oh like gold, let it lead me astray.

[canicide]

[ It's mid-morning, the sun beating down strongly on the white stone of the palace. With the ceremony scheduled for afternoon, preparations are already well underway. In a chamber adjacent to the audience room, Heine is still getting dressed. His underthings are on, shirt and breeches as well, but a glance at all the other layers laid out make him want to break the wall down and leave.

He never should have agreed to this. Honestly, it was a mistake, and Heine can only stare longingly at his sword, which is placed on a side table, sheathed. He'd really rather go out into the training yard and beat something (or someone) up. Instead, he's here. Heine sighs loudly and slouches, despite the tailor poking him in the back and telling him to stand up straight as the door of the room swings open. A guard announces, ] The queen.

Comments

[erythristic]

[she was going to decline, feigning as though it didn't bother her as much as it did - she was used to seeing snow in winter for God's sake, there's a certain level of ignoring one has to perfect - but he's already removing it and so she makes the snap decision that the best course of action is to accept it with a grateful nod of her head.]

You won't be cold?

[she's still taking the coat though, the question is irrelevant.]

[canicide]

No. I'm wearing so many—things already.

[ He was about to swear, and cuts himself off by making a slight face. This whole propriety thing is hard.

Food, fortunately, takes the attention off them somewhat. The soldiers who are in the tent stand up to greet them; Heine responds with a stiff nod before moving to the side of the tent to get food. Most of it remains hot, despite the cold day outside. Heine just wishes he'd thought to change out of uniform after the meeting so he wouldn't be so uncomfortable. ]

[erythristic]

[it is, but at least in private he can talk how he likes, and she pulls his coat around her shoulders. hot food also helps, and the soldiers are allowed to be at ease again despite their presence. still, his discomfort doesn't escape her.]

Something's on your mind.

[maybe it's just the clothes. maybe it's something else.]

[canicide]

Huh?

[ He really is distracted, because he's focused on balancing a piece of bread on a fairly small plate. Outside of that, though, there are bigger things to worry about. ]

Just thinking about the next move, that's all. [ ... ] And this shirt.

[erythristic]

Too constricting?

[it's taking a lot of self control to not smile about that, even as they sit down. still, it's under her words - his shirt. really.]

Don't tell me the next move allows you more freedom than that.

[canicide]

It doesn't. [ As they sit, Heine's posture slides into a slouch before he catches himself and straightens up again. ] We're keeping close to the border for now. Can't venture out too far.

[ After a pause to chew moodily, and to make sure no one is too close to them, Heine adds, ] Why is the neck on this thing so fucking tight?

[erythristic]

Because clothing in higher positions is an exercise in endurance handed down by God.

[she says this with a straight face before she goes back to her food, taking time to eat some and then speak.]

When we're done, you should go change straightaway before anyone can try to talk to you and hold off your freedom.

[canicide]

I think I'll do that.

[ Heine resists the urge to tug at the collar of his shirt, if only barely, and continues to eat as if it's a jobh e's been tasked with. He doesn't eat much, all things considered, and finishes up within a few minutes.

He may also be rushing somewhat so he can get changed, but that's a different matter. ]

[erythristic]

[the look in her eyes speaks to how amused she is by that - you'll choke, Heine she seems to say without words, even as she eats at a reasonable pace. he'll have to wait for her to be done, which isn't too much longer, before she'll leave at his side. it's not the most romantic dinner, true, or the longest. but it trumps eating alone, in her view.

and if something's on his mind to discuss, he knows she won't say anything, even if it's to let loose profanity about someone.]

[canicide]

[ Once they're both done and cleaned up, Heine is quick to get out of the tent and back to his own. With the flaps closed and tied, he almost immediately starts to undress, tossing a jacket to the ground unceremoniously and beginning to unbutton his shirt. ]

This thing is so stupid. [ UGH. ] Do I have to be in uniform around camp all the time?

[ "weh weh weh" whine more heine ]

[erythristic]

Well, you are the general. You hardly have to do anything you don't want to, but it sets a good example for your men.

[she keeps his coat around her shoulders, but she takes the opportunity to unfasten a few of her own blouse's buttons so her neck felt a little freer.]

If you don't dress in uniform, then why should they have motivation to do the same?

