save a horse...

Ride a.... you know. Lara. Ranchhand. [Closed blog for Lunar Cove RP]

[efexumukoroxlc]

"Yeah, I guess that's one of them. There used to be this big poster that said that in one of my classrooms growing up. Oh, and they had that other one too. About before you say something, ask if it's true, if it's helpful...I don't remember all the letters." Efe smiled somewhat bashfully. "You know, I don't know if, like, legitimate Airpods are actually better than the ones you can get at any old store. But to tell you the truth, I'd be afraid of losing them. These bulky ones are hard to misplace."

A low noise of understanding echoed in his throat before be broke into another laugh. "Nosiness is an interesting word. I think Lunar Cove sometimes has the opposite problem too. Everyone's in their own little silos; they can't always look beyond their own nose. But yeah. News tends to spread. As far as communities go, though, we have enough completely public happenings to keep everyone talking, I guess." He smiled. "I did. I had a lot of friends there. But I haven't really traveled all that much. It's hard. Being human in Lunar Cove, you know? Limited options. Where did you like best?"

[acostacowgirl]

Lara listened, tilting her head to the side. "I am unfamiliar with these posters," she said. Then, added as an afterthought, "I was not taught in a classroom." As if that was particularly helpful or useful information. She furrowed her brow and shook her head. "I am not using the right words. We used to use beeswax, but I know that now they have made--" she made a motion with her hands at her ears, "they go inside and are soft. Plugs, si? That is what they're called? They make no noise."

People around here did seem very self absorbed. "I think people here like to know things about their neighbors that they can make about themselves. Selfish, but the news will still spread. 'How can I make the news about me?'" She wasn't quite sure of what to make of it. Perhaps that was why she did not see herself joining in on much. She would stay in her corner at the edge, not quite a part of it all, but not quite distant. "I guess it is hard for you to think about going back," she murmured. "I don't know if there is anywhere I like the best. I have always been fond of the desert, of endless land and the stars. There is also something very beautiful about Colorado in the mountains. I spent a lot of time working in Wyoming and Montana, too. I have a fondness for... open spaces."

[yasinlunar]

Location ➠ W. H. Equestrian Center Status ➠ Closed to Lara (@acostacowgirl)

In the spirit of experiencing new things and quenching the insatiable curiosity drawing Yasin through Lunar Cove, he decided to sign up for, among a number of other things, a horseback riding lesson. Why not? At the moment, he didn't have much else to do, and being carted out of his own head for any stretch of time would be something of a relief.

There was much to mull over. Today, Yasin just wasn't in the mood for mulling.

In the stables, Yasin followed a groom's directions to the instructor and extended a hand.

"Lara Acosta? I'm Yasin Yildiz—your newest student."

[acostacowgirl]

Lara's entire life, for the most part, was work. It was the hours of working on the farm, helping to tend to the ranching side of the work. Caring for livestock, herding, prepping now for winter, even with the warm weather seeming to be endless. It was tending to her own property, fixing broken fences, managing her small garden, keeping up with the work in the barn. And, at times, it was this: heading to the equestrian center to offer instruction to individuals who wanted to learn or improve their skills at horse riding. It was perhaps not Lara's favorite work, but she still enjoyed it, and she liked the ability to be able to use the facility.

When she was told she would be taking on a new student, Lara worked to prepare, getting out saddles and equipment before the time slot so that there would be plenty of time for instruction. She was brushing down one of the older horses, an old gelding who would be good for beginning instruction when her student arrived.

Cleaning off her hands, Lara offered one up and gave his a firm handshake. "Buenas tardes, Yasin. We will get started shortly. Have you ridden before?"

[dhruvxmehta]

"You didn't even try," Dhruv observed, a note of quiet amusement slipping into his voice as he watched the ball curl past her outstretched hands. Returning her smile, he shrugged lightly with one shoulder. "Eh, you don't need to know a lot to have fun. But thanks, I'm no professional though," he said. "Just missed playing more than I realised." He looked down at the ball for a moment, nudging it idly beneath his foot before letting it roll back again. It was nice, to switch his brain off for more than an hour, that wasn't something he got to do often. "Have you signed up for other things?"

