video; man's greatest treasure (after the blood rains stop)

[reparo]

[The video isn't accidental this time, and focuses on Hermione - her face rosy-cheeked and smiling, actually smiling.


To the observant eye, one can tell she's in the old, dilapidated house that some people used during the final battle in Hatthevar as a sort of refuge. (It's the Macarena house.)]

Friends - ah, I've been thinking all day what I'd say to us all after a battle as final and difficult and hard as this one. I didn't get to say this to my friends back home, I didn't get the chance to say this to Harry, but...here goes.

Well done. You did your best, and you somehow saved the day. Look at this place. Look at this world! I know the beacons are being repaired, so it's still sometime before we leave but I think we could say we're leaving it better than we found it?

[Like it's hard. She lets out a tiny laugh.]

Also, I think - and I'm not taking any feedback on this - that I've earned myself this.

[The view focuses on the floor, where she is sitting currently, and specifically on a half-empty bottle of wine. Hermione gone wild.]

Comments

[somebadnews]

[ Mhm. He liked the coffee from the train, so he won't turn his nose up too much about how she stored it. ]

At least you were prepared if you ran into anyone from Taravast.

I'd say they were the most gullible, but no one caught on when I was peddling a fish god. There might not be hope for any of them.

[downswing]

No chickens would come willing.

[reparo]

You were what?

[reparo]

We may yet overcome this tragedy.

[somebadnews]

My assignment in Yancai. I never saw any fish god, but I'm pretty sure it was just another cult.

I made up everything I said, and they still bought it.

[downswing]

At ease. Chickens only required to wed.

[reparo]

...how?

[downswing]

A nuptial gift. Good fortune.

[reparo]

...we should find you chickens.

[downswing]

Or put you to rest.

[reparo]

But I wish for your good fortune!

[reparo]

[She laughs, actually laughs.]

Fishy business, that.

[somebadnews]

It wasn't the worst.

[ Unlike that pun (which he'll let slide, since she's in a good mood). Cults are a weirdly effective way to get your foot in the door, as it turns out. ]

[downswing]

Hermione.

Chickens, gifted to one's bride.

[reparo]

...oh - then no chickens.

[downswing]

Unless you wish to... secure a bride upon return?


( Is there something he must know. )

[clavesregni]

[Caitlyn practically leaps back in surprise when the door opens of its own accord, but really, she should be used to that sort of thing by now.

At least there are cups. She was half-terrified she'd be expected to drink wine straight out of the bottle.

She seats herself on the floor next to Hermione, and wastes no time getting right to the sentimentality.] You know, as glad as I am to be going home, I really am going to miss you.

[reparo]

[She waves Caitlyn to join her on the clean floor, smiling, and starts pouring the wine for both of them. Hermione is civilised so she's transfigured herself a cup too, previously.

She's just about done when Caitlyn speaks, and knocks her breath away a little. Eyes wide, expression soft.] Caitlyn...oh - you too. I'll miss you an awful lot as well. I don't think I'll ever find a partner in infiltration as bad at fibbing as me. [There's a sheepish smile, throat a little tight.]

Nor a fake girlfriend as tall, eh?

un: qishan | voice

[silverneedles]

More than earned it. I will leave you a hangover cure for the morning.

[reparo]

[She bursts out laughing.]

Oh god, no. No, the most I aspire to secure when back is a nap.

voice

[reparo]

I hope to learn to brew as many useful potions as you do, Wen Qing. You've taught me so much...

[silverneedles]

You know potion just as well as I do. I've learned a lot from you, and the books you kept acquiring.

[reparo]

[And definitely not stealing.]

No, let me shower you with praise now. It's been a long journey and I'm exhausted, and I want to say that I feel honoured to be your friend and your partner in arms in so many things.

[A hiccup here as she contemplates her drink.]

Also, I'm so glad I've never earned myself your medical disapproval.

[silverneedles]

[ Look, she is not going to ask where the books come from. It's enough they exist. ]

So being exhausted makes you sappy? [ She's teasing, and that's clear in her voice. ] Thank you for being my friend and partner in this. We had an adventure, didn't we?

[ A soft laugh as she considers that. ]

You're smart, and that showed up in taking care of yourself.

[reparo]

[As sappy as a tree, and misty-eyed to top it off, not that she shows it.

Instead there's an amused laugh, a huff.] Yes, well, I couldn't be reckless with my health when I knew I'd be judged. I still remember the scolding you gave sailors about scurvy...