In the few weeks since Hilda and Claire made their plan for Claude's birthday, Claire's been a busy woman of trial and error. To make a small pine tree, the sort that would be good for his tea, is no easy feat. Fir trees, on the whole, are massive and don't typically come in miniature sizes. But Claire's been determined and after a few false starts, she's pretty sure she has it. It's good practice anyway, because she's on notice for a Christmas tree for Solvunn.
(She doesn't dwell on the fact that Christmas is over seven months away. Is she truly going to be here in seven months? Will she be happy here for that long? Only time will tell.)
They've decided to meet in a tea house and Claire arrives a little early, setting her things on the ground beside her feet and ordering. She takes the liberty of ordering Hilda's tea for her, knowing what she likes by now, and also asks for a few teak cakes as well. Then, she simply waits patiently, people watching contently.
Hilda bursts into the tea house several minutes after their appointed meeting time. She hadn't meant to be late. At home she had been notorious for being fashionably late; something had never been right with her outfit or her hair wasn't cooperating with her. Sometimes it was that she had simply woken up late. This time however it was a rare moment when she had been caught putting the finishing touches on a gift where all of the details had to be just right.
"I'm sorry," she starts breathlessly as she bundles through the door and straight into Claire's arms for a quick hug. "I promise I have a good reason for being late and I promise it won't happen again." She grins like it'll be true but Claire can probably discern that that probably won't be the case. As she slides into the seat across from her, cheeks flushed pink from all but running straight from the portal to Nocwich, she finally takes a breath. "You didn't wait long, did you?"
It's like catching a whirlwind of a daughter, and briefly, Claire thinks of Marsali as she hugs Hilda. If not for this breathless young woman, Claire might ache a bit more at the loss of both her daughter and daughter-in-law.
"No, I wasn't waiting long, and I'd only start to worry if you weren't here within a half hour. I'm used to living in a place where one stubborn horse can be the difference between punctuality and being so late we've all gotten to dessert by the time someone arrives." That is to say, Hilda's excused, and Claire can't help but match her smile. That promise is a hundred percent a young person's pledge, and she doesn't take it to heart.
"I did take the liberty of ordering for you, I only hope I know you as well as I think I do."
After everything they had all gone through as of late, Hilda knew that being late was a habit she'd have to break at some point save it trigger anyone. But she had never been a full half hour late somewhere. At least not yet. And if she had, it certainly wouldn't be Claire waiting for her.
She looks nothing but relieved and delighted when Claire absolves her of her sin and then follows up with saying that she had already done the ordering for them. If the display on the table is any indication along with the fragrant smell of fruits wafting from the steeping tea, Claire had definitely done a good job. "I think you do. I'm so flattered!"
Being late means that the least she can do is go ahead and serve the tea. As she's pouring some into Claire's cup she looks curiously at her. "How have you been since we last spoke? Any familiar faces pop up in Solvunn yet?"
"Good," Claire says, happy that the tea is correct. How she's been, makes her face change into something a little different; confused, unsure, maybe a bit of apprehension.
"I've been alright, I finished making bee houses for fresh honey. Of course, it will take a few months to see any, but it's in progress." Now the real news. "And actually, yes. Someone from home did arrive. He's in Thorne, Lord John Grey, though I think he prefers less formality these days." Of course, she doesn't really know.
"He's from ten years in my future. I hardly know him and he apparently knows me quite well. Very well." She shifts in her seat, distracting herself by checking the tea.
Hilda is no mind reader, nor does she have any ability to sense any kind of emotion. After spending enough time around Claire however, she'd like to think that she could at least tell when someone was feeling a little less than enthused about someone's arrival from their home world.
Instead of unpacking that particular topic right now however, Hilda gives the woman a little grin as begins serving her some of the dainty little sandwiches onto her plate. "Is there anything you can't do? I'd love to try some of the honey once they do make some! Just a tiny bit though, I wouldn't want to take anything away from the other people in Solvunn."
