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[heal_theworld]

[Martel wasn't exactly worried about Seles, but she still didn't want to leave her alone for a long time in the castle. Because Zelos would most assuredly have something to say about that and people can get into all sorts of trouble in the castle while exploring. And Seles seems like the exploring type. She'd hate for her to get lost somewhere or in trouble. She was supposed to watch out for her and help her get in trouble. So, sitting in the lobby with a reading book and a cup of tea, she filters to Seles.]


Are you settling in okay?


[She sets her journal aside, and goes back to reading her romance novel book.]

Comments

[theabjectauthor]

[Lemony's on his way up to the library, when he comes down from his tower and starts to cross the lobby. spotting the woman on the couch, he smiles, glad to come across a fellow avid reader - and completely unaware that she's one of his jam session partners]

Good afternoon.

[he says it politely, with a sort of lilt in his tone that suggests she's more than welcome to leave it be if she doesn't want to be interrupted]

[heal_theworld]

[She has no idea that he's her mysterious jam partner either. She smiles back at him and lowers her book, because she's always willing to talk, if he is.] Good afternoon!

[theabjectauthor]

If I'm interrupting ... please, don't mind me. I can certainly come back once you've finished your chapter. Or not at all, if you'd rather.

[heal_theworld]

[She laughs at that. Such a strange man, but very polite and nice.] You're not interrupting at all! ...Would you like some tea? I boiled some water and left it in the kitchen. It's probably not completely hot anymore, but...

[theabjectauthor]

That's very kind of you, madam, thank you. I could certainly reheat the water and bring you a fresh cup, since you went to the initial trouble...?

[heal_theworld]

Oh, if you would like to, that would be nice. Thank you!

[theabjectauthor]

You were the first to offer, it's no trouble at all. [he smiles] How do you take your tea?

[quarterelf]

[Honestly she's a bit surprised to see something addressed just to her...! She still hasn't heard just what it is Zelos wants to tell her about Martel, but.

Hm.

Still she's too surprised by the kind gesture to be bratty.]

I'm... doing fine, yes. ...And how are you?

[heal_theworld]

Oh good. And I've been all right.

If you would like some tea I've made some hot water.

[quarterelf]

Tea does sound nice... Are you suggesting we meet somewhere?

[heal_theworld]

Well, I'm sitting the lobby with some tea right now. The water's in the kitchen, but I can go get you a cup before you get down here.

Of course, unless you're doing something important...

[quarterelf]

I'm not too busy at all! I-I mean, if you request so kindly... ...I'll be down to the lobby as soon as I can.

[heal_theworld]

All right! [Martel's just going to dart into the kitchen and get Seles a cup of tea, hopefully before she gets down to the lobby.]

GETTING CR IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO

[persequor]

[ It's Nymeria who approaches first, come to smell the strange woman and her tea in particular. Arya calls to the direwolf when she notices. ]

Nymeria, leave her!

LET'S DO THIS

[heal_theworld]

[Martel was certainly not expecting a wolf to come up and attempt to smell her. But she makes certain not to jump to startle it, as she doesn't want the wolf to attack her. Instead she just lowers her book a bit and gives the wolf a smile.] Hello.

[Then she looks up at the girl who called. She seemed vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place her.] Is she yours?

[persequor]

Yes. Here! [ The order comes out sharply. Nymeria turns immediately and heads back to Arya's side. ]

[heal_theworld]

[The wolf trots back to the girl, and then Martel finally places her.] Oh! You're the girl who left during the expedition. I'm glad you made it back here all right.

[persequor]

Said I would.

[heal_theworld]

And you did. I won't try to stop you from doing anything like that again. [She had more than proven herself.]

[valuedstrength]

[Steve is coming out of the Lux when he spots Martel in the lobby. He stops dead in his tracks and stares for one very long moment. A part of him wasn't sure she really existed. The nightmares had been such a confusing mess for him. The aftermath had left him and everyone else raw as well. The thought of looking for Martel with nothing to offer her when she might not even be there to be found was too much then. Now? He manages a smile, waves to get her attention, and walks over to Martel.]

Ma'am. [He clears his throat.] Martel. Still up for that drink?

[heal_theworld]

[She looks up and smiles at him, shutting her book. She had wondered where he was, and if he had even been there, but now that she had seen him...] Steve. Of course I am. And I have all the time in the world.

[valuedstrength]

Great. [Steve laughs because it's almost too easy. You'd almost think they hadn't met during a traumatic nightmare.]

The Lux is this way. [Let him lead the way.]

[heal_theworld]

[She gets up, closing her book and picking up her teacup.] Wait one moment. [She quick pops into the kitchen and puts her cup away and returns to him.]

Lead the way, then.

[valuedstrength]

[He smiles at that before starting for the Lux.] I hope I wasn't interrupting.

[heal_theworld]

Of course not. I was just reading the book for something to do. Sometimes it can get rather boring around here. I'm used to traveling.