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No sooner had she returned to Ul’dah to check up on her squadron was she greeted by Pipin, who was quite excited to see her in the Flames headquarters. She herself was also very excited and performed her typical excited greeting hug. When she was back on her feet Pipin placed a kiss on her forehead as he said, “I was worried about you. I know you do not enjoy fighting great wyrms.”
‘Twas a detail unknown to others. It filled her with a sense of safety, and she practically melted as she admitted “I must have seemed so brave to all others, but in truth I was nothing short of terrified. I doubt I could have even walked towards him had I not the promise of Hraesvelgr’s protection.”
Pipin looked at her with a raised eyebrow as he said, “I find your opinion of great wyrms odd. I recall you telling me that Hraesvelgr terrified you as well, yet you seem to have had a change of heart.”
She giggled, then pulled him with her as she asked, “Do you have any pressing business? Seems I have some details to share!”
“I suppose I could spare some time…” His voice seemed to be barely containing a laugh, as it seemed he didn’t truly have a choice. So she smiled back at him as she said, “Then come with me! To a place I have told you of great wyrms before.”
Her barracks, of course. Where she told him of her fear of Midgardsormr, and the truth he forced her to face. She had more soldiers now, so her barracks were no longer empty at any time. To gain some solitude, she had her sergeant take their training exercises outside. When they were alone she brought Pipin up to the tables and sat down excitedly as she said, “As was with Tiamat, Midgardsormr was most helpful in convincing his children to share their stories, and in Hraesvelgr’s case he convinced him to give us a chance and prove our worth. It was a hard battle, he certainly spared us no quarter, but ‘twas less a battle and more…a lesson.”
“A lesson? What sort of lesson?” He was clearly very intrigued by these as he leaned forward, and she smiled as she leaned forward as well and replied, “Well, ‘twas what Ser Aymeric thought of it, anyhow. It reminded him of his training in fighting dragons, which certainly aided him when the Horde fell upon the Steps.”
“I assume that Hraesvelgr was appeased by your worth? I have heard rumors that you arrived on the Steps of Faith upon his back, after all.” It made her smile, to think that he kept up with such rumors. In this case they were true though, so she nodded as she said, “‘Twas my first time upon the back of a full grown great wyrm, and I certainly learned to trust him during such an endeavor. It was really not something I would wish to try again, as utterly heroic and dramatic as that is.”
They both laughed, and among their laughter he said “Truly the stuff of legends! I should wonder what the view would be in the clouds of the Churning Mists.”
“That could be arranged, I do have the ability to borrow Midgardsormr’s wings after all. He was at least kind enough to offer me a saddle though, from which I am much less likely to fall off of!” She laughed as she thought of it, while he seemed to gawp as he asked, “You truly have the ability to ride dragonback whensoever you wish?”
“Indeed, though I rarely do. His size can be a disadvantage after all.” She recognized the spark in his eyes, curiosity that would not be sated with words. So she placed her elbows in her lap and leaned on her hands as she asked, “You wish to try it, do you not?”
“I believe I am hardly alone in that! ‘Twould be quite an adventure to experience something such as that!” Adventure calls to any with a brave heart, and he certainly had one. So she smiled at him as she replied, “I suppose we could some time, if you had no other business to attend to. I would warn you that the Churning Mists can be a bit tumultuous in weather though.”
He gave her a similar smile as he said, “That is quite kind of you my love. I may take you up on that offer.” It made her happy, and a little mischievous, to think of how that might go. Brave as he was, he was certain to at least be startled by dragon takeoff and landing. But he was curious and full of life, he was sure to have an opinion worth hearing on the beauty of the Churning Mists. He did not seemed inclined to remain on the subject though as he sat up and said, “I have heard a tale of a song echoing on the Steps of Faith. A song I have heard before, I imagine…”
Of course he would recognize her requiem. ‘Dragonsong’ it was called, and she closed her eyes as her mind was called back to her situation. So she righted herself as she said quietly, “Much as Hraesvelgr’s power was a comfort, it still filled me with fear to witness his aerial battle with Nidhogg’s shade. But my fear remained not on me as Hraesvelgr fell. I had only fear for him, and anger at the shade that stood upon his body. But Hraesvelgr trusted to me the power of one of his eyes, and as I felt it filling me with strength and hope…I was inspired to song.”