When the sandwiches are divided, she finally turns to the other topic she had given some time to breathe. "And as for your...acquaintance? I'm guessing him knowing you well isn't a good thing from the way you're reacting." She can't jump to conclusions that he's done something awful to Claire even though that happens to the scenario she had so dumbly walked into with Blake and Dr. Crane. Besides, it didn't look like Claire was afraid or upset in that sense.
"There's plenty I'm rubbish at. I'm sure something will come up at some point. And don't worry, once the bees really start going, we'll be overflowing with honey. We'll have plenty for you." Claire smiles at Hilda's consideration though, always impressed by her.
After a pause while gathering her thoughts, she finally admits how she feels aloud. "I don't enjoy the fact that someone now knows more about my life than I do. That isn't really all, though."
Holding a small sandwich, she stares at it as if what she's trying to say will appear like a prompt.
If this were a cartoon, there would be a distinct ticking sound as Hilda's brain processes what Claire actually means by "familiar". Thankfully, she's quick on the uptake on these sorts of things and the minute the realization hits her (this is where the 'ding!' would go), she's tries her best to arrange her expression in something that hopefully wouldn't offend Claire. How successful that is is unfortunately anyone's guess.
Thankfully Hilda has a moment to herself as Claire stares intently into the depths of her sandwich. When Claire eventually looks up her expression has probably settled into something of a grimace and Hilda lets out a long, exhaled breath. "Ohhh, I get it. He knows you like that." At least that's what she thinks Claire is saying.
"But this isn't one of your husbands, is it?" she asks. Surely not. Although, having multiple marriages over the course of a lifetime wasn't exactly uncommon where Hilda was from.
"I think so. At least, it seems so." That he knows her like that. Claire's forehead is a bit pinched together, and she shakes her head slowly.
"No, no he isn't. But if something happened to Jamie in the future—" Pressing her lips together, she stops that thought. "When I went back to my time, Jamie and Lord John spent quite a lot of time together. More time than I've had with Jamie our entire marriage."
She looks at her sandwich again, sad about that, she idly tears off a piece of bread.
"He calls me 'dear' which I don't mind. 'My dear' specifically is what he says. Do you think that's more meaningful and endearing or simply casually familiar?"
The mention of something happening to Jamie immediately has Hilda worrying too. Even though Claire's quick to put a stop to the thought herself, that doesn't stop Hilda to reach reach across the table to lightly touch her wrist in support all the same. Perhaps it's needed, especially when Claire continues and the sad expression fills her face.
In the short time that she's seen her, Hilda only ever recalled seeing a look of fond love on Claire's face when it came to speaking about Jamie. She can only assume that the cause is because of the time that John had spent with Jamie instead of her. It sounds like an echo of her situation with Claude - except Jamie and Claire were actually married. She and Claude weren't anything.
The thought makes Hilda's heart clenches and she quickly brushes it aside to focus on Claire. There's a moment of hesitation at Claire's question, because she isn't certain she's asking for her opinion. After a moment though she hazards a guess that she is when there isn't another follow-up thought. "It's tough to say without knowing him that well," she starts, " But have you maybe thought to...ask him?"
Well aware about the irony of her suggesting that isn't lost on Hilda - but because of that she knows that it' something that was far easier said than done.
Claire holds onto Hilda's hand tightly for a moment, squeezing gently before letting go.
"I haven't, because I'm not sure I want to know the answer." Meeting the other woman's eyes, she knows it's absolutely ridiculous, but she's learned not to ask questions she doesn't want the answers to. Still, she wanted to talk this out with someone, and Hilda's one of the people she's closest with, dear to her, even. Who better?
"When Lord John arrived, he was badly beaten and said that Jamie did it after John confessed something to him. They're...quite close. I know for a fact that Jamie trusts him implicitly; there's an entire history there even I don't know all of. So, why would Jamie beat him?"
There are few reasons why that Claire can think of and she's afraid to examine it closely. "Hilda, I know I could ask, but please, you tell me from the information I've given you, what you would assume?"
"It's not ridiculous." That much is said with certainty and conviction. If given the choice, she still isn't certain that she'd want to learn about her death again, but she doesn't regret it. At least she doesn't think so. The part of her still outraged about the fight she'd had with Claude rears its head. Had she been given the choice to decide whether or not she wanted to know the truth about some of her future (or one of them), maybe they would never have fought in the first place. Could have, should have, would have's were all she had now though.
