[Sorry, EF, but Salt will not be content with just that. He lifts their connected hands, pressing a kiss to the back of Elder Faerie's own. Every bit the knight to his king.
He lingers there, almost as if unwilling to address the question that his companion has posed.]
I... have not.
[It has left a yawning gap where he and Lily are concerned. His kept their connection severed, figuring it best to give her space. He has no doubt that Shadow Milk has shared the truth by now. It hurts to be so disconnected from her, of course, but he has suffered worse.]
I assume they will approach me when they are ready. Until then, I shall make myself scarce around them.
[it's fine. they can discuss a little bit of everything!]
Mmn.
[he frowns, but says nothing yet. and that is only because their food has arrived. it is placed in front of them, warm and inviting. Elder Faerie gives his thanks to the waiter before they head away]
I am... worried. My dreams have been nothing but nightmares this past week. I sense a terrible danger is approaching, and I would like us to be more united than... than what we are right now.
[Though the food arrives, Silent Salt does not reach for it. Instead, he stares pensively down at his plate, jaw tensing and releasing. It is not a foolish want on Elder Faerie's part. Solidarity, laughable though the concept had come to Silent Salt in particular, would certainly help them get through whatever was to come.
... But even still, he hangs his head.]
Willing though I am to work with them, I cannot be the one to ask for it. Not after all that I have done.
[he does, but at the same time, he doesn't wish for Silent Salt to close himself off, either. that is something Elder Faerie cannot decide for him. he can nag, but he doesn't want to push Salt away. everything is a delicate balancing game right now. his palm still stings from when he smacked Salt..........
anyway. Elder Faerie starts to eat slowly, tearing off bits and pieces for himself, and for Silent Salt and Puck, to share. even though the mood is somber, he's not feeling awkward. he's just taking things one step at a time. Puck hops up to be fed]
[It isn't that he wants it to be this way. For all that he has decried solidarity and its so-called lies, it still calls to him. Some part of him still wishes he could believe in it — now more than ever in particular. But he is also aware that for all of his wishes, it is a two way street. The others will need to accept him back into the fold.
But he does not say this aloud. Instead, he folds some of his food into some naan and passes it over for Elder Faerie to try, simultaneously taking the bite offered to him as well. He hums his approval.]
You chose your meal well.
[He does narrow his eyes slightly at Puck. Such terrible manners.
... He absolutely sneaks a piece or two all the same.]
[Elder faerie accepts the food. yes, this is what he wanted. them feeding each other, being romantic. maybe Silent Salt is not quite there yet, but Elder Faerie is happy about it. he knows something is on the horizon, but he is not sure what. some bad omen]
As did you. These meals are surprisingly filling.
[and full of wonderful flavors. Puck agrees, tearing into their meal. no manners, they are spoiled rotten. Elder Faerie will have to learn how to discipline them soon]
And this restaurant is fun. I quite enjoy the ambiance.
[Though he suspects it isn't just the meal that fills him, but everything about the moment. There is a level of domesticity here too — not false, but certainly fleeting. This was the life they could have had, one spent exploring various places, were they not bound by duty and dishonor both.
It makes some part of him sad, yes — deeply so. But he counts himself lucky for having been able to experience it at all. If nothing else, it gives him a clear idea of what he will need to protect in the coming weeks.]
It has been a pleasure to experience. I am... [He clears his throat.] Pleased that you drew me out of my room for this.
[Salt reaches out, massive hand enveloping Puck's head in a careful little pat. Such a sweet creature.]
Then come whatever may, we will have to ensure our well being. If only to savor more moments like these in the future.
[It's a coded way for Silent Salt to say that he will be more wary going forward. No more making decisions of his own volition, without consulting Elder Faerie. At least not where he can avoid it.]
[Elder Faerie's heart thumps powerfully in his chest. to hear Silent Salt say that makes him feel so much more at ease. he wipes his fingers off on his napkin, then reaches for the other's hand]
Thank you, Silent Salt Cookie. I very much appreciate your devotion. You have made me incredibly happy.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 06:22 am (UTC)He lingers there, almost as if unwilling to address the question that his companion has posed.]
I... have not.
[It has left a yawning gap where he and Lily are concerned. His kept their connection severed, figuring it best to give her space. He has no doubt that Shadow Milk has shared the truth by now. It hurts to be so disconnected from her, of course, but he has suffered worse.]
I assume they will approach me when they are ready. Until then, I shall make myself scarce around them.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-01 06:28 am (UTC)Mmn.
[he frowns, but says nothing yet. and that is only because their food has arrived. it is placed in front of them, warm and inviting. Elder Faerie gives his thanks to the waiter before they head away]
I am... worried. My dreams have been nothing but nightmares this past week. I sense a terrible danger is approaching, and I would like us to be more united than... than what we are right now.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-02 08:37 pm (UTC)... But even still, he hangs his head.]
Willing though I am to work with them, I cannot be the one to ask for it. Not after all that I have done.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 06:08 am (UTC)[he does, but at the same time, he doesn't wish for Silent Salt to close himself off, either. that is something Elder Faerie cannot decide for him. he can nag, but he doesn't want to push Salt away. everything is a delicate balancing game right now. his palm still stings from when he smacked Salt..........
anyway. Elder Faerie starts to eat slowly, tearing off bits and pieces for himself, and for Silent Salt and Puck, to share. even though the mood is somber, he's not feeling awkward. he's just taking things one step at a time. Puck hops up to be fed]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 07:40 am (UTC)But he does not say this aloud. Instead, he folds some of his food into some naan and passes it over for Elder Faerie to try, simultaneously taking the bite offered to him as well. He hums his approval.]
You chose your meal well.
[He does narrow his eyes slightly at Puck. Such terrible manners.
... He absolutely sneaks a piece or two all the same.]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 08:08 pm (UTC)As did you. These meals are surprisingly filling.
[and full of wonderful flavors. Puck agrees, tearing into their meal. no manners, they are spoiled rotten. Elder Faerie will have to learn how to discipline them soon]
And this restaurant is fun. I quite enjoy the ambiance.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-03 10:17 pm (UTC)[Though he suspects it isn't just the meal that fills him, but everything about the moment. There is a level of domesticity here too — not false, but certainly fleeting. This was the life they could have had, one spent exploring various places, were they not bound by duty and dishonor both.
It makes some part of him sad, yes — deeply so. But he counts himself lucky for having been able to experience it at all. If nothing else, it gives him a clear idea of what he will need to protect in the coming weeks.]
It has been a pleasure to experience. I am... [He clears his throat.] Pleased that you drew me out of my room for this.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-04 01:21 am (UTC)...I am, as well. I wish to spend many more moments like this with you, you know.
[Puck looks from one to the other, purring slightly. how sappy!]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-04 05:13 am (UTC)Then come whatever may, we will have to ensure our well being. If only to savor more moments like these in the future.
[It's a coded way for Silent Salt to say that he will be more wary going forward. No more making decisions of his own volition, without consulting Elder Faerie. At least not where he can avoid it.]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-04 05:39 am (UTC)Thank you, Silent Salt Cookie. I very much appreciate your devotion. You have made me incredibly happy.