Second main blog

It all comes to a head when you get back to your room one sunny afternoon. For the first time in weeks, you've gotten everything done in one frantic push, and now you have the rest of the day to relax. But you can't. You sit down, and then you pace, and then you stare at the wall, and then you lie down. No matter how many times you tell yourself everything's taken care of, we can rest now, the restlessness doesn't cease. Your body and mind and heart are running on fumes but you're too strung out to give them a break.

And that's when your beloved walks in, just in time to see your chin trembling as you squeeze your pillow in frustration.

Julian

Immediately puts his hands on your shoulders and asks you what's wrong. Talk to him. You're clearly not doing well and he's worried

As soon as he gets a general picture of it he's giving you the fullest squeeze, wrapping you up so firmly in his lanky arms that you couldn't rattle apart if you tried

Once he's felt you relax a little, he's keeping you distracted and happy until you're able to sleep

Starts to play doctor with you until you're laughing yourself silly

"Now then, my dear patient, what seems to ail you? I hate to see such a charming face in such pain. Is it your heart, my darling? Shall I check it for you?"

Proceeds to tickle you with his scruff as he pushes his nose into your collarbone: "Wait, that can't be right. I'm supposed to listen to your heart, not smell it. Though I'm sure its perfume is unrivaled."

Will half-jokingly prescribe you bed rest for the rest of today and all of tomorrow, even when you tell him he has to take a break too

*flops dramatically onto the bed next to you* "I suppose I can put aside my neighborly heroic duties for a day or two."

Asra

They're putting everything down and cupping your face in their hands as soon as they spot you. "Oh, MC. Have you gotten that stressed? Let me help you?"

Presses a kiss to each of your palms as soon as you nod and then starts shuffling around the room to make it as relaxing as possible

He's lighting your favorite candles, brewing you a calming tea, and lowering the lights

And then they're pulling out a host of scented oils to choose from so they can massage your back

It's blissful. He has the warmest, smoothest touch and somehow knows exactly where to press to get all the knots out

If want to talk about it, they're all ears

But the longer he works his magic, the more you can feel all the stress and tension bleeding out of you

Before you know it, you're well on your way to falling into a comfortable doze, wrapped up safe and sound in a tangle of limbs with lazy kisses being pressed to your temple

They are more than likely to suggest going on a relaxing trip the next morning. You deserve a break and they want to love on you

Nadia

She'll pull the pillow out of your hands and take them in hers instead

Her grip is one of the most soothing, grounding things you'll ever experience. Her hands are always cool and smooth, and her touch is one of the most firmly delicate things you know

She'll gently squeeze your hands in hers until you meet her eyes, and then she'll be asking you questions about how you're doing

She's so good at reading you and giving you the words you need to express yourself that you've completely explained all your worries and stressors in no time

And then she'll tell you how proud she is of you

How you're the smartest, most capable person she knows, and how you're doing so well, and how she marvels at your brilliance every day

How loving you is her greatest joy

She'll lay your head down in her lap and smooth her fingertips over your face until you fall asleep

And then she'll cancel all of your duties for the next day so she can give herself the pleasure of pampering you

Muriel

He doesn't like interfering with your process. If you're anything like him, you probably want some space when you're feeling anxious or upset

But also, he doesn't like seeing you anxious and upset. He is conflicted

He's the type to put himself in your line of sight, so he knows that you know that he's there and that he's available to you without making you feel pressured to talk to him

He'll also start leaving things close to you that help him stay grounded through his own anxiety - small, smooth wood carvings that fit perfectly in your fist, a cold glass of water, an extra sachet of myrrh

Once you're ready to talk about it, he'll listen and hold you as much as you want him to

If by some chance you're both too anxious to talk to each other, Inanna will take things into her own paws and bully you into bed

And then she will lie on top of you as the ultimate weighted blanket

Either way, Muriel will be as stubbornly patient as he needs to to find out what's caused this, and then he'll help you work through it

Portia

Oh boy. She can relate waayyy too much

She's worked herself too hard to relax so many times before, she knows what you're dealing with better than you do and is wholeheartedly dedicating herself to your recovery

First things first - start ranting. Ranting is good, it gets your feelings out and gives her an idea of how best to love you

Her next step is acting on that. If it's a frustrated kind of anxiety, she's taking you on a brisk walk around the garden to get the nervous energy out

If it's a sad anxiety, she's feeding you so much comfort food and snuggling you in the coziest blankets

And if it's a guilty anxiety, she's force-feeding you affirmations. She is going to look you dead in the eye and tell you so many good things about yourself

And then she's not going to let you go until you repeat it back like you mean it

You are enough. Say it back. You are worthy of so much love. Say it back. You are not disappointing her by being human and having limits. Say it back.

She'll leave it up to you to decide your schedule, but now, she's going to make you rest

Lucio

You're in bed in the middle of the afternoon? That's unusual

But you're right, nap time is always a good idea and it's been a while since he's had the chance to indulge

You'll have to be a little more expressive with your emotional turmoil for him to notice it, but honestly, just having him next to you helps pull you out of your head

He's so peaceful like this. He's perfectly content to lie next to you, stripped-back golden arm angled so it won't dig into your ribs, watching you happily in the golden afternoon light

He won't hesitate to pull you closer into his side so he can ramble about his day while he has your attention

If watching him fall asleep and feeling his slow, deep breaths next to you doesn't ground you, Mercedes and Melchior will

They're up on the bed too