(no subject)

[sunbaked_baker]

At this point, the gradual lightening of the gloom can only charitably be called 'dawn.' Rae is already on her second circuit of the lake by the time the day reaches peak... for lack of a better word, brightness. She can't run as fast as she would like, but knows not to try it - the snow hides uneven terrain even when packed down by the passing of many feet, and the cold air hurts her lungs. She is a bright spot of color among the winter-grey landscape, already tired but continuing to push herself. To act, and not think.

Only on her way back, nearing the Caribbean inlet, does she give in to her exhaustion and slow to a walk. Trudging on the sand of the suddenly tropical beach is no easier than walking in snow; it makes her shoes feel heavy, and the warmth makes her jacket unwelcome. The thin beam of winter sun is very welcome, however, and a fallen palm tree makes a serviceable bench to sit on. Even after she has caught her breath, Rae lingers. She has no reason to hurry back to the bar, in any case.

She soon sheds her jacket and kicks off her shoes and socks, digging her toes into the warm sand and leaning back, lifting her head to face the sun. She watches the backlit shadows play across the inside of her closed eyelids, trying to focus on the here and now, and not think.


(ooc: Mun must run an errand, but will return! <333)

Comments

[cook_the_rude]

There is a splash in the surf, though, as if there was somebody or something in it, not simply water.

[sunbaked_baker]

She can recall the sensation of just being, the peace and ease of existing without self, but she can't reach it. Conscious thoughts intrude, however much she tries to block them out, a constant reminder.

But it doesn't stop her trying.

Her breathing matches the slow, steady sound of the surf, the in-and-out rhythm of the waves against the beach. The splash, an unexpected disruption in the sound, makes her turn her head to idly glance that way. A moment later, her eyes come into focus, and her mouth thins into a flat line.

"Dr. Lecter."

[cook_the_rude]

"Hello, Rae," Dr. Lecter says, cheerfully, as he wades out of the water into the shallow surf.

He is wearing blue swimming trunks and looks quite relaxed.

[sunbaked_baker]

She, in contrast, is not looking terribly well. She hasn't slept, and she has run around the lake twice in the cold, and grief and worry leave their mark.

"Careful out there - I hear there are mermaids," she says, dry.

That'd irony, wouldn't it?

[cook_the_rude]

"I'd quite like to meet her," Dr. Lecter says, wading onto the beach. Sand clings to his feet and lower legs.

He looks at Rae, and there is concern on his face.

"Who put you through the wringer? Not vampires, I think. The Goddess of Pain and her minions?"

[sunbaked_baker]

"Some nights are just worse than others," she says, not answering the question. Though it is true she hasn't slept, the night was bad on top of that. This is more than just lack of sleep.

"You're out early for a swim, aren't you?"

[cook_the_rude]

"I like my morning swims," Dr. Lecter says, easily. "Just as you usually like your morning runs, not just today, after that not good, very bad night. What a pity your worries followed you here."

[is_the_motion]

Bonnie is limping somewhat when she settles down on the sand near to Rae.

It's nice and warm down here.

[sunbaked_baker]

Rae turns her head as she hears the uneven footsteps approaching, opening her eyes.

Her first instinct is to give a slight smile, seeing who it is, but the first words that make it out of her mouth are, "What did that ankle ever do to deserve that?" she asks, mildly concerned at the limp.

[is_the_motion]

"I may have attempted to climb over a ten foot wire fence." Bonnie says, grimacing. "As a result of alcohol and poor judgement."

The ankle looks impressively swollen, but she has been weight bearing on it.

She smiles at Rae nevertheless.

"You okay honey?"

[sunbaked_baker]

"Alcohol and ten foot wire fences are rarely a recipe for a good time," Rae says, with a tired smile.

"No worse off than you," she deflects, shaking her head slightly. "Would you want me to help with your ankle? If it's not broken or anything major, I can heal it."

Were they not out in the bright sunlight, she would not be confident in her state, right now, to offer.

[is_the_motion]

"If you could, that would be fantastic, thanks." Bonnie admits. "I was dreadin' school on Monday."

She headtilts slightly. "But only if you're feelin' okay, you look a little tired."

[sunbaked_baker]

"I'm all right enough to help your ankle," Rae assures her, though her exhausted smile is a shade of its usual self.

She scoots down, carefully, to settle close by to Bonnie. "I'll just need to touch your ankle. It shouldn't take long."

[intoaman]

There's a raven in the trees as she runs, keeping with her as she runs. Once he dives ahead to scare a demon-rabbit out of her path but mostly he just watches her run.

When she stops on the beach, he flies down to sit next to her on the sand. Still in raven shape but just as happy to bask in the sunlight.

[sunbaked_baker]

As she settles wearily on the beach and kicks off her shoes, Rae's tired eyes watch the sleek black bird settling near her. She has a good guess who this is, and it makes her smile, seeing him with his wings.

"I have this strange feeling you've been following me, handsome," she says, faintly amused. "Going to keep me company?"

[intoaman]

He caws softly and butts against her with the top of his head. Then flaps off into the trees. He returns with a sprig of blackberry, trailing juicy ripe fruit. Out of season, yes but now that he has wings again, he can find the hidden places in the mountains where the blackberries are always ripe.

He nudges them towards her, cawing to warn her of the thorns.

[sunbaked_baker]

"How in the world..." her smile grows somewhat stronger, though just as tired. "No, I shouldn't ask how you found them."

She should learn to not question gifts when they come, just to accept them.

"Thank you," she says, carefully accepting the berry-laden sprig. With her other hand, she gently ghosts her fingers over the feathers at the top of his head. "This is a very kind gift."

It has been over half a year since Rae has had a fresh blackberry. The faint sound she makes when she takes a bite of the first juicy berry is entirely involuntary.

[intoaman]

He caws and leans into the petting happily. Someone likes having his feathers strokes. The berries are even warm from the sun.

Diaval keeps himself busy while she's eating, chasing little crab in the sand. Purely because it's fun.

[sunbaked_baker]

The berries are delicious, and do much to settle her mind. Odd, how a kind turn can manage what a night and a morning of trying can't.

"Thank you," she says again, when more of the berries have been consumed with quiet but thorough enjoyment.

[street_sparrow]

After a while, Franz pads over from where Gavroche is... doing something... at the forge and settles next to her, a huge, solid and very warm presence against her side.

[sunbaked_baker]

Franz is a welcome presence indeed. Very gently, Rae lets herself lean against the dog, a solid, warm, comforting weight by her side.

"Hey there, Franz," she murmurs, after a while. Her sense of fairness reasserting itself somewhat, she reaches up to scratch behind his ears. "Long time, no see."

[street_sparrow]

He snuffles at her leg in what might almost be an answer, enjoying being scritched as every dog does.

[sunbaked_baker]

A few tears escape from her eyes as she leans on him and gives him scritches, quietly thankful for his company.

[street_sparrow]

He'll stay there, solid and uncomplaining, for as long as she needs him, especially if she needs to cry on him - and Gavroche is well aware of it and abetting the whole thing.

[sunbaked_baker]

If Rae weeps, and she does, she would appreciate it is Franz didn't tell anyone. She murmurs through her tears, good boy, such a good boy, Fraz,, as though she were the one reassuring him.

Or maybe she just doesn't want the dog to worry about her.