Despite not knowing John, that doesn't mean that hearing news of his state upon arrival is any less concerning or shocking. Particularly when it's Claire's husband who had been the cause of it. Hilda worries her bottom lip, suddenly concerned that she's too young to offer up an opinion on this. She takes the time to formulate the response before starting, albeit a little bit hesitantly.
"Well, knowing that Jamie loves you very much...it had to have had something to do with you, wouldn't it?" And then realizing what that might sound like she's quick to amend herself. "I'm not saying that you did anything intentionally to hurt Jamie, but with all the time traveling maybe you spent time with Lord John - probably in a completely innocent way - and Jamie didn't take it in that context? There's also the possibility that something just happened between them."
She finds herself running out of breath at the end there, trying so desperately not to offend but to at least give Claire an honest opinion because that's what she deserved. "I think the only way to really find out without speculating too much is by asking Lord John," she adds looking as concerned as before.
Something about finally hearing it out of the mouth of someone else makes Claire feel less like she's making something out of nothing. Letting out a soft breath, she nods because Hilda's right.
"I know. I know I need to ask." She wants to explain why she asked Hilda a nearly impossible question, and she reaches back out for her hand, squeezing it in gratitude. "I'm uncertain the answer will be anything I want to hear. If I thought Jamie was dead, I wouldn't—" Now, she's holding onto Hilda just to hold on. "I wouldn't want anyone else."
Letting go, she takes a restorative sip of tea, then tries to relax her shoulders.
"I didn't mean to put you on the spot, and you are right. But once I ask, I can't unknow it. I suppose that's what I'm afraid of; to know that whatever peace and quiet Jamie and I wanted for ourselves doesn't seem to exist is upsetting, to say the least. We've gone through and lost more together than I've even told you, and it seems we're staying the path."
It makes her sad, and it makes her feel heavy. And the thought of going through any piece of it without Jamie knots her stomach. But it's the future, and she can't do anything about it—a lesson learned in the most difficult way imaginable.
Hilda is quick to shake her head. She doesn't feel put on the spot in the least. In fact, she's well aware how personal of a question the one Claire had posed to her had been, and to some degree it meant that the woman trusted her - while somewhat baffling for Hilda, still meant the world to her.
"Just because I'm right doesn't mean I would be brave enough to do it," Hilda says in an attempt to lighten the mood with her own mild self deprecating half smile. She had, after all, only asked Petra because of the mulled wine and forced Claude's hand because her fear and worry had manifested itself into a beast she could no longer control. "But if you've both gone through so much, I can't see much tearing you two apart."
A thought suddenly crosses Hilda's mind and she's quick to perk up. The little gift bag that she had run in with sits at her feet and she quickly picks it up, sliding it across the table towards Claire with her free hand. "I know this won't make things better, but I did have a small gift for you." It shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Nestled in the delicately wrapped gift box is the necklace that Claire had described to her. Hilda fiddles a little nervously with her hands under the table as she opens it, but it doesn't show on her face.
Instead, it shows in her blabbering. "If there's anything you want me to change, let me know. I could get the chain length changed too if you want it shorter or longer. And I engraved the back too with your initials so that if anything happens to it, you know it's yours."
Hilda should give herself some credit - a fifty-year-old plus woman is having a marriage crisis and the advice was spot on. And again, she says something that Claire will remember: being right doesn't necessarily mean bravery has come along for the ride.
The necklace isn't a surprise, no, so she's already smiling in anticipation as she opens the package. As soon as she sees it, everything around her seems to come to a pause and one hand comes to her mouth, fingertips pressing to her lips as her vision blurs.
"Oh, Hilda."
Taking the necklace out of the gift box, she holds it in her palm and stares at it, as if there are a thousand little details to take in. It's because she's stunned and emotional, but she shakes her head at the offer to change anything. Looking at the back, she lightly traces the CF before taking a deep breath, letting it out shakily.
