Fourth Floor Common Room [evening]

[notqueenyet]

It had been entirely too long since Aravis had truly appreciated her insomnia.

Which was why Tuesday evening found her curled up on the couch with a truly spectacular and moddable array of candy before her, and her dog lounging at her feet. Aravis hadn't settled on anything to watch, so she just plaintively flipped through channels, appreciating a

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[momslilassassin]

Ben wasn't exactly tired, so after tossing around for a while, he wandered down to the common room for a snack.

"Oh, I didn't know anyone was awake!" he stammered, wishing he'd brushed his hair before leaving his room.

[notqueenyet]

"I'm sorry," Aravis said, looking at him apologetically. "Did you need the room?"

[momslilassassin]

"Not at all!" Ben babbled. "I just would've put on socks or something."

He wandered over to the stove and stared at it for a long moment. "Would you like some hot chocolate?" he asked. "I think I can make that."

[notqueenyet]

"You needn't, if it's any trouble," she told him, as Ata hopped up and skittered over to investigate Ben.

[momslilassassin]

"It's not trouble," Ben said, opening cabinets like he had any idea what he was doing. "My mom and dad used to make it for me when I couldn't sleep. We just didn't have equipment like this."

[notqueenyet]

"You were lucky to have access to chocolate," she said, smiling softly. "My nurse always gave me tea with milk and honey when I wasn't well."

[momslilassassin]

"It's my dad's favorite drink," Ben said. "The ship always had powdered chocolate in it."

He opened a canister and grinned. "Like this!" He dumped a few spoonfuls into a couple of mugs, added water and stuck them into the microwave. "Hopefully this'll work," he said, reaching down to let the puppy sniff his fingers. "I don't really cook at home."

[notqueenyet]

Ata sniffed at his hand, then licked it. "Ata, be good," Aravis scolded. "I don't cook, either. I've never needed to."

[momslilassassin]

"I don't imagine ladies do a lot of cooking," Ben admitted. "Hello, Ata."

[notqueenyet]

"Don't mind him," Aravis sighed. "He's very friendly, I promise."

[momslilassassin]

"I don't mind at all," Ben said. "I didn't have a lot of pets growing up. The one time I tried it...ended badly."

[notqueenyet]

"He was a gift. That's what Ata means, actually," she told him as Ata gazed up adoringly. "I didn't have pets before him, unless you count horses."

[momslilassassin]

"Horses?" Ben asked. "Like what Jaina rode away from her wedding on?"

[notqueenyet]

"...yes?" she said. "I don't know that I was paying attention by then. But yes, and I have one here, as well."

[momslilassassin]

"I've never been on one," Ben said. "Is it hard?"

[notqueenyet]

"Well, I'm not really the person to ask," she pointed out. "Having spent my life on horseback, it feels."