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It should work when the lockets are working too. It'll connect to their network as much as it'll work on it's own one if there's ever a problem.
[ She's proud of her compasses, proud of how they've developed from a fledgling idea so many months ago to being a product she can sell and share with people. They're not just innocent little tools anymore - they're items of worth, value, and she's encouraged to do more to expand on what she can offer.
Shaking her head, she smiles, though, brushing off the difficulty of it. The compasses are second nature to her now. ]
I do. Marchioness of the Citadel and Sorceress and Protectress. But it's fine, really, I wouldn't start up the business if I didn't think I could handle it all. If you'd rather keep your money, though, I would trade a compass for a stock of potions ingredients if that's the sort of thing you'd be interested in doing.
[ She's proud of her compasses, proud of how they've developed from a fledgling idea so many months ago to being a product she can sell and share with people. They're not just innocent little tools anymore - they're items of worth, value, and she's encouraged to do more to expand on what she can offer.
Shaking her head, she smiles, though, brushing off the difficulty of it. The compasses are second nature to her now. ]
I do. Marchioness of the Citadel and Sorceress and Protectress. But it's fine, really, I wouldn't start up the business if I didn't think I could handle it all. If you'd rather keep your money, though, I would trade a compass for a stock of potions ingredients if that's the sort of thing you'd be interested in doing.
[He's sorry that he's so gruff and grumbly, Hermione. It's not you, he promises. If she had hugged him in greeting, he would have embraced her in return. But people do not generally embrace Faolan, people do not generally treat him like he is the sort of man to have or want emotional interaction like that. Which isn't necessarily true, he's just conditioned himself to appear that way.
In response to her question, he sighs, as Bridei himself flicks a tongue out at her fingers, and then scrambles down from his head to his shoulder to launch himself towards her. Hello, Hermione! Hello! You deserve a proper greeting from at least one of them! Faolan tries to catch him but the dragon moves too fast and Faolan is still a little afraid of damaging one of those delicate wings with all the squirming Bridei sometimes does.]
My apologies. If he is not sleeping, he is scaling the walls. [Faolan bemoans.] Sometimes literally. I suppose I should be grateful that Lady has enough training not to attempt and join in. I can take him back if you'd like.
In response to her question, he sighs, as Bridei himself flicks a tongue out at her fingers, and then scrambles down from his head to his shoulder to launch himself towards her. Hello, Hermione! Hello! You deserve a proper greeting from at least one of them! Faolan tries to catch him but the dragon moves too fast and Faolan is still a little afraid of damaging one of those delicate wings with all the squirming Bridei sometimes does.]
My apologies. If he is not sleeping, he is scaling the walls. [Faolan bemoans.] Sometimes literally. I suppose I should be grateful that Lady has enough training not to attempt and join in. I can take him back if you'd like.
[Remus smile saddens, if such a thing is possible, considering the look on his face that already was there. He leans into her touch and squeezes her hand slightly.]
I've missed you too. [He says softly. He's been missing a lot of people, these past few days. Hermione, Harry. People that aren't here. People he suspects he'll never see again. People he hasn't seen in a very long while. He doesn't know why it suddenly hurts so much. It's been years, after all, you'd think one would get over these things eventually.
Unconsciously, Remus does not let go of her hand.] Surely you've got better things to be doing than wasting your time with your old professor, though.
I've missed you too. [He says softly. He's been missing a lot of people, these past few days. Hermione, Harry. People that aren't here. People he suspects he'll never see again. People he hasn't seen in a very long while. He doesn't know why it suddenly hurts so much. It's been years, after all, you'd think one would get over these things eventually.
Unconsciously, Remus does not let go of her hand.] Surely you've got better things to be doing than wasting your time with your old professor, though.
[ She doesn't hesitate to wrap her arms around the dragon, to draw him closer and let his energy warm her. The strange mixture of feelings, the worry and the twisting upset, seems to flicker in and out of her mind, but at least now she has something to focus on. She holds Bridei close, stroking her hands along his body and his wings, gentle and tender. She has experience with Rizhao, after all, and she knows what she's doing; she was an aunt to that baby dragon and she intends to be an aunt to this one as well.
Bridei is going to have a lot of presents in his future, she thinks.
Finally, she looks back over at Faolan and shakes her head, her smile softening into something a little mroe gentle and fond. ]
No, I don't mind. It's not the first time he's decided I'm the best climbing frame in the world, is it?
