The leaves were beginning to retreat in Skyhold's garden as autumn steadily fell away back into winter. The flowers and trees were starting to hide away from the harsh bite in the air. Even presently, there was a nip in the air, though Asala didn't mind it over much. She found it easier to think with a little chill in the air, and it helped to clear her mind. For what good it would do. She hadn't felt much like studying anything in her room recently, and it felt as if she could never get anything meaningful done when she tried. Her mind always wandered away from the task at hand and lingered on Cyrus's words. No matter how hard she tried to think about something else, she always went back to them and she could feel her slip deeper into her malaise. He was right, she should have visited instead of avoiding him, she knew that. But... She shook her head. There were no excuses.
She leaned back against the little bench she had put under the dogwood tree and sighed. She had left her room in order to avoid such thoughts, yet here she was slipping back into them. She let her head fall back to rest against the sturdy wood behind her and closed her eyes, hoping to catch a little rest that had not been easy to find at night.
Despite the crunchy leaves littering the ground and said personâs inability to do anything remotely subtle, calloused hands slipped over Asalaâs already shuttered eyes. If only for a moment. More like than not, sheâd been too focused on her thoughts to hear the approach, rather than any feeble effort on the personâs accord. Whose hands they belonged to was apparent as soon as their voice whispered at the side of her head, just behind the quaint, little bench, âBeen looking for you for ages.â A snorting laugh, clipping into a cough, âEr, not forever. Just a little bit, actually.â
Zahraâs fingers fanned out a little, allowing the light to kiss her vision. She finally released her, sidestepping to lean her elbows over the top of the bench. A small smile played on her lips, though her eyebrows were drawn. Concerned, perhaps. It was always easy to tell, sheâd never been very good at hiding her emotions. Probably never had much reason to. Either that, or Asalaâs worries were drawn as clear as day. As of late, the captain had developed a habit of taking notes of these small signs, and tried to rectify them in any way she could. Even if words, or actions, alone couldnât solve the problem, it didnât stop her from trying.
The dogwood treeâs limbs creaked under the slight breeze, allowing more petals to fall overhead. âYou look ravishing of course,â her smile tempered itself into a slight line, soft around the edges, as she leaned forward and studied her face, âbut you've been looking a little⊠lost lately.â It was an invitation to speak her mind, if she wished. The way she let the silence linger between them.
"Maybe I am always lost," Asala answered with a sigh, her head still tilted back. Maybe she just feigned she knew what she was doing, when in all actuality she did not. She let her head loll to the side so that she looked at Zee, before she shook her head slightly. "I... I made a mistake, Zee," she began. Maybe talking about it would help. Holding on to it silently and dwelling on it certainly was not helping. "I... I don't know. Seeing Cyrus injured again-- I should have seen him, before. Back when he... Well, back then." She didn't want to say the exact words, as if putting them in her mouth would make it all that much worse. She could not imagine how Cyrus must have felt after he had lost his magic-- How could she?
"I should have stayed with him. I should have done so many things that I did not. I was... afraid," she said, leaning forward and shaking her head. Every time she thought about it, another pang of regret racked her. If she could go back, she would do so many things differently. But she could not.
She leaned forward on her knees and shook her head before glancing back toward Zee. "All I have are petty excuses."
Zahra hmâd in response, before decidedly circling around the bench and plopping down beside her. There was no pull to her lips at the admission. Certainly, no judgments. She had probably made many of her own mistakes, especially in her line of work. Her latest had, perhaps, been the source of Cyrusâs injury. While sheâd been rather tight-lipped about the occurrences of the night in Minrathous, from the bits and pieces Asala had heard, it had involved her family. A messy situation, with messy results. Not all bad, however.
For a moment they remained in companionable silence, shoulders pressed together. Sheâd never been one for space, though this time, her presence felt intentional. âFunny thing about mistakes,â she crossed her ankle over her knee, âthey canât be taken back, but they can be mended.â Her eyebrows creased. Sincere. Honest to a fault. Even when it hurt to hear. Especially so. âYou know, itâs not all bleak. Thereâs still room for that. The fixing bit. Even if you feel lost. Even when heâs angry and you think heâll never forgive you.â There was a tilt of her head, accompanied by a small, knowing smile. âUnfortunately, thatâs always the hardest part.â
After all, it wasnât the sort of thing one could heal with their hands.
