Work Text:
Khen doesn't bother with knocking. She pushes her way into Venli's room without much resistance, workform giving her the strength to get through easily while still balancing the plate of food she's brought in one hand.
The last time Venli left her room, it was to give a speech to the newest batch of singer footsoldiers. By now, Khen can read between the lines of the stories Venli is forced to tell. Her entire family, all of her friends, everyone she ever knew, is now dead. No wonder she weeps, even if the rest of the singers celebrate what she did.
Khen doesn't say anything when she visits. Venli doesn't need to do more talking. Instead, she just hums to herself, relishing in the rhythms she can now hear.
She sets down the plate of food on the floor, watching Venli, who is curled up in bed, flatly attuning Boredom.
It's a farce, and not a very good one. Even Khen can tell that Venli is not convinced of her own Rhythms. Still, she lets her lie. She switches to Boredom as well, as if this were just another menial task.
Since the Everstorm, Khen has discovered a whole new myriad of wants. It's not just survival anymore: she wants her food to taste good, her strength to build, her mind to be respected.
She wants to hold Venli, shake her by the shoulders, tell her to get up. She wants to share a meal with her, to speak with her, to get to know her.
She wants an opportunity for this admiration to become something else, something more. And like most of her wants, she will find a way to make that happen.
Eventually.
For now, she just focuses on helping Venli recover, in the ways she knows how.