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[vecna]

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[velluminous]

[ it is so cheap, to fall back on sullen silence and make him fill the blanks. but she hardly knows what else to say, if she cannot follow the guide of his questions.

pours herself into a booth, puts her back to something. ]

As fine as they can be. Rex is traumatized from watching his father perish. Becca is too new to anything for it to truly hurt her. Ace is... organizing tea parties.

[vecna]

[Like before, his path isn’t any different — gathering up the empty mugs, the coffee pot, getting everything prepared to brew. But there is less of a hesitation in his step, less like he’s trying to recall a routine from years past, and more familiarity to each movement.]

A tea party?

[That sounds… Tiresome. He doesn’t say that much.]

Everyone copes differently. My teammates tend to take a more distant approach.

[velluminous]

[ in a way, she's proud. adaptation to a new normal. it's so human of him. ]

Hm? Your teammate came by Basilisk to thank us.

[vecna]

[It won’t take long until it’s percolating, and he can turn to look at her from his spot at the counter, brow raising.]

To thank you? Who?

[velluminous]

Alec Brennan. You do not have to sound so shocked.

[vecna]

[lol. WHAT

His lips twitch and his brows raise. Henry’s face gives away some amusement, but not much else.]

I’m… surprised because he’s the last person I would expect to go out of his way to say “thank you”.

[velluminous]

You haven't thanked me.

[vecna]

[Oh. Henry turns to glance at the coffee pot, still brewing.]

Well. You know I was… undecided on how to feel that day. About being saved.

[Undecided is a kind way of putting it.]

But I suppose I do owe you my gratitude, regardless. Intent counts for something.

[velluminous]

You know, I think he expressed himself better than you. Forget it. Moment has passed.

[vecna]

Come on, Sprezzatura. Hindsight is 20/20. I am glad that our connection didn’t waver; if someone’s had to remain steadfast, I’m happy it was yours.

[That is sincere, even if Henry does not seem bothered by her vague indignity. She should know him well enough by now; would he really have visited to say “thank you” on the heels of how mentally tilted he was?]

[velluminous]

[ you can watch in real time as the bite leaves her, and she regrets being snappish. the flush deepens ]

If we are so alike, why am I always like this to you...

[vecna]

[He hmms, a lilting noise. It sounds like consideration, but the answer is easy.]

Probably because we are so alike.

[Henry does not hesitate to cut and sting when he deigns it necessary; it's no surprise that she'd do the same.

Anyway. Two mugs fill with coffee, steaming hot. Henry comes over to her booth with them.]

[velluminous]

[ she can barely meet his eye when he first approaches, but then she tries to check to see if he's looking at her, and she locks gazes with him by accident, and you can't just play that kind of thing off. ]

...It smells better.

[vecna]

[Locked gazes, the one he gives her is still nearly quizzical as he places their mugs down and slides into his side of the booth.]

Let me know if it tastes better, too.

[velluminous]

[ somehow, it feels as though something has changed between them.

but then again, she's drunk.

with the slow precision of someone already well into their cups, she turns the mug towards her, ceramic scraping quietly on the tabletop. slips her fingers through the handle. brings the mug steadfast to her lips and chances a sip that would burn her tongue if she were any more human, but as it is, only tingles.

be honest with me. how good is it? ]

[vecna]

[Because he's amiable today? Because their arguing has been at a minimum? He might argue that's a net positive, Sprezzatura.

Honestly: it isn't bad. It isn't mind-blowingly great, either. But Henry watches, quietly, as though seeking out some manner of approval, given his first attempt (which feels so long ago) was less than perfect.]

[velluminous]

[ she very subtly Prestidigitates it. very subtly. ]

It is better. [ with a soft, small smile ] You will be quite skilled, soon.

[vecna]

[WOW RUDE!!!

But she gets away with it. Henry actually laughs lightly at that.]

Well, I don't know about that.

[velluminous]

[ it's so rare to hear him laugh. she wishes she could hear more of it. ] You have... nowhere to go but up, Mister Creel.

[vecna]

[The number of sincere instances of laughter can be counted on one hand since his arrival to Reverie. That said, she's been privy to most of them.]

I've been nothing but spoiled by you, my teammates, and a few strangers when it comes to food in this place. The very least I can do is manage a halfway decent cup of coffee on my own.

[Baby steps. This will be a useless skill for him, anyway, should they ever return home.]

[velluminous]

[ "teammates". she does note that, the way she always notes it. maybe a little more bleary than her usual, though. ]

I should get bottle of good wine, make coq au vin. You would never recover.

[vecna]

[A teammate is more accurate, but who’s keeping track?]

“Coq au vin”?

[Alas, Henry does not know what that is.]

/2

[velluminous]

Cock with wine.

[velluminous]

[ SLAMS THE TABLE ] —Rooster!

[vecna]

[HIS MUG JOSTLES, he holds onto it to keep it steady.]

And why wouldn't I recover from "cock with wine"? [Poor, vaguely sloshed Sprezzatura.]