Summer is a coming in, loudly sing cuckoo
Jul. 1st, 2008 11:17 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
kathminchin.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
writing_shadows“Dey, tonight, can we have something nice for dinner?”
Aria looked at me, her heart in her eyes. I didn’t mention the fact that I already had slices of pork marinating in the fridge, chicken stock for soup defrosting from the freezer and a carefully boxed set of meringues ready to be partnered with raspberries and cream. I simply grinned and said that it was all in hand. Sunday lunch was also planned; duck and bitter oranges, crunchy roast potatoes and freshly podded peas, with rhubarb crumble to follow.
Toby was Aria’s brother, that much was obvious. Whilst she had changed from what he remembered, and he probably had done as well, there was a core in the centre of both of them that meant that there was no doubt. Whilst he hadn’t been helpful when asked what he liked to eat, I knew Aria’s tastes, and she just hoped that Toby wouldn’t object to eating poultry.
I swallowed slightly. The memory of raw, bloody flesh filling my mouth, distinct flavours under pinned with one that was part of my deepest nightmares; my hidden lusts rose into my mind. The Riven Smoke’s gift from Summer had unlocked memories better left pinioned, and I scarcely dared to admit the consequences to myself. For the first time since I’d Returned I’d not been hungry for a short, blissful half hour after I’d nearly killed Aiden and Rea by trying to eat them.
Maybe pork for supper had been a bad choice.
***
I ease myself up from Zenica’s sleeping form, smiling as she muttered sleepily and curled up in a tighter ball. The movement of bed springs from the spare room had woken me out of a light sleep, and I’d listened as the man in the room beside mine had sobbed to himself, and then punched the wall. The rattle of the window and a soft swoosh left me in no doubt that Toby had flown out into the night.
I wouldn’t have got up, but I heard Aria’s door open and her light footsteps travel down the stairs. I sat up at that point, wondering if she would appreciate company or not. I stand quietly at my door, pushing it slightly ajar, listening as she goes into the kitchen and then the lounge. I sniff slightly, the scent of tea on the air. She comes up the stairs, paused by the spare room door and then goes down again.
Bother it. I reached down and picked up my pyjamas from the floor. As I did so I noticed a glint of metal on my chest. I stare down at myself, the glint of the mayoral chain glimmering in the dark.
My startled curse wakes Zenica, and she sits up and looks at me sleepily. She asks what the matter is, and I turn, the chain mute testimony to the fact that Summer has a new Mayor. She grins and holds out her arms, and I crawl back into the warmth of her embrace, her kisses driving away the responsibilities I’ve suddenly acquired.
Aria looked at me, her heart in her eyes. I didn’t mention the fact that I already had slices of pork marinating in the fridge, chicken stock for soup defrosting from the freezer and a carefully boxed set of meringues ready to be partnered with raspberries and cream. I simply grinned and said that it was all in hand. Sunday lunch was also planned; duck and bitter oranges, crunchy roast potatoes and freshly podded peas, with rhubarb crumble to follow.
Toby was Aria’s brother, that much was obvious. Whilst she had changed from what he remembered, and he probably had done as well, there was a core in the centre of both of them that meant that there was no doubt. Whilst he hadn’t been helpful when asked what he liked to eat, I knew Aria’s tastes, and she just hoped that Toby wouldn’t object to eating poultry.
I swallowed slightly. The memory of raw, bloody flesh filling my mouth, distinct flavours under pinned with one that was part of my deepest nightmares; my hidden lusts rose into my mind. The Riven Smoke’s gift from Summer had unlocked memories better left pinioned, and I scarcely dared to admit the consequences to myself. For the first time since I’d Returned I’d not been hungry for a short, blissful half hour after I’d nearly killed Aiden and Rea by trying to eat them.
Maybe pork for supper had been a bad choice.
I ease myself up from Zenica’s sleeping form, smiling as she muttered sleepily and curled up in a tighter ball. The movement of bed springs from the spare room had woken me out of a light sleep, and I’d listened as the man in the room beside mine had sobbed to himself, and then punched the wall. The rattle of the window and a soft swoosh left me in no doubt that Toby had flown out into the night.
I wouldn’t have got up, but I heard Aria’s door open and her light footsteps travel down the stairs. I sat up at that point, wondering if she would appreciate company or not. I stand quietly at my door, pushing it slightly ajar, listening as she goes into the kitchen and then the lounge. I sniff slightly, the scent of tea on the air. She comes up the stairs, paused by the spare room door and then goes down again.
Bother it. I reached down and picked up my pyjamas from the floor. As I did so I noticed a glint of metal on my chest. I stare down at myself, the glint of the mayoral chain glimmering in the dark.
My startled curse wakes Zenica, and she sits up and looks at me sleepily. She asks what the matter is, and I turn, the chain mute testimony to the fact that Summer has a new Mayor. She grins and holds out her arms, and I crawl back into the warmth of her embrace, her kisses driving away the responsibilities I’ve suddenly acquired.
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no subject
Date: 2008-07-02 07:15 pm (UTC)Poor Dey! *hugs*
(and no toes stepped on, I assure you :) )
no subject
Date: 2008-07-03 12:30 am (UTC)(There may be some added "Oh f*ck this means I'm responsible for looking after That Damn Pirate.")
Put her in charge of a kitchen and she'd be fine. In charge of the Freehold - slightly less so, and she feels woefully unintelligent atm.