[The sadness in Joshua's words reflect in the softening of Jill's smile.
As a girl, she spent six years in Clive's life but not always by his side. They'd flit in and out of each other's awareness, always circling each other but still leading separate lives as befitted a Shield of Rosaria and a young lady of the court. The past five years have been different, though, and she's spent so much more time in his company that in many ways, the Clive she knows best is the one who's least like himself. Not because the boy he'd been is gone, of course, but because he's hiding in the shadows, too unsure of what he's become to emerge.
In the silence following Joshua's relief, Jill can't help but take a moment to mourn that boy and honour that man he's become.
It's not all sadness and loss, though. The feelings from those early days remain both with Joshua and with Clive, who both bear within them the warmth of a hearth, the familiarity of home, and the simple security of togetherness, and she's grateful for that in ways she'll never be able to put to words.
So, once again, she finds herself feeling thankful that Nektar is proving such a capable distraction.]
Then, perhaps it's the children who should be wary of you, else you tire both Clive and Nektar out before they have their turn.
[A slight tease; she can't help it. The simple fact that she can poke fun at him like this causes the slight burn at the back of her eyes to reassert itself. After only six years together and eighteen apart, it feels like no small miracle that they can settle into conversation like this. Their rapport may not be perfect, but it feels natural and this thought, too, makes her grateful]
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2023-12-25 01:57 am (UTC)As a girl, she spent six years in Clive's life but not always by his side. They'd flit in and out of each other's awareness, always circling each other but still leading separate lives as befitted a Shield of Rosaria and a young lady of the court. The past five years have been different, though, and she's spent so much more time in his company that in many ways, the Clive she knows best is the one who's least like himself. Not because the boy he'd been is gone, of course, but because he's hiding in the shadows, too unsure of what he's become to emerge.
In the silence following Joshua's relief, Jill can't help but take a moment to mourn that boy and honour that man he's become.
It's not all sadness and loss, though. The feelings from those early days remain both with Joshua and with Clive, who both bear within them the warmth of a hearth, the familiarity of home, and the simple security of togetherness, and she's grateful for that in ways she'll never be able to put to words.
So, once again, she finds herself feeling thankful that Nektar is proving such a capable distraction.]
Then, perhaps it's the children who should be wary of you, else you tire both Clive and Nektar out before they have their turn.
[A slight tease; she can't help it. The simple fact that she can poke fun at him like this causes the slight burn at the back of her eyes to reassert itself. After only six years together and eighteen apart, it feels like no small miracle that they can settle into conversation like this. Their rapport may not be perfect, but it feels natural and this thought, too, makes her grateful]
I don't suppose you've met Vivian...?