“Trust me, nobody can see the logic in his system,” Kire replied, grinning.
“Oy, I don’t see you complaining whenever you need enchanted armor,” Daryll retorted.
At Envy’s question, Elva clicked her tongue. “Ach. I left them at my infirmary. But Daryll should have a stash of his own somewhere. Would you mind, dear?”
“Also, wine. I was shortsighted,” Kire said, swirling the bottle she had already opened. “I accidentally spilled some of these contents—into my mouth.” The girls laughed at that. Daryll looked like he did mind a little, but given that they had guests, he shrugged, nodded, and went to fetch them from downstairs.
“Oh, are we gonna see you properly drunk today?” Myka said, grinning mischievously. “Did you know she got so drunk once, she puked into a vase in the Palace.”
“Hey!” Kire pouted.

--

Already, the smell of the seaside made Kire grin. Jan and the girls being the only three who haven’t passed through the gate yet, she watched them carefully to see if they needed to adjust or were reeling from it, but all three were fine. “You heard the man, careful ladies,” she said.
Myka and Daryll were last out, carrying armfuls of liquor. “You and Elva owe me,” Daryll called out.
“Owe you? You pilfered that from the Palace stores!” Kire called back. She walked up to Ruli and wordlessly handed him the unopened bottle in her other hand.

Elva snorted, saying nothing; whenever Daryll was at hers, he would sneak off herbs from her stash, himself. She handed the box to Narda, winking at the giantess, who chuckled. “If you’re not joining them at the beach, I’ll keep you company for a while,” Nard said to Envy. “I have missed smoking with you.” The healer grinned, patting Narda on the arm before she joined the others, taking some of the load off Myka and Daryll.

The girls gasped when, finally emerging in the Northern side of the hills, they got a view of the late afternoon sun. “Careful,” Kire reminded them, and they nodded, though they could barely contain their excitement as they made their way down to the beach.
“Alright. I admit it. It is lovely,” Jan remarked, smirking at Kire.
“I do get things right, now and then,” Kire smirked back.

Down at the beach, the girls took their shoes off and giggles as they walked along the sand, picking up shells and chatting about the day. Kire had already pulled off her boots on the way down, walking ankle deep in the cool water when she finally made it all the way to the beach.
“I haven’t been down to a beach in ages,” Elva said. “I missed this. The mountains are beautiful, but the sea is something else.”
Ed loosened the top buttons of his shirt. “Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since we’ve al been together on a trip like this.”
“A very long trip, eh?” Kire remarked, grinning.

Myka was on the way to the dock, already feeling at home. “Hey Kay, c’mere, I want some of that wine.”
Kire sauntered up to Myka, who took the bottle from her and slung her other arm over Kire’s shoulder. “Remember that time when we first became friends?”
“The day we met?”
“Naw. Day after,” Myka said, smirking.
Kire’s face brightened. “Ah! Yeah, wasn’t that the day after we tracked down the Wench for the first time, and captured some slavers with them? And the next day, we celebrated out at the deck, and you and Narda push—”
Myka gave her an almighty shove straight into the water. “Sounds about right,” she grinned, looking down at Kire as she took a swig of wine.

Suddenly feeling a bottle of wine in his hand, Ruli looked down to inspect it before glancing to the source. Kire. Naturally. She said she owed him one. He raised it, angling his head as he gave her a playful salute with it before he followed Ysaryn and Ed down toward the shore, his boots kicked off before he'd even left the caves.

One the shore, Ruli sat in the sand a ways off from the water, among Gavin, Elva, and the others. Ysaryn, in a move against the breeze, braided her hair quickly and tugged at a few of the folds of her dress, letting it fall more loosely. Beneath ir, her black pants and the black cloth around her breasts were exposed as she leaned back in the sand, propping herself up on her elbows to watch the children wander.
They were an enigma to her. She'd spent so few times around children, Aeron being the only one here that crossed her path frequently. Even if she knew they were not all that many years younger than her, and probably close to Gavin in age, there was something about conversing with them that was so different.
"Now that I live here, I don't think I could go back to the desert or the mountains." Ruli commented, watching the water lap the sand lazily. "The views when the sun goes down can't be matched." He uncorked the bottle Kire handed him and took a long drink. Immediately, Ysaryn held out her arm to demand a drink. "I think you've had enough."
"I think that sort of talk is going to get you pushed into the water." Ysaryn retorted, just as Myka pushed Kire into the water. She gestured to the sputtering empress, raising her eyebrows threateningly. Reluctantly, Ruli handed over the bottle.

