Chapter Text
Afternoon tea at Castle Dimitrescu was one of the few times that Miranda took a break from her work to actually relax and socialise. Otherwise, all her time would be spent in her laboratory, experimenting, trying to find a way to return her beloved Eva to her. A bit of human interaction did her well and out of the four lords Alcina was the logical pick.
Heisenberg caused her more trouble than he was worth, Beneviento was a more reserved woman herself and Moreau… well let’s say there were certainly better places to have tea than his reservoir. Miranda did have standards and some self-respect.
Her more occasional visits to Alcina also resulted in the two of them having a bit more of a personal relationship which had led to the countess being one of the few people Miranda actually allowed into her personal life. Hence it was also Alcina that managed to pry the problem of her sleeplessness from her.
“I still don’t know what’s causing all this.” Miranda’s voice sounds uncharacteristically worried. “I’ve tried medication, that certainly hasn’t made it better.” She grumbled slightly, It wasn’t often she showed her vulnerability.
“I assume you’ve tried everything else too, if you’ve already resulted to medication.” Alcina spoke, seated on the couch next to Miranda with a glass of wine in her hand. Ironic, considering it was a tea party, but it was hardly worth commenting on.
“Controlled breathing, autogenic training, I’ve even tried meditation.” Miranda’s final example got a small chuckle out of the countess considering Miranda was rather known for not being able to relax, let alone meditate.
“When’s the last time you had some proper rest? A full night I mean, eight hours.” Alcina’s voice is softer now, her genuine concern for Miranda seeping through. Concern which made Miranda feel like a pitied animal, though she knew the countess didn’t mean it that way. She herself just didn’t like the fact that this was a problem she couldn’t solve, something out of her control. It made her feel weak.
Pathetic.
“A few weeks ago, maybe a month.” Miranda reluctantly admits. It was something she had kept to herself, though without any other ideas to resolve the problem she had been forced to reach out. She had managed to get some sleep, though never a full night, practically running on a few hours each day. It left her irritated, making her snappier and unable to focus on what mattered to her.
“Anything you haven’t tried yet?”
“If I hadn’t tried everything I wouldn’t be here!” Miranda bites back, the symptoms showing themselves as she usually didn’t lose control over her temper like this. The whole situation was frustrating, especially because she didn’t know where it had come from. She was god-like and yet she was dealing with something so incredibly mortal.
“Have you tried sleeping with someone?” Alcina responds, though the mere suggestion in met with an instant look of surprised outrage.
“Not like that, just cuddles. I find it helps me personally.” She elaborates, finding it rather amusing that Miranda would genuinely think that she’d suggest getting laid in order to fix the priestess’ insomnia.
“Cuddles?” Miranda asks, a little judgmental. She knew Alcina was more physically affectionate than she was herself and often times indulged in her maids, but cuddles? Really?
“Well, have you tried?” Alcina pushes the suggestion, not taking Miranda’s rather judgmental look to heart. Especially now that she knew why the priestess had a little less patience with her. Insomnia would drive any person mad, even someone like her.
“of course I haven’t tried, it’s ridiculous.” Miranda responds, finding the mental image alone to be an offensively pitiful sight. Her, a worshiped and respected woman, cuddling because she couldn’t fall asleep.
“It might help.” Of course, Alcina wouldn’t just drop it, she’s far too stubborn for that. Especially when it came to helping someone she cared for. It was something her daughters had to deal with plenty in the past.
“No, it won’t.”
“How would you know.” A fair point. She wouldn’t know until she gave it a try.
“I just.. know.” A bad counter and if anything, more proof that she should try it even for the mere chance of fixing the issue at hand. It was practically impossible to win an argument against Miranda on a good day, and here she was using this pathetic excuse of an argument.
“Can’t hurt to try.”
Miranda had to admit the woman was good at pushing her ideas, no matter how ridiculous they sounded to her. Yet Alcina did have a point, she hadn’t tried, and apparently it had helped the countess before so maybe it wasn’t as ridiculous as her mind made it out to be.
“Where would I even find someone for it?” Miranda tries one last time, though really, it’s hopeless and she knows it. Alcina had already managed to convince her.
“So, you’re gonna try it then.” Alcina sounded smug, too smug for Miranda’s taste. It wasn’t often someone got the last word against her, Alcina must be drinking in her moment of victory.
“Don’t push it.” Miranda warned, though it sounded more like a muttered defeat.
“I know someone.” Alcina’s softer tone of voice made it’s way to the surface once more. A genuine appreciation that Miranda is willing to try her suggestion. Even if it ended up not working, at least she tried.
“Will tonight work for you? I had plans with her already but I can redirect her to you.”
“A woman?”
“Would you have preferred a man?” Alcina sounds nearly disgusted at the idea. It was well-known that the countess wasn’t exactly happy with the male part of humanity.
“Just making sure.” Miranda’s quick to dismiss the comment. As long as they could potentially fix her problem, she really couldn’t be bothered to be picky.
“Tonight then?” Alcina repeats her earlier question.
“Tonight.” A reluctant agreement.