Blood and Water (♠ Blue Suit ♠)

Tome frowned and just took the paper from her carefully, eyeing her a big longer before finally looking at the slightly crumpled sheet in his hand. He glanced at the words, brief but enough to read them quickly, and his went a little wide and a lot concerned. ". . . Mia?" He asked slowly, folding the paper and setting it aside. "What . . . What do you want to do?"


By this time Joachim had noticed something was wrong, and laid down with his body wrapped around Mia's back, rumbling worriedly up at her. Tome took her hand and held it loosely in his, just waiting for a response. He knew her father acted so rudely to her that Tome had wanted to break the man's teeth, but even if he'd never had any care for unloving parents he knew some still carried some sort of love or attachment to such people. If she wanted to go back to that place, they would go. He would take her.
 
Mia felt somewhat numb, but was extremely grateful at Tome's and Joachim's touch. She wrapped her fingers around Tome's hand gently and rubbed the dragon's head with her other hand softly. "I… um…" Well wasn't it obvious? There was no reason for her to go, after all it had been his wife the one who wrote to her, not him. Surely, he wouldn't exactly be pleased to see her, much less on his deathbed.


"I don't know" Her face was really pale by now and there was uneasiness as well as a hint of fear on her face. More than anything, she didn't want for him to reject her on his deathbed. Closing her eyes tightly, she lowered her head a bit, the grip on Tome's hand tightening a little "I really don't know" She repeated.
 
"Hey . . ." Tome watched her with sad, concerned eyes, upset at seeing her in so much pain. "Come here. . ." He scooted closer to her until he could be at her side, lean against Joachim's flank with an arm around her and pull her head to his shoulder. "It's all right, just breathe. Just breathe a moment and speak with me." It was how he'd always tried to calm Fawn, when she'd gotten so ill she couldn't articulate what she needed. "Do you want to go there?" He asked softly, carefully. "Do you want to say goodbye? If you want to go, we'll go, but - but if you want to stay we can just sit here a while and stay calm. Or we can take an early trip, get away for a day or two." Surely Joachim would be all right if they only spent a couple days away from the dragonry, let her get her mind off of this.
 
Mia allowed for Tome to pull her head to his shoulder without putting up any resistance, actually feeling rather soothed by the gesture. She heard his suggestions and she considered each one of them briefly. One of those questions in particular echoed on her mind though 'Do you want to say goodbye?' She felt as if something was squeezing her heart and so she shifted her head a bit so as to bury it on Tome's shoulder.


Why lie to herself? She might resent her father, she did feel as if she actually loathed him, but… She was so tired of hate, so, so tired of it. She didn't want for it to hold most of her heart's space anymore. And she knew why she has hated her father so much, because she had loved him just as much, because she had felt betrayed by the only man she had ever loved until now. "If I say I want to say goodbye… Will you come with me?" After what felt like ages for her, she finally stated.
 
Tome wrapped his arms a little further around her, not moving when Joachim's tail folded over them both, the young dragon's chin coming to rest on Mia's hip. "Okay," Tome said softly, with their dragon's warm, scaley body wrapped around them, a wing folding out above their heads to cover them. "Okay. . . We'll go together. It's not so long a trip, so - so I'm sure it will be all right for Joachim to come too." He knew Mia wouldn't go if they had to leave the dragon behind, knowing he would be sad. "We'll get ready whenever you're ready. You can take a little while to rest if you'd like. We can go in the morning, or we can go today." He just wanted her to be okay.
 
Mia shook her head, almost too quickly for it not to clearly show that there was still some hesitation on her decision "Not today" And couldn't help it but burrow her face deeper into Tome's shoulder as if to hide "Tomorrow" Her voice came out as muffled and sort of insecure, but she didn't want to part on that very day. She remained like that for a while, desperately clinging to that sense of security she had found on him.


After a while though, she finally pulled her head back. She seemed, at least, much calmer now. She tried for it not to appear as her putting up a front, but she also want to believe herself she was really alright. "Thank you, Tome" And as she gave him a small, kind of reassuring smile, she moved her head a bit to the side, to glance at Joachim "And thanks to you too" She added.
 
Joachim rumbled happily, tail thumping a bit against their legs where it had come to rest before going still. He shifted his wing a little, then just dropped it over them so that it laid like a blanket, covering them from head to knee, with Joachim's head under it as well. Tome couldn't help smiling a little at the weight of it, since it was nothing dangerous and Joachim just wanted to keep them safe. Tome brushed a thumb gently over Mia's cheek, pushed away the few strands of hair Joachim's wing had mussed into her face. "In the morning, then. I'll gather what we'll need later tonight, okay? We can just stay here for now." The ground was a bit hard, and the air a bit restricted with the way Joachim had shielded them, but there were spaces where cool air came in and it would be fine to stay a while. She felt safer here. That was all Tome wanted.
 
