[ A burst of nervous laughter immediately flutters from her lips at the scolding, trying to remember when the last time she had scolded been. It must have been years at this point; her own parents did more doting than scolding.
As odd as it is to think, it feels kind of nice. ]
Both of them are safe, sound, and being headaches. [ She rolls her eyes jokingly. ] You'd never think that anything happened to either of them, although there was a close call towards the end there with the - [ The realization about what she almost revealed dawns on her. Immediately she swallows the word 'avalanche' and replaces it with something else. ] portal.
[ Claire notices that Hilda once again sidesteps the direct question about her, so for now, she lets it drop. But it’s there, in the forefront of her mind. ]
What happened with the portal?
[ one eyebrow arches, but she’s leading Hilda toward the courtyard so they can sit. ]
[ Her response wouldn't fool anyone, let alone Claire, especially with the inflection at the end of it. Knowing that that sort of response is practically asking for a reprimand of some kind, she's quick to amend herself. Hilda gives Claire's arm a quick, pleading squeeze. ]
Okay, it's not nothing but you have to promise not to freak out, okay? Because it was obviously fine at the end of the day.
Am I just as cute too? [ Hilda is obviously joking, but as Claire will quickly come to learn, it's equal parts defence and stalling mechanism. ] You don't have to answer that, I know the answer is yes.
[ Just cute in a different way, obviously.
She pulls an expression that is part grimace, part, "Yeah, you should probably sit down," and is quick to motion for Claire to seat herself. When they've both firmly got their bums in seats, Hilda figures there's no time like the present. ]
We were practically at the portals when an avalanche started. One of my friends was buried under — Petra, hopefully you meet her soon — and then we had to dig her out. But honestly, it wasn't that big of a deal, we made it out!
[ It goes without saying that she's saying it lightly and skirting over many details. ]
[ Claire laughs good-naturedly even if it's quiet. She can't help herself, Hilda does have a way of being charming. But once they're sitting her short-lived levity flies out the proverbial window. ]
An avalanche?
[ Different scenarios start whipping through her mind—the frostbite, the hypothermia, the exposure—but as Hilda says, they're here now. ]
First of all, it was a big deal. Second, your friend Petra, she's alright? No injuries?
[ As if Claire could do anything about it. As if there haven't been a dozen healers anyway spread throughout the factions. ]
Gosh, when you say it like that, it really sounds worse than it was.
[ Some nervous laughter punctuates her reply. Having grown up around mountains where avalanches were common, Hilda knows exactly how deadly they can be. It doesn't escape her how lucky they had been that they had scraped by without lasting physical injury. What also coincidentally escapes her is how Holst's nattering about avalanche survival had been unearthed in her brain at a very convenient time.
Something a little more serious settles in her features at the mention of Petra however. ]
She's okay now - and lucky too that it wasn't anything really serious. She was pretty reluctant to stay at the hospital to be honest, but it wasn't something some doe eyes and eyelash batting couldn't change.
I'm not saying it isn't! [ It's definitely, 100% a serious situation and she'd never joke about it normally. Well, that's lie. She would joke about it. She's trying to make light of it now, in fact. But that's not the point. ] I'm just saying that we're all here and back in one piece — that's all!
[ Her failing protests dissolve into a laugh as she's tugged into Claire's side. Immediately her arm goes to snake around hers too. ]
As long as you say it's okay, then I'll keep doing it. By the way! Before we got into today's lesson, I was hoping to ask you a favour.
[ Claire leads her to a more modern sort of outdoor seating area than Lallybroch ever had. But if the weather's perpetually nice, then why not? And it's just cool enough that the hearth fire is nice, but warm enough that it isn't uncomfortable. All of her best days at Lallybroch seemed to be during this temperature. ]
We'll sit first, then. There's something I wanted to show you as well, but you go ahead.
[ Whatever it is, the answer is probably yes, but she'll at least listen first. ]
[ Hilda had never seen anything from Claire's original time yet, but the set up before her is undeniably different from the backdrop that is Lallybroch. She gives her a nod of thanks, before launching right into her request before she can second guess herself. ]
How possible do you think it would be to make a plant? There's something I want make for Claude's birthday but I'm not sure how feasible it'll be.
[ Claire sits quietly as she ponders the question for a few seconds. ]
I'm honestly not completely sure. Any plant requires a seed at the very least, I should think. But that does lead me into what I wanted to show you. I finally have a touch of magic.
