Who: Genevieve Albrecht & Aspel Cassul What: Awkward tea is had Where: New tea shop in the Civic District When: Today! Rating: PG Status: Complete
Admittedly, in some strange way Aspel found herself thankful that the Duckling had been destroyed. It was one more way to put things off, to avoid the prodding that Vivi was surely to do even if it would be mild. A thought flickered by, a pondering of sorts…. Had Mag told Vivi? The idea was pushed off, they both had been so busy with their own lives, their own troubles it seemed unlikely at this point.
Then again, Aspel and Vivi both hadn’t been able to discuss their first near death experience some months back still yet either. That was another thing she almost preferred not to consider at all. Though… At least Vivi could share her thoughts, fears, and frustrations there. Maybe Drake could… No. It was… It was better, easier, not to talk about that at all.
Regardless, she had agreed to meet Vivi for tea in the end. A worry in the pit of her stomach had been there, for the other woman. The Duckling was destroyed, and the smith knew that if Vivi had died, it would have been broadcast throughout all of Emillion. The loss of a Countess, especially one of the other woman’s stature and renown would not go unmentioned.
Yet, somehow, sitting at the nicely laid out table, Aspel found herself uncomfortably grasping at her teacup, both hands wrapped around the small mug as a grounding factor. An attempt at focus made on the lightly tinted liquid inside so that her mind wouldn’t wonder, wouldn’t make mountains of molehills before the other woman arrived.
Just because Vivi agreed to come out, it didn’t mean she was well either, now did it?
Genevieve was running late - between the contractor rebuilding the guest house and the one working on the tavern, she had had little time to rest. Had it been anyone else, she might have rescheduled, but the amount of time she had spent with Aspel as of late had been far too little for the countess’ tastes. They had not truly spent any quality time in each other’s company since prior to the plague.
Worrisome rumors had begun to surface regarding Aspel. She had heard them - it was inevitable, of course; people knew that they were fairly close, and as a Faram-fearing woman, surely she knew nothing of it? She had not denied knowledge, but had not confirmed it either, instead focusing on dressing down the woman who had dared to speak ill of her friend. What business was it of theirs what instruments Aspel employed in defence of the city?
Still, Aspel had not mentioned still practicing, and she had not been to church in some time. The past weekend had been the first time since prior to the attacks that Aspel had appeared, and she had left as quickly as she had arrived, allowing no time at all for Genevieve to catch her.
She had half expected Aspel to refuse her invitation, in all honesty, but she had not, and Genevieve had to be running late.
The door closed behind her as she entered the room. “My apologies,” she said, taking the seat across from Aspel. “I am beginning to suspect that contractors in this city are incompetent.”
A simple wave of hand was given, with a strained smile as eyes quickly rolled down over Vivi, trying to assess any damages that may be hidden underneath clothing that would be told by posture or movement. Yet, when none were obvious, the tightness in Aspel’s own body language seemed to relax, something a bit more natural coming out in it.
“You are likely correct.” With the words, a soft smile was offered to the other woman with a nod of her head towards the other seat across from her. “I had not ordered anything other than my cup of tea at this time as I was uncertain if you would have eaten already or not.” A shift as Aspel glanced around the room, attempting to find the waitress once more. “Did you want only tea today?”
Genevieve nodded. “I’ve not much of an appetite most days,” she confessed. What little desire she had for food had been dispelled with the attacks. The thought of eating, even minimally, made her slightly nauseous. There had been food shortages, and so she had begun to donate her portions - not Alys’ or Juliette’s or those of the people who worked for her, but her own.
“But please do order if you are hungry.” She gave the woman across from her a wan smile.
“Ah.” It was a simple exclamation, something that was standard to her functioning and interactions, however, it felt foreign, alien on her tongue and in her mouth as she let it slip. Had it been so long since she’d used it at this point? Though, perhaps it was more her focus on maintaining a normal level of functioning that was causing everything to feel a bit… Off… In her world.
“I believe tea shall suffice.” A beat, a simple pause as if waiting for something else to come up or occur before a faint smile rose from nothing. “How have you fared? Well I pray.”
Before Genevieve could respond, the waitress appeared for her order. Once she had placed it, the waitress left, and Genevieve considered her friend. “It has been an eventful year,” she eventually said, careful. “And it has barely begun.”
The waitress returned with her tea, and Genevieve took a sip. “I have been as well as one might expect, considering the events of recent months. I would not worry so much after me, however, Aspel. What of you?”
“With that I must regretfully agree.” There was a definite tone of dismay lodged in there, regardless of how Aspel attempted to conceal it with false humor. Fingers and nails tapped absently at the table which they rested upon, allowing Vivi to continue on as she so desired. They had had this talk before Aspel could swear, but it was basic conversation, one that any set of friends were likely to have regardless of how many days had passed between them.
“Ah,” A beat fell as she considered the question posed. “As well as one may.” The answer was a vague parrot of sorts, and she knew it, knew that Vivi was likely to catch on as the Countess was no fool. Yet, Aspel also calculated that she was unlikely to be called upon the answer in such a… Public locale as which they presently sat. “Council has kept me quite occupied.” It was a pathetic attempt at a save, but in this instance, it was the best she had. “Business for you?” A curious brow rose as her teacup was lifted so that Aspel could take a sip.