The girls laughed when they saw Kay fall into the water, with the older cousins laughing as Kire made her way to shore. “I am going to murder you, you fuck—er, Myka!”
“Kay!” Pres exclaimed, giggling even more as her cousin failed to censor herself. Jan tutted disapprovingly, though she didn’t make much of a fuss, while Elva just kept laughing.
“Perhaps you need to be pushed into the water, too,” Ed commented, grinning toothily at Ysaryn, holding out his hand to ask for a drink next.
“Well, I sure as hell won’t be the only one wet here,” Kire said, pouting, before turning to Etta and Precy, an evil grin on her face. The girls immediately caught on and started running, shrieking as Kire caught up with them, dragging them both into the water.

Myka laughed as she returned to join the rest of them, watching Kire play with her younger cousins as she sat down on the sand. “She doesn’t get to do that very often, does she?”
“None of us do,” Elva put in. “I’m glad she found this place, and friends here. Not that her current set is insufficient, mind you,” she clarified, to which Myka merely shrugged as she continued drinking. “But I just mean she needs more people and spaces to be herself. Gods know how heavy the burden of a crown is, and that Ring of hers, too. Is it true, about the execution the other day, Ed?”
Ed frowned. “Not exactly beach-side conversation, sister,” he reminded her, reluctant to think about it, himself. He had been to executions before, had seen death, but it still left a bitter taste in his mouth. “But fine. Yes. Thirteen lords by the axe, and Gael by burning.” He frowned as he said that, staring out at sea.
Gavin, who had been keeping quiet because he was too full and wanted to drink in peace, looked at Ed, unnerved a little at what he said. Burning…it was one thing to execute somebody, another to find the most excruciating death for him. No doubt the man deserved it, but Gavin understood why it would be an awful thing to witness, nevertheless.
“And she asked for that, specifically?” Elva said. Ed nodded, taking a swig of wine. “Gods. No wonder she’d been under a dark cloud till the celebration started.”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t thought of anything similar, after Earnest,” Ed murmured, sinking into silence afterward. Elva, too, was quiet after that.

They sank into idle chat while Kire walked the beach with Etta and Precy. After a while, they returned to join the others, the girls having gathered a fine collection of shells and pebbles to take back home. All three at this point were slightly shivering from the cool air and wet clothes. “We really should have planned this better,” Jan said, brow raised as she looked them over, “none of us are dressed properly for the beach, and we didn’t bring food.”
“Aw, c’mon,” Myka said lazily as she lay back on the sand, head rested on her hands. “Wouldn’t kill you to be spontaneous now and then.”
“Which was the point, Jan,” Kire said with a soft laugh, sitting near Ruli and getting a bottle to drink from,
“This family only seems to swing between ‘Too Uptight’ and ‘Too Reckless’,” Daryll remarked, already flushed from the wine. “For instance, deciding to suddenly get married just to seal a powerful alliance without telling the Empress.”
The cousins laughed as Jan blushed, frowning at them. “Fine. But if we’re coming back here, we’re doing it properly.”
“Yes, mum,” Kire teased.

Sunset came, and they admired the view, the grownups pleasantly warm from the wine while the girls stayed close to Elva and Jan for warmth. Narda joined them, smelling of tobacco and herbs. “A fine sight, that is,” she said. Even Jan had no complaints, though soon she stood up and excused herself, wanting to get back to Ulrich and to take the girls home.
“I’m coming with,” Myka said, waving goodbye to the others. “We got our own celebration at the ship, and they’ll kill me if I miss it. Ta. Next time, you aren’t missing it either, Empress.”
“Duly noted. Next time I’ll push you into the sea and helm the ship,” Kire called, grinning. She watched them as the girls said their good nights and headed back up to the portal. She took another sip, then glanced sidelong at Ruli. “Y’know, I thought you wouldn’t come at all today,” she said.