He seemed a little concerned by her change in mood, but she was alright for the most part. Her gaze was a little sad as she said, “‘Tis odd that my song was mostly about him and his bond with Shiva, yet I never sang it for him until then. I did not share the full song, I only sang until I sang to Nidhogg’s shade the words I sung of Thordan, as they seemed fitting. I did ask, once it was all over, if I could share the full song with the great wyrm, and he told me I could call upon him to sing it.”
“...Did you sing it for him?” Pipin seemed to be churning over this information, though his curiosity remained. So she smiled at him as she nodded and added, “I did. I even gathered up my retainers to do it properly. ‘Twas quite a powerful experience to hear my song echo through the Churning Mists, made louder by the petalled walls of Zenith.”
“Petalled walls?” Ah, as a bard and storyteller she did have a tendency to describe locations and spells in honeyed words. She giggled as she replied, “The walls of Zenith rise in a pattern akin to tulip petals, it is very beautiful. You shall see if you travel the Mists with me.”
They laughed, then he made an unfortunate observation. “You seem to have taken on quite a bit, might you take a break? I can see your exertions have taken their toll on you.”
He probably didn’t expect her to clutch her heart in pain, and he was very concerned when she did. Meanwhile she was having an inner crisis.
Her darkside was stirring, spurred by a comment very similar to its own demands. She felt the surge of darkness, and she recalled the troubled path she walked to face it. Freedom…its incessant call for freedom had shaken her just as much as Midgardsormr’s comment about her mastery over her fate. But she had given this side of her an answer, and it was simply “Have patience.”
As an astrologian, she had glimpsed her future in the stars. And she had seen this:
3 storms must she weather, and then she would be free. Free from the burden on the world’s problems, of the expectations of heroism. She could retire, and be at peace, free to do whatever she wished. But her darkside was not quite happy with this answer, and she was becoming more stubborn the more she ran herself ragged.
“He is right, and you’re a fool to ignore him. You’d be free if you just listened to me.”
Pipin looked confused, likely because Sunana’s eyes were closed and she had not opened her mouth. When she did open her mouth she peaked an eye behind her as she asked, “Not even being subtle, are you?”
With that her dark side revealed itself, leaning against her chair as it looked at her with frustration. Pipin was rightfully confused and asked hesitantly, “Am I seeing double?”
Her dark side laughed, and she shot it a glare as she explained, “This is my inner darkness. I was forced to confront her to truly claim her power, though she still waits for a chance to take the reins.”
“Someone has to look out for you, because clearly you are not.” Her darkside was glaring at her, and she stared it down with fiery ferocity as she said threateningly, “I am not giving you free reign. I gave you my answer.”
After a moment of her glaring at it her darkside saw fit to disappear with an annoyed, “Tsk.” With it gone she turned her eyes to her beloved and said with a pained tone, “There are many dangerous things inside me. My inner fire that has to be controlled, and the warrior’s inner beast threatening to take over if I let my guard down. My inner darkness is a little different. The other parts wish for protection or carnage, but my darkside only wants freedom. Freedom from being everybody’s hero. From being swarmed with requests for aid everywhere I go, because everyone wants me to solve their insignificant problems.”
She said the last part with a touch of disdain, because she knew people asked her because she did things quickly, but for one with more important things to focus on it was a bit of a waste of time. She sometimes earned allies through it, but there was no denying that running to and fro constantly to solve insignificant problems took its toll. Thus she looked down at the floor with an expression of pained honesty as she said “She is most difficult to face, because I agree with her. I simply did not approve of the means. She believed the only path to freedom was to leave everything behind and go somewhere where nobody would know me. But I have too much here to forsake it all. I gave her my answer, and she will have to deal with that. She will have to wait and see my answer come to fruition.”
In her final statements, she eased the pain on her face. It was replaced with confidence, a confidence that came with the surety of which came from the stars. With that confidence she hopped off her seat, making her way to the door. Pipin had listened to her spill her heart and worries in silence, only breaking that silence to ask, “Where are you going?”
There was no judgment, only a bit of worry. Given her previous attitude it was rightly deserved, but she gave him a smile as she said, “I am going home. The woes of the world can wait. As I have said before, what little freedom I take lies in the world’s ability to wait for my decisions to move it forward.”
When she had first faced her darkside, she was not the master of her fate in any form. But now she had that level of control, and she was going to use it to take a bit of rest.
With that statement, she waved goodbye to her beloved before teleporting to her apartment.
-
Nothing so relaxes one as a dip in one’s personal hot springs. Which makes unwanted visitors a little less welcome. Such as her darkside, who saw fit to shadow just across from her. She said nothing, and she didn’t need her to. She didn’t even look at it as she said stubbornly yet serenely, “You know my answer, it will not change. Have patience, our freedom will come in time.”
