Chapter Text
“Fortune go with you, Adrienne.”
She offers up her customary meaningless smile and gives a little nod of affirmation, then turns her attention to the labyrinth before her.
“Don’t have too much fun without me,” G’raha Tia calls after her, just before she begins her ascent. He is still perhaps a little on the sullen side, but his tone is decidedly light, meant to reach out and not to push away.
She turns back to face him. “Don’t you think it would be a little difficult to observe all those ancient artifacts while also engaged in combat?” she wonders, not unkindly.
G’raha sniffs. “I’ll have you know I am more than capable of multitasking.”
She’s never found it remotely charming to see someone pouting before. She has half a mind to physically shake the notion out of her head.
“Anyway, I take it you’ve never tried your hand at archery. I daresay it’s not nearly as exciting as what you do.” He gestures to her staff.
She inclines her head thoughtfully. “You should try it sometime,” she tells him. Later, she thinks, she’d like to ask him what’s keeping him from doing all the little things that seem to strike his fancy. Sure, there are ancient tomes to study, and Cid has forbidden him from joining her on this particular excursion, but what of matters less consequential?
G’raha turns suddenly and jarringly bashful. “Alas, I’ve no talent for magicks,” he says amiably. He reaches over his shoulder to tap his bow. “Truthfully, I’m no prodigy with the bow, either, but it serves me well enough.”
Cid calls out from behind them, and G’raha positively wilts. “Duty calls,” he sighs.
Before he can retreat, or before she can think better of it, Adrienne throws an arm about his shoulders and ducks her head to kiss his cheek. He freezes under her touch, his expression dazed, but not displeased.
“You should give yourself more credit, G’raha Tia,” she says fondly before she turns to depart.