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[pactmarshal]

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[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.