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“What manner of misconduct is this, Hapi?” Constance asks. Her dark-bagged eyes look all around the bedroom as Hapi drags her through the doorway. The red-headed woman kicks the door behind them closed, as if Constance is little more than a stray who she expected to bolt the moment she lets go of her. Really! She is Constance von Nuvelle, not to mention one of Hapi’s dear friends. “Might you consider enlightening me towards your reasons for such uncouth treatment?”
Hapi’s hold on her arm loosens to a more gentle clasp. The look on Constance’s friend’s face is her usual neutral expression... to those uninitiated to Hapi’s emotions. Constance knows well the slight furrow of her brow and the pressing of her lips to mean irritation, and the wary analysis of her lovely eyes to mean consideration.
“You’re overworking yourself. Again.” Hapi accuses. Constance goes to defend herself against such a simple reading of her grand intentions but is halted by Hapi’s finger on her lips. “Nuh-uh, I’m not hearing it. I don’t know how many times I’ve told you to get some rest. Remember when I said I’d do something about it if you didn’t? Well I’m doing it now.” She points at her bed. “Bed, now.”
Of all the foolishness in the world! “I am more than able to go to bed myself, Hapi. Not to mention how I feel hardly fatigued in the slightest.” The advancement of her skills is nothing compared to some slight sleepiness.
But Hapi is having none of it. “I've seen your bed. You're using it as storage for all the ratty books you find. And are you really gonna tell me your talk of how unreliable and slow you were during flight practice was just the sun talking?”
“Firstly, what I use my bed for is none of your concern." This is not the time or place to consider the situations where it would be Hapi's concern, so Constance mentally wars herself against any and all of those ideas. "Secondly, precisely! The me of the sun isn’t the me of the shade-”
Hapi steps forward. “Don’t make me carry you.”
Her glare is true and determined. Is she even strong enough to lift Constance up? No matter how much she likes she idea of Hapi carrying her, at the moment she doesn’t wish to find out. The moment simply isn't right for it. A grand escape would be better, or even- gasp- carrying Constance across the threshold! Oh, what an untamed beast her mind is when she forgoes rest! She takes another look at Hapi's bed and decides that, in spite of its haphazard layout, it may be her best option after all.
“Oh, very well.” Constance nods in regal acceptance. “Should it bring comfort to you then I carry no objection. This experience shall allow me to-”
“Just get in the bed, Coco.”
Removing her battle garments is done quickly however Constance’s fingers fumble over her boots once she sits. It feels like bending down to untie them makes her brain slosh forward inside her skull, pressing against her forehead. Thankfully Hapi kneels down in front of her and deftly undoes the buckles one by one. The motion is smooth and almost hypnotic. Most things are when Hapi's fingers are involved, Constance finds.
“I can’t believe we let you ride a pegasus like this.” Hapi says.
“A testament to my endurance indeed.” Constance proudly responds. At least she intended it to be proud- the loud yawn that escapes with the end of her sentence dampens that intention. She covers her mouth with the back of her hand. Hapi’s unimpressed, flat line of a mouth tells her that she’s unmoved by her proper-ness.
Constance pushes away the yellowed linen and slips underneath. The moment her head hits the bundled fabric underneath, she feels like she’s already dreaming. So used to the feeling of heavy eyelids she is that being able to close them feels like a defeat. Curtains falling on both her consciousness and her family’s legacy. She would jump out of bed and into her boots if her body didn’t feel so heavy.
“Nighty night.” She hears Hapi say quietly. A light kiss is gifted upon Constance’s forehead. Does Hapi know how well she quells Constance’s heavy worries with so little? Even if she hadn’t kissed her then hearing Hapi walk across the room to sit at her desk would have done so much. There is someone with Constance, watching over her, worrying for her, caring for her.
She isn’t bold enough to assume romance. But, perhaps…
Her breathing evens out and Hapi smiles as she listens.