Aspel Cassul: When in doubt, Aspel! (weaponry) wrote in emillion, @ 2013-06-26 22:59:00 |
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They had fought off the monstrous water serpent and it had disappeared in a flash of light, gifting its summon stone to one of the combatants of the day. The whole thing still left her mentally reeling on some level. However, at the same time, Aspel was exhausted, in pain and frustrated. How... why... did these things keep happening to Emillion? She had lived here for years, and of course, there happened to be a random occurrence over here, or another thing over there, but it had never caused need for regular motivation and response from multiple guilds for Faram’s sake. How many had this made in the past, what, three months? The attack on the docks, the murders, the missing bodies, the missing people, that thing in the caves in the woods, and now this. Eight events? Were they all connected? Could they all be connected? Would it even make any sense? She would almost find it fascinating if she wasn't too busy finding it mind-boggling, and, on some levels, infuriating. The low mutter she'd thought of died in her throat as she was unsure if murmuring 'curious', or grumbling 'Faram' would be the better of her current two choices. Regardless, after the fight, she had been carried off for medical attention by Drake, and then he had almost half-carried her home. It was something to offer thanks for how little injury he had seemed to acquire upon this outing; there were few other men she knew that could carry the 170-200lbs that her own body weight and gear totaled to. Now though she was here, sitting on the couch after shooing him back to the docks. They needed a council member down there and she... could not be the one with her leg having been crushed, so it would have to be him. Sighing, a hand raised, her jaw locking as pain shot through her shoulder and arm from the motion. Regardless, the hand would cover her eyes, rubbing at them before wiping over the rest of her face. The stairs had been a challenge, at best, and that was even after they were able to remove some of her armor and have various bones set and cured to the best of the medics’ abilities that hadn't been completely devoid of magicks by the end of the fight. Which, unfortunately for her, hadn't been many, especially with the response that the MG council had provoked. Though, in the same instance, she wouldn't have wanted for much regardless. There were plenty of good people out there who could easily be more injured than herself, dying even, and they would be in much greater need. Of course, she'd gotten dirty looks from Drake and Ari when she'd waved off more healing from the medics after they set her bones, but... She did have potions, and with a good night’s rest, she could cure herself more. Slowly, her jaw clenching in pain, she leaned back to relax against the back of the couch. Ari had already proclaimed that she intended to stay unless Aspel planned on kicking her out, and quite frankly, the smith saw no benefit in attempting such. The Sentinel was not mentally compromised, in the same manner she had been after the combat with undead, and quite frankly, she was rather worried about the bard. As soon as she heard the door creak, a sure sign that Ari was about to step through it again after showing Drake out and locking the doors behind him, even though it wasn't required, the smith had asked her too and... For whatever Faram-forsaken reason, the bard had obliged. "Are you well?" Aspel's voice came out a little louder than she meant, the volume hurting her own ears and eyes squeezed shut after glimpsing the other woman step through the door, hearing the soft click of it shut and lock behind her. Her head hung over the back of the couch, her jaw tight, and eyes remaining shut tightly for a moment until the pain subsided. After a few seconds, eyes would creep open again, her jaw relaxing. "I am certain I have already asked but..." eyes would linger, clearly searching, trying to see if she could find anything amiss. "... I fear that I may have missed something." This time, the smith’s voice was much softer, her volume quite low, much like the last time they had arrived back from combat. Her ears clearly sensitive to the point of pain once again, but her voice still managed to be tender, sincerely concerned, and an apologetic smile rose on her lips. Honestly, she should probably be in bed, but the couch just seemed so much closer and fear had struck her regarding questions about what lay in the large metal box underneath her bed. That was one thing more that she did not need to worry herself over at this time. When Ari came close enough, Aspel attempted to reach out. Her movements the slow, and stiff, reactions of someone still hurting, but in this moment the smith found herself wanting to touch the other woman, wanting to feel something other than her own pain. "Yes," Ari said to the question about whether or not she was well. It was a lie. The last few hours - trudging across town to the clinic, then again to get Aspel home, Drake sweating under the weight of Aspel's injured body and her armor, Ari hauling what equipment had been removed alongside, her clothing heavy and sodden, her emotions churning - had been nothing short of miserable. She had cried, in the corner of the clinic, as they pried the armor off of Aspel's leg, and waved off the healers asking if she was well. She almost never cried. Apparently worry and exhaustion caused uncharacteristic results. He instrument case was in the corner, soaked through and useless. Her beloved mandolin had drowned as surely as those people out at sea - there would be no repairing the instrument however hard she tried. In the way of Aspel's armor, some things were too broken to fix. "I am unhurt," she added after a moment, trying to give at least a little truth to make the lie more palatable. She was not well, but she would be hard-pressed to explain why. Unlike you, she didn't say. Aspel was a fighter, she reminded herself. Fighters got hurt. She tried not to think about the circumstances. The whole thing did not yet sit well with her. Aspel's face was almost gray with the fading light and likely pain. She looked tired and pretty terrible, and when she reached out, it took Ari a moment to realize, through her own haze of misery, what the wordless request was. She reached out her own hand, keeping the touch light, barely a brush of fingers unless Aspel wanted to latch on. She did not want to squeeze lest there was yet another break somewhere that she couldn't yet perceive. In truth, she had half an instinct to launch herself at Aspel and just hang on for a little while, but that was obviously out of the question - and her other instinct was to go find a dark corner and be by herself a little while until her mind settled, which was also out of the question. She had to settle for the brush of hands, then. "Do you... need anything?" she managed after a moment. Volunteering to stay had come almost without thinking, but she didn't know what else she could do now that they were here. It was too early to offer more healing... and she had no instrument to offer it with, anyway. She was fairly useless, except for fetching and carrying, in the end. "I can make tea," she offered. Maybe coffee for herself. Hell, she'd even settle for the tea at this point. Her clothes were still damp even now, and she was still so cold. "Mm." The throaty noise vibrated down through her chest more than the soft words. A slight ache rising and the smith realized that, perhaps hilariously, words might benefit her more this eve. Regardless, her brows remained furrowed, eyes slightly narrowed, and the look on her face disbelieving. Perhaps, Ari wasn't lying, perhaps she was fine, but worry still welled up inside her body, there would be nothing that could be done about that though as she watched the other woman. Then came the bard’s next words. Ah, unhurt, yes, of course. The urge to simply give another grunt of confirmation came, but instead she slowly inhaled, letting out a deep sigh. "Unwell encompasses more than the physical form," came that same low and gentle voice. Just because she was made for combat, had spent years prepping her body and honing her mind for battle, not everyone could be nearly as prepared. Besides, this was basically the conversation she had had with Vivi just the week before. The smith’s mind ticked back to that, about how resistant her friend had been, and for a brief moment, Aspel wondered if she shouldn't take such a direct approach with Ari as well. Though... that may not be the best way to go about things right now. When the touch was light, a corner of Aspel's lips ticked down before grasping onto the other woman's hand firmly. It wasn't a particularly strong hold, it wasn't one that couldn't be broken - Honestly, Aspel wasn't sure she had that much strength in her right now even if she had wanted to hold onto the bard in such a manner - and a light pull was given. At least she was able to manage this with her non-broken arm. Thankfully, the break in her arm, while it still felt strained, was mostly healed. Well, at least as healed as it was going to get for this point in time. "If you are unharmed, you can humor me, no?" Previously, her pain had blocked out the cold, and now - with the pain subsided as much as possible - the cold was beginning to settle into her mind and bones. It wouldn't have been so bad if it was just on the surface of her body, Aspel could have easily dealt with that, but when it really sunk into your body, that was always when it caused her the most problems. Though, the offer of tea would earn a bit of an interested look, the thought considered for a moment, but her brain was slow to process. That very well might help. "Tea," It was turned over in her mind for a bit, "would... assist, but," There was the slightest hesitation, as the words were considered through the haze in her head starting to settle in, "I would quite like if you would sit with me... for a bit. If you would like." "I..." She trailed off, shook her head, annoyed with her own mental muzziness when she couldn't come up with a rebuttal. "...It is nothing. I am quite tired." That wasn't untrue, either. She was exhausted and soaked to the bone and emotionally overwrought due to a whole plethora of reasons, but 'tired' seemed the easiest all-encompassing term to use. "And freezing," she added after a moment, trying again to smile, though it likely came out a little