She reached over and knocked her knuckles against Asalaâs cheek. Softly. âSo, how will you mend?â
Asala thought about it for a moment. Her avoiding the issue is what caused this in the first place, doing the same would only make things worse. She would have to do something to mend things, time alone wouldn't heal this wound. It would also cause it to fester even more. But neither was it a thing she could rush, and forcibly attempting to do it would only scar things further. She sighed softly and let her eyes drift to her hands, her palms outstretched for her to see. "Slowly, and gently. But steadily, hopefully," she answered, glancing back up into Zee's eyes. She managed a small smile and a nod of her head. "You are right," she agreed. It would be difficult, and she did not look forward to it, but she would have to try, for better or for worse. She... didn't want to not try again.
"Thanks Zee."
âAnytime,â Zahraâs mouth pulled into a wide, toothy grin. Assured, as always. As if it was an obvious fact that she would be here if she was needed, be it with a ready ear or shoulder, or at times, even sage advice. She seemed to believe Asala quite capable of mending her bridge, no matter how long it took her. It was clear that she certainly believed it possible. An inevitability. Not how, but when. Otherwise, she may have overreached, in an effort to help. Something she was also fond of doing. She uncrossed her leg and abruptly slipped off the wooden bench, turning on her heels to face her once more. Her wild curls fell in front of her face, brightening with anticipation.
âWhat say you about a change of scenery?â An eyebrow rose with the inflection, hands coming to plant on her hips. It looked like she mightâve started wringing them if she hadnât, bristling with energy as she seemed to be. A secret place, perhaps, like the one sheâd constructed in the empty tower. Now, full of baubles and foolish things, bright as the sun; another world of her own creation. Littered with a tangle of thingamajigs and gadgets that had no names, no stories but the ones she made up. This time, she didnât ask for Asala to close her eyes, only held out her hand, palm turned up.
No hints, at all. Only an invitation accompanied by the coyest of smirks. A cat simpering over a secret. Worrisome, in most cases, though when she was involved, they tended to be on the more innocuous side of things.
The smile found her again, this time in earnest. She held the palm in her gaze for a moment, thinking about all of the adventures and places that it promised to take her. There was no hesitation, and Asala soon took it in her own. "Of course."
When she took her hand, Zahra helped her to her feet and kept hold of it only long enough to ensure that sheâd follow along beside her. There was a moment where her fingers lingered there, wrapped around hers, before a bark of laughter rippled out. It sounded a little nervous, clipped around the edges. Bereft of her usual breezy confidence. She swung her attention elsewhere, expression unreadable. Unlike herself. At least not until the flow of conversation eased its was back into ambiguous hints, showered in a way only she seemed capable of.
Water. A secluded location. No further hints.
She led them away from Skyholdâs grounds, following the rough path that trailed down past the amber-leaved trees, shrubs that encroached on both sides, and large, flattened boulders. Perfect for stargazing. The trail itself didnât appear very well maintained, though someone had recently trekked through on more than one occasion. She seemed content to let the anticipation hang in the air, feeling no need to fill the silence. A small cabin came into view as the pathway widened into a grassier area. Abandoned if the lack of activity was anything to go by.
A lake, outfitted with a small wooden pier. The water was still, reflecting like a glossy, undulating mirror. Lazy clouds were cast against the surface, sailing across the sky and water alike. As they drew nearer, a boat could be seen tied to the right side of the pier. Perfect for two people to comfortably sit in. It almost looked as if it were new, crafted from wood that bore no moss, grime, or indications of wear or time. Almost too conveniently placed. A small basket had been placed on one of the benches.
âTa-da, a little piece of paradise, hidden in the unforgiving, blistering cold of this wee place we call home.â She held out her hands, fanning them out towards the boat and lake. Her expression turned slightly dubious as she halted at the beginning of the pier, dropping her hand atop one of the posts, âItâll float. Probably.â
"Probably?" Asala asked with an arched brow, though a small smile still managed to work its way into her lips. "Zee... The water is cold," she stated before she gently shook her head. She found herself chuckling lightly and she shrugged, if Zee had enough faith in the little boat to sail on it, then she would as well. Asala wasn't the ship captain after all. Besides, it sounded like a magnificent idea to her, regardless of the weather.
