Peony Min (blackmagicks) wrote in emillion, @ 2013-12-20 16:38:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !log, peony min, rhys kinlan |
Who: Rhys & Peony
What: “The smolder isn’t working”
Where: Peony’s office
When: Backdated: afternoon of 12/5
Rating: PG-ish
Status: Complete
Rhys had bought Flynn’s reduced price flowers at their regular price, insisting that they probably needed the commerce and he’d just freshly gotten paid. After getting presents for Audrey’s birthday and throwing her an impromptu party, because who didn’t love a surprise party--and it was her birthday, he felt the need to go about and see his other favorite Ordalian. She’d been locked away in her tower, per usual, and he’d originally shown up with some cake. She was looking quite weak and tired, so he’d gone out for something a little more solid. He managed to grab some sandwiches from a favored deli of his, then some soup from a restaurant, along with her favorite tea. She could’ve made it herself, but he was trying to minimize the amount of work she needed. Needless to say, he came back with a few bags hanging off his arms. While they were no longer piping hot, they were, thankfully, still warm. He considered just walking in, but thought the best of it and knocked instead. If she was with someone, he didn’t want to interrupt their conversation. “Come in.” Peony expressed no surprise when she saw who was on the other side of the door. The flowers he had brought earlier, prior to his hasty departure, had been set in a vase at the edge of her desk, which was the only part of its surface not currently covered in nearly stacked papers. Although the city’s population was largely recovered from the illness, there were a number of things to sort out before life could return to normal. And even with Merrion back to full duty at last, the very nature of the cure that had been brought back had seen many questions posed to the guild. And that was a problem for another time, it seemed. Although Rhys Kinlan’s insistence on periodically gifting her with flowers (or with serenades) was something she found, on most occasions, mildly distracting and very amusing, he had been part of the retrieval team, which meant she owed him a great boon. She set her pen aside and smiled. “Please, make yourself comfortable,” she invited, noting the many bags he carried. “How may I help you this afternoon?” "Lunch," he said placing the bags on the nearest clear table. He would have put them on her desk if it wasn't covered in papers. Instead, he just began to set the sandwiches out neatly on napkins and poured the soup into bowls. A moment later, he procured some cups for the tea and placed the cannister in the middle of the table. He hadn't actually asked her if she'd wanted any, which he probably should have...but he'd already gone this far before he'd thought about it. A moment later, he moved around her desk and bowed, offering his hand. "If you would join me, please." “Thank you,” she said, a bit taken aback. The flowers were, at this point, nearly expected. The realization that she might be hungry and overtired was indicative of greater insight than she had thought he might possess. “As you have taken the time and trouble to procure it, I will be happy to join you for your repast.” She moved a few of the papers around, making room for a bowl and cup. “Apologies for the disorder,” she said, even as she reached for the tea canister. The liquid contained therein had cooled, but a quick spell had it steaming once more. Rhys pulled up a chair and sat down with a small plate of sandwiches in his hand. “Just eat,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders. “Maybe take a nap afterwards,” he added with a smile. “I am an excellent cuddler,” he offered. “Or so I’m told.” Peony was strong in many ways that he could admire. The fact that she’d resisted him for this long had lead him to many conclusions, but it didn’t stop him from noticing that she had not been taking care of herself. He’d gone on the journey for money, plain and simple. If he hadn’t, he probably never would have learned about the possible loss of invaluable partner. He wondered if he should thank her for letting him go. Perhaps the lunch would be enough thanks, even if she didn’t know. “I shall keep it in mind,” she said, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the statement. She served herself, smiling at the first spoonful of soup. “This is very good,” she said. She was hungrier than she had thought; perhaps she did require someone to remind her to take care of herself today. “It seems you have suffered no ill effects from your recent journey at our behest,” she commented. He seemed to be as cheerful as ever and wasn’t displaying any outward signs of injury. “That thing,” he said waving in no particular direction. “Took forever to subdue.” His brows uncharacteristically furrowed with what might have actually looked like annoyance. “Did they tell you she tried to kill all of us? Summoned a bunch of creatures and everything. It was a good thing we had as many people with us as we did.” He didn’t mean to sound so dour, but he had been sorely disappointed when there wasn’t a treasure trove hiding behind it. “I’m just glad we were able to win. A good friend of mine would have died otherwise.” “Yes,” Peony said, “we have had quite detailed reports from the mages who accompanied the group.” And, of course, there was Hippolyta as well; her perspective was particularly… unique. “Still, I would be glad to hear your perspective.” This matter of ancient guardians was new to her, though with Merrion’s insight -- and the disappearance of the young blue mage who had, perhaps, shared some circumstances with Hippolyta-- had her suspecting that it was a matter about which she had to educate herself, and quickly. “There were many good people who might have died,” she said, softly. “Colleagues, friends, family. The city owes you -- and all the others who ventured into the mountains -- a great debt.” “Well, I’m pretty sure they told you more than I can remember,” he said with a shrug. “Other than it having three faces, being obnoxiously cryptic, and attempting to murder me.” The thief counted the traits off on his fingers. He left out the part where he was more than ready to just leave. “There weren’t any traps, but after it decided to call out its friends, I saw why.” “And don’t think of it that way, lovely flower.” If he wasn’t more concerned with her actually eating, he would have taken her hand in his. “In finding the cure, we prevented ourselves from dying from the sickness as well.” It was a practical view. “Nothing is owed that hasn’t been paid.” Rhys was, of course, referencing the payment for the excursion itself. “You are kind and generous,” she answered, taking another bite of her sandwich. His description of events was less detailed, it was true, but it was good to hear it all the same. “It is fortunate that… she,” the pause was audible, “has also been generous since your return.” The creature who had seemingly chosen Hippolyta had saved dozens before the medicine had been made. And although Hippolyta said little of it, Peony imagined that her assistance had not come easily, judging by the blue mage’s hollow-cheeked exhaustion in the aftermath of the healing she had done. “One can hope that there are no more such encounters in your future,” she told the man across the desk, then set about finishing her soup. Rhys wasn't about to correct the woman anytime soon. He liked that she liked him, even if it wasn't in the way he would have preferred. The office offered a lot of options he'd thought about from time to time, but the woman never seemed to crack. She was simply lukewarm about everything all the time. "I'll say," he agreed about the homicidal parasite. He was sure it was hurting Flynn, which didn't sit too well with him at all. "If I never meet another one of those, it'll be too soon," he said observing that she had almost finished her soup and taken a bite of her sandwich. This was satisfactory to him. He just wanted to make sure she'd eat without interruptions and get some color back into her lovely face. "If you decide to take a nap. I can sit outside the door to make sure no one bothers you," he offered. She smiled and told him, “I do not believe that will be necessary, but thank you for the kind offer.” There was work yet to be done today -- napping was out of the question. “But perhaps we could enjoy this tea you have so thoughtfully brought and talk of more pleasant things for a quarter hour,” she offered. Pouring, she ensured both cups were steaming as she asked, “Tell me, is it true that you will be appearing in the gala? My brother is fond of sleight of hand; I believe he is anxious to see you perform.” He was a performer, after all, and enjoyed talking; she settled back with her cup of tea, allowing him to do what he did best. |