forced. She had tried to put on her calmest face on the way here from the clinic - she had been far too upset on the way to the clinic to even think of it, but she doubted that Aspel, in her pained haze, had noticed - but she couldn't really summon even the ghost of false cheer at this point. When Aspel grasped her hand quite firmly and tugged, she moved forward, though again, it seemed to take her a moment to truly comprehend what was being asked of her before she could react appropriately. She did make her approach, though, an instant later than anticipated, perhaps. "I think it has been shown that I will almost always humor you, regardless of the state I'm in," she said quietly; this was probably the truest answer she had given so far. "I want to help, if I can. Not that I can do much, but..." Tea had seemed the easiest place to start. Tea, and perhaps a potion and then likely helping Aspel into bed. There wasn't much else she could do, or so she thought until the other woman spoke again. "I'll make your couch wet," she cautioned, but she was already sitting down, her side against Aspel's. The other woman's skin seemed warmer than hers - she still felt clammy all over - so the contact was welcome, but she took care not to lean, no matter how much she wished to just sag against Aspel's body, close her eyes, and stop thinking for a few minutes. She hadn't been able to listen through the entire litany of Aspel's injuries back at the clinic - it had just been one thing too much in that moment - so she had no idea just what to watch out for, aside from the leg, which was... glaringly obvious. Better not to think about that; it had only been the culminating factor, but it was liable to set her off again. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and felt strangely calmed, at least a little, though she could find no real reason for it. "I just don't want to hurt you more," she admitted. The injuries were bad enough without her accidentally poking or prodding something. The low noise of a "Mm" began to form in her throat but it quickly died before being completed. Right, don't do that. There was a brief internal chiding of herself for forgetting something so easy, so simple to remember but habits did die hard and she was one of the greatest cases of that she knew. There were so many terrible habits she had engaged in over the years that still lingered. They would pick at the back of her head, push at her desires, and cause urges to crop up when they, sometimes, were least convenient. The desire of a drink a strong problem right in this moment; getting drunk would help no one and nothing. However, the logical knowledge of this didn't keep her eyes from wandering to the kitchen, remembering where she had stored the bottles of Kerwonian mead that Arabella had retrieved for her some weeks back. "You are." Came a simple assurance from the smith. The thought was thoughtless, an instant response, and if Ari dared to broach how or why, Aspel wasn't entirely sure she could give a proper answer. It was more feelings than words, and the feelings... Well. She wasn't entirely sure she understood them, but they were there and did not seem harmful. "But I want to," make you happy, "help as well. If there is anything I can do." Ari certainly didn't look her cheerful and happy self and it was... bothersome. There was no crushing and desperate need to make it better, the smith was not about to destroy the world to see the woman before her smile, but there remained a subtle, but deep-seated longing to see the bard look better, to see her sincerely smile again. "It matters not." An attempt at clearing her throat was taken, and completed with no small amount of spike in her levels of pain. However, the only indication would be the tightening of her jaw. At least now, the bard was sitting, it was closer than before, but at the same time, all Aspel wanted was to wrap Ari up in her arms, and just... try to forget the day, forget her pain and the fight and the blame the guild was likely to face. To forget, for just a little while, that the world outside of her apartment walls, and Ari's body pressed against her own mattered at all. "Physical pain means little to me." Though, a little piece in the back of her head flared up, telling her it was unlikely the other woman would listen to such comment at all. That part was shushed, along with the scrape of metal and low gravely grumble that rose. She could dream. "We should get you warmed up, no?" Her brain ticked back to an earlier point in the conversation, recalling the main complaint that Ari had voiced. A low grunt slipped out as Aspel shifted in where she sat, moving to wrap an arm around the bard’s shoulders, an attempt to pull the other woman closer. Body heat, that was one of the best ways to keep the chill away. The hand she'd held was brought up, a kiss placed against the back of cooled skin. "Would a bath, or something hot to drink assist?" Even though the words came out, Aspel didn't really want the bard to move. "I don't understand how," her voice was a bit plaintive; she struggled a moment before she managed to neutralize her tone, "but I am glad to hear it." She didn't feel very helpful. And earlier, on the beach, when her waterlogged instrument had begun to fail