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[cache_coeur]

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”Allô, mon amie! Je ne suis pas disponible pour le moment, mais laissez-moi un message et je vous rapellerai dès que possible! À bientôt!”

CODING

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[cache_coeur]

[She glances sidelong at Maelle, at the tangle of red hair falling over her shoulder as she leans, and starts properly washing the dishes.]

In some ways. I don't feel like I'm likely to fall in love any time soon, but if it's a new beginning, it's at least a possibility. And I like the Fool as a warning –– maybe it's saying that I won't survive this new adventure on my own. Or that I need to heal to enjoy what's coming to me next to the fullest.

[She shrugs, and gives a little chuckle.]

I used to draw the Fool all the time, you know. It's been a while.

[maellum]

So for all the healing you say Gustave and I need to do, you need to do some, too.

[Not that she thinks Sciel would deny it. They're all pretty fucked up just by nature of being from Lumière, aren't they? Their fractured world.]

[cache_coeur]

[She nods. Her voice is a smidge more careful, but this is life, and there's no sense in not being frank.]

Well, yes. I didn't really plan to be here, nor did I think I'd have a future after the Paintress.

[maellum]

[Sciel wasn't wrong. Maelle gathers up the cards, shuffling the Fool back in.]

You'll not only have many adventures ahead of you, but you'll be able to experience them while getting old, too.

[Such a novel thing that Maelle hasn't really thought about that for herself.]

[cache_coeur]

[She sets one plate in the drying rack, and then the other.]

And that's plenty exciting on its own, even without some new love. So we'll see!

[maellum]

But would you want new love? You have the time...

[Revenge, Maelle thinks, but she won't press too much.]

[cache_coeur]

[No, is the immediate thought, but she knows she can't live this way forever. It's difficult even after just six years. She draws in a deep breath, sighing not at Maelle but at the mere thought.]

I suppose... if grief could move over to make space for something else to sit with me, I'd like that. But we'll see.

[maellum]

[Maelle misinterprets the sigh, and frowns.]

... sorry if I'm prying too much. Just, you know. The cards. I was curious.

[She tries to be sensitive about these things. She saw how Gustave was after Sophie--both times they went their separate ways.]

[cache_coeur]

You're fine. [She wipes a hand off on the dishtowel, just so she doesn't touch Maelle with a wet hand; her palm settles on the back of her neck, gives her a gentle squeeze.] It's hard for me but you can ask me whatever you like.

[maellum]

[An incoming wet hand would be a good excuse to duck away, but Maelle stays, giving Sciel a small smile. She believes what she says, but that doesn't mean she'll take her up on it.]

I'll remember you said that the next time you go out.

[cache_coeur]

[That pulls a laugh from her that's allllmost a groan.]

And I'll tell you if I find love.

[maellum]

[Maelle laughs, pleased with that reaction.]

You'd better. I should be no more than fourth to know.

[Anyway!]

I mentioned a surprise, didn't I?

[cache_coeur]

Fourth at latest, understood and promised.

[And wow, she’d completely forgotten.]

You did. What is it?

[maellum]

Something to wear.

[It's not a dress that gives Maelle anxiety or a tiny skirt, but when Maelle ducks out of the kitchen for a moment and returns, she has something held behind her back.]

Eyes closed, hands out.

[cache_coeur]

[Oh, that’s sweet of her. Sciel wraps up washing the utensils and puts her hand out when Maelle is ready, eyes closed.]

Alright!

[maellum]

You have a lot already, but you also have two arms.

[Maelle puts a stack of bracelets into Sciel's hands.]

[cache_coeur]

[Sweet and thoughtful. Sciel’s expression is transparently touched, and she slips a couple on immediately before pulling Maelle into a hug.]

They’re so lovely, thank you. I can never have enough, and it’s only fitting that I have my students on one arm and you on the other.

[maellum]

[Gustave's not the only one she thinks about when shopping. Maelle laughs on an exhale, Sciel's hugs always sure and sincere. They're nice.]

I am technically your student of the cards.

[cache_coeur]

[It’s so good to squeeze Maelle in her arms. She kisses the girl on the temple when she finally pulls back a little.]

You are my student of the cards, and affairs of the heart!

[maellum]

[The kiss makes her smile bashful, and she laughs and is suddenly very interested in examining the new bracelets on Sciel's wrist as if she hasn't seen them before.]

Uh huh. Just for today.

[cache_coeur]

[Sciel grins.]

Oh, really? So I’m expected to milk this for today only?

[maellum]

Milk this? Milk this how, exactly?

[That determines whether she renews her contract!]

[cache_coeur]

[Her embrace tightens again.]

I haven’t decided yet.

[maellum]

Oof.

[She's being crushed!!! Except not really.]

That's so threatening.

[cache_coeur]

Threatening? [There’s some very mild mock-offence there, as she clasps an hand to the back of Maelle’s head and holds it to her shoulder like she’s a baby.] What if I just hugged you until I figured it out?