[acostacowgirl]

"I did not jump. That is not the same," Lara said, though it ever much was. She smiled, slightly lopsided and growing, genuine. How rare it was, though it seemed as if it was growing less so, in spite of her circumstances. "But you do know a lot. You have football cards." She remembered. And perhaps knowledge did not apply to skill, but she imagined it helped a little with enjoyment. To know something, to understand it, was to appreciate it. "I played volleyball," she said. Not really because she wanted to or enjoyed it. Most of her participation in these sporting events was pity. "And I'll be shooting archery. You?"

[faerietothe-otherside]

Rangi nodded, as if that made it final. "It is." Now she just had to figure out what she would cook again. Not spaghetti. (Anything but spaghetti). She glanced at Lara, then around the small room, as if she might somehow find the answer in the kitchen. Well, she half did. "Yeah, that...that checks out, too." Lara didn't seem like the kind of person to enjoy television. Rangi snorted. "Some people like that, watching people yell at each other. I never really got the appeal either."

Well. That wasn't exactly what Rangi wanted to hear, even if it was the truth, even if she knew it was the truth and that lying about all that was a disservice. Still, she sighed again. Grabbed the coffee pot and poured a glass, not drinking it yet, but wrapping her hands around the warming cup.

And now, it would be her last life. Rangi bit her lip. "Sorry. I-- sorry." She hadn't meant to bring up things that hurt to remember. Quietly, around the cup in her hands, she muttered, "This is my first life ever. And I already feel like I'm just messing everything up, all the time. I-- sometimes I just think that maybe starting over would be easier." Death, after all, didn't have to be the end for a fae, even if they chose it for themselves.

[acostacowgirl]

"It... checks out that I do not own a television?" Lara asked, raising an eyebrow. "You are checking me out that I do not own a television?" Her tone was deadpan, completely serious, but she was joking, in her own way. It was, in part, an effort to make the banshee a little more comfortable when she realized that Lara was just teasing her.

Lara just shrugged. "I have made my peace." There wasn't anything that she could do anymore. She'd been completely changed, and the only way out was through. Adaptation, learning to deal with it. In a lot of ways, perhaps it was a comfort. There was no more promise of a get out of jail free card. There was simply doing, and hoping for the best. "Most people are only given one life," Lara told her seriously. "They get no starting over. It is only about making the best of what is already there. You will not always be messing things up. This is just a season."

[efexumukoroxlc]

Efe laughed, a warm noise. "Yes, they're mine, but I did learn to share at about three or four years old. I promise. Maybe not everyone in Lunar Cove did...and that's not, uh, that's about anyone in particular, mind you. But I wouldn't offer them if I didn't want to. It's okay. If you need a minute, you're welcome to use them. They're right here." He looped the headphones around the strap of his backpack and tucked it safely back out the way. Turning back, then, Efe put his hands on his hips.

"Oh, yeah, you..uh, you live out by the farms, right?" He hummed. "I sort of get it. I grew up right here. Small town. Everyone knows everyone. Lived in Chicago about ten years, and that took a lot of getting used to. For a lot of different reasons, I guess? Where did you live before if I can ask?"

[acostacowgirl]

"The phrase is 'sharing is caring,' yes?" Lara joked. She softened, though, offering up a smile that could pair nicely with his laughter. "I am appreciative, thank you. I should invest in the little ones, the ones that go inside the ear? I forget that I should use them."

Lara took another swallow of water. "I work there, si. Live sort of close." Close enough. A few acres, mostly wooded, to herself and a bit of farming. "It is interesting to have everyone be so... in. I have lived in many small communities, and there was the nosiness, but a lot of us were just working together." Her head tilted to the side. "I have not been to Chicago. Did you like it there? I have spent a lot of time in the West. Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana. I have lived a lot of places for work."

[dhruvxmehta]

It was oddly endearing watching her weigh the decision so seriously. Dhruv caught himself almost responding with 'yes ma'am' at the sharp, Stay, but thought better of it at the last second, of course that didn't extend to the way his hand raised in salute as he watched her disappear inside. A smile refused to stay hidden when she returned with blankets and food. "I wasn't expecting that to actually work." Dhruv found his balance well enough to step forward, taking the blankets from her before she could protest. "At least let me carry something. You know, one of these days I'm gonna have to do something for you to return the favour for... well, everything. Thank you."