her and those around her had been counting upon her assistance, she hadn't been particularly helpful either. It had been years since she'd been a liability in battle, but... No, better not to think of that either. "I don't know." the words slipped out unbidden, but they were honest - she didn't know what Aspel could possibly do for her state of mind, any more than she knew what to do for the other woman's injuries. Fix my mandolin, fix your leg, banish the cold, make me forget about going underwater, it sounded like a childish demand or a fairy tale, completely unreasonable. Obviously she couldn't ask for any of these things. "It has just been... a very long day," she finally said; a hilarious understatement, but the only half-sensible thing she could think of to say. "It matters to me," she pointed out. "I do not like to... cause harm." It came out sounding stupid, her eyes fell to her lap, to their hands, still joined. She once again felt the curious conflicting desires - pull closer or retreat - and balanced them as she had before, by doing nothing. "You might not care about your pain but I - never mind." She cut herself off. She had long ago given up trying to explain this to Drake, and she was certain it would be the same with Aspel; eventually she would turn it into a joke to hide her varying levels of distress and aggravation when the other turned up injured in one way or another. Fighters fought. Healers learned not to be bothered. Most of the time, she was better about it. She leaned in, gingerly, when the arm came around her. The contact helped, a little. She wasn't really shivering much anymore, and she was only a little damp. Aspel's lips on the back of her hand felt nearly hot, though, with her own skin as chilled as it was. "I might not say no to use of your bath," she responded, having given the offer some thought. It was a testament to how she felt that she didn't make a single teasing, offhanded comment about bare skin to skin being the best remedy for cold. She barely even thought it. She didn't move, though, taking some small comfort in the feeling of Aspel's ribs expanding and contracting with breath against her side. "If I might bother you to tell me where I could find a towel. And most probably, until my clothing dries, yet another of your tunics - I'm afraid you will soon believe that I have begun collecting them." She looked up, offered the ghost of a smile and something that looked a little like genuine amusement. "I..." Whatever she was going to say, why she had started speaking was a mystery. It wasn't common for Aspel to talk without something to say and her mouth closed, unsure of where she had even been trying to start to go. "Everyone enjoys company when.. recovering." It was the best she could offer, and the smith wasn't about to shrink away from the truth of her current situation. She might not fully desire to admit how badly she was injured, even after the medics had helped to take care of her, but she wouldn't deny the obvious either. Maybe it wasn't the best thing to say, but how her leg had been damaged it was likely she'd need to go back to a clinic before long to check on the bones and see if they were set right in the rush of it all. More healing, in this moment, might actually prove harmful. "If anything does come to mind, I... would very much like to know... if you desired to share it." The words felt delicate, like the thought, the sentiment needed to be handled like delicate fine crystal. If delivered incorrectly, if even shifted wrong, they could, somehow, magically break. What they would break? Or how? Aspel hadn't a clue. Though, something in the back of her head took note of how similar these words were in regards to some other conversations the smith had, had recently with... No, there wasn't time to think of that mess. Not now. Besides, it wasn't like this was the same situation, or even the same topic. "I..." Aspel couldn't help the pause, taking a moment to process and wet her lips. "understand." There was another moment of thought followed by a hesitance, a certain vulnerability with the next words that came to mind and the smith had to bite her tongue to keep from speaking them without thinking. "I... need... comfort of mind more than that of body." And there it was, bared raw and open for Ari to do whatever she wanted with in this instance. "The mind is harder to heal than the body." The words were low, murmured, perhaps the faintest hint of discomfort coming with them. How damaged her mental and emotional state had been for so long was something that brought its own shame, a weakness that hurt, much like an open wound. Admitting weakness on the battlefield allowed you to pull together a team to help you, and slowly, very slowly, Aspel was finding, perhaps that was also true of the war in her mind and heart. The feeling of Ari leaning in did bring a sort of relief with it. Like maybe, just maybe, things could be okay, that they could be normal. A comfort that she couldn't entirely understand why or where it came from, but it did. "Mm." Ow. "As you wish." A pause was taken, a slight nod of her head given. "Second drawer in dresser for the tunic, towels in the closed shelves between the bath and the bedroom." There was a small closed shelving unit the