“How can you be so sure we will not be under the yoke of expectation forever?” She sounded so insecure, as if it were a plea from inside her. It pained her to hear it, but she answered calmly, “It is written in the stars.”
“That bloody card game told you?! You would place our freedom on that quacky excuse for science?!” That was uncalled for, and wholly unwelcome. To put down an art that she knew was important to Sunana was nothing short of rude. But her darkside did have a knack for being rude to prevent others from taking advantage of her. Regardless, she couldn’t stand this disrespect for her art and duly stared her darkside down as she said threateningly, “I know what our fate is, I read the stars and I know they are correct. Three storms must we weather, then we will be free. That is my answer, so deal with it!”
Her darkside gave another annoyed “tsk!” before vanishing, and Sunana gave a sigh as she sank into the waters. Honestly, with the exception of her inner beast, the powers within her were growing rather unruly. ‘Twas easy to convince them to stand down simply out of her will being stronger, but she did look odd talking to beings that should be inside her, not outside. She surely looked strange talking to them after all. She had not much time to ponder it ere there was a knock at the door.
Dyede as always had an uncanny knack for knowing when someone knocked at the door and promptly appeared to greet her guest. Out of curiosity Sunana called out to her, “Who ever has come calling at a most inopportune time?”
“Who do you think?” Ever one for wry humor, but it was an expected answer. So she called, “Will you inform him of the circumstances of this most inopportune time?”
She heard her state very bluntly that she was bathing, and then heard an unexpected reply of “I do not mind.”
Her heart immediately jumped from anxiety and pure surprise, and Dyede came to her side as she asked simply, “Well? Is he welcome or not?”
Well…she didn’t really want to turn him away when her thoughts were so tumultuous. So she sank below the water a bit more as she mumbled in a rather embarrassed manner, “Very well, let him in.”
Dyede shrugged as she replied with a very tired “As you wish,” before welcoming her guest in and promptly disappearing. At least with the way Sunana was sitting, with her legs curled to her chest, she was for the most part covered. As he entered he sat on the wooden edge of her hot springs and asked with genuine curiosity, “May I ask you something?”
“Must you do so now?” She had meant it when she said it was an inopportune time, as it was rather unseemly for him to be here while she was undressed. Then he said something completely unexpected. “I actually wondered if I may join you.”
In utter surprise she ended up flailing and nearly went under the water before she asked in complete embarrassment “What is the matter with your bath?”
“‘Tis certainly not as nice as yours.” Well there was some truth to that. She had paid good money for a personal hot springs after all. So she muttered a comment of assention along the lines of “I suppose that may be true.”
“So, may I join you?”
The steam coming off the water was not entirely from the hot spring. Her own fire was heating the water in response to her embarrassment as she muttered an also embarrassed, “Very well.” followed by, “But just a moment!”
He looked at her curiously, and she pointed to the summoning bell as she asked, “Can you tap that bell for me?”
He knew what the bell was for so he dutifully tapped it, and she called out “Dyede!”
Her retainer arrived, appearing from a teleportation spell as she asked, “You have need of me again?”
Indeed she did, she needed to fetch something. “Can you fetch the bath salts?”
Her retainer nodded, producing them quickly as she said, “Should I add them to the water for you?”
Sunana nodded, as she couldn’t get up to do it herself. Pipin had watched these proceedings with interest, and quickly realized its purpose.
These particular salts produced bubbles when they came in contact with water. The bubbles would likely trap a bit of steam but they would also make it so what was underneath the water would not be visible to either of them.
With that Dyede nodded before disappearing again, and she blushed as she told Pipin, “Alright, now you may undress.”
She had closed her eyes so she could not be sure of the expression on his face but she was sure it held quite a bit of humor as he replied, “Well, if you insist…”
She growled in response, still very dutifully keeping her eyes closed for the sake of being discreet. She followed his footsteps with her ears, and only after hearing the displacement of water did she carefully open her eyes, one at a time.
As she had intended, nothing could be seen under the water. She was still very embarrassed, and she wasn’t at all expecting her foot to come in contact with something. She very mildly freaked out and almost went under the water again, though she judged from his laughter that he had done it on purpose. So she shot him a glare before grabbing one of the pieces of wood she kept for a single purpose.
She threw it, and it hit her bell with a loud clang. As it did she said with a bit of indignation, “Dyede!”
