Then won't you stay the night? Who: Carolina and Divina What: Helping Divina sleep Where: Marcos estate When: Sunday night Rating: G Status: Complete~
Divina sat up in bed, eyes fixed upon Carolina. It was slightly jarring to see the mystic in her bedroom, in her home, as if the Marcos estate existed outside of the rest of Divina’s life. Nevertheless, sneaking Carolina in had been easy enough. Through the interminable halls, the mystic had moved with the easy grace of one who was comfortable in shadow and in silence.
Something in Divina was afraid of that side of Carolina. That fear was loud enough to keep the fell from ever asking about what Carolina did when she was not with Li. The fear was not loud enough, however, to keep Divina from seeking Carolina’s aid.
“How shall this work?”
Carolina glanced dispassionately at the girl. The grandeur of the noble estate didn’t faze her. She had always felt apart from the world; the wealth and ornate decor of the Nobles District suited her as poorly as did her own flat in the Tenements.
She sat perched on a chair near Divina’s bed, just as she had on the several occasions she’d visited the girl in the hospital during their short acquaintance. Divina was uninjured now, at least bodily, but there was something going on. Carolina thought she could sense what it was, very faintly, like the fragrances in the back of one’s throat after a flavorful meal: the influence of something old and powerful.
“Lie down,” Carolina said, her voice low and calm as always. “Once I begin to cast, the spell works quickly, if at all. Once you are asleep, I shall remain to ensure that you are not trapped in sleep, should the nightmares return.” She had no curative spells to remove status effects like Sleep, but she’d brought an Alarm Clock for that purpose.
Divina lay down. The trust in Carolina was there, almost palpable: the unflinching faith of a daughter in her mother’s infallibility. But the simple memory of half-remembered dreams kept her skittish, restless. She could not sit still, her legs shifting, her hands opening and closing.
Carolina allowed herself a brief, fond smile at the girl, fidgeting where she lay like a child. Then she focused her attention inward, reciting the familiar incantation in a quiet monotone. The magic flowed over Divina, a wave of somnolent energy, urging her to sleep.
Instinctively, she resisted. It felt like something had taken root in the base of her spine, pulling the rest of her down. Her eyes met Carolina’s, panicked. The elder woman’s insouciant gaze seemed to soothe Divina, for, slowly, her limbs relaxed.
Upon her eyelids seemed to rest an unbearable weight, and so they shut. Within her ribcage, her heart had been hammering like rain upon a battered rooftop. But even this was attenuated by the mystic’s spell.
The spell completed, Carolina relaxed back into her former state of repose as she watched over Divina. She settled in for a long vigil, equally prepared for an uneventful stretch of time as she was to use the Alarm Clock, should she need to. For now, the child had either stopped fighting, or had lost to the power of the spell. Her breathing was deep and even, her form still.
As much remained unchanged for the remainder of the evening. For the first time in a long while, Divina eased into slumber, too tired to even wrap her arm around a pillow. Soon enough, the sun had risen, and the fell did not rise with it.
Carolina had moved very little in the hours since putting Divina to sleep—only to shift her position slightly, to take care of her needs, or to take provisions from the messenger bag she had carried to the Marcos estate. She’d brought a book on the use of ritual time magic, as well as a bit of embroidery. She so seldom had time for needlework anymore.
She looked up from her work when she noticed the morning light filtering in through the window. The Sleep spell would have worn off hours ago. If Divina was still asleep, it was most likely because the poor thing was exhausted. Nothing seemed to be amiss otherwise, so Carolina felt content to let the girl sleep as long as she would.
It was nearly noon when at last Divina grunted, slowly struggling her way into wakefulness. Dark bruises remained under her eyes, but they were clear, no longer misted and bloodshot. Blinking into the light, she turned toward Carolina.
“Thank you,” Divina exhaled, the edges of her voice still softened by sleep.
Carolina folded her embroidery and placed it into her bag. Standing, she said simply, “I shall return tonight.” It appeared that whatever nightmares plagued Divina wouldn’t follow her into a bespelled sleep, so Carolina would have no need to stay again. Still, as long as Divina needed, Carolina would make herself available to assist the girl into sleep.
Glancing toward the door that led from Divina’s chamber to the rest of the great house, she said, “I believe I can see myself out. Take care.” With that, and nothing more, Carolina stole away as quietly as she’d come.