adamantlyardent | ic contact

[on the lawn, she's scuffing her heel into the dirt, clearing some weeds out of her way.

with her back to him, hands on her hips:] No, I won't. I'm immune to poison and disease.

Did you bring that robe, by chance? [holding out her hand expectantly.]

...That's handy.

[He stalls for a second, then runs back to get the robe off the floor.]

[He brings it out and holds it out for her to slip on.]

[But then stops and shakes sandwich crumbs out of it before holding it out again.]

...You okay?

[lightly:] No, no I'm not. I'm not okay.

[she snatches the robe when she feels it tickle her fingers. instead of putting it on, she just holds it out over the little dirt spot she's kicked clear and remains stiff and still as it ignites into flames to make its gradual puddle of ash and burnt clumps.]

I'll do something about it, probably. Maybe the right thing to do this time around.

Whoa what was that for! It could have been washed!

Why are you so angry?? Did I wake you up or something??

...Wait, you don't sleep.

[...Bites his tongue about how he thinks that's why she's so cranky.]

[she sighs, rolling her shoulder while keeping her arm out straight, glaring skyward.]

No, I don't sleep. And yes, it could've been washed. But using it again means remembering the stupidity of this moment. I cling enough to my embarrassments as it is, you know?

Maybe I won't be so hurt by your stupidity that way.

...Alright, look, is this about me falling out of contact?

Because there's actually a reason for that, you know.

I'm sure.

Just like there's a reason that instead of...I don't know, knocking and announcing your return...or literally anything else than just stand there and be so utterly out of touch in general as to--!

[she cuts herself off as her temper flares, bristled and frozen in place.

she exhales again, uncurling her fingers and letting the burnt remains drop into the dirt, her hand falling to her side.]

...Never mind. Recent events have my expectations...skewed. So forget it.

"Recent events?"

What recent events?

Well... [she clicks her tongue, looking down while she scrapes some dirt over the ashes.] I spent a week or so tied up in some loser's basement while he and his friends worked very hard to convince me they were nice people before being dragged out to some obnoxious gathering with the expectation that I'd have some precious, elf secret to reveal...

[she turns around, looking past him with a grim expression.]

Somewhere along the way, I came to terms with the notion that nobody would've even noticed I was gone, and that hoping anyone would find me was childish. Harder to do than I thought, really.

You were WHAT?!

[she shrugs, walking past him back into the house.]

My fault for not just setting them on fire at the onset.

Cece...

[He follows.]

You didn't do that because you're better than that...

But...

[There's a whirlwind of questions spinning in his head.]

You...must have been scared...

I guess so! [a hollow laugh in her breath. she bends to pick up her slippers.] Guess so. Having my magic cut off was rough. That was scary.

[moving over to the trash to toss them:] I think I was more frustrated than scared, though.

Your magic was sealed too...?

Gee, what the hell did I miss.

[she looks over her shoulder with a scowl.]

What do you mean by that? You mean you're not already caught up with whatever matters? I mean, considering you were so casually just snacking around...

I literally pulled into port a few hours ago and when I did, reports over the radio came in about a robot attack in Nonah!

I haven't had my comm for close to two months now, so I couldn't get in touch with anyone to find out what was going on, so I rushed to the Porter and headed to Nonah to find out for myself.

I only just got back from that!

[her ear twitches. she starts back into the living room.]

...I mean, that tracks.

[He follows, as is the norm.]

...So no, I haven't been caught up. And I didn't keep in contact because some jerk imPort stowed away on my ship and destroyed my comm.

I know it doesn't make things better or take away the frustration and fear but...

[He trails off.]

[she flops onto the sofa, drawing her knees up while huddling into the corner the back and arm makes.]

Yeah, well...I'm still resentful for no reason. Probably because I'm still a brat.

[she busies herself fussing with her hair even while her eyes well up.]

Kinda thought that, like. I dunno. You'd show up. Do some more...nonsense book-hero stuff. Make me feel silly for worrying or something.

... ... ...

[Darin makes his way around the edge of the sofa and eases himself onto it next to her.]

...If I'd known, I would have. And I'm sorry I didn't.

There's nothing wrong with feeling resentful for it. I'd rather bear those feelings on my shoulders than have you bottle them up and hurt yourself more.

It's just another lesson I need to learn; to be a little less trusting of strangers.

[while scrubbing at her eye:] Well, like! Others came. Came and helped find me...and I should just be grateful to them instead, you know? And like I am, but...

... ... ...

[Darin slides off the sofa so he can kneel in front of her.]

You don't have to say anymore.

[He places a gentle hand atop her head.]

I'm not gonna go anywhere again. No more journeys of self-discovery. I got what I needed and now I'm back where I'm needed.

[after a sniff, she lets her hand slip away from her face.]

Y-yeah, well...I'll be the judge of that, I guess.

[there's not a lot of ire in that, try though she might.

after a beat.]

...Sorry for throwing...things at you.

Hey, I deserved it.

Besides, even I'm aware that it's impossible to stay mad at me for long~

[with a pinched expression:] Don't test me.

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