The Past...Faced

[Seraphina]

She was too tired to argue with him, and laying down did feel better.

Her eyes focus somewhere on the wall, “No one was ever supposed to. I had wanted to keep that hidden as long as I could.” A few seconds pass before she looks at him, “Thank you.” No one could know how weak she had been. How broken she still was.

“Want to hear something funny? All the healing I can do for others in a Dream, and I can’t use them on myself.” A wonderful drawback of her gifts. Not being able to heal even herself. “But if I wear myself out enough, exhaust myself enough, I don’t really remember the Dreams.” So that was a bonus. Maybe.

A hand begins to absently play with her hair. “I don’t know how to talk about it. It’s always been there, but,” a sigh, “I don’t know. It was hard enough to let you see it.” Talk about it? Could she? Was he right, would it help? Then a shake of her head, “I won’t ask that of you. Maybe I need to try the talking thing first.” He had enough to worry about.

The touch was welcomed, and she let out a small breath of relief at it.

Deep down, she knew he was right, but it was still hard to accept. So she nods, “You’re right.” She could admit it. Looking into his eyes, “I would only want help from you. Getting help from someone else would mean sharing that with someone else. And I don’t want to do that. I know you, I trust you and I love you.” But hearing him say his love hasn’t changed, was hard to hear and accept, and she appears to search his face for a lie. And she couldn’t help it. “I thought it was time to be open about that part of my life, let you see behind the mask. See the damage.” And risk losing you. See if you could still love me with that knowledge.

[Rhodes]

He offers a nod and a smile. To be a changeling was to be a broken thing, but some were able to at least wall off parts of their own horror.

"The Wyrd does love it's little ironies," he says ruefully. "And I know you wouldn't ask. You can't seem to understand that I'll do it anyway for you. I want to help you Sera. Won't you help me fulfill my Desire?" He offers a small smile. It was a dirty trick, but one the Nyx might be able to appreciate enough to not interpret as pity. "If you want to try talking, I am here, and will listen. If you need more, I will do it, in a heartbeat."

Emerald eyes blink, surprised. She admitted was... right? Rhodes had been expecting much more resistance. "Can I.... get that in writing?" the Flowering asks, the hint of a rougish grin on his lips. "I love you too, Sera," he offers gently. As her eyes rake across his face, either he was utterly genuine or his lie was so perfect she could not see it. "I'll swear it all over again if I have to. Sera.... we are all damaged creatures, every one of us. That yours began before Arcadia doesn't stop it. This had still happened when I met you. It was still there when I fell in love with you. It's still there now I know. Some of us just... hide it better."

He looks around the room, towards the tapestry. "Perhaps I might show you one of mine, next time. One of my weakest times. But they do not define what and who I have become. I defy those times to become better.... just as you did." he kisses her fingers. "Rest now, my love. I can show you other things, if you prefer. Your dream is mine, for now."

[Seraphina]

“That it does. The things I’ll be able to do and heal I’ll never be able to turn upon myself. Plus the whole disappearing at the same time too.” It was a struggle. One she was still trying to figure out. Was the pay off worth it? “Oh, now that’s not fair.” She protests, and it wasn’t. That was a weakness for her, and he knew it. “You don’t play fair.” And while she wanted to be mad, she couldn’t. Between not having the energy and knowing he was only trying to help. So instead of saying anything else about it, she changes the subject. Seemed logical to her. “I think I do want to try.” Though she sounded unsure and a bit scared.

Eyes narrow, “You’re lucky I’m too tired to argue with you right now.” But a hint of a smile was appearing. “I know you would, and I appreciate that. But I want to put my faith and trust in you without the Wyrd binding it. Not to discount the power of it, but I think it’s important without too.” If that made sense. His words were true, they did fall in love before she had revealed all this.
Maybe she wasn’t as damaged and broken as she thought? Was that possible?

Squeezing his hand, “Only if you want to. Never feel you have to.” A smile at the kiss, "You're amazing. Thank you." as she attempted to hold in a yawn. Not very well. “Will you stay with me? I don’t want to wake up alone.” Eye lids were beginning to get heavy, but still, she murmured, “Safer with you here.” She wasn’t fighting the sleep this time.

[Rhodes]

The smile widens. "No, it isn't. And when it comes to you, never. You are my desire, Sera. I know I don't have to help, but I will always choose to." His expression softens, and his hand squeezes hers. "If you want to, then we'll try. I know it will be scary, but I'll be here." Rhodes offers a smile.

"I suppose there is an advantage to wearing yourself out, if I get to win our discussions," he says jokingly. "But I understand. I hope you trust me, as I trust you." The Flowering kisses her fingers.

He nods. "I want to show you that I feel I can share anything with you, as you can with me." His hand strokes though her hair. "I am. But so are you. You never needed a crown to be a Queen to me." He flicks his wrist, and curtains draw across the veranda and it's rising sun.

He leans in to kiss her. "Of course I'll be here. Sleep tight, darling." He would watch her dreams every night if he had to.

Shall we close out there? Seems a natural stopping point.

[Seraphina]

Yup, seems a perfect stopping point. Thank you for the great scene!