Open Post: A pair of gloves

[sporesprouter]

Tress was an old hand at waiting. She'd waited for Charlie for more than a year once. Having to do it twice was somewhat disheartening at times, but the mansion kind of had more to offer than the Rock had. (Not quite as much as the spore seas, but... nothing ever would.)

The first time she waited, she was the one to go out and fix it herself. (With help.)

This time, though... sometimes waiting apparently works.

There's a flash of red out of the corner of her eye as she passes a lounge. But that's not the important part. She's clearly on her way to the kitchen to cook her heart out. Charlie's here now. Tress is ecstatic.

Comments

[summerdude]

"You look happy," Magnus says, coming by the kitchen to drop off some early-summer produce he's been absently stress-growing in the woods.

[sporesprouter]

She looks over at Magnus with a grin. "You haven't seen him yet, then, have you?"

[summerdude]

"Seen--"

Fat stalks of asparagus scatter over the floor and roll; lettuce flumps where it lands. Magnus ignores the basket and the produce. "Charlie????? He's here???????"

[sporesprouter]

She nods, excited. "He's here. I told him he could go explore while I made some of his favorite food."

[summerdude]

"Holy crap." Magnus is grinning so big his face hurts with it. "Okay, put me to work, Tress. What's the saying? Help makes work faster?"

[sporesprouter]

Tress laughs. "Well, first pick up your vegetables."

[summerdude]

"Aye aye, captain," Magnus says, crouching down to dump everything back in the basket. "So, um. Is he human Charlie or rat Charlie?"

[sporesprouter]

She carefully rolls out some pastry dough. "Human Charlie. Safe from cats."

[summerdude]

Magnus sighs happily. "Did you give him a big old kiss? I gave Alex a big old kiss."

[sporesprouter]

Tress laughs as she continues attending to her baking. "Of course." ... She must have, right? Of course she must have. It's obvious.

[summerdude]

Magnus glances up, taking in the look on her face. "It's overwhelming, huh?"

[sporesprouter]

Her mind seizes onto this ready explanation. "Very," she says softly. "It's just been so long."

[summerdude]

"Gods, yeah. What, a year, right?"

[sagramore]

"Tress! There you are, I was looking for you--" Sagramore has a sleeping bag under one arm and a sack of flour under the other.

[sporesprouter]

"That's putting it lightly, if anything."

[sporesprouter]

"Sagramore!" She spins to face him. "Did you see him?"

[sagramore]

"See who?"

[sporesprouter]

"Charlie's here!" She could almost cry, she's so happy.

[sagramore]

Sagramore's expression instantly transforms, and he drops both of the things he's carrying to swoop her up in a hug, lifting her off her feet. "He's here!"

[sporesprouter]

Tress laughs and buries her face in Sagramore's shoulder. When she speaks, her voice is muffled. "I was beginning to think he'd never..."

[sagramore]

"I know, I know. Oh, my heart, I'm so glad for thee, I'm so glad."

[sporesprouter]

"It's just... it's the best day."

[sagramore]

"It is!" He lifts her off the ground again, and this time twirls her around. "Where is he? Is he in your room?"

[sporesprouter]

"He's exploring while I cook everything he likes."

[sagramore]

"Oh, very good. As soon as he's settled, bring him by, I want to meet him. Laertes and I are arranging a party tonight, but the two of you probably want to catch up first."