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

[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."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

He grins again. "I'm sure." When it's their turn to order, he calls for Peking duck, won ton soup, bell peppers and beef, chef's fried rice, and looks to Verity to see if there's anything she'd like to add.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Crab rangoons, please, and a cup of egg drop soup." There's little chance she's going to eat the whole duck, but that's why leftovers were invented. Meanwhile, she's going to be drinking tea like it's going out of style. They may need another pot when their meal comes.

"I first had Peking duck on my thirteenth birthday. The j--the guy my mom was dating at the time talked her into them taking me out for my first 'grown up meal'. I can't say I was disappointed. What about you, when did you first have it?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Mm, not until I was nineteen," he admits, "and in America on a student visa. One of my peers ordered one, and couldn't finish it himself."

[brave_heart_verity]

"You studied in America?" That gets a little smile into her teacup. "I didn't know that. Where did you study? And what? Or should I guess... San Fransisco, and you majored in... underwater basket weaving?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

He chuckles. "New York," he corrects, "and I was supposed to be studying politics."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Hmm. 'Supposed to be'? I take it you found other things more interesting?" C'mon, don't be a tease, there is a story here and she wants it. "Art, lovers, or fashion?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

He chuckles. "All of the above. New York was a very... eye-opening place. It was where I was able to come into my own."