[ Claire has a little pot of dirt, the sort small plants arrive in at a nursery. The seed, which will one day grow into a pepper plant, is laying on top of the soil. Pushing it into the dirt, Claire covers it, then presses two fingers to the damp soil. Within five seconds, a tiny sprout pushes up out of the dirt and unfurls its leaves. ]
That's as far as I can get them so far, but I seem to be able to encourage plants a long. Perhaps this is something that could help in making a present for Claude?
[ As the little green sprout shoots up from the soil, Hilda's eyes go wide with wonder. There's no doubt that it's amazing, but she's more invested in the fact that Claire now has magic of her own. Everything that she had been told about Claire's world so far didn't have magic in the sense where people had the ability to cast it. Having grown up with magic being common, Hilda can only imagine how exciting it would be to have the ability to cast magic.
Her wonder lingers but she still turns a little sheepish. ]
I was hoping to get your advice on it, actually. It's not so much of a plant as it is a tree. There's this tree that provides nettles for his favourite tea back home, but I don't expect it to get that big. I was thinking more along the lines of a miniature one that I could put into this thing I saw in the market called a terrarium!
[ Claire laughs in sheer delight at Hilda's enthusiasm as well. It's such a new concept to her, this idea of being able to do something she's only read about in books, as far as magic is concerned.
At the mention of the tea, Claire perks up again. ]
Oh! I've had it We made our favorite teas for one another. It was nice, not quite my specific taste, but I would have it again. That's a quite thoughtful gift, Hilda. I'm sure we could find a way to make that work, between the two of us.
You've met him? He didn't give you trouble while he was here did he? [ Familiarity sparks in her eyes, disguising the mild discomfort she feels at the mention of Claude. Quickly she dispels it before she can dwell on it too long, instead pulling a faux stern face. ] If he did I can have a word with him.
[ Her stern expression fades into a pleased expression however. ]
As long as it isn't too much trouble I'd really appreciate it. I know someone in the Free Cities' that might be able to help but I didn't want them thinking that I was being too ambitious or anything.
He was perfectly delightful, I promise. He's a nice young man and a good conversationalist. He had plenty of kind things to say about you.
[ Claire smiles at Hilda, hiding the small sadness of knowing what happens to her. She's known, from Hilda's own mouth, but hearing it from another felt like an awful confirmation. It makes her feel more protective, though she knows everyone is quite capable of taking care of themselves. Still, she worries. ]
I can't imagine it would be trouble, only a bit of a puzzle. There's something called grafting that I can try, but it isn't a guaranteed solution. It may not work, but at least we'll know rather quickly based on the size of what grows from the seed.
[ It will take quite a bit of trial and error, but the nice thing is she can practice in the Horizon. ]
How soon would you like to be able to give him this?
Claude is very good with his words so I'm not surprised that he was perfectly pleasant.
[ There's little point in denying that and there's some fondness to her tone further pushing the discomfort down. But fondness quickly turns into mild embarrassment. Instead of a flush though she huffs. ]
He better have. We're supposed to be really good friends.
[ Supposed to be — said like she's joking, but there's a small, bitter part of her that might actually not be. She doesn't dwell on it though, moving past it onto Claire's solution and question. ]
I guess it depends on how long you think the grafting will take. His birthday is what people here call June so we have some time.
Does grafting have something to do with putting a piece of a plant on another?
[ Claire has learned so much about this trio, and it makes her warm to know they've managed to hold onto one another here in Abraxas. ]
I think if I can prod along the plant and it's only miniature we just might eke it out. But yes, you graft the plants you want to one another, and then you keep repeating the process until you get the result you want. Do I have until the end of June at least?
[ This one of the most daunting, non-serious tasks she's undertaken, but she's determined. ]
[ Would she still be warmed to know that there's some level of trouble brewing? Or that Hilda was trying to desperately put a temporary, awful patch over something she thought she had done wrong?
Maybe that's why she's trying so hard to make a seemingly impossible present, possible. It's perhaps the reason behind her sounding so hopeful and chipper. ]
That should be plenty of time since his birthday is at the beginning of July - but you're the expert here! And if there's anything I can do to repay you, just let me know. Now I just have to figure out a present for Sylvain. Why do their birthdays have to be practically a month apart?
[ Hilda shoots Claire a look that clearly says that she absolutely will be repaying her even if she turns blue in the face trying to do it. Never underestimate her willpower when it comes to repaying or gifting someone something. ]
He like horses; he spends a lot of time with them in the stables in Cadens working there. But he enjoys cooking and puzzle games like chess. [ She hums. ] I can't really make him anything to do with those things though. And I'm not about to buy him a horse.
when u go all caps u gotta check for typos i'm so mad lmao
[ It'll be a battle of wills then; Claire would never think of needing to be repaid, and Hilda is already making a necklace for her. So really, Claire is already repaying Hilda. ]
I'm unfortunately not crafty enough in the way that would mean making a nice chessboard and pieces. You could offer to cook with him though, anything he might like? Or ask someone else who enjoys cooking if they might be willing to teach Sylvain how to make a dish from their home.