[canicide]

[ Heine just sighs again, untucking his shirt and starting on the belt. He sets his sword down, but keeps it close at hand. ]

...I guess.

[ He still doesn't like it, though. Frowning, he hangs his belt over a rack. ]

At least we're done for the day. You going to sleep?

[erythristic]

Only if you are.

[her eyes glance over to the singular bedroll - she's avoided this subject, but it was what it was. it simply made more sense if they both retired at the same time.]

[canicide]

Well.

[ He scruffs up his combed hair into its usual disarray. ]

There's... enough space. Do you have clothes to change into?

[erythristic]

Naturally.

[unlike Heine's complete disregard for his clothes, she takes care to fold his coat when she takes it off, turning her back to him as she changes and silently thanks her own foresight to not wear anything she cannot get off on her own. changing is swift by necessity, not wanting to stand around and slowly freeze, and she turns back around by the time she can take down her hair.]

Was it really just the shirt that was bothering you so bad? Or needing to be polite?

[or something else, really, but that's another question.]

[canicide]

Both.

[ Heine goes about changing as well, though he keeps his uniform pants and boots on. It's too cold to go barefoot, and the pants are comfortable enough. He strips into an undershirt and tugs on a thicker shirt, fighting his way through the neck. ]

...and it's taking longer than I thought it would. [ He sighs quietly. The campaign isn't going badly, but it's just slow. Staying out on this front for so long makes him feel like the cold is seeping into his bones. ]

[erythristic]

[the pins come out one by one, and the braid of her hair comes down.]

They're being cautious, aren't they. They must know you're here, so they want to minimize risk...but it'd almost be better if they moved now.

[canicide]

Yes. They'd have a better chance of avoiding us if they just retreated.

[ There's another group of forces coming around the other side of the area that'll either surround or squeeze the opponent entirely. It won't be long before they're in place. But for now, Heine's frustrated and impatient.

Huffing, he sits down on the bedroll. For a moment he's concentrated on his own troubles, until he looks up and sees her undoing her hair. ]

...want me to help?

[ Maybe it'll distract him from this. He'll... probably suck at it though. ]

[erythristic]

...if you would.

[she sits next to him after a moment, a little surprised that he'd ask but appreciating the help regardless. even if he's awful, she won't complain about it.]

How long will it take?

[the forces, not her hair.]

[canicide]

[ Heine gives the hair a once-over, trying to get an idea of the whole structure before he gets started. He takes off the cord holding the ends together and begins to pull the braided strands apart from each other, working slowly with clumsy fingers. ]

A week at most. You're going back before that, right?

[erythristic]

[the hair comes apart easily as she sits perfectly still, hands folded on her lap and thinking about when she can conceivably extend her visit to.]

I'd like not to, but if a message comes through, you know I'll have to immediately set off. Still, if nothing does...it can only be healthy to take breaks from being in the same place all the time.

[sometimes she thinks she could draw the main grounds with her eyes closed. for all that power brought, it had those severe drawbacks.]

[canicide]

Yeah.

[ Heine's well aware of that. Even if they aren't married in that way, they're still friends, after everything.

Or at least he thinks so. Realizing the thought, Heine pauses, hands stilling. ]

You should get out of the palace more. Go see some... fields and shit.

[ He goes back to undoing the braid, trying to keep anything from becoming knotted. When a tangle is spotted, Heine frowns, scooting closer so he can pick it loose with his fingertips. ]

[erythristic]

Fields.

[she says it deadpan, but right after, she lets chuckling escape.]

And how do you propose I escape to these fields? Make up official business and then run free?

[the tangle yields without much fuss, and she doesn't comment on his hands stopping - even if he had asked, the answer would have been the same. he was her husband and her friend both, and she could not have married someone who could not be such.]

[canicide]

Yeah?

[ Why not? Heine finishes on the tangle, then continues up through the rest of the braid. Once it's all undone, he runs his fingers through it briefly before letting it be. ]

Done. [ Shifting around Grell, Heine finds some space on the bedroll and flops down. ] You can check agricultur...al shit.

[erythristic]

I'll see how much the ministers buy it when I come back empty handed on this "agricultural shit."

[the profanity is delivered in a softer voice - only he got to hear it, even though it was simply repeating what he said back to him, and she lays down on some of the remaining space.]

Then why not claim I lost the reports along the way?