[ And she smiles at the baby again, letting her arms relax so he can climb and settle wherever he pleases on her. He can do as he likes, she thinks, as long as he doesn't pull on her hair too terribly. ]
Do you need a cup of tea or some chocolate, Faolan? I can hold him for a little bit while you have a sit down, if you want.
Bridei is going to have a lot of presents in his future, she thinks.
Finally, she looks back over at Faolan and shakes her head, her smile softening into something a little mroe gentle and fond. ]
No, I don't mind. It's not the first time he's decided I'm the best climbing frame in the world, is it?
[ And she smiles at the baby again, letting her arms relax so he can climb and settle wherever he pleases on her. He can do as he likes, she thinks, as long as he doesn't pull on her hair too terribly. ]
Do you need a cup of tea or some chocolate, Faolan? I can hold him for a little bit while you have a sit down, if you want.
It would depend on what potions ingredients you would need.
[Lia knows better, by now, than to think of witches. Think of those so detached from God who sacrifice newborns or make deals you can never hope to repay. They are as far away as children's stories in a place like this. But she's still cautious, because she has a job to do and a task that can not take her too far.]
I would be grateful for one, of course. Keeping in contact can be so difficult and I should like to have no excuse to step out of it.
[She needs people around her, really. As much as she's tempted to close herself off.]
How are matters here? Is the Citadel recovering?
[Lia knows better, by now, than to think of witches. Think of those so detached from God who sacrifice newborns or make deals you can never hope to repay. They are as far away as children's stories in a place like this. But she's still cautious, because she has a job to do and a task that can not take her too far.]
I would be grateful for one, of course. Keeping in contact can be so difficult and I should like to have no excuse to step out of it.
[She needs people around her, really. As much as she's tempted to close herself off.]
How are matters here? Is the Citadel recovering?
[Bridei doesn't mind so much that Hermione is clutching him to her chest, so long as she keeps stroking him like that. He's growing fast and his scales get itchy sometimes! Her arms are very nice and warm too, and Faolan was right about him really only having two modes, on or off. Settling in her arms, he chirrups slightly, wriggling a little to get comfortable and nuzzling close to start chewing on her hair.]
[Faolan lets out a little laugh at the offer. Tea or chocolate. He has to wonder whether they are Hermione's own means of coping through this business with the music, herself - it seems a random offer otherwise.] I'm fine. [Lady huffs at him slightly as if she understands what he's saying and he amends his statement.] I don't need to rest. I've been resting all day. All month. He's not too much of a handful, compared to the work I am used to.
[He reaches up to run a hand to run through his hair, smoothing it back from where Bridei has ruffled it out of sorts.] Can I help you, Hermione? Lancelot is not here. He will not be for some time yet, I suspect...
[Faolan lets out a little laugh at the offer. Tea or chocolate. He has to wonder whether they are Hermione's own means of coping through this business with the music, herself - it seems a random offer otherwise.] I'm fine. [Lady huffs at him slightly as if she understands what he's saying and he amends his statement.] I don't need to rest. I've been resting all day. All month. He's not too much of a handful, compared to the work I am used to.
[He reaches up to run a hand to run through his hair, smoothing it back from where Bridei has ruffled it out of sorts.] Can I help you, Hermione? Lancelot is not here. He will not be for some time yet, I suspect...
Nothing too rare, I wouldn't want to make anyone go too out of their way. The things I normally ask for are things like flowers or herbs, that grow around places that people tend to end up travelling through anyway. It keeps my stocks up and makes a nice easy trade for anyone that asks for it.
[ But she does understand. Keeping in contact with anyone in the Drabworld had been easy when the lockets had been up and working and no one was keeping a sharp eye on the people around them, but with the way things were going now, with the battles between the Seelie and Unseelie developing into a real physical war, more than just one that took place underground, communication was all the more important.
She breathes out, refocussing herself.
There's a guard outside her room that she smiles at, asking him a quick 'how are you' before she turns, opening the door and holding it for Lia, her smile still gentle, not wanting the other woman to think that she's too busy for anything, be it Citadel business or Artefacta work. ]
It is. The other Marquis and I are trying to make sure we have a solid foundation and a good base for everything and then we're going to work as hard as we can to provide help, support and anything else the people need.
[ She was taking her title seriously and, as she offered Lia a chair, she moved to place her bag and jacket to one side. ]
Would you like some tea as we talk?
