The winter was different now. Colder, harsher, much more foreboding that previous winters she had had in Arain. If it were not for tradition she would not be outside, sipping champaigne laced with magick and making small talk with the others. Given of course that there have been more than a few talks it seems. Most are from those who would ask her on official reasons, discussions - and the pleasant surprise of both fae and non-fae beings coming up to her with courage and fear in their eyes. It seemed like parties were always an excuse to them to come up to a Queen and talk - and not more than one, dance. Brave souls indeed.
It was after one such dance - in which she politely cheered the young fellow while swaying on her own - that she found herself taking in another drink for the night, another solitary enchanter engaging her in questions and talking about himself. It was like, getting hit on and being bragged at, which was amusing but also quite cliche. It did no harm to talk though, it was a party, she would consider it her gift as she found a way to be deeper into the discussion, gather a couple more magicks into the talk.
During an especially interesting topic did she sudddenly felt goosebumps upon her leg, another fae asked if she was feeling well. Aibell brushed it off as she looked down, a mewl- and then a beautiful feline making its way around her, almost as if marking her as if his own. She let the top of her toes touch the underside of the cat as she looked down, meeting the feline’s gaze, only the happiness that briefly touched her eyes a sign that she would be with him shortly.
Aibell debated if she should make him wait- but decided against it, even with all the alcohol she did not let her pettiness show. It had been quite a while since they had time to give each other. The weight of leadership on both of them took their toll, the meetings, the glimpses, and polite greetings were their only source of intimacy- as intimate as ‘I hope you’re doing well’ could be.
She took another drink for her, and a bruschetta from a nearby tray as she excused herself and walked towards him, trying to fling in a bit of sultry look, a seductive walk, the basics. Her heart hammered in her chest, it was not that she did not feel anything for him, the friendliness, and even the spark was there - but so many things have happened… maybe it was just how they always were, and it was so easy to fall into that type when with him. Maybe what she was doing was stupid, look at her, falling into this cliche that she laughed at earlier. Her thoughts stopped as she came face to face with him.
“Hello stranger. Enjoying the party?” she asked, raising the bruschetta a polite distance from his mouth. It was a risky move, but if he took with, even with just his fingers, it would settle the knot in her stomach. It felt rusty, trying to flirt, even if it came easy to do. “I’m glad you found yourself coming Macsen, I was very worried for you.” she added bringing into light the fact that despite the tightness in her stomach, the care and worry she felt when he was sick was real, and it terrified her.
Falling so easily back into their old ways, he hummed a quiet note of approval as she approached him. “Certainly better now.” An easy smile broke across his lips, a stirring of old memories brightening his gaze compared to their terse greetings whenever they crossed paths usually. As always it seemed as though they were destined for other things. Eyeing her offer, he brought his gaze to her’s.
Gently he took her hand in his and he took a bite from the party food. Not bad. Of all the species in the forest he trusted the Fae the most to be able to host a party. Resting a finger on his lips while he chewed, the tone had taken a swift turn to the serious. Worried? Why? A frown pulled his brows together while he considered her words further. What could he have done that would have been a cause for worry?
Thinking back to the time during the virus, the realisation soon hit him that he must have inadvertently called for Aibell during his nightmares. Strong enough for her to hear him. That was certainly not his intentions. For the whole month he was trapped in his own head, the worst place to be. He dragged his own fears out and wound them around himself. They lasted so long at the time he could no longer tell the difference any more.
Grumbling quietly, he looked elsewhere, mildly ashamed that he caused her any apprehension. “The virus,” he started, wondering if it was an explanation she wanted, “It gave us month long nightmares... The forest was burning and it did not stop.” While he was suspended in his own imagination for so long, the images remained, he did not want to believe this to a be premonition but as with his previous track record it was highly possible. His gaze turned more distant while he stared at the ground. Partially to change the subject but knowing it was bound to return to him, he pushed the conversation back to her wellbeing, taking her hand in his again.
“Did the virus affect you, Aibell?”