Ephemeral Truths [Verity]

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

When Verity arrives for her daily shift, Schön's demeanor in answering the door suggests this might not be just another day at the office. "Ah, good morning. I wonder if you might feel like a small change in the routine?"

Comments

[brave_heart_verity]

Until about lunchtime. Her endurance is growing admirably, so long as she can get a little chance to rest now and then. She doesn't even avail herself of aspirin until nearly noon. But she can't last forever, and he'd feel her leaning on him more and more toward the end.

"If you do that show, you should call it 'Beautiful Lies'," she murmurs. "I think I need to leave now."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

That's some impressive progress. All the same, Schön is keeping a close eye on her condition, and sees the signs of fatigue.

"Excellent name," he murmurs. "Would you like to dine out, or bring something back to the office?" It's an offer of shelter, under the guise of an innocuous question about meal preferences, and he knows she'll both recognize that and the intentions behind it.

[brave_heart_verity]

It's tempting to demand he take her someplace fancy, but the thought of being around all those rich snobs... she can't handle that right now. "I have to admit, I'm craving Chinese food. Peking duck and crab rangoon?" More American-Chinese than authentic, but how would she know the difference? To her, it's 'the food that comes from Chinatown'.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Fancy dining can be another trip. Perhaps she'd enjoy a working dinner with a restaurant critic, pointing out any dishonesty in the menu? Or perhaps she'd prefer a relaxing dinner with an honest chef.

"Peking duck and crab rangoon," he agrees, "I know just where to go." And they're off! A brisk walk, if she's up to it, hailing a cab if she isn't.

[brave_heart_verity]

Even an honest chef can't always ensure an honest meal; so many of the fibs start with the distributors, and can't usually be caught without genetic testing or a caliber of taste buds even great chefs can't maintain for every ingredient or check every day. She could handle the working dinner if the wine list is good.

"I had a feeling you would." A walk will do her good, but perhaps not as brisk as usual. It's not a bad thing to take their time and appreciate the sights. "Is there any city where you don't know your way around in some version of it?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"There's a long list of such cities," he admits, "but I shorten it, periodically." There's nothing wrong with a more leisurely pace, and if she likes that's certainly how they can go. A pleasant stroll on one of England's rare sunny days.

[brave_heart_verity]

"I mean real cities, not, like, Toledo." Sorry, Toledo, you just don't make the grade for a Manhattanite. "What's your favorite city?"

If he'd like to talk while they walk, she'd enjoy that. Taking her mind off the pain helps.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"My favorite city of all time and space?" He pretends to think about it for a moment, before answering, "that would have to be Arcadia, the capital of the Sidhe. Every fairy-tale palace that has ever been imagined, described, wrought, is the palest reflection of the tiniest glimpse of Arcadia's glory. The Silver Tower, the Court of Courts, the Thousandth Hall, Twilight's Embrace, truly it is the beating heart where noble dreams are born."

[brave_heart_verity]

She really set herself up for that one, and she's pretty sure he knows she meant somewhere on Earth where they could go exploring someday. Not a place she'd never be allowed into. It's cruel to wave such beautiful things in front of her and then tell her she can never have them.

"That does sound like your kind of place," she admits quietly.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Alright, he probably should have taken the answer as that, but without such conditions, Arcadia is his favorite, and he didn't want to spoil their day with a technical lie.

"It was," he admits. "But the way there is lost, and all my people in the mortal realm can only look across the hazy gulf of memory to where it shines."

[brave_heart_verity]

A fair point. It's hard to be detail-oriented with a headache.

"I'm sorry. I hope you can find the way back." His arm gets another squeeze. "You'll send me a postcard when you do, right?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Dear Verity," he purrs, "you shall be my honored guest if you so desire! What a stir you would make."

[brave_heart_verity]

He shouldn't do that. It always makes her blush. "With everything being afraid of me? Yeah. Quite a stir, especially when they throw me out."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

He's just full of perils.

"Afraid of you?" he scoffs. "Why should they be afraid of you?"

[brave_heart_verity]

She doesn't answer right away. It's not an easy thing to put into words.

"Your fire is." That's the best way she knows how to explain it.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Ah." Nothing gets by her. It's a blessing and a curse. "Less so, now, than when we first met, I think. And there are things that can be done, to protect you from the Dreaming and the Dreaming from you."

[brave_heart_verity]

She always knows where she stands...

"You think so?" She's doubtful, but he's the expert. "Will I have to wear a hazmat suit?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"I know so," he answers firmly, before her question makes him laugh. "Nothing so gauche! Although on second thought, you might prefer the hazmat suit. Mortals who take a little bit of fairy magic into themselves can see the Dreaming and enter it without harming us or coming to harm."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Hmm." That's going to take some thought. "Can we table the discussion until I'm feeling better and can understand it fully?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Of course. And speaking of tables," it's a convenient segue into his getting the door of a little Chinese restaurant for her.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Convenient." She'd totally believe the world rearranges itself for him to make these little things work out. There's something about the smell of frying oil and soy sauce that makes her happy. Once she's inside she has a quick look around to note the layout and spot the exits, then looks around again to take the people in. Then she turns to him again. "Perfect. Just the sort of place I was thinking of, thank you."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Oh, doesn't he just wish! "You're quite welcome." The restaurant is in the midst of its lunch rush, so while they can get a table, the place is going to be crowded and loud. If Verity would rather get take-out and go to a park, or back to the Nexus, they can easily do that.

[brave_heart_verity]

It's a tough call. Peking duck isn't really picnic food, and she wants so much tea right now. On the other hand, noise. On the other other hand, his office is full of work. Work the adult in her knows she should get to soon. Bah. Adulting sucks.

"Your office would probably be the best choice," she admits finally.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"The office it is, then. And we can call this morning's efforts your full shift for the day." With a wry little smirk, he adds, "besides, field trips always eat up the whole day."

[brave_heart_verity]

That's a pleasant surprise, and the teasing gets a giggle. "If you're sure. You're the boss."