(no subject)
She had known upon waking. They both had.
(come yes come - soon now come)
Eventually, Susan had gone to the stables, but stayed only briefly. A quiet murmur to Kiseki, a glance around, that's all it takes to confirm it-- all's in order and well-kept still, even without her work. She knew it would be, oh aye, she'd trusted Caspian-- but it's a comfort and a sharp pain both together to see it so.
Particularly now.
(come there is peace - come there is rest - come now come - to the clearing come)
She'd thought that mayhap walking by the lake would help distract her, but Susan finds it to be like wandering through a dream-scape, misty and unreal. She avoids the trail, crossing the grass to the rocks by the shore instead, and sinks to the ground there. Susan splashes icy water on her face, then shivers and leans back against a boulder, trailing the fingers of one hand lightly over the rough texture of the stone.
Less time than they'd thought, and now there's little of it left. Days, not weeks, and not even many days -- a few at most, Susan thinks wearily. Bittersweet parting for a time, from most of those that they've loved, until they meet again in the clearing.
Parting forever, from a few.
(I'll never see you again - let me do the remembering)
Her hand closes reflexively around the jade rose pendant on its braided cord for a moment, and then Susan starts suddenly, looking down at it with speculation.
(a star had broken its rope in the stables of heaven)
Eventually, she lets it fall once more and undoes her hair, combing out one long golden lock before rebraiding the rest. Taking out a pocketknife, Susan cuts the single lock of hair carefully, as high up as she can. A quick knot to secure the silken strands against the errant breeze, and she tucks both it and the knife away once more before getting to her feet and starting back toward the bar.
(come yes come - soon now come)
Eventually, Susan had gone to the stables, but stayed only briefly. A quiet murmur to Kiseki, a glance around, that's all it takes to confirm it-- all's in order and well-kept still, even without her work. She knew it would be, oh aye, she'd trusted Caspian-- but it's a comfort and a sharp pain both together to see it so.
Particularly now.
(come there is peace - come there is rest - come now come - to the clearing come)
She'd thought that mayhap walking by the lake would help distract her, but Susan finds it to be like wandering through a dream-scape, misty and unreal. She avoids the trail, crossing the grass to the rocks by the shore instead, and sinks to the ground there. Susan splashes icy water on her face, then shivers and leans back against a boulder, trailing the fingers of one hand lightly over the rough texture of the stone.
Less time than they'd thought, and now there's little of it left. Days, not weeks, and not even many days -- a few at most, Susan thinks wearily. Bittersweet parting for a time, from most of those that they've loved, until they meet again in the clearing.
Parting forever, from a few.
(I'll never see you again - let me do the remembering)
Her hand closes reflexively around the jade rose pendant on its braided cord for a moment, and then Susan starts suddenly, looking down at it with speculation.
(a star had broken its rope in the stables of heaven)
Eventually, she lets it fall once more and undoes her hair, combing out one long golden lock before rebraiding the rest. Taking out a pocketknife, Susan cuts the single lock of hair carefully, as high up as she can. A quick knot to secure the silken strands against the errant breeze, and she tucks both it and the knife away once more before getting to her feet and starting back toward the bar.