"This is identical to the necklace Bree gave me. Minus the initials on the back, I never would have been able to tell the difference. Thank you, Hilda, so much." Claire cant wait, and she puts it on immediately where it rests perfectly against her throat.
"How does it look? I only had the chance to wear the original once and never got a good look at myself."
The tears are a brief cause for concern. It's hard not to assume that she's somehow misunderstood the assignment given to her, particularly when this was a piece that held so much meaning to Claire.
She wonders if it was a mistake to have engraved Claire's initials on the back, and her mind is tempted to keep spiralling downwards - until she watches as Claire puts the necklace on. "It looks like it was made for you - which it was," Hilda starts, inserting some levity in there in an attempt to dispel her anxiety. Not that she was trying to imply that that was somehow a replacement for the original.
"The colour really suits you too. Bree knew what she was doing when she gave it to you." The smile on her face is genuine; Hilda rarely lied about something looking good on someone if it wasn't true. "I'm just glad that you think that looks as good as the one Bree gave you. I didn't want to get anything wrong considering how precious it was to you."
Hilda does spark a laugh, and Claire presses her hand over her chest, over the necklace.
"It's identical, save for the initials, which are think are a wonderful touch. I think if Bree were to ever see it, she'd never realize it wasn't the same necklace." This time, she won't lose the stone, and she reaches out to squeeze Hilda's hand.
"Thank you again, so very much. And now, I have something to show you, if you have a moment?"
Hilda spots the tears and is quick to reach her other hand into her purse for a handkerchief. "I'd make you any number of necklaces, Claire! You can always just ask me and it'll never be a problem." Extending it out towards the corner of Claire's eyes she dabs away whatever dampness might have been there. It gives her something to do, preoccupying herself so that she doesn't feel too overwhelmed by the showing of emotion lest she tear up too.
"Something for me?" She looks a little surprised, but gives Claire's hand a comforting squeeze back in return. Her demeanour perking up might only be a little bit put on in an attempt to bring some levity back to the situation. "Well you know me. I'll never turn down a good surprise."
"Thank you again, very much." Oh, how she loves Hilda. She smiles softly at the care in her touch, and is glad for what she hopes is a lighter moment.
"Well, not quite. More what you requested." Reaching down into the bag at her side, Claire produces a plant that highly resembles a conifer sort of tree, but is only 24 inches tall, and more reminiscent of something from Hilda's world.
"I know it's a bit...thin. But you mentioned Claude's birthday isn't until July, so there's still time to try something different." Thanks to her magical prodding, she's much further along than even a miniature tree should be. But she's still limited, and still learning.
The small tree had been everything Hilda had been hoping for when she had first posed the idea to Claire. It's adorable, a little bigger than what she had hoped for, but it was a tree so that was to be expected. Her brain immediately begins to spin with ideas on how to create the small terrarium she had in mind.
Suddenly her mind screeches to a halt as reality crashes in and the expression of pleasant surprise on Hilda's face is short lived but when she meets Claire's gaze, she forces the delighted smile back onto her face. It's not easy when she now knows the truth behind Claude's love for Almyrian pine. A bitterness coats her tongue, but that has nothing to do with the woman who had so painstakingly grown this for her. "No, it's perfect! I can probably fill out the terrarium with more foliage and scenery. Thank you so much, Claire."
Waiting with bated breath, the happiness that blooms first makes Claire smile, but there's a flicker of something, there and gone again. It disappears so quickly she can't be sure she saw it, and so she doesn't say anything, at least not at the moment.
"Are you sure? I know you said miniature, and obviously for a tree it is, but there's still time to make adjustments." She needed to say that at least, but she does smile warmly at Hilda.
"You're more than welcome, I was happy to do it. And as a bonus, it helped me flex my new magic, so thank you as well."
Her admission is pulled out of her bit by bit with a sheepish smile. "Well, I was hoping it would be a little bit smaller. But I'll make it work!" The terrariums she had seen were all small, but who's to say that she couldn't make a slightly larger version of it? With a little ingenuity she could make most things in her head come to life.