[ But she does understand. Keeping in contact with anyone in the Drabworld had been easy when the lockets had been up and working and no one was keeping a sharp eye on the people around them, but with the way things were going now, with the battles between the Seelie and Unseelie developing into a real physical war, more than just one that took place underground, communication was all the more important.
She breathes out, refocussing herself.
There's a guard outside her room that she smiles at, asking him a quick 'how are you' before she turns, opening the door and holding it for Lia, her smile still gentle, not wanting the other woman to think that she's too busy for anything, be it Citadel business or Artefacta work. ]
It is. The other Marquis and I are trying to make sure we have a solid foundation and a good base for everything and then we're going to work as hard as we can to provide help, support and anything else the people need.
[ She was taking her title seriously and, as she offered Lia a chair, she moved to place her bag and jacket to one side. ]
Would you like some tea as we talk?
[ The little one is incredible and Hermione feels emotions warming her, a great deal more powerful than they might have been if the magic of the music hadn't been affecting her so much already. She holds Bridei, strokes at him and lets him do as he pleases, chewing on her hair; he won't do too much damage, she's sure, unless he decides that now is the time to suddenly learn to cough fire or summon some kind of other dragonly powers.
Faolan's laugh catches her attention quickly enough, though, and she smiles, stepping a little closer. She hasn't spent as much time with him alone as she would have liked to, considering how much she does want to get to know him, but this might be a chance. Lancelot isn't here and she's sure he's so busy that she might end up being a bit of a bother to him anyway. ] That's good. I'm sure you've earned a few years of rest in the last little while, Faolan. I'm glad to hear you've been forced to take up on it.
[ It's a slight tease before she smiles. ]
I did come to see him, but I wouldn't mind spending a little time with you and Bridei if you weren't busy? [ She scratches at the dragon again before she hums. ] I don't think you and I have ever just sat and talked.
Faolan's laugh catches her attention quickly enough, though, and she smiles, stepping a little closer. She hasn't spent as much time with him alone as she would have liked to, considering how much she does want to get to know him, but this might be a chance. Lancelot isn't here and she's sure he's so busy that she might end up being a bit of a bother to him anyway. ] That's good. I'm sure you've earned a few years of rest in the last little while, Faolan. I'm glad to hear you've been forced to take up on it.
[ It's a slight tease before she smiles. ]
I did come to see him, but I wouldn't mind spending a little time with you and Bridei if you weren't busy? [ She scratches at the dragon again before she hums. ] I don't think you and I have ever just sat and talked.
[ Her heart hurts seeing him like this, as if the worst has happened all over again, and all she wants to do is draw him into her arms and offer him the same comfort he had always offered her - friendship and chocolate, hand in hand to chase away the demons that haunt the both of them sometimes.
It's almost too easy for her to move closer, to wrap herself entirely and to draw him against her, almost as if his own sadness and his pain seeps into her, music in the back of her mind. She wants to take care of him, the same motherly tendencies she feels towards Harry, and it hurts that there's nothing she can do to help him. ]
I'll never have anything more important than being with a friend. [ And she chooses that word deliberately; he's not just her professor, not now. He's Remus. ]
It's almost too easy for her to move closer, to wrap herself entirely and to draw him against her, almost as if his own sadness and his pain seeps into her, music in the back of her mind. She wants to take care of him, the same motherly tendencies she feels towards Harry, and it hurts that there's nothing she can do to help him. ]
I'll never have anything more important than being with a friend. [ And she chooses that word deliberately; he's not just her professor, not now. He's Remus. ]
[Hermione presses herself closer and it is comforting. Remus wraps his arms around her in return and turns his face against her for a moment. It's absurd, how much he's needed this, he thinks to himself. The simple feeling of someone holding him like this, someone who might understand even the slightest if not how he's feeling than at least that he is feeling it and why.
He takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly, surprised - although in retrospect he really shouldn't be - to find that there are tears burning at his eyes and threatening to spill down his face as he speaks up again to say, his voice only the barest of whispers:]
I miss them, Hermione. All of them. Lily. James. Sirius. [His voice cracks on the last name and takes him a moment to collect himself.] I miss them so much...
He takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly, surprised - although in retrospect he really shouldn't be - to find that there are tears burning at his eyes and threatening to spill down his face as he speaks up again to say, his voice only the barest of whispers:]
I miss them, Hermione. All of them. Lily. James. Sirius. [His voice cracks on the last name and takes him a moment to collect himself.] I miss them so much...