She stood beside Zee, putting both hands on another post and lifted herself ever so slightly up so that see could peer down into the boat, not that she knew what to look for. She then turned back toward Zee and nodded her consent. "Captain?" she asked, offering her hand in order to be led into their tiny ship.
âIâm eighty-percent sure it wonât sink to the bottom. Donât know about you, but I like those odds,â Zahra nearly vaulted from the pier, landing squarely in the boat. Her arms flailed, before she got her footing back and tossed her head in a laugh. Only she would laugh at the prospect of falling into the very, very cold water. The boat rocked and swayed under her weight, but held up. No holes. No dramatic creaks, indicating that itâd meet an unfortunate end at the bottom of the lake. It was safe. For now, anyway. She held out her hands and wriggled her fingers as if to say ah-ha, itâs fine, after all. A moment before, she hadnât looked so sure.
She planted one of her feet against the pier, and leaned forward to reach Asalaâs proffered hand. Once their hands were linked, she drew as close to the wooden posts as she could. Bracing the swaying boat, so she could board without fear of plunging into the water. âItâs time to tame the mighty waves, matey,â her eyebrows drew up, voice drawn into an eccentric drawl. What one might have imagined a pirate to sound like. The wide grin hadnât left her face, at all. Surrounded by water, she seemed to come alive, and become larger than herself. At least, it looked that way. âDonât worry, youâre in good hands. They say Iâm the best navigator in these waters. Treacherous as they are.â
"Then I am very fortunate indeed," Asala said with a bow. When she rose however, there was a jovial smile on her lips. It wasn't that long ago that she was entirely literal minded, and might have taken the words at face value, but now she was able to see them for what they were. Maybe it was due to the proximity to people like Zee, and Khari, and even Cyrus whose humor might have seeped into her own. Though... the comment about being eighty-percent sure did give her some cause for concern, as she glanced at the water once more. But still. She'd take Zee's eighty-percent over her own hundred-percent when it came to boats.
She carefully used Zee's hand to lower herself into the boat, trying her best to not tip them both over into the undoubtedly cold water below. Once she had both feet below deck, as it were, she held both hands out in order to try and keep her balance before she slowly slid down to take a seat. She glanced around at the lake in front of them before she tossed her head back to Zee. "I get to be the, uh, first mate, right?" she asked with an expectant rise of a brow.
Zeeâs grin widened as Asala settled into the boat. Only then did she release her grip, and turn towards the bow of the little boat. The oars hung out far, rigged into metal hoops. There were small etchings on the paddle. Something that looked like horns and hearts, carved in by an unsteady, unpracticed hand. She moved the basket out of their way and tucked it underneath her bench. From the smell of it, sheâd managed to smuggle something sweet from Skyholdâs kitchen. Probably some sort of baked good. Fresh, too. The amount of work put into the entire thing was reminiscent of Stelâs party.
She reached over to the loop thrown over the nearest post and pulled them free of it. Deft hands, untangling the knots. Only then did she plop down at the front of the boat, snatching up the oars and beginning to paddle, without much difficulty, to the center of the lake. It spanned out a few yards in each direction, but looked as if they were gliding across azure skies, a mirror parting as soon as their movement caused ripples to shatter the image. âOf course. I would choose no other,â she smiled, as if it were obvious.
Their knees bumped together, seeing how small the boat was. Proximity had never bothered Zee before, nor did she seem to mind now. As soon as they reached the middle of the lake, she stopped rowing and turned to face her properly, hair wild in the breeze. âI wanted to show you, before the frost starts and robbed me of the chance.â A laugh brightened her dusky features. âClaimed by Captain Zahra, and First Mate Asala. What say you to that?â
Asala was still, her body almost stiff. The boat gently swayed in the water with each of Zee's paddle, and she was afraid that even the smallest shift of weight in the wrong direction would dump them out into the water below, and spoil Zee's whole idea. Likewise, the closeness between them in the small boat did not bother her in the slightest she found. Time had seen to it that she became more comfortable when near the others. She tilted her head slightly to watch the waves ripple out from beneath them as they skated across the glossy surface of the lake.
