milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Sinric comes down from the mountain, looking… whole. Certain. Confident.

He shakes the snow off his furs, shedding his coat and draping it over a chair. Tea and food appears with a note from the Bar. Sinric thanks her, entrusting a package to her before asking for paper and a pen. A moment later he pins a note to the noticeboard.

Seeking someone able to tan demon rabbit hide to leather.
Payment can be negotiated.

He settles by the fire to eat and toy with a small wooden flute.

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Anne came across Milliways almost by accident, or perhaps not really, if this place really was as they said. Her expression is drawn, but she relaxes soon as she enters the tavern. The first few weeks of a couple's marriage were supposed to be the sweetest, but so far they've only been trying.

"Sinric!" She rushed over to where he was seated. She hadn't seen him since they arranged he would attend her wedding as a secret guest. "It's wonderful to see you again. How've you been?"

"Anne." He greets her with a smile, raising to meet her. "You look well, my friend."

He welcomes her to sit. "I've been well. I've just returned from a trip into the forest."

"Thank you, my ladies have been helping me with English fashions." An action she hoped would appeal the king to her easily.

She joined him by the fire. "Your trip was successful?" She couldn't say so just to look at him: either his trip was a successful one and he was at ease, or it wasn't but it was no loss either

"And are you happy?" He asks softly, still worried for her.

"It was, indeed." He smiles. "I learn much, about myself most of all."

"I'm glad to hear. I've been told that many people go to such journeys, but never find what they're looking for."

The smile faltered. His question wasn't a simple one, and she felt that if he wasn't her friend, she would've answered as she would have at court. "I am..happier here than in Cleves," She finally admitted. "I love the court, and my ladies."

Anne swallowed hard, trying to bring herself to say what she'd been compelled to keep silent on for an entire week. "The king..he..our marriage has not been consummated."

She kept her voice low as she said it, still not wanting the wrong person to hear. Even as she tells him, she could feel her face turn hot.

Sinric reaches out to take her hands, squeezing softly. "I'm sorry, Anne. That must be very difficult for you. He is... hesitant to share your bed?"

She reached to take hold of his hands, gripping them gently for comfort. "He goes to my bed, but it is out of obligation." He wasn't hesitant, but she could see he wasn't entirely willing either.

"He tries.." She forced herself to speak, but to even think on it left her disgusted. "But he cannot..he cannot manage the task. He fumbles and tries..but that is all."

Disgusted at her or at their marriage, either way wasn't good for her.

"I'm sorry, my friend. That must be... uncomfortable for you." He radiates a feeling of warmth, giving her someone safe to confide in.

"I would wonder if it was comfortable for any woman to be rejected in such a fashion." She tried to smile at her own joke, feeling comfortable enough to say so.

"I have something for you, to show how I appreciate you coming to my wedding." If he hadn't been there, she felt she would've had no friends except her ambassadors, and even then she feared confining in them. "It will just take a few minutes."

Almost reluctantly, she pulled away from him, leaving for her door. It was less then a minute before she returned with a thin, circular wooden box. "I had this made for you soon after my wedding, you wore one similar that day and I thought it very becoming."

The hat he wore at her wedding was merely a costume, this one was of her own making. She wished she could've made it of richer design, but as she was aware of his travels she didn't wish to give him anything to attract unwanted attention.

She handed it to him, both eager and shy of his reaction.

He nods and waits patiently, surprised when she returns with the box. "Oh Anne! It's beautiful! Did you make this?" He lights up with joy at the gift.

She smiled, blushing for the compliment. "Not entirely," She confessed. "I had it ordered and made for you, but I added the embroidery and feather myself."

"It's exquisite, Anne. Thank you." He perches it on his head, smiling warmly.

"I'm glad you like it." It really did look well on him. "It made me so happy you could attend the wedding.." Her manner turned grave. "It is difficult to talk with ease in court, the king's temper hasn't settled and I always fear to tell him the wrong thing."

Like she wasn't already in disfavor. "Milliways is the only place I feel..free..of a sort."

"I was every glad to have joined you. And I'm very glad to have seen your world." He takes her hand, squeezing softly. "You can be free here. You can be yourself."

She returned the gesture: such a gift wasn't one to be taken for granted. "I don't know of your life prior, but you yourself seem to be thriving. You must tell me some of your stories."

She felt much better telling him of what was going on back home, but she still wished to hear of his own life.

Sunric smiles and orders them some tea. "My adventure since last we saw each other have need great and hallowing. I fell in with witches and learned powerful magics. I took a spirit journey tied to a great ash tree."

He had a story teller's gift, making the words seen bright and a little silly so they're less frightening.

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