[Action]

[halgitamilf]

[Things have been tense at the Liberation Lodge lately. As such, Svala is making herself extremely available for talks, knowing it was better to make an invitation than a mandatory RSVP.

Plus her garden needed weeding something fierce.So she's on her knees in the dirt around House 32, the knees of her (only pair of) pants already dirty and grass-

Comments

[vermified]

[Speaking of tense. Within the hour Edward heads outside, his initial goal being the smithy to sharpen his sword; he pauses when he notices her, hesitating briefly, then moving to stand closeby.]

My lady, do you need any help?

[vermified]

[...Speaking of Sigmund.]

I would appreciate it if you didn't mention it to Lord Sigmund. [Edward's given him enough to stress over already.]

[halgitamilf]

I shall not. [She hadn't planned on it anyway, but it was probably better to affirm that aloud.]

[vermified]

I'm grateful. [So grateful. He's been very grateful this week. Not very happy, but... grateful. Very grateful. Yes.

Circles, he can run them.

...Edward, just shut your mouth and work.]

[halgitamilf]

[You know Edward, you're making it very difficult for Svala to keep from just throwing her arms around your neck and holding you. All these horribly sad vibes and all those kicked puppy looks and all.]

[vermified]

[Maybe a distraction from the Subject of Doom will help.]

What of you and Sir Kratos? Are you content with how things stand?

[Okay, maybe the happy love life of someone else isn't the greatest topic change, but he'd be happy to know she's happy, at least.

[halgitamilf]

I am. We are. [Yeah that's uncomfortable. She doesn't want to be all "WE'RE IN LOOOOVE" with Edward experiencing heartbreak over here. Especially since this is the kind of subject she just does not share with people. Some habits are hard to kick.]

[vermified]

...I'm sorry. It's none of my business. [Rrrrrip, out comes another weed. Dammit, why is he so terrible at this?]

[halgitamilf]

Do not apologize.

[Svala shifts her weight on her knees, and leans over to hold his hand again. She doesn't care if it makes him uncomfortable.]

I should apologize to you. I cannot even offer you comfort.

[vermified]

[He glances down at that, for once not terribly bothered by her touch. She does mean well, and he appreciates the effort. Even if it doesn't help much.]

It's alright. It's not your fault. [A pause. ...OH FFFFFF- that sounded like he was blaming Sigmund-] I-it's mine. I shouldn't have expected anything different.

[halgitamilf]

Edward... [Svala pauses; if she says "it's not your fault" he'll probably just brush it off. She squeezes his fingers and bows her head.]

You will find that when it concerns some of the greatest tragedies of life...the blame lies with no one.

[vermified]

[He can't argue much about that; he spent so much time blaming Capell for Sigmund's death, and... really, it wasn't anyone's fault there, either. Except Leonid. He could blame Leonid for that.

This time, though...]

...I'll... try to consider your words, my lady.

[halgitamilf]

[That's all she can really ask for, anyway. She squeezes his hand one last time before letting him go and returning to the garden. He's welcome to stay, but unless the conversation veers elsewhere they'll probably end up working in silence.]