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“You two need to talk this out”, Synnove tells them from behind the closed door.
Aelys blanches, staring at the closed closet door.
“Synnove,” JB’s even tone carries over her head, causing her to startle. She had not been conscious of how small this closet really was. “Let us out, this is a funny joke, yes?”
It’s Katari’s voice who answers him “Synnove is right, you both need this room to communicate.”
Aelys’ checks flush as she remembers this comment from before. Damn you Katari
“Synnove, Katari, this isn’t funny,” Aelys pleads, feeling the small space compress around her.
Too small, not enough space
Her breath begins to pick up as her heart thumps in her chest.
I cannot be here
"Are you okay?” JB’s voice is next to her ear and she exhales sharply.
"No", She squeezes her eyes shut, trying to force her breath to calm, “I do not like small spaces”
Her fear hangs in the air between them before JB asks, “Can I help?”
She can only nod, trying to get to her meditation space to slow her beating heart.
His left hand wraps around her left wrist and she can feel the flow of his ki into her. His Ki intermingles with her own as the vision of his lake pops into her head. She can see it again - JB’s calm lake in the mountains.
Her breath begins to slow as he gently wraps his right arm across her shoulders to press his hand on her upper arm. Two points of contact increase the Ki flow as the flow brings her into a meditative breath cycle.Unconsciously, she relaxes into his hold as she focuses on her breath.
I am okay now
Her thoughts calm and she lets out a long exhale. Focusing on her breathing, she rests her head against JB's chest. She becomes lost in her breath, their flowing ki and his hold.
Aelys’ eyes fly open as Synnove's unmuffled voice asks, “Are you okay?”
She blinks against the light pouring in through the door.
The closet door was now open.
Synnove looks at her with a mixture of concern, amusement which shifts into a grin whereas Katari’s eyes rover over her, a smirk gracing her lips and an eyebrow raised.
“I think she’s fine.” JB responses,”No Small spaces for Aelys”
Why are they looking at me like that?
It was then that Aelys really felt JB’s breathing and hands on her. She stiffens and steps forward out of JB’s space. JB lets her go and a feeling of loss flashes through her.
She turns to meet his gaze as she turns to look at all of them. She can read the concern lingering in his eyes. She nods to him, a small grateful smile graces her face.
“I am okay” Her voice steadies as her gaze darts to the others,”please do not do that to me again”
Both Synnove and Katari have the good sense to look a little sheepish. “I’m sorry Aelys, we didn’t know”
Aelys accepts their apology as she mets JB’s eyes again.
“Thank you”
A soft smile reaches JB’s eyes as he nods, accepting her thank you.
Aelys pivots on her heel and leaves, walking away as quickly as she could. She was not going to be answering any of either Synnove or Katari’s questions about that moment.