[ Claire likes brainstorming ideas like this, but she never got to do it enough when it was for fun. Her scheming always surrounded politics and wars. ]
[ Sounds like they're going to be stuck forever in a loop of repaying each other back then.
Claire's ideas are sound - and she really likes it in fact. But her response comes almost immediately with no hesitation or second thought. ]
He's banned Claude and I from being in a kitchen with him so I think us not cooking will be more of a gift. [ Her eyes light up however at her other suggestion. ]
Getting him some cooking lessons might be fun though! I think he'd really like that. And that'd be way easier than trying to get chess pieces to move on their own. You're so smart, Claire!
[ Claire can't help but laugh at the comment about being banned from the kitchen. ]
I don't know about so smart, but I do try. You're a very creative and thoughtful young woman, Hilda, you would have come up with something, I've no doubt about that.
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[ Claire's gaze is firm yet somehow still gentle, only concerned. ]
I'm just fine, I wasn't the one stropping about in the danger. Your friends, you found them?
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As odd as it is to think, it feels kind of nice. ]
Both of them are safe, sound, and being headaches. [ She rolls her eyes jokingly. ] You'd never think that anything happened to either of them, although there was a close call towards the end there with the - [ The realization about what she almost revealed dawns on her. Immediately she swallows the word 'avalanche' and replaces it with something else. ] portal.
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What happened with the portal?
[ one eyebrow arches, but she’s leading Hilda toward the courtyard so they can sit. ]
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[ Her response wouldn't fool anyone, let alone Claire, especially with the inflection at the end of it. Knowing that that sort of response is practically asking for a reprimand of some kind, she's quick to amend herself. Hilda gives Claire's arm a quick, pleading squeeze. ]
Okay, it's not nothing but you have to promise not to freak out, okay? Because it was obviously fine at the end of the day.
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[ Which is to say fine. Even if she isn't going to be happy about it, she already knows. ]
I promise, I won't freak out. But should I be sitting?
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[ Just cute in a different way, obviously.
She pulls an expression that is part grimace, part, "Yeah, you should probably sit down," and is quick to motion for Claire to seat herself. When they've both firmly got their bums in seats, Hilda figures there's no time like the present. ]
We were practically at the portals when an avalanche started. One of my friends was buried under — Petra, hopefully you meet her soon — and then we had to dig her out. But honestly, it wasn't that big of a deal, we made it out!
[ It goes without saying that she's saying it lightly and skirting over many details. ]
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An avalanche?
[ Different scenarios start whipping through her mind—the frostbite, the hypothermia, the exposure—but as Hilda says, they're here now. ]
First of all, it was a big deal. Second, your friend Petra, she's alright? No injuries?
[ As if Claire could do anything about it. As if there haven't been a dozen healers anyway spread throughout the factions. ]
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[ Some nervous laughter punctuates her reply. Having grown up around mountains where avalanches were common, Hilda knows exactly how deadly they can be. It doesn't escape her how lucky they had been that they had scraped by without lasting physical injury. What also coincidentally escapes her is how Holst's nattering about avalanche survival had been unearthed in her brain at a very convenient time.
Something a little more serious settles in her features at the mention of Petra however. ]
She's okay now - and lucky too that it wasn't anything really serious. She was pretty reluctant to stay at the hospital to be honest, but it wasn't something some doe eyes and eyelash batting couldn't change.
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[ Claire's tone is light and she says Hilda's name with a soft laugh before reaching out and pulling Hilda close in a one-armed hug. ]
And I'm quite glad to know you were using your powers for good. You just keep batting those eyelashes to convince others to make the right decision.
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[ Her failing protests dissolve into a laugh as she's tugged into Claire's side. Immediately her arm goes to snake around hers too. ]
As long as you say it's okay, then I'll keep doing it. By the way! Before we got into today's lesson, I was hoping to ask you a favour.
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We'll sit first, then. There's something I wanted to show you as well, but you go ahead.
[ Whatever it is, the answer is probably yes, but she'll at least listen first. ]
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How possible do you think it would be to make a plant? There's something I want make for Claude's birthday but I'm not sure how feasible it'll be.
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I'm honestly not completely sure. Any plant requires a seed at the very least, I should think. But that does lead me into what I wanted to show you. I finally have a touch of magic.