They walked together at an easy pace toward the treeline and it struck him, not for the first time, the ease of it all. Even when she asked questions, he found that he didn't mind answering. "Examples, huh? You want a full incident report?" The attempt at humour was half-hearted, fading not long after as his attention drifted ahead of them. "I've also been getting nosebleeds and coughing up blood every now and then. That's been the strangest one. Fatigue's worse now too. Some days it's manageable. Other days..." He trailed off, "...well you saw what happened." He was weaker for it, he knew that, but there was a innate stubbornness in him that refused to label that and himself as weak. "Being an experiment time and time again is starting feel like a cruel joke."

[acostacowgirl]

"Should I have carried you inside then despite the protest?" Lara asked, raising her brow. She wouldn't have done that, though. Not after his explanation. She understood what it meant to need to be outside to breathe. Some nights, she still slept under the stars, not out of necessity but out of desire. She could not stop him from taking the blankets, but she could kept the rest of it out of his grasp. "Worry with those, then. Do not over stress yourself. If you wish to return the favor..." She paused, thinking, "then try to be careful with yourself."

Now that she knew he wouldn't keel over, Lara allowed herself to relax. if it wasn't for the fainting incident, this could almost be enjoyable. Normal. "I do not need it in writing, but I would like to have the information, si," Lara said, also attempting levity, even if both of them were falling flat. "Do you drink iced tea, or is that an offense?" A wrinkle appeared between her eyes, worry knitting them together as she found a nice place to rest, setting down her supplies before motioning for him to lay out the blankets as she moved to set them out. "None of that sounds good. What happens on the days that it is manageable versus the days that it is not?" She offered him some water. "I am... sorry this has happened, though I had no hand in it. I do not believe any of the things that have been happening should to anyone."

[efexumukoroxlc]

Efe enjoyed volunteering, and while he had not had much opportunity to actually go out and explore the festivities himself, he was grateful to play an important role on such a hot day. While he had, by now, gotten word that the power was failing across town, most of the revelers did not seem to be letting it get to them. Still, he was well-aware that with no indoor air-conditioned havens into which retreat now, the crowds would be likely start mounting any moment. He finished refilling one of the water jugs before turning around to offer Lara a cup.

"Oh, uh...No, I'm sorry. But maybe..." He dug into his own backpack, which was tucked beneath one of the tables, to retrieve a pair of headphones. "Would these help? They're for music, but...if you need a minute to just sit and relax, that's totally cool."

[acostacowgirl]

Lara drank the water gratefully, using it to ground herself in the present moment. When he spoke, it was easier to focus, to drown out the background noise into a dull hum. The noise would only get louder, the smells stronger. She should take the moment while she could.

At his offer, though, Lara had to shake her head. "No, no. Those are yours. I would not take something that is not meant to be given out. I can deal. It is-- The noise has always bothered me. I have been used to a much quieter life. Less people."

[faerietothe-otherside]

"Maybe I don't need to, no, but I want to," Rangi corrected, taking a bite of a piece of bacon. It was really fucking good and exactly what she needed after waking up from another sleepwalking episode. It was also, she realized, the first food she'd had in over twenty-four hours. She'd fallen asleep on the couch last night after she'd gotten home, too tired to make anything, phone still open to the food delivery app. She'd never ordered anything. "You don't know who Gordon Ramsey is?" She glanced at Lara. "Actually, no, that checks out. He's uh, he's like one of the most famous chef's in the world. Big TV personality. He's British and likes to yell at people for their bad cooking."

Well, Lara was right about that. Rangi certainly couldn't seem to separate her feelings from the physical act, no matter how much she wished she could. She rubbed her head, groaning. "I'm so tired of aching." Physically, emotionally, mentally. All of it. Rangi had been aching far longer than the last two years, when the physical ache became so red-hot it felt like an actual wound on her body. Apparently, she'd been aching since the day she found out she was a banshee and she'd had to watch the light fade from her parents' eyes as they realized it, too. That she was nothing but a disappointment. She took another bite of bacon.

"Were your parents like us? Um-- banshees? Or were they other fae?"

[acostacowgirl]

Lara hummed. "Then if that is what you want." She grabbed a coffee mug and the pot, setting it on the table for Rangi while she ate in case she wanted some. At the explanation of who this Gordon Ramsey was, she could only nod. "I do not own a television," she stated. What need did she have of one? There were far better things to do, in her mind, than watch an angry British man yell at people all day. There was work to be done, and far better ways to relax. "If he is famous for yelling at bad cooking, then I cannot imagine how that is entertainment," she added.

