For a moment, Derrica doesn't say anything. She looks at Athessa, expression softening into a smile.
"You look good."
Which can be diminished any number of ways, especially when Athessa arrived covered in blood. But the sweetness of Derrica's tone lingers before she draws a breath, then stands, contents of her satchel clinking.
"I can walk you out, if you want. I need to bring some of these tankards back down."
Later on, that sweetness will be the reason Athessa thinks of Derrica, not the Venatori when she traces the pale scar on her chest. When she's back at the senile old man's estate, alone in the too-large, overstuffed bed and replaying the memory of this over and over and over again, she'll lay the shirt over her pillow and fall asleep thinking of that smile.
"Alright," she says, standing as well and setting about collecting her field leathers. The idea of imposing on Derrica even more would have her denying the offer, but— "Since you've gotta go down there anyway. Need me to carry any of 'em?"
"The plate?" Derrica prompts, having balanced three tankards accordingly in her arm. "If you have a spare hand."
If not, the plate's lived in their room for a day, it can stay for another. She lets Athessa head down the stairs first into small alcove between the bar, main room, and small backroom where the makeshift kitchen lives. Trading off the tankards, Derrica touches Athessa's elbow lightly as she turns to go.
"See Isaac about the scar when you can. He might be able to do better than I did."
Athessa catches Derrica's wrists and steers her back against the wall so they'll be out of the way when she leans in to kiss her. At first, her hands lift to cup Derrica's face, brushing her thumb against her cheek. Then, they plant flat on the wall beside Derrica's head so she can lean further against her. Her heart is hammering in her chest, her mind racing with thoughts of her and I need you and this will ruin everything.
Which is why Athessa doesn't actually do any of that.
In actuality, Athessa smiles at Derrica and shrugs.
"How could anyone do better'n you?"
Then, with minimal longing, bids her goodnight, and leaves.
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no subject
"You look good."
Which can be diminished any number of ways, especially when Athessa arrived covered in blood. But the sweetness of Derrica's tone lingers before she draws a breath, then stands, contents of her satchel clinking.
"I can walk you out, if you want. I need to bring some of these tankards back down."
no subject
"Alright," she says, standing as well and setting about collecting her field leathers. The idea of imposing on Derrica even more would have her denying the offer, but— "Since you've gotta go down there anyway. Need me to carry any of 'em?"
put a bow on this pls
If not, the plate's lived in their room for a day, it can stay for another. She lets Athessa head down the stairs first into small alcove between the bar, main room, and small backroom where the makeshift kitchen lives. Trading off the tankards, Derrica touches Athessa's elbow lightly as she turns to go.
"See Isaac about the scar when you can. He might be able to do better than I did."
no subject
Athessa catches Derrica's wrists and steers her back against the wall so they'll be out of the way when she leans in to kiss her. At first, her hands lift to cup Derrica's face, brushing her thumb against her cheek. Then, they plant flat on the wall beside Derrica's head so she can lean further against her. Her heart is hammering in her chest, her mind racing with thoughts of her and I need you and this will ruin everything.
Which is why Athessa doesn't actually do any of that.
In actuality, Athessa smiles at Derrica and shrugs.
"How could anyone do better'n you?"
Then, with minimal longing, bids her goodnight, and leaves.