hallway there, the doors hiding away the towels and various other bath goods that would be easily passed by if not trying to take specific note of things. The commentary earned, probably, the first sincere smile since they left the clinic, though it didn't entirely reach her eyes with her adrenaline having finally settled and tiredness really beginning to settle in. The trek from the couch to her room to change and get prepared for bed would be taxing but... at least it didn't hurt to breathe anymore. Honestly, Ari felt like lousy company right now, and Aspel's admission brought only a thoughtful, "Hmm." Still, if her emotional, somewhat awkward presence was an aid in some way... "You will have mine, then, while you do," she murmured. She wouldn't be able to stop herself from checking in regardless. Honestly, she thought she would easily allow Aspel to monopolize her attention for the next week or two, although she managed not to say that much aloud. Even had she an instrument, healing now would almost certainly be dangerous to future utility and range of motion for Aspel's leg - she didn't have the knowledge to ensure she didn't do further damage - but company she could provide, at least, lousy as it was. "If anything comes to mind, I will..." consider it, "let you know, of course," Ari told her after a few moments of silence. How to explain that the things she needed she felt foolish asking for because they were impossible? Except perhaps the warmth - but she would take care of that soon enough. "I....." Why were words so damnably difficult today? It was as though the tidal wave had simply washed them away. "I... have little experience healing such," she finally managed. "Or perhaps I had better say none at all." I fear I shall be a disappointment in this regard. She barely kept the words back; they were not the right ones, even through the haze of her current state she knew that much. Which words were right? I will try, seemed terrifyingly intimate, somehow. Perhaps simply, "I am better at distraction, but if I can provide some comfort..." despite being entirely out of my depth, "I will be glad of it." She took note of the locations of the necessary items, but still did not move. "Shall I help you up?" she said at last. "I am not Drake, but I can help get you to the bedroom, and at least you have no -" armor for me to remove today, no, better not to think about that, "that is, once you're settled, I can make that tea before I run the bath." "Then I thank you." Her words were low, voice still soft. That would be her volume and tone for the rest of the evening, and probably well into the morning at this rate. It was a hazard of the job really, but after all of this mess - how many times now? - the smith was beginning to wonder if she might be better off leaving the helmet at home from here on. Regardless, Ari's offer was a comfort in of itself. It had been some time since she'd had an injury this serious, and just as long since having someone who could, and was willing to actively look after her on some level. Not that Aspel would ever expect Ari to take care of her, but... she couldn't help but be relieved on some level at the notion of someone coming to check in. Generally, the response would have warranted a 'Mm' but with memory of how that hurt still fresh, and the notion of repeating herself seeming endlessly frustrating, a slow nod was given. "I appreciate it." It was the best she could do in reality. Though... maybe... and Ari was talking again before the smith’s thought even finalized. Oh right... Aspel had said something else, now hadn't she? Though, the slow and broken series of words pushed enough around the corners of her brain for the smith to notice something was going on here; even if she didn't have the wherewithal to figure out what it was, or why. Though perhaps, the other woman's words weren't any more hesitant and broken than her own. Faram, opening up and saying that really felt like a wound in her heart. At least Ari hadn't jammed a red-hot poker into it. "I.... Do well with speaking what I require. Which is... not much at most times." The words, in fact, were generally true, for the most part. The people Aspel really trusted, the ones that she wanted to know and be known by in return, they always got the truth. Even if sometimes it took a little bit. The matter that Ari was sitting here, leaning against her and talking with the smith, being with her when she was injured and in pain, making offers for a cup of tea... It was more than Aspel would probably ask of almost anyone. Generally, in the past when she had been laid up, the most she'd do was order take out, or stay in a clinic until she was well enough to walk herself home. 