OPEN RP POST

[midsommaring]

𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐑𝐏 𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓

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[whose_son_am_i]

"If you'd decided to stay, I wanted you to go in with your eyes open. It's why I tried to point out to you the ways they were manipulating things--for good and ill. You should be able to make an informed decision." Loki said, smiling himself. "And it had to be your choice--but I'm glad you're my friend, and that you came too."

[midsommaring]

"I made my choice," she says firmly, nodding and squeezing Loki's hand again. As if cementing her decision. "I just hope -- you know, I feel like I've been floating for so long? Not really anywhere. And I want so badly for this to feel like home, some day."

[whose_son_am_i]

"Well, as I said--you will always have a home with me. These are your rooms. We lack some resources, but we'll do what we can to help you make it home. I'll do what I can." Loki said softly, thumb brushing her palm reassuringly again. "As for floating on a more metaphorical sense, it would help with your panic if you learned to feel grounded and centered. To do so when you're in the midst of one." Here there was a knowing smile. "You've already learned some of that though, in the focus on your breathing."

[midsommaring]

"It's not just resources -- though I do appreciate everything you're doing for me here, I really do. Food and clothes -- please don't think I'm being ungrateful, because I am very grateful.

It's more of a feeling. I haven't felt home, in a while. Not since I lost my family. And I'm sure it will come, with time. I just need to adjust. To get used to things."

[whose_son_am_i]

Loki chuckled softly. "Dani," Still laughing softly. "I don't think you're ungrateful at all. I'm..." He paused to organize his thoughts properly. "I want you aware of what the possibilities are so you can take advantage of them. I don't want you worrying that you're asking too much. I want to be able to give you that time and space to adjust and get used to the changes, and to help where I can."

Blue-green eyes met hers for a moment before looking away. "It's new for me. To want to help, and be so generous. With no strings attached. I'm probably over-pushing it because it's so new."

[midsommaring]

"Then it'll be new for both of us. I'll probably worry for a while," she says with a self conscious sort of laugh. "Something I -- need to work on, definitely. And you'll probably worry for a while. That you're falling back into your old ways. So we'll both reassure each other that we're both doing fine."

[whose_son_am_i]

"We're hardly objective observers, to be trusted and ensure that reassurance isn't just comforting lies." Loki said, but offered a hint of a smile. "I'm glad you're feeling better though. And...thank you."

[midsommaring]

"We'll call Saldis in when we need an objective opinion. I feel pretty confident that she would tell us the truth."

There's a knock at the door and Dani squeezes Loki's hand before letting it go. "Will you answer that for us? I need to -- finish drying off." She feels okay around Loki with just her robe on, but less than comfortable with the possibility of brand new people seeing her in a robe.

[whose_son_am_i]

"She already often knows more than I'd like, I'm not sure I'd want her opinion." Loki murmured with a hint of pout. But mostly he was glad that Dani was feeling better--happier. The knock had his attention, but he nodded with her words. "It's likely food. Possibly clothing too."

Loki waited until she was in the other room, before calling out an "Enter." The door slid aside, and Ylfa came in, bearing a wooden contraption--one bigger than the other, under each arm. Following her was another servant (male this time) carrying a platter and two large bottles. At the very back was Saldis, who curtsied to him before excusing herself to knock on the bedroom door.

Ylfa and the other servant began setting up a folding table and chair, and then arranging food. Hearty fare, fish and eggs and bread, with Mead and Juice.

"It's Saldis." The elder servant said with her accompanied knock. "I've brought some clothing to get you started." All folded in her arms, a variety of warm weather clothing. Trousers and skirts, a few tunics and tops, and at least one cardigan.

[midsommaring]

"Oh! Um." Dani wraps her robe a little tighter around herself and smiles nervously at Saldis. "Yes, thank you. Sorry, I took a bath, like you said. And -- oh, thank you." She takes the armful of clothing, holding it against her chest. "This is so generous of you, I can't thank you enough. All of you, here, for being so welcoming and letting me into your home."