Again her retainer appeared, only to ask, “What is it this time?”
That wry sense of humor always made her giggle, even if it was at her expense. So she had humor in her voice as she asked, “Can you fetch the camomile tea?”
Dyede nodded, dutifully producing it as she said, “Would you like me to make more? It is a favorite of yours, and I have just about run out.”
Sunana nodded, feeling cared for in her retainer’s concern. So Dyede moved to the kitchen and began boiling water. As Pipin took a glass and drank from it he noted appreciatively, “The quality of this is quite excellent.”
The water became slightly warmer as her fire reacted to the growing pride in her, and she smiled at him as she said, “I made that particular batch myself. Dyede’s is excellent quality as well, I taught her my method for preparing it.”
“Well, ‘tis excellent. Though I would expect nothing less from you.” His praise was bordering on embarrassing her, so she sank a little lower to hide her blush. She soon came up again for another sip of tea though, and as she sipped she asked curiously, “What inquiry brought you here? I know ‘twas not simply to bathe.”
He smiled at her, affirming that she was correct. Then he set his tea down as he asked with pure curiosity, “What was the answer you gave to your darkside?”
It was a personal question, one she would not share with anyone else. But she kept no personal secrets from him, so she felt safe enough to answer. And answer she did as she leaned back to look out her window, examining what little of the stars she could see as she said, “To have patience. The stars have told me there will be 3 storms to weather, but after that we shall have the freedom we wish for. Then the problems will have lessened, and the ones that remain can be solved by others. I may finally retire.”
It sounded akin to a dream, this vision of peace for herself. But she knew it would be true. Pipin did not have the knowledge she had so he asked curiously, “How did you learn that from the stars?”
His reaction had been so different from the reaction from her darkside. He trusted her vision, because he trusted her. He simply wished to know the means. It made her voice glow with pride as she explained, “According to the Sharlyan art of astrology, everyone’s fate is written in the stars from the moment they are born. If you have the skills, you can read your own fate, and those of others. So I have seen that I will be able to rest after those storms are ended.”
He was a very attentive student and leaned a little closer to her as he asked, “Can you teach me about it? This art seems important to you, and it is rather curious to me.”
It made her happy, the way he always wanted to know about the many things she had tried. He had always wanted to share her knowledge of new things, and as she was constantly learning there were always new things to share. In order to explain her art though, she would need her cards. So she looked back at her bed as she said, “I cannot teach well from my bath, I suggest moving to my bed. The tools of teaching need to be kept dry.”
It was a bit embarrassing to have to ask how they should go about dressing. They eventually decided that since she would need to prepare materials she should dress first, so she commanded him very stubbornly to cover his eyes and not so much as peek at her. He seemed a little humored by how seriously she took it but he followed her command, and she very carefully scrutinized him to ensure he did not see her dress. He had not given in to temptation, so she announced when she was finished and moved to the other side of the partition as she pulled out her cards and prepared her artistic renditions of the constellations. She kept her back turned to him for the sake of decency, and he similarly announced when he was dressed.
As her artistic renditions could not get wet she held them very close to her chest as she crossed the waterfall, not minding at all the comforting droplets that had fallen on her sleeping clothes. Seemed that Pipin had elected to forgo his armor for the sake of comfort, and she tried not to blush too much upon seeing him without a shirt.
Her embarrassment was a bit alleviated when he hopped onto her canopy bed and patted the spot beside him, a very innocent invitation to a teaching seminar. It made her smile as she took the invitation, crawling beside him as she spread out her drawings. His first comment was simply, “Did you draw these?”
He was aware of her artistic history, so he already knew she was quite skilled. Thus she decided to simply nod, and as he looked on them he said, “Your art for artistic renditions remains as perfect as ever.”
To alleviate some of her embarrassment she replied with sternness, “This meeting is for teaching, not layering on lavish praise.”
He chuckled, and she gave an indignant huff before asking, “May I begin now?”
He calmed his laughter before nodding, and she taught him in a similar manner to how each constellation was explained to her. She began with, “As I told you, the art of astrology involves reading the stars to predict our fates. To do this we observe which constellations are rising and doing a card reading. Each constellation is linked to one of the seven heavens, and we draw from the Twelve’s divine influence to grant certain enhancements to other people through the art of astromancy.”
Pipin took a second to churn over that information before he asked about what she hadn’t explained. “What is astromancy?”