But that was before she had gotten into a fight with Claude. There were few people she would actually exert more effort than lifting a pinky for and Claude was one of them. Had been one of them. In an effort to dispel the bitter coating in her mouth, Hilda busies herself pouring the tea for the both of them and taking a tentative sip. But a seasoned tea drinker like herself knows it's far too soon and she's met with a burned tongue instead. She winces into the cup before looking up again, face arranged in some semblance of normal.
"Are you growing anything else in your garden with your powers? I'm sure it's such a huge help."
Claire doesn’t look disappointed in herself; after all, she’s never done this before. It was all trial and error and magic. Magic she’s still learning, herself. Instead, she takes note and tries to think of where she might have gone wrong on the sizing.
“As long as you’re sure. I think I could possibly get one to half this; it must be connected to the initial growing stage.” She’s going to ruminate on it anyway, unable to let a puzzle go when she’s almost got it.
Since meeting Hilda, they’ve had a lot of tea together. Never once has she seen the young woman burn her tongue. “Are you alright? Not to pry, it’s only that you seem…a bit flustered.”
Claire puts a pause on Hilda’s question, wanting to make sure first that nothing is wrong.
"Flustered?" She can't help but echo Claire's question back to her like a parrot. A part of her had hoped that she'd move on from the subject and she could make up a convenient half truth about what she'd done with the tree once Claude's birthday came to pass.
Despite herself a mildly strained laugh flutters from her lips. "No, no I'm just -," she starts before stopping herself short. Only moments ago she had come to terms with spinning up some kind of half-truth to give Claire about a tree that she isn't sure she has use for any longer. But lying to Claire might as well have been like lying to her own mother.
She sucks in a breath before letting it out, eyes darting away and keeping a firm gaze at the liquid in her cup. Inside her mind, she debates the pros and cons of admitting to Claire something that she shouldn't involve her in. After all, they had already inadvertently involved Sylvain. Her fingers curl tight around the porcelain, recalling the fight that she'd had with Claude all over again. Before she can lose the nerve, the words are forced out of her, but they're more of a mumble than anything else. "I might have gotten in a fight with Claude."
Claire waits patiently, taking a delicate sip of her tea. If Hilda wants to talk about it, she will. And if not, Claire won't push, just worry from afar. The last thing she wants to do is smother her—Hilda's a grown woman after all. But then the quiet truth comes out and her shoulders sink; she likes Claude immensely as well, so hearing that two of her favorite people are arguing deflates her a bit.
"Oh, Hilda, I'm sorry. I know that must feel awful." One hand reaches out to squeeze hers in support. "Please know I'm here if you'd like to talk about it, or we can completely ignore it and leave here to go drown ourselves in sweets."
Whatever the young woman needs; she's been so much of a support to Claire, a light. The least she can do is attempt to listen if needed.
![[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}
(Closed) • Hilda
(She doesn't dwell on the fact that Christmas is over seven months away. Is she truly going to be here in seven months? Will she be happy here for that long? Only time will tell.)
They've decided to meet in a tea house and Claire arrives a little early, setting her things on the ground beside her feet and ordering. She takes the liberty of ordering Hilda's tea for her, knowing what she likes by now, and also asks for a few teak cakes as well. Then, she simply waits patiently, people watching contently.
no subject
"I'm sorry," she starts breathlessly as she bundles through the door and straight into Claire's arms for a quick hug. "I promise I have a good reason for being late and I promise it won't happen again." She grins like it'll be true but Claire can probably discern that that probably won't be the case. As she slides into the seat across from her, cheeks flushed pink from all but running straight from the portal to Nocwich, she finally takes a breath. "You didn't wait long, did you?"
no subject
"No, I wasn't waiting long, and I'd only start to worry if you weren't here within a half hour. I'm used to living in a place where one stubborn horse can be the difference between punctuality and being so late we've all gotten to dessert by the time someone arrives." That is to say, Hilda's excused, and Claire can't help but match her smile. That promise is a hundred percent a young person's pledge, and she doesn't take it to heart.
