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[princess_of_ida]

Three for the gleam of a jewel or a smile.



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[sunmon]

[ around midday, ]

Are you busy?

[princess_of_ida]

I could use a break from this damn book. What's up, babe?

[sunmon]

I have news that I want to share with you.
I don't know how to share it.
Because you're my friend, and I'm excited.
But also because you're more than a friend to me, and I want you to hear it from me.

[princess_of_ida]

[Oh, this is about Nikolai. Okay.
Also "more than a friend" - ouch.]

Then be excited! Tell me.

[sunmon]

Are you sure?

[ she seems so genuine over text, so alina continues. trusts her. ]

Nikolai left Felipe's room. He's going to stay in mine from now on.

[princess_of_ida]

[An expected eventual outcome. It was only a matter of time.]

Took him long enough. You are giving that room a thorough fucking cleaning, right? Cause it's nasty.

[So, why did it make her feel... disposable? She really wanted to believe when Alina stayed with her to be with her, not because Alina got lonely.]

[sunmon]

Yes, I cleaned, thank you.

[ frantically so. ]

It's ...
You're going to think this sounds so stupid.
I feel better with him here.
You know how he is. It's hard to tell what he's sincere about, sometimes.
And apparently it's not usual, for Ravkan royalty to share a bedroom.

[princess_of_ida]

And you're going to start coming back to banya hours again.

[Ianthe was absolutely going to use this as the excuse to get Alina to start taking care of herself again. And to get banya pampering time. It was one of her favorite things.]

It's not stupid to feel that way. He's your husband.

Though I'm not surprised about the shared bedroom shit. A lot of places where marriages tend to be political or arranged lend themselves to that. Especially if they didn't like each other. Happens sometimes in the Empire. A lot of those kinds of marriages there among House royalty with the added fertility factor.

Did you ask him to move in?

[sunmon]

I did, yeah. And I promise to be more consistent with the banya. Daily, even.



Thank you. For understanding.

It's just so stupid to try to figure out if this has just been an alliance. I mean, it started that way. But I don't think he ever wanted it to be like that.

But I've believed that before.

I wish he were less clever by half. I wouldn't spend so much time wondering what he's doing because he needs a sun summoner.

[princess_of_ida]

I'm positive it's not just an alliance. And, as you've irritatingly told me while taking the piss out of me, two things can be true at the same time. Also if he hurts you and it's not just your projection, I'll turn him inside-out. Pretty sure he knows that.

Truthfully, Alina, I'm being all understanding because I'm being Ianthe the Friend right now. We were friends first.
I've got the other Ianthe shoved in a box right now where she can have her temper tantrum about getting to see you less without ruining anything. I'm not trying to guilt trip you or anything. I'm happy for you, and I know my place.

Besides, more banya time makes me happy. So in some way it's a win-win.

[sunmon]

You don't have to split yourself into different boxes for me.
I like when you're honest.
Even when it doesn't feel good.

[princess_of_ida]

I'm not doing it for you; I'm doing it for me. I know it's stupid to get upset over you and your husband sharing a room. I want you to feel good and safe. I wish I made you feel that way, but I get it. I do. Doesn't change how I feel or what I'll do for you, or sometimes more importantly what I won't do because of you.

I'm just going to have to find a way to deal with you staying over less and to ignore my sister telling me that you're only coming over because Nikolai went to Quentin. And I will find a way.

[sunmon]

Maybe Nikolai will only go to Quentin because I've gone to spend time with you.
No.
This is stupid.
All of it's stupid.
I mean, do you only invite me over because you're not busy with Gilia?

[princess_of_ida]

It is stupid. That's why I put it in the box! Feelings are fucking dumb and irrational. I know it's not true.

[She just knew her god damm place.]

And no, when I invite you over I want you. Gilia doesn't factor into that at all. You both have open invitations.

[sunmon]

I don't mean your feelings are dumb.
I understand.
I feel it too.
I hate it.

Look. I can't give you what you've given me.
It wouldn't be fair to him.
But what if I give you a different kind of open invitation?
You can call me over. Whenever you need. I'll come.

[princess_of_ida]

That is a very dangerous offer to make to an insatiable creature. Moderation is not a great strength of mine, and I always want you.

[sunmon]

I didn't say want, did I?
I said need.

[princess_of_ida]

[Very good catch. A lot less wiggle room with 'need'. Boundaries. She'd told Alina boundaries were necessary.]

Need. Understood.

[sunmon]

I know how you work.

[princess_of_ida]

Can you you really blame a girl for trying?

[sunmon]

Not in the slightest.
I appreciate it, in fact.

[princess_of_ida]

I promise I'll only make up a superfluous need a couple times. Pair it with a bad pick up line.

Jokes aside, thank you for giving me this.

[sunmon]

Thank you for being happy for me.

[ they're both trying. that's worth something, isn't it? ]

[princess_of_ida]

[It's a complicated dance with them and Nikolai. If they worked at it, maybe they'd eventually stop stepping on toes.]

Is there anything you'd like for the room that I can pick up for you? I can get just about anything.

Oh, and if you want to keep a change of clothes and a nightgown at my place, there's a spot in the wardrobe for you. Just to have on hand.

[sunmon]

I'll bring an extra set to the banya tomorrow. I can walk you back to your house, after.

[ it seems like a good concession, a way to reassure ianthe that she's still here. ]

I think we have what we need. I stowed Genya's things finally, and that made some room.
I don't know.
I don't snore, do I?
He'd probably know already. If I did.