In spite of the beauty of their slice of the world, Asala still found herself stealing glances for Zee, smiling every time her eyes returned. Once they reached the heart of the lake, they finally returned to her for good. "I like the sound of that," she said, before she pursed her lips in a thoughtful manner. "We should name it then," she stated with a tilt to her head, part jokingly, part seriously. As far as she knew, nobody had given it a name yet and if they had, and the idea of the both of them finally giving it one, well. She would enjoy that thought very much.
âKadan,â Zee said, easily. As if it were any other word. Perhaps, she didnât truly understand its meaning. She stared at her and grinned wide, settling the oars back to the sides, secured by the iron hoop. For whatever reason, she seemed to be pleased at having come up with it in the first place, leaning forward with her elbows perched on her knees; a secretive expression plastered across her face. âAslan used to say it meant something beautiful. Something close to the heart.â
Kadan. Asala had also leaned forward bringing them even closer and put her own elbows on her knees. It had been a while since she had heard the word, and hearing it again so suddenly made her inhale sharply and avert her gaze toward the glass-like surface of the lake. "He was correct," she said, almost wistfully, "It means... 'where the heart lies.'" With the words, Asala turned back toward her, returning Zee's smile with one of her own, though knowing how her emotions quite plainly had a tendency to run rampant across her face, undoubtedly it held little secrets. "I, uh... I like that."
She felt it tremble as a sudden heat welled up in her face. She closed her eyes again and let her head slump down. Do it, her heart said, but what if... her head responded. She... didn't want to wait. Not anymore. Putting it off until later would be a mistake, and she did not want to make another one like that. If she were to make one... Then this was the one she wanted to make. She glanced back up at Zee, as she felt the bloom of the blush already on her cheeks. "Ka-kadan," she trembled out. Her hand, however, was not so hesitant as she reached out and placed it upon Zee's collarbone, and she closed the short distance between them until her lips pressed against Zee's.
Zeeâs reaction was slow, as if she couldnât grasp what was happening. She blinked at her and tilted her head to the side when Asalaâs hand drew up to her collarbone. For someone with so much swagger, and so many sweetly-whispered words loosed from her lips like arrows, she certainly hadnât expected the kiss. One moment she was grinning at her, possibly expecting praise for her brilliance, and the next she was red-faced and floundering in the boat.
Enough for her hand to grab at the side of the boat and miss entirely. Her hand found air, and she leaned and did not stop. The entire vessel, if thatâs what it could be called, rocked precariously to the side, upset by the improper weight distribution. Her attempt to right the boat before it leaned too far to the side failed miserably. The water, predictably cold, poured over the lip of the boat and spilled them into the lake.
Lake Kadan.
She leaned back against the little bench she had put under the dogwood tree and sighed. She had left her room in order to avoid such thoughts, yet here she was slipping back into them. She let her head fall back to rest against the sturdy wood behind her and closed her eyes, hoping to catch a little rest that had not been easy to find at night.
Despite the crunchy leaves littering the ground and said personâs inability to do anything remotely subtle, calloused hands slipped over Asalaâs already shuttered eyes. If only for a moment. More like than not, sheâd been too focused on her thoughts to hear the approach, rather than any feeble effort on the personâs accord. Whose hands they belonged to was apparent as soon as their voice whispered at the side of her head, just behind the quaint, little bench, âBeen looking for you for ages.â A snorting laugh, clipping into a cough, âEr, not forever. Just a little bit, actually.â
Zahraâs fingers fanned out a little, allowing the light to kiss her vision. She finally released her, sidestepping to lean her elbows over the top of the bench. A small smile played on her lips, though her eyebrows were drawn. Concerned, perhaps. It was always easy to tell, sheâd never been very good at hiding her emotions. Probably never had much reason to. Either that, or Asalaâs worries were drawn as clear as day. As of late, the captain had developed a habit of taking notes of these small signs, and tried to rectify them in any way she could. Even if words, or actions, alone couldnât solve the problem, it didnât stop her from trying.
The dogwood treeâs limbs creaked under the slight breeze, allowing more petals to fall overhead. âYou look ravishing of course,â her smile tempered itself into a slight line, soft around the edges, as she leaned forward and studied her face, âbut you've been looking a little⊠lost lately.â It was an invitation to speak her mind, if she wished. The way she let the silence linger between them.
