Room 211, Sunday Evening

[seeks_truth]

It had taken more time to move all of her things than Cassandra had entirely anticipated: her armor and equipment were happy, and she had gathered more books over the past year or so than she had thought. And of course, there were the bookshelves they had bought at the Isle of IKEA, which now took up most of the room. Still, as Cassandra put down the last of her book on their joint 'already read' shelf, it had been a good day's work.

"This is perfect," she said, stepping back from the shelves.

She appreciated her and Lucille's handiwork for a moment longer.

[[ open post, open door! ]]

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[seeks_truth]

"Perhaps," Cassandra mused. "I still have some money left over from our last visit to Thedas. We could venture into the city next week and add to our collection."

She let out a little sigh and walked towards her bed, sitting down on it. She was beginning to get tired.

[crimson_sister]

Lucille remained standing by the bookshelf. "That would be a lovely trip," she said, looking at Cassandra. "I have some money too from working in the music shop."

[seeks_truth]

Cassandra smiled. "We can continue decorating our room together," she said. "That should make our lives more agreeable."

She brushed her blankets aside and tugged her sweater up over her head.

[crimson_sister]

It wasn't acceptable to watch you friend undress, was it? Lucille decided it wasn't and turned around, looking out of the window. It suddenly occurred to her that she should perhaps get ready for bed too, but it felt a little... strange to do that in front of Cassandra.

"Oh, we should."

[seeks_truth]

Cassandra had spent her teenage years among Seekers of all genders, and so she found Lucille's behavior somewhat odd. She chose not to remark upon it, however; she didn't want to embarrass her friend.

She tugged off her trousers. "But that can wait," she said. "It has been a rather long weekend, or at least it feels that way."

[crimson_sister]

"So it has," Lucille said. "I... I believe I need a shower before I go to bed." She spun around and hurried towards the bathroom, snatching up her night gown on the way.

[seeks_truth]

"... All right?" Cassandra said, blinking.

That had been a rather speedy exit.

She shook her head, sliding under the covers. It was nice and warm and comfortable.

[crimson_sister]

"I'm fine," Lucille called from the bathroom. "I just love a shower before I go to bed."

From now on, she did. The door to the bathroom closed, Lucille undressed and removed her hairpins, letting her long hair fall over her shoulders. She looked at herself in the mirror. What was wrong with her? That was a question she had never asked herself before.

[seeks_truth]

Cassandra watched the bathroom door for a moment longer, then she shook it off. She picked a book off of her nightstand and opened it at the marker, deciding she would read until Lucille was finished and they could continue their conversation.

[crimson_sister]

After a quick shower, Lucille reappeared, dressed in her nightgown and with her dressing gown wrapped over it. She quickly slid under the covers and reached for her own book.

"Cassandra?"

[seeks_truth]

"I am here," Cassandra said, smiling at her. She was mostly buried under the covers, with only her arms and her head sticking out - she needed them for the book she was holding.

[crimson_sister]

"Will you mind if I keep the light on to read even after you've gone to sleep?"

Lucille wasn't sure that was what she wanted to do, but she had wanted to say something.

[seeks_truth]

"Of course not," Cassandra said fondly. "What were you planning to read? I found a copy of this grand adventure story..."

[crimson_sister]

"Oh, what is it about? I haven't decided what to read yet." Lucille rolled over to one side, facing the room.

[seeks_truth]

"It is set in this world's age," Cassandra said, turning a little to face her, too. "A girl finds there is a dangerous, separate world of monsters alongside her own, and she sets out to keep them from seeping into hers."

So it felt somewhat topical to Cassandra.

[crimson_sister]

It was less a story to Lucille's taste, but she was willing to give it a try. "Does she do this on her own? Or does she have help?"

[seeks_truth]

"She collects allies as the story continues," Cassandra said. "She has just met her second - a powerful woman named Shane, wo saved her from a dragon."

[crimson_sister]

"Does she find love?" Lucille asked. "Perhaps later in the novel."

[seeks_truth]

"I haven't gotten as far into the novel," Cassandra admitted. "But her first ally is her brother, so I doubt we have encountered her love interest yet, if so."

Ahahahaha.

[crimson_sister]

"Of course, it has to be someone else," Lucille said quickly. "Later perhaps."

[seeks_truth]

"I like the book," Cassandra said, wondering what Lucille's speedy reply was all about. "You think otherwise?"

[crimson_sister]

"I believe I will like it too," Lucille said firmly, not wanting Cassandra to think that her reaction before meant otherwise, or that it meant anything at all.

[seeks_truth]

"Would you like to read the first chapter?" Cassandra asked, stretching out the arm with the book towards Lucille.

Unlike Lucille, she was not wearing sleepwear beyond her underwear, but that wasn't particularly on her mind.

[crimson_sister]

Lucille reached for the book, trying not to look at Cassandra while she did so. Where you supposed to look at your friend when they were only wearing underwear? Especially so little of underwear?

"I'd love to read to you." She would, and she could look at a page.

[seeks_truth]

But it was perfectly normal underwear!

Cassandra pulled her arm back and under the covers once Lucille took the book, settling in. "I would like that," she decided.