'The most I will ask is for your time, and perhaps a song' felt strange to leave in, and for that, would be left alone. The slightest smile rose, one that was tender but sincerely happy. This time, it did fully reach her eyes, even if they were quite tired. A hand shifted, brushing a bit of hair out of the other woman's face before it moved, being brought around so that a finger hooked under Ari's chin, attempting to lift the other woman's face up as Aspel - attempting not to flinch or grimace and being mostly successful - would lean in for a soft kiss. "You are welcome - to my company, certainly, as well as... my concern," she finished. The fact that she was concerned was surely glaringly obvious - else why would she be here? Maybe Aspel didn't particularly want it, since she claimed to be mostly indifferent to her own pain, but she was going to receive it anyway. "I will take you at your word, then," Ari murmured. She didn't know whether she believed it - it seemed there was a great deal Aspel did not say about what she felt or wanted - but she could take what little was said and use it as a cue for her actions. "I will attempt... to provide what I am able," and willing, "to give." She had been unable to provide the necessary succor at the beach, but perhaps now... Her offer for assistance, though, was met not with words but with a kiss, and perhaps it was that it was so unexpected or that she was so very overwhelmed and tired, but what was likely meant as a soft brush of lips turned quickly intense as she pressed closer even as her hands stayed clasped in her lap, knuckles white with how hard she was gripping the damp fabric of her clothing in an effort not to reach out and touch. She didn't want to think. She just wanted - She pulled back, bit her bottom lip, hard, before she said something incredibly stupid, and tried not to meet Aspel's eyes. Now was not the time for this particular brand of distraction, and even if not thinking held a certain appeal, the reality of it was, the idea was a terrible one for a whole litany of reasons. One of the warring instincts won at last - before she changed her mind, she stood, brushed needlessly at her hair, tried to relax her posture. "I... think I'll make that tea," she said quietly before darting off toward the kitchen, where she would hopefully collect her thoughts and her composure while the kettle boiled. The statement earned a muted smile, something apologetic lingering around the corners of it with the commentary of concern. "I will heal, I promise." If it would ease the other woman's mind or not, the smith was uncertain but honestly, it was the best she could offer at this time, so offer it she would. The thought of 'I have lived through worse' lingered in the back of her mind, but she hardly felt that was appropriate at a time like this. "I ask no more." Her words were simple and honest in what was said. Perhaps it was her long history of being given little, but what few moments of tenderness, of sincere honesty, Aspel could get, she generally found to be pleasing enough. If more was meant to come, it would, and if it did not, she may be saddened by the result, but it would simply be. Of course she had opinions, and many of them she actually had voiced but that wasn't here nor there in this time. Really, as far as Aspel was concerned, that was all that was needed of this conversation. When the bard pushed closer, it was unexpected, but not unwelcome, and Aspel shifted, attempting to accommodate the action, which was oddly much like a soothing balm on her burned emotional state. Perhaps it was the distraction aspect of it, or maybe she was more prone to reception of affections while both her mind and body were tender, but there was nothing the smith could do but return the intensified kiss. A low, pleased sounding sigh, perhaps with a bit of relief escaped without breaking away. And then Ari had pulled back, and it took Aspel's brain a few seconds to fully process as her lips remained agape and eyes closed for a after the break. Eyes opening, the slightest, almost non-existent bit of confusion rose before a mild nod, and low "Mm" Faram damn it would manage to escape. The look across Ari's face was... particularly peculiar but before the smith could even think of a question to ask, the bard was speaking again. Aspel's heart dropped a little. Had she done something wrong? A couple seconds ticked by before words emerged again. "Thank you." They were low, she was uncertain if Ari would hear them, but for now, Aspel would simply sit. Frustration flaring at her own damage. Not that she would ever wish it upon anyone else, and she was happy that so few others had managed to sustain anything at all but... It was keeping her from going after Ari. Well... maybe the bard just needed space. She spent five minutes puttering around the kitchen, filling the kettle, finding the tea leaves, rinsing the teapot. She found a tray after some rummaging, added a mug and then, after a brief moment of consideration, the honey pot. The kettle still did not whistle, but she could find no further reason to remain in the kitchen, and at least her heartbeat had slowed and her steps and smile were steady when she was ready to emerge into the living room once again. It had been nothing, surely. Just a normal reaction, she reminded herself, to being overwhelmed and exhausted and coming down from several hours of being just on the brink of panic. And her current state, too, was likely a response to the same - and if circumstances had been different, she would have been at home, alone, nursing a glass of wine in a scalding hot bath until she was quite calm again. Well, the bath she could have, and even the solitude - temporarily. She had better forget about the wine. She came back to the living room to stand across from Aspel, was halfway