[Faolan cocks his head at her slightly, a bit of confusion and curiosity evident on his face. Wanting to spend time with him? It's obvious that the thought surprises him a little. Obvious that, aside from Lancelot, he doesn't really get a whole lot of people interested in such a thing.] I don't believe we have. Not recently, at any rate. [He gives her another searching look, as if to say "are you really sure you want to sit and talk with me?" before he steps back, running his hand through his hair once more for good measure. (His hands that, since the last time Hermione has seen him, have fully recovered. He bears no scars, but should she chance to touch them the skin is soft and smooth and delicate. It's going to take him a while to work up his callouses again, he's bemoaned on several occasions.)]
Well. I'm not going to turn you out. You're welcome here any time, especially if you're taking him for a moment. [Him being Bridei. He does calm down like this for Faolan too, but today he's been in a right state, up until she showed up.] I can't guarantee the same level of entertainment as Lancelot, but I'll do my best. Would you like anything? [She might note how at home he seems to be here in Lancelot's rooms, but then again, he does live there too, at the moment.]
Well. I'm not going to turn you out. You're welcome here any time, especially if you're taking him for a moment. [Him being Bridei. He does calm down like this for Faolan too, but today he's been in a right state, up until she showed up.] I can't guarantee the same level of entertainment as Lancelot, but I'll do my best. Would you like anything? [She might note how at home he seems to be here in Lancelot's rooms, but then again, he does live there too, at the moment.]
Oh, Remus.
[ Hermione's arms sink around him more, tighter, squeezing him and drawing him closer. She can understand, as much as anyone, how he feels. The horrible feeling of memories of people, knowing that you'll never see them again, that their lives have been ended so quickly like a blown out candle. There are so many people that deserved a thousand chances at better lives, at better things, and there's no way to bring them back. There's no way to fix the past, only to try and do something with the future.
She breathes in, fighting back her own tears before she moves, almost falling into his lap as she grips at him tighter. They're the same, in some ways, having lost their friends and their allies, the people they loved, but Remus had lived two wars. He, like her, loved so violently and so passionately that it made her ache to think that it was cruel how well they could understand one another's heartache. ] I know. I - I know. I'm sorry.
[ Hermione's arms sink around him more, tighter, squeezing him and drawing him closer. She can understand, as much as anyone, how he feels. The horrible feeling of memories of people, knowing that you'll never see them again, that their lives have been ended so quickly like a blown out candle. There are so many people that deserved a thousand chances at better lives, at better things, and there's no way to bring them back. There's no way to fix the past, only to try and do something with the future.
She breathes in, fighting back her own tears before she moves, almost falling into his lap as she grips at him tighter. They're the same, in some ways, having lost their friends and their allies, the people they loved, but Remus had lived two wars. He, like her, loved so violently and so passionately that it made her ache to think that it was cruel how well they could understand one another's heartache. ] I know. I - I know. I'm sorry.
He did offer to teach people, so you could ask him yourself! I would help if I was a little more sure of the process, but... Well, it did happen in a dream.
[ Which sounds ridiculous when she says it, but that's how the Drabworld works. ]
Definitely try sending her a letter, or giving one to me and I can pass it to her. She's very good with flowers and all kinds of plants. Otherwise, we can work together to see what we can do in the gardens.
[ Which sounds ridiculous when she says it, but that's how the Drabworld works. ]
Definitely try sending her a letter, or giving one to me and I can pass it to her. She's very good with flowers and all kinds of plants. Otherwise, we can work together to see what we can do in the gardens.
Then it's about time we fixed that, isn't it? [ Hermione knows that she has spent time around Faolan, with Lancelot at their side, but she saw no reason why they couldn't spent time together and get to know each other without the Marshal around. She already cared for Faolan rather a lot, wanted to make sure he was safe and happy, and now seemed as good a time as any. If that also means she gets to spend time with the baby, giving Faolan a little bit of a break now and then, well, it's hardly a problem, is it? She's holding on to Bridei gently, tenderly, almost sisterly in her affection for him.
She shakes her head, though, smile turning a little more tender. ] I'm fine, really. Maybe a seat and a cup of tea later, but for now your company is more than enough. [ She hums, scratching at the dragon gently. ] How have you been? Not getting into too much trouble, I hope?