"Maybe I am always lost," Asala answered with a sigh, her head still tilted back. Maybe she just feigned she knew what she was doing, when in all actuality she did not. She let her head loll to the side so that she looked at Zee, before she shook her head slightly. "I... I made a mistake, Zee," she began. Maybe talking about it would help. Holding on to it silently and dwelling on it certainly was not helping. "I... I don't know. Seeing Cyrus injured again-- I should have seen him, before. Back when he... Well, back then." She didn't want to say the exact words, as if putting them in her mouth would make it all that much worse. She could not imagine how Cyrus must have felt after he had lost his magic-- How could she?
"I should have stayed with him. I should have done so many things that I did not. I was... afraid," she said, leaning forward and shaking her head. Every time she thought about it, another pang of regret racked her. If she could go back, she would do so many things differently. But she could not.
She leaned forward on her knees and shook her head before glancing back toward Zee. "All I have are petty excuses."
Zahra hmâd in response, before decidedly circling around the bench and plopping down beside her. There was no pull to her lips at the admission. Certainly, no judgments. She had probably made many of her own mistakes, especially in her line of work. Her latest had, perhaps, been the source of Cyrusâs injury. While sheâd been rather tight-lipped about the occurrences of the night in Minrathous, from the bits and pieces Asala had heard, it had involved her family. A messy situation, with messy results. Not all bad, however.
For a moment they remained in companionable silence, shoulders pressed together. Sheâd never been one for space, though this time, her presence felt intentional. âFunny thing about mistakes,â she crossed her ankle over her knee, âthey canât be taken back, but they can be mended.â Her eyebrows creased. Sincere. Honest to a fault. Even when it hurt to hear. Especially so. âYou know, itâs not all bleak. Thereâs still room for that. The fixing bit. Even if you feel lost. Even when heâs angry and you think heâll never forgive you.â There was a tilt of her head, accompanied by a small, knowing smile. âUnfortunately, thatâs always the hardest part.â
After all, it wasnât the sort of thing one could heal with their hands.
She reached over and knocked her knuckles against Asalaâs cheek. Softly. âSo, how will you mend?â
Asala thought about it for a moment. Her avoiding the issue is what caused this in the first place, doing the same would only make things worse. She would have to do something to mend things, time alone wouldn't heal this wound. It would also cause it to fester even more. But neither was it a thing she could rush, and forcibly attempting to do it would only scar things further. She sighed softly and let her eyes drift to her hands, her palms outstretched for her to see. "Slowly, and gently. But steadily, hopefully," she answered, glancing back up into Zee's eyes. She managed a small smile and a nod of her head. "You are right," she agreed. It would be difficult, and she did not look forward to it, but she would have to try, for better or for worse. She... didn't want to not try again.
"Thanks Zee."
âAnytime,â Zahraâs mouth pulled into a wide, toothy grin. Assured, as always. As if it was an obvious fact that she would be here if she was needed, be it with a ready ear or shoulder, or at times, even sage advice. She seemed to believe Asala quite capable of mending her bridge, no matter how long it took her. It was clear that she certainly believed it possible. An inevitability. Not how, but when. Otherwise, she may have overreached, in an effort to help. Something she was also fond of doing. She uncrossed her leg and abruptly slipped off the wooden bench, turning on her heels to face her once more. Her wild curls fell in front of her face, brightening with anticipation.
âWhat say you about a change of scenery?â An eyebrow rose with the inflection, hands coming to plant on her hips. It looked like she mightâve started wringing them if she hadnât, bristling with energy as she seemed to be. A secret place, perhaps, like the one sheâd constructed in the empty tower. Now, full of baubles and foolish things, bright as the sun; another world of her own creation. Littered with a tangle of thingamajigs and gadgets that had no names, no stories but the ones she made up. This time, she didnât ask for Asala to close her eyes, only held out her hand, palm turned up.
No hints, at all. Only an invitation accompanied by the coyest of smirks. A cat simpering over a secret. Worrisome, in most cases, though when she was involved, they tended to be on the more innocuous side of things.
The smile found her again, this time in earnest. She held the palm in her gaze for a moment, thinking about all of the adventures and places that it promised to take her. There was no hesitation, and Asala soon took it in her own. "Of course."