"I would lie, but I don't do that often, not even now that I can. Life, I am afraid, is often an ache. But that means that you are living still. Should the aching cease, should you find yourself... numb, then there is more to worry for then just the ache." Lara busied herself with work putting things away in the kitchen, or moving them towards the table so that Rangi might have more if she'd like it.

At her next question, Lara just stilled. "No. My parents were human. This was not... the first life I have had."

[dhruvxmehta]

Dhruv let himself be nudged upright, but before he could take a step in the direction, his feet stopped of their own accord, gaze lingering on the open doorway for a moment longer than it should have. "Could we... stay out here?" A familiar unease settled low in his chest before he quietly looked away, turning his head instead towards the trees and open space around him. "Just for a little while." He rubbed at the back of his neck, searching for a reason that made more sense than admitting claustrophobia had him in its grip. "The air helps." It wasn't entirely false. It did ease the lingering haze, even if only a little. "Picnic?" he joked, pointing to the fields behind him. "Humour me?"

But the smile he gave her, didn't last long. "I'm trying to figure out all the side effects still... apparently fainting's on the list now." A humourless huff escaped him. "But I was injected with ichor at the masquerade. It stopped me from shifting that night, and I figured that was the end of it, but since then... things have been strange."

[acostacowgirl]

Lara looked at him hard for a moment, considering her options. She didn't want him to stay upright for long; the main reason of getting him inside was to attempt to make him rest. But, seeing the unease, she breathed slowly through her nose and gave a sharp nod. "Stay." Once the command was uttered, she marched inside, gathering up a few blankets and digging through the fridge for water and iced tea and food before heading out. "Picnic, then."

She had been listening to him speak, trying to take in that information. "What else is on the list?" Lara asked warily. She helped him stand before moving back towards the forest. "And... what do you mean by strange? Examples, por favor. Other than the now added fainting."

[acostacowgirl]

Lara looked up, a little surprised. "It is awful, yes." She knew that. Of course she did. But death had been such a permanent fixture in her life for so long. Even before Damien and his pack. Death was Lara's one constant, when her job changed and she travelled to knew places. Death was that which united them all, and the circumstances could be awful, it was true. It was true, as well, that Lara herself had caused plenty of awful circumstances in the name of fate. That didn't need to be said, though. "I don't think that asking could hurt. It would be enough to know there was interest, would it not? You could have the... where people sign a paper for support." She crouched down and took the offered hand, giving it a firm shake. "I am Lara. It is nice to meet you, Charlie."

[gazingatmestarry-eyed]

It did Charlie no good to marinate on the shortcomings of her new home. Whether it was perfectly ideal or not, it was her home. There was no place else in the world for faeries. No matter how difficult it was for Charlie to accept that she was one. "Well, I guess at least there's a rodeo here...If I ask." The siren shook the woman's hand with a politely returned, "Nice to meet ya."

Finally dry, Charlie pulled down the dress she'd tucked into a tank top as her tail turned back into legs and stood up. "Hope to see ya around, Lara."

END

[dhruvxmehta]

He wasn't a forward, never particularly wanted to be. Playing striker, chasing goals, being the name on the scoresheet had never been his thing but that didn't mean he never ventured forward. He'd scored his fair share over the years, usually from moments exactly like this, when instinct carried him further up field than anyone expected. This wasn't the sort of match that demanded perfection anyway. It was competitive, sure, but friendly enough that no one was treating it like a championship. Besides, with more than half the players with supernatural abilities, "fair" had become a flexible concept.

Dhruv drove the ball forward, covering ground with long, practised strides until the penalty area opened before him. He glanced once across the box out of habit, weighing the passing option, but there wasn't a teammate in a better position than the one he'd created for himself. Meeting Lara's gaze, the corners of his lips tugged upward and without wasting another second, he struck the ball with the inside of his foot sending it soaring between the between the posts and hopefully to the back to the net.

[acostacowgirl]

Lara felt the tips of her fingers graze the ball, but it was not within her grasp, unfortunately, and it soared over her head. She was, perhaps, not reaching as hard as she could have been. She made no effort to jump, to truly grab. This was just fun, for her, and she had no genuine loyalty to her team.

Besides, it was a little nice to see the enjoyment on Dhruv's face. He really did like this sport. When the game ended, she left the goal, moving to drink some water and stretch her arms over her head. Lara offered Dhruv a nod and a small smile. "You play well. At least, of what I know. My understanding is of amateur."