She shakes her head, though, smile turning a little more tender. ] I'm fine, really. Maybe a seat and a cup of tea later, but for now your company is more than enough. [ She hums, scratching at the dragon gently. ] How have you been? Not getting into too much trouble, I hope?
I think I may, when I get the chance. There's been so much happening since the battles.
[Pod nods.]
I think I may write her a letter. I take it you know her well? Perhaps I will send it through you.
[After all, a letter passed through a friend is more welcome than a letter from someone all but a stranger.]
[Pod nods.]
I think I may write her a letter. I take it you know her well? Perhaps I will send it through you.
[After all, a letter passed through a friend is more welcome than a letter from someone all but a stranger.]
I cannot say I know him well, but yes, he seemed so. But he also seemed very busy, and I wouldn’t want to be a bother.
[Pod disappears for a moment and paper can be heard rustling.]
I shall write her a letter immediately to give to you. I don’t suppose it would take long to get it or the plants to you, with the rings. Isn’t there one near the Citadel?
[Pod disappears for a moment and paper can be heard rustling.]
I shall write her a letter immediately to give to you. I don’t suppose it would take long to get it or the plants to you, with the rings. Isn’t there one near the Citadel?
You won't be. I promise.
[ She beams, though, pleased. ]
Yes, there is! A Seelie ring for us to use. You can leave it with me or send it by bird - they know where the Citadel is and one of the servants always brings me my messages even when I tell him I can do it myself.
[ She beams, though, pleased. ]
Yes, there is! A Seelie ring for us to use. You can leave it with me or send it by bird - they know where the Citadel is and one of the servants always brings me my messages even when I tell him I can do it myself.
Hermione, Hermione. You have nothing to be sorry about. It's not your fault. [He leans against her, and finds tears coming to his eyes despite himself. She's right about that, of course. He has loved, and loved so whole-heartedly that he nearly lost himself as well when he lost all of them. It was difficult, not to give up. There were times he came so close. And now...
He turns his face against her shoulder.] Padfoot looks just like him. Do you know that? The whole first month he was here, I kept thinking... [He trails off for a moment, shaking his head, before he says:] But it wasn't. It was just a dog. And he's lovely, I couldn't have asked for better, but I... [He misses him, with everything that he has.]
He turns his face against her shoulder.] Padfoot looks just like him. Do you know that? The whole first month he was here, I kept thinking... [He trails off for a moment, shaking his head, before he says:] But it wasn't. It was just a dog. And he's lovely, I couldn't have asked for better, but I... [He misses him, with everything that he has.]
That doesn't mean I'm not sorry. It's not fair that you've had to suffer like this, it's - it's not fair that any of this happened to you. [ None of this is fair, none of it is right. War is an ugly, disgusting thing, the people they've lost crowding in her heart and making her own breathing hitch with a sad, sombre noise. She's lucky, she thinks, that she's been able to see Remus come back to her, that she can have him at her side as a friend and teacher all over again. He isn't so lucky; all the people that he had lost are dead and gone and there is nothing that she can do to bring them back. Not even here, with all the power she has.
Her fingers trail through his hair gently, stroking, comforting even as she deliberately bites back her own tears. ] That's what I thought when I first saw him too. He looks just the same. [ Leaning back, she lifts her hands to touch his cheeks, tender and gentle. ] It's not the same. Not being around them isn't the same. It's - it's the worst feeling in the world. Knowing that there's nothing you can do to make any of it better, to - to fix things.
[ And she knows she would. Hermione would exhange her life for Sirius', for Remus', for Harry and Ron and Ginny and everyone she has ever known and loved if she thought it would bring them back. When she leans forward, her forehead touches his. ]
I'm here. Talk to me, Remus, let me help you.
Her fingers trail through his hair gently, stroking, comforting even as she deliberately bites back her own tears. ] That's what I thought when I first saw him too. He looks just the same. [ Leaning back, she lifts her hands to touch his cheeks, tender and gentle. ] It's not the same. Not being around them isn't the same. It's - it's the worst feeling in the world. Knowing that there's nothing you can do to make any of it better, to - to fix things.
[ And she knows she would. Hermione would exhange her life for Sirius', for Remus', for Harry and Ron and Ginny and everyone she has ever known and loved if she thought it would bring them back. When she leans forward, her forehead touches his. ]
I'm here. Talk to me, Remus, let me help you.