When she took her hand, Zahra helped her to her feet and kept hold of it only long enough to ensure that sheâd follow along beside her. There was a moment where her fingers lingered there, wrapped around hers, before a bark of laughter rippled out. It sounded a little nervous, clipped around the edges. Bereft of her usual breezy confidence. She swung her attention elsewhere, expression unreadable. Unlike herself. At least not until the flow of conversation eased its was back into ambiguous hints, showered in a way only she seemed capable of.
Water. A secluded location. No further hints.
She led them away from Skyholdâs grounds, following the rough path that trailed down past the amber-leaved trees, shrubs that encroached on both sides, and large, flattened boulders. Perfect for stargazing. The trail itself didnât appear very well maintained, though someone had recently trekked through on more than one occasion. She seemed content to let the anticipation hang in the air, feeling no need to fill the silence. A small cabin came into view as the pathway widened into a grassier area. Abandoned if the lack of activity was anything to go by.
A lake, outfitted with a small wooden pier. The water was still, reflecting like a glossy, undulating mirror. Lazy clouds were cast against the surface, sailing across the sky and water alike. As they drew nearer, a boat could be seen tied to the right side of the pier. Perfect for two people to comfortably sit in. It almost looked as if it were new, crafted from wood that bore no moss, grime, or indications of wear or time. Almost too conveniently placed. A small basket had been placed on one of the benches.
âTa-da, a little piece of paradise, hidden in the unforgiving, blistering cold of this wee place we call home.â She held out her hands, fanning them out towards the boat and lake. Her expression turned slightly dubious as she halted at the beginning of the pier, dropping her hand atop one of the posts, âItâll float. Probably.â
"Probably?" Asala asked with an arched brow, though a small smile still managed to work its way into her lips. "Zee... The water is cold," she stated before she gently shook her head. She found herself chuckling lightly and she shrugged, if Zee had enough faith in the little boat to sail on it, then she would as well. Asala wasn't the ship captain after all. Besides, it sounded like a magnificent idea to her, regardless of the weather.
She stood beside Zee, putting both hands on another post and lifted herself ever so slightly up so that see could peer down into the boat, not that she knew what to look for. She then turned back toward Zee and nodded her consent. "Captain?" she asked, offering her hand in order to be led into their tiny ship.
âIâm eighty-percent sure it wonât sink to the bottom. Donât know about you, but I like those odds,â Zahra nearly vaulted from the pier, landing squarely in the boat. Her arms flailed, before she got her footing back and tossed her head in a laugh. Only she would laugh at the prospect of falling into the very, very cold water. The boat rocked and swayed under her weight, but held up. No holes. No dramatic creaks, indicating that itâd meet an unfortunate end at the bottom of the lake. It was safe. For now, anyway. She held out her hands and wriggled her fingers as if to say ah-ha, itâs fine, after all. A moment before, she hadnât looked so sure.
She planted one of her feet against the pier, and leaned forward to reach Asalaâs proffered hand. Once their hands were linked, she drew as close to the wooden posts as she could. Bracing the swaying boat, so she could board without fear of plunging into the water. âItâs time to tame the mighty waves, matey,â her eyebrows drew up, voice drawn into an eccentric drawl. What one might have imagined a pirate to sound like. The wide grin hadnât left her face, at all. Surrounded by water, she seemed to come alive, and become larger than herself. At least, it looked that way. âDonât worry, youâre in good hands. They say Iâm the best navigator in these waters. Treacherous as they are.â
"Then I am very fortunate indeed," Asala said with a bow. When she rose however, there was a jovial smile on her lips. It wasn't that long ago that she was entirely literal minded, and might have taken the words at face value, but now she was able to see them for what they were. Maybe it was due to the proximity to people like Zee, and Khari, and even Cyrus whose humor might have seeped into her own. Though... the comment about being eighty-percent sure did give her some cause for concern, as she glanced at the water once more. But still. She'd take Zee's eighty-percent over her own hundred-percent when it came to boats.
She carefully used Zee's hand to lower herself into the boat, trying her best to not tip them both over into the undoubtedly cold water below. Once she had both feet below deck, as it were, she held both hands out in order to try and keep her balance before she slowly slid down to take a seat. She glanced around at the lake in front of them before she tossed her head back to Zee. "I get to be the, uh, first mate, right?" she asked with an expectant rise of a brow.