Mia blinked when she felt Tome's thumb brushing gently over her cheek and she couldn't help it but close one eye lightly, if only by reflex, when she felt his touch. Her eyes softened then and a much genuine smile crept over her lips as she leaned in a bit into his hand "Okay" She replied, and at least from then on she did allow herself to feel safe and content again. If Tome and Joachim were to go with her everything should be okay, she just needed by her side and she'd be able to make it through that trip she'd have never really imagined herself doing.
 
Tome pressed a faint kiss to her forehead, then just tucked her head gently to his shoulder again and went still, just listening to the pattern of her breath, hoped the gentle rise and fall of Joachim's side would soothe her. So long as she was safe and calm and happy, he would be glad. He knew she was upset, that much was clear, but there was so much more potential for it to get worse. He wanted to keep her curled up and safe here, and never let anything touch her or her fragile heart again. But he knew that was unrealistic, so he would just make sure she was as safe as she could be for the journey.
 
Mia could swear she was still able to feel that tingling and warm feeling left by his gentle kiss on her forehead and that was enough to keep her relatively calm because she felt it, she felt the fact that he really cared for her and wanted to keep her safe and sound. And she remained like that for the entire time, even when after a while they eventually had to leave that spot as the sun had started to set on the horizon, obviously quite early because, after all, it was winter and the days came to their end sooner.
 
When they finally emerged from their little cocoon, it felt relatively cold, and Tome put an arm around Mia's shoulders to keep her close and lend her his body heat. They walked Joachim to the place where he slept with the other young dragons, with promises to come back for him in the morning, and then started to walk back to their own quarters. "I'll drop you off and let you rest, okay?" Tome said softly as they walked. "I'll make the preparations and talk to Malia, so you don't have to do any work in the morning."
 
Upon realizing that he didn't really have to go back to the quarters with her to get things prepared and not wanting to delay him because after all they were doing that trip for her, Mia tugged on his arm softly for them to come to stop "It's fine, I can walk back on my own" Taking a hold of the arm he was using to keep her close, she slipped out from his grip as she lowered her hand to grasps his.


"Even if our room is not so far from here, I'd rather have you going to bed as earlier as you can" She added with a soft smile. "I'll see you later" With that being said, she got on her tiptoes and kissed him gently on the cheek "Again, thank you and goodnight" Her smile grew smaller, bit not any warmer as she let go of his hand and walked away.
 
Tome wanted to protest, but was still caught in the idea of doing whatever it was that she wanted to make her happy, so he let her go. Still, he did make sure she was safely in their room before leaving to do what he'd intended. He didn't want to lie to her, but he wanted her to be safe, and he didn't need as much sleep as he usually got to have here, so it would be fine. Once he had everything ready for them, with strict instructions from Malia on Joachim's care, he finally headed back to their room, hoping Mia would be asleep. In the morning, he was going to retrieve two generously 'donated' horses from a stable not far away, and settle them in a yoke that pull a wagon large enough for Joachim to ride in, since he was too young to walk the distance. He would pack their things into their bags when he got back, then go to sleep like she wanted.
 
Being awake all night long, that exactly was what Mia had expected. After all how could she even sleep like that? Knowing that she'd, by her own will, be visiting her dad once again. On the contrary though, she had indeed given it some thought as soon as she had laid on bed, nevertheless, not even half an hour had gone since and she had already fallen into a deep sleep, not as peaceful as she'd have liked, but still she was sleeping, and that was something good.


By the time Tome was back in their room, she had curled herself on the edge of the bed and though she was sleeping soundly, her brows were furrowed and her arms were seemingly wrapped around herself tightly. Even in her sleep, she couldn't help it but feel anxious, that she couldn't change, as much as she wanted to.
 
Tome walked into the room in silence and in the dark, just in case. He looked around the room before spotting Mia in bad, glad at first that she was sleeping but then worried about her expression. Walking over to the bed, Tome gently tried to reposition her without waking her, moving her carefully towards the middle of the bed. "Shhh," He whispered softly, fixing the blankets around her once she was close to the center and wouldn't fall off, "I'm here. Rest peacefully now. Sleep deeply. I'll be just over here." He would sit next to her if it made her feel better, but for now would try being in his own bed so she wouldn't be mad at him for not sleeping.
 
Mia pried her eyes half open but she didn't look at Tome, instead her gaze remained lost in no specific point. She was more asleep than awake, but the soothing words and the proximity of a gentle presence seemed to have its effect, as gradually the troubled young girl closed her eyes again with a noiseless sigh escaping her. She wouldn't be remembering that in the morning, but thanks to Tome she could eventually fall asleep into a much peaceful and deep sleep.
 
