(no subject)

[tragic_mask]

Melpomene slept deeply without dreaming, and only woke up when the light between the curtains fell across her eyes.

It was a nice way to wake up. So now, as she opens her eyes, she stirs only slightly, and then settles back into a comfortable position.

Comments

[mechanicalswans]

"We can go in the summer," he says. "Less of a shock to your comfort zone that way. And quite beautiful."

[tragic_mask]

"What is beautiful about it?" she asks.

[mechanicalswans]

"The contrast," he says. "The mountains--lush, green, steep--sloping down to the clear blue water. A sharp, dramatic landscape. Land that seems to be two days past the moment of its creation, not worn down like some."

[tragic_mask]

"That does sound beautiful."

[mechanicalswans]

"And if you don't mind water that's a bit on the chilly side, it's perfect."

He glances up at her, grinning a bit. "I'm not one of those people who goes swimming in icy rivers in the winter just for the sake of it. Don't worry about that."

[tragic_mask]

She gives him a skeptical look in return.

"Aren't you?"

[mechanicalswans]

"I can do it--I can be very cold-blooded when I need to be--but the muscles tense up, and it isn't very comfortable. I prefer more normal temperatures."

[tragic_mask]

She finishes off a pancake.

"Well, that is something we have in common."

[mechanicalswans]

"Although I have been known to go for a swim in the winter when I have just finished working in the forge, if there are no more modern bathing facilities available," he admits. "Cleanliness takes precedence over comfort, in that case. If you ever see how filthy I can get in the forge, you'll understand why."

[tragic_mask]

"Oh, I have no doubt," she says.

[mechanicalswans]

"Messy work. Covered in soot from head to toe. And flakes of metal, sweat, metal polish, sometimes sawdust--there is a barrel of water in the forge, but you don't wash up in that."

[tragic_mask]

"I remember you telling me it would never be a good idea to have a liaison in the forge-- and I can see why." She grins.

[mechanicalswans]

"The forge by the bar is too public, and bathing in the lake would be even more so," he says with a faint smile. "My own forge is much more private, but it lacks the lush green surroundings. Of the few people who go there at all, almost none of them go outside."

[tragic_mask]

"Travel is clearly good for you..."

[mechanicalswans]

"You may have noticed I don't get out much. Work and home, work and home. Sometimes work at home, and the occasional bit of business or social event that I can't get out of and leave as soon as I'm able."

[tragic_mask]

"Well, that's why we're here," she says, eyebrows somehow expressing hopefulness.

[mechanicalswans]

"It's been the most enjoyable time I've had in... a very, very long time, I don't know how long. Many years."

[tragic_mask]

"Good," she says. "Because I'm enjoying myself immensely." She takes a crunchy bite of bacon.

[mechanicalswans]

"You should enjoy yourself," he murmurs. "You should be as happy as possible, as long as it doesn't ruin your ability to do your work."

[tragic_mask]

"I try," she says. "But sometimes doing my work ruins my ability to be as happy as possible. You know?"

[mechanicalswans]

"I do," he says. "But that doesn't mean we can't try. And I want to try. No more 'all work' for either of us."

[tragic_mask]

"Good plan," she says.

[mechanicalswans]

"What shall we do when we get home again?" he asks. "Or wait until then to decide? By how things have been so far, I would like another vacation. To the beach, or anywhere else you'd like. Or just stay in... but not at home."

[tragic_mask]

"I don't know yet... we'll have to figure it out as we go. Part of being spontaneous, you know." She prods him, gently.

[mechanicalswans]

"I warned you I'm not very good at being spontaneous."

Another quick glance up at her, this one almost nervous.