[ Claire has a little pot of dirt, the sort small plants arrive in at a nursery. The seed, which will one day grow into a pepper plant, is laying on top of the soil. Pushing it into the dirt, Claire covers it, then presses two fingers to the damp soil. Within five seconds, a tiny sprout pushes up out of the dirt and unfurls its leaves. ]
That's as far as I can get them so far, but I seem to be able to encourage plants a long. Perhaps this is something that could help in making a present for Claude?
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[ As the little green sprout shoots up from the soil, Hilda's eyes go wide with wonder. There's no doubt that it's amazing, but she's more invested in the fact that Claire now has magic of her own. Everything that she had been told about Claire's world so far didn't have magic in the sense where people had the ability to cast it. Having grown up with magic being common, Hilda can only imagine how exciting it would be to have the ability to cast magic.
Her wonder lingers but she still turns a little sheepish. ]
I was hoping to get your advice on it, actually. It's not so much of a plant as it is a tree. There's this tree that provides nettles for his favourite tea back home, but I don't expect it to get that big. I was thinking more along the lines of a miniature one that I could put into this thing I saw in the market called a terrarium!
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At the mention of the tea, Claire perks up again. ]
Oh! I've had it We made our favorite teas for one another. It was nice, not quite my specific taste, but I would have it again. That's a quite thoughtful gift, Hilda. I'm sure we could find a way to make that work, between the two of us.
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[ Her stern expression fades into a pleased expression however. ]
As long as it isn't too much trouble I'd really appreciate it. I know someone in the Free Cities' that might be able to help but I didn't want them thinking that I was being too ambitious or anything.
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[ Claire smiles at Hilda, hiding the small sadness of knowing what happens to her. She's known, from Hilda's own mouth, but hearing it from another felt like an awful confirmation. It makes her feel more protective, though she knows everyone is quite capable of taking care of themselves. Still, she worries. ]
I can't imagine it would be trouble, only a bit of a puzzle. There's something called grafting that I can try, but it isn't a guaranteed solution. It may not work, but at least we'll know rather quickly based on the size of what grows from the seed.
[ It will take quite a bit of trial and error, but the nice thing is she can practice in the Horizon. ]
How soon would you like to be able to give him this?
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[ There's little point in denying that and there's some fondness to her tone further pushing the discomfort down. But fondness quickly turns into mild embarrassment. Instead of a flush though she huffs. ]
He better have. We're supposed to be really good friends.
[ Supposed to be — said like she's joking, but there's a small, bitter part of her that might actually not be. She doesn't dwell on it though, moving past it onto Claire's solution and question. ]
I guess it depends on how long you think the grafting will take. His birthday is what people here call June so we have some time.
Does grafting have something to do with putting a piece of a plant on another?
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I think if I can prod along the plant and it's only miniature we just might eke it out. But yes, you graft the plants you want to one another, and then you keep repeating the process until you get the result you want. Do I have until the end of June at least?
[ This one of the most daunting, non-serious tasks she's undertaken, but she's determined. ]
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Maybe that's why she's trying so hard to make a seemingly impossible present, possible. It's perhaps the reason behind her sounding so hopeful and chipper. ]
That should be plenty of time since his birthday is at the beginning of July - but you're the expert here! And if there's anything I can do to repay you, just let me know. Now I just have to figure out a present for Sylvain. Why do their birthdays have to be practically a month apart?
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But for now, Claire is pleased that she may be onto something. ]
Repay me? Please, there's no need for that. What does Sylvain enjoy doing, perhaps I can help you brainstorm.
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He like horses; he spends a lot of time with them in the stables in Cadens working there. But he enjoys cooking and puzzle games like chess. [ She hums. ] I can't really make him anything to do with those things though. And I'm not about to buy him a horse.
when u go all caps u gotta check for typos i'm so mad lmao
I'm unfortunately not crafty enough in the way that would mean making a nice chessboard and pieces. You could offer to cook with him though, anything he might like? Or ask someone else who enjoys cooking if they might be willing to teach Sylvain how to make a dish from their home.
[ Claire likes brainstorming ideas like this, but she never got to do it enough when it was for fun. Her scheming always surrounded politics and wars. ]
i saw nothing
Claire's ideas are sound - and she really likes it in fact. But her response comes almost immediately with no hesitation or second thought. ]
He's banned Claude and I from being in a kitchen with him so I think us not cooking will be more of a gift. [ Her eyes light up however at her other suggestion. ]
Getting him some cooking lessons might be fun though! I think he'd really like that. And that'd be way easier than trying to get chess pieces to move on their own. You're so smart, Claire!
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I don't know about so smart, but I do try. You're a very creative and thoughtful young woman, Hilda, you would have come up with something, I've no doubt about that.
fin!