[open & closed]

[inutilis]

WHO: Abel, sometimes Abel & Himeka, and maybe sometimes YOU!
WHAT: Post-rescue through Sekiseri catch-all! Some OPEN and CLOSED prompts will be included in the comments below.
WHERE: Greentruth, Godsblood
WHEN: Late August thru September
WARNINGS: Possible mentions to torture (past-tense, ty everyone 🥺)

Comments

One or Both, Whatever you want.

[superbshot]

[Caitlyn was not a healer, she wasn't even close, but she was concerned. And she knew well that a visit from a friend...and a small burst of positivity...could have a restorative effect on the body and mind. She doesn't bother hiding the creases of worry in her brow as she slips into the room with a basket. She's done it for a couple of days now, hoping that the duo is awake. Today, there's a shuffling as she knocks, and when she enters Cait dips her head.]

I'm glad to see you awake.

himeka's coming in next!

[inutilis]

[ Abel's lifting his head from where he had been preoccupied with the arduous task of (checks notes) attempting to untangle a knot from his hair with a brush to limited effect, despite declining Himeka's assistance a good three times in the past five minutes.

he's an adult, THANK YOU, a big boy, and he can do it himself. clearly.

it means he goes very still when he is caught with the comb stuck.... in his hair as Cait enters, and clears his throat, trying to play it cool. sooo cool? this is fine. ]

Miss Cait! [ the sight of her definitely incites a heartened smile on his face, for sure. ] Ah-- yes, yes, awake, and... um-- doing much better after some sleep, thank you! How have you been...?

[aquaveiled]

[ Abel...Abel please let her help. She's very good with hair since she's had so much to take care of! Well, at least up until recently. Maybe she's missing the loss of her normals several fulms of locks that she keeps offering, but it's almost painful to watch him struggle with that comb...her comb, mind you.

She's awkwardly mussing her own chopped locks when Cait knocks. Looking up, however, her expression changes to something more friendly. ]

It's good to see you, Cait.

[ Since Godsblood, hasn't it? She was instrumental in helping Vaeka escape, as she recalls. (Even though Himeka and Abel were both pointedly elsewhere while that happened.) She motions for Cait to come in closer as she reaches for the comb while Abel is distracted. ]

[superbshot]

[Caitlyn shakes her head, giving Abel a somewhat reproachful look. He's so not cool, and she knows that he knows she's not fooled. So, she just launches into pleasantries. He's been through enough that he doesn't need to be teased, and Himeka's condition is...jarring.]

Worried, but otherwise well enough. [She approaches, grabbing a chair and sitting down within easy reach of the duo. The basket is plopped down on the bed, and she's pulling back a cloth to reveal bread and a few pastries.]

I bought these in Godsblood just a little while ago. Still fresh. I thought you could use something to eat that wasn't medicinal.

[Himeka gets a longer look, a hint of sympathy in her gaze.]

It's good to see you, too.

[inutilis]

[ the comb is expertly seized by this combination of distractions; Cait is rapidly climbing the ladder and becoming his favorite guest by liberty of having brought him pastries...?? he's already salivating and investigating the source of the delicious smell, which means both the comb and ladies are free to do as they please; he's busy. thank you....! ]

Ah, you're a veritable angel!! How did you know these are my favorites?!

[aquaveiled]

[ Oh thank the stars, she's retrieved her comb. And it's got several tangled Abel hairs in it that she'll have to deal with later, it seems (as well as the mess he's made of himself.) But right now they have a guest so Cait has her attention.

Himeka sets the comb to the side and her eyes go wide at the sight of the snacks. ]

...Ah! These look delicious. Proper pastry is hard to come by in the forest, as I'm sure you know.

[ Recently they've mostly been of Himeka's own attempts in using the communal kitchen. But to have something that looks like it's been made by someone who's been doing this very thing for decades...it brights a tear to her chef's eye. ]

Abel, I want that one.

[ Yes, he can grab it for her. She points to one of the pastries and just expect he'll follow through before he inhales the rest. ]

What have you been up to, Cait? More time has passed since Godsblood than we realized.

[superbshot]

I remembered from last time we had lunch together.

[It seems like a lifetime ago, but it's been only a few months since their (handwaved) Godsblood lunch. Teasingly, she adds:]

What kind of detective would I be if I forgot a critical detail like that?

[Turning her attention to Himeka, she leans back in her seat, meeting the woman's eyes.]

Mostly just trying to keep my head above water. It's been hectic, with the preparations for the attack, and the new arrivals. There's quite a number of them. Also my friend, Viktor, has returned. He'd come in the first group, but vanished shortly after.

[inutilis]

...But I wanted that one, you can have the one with the-- oh, whatever, fine.

[ he's mumbling petulantly as he hands over Himeka's pastry, tilting blue eyes toward Caitlyn as she speaks; this feels... reassuringly normal, doesn't it? sitting together and catching up after a while - if he tries hard enough, he's certain he could pretend they've simply been out and about on 'business.' that circumstances that saw them apart weren't as harrowing for everyone as they'd been.

they're together now; that's what's important. ]

Ah-- that's right, there's quite a few new faces, aren't there? I suppose the shrines became active again? [ what timing... ] How is everyone doing as far as settling in? --And a friend from home, too... I hope Mr. Viktor is doing well? [ wait, he had... vanished? he pauses mid-bite to think that one over, ]