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[ NO SULKING DREAM. ]
Have you any idea how it fares in your absence? Your realm.
Have you any idea how it fares in your absence? Your realm.
[ Fifty years is such a painfully short time in the lifespan of a viera, but this doesn't seem to be the time or place to bring it up. ]
And I, you, my sweet sky.
And I, you, my sweet sky.
[ and fifty years is about as far ahead as she can look at all. tieflings live longer than humans, but not by enough for it to make a difference on the scale Arthur means.
she hunches forward and wraps her arms around him from behind, tightly ]
I will make sure I am still around to see it.
she hunches forward and wraps her arms around him from behind, tightly ]
I will make sure I am still around to see it.
[But it's his favorite hobby.]
I cannot know while trapped. [In Reverie, he means.] And it is all dependent upon how much time passes while I am gone. When I was missing for a century, what you see here today... It was left in ruin.
[The throne room was in shambles, and he had been too weak to fix everything that had broken. That was an extreme example, of course, but the uncertainty is still bothersome.]
I cannot know while trapped. [In Reverie, he means.] And it is all dependent upon how much time passes while I am gone. When I was missing for a century, what you see here today... It was left in ruin.
[The throne room was in shambles, and he had been too weak to fix everything that had broken. That was an extreme example, of course, but the uncertainty is still bothersome.]
[ Again, he angles his head to try and get a look at her. His own hands come to rest on her arms. ]
You had better be.
You had better be.
Ah... I see.
For whatever it might be worth, I have heard tell that time is at a standstill outside of this place. So mayhap all is well.
For whatever it might be worth, I have heard tell that time is at a standstill outside of this place. So mayhap all is well.
[ not possible! not with her face pressed into his neck ]
Some things are worth their effort.
Some things are worth their effort.
[ Ah, well. He reaches up to toy with her hair. ]
Sprezzatura... 'tis my hope that when we're free of this place, I might still be able to see you. Somehow. Someway.
Sprezzatura... 'tis my hope that when we're free of this place, I might still be able to see you. Somehow. Someway.
As do we all, I'm sure. I shall keep my fingers crossed that all is well for you.
[ So, about that throne, though. He angles his head at the stairs spiraling up, up, up. ]
May I?
[ So, about that throne, though. He angles his head at the stairs spiraling up, up, up. ]
May I?
[ the sentiment is warm, but "when this is over" is such a raw, frayed edge that she all but stops breathing for a moment. it's coming. like waking from a dream. the horror and the love both worlds away.
when she next takes breath, it's heavy. ]
I will find you again. Believe that.
when she next takes breath, it's heavy. ]
I will find you again. Believe that.
[ He feels the way she stills against him, and his hand over her arm gives a squeeze. He knows. Oh, does he know. ]
I do believe it. And don't think for a moment that I won't be looking for you in turn.
I do believe it. And don't think for a moment that I won't be looking for you in turn.
You don't get to live without me again. Alright? Only for little while.
Only for a little while.
[ He gives a little hum. ]
There are many things I wish to show you. Places I would love for you to see.
[ He gives a little hum. ]
There are many things I wish to show you. Places I would love for you to see.
[ she has things she has to do at home. now she has to survive them, too. that was always the plan, but now there are people who will know if she fails to deliver.
she slowly straightens up, only to press her cheek against the hair at the back of his head ]
Tell me...
she slowly straightens up, only to press her cheek against the hair at the back of his head ]
Tell me...
The libraries, Sprezzatura. The things I could show you... rows and rows of books, shelves lining the walls, stacked stories upon stories high. You could spend your life within those walls and not come close to cracking open every tome.
Oh... I would love that. [ her sigh is wistful, achy ] I always meant to visit Candlekeep. It is like what you describe.
[He gestures with an open palm towards the throne and the stairs winding up to it, nodding.]
Of course.
[And he will follow a few steps behind if Arthur chooses to ascend. And while these stairs are a very strange structure, leading up high with no apparent support, there is no fear of one tumbling off into the abyss with a misstep -- not a smidgen of vertigo.]
Of course.
[And he will follow a few steps behind if Arthur chooses to ascend. And while these stairs are a very strange structure, leading up high with no apparent support, there is no fear of one tumbling off into the abyss with a misstep -- not a smidgen of vertigo.]
[ "we"... she heaves another heavy sigh, kisses his crown ]
I have been disallowed to most libraries on Sword Coast. But it will not be forever.
[ she'll do whatever it takes. ]
I have been disallowed to most libraries on Sword Coast. But it will not be forever.
[ she'll do whatever it takes. ]
[ It's a bit strange that the height and lack of rails doesn't even register. Dream's doing, he supposes.
Once he's reached the top, he spends a moment just peering out at the rest of the room. ]
You've quite the view.
Once he's reached the top, he spends a moment just peering out at the rest of the room. ]
You've quite the view.
Ah. In that case, I hope to see the day they reopen their doors to you.
[ A considering little pause. ]
Gubal's doors are not technically open to anyone anymore, but that hasn't stopped me in the past.
[ What's a little breaking and entering when there are books involved? ]
[ A considering little pause. ]
Gubal's doors are not technically open to anyone anymore, but that hasn't stopped me in the past.
[ What's a little breaking and entering when there are books involved? ]
Of course I'm curious.
[ How could he not be? He steps over and seats himself in the throne, one leg crossed over the other. ]
How do I look?
[ How could he not be? He steps over and seats himself in the throne, one leg crossed over the other. ]
How do I look?
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