( ...ah, but there's a flinch to it, inevitable, stubborn, strong — enough to purposefully unbalance his elbow from her grasp and infuse their camaraderie with distance. Touch singes him, stains. Earns a muted hiss of distaste, like every long-suffering cat who has tolerated far too much of an overbearing owner's affections.
He does not repudiate her presence, does not excuse his disinterest. Only proceeds, each step measured so as to prove he can prevail, cautious to aim his heel where the sheen of ice below thickens to opacity, or he senses the slow, crumbling grit of salts beneath his feet.
The indignity of his current weakness, too, shall pass. And there's a scattering of lights at distance, flame in heating braziers, steadied to guide the work of dozens of men gathered to pour ice and cold sorcery into the lake's nethers. They need only reach the lights. )
Beg the merchant's boon. Perhaps your next abduction will better satisfy.
no subject
( ...ah, but there's a flinch to it, inevitable, stubborn, strong — enough to purposefully unbalance his elbow from her grasp and infuse their camaraderie with distance. Touch singes him, stains. Earns a muted hiss of distaste, like every long-suffering cat who has tolerated far too much of an overbearing owner's affections.
He does not repudiate her presence, does not excuse his disinterest. Only proceeds, each step measured so as to prove he can prevail, cautious to aim his heel where the sheen of ice below thickens to opacity, or he senses the slow, crumbling grit of salts beneath his feet.
The indignity of his current weakness, too, shall pass. And there's a scattering of lights at distance, flame in heating braziers, steadied to guide the work of dozens of men gathered to pour ice and cold sorcery into the lake's nethers. They need only reach the lights. )
Beg the merchant's boon. Perhaps your next abduction will better satisfy.
( ...seeing as she has. Expectations. )