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Sage had hummed softly with a nod when she said she wouldn't blame her father if he was upset. He didn't really have a chance to respond before she had slipped out the door, and he leaned back in his chair with a soft breath, turning to watch Liz where she was playing in the corner, though his mind was elsewhere. |
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Elara called out to Varys, the wolf watching their surroundings as she scoured for fruit, eventually finding a few almost bare bushes, harvesting the berries before turning to head back. She took her dagger from her belt, twisting the blade over in her hand before pinching the tip, throwing it at a tree in front of them, the steel slinking into the wood silently. |
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Sage stayed where he was for a while, just thinking this all over in his head. Eventually, though, Liz had grown bored and was tugging on his pants, wanting to go outside and play. So, he blinked his thoughts away and moved to bundle her up best he could with a soft chuckle, tossing a blanket around his own shoulders, and moving outside to the porch, settling on a chair there to watch as she bounced around the yard. |
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Elara eventually made her way back, cleaning her dagger of a dark red liquid, rasberry juice. It was surprising to find them so late in the year, yet she wasn't complaining one bit. Varys bound after Liz, the two darting around the yard as the woman slipped inside, putting the berries up before sitting in the chair beside Sage. |
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Sage noted the berries when she moved back up towards the house, nodding happily. "We can dry some out, leave some fresh," he mused. "Maybe freeze some so they're fresher if we ever want any," he added, turning to watch varys and Liz bound around in the crisp air. He watched them quietly, though smiled at elara as she sat down beside him, opening his arm to wrap the blanket around them both. "Snow is coming," he noted. "It'll be soon I'm sure." He cocked his head slightly. "I don't know if Liz is old enough to remember any of her previous winters. Snow." It might be the first time she'd ever get to really play in it. |
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"Why's the snow red, Nate?" "I don't know, El. Probably just a painter who spilt something." "Oh, haha! That's funny, how are they supposed to make pink without red?" "Don't know, they probably have some left." ~~~ Elara nodded, leaning into him and letting the warmth of the blanket cover her. She laid her head on his shoulder, sighing softly. "Guess so, need to re-waterproof my boots, then." She noted, watching as Varys chased Liz. ~~~ "El....we should probably head back." I warned, the sight making me pale. "What? Why?" Her voice was high, curious as to why the fun had to end. "Elara. We need. To. Go." I snapped, grabbing her hand before watching as she yanked it out of my grip. "No! I'm staying!" She yelled, stomping her foot. I sighed, hesitating before slinging her over my shoulder, turning and starting to hurry back to the castle as she flailed in my arms. "No, no no! I want to. . ." Elara stilled, and I continued trudging on through the bitter cold. "Nate. . .why are they dragging him?" Her scream rang my ears as the man went still with one final, brutal hit. Now realizing, the red was never paint. |
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Sage nodded with a soft hum of agreement. "We should work at making coats and gloves and stuff too, before it gets too cold," he noted after a moment or so. He did notice she was really quiet though, not paying attention to much. "You alright," he asked after a few seconds, nudging her gently. "What are you thinking about?" |
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"Hm? Oh, yeah just....zoned out." She mused with a smile, flicking her gaze from his quickly as she watched Liz and Varys. What had he said? Something about gloves? Shit, it was dumb, really. All it was was that she didn't want Liz's first memory of snow to be watching a murder, is all. "Just don't want her memory of it to be anything bad, I guess." |
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Sage frowned slightly at her response but nodded along with a sigh. "That's my main concern," he admitted quietly, looking over at Liz, who was still playing happily. "We'll have to find someone we trust to watch her, somewhere far away from the battle when it happens," he added with a shake of his head. He didn't know who that would be, but.... He didn't want her at the castle when they attacked. |
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"I would say Dorian but, he'll be fighting. I trust him with my life," She suggested quietly, nuzzling into the warmth of Sage as she settled, curled up against the man. Liz darted over, showing the pair a bird skull. |
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Morning Snow followed by Sunshine
