“Much as I can be.” Rictor shrugged. The holy knight had a tendency to downplay the severity of his own injuries, even (especially) to the people it most mattered to, so Vivi hardly stood a chance. “It was a rough mission earlier this month, but we’re trained for it. Glad it all turned out alright.”
Fully four of tonight’s guests had all gone on the curative mission together. They’d all had their reasons, but some of those reasons were right here; either on the other side of the room or, for others, standing in front of him and smiling that enigmatic smile he suspected they taught all countesses at birth.
“But you’re feeling better after everything, aye?”
It should not have surprised her that he had heard - after all, when she had collapsed, it had been at Orsinio’s estate, and she had had to be taken home. Surely, such an affair wouldn’t be kept quiet. Still, it took her aback momentarily, but she quickly settled back into comfortable territory. “I am feeling quite better, yes,” she informed him quietly.
She had not been privy to whatever manner of instantaneous cure that the group who had gone in search of it had brought back, instead choosing to wait for the antidotes that had been distributed. The mage had warned her that there might some lingering vestiges of illness, and he had not been remiss in his advisement. There were still moments of weakness that overcame her, but it had gotten better with time.
“I have not had the opportunity to thank you for what you did,” she added.
“No need,” Rictor said gruffly, now starting to fidget. Humility was a tough pill to swallow, but he’d been slowly working on it for the past half-decade, trying to rewire old habits. “It wasn’t just me, after all. A whole bunch of us, team effort. So I’m just glad to see everyone up and around and walking again.” He smiled, a little strained around the edges.
Under another circumstance, she might have pushed, just a little. It was always entertaining to her to see what would make others uncomfortable, and it seemed as though she had two different topics at hand in which to make Rictor Cassul squirm. However, there was something to be said for mercy at the holidays, and therefore Rictor would get off gently.
“I must admit to being thrilled to be up and about,” she said, a smile tugging at her lips. “I would love to continue this chat, however it seems that Robyn is calling to me.” She touched his shoulder gently. “Do continue to enjoy yourself, Rictor.” And with that, she crossed the floor to where Robyn - engaged in the bookkeeping - stood before disappearing into the kitchen.