The awkward tension between the two seemed to evaporate a bit, Peake grinning like a young boy and beaming, leaving Hera’s smile to feel more genuine. The man before her was standing as if he just won a prize, and the Biqaj rolled her eyes at the jumping of his chest. She almost told him not to be cocky, but Syhera enjoyed his happiness at her acceptance, feeding it to her vanity. Despite their differences their last meeting, it made her feel wanted. And she liked that, a bit impressed that they were willing to keep trying… whatever this was.
Arms reached out and pulled her close into a fast hug, like being cradled by a bear, Peake was as large and almost just as hairy. She allowed it, the heat between them radiating, and then it was gone. He pulled away to turn towards the slow sounds of the beach, the somber and hesitant tone of before creeping back. He looked to her face, and his hand enveloped her own. Not quite sure what to expect, Hera waited with a straight expression, as he urged her to gather her things and leave. Ordered, more than urge, perhaps. But the meaning was there, and she was reminded of the seriousness of the season.
Peake was so tired. So stressed. Tired. And she could see that plainly now, no longer ignoring him in selfish fashion. Before her was a man that enjoyed her company and wished to spend genuine time with her – to ignore him would be a cruel act in such a difficult time. It was true, she knew something terrible was coming. She lowered her eyes to their hands, nodding obediently at his words. There were times to fight, and times to listen.
“You say that as if I might argue,” she smirked with a bit of dark teasing, turning his hand over in her palm, and noting the scarred calluses. Her own fingers were thin and soft, delicate little things that suggested a spoiled life, despite hardships. And here he was, a baron who owned an entire city, but his hands signified struggle. It was a poetic contrast, “…I’ve been preparing,” she admitted, with a sigh. The docks… Lowtown… had been in waiting for their slaughter. They rushed, fled, and bragged about wanting a fight. But they all knew the truth – danger was at their doorstep, and only a few would survive if they were attacked.
Hera intended to be one of them. She traced the creases of his palm with a painted nail, eyebrows furrowing in calculation. She had seen Peake destroy and shatter with these very hands, but she could see just how hard they tried to preserve and protect.. In the issue of preserving her family and livelihood, they two were aligned, and she dropped his hand, “The ship’s in pretty bad condition,” The sails still needed to be finished stitching after being viciously cut by a knife, and the vessel hadn’t left port in some time. She wasn’t even sure it would be able to handle it, “But I have a plan.”
Because of course she did, “There is no need to strain resources on us. If I can’t make it work, I can call upon the lovely little contract Brice Jervous signed with me,” Finally a place to utilize her business savvy, and she felt a strong sense of pride, “In the event the trade agreement is challenged through circumstances outside of the control of signees, the more successful party will provide aid for a upwards of a season. At the end of offered assistance, payment for services will be distributed, reparations, etcetera, etcetera,” she flashed a cheeky grin up at her lord and shrugged, “Never sign without reading, love. Fine print.”
“But,” she paused, remembering she was working as part of a team and not calling all the shots. Good leaders had to know how to follow, “If he refuses, or I can’t… I will be in touch.”
Peake was in a war. Thinking of her when he had more pressing matters would be unwise. But she was relieved to know there was someone else on her side. She didn’t have to worry so much about failing. She held out a hand for him to start walking back, and fell into step beside him, “Now, it’s my birthday party, and your city still stands,” she lightly reminded with a soft smack to his thick bicep, as they walked, “So, I plan to enjoy it while I can. Did I see you bring me a present?”
The group of Biqaj came into sight, and Hera waved to the waiting. Most continued to drink and dance, not irritated by her disappearance. A few stared, curious, but when Hera looked to them, they averted their eyes with smiles. The twins grinned like devils beside the bonfire waiting to be lit, and Roxanna took a swig of a bottle.
Hera separated from her fiancé and floated to where the pile of gifts lay, a few already beginning to gather as the red head touched the boxes with reverence, “Decisions, decisions.”
Arms reached out and pulled her close into a fast hug, like being cradled by a bear, Peake was as large and almost just as hairy. She allowed it, the heat between them radiating, and then it was gone. He pulled away to turn towards the slow sounds of the beach, the somber and hesitant tone of before creeping back. He looked to her face, and his hand enveloped her own. Not quite sure what to expect, Hera waited with a straight expression, as he urged her to gather her things and leave. Ordered, more than urge, perhaps. But the meaning was there, and she was reminded of the seriousness of the season.
Peake was so tired. So stressed. Tired. And she could see that plainly now, no longer ignoring him in selfish fashion. Before her was a man that enjoyed her company and wished to spend genuine time with her – to ignore him would be a cruel act in such a difficult time. It was true, she knew something terrible was coming. She lowered her eyes to their hands, nodding obediently at his words. There were times to fight, and times to listen.
“You say that as if I might argue,” she smirked with a bit of dark teasing, turning his hand over in her palm, and noting the scarred calluses. Her own fingers were thin and soft, delicate little things that suggested a spoiled life, despite hardships. And here he was, a baron who owned an entire city, but his hands signified struggle. It was a poetic contrast, “…I’ve been preparing,” she admitted, with a sigh. The docks… Lowtown… had been in waiting for their slaughter. They rushed, fled, and bragged about wanting a fight. But they all knew the truth – danger was at their doorstep, and only a few would survive if they were attacked.
Hera intended to be one of them. She traced the creases of his palm with a painted nail, eyebrows furrowing in calculation. She had seen Peake destroy and shatter with these very hands, but she could see just how hard they tried to preserve and protect.. In the issue of preserving her family and livelihood, they two were aligned, and she dropped his hand, “The ship’s in pretty bad condition,” The sails still needed to be finished stitching after being viciously cut by a knife, and the vessel hadn’t left port in some time. She wasn’t even sure it would be able to handle it, “But I have a plan.”
Because of course she did, “There is no need to strain resources on us. If I can’t make it work, I can call upon the lovely little contract Brice Jervous signed with me,” Finally a place to utilize her business savvy, and she felt a strong sense of pride, “In the event the trade agreement is challenged through circumstances outside of the control of signees, the more successful party will provide aid for a upwards of a season. At the end of offered assistance, payment for services will be distributed, reparations, etcetera, etcetera,” she flashed a cheeky grin up at her lord and shrugged, “Never sign without reading, love. Fine print.”
“But,” she paused, remembering she was working as part of a team and not calling all the shots. Good leaders had to know how to follow, “If he refuses, or I can’t… I will be in touch.”
Peake was in a war. Thinking of her when he had more pressing matters would be unwise. But she was relieved to know there was someone else on her side. She didn’t have to worry so much about failing. She held out a hand for him to start walking back, and fell into step beside him, “Now, it’s my birthday party, and your city still stands,” she lightly reminded with a soft smack to his thick bicep, as they walked, “So, I plan to enjoy it while I can. Did I see you bring me a present?”
The group of Biqaj came into sight, and Hera waved to the waiting. Most continued to drink and dance, not irritated by her disappearance. A few stared, curious, but when Hera looked to them, they averted their eyes with smiles. The twins grinned like devils beside the bonfire waiting to be lit, and Roxanna took a swig of a bottle.
Hera separated from her fiancé and floated to where the pile of gifts lay, a few already beginning to gather as the red head touched the boxes with reverence, “Decisions, decisions.”