved slightly in her seat again, keeping her eyes on the window as she considered the alternative. It was true she had asked him here, but she also hadn't quite planned what to do with him once he was there.
Even though she was becoming increasingly aware of the way she had painted herself into a corner with her own bravado she bumped her knee against his, watching him out of the corner of her eye as she did. ]
I think I could take a turn showing you something nice in this city - unless you're that taken with the decor in my room?
[Eleven's attention whipped back to her, then promptly ducked his head. He's not sure he can say anything about the décor, but neither is he bold enough to voice words to something far more flattering]
[ Maybe when looking back on this she would be thankful they both seemed wholly unable to stop getting flustered, but for the time being, all Lily could do is try and ignore the way her ears burned.
Giving him a nod when he accepted she rose to her feet, using her wand to change the appearance of the things on her desk - instead of a little potion-making area, just a surface scattered with the typical odds and ends of a lady. ]
Right, ready?
[ Lily stepped back over to the table and offered her hand, patting the pocket of her dress of her bag before she looked back to Eleven expectantly. ]
It's a surprise, though I don't know if we're supposed to be there I found it by accident, but I'm sure it's fine. Anyway, remember to keep calm.
[ Lily tightened her grip on Eleven's hand, apparating with a pop from the room before they rematerialized close enough to one of the walls of the city that it loomed abruptly overhead, in a tidy field of tall flowers. ]
I think it's a merchant's flower farm, isn't it nice? I missed my destination but it was quite worth it.
[Eleven remembers just in time what's about to happen, and only sways a little when they arrive while the world finishes spinning. He blinks through it, gaze drawn swiftly from the wall to the colorful flowers. He smiles]
[ Aware of how fond he was of green spaces, and pleased that she had the chance to show him this one she smiled, turning and skimming a hand over the tops of the flowers. ]
There's an estate house not far from here so we'd have to be quiet but it's late enough in the day that I think we can get away with being here.
[ Letting his hand go Lily sat down, plucking a blade of grass from the ground. ]
As missed landings go it's not the worst I've had.
[ At the mention of their not staying Lily pauses, her face falling slightly. They were meant to go home as soon as whoever took power in Taravast activated the Beacon. It was a wonderful thought save for this one, developing situation. ]
I guess we won't be staying long enough, will we?
[ Not wanting to voice the unfortunate downside to their coming departure she gave him a sad smile, shrugging before tossing a few blades of grass at his lap, trying to brush past the moment and not consider what was coming. ]
[Pain twinges in his chest, meeting her sad smile with regret written across his face. It isn't that he's forgotten what their goal here is, but when it's come to some things, he's chosen to ignore it. A large part of him isn't ready to return]
The garden at the farmhouse was trampled by the undead in the end, but.. I still have fond memories of tending it. It bore fruit- or, well, vegetables- a time or two, as well.
[ Lily wasn't exactly eager to return home either. She knew she was meant to do her part for the war, and stand up for the right things - but it was a little frightening to consider. ]
It was the only place on that farm that wasn't creepy in some way. You ought to have a plant or two regardless. Maybe you can take them with you.
[ Reaching out she took one of his hands and attempted another, more sincerely cheery smile. ]
[ At least this was something she could resist the urge to address directly. For now anyway. For the time being, leaving while presumably inevitable was still far enough away that she could put off dwelling on it. ]
That's a good way to think about it. It's best to just make the most of now while we can.
[Heartened that she must have caught onto his meaning, Eleven nods and lets the thread of worry unwind. Such things would matter at some point, but that shouldn't mean they can't live in the present.
He shifts to lay back, content to watch the colors of the clouds change as the sun sets]
Mm.. who's to say it'll work, anyway? It was never a guarantee..
[Eleven shifts his head to look at her with a smile. It's nice, simply laying together like this. Peaceful, and with the clouds drifting lazily overhead, as if time itself as slowed]
I'm not either. I'm not fond of this world, but.. there are some things I like about it.
[ Humming happily Lily's hand lifted from his cheek to tug the front of his garment, leaning up to catch him in a kiss before he made her any more flustered than he already had. ]
[Half laughing, Eleven settles into the kiss more easily. It's starting to become something he doesn't have to worry about too much, and shifting his lips against hers is easier for it.
His eyes close as he takes a moment to relish the moment's sweetness, then breathes a sigh through his nose. Other considerations feel far away]
[ Letting her forehead rest against his briefly, she reached out, picking a flower and sticking it behind his ear before she leaned back against the ground, propping herself up on an elbow. ]
Are you sure you're not a secret agent of the city, tasked with changing my mind about wanting that beacon activated? You're doing a brilliant job.
[He grins, fingertips going back to touch the flower in his hair]
I wouldn't tell you if I were. [But he shakes his head, shrugging, the shifts to prop himself up on his side] Last I knew however, we were only hoping one of them could be convinced, but I haven't heard any political talk of it.
[He pauses, looking her over in the waning light]
..I might stay a short while longer even if it is.
I'm leaving the political part of it to the experts.
[ Like Moran.
Not expecting him to want to linger if a way home was presented, Lily's eyebrows rose in surprise, humming in consideration as she looked back down towards the grass. Pinching a tiny white clover bud free she rolled it in her palm thoughtfully. ]
You don't want to leave yet?
[ Tossing the bud at the ground it bounced like a rubber ball, ricocheting lightly around the space they lay in before rolling slowly to a halt. ]
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branchandroot
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Date: 2021-09-11 01:04 am (UTC)I think you're better at centering yourself than most.