Ysaryn grinned wickedly. "I eat what is in the ocean. I don't frolic with it." She replied smoothly, taking her final sip before handing the bottle over. She watched Kire chase the younger two, her ears trained on the conversation. When she heard of how, exactly, the Gemini had been executed, she turned toward Ed and Elva, watching their expressions.
And Gavin's.

"You know." She said, folding one leg over the other and waving her bare foot up and down slowly, the way a cat sways her tail. "Dark clouds hang over many in unrest. Victors and defeated alike. You family has suffered much. There are things you may want to unhappen. But it is not right. It has happened, and all you can do is decide what to do with what is before you now." She reached over for the bottle, taking a drink. "I slay many mage. I repeat the names they took with every cut. I pray for the child my mother lost when Gem-en-ai take me. But I will not be broken. And nor will the Wyvern. The face of evil is smaller, now. New forces to work and rise. Make it yours."
"You get chatty when you're drunk." Ruli whispered low to her.
"Try it sometime. You're duller than a sea glass."
Ruli chuckled, shaking his head.

Zeke, arriving shortly after, sat himself beside Janes, deciding best not to make an idiot of himself before Elva any further. He asked about Amria, about the language, and about life with so many cousins. Ysaryn, between her drinks and her sassy remarks, watched Ed hungrily, her fingers occasionally brushing over his blond hair. Ruli listened with one ear, reclining on his back to watch the sunset over his feet.
However, when Kire and the girls returned to the sand shivering, he got up to gather a bit of driftwood, tossing it into a pile to light, vanishing for a second to get to the mess hall and borrow a flint and a bit to eat. With the fire roaring, small at it was, he offered Ysaryn a loaf of bread in hopes of sobering her up. Truthfully, anymore wine and he feared she'd disrobe there on the beach.

As the group split, half returning to the caves to slip through the gate, Ruli reclined on the sand, watching the last glimmer of the sun vanish behind the horizon. "To be honest, they made me." He admitted. "Threatened me with sparring with Ysaryn and Zeke if I didn't." He went silent, ignoring whatever it was that Ysaryn was whispering to Ed as she trailed her fingers over his arm. "I would have come by later. Offered a congratulations. I just hate parties."

Kire chuckled when he told her about Envy’s threat, and his confession about parties. “Eh. I can’t blame you, really. Why’d you think I wanted to go to the beach afterward?” she said grinning at him before looking back out at the horizon. “I appreciate the thought, though.” She lay back, crossing one leg over the other, though she would get up now and then for a sip of wine.

Narda, spotting Kire and Ruli conversing, declared, “Seems like a nice time for a walk,” pointedly looking at everybody else.
“Mm. I think Ysaryn and I will go have our own ‘walk’,” Ed said, nuzzling Ysayrn’s neck, grinning after her alluring whispers. Elva laughed in delight, having been a long time since she had seen her brother be his flirtatious self.
Daryll and Gavin looked at each other, both feeling rather awkward. “Er—want to talk more alchemy back at the Tower instead?” Daryll offered.
“Yeeah. See ya,” the lad said; the two had barely left the vicinity of their camp before launching into another debate about how best to organize his chambers.
Which left Elva and Zeke. “So. Walk?” she asked, offering her arm.

“Wow. They’re really not subtle at all,” Kire remarked, looking around to notice everyone had gone. She shrugged and lay back again with a grunt, silent as she watched the sky grow darker and the stars slowly coming into view. It still amazed her that, once she crossed the gate, the stars would be different above her. She did the same thing the last time she was drunk on this world, tracing new constellations as she looked up. “I’m going to abdicate my throne. Maybe in five years. Or after I have made a proper transition,” she said after a while, still looking up at the sky, though her hand had fallen to her side. “Even before the Gemini attacked the Capital, fifty…sixty years on the throne is long enough.”

She sat up, emptying the bottle beside her. “Whoops. I’ll get you another,” she promised. “Anyway. I got a question for you. D’you think I’m one of those nobles? Like you said before?” There wasn’t anger in her voice, only genuine curiosity, and perhaps a little anxiety.

