18th moon [voice]

[vibrafinal]

Rosa Farrell has left Luceti.

[It comes abruptly, harshly, flatly. Cecil does not sound in terrible pain as he did the last time he had to make such an announcement. In fact, he sounds very much as though he's forgotten how to inflect.]

...She's left roses and notes for everyone she's met here. Please come pick them up when you have the time.

[That's all he has the energy to say.]

Comments

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

Then when you go home, that's what I'll do. So you don't need to worry.

[She smiles, hoping he'll return the expression at least a little.]

[Action]

[paladinlost]

...Thank you.

[He does. Barely, but he does.]

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[Even that little bit is encouraging.]

You're welcome. Is there anything else I can do to help you?

[Action]

[paladinlost]

...Could you stay a little? We have a lot of leftovers.

[And all those flowers to give away.]

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[...Oh, Cecil.

Gently, she says:] Of course. I can stay as long as you'd like.

[Action]

[paladinlost]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

You don't need to thank me. I'm happy to stay and help you feel better.

Why don't you sit down and have some tea now?

[Action]

[paladinlost]

...Yes, perhaps that would help.

[He takes a small sip from his mug.]

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[Grune waits until he's sitting down to reach out and cover his fingers on his mug.]

Maybe I should bake you some cookies a little later. Does that sound like a good idea?

[Action]

[paladinlost]

...I'd like that, yes. We'd all like that.

[He appreciates the gesture, truly.]

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

All right. What are your favourite kind?

[Cecil gets to speak for the household, since, well, he's closest to Rosa.]

[Action]

[paladinlost]

Anything you'd make would undoubtedly be delicious.

[Trying to think of things he likes is a little difficult right now.]

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[Very understandably, yes.]

Why don't I make chocolate chip cookies? Those are nice.

[Action]

[paladinlost]

They are, in the evening after a long day of training.

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[She nods. Not that she knows what he's talking about personally, since she never trains, but hey.]

Or as a delicious mid-afternoon snack.

[Action]

[paladinlost]

With a warm drink, during winter.

[At least he's thinking positively now.]

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[Which is enough to set Grune's mind at least a little at ease.]

Yes, that's very nice, too. Chocolate chip cookies are good lots of times.

[Action]

[paladinlost]

I think they'd do the whole household much good.

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

Then I'll make sure to bake lots and lots so everyone has enough.

[Maybe a tripled recipe?]

[Action]

[paladinlost]

...Thank you. We'd appreciate it.

[That would work, yes.]