“It is the combative art of drawing from the stars in order to fight and, more importantly, heal. By utilizing the power of the stars we have control over the life energies of those around us, and we can replenish them with our magicks.” In a practical lesson she used her star dome to cast Benefic on him, and he evidently felt the effects as he said, “That such an art exists…is this where your natural ability to heal came from?”
He was referring to the blue light coming out of her hands before she even knew what astromancy was. It was a natural affinity to the stars that granted her mastery over her art so quickly. So she nodded as she said, “I did not know then what the actual art was called, nor could I summon it at will. But with the help of my star dome I now have much more control over it.”
He was still looking as if he could feel the replenishment of his vital energies, and it made her giggle as she said, “It seems your vitals were not quite at their best.”
“They certainly are now! Your prowess over your art must be great indeed.” He was so fond of showering her with praise. She had earned it in this respect though so she allowed it as she said, “Well of course. I have the ability to pull power from 6 of the 7 heavens. Apparently the final one can only be seen upon death, and I am not reaching death’s door any time soon.”
“Not according to the fate you have read, and I trust you read it correctly.” She felt him move behind her so he could wrap his arms around her and rest his chin on her shoulder, and the intimacy of it made her blush. But she ignored it as she instead focused on the task at hand.
She was actually quite a good teacher, Pipin was already aware of that. She had taught him and Nanamo all the lessons her parents had taught her, since Nanamo did not have parents to teach her. Sunana’s tone was very gentle as she said, “Each heaven is linked to two gods, both working together to bring prosperity to their heaven. Each heaven is also associated with a certain element. Each constellation acts as a gate to the power of that heaven, and only in truly understanding its power can you unlock it. My drawings are how I perceived each gate when it was unlocked to me. If you would like, I can tell you the story of each one.”
“I very much would. You are an excellent storyteller.” There he went again. Some heat came to her cheeks but she chose not to focus on it, instead pulling out a specific card from her deck. She showed him both sides of the Bole card, then reached for her drawing of the World Tree as she explained “The first heaven is the Bole, the World Tree. It was planted by the Matron and nurtured by the Keeper, and is the source from which all life is said to have sprung. The trunk of the Bole grants strength to the weak, allowing them to stand firm in the face of adversity.”
In her drawing she pointed out the green stars of the constellation, and Pipin took the card to examine it as he said, “Does your card grant that strength or is it a matter of what stars are rising?”
She watched the contemplative look in his eyes with a smile as she replied, “With our cards we can link one’s fate to that particular heaven for a short time. The true meaning is typically to guide card readings, so you can read their predictions.”
“That makes much sense. I should be glad if a card reading brought forth that message.” He placed so much faith in what she taught him, simply because it was her, and he knew she would not lead him astray. It made her so happy to hear someone who was not an astrologian speak highly of her art, when so many others thought it useless. So she smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek as she said gratefully, “I am glad you show respect to my art, as many believe it to be nonsense.”
“I fail to see how a true believer of the Twelve could deny their influence from the heavens.” He sounded insulted, which matched her feelings perfectly. So she gave an enthusiastic nod before noting, “The second heaven is my favorite, as it is the one I was born under. I am sure upon hearing of it you will understand how much it has influenced me.”
He gave her a curious nod, so she let him examine the Balance card as she explained. “The Balance represents the heaven of fire-a realm made prosperous by the blessings of the Traders, but at the same time, one whose equilibrium is maintained by the divine judgment of Azeyma, the Warden. Azyema’s might will empower those who would take up their blades and mete divine punishment in the name of the sun goddess.”
“In the name of the sun goddess…I believe I see what you mean.” He was referring to her name, a name clearly taken from the providence of Azeyma. He was also aware of her uncanny connection to the dead, the providence of Thal. So she noted, “I believe my father took note of it when he gave me my name,” as she pointed out the stars that made up the constellation.
“He was learned in astrology?” He was rightfully confused, because it was odd how an Ul’dahn merchant had managed to acquire knowledge of a little known Sharlyan art. She affirmed the oddness as she mused, “I doubt he knew enough to do a card reading, though he did teach me the constellations. He did not seem to know their full stories, but he knew some. I assume he managed to obtain books on the subject.”
“It must have been quite interesting to him. He did have a bit of an obsession with the stars.” That he did, and she giggled as she noted, “An obsession that he passed to his daughter. I have always loved to gaze on constellations. Even more so now that I know their meaning.”
