_{post session 6.6}

Spent all fucking night with Thandi. She does not have a cloooooo

Fell asleep.

Making this entry as I wake. Ended up sleeping longer than usual. Solid six hours at least. Yesterday was eventful.

Firstly, Vitani. I believe she was pissed to begin with when I arrived. Awkward and moody woman. I tried to reason out that her teaching was lacking in guidance for Thandi and put her in a bad spot. Seems I wasn’t the only one to complain.

V spoke of removing Thandi from her post here. 

I do not wish for Thandi to be removed.

I spoke to Thandi at length (all night) and admittedly I rather think she would do well in Alleria as a whole. The poor thing does not have stars in her realm. No stars! How does one sleep at night without stars?

What the fuck?

After that we spoke further… She agreed to give me additional lessons while V procures an alchemist to teach me further brews. Thandi admits that V is slow on things (of course) and it will likely take some time.

And then we spoke further.

Thandi finished her new hairstyle. She baked me chocolate scones (shockingly good?). We spoke at length about evolution and magical creatures and stars and… everything. I lost track of time. 

I did not leave her room until she started stumbling over her words and we were both vetting quite tired. She has no.clock in her damned room. So many things in there and yet no.clock.

She was deliriously sleepy and yet somehow joyful. And of course S came out of his room to see her meowing at me like a cat while we were trying yet again to part. I think I said something I may come to regret.

So I believe I may have a new so-called “best” friend. Dean never was able to hold conversations like that with me before. I liked it. I think Thandi is… fun.

I will be returning for my lessons frequently. I do plan on making use of my watch now, though.

^{post session 6.4}

Had a chat with C today. They took me out. Ate these street crepes… Boyoman good I can’t recall the name of. Am now their personal doctor. 

Productive conversation. Trying to talk to them. Ending up talking about myself. Need to work on that. It turns out that C is more than just reasonable. I think they’re quite good, actually. Honest and straightforward. 

Worked afterwards. The system of favors is interesting. I am wondering if I can earn a proper place here to live instead of the Center.

^{post session 6.1}

E had requested reading lessons. Did not expect her to follow up.

She thanked me profusely and gave me bookmarks. They’re very artful.

Her ability to read and write basic common is about the same as Labor. It seems a common desire in the Haven is to read and write Common standard. Provided books and showed her where to get further studies.

Spoke at length about other things.

She seems a naïve girl but overall is unexpectedly sincere. Suspect she must have a similar approach to people as I. That said, she is far better at interpersonal relations. Romance between her and N¹. Can’t say unexpected in that regard.

Fascinating conversation.

Work has been going well.

Note to self: review interpersonal section of library.

post session 6

“Exam day”.

Piss off

Bullshit

T will always find a way to fuck us over without meaning to. She put our first “test” in the hands of some assholes and did not accompany us. What kind of teacher simply steps away and becomes a stupid little box to spectate upon?

If I introduced her to Mother as a teacher she would learn leagues!

The tower itself was wretched. Puzzles that tempted N² into ridiculous antics. S getting dragged about. C… well, I find C agreeable. Strange.

What is C’s angle?

Small dog woman with speech impediment at top of tower. Or was it the top? Stairs were not featured.

Celebratory “drink” with everyone after. They invited me out. S and N¹ made me tea. Brewed them well. I do miss Josiah’s brew.

It was fine.

To do: 

□ Speak to T about her teacher.

□ Find out why C is being kind.

□ E requested reading lessons

□ Work

A companion to the Charlie and Peony one I posted!

A small painting over a sketchbook drawing!

Quiet. In the dark of the night, Charlie stares at his bedroom ceiling and longs for the feeling of Thandi curled up against him. Her leg hitched over his side, her head on his shoulder, her arm over his chest. He longs to feel her against him because without her it feels so fucking empty. Rev snoozes on his other side, yes, but it isn’t enough to sate his needs.

It’s been a week of nothing. They had slept together so reliably for years and he put his foot down. She doesn’t need him. So he needs to pull back and let her live her life.

