estoria | closed

poised) and Shin-Ah (

dragonseyes)
When: Post-Event, following this.
Where: Natalia's apartment
What: Secret princess identity possibly revealed, Natalia wishes to talk to Shin-Ah.
Warning: None.

[Finding Natalia's apartment isn't an adventure per se but it takes Shin-Ah a little bit longer than it probably should have. The numbering system within buildings was still foreign to him and every apartment door seemed to look the same. Systematically, Shin-Ah had combed through the different levels within the building, working his way up and up until the found the right apartment.

He wasn't one to doubt someone's words. If Natalia said she was fine, she was fine. But she had looked so exhausted... Well. Shin-Ah would keep an eye on her state. Just in case. And if she didn't feel well, he could go and find Yoon. Yoon knows how to heal and make things better after all.

Though Shin-Ah did wonder what she wanted to talk about. He tried not to ponder too much, Natalia would bring up whatever she wanted to talk about at her earliest convenience.

…

A lot of stairs later, Shin-Ah stopped in front of a door and checked the address Natalia had given him again, comparing the numbers. Yes. This seemed to be the right place. Ao, peering down from Shin-Ah's shoulder, also seemed satisfied with the results of their endeavor.

And since Shin-Ah is a old-fashioned guy, Natalia, you get a handful of polite knocks.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's a good thing that Shin-Ah has gotten used to simple gestures, touching fingers or small squeezes. It still feel foreign sometimes but when Natalia places her hands on Shin-Ah's, it feels like the most normal thing in the world.

There is a part of him which still feels like he should be withdrawing now but Natalia is like Yona and the others. She doesn't mind if he sticks around.

Letting Ao climb back up onto Shin-Ah's shoulder via his arm, he settles down on the couch again and watches Natalia drink. He made it just the way Yoon does and hopes it tastes good enough.]

[If it's just like Yoon makes it, it's guaranteed to be delicious. And as she takes the sip, she just hums pleasantly and sighs after. Her shoulders relax a bit more as she turns to Shin-Ah and nods.]

It's very good.

[ . . . But she does wonder. With one hand, she lightly pulls on the fur piece around her shoulders and tilts her head.]

Would you like this back?

[It's still November after all. Sure, her apartment is well-heated but she didn't want him to be cold...]

[Better. The tension lining Natalia's shoulders seems to be less now and Shin-Ah inwardly lets out a quiet sigh of relief. He managed to help her. He needs to remember to thank Yoon later, for letting him observe how he makes his tea.

At Natalia's question, Shin-Ah pauses before shaking his head. He still has his thick coat to help him stay warm and Natalia looks comfortable the way she is. Besides, the fur is fluffy and comfortable to curl up under.

Natalia doesn't look like she's cold but Shin-Ah wants to make sure she's comfy.]

[Well yes, it is very fluffy and comfortable but it's still not... hers.... so she frowns vaguely for a moment in thought before gesturing for him to come closer with her hand. Then she scoots over slightly on the couch so she's not sitting in the center (like she naturally did, princess that she is) and pats the spot that opened up next to her.]

No... I insist. You've done enough for me, Shin-Ah, don't let me take more from you.

At the very least, we can share.

[the fur piece seems big enough for that, she thinks....!!]

[... ...

Really? She's okay with that? Shin-Ah stares at his muddy shoes for a second before looking back to Natalia. He doesn't mind sharing his space someone, he's used to sleeping really close to the other dragons and Hak.

And if Natalia insists...

Off the shoes go (hello naked feet) before Shin-Ah settles down next to Natalia, drawing up his legs against his chest before grabbing a corner of the fur piece and pulling it around his shoulders.

There. That should do it.]

[ . . . . . okay, she can't help but laugh faintly at that. He made himself smaller.... and with the pull she can feel herself moving closer but well, that's fine enough. She trusts him and she was the one to invite him.

So she gently sips at her tea then before tilting her head.]

Where did you learn how to make tea, Shin-Ah?

[Quiet, calm conversation while he's still here. Perhaps a nap is in order once he departs, though.]

