Snippet #2767441

Aerlinde entered the dining hall, spotting her brother and his wife. Caladion looked rather more well-slept than her, seemingly having been spared from the worst of It's visitation this night. She had to admit she envied him slightly, but there was no resentment in it. She loved her brother dearly, and even at her darkest hour, likely wouldn't wish to set It on him instead.

Instead Aerlinde greeted them with a wan, yet sincere, smile, not having a reason, the energy, nor the will to fake a less pallid countenance when all present could deduce the struggle she had faced from the bags under her eyes.

She sat down in a chair near theirs, as they exchanged spoken greetings. Some pleasant small-talk later, during which Aerlinde learned her niece Gilthoniel had decided to go visit her 'secret' paramour in Elwenil, her sister-in-law Eryn excused herself. It was about time for her and Caladion's youngest to wake up and he tended to ask for his mother first thing in the morning.

Caladion playfully grumbled a little at this, faking being put out at this clear favoritism the boy expressed. As soon as Eryn closed the door behind her though, his eyes sharpened and he stopped slouching.

"Did you manage to glean anything from It?", he asked Aerlinde.

She shook her head. "Same as always", she answered, "While taunting me with the fact that It was drawing ever closer to being free, It seems to be just as in the dark as we are as to the cause of our problems."

She paused, taking a bite of her food before continuing, "Pun not intended."

Caladion gave her the stink eye at that addition, but didn't say anything about it, deciding to finish his own dinner.

He excused himself not much later, citing that he needed to go prune the pile of paperwork undoubtedly waiting for him before it grew enough to drain him of the will to live.