[whose_son_am_i]

Saldis doesn't let Dani close the door again, without sliding in quickly herself. "He can be very generous, when he wants, his Highness can." She said cautiously. "He can also be an arrogant and jealous ass at times, if you'll pardon me for saying so." The elder servant was determined to make sure Dani truly was alright.

"Which is to say, I want you to go into this with your eyes open."

[midsommaring]

"That's what he said, too. When he gave me the choice to come here. He wanted to make sure that I knew that if I stayed, the people in that village were -- were using me.

I don't think he is. I trust him. He's been the only one to be honest with me in -- in a long time, and I know he doesn't want to trick me. He wants me to be here because I want to be. And I do, I want to be here."

[whose_son_am_i]

"Aye, well, honesty can be just as deceptive as truth at times when used cleverly." Saldis said, crossing her arms. "But his Highness and his Majesty have both been through much in the last year. As have we all, but especially for them." She tilted her head, and smiled at Dani. "He gives you trouble or you need a straight answer, ye come to me. If not to me, then to his Majesty. Both of them have grown up, and know each other well."

[midsommaring]

"Thank you. I promise I will. Or if he misbehaves at all. I have a feeling you'd put him in his place pretty quickly." Dani returns the smile, tucking her hair behind her ears. "Um -- I'll go ahead and get dressed, then? Uh, the food that you guys brought smells amazing."

[whose_son_am_i]

"I'd try. No one truly was able to put 'im properly in his place but Her Majesty when she lived." Saldis said, with a hint of sadness. "Then again, she taught him all he knows of magic so 'tis not surprising." The elder servant nodded to herself, looking around the sparse room. Elegant, but sparse. "You'll be thinking of what would help make this homey for you, and what I can bring you, ja?" Wanting to be sure, before she'd leave Dani to get dressed.

[midsommaring]

"Oh -- yes, no, absolutely. I'll -- think of something. Oh actually -- if you had a picture frame? I have a photo of my family I'd like to put somewhere. If I can." She wishes she had more than just the one, but at least she does have one. She's grateful for that.

[whose_son_am_i]

"May I see the size of the photo?" There was no question in Saldis' mind that they'd find a place to put the photo. "I'll get that for you as soon as we can."

[midsommaring]

"Oh, sure, um. One second, sorry." She sets the clothing down and retrieves the photo from her backpack, holding it out. "It's -- my parents, and my sister, and me," she says, pointing to everyone with a sad sort of smile.

[whose_son_am_i]

Saldis took it carefully, holding it reverently while she looked. "I take it they've moved on?" She asked gently. "I'll have a frame for you tomorrow."

[midsommaring]

"Yeah they -- " Dani ducks her head and nods, wiping at her eyes. "Sorry, um. It's part of the reason I'm here. But yes. And -- thank you. I appreciate it."

[whose_son_am_i]

"Oh child..." Saldis said, reaching out to wrap an arm around Dani in a hug. "Well, you're welcome here with us. We're many of us starting over. If you don't mind an old lady's nattering, I'll tell you the story sometime ja?" When Dani was ready, Saldis would hand the photo back, and take her leave.

[midsommaring]

Dani stays in the hug for a long moment, needing the comfort more than she had realized.

After Saldis leaves, Dani changes into the green dress, with one of the tunics underneath. With something like butterflies in her stomach, she rejoins Loki in the living room and sees all the food laid out. "Oh -- wow, this is. This is incredible. I didn't realize how hungry I was until just now."

[whose_son_am_i]

Saldis let her stay in that hug, murmuring soft assurances. Only when Dani was ready, did she let go. With another reminder, that was half a scold, that if Dani needed her--just ask.

Loki was out of his seat when Dani reappeared, and offered her a smile. "They're not summer colors, but I do think you look better. And not just because you're in my colors."

[midsommaring]

"I might be done with summer for a while. But -- is green your colour?" She glances down at the green dress, and thinks of the other shades of green that had appeared in the pile of clothing she'd been brought. "I didn't realize. Um, not until you told me. Just now.

Do you -- you don't mind? That I'm in your colours?"

[whose_son_am_i]

"I don't mind, although people will gossip." Loki responded, head tilting as he studied her a moment. "More than they might already be doing, that is. Though to a degree it also implies I'm your protector, should you need one."