There was little point on addressing Aspel’s evasion; the setting was far too public, yet she had suggested it for that very reason. She had wanted something light, a social visit that did not leave her feeling tired and drained. A time and place for such a discussion could be determined later, but the tired lines around Aspel’s eyes and the slight, jittery movements suggested that, perhaps, she ought to have considered more wisely.
“The rebuilding of said business has kept me busy,” she agreed. “Along with the rebuilding of the guesthouse, which I hear fell upon Alys’ dear husband.” She hid her smile behind her teacup. The mental image still suited to amuse her. “As far as other means of occupation, I have been volunteering and assisting in reconstruction efforts.” She took a sip of her tea - it had been steeped far too long; the bitter bite to it gave it away. “I hope that you have taken time from your schedule to care for yourself?”
A positive confirmation was given via a low hum in her throat to Vivi’s words. Eyes widened slightly at the idea of the guesthouse falling upon a person. “Oh dear.” How did… Why did… “I hope he is… Well.” Though, Aspel’s mind ticked back, the whole ordeal of Audrey’s marriage still seemed quite queer.
“I have, yes. Possibly not as much as I should,” A pause as eyes wandered away a moment, her mind becoming distracted for an instance longer than she really cared. “but I have managed to mostly keep my evenings for myself.” Eyes turned back on Vivi. “I hope you are not working yourself to the bone?” If it was a matter of distraction or not… Well, that would be another story.
“A wise decision,” Genevieve asserted. “I had never thought my estate to be so small, and yet, with three additional people residing inside of it, it is rather confining.” She did not regret her decision to pull the girls - and, by extension, Miles - into the main house, and yet she wondered if she would ever have a moment truly alone. They were not obtrusive and, in truth, she saw them so rarely aside from dinner, but she felt their presence.
What she did in her own home was now to be scrutinized so as to not allow any of them to know the depth of that which she was embroiled, and though Audrey and Miles knew that she was not as clean as perhaps Juliette believed, there were few people who knew truly how deep she was in the darker side of the city. One of those people would be sitting across from her if ever they had the chance to discuss it.
“The work is a distraction, and it is necessary,” she added, taking yet another sip of her tea.
“Ah,” A brief smile was offered. “The joys and challenges of shared quarters.” It had - honestly - been some time since Aspel had really had to live with someone, visitors aside. Even then, it was simply Mag, and…. The thought was dropped as she felt an ache in her chest from the argument she’d had with the other woman not terribly long ago. “Understandably so.” Was the initial response offered, though the smith could feel herself coming up short with conversational topics. An unusual challenge for herself, and one she would need to fix to assure that she did not set off a red flag for the woman across from her.
“What is the expected time for your personal reconstruction efforts on both the guest house and The Duckling?”
She finished her cup of tea. “Guesthouse should be completed by month’s end, and I do believe the tavern shall be completed by mid next month.” Genevieve shrugged. “I do not mind their company, I do, however, mind Basil’s attitude towards the animals in the estate.” It was still galling, the presumptuous of Miles Baines. And just as she had been growing to be amused by him.
Well, no matter. Soon, he would no longer be in her home.
“I am glad you appear to be well,” she continued, her tone making it clear that she knew that there was more that Aspel was not discussing. A half hour had passed, however, and there was little point in loitering longer. “You must come by the estate soon.” We can speak more freely there.
The teacup was placed upon its saucer and Genevieve placed some gil on the table - enough to cover both her and Aspel’s orders - and stood. “I’m afraid that I must be off. Said incompetent contractors have assured me that they will actually show at the appointed time, and it would reflect poorly upon me to be late myself.”
Those weren’t particularly great timeframes, but with the state of the city as it was, they certainly could be worse as well. A simple nod was offered instead, a sympathetic look given briefly at the frustration all of that would cause. The Armory had internally stood up to basically come away unscathed, and the fact that the entrance to the shop was in an ally had certainly assisted in keeping the damage to the outside fairly minimal as well. The commentary regarding Vivi’s guests manners however earned a brief frown. That was no way to treat someone so kind as to put you up after such a disaster… Whatever his behavior was.
“And I you.” The brief hint of relief, and slight smile was probably the most genuine emotion offered for the entirety of their conversation thus far. “Ah.” A pause, her mind attempted to frantically grasp at an excuse to get out of the almost promised talk that came with the idea of meeting at Vivi’s estate, but came up with nothing better than postponing. “As soon as a bit more time frees up from Council, I shall inform you so.” Another brief, yet this one also strained, smile.
“Indeed it is so.” Shifting, Aspel would stand, moving to give the other woman a hug, and a kiss on the cheek - a show of course, a dance they all knew - before a bow of her head was offered. “Someone must show them how it is done, no?” Another faint smile as Aspel let Vivi walk away, not realizing the other woman had paid for their entire gathering until she was already quite far gone. A huff of air was given; she’d simply need to fetch the bill next time they met before the Countess had the chance.