makinglies | Respite

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faerun

Respite

The lake is dark and calm with a small breeze by the time they arrive at its shores. The stars above reflect perfectly in the still waters before them, and a small copse of trees lines one side, starting on their side of the river and jumping along the other side.

Chris takes a moment to re-prepare the spell he hadn't been able to cast in five years and gestures vaguely to the area around them as a suggestion for what the others can do. Gathering in the forest, sitting on a nearby over-turned log, it didn't matter to him. What he needed was an hour without interruption.

He settles down on the ground and presses his hands together as he closes his eyes to focus on the image in his mind. Within minutes, the white, shimmering outline of a large building forms in thin air. The gentle glow of its light barely spreads from the growing structure.

As promised, it takes the full hour before the slowly filling-in form is complete and finishes with a jaunty, echoing click.

Chris takes a breath, now sitting in front of the stoop that looks annoyingly like the one he'd passed earlier in the night, and gets back onto stiff legs as the glow fades away, leaving smooth, but otherwise unremarkable, white stone behind.

"Here we are. Home for the next however long we need. I'll start working on food and water next." Once they're inside, anyway, which is why he takes back his things from where he'd left them and leads them into the temple, marked only with the carving of ravens on the black wood of the double doors.

Inside is something just shy of opulence. The same polished white stone makes the walls, though black and gold veins course through the marble. The floor is the inverse, a black stone with white, shimmering speckles like a night sky if looked at for long enough. A single window faced East high up on the wall. The temple was alight with sconces at regular intervals along the walls, illuminating an open area that held all the offerings of comfort Chris could think of.

A large hot-springs-like bath, complete with a miniature waterfall, took up the left side of the room and ran into a smaller, similar bath at dog-height. Next to it, covered by a retractable screen, was a shower. Along the back wall, a raven's head emblazoned the white wall in black and watched out over a set of tables, chairs, and a couple of sofas. The majority of the center was clear for walking, but the right edge and right side of the room held a deeply inset pit of pillows, cushions, and blankets in various soft (black and purple) fabrics.

Finally, in the middle of the right-hand wall, there were two closed doors that, when inspected, revealed one room with a large, soft chair and rug, while the other room was made of nothing but stone with jars, pitchers, and plates on shelves along two walls and a cork wall perfect for catching daggers on the other side.

"I hope it works for everyone. I didn't...I didn't make separate bedrooms this time. I didn't figure we would need them tonight."

♥

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Wolfe stops himself before he asks the question, and Jon is grateful for his self-control. He's not in the business of sharing people's feelings and thoughts around, but he might have made an exception if it might mean the mage would be better equipped to handle the rogue.

The idea that ambient abilities aren't draining them seems dubious, though. It might be why there's a steady drip Topher had pointed out. Even their best efforts not to use their powers couldn't account for that. And Jon knows he's already been bad about that on the active side of things. Still, a conversation about that needs to wait for one with Amelia. He's set his mind to that, at least.

"Possibly. I'd need someone like Emet-Selch or Hythlodeus to look at me, I guess." Or maybe the Raven Queen, herself, if she does visit them. There's a long pause before he adds, "I, uh... once we're woven into the Weave, I will try not to be, but my... Part of the comfort of being the Archivist is being able to just know things. Or know I might be able to force people to tell me the truth. Without that..." He trails off. "I've always been a-a paranoid man."

And it has been easier to trust people when having a potential idea of their intentions. When that goes away, Jon doesn't trust himself not to backslide.

"That might be a struggle," Wolfe agrees, looking at Jon with very little surprise that he has, in fact, always been paranoid and this isn't an Eye-fueled development. Predatory beings like Entities and Gods and Templars exploit what's already there. Its less effort than starting from scratch. "You'll have to work at it, Chris said people seem to be able to resist magic more often here than we're used to. I know you do better with consequences, though. Maybe you should talk to Chris about some kind of structure."

He'd offer to keep Jon honest too, but setting formal consequences seems intimate in a way that relies on the kind of relationship Jon has with their mutual partner, not him. Still, a little exchange wouldn't hurt. "I'll call you on it if you help keep me focused on studying."

'Some kind of structure' for consequences. Jon turns his attention back to the book in his hands as he feels color paint his cheeks. He knows Wolfe knows some of that part of his relationship with Chris. If they hadn't done a bloody scene together, he'd have picked it up from living with them. Still, having it called out when they haven't actually talked about what was going to happen with all of that is more than a little embarrassing.