Ysaryn chuckled, almost purring. "Kirai, it may be wise to knock before you enter the house." She wanted, standing with Ed and linking her arm in his. "Unless you want to see more of your cousin than I want you to see." She winked at Kire as she strolled away toward the houses.
Zeke, looking slightly caught off guard, took Elva's arm. But he blinked, reminding himself that it was just a walk on a beach with a woman who had never been. To their world, let alone Úvano. "So you live in the mountains?" He said as he walked with her. Their conversation faded, Ruli shaking his head as he and Kire were left alone.

"Not at all." He agreed, letting silence fall. He was fine with not with speaking, having been waiting for Kire top pounce about the poison, or their arrangement. But her admission about abdicating, that he had not been expecting. Ruli turned his head, studying her profile as she gazed at the stars.
He almost jumped when she sat up suddenly, hiding it by a shift in his weight to sit upright with her. Waving off the bottle to say he didn't want anymore, Ruli frowned softly.

"Kire," he sighed, watching her. "I ... I don't know yet. I don't know you well enough. But if I had to go off of what I do know about you, I would say no." He shrugged, then looked toward the sea.
"You throw yourself in harm's way before allowing anyone else the chance to be hurt. You don't seem like the type who relishes all the power and control that comes with the position. Which you just confirmed. But," he raised his hands in a half shrug. "What would you do without the title?"

Elva nodded. “Mm-hmm. Snow-capped during the colder seasons, which is what it is for us currently.” She went on to describe the Northern provinces for him as she walked by his side. “Maybe Sid and I could exchange notes about our practice. I’m always on the look out for new methods and such.” She looked at the man beside her. “So. Ruli says you used to be good at talking to ladies,” she teased, smiling cheekily. “If awkwardness was part of that arsenal, it’s not too bad. You can work that in your favor, it can be rather endearing.”

--
Kire sighed, looking sleepily out at the water as she hugged her knees, her last conversation with Gael echoing in her mind. While what Ruli said was hardly an absolution, it was a little comforting. “Okay. I’ll take it. Last thing I want is for one more person to hate me for who I am, I guess. I can take it, but it gets—tiring.” An understatement, she knew, but it would suffice for now. She glanced at him briefly, considering his question.
“I still have this Ring. I’m still Paladin. I imagine I’ll still be sent on quests. Or find myself chasing after them. It’s not like I’m abdicating all my responsibilities. Just….” Her voice trailed off, her gaze watching the waves. “I was given the crown because of a disaster. I’ve done many things I deeply regret. I’ve fought—” she paused to think, “—at least two great wars within my sixty years of rule, and several battles between that. I’m tired of war, but I always seem to be running headlong into one. I’m tired,” she repeated with a sigh, “I’m tired of failing to keep my country peaceful. Maybe the crown is cursed for as long as it sits on my head. It’s time someone else had a hand in it, let someone lead who isn’t just good at being a wartime Chieftess.”
She shook her head, fidgeting with the empty bottle. “But if you meant, if I did let go of everything tying me down…hmm. I’ve always wanted to travel. Probably why I have pirates for friends. Seven hells, might even be one. Definitely can’t be a cook to save my life.”

She chuckled before she fell silent again, listening to the sounds of the ocean, the wind that chilled her through her damp clothes. “You know, you’ve taken a lot of damage for someone you say you ‘don’t know well enough’.” She turned to face him. “Are you doing alright? That poison…” her voice trailed off again, knowing he was reluctant to even speak about it. “I know you said to forget the matter, but—” she sighed, “you nearly died. I—we were really worried. Especially if this was something you’d encountered before.” She looked down at her scarred hand as she spoke. “I can’t imagine dealing with that pain alone.”

Zeke chuckled. "Yeah." He sighed. "I used to do well enough in the romance area. But I was captain of the guard, a well honed fighter. Ladies liked that, I suppose. But ... well. Alot changed when Ziad was razed to the ground. More than just our home or our way of life. I suppose you'd understand that, having taken refuge in the mountains."

~

For some reason, her reaction to his reply made him feel guilty again. Like he'd hurt her without intended, even if his answer was the one that should have hurt less. "If you ask me, running into quests sounds a lot easier than trying to run a kingdom. Or empire." He put in. "But travel, that makes sense. You already have seen more worlds than most people can say in a lifetime. Thanks to you, as have I, so. Guess you have some competition.