Tome was glad when he heard Mia's breathing evening out, and finally settling into something more calm and relaxed. Not too long later, he was able to fall asleep himself, and rose early in the morning. While Mia slept on, he crept quietly about the room and packed the rest of their things. He could get another bag from Malia once Mia was up, and they would pack what they needed for Joachim into it, then put all the bags in the wagon Joachim would be riding in. He was confident they would have all they needed, he was just worried about Joachim's reaction to traveling, especially so suddenly. More than that, Tome was worried about how others would react to the dragon.
 
First thing Mia did as soon as she woke up was curling up on herself - again as if that'd be of any help - before she practically jumped out of bed, she did so quickly though, and that caused for her knees to bend when the blood rushed out of her brian and that drop in blood pressure caused for her to feel dizzy and for her surrounding to go black at the same time she stretched out her hand to grab onto something.


She breathed in softly and when she was back on her senses again a few seconds later, she realized she had grabbed onto the edge of the bed and that she had pulled on the blankets, hence throwing the down to the floor in the process. Amazing how could all of that happen in the blink of an eye. The sandy haired girl shook her head and slowly got back on her feet, sitting down on the bed for a moment. In all of that portion of time, she hadn't even realized she was not the only one in the room to begin with.
 
((Sorry I didn't respond, I had a lot of stuff to get done before tomorrow and now I need to sleep -_- ))


Tome was going through a plan of travel, a map spread out on the table, when Mia got up. Her first movement startled him into almost jumping, and he looked over in time to see her almost fall over, then get dizzy and almost fall, then start looking unsteady on her feet. Frowning a little, Tome spoke softly so as not to scare her, since she seemed oblivious to his presence. He couldn't blame her, since he hadn't moved in a while.


"Mia?" He asked quietly. "Are you all right?" He looked her over once from where he stood, concerned about her health. "Are you sure you're fit for travel?" If she wasn't feeling well, they could arrange something different. He wasn't sure what else he could do, but he could try.
 
Fortunately, Mia was not startled by Tome's voice, a bit surprised - that was right - but not enough for it to affect her. Raising her hand to her forehead and massaging it, she replied a couple of seconds too late "I'm fine" Her voice was rather hoarse, however, she cleared her throat to fix it "I… I may have stood up way too quickly" She added, her hair cascading over her face, hence hiding it from view.


"... I am" Mia moved her head softly before she finally raised her head "Do you need any help?" Pushing herself up with the help of both of her hands, she walked over to her.


(Sorry for the delay :/ Merry Christmas and Happy New Year btw ^^)
 
((It's okay ^_^ I've been keeping busy, and I understand. Ditto to you :) ))


Tome shook his head as soon as Mia started walking, and took a few steps to meet her, to take her by the elbows and give her some support. "I don't think you're well," He said, worriedly, and conflicted. "But . . . But I know how much this trip will mean for you. So you'll just have to stay in the wagon with Joachim, and keep well covered, hydrated and fed." It wouldn't take more than a day or two to get there, if they set a good pace, and if she fell ill in that time Tome could get them somewhere to stay for her to recover before coming home. Joachim might be antsy, but it would be okay. "Until then, stay lying down and let me do everything. I've almost finished preparing."
 
Shaking her head, Mia slipped one of her hands down and placed it over one of his own "That won't be necessary, Tome" Having said that, she tried to give him a reassuring smile "I simply stood up too quickly, I'm fine, really" And she was, well… apart from the fact that she wasn't really feeling that emotionally prepared to make that trip, but physically she was alright "What can I help you with?" She insisted.
 
Tome shook his head and started to push her gently back towards the bed. "I've gotten us packed and Malia is gathering supplies for the trip for us. All that's left is to go and get the wagon for you and Joachim, and the horses to pull it, and we'll go. There isn't anything for you to do, so please rest. Please? That is how you can help me." He just wanted to be sure she was well. She was lying. She had to be.
 
Sucking in some air, Mia couldn't help it but resemble a sulking child. But she was fine! She didn't want to rest. Her brows knitted together and she raised her head to look at him "Isn't there anything for me to do to help you apart from that?" She couldn't help it but insist. She wanted to convince him that she was fine!
 
Tome sighed softly. "I've already gotten everything done, last night and while you slept. . . Please don't be angry. I just want to be sure you're well for the trip." It would be a long journey, and Mia wasn't so strong as she sometimes claimed to be. In body, in any case. In mind, she was plenty strong, he thought. "I want to take care of things for you, so you have less to worry about. Please let me do so."


((Night ^_^ ))
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top