driftfleet | Starships were meant to fly

[ Of course Carl is around, helping Maggie with the bonfire and enjoying the outing. He sees Leilani settle on the ground near the fire and immediately goes over and plops down next to her. ]

Andaran atish’an, Leilani.

[ Listen to him, he's been practicing!! ]

[ Leilani brightens as soon as she sees him, reaching out to ruffle her fingers through his hair gently, much as an older sibling might. ]

You're getting better. [ Settling, she stretches her legs out. ] How are you?

[ He doesn't mind the affection, even welcomes it and nudges his shoulder against hers in return. ]

You think so? [ He relaxes under the praise- he thought he'd been doing horribly, but Leilani always sounds so nice when she talks. ]

I'm good. Are you okay?

[ It's so easy to be relaxed around him, and it's obvious in how the tension fades from her shoulders, breathing coming out calmly. ]

Yes, I think so. I should give you some more words to learn.

[ Leaning back, she hums absently. ]

I'm a little tired, but otherwise I'm very well, thank you.

Lay it on me. [ It feels good that she can relax around him. That they're comfortable with each other. ]

Have you been sleeping okay? [ Not that he does either, but whatever!! ]

I'll write you some more notes.

[ Settled, Leilani tilts her head out and stares over at the bonfire in front of them, considering for a moment. ]

Sometimes. Some nights are easier than others.

I'd like that.

[ The goal is to be fluent, right? He wants to do something pretty damn cool with his time here, and learning Elvish seems like the coolest.

Carl rubs the back of his neck and nods. ]

Yeah, same here. Sometimes it's easier to convince yourself that you're safe some nights.

Perhaps we can find you a book while we're here.

[ She's not entirely sure her handwriting is the easiest to read, but she can do her best to make it as neat as possible. ]

And others there are nightmares, or the feeling you're not alone.

Like a notebook? I have one that I bought a few planets ago. I've been writing notes in it. [ Listen, it can't be any worse than his sixth grade level handwriting. ]

..Yeah. Nightmares. 'What-if's' keep me up a lot, too.

Would you like to use that one, or get another one for your lessons?

[ It's not as if she minds either way, even if her lips turn down into a small frown. ]

Do you sleep alone?

We can use that one, it's fine.

[ He looks at her, brow furrowed in confusion. ]

Shouldn't I? I mean, I'm old enough to not need someone to check under my bed for monsters..

[ At the beginning, he and Maggie made it a point to sleep in the same room to keep together. Being the only one here for months, he had to just rely on himself. Thank god the Red Fish is full of insomniacs. ]

Will you lend it to me for a few days, then?

[ Reaching out, she presses her thumb into his brow to soothe it. ]

I sleep with a friend, sometimes. Bad dreams happen to everyone, and having someone there when you wake up is a very good thing, da'len.

Sure. I'll bring it over tomorrow.

[ He takes her words into consideration, though he doubts it would be something he acted on. He doesn't want to bother anyone with his shit, everyone has their own burdens to shoulder. He should just deal with it. ]

Yeah? Maybe.

[ It's easy to be around him, she thinks, and when she leans back there's a softness about her. It's like being home again, and she feels as though she could walk out and see Bull or Varric. ]

I used to live as part of a clan. We would all travel together, and live together, and survive together. It was very hard, when I became Inquisitor, because suddenly I was very alone.

It's weird, not being surrounded by the people you're used to. There's a group of us at home. We were a lot bigger before, but not all of them made it.

[ Which is an understatement, but it's probably better to leave vague. ]

Do you still miss them, being so far away? I hope you have others where you are now that will look out for you.

I understand that. There is... Losses, sometimes, and you cannot ignore them or the choices you made to get there.

[ At least she can look down and smile at him; they've found each other, and that's comforting. ]

I'm always going to miss them, no matter how far I go, but I have friends, now, too. A new family. We take care of each other, even with a thousand miles between us.

Everyone's going to die eventually. Sometimes there isn't a choice.

[ He offers a brief smile back in return. ]

'Course we'll take care of you, Leilani.

Being able to choose when you die is a gift, I suppose.

[ She glances at her hand, at the Anchor that's killing her, before she sighs softly. ]

And I'll take care of you, da'len, you have my word.

It's not really a luxury many people get. But I get it.. dying on your own terms is better. Makes you feel like there's something in your life you can control.

[ He reaches out and puts a hand gently on her wrist. She's not alone while she's here- not so long as he can help it. ]

Something like that. [ Her eyes flick away from the Anchor to look over before she softens, relaxing. ] It's alright. It's not going to be here forever.

You said you're going to lose your arm.. do you know when? Or is it like waiting for the other shoe to drop? [ Either way, not great! ]

As soon as I get home. [ She shrugs her shoulder absently. ] It's the very next thing for me to experience.

I'm sorry you have to go through that right when you get back, but you'll get through it because you're strong. It'll be okay.

It could be worse, da'len. It was either my arm or my life - I know which I prefer.

It could be. I'm really glad it's not.

Starships were meant to fly

bonfire

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