Sunbeam Lair seorsum

She all but skipped into the lair, followed by a flash of lightning.
She wouldn’t even try to downplay the reaction, but she forced a small smile to her lips, lissome figure closer to the cavern walls, as if a reminder that solid stone set her apart from the storm that would rage outside.

He remained a respectful distance—physically and emotionally—the shift in his demeanor something she had expected. Whichever part of Germanicus she had opened before had likely built his wall once more—and the sideways glance she gave him was an accusation of such, though no words would be spoken of it.

The gesture he gave though… it was a special touch that warmed her in a way that she read too much into, perhaps. Slowly, she reclined back to sit, noting the way his gaze purposefully avoided her. “Thank you,” she motioned to his gift, a light tilt of her head given as he began with casual talk of the vale.

The vale who now held two members of his ranks, prior, and somehow, she wondered if that was part of the reasoning for his colder countenance.

“The vale is good. Tamar wishes to learn healing and has asked me to teach her.” Focusing on the positive, and not the part that eluded to a potentially-more-than-a-friend discussing blowing out another female's back in front of her, while also admitting he played for both teams and quite enjoyed both.

It had been insightful, to say the least.

Such humdrum conversation, and she dipped lower, her eyes fiery as another flash of lightning illuminated the lair, her form gingerly pressing closer to the wall. She swallowed—her throat dry.

‘I meant to let more time go before our next meeting.’
The hint of a smile pulled at her, and she nodded to his gracious gift. “But instead you found a pheasant and realized you had a friend who could probably use some extra meat on her bones?” A light jest, humor lacing her hushed tone. “Share it with me?”