[acostacowgirl]

With: @efexumukoroxlc Where: Hydration Station

The parade was loud. That, coupled with the heat, made it a little less enjoyable. Lara had nothing against the event itself; the concept of Pride, though a new one in her mind, was not unwanted, and the progression of time was good in many ways, that being one of them. She just did not understand a lot about it, nor was she quite sure why it needed to be during this heat. Lara was no stranger to it being hot out, and she was used to working in it, but there was quite a difference to working in the sun and being surrounded by people and loud noises during the heat. She'd never cared much for being touched, the brush of skin against skin, when she was a banshee, sometimes leading to visions that she'd rather avoid. Some habits don't change, even if one's species does.

She was at the hydration station-- an odd but apt name-- for water, yes, but also to get away from at least some of the noise and people. When she took some water, she tiredly asked, though she didn't expect much of a response, "Would you happen to have the little..." she motioned to her ears. "The noise silencers."

[dhruvxmehta]

A tired smile found its way onto his face despite everything. "Thank you." I'm okay sat on the tip of his tongue though, and he almost said them out of habit before stopping himself. Lara wasn't naive, and leaning on her as he was made the lie difficult to sell. "I'm... better," he settled on instead. Still, he let her keep most of his weight until his footing felt a little less uncertain. He didn't quite understand the order but at her insistence, he didn't argue. By the time they reached the house, he lowered himself onto the front steps with a quiet exhale, elbows resting loosely on his knees.

Why and what were normal question, but the situation at present was anything but. "I was looking for my friend," he explained. "After the full moon I lost track of her... figured I'd check if she got home alright..." he trialled of with a furrow of his brows as he caught on the blood stain on the cuff of his sleeve. Without really thinking, he folded the fabric over itself a few times until the red disappeared from view. "I was just walking," he continued quietly. "Then I started feeling light-headed... and here we are." He tipped his head back for a moment, letting the warmth of the morning sun settle against his face as a soft exhale escaped him. "That's the what of it. The why is... a bit more complicated."

[acostacowgirl]

Lara just grunted. She didn't want his thanks, she wanted his cooperation while she attempted to figure out what the fuck was going on. Because "better" still wasn't quite right. He was weak, he smelled like blood and sweat, like something wasn't quite right. She let him sit for a moment, but she wasn't going to simply leave him there. This was just a stop for him to catch his breath.

It was enough of an explanation, pieced together as it was, for Lara to understand the what of it. In a way. He was out looking for his friend and felt lightheaded, yes. That makes sense. Walking, fainting, it has happened to many and will continue to do so. "Then I would like to know the why." She nudges him to stand and moves towards the door, holding it open.

[faerietothe-otherside]

"I just want to thank you. For helping me so much." Rangi had spent so long waiting to meet another banshee and she was sure Lara wouldn't bat an eye in her direction were she not. So she wanted to show she's grateful, so that Lara didn't't think she was taking advantage of her. So that she thought Rangi was still worth it. "I'm a decent cook, I guess. Gordon Ramsey isn't going to be singing me praise but I at least don't burn spaghetti sauce." Rangi nodded along. "All good things. At least it didn't always have to be you, even if the other option was burnt coffee boy."

Rangi felt her face heat up a little bit. "I mean not-- not even that. Just-- just people who sleep together. Often. But maybe aren't friends."

Rangi gave a noncommittal shrug. "I guess." Maybe she just wanted someone to tell her to stop feeling like such an idiot, for falling for someone who clearly never liked her back. "I think I'm bad at letting go of things like that," she mumbled into her toast. At least now she knew it was just a her thing and not a banshee thing. She wasn't sure if that felt better or not.

[acostacowgirl]

"You do not need to thank me. I don't mind helping you." It had been a long time since Lara was Rangi's age, but she knew how hard it could be to learn these abilities. She would not recommend to Rangi what she herself did, which was to disappear into the desert for several years before managing to control it. "Who is this Gordon Ramsey? Is he local? I have not had his cooking." She shrugged. That was certainly true. There is something to be said about the sharing of responsibility that comes from being away from civilization.

Lara hummed. "I would assume that something would come of that. It is possible to separate the act from feelings, I am sure, but not many can manage it." She took the pan of bacon and brought it over, offering for Rangi to put some on her plate. "I'm sorry if that isn't what you wish to hear, but you do have it. Time. More than you will realize. You don't have to let go right now. It is... It hurts, si, but it is not the worst thing in the world to allow yourself to ache. Just don't so much that it's all that's there."