[Faolan isn't going to take the little dragon away from her, not when he seems content to have settled against her. In all honesty, insisting on taking him back will probably only upset him, and Faolan has enough time alone with Bridei as it is, he doesn't need to take him back from her so soon.
At her words, he shrugs slightly, unsure whether he's allowed to take a seat himself then or not, or what. He wasn't kidding when he said that he couldn't guarantee the same level of entertainment as Lancelot. It isn't as though he played host very often at all - certainly no one comes to visit him in such a way as they do to visit the other man.]
I'm. Well enough. [Better than he will be later on during the event...] Trying to avoid the trouble these days, if I can help it. I've got enough to worry about as it is. [Ah, that would be the harp music rearing its ugly head again, making him say things he would never otherwise. He takes in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.]
At her words, he shrugs slightly, unsure whether he's allowed to take a seat himself then or not, or what. He wasn't kidding when he said that he couldn't guarantee the same level of entertainment as Lancelot. It isn't as though he played host very often at all - certainly no one comes to visit him in such a way as they do to visit the other man.]
I'm. Well enough. [Better than he will be later on during the event...] Trying to avoid the trouble these days, if I can help it. I've got enough to worry about as it is. [Ah, that would be the harp music rearing its ugly head again, making him say things he would never otherwise. He takes in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.]
[ What is obvious about the way that Hermione holds the baby, gentle and careful, is how much she already adores him. She's never been given the chance to be around little things like this, babies or otherwise, and she's adopting to it a little faster than she ever imagined that she would. She adores Bridei, she adores Rizhao, a tenderness overcoming her and making her feel almost motherly. Her softness isn't reserved for them alone but at the same time it is most obvious with them, in these quiet moments.
Her eyes flick up to look at Faolan again, picking up on the slight strain of his nerves and discomfort. It's new for the both of them, getting around to being friends with each other rather than just through Lancelot, but she has a special place in her heart for this man. His dedication, his loyalty and his kindness, all of it is an inspiration to her, making her want to be a little more like him. ]
That makes a very nice chance, I can tell you that. It's good to know that I won't have to worry about you too much in the near future. [ She's teasing, of course, turning to give Bridei a look that says 'I will still worry about your other daddy, don't you worry'. ] Is there anything I can do that might be able to help?
Her eyes flick up to look at Faolan again, picking up on the slight strain of his nerves and discomfort. It's new for the both of them, getting around to being friends with each other rather than just through Lancelot, but she has a special place in her heart for this man. His dedication, his loyalty and his kindness, all of it is an inspiration to her, making her want to be a little more like him. ]
That makes a very nice chance, I can tell you that. It's good to know that I won't have to worry about you too much in the near future. [ She's teasing, of course, turning to give Bridei a look that says 'I will still worry about your other daddy, don't you worry'. ] Is there anything I can do that might be able to help?
[Whether Hermione comes or not, Gilgamesh is prepared for the evening. He's wearing all of her gifts, with the bag dutifully set in the corner, the magical cloak clipped into place by the lion's broach and the enchanted dagger strapped to his waist with taut leather. Draped in the finest silks the Citadel can offer, he admires himself before the mirror, handsome figure that he is.
A small box sits on his bureau, and he grins at it, wondering what will come of tonight. Subtly, he sent word to the servants to look after the girl with extra kindness today, offering her the best food from the table and the best sweets for dessert. Only the kindest touch to aid her with whatever she needed and a gold coin tipped to each cook and every handmaiden to assure a cheery smile. Indeed, Hermione has done so well she's even made the tyrant King generous, and if she listens she'll hear his name spoken with fondness about the Citadel... and most especially their names mingled together with affection.
Surely he is not so bad, they say, for he adores her so.
Gilgamesh awaits her in his chambers, fiddling with his earrings and content to play at vanity until she arrives.]
A small box sits on his bureau, and he grins at it, wondering what will come of tonight. Subtly, he sent word to the servants to look after the girl with extra kindness today, offering her the best food from the table and the best sweets for dessert. Only the kindest touch to aid her with whatever she needed and a gold coin tipped to each cook and every handmaiden to assure a cheery smile. Indeed, Hermione has done so well she's even made the tyrant King generous, and if she listens she'll hear his name spoken with fondness about the Citadel... and most especially their names mingled together with affection.
Surely he is not so bad, they say, for he adores her so.
Gilgamesh awaits her in his chambers, fiddling with his earrings and content to play at vanity until she arrives.]
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