(no subject)

[last_adam]

*Adam's been waiting - it hasn't been very long, but it feels like forever. The painting is propped up in the corner of the room, and he hasn't been able to take his eyes off of it.*

Comments

[the_lioness]

*An hour or so after their conversation in the office, Alanna opens the door and immediately begins hopping around, trying to pull her boots off. She's smiling, still unaware of the painting.*

I'm back. *grunt* If I can... just... Goddess, my stockings aren't that thick.

[last_adam]

*Adam manages to pry his gaze away from the paintings and to her. A smile on his face, he walks over and calmly helps her take her boots off, before sitting her down on the couch.*

[the_lioness]

Hullo. *She smiles, stretching her arms overhead.* Why is it that men think it is a good idea to call me 'sweetheart' or 'darling' when I'm the one standing on the good side of the bars and have control over when they get to join me there?

[last_adam]

Obviously they don't know you very well.

*He's a little surprised that she hasn't noticed the painting yet, he keeps looking over at it.*

Have you-

*He starts, and cuts himself off.*

The surprise is here.

[the_lioness]

I know. I see a rather large shape out of the corner of my eye. I wasn't sure I was supposed to notice it yet.

*She blinks, biting her lip nervously.*

Can I look?

[last_adam]

*He nods, silent.*

[the_lioness]

*Before she looks, she leans forward and kisses his cheek.

Alanna really doesn't handle surprises well.

She sits there, not sure whether to walk over, or just look. Mentally berating herself for being a fool, she stands and wipes her hands on her pants, nodding as she turns around.

And promptly sinks back down to the couch.*

Great Mithros...

That's... me.

[last_adam]

*Adam nods. Again. He's like a bobble head doll.*

It's for protection.

[the_lioness]

Protection?

*She isn't really listening. Swallowing, she walks over and sits down in front of the painting, legs crossed like a child. Her eyes run over it, curious and searching.*

[last_adam]

*He comes up behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder.*

He said it would take a few days until you were back to normal.

[the_lioness]

Was I ever normal?

*She laughs a little, her fingers reaching toward the painting but folding in before she actually touches it. Maude had taught her well, and she thinks she can guess at some of the symbolism.*

Thyme. Lemon blossoms.

*At last, her gaze drops to the signature. Squinting, she leans forward, starting to make it out as she speaks.*

He who?

[last_adam]

*The hand slides slowly off her shoulder, down her back, and back to Adam's side.*







Thom.

[the_lioness]

*Alanna goes very still, her shoulders squared.*

Thom.

*Another long pause, then she croaks out the name of the painter.*

Sario.

*Her eyes run over the painting again, almost as if she is searching for something.*

He gave it to you?

[last_adam]

Thom did, yeah.

[the_lioness]

Oh.

*She rocks back and forth a little, eyes locked on the lemon blossoms. There's something... perhaps if the light was different.

Protection?*

How is his nose?

[last_adam]

Didn't really pay much attention.






Doesn't look so bad, though.

*Adam's confused.*

Why do you care about his nose?

[the_lioness]

*Alanna swallows and shrugs, not really sure what to say. She can not stop staring at the painting, but her eyes never stay on her face for longer than a second.*

Sario did this. He's... brilliant.

What do you mean by protection?

[last_adam]

*He's taken another step back, now, and is watching Alanna watch the picture.*



For your gift.

[the_lioness]

My Gift... but how? It's

Painted?

*Blinking, she slowly stands and takes a step back, followed by a step to the right. The light shifts, and she makes a strangled sound.*

[last_adam]

*He reaches for her, to help her, to support her, and his hand grabs at her arm.*




It's bound to you. To the painting.

[the_lioness]

Sario's Gift.

*Alanna reaches for his hand, eyes wide and focused on something above her head in the painting.*

Thom's there too. In a way. Do you see?

[last_adam]

*He doesn't want to. He'd rather not. But he can't deny it. He nods.*

[the_lioness]

*Breathing unsteadily, she just stares in awe. The magic may be unfamiliar, but the intent seems clear. Tears roll down her cheek, but she doesn't notice.*


I want to talk to him, Adam.

[last_adam]

*Adam looks away. He wants to tell her not to.*

[the_lioness]

With you, perhaps. The first time. I just... this sort of magic, for him to ask for it. Surely that means something?

*She tears her eyes away and looks at him.*

[last_adam]

*Adam won't meet her eyes. He knows it's too important to her to say no.*

[the_lioness]

*Eventually, she turns back to the painting.*

So does this mean Roger can't use what he has? Had? *She blinks.* Mithros, he'll be mad.

If he takes this out on him...

*Her eyes narrow, and her expression turns fierce.*

[last_adam]

Roger doesn't have any of it, anymore.


So far as I can tell.

*Adam says nothing about the second part. He can't help but think Thom deserves whatever he gets.*

[the_lioness]

*Alanna takes a deep breath, relief flooding her. She hadn't known how much that was bothering her.*

At least I won't die then. I'm afraid you're stuck with me.

*She grins, throwing her arms around his neck to kiss him soundly.*

[last_adam]

*He wraps her tightly in his arms, unable to control the smile on his face, or the look in his eyes, or the emotion in his voice.*

Thank GOD.

*And for the first time in his life, it isn't meant in sacrilege.*

[the_lioness]

Or the Goddess.

*Caught up in him, she smiles, brushing her mouth against his and nibbling on his lower lip.*

He made my ears large. Just like Thom. I just have large ears, don't I?

[last_adam]

*He grins, tugging at her ear a bit.*

I think they're perfectly Alanna-sized ears.

[the_lioness]

*She snorts, rolls her eyes a bit and hugs him.*

Thank you for talking to him. For this.

What... do we DO with it?

[last_adam]

Keep it safe.




Keep YOU safe.

[the_lioness]

I am safe. We are safe. Ingress and George are safe. For the time being, so is Tortall.

That is so lovely to say.

*She is still worried about Thom, but for the moment, all she can do is smile.*

[last_adam]

That, and I love you.

*He kisses her lightly, happy just to be able to hold her in his arms.*

[the_lioness]

I *kiss* love *kiss* you. *kiss*

*She starts pushing him gently back toward the couch.*

You know, I never would have expected this. I spent at least fifteen minutes wondering what it was.

[last_adam]

*A raise eyebrow, and he lets himself easily be pushed.*

Only fifteen minutes? Did you think perhaps it was something else?

[the_lioness]

Well, I was occupied by a surly prince, two bumbling demon hunters and a final conversation with my former Co-head of Security.

*She backs him into the couch, pushes him down and then flops into his lap. Kissing his forehead, she sighs and glances at the painting.*

Only in Milliways.

[last_adam]

Only in Milliways.

*He smiles and kisses her.*

Only in Milliways could I have found you.

[the_lioness]

This is quite true. I'm relatively certain there is no door connecting Tortall and Great Britain, although that would make things easier.

*She ruffles his hair a little, winking.*

Sorry. Got that from Raven.

[last_adam]

*Adam rolls his eyes, but grins, and kisses her.*

I'm sure we could work on it.




The door, not the ruffling.

[the_lioness]

Oh, we could work on the ruffling too.

*Both hands now, and she's giggling.*

See? Practice makes perfect.

[last_adam]

*laughing*

I think you've had quite enough practice.

[the_lioness]

Is that so? Very well. I can always brush up on my tickling.

*It's an empty threat, and she sinks down beside him on the sofa, legs over his lap as she stares at the painting.*

I can't believe he did that. This.

[last_adam]

*Running his hand in slow circles along her back.*

Neither can I.