Я вернулся в деревню

[balancedlight]

Who: Svetlana and Open + a prompt for Fraser
What: Venturing forth and also dealing with April shenanigans!
When: April catch-all!
Where: Milton, then the path up to and including Lakeside. See prompts in post!

Content Warnings: Nothing as of yet; will update!

Comments

[meadqueen]

“My scout Norvid found most of them, but the village blacksmith also encountered one or two.” She smiles fondly. “I laugh as if I didn't have to piece them together. Things were so unsettled when we arrived that we needed to get our bearings quickly.”

[balancedlight]

"How did they end up there?" she wonders, then shakes her head, backing up with a giggle. "No, no. I don't think I want the answer to that."

[meadqueen]

“These bandits were not particularly interested in cartography, it seems!” Randvi can't help but laugh along.

[balancedlight]

"I imagine not!" She raises a hand to her mouth and laughs. "Oh, the smell! I wouldn't want to be around them myself!"

She takes the boiling water from the fireplace, not even thinking as he reaches for the handle of the kettle and pulling away with a hiss. The next time, she reaches for a towel first and then the hot metal.

[meadqueen]

Randvi is laughing too, but gasps when the other woman burns her hand.

“You should put some snow on that before it burns too deeply.”

[balancedlight]

She shakes her head and shows her the palm of her hand. It's red, but not blistered. "Nothing to make a fuss over." She looks down a moment, then pours the water into two cups.

"I am the healer, after all." Said with a sheepish smile.

[meadqueen]

Randvi frowns deeply at the other woman’s palm, but finds her assessment to be correct.

“If you say so. A burn can become putrid so easily, and to lose a hand here…”

Even for someone who doesn't use them to heal it would be terrible.

[balancedlight]

She walks a little closer to her, holding her hand palm up. "It was a silly mistake. See here? It's red, but there are no blisters. I felt it and I can still feel it, so the nerves are still intact and not harmed. It's simply there, on the surface and will fade in a moment."

[meadqueen]

Randvi nods, feeling a little silly at the gentle tone, a frightened child being consoled. Perhaps she's not as far removed from the war as she likes to think.

“I’m still sorry you were hurt on my account.”

[balancedlight]

"No, I appreciate the concern. Especially from a stranger." She returns to her kitchen to make tea. Or rather - something that's like tea. There's not much of it that seems to be left in Milton.

"It's good to see people caring for each other here when we don't know anyone." She hands her the cup.

[meadqueen]

Randvi accepts the cup gratefully, enjoying the warm steam on her face. “Thank you. For my people, hospitality is very important. Taking care of others, whether they belong to you or not. Otherwise none of us will survive.”

[balancedlight]

"Belong to you," she repeats. "I think we should all belong to each other. Because if we don't, then we're left out and - and no one will survive this if they're on their own."

[meadqueen]

“I have a friend who was born in a plague year. She is only alive today because her uncle’s family was willing to shelter them for her birth.” It’s something Randvi thinks of often. “I want all of us to survive.”

[balancedlight]

"I want that, too. I feel - very strongly about it." She wraps her fingers around her cup, just savoring the warmth. "I'm glad I met you, Randvi. I hope we can be friends here."

[meadqueen]

“I am glad to hear it. Both of those things.” Randvi pauses to take a sip of her tea. “I would be honoured to call you my friend.”

[balancedlight]

"I feel the same way. So. Friends." And warmth spreads through her at the declaration, like she had just gained something precious and sweet. All of her friends, all the people she meets, only serve to make her stronger, her tie to this place less terrible.

"Feel free to call on me for anything you need."

[meadqueen]

“Of course. You as well. I live around the corner on Bear’s Bend.” It’s quite a rugged name for a street that’s mostly quiet except on young Edward’s music nights.

“I'm sorry you're here, but I'm pleased to have met you.” There aren't many women around and it can get lonely.

[balancedlight]

"I'll be certain to visit you once I've returned," she promises, gesturing to the direction of the mines.

"We can have a proper meal together."

[meadqueen]

“I look forward to it.” Sharing meals is a time honoured way to get to know people from new places. “Please travel safely.”

[balancedlight]

"I will. Take the tea with you. It will keep you warm on your walk back home." She reaches out and places a hand on Randvi's for a moment. "Thank you. For today."

[meadqueen]

“Thank you.” Randvi’s hand is warm thanks to her power, and it's nice to be able to share that with her new friend, even just a little. “I'll await your return.”

[balancedlight]

She keeps her hand there a touch longer than necessary, soaking in that warmth, and then pulls away to let her go. "It won't be long," she promises.

We can wrap here I think

[meadqueen]

All of this - the touch of her hand, the assurances - reminds Randvi of the people she regularly sends off on longships. Perhaps it's not such a bad thing, anticipating a return.

Randvi says farewell to her friend and walks into the cold of the day, warm mug in her hands.