She glanced to her window again, catching a glimpse of the Spire. Thus she smiled as she pulled out the Spire card and noted, “This next constellation is on the rise tonight,” before explaining. “The Spire is the constellation that represents the third heaven. It is an iron tower of spinning gears and taut springs constructed by Bygroet, the Builder. It is assailed without cease by the jealous Rhalgr, but the Destroyer’s mighty levinbolts only serve to power the spire’s clockwork soul. It is through the blessings of both creation and destruction that strength is granted to those who would see their stars rise under this sign.”
“Creation and destruction…both are powerful forces. And oft two sides of the same coin.” He was beginning to sound more and more like a philosopher. It made her giggle as she asked, “Are you in a philosophical mood this night?”
“We are discussing the religious meanings behind constellations, is there not room for philosophy in that?” He had a point, so she hummed a noise of agreement before she stated, “I suppose that is fair, and you were correct.”
She traced out the stars once again as she noted, “The ones we have discussed grant strength, but the remaining ones have slightly different meanings.”
“Truly?” He certainly sounded curious, so she nodded before giving him the Arrow card as she explained, “The Arrow guards the heaven of wind, which was created atop a lofty peak by Oschon, the Wanderer, whose footsteps had been guided by the Navigator. The wind that blows off Llymlaen’s seas guides the arrow fast and true, and so shall it deliver the weary souls of those trapped in the mire of confusion, indecision, and over contemplation.”
“I see what you mean…that card could be quite useful to those who cannot act on account of a lack of surety. You could move many to action with a message such as this.”
Again he was correct, and she nodded as traced out the constellation’s waypoint stars while saying, “That is its purpose. I dare say most governments could use this message. Always bickering and never acting.”
Her comment made Pipin laugh, and she quickly joined him. They both knew of the conflicting views in the Syndicate, though Sunana also knew of the disagreements between Ishgard’s new governmental factions. ‘Twas a story quite common when one brought diverse souls together. Once their laughter settled Sunana continued her lesson by pulling out the Ewer card before grabbing her drawing while explaining, “The Ewer represents the fifth heaven, and it is said that through it flows a mighty river carrying water spilled forth from the Scholar’s vessel. And in that water is the strength of all that have come before and all who will follow-thew spun from Nymeia’s loom-thew from which might and mettle is weaved.”
“I thought we were done with stars that grant strength?” His voice was humorous, and she gave him a playful shove as she said, “It is not just strength! Strength of those long past is only granted to those that have the mettle to receive it. And Nymeia knows better than anyone what a man’s worth is. To fall under this sign is to be judged, and you will know if you are judged worthy.”
There was a moment of quiet as her message was received, and after it Pipin stated quietly, “That is more than a bit frightening.”
Sunana giggled, finding truth in that, but it stopped short. So she added, “But it may also be rewarding. And I suppose knowing your worth is not a bad thing.”
He gave a hum of agreement, and she pulled out the Spear card as she said, “This is the final lesson. The Spear is the gate to the sixth heaven, where the Fury resides in a palace of ice carved by Her own spear-ice formed of moonbeams collected by the Lover, Menphina. The Spear fills us not only with the power to overcome our enemies, but also the compassion that is necessary to grant those same enemies mercy.”
“Mercy…a rare commodity.” There was a bit of grimness in his voice, and she matched it with a gentle tone as she pointed out the stars and said, “But an important one. Rare commodities are always worth more anyhow.”
“Now who is getting philosophical?” She would have been indignant had he not placed a kiss in her hair. Since he had, she simply rolled her eyes as she said, “I am a scholar, we are allowed to search the concept of the mind for truths not well known.”
“Well, thank you for the lesson. I daresay I could not have had a better one.” His statement was made all the sweeter by the kiss on the cheek she received, and she couldn’t help but giggle. Though as she received many more than nearly pushed her over she descended into a giggling fit amongst protestations of “That tickles!” that earned her no quarter. She did her best to wiggle away, and ended up falling to the side, indignantly pushing him away as she did. Despite her indignation she was still giggling, though she was interrupted when Dyede suddenly appeared and announced, “The tea is done. I am sure if you have time to cuddle you will find time to enjoy it.”
Dyede had a small smile on her face, and Sunana gave her a much bigger smile as she told her, “You are beginning to sound like my mother.”
Dyede gave a little huff before disappearing, and Sunana giggled before she sat up and asked Pipin, “Tea then?”
He shrugged, saying with great humor, “If it was so important that we were interrupted for it then very well.”
They both laughed, and availed themselves to tea while the tools of teaching remained forgotten on the bed.