And so he’s been nearly sleepless for nights on end because he feels the ghost of her snug against him and aches to really feel it.

So he stares at the ceiling and longs.

Thandi is stressed and a bit miffed. It’s been a week s8nce Charlie had his little revelation and she is being driven mad. He made such a decision on his own as if he knew what was best for them both!

She doesn’t want to sleep alone. 

She wants to sleep with her boy!

It isn’t fair that his ego is next to nothing and so he has to try to play a martyr for their relationship.

She has been so!  Tired!

That’s it.

She pulls out the key to his room and slips it into the lock. 

The door doesn’t open.

She tugs and the door tugs back. She removes her key and the door flies open, Charlie on the other side. He stares at her and then throws his arms around her.

“I can’t stay away. I miss you. I need you so that I can sleep.”

Thandi can feel her anger melting away as her noy buries his face into her neck as he always does. She feels his tears on her skin and she wraps her arms around him. “I didn’t want you to.”

“But I do nee—”

“I didn’t want you to leave.” 

He pulls back, looking ruddy and surprised. “But… you have your own life to live.”

“During the day. But… imagine! Never seeing your family! Does a husband and wife sleep apart?”

Goodness, she adores that blush that shows in force now. “Husband and wife…?”

Thandi reaches to grab his left hand, pressing it to hers. Their matching rings. His eyes flick over her hand with his.

“Ah… I. I suppose they don’t…”

“I do want to do things separately sometimes but I don’t want to sleep without you. Come to bed.”

He nods and follows after her,  slipping into bed beside her. She assumes her spot at his side, curled up and hitching her leg over him while using his shoulder as a pillow. His arm bolds her steady.

Finally. They’re both at peace.

Thandi pats Charlie’s hand as he hisses from behind her, frightened by a new person. Upperclassmen are not his favorite people… then again, no one is his favorite but her.

“Sorry there!” The young man with the pitchy voice and dark hair gives Charlie an enormous smile. “I didn’t mean to frighten you!”

“I’m really sorry about him,” Thandi says. 

“No need! Arif tells me that my sunny demeanor could be blinding at times!” They laugh boisterously, their own quiet companion studying Charlie and Thandi thoroughly. The young man gestures to them. “This charming sort is my best friend and partner-in-crime, Arif.”

Arif bows their head slightly and then blink ever so slowly… Thandi hears the growling slow to a stop behind her and looks over her shoulder. Charlie stares, mollified, but wary. Arif looks to Thandi. “Nice to meet you, Thandi.”

“Likewise! This is Charlie, by the way. He’s, um. Also my partner-in-crime? But we don’t do any crime! Haha!” She feels her cheeks heat. She must look really silly!

Darshan chuckles. “Birds of a feather flock together, as they say! Our newest students are quite the interesting batch this year. I was terribly sorry to hear about the incident in the dorms. I hope you both were safe?”

“As safe as we could’ve been,” Charlie mumbles.

“That’s good to hear!”

“It isn’t at all! It ate my slime!”

“Aaah… I see. I’m very sorry to hear about that.” Thandi catches a glance between Darshan and Arif. What is it they’re saying with their eyes? Darshan leans down a touch, rousing Charlie’s defensive growl. “I hope you don’t mind us asking, but how did it even get into the dorms?”

“My stupid fucking father—” Charlie is practically spitting his tiny vitriol, and Thandi turns to gather him up in her arms to soothe him preemptively. He wraps his arms around her, growling into her chest while she strokes his head to calm him.

“It was a magic box. The faculty have it now,” Thandi says. “I never got to see it.”

“Ah, shame, shame.”

“Darshan,” Arif says quietly. “It seems we are agitating Charlie quite a lot. Shall we give them their space back?”

“Ah? Yes! Of course, let’s! Apologies, little miss, but hopefully we see you about?”

“I’m sure you will,” Thandi says as she waves goodbye to them both.