Zeeâs grin widened as Asala settled into the boat. Only then did she release her grip, and turn towards the bow of the little boat. The oars hung out far, rigged into metal hoops. There were small etchings on the paddle. Something that looked like horns and hearts, carved in by an unsteady, unpracticed hand. She moved the basket out of their way and tucked it underneath her bench. From the smell of it, sheâd managed to smuggle something sweet from Skyholdâs kitchen. Probably some sort of baked good. Fresh, too. The amount of work put into the entire thing was reminiscent of Stelâs party.
She reached over to the loop thrown over the nearest post and pulled them free of it. Deft hands, untangling the knots. Only then did she plop down at the front of the boat, snatching up the oars and beginning to paddle, without much difficulty, to the center of the lake. It spanned out a few yards in each direction, but looked as if they were gliding across azure skies, a mirror parting as soon as their movement caused ripples to shatter the image. âOf course. I would choose no other,â she smiled, as if it were obvious.
Their knees bumped together, seeing how small the boat was. Proximity had never bothered Zee before, nor did she seem to mind now. As soon as they reached the middle of the lake, she stopped rowing and turned to face her properly, hair wild in the breeze. âI wanted to show you, before the frost starts and robbed me of the chance.â A laugh brightened her dusky features. âClaimed by Captain Zahra, and First Mate Asala. What say you to that?â
Asala was still, her body almost stiff. The boat gently swayed in the water with each of Zee's paddle, and she was afraid that even the smallest shift of weight in the wrong direction would dump them out into the water below, and spoil Zee's whole idea. Likewise, the closeness between them in the small boat did not bother her in the slightest she found. Time had seen to it that she became more comfortable when near the others. She tilted her head slightly to watch the waves ripple out from beneath them as they skated across the glossy surface of the lake.
In spite of the beauty of their slice of the world, Asala still found herself stealing glances for Zee, smiling every time her eyes returned. Once they reached the heart of the lake, they finally returned to her for good. "I like the sound of that," she said, before she pursed her lips in a thoughtful manner. "We should name it then," she stated with a tilt to her head, part jokingly, part seriously. As far as she knew, nobody had given it a name yet and if they had, and the idea of the both of them finally giving it one, well. She would enjoy that thought very much.
âKadan,â Zee said, easily. As if it were any other word. Perhaps, she didnât truly understand its meaning. She stared at her and grinned wide, settling the oars back to the sides, secured by the iron hoop. For whatever reason, she seemed to be pleased at having come up with it in the first place, leaning forward with her elbows perched on her knees; a secretive expression plastered across her face. âAslan used to say it meant something beautiful. Something close to the heart.â
Kadan. Asala had also leaned forward bringing them even closer and put her own elbows on her knees. It had been a while since she had heard the word, and hearing it again so suddenly made her inhale sharply and avert her gaze toward the glass-like surface of the lake. "He was correct," she said, almost wistfully, "It means... 'where the heart lies.'" With the words, Asala turned back toward her, returning Zee's smile with one of her own, though knowing how her emotions quite plainly had a tendency to run rampant across her face, undoubtedly it held little secrets. "I, uh... I like that."
She felt it tremble as a sudden heat welled up in her face. She closed her eyes again and let her head slump down. Do it, her heart said, but what if... her head responded. She... didn't want to wait. Not anymore. Putting it off until later would be a mistake, and she did not want to make another one like that. If she were to make one... Then this was the one she wanted to make. She glanced back up at Zee, as she felt the bloom of the blush already on her cheeks. "Ka-kadan," she trembled out. Her hand, however, was not so hesitant as she reached out and placed it upon Zee's collarbone, and she closed the short distance between them until her lips pressed against Zee's.
Zeeâs reaction was slow, as if she couldnât grasp what was happening. She blinked at her and tilted her head to the side when Asalaâs hand drew up to her collarbone. For someone with so much swagger, and so many sweetly-whispered words loosed from her lips like arrows, she certainly hadnât expected the kiss. One moment she was grinning at her, possibly expecting praise for her brilliance, and the next she was red-faced and floundering in the boat.
Enough for her hand to grab at the side of the boat and miss entirely. Her hand found air, and she leaned and did not stop. The entire vessel, if thatâs what it could be called, rocked precariously to the side, upset by the improper weight distribution. Her attempt to right the boat before it leaned too far to the side failed miserably. The water, predictably cold, poured over the lip of the boat and spilled them into the lake.
Lake Kadan.