Anti-OTP: Open

[star_in_night]

Elaine is sitting in one of the window seats, looking out at the wintry garden. Her russet hair is loose, still curling a little from the shower, and she's wrapped in a pale-green robe instead of her usual trim slacks. Her face is distant and wistful.

Comments

[sir_agravaiting]

Out in said garden, bundled up close against the cold (striped scarf in many colors, cunning orange hat, sour expression), may be seen Sir Agravain, tramping through the lightly snow-swept grass towards the Mansion.

[star_in_night]

She smiles a little, seeing him, possibly just because of the bright colors.

[sir_agravaiting]

With all the instinctive, unthinking awareness of an animal, he stops, seeming to sense that he is being watched; pauses, looks around with a frown, and then to the house, to the window and its occupant, half-hidden behind frost and the light curtains.

[star_in_night]

Elaine looks down at once, tucking her hair back.

[sir_agravaiting]

Too late - he's seen her, gives an uncomfortable almost-smile, immediately looks angrily embarrassed for said almost-smile, and finally, shoving his gloved hands into his pockets and hunching his shoulders, finishes his journey across the garden and disappears through the Mansion door, to reappear a moment later in the doorway of the very same windowed room in which Elaine sits.

"What're you doing, spying on people like that?"

[star_in_night]

She startles as he comes in, and stands swiftly, stiff and blank-faced with distress. "I-- wasn't spying, sir."

[sir_agravaiting]

"Looking out of windows, watching folks from behind curtains - looks like spying to me."

[star_in_night]

Elaine says nothing to that, her eyes on the floor.

[sir_agravaiting]

After a moment, Agravain sighs, rolling his eyes up to the ceiling. "For God's sake, you're not going to cry, are you?"

[star_in_night]

"No, sir," soft and neutral. "I'm sorry."

[sir_agravaiting]

"Good. I can't stand it when people cry." He lowers his eyes to stare suspiciously at her. "Who the hell are you, anyway?"

[star_in_night]

"Elaine, sir."

[sir_agravaiting]

"Not any of the ones I know." A pause, and then a grudging, "Agravaine."

[star_in_night]

Her eyes flicker upward then, taking him in. She doesn't smile, having better self-control than that. She gives him a little bow, graceful.

[sir_agravaiting]

"Not spying, hey?" he says gruffly, hands still stuffed in his pockets. "What, then?"

[star_in_night]

Her own are clasped tightly, holding the robe closed. "Thinking, sir."