[Her forehead against his chest incites no reaction. The squeeze around his hand makes his jawline tighten a tick at most. To compare Weir to a feral cat on most days is not an inaccuracy, and physical contact like this is not his forte, but he can act out of necessity. He can not lurch away when someone's deep inside his personal space, especially when he was the one who requested it.
After all, it's not like he's truly devoid of empathy. Lucinda's childhood circumstances were not ideal, and she had been forced to do something she never asked for -- much like he did, his entire life devoted to a task he had no choice in, mostly for the advantage of those he didn't know. His life had more use for what he could do, not the sort of person that he was.
But this is such a small, flagging part of him so easily overturned by what he believes is best for himself, his self-centeredness ever focused on the situation at hand and how to skew it better in his favor. Her gratitude, then, is barely acknowledged:]
I mean it enough to get us out of here.
[But maybe this showing is still enough. Maybe Lucinda's sincerity counts for something, and maybe Weir's willingness to play a part he's inherently uninvested in is enough of an effort for the forest to see it in a different light.
Maybe Lucinda isn't a trespasser. Maybe she really is a guest of a native of the Vale.
A breeze passes through. There's no fog this time, but the scent of the Sapphires is strong, almost pungent. And then, after a long few moments, every bit of memory--whatever was still clinging on before--falls away, and the forest is back to how it was when they first stepped within its boundaries.
[The scent of flowers and the chill of the forest settles around them. Lucinda takes it as her cue to draw back from Weir. Her eyes are dry though the streaks of tears are still visible. The medium glances around to make sure there is no more bamboo, no more basement.]
... It looks like I'm welcome now.
[Her voice is slowly becoming serene again.]
Rather belated but it's better than the alternative.
Immediately, Weir drops his arm. Though he has enough sense not to step away unless the forest decides that is yet one more sudden rejection of her presence.
He should feel relieved, and for a moment, he does. But in the next, he can only experience the onslaught of trepidation and utter exasperation, knowing that he really has stumbled across a complication in the form of a world-hopping medium deposited on his proverbial doorstep.
What is he going to do with her?]
...We should return to town, then. Unless you've still a mind to collect herbs and mushrooms after all that.
[Lucy still has hope that River or the other espers will try to find her even if they have to rely on magickind to get her back. At least the former would fight tooth and nail for her to be alright. But she tells herself to be patient and to keep surviving.
At Weir's question, she glances back at him. Smiles placidly.]
Let's go back. We'll try again and be better prepared.
[And she can just fall asleep early because god she kind of wants to sleep and not wake up for a long while.]
Then keep close enough that this forest won't change its mind.
[And he means it, even as he stalks ahead with long, striding gaits. He's still wary, and his hackles are raised from what just happened; it was hardly his memory and he feels as though he could do with a moment to himself to decompress.
A drink would probably not go amiss right about now.
To say that the atmosphere woven between them won't be awkward is a bald-faced lie, and Weir's silence doesn't help as they make their way back to the main path. Eventually, though-]
What I said about proving yourself. I was serious about that, you know.
They find the main path, but Weir has little more to say about that. It's back to the village and, eventually, back to his lodgings, to think about all that's transpired thus far — and how he might proceed.]
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After all, it's not like he's truly devoid of empathy. Lucinda's childhood circumstances were not ideal, and she had been forced to do something she never asked for -- much like he did, his entire life devoted to a task he had no choice in, mostly for the advantage of those he didn't know. His life had more use for what he could do, not the sort of person that he was.
But this is such a small, flagging part of him so easily overturned by what he believes is best for himself, his self-centeredness ever focused on the situation at hand and how to skew it better in his favor. Her gratitude, then, is barely acknowledged:]
I mean it enough to get us out of here.
[But maybe this showing is still enough. Maybe Lucinda's sincerity counts for something, and maybe Weir's willingness to play a part he's inherently uninvested in is enough of an effort for the forest to see it in a different light.
Maybe Lucinda isn't a trespasser. Maybe she really is a guest of a native of the Vale.
A breeze passes through. There's no fog this time, but the scent of the Sapphires is strong, almost pungent. And then, after a long few moments, every bit of memory--whatever was still clinging on before--falls away, and the forest is back to how it was when they first stepped within its boundaries.
It's cold again. Their breath coils white.]
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... It looks like I'm welcome now.
[Her voice is slowly becoming serene again.]
Rather belated but it's better than the alternative.
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["Welcome."
Immediately, Weir drops his arm. Though he has enough sense not to step away unless the forest decides that is yet one more sudden rejection of her presence.
He should feel relieved, and for a moment, he does. But in the next, he can only experience the onslaught of trepidation and utter exasperation, knowing that he really has stumbled across a complication in the form of a world-hopping medium deposited on his proverbial doorstep.
What is he going to do with her?]
...We should return to town, then. Unless you've still a mind to collect herbs and mushrooms after all that.
[he sure ain't]
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At Weir's question, she glances back at him. Smiles placidly.]
Let's go back. We'll try again and be better prepared.
[And she can just fall asleep early because god she kind of wants to sleep and not wake up for a long while.]
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[And he means it, even as he stalks ahead with long, striding gaits. He's still wary, and his hackles are raised from what just happened; it was hardly his memory and he feels as though he could do with a moment to himself to decompress.
A drink would probably not go amiss right about now.
To say that the atmosphere woven between them won't be awkward is a bald-faced lie, and Weir's silence doesn't help as they make their way back to the main path. Eventually, though-]
What I said about proving yourself. I was serious about that, you know.
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[Lucinda hushes her friends and they fall silent once again. She can think about what this all means tomorrow.]
You are not the joking type. I know you are serious Weir.
We'll just have to see.
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[One way or another.
They find the main path, but Weir has little more to say about that. It's back to the village and, eventually, back to his lodgings, to think about all that's transpired thus far — and how he might proceed.]