"I did take the liberty of ordering for you, I only hope I know you as well as I think I do."
no subject
She looks nothing but relieved and delighted when Claire absolves her of her sin and then follows up with saying that she had already done the ordering for them. If the display on the table is any indication along with the fragrant smell of fruits wafting from the steeping tea, Claire had definitely done a good job. "I think you do. I'm so flattered!"
Being late means that the least she can do is go ahead and serve the tea. As she's pouring some into Claire's cup she looks curiously at her. "How have you been since we last spoke? Any familiar faces pop up in Solvunn yet?"
no subject
"I've been alright, I finished making bee houses for fresh honey. Of course, it will take a few months to see any, but it's in progress." Now the real news. "And actually, yes. Someone from home did arrive. He's in Thorne, Lord John Grey, though I think he prefers less formality these days." Of course, she doesn't really know.
"He's from ten years in my future. I hardly know him and he apparently knows me quite well. Very well." She shifts in her seat, distracting herself by checking the tea.
no subject
Instead of unpacking that particular topic right now however, Hilda gives the woman a little grin as begins serving her some of the dainty little sandwiches onto her plate. "Is there anything you can't do? I'd love to try some of the honey once they do make some! Just a tiny bit though, I wouldn't want to take anything away from the other people in Solvunn."
When the sandwiches are divided, she finally turns to the other topic she had given some time to breathe. "And as for your...acquaintance? I'm guessing him knowing you well isn't a good thing from the way you're reacting." She can't jump to conclusions that he's done something awful to Claire even though that happens to the scenario she had so dumbly walked into with Blake and Dr. Crane. Besides, it didn't look like Claire was afraid or upset in that sense.
no subject
After a pause while gathering her thoughts, she finally admits how she feels aloud. "I don't enjoy the fact that someone now knows more about my life than I do. That isn't really all, though."
Holding a small sandwich, she stares at it as if what she's trying to say will appear like a prompt.
"He's very...familiar with me."
no subject
Thankfully Hilda has a moment to herself as Claire stares intently into the depths of her sandwich. When Claire eventually looks up her expression has probably settled into something of a grimace and Hilda lets out a long, exhaled breath. "Ohhh, I get it. He knows you like that." At least that's what she thinks Claire is saying.
"But this isn't one of your husbands, is it?" she asks. Surely not. Although, having multiple marriages over the course of a lifetime wasn't exactly uncommon where Hilda was from.
no subject
"No, no he isn't. But if something happened to Jamie in the future—" Pressing her lips together, she stops that thought. "When I went back to my time, Jamie and Lord John spent quite a lot of time together. More time than I've had with Jamie our entire marriage."
She looks at her sandwich again, sad about that, she idly tears off a piece of bread.
"He calls me 'dear' which I don't mind. 'My dear' specifically is what he says. Do you think that's more meaningful and endearing or simply casually familiar?"
no subject
In the short time that she's seen her, Hilda only ever recalled seeing a look of fond love on Claire's face when it came to speaking about Jamie. She can only assume that the cause is because of the time that John had spent with Jamie instead of her. It sounds like an echo of her situation with Claude - except Jamie and Claire were actually married. She and Claude weren't anything.
The thought makes Hilda's heart clenches and she quickly brushes it aside to focus on Claire. There's a moment of hesitation at Claire's question, because she isn't certain she's asking for her opinion. After a moment though she hazards a guess that she is when there isn't another follow-up thought. "It's tough to say without knowing him that well," she starts, " But have you maybe thought to...ask him?"
Well aware about the irony of her suggesting that isn't lost on Hilda - but because of that she knows that it' something that was far easier said than done.
no subject
"I haven't, because I'm not sure I want to know the answer." Meeting the other woman's eyes, she knows it's absolutely ridiculous, but she's learned not to ask questions she doesn't want the answers to. Still, she wanted to talk this out with someone, and Hilda's one of the people she's closest with, dear to her, even. Who better?
"When Lord John arrived, he was badly beaten and said that Jamie did it after John confessed something to him. They're...quite close. I know for a fact that Jamie trusts him implicitly; there's an entire history there even I don't know all of. So, why would Jamie beat him?"
