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.

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[wickedwit]

"Evil for evil's sake," Claudius agrees. It's not the first time he's held Tress in his arms after a cruel woman hurt her. "Thou didst not deserve this."

[sporesprouter]

"Nobody deserves this." She curls in on herself for an extended moment, nestles in Claudius's arms, before taking a slow breath and straightening a bit. "All right," she says slowly. "One problem at a time." Go find Charlie, tell him about how silly this-- no. "What do you think I should do?"

[wickedwit]

One step at a time, my dear. "Sagramore," he says, evenly despite the rough hint of tears in his voice, "and Laertes are having a celebration tonight. I'm sure you've received an invitation. It's to keep you safe. Out of range, if possible. The woman who did this -- she has power over coincidence. She can control fate, turn the chances of any encounter to her advantage. Over time, those coincidences become deadly. We're not sure how far those coincidences can spread, but we're hoping they're localized, and that she can't use her power in the mansion and in the cabin at the same time. I want you to go there. There are people who love you, who," a bitter laugh, "never lied to you. Spend time with them. They'll remind you what's real, when you find yourself caught in figments."

[sporesprouter]

She knits her eyebrows a bit. "I talked to Sagramore. They're... not going to be expecting me to be there now. I don't want to worry them."

[wickedwit]

"Worry them. Believe me," he laughs, "if I believed worrying them would decrease your chances of survival, I'd dissuade you. If I thought she had some power to infect people through concern, then it would be best to bear this on your own -- or with me. I'd stay with you as long as you needed me. But I think their worry is your strength. We all care about you."

[sporesprouter]

She nods slowly. "All right. We'll-- I'll go to the party."

[wickedwit]

Beneath the fierce, protective fury, beneath the aching sadness and uncertainty, beneath the fears about what the future will hold and whether their best chance at taking down Aornis will also be their last, what Claudius feels foremost is pride.

How do you do this all the time? he remembers asking. (A real memory, with a ring of truth, with the scratch of Sagramore's stubble and the brush of his hand.)

Well, what have I got to lose?

"I love thee," he says. "Thou art the niece I never had ... and whatsoever thou dost, I know thou wilt make me proud. Be safe."

[sporesprouter]

Tress manages to muster up a very faint smile. "I love you too. I'll be as safe as I can."

[wickedwit]

That I love you too keeps on a guttering light in Claudius's chest, suddenly swelling with hope. He kisses Tress's forehead, and lets her go.

[sporesprouter]

She steps back and takes another deep breath, looking at him. "You be safe too."

[wickedwit]

"Am I not always?" Claudius manages a smile. "No, thou needst not answer. What can I do for thee, between now and then? In what ways can I support thee?"

[sporesprouter]

"I don't know. I... I know you're probably right, but keep an eye out just in case?"

[wickedwit]

"Thou know'st what a gossip I am. I'll keep an eye and an ear, I promise thee."

[sporesprouter]

She nods. "All right. Thank you."