who: helena and others! what: variety catchall for the month. when: end of july/ all of august. where: across the boat. warnings: likely discussions of death.
She's quiet for a moment, letting that sink into her, before she makes a sound, a sort of helpless, exasperated noise that can't decide if she wants to laugh or cry. What was the reason for it? Why do such a thing, in the midst of misery? Between the two horrors, she knows what she sees as worse.
It's a physical thing, when she gives up after that information. Just slumps against him, head on his shoulder, unsure of what to do or be next.
The moment she slumps over, Max turns his head so he can press his lips to the side of her face. It would be a kiss except that he isn't moving away again, but keeping his face there pressed against her so that when he speaks, his lips brush her cheek.
"You can go back to sleep for a little while if you want. It's pretty early. You don't have to worry about the food I... think I got a new gift."
This is a certainty. She can't go to sleep, if someone isn't here. They're going to come back, smother her. But her hands pat his back, and pulling back is only done with the greatest reluctance. He's here. She's here. And tonight, as promised, he'll get to sleep with loved ones on either side, so he knows they won't disappear.
"Okay, I understand. I'll be there with you and Security tonight to help with them." He knows he already promised, but he wants her to know he intends to keep it.
"Thank you. But, you really don't have to eat it until you're ready. The neat thing is, for the last three days, all the food I make stays perfectly hot even after it's been a while. So, it won't be ruined if you need to take some time."
"That's wonderful, actually...it's like magic made just for you."
Something that suits Max as opposed to anyone else. So that he could demonstrate his care and not have it be time sensitive. The Erda, occasionally, might be kind in that respect.
"Did you just figure it out? Or did something happen?"
"Yeah," he says, brightly, like that's only just dawned on him. "I guess it is." He's beaming bright enough that she won't be able to miss the smile in his voice.
He's happy to continue along this line of conversation. It's a safe topic, one that uplifts him and, hopefully, that will help her too.
"It just happened. I got a package a day after you all left and when I opened it there was just a puff of steam. I didn't think anything of it until I baked some cookies and set them out to cool. I came back an hour later and they were still warm. Then, everything I made after did the same. It all stays at the perfect temperature. Hot or cold. It made getting breakfast for everyone waking up today a lot easier."
"People talk about the force that brought us here and being touched by destiny, It..." She gives a small yawn, shaking off the last of sleep for now. "This means part of your destiny is being able to make things without having to worry they won't be enjoyed at their best. I think there's a lot of chefs that would give anything to be able to get a gift like that."
And to be able to share his care and love this way, in such an innate action to look after another, to support a group - it's impressive. She ends up chuckling a little, a real thing.
"The great wizard Max, touched by destiny to be the finest baker in the lands. That's what it sounds like."
"Yeah." His voice softens with gratitude. If this really is the Erda confirming for him what his destiny should be, then he's so glad it's this. He's ready to embrace that role as support and carer. "This is exactly the kind of thing I would have wished for if I... ha. If I ever found a magic lamp." Is that tasteless to say given what their Captain is? He hopes not.
"I think you mean the greatest baker on the seas." He hugs her close again because saying thank you right now doesn't feel powerful enough. He was supposed to be the one comforting her, but she's doing just as much for him right now.
"If my destiny is to make people feel better with my food, then yours much be to do the same but with your words. Because I always come away from a conversation with you feeling inspired."
"I hope so. It's why I want to write - so I can express with chosen words things that I want everyone to feel, to experience. To give them something they can't get on their own."
Hugging him back, there's more warmth in her voice, less tension in her frame. Talking like this is doing wonders to push back the death, the waiting, the unpleasant news.
"I want to let other people read my words and understand something that I need them to know, without me saying it aloud. Telling the stories I want to, because I simply have to do it."
"I know you'll succeed at it. You have so much talent and so much care. You have the power to make us laugh, cry, to feel something deep in our souls through your words. I can't wait to see what stories you'll have to tell."
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
It's a physical thing, when she gives up after that information. Just slumps against him, head on his shoulder, unsure of what to do or be next.
no subject
"You can go back to sleep for a little while if you want. It's pretty early. You don't have to worry about the food I... think I got a new gift."
no subject
This is a certainty. She can't go to sleep, if someone isn't here. They're going to come back, smother her. But her hands pat his back, and pulling back is only done with the greatest reluctance. He's here. She's here. And tonight, as promised, he'll get to sleep with loved ones on either side, so he knows they won't disappear.
"Besides, they smell really good."
no subject
"Thank you. But, you really don't have to eat it until you're ready. The neat thing is, for the last three days, all the food I make stays perfectly hot even after it's been a while. So, it won't be ruined if you need to take some time."
no subject
Something that suits Max as opposed to anyone else. So that he could demonstrate his care and not have it be time sensitive. The Erda, occasionally, might be kind in that respect.
"Did you just figure it out? Or did something happen?"
This is easier to talk about than the excursion.
no subject
He's happy to continue along this line of conversation. It's a safe topic, one that uplifts him and, hopefully, that will help her too.
"It just happened. I got a package a day after you all left and when I opened it there was just a puff of steam. I didn't think anything of it until I baked some cookies and set them out to cool. I came back an hour later and they were still warm. Then, everything I made after did the same. It all stays at the perfect temperature. Hot or cold. It made getting breakfast for everyone waking up today a lot easier."
no subject
And to be able to share his care and love this way, in such an innate action to look after another, to support a group - it's impressive. She ends up chuckling a little, a real thing.
"The great wizard Max, touched by destiny to be the finest baker in the lands. That's what it sounds like."
no subject
"I think you mean the greatest baker on the seas." He hugs her close again because saying thank you right now doesn't feel powerful enough. He was supposed to be the one comforting her, but she's doing just as much for him right now.
"If my destiny is to make people feel better with my food, then yours much be to do the same but with your words. Because I always come away from a conversation with you feeling inspired."
no subject
Hugging him back, there's more warmth in her voice, less tension in her frame. Talking like this is doing wonders to push back the death, the waiting, the unpleasant news.
"I want to let other people read my words and understand something that I need them to know, without me saying it aloud. Telling the stories I want to, because I simply have to do it."
no subject