There are few reasons why that Claire can think of and she's afraid to examine it closely. "Hilda, I know I could ask, but please, you tell me from the information I've given you, what you would assume?"
no subject
Despite not knowing John, that doesn't mean that hearing news of his state upon arrival is any less concerning or shocking. Particularly when it's Claire's husband who had been the cause of it. Hilda worries her bottom lip, suddenly concerned that she's too young to offer up an opinion on this. She takes the time to formulate the response before starting, albeit a little bit hesitantly.
"Well, knowing that Jamie loves you very much...it had to have had something to do with you, wouldn't it?" And then realizing what that might sound like she's quick to amend herself. "I'm not saying that you did anything intentionally to hurt Jamie, but with all the time traveling maybe you spent time with Lord John - probably in a completely innocent way - and Jamie didn't take it in that context? There's also the possibility that something just happened between them."
She finds herself running out of breath at the end there, trying so desperately not to offend but to at least give Claire an honest opinion because that's what she deserved. "I think the only way to really find out without speculating too much is by asking Lord John," she adds looking as concerned as before.
no subject
"I know. I know I need to ask." She wants to explain why she asked Hilda a nearly impossible question, and she reaches back out for her hand, squeezing it in gratitude. "I'm uncertain the answer will be anything I want to hear. If I thought Jamie was dead, I wouldn't—" Now, she's holding onto Hilda just to hold on. "I wouldn't want anyone else."
Letting go, she takes a restorative sip of tea, then tries to relax her shoulders.
"I didn't mean to put you on the spot, and you are right. But once I ask, I can't unknow it. I suppose that's what I'm afraid of; to know that whatever peace and quiet Jamie and I wanted for ourselves doesn't seem to exist is upsetting, to say the least. We've gone through and lost more together than I've even told you, and it seems we're staying the path."
It makes her sad, and it makes her feel heavy. And the thought of going through any piece of it without Jamie knots her stomach. But it's the future, and she can't do anything about it—a lesson learned in the most difficult way imaginable.
no subject
"Just because I'm right doesn't mean I would be brave enough to do it," Hilda says in an attempt to lighten the mood with her own mild self deprecating half smile. She had, after all, only asked Petra because of the mulled wine and forced Claude's hand because her fear and worry had manifested itself into a beast she could no longer control. "But if you've both gone through so much, I can't see much tearing you two apart."
A thought suddenly crosses Hilda's mind and she's quick to perk up. The little gift bag that she had run in with sits at her feet and she quickly picks it up, sliding it across the table towards Claire with her free hand. "I know this won't make things better, but I did have a small gift for you." It shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Nestled in the delicately wrapped gift box is the necklace that Claire had described to her. Hilda fiddles a little nervously with her hands under the table as she opens it, but it doesn't show on her face.
Instead, it shows in her blabbering. "If there's anything you want me to change, let me know. I could get the chain length changed too if you want it shorter or longer. And I engraved the back too with your initials so that if anything happens to it, you know it's yours."
no subject
The necklace isn't a surprise, no, so she's already smiling in anticipation as she opens the package. As soon as she sees it, everything around her seems to come to a pause and one hand comes to her mouth, fingertips pressing to her lips as her vision blurs.
"Oh, Hilda."
Taking the necklace out of the gift box, she holds it in her palm and stares at it, as if there are a thousand little details to take in. It's because she's stunned and emotional, but she shakes her head at the offer to change anything. Looking at the back, she lightly traces the CF before taking a deep breath, letting it out shakily.
"This is identical to the necklace Bree gave me. Minus the initials on the back, I never would have been able to tell the difference. Thank you, Hilda, so much." Claire cant wait, and she puts it on immediately where it rests perfectly against her throat.
"How does it look? I only had the chance to wear the original once and never got a good look at myself."
no subject
She wonders if it was a mistake to have engraved Claire's initials on the back, and her mind is tempted to keep spiralling downwards - until she watches as Claire puts the necklace on. "It looks like it was made for you - which it was," Hilda starts, inserting some levity in there in an attempt to dispel her anxiety. Not that she was trying to imply that that was somehow a replacement for the original.
