Hysterics, -Kiki

[Wysteria]

Erica is a profoundly upset little girl.

As such, her brothers have taken great pleasure in informing Jeaux that he really should show up at some point to comfort her.

Or else.

The else is completely unspecified brotherly threats, of course.

Erica is not a sight. She is a picture, because fussing over her appearance calms her. Her hair is brushed to within an inch of its life, then tied into elaborate forms (not noble-elaborate, but certainly elaborate for a peasant lass).

Her face is fresh-washed, her eyelashes soot-darkened, her cheeks pink. Her dress is pressed and starched and perfect.

And she's wearing an apron, because mother insists she help in the kitchen even though she had such an ordeal.

Erica, for the record, is milking the situation for all she's worth, because she's just a bit spoiled.

[Akedhi]

Jeaux is, naturally, highly upset to find out what happened to his fiancee. Everyone in Brogan's Vale is upset, but Jeaux is probably one of the more vehement about his outrage. Erica is his fiancee, not any wandering foreign boor's wench to torment as he pleases!

He's suggested that they form parties to go hunting down this madman. He's also suggested that he be among them.

(After all, if anything bizarre happens while he's out there, everyone can always blame it on the foreign mage.)

But for now, he's here, dressed in his usual brown--he doesn't own anything in any other colour--looking awkward and worried and mildly angry.

(The plants in the yard have all become sentient. This will only last a day, after which they shall all turn purple.)

"Erica?"

[Wysteria]

"In here!"

She's inside, making pie.

She enjoys making pie.

Takes her mind off the scary scary man.

[Akedhi]

Jeaux enters somewhat hesitantly.

"... are you all right?"

He knows she's all right.

Physically, anyway. He's not sure what he'll do if she goes into hysterics on him, though.

[Wysteria]

Pause.

Then she flings herself into his arms and clings.

"Oh, Jeaux."

Normally she's a bit more formal. Not today.

She just wants to be held.

[Akedhi]

He awkwardly pats her hair and makes shushing noises.

"Er."

He'll take that as a no, I think. It's a bit obvious.

[Wysteria]

And she clings.

Hers. Hers hers hers.

Hers.

She's a trifle selfish, you know that?

Finally she sighs and loosens her grip.

"Will you be staying for dinner?" Not cheerful. Businesslike.

She isn't often businesslike, but she knows how. Her mother is very often businesslike.

[Akedhi]

An invitation to dinner is far more comfortable than the hysterics he was dreading.

"Yes, I think so."

Awkward. So very awkward.

He doesn't know how to handle this. Or her.

[Wysteria]

"Oh."

She thinks about this.

"Good."

This is good. She has decided.

Therefore, everyone must think this is good.

"You're going to catch him, aren't you?"

She trusts him. Odd.

[Akedhi]

"Yes."

There is a faint popping noise. About a mile away, a boulder the size of a horse just exploded.

"We'll catch him, and then he'll regret ever leaving his barbaric home. Wherever that is."

Not like it matters. Anyone not from Temeris, especially if they're not from Brogan's Vale, is automatically a barbarian.

[Wysteria]

And she nods, because she has faith that he can do absolutely anything.

"That's good."

And then she returns to the business of hugging him, which oddly enough is quite nice and comforting.

[Akedhi]

This... he can do this. If all that's required of him is to stand there and be stable, he can stand there and be stable. As long as he doesn't have to say anything particularly eloquent, he can manage.

"Feel better?"

[Wysteria]

She nods, but really, truly does not let go.

Soon enough, dinner will be served and it shall turn into shop talk and technicalities and I think we can leave it here, don't you?