[ Lifting her tea once again Lily peered at him over the rim, narrowing her eyes. ]
Should we go somewhere today?
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Date: 2021-09-11 01:16 am (UTC)He meets her eyes and lets her query wash over him a moment, then follows suit in peering out the window. He's yet a touch distracted by the warmth of her leg]
Ah, if you'd like to, of course.
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Date: 2021-09-11 02:40 am (UTC)[ She moved slightly in her seat again, keeping her eyes on the window as she considered the alternative. It was true she had asked him here, but she also hadn't quite planned what to do with him once he was there.
Even though she was becoming increasingly aware of the way she had painted herself into a corner with her own bravado she bumped her knee against his, watching him out of the corner of her eye as she did. ]
I think I could take a turn showing you something nice in this city - unless you're that taken with the decor in my room?
no subject
Date: 2021-09-11 03:16 am (UTC)Yes, all right, I'd be happy to.
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Date: 2021-09-11 03:44 am (UTC)Giving him a nod when he accepted she rose to her feet, using her wand to change the appearance of the things on her desk - instead of a little potion-making area, just a surface scattered with the typical odds and ends of a lady. ]
Right, ready?
[ Lily stepped back over to the table and offered her hand, patting the pocket of her dress of her bag before she looked back to Eleven expectantly. ]
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Date: 2021-09-11 04:01 am (UTC)Where are we going?
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Date: 2021-09-11 04:11 am (UTC)[ Lily tightened her grip on Eleven's hand, apparating with a pop from the room before they rematerialized close enough to one of the walls of the city that it loomed abruptly overhead, in a tidy field of tall flowers. ]
I think it's a merchant's flower farm, isn't it nice? I missed my destination but it was quite worth it.
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Date: 2021-09-11 04:20 am (UTC)It's lovely. They look well taken care of.
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Date: 2021-09-11 04:29 am (UTC)[ Aware of how fond he was of green spaces, and pleased that she had the chance to show him this one she smiled, turning and skimming a hand over the tops of the flowers. ]
There's an estate house not far from here so we'd have to be quiet but it's late enough in the day that I think we can get away with being here.
[ Letting his hand go Lily sat down, plucking a blade of grass from the ground. ]
As missed landings go it's not the worst I've had.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-11 05:00 am (UTC)It makes me think I should get a planter for my balcony after all, though I know we won't be staying..
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Date: 2021-09-11 05:15 am (UTC)I guess we won't be staying long enough, will we?
[ Not wanting to voice the unfortunate downside to their coming departure she gave him a sad smile, shrugging before tossing a few blades of grass at his lap, trying to brush past the moment and not consider what was coming. ]
no subject
Date: 2021-09-11 05:36 am (UTC)The garden at the farmhouse was trampled by the undead in the end, but.. I still have fond memories of tending it. It bore fruit- or, well, vegetables- a time or two, as well.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-11 05:50 am (UTC)It was the only place on that farm that wasn't creepy in some way. You ought to have a plant or two regardless. Maybe you can take them with you.
[ Reaching out she took one of his hands and attempted another, more sincerely cheery smile. ]
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Date: 2021-09-11 05:56 am (UTC)Even if I had to give it up in the end, I think it would still be worthwhile.
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Date: 2021-09-11 06:05 am (UTC)That's a good way to think about it. It's best to just make the most of now while we can.
[ With plants. ]
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Date: 2021-09-11 06:15 am (UTC)He shifts to lay back, content to watch the colors of the clouds change as the sun sets]
Mm.. who's to say it'll work, anyway? It was never a guarantee..
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Date: 2021-09-11 06:22 am (UTC)It wasn't, was it?
[ With a sigh she stretched out next to him on the ground, settling herself against him comfortably. ]
Don't tell anyone, but I'm not in a rush to get back.
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Date: 2021-09-11 06:25 am (UTC)I'm not either. I'm not fond of this world, but.. there are some things I like about it.
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Date: 2021-09-11 06:31 am (UTC)Like the plants, of course.
[ She lifted her hand and brushed his cheek with her fingers. ]
You and your rare flowers.
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Date: 2021-09-11 06:41 am (UTC)They're important to me.
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Date: 2021-09-11 06:49 am (UTC)[ Humming happily Lily's hand lifted from his cheek to tug the front of his garment, leaning up to catch him in a kiss before he made her any more flustered than he already had. ]
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Date: 2021-09-11 07:06 am (UTC)His eyes close as he takes a moment to relish the moment's sweetness, then breathes a sigh through his nose. Other considerations feel far away]
This is nice..
no subject
Date: 2021-09-11 07:02 pm (UTC)Are you sure you're not a secret agent of the city, tasked with changing my mind about wanting that beacon activated? You're doing a brilliant job.
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Date: 2021-09-11 07:35 pm (UTC)I wouldn't tell you if I were. [But he shakes his head, shrugging, the shifts to prop himself up on his side] Last I knew however, we were only hoping one of them could be convinced, but I haven't heard any political talk of it.
[He pauses, looking her over in the waning light]
..I might stay a short while longer even if it is.
no subject
Date: 2021-09-11 08:59 pm (UTC)[ Like Moran.
Not expecting him to want to linger if a way home was presented, Lily's eyebrows rose in surprise, humming in consideration as she looked back down towards the grass. Pinching a tiny white clover bud free she rolled it in her palm thoughtfully. ]
You don't want to leave yet?
[ Tossing the bud at the ground it bounced like a rubber ball, ricocheting lightly around the space they lay in before rolling slowly to a halt. ]
Nor do I. I don't want to go to war.
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