driftfleet | Red Fish Mingle

[ Leilani moves, wiggling to rest her back against the bed, and then she watches him. She knows he's sad, she can see it painted on his face, and for a moment she doesn't know what to do; comforting someone like Dorian or Cyril is easy, but someone like Carl? She's never really been an older sister before, but she wants to do her best. Slowly, she opens her arms. ]

Come here.

[ For so long, he's had to weather everything and be strong, but the more time passes, the more he realizes he has time to process. He doesn't like it, so he falls back onto the simple- pretend everything is fine until something else comes up. He frowns at her in confusion, but does as she requests, moving into her embrace and settling against her side with his head on her shoulder. ]

..Shouldn't it be the other way around? [ He's only a few inches taller, but he's got to get in his hits somewhere, doesn't he? ]

You're very funny. [ Leilani lifts her hand, brushing her fingers through his hair gently. It's been a long time since she was really with her clan, but the feeling of taking care of someone isn't something that has ever faded away from her. She likes taking care of him, likes to be his big sister, and she rests her head against his gently. ] I should slap you.

Should, but you're not gonna. You would have already.

[ He wasn't concerned in the least about it, and he settles a little more against her. It's been a while since he's actively cuddled- since they were both on the Marsiva. He doesn't want to be clingy or seem weak, but it's nice.. ]

Just because I don't want to ruin a beautiful moment.

[ She laughs softly, though, wiggling a little to get comfortable, relaxing against him. This is family, she thinks, and there's a yearning in her heart she has to swallow back. ]

Dunno if I would consider this beautiful, but I'll go with it.

[ It says a lot that he's keeping put and not getting antsy. He trusts Leilani more than anyone here, and they help each other through tough times however they can. This? This is nice. It reminds him of home before everything went to shit. ]

It's not an ugly moment, is it?

[ Leilani turns, kissing the side of his head, holding him gently. She wants to soothe his hurts, to make him feel better, to make him feel powerful, but she doesn't know how. All she can do right now is hold onto him and let him take what he needs from her. ]

Couldn't be ugly with you around.

[ His big sister is beautiful, and he loves her. Carl closes his eye and smiles when she kisses his head. His arms move to wrap more around her middle. ]

You sweet talker.

[ Holding gently, Leilani begins to him, still stroking her fingers through his hair, soft and gentle. It's the sort of song she's sure mothers sang to their babes, but she doesn't remember much of her mother and she doesn't think she'll have much in the way of children. ]

Lath sulevin, lath araval ena, arla ven tu vir mahvir. Melana ‘nehn, enasal ir sa lethalin.

[ The moment is so achingly like what his mom used to do for him when he couldn't sleep. Especially after everything went to shit and so much of the world was a nightmare. She would sit next to him in their tent, singing that familiar lullaby, and everything was okay again.

He can feel his throat seizing up, something welling up in his chest. The sigh he lets out is a little bit shaky. ]

[ Leilani shifts, drawing him closer, letting him rest against her before she sighs gently. There's no stopping her singing, and she repeats the words over him, stroking fingers through his hair. The song isn't a long one, but it's about what they're going through; it's about her struggles, both as the Dalish and as passengers on the Fleet. Carl can relate to that. ]

[ He enjoys her singing, as acutely painful as the reminder is. Carl can follow along with most of her song, though there are a few phrases that he's not sure of. When she's finished, he lets out another breath, though this one is more controlled. ]

My mom used to sing to me. Didn't realize how much I missed it..

[ Turning, Leilani draws him closer, hooking he chin over his head gently. ]

I think someone used to sing to me, once. I don't remember it very well and then I grew up fast.

[ He drapes over her uselessly, enjoying the closeness. She makes him feel safe. ]

Doesn't seem fair sometimes, but I don't think I wouldn't want to with everything that happened.

[ At least she has this, she thinks. She might be missing Justice and her home and her arm, but she has Carl. It makes up for some of the pain; it eases her. ]

Some things are worth forgetting. [ She frowns, eyes darting away. ] You remember the things that matter.

You're right, they are.. But some things you'd rather forget need to be remembered.

[ He burrows a little further into her ]

You don't need to tell me that again. [ She sighs. ] It's the cost of living - remembering what others do not.

It is.. [ He huffs. ] Sorry, I kind of turned the moment into a bummer again.

It's fine. [ She smiles, leaning close. ] It helps to talk.

You're right.. this helps.

[ He's really not physically close with people. A stray hug here or there, but nothing like this. ]

[ Kissing his head, she smiles. ]

I'll always be here, da'len.

I know. I will too, if you need me.

I know. I appreciate it, truly.

Red Fish Mingle

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