And then she brought it up. Faced him and asked if he was alright, and about the poison. Ruli clicked his tongue and turned his head. "Kire," He sighed, looking along the beach, away from her. "I'm alive, aren't I?" He asked, looking down to grab a handful of sand, and letting the grains pour from between his fingers.
"I had one thought when they dosed me with it. When I knew it was strong and would kill me. That it was meant for you. That he thought I was you, and that you would be the one to step forward. That that poison was meant for you. Again. And I decided that I would accept it." Ruli rubbed at the healing gash on his cheek that would be another scar to add to his collection. "It meant you lived. That you didn't have to experience it."

Elva nodded solemnly. "I can understand that," she affirmed. "Something that devastating will always change you. I've had many--encounters-- myself, prior to that. And I haven't had any man since. I do hope, though, that you get to be able to have that again, now that you have a new home." She beamed at him, before looking ahead, down the beach.

---

Kire saw how he looked away, heard the tone in his voice as he insisted he was okay. "Being alive and being alright aren't always the same thing," she said softly. When he went on to say what he had been thinking of during those moments, her lips parted. That he would accept death so she would live, she didn't know what to say to that, as waves of emotion took over. Guilt, for the most part. And a feeling she couldn't explain. But that he cared this much made her heart swell with that strange warmth.

Unsure if he would welcome the gesture, she raised her hand to rest it on his shoulder. "I'm sorry you had to go through that," she murmured. She had apologized before, that night in the hot springs, but he had been so out of it before. "I..." She faltered, her words failing her. Instead, she leaned forward and hugged him, though not too tightly.

"Not fighting it was the easy part." Ruli said as a dismissal, even if he didn't shrug her embrace away. He went as far as to put his hand on her arm to accept it.
"You're not the only one who will throw himself into harms way to protect others." Ruli pointed out. "Guess we're both idiots like that."

Ruli glanced toward her, smelling the sea water and the smoke from his small fire on her skin. "And you're right. I think I know you more than I think I do. I know you like sweets. You're protective of family. Incredibly stubborn. And you snore like thunder storm." He added with a teasing smirk.

Kire felt some relief when she felt his hand on her arm. At least he didn't push her away. She squeezed him gently before pulling away, then appeared indignant at his description of her. "Incredibly stubborn? From where in the worlds did you get that idea?" She chuckled afterward, crossing her arms as she shook her head. "That's a pretty accurate assessment. Except the snoring. I will contest that."

She rubbed her arms, trying to get more warm. The fire helped, but the night was getting colder. Still, she somehow didn't want to leave yet. "Two stubborn, blonde idiots who care for their families to death. We're practically indistinguishable. Except you can actually cook." She smirked. "I'm surprised Envy was the one who pushed you, given his attitude towards us. But, all the same, I'm glad you came."

Ruli chuckled softly at her. "You could try." He quipped.

"And, yeah, I think it was more because it was the proper thing. Sort of trumped his insistence that we stay apart." Ruli grabbed another fistful of sand, likewise cold, and likewise unwilling to leave.

"Elva asked about us." He said suddenly. "I think shes tired of us sharing a bed under her roof. I told her that wouldn't be a problem anymore. But if she's asking, I assume everyone knows. Not that Ysaryn was subtle about it."

Kire laughed softly at his explanation about Envy's insistence. "He's too nice, that elf," she remarked, though she frowned when he told her about Elva. "She did? She never told me." What he said next, however, gave her pause. She was quiet, considering it. "When you say it wouldn't be a problem anymore, you mean because we aren't going to be doing anything under her roof, or that our--" she frowned, not really sure how to call it, "--arrangement stops? Not that I want to presume anything, just asking. I mean."

"But if you don't want to continue, I'll leave it be." She blushed, rubbing her nape. "Shame. Last time was really good." She chuckled.

"Well, I, I'm not sure." Ruli admitted. "Bit foggy on the conversation. But I think I meant because, ... you won. You're not fighting another war. You wouldn't need me. But, I suppose, also yes. Because you're not living with her anymore."

When she commented on last time, he glanced toward her again. "It was, yeah." He agreed, glancing down at the sun again.