Jon clears his throat. "Yes, well... Consequences might well come from the people around me, regardless. I can keep you on track for your studies. But if I don't regenerate like I usually do, that... Well. It ought to leave a more lasting impact. Although... Maybe it's just me, but did you feel actually rested this morning? I had my nightmares like usual, but it was like-like they were restful?"

"Oh! I thought-" He thought he only slept well because he was finally curled between his two partners again, but if Jon felt it too, then maybe there's something there. "I did. For the first time in a long time."

That's good news, at least. They really should get back to studying, on that topic, but something about what Jon said gives him pause.

"Wait, back up, when you say lasting impact, what do you mean?"

Maybe it's something of the magic here. Chris had always seemed annoyed when he'd slept and hadn't felt fully refreshed in the city. Which is ridiculous. Magical sleep? They're not even woven into the Weave. How could that be affecting them?

He's about to start looking through the book he has more properly, but Wolfe's follow-up gives him pause and a furrowed brow. "I mean people can stab me and have the damage last. I told you I tried to cut off my own finger once, didn't I?"

"I knew you removed a rib, not cut off your finger," Wolfe replies dryly, making it very clear that none of that is normal. But what about any of them is ever normal?

"Why?"

"Well, I had to have the rib removed after I tried the fingers." His tone says that ought to be obvious. "I needed an anchor to the world so I could find my way out of the Buried. I was going in to rescue someone. It seemed sensible to have an escape once I found her."

See! He can plan ahead. Not that his rib had worked as intended, but the thought had been there.

"That makes sense," Wolfe nods, wondering how in the hell Jon could ever claim that what he does isn't magic. "It sounds like what the Circle does with phylactaries."

Which he also considers magic, now that he's seen the breadth of what's possible in other sorts of practices. Enchantment is a type of magic, which means Dwarves have been practitioners all along, and even some of the things that the Templars use - like the phylactaries or even their anti-magic abilities - could easily be recatagorized under magic. It's been semantics this entire time. Honestly its kind of infuriating. "Every Circle mage has blood drawn and placed into a phylactary so that if they ever escape, the Templars can use it to find them again. Sort of like bloodhounds following a scent. I didn't know that was an ability you possessed as well."

"W-well, I mean... that was the theory of how it might work given some of the Statements I'd read. Things that ground you tend to be a sort of... barrier against some of the Fears. It doesn't always work, but sometimes." Jon clears his throat. "In any case, that makes sense I suppose? If being a mage is genetic, there's probably something in your blood that could be traced. Interesting that it's almost like a fingerprint, though. You don't have issues with mage brothers and sisters being confused?

"... I wonder what would happen if you had mage twins and one escaped."

"I have no idea, I was never in the Circle," and that was never a question he thought to ask Anders. "I imagine no one would know, though, because siblings were generally sent to separate towers. Family ties are discouraged," he makes a face like he's tasted something sour.

"I guess it wont matter in a few years, or already doesn't, time is strange. I learned from Bellara that another Blight devastated both the north and south of Thedas. Thats as close to an apocalypse as any. If there are still Circles after that, I would be... well, not surprised. Disappointed, certainly, but not surprised." But he'll never know. Maybe that's for the best.

"Once we're in the Weave, maybe you could study magic scientifically here and find out if it works that way? Not sure how you'd go about it, but there should be plenty of time for that sort of study."

"We seem to have nothing but time." And still they're struggling with waiting. "On that note, I think we ought to use what time we have left to keep studying. Chris is... he's stopped somewhere. Or he's not moving anymore. He's flown off that way." Jon points off in a direction. "Which I believe is back toward the Deismyr."

He sighs. Chris can't leave well enough alone sometimes. "In any case, these books are identical, so I expect you to keep up with me. We can work on our Common pronunciation."

"He went to Deismyr?" Wolfe probably shouldn't find that as alarming as he does, but right after a large-scale battle with many losses, Wolfe isn't sure any of the Guardians are going to be in a state to believe a story as outlandish as theirs.

"What if he gets into trouble? I thought we were going to lay low and avoid the Guardians. What is he thinking?" He's not panicking, but there is very real concern that is going to make studying impossible until its addressed.

"Likely that he's upset and needs to feel like he's doing something." Jon leans harder against Wolfe as he resettles himself, shifting so that his legs are on the sofa, tucked up next to him, and Wolfe is providing a support on the other side. "He's not an idiot. He'll likely either watch to hurt himself or disguise himself and keep to the edges of the city. Do you really think he's going to waltz up to the Guardians and announce his presence?"

"No, of course not, but they're likely running all over the place tending to their land and their people. There's no guessing where they'll be at any given moment. Chris likely remembers where he was - is - but that doesn't account for all the rest." So much of Wolfe wants to run off and be there to defend his love, but there isn't... really a threat. It feels like there is, but even if one if the Guardians spots Chris it's not likely to turn into a confrontation immediately, and Chris is more than capable of handling himself. Usually.

