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! ]]

Comments

[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.

[crimson_sister]

Lucille wore a very long and loose chemise. It was very normal to her, even without Cassandra in the room.

She made herself comfortable and opened the book on the first page.

"The wind tore through the trees and brought with it the salty smell from the sea. The girl struggled against the storm, looking for shelter."

[seeks_truth]

Cassandra smiled. She always found Lucille's voice to be calming and pleasant; she kept herself turned facing the other girl under the blankets, and listened.

[crimson_sister]

Lucille relaxed, becoming increasingly caught up in the story, where the young woman eventually found an abandoned cottage.

"I think this place isn't what it seems," she added between sentences.

[seeks_truth]

"It sounds rather threatening, doesn't it?" Cassandra mused. "The author does know how to choose her words well."

[crimson_sister]

"Yes, she does. I wonder if there will be ghosts."

It was an old abandoned cottage after all.

[seeks_truth]

"Or blood mages."

Cassandra, that was offensive.

[crimson_sister]

"Do you think there are blood mages in this world?" Lucille sounded doubtful.

[seeks_truth]

"There could be?" Cassandra offered. "It does dabble in magics."

[crimson_sister]

Lucille was still doubtful, but she chose not to question further.

"How does one recognize a blood mage?"

[seeks_truth]

"They perform magic acts using blood," Cassandra said dryly.

[crimson_sister]

That sounded... fascinating. Lucille understood that wasn't the best reaction though, so she said: "Their own or someone else's?"

[seeks_truth]

"Either," Cassandra said mildly. "Acts of magic performed using blood - any blood - has a greater ability to open gateways to the Fade, among other things. It is very dangerous."