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[pactmarshal]

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[pactmarshal]

[ Trahearne's no different, really, with how he stands there and gapes at the sheer amount of choice on the menu. This is a very human thing--so rigid, so specific.

He glances at her as she stands and gives her order, and he can't help a brief chuckle. ]

How did you know?

[ In truth, he'd been thinking about chicken noodle soup ever since she brought it up. Weird how ideas like that planted themselves in one's mind and took root. That he brought it up at all should have been clue enough for her, he supposes.

With a smile, he directs his attention to the person behind the counter and adds to the order, ] And two pumpkin spice lattes, please.

[ He isn't sure about that...but he'll try it.

The shopkeeper informs him of the price and immediately gets to preparing their food and drinks. Trahearne quickly pays for it, and turns back to Aerith as he's putting his wallet away. ]

I pass this place almost every day, but I have never been inside. And I don't think I ever would have if you hadn't found me. [ A smile grows across his face. ] Thank you, Aerith.

[everblooms]

[ There’s something about what he says— the implication that her presence is better than the absence of it, that gets to her. Aerith stares for a moment, hunched over to stare into the display again, with her hands on her knees. Silently, she just looks at him, and thinks about being alone in the trainyard; that moment is what kept her from falling deeper into a deathly slumber, she thinks to herself, and when she stands straight again, there’s a tiny, warm smile on her face.

Without another word, she closes the distance between them, only to land a very familiar, very careful playful smack upon his arm, without the intention of him. ] And here I thought I was coming to cheer you up!

[ It’s the most she says about her own state, beaming the whole long way, before moving to pass him. The seats outside are too tempting, and she’s not going to stand still and wait. She never has. ]

Oh, and…

[ Stopping at the now open door, Aerith looks to Trahearne over her shoulder, her smile far more mischievous now than it had been. She didn’t tell him how she knew, though part of her thinks he had just been brushing aside how stubborn she is. Her mother had thought of her as such, at least. ]

I have my ways.

[ Of just knowing.

With that, she walks out into the sunlight again, arranging a table for them eagerly. There’s three chairs; one next to her, and one across. Does he take the bait? Hmm. ]

[pactmarshal]

[ Trahearne studies her as she moves; as he looks back at her, he wonders what's going on in her mind. What is she thinking of in response to his thanks?

The answer surprises him a little bit, and he instinctively reaches to rub the spot she smacked. It doesn't hurt, of course. He doesn't even think about the motion. It's more an act of wonder; if thanks was enough to cheer her up, then he would readily give it. He has plenty of gratitude, after all, for many things. Including her.

That thought, however, puzzles him. His gaze follows her as she moves to the exit, and what she says registers just barely in his mind.

Where did that come from?

The shopkeeper's announcement that their food and drinks are ready snaps him back into reality. With a brief word of thanks he scoops up the tray and takes it outside.

It isn't long after Aerith that Trahearne emerges, carefully balancing the tray of soups and lattes in his hands and the basket of apples in one arm. ]

I hope I didn't keep you waiting.

[ He gently sets down the tray on the table, angled so that Aerith is free to pick whichever soup or latte she likes. The basket of apples goes to rest on the chair between them, and Trahearne takes his place in the chair opposite. ]

It smells delightful.

[ And he unceremoniously reaches for whichever soup and latte is left over. ]

[everblooms]

Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of time to make it up to me.

[ When he leaves the shop, coming back to her with their food and drinks, Aerith is sitting with her elbows on the table, feet swinging back and forth. It isn’t as if she couldn’t put the heavy soles of her boots onto the ground if she wanted, but it does stop as he unloads. Placing the basket between them catches her attention and she not so subtly looks from it to him, brows furrowing in what probably looks like a silly display. There’s only a moment of deliberation before she picks it up, and swaps seats with the basket so that they’re next to one another. Ahem. This isn’t an interview, Trahearne.

She doesn’t wait long to tuck in, though she steals a few glances to look at him, measuring his reaction before she speaks again. This isn’t the first time she’s had to close the gap between herself and someone else, but if he tries to move… ]

So, Trahearne.

[ Spoon in hand, she fusses with the broth, stirring it for a moment more… ]

Are you… actually alright?

[pactmarshal]

[ The sudden movement out of the corner of his eye catches his attention, and Trahearne freezes mid-bite (does one call it a bite when the food in question is essentially liquid?). The spoon remains in his mouth and he watches, wide-eyed, as Aerith moves the basket of apples and quickly rearranges herself and settles in beside him. What follows is nothing like he's ever experienced before; he simply stares back into emerald, wondering why she ultimately decided to sit there and not where he could easily see her. The atmosphere isn't quite awkward, but he is...surprised. He'll leave it at that.

When she speaks, he finally swallows and sets his spoon down, turning his attention to his coffee cup instead. As he brings it to his lips, he pauses again when she asks him the question.

The temptation to say yes is very strong, but if this incident taught them anything, it was that it's best to be honest when it comes to these things. Especially since he sort of has a feeling that this is the true purpose of the visit, much like how Ori and Beatrix came to see him several days prior. He stares into the ripples of his drink, breathing in the sweet scent of cinnamon. ]

...I'm not entirely sure. [ He blinks, and for a second, he can see his own hazy reflection in the cup. He looks tired. ] I'm not sleeping well. I thought I was healing all right, but my staff sent me home once I arrived at the archives. [ Which is why he's on his route home so early.

A lopsided smile crosses his face as he looks up at her again. ] Though I suppose that's for the best, since it led me to you.