Wolfe will just have to trust him. Especially with Jon shoved into him like a begrudging cat. Its calming, having the weight of another person against him, and Wolfe tries to make himself settle down. "...He will call for us if he needs us, won't he?"

There's a long pause. "He can send, I suppose, but what are you going to do? We don't have cars or teleporters. And you can't run for miles in an instant. It took us more than an hour to get here. Even granting you could sprint back there, you'd be 20 minutes, at least.

"I'm the paranoid one, remember? There's literally nothing we can do at the moment if something does go awry. That's not worth agonizing over. Now turn to page 3 and read off the second sentence for me, please."

"Its very frustrating when you're right," Wolfe grousses, but does as he's bid, opening the book to page three. It would be the continuing story of his life if they got here and then something happened to Chris. He tries not to think about it, instead deciding to put faith in his partner and in his friend.

Thankfully, his drive to learn the language and to impress Chris when (when!) he returns, helps to keep Wolfe engaged. He's going to be able to carry a small conversation by the end of the day, Gods willing.

It's some time well into the study session going on that Amelia makes her way out of the room she'd barricaded herself in. A few of her knives need sharpening, the cutting board she'd grabbed from the kitchen is destroyed, and one of the chairs in that room can no longer be used for its intended purpose. She's still on edge, still angry and with her thoughts trying to spiral, but she's caught her breath and isn't going to snap at anyone who approaches. Immediately, anyway.

She wishes again with those stupid, dreamsforsaken wishes that she had supplies for embroidery, something mindless to occupy her hands that she couldn't cut herself on. It doesn't matter, of course, because needs must and her knives must be in the best shape possible for tomorrow's trip into the Shadowfell.

Her footsteps are quiet, but the drop of her knives onto the table is not and Patience's footsteps beside her as she walks across the temple aren't either. Weapons deposited, she takes a moment to let the girls out of the temple, taking care to stay just inside the door while they run about to relieve themselves and stretch their legs. It gives her another moment to breathe and fortify herself against the inevitable question she knows is coming in one form or another: How are you feeling?

Like some kind of hell. She's well-rested and still tired in ways that go beyond the physical. Ways she doesn't know if she can address without things she doesn't think she'll get when several conversations need to be had before she can have them. Or the kind of space she can't have when they all need to stay close and be ready for tomorrow. She can't run through the woods, driving knives into trees or hunting more game. She can't spar with Chris or Wolfe and expect anything after that will soothe the inevitable fire in her blood. She can't do anything of use. No one needs her to but her, and that just makes her feel worse.

The disquiet in her stomach isn't helping. Dreams, one good meal that's like what she remembers from 'her' world and her body is rejecting it? This couldn't come at a worse time.

Amelia stays by the door as the girls return, welcoming Cookie in with a pet to the top of her head and a few scritches behind one ear. Patience gets a single pet after the rogue rolls up a sleeve as she takes up a watch just outside the door, nose pointed South as she waits, or so Amelia assumes, for Chris to return.

Edited 2025-11-09 05:15 (UTC)

The sound of the knives on the table is what pulls Wolfe from his and Jon's study. He glances out the open door, then to Jon, who takes the cue and shifts his weight away from Wolfe so he's not as ensconced and can get himself up off the couch. He does with some effort, grunting softly when his knees crack as he stands. A good stretch and Wolfe gives a grateful nod to Jon as he leaves the room, closing the door softly behind him.

Cookie trots over after her afternoon constitutional, expecting head pats from master as she did her mistress. Wolfe obliges, scratching behind her ears, but his gaze is on Amelia.

"Hey," he says softly, in the tone that belies he has an apology to give. At least it also means he realizes he hasn't been listening, and is ready to start.

"Hey." She keeps her voice quiet, not wanting to invite anyone into the conversation they're about to have. Part of her wants to tell him to save whatever is on his mind for later, but what good would that do? If they have to talk, better to do it when there's fewer people to intrude.

She takes a deep breath as she turns to him, letting down her sleeve again and not bothering with a smile when she's not feeling it. "Something on your mind?" It certainly sounds like it.

He thought this would be easier now that his mind is clearer and his anxiety having settled somewhat, but faced with Amelia's very stoic demeanor, he quails somewhat, guilt and shame rising up in him. He tamps it down, frustrated that he should feel this way with either of his partners. This isn't right, and he has to fix it.

