Open Post: Treat

[sporesprouter]

Now that the latest burst of activity has actually settled into something like calm for a few days, Tress has settled into a temporary project. In fairness, most of the temporary project took place the previous day in the out of the way kitchen that she had previously commandeered small appliances from. But today requires a bit more wandering.

So she is currently in the process of going around various at least semi-frequented common rooms leaving trays of both nut and honey balls and chocolate coconut balls. Next to each room's tray, she sets down a small card that says in careful handwriting, 'It's been a tough week. Help yourself!'

She's not putting a whole lot of fanfare into the process, but she's also not being particularly secretive about it, so she's easy enough to find throughout.

Comments

[sporesprouter]

She looks at it. "Oh, wow. You know, I never really thought enough about time to imagine there would be a book about it, but now that I think about it, it's probably fascinating to read about."

[onthewillowsthere]

A rather fervent nod: it is, but also somewhat overwhelming.

He hesitates a moment, then: "Thank you."

[sporesprouter]

Her eyebrows knit together slightly-- curious, not perturbed. "For what?"

[onthewillowsthere]

The answer is, a lot of things. Too many, almost: he's overwhelmed by the idea of quantification. Being kind when he first arrived, teaching him to bake when he was shaking apart in God's silence. Giving him food when he was Damien, giving him his first taste of something sweet. The piece of orange. I think maybe you need a little bit of time just to be, instead of to do. Those things start to coalesce, and suddenly he understands -- he wishes he had understood before.

Cautiously he says, "You've been my friend. I didn't realize before."

[sporesprouter]

The curiosity slides from her face to be replaced with a soft brightness. "Oh! You're welcome. Of course you're welcome." She'd say he didn't really need to thank her for something as simple as that, but it's clearly not as simple to him and she doesn't want to treat that dismissively.

[onthewillowsthere]

"I want to-- spend more time with you. As friends. I--" His fingers tighten on the book. This shouldn't be so hard. He's asked for so many things, things that felt more dangerous than this.

[sporesprouter]

"I'd be happy to spend more time with you as friends." Her response, at least, comes easily enough. "Whenever you'd like."

[onthewillowsthere]

"Claudius asked me to help him," he explains for the hundredth time. "I've been making pies, like you showed me."

[sporesprouter]

That makes her grin. "Oh, I bet they're wonderful. Would you like some extra help with them?"

[onthewillowsthere]

"Yes," relieved. "I would like that."

[sporesprouter]

She nods. "Then I'll help you. It'll be fun."

[onthewillowsthere]

"Thank you." A split-second smile.

[sporesprouter]

"You're welcome." She looks down at the tray. "Oh!" She picks it back up and holds it out toward Galahad. "Would you like one?"

[onthewillowsthere]

"Yes." He reaches out and takes one of the coconut ones. Since Magnus he's gotten much more proactive about trying new foods.

[sporesprouter]

"I hope you like it." She sets the tray back down. "I thought everyone deserved a chance at a treat, after everything that's happened the last few days."

[onthewillowsthere]

"Oh-- the creatures."

[sporesprouter]

"The zombies, yes. And the truth spell that some people were affected by a little bit before that, too. It's been a lot."

[onthewillowsthere]

"There was a truth spell?"

[sporesprouter]

She nods. "There was. I don't think it hit me, though¹."

¹ It did. The only real symptom was one little Glorf-bean, though, so she can't be blamed for not noticing.

[onthewillowsthere]

"I don't think I was affected either. I didn't notice it."

[sporesprouter]

She nods. "Not everyone was. But if you count it on top of the zombies, I think everyone really deserves snacks."

[onthewillowsthere]

That does seem reasonable. "Do you like teaching people how to make things?"

[sporesprouter]

She's quiet for a moment, thoughtful. "You know, I never really did it much before I got here. But... yes. I think I do. I think it's because I like learning things, so it's also nice to get to see someone else learn something and know I helped them."

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad watches her face, as if he could learn something from it (he couldn't. He can barely read anyone's expression), and waits quietly for a little longer. "Your friend isn't here yet. Are you all right?"

[sporesprouter]

Tress sits down in an empty chair and leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees. She collects her thoughts. "I... We've been apart for longer than this before. Not exactly so long where I couldn't see the next step, though. So it's hard. But I'm also keeping myself occupied, and the people here are kind, so I'm doing better than I would be if I was alone, I think."