โwell โ then i suppose you will be the best instruction reader and utensil holder in this household.โ
thereโs a curl of a smile on the corners of her lips.
โyou will be plenty of help.โ
โi mean, i was looking at trying a recipe for cookies later on but i could find something that will take a little longer to make if you really need the distraction?โ
โThat is subjective, but to be honest? I could use the distraction. Between training the new recruits and trying to get through to your sister, my mind has been all over the place.โ
And his heart.
โa gift?โ
maybe sheโs purposely ignorant to the connotation of the request, either way nesta isnโt going to know.
โif i gave you flowers would you remember to keep them watered?โ
โI wondered if you might have brought me any of the bounty from your gardens.โ
โA gift, maybe.โ
Wine.
Cider.
Even a single bottle of honeyed mead.
Something.
โoh โ you are not being rude cassian. i am better than i was. having the garden helped me feel more settled.โ
it wasnโt a topic she wanted to dwell on.
โi am going to make some pastries later, would you like some?โ
โYou are a comfort, Elain.โ
He smiled again. Warner this time.
โIโm being rude. I apologise. You also have been through a lot. Iโm happy to see youโre a bit more settle than when you first were Made.โ
โyes. i think gardening is the only thing that really makes me still feel likeโฆ me.โ
she looks at her hands, stretching her fingers. even they didnโt seem the same since she was โmadeโ. if anyone understood it would be nesta.
They were indeed avoiding the topic.
Several topics, actually.
โDoes it still bring you joy, to garden?โ
There, that was gentle. And she even managed a small smile.
โshe will understand โ eventually. she has been through a lot, and sheโs trying to cope with it. youโre doing your best, cassian.โ
she notices how his smile doesnโt quite meet his eyes and all she can do is offer reassurance.
He returns the smile, but it doesnโt reach his eyes.
โYou know her better than me. Iโll keep trying. Reaching out. I just wish she understood weโre not punishing her.โ
a small sigh, seems they were avoiding the topic today.
โi am well, the garden needed some tidying so i spent some time there. what have you been doing?โ
โhe may be following the high lords orders . . .โ
she begins, her head tilting a little to one side.
โbut i do think he is worried about you, i think a lot of us are.โ