[faerietothe-otherside]

Huffing, Rangi asserted, "You're really not making this easy for me. I'm trying to thank you." Still, she listened to Lara's explanation and Rangi thought about how this was the most she'd ever heard the woman talk. It was nice. "Did you like doing that? Um-- eating over a campfire?" Rangi hadn't done much camping in her life, even if she enjoyed being in nature. At the end of the day, she was pampered and she preferred her soft, comfortable bed. "Well, I mean-- they don't have to be friends. I think that's just, like, the common term for it." Really, Rangi was bad at being in a friends with benefits situation, clearly. She should've known before it started. She got attached to people way too easily and she knew it.

"Sorry," Rangi mumbled into said toast, "I just-- thinking too much." About someone who clearly didn't think about her as much she did them. And yet, she couldn't stop. "Have you ever-- have you ever liked someone who didn't like you back?"

[acostacowgirl]

Lara actually laughed. "I did not know I was being difficult. If you wish to make me food, I'm sure I will like it. You cannot be a worse cook that the boy I knew who burned up all our coffee many years ago." She hummed, thinking. "It was familiar. I liked cattle drives. You see so much, and the work is consistent, and at the end of it there is money. Usually never enough, but it was steady and interesting. Food could be... fine? Depends on who was in charge, and I made it known it would not always be me." Her smile widened slightly. "I am familiar with the one night stand, if that it what you're referring to."

Looking back, Lara removed the bacon from the stove not to burn it and turned around, leaning against the counter. "You are... asking for advice?" she asked. Matters of the heart were not her area of expertise. "I... have wanted people who did not want me back. It was all passing, in the end. Time. It is a good cure."

[gazingatmestarry-eyed]

As much as she tried not to, Charlie couldn't help but frown as the woman shared a story about a pack attacking the town. "That's so awful.." Her whisper back sounded sad. It crossed her mind that coming here had been a mistake, but where else did she have to go? "They'd have one just cause I asked?" She asked like she even knew who to ask about that. Nyra had more important things to deal with than Charlie's desire to see some horses. "I'm Charlie, by the way." She offered up her hand for a shake, as she added. "I don't think I got your name?"

[acostacowgirl]

Lara looked up, a little surprised. "It is awful, yes." She knew that. Of course she did. But death had been such a permanent fixture in her life for so long. Even before Damien and his pack. Death was Lara's one constant, when her job changed and she travelled to knew places. Death was that which united them all, and the circumstances could be awful, it was true. It was true, as well, that Lara herself had caused plenty of awful circumstances in the name of fate. That didn't need to be said, though. "I don't think that asking could hurt. It would be enough to know there was interest, would it not? You could have the... where people sign a paper for support." She crouched down and took the offered hand, giving it a firm shake. "I am Lara. It is nice to meet you, Charlie."

[dhruvxmehta]

"Hm. I know some undeniable truths myself." He took in what she said and simply shrugged. "There is no real way or even a need to gather a consensus to include these "some" that you mentioned, so does their opinion really count in this context?" Despite asking, Dhruv already concluded the answer to be no. "Well..." He wanted to immediately deny that, say that there were also many others that don't find it nice when he talks, would've gone as far as to say some prefer if he wasn't around at all, but realising the former would be a bit contradictory and the latter might likely invite more troubling thoughts than it was worth, Dhruv didn't say anything. "I have a lot of tangents if you have the patience," he said instead, "but, I don't want to overstay my welcome either." It was then that time made itself known to him. Outside world had been long forgotten in the comfort and warmth of her house, and pleasant company too made it easy for minutes to tick by uncounted. "We can save those for another time, yeah?"

[acostacowgirl]

"You would discredit the opinions of those that might provide information that is... useful to the context?" Lara asked, raising an eyebrow. She was not like him; she was not so well versed in the ways of science or research or the intricacies of study, but she was fae, or at least she had been, and she knew how to ask more questions rather than give a straight answer. Lara's preferred method was to simply be blunt and honest, but sometimes this was more interesting. She just snorted. "I have a lot of patience." It came with time. Patience was a virtue, and she knew when to lean into it and when to lean away. There was time for tangents that simply did not exist for foolishness. But it was hard to find Dhruv foolish. Amusing, yes, but she would not say foolish. "We may. I should get start getting ready for work in the morning, anyway." But it was nice. Perhaps it was okay to have guests over, after all.