A clearing of a throat made Ruli spin, spotting g the Kartaian making his way down the stone steps. Shit. "Envy?" Ruli asked. "Do you want help?"
"After managing six flights on my own, I think I can manage the last four steps." The Kartaian answered. He stepped onto the sand and cautiously made his way toward the sound. "Where is everyone?"
"Went to walk."
"Even Narda?" Envy turned his head wistfully.
"Mmhm."
Envy turned his head back, growing silent. Ruli wondered what, of all that, the elf had heard. Envy's expression have away nothing. "And you two?" Envy asked gently, probing. "Not in the mood for a walk?"

Kire, too, swore mentally, sensing Envy too late. As Ruli spoke to him, she tried, and failed, to discern what he had overheard, or what he felt about whatever it was he had been able to catch from their conversation. The closest to any clue or insight, perhaps, was the probing question. “Warming myself by the fire,” she answered. “Myka pushed me into the water.” She patted Ruli on the shoulder as she got up. “I’ll go catch Nard for you.” She grinned and winked at Ruli before heading off to chase down the giantess.

She returned later with Narda in tow, who looked frustrated at her friend for dragging her back rather than talk to Ruli until she saw Envy. Gladly, she sat beside the Kartaian, looking out at sea and describing the way the horizon looked with the last rays of light. Elva, too, came back not long after with Zeke.
“I see now why Kire likes visiting here so much,” the healer remarked. “You know. Besides R—ow!” Kire flicked her ear hard.
“That’s for hitting my head in the infirmary,” Kire said, leering at her. Elva quickly pinched her arm hard, cursing in Taakalon. “OW!”
“Still too slow, little cousin.”
“Fucking bully. Why did you even become a healer,” Kire muttered.

“Don’t listen to her, Zeke,” Elva remarked. “Everyone back home knows Kire is the biggest bully around.” She grinned, before stretching her arms, yawning. “I think I’ll go lay down at the Tower, though. Thank you for the walk, and if you need my help with anything, bother Kire and she’ll let me know,” she said to Zeke, before turning back up towards the caves.

Not wanting to go back just yet, but not wanting to go to her house here, where she was sure Ed and Ysaryn were enjoying their night thoroughly, Kire fed the campfire and lay down not far from it, sleepily looking up at the sky, vaguely listening to the conversation between the Kartaian and the giantess. She didn’t mind falling asleep here, forgetting, at least for the night, being Empress and Paladin, and just being herself.

When Kire jogged down the beach to fetch the giantess, Ruli turned toward Envy, waiting. But Envy said nothing, appearing to wait patiently for Kire and Narda to return. "You can sit, you know. Fire is eigh- well, for you five steps ahead and one to your left."
So Envy shuffled forward, sitting when Ruli reached up to tap his arm.
"So, what did I interrupt?" Envy said at once, and Ruli sighed.
"To be honest, I'm not sure. Just talk."
"About sleeping, no. Continuing to sleep together?"
"Yes."
Even without the use of his eyes, Ruli could sense the piercing stare Envy gave him. "Do you know what you're doing?"
"Its a temporary thing." Ruli answered. "Comfort. Take the edge off. I have no expectations. Nor does she."
Envy pursed his lips and shook his head.

They both fell quiet until Narda and Kire returned. Envy smiled, turning his attention to Narda, while Kire reclaimed her spot beside Ruli. With them, Elva and Zeke reappeared, the latter looking uncomfortable after so long on his feet on unsturdy ground, but offering no complaint. He was trying to hide it, but clearly failed as Elva left him the invitation to ask for her help before she departed. He quickly mumbled a need for rest and followed her up the stairs, branching off to head through to his house.

Ruli watched the fire, listening to Narda and Envy talk about the ocean, the appearances of fish dishes and the differences in they way the cooked them, and so on. "I think I'm heading up." Ruli said quietly, causing a pause in Envy's sentence. "Narda, I'll take her and lay her down, okay? I'll make sure Ed takes her back in the morning."
The way she smiled at him said she assumed far too much out of his comment. Envy remained silent as Ruli stood and gently grabbed Kire, prompting her to her feet. "Come on." He encouraged, getting her upright and wrapping an arm around her.

