and every broken heart will mend

[scourgingstars]

[Not too long after the trial, a note found its way under everyone's doors, all of them written in the same neat handwriting that had been asking after a ring not that long ago.]

If any of you would prefer not to be left alone after all of that, I propose we meet in the dining hall. Nari has taken up cooking at the moment, and should anyone wish to talk I will be present regardless of whether or not the group at large should choose to join us.

-Ardyn

[True to his word, Ardyn was at a smaller table in the dining hall with an untouched cup of coffee in front of him; lost in thought leaning his head on one hand as the other turned a silver coin over between his fingers.]

[King in an empty hall, and savior of nothing. All that effort to prevent bloodshed, and it had come down to a situation designed to force their hand from the beginning.]

Comments

[goteachother]

[Which results in the two of them walking hand in hand out of the dining room. As soon as they clear the door Queenie tugs Lee toward the bathroom down the hall.]

Come on... we can get you straightened up. [And once they're tucked away in the bathroom Queenie busies herself with filling the sink with warm water and hand soap, gentle suds and a washcloth.]

This'll be easier if you take your top off.

[getgood]

[Lee doesn't hesitate, not after locker rooms full of girls and then Danielle pulling her together from shapewear to the last spritz of hairspray. This is a lot like that second one, actually, and she stands there in leggings and a swimsuit top, watching Queenie through the mirror as she gathers supplies.]

I should have kept my mouth shut this morning.

[goteachother]

[She takes the hand towel from the hook on the wall and tucks it in along Lee's waistband so she doesn't end up soaked. Then she's taking the washcloth and crouching in front of her so she can gently wipe away the top layers of dead skin, as gentle as she can possibly be.]

Whaddya mean, honey? [She's clearly referring to a something specific she said and Queenie doesn't want to jump to anything. Morgana, it'd be so much easier if she could just read people here.]

[getgood]

[She rests her hand on Queenie's shoulder to stay steady as the woman works on her wounds. She's almost forgotten about getting taken care of, and it feels almost like a betrayal letting someone else handle this.]

I got Clarith real hyped up about getting revenge. I didn't want her to keep crying.

[goteachother]

Oh... [Morgana... what can she even say to that. Revenge wasn't the way to go about any of this but she can definitely understand the appeal. But for it to end so very badly.]

Lee, honey, you couldn't have known. None of us could.

[getgood]

No, but... I set her up to make her think this would feel better. And...

[Come on, she saw how you handled this.]