Yoon.

[The answer comes without hesitation. It's not like Yoon went out of his way to teach Shin-Ah how to make tea per se. But Shin-Ah watches a lot and observing is what Shin-Ah does very well. It's how he learned how to fight and it's how he learned to interpret all the little gesture and expressions the villagers back home made.

Shin-Ah peers down at the tea in Natalia's hands and the content expression on her face. He's glad the tea is working.]

...Yoon taught me.

Did he....

[She hums thoughtfully at that as she finishes off the rest of her tea before moving to set it down gently on the table. Then, she just tugs the fur piece to wrap around her self a bit more.

The urge for the nap is strong but she can't rest against the couch - that's impolite. What is she to do.... She politely covers up a small yawn with her hand before she proceeds-]

Yoon seems like he would be a good teacher.

He is, he... taught me a lot.

[Yoon is one of the best teachers even if he himself probably doesn't realize it. And Shin-Ah will never understand medicine and cooking the way Yoon does but what he can do is pay careful attention to how Yoon uses what and if there is something he needs.

The yawn makes Shin-Ah's attention focus on Natalia again and he frowns worriedly, a tiny thing. She tired still. Better make sure she really is warm then.

Shin-Ah tugs at the fur-turned-blanket carefully around her shoulders, noticing that on her lap, Ao is already dozing. A nap definitely wouldn't hurt Natalia, too...]

[Look, she was all ready to respond casually and mildly to him saying that Yoon is a good teacher but she's taken off-guard by yet another yawn, which she again obscures daintily with her hand.

. . . . But the warmth and Ao napping on her lap aren't making it an easy fight to stay awake. Still though, she tries vaguely, not even really noticing that she's starting to lean closer to Shin-Ah.]

I'm sorry - I do sincerely appreciate your company. I just don't make for very good company myself right now.

[Don't worry about it, Natalia, Shin-Ah isn't about to judge someone simply because they're tired. He'S surprised she hasn't told him to leave, Natalia has clearly been tired from the beginning and then turned it around and allowed Shin-Ah to stay despite his reason for coming over having passed.

She really shouldn't have pushed herself like this.

It's a very tiny gesture but... Shin-Ah takes hold of Natalia's sleeve between thumb and forefinger. There is no one here who will hurt you, Natalia. It's okay to sleep.]

[For a moment, she doesn't understand. She doesn't pull away but does look at his hand curiously. Shin-Ah normally doesn't initiate contact between them....

But does he mean to imply that she can rest now? She doesn't need to push herself, maybe. Just letting her rest....

Well, her heart melts a little bit.

So she gently clears her throat and then moves to rest against him a bit more, trying to keep herself relaxed - but with how warm the fur piece is and he is and Ao is, it's not hard.

Softly, she asks, rather uncertain herself-]

Is this alright....?

[The weight against his side is almost familiar. He's gotten so used to sharing a small tent with the others that he doesn't realize how comforting it was until Natalia relaxes against his side. And if he can share a little bit of that comfort with Natalia, he's happy.

He nods at her question but catches himself. She probably can't see him move his head from her spot.]

Yes.

[This really is alright. Shin-Ah himself isn't tired so he can make sure she won't be disturbed by anything. Natalia can rest, if she wants to. The fingers holding onto Natalia's sleeve get a little more relaxed, a faded but steady presence.]

[In truth, she can't. So the 'yes' of affirmation just gets a soft hum from her because she's already pillowing her head on his shoulder and turning in, warm and inviting as he is.

She's let down her guard before and fallen asleep in the vicinity of her companions, certainly they've ended up brushing against each other in their sleep but Natalia's never really fallen asleep against another person before. Even now she has a few reservations-

Except those reservations are rather gone after an extremely tiring day. And if there's any prime set-up for her to fall asleep, underneath a fur piece with a cute little animal in her lap and a good friend offering to watch over her is probably as good as it gets.

It doesn't long for her breathing to level off then as she nods off against him, feeling perfectly secure despite everything.]

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