It was slow going, but they made it to the stairs, and then upward. After the first flight, Ruli wondered where he'd let her lay down. Ysaryn and Ed had claimed the house Kire would usually lay in. Plus she was still damp, even after all the time by the measly fire. "Don't make assumptions out of this." He muttered to her before directing them to his house.

It was warm inside, the heart glowed low and illuminated the walls in a soft orange, and the shudders were closed to keep out the wind. "Lay down." He said, guiding her to the bed. He watched her recline, sitting himself on the end of his mattress. She was already half asleep, digging herself into the mattress, the warmth of the house and bed claiming her.
The sight made him happy. No expectations. He'd said to Envy, and he wondered if that was still true.
Sighing, Ruli grabbed a spare blanket from his chest of drawers and wrapped it around himself, laying himself down on the edge of his bed to sleep.

~

Her breathing, though admittedly without snoring, woke him, and Ruli opened his eyes suddenly. Part of him had forgotten he had a guest. He had shifted, tucking himself further against her as the embers died and the room cooled. He turned his head to study her, glad to see her face was flushed with warmth and she'd managed to avoid a cold.
The last thing the empress needed was to be ill so quick after her coronation. Or whatever that was. I’m going to abdicate my throne. Ruli chewed on that statement, and what it could mean for her. Or them. But he cut that thought off quickly and sat up. No expectations.

"Morning." He greeted, noticing her movement. Ruli watched her over his shoulder, his elbows on his knees. "I'm about to head to the hall to make breakfast. Want a plate? My treat."

Kire had slept deeply, curled up in the warm bed after the busy week and from the wine. When morning came, she stirred, but was slow to wake, sleepily thinking she was at the house she had been given in Uvano. But as her mind woke some more, the familiar scent of cinammon, and the shifting of the mattress, reminded her where she really was. She opened her eyes when he greeted her, and she turned to face him, rubbing her eyes.

"Morning," she greeted, pushing herself to sit up. "Wish it wasn't yet, though." She chuckled a bit at that. "But I won't say no to breakfast," she said, grinning sleepily at him before climbing off the bed. "Did I walk barefoot here? Is this the universe getting back at me for nagging you about your boots?"

Not particularly minding it, she walked with him back down the hall, enjoying the warmth of the morning sun, and glad she didn't have a terrible hangover. "Envy didn't give you a hard time when I left you two alone, did he?" she asked, arms crossed to warm herself against the slight chill of the sea breeze.

"Figured as much." Ruli answered. Like Ysaryn, Kire seemed to jump at the chance of a meal. "You did, but I'm sure they're around. Narda would have picked them up."
Likewise barefoot, he opened the door and led the way. Already, there were a few people loitering outside for the hearth the be lit and breakfast to be cooked.

"I wouldn't call it a hard time." Ruli offered. "He asked if I knew what I was doing. I think my half carrying you up to my house was a bit contradicting to my answer." He turned to glance at her, squinting in the reflection of the sunrise on the sea. "I, uh. I brought you there because I though Ysaryn and Ed, you know. It would be more restful. And warm. I hope its okay."

Kire listened to his answer and was relieved he at least didn’t get a scolding. She shrugged a shoulder as he glanced at her. “I didn’t mind it. Your place is cozy; I slept well, no complaints. I should thank you. Like you said, I wasn’t going to go back to the house with Ed and Ysaryn in there,” she said, wrinkling her nose at the last. “What did you say? I suppose, the same thing you said Elva?” She hummed in thought as they climbed down the steps. Don’t make assumptions, he had said last night. “Well. The war is over,” she began, pausing to gather her words as she looked ahead towards the sea. “But I don’t like you because you have a use to me, you know,” she said softly, looking sidelong at him and feeling her ears grow warm with the statement.

She cleared her throat. "Anyway, what's for breakfast?" she said, looking away quickly.

"To Envy?" He asked, glancing at her again as he stepped inside the hall and took his usual place beside the fires. He motioned for her to sit beside him so he wouldn't have to talk too loudly over the few people that filtered in. "I said neither one of us has any expectations." Which wasn't untrue.
But her following comment, he had to think on it for a while.

"Its because I cook, isn't it?" Ruli asked, taking another glance in her direction. "Or, 'bake', more specifically?"