The Gig [Tuesday]

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

It was with a sort of sadness that Aravis started her shift today. She knew she'd be gone by this time next week, and even if it was for only a summer, she'd miss the horses.

She would never tell Bree and Hwin, though. Bree, at least, would likely scoff.

[SP from me like aaaaaaaaaaaaaall dayyyy. *lames out*]

Comments

[momslilassassin]

Ben had figured that this was probably Aravis's last shift. "I brought ice cream," he said, poking his head in. "Chocolate. With hot fudge."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"...those things do not seem to go together," Aravis noted. "I do like the sound of both, though."

[momslilassassin]

"You have to eat it fast because it's getting kind of melty," Ben admitted.

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"I can do that," she said, heading over to him.

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled and handed her one of the bowls. "I don't think this will mail well," he said. "Or else I'd try."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"You shall have to simply bring some when you visit," she decided.

[momslilassassin]

"Enough to share with the twins, too?" Ben asked, taking a spoonful of his ice cream and managing not to drip.

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"Maybe," she said, shaking her head thoughtfully. "They're remarkably fond of chocolate."

[momslilassassin]

"I guess it depends if I want them to like me or not," Ben said with a tiny smile.

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"It shan't matter if they do or don't," she said resolutely. "Corin's a bit of an ass no matter what, but Cor is my dearest friend at home, and he'll like you if I have to beat it into him."

[momslilassassin]

Ben laughed. "I've seen you with a sword," he said. "It might be worth watching you drub him."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"I easily could," she decided, nodding.

[momslilassassin]

"And Corin wouldn't help his brother out?" Ben asked.

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"It depends on how the twins have been getting along," she noted.

[momslilassassin]

"How are they usually?" Ben replied.

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"Like eighteen year-old twin boys."

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled. "I've only seen eighteen year-old twins where one's a boy and one's a girl. And I was two."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"They bicker," she said, smiling softly. "And then make up. About five times a day."

[momslilassassin]

"Ohhh," Ben said. "Got it. So you can thump Cor if Corin is still pissed about him using up all the toothpaste or something."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"Something like that," Aravis said with a giggle.

[momslilassassin]

"Oh, before I forget," Ben said, cheeks going a little red as he reached into his belt pouches and pulled out a small wrapped package. "For you."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"Oh, Ben, you shouldn't ha...what is it?" she asked, carefully unwrapping the package and looking puzzled.

[momslilassassin]

"A comlink," he said, going even redder. "You totally don't have to take it or use it. I'm not even sure it'll work, but it's how we get in touch in my galaxy. It's faster than letters. It's pretty much a really fancy phone."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"Oh! Oh, how thoughtful," she said softly, genuinely touched. "Um. I'm not certain it will work? But it will make us both feel more secure, I'm sure."

[momslilassassin]

"I'm being kind of stupid about this," he told his ice cream.

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"No, you're being reasonable enough," she assured him. "Letters are not very quick at all."

[momslilassassin]

"It's not like I don't have friends," he said, still not looking at her. "I just don't have...many of them."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

She smiled faintly. "Me neither. I understand."

[momslilassassin]

"Good," he said, looking relieved. "And after what happened with Shevu and Jori," he shook his head. "I shouldn't hold on so tightly."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"But it isn't wrong," she assured him quietly.

[momslilassassin]

"It's a little wrong," Ben insisted. "I don't want to be smothering. It's just that the last few months have been...a lot."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"You shall never smother me. Believe me, I won't let you, Ben," she said softly. "I promise."

[momslilassassin]

Ben's shoulders relaxed a bit. "Okay," he said.