"I wanted to apologize," he steps towards her, standing less than an arms length away but not crowding. "I've been distant with you, and not listened when you've said many times that you need something to do or focus on thats tangible. I owe you an explanation too, if youre in a place to hear it, but the more important thing to me is that you know I'm sorry and I want to make it right for you in whatever way I can."

He moved his hand as if to take hers but pauses, giving a look to her face to see if she wants that or wants him to keep his distance. The latter will hurt, but he would deserve it for how he's been lately.

He hesitates and she isn't certain how to feel about that. The space is appreciated, but Wolfe not closing the distance and reaching out? After pushing her away several times since they got to the temple? Her chest tightens and eyes well up as if someone punched hard in the ribs and into a wall.

Why is everything so much harder right now? Why does it feel like all the progress they made with each other in Duplicity has been erased?

She offers him a hand to hold because she needs to know he still wants to touch her. She needs to know he still loves her by feeling him do something that's so commonplace for him that she can push aside all of her doubts, just for a moment.

"I'm listening." She doesn't offer forgiveness yet as she wants to hear his explanation of why he's been this way with her. It's unlikely he'll tell her she's at fault, but the thought exists in her mind and won't be silenced until she hears his truth. Her eyes meet his as she waits for him to fully reach for her. "If it gets to be too much, I'll tell you."

She offers her hand and thats all the sign he needs to take it in his and hold on for dear life. He has to be careful not to squeeze too hard.

"I'm so sorry, Love," he starts, forcing himself to meet her eyes when he wants to bow his head. "I know you want to focus on us, on me, and I haven't let you out of a misguided belief it wouldn't help. I focused on you too much, put too much pressure on you to figure things out when there is so much else to worry about... its unfair. I was unfair to you, and its not the first time. I'm so sorry."

Worrying his lower lip for a moment, he brings his other hand around so he can touch Amelia's fingers with both. "I... I want you so badly. You and Chris both, I want to be in contact with the both of you constantly so I-I know you're both actually here, but I'm afraid of smothering you. I'm afraid of doing something for the wrong reasons or at the wrong time or keeping you from feeling or doing what you need to because you're too focused on me. But that's very selfish in its own right, isn't it."

The breath he lets sounds like the echo of a sob and he swallows it back instead, trying to steel himself. "I never ment to make you feel useless or unimportant, Amelia. You're the complete opposite of that. I can't seem to function properly without you."

It's an odd thing, hearing him tell her something much like she said last night with the same conviction she had as she sobbed against him while tucked into his side.

'I'm not myself without you anymore.'
"I can't seem to function properly without you."

It hurts, too, knowing he feels similar and has been so afraid of doing her wrong that he kept her at arms' length. Things are so much worse for him than he's let on if he's questioning himself like this, if he's questioning what she or Chris want to do for him because of it. But he admits his faults and what he's done, and there's nothing in her to be angry about it. With everything out in the open between them, they can make amends and start moving forward together. Isn't that what matters most? Isn't that what she wants above all else?

She cautiously draws him closer by their joined hands, reaching up with her free one to touch his face. She wants so desperately to tell him she forgives him with a kiss, but holds back. They have to talk about a few things before she can say what she really wants - 'Love me the way you used to, please.' - so she starts with the most necessary words.

"I know you didn't mean to hurt me. You would never choose that, just as I would never choose it in reverse. I'm hurting and I miss you so much, but I know you meant well and didn't want to make things worse." Even if her heart aches in a way that feels like it's worse, she knows it's not. "I forgive you for all of it, but can we... can we talk about what we both want from one another? Please? I want to be with you again and I don't want to keep feeling like we'll never get there."

Maybe that's her loneliness and lingering grief talking. Maybe it's the desperate pull of thwarted moments haunting her. Hells, it might even be some lingering need for them to fall into bed together like they said they would when he crossed the planes to find her. Whatever it is, she needs them to break through it because she is desperate to have him back completely after all the shit they've been through.

If she feels like they'll never get there, he's done more to wrong her than he thought. Wolfe turns his face to kiss her hand, eyebrows drawn up in worry. "Can I tell you first? Or do you want to get it out?"

He doesn't know which will be better, he just knows both are going to hurt. "Gods know I miss you, too. I've been so lonely even with you right there..."

"I've been so lonely too, even when I know, I know that's unfair to us both." It's only been a day since they got each other back; nothing can be solved or settled yet when he was ripped away from his life without recourse. She shouldn't be expecting anything or assuming things will even be the same as they were before.

She brushes her thumb across his cheek as she nods. "I'll listen first. I... I need a moment to pull my thoughts together." Otherwise she might cry and distract him with tears that aren't his fault.

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cw: mention of self-harm

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