I know the endpoint - the ending image, really. In particular, I know in broad strokes how the world will be shaped when I get done with it, and I have some idea of what it will require to reach that state - but there's a whole lot of the middle that I *don't* yet have.
On the bright side, I've finally managed to get the next bit done. It's a little short, but hopefully there will be more to follow soon.
------------------
I wake up a little while later, feeling worlds better. I check the clock to my right. Huh. That's funny. It's only been about three hours, and I feel like I've slept at least eight or nine. Also, there's something funny on my left side. I look left. The girl is lying on top of the covers, curled up against me, nestled into the crook of my arm, passed out. It feels really nice, and she looks really cute, and I have no idea how to deal with this. She mumbles something unintelligible and burrows in a little closer. I turn my head to stare at the ceiling.
"Hethia?"
"Yes, Domitor?"
"Help?"
"What would you have of me, Domitor?"
"What do I do?"
"You could just relax and enjoy it. Given that you were alone when you fell asleep, it is likely that she doesn't mind being there."
"Hethia?"
"Yes, Domitor?"
"That's not helping."
Hethia, of course, says nothing.
I spend a few more moments strugging with myself, and then begin, slowly and carefully, to move. It takes all of the skills I have at my disposal - pillow replacement technique, blanket repositioning, and one panicked moment of fervent, carefully generic prayer, but I manage to get free without waking her up, and even make sure that she has enough covers around her to stay warm. Then I head down stairs. Perhaps I'll put in some time in the workshop after all.
My workshop is in the basement, lined with Primal Stone (and wow, but that wasn't cheap) and covered in wards of containment and protection, carved into the stones themselves. If you're going to do something long-term, it pays to do it right. I settle down for the long, tedious process of reopening my spiritstones, and then refilling them. Meanwhile, though, I have a curiosity.
"Hethia, what was she *doing* up there?"
"I believe that she was sleeping, Domitor."
There is a pause. I'm glad Hethia's feeling better. I am. I take another pause, and remind myself of that.
"As you say. Why, then. Why was she sleeping up there, in my bed, with me? How did this come to pass?"
"It appeared to be magical exhaustion, Domitor. After you went to bed, she asked me a very similar question, and I explained some of how tiring the past few days must have been. She became concerned and went to your room. When she saw you there, unconscious on the bed, she slipped the covers over you, knelt on the bed beside you, and began to work a healing magic. It was obviously both gentle and beneficial, so I did not interfere. She continued for a number of minutes, showing signs of increasing strain, before finally relaxing, passing out, and falling across you. I took the initiative to move her to a position that would be more comfortable fr both of you, and let you be."
Oh.
Well, then.
I spend the next few hours in silence, working stones.
----------------
As always, feedback of all kinds much appreciated, and concrit will be listened to and actively considered. I'm unlikely to repost sections here unless somethign calls for a major rewrite, but it does go into the file that I'm building, and will be in the final version when I post it (wherever it is that I end up posting it).
On the bright side, I've finally managed to get the next bit done. It's a little short, but hopefully there will be more to follow soon.
------------------
I wake up a little while later, feeling worlds better. I check the clock to my right. Huh. That's funny. It's only been about three hours, and I feel like I've slept at least eight or nine. Also, there's something funny on my left side. I look left. The girl is lying on top of the covers, curled up against me, nestled into the crook of my arm, passed out. It feels really nice, and she looks really cute, and I have no idea how to deal with this. She mumbles something unintelligible and burrows in a little closer. I turn my head to stare at the ceiling.
"Hethia?"
"Yes, Domitor?"
"Help?"
"What would you have of me, Domitor?"
"What do I do?"
"You could just relax and enjoy it. Given that you were alone when you fell asleep, it is likely that she doesn't mind being there."
"Hethia?"
"Yes, Domitor?"
"That's not helping."
Hethia, of course, says nothing.
I spend a few more moments strugging with myself, and then begin, slowly and carefully, to move. It takes all of the skills I have at my disposal - pillow replacement technique, blanket repositioning, and one panicked moment of fervent, carefully generic prayer, but I manage to get free without waking her up, and even make sure that she has enough covers around her to stay warm. Then I head down stairs. Perhaps I'll put in some time in the workshop after all.
My workshop is in the basement, lined with Primal Stone (and wow, but that wasn't cheap) and covered in wards of containment and protection, carved into the stones themselves. If you're going to do something long-term, it pays to do it right. I settle down for the long, tedious process of reopening my spiritstones, and then refilling them. Meanwhile, though, I have a curiosity.
"Hethia, what was she *doing* up there?"
"I believe that she was sleeping, Domitor."
There is a pause. I'm glad Hethia's feeling better. I am. I take another pause, and remind myself of that.
"As you say. Why, then. Why was she sleeping up there, in my bed, with me? How did this come to pass?"
"It appeared to be magical exhaustion, Domitor. After you went to bed, she asked me a very similar question, and I explained some of how tiring the past few days must have been. She became concerned and went to your room. When she saw you there, unconscious on the bed, she slipped the covers over you, knelt on the bed beside you, and began to work a healing magic. It was obviously both gentle and beneficial, so I did not interfere. She continued for a number of minutes, showing signs of increasing strain, before finally relaxing, passing out, and falling across you. I took the initiative to move her to a position that would be more comfortable fr both of you, and let you be."
Oh.
Well, then.
I spend the next few hours in silence, working stones.
----------------
As always, feedback of all kinds much appreciated, and concrit will be listened to and actively considered. I'm unlikely to repost sections here unless somethign calls for a major rewrite, but it does go into the file that I'm building, and will be in the final version when I post it (wherever it is that I end up posting it).