"The colour really suits you too. Bree knew what she was doing when she gave it to you." The smile on her face is genuine; Hilda rarely lied about something looking good on someone if it wasn't true. "I'm just glad that you think that looks as good as the one Bree gave you. I didn't want to get anything wrong considering how precious it was to you."
no subject
"It's identical, save for the initials, which are think are a wonderful touch. I think if Bree were to ever see it, she'd never realize it wasn't the same necklace." This time, she won't lose the stone, and she reaches out to squeeze Hilda's hand.
"Thank you again, so very much. And now, I have something to show you, if you have a moment?"
She may also be wiping away any hint of tears.
no subject
"Something for me?" She looks a little surprised, but gives Claire's hand a comforting squeeze back in return. Her demeanour perking up might only be a little bit put on in an attempt to bring some levity back to the situation. "Well you know me. I'll never turn down a good surprise."
no subject
"Well, not quite. More what you requested." Reaching down into the bag at her side, Claire produces a plant that highly resembles a conifer sort of tree, but is only 24 inches tall, and more reminiscent of something from Hilda's world.
"I know it's a bit...thin. But you mentioned Claude's birthday isn't until July, so there's still time to try something different." Thanks to her magical prodding, she's much further along than even a miniature tree should be. But she's still limited, and still learning.
no subject
Suddenly her mind screeches to a halt as reality crashes in and the expression of pleasant surprise on Hilda's face is short lived but when she meets Claire's gaze, she forces the delighted smile back onto her face. It's not easy when she now knows the truth behind Claude's love for Almyrian pine. A bitterness coats her tongue, but that has nothing to do with the woman who had so painstakingly grown this for her. "No, it's perfect! I can probably fill out the terrarium with more foliage and scenery. Thank you so much, Claire."
no subject
"Are you sure? I know you said miniature, and obviously for a tree it is, but there's still time to make adjustments." She needed to say that at least, but she does smile warmly at Hilda.
"You're more than welcome, I was happy to do it. And as a bonus, it helped me flex my new magic, so thank you as well."
no subject
But that was before she had gotten into a fight with Claude. There were few people she would actually exert more effort than lifting a pinky for and Claude was one of them. Had been one of them. In an effort to dispel the bitter coating in her mouth, Hilda busies herself pouring the tea for the both of them and taking a tentative sip. But a seasoned tea drinker like herself knows it's far too soon and she's met with a burned tongue instead. She winces into the cup before looking up again, face arranged in some semblance of normal.
"Are you growing anything else in your garden with your powers? I'm sure it's such a huge help."
no subject
“As long as you’re sure. I think I could possibly get one to half this; it must be connected to the initial growing stage.” She’s going to ruminate on it anyway, unable to let a puzzle go when she’s almost got it.
Since meeting Hilda, they’ve had a lot of tea together. Never once has she seen the young woman burn her tongue. “Are you alright? Not to pry, it’s only that you seem…a bit flustered.”
Claire puts a pause on Hilda’s question, wanting to make sure first that nothing is wrong.
no subject
Despite herself a mildly strained laugh flutters from her lips. "No, no I'm just -," she starts before stopping herself short. Only moments ago she had come to terms with spinning up some kind of half-truth to give Claire about a tree that she isn't sure she has use for any longer. But lying to Claire might as well have been like lying to her own mother.
She sucks in a breath before letting it out, eyes darting away and keeping a firm gaze at the liquid in her cup. Inside her mind, she debates the pros and cons of admitting to Claire something that she shouldn't involve her in. After all, they had already inadvertently involved Sylvain. Her fingers curl tight around the porcelain, recalling the fight that she'd had with Claude all over again. Before she can lose the nerve, the words are forced out of her, but they're more of a mumble than anything else. "I might have gotten in a fight with Claude."
no subject
"Oh, Hilda, I'm sorry. I know that must feel awful." One hand reaches out to squeeze hers in support. "Please know I'm here if you'd like to talk about it, or we can completely ignore it and leave here to go drown ourselves in sweets."
Whatever the young woman needs; she's been so much of a support to Claire, a light. The least she can do is attempt to listen if needed.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)