through reaching out her hand before she thought better of it. "I am uncertain how best to help you to your feet," she admitted after a moment of consideration. "The kettle's on - your tea will be ready shortly." She attempted a self-deprecating smile and a hint of her usual cheerful teasing. "I seem to be quite skilled at getting you into bed, in one way or another." Even if it was rarely in a way she wanted. "Shall we?" Time felt like it dragged on forever, even though Aspel knew that not to be true. Eyes continued to bounce back up to the clock every few seconds, for at least the first minute before - with a heavy sigh - the smith shifted, taking the time to painfully retrieve a book from the coffee table and beginning to flip through its pages. As much as she wished to be distracted, as much as Aspel wanted to get lost in the text and forget what she was waiting on, it would not pass. Why did such a simple thing make her so anxious? So agitated? It.... hardly made any sense at all. Finally, five minutes later, Ari came back into the room, and Aspel attempted to not let her attention snap up too quickly. The other had exited... for whatever reason she had and the smith had no idea, could not fathom what had driven the bard out into the kitchen, but something had and maybe... Slowly her gaze would rise, eyebrows quirking upwards. "It may be best to simply assure I do not fall." The apologetic yet tender smile would rise with such words falling from her mouth. "I believe I can stand on my own." Pausing a moment, the book would be idly discarded on the couch, if it were from lack of thought, or actual sincere care was another matter entirely and if asked, Aspel was likely to admit to both. Wetting her lips, a moment would be taken before a hand grasped at the arm of the couch, and her weight would heavily be leaned to her lesser damaged, left side. The broken arm of her right seemed tender still, but she was uncertain it was anything more than that. Hilariously, her left side was her better side, so there were at least the small favors of that to look forward to. Though, either would still have left her mostly functional in the long run. "Could you...?" A hand gestured towards the crutches, waiting a moment before beginning to use them and a careful series of weight leaning against furniture, or Ari, where required, Aspel would slowly make it back into her bedroom. The crutches were leaned against the side of the dresser and the second drawer pulled carefully out, a slight hop back taken as she made the move. The first tunic retrieved would be offered to Ari. "For your bath." A moment would be given, waiting for the bard to take it before a second would be pulled out and with a slight, slow twist, easily tossed to land on the bed. A pause was taken, considering the situation for the moment before a sigh was let out. "I fear obtaining underwear and night pants will be... a bit more challenging then I am... up to." The trouble with broken bones and bending. "Could... I perhaps bother you with," this was awkward, "such task?" If Aspel was much the type to blush, now would be the time, and honestly, a tiny part of her wondered if she might be anyway, even if she knew it unlikely. "I will do what I can to assure you do not, then," Ari said, fetching the crutches and helping Aspel across the room as needed. She thought fleetingly of the conversation they'd had not so long ago, I promise I will not let you fall. Still a distressing thought, and she quickly tried to shove it away. Better to think of literal falls, and how to prevent them. She was in no shape to contemplate the figurative and theoretical. She took and set aside the tunic for herself, but before she could grab Aspel's, too, it had already been tossed on the bed. At least it didn't seem like the other woman had done any additional damage to herself with the twist and toss. When she spoke again, Aspel's voice was uncertain, and... perhaps it was the light, but it almost seemed as though a very faint flush spread across her cheeks for a moment as she asked for assistance. Really, in almost any other circumstance, Ari might have made yet another joke - about how circumstances were never to her favor when these things happened - but all things considered, she kept any commentary to herself and merely nodded. "It is no trouble," she assured. "Where?" Having been given the direction, she bent to open the third drawer of the dresser. She couldn't quite abstain from a slight widening of her eyes at some of the items mixed in there - well, her imagination would certainly recall them, sometime much later - but after a few moments she pulled out something that looked plain and comfortable, closed the drawer, then crouched and opened the one below it. She took out a loose pair of cotton shorts, then held them for a moment before speaking. "You may be more comfortable without the pants; getting them on and off is bound to be uncomfortable. Your choice, of course." She herself would make do with just the tunic again, and Aspel had not complained yet, after two nights similarly attired, so she suspected that she would not do so now, either. She turned back to the other woman, gave her an inquisitive look. "Do you need assistance getting changed?" A simple