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You stretch and take in the bustle of the city around you. Being back in the great hall isn’t your preferred choice, but it beats sleeping on straw mats. It also helps that your favorite person is here. You purchase a meat bun from a nearby vendor and heft your travel pack over your shoulder.
The garden is empty when you step in, as expected. You say hello to your favorite trees and breathe in the salty air. An adventurous homebody is a strange combination, but what are you if not made of contradictions?
You make your way through the special door hidden within the silverwood trees. Twists and turns take you to familiar doors and you hesitate. A stop at the bathhouse might have been better but you so desperately want to collapse on soft sheets and pillows.
You knock in a coded pattern and the doors open like arms welcoming you inside. You tiptoe around the room hoping to surprise its occupant but the bed is made and empty. There aren’t a lot of places a sealchair can hide here. The disappointment feels like a stone.
“Damn, I’ll have to wait—”
“Wait for what?”
You shriek and turn around. The great sage, Beldaruit, sits before you dressed in his full regalia. Pale blue eyes light up with mirth.
“You are such an insufferable person,” you sigh. “Is this even you or an apparition?”
“Oh foo, you’re as bad as Olruggio.” The visage fades into smoke, and the lights flicker on illuminating the real Beldaruit laying in bed.
You roll your eyes and take the seat by his side, divesting yourself of your shoes and cloak. “I’m sure you’ll find some way to really surprise me in the coming days.”
His eyes twinkle. “If you had returned earlier you would’ve seen quite a sight.”
“Hm?”
“Qifrey’s apprentices had their second test interrupted and I let them make it up. I wanted to be surprised.”
There are few situations that require the sage of wisdom’s input, he must’ve been quite excited. “Were you?”
His face lights up with a dazzling smile and he excitedly grasps your hands. “It was wonderful! They took such common spells and created such beauty. They even opened a path that my chair could fit through.”
You find yourself smiling. If children could figure out how to make the hall accessible, what are their leaders’ excuses? If it wouldn’t be considered vandalism, you’d carve glyphs into every nook and cranny of this human-sized aquarium.
He bounces your hands. “Absolutely marvelous! It’s a treasure to see such passion in young children.”
Ah, he’s started. You deftly climb to the empty space beside him, sinking in the bedding. It’s not that you don’t love his passion, but you’re a bit tired. He tells you about the spells, the rain and sunlight reflected through gate doors. The mimicry pouch and rainbows that shined.
He finishes with a pained breath. You bolt upright and grip his hand. “Belda—“
He squeezes back and smiles. “I’m fine, just a little tired from an excursion.”
There are a few more pillows supporting him than usual and a small jar on the bedside table. Maybe an ointment? “I’ll make you some tea.”
He pulls you to his chest and rests his cheek upon your head.
You pout but relax in his hold. Today isn’t the time for such a serious discussion.
“Some days I wonder what keeps you interested in an old fart like me.” He mumbles this into your hair and the vibrations tickles.
You run a few fingers through his hair, twirl a strand. “I’m pretty boring so I guess it works out.”
“You’re far from boring. I remember a certain incident involving dancing cleaning supplies.”
“You know how much I hate chores. Besides, don’t sell yourself short. You’re the most passionate person I know. The dedication and love you have for magic is inspiring.”
You lean up and kiss his cheek. The slight blush and widening of his eyes make you giggle.
“Compliments and kisses? You’re rarely this affectionate. Did something happen?”
You shrug. “No. I just really missed you. I’ll tell you about the stuff I saw—“ you yawn, “tomorrow.”