nod was Aspel's response to Ari's assurance of not letting her fall flat on her face and potentially bust herself up more. Really, there was little else she could ask. The major problem with broken bones was the first few days of attempting to assure they did not move or shift in improper manners, making the setting and subsequent healing that much more difficult a process. With Ari here, it was sure to be much easier. Using the crutches, Aspel hobbled backwards, allowing room for the other woman to move in and obtain the appropriate items. Unfortunately, she'd never quite imagined Ari would be getting a look at her underwear in a fashion such as this. With how they flirted, kissed and teased the smith had always seemed to imagine it happening in... much more interesting ways, even if she’d had doubt for so long that her imagination would ever become reality. Hilariously, it seemed the days of her imagination may be numbered if they kept up at the rate they had been as of late. "Mm?" Damn it. "Whichever is fine." Honestly, shorts or pants, neither particularly mattered as long as her brand did not become visible. That was really the last thing she needed to deal with now. Though with the new offer, a few seconds slipped by considering it. "I... believe I can manage." A weak smile was offered and a nod of her head was given towards the door. "I do believe your bath calls, no?" Another tired, apologetic smile was offered and while the thought of trying for another kiss lingered, the smith decided to leave it be. Especially, with how Ari had acted just shortly before. "These, then," Ari said after only a moment of thought. She put the shorts on the bed along with the underwear. Honestly, she was certain that getting changed would be a painful trial, but she wasn't going to push, either - and Aspel probably had her reasons, even if she suspected they could be a little misguided. Certainly, she had spared a thought or three to Aspel without clothes on, but she wasn't about to make something so basic as helping an injured person into anything other than what it was. But that desire to just hold on was still there; again, she thought fleetingly of body heat being the best remedy for cold. She took an unintentional step closer, said, "It calls, but..." her thought was broken by a shrill whistle from the kitchen. "Not as loudly as the kettle," she finished. Probably for the best. "Give me ten minutes," she said, snatching the borrowed tunic and exiting the room to drape it across the top of the shelving unit meant to contain towels. In the kitchen, she removed the kettle from the stove, set the tea to steep, then returned to the shelving unit to withdraw a towel to take into the bathroom and set on the lip of the sink. She fiddled with the knobs until water so hot as to be scalding began pouring out, then stoppered the tub and returned to the kitchen to pull the tea leaves from the teapot, settle everything onto the tray - teapot, mug, honey pot, spoon - and carry it into the bedroom. "There," she said, setting it on the nightstand. "To warm you up. I'll be back... soon." Once she'd had her bath to chase the cold from her bones and clear her mind. The bath was nearly full by the time Ari returned to the bathroom. She stripped off her clothes, throwing them over the shower rod, then lowered herself into the water, whimpering at the heat and then sighing as it began to penetrate her skin. She lingered there until the water had begun to cool, then drained the bath and refilled it. Sniffing at the various toiletries, she selected a softly scented soap for her skin and something citrusy for her hair, taking her time to wash thoroughly. By the time the water had cooled a second time, close to forty minutes later, she was warm and mostly calm. Simple, natural reactions. She had just been very tired, that was all. Aside from the leaden heaviness of exhaustion - and willful ignorance of anything that might make her upset once again - Ari felt mostly like herself by the time she had squeezed the water from her hair, braided it back, and donned the borrowed tunic. Everything, she reminded herself, was going to be all right. The mandolin was... just a thing. A precious thing, but replaceable. And she would ask Wil about learning to swim. And Aspel... Was going to be all right, she reminded herself. And everything else would be all right along with her. She walked softly into the bedroom, shaking her head when she realized the tea had gone cold and hadn't been drunk at all. Well, at least Aspel was sleeping, it seemed quite soundly, her lips slightly parted and her expression tranquil. Ari gave serious thought to settling on the couch. She didn't want to cause further injury. But... She moved, crawling into bed against Aspel's left side, which seemed mostly unharmed. Another moment of thought, then she propped herself up on her elbow, gave Aspel a considering and rather fond look before leaning in for a gentle brush of her lips against the other woman's. No strange, uncontrollable urges this time, just a small, unseen gesture of affection. Strangely, it made her feel better. She extinguished the light, rolled onto her side